About Story Time Maths
In 2022, after having my second baby and returning to work as a Maths Lead and teacher at Dane Bank Primary School, I noticed a huge gap: there were no maths schemes of work developed specifically for nursery. Despite early maths being such a powerful predictor of future attainment, there was very little UK-centred research and almost no structured support for practitioners working with our youngest learners.
Yet the evidence was clear — what happens in nursery matters. It shapes children’s confidence, language, problem-solving and their entire relationship with maths. I realised that if we wanted children to thrive later, we needed something better at the very start.
That’s why I created Story Time Maths.
With the support of The SHINE Trust, I began developing a programme that brings together high-quality stories, evidence-informed early maths principles, clear progression, and practitioner-friendly guidance. Over the last three years, we’ve built a full curriculum, developed CPD for staff, and worked closely with schools across Tameside, Cheshire and Manchester to refine, trial and evolve the approach.
Today, Story Time Maths is more than a curriculum...it’s a movement.
A community of dedicated early years practitioners who believe in the power of stories, play, language and meaningful experiences to transform children’s mathematical understanding.
It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m excited for everything that’s yet to come.
Funding and Support
Story Time Maths is proud to have been developed with the generous support of The SHINE Trust, an education charity based in Leeds. Their backing has enabled the creation of a high-quality, evidence-informed Early Years maths curriculum, as well as practitioner CPD, ensuring that the programme is practical, impactful, and accessible to schools.
Since its inception, Story Time Maths has received support from SHINE to trial and refine the curriculum across schools in Tameside, Cheshire, and Manchester. This support has been invaluable in helping us develop the term-by-term curriculum, on-demand training, and resources that practitioners need to bring maths to life for young children.
Thanks to this support, Story Time Maths continues to expand its reach, helping more schools provide high-quality Early Years maths education and ensuring that children from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive.
In the Press
Read more about Story Time Maths below: