The Squirrel Award — Financial Literacy for Children Aged 3–11

CISI Endorsed OECD Aligned Ages 3–11

Building financially confident children for a better future.

The Squirrel Award is a structured, real-world financial literacy programme that helps children develop practical money skills. One Quest at a time.

Watch: The Award Explained

CISI Endorsed Programme

OECD Financial Competencies Framework

8 Progressive Levels

For Schools & Families

The Process

How the Squirrel Award works

A simple, structured four-step journey that connects home, school, and real-world learning.

Register Your Child

Receive the Logbook

Your child receives their official, level-specific Squirrel Award logbook. Their personal money journey starts here.

Complete 10 Quests

Children complete real-world financial Quests with their parents. Parents sign off each one directly in the logbook.

Earn the Certificate

Once verified by the class teacher, your child receives their CISI-endorsed Squirrel Award certificate.

The Philosophy

Why it works

Designed around how children actually learn. Through experience, conversation, and real-world practice.

🌍

Real-World Learning

Every Quest is grounded in everyday life. Comparing prices, setting goals, and making decisions. Not theory. Practice.

💬

Parent-Child Conversations

The programme is designed to spark meaningful financial conversations between parents and children at home.

🎯

Practical Life Skills

From budgeting to decision-making, children build skills they will use for the rest of their lives starting early.

📖

Screen-Light Education

The Squirrel Award is intentionally physical. A logbook-based experience that keeps children engaged away from screens.

⭐

Confidence Building

Progressive achievement milestones build genuine confidence with money. Not just knowledge, but real capability.

📈

Progressive Learning Journey

Eight structured levels from age 3 to 11 ensure every child progresses at the right pace with the right challenges.

The Programme

The 8-Level Journey

A complete financial literacy pathway from Nursery through Year. One academic year per level.

Level 1

Starter

Ages 3–4 Nursery

Level 2

Learner

Ages 4–5 Reception

Level 3

Explorer

Ages 5–6

Level 4

Saver

Ages 6–7

Level 5

Trader

Ages 7–8

Level 6

Planner

Ages 8–9

Level 7

Investor

Ages 9–10

Level 8 · Gold

Summit Gold

Ages 10–11

In Practice

What children actually do

Real activities. Real conversations. Real-world financial understanding. Built one experience at a time.

💰

Handling Real Money

Children practise counting, giving change, and making real purchases. Building confidence with money from an early age.

🏦

Opening a Savings Account

Children learn about saving by opening or contributing to a real savings account. Making the concept tangible and personal.

🛒

Comparing Prices

Children learn to compare prices in shops, understanding value and making informed choices.

💡

Needs vs Wants

Discussing the difference between needs and wants. One of the most important financial conversations a child can have.

🎯

Setting Savings Goals

Children set their own savings goals and track progress. Building patience, discipline, and purpose.

📋

Planning Budgets

Age-appropriate budgeting activities that make planning feel natural and achievable.

💰

Understanding Everyday Money

From pocket money to receipts, children learn how money works in the real world around them.

🤔

Practical Decision-Making

Children practise making financial decisions. Weighing options, considering consequences, and choosing wisely.

Squirrel Award Certificate

Recognition & Achievement

A certificate worth earning

Children complete meaningful real-world challenges and earn recognised achievement certificates through their school. A milestone that reflects genuine capability, not just participation.

Official Squirrel Award logbook for every participant
CISI-endorsed certificate upon successful completion
Teacher verification before certificates are issued
Progression pathway across all 8 levels

Inside the Programme

A Look Inside The Squirrel Award

Real pages. Real Quests. Real learning. See exactly what your child will experience and how parents and teachers are part of every step.

The Logbook Squirrel Award Logbook Cover

Child's Personal Logbook

Every child receives their own Squirrel Award Logbook

A beautifully designed, level-specific logbook that belongs to the child. It tracks their personal money journey. Quest by Quest. Across the full programme.

Real-World Quest Quest 11: Your Own Market. Parent Sign-off

Parent Involvement

Quest 11: Your Own Market — real entrepreneurship at home

Children set up a small shop at home, use real or pretend money, and take turns buying and selling. Parents sign off directly in the logbook once the Quest is complete.

Real-World Quest Quest 7: Money at Work. Parent Sign-off

Parent Involvement

Quest 7: Money at Work — understanding how people earn

Children explore real jobs in their community, connect earning to effort, and relate it to their own small responsibilities. The OECD-aligned Money Skill is clearly labelled on every Quest page.

Real-World Quest Quest 4: Supermarket Comparison Shop — Parent Sign-off

Parent Involvement

Quest 4: Supermarket Comparison Shop — smart spending in real life

Children visit a supermarket, compare two similar products, discuss price and value, and make a real choice. Parents guide the experience and sign off when complete.

CISI Endorsed

OECD Financial Competencies Framework Aligned

Dual verification: parent + teacher

For Families

A message for parents

"The goal is simple. We want children to grow up in a world where money simply makes sense. Not intimidating. Not complicated. Just natural, practical, and part of everyday life."

Calm & Reassuring

No Prior Knowledge Needed

Parent-Friendly Activities

Builds Confidence Gradually

Designed for Real Life

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the Squirrel Award programme.

The Squirrel Award is a structured financial literacy programme designed to help children develop practical money skills, including saving, budgeting, decision-making, entrepreneurship, and financial confidence through real-world experiences. The programme is CISI-endorsed and aligned with OECD/INFE financial literacy domains.

Children aged 3–11 years old can participate, with progressive levels designed from Nursery through Year 6.

Starter (Ages 3–4)
Learner (Ages 4–5)
Explorer (Ages 5–6)
Saver (Ages 6–7)
Trader (Ages 7–8)
Planner (Ages 8–9)
Investor (Ages 9–10)
Summit Gold (Ages 10–11)

Yes. Children may begin at the level most appropriate for their age, readiness, and financial understanding.

Each level is designed to be completed over one academic year.

No. Participants progress through one Squirrel Award level per academic year.

No. The Squirrel Award is intentionally designed as a physical logbook experience focused on real-world activities, conversations, and practical learning away from screens.

Participants receive:

Official Squirrel Award logbook
Educational activities and Quests
CISI-endorsed certificate upon successful completion and verification

Yes. Parent involvement is a core part of the programme and helps create meaningful financial conversations and real-world learning experiences.

Children complete Quests within their logbook. Parents sign off completed Quests, and a teacher verifies final completion before certificates are issued.

No. Activities are designed primarily for home and real-world learning experiences.

The programme is aligned with OECD/INFE financial literacy domains and endorsed by CISI — the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

The programme is designed for complete beginners and develops progressively over time.

The logbook is the official record of the child's learning journey, including completed Quests, reflections, activities, and sign-offs.

Get Started

Start the journey one Quest at a time.

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | awards@squirreledu.co