Chennai, Nov 03: Cambridge University Press & Assessment has launched its complete Foundation Stage Programme, My First Steps with Cambridge and My Next Steps with Cambridge, to offer a connected five-year learning journey from Nursery to Grade 2.
Designed to support children’s holistic development, the programme combines foundational literacy and numeracy with experiential learning, creative expression, awareness and opportunities for real-world application. It recognises that early education extends beyond academic skills to nurture children’s cognitive, language, physical, social, emotional and creative development, while supporting educators in creating engaging, purposeful and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
Guided by the principles of the National Education Policy 2020, the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 and the Panchakosha Vikas approach, the programme brings together two complementary resources to provide continuity in children’s learning as they progress through the foundational years.
The new series were unveiled at The Foundation Journey: From First Steps to Future-Ready Learning, an event held in Pune that brought together school principals, academic coordinators and teachers to explore experiential and discovery-based approaches to early childhood education. Sonali Nadkarni, Series Editor of My First Steps with Cambridge led sessions on how child-centred pedagogy can nurture curiosity, encourage independent thinking and lay the foundations for lifelong learning.
Speaking at the launch, Vishal Dhawan, Vice President – Schools, South Asia, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said,
“Early years play an important role in shaping how children approach learning. Experiences that encourage them to explore, ask questions and make connections can help build the foundations for lifelong learning. Through the two new resources, Cambridge aims to support educators in creating purposeful, engaging and child-centred learning experiences for young learners.”
My First Steps with Cambridge, for Nursery to UKG, is a comprehensive programme designed to support children’s all-round development. My Next Steps with Cambridge, for Grades 1 and 2, extends this foundation into the next stage of learning, building on the whole-child philosophy through a developmentally appropriate progression.
The programme moves beyond rote practice towards conceptual understanding, critical thinking and real-world application, helping children build on their existing knowledge as they develop greater independence and confidence in learning.
On the importance of experiential learning, Sonali Nadkarni, Series Editor of My First Steps with Cambridge, said:
“Early childhood is a time when children make sense of the world through observation, exploration and discovery. When we encourage children to ask questions, experiment and learn through everyday experiences, we nurture their natural curiosity and help them develop confidence in their own thinking. Meaningful early learning is about creating opportunities for children to explore, discover and build a lasting interest in learning.”
Through the Cambridge Foundation Stage Programme, Cambridge aims to support schools and educators in creating a connected learning experience that recognises every child’s development as a combination of foundational skills, curiosity, creativity and growing independence.
