EYFS Planning
Practical, developmentally appropriate planning support for babies, toddlers, preschool and reception.
Planning in the Early Years looks different at every stage of development. It is not about creating activities or tracking outcomes — it is about supporting adults to respond, provide and teach in ways that meet children’s needs.
This hub brings together our full range of EYFS planning support, including:
age-specific planning guidance
curriculum and pedagogy documents
practical templates and tools
continuous provision resources and idea banks
Browse our page or go directly to the planning resources you require using the text links below:
EYFS Curriculum Planning & Guidance Materials
Explore Planning by Age & Setting
What Does ‘Planning’ Mean in the EYFS?
EYFS Planning Tools & Templates
Continuous Provision & Environment Planning
Themes, Topics & Idea Banks
Areas of Learning Resources
In-the-Moment Planning & Observation
SEND & Inclusive Planning in the EYFS
Timetables & Daily Routines
Seasonal Planning & Key Dates
A Final Note on Planning
EYFS Terminology Glossary
Additional EYFS Framework Support Materials
Further Support
Explore Planning by Age & Setting
Start by selecting the age or setting most relevant to you. Each page brings together curriculum guidance, planning tools and practical resources tailored to that stage or setting:
Planning for Babies | 0–18 Months
Care, routines and interaction as the curriculum
Planning for Toddlers | 18–36 Months
Observation-led planning, schemas and exploration
Planning for Reception (4–5 Years)
Curriculum, teaching and school readiness
EYFS Planning for Childminders (Birth–5)
Planning tools & guidance to support mixed-age care
EYFS Planning for Nurseries (Birth–5)
Practical, flexible approach to planning across baby rooms, toddler rooms & preschool provision
What Does ‘Planning’ Mean in the EYFS?
Planning in the Early Years is often misunderstood.
In high-quality EYFS practice:
planning supports adult thinking, not children’s performance
learning is driven by play, interaction and relationships
observation informs decisions — not pre-set activities
development is non-linear and individual
Planning may include:
adapting environments and provision
responding to children’s interests and needs
offering short, purposeful adult-led moments (where appropriate)
reflecting on what is working and what needs to change
Free EYFS Birth-5 Planning Resources
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If you are not a member already, become a ‘Free Access’ member here. This will give you access to resources within the ‘Free Sample Resources’ sections at the top of most topic provision pages plus all ‘Special Dates Calendars’.
Find out more about all of our membership options here.
If you are already a member… thank-you!
A curriculum is more overarching and denotes what you want the children to learn in the time they are with you.
It must be based on the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, which gives you a basis that you can build on, through the 7 areas of learning.
You can decide how best to deliver those areas by creating a curriculum unique to your setting, providing activities and experiences that deliver those areas of learning.
EYFS Planning Tools & Templates
For practitioners who use written planning as part of their reflection and organisation, we provide a range of flexible tools. These tools are designed to:
reduce workload
support consistency
strengthen practitioner confidence
Weekly planning templates | Age-Specific
A professional planning and reflection tool supporting child-led inquiry, curriculum coherence and meaningful learning conversations in Reception.
A professional support resource for childminders who prefer light-touch written reflection alongside responsive EYFS practice.
A professional planning toolkit supporting responsive, play-based EYFS practice in preschool settings.
In-the-moment planning prompts | Age-Specific & Generic
A professional guidance document supporting confident, low-burden EYFS planning in childminding and mixed-age settings.
Observing cues, responding through interaction and adjusting provision for babies aged 0–18 months.
This form of planning is the most flexible and responsive. It's often referred to as "in the moment", "on-the-spot" or "responsive" planning. Intended for use by all types of EYFS practitioners, this flexible pack is ideal for Nurseries, Childminders, Preschools or for Reception Teachers at school. This short-term planning toolkit has all of the materials you need to guide you through this responsive approach to your children’s learning.
Observation templates, assessment reflection sheets aids & strength-based reports | Age-Specific
A practical professional guide to recognising, planning for and assessing how Reception children learn through play, teaching and application.
A professional guidance document clarifying statutory RBA expectations while protecting high-quality, play-based Reception practice.
A professional guidance document supporting the development of self-regulation, learning behaviours and independence in Reception.
A professional planning and reflection tool supporting child-led inquiry, curriculum coherence and meaningful learning conversations in Reception.
A professional guidance document supporting responsive teaching, proportionate assessment and secure EYFSP judgements in Reception.
Supporting Continuity of Care and Learning - An optional professional template supporting smooth, child-centred transitions in childminding settings.
Supporting Transitions and Communication with Families and Schools - A professional guidance document supporting clear, proportionate information sharing in childminding settings.
