UNDER-THREES Curly the Cobra Tolo 12 *****
Telephone 0870 777 6776
www.mulberrybush.co.uk
Tested by Sure Start Neighbourhood Nursery, Gloucester
Curly the Cobra can be attached to a cot or pram and features squeaks, crinkles, mirrors, rattles and textures.
Tester's report
This is an excellent sensory toy that is suitable for children from birth.
Its colour, tactile surfaces and vibration were extremely stimulating to children with special educational needs and it was a big hit with a child who has global delay and is beginning to crawl. When placed just out of his reach he wanted it so badly that he crawled to it without any support, something he had not done before.
Justine Everett, manager
Roller Ball Run
price = /Tolo 15
*****
Telephone 08700 129090
www.mailorderexpress.co.uk
Tested by Sure Start Neighbourhood Nursery, Gloucester
This is a plastic, double-sided game with three balls. The children turn the switch and watch the balls run from side to side down the slopes.
Tester's report This is a great resource as it appears safe and durable, and is suitable for very young children and those with special educational needs, particularly if they need language and behavioural support. There is lots of learning for all ages - we used it with children from 15 months to four years.
Justine Everett, manager
Road-Rail Adventure
price = /Knot Toys 60
*****
Telephone 01279 813275
www.knottoys.com
Tested by Ashbrow Children's Centre, Huddersfield
The game board comes in two parts which fit together easily like giant jigsaw pieces. It has both a road and a railway layout on it, ready to play. The railway is of the same gauge as most leading wooden railway lines and is designed to be compatible with all good quality battery-powered trains. Similarly, most wooden cars and lorries produced by leading manufacturers should run along the road layout. The railway line has an express track, a long siding and four sets of fixed signal points. The road layout has a station area for goods or passengers, a dual carriageway, a car park and two level crossings.
Tester's report
This is an excellent product that worked well with our train set and other small play items, which our two-year-olds enjoyed most. It has lots of learning potential and is a useful resource for children with speech, language and physical disabilities, providing plenty of opportunity for language and the development of manipulative skills. We have used it on a table and the floor, and have taken it outside. It is easy to store and good value for money.
Lynne Lynch, manager
Rocking Foal
price = /Holz Toys 25
****
Telephone 0845 1308697
www.holz-toys.co.uk
Tested by The Column Nursery, Shrewsbury
This is a traditional toy specially designed for younger children. It has a saddle height of 35cm and is 85cm long. It also has a back support that can be removed when used by older children.
Tester's report
The Rocking Foal has been a very popular addition to our nursery, enjoyed most by our one- to two-year-olds. It's a sturdy toy and we found it had plenty of learning potential by encouraging new vocabulary - words like 'horse', 'foal', 'ride', 'backwards', 'forwards'. However, it needs close supervision and I think the support at the back could be higher.
Kay Rogers, officer in charge
Tatiri Musical Instruments
price = /Alsuna from 3.99
****
Telephone 01757 249479
Tested by Scarecrows Day Nursery, Kenilworth, Warks
This is a selection of xylophones, tambourines, drums, harmonicas and recorders, all of which can be bought separately.
Tester's report
These are suitable for children aged two years and over. The instruments are best for use in small groups as the children need help in playing them.
We think the xylophone needs larger bars as they are difficult to hit individually and there is a safety issue with the small harmonica, which is too small for young children. The other instruments are fine as far as safety is concerned. The colours are good and can be discussed when the children are playing. Musical instruments like these are useful for developing social skills, taking turns and sharing.
Di Carter, nursery teacher
Kiddimoto Bike
price = /Kiddimoto 84.25
****
Telephone 01934 733654
www.kiddimoto.co.uk
Tested by Sweet Pea Pre-school, Southam, Warks
Our tester assessed a scrambler bike made of clear lacquered wood. All Kiddimotos meet the British Safety Standard EN71 and the frame, fork, handlebar and saddle are made of birch plywood. Designed for children two years and older.
Tester's report
The children's first reaction was to say the bike wasn't 'finished' because it had no pedals and wasn't colourfully painted. However, they soon grew to love it because they found they were able to balance on it with their feet off the floor. It was interesting to note that several parents mentioned how much better their children were at balancing on their bikes at home after they had used the Kiddimoto. It's very light but durable and definitely something we would recommend. We have thought about painting it!
