Nursery Skills Ladder

MAKING RELATIONSHIPS SELF CONFIDENCE AND SELF MANAGING FEELINGS AWARENESS AND BEHAVIOUR

PSED1 Plays alongside others (DM 16-26 months) PSED10 Explores new toys and environments but ‘checks’ in PSED20 Can express their own regularly with familiar adult as and when needed (DM 16-26 feelings such as sad, happy, cross, PSED2 Plays cooperatively with a familiar adult months) scared, worried (DM 22-36 months) (DM 16-26 months) PSED11 Gradually able to engage in pretend play with toys (DM PSED21 Can inhibit own PSED3 Interested in others’ play and starting to 16-26 months) actions/behaviours (DM 22-36 join in (DM 22-36 months) months) PSED12 Demonstrates sense of self as an individual (DM 16-26 PSED4 Seeks out others to share experiences months) PSED22 Can distract self when (DM 22-36 months) upset (DM 22-36 months) PSED13 Separates from main carer with support and PSED5 May form a special friendship with encouragement from a familiar adult (DM 22-36 months) PSED23 Begins to accept the another child (DM 22-36 months) needs of others (DM 30-50 months) PSED14 Expresses own preferences and interests (DM 22-36 PSED6 Plays in a group, extending and months) PSED24 Takes turns and shares elaborating play ideas (DM 30-50 months) resources, sometimes with support PSED15 Selects and uses activities and resources with help (DM (DM 30-50 months) PSED7 Initiates play, offering cues to peers to 30-50 months) join in (DM 30-50 months) PSED25 Adapts behaviour to PSED16 Enjoys responsibility of carrying out small tasks (DM 30- different events, social situations PSED8 Responds to what others say or do and 50 months) and changes in routine (DM 30-50 keeps play going (DM 30-50 months) months) PSED17 Talks confidently to other children when playing (DM PSED9 Demonstrates friendly behaviour, 30-50 months) initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults (DM PSED18 Communicates freely about own home and community 30-50 months) (DM 30-50 months)

PSED19 Shows confidence in asking adults for help (DM 30-50 months)

CL1 Listens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and CL12 Selects familiar objects by name and will go and stories (DM 16 – 26 months) find objects when asked, or identify objects from a group (DM 16-26 months) CL2 Demonstrates listening by trying to join in rhymes with actions or vocalisations (DM 16 – 26 months) CL13 Identifies action words by pointing to the right picture (DM 22-36 months) CL3 Listens with interest to the noises adults make when they read stories (DM 22-36 months)

CL4 Recognises and responds to many familiar sounds (DM 22- 36 months)

CL5 Has single channelled attention. Can shift to a different task if attention fully obtained (DM 22-36 months)

CL6 Listens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them (DM 30-50 months)

CL7 Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall (DM 30-50 months)

CL8 Joins in with repeated refrains (DM 30-50 months)

CL9 Anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories (DM 30-50 months)

CL10 Focuses attention – still listen or do but can shift own attention (DM 30-50 months)

CL11 Can follow directions (if not intently focussed on own choice of activity) (DM 30-50 months)

CL14 Copies familiar expressions (DM 16-26 months) CL24 Uses simple sentences (DM 22-36 months)

CL15 Beginning to put two words together (DM 16-26 months) CL25 Beginning to use word endings (DM 22-36 months)

CL16 Uses different types of everyday words – nouns, verbs and CL26 Beginning to use more complex sentences to link thoughts (DM 30- adjectives (DM 16-26 months) 50 months)

CL17 Beginning to ask simple questions (DM 16-26 months) CL27 Can retell a simple past event in correct order (DM 30-50 months)

CL18 Beginning to talk about people and things that are not present CL28 Uses talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and (DM 16-26 months) anticipate what might happen next, recall and relive past experiences (DM 30-50 months) CL19 Uses language as a powerful means of widening contacts, sharing feelings, experiences and thoughts (DM 22-36 months) CL29 Questions why things happen and gives explanations (DM 30-50 months) CL20 Holds a conversation, jumping from topic to topic (DM 22-36 months) CL30 Uses a range of tenses (DM 30-50 months)