Supporting Transitions and Communication with Families and Schools - A professional guidance document supporting clear, proportionate information sharing in childminding settings.
Observing Patterns, Adapting Practice, Seeking Support - A professional guidance document supporting confident, inclusive EYFS practice and early identification in home-based childminding settings.
A professional guidance document supporting confident, proportionate EYFS assessment in mixed-age, home-based settings.
A professional observation tool supporting deep understanding of toddler learning, behaviour and development.
Professional observation tools supporting deeper understanding of toddler learning, behaviour and development.
A professional reporting toolkit supporting meaningful communication with families and smooth transition to school.
A strength-based progress review supporting meaningful partnership with families in preschool.
A practical professional toolkit supporting responsive EYFS practice without over-planning.
Adult-led session planning templates & session banks (where developmentally appropriate) | Age-Specific
A professional guidance document supporting confident, developmentally appropriate physical development and early writing practice in Reception.
A professional guidance pack supporting developmentally appropriate early writing through purpose-led modelling, phonics application and play-based follow-through in continuous provision.
The Reception Maths Teaching Framework provides a clear, coherent model for play-based and progression-led teaching of mathematics across the Reception year that is developmentally appropriate and inspection-secure.
A professional guidance pack supporting high-quality, SSP-aligned phonics teaching in Reception — with a strong focus on application in provision, adult interaction and inclusive practice.
A practitioner-facing toolkit designed to support high-quality Expressive Arts & Design (EAD) practice for toddlers through open-ended exploration, identity expression and joyful creative inquiry.
A practitioner-facing guidance pack designed to support high-quality Understanding the World (UTW) practice for toddlers through real experiences, enabling environments and responsive adult interaction.
Foundations for early mathematical thinking through play, language and everyday experiences.
Adult initiated opportunity bank supporting movement, coordination, regulation and early independence.
Adult initiated opportunities offered to strengthen toddlers’ self-regulation, independence and relationships.
Progression map and adult initiated opportunity bank to strengthen toddler language through high-quality interactions.
Professional guidance + printable activity cards for play-based, responsive toddler practice. A practical, practitioner-friendly pack of play invitations and interaction prompts to strengthen language, independence, movement and problem-solving in toddler rooms.
A practitioner-facing reference supporting intentional, developmentally appropriate toddler practice across key strands.
How our Fine-Motor & Marking-Making Mini Session Bank & our Early Writing Purpose Mini Session Bank are Designed To Work Together.
A sequenced set of adult-led mini sessions building the physical foundations for confident early writing.
This document is a complete bank of 24 short, high-quality maths small-group sessions designed specifically for Preschool children aged 3–4 years.
The 24 sessions are organised into six developmental strands: Subitising, Counting Principles, Comparing Quantities, Composition of Number, Spatial & Shape and Measures & Pattern.
Find answers to our Preschool Phase 1 Phonics & Early Reading Curriculum Frequently Asked Questions.
Additional Blank Planning Templates | Generic Birth-5
Continuous Provision & Environment Planning
The environment is a key part of planning in the EYFS.
Explore:
Continuous provision packs by area of learning
Environment setup guidance
Provision maps and audits
Enhancement ideas and resource lists
These resources help you:
create enabling environments
support independent exploration
respond to children’s interests through provision — not activities
Babies | Birth-18 Months
Toddlers | 18-36 Months
Professional guidance for designing meaningful, developmentally appropriate outdoor learning for toddlers.
Professional planning tools for rotating provision with purpose, depth and responsiveness.
Practical, pedagogy-led guidance for designing environments that support how toddlers learn.
Preschool | 3-4 Years
Audit, mapping and reflective tools for high-quality EYFS provision - A practical curriculum and pedagogy document for Preschool (3–4 Years)
The pack provides detailed guidance for every core Preschool learning zone, including:
~ Construction ~ Small World ~ Role-Play ~ Writing & Mark-Making ~ Maths ~ Creative / Art ~ Investigation / STEM ~ Book Corner / Reading Den ~ Fine Motor Station ~ Water and Sand ~ Outdoor Core Zones (physical play, nature, maths, mark-making, mud kitchen) ~ Snack Area / Independence Station ~
Reception | 4-5 Years
A professional guidance document explaining how intentional adult interaction supports learning, application and inclusion within child-initiated play in Reception.
A professional guidance document outlining the purpose, structure and pedagogy of outdoor continuous provision in Reception.
A comprehensive set of professional guidance documents supporting high-quality, purposeful continuous provision across all key areas of the Reception environment.
A professional guidance document outlining how continuous provision is designed, structured and used to support learning, progression and independence in Reception.
