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Reception planning with the EYFS early learning goals

Plan Reception activities with the 17 early learning goals across the seven areas of learning in view. The goals describe the expected level at the end of Reception; they support an end-of-year judgement and are not a checklist for every activity.

Communication and Language

Prime area

Early learning goal: Listening, Attention and Understanding

  • ENG-EYFS-CL-1.1

    Listen attentively and respond to what they hear with relevant questions, comments and actions when being read to and during whole class discussions and small group interactions.

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  • ENG-EYFS-CL-1.2

    Make comments about what they have heard and ask questions to clarify their understanding.

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  • ENG-EYFS-CL-1.3

    Hold conversation when engaged in back-and-forth exchanges with their teacher and peers.

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Early learning goal: Speaking

  • ENG-EYFS-CL-2.1

    Participate in small group, class and one-to-one discussions, offering their own ideas, using recently introduced vocabulary.

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  • ENG-EYFS-CL-2.2

    Offer explanations for why things might happen, making use of recently introduced vocabulary from stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems when appropriate.

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  • ENG-EYFS-CL-2.3

    Express their ideas and feelings about their experiences using full sentences, including use of past, present and future tenses and making use of conjunctions, with modelling and support from their teacher.

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Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Prime area

Early learning goal: Self-Regulation

  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-1.1

    Show an understanding of their own feelings and those of others and begin to regulate their behaviour accordingly.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-1.2

    Set and work towards simple goals, being able to wait for what they want and control their immediate impulses when appropriate.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-1.3

    Give focused attention to what the teacher says, responding appropriately even when engaged in activity, and show an ability to follow instructions involving several ideas or actions.

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Early learning goal: Managing Self

  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-2.1

    Be confident to try new activities and show independence, resilience and perseverance in the face of challenge.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-2.2

    Explain the reasons for rules, know right from wrong and try to behave accordingly.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-2.3

    Manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs, including dressing, going to the toilet and understanding the importance of healthy food choices.

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Early learning goal: Building Relationships

  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-3.1

    Work and play cooperatively and take turns with others.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-3.2

    Form positive attachments to adults and friendships with peers.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PSED-3.3

    Show sensitivity to their own and to others’ needs.

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Physical Development

Prime area

Early learning goal: Gross Motor Skills

  • ENG-EYFS-PD-1.1

    Negotiate space and obstacles safely, with consideration for themselves and others.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PD-1.2

    Demonstrate strength, balance and coordination when playing.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PD-1.3

    Move energetically, such as running, jumping, dancing, hopping, skipping and climbing.

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Early learning goal: Fine Motor Skills

  • ENG-EYFS-PD-2.1

    Hold a pencil effectively in preparation for fluent writing – using the tripod grip in almost all cases.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PD-2.2

    Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paint brushes and cutlery.

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  • ENG-EYFS-PD-2.3

    Begin to show accuracy and care when drawing.

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Literacy

Specific area

Early learning goal: Comprehension

  • ENG-EYFS-L-1.1

    Demonstrate understanding of what has been read to them by retelling stories and narratives using their own words and recently introduced vocabulary.

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  • ENG-EYFS-L-1.2

    Anticipate – where appropriate – key events in stories.

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  • ENG-EYFS-L-1.3

    Use and understand recently introduced vocabulary during discussions about stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems and during role-play.

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Early learning goal: Word Reading

  • ENG-EYFS-L-2.1

    Say a sound for each letter in the alphabet and at least 10 digraphs.

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  • ENG-EYFS-L-2.2

    Read words consistent with their phonic knowledge by sound-blending.

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  • ENG-EYFS-L-2.3

    Read aloud simple sentences and books that are consistent with their phonic knowledge, including some common exception words.

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Early learning goal: Writing

  • ENG-EYFS-L-3.1

    Write recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.

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  • ENG-EYFS-L-3.2

    Spell words by identifying sounds in them and representing the sounds with a letter or letters.

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  • ENG-EYFS-L-3.3

    Write simple phrases and sentences that can be read by others.

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Mathematics

Specific area

Early learning goal: Number

  • ENG-EYFS-M-1.1

    Have a deep understanding of numbers to 10, including the composition of each number.

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  • ENG-EYFS-M-1.2

    Subitise (recognise quantities without counting) up to 5.

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  • ENG-EYFS-M-1.3

    Automatically recall (without reference to rhymes, counting or other aids) number bonds up to 5 (including subtraction facts) and some number bonds to 10, including double facts.

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Early learning goal: Numerical Patterns

  • ENG-EYFS-M-2.1

    Verbally count beyond 20, recognising the pattern of the counting system.

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  • ENG-EYFS-M-2.2

    Compare quantities up to 10 in different contexts, recognising when one quantity is greater than, less than or the same as the other quantity.

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  • ENG-EYFS-M-2.3

    Explore and represent patterns within numbers up to 10, including evens and odds, double facts and how quantities can be distributed equally.

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Understanding the World

Specific area

Early learning goal: Past and Present

  • ENG-EYFS-UW-1.1

    Talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles in society.

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  • ENG-EYFS-UW-1.2

    Know some similarities and differences between things in the past and now, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.

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  • ENG-EYFS-UW-1.3

    Understand the past through settings, characters and events encountered in books read in class and storytelling.

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Early learning goal: People, Culture and Communities

  • ENG-EYFS-UW-2.1

    Describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps.

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  • ENG-EYFS-UW-2.2

    Know some similarities and differences between different religious and cultural communities in this country, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.

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  • ENG-EYFS-UW-2.3

    Explain some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries, drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and – when appropriate – maps.

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Early learning goal: The Natural World

  • ENG-EYFS-UW-3.1

    Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants.

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  • ENG-EYFS-UW-3.2

    Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.

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  • ENG-EYFS-UW-3.3

    Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.

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Expressive Arts and Design

Specific area

Early learning goal: Creating with Materials

  • ENG-EYFS-EAD-1.1

    Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.

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  • ENG-EYFS-EAD-1.2

    Share their creations, explaining the process they have used.

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  • ENG-EYFS-EAD-1.3

    Make use of props and materials when role playing characters in narratives and stories.

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Early learning goal: Being Imaginative and Expressive

  • ENG-EYFS-EAD-2.1

    Invent, adapt and recount narratives and stories with peers and their teacher.

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  • ENG-EYFS-EAD-2.2

    Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs.

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  • ENG-EYFS-EAD-2.3

    Perform songs, rhymes, poems and stories with others, and – when appropriate – try to move in time with music.

    Plan this

How it works

  1. 1

    Choose your year and subject.

  2. 2

    Describe the topic you're teaching.

  3. 3

    Get a plan with the matching statements cited.

Questions teachers ask

What are the early learning goals?
The EYFS statutory framework sets 17 early learning goals across seven areas of learning: three prime areas and four specific areas. They describe the level of development expected at the end of Reception.
Should I plan an activity for every goal?
No. The framework says the goals are not a curriculum. Heapso keeps them in view as a reference when you plan play-based Reception activities.

Plan your next Reception activity

Heapso writes lessons, units and worksheets for your year group in British English, citing only the statements you pick. Free to start.

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Department for Education, Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework (from September 2026). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Heapso is an independent planning tool. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department for Education, the Welsh Government, the Department of Education (Northern Ireland), CCEA, Ofqual, Qualifications Wales or any exam board. Curriculum statements are reproduced from official sources under the Open Government Licence v3.0, with a link to each source. Always check the official documents for what is statutory.

The EYFS statutory framework on GOV.UK