EYFS 'Small Steps' 2025 - Next Steps for each area of learning in Reception

A document that breaks down the Early Learning Goals into ‘small steps’ for Reception aged children - useful for individual target setting, report writing or analysing the gaps in children’s knowledge for each area of learning.

Covers all 17 areas of learning as well as the Characteristics of Effective Learning:

Communication and Language:
Listening, Attention and Understanding
Speaking

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
Self-Regulation
Managing Self
Building Relationships

Physical Development:
Gross Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skills

Literacy:
Comprehension
Word Reading
Writing

Mathematics:
Number
Numerical Patterns

Understanding the World:
Past and Present
People, Culture and Communities
The Natural World

Expressive Arts and Design:
Creating with Materials
Being Imaginative and Expressive

Characteristics of Effective Learning:
Playing and Exploring
Active Learning
Creating and Thinking Critically