Childminder | Mixed Age Birth-5
Learning Beyond the Home Environment - A professional guidance document supporting confident, intentional EYFS learning beyond the home in childminding settings.
Keeping Provision Fresh Without Overwhelm - A professional guidance toolkit supporting intentional, manageable provision in childminding settings.
A professional guidance document supporting confident continuous provision in home-based, mixed-age EYFS settings.
Continuous Provision & Play Areas Printable Resource Hub - Coming Soon!
Themes, Topics & Idea Banks
Themes and topics can be useful organisational tools — but they should never drive learning.
We provide:
Topic idea maps
Activity idea banks
Themed provision resources
Seasonal and celebration-based ideas
These are designed to:
support practitioner inspiration
enhance provision
provide shared contexts for play and talk
They should always be used:
flexibly
selectively
in response to children’s interests
—not as fixed plans to follow.
Toddlers | 18-36 Months
A sensory-rich exploration of weather, movement and material change, designed to build early scientific thinking, descriptive language and whole-body learning.
A high-impact week of songs, action rhymes and sound play designed to strengthen early language foundations through rhythm, repetition and movement.
A relationship-centred mini-project that places children’s identity, preferences and sense of self at the heart of learning.
A high-impact, play-rich mini-project that uses water as the vehicle for developing physical control, early maths (capacity), schema play and simple scientific thinking.
A highly engaging, creativity-led mini-project focused on colour naming, sorting and matching, and the “wow” science of colour mixing—ideal for building early maths thinking, language and fine motor control through playful exploration.
A gentle, emotionally rich mini-project that uses familiar comfort objects to support social development, early role play, language for manners and routine, and practical self-help skills.
A focused, sensory-rich mini-project that uses food, cooking play and preparation routines to build independence, fine motor strength and rich descriptive language through child-led exploration.
A professional mini-project planner designed to harness toddlers’ fascination with vehicles, power and construction — supporting schema play, physical development and language through high-impact, child-led provision.
A professional project planner supporting mathematical thinking, problem-solving and collaborative construction through play.
A toddler project planner supporting sensory, physical and schema-rich learning through summer play.
A nature-based project planner that builds awe and respect for living things, grows rich outdoor vocabulary, and strengthens fine-motor precision through real-world exploration.
A sensory-rich project planner that builds language for taste and texture, strengthens self-help skills, and supports confident, inclusive mealtime practice in toddler rooms.
A highly engaging project supporting language through animal sound play, empathy and schema-rich habitat building in toddler rooms.
A springtime project supporting curiosity, care for living things, rich vocabulary and early science through real-world change.
A high-engagement project supporting transporting and trajectory schemas, gross motor development and rich action vocabulary in toddler rooms.
A sensory-rich winter project supporting self-regulation, early science and cosy, secure toddler practice.
A sensory-rich, awe-inspiring project supporting confidence, language and early scientific thinking in toddler rooms.
A sensory-rich, seasonally grounded project supporting language, exploration and early understanding of change in toddler rooms.
A play-led, relationship-focused project supporting community awareness, role play and language development in toddler rooms.
A developmentally grounded theme planner supporting belonging, identity and emotional security in toddler rooms.
Professional guidance showing how schematic learning is intentionally embedded across toddler projects.
Professional guidance explaining the role of projects within a play-led toddler curriculum.
A flexible, developmentally informed overview of optional project themes across the toddler year.
Preschool | 3-4 Years
A two-week, low-prep mini theme designed to support body awareness, emotional literacy and wellbeing through play.
A two-week, low-prep mini theme designed to spark curiosity, investigation and imaginative thinking through play.
A six-week, sensory-rich curriculum theme exploring water, movement and environmental care (Commonly used in Summer 2)
A six-week, play-based curriculum theme exploring growth, change and independence (Commonly used in Summer 1)
A six-week, play-based curriculum theme exploring living things, care and connection with the natural world. (Commonly used in Spring 2)
A six-week, play-based curriculum theme exploring movement, direction, story and connection (Commonly used in Spring 1)
A six-week EYFS curriculum pack exploring problem-solving, community and staying safe (Commonly used in Autumn 2)
A six-week EYFS curriculum pack focused on identity, belonging and emotional language (Commonly used in Autumn 1)
A two-week, flexible mini theme designed to strengthen oral storytelling, empathy and imagination through play.
A two-week, flexible mini theme designed to spark curiosity, imagination and early STEAM thinking through play.
A two-week, low-prep mini theme designed to support empathy, responsibility and language development through play.
A two-week, low-prep mini theme designed to support belonging, inclusion and cultural understanding through meaningful play.