CL21 Learns new words very rapidly and is able to use them in CL31 Uses intonation, rhythm and phrasing to make meaning clear to communicating (DM 22-36 months) others (DM 30-50 months)

CL22 Uses gestures, sometimes with limited talk (DM 22-36 months) CL32 Uses vocabulary focused on objects and people that are of particular importance to them (DM 30-50 months) CL23 Uses a variety of questions (DM 22-36 months) CL33 Builds up vocabulary that reflects the breadth of their experiences (DM 30-50 months)

CL34 Uses talk in pretending that objects stand for something else in play (DM 30-50 months)

PD1 Walks upstairs, holding hand of adult (DM 16-26 months) PD13 May be beginning to show preference for dominant hand (DM 22-36 months) PD2 Comes downstairs backwards on knees (crawling) (DM 16-26 months) PD14 Moves freely and with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, PD3 Beginning to balance blocks to build a small tower (DM 16-26 sliding and hopping (DM 30-50 months) months) PD15 Mounts stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet (DM 30- PD4 Runs safely on whole foot (DM 22-36 months) 50 months)

PD5 Squats with steadiness to rest or play with object on the ground, PD16 Walks downstairs, two feet to each step while carrying a small object and rises to feet without using hands (DM 22-36 months) (DM 30-50 months)

PD6 Climbs confidently and is beginning to pull themselves up on PD17 Runs skilfully and negotiates space successfully, adjusting speed or nursery play climbing equipment (DM 22-36 months) direction to avoid obstacles (DM 30-50 months)

PD7 Can kick a large ball (DM 22-36 months) PD18 Can stand momentarily on one foot when shown (DM 30-50 months)

PD8 Turns pages in a book, sometimes several at once (DM 22-36 PD19 Can catch a large ball (DM 30-50 months) months) PD20 Draws lines and circles using gross motor movements (DM 30-50 months) PD9 Shows control in holding and using jugs to pour, hammers, books and mark-making tools (DM 22-36 months) PD21 Uses one-handed tools and equipment such as scissors (DM 30-50 months) PD10 Beginning to use three fingers (tripod grip) to hold writing tools (DM 22-36 months) PD22 Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers, no longer using whole- hand grasp (DM 30-50 months) PD11 Imitates drawing simple shapes such as circles or lines (DM 22-36 months) PD23 Holds pencil near point between first two fingers and thumb and use it with good control (DM 30-50 months) PD12 Walks upstairs or downstairs holding onto a rail two feet to a step (DM 22-36 months) PD24 Can copy some letters such as ones in their name (DM 30-50 months)

PD25 Holds cup with both hands and drinks without much spilling PD33 Beginning to recognise danger and seeks support of significant (DM 16-26 months) adults for help (DM 22-36 months)

PD26 Clearly communicates wet or soiled nappy or pants (DM 16-26 PD34 Helps with clothing (DM 22-36 months) months) PD35 Beginning to be independent in self-care, but still often needs PD27 Shows some awareness of bladder and bowel urges (DM 16-26 adult support (DM 22-36 months) months) PD36 Can tell adults when hungry or tired or when they want to rest PD28 Shows awareness of what a potty or toilet is used for (DM 16- or play (DM 30-50 months) 26 months) PD37 Observes the effects of activity on their bodies (DM 30-50 PD29 Shows a desire to help with dressing/undressing and hygiene months) routines (DM 16-26 months) PD38 Gains more bowel and bladder control and can attend to PD30 Feeds self competently with spoon (DM 22-36 months) toileting needs most of the time themselves (DM 30-50 months)

