UNDER-THREES
Playtime Bus (14.99) from IQ Builders ****
Available from all good toy shops. Customer line 01235 546700
Tested by RAF Bumble Bee's Pre-school, Wallingford, Oxfordshire The Playtime Bus is a battery-operated toy that features the complete alphabet and numbers from one to ten. There are also four chunky keys that, when pressed, call out shapes, produce sound effects such as horn, brake and accelerator, or play one of more than 30 melodies. It comes with two AA batteries. Recommended age one to three years.
Tester's report
A versatile toy that is particularly good for one-to-one activities. In a group, there tend to be arguments about who pushes the buttons. I thought it very good value for money because it has so many functions. It offers a good introduction to the alphabet, number and shapes, and we used it as a back-up to stories and songs. It can also be used as a pushalong toy if the batteries are removed. It was available in every session during the testing period and proved very popular with all the children.
Kathy Marchant, Playgroup Leader
Baby Safe (135) from Full-of-Beans *****
Full-of-Beans, The Coach House, Home Farm, Leebotwood, Church Stretton, Shropshire Y6 6LX (Freephone 0800 652 8200, website www.full-of-beans.com)Tested by Smarty Pants Day Nursery, Plaistow, London This is designed so a baby can sit or recline in it. It includes an activity arch and a small mat measuring 90 x 90cm. It is also possible to join two together to accommodate more than one baby. Available in a choice of colours.
Tester's report
The children were very excited when we set up the ring. It is a well-made, high-quality piece of equipment and is very easy to keep clean with soapy water. The balls are strong and withstand lots of children sitting on them.
It's good that mats are provided. By using just three sections of the ring, it can be safely used for a young baby who is just learning to sit. It's best to restrict this to children under the age of two and make sure they take off their shoes before getting into the ring. An excellent product that should last for many years in a busy baby room.
Jennifer Lewis, Proprietor/Manager
Kids Barrier Corriboard (5.50 per panel, 6.50 per post) from Killyleagh Box Company *****
Kids Barrier Corriboard, 39 Shrigley Road, Killyleagh, Co Down BT30 9RS (028 4482 8708)
Tested by Holy Cross Playgroup, New Malden, Surrey
This consists of panels, available in a choice of red, green, yellow or orange, which slot into blue posts either in line or at right angles to form a corner. Panels also come with window or multiple shape cut-outs.
Tester's report
Like many playgroups, we have to put everything away at the end of the day, but we found the Kids Barrier was worth daily reassembling because it has such great play value. The barrier is light, safe and colourful, and the children really enjoyed the 'walls' and the degree of privacy it gave them.
We liked the fact that it can be reduced or enlarged, which makes it very adaptable. One quibble is that although the wall panels pack flat, the posts tend to be a bit bulky to store away.
Pat Pain, Playgroup Leader
Tolo Sneezy the Activity Dragon (19.99) from Racing Champions *****
Racing Champions, Rydon Lane, Exeter, EX2 5AZ (01271 336155)
Tested by Sure Start Day Nursery, Gloucester
This features a squeaker, rattle, small 'door' and a hidden flower. It also emits sounds when cuddled. Recommended for babies from birth.
Tester's report
Don't keep this toy just for the babies - older pre-schoolers and adults will enjoy it, too. It's excellent for early exploration, and has lovely cuddle potential. It encourages the development of fine motor skills and hand/eye co-ordination at the early stages, but also has imaginative and emotional benefits for older children. In fact, there are so many elements, it's difficult to give an age limit. Because it's tactile and colourful and the sounds are lovely, it's also suitable for a range of special needs.
Easy to keep clean and very well made.
Ann Perrins, Special Needs Inclusion Worker
Activity Mouse (24.95) from Step by Step ****
Step by Step, Lee Fold, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 4LL (08451 252550)
Tested by YMCA Childcare, Chelmsford, Essex
This activity toy features knobs to turn and click, a mirror, rattles, dials and fastening challenges.
