These are a set of ladders describing progress for learners not yet able to set their own learning targets. They are based on the original research work for the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and cover the period from birth to when learners first start to consciously self direct their learning (typically ages 5 to 7 but can be much later).
Level 9 of some of these ladders link in with the first levels of the SECRET skills, the others are concerned with basic literacy, numeracy, language and motor skills.
Foundations Ladder |
Icon |
Links to Early development of… |
| Try hard |  |
Self-Manager |
| Be yourself |  |
Effective Participator |
| Compare |  |
Creative Thinker |
| Create |  |
Creative Thinkers |
| Talk and listen |  |
Reflective Learner |
| Be curious |  |
Enquiry |
| Be caring |  |
Team Working |
| Sounds |  |
Language Development |
| Read |  |
Literacy |
| Write |  |
Literacy |
| Count |  |
Numeracy |
| Work it out |  |
Numeracy |
| Be active |  |
Motor Development |
Learning By Ladders 
I would like to see something specific about showing respect to people and things, asking big questions, and self-regulating as part of this ladder. K – 2 students are certainly able to understand these concepts. I might replace Sounds, read, write and count with these. Sounds, read, write, and count are curricular outcomes while the others are more of a social skills variety. Just a thought.
Thanks for this – i agree it would be good to make even stronger links between FOUNDATIONS and the SECRET skills by extending downwards. Currently im focussing on post level 3 of SECRET but this would be a good area to progress to.