Starting school maths
Free visual exercises that get children ready for Reception and Year 1 (ages 4–6): counting to 10, finding the next number and comparing amounts. Every exercise has a 🔊 read-aloud button, so it suits children who are not reading yet. No sign-up, no adverts.
Free · No sign-up · Read-aloud on every question
Practice questions are on their way
We are still writing the Reception and Year 1 question set for this page. In the meantime, you can explore the rest of the practice area.
What maths does a child need before starting school?
In England children start Reception in the September after they turn four and move into Year 1 the following year. Before and during Reception the aim is for a child to feel at home with the numbers around them. The key skills are counting objects one by one to 10 (and gradually to 20), recognising the digits and matching them to an amount, comparing amounts (more, fewer, the same), finding the next number in a sequence, and naming basic shapes (circle, square, triangle). All of these are best built through play and short, everyday practice.
The Early Learning Goals for maths at the end of Reception are Number and Numerical Patterns: a deep understanding of numbers to 10, subitising, number bonds, counting beyond 20 and comparing quantities. Schools also carry out the Reception Baseline Assessment in a child's first weeks, a short activity-based check of early maths and language, not a test to revise for.
The exercises on this page are built around exactly these foundations, in a visual language with minimal text, so a child can practise independently even before they can read, and hear each question aloud with the read-aloud button.
Frequently asked questions
What maths does a child need before starting school?
Counting to 10 (and gradually to 20), recognising the digits, comparing amounts (more, fewer, the same), spotting the next number in a sequence, and naming basic shapes. This page practises exactly those foundations in a playful way.
What does Reception maths cover?
In England the Early Learning Goals for maths are Number and Numerical Patterns: a deep understanding of numbers to 10, subitising (recognising small amounts without counting), number bonds to 5 and some to 10, counting beyond 20, comparing quantities and exploring patterns. Year 1 then builds on this with numbers to 20 and beyond.
Is the practice suitable for a child who cannot read yet?
Yes. The questions are visual (emoji and pictures) with minimal text, and every question has a 🔊 button that reads it aloud, so a child who is not reading yet can practise on their own.
Do I need to sign up? Is it free?
No sign-up is needed and everything is completely free, with no adverts. You can start practising straight away.
How long should a child practise each day at this age?
Five to ten minutes a day is plenty. At this age short, playful, everyday practice works better than one long session.