Tester's report
It offers lots of different activities for children from birth to two years; sensory exploration for very young children and helping older ones to develop hand/eye co-ordination and teach them colour recognition. We used it daily over the testing period and it seems very durable. Our one concern is that the eyes can be picked at and could come off in due course.
Vicky Flint, Deputy Head of Childcare
Dino (24.95) from Galt ****
Galt, Johnsonbrook Road, Hyde SK214 4QT (0161 8825300)
Tested by YMCA Childcare, Chelmsford, Essex
Make from soft fabric, this acts as a support cushion, but it also features lots of different textures and sounds.
Tester's report
Dino is bright and attractive, with good potential for sensory play. All the children enjoyed exploring the varied textures and the sounds. It's ideal for very young babies because it allows them to be supported while experimenting with the materials, but will keep children up to the age of 18 months interested. We found it was perfectly safe to use. The only problem is that the material from which the dinosaur is made tends to attract fibres from clothes, furnishings and the floor. However, the good thing is that it is machine washable.
Vicky Flint, Deputy Head of Childcare
Construction Truck (12.99) from John Crane *****
John Crane, 7 Deer Park Road, Moulton Park Industrial Estate, Northampton NN3 6RX (01604 774949, website: www.john-crane)Tested by New Hedges Toddler Group
This is a wooden toy consisting of 18 pieces that can be dismantled and rebuilt into a variety of different vehicles.
Tester's report
It's a very well-made and safe toy that immediately grabbed the children's attention. They loved building it and taking it apart. It stimulates their curiosity and gives them plenty of opportunity to experiment. It offers lots of self learning as well as adult-led activities. This is a 'must-have' toy for children with inquisitive minds although it caters for all abilities. It also looked as good as new after weeks of play with a large group of children.
Vanessa Durham, Group Leader
FOUNDATION STAGE
Counting Lotto (45.95) from Asco *****
Asco Educational Supplies 19 Lockwood Way, Leeds LS11 5TH (0113 2707070)
Tested by Castle Montessori Nursery School, Berkhamsted, Herts This game focuses on the numbers nought to nine. All the pieces are made of wood and are supplied in a useful storage box that measures 38 x 20 x 55cm.
Tester's report
A high-quality game with colourful, interesting pieces and multiple uses.
As well as Lotto matching, it also enhances language, counting and number skills. We really enjoyed testing this and both children and staff got a lot from it. Another benefit is that children are able to put it away unaided at the end of each session.
Laura Thompson, Manager
Giant Floor Shapes (66.50 per set) from Asco ****
Asco Educational Supplies 19 Lockwood Way, Leeds LS11 5TH (0113 2707070)
Tested by University of Teesside Day Nursery, Middlesbrough
The shapes, which are made of coloured birch wood, are designed to help children create different designs and explore the relationship between different geometrical shapes. The set contains 66 pieces, consisting of 13 different shapes in six different colours. As a size guide, the trapezoid is 20 x 10cm.
Tester's report
The price initially seems high, but the benefits of durability - they are good solid shapes - and learning potential make it a worthwhile long-term piece of equipment. Our children enjoyed free play with these and used them to make houses, boats, rockets, etc. As well as being good for creative play, they also encourage co-operation and language. The shapes come in a plastic bag, so a good strong bag would be better for storage. We felt that more shapes would be useful to extend group work.
Janet Graham, Nursery Manager
Aquarium (26.95) from Asco *
Asco Educational Supplies 19 Lockwood Way, Leeds LS11 5TH (0113 2707070)
Tested by University of Teesside Day Nursery, Middlesbrough
This consists of two magnetic boards with pictures of an aquarium, 50 magnetic fish and 20 assignment cards. The cards allow the children to identify the fish according to their position, colour, number or direction.
Tester's report
We found this a poor piece of equipment with very limited usage. Both children and staff became frustrated and bored with it, particularly as it comes with very confusing instructions. Positional language is its main or only learning value. As the colours are very different, matching was impossible and it proved difficult to make it more interesting. It also needs constant supervision, as there are lots of small fish that the children could be tempted to put in their mouths. It may be that it is more appropriate for older children, although we have used similar equipment before and achieved better results.