Lisa Webdale, supervisor
WOW Trevor Truck and Speedie Joe
price = /Asco 22.50
****
Telephone 0113 2707070 www.ascoeducational.co.uk
Tested by Southill Nursery, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
This is a friction-powered truck featuring engine sounds, automatic push-button magnetic winch and push-along rally car with rubber tyres.
There are five pieces in the set.
Tester's report
We appreciated the fact that this is not battery operated and we liked the pulley. The children enjoyed taking it apart and it was easy to put back together. It would make an ideal resource for topics on motion and pulleys.
However, the windscreens are a bit flimsy and the paint has already begun to peel. After a few washes the stickers also started to come off.
Lucy Lester, manager
Discovery Blocks
price = /Holz Toys 14.50
***
Contacts as before
Tested by Thorne Manor Day Nursery, Holsworthy, Devon
This is a set of six blocks, each of which contains a hidden feature - a rattle, a mirror, a colour illusion, a button, a bell and a prism. Each block is 4cm wide.
Tester's report
The blocks are bright and attractive and a good size for easy handling so they grabbed the babies' attention. They do help to promote sensory skills and some of the children played with them for quite a while, exploring the different features and also building with them. They are very safe, being too big to be put in the mouth and, despite being thrown around a bit, are still in good condition at the end of the testing period. However, I think they are a bit expensive as the set only includes six blocks.
Liz West, manager
Spedino Push Mouse
price = /Holz Toys 22.50
***
Contacts as before
Tested by The Column Nursery, Shrewsbury
This is a pedal toy, featuring a mouse with a wobbly head and bells which jingle as it moves. It is 45cm long.
Tester's report
This is particularly suitable for toddlers, who enjoy pushing the mouse around, and is useful for encouraging walking although it can also be played with by babies who are able to sit up. The children obviously found this toy very amusing and it seems quite safe when it is used correctly, that is when it is rolled across the floor. The whiskers and ears are very well secured. Good value for money.
Kay Rogers, officer in charge
WOW Harry Copter's Animal Rescue
price = /Asco 16.95
***
Contacts as before
Tested by Southill Nursery, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
This is a five-piece set. The helicopter has a trigger-activated rotor with engine sound. The children can pick up the animals with the magnetic rescue winch, which is lowered by twisting the searchlight.
Tester's report
It's always good when toys don't need batteries! The noise and movement of this toy were enjoyable and the children loved turning the propeller.
However, this proved a problem as the children would pull the trigger to start it and then try to stop it with their free hand, so it soon stopped working. It does, therefore, need a degree of supervision. I was also concerned when the paint began to peel.
Lucy Lester, manager
Musical Hopscotch Pad
price = /SpaceKraft 895
Telephone 01274 581007
www.spacekraft.co.uk
Tested by Linden Nursery, Thetford, Norfolk
There are two parts to this piece of equipment - a floor pad measuring 600(w) x 1200(l) x 80(h)mm and a wall panel measuring 1400(w) x 90(d) x 610(h)mm. Each time a coloured square on the floor mat is pressed or stood upon, a corresponding square illuminates the wall panel and a musical note or tune is played. In all, there are 64 different nursery rhymes and sound effects for the children to experience.
Tester's report
This is not something we would want to have permanently in our nursery, mainly because we do not have the space to accommodate it. The play and learning value is restricted for such a large piece of apparatus as it allows only one child at a time to jump on the pad and watch the lights come on. It is unfortunate that the colour of the lights has not been matched to the colours on the floor pad and we were disappointed that on the Nursery Rhyme programme the songs come to an abrupt end, before the natural ending of the song. Some of our toddlers were fascinated by the lights but they needed an adult to apply extra pressure to the pad. The children who enjoyed it most were the two- to two-and-a-half-year-olds, particularly a two-year-old who has Down's Syndrome. I believe this is most suitable for use with children with special needs as it is a useful tool to promote sensory stimulation.
Ann Aunins, proprietor
Four Seater Baby Buggy
Play and Learn 865.50
Telephone 01923 210310
www.playandlearn.co.uk
Tested by Rascals Day Nursery, Plymouth
The buggy features high-backed, tiered seats, seat belts, a built-in storage compartment and a safety brake. It is delivered fully assembled and has a three-year guarantee. Recommended for age six months to three years.