PD31 Drinks well without spilling (DM 22-36 months) PD39 Can usually manage washing and drying hands (DM 30-50 months) PD32 Clearly communicates their need for potty or toilet (DM 22-36 months) PD40 Dresses with help (DM 30-50 months)

L1 Repeats words or phrases from familiar stories (DM 22-36 months) L14 Distinguishes between the different marks they make (DM 22-36 months) L2 Fills in the missing word or phrase in a known rhyme, story or game (DM 22-36 months) L15 Sometimes gives meaning to marks as they draw and paint (DM 30-50 months) L3 Shows awareness of rhyme and alliteration (DM 30-50 months) L16 Ascribes meanings to marks that they see in different L4 Recognises rhythm in spoken words (DM 30-50 months) places (DM 30-50 months)

L5 Listens to and joins in with stories and poems, one to one and also in small groups (DM 30-50 months)

L6 Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories (DM 30-50 months)

L7 Suggests how a story might end (DM 30-50 months)

L8 Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall (DM 30-50 months)

L9 Describes main story settings, events and principal characters (DM 30-50 months)

L10 Recognises familiar words and signs such as own name and advertising logos (DM 30-50 months)

L11 Looks at books independently (DM 30-50 months)

L12 Handles books carefully (DM 30-50 months)

L13 Holds books the correct way up and turn pages (DM 30-50 months)

M1 Beginning to organise and categorise objects (DM 16-26 months)

M2 Says some counting words randomly (DM 16-26 months)

M3 Selects a small group of objects from a group when asked (DM 22-36 months)

M4 Recites some number names in sequence (DM 22-36 months)

M5 Creates and experiments with symbols and marks representing ideas of number (DM 22-36 months)

M6 Begins to make comparisons between quantities (DM 22-36 months)

M7 Uses some language of quantities, such as ‘more’ and ‘a lot’ (DM 22-36 months)

M8 Uses some number names and number language spontaneously (DM 30-50 months)

M9 Uses some number names accurately in play (DM 30-50 months)

M10 Recites numbers in order to 10 (DM 30-50 months)

M11 Beginning to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures (DM 30-50 months)

M12 Sometimes matches numeral and quantity correctly (DM 30-50 months)

M13 Shows curiosity about numbers by offering comments or asking questions (DM 30-50 months)

M14 Compares two groups of objects, saying when they have the same number (DM 30-50 months)

M15 Separates a group of three or four objects in different ways and begins to recognise that the total is still the same (DM 30-50 months)

M16 Attempts, sometimes successfully, to fit shapes into spaces on inset boards or jigsaw puzzles (DM 16-26 months)

M17 Uses blocks to create their own simple structures and arrangements (DM 16-26 months)

M18 Notices simple shapes and patterns in pictures (DM 22-36 months)

M19 Beginning to categorise objects according to properties such as shape or size (DM 22-36 months)

M20 Begins to use the language of size (DM 22-36 months)

M21 Anticipates specific time-based events such as mealtimes or home time (DM 22-36 months)

M22 Shows an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects (DM 30-50 months)

M23 Shows awareness of similarities of shapes in the environment (DM 30-50 months)

M24 Uses positional language (DM 30-50 months)

M25 Shows interest in shape by sustained construction activity or by talking about shapes or arrangements (DM 30-50 months)

M26 Uses shapes appropriately for tasks (DM 30-50 months)

M27 Beginning to talk about the shapes of everyday objects (DM 30-50 months)

UW1 Is curious about people and shows UW9 Explores objects by linking together UW17 Anticipates repeated sounds, sights interest in stories about themselves and their different approaches: shaking, hitting, and actions (DM 16-26 months) family (DM 16-26 months) looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking (DM16-26 months) UW18 Shows interest in toys with buttons, UW2 In pretend play, imitates everyday flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning actions and events from own family and UW10 Remembers where objects belong (DM to learn to operate them (DM 16-26 months) cultural background (DM 22-36 months) 16-26 months) UW19 Seeks to acquire basic skills in turning UW3 Beginning to have their own friends (DM UW11 Matches parts of objects that fit on and operating some ICT equipment (DM 22-36 months) together (DM 16-26 months) 22-36 months)