Janet Graham, Nursery Manager
Farm Friends Wall-hanging (36.50) from Active Designs ****
Active Designs, Unit 6, Home Farm Business Park, Church Way, Whittlebury Northants NN12 8XS (01327 858522, website: www.activedesigns.co.uk)Tested by Silver Trees Day Nursery, Toton, Notts
This wall-hanging measures approximately 52 x 52cm and features four Velcro animals - a pig, chicken, cow and sheep. The animals fix with Velcro to the background and the object is for the children to find the correct product labels to match to each animal. There are 20 labels in all.
Tester's report
It provides a great learning base of knowledge and understanding of farm animals and their environment. The activities are easy to follow and can be adapted to suit the ability of each child. For the younger children, we used the wall hanging to name the animals and the noises they make as well as to promote colour recognition. For older children, we extended the activities. For instance, in the activity 'talk about animals and their young' we decided to use our own material, such as factual books, alongside the wall-hanging to look at animal similarities and differences. It provides great opportunities for child-led discussion and sharing ideas and experiences. We found the activities worked best in smaller groups of no more than five children. As well as knowledge-acquisition, it provides an ideal way to encourage concentration, listening and interactional skills. I wish the animals had more detail - some of the children commented on the lack of facial features.
Melanie Cooper, Nursery Nurse
Quanty (57.50) from Asco *****
Asco Educational Supplies 19 Lockwood Way, Leeds LS11 5TH (0113 2707070)
Tested by Cornerstone Pre-school, Tamworth, Staffs
It consists of a wooden box with a lid marked with a matrix grid, five wooden fruits and vegetables, 40 boards with pictures of fruit, vegetables, hands, colours and figures, two spinners, ten exercise cards and an instruction leaflet.
Tester's report
This is really good for early maths, and the children asked for it every day over the testing period. As well as covering all the required maths skills at this stage, it also encourages personal and social development, communication and language. Sometimes the children worked in pairs, but they also sometimes chose to work quite happily alone. One of the great advantages is that it is easy for the children to put away themselves. The box is nice and sturdy, and the pieces chunky. It could be used for older children who have learning difficulties with maths. This is a very good resource and something we would recommend. Our one reservation is that it is a bit expensive for pre-schools with small budgets.
Sarah Avery, Pre-school Leader
Kaleidoscope Mirror (595) and Mirror Exploratory (225) from Reflections on Reggio *****
Reflections on Reggio, Unit 11, Tannery Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1RF (01732 225850, website:www.reggio.co.uk)
Tested by Phoenix Nursery School, Wolverhampton
The Kaleidoscope Mirror is a triangular prism with mirrored internal walls, designed to create small and large reflected images to give unusual views and perspectives. The mirrors are acrylic finished with a hardwood edging.
The Mirror Exploratory is rectangular with mirrored internal surfaces designed to give reflected images to infinity. It can be used on the floor or on a table. Both Mirrors come flat packed.
Tester's report
The prism mirror is ideal in helping to develop a child's self esteem. It can be used in all areas of the curriculum, and we found our parents enjoyed exploring it, too! It is large, but I feel it is worth getting rid of other equipment in order to have this. Over the testing period there was no way in which we had time to explore all the teaching and learning opportunities. The table top mirror is equally valuable and proved very popular with the children. These could, of course, also be used with much younger children - from one year -and are very good for children with special educational needs, especially if they have communication difficulties.
Michala Hoyland, Nursery Teacher
Thomas Stop and Go Set (50) from Learning Curve *****
Flair Leisure Products Anne Boleyn House, 9-13 Ewell Road, Cheam, Surrey SM3 8BZ (020 8643 0320, website: www.flairplc.co.uk)
Tested by Holy Cross Playgroup, New Malden, Surrey
The set includes 15 pieces of track plus an action switch track, an arched stone bridge with 'Island of Sodor' graphics, the interactive stop and go station, Thomas with a tanker and truck, an engineer and three trees.