A two-week, low-prep mini theme designed to deepen problem-solving, collaboration and early STEM learning through play.
A two-week, low-prep mini theme designed to enrich provision and respond to children’s emerging interests.
A practical, inspection-ready explanation of how curriculum intent becomes daily EYFS practice.
Reception | 4-5 Years
Bank of theme-based high-impact questions & vocabulary for use within Reception provision.
A professional guidance toolkit supporting responsive, observation-led enhancements that strengthen learning without over-directing play in Reception.
Themed Provision Resources | Birth-5
Keeping Provision Fresh Without Overwhelm - A professional guidance toolkit supporting intentional, manageable provision in childminding settings.
Our curriculum is designed to support high-quality Early Years practice by providing practitioners with clear, developmentally appropriate guidance and flexible, responsive planning tools from birth to five.
Capture the magic of seasonal science with our focused Hibernation High-Impact Question & Vocab Bank! This unique and invaluable EYFS resource is specifically tailored for UK Early Years practitioners aiming to explore the fascinating topic of hibernation with depth and developmental appropriateness. It provides the linguistic tools…
Bring depth and scientific curiosity to your setting with our Nocturnal Animals High-Impact Question & Vocab Bank! This powerful EYFS planning resource is designed for UK Early Years practitioners seeking to deepen learning about the natural world and systematically enrich children's topic vocabulary and critical thinking skills.…
Make your festive season learning rich, purposeful, and curriculum-focused with our Christmas High-Impact Question & Vocab Bank! This unique EYFS resource is specifically designed for UK Early Years practitioners who want to go beyond simple festive crafts and use the excitement of Christmas to drive significant language and cognitive development…
Unlock the potential of every interaction with our brand-new High-Impact Question & Vocab Bank resource, expertly designed to elevate the quality of adult-child conversations within the EYFS framework. This essential EYFS planning aid moves beyond basic activity ideas…
Role-Play Packs
Please use the arrows to the right of the carousel below to browse our role play pack resources. Alternatively, visit our ‘Role-Play Area’ page.
Theme Provision Pages
Please use the arrows to the right of the carousel below and select a theme to explore our continuous provision enhancement resources. Alternatively, visit our ‘Themes Menu Page’.
Areas of Learning Resources
Browse resources organised by EYFS areas of learning on our hub pages linked below:
Prime Areas
Specific Areas
These can be used to:
support provision planning
extend learning in the moment
build staff understanding of development
Below are some additional overarching ‘Area of Learning’ resources. (For educational materials that address each of the 7 areas of learning individually, please visit the pages linked above or our ‘Areas of Learning Hub Page’.)
Area of Learning Guidance Materials
A professional guidance document clarifying statutory RBA expectations while protecting high-quality, play-based Reception practice.
A structured, phase-based approach to medium-term curriculum planning in Reception, supporting progression, depth and developmentally appropriate practice across the year.
A comprehensive professional toolkit outlining learning progression across the Reception year, aligned with the EYFS framework and EYFSP expectations.
Supporting Transitions and Communication with Families and Schools - A professional guidance document supporting clear, proportionate information sharing in childminding settings.
Supporting Transitions and Communication with Families and Schools - A professional guidance document supporting clear, proportionate information sharing in childminding settings.
A statutory-compliant, practitioner-friendly toolkit supporting meaningful assessment and parent partnership.
A concise professional reference supporting consistent, developmentally appropriate responses in toddler rooms.
A practitioner-facing reference supporting intentional, developmentally appropriate toddler practice across key strands.
A practitioner-facing reference supporting intentional, developmentally appropriate toddler practice across key strands.
A developmentally informed curriculum overview supporting intentional, child-led toddler practice.
A parent-friendly guidance pack supporting early speech and language through everyday interaction.
A developmentally informed progression tool supporting strength, control and confidence in early fine motor development.
A play-based progression tool supporting deep number understanding through real-world EYFS practice.
A play-based progression tool supporting exploration of shape and pattern by building, rotating, navigating, transforming and describing.
A play-based progression tool supporting deep number understanding through real-world EYFS practice.
A developmentally grounded progression tool supporting early writing from mark-making to name writing.
A play-based progression tool supporting the foundations for early reading before formal phonics.
A practical progression tool supporting listening, understanding, vocabulary and conversation through play-based EYFS practice.
A clear, inspection-ready articulation of Preschool curriculum design, delivery and impact.
A cohesive, high-level overview of learning and development from birth to the end of the EYFS.
Development Matters Support Examples, Plus ELGs and Checkpoints
In-the-Moment Planning & Observation
Effective EYFS planning happens in real time.