UW4 Shows interest in the lives of people UW12 Notices detailed features of objects in UW20 Operates mechanical toys (DM 22-36 who are familiar to them (DM 30-50 months) their environment (DM 22-36 months) months)

UW5 Remembers and talks about significant UW13 Comments and asks questions about UW21 Operates simple equipment such as events in their own experience (DM 30-50 aspects of their familiar world such as the turning on a CD player or using a remote months) place where they live or the natural world control (DM 30-50 months) (DM 30-50 months) UW6 Recognises and describes special times UW22 Shows skill in making toys work by or events for family or friends (DM 30-50 UW14 Can talk about some of the things they pressing parts or lifting flaps to achieve months) have observed such as plants, animals, effects such as sound, movements or new natural and found objects (DM 30-50 months) images (DM 30-50 months) UW7 Shows interest in different occupations and ways of life (DM 30-50 months) UW15 Talks about why things happen and how things work (DM 30-50 months) UW8 Talks about some of the similarities and differences in relation to friends or family UW16 Shows care and concern for living (DM 30-50 months) things and the environment (DM 30-50 months)

EAD1 Explores and experiments with a range of media through EAD10 Sings a few familiar songs (DM 30-50 months) sensory exploration, and using whole body (DM 16-26 months) EAD11 Begins to move rhythmically (DM 30-50 months) EAD2 Moves their whole body to sounds they enjoy, such as music or a regular beat (DM 16-26 months) EAD12 Imitates movement in response to music (DM 30-50 months)

EAD3 Imitates and improvises actions they have observed such as EAD13 Taps out simple repeated rhythms (DM 30-50 months) clapping or waving (DM 16-26 months) EAD14 Explores and learns how sounds can be changed (DM 30-50 EAD4 Begins to move to music, listen to or join in rhymes or songs months) (DM 16-26 months) EAD15 Explores colour and how colours can be changed (DM 30-50 EAD5 Notices, and is interested in the effects of making movements months) which leave marks (DM 16-26 months) EAD16 Beginning to be interested in and describe the texture of EAD6 Joins in singing favourite songs (DM 22-36 months) things (DM 30-50 months)

EAD7 Creates sounds by banging, shaking, tapping or blowing (DM 22- EAD17 Uses various construction materials (DM 30-50 months) 36 months) EAD18 Beginning to construct, stacking blocks vertically and EAD8 Experiments with blocks, colours and marks (DM 22-36 months) horizontally, making enclosures and creating spaces (DM 30-50 months) EAD9 Enjoys joining in with dancing and ring games (DM 30-50 months) EAD19 Joins construction pieces together to build and balance (DM 30-50 months)

EAD20 Expresses self through physical action and sound (DM 16-26 EAD27 Makes up rhythms (DM 30-50 months) months) EAD28 Notices what adults do, imitating what is observed and then EAD21 Pretends that one object represents another, especially when doing it spontaneously when the adult is not there (DM 30-50 months) objects have characteristics in common (DM 16-26 months) EAD29 Engages in imaginative role-play based on own first-hand EAD22 Beginning to use representation to communicate (DM 22-36 experiences (DM 30-50 months) months) EAD30 Builds stories around toys (DM 30-50 months) EAD23 Beginning to make-believe by pretending (DM 22-36 months) EAD31 Uses available resources to create props to support role play EAD24 Uses movement to express feelings (DM 30-50 months) (DM 30-50 months)

EAD25 Creates movement in response to music (DM 30-50 months) EAD32 Captures experiences and responses with a range of media such as music, dance and paint and other materials or words (DM 30- EAD26 Sings to self and make up simple songs (DM 30-50 months) 50 months)