Recommended age from three years.
Tester's report
A durable little train set that the children thoroughly enjoyed playing with, especially as it was Thomas. The station was a particular success, as the engine can't pass until a child changes the signal to 'go'. My only criticism is that I think the bridge needs to be made more secure.
Pat Pain, Playgroup Leader
Ordima Puzzles Home Set (42.50) from Asco ****
Asco Educational Supplies 19 Lockwood Way, Leeds LS11 5TH (0113 2707070)
Tested by Hopes and Dreams Nursery, Islington, London
There are six puzzles in this set consisting of 14 to 20 pieces. Each comes in its own plastic storage tray measuring 19 x 27.5cm.
Tester's report
These provided a very enjoyable activity and the children loved them.
Because the pictures represent every day activities, they are ideal for our age range of three-to five-year-olds. I noted some children repeated the same puzzle several times before moving on to a new one. The pieces are large and bendable, so can't be swallowed or pulled apart, and don't crease like cardboard puzzle pieces. I think these represent good value for money, given the amount of time children will spend doing the puzzles.
Tara Furey, Manager
Judy Discovery Digital Clock (24.95) from LDA *
LDA, Abbeygate House, East Road, Cambridge CB1DB (01223 357788, website: www.LDAlearning.com)
Tested by Little Echoes Day Nursery, Egham, Surrey
This synchronised digital clock allows children to watch the gears at work, and is designed to help them begin to read analogue clocks. It has a large knob on the back and two big hands on the face. For four year olds-plus.
Tester's report
The principle is good, but with a nursery age group it needs modification.
The hour hand should be moveable and the digital aspect covered. The children fiddled extensively with the hands and one child got a finger caught in it. We made it available daily for freeplay sessions over the testing period, but it has limited play value. This is something that could be improved and further developed. It is probably better for reception children and above.
Christine Richardson, Manager
PinToy Teaching Clock 12.99 from John Crane *****
John Crane, 7 Deer Park Road, Moulton Park Industrial Estate, Northampton NN3 6RX (01604 774949, website: www.john-crane.co.uk)
Tested by New Hedges Toddler Group, Lamphrey, Pembs
This clock has removable numbers, so can be used to develop counting skills, as well as time-telling abilities. Complete with removable stand that makes it possible to position the clock at different heights, and moving pointers. For three-year-olds-plus.
Tester's report
This is a really beautiful toy that the children enjoyed taking apart and putting back together. They also used it for counting. However, I think it does need supervision if it is to be used properly, so it would work best in a more formal learning environment or in a one-to-one situation in the home.
Vanessa Durham, Group Leader
FeltKids Easel (from 6.99) and StoryPieces (from 3.99) from Learning Curve *****
Flair Leisure Products
Anne Boleyn House, 9-13 Ewell Road, Cheam, Surrey SM3 8BZ (020 8643 0320, website: www.flairplc.co.uk)Tested by The Column Nursery, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
The Easel comes in two sizes; standard 40 x 32cm and large 51 x 40cm, and acts as a background for the Story Pieces. Every play piece is cut from thick felt, and silk-screen printed with non-toxic ink.
Tester's report
The children constantly asked for these over the testing period, and they were very successful in storytelling sessions. They are a fantastic resource for helping young children to re-tell stories without help from an adult. I thought the easel looked as if it might fall over and so might not be suitable for group play, but in fact it proved very stable, despite the children's enthusiasm as they piled on the pieces.
Kay Rogers, Manager
Dressing-Up Outfits (from 15) from East-West Education ****
East-West Education, 3 Keymer Gardens, Burgess Hill, Sussex RH15 0AF (01444 236322, website: www.eastwesteducation.org)
Tested by Whitehall Infant School and Nursery, Uxbridge, Middlesex East-West is a registered charity offering a range of authentic clothes from Asia and Africa for children aged four to six. There are 11 costumes in the range, and our tester was sent a Sari and a Kurta pyjama. The sari is pre-pleated and has a sewn-in petticoat. The pyjama has an opening at the ankle to avoid shoes having to be removed. The clothes are made in India in collaboration with a charity called Oasis India, which provides young women with a one-year training in tailoring and life skills.
