--- title: "Best Start in Life" description: "Maths hubs will be expanding their reception offer from the academic year 2026/27, and we are excited to invite your school to take part in their reception‑focused early maths programmes." url: "https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/BestStartinLife" school: "Archimedes NE Maths Hub" --- # Best Start in Life ## ![](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/images/2e5f3e2abebf3659bac5e0f9ceca4090.png) ## Best Start in Life Best Start in Life brings together all services, offers and support available to help guide and support parents from pregnancy, through their child’s journey into childcare, to starting school and beyond. The Government's recent report, Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life, highlights the crucial role that early education plays in improving children's outcomes and reducing disadvantage. With a national ambition for at least 75% of children to achieve a Good Level of Development by the end of Reception by 2028, there is a renewed focus on ensuring that all children develop strong foundations in mathematics from the earliest years. To support this ambition, Maths Hubs will be expanding their Reception-focused professional development and school support offer from 2026/27. ### Who can take part? We welcome applications from schools who wish to take part in the new Reception offer 2026/27. ### What is involved? Archimedes NE Maths Hub offer's three part offer: [SKTM for Reception teachers (and accompanying TAs)](https://ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs-projects/specialist-knowledge-for-teaching-mathematics-reception-teachers/) - A one-year Specialist Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics programme for Reception practitioners, replacing the current SKTM (Early Years Teachers) programme. [Targeted Support in Mathematics (Reception focus)](https://ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs-projects/targeted-support-in-mathematics-intensive/) - bespoke, intensive support for schools who would benefit from additional capacity and implementation support to strengthen Reception maths provision. This offer is fully funded by the Department for Education. [Mastering Number (Reception and Key Stage 1) ](https://ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs-projects/mastering-number-at-reception-and-ks1/)- a fully funded programme designed to strengthen children's early number sense from Reception through to Year 2. Please note applications are now closed to join the 2026/27 Mastering Number Reception and KS1 Programme. Please email to be added to the wait list for 2027/28. ### Related News 21 August 2026 ### [Best Start in Life](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/news/2026-08-21-best-start-in-life) 21 August 2026 ### [Best Start in Life](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/news/2026-08-21-best-start-in-life) 20 April 2026 ### [20 April Mailchimp news](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/news/2026-04-20-20-april-mailchimp-news) [View All News](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/news/tag/sktm%252Creception%252Cdfe%252Cnew-reception-offer%252Cexpanding-reception-offer-for-academic-year-2026-27-and-the-reception-focussed-early-maths-programme) ### Related Events 24 November 2026, 9.30am – 3.00pm ### [NCP26-25 SKTM Early Years - Reception Teachers - Carmel College, Darlington](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/events/2026-11-24-ncp26-25-sktm-early-years-reception-teachers-carmel-college-darlington) 24 November 2026, 9.30am – 3.00pm ### [NCP26-25 SKTM Early Years - Reception Teachers - Carmel College, Darlington](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/events/2026-11-24-ncp26-25-sktm-early-years-reception-teachers-carmel-college-darlington) 24 November 2026, 9.30am – 3.00pm ### [NCP26-25 SKTM Early Years - Reception Teachers - Carmel College, Darlington](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/events/2026-11-24-ncp26-25-sktm-early-years-reception-teachers-carmel-college-darlington) ### Get involved - [Expression of interest](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/expression-of-interest-2026-27) - [Catalogue 2026/27](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/Catalogue) - [Maths Hub Projects ](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/maths-hub-projects-2025-26) - [Early Years](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/maths-hub-projects-2025-26/early-years) - [Primary](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/maths-hub-projects-2025-26/primary) - [Secondary](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/maths-hub-projects-2025-26/secondary) - [Post 16](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/maths-hub-projects-2025-26/post-16) - [SEND Provisions](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/send-provision) - [Best Start in Life](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/BestStartinLife) - [Local Leaders of Mathematics Education (LLME)](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/local-leaders-of-mathematics-education) - [Recruitment for LLME](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/local-leaders-of-mathematics-education/recruitment-for-2025-26) - [Targeted Support](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/get-involved/targeted-support/targeted-support) ![Archimedes NE Maths Hub](https://files.schudio.com/archimedes-ne-maths-hub/images/logo/Archimedes-NE-RISE-Logo-White(1).png) **Archimedes NE Maths Hub** Carmel College The Headlands Darlington Co. Durham DL3 8RW Tel: (01325) 254525 ### Follow Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/archimedesmathshub/) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/archimedes-ne-maths-hub-624552227/) ### Office 365 [Sign in to Office 365](https://outlook.office.com/) © Copyright 2023–2026 Archimedes NE Maths Hub School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://carmelarchimedesmathshub.org.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)