Tester's report
We tested the buggy around quiet streets in average weather conditions with children aged from six to 24 months. It is made of chunky plastic, seems to be very strong and is easy to wash down and keep clean. However, it is not something we would use in our nursery. We felt that the children were very exposed and were concerned because there is no guard at the front or sides to protect their legs and arms. The seats are very upright so the children tended to fall forward or sideways and we considered it unsuitable for children aged less than a year. It is very heavy and required more than one person to push it up hills. We were also concerned that the brake did not connect easily. Two positive points were that the children enjoyed riding up high as they could see a lot more than usual and we found the storage section at the back very useful.
Nicola Short, assistant administrator
FOUNDATION STAGE
Priya
East-West Education 22
*****
Telephone 01444 236322
www.eastwesteducation.org
Tested by Little Imps Nursery, Cambridge
Priya - her name means 'love' - is a brown cloth doll with polyester fibre filling who is 17in tall. She comes wearing a South Asian costume.
Additional costumes are available at extra cost. All the clothes are designed to be easily removable by young children.
Tester's report
Our first thought was that the doll was very reasonably priced as she is very well made and will last a long time. Similar dolls are usually quite expensive. She is well presented and the children loved dressing and undressing her, although the younger ones struggled a bit with the little bracelets and bindis. She is a very good resource for learning about different cultures, for role play and, also, for displays.
Caroline Jones, manager
Modular Soft Seating
Classroom Essentials 249.95
*****
Telephone 01204 597 144
www.classroomessentials.co.uk
Tested by Sure Start, Chestnut Centre, Huddersfield
This seating range is made of wipe-clean vinyl and is built with a solid frame. The set comprises one left armchair, one right armchair, one unit chair and a square table. It is available in blue, red or green with yellow seats. The chairs measure 490 x 370 x 585mm with a seat height of 290mm.
Tester's report We put the seating next to our full size sofa in the book area and the children loved using it, returning frequently to sit there sharing books with their friends. It is a bright and inviting piece of furniture that is suitable for the whole nursery age range. There are no safety concerns, and although it has been very well used during the testing period it seems to be hard-wearing and durable.
Kirsty Sykes, playworker
Squidgy Sparkling Numbers
Early Steps 29.99
*****
Telephone 0800 318686
www.tts-shopping.com
Tested by Gaer Infant and Nursery School, Newport, South Wales
The digits are made of plastic and filled with coloured liquid. They are designed to be used to teach the order of numbers or to be hung around the classroom as a reminder.
Tester's report
The children wanted hands-on use as soon as they saw them. They really have the 'wow' factor. They enjoyed holding them, squidging them, pressing them.
One boy exclaimed, 'Look at the pattern on my seven!' Our children with special needs especially loved holding the numbers, pushing the liquid about and holding them upside down, so they also encourage finger co-ordination. They also proved popular with staff - a good stress release!
Lesley Parratt, classroom assistant
Casita
59.95
*****
Contacts as before
Tested by Harwich Community Primary School, Essex
This is a new positional language game launched this month. It consists of four traditional Dutch wooden houses, 48 cards illustrating people and objects, 16 coded assignment cards and an instruction booklet, all contained in a wooden box measuring 34.6 x 18.6 x 4.8cm. Children have to place objects and people in the houses. Recommended for reception.
Tester's report An ideal resource for reception, with excellent learning potential. There are lots of opportunities to develop a whole range of skills, including maths, language, literacy and PSE, and it is particularly valuable when working with children with speech and language difficulties. Adult support is needed to begin with, but once the children have learned how to play the games they can cope independently. Our children particularly loved the listening game and the twins' house. This is something I would definitely want to buy. I consider it very good value for money considering how many games are involved.
Serena Lindsay, foundation stage teacher
Lacing numbers
Learning Resources 14.95
*****
Telephone 0845 241 0484
www.learningresources.co.uk
Tested by Dilham Pre-school, Norwich
Designed for threading, practising number order, patterning and sorting, these plastic numbers from nought to nine measure 2.5 x 4cm each. The set includes 260 numbers in ten different colours and 15 laces that are 38cm long. It is recommended for children aged four years or more.
Tester's report
The children can use these independently as well as with supervision. We found it helpful if they had a number line from nought to nine in front of them. Everyone enjoyed them. Children with a visual disability or less developed manipulative skills were also able to use them for threading by using the circles in the numbers nought, six, eight and nine.