Tester's report
We are a multicultural school and our children loved using these. They really enhanced our role play area and they were very easy to use because of the Velcro fastenings. The children did need help with the sari, but that added to the learning potential, as explanations were given on how to wear it. Children who are used to the dress were able to tell the others that their mums wore them, for example. They have encouraged our Asian parents to help with dressing-up activities.
Hazel Mansfield, Head Teacher
Doubling Fun with Annie Ant and Halving Fun with Buster Bug (9.99) from BEAM ***
BEAM Education, Maze Workshops, 72a Southgate Road, London N1 3JT (020 7684 3330, website: www.beam.co.uk)
Tested by Newington Green Primary School, London
These two books, written by Vicki Churchill and Charles Fuge, introduce children to doubling and halving with the help of the insect characters Annie Ant and Buster Bug.
Tester's report
These offer good reinforcement of key objectives and could be used to link to a numeracy lesson or to introduce themes such as division and multiplication. They are bright and visually pleasing, and because they are hard backed seem pretty durable. However, they are not suitable for nursery age or reception. I think children in Year 2 would find them most appropriate.
Jenny Snape, Foundation Co-ordinator
Transparent Counters (from 4.50) from BEAM **
BEAM Education, Maze Workshops, 72a Southgate Road, London N1 3JT (020 7684 3330, website:www.beam.co.uk)
Tested by Newington Green Primary School Nursery, London
The counters are designed for sorting and counting activities with younger children, and for overhead projection demonstrations with older children.
The counters are available in two sizes and a variety of colours. There is a bag of 100 large counters (42mm in diameter) in four colours and a bag of 250 small counters (25mm diameter) in seven colours.
Tester's report
These are very tactile and colourful, and the children found a number of different uses for them. As well as sorting and counting, they were used for stacking, collecting and as lenses! They are made of thick plastic, so are not easily snapped, although they do get scratched. They are also quite slippy, making them difficult to pick up and grip.
Jenny Snape, Foundation Co-ordinator
Unifix Cubes (25 for 500) and Workbooks (8.50 for a pack of ten) from Philip & Tacey ****
Philip & Tacey, North Way, Andover, Hants SP10 5BA (01264 332171, website:www.philipandtacey.co.uk)
Tested by St Luke's CE Primary School, Cambridge
Unifix is designed to teach early number concepts and skills in a practical way. The Cubes, which are constant in size, fit together and are recommended for work on comparison, estimation and measurement. There are two, 30-page A4 workbooks new to the range for 2003. Book one covers numbers one to six, book two, two to ten-plus.
Tester's report
These are most suitable for the four to seven age range, and are very good for teaching mathematical concepts up to ten. The cubes are particularly good for one-to-one counting with special needs chidren, but can be used in a variety of ways, including combining same colour/ different colour. I found the workbooks useful for assessing children in a group activity.
Mary Lown, Reception Teacher
Mini-Starcharts and Stickers (7.10 per pack) from Philip &Tacey *****
Philip & Tacey, North Way, Andover, Hants SP10 5BA (01264 332171, website:www.philipandtacey.co.uk)
Tested by St Luke's CE Primary School, Cambridge
Each chart measures 105 x 148mm and has space for 30 smiley star stickers plus room for comments and a signature. The pack contains 24 charts and 720 self-adhesive stickers.
Tester's report
Great for PSHE and a good incentive for all children. These are most appropriate for the four to seven age range. I use stars for a variety of things, including behaviour, helpfulness, kindness, a stunning piece of work or a whole class activity.The charts fitted into the children's trays and survived very well. None have been torn, making them good value for money.
