Nursery World Show 2009: Review - A grand day out

Early years practitioners travelled by plane, train and automobile to get to the Nursery World Show 2009 on 23-24 January. Visitors to the London exhibition came from countries as far-flung as Dubai, Switzerland and Spain, and from across the UK.

It was the first exhibition as part of the Nursery World brand under Haymarket ownership, sponsored by the Children's Workforce Development Council, and many welcomed the return to the show being solely devoted to the early years.

The huge range of stands featured tempting displays of indoor and outdoor resources and equipment. Exhibitors included Child's Eye Media showing its award-winning films, Reflections on Learning displaying light boxes and mirrored resources to enhance children's active learning, and Steadyco bringing along its practical range of infant feeding and weaning products. Plane and Simple was helping settings make the most of outdoor areas with its wooden equipment, and Eibe Play prompted lots of interest in its appealing Wicker Huts, ideal for a cosy outdoor story session or fun den. One nursery owner declared that she was so inspired by all the stalls that she spent a fortune and is surprised that the country is still in economic crisis!