Lynn Ross, administrator
Dupla Colour Set
price = /Asco 69.95
*****
Contacts as before
Tested by Great Milton Primary School, Oxford
This is a construction set consisting of 60 large pieces in five colours.
Each piece measures 24 x 4.8 x 1.6cm.
Tester's report We were interested to see how the children would use this. To begin with they kept making flat roads and train tracks and it took some time before they began to build with it. Then they made bridges, towers, houses and ramps for cars. It seems fairly expensive but is incredibly durable and versatile. It would be great if it came with a wooden box on wheels for storage. It is quite heavy, so not friendly for teachers' backs.
Sarah Peregrine, reception teacher
Scarecrow Story Sack
price = /Storysack 44.64
*****
Telephone 0161 763 6232
www.storysack.com
Tested by Coston Primary School, Greenford, Middx
The sack contains a large scarecrow, mice, rabbits, birds, a story book, a book on the seasons, a game on matching scarecrows, a CD and a chart on the early learning goals.
Tester's report
It is always a pleasure to be introduced to a new story that sparks your imagination, providing numerous ideas for activities you know the children will learn from and enjoy. This story provides a stimulus for activities related to seasons, plant growth, animals, clothes, helping each other, farms, counting and a variety of art ideas. My class loved the story and they loved using the large scarecrow toy, the animals and the seasons information book, which has clear photos that are good for discussion. I was also impressed and now plan a fantastic 3-D display from this book for my new class this term.
Carole Ives, reception teacher
Zippity Zoo Time
price = /Play and Learn, from 195
****
Contacts as before
Tested by The Priory Day Nursery, High Wycombe, Bucks
Fourteen zoo animals feature on this rectangular rug, which comes in three sizes. The smallest measures 134 x 178cm, the medium size is 178 x 254cm and the largest is 254 x 355cm. A 14-piece Animal Squares Kit, priced 105, turns the rug into a game in which the children match the animals.
Tester's report
The rug was useful for circle time or story time because the animals are well spaced so the children didn't have to sit very close to each other, encouraging them to observe personal space. We made it a focus so the children who find it difficult to be still had a special animal to sit on.
Its play value was also good as the children pretended to be the different animals. It made them think about the less obvious sound that something like a zebra might make. It is an effective tool for communication and listening skills.
Jane Williams, manager
Rama Sita Set
price = /Articles of Faith 31.25
****
Telephone 0161 763 6232
www.articlesoffaith.co.uk
Tested by Coston Primary School, Greenford, Middx
The storytelling doll has Rama on one side and Sita on the other, with Lakshman and Hanuman Velcroed on to the skirt of the doll, representing all the characters needed to tell the story of Diwali. It comes with the Row of Lights book, which explains how the festival is celebrated in the UK today.
Tester's report
This is a beautifully made product that really enhances the telling of the story of Rama and Sita during the Hindu festival of Diwali. The children loved the way the doll could be turned upside down to reveal the ten-headed demon, Ravana. The doll is visually appealing, with shiny braid, jewellery and small details for the children to look at. It worked well with an adult telling the story from the book, really helping to bring it alive. This is such a gorgeous resource that I would recommend supervised use to ensure it can be used every year.
Carole Ives, reception teacher
Fold-Away Kitchen
Classroom Essentials 189.95
****
Contacts as before
Tested by Holy Cross Playgroup, New Malden
The kitchen consists of a cooker, sink unit, fridge and washing machine, and is made from solid timber with contrasting colour panels. Each unit, when assembled, is 24(d) x 40(w) x 50(h)cm, but the whole kitchen folds away in a cube 40(d) x 60(h)cm that sits on a wheeled base. A 60-piece cookware set is currently available free with every order.
Tester's report
We used this every day over the testing period and the children thoroughly enjoyed playing with it. It's an attractive, role-play piece of equipment, promoting all six areas of learning at Foundation Stage. However, it may not be durable enough in a playgroup situation. For instance, the knobs on the doors came off easily and we had to glue them back on.
Pat Pain, playgroup leader
Count and Stack Dishes
Learning Resources 12.95 per set
****
Contacts as before
Tested by Abacus Nursery, Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield The set consists of five cups and five plates, each of which has co-ordinated numbers, colours and shapes to teach early maths skills. They are made of plastic and fit together so they can also be used for stacking.
The cups measure 6.5cm and the plates 13.5cm and are dishwasher safe. An activity guide is included. Recommended age from three years.