Mary Lown, Reception Teacher
Make a Face Puppets (21.95 per pair) from Active Designs ****
Active Designs, Unit 6, Home Farm Business Park, Church Way, Whittlebury, Northants NN12 8XS (01327 858522, website: www.activedesigns.co.uk)Tested by Marigold Day Nursery, Heswall, Wirral
This pair of hand puppets can be used to create different faces and expressions and for labelling facial features. Each face is supplied with ten Velcro parts and six labels, and measures 22cm in diameter.
Tester's report
A good resource to have for language and role play activities. The puppets can be used for circle time, group activities or for individual discussions and as a table-top toy. It proved a great favourite in our nursery. They are particularly good for children with language problems, as they act as props, and for those who are shy or lacking in confidence. It would be nice to have extra eye and hair colours, so the children can all identify with their own facial features. They are well-made with secure stitching, and are good value for money.
Sharon Reardon, Manager
OUT OF SCHOOL
Hama Beads Group Project Pack (5.99) from DKL *****
Stockists Number 0160 467 8780
Tested by Butlins Kids Club, Minehead, Somerset
This contains 3,000 beads, five small pegboards (square, round, hexagonal, heart and star), two bead supports, one design sheet with six colour printed designs and ironing paper.
Tester's report
The children would sit for hours working with this material, and it's great for CDT and creative development with the younger ones. Ideal for special times such as Easter or Mother's Day, when the children want to make gifts.
Good for hand-eye co-ordination, but not with the under-fives, however, as it does need close supervision.
Andrew Thomas, Team Leader
The Wobbler (34) from Super Tramp ****
Super Tramp Trampolines, Unit 10, Langlands Business Park, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon EX15 3DA (01884 841305, website: www.supertramp.co.uk)
Tested by Green Top After School Club, Bradford
This has been developed from the wobble board used by physiotherapists for patients who need to learn to keep their balance after an injury. It has now been altered to offer two challenges involving guiding small balls around the Wobbler. Apart from the fun aspect, it may also be educationally beneficial. Some research has shown that balancing exercises can help to overcome the effects of dyslexia. It is also designed to aid co-ordination, concentration, patience and strategic thinking. Recommended age from six years.
Tester's report
The children in our after-school club really enjoyed using the Wobbler.
They all helped one another to get their balance to start with, and then later had competitions to see who could get all three balls in. It seems a durable piece of equipment, as it is made of hard-wearing plastic and should, therefore, last a long time. This scores highly on both play value and learning potential.
Catherine Quinn, Proprietor
Literacy Word Bank (39.99) from Franklin Electronics Publishers ***
Available from WHSmiths and selected high street retailers.
Stockists 0800 328 5618
Tested by St John Fisher RC Primary School, Erith, Kent
This electronic learning aid has been developed in co-operation with the National Literacy Association for children from the age of five. Features include the Oxford Primary Dictionary, the Oxford Primary Thesaurus, phonetic spell correction, and Match Maker, which finds words with the same beginnings and endings. The device's memory is divided into three levels to suit individual age and ability.
Tester's report
This can be used across the whole primary age range, and is a good support to motivate SEN pupils and encourage writing. It helps to develop good spelling skills through the spell check, and the games are useful, although they do require adult assistance when used at the lower end of the school.
Although the children enjoyed playing with it, I do think it is a rather expensive piece of equipment.
Bode Ladele, Early Years Co-ordinator
Best of the bunch *****
The products most highly recommended by our testers in this issue were:
* Baby Safe from Full-of-Beans
* Corriboard from Killyleagh Box Company
* Tolo Sneezy the Activity Dragon from Racing Champions
* Construction Truck from John Crane
* Counting Lotto from Asco
* Quanty from Asco
* Kaleidoscope and Exploratory Mirrors from Reflections on Reggio
* Thomas Stop and Go Set from Learning Curve
* FeltKids Easel and Story Pieces from Learning Curve
* Mini-Starcharts and Stickers from Philip & Tacey
* Hama Beads Group Project Pack from DKL