Explore:
In-the-moment planning packs
Observation prompts and templates
Responsive interaction guidance
These support practitioners to:
notice and interpret children’s behaviour
respond sensitively and appropriately
adapt provision and interaction in the moment
Please visit the following pages for Age-Specific In-the-Moment Responsive Planning Guidance & Templates:
SEND & Inclusive Planning in the EYFS
Planning in the Early Years is always inclusive.
Children do not need separate plans to be included — they need environments, interactions and routines that adapt to them.
Inclusive planning in the EYFS means:
observing how each child communicates, engages and regulates
adapting provision before increasing adult direction
responding to sensory, communication and emotional needs
working closely with families and other professionals
noticing patterns over time and responding early
Support may include:
adjusting the environment (noise, layout, resources)
adapting adult interaction and language
providing additional consistency and reassurance
offering alternative ways to engage and communicate
SEND support in the EYFS is:
relational
preventative
responsive
—not based on labels, targets or separate activities.
Please visit the following pages for Age-Specific SEND & Inclusion Planning Guidance & Tools:
SEND & Inclusion Hub - Coming Soon!
In the meantime, related printable resources may be found on the following pages:
Timetables & Daily Routines
Daily structure supports both children and adults.
We provide:
visual timetables
routine planning tools
daily flow examples
These help you:
create predictable, calm environments
support transitions
maintain flexibility within structure
Babies (Birth-18 Months) | Care As Curriculum & Daily Routines As Learning Opportunities
A parent-friendly guidance pack supporting early speech and language through everyday interaction.
A parent-facing guidance document supporting consistency, wellbeing and early communication from birth.
A professional, parent-facing pack supporting calm transitions, secure attachment and consistent early care in baby rooms.
A professional communication document supporting strong partnerships between home and the baby room.
Timetables & Routines Printable Resources | Birth - 5
To view all of our printable provision resources, please visit our ‘Timetables & Routines’ Hub Page.
Seasonal Planning & Key Dates
The following resources can help you to support:
cultural awareness
inclusive practice
meaningful shared experiences
Special Dates Calendars (Free) | Festivals, Celebrations & Awareness Dates
Welcome to May! This month is a breath of fresh air for the classroom, moving fully into the "Great Outdoors." With the arrival of warmer weather, the curriculum shifts toward growth, sustainability, and physical well-being, while also celebrating the diverse identities of our families and global communities…
Looking for some age-appropriate & engaging activity ideas or continuous provision enhancements for April? Our free April calendar download includes key events, festivals and celebrations to help inform your nursery school, childminder, preschool or school activities, provision and planning. Have fun! 😊…
🌿📚 A vibrant shift towards Spring, blending scientific discovery, cultural literacy, and vital well-being topics. This month offers a rich curriculum focusing on renewal, diversity, and healthy living, perfectly timed as the weather improves.…
💖📖 This month is all about celebrating love and kindness, fostering communication, and continuing our exploration of the natural world. It's a wonderful time to build on early literacy…
❄️📖 As the festive glow fades, this month offers a clean slate to delve into themes focusing on the natural world, healthy habits, and the power of language and stories. It’s a great time to introduce new.…
🎄🌟 Welcome to December! This month is all about light, celebration, and reflection, providing a wonderful mix of cultural and social themes. While the focus naturally turns to the festive season.…
✨❤️ November is a bridge month, connecting the end of Autumn with the start of Winter and the festive season. It's rich in opportunities to weave together crucial PSED (Personal, Social and Emotional…
🍂🎃 Welcome to October! This is one of the most exciting months in the early years and primary school calendar, offering a wealth of opportunities for hands-on, cross-curricular learning. With the turn of…
Festivals & Celebrations Provision Pages
Please use the arrows to the right of the carousel below and select a festival to explore our continuous provision enhancement resources. Alternatively, visit our ‘Festivals & Celebrations Menu Page’.
Seasonal Themes
Visit the following Seasonal Hub Pages to explore relevant sub-themes and resources.
A Final Note on Planning
High-quality EYFS planning is:
flexible
responsive
rooted in relationships
guided by observation
It looks different in every room — and that is exactly how it should be.
Our resources are designed to support your professional judgement — not replace it.
Further Support
Additional support materials for your curriculum planning may be found on the following pages:
Planning by Age:
Setting Planning:
Useful Site Areas:
Related ‘Get Organised’ Pages:
This webpage and documents within it are provided as professional guidance to support effective EYFS practice. They do not replace the EYFS Statutory Framework or other statutory guidance. Practitioners must apply professional judgement and adapt practice to their setting and current requirements.
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