Tester's report
They are very safe and strong, with no sharp edges, and I can see them lasting for years. The children enjoyed using them and they are a good resource for number and shape recognition.
Samantha Orange, manager
Step by Step Alphabet Line
Learning Resources 25.95
***
Contacts as before
Tested by Dilham Pre-school, Norwich
This is designed to teach letter recognition, phonemic awareness, early phonics and spelling. The colour-coded vowels are in red and the consonants in blue. It measures 30.5 x 675cm and is recommended for children aged three and older.
Tester's report
This is useful for matching games and sounds awareness, but is quite limited. It required adult supervision and sensitive intervention to be used fully. We did have a fun, physical matching sound game. It's too easy to roll it up and turn into a weapon!
Lynn Ross, administrator
Speedy-Clean Easel
startwell Learning Resources 179 *** Telephone 0800 169 1453 www.startwelllearning.co.uk
Tested by Hyde 'n' Seek Nursery, Glasgow This is an easel with a difference as it has two clear boards that the children can paint straight on to. It can also be used conventionally with paper. It measures 58(w) x 63(d) x 97(h)cm and adjusts to three heights to accommodate a wide age range. The easel is supplied with two plastic trays and non-slip feet.
Tester's report
The children really enjoyed helping to wash the easel after painting sessions. During the testing period we used it for printing and copying activities, and for self-portraits. It is sturdy, definitely could not be knocked over and is easily accessible to any child in a wheelchair. We found the plastic bits marked easily and one child scraped her leg on one of the trays. so there could be a safety issue. This product is quite expensive, but as it is suitable for a wide age range and a variety of different activities it could be used throughout the nursery, so the cost could be shared between rooms.
Charlotte Guy, manager
Colorcards Sequences: 6 & 8-Step for Children
Speechmark 25.95
***
Telephone 01869 244 644
www.speechmark.net
Tested by Oakington Primary School, Cambridge
The set contains 48 cards illustrating a variety of indoor and outdoor activities in photographic form.
Tester's report
These are useful because they are driving towards verbal sentence structure. I have been searching for sets that would appeal to boys as some of those in my class have delayed language development. I found these did appeal to them but felt that the girls portrayed were too stereotypical.
The children also looked rather younger than the work level implied. Over time the pictures may also become dated.
Ann Williams, infant teacher
Count and Click Camera
Learning Resources 15.95
Contacts as before
Tested by Abacus Nursery, Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield When the button is pressed on this camera, the shutter opens and closes and releases a picture. It features a viewing window, pop-up flash and clicking lens, and ten full-colour pictures. The camera measures 14.5 x 12 x 6.5cm and the picture cards measure 9 x 13 x 1cm. Recommended age from four years.
Tester's report
We were not impressed with this product. The children really struggled to use it without adult help, and for that reason I could not see that it had any value in our nursery. It certainly did not get used much.
Samantha Orange, manager
Jumbo Washing Line
Early Steps 19.99
Contacts as before
Tested by University of Teesside Nursery, Middlesbrough
This is a free-standing washing line with varnished wooden bases that is designed to help with sequencing or be used for role play. It comes with a washing line and a set of pegs.
Tester's report
This didn't work at all well in our home corner and it needed constant supervision. The problem is that it is very light so the poles fell over or the line dipped whenever the children tried to hang anything of any weight on it. They became frustrated and their attention was short-lived. The only way we could use it was as a number line. This product could be improved if the poles were weighted down in some way. I was also surprised that the pegs are of normal size rather than proportionally miniature ones.
Jane Graham, manager
Fairy Tale Figures and Active World Landscape Mat
Early Steps 42.50 (figures) and 19.99 (mat)
****
Contacts as before
Tested by University of Teesside Nursery, Middlesbrough
The set of wooden figures is designed to bring classic fairy stories to life and can be used in conjunction with the landscape map. The figures include The Three Little Pigs, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Three Billy Goats Gruff, Red Riding Hood and The Ugly Duckling.
Tester's report
These are something the children can - and should - be left alone with.
They had no problem making up their own stories by interacting the characters and doing the voices. We also used the figures for circle time and story time. A lot of good things have come out of this test and I would definitely recommend this to other nurseries. We already had one of the mats, which is excellent and something we wouldn't want to be without.
Janet Graham, manager
Star rating
***** Excellent
**** Very good
*** Good
** Satisfactory
Less than satisfactory
