Happy Hammer Farm
Asco 45.95
*****
Telephone 0113 270 7070
www.ascoeducational.co.uk
Tested by Gaer Infant Nursery School, Newport
This set enables children to design their own pictures by hammering the plastic farm shapes on to a cork board, or they can copy the pattern cards provided. The set includes 150 farmyard figures, two cork panels, two small hammers, one box of copper tacks, 12 pattern cards, all packed in a wooden box, measuring 40 x 34 x 8cm.
Tester's report
We thoroughly enjoyed testing this - it has the 'wow' factor. It immediately captivated the children and was able to engage across a wide range of abilities. The more able children knew instinctively how to hold and use the small hammers to pin the plastic animals onto the board and the less able children were content to match the coloured animals or trees to the colour matchboard. A variety of mix, match and sorting games could be initiated - as well as the main attraction of hammering - and the children helped each other to find the required pieces. Most of the children, aged three to four, were sensible with the pins, although it did remain a supervised activity mainly to avoid all the pins being emptied out of the container.
Lesley Parratt, classroom assistant
Rain or Shine Game
Orchard Toys 8
****
Telephone 01953 423422
www.orchardtoys.com
Tested by Abacus Nursery, Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield This is a game for two to four players. Each has to guess what the weather will be like, then spin the spinner to see if they are right. Then they have to watch out for thunderstorms as they race to the pot of gold under the rainbow.
Tester's report
The game is a very good group activity, excellent for colour and number recognition. It encouraged turn-taking, waiting, sitting and listening skills and makes an effective learning tool for children with a short attention span. Everyone was very eager to reach the pot of gold. I think it's probably most suitable for children over five.
Carole Hill, deputy manager
Calendar and Weather Pocket Chart
Learning Resources 29.95
0845 241 0484
www.learningresources.co.uk
Tested by Hill Primary School, Reading
This includes pockets and pre-printed cards with dates, days of the week, months, years, yesterday, today, tomorrow, holidays, celebrations, weather conditions and seasons. There are 136 cards in all. The chart measures 78 x 112 cm and features storage pockets and metal grommets for hanging. An activity guide is included. Recommended age from three years.
Tester's report
There is a lot of learning potential here but, unfortunately ,it just didn't work well in the classroom. It is a very large chart which takes too long to set up as well as needing plenty of space and lots of hooks to support it. There is also too much information - the children found today, tomorrow and yesterday very confusing. They enjoyed putting the pictures in the pockets but there are too many pieces and not enough storage - only one card at a time fitted, so we found them scattered all over the room. I thought it quite unmanageable and unsuitable for children under four.
Katy Weatherill, foundation stage teacher
Pretend and Play School Set
Learning Resources 25.95
***
Contacts as before
Tested by Ravenstone House Pre-prep and Nursery School
There are 152 pieces in this pretend classroom set, including a grade book, stickers, clock, bell, dry erase board and crayons and a double-sided mat, all contained in a tri-fold carry board, measuring 40.5. x 96.5 cm.
Designed to prepare children for starting school. Recommended age from three years.
Tester's report
It gives the children an understanding of the varied activities they will meet at school. We found it useful at group time, when all the children could join in, learning about the days of the week and the weather. It was an effective adult-led activity, but we found the notepads too small for the children to write on by themselves. The pencils, crayons, stickers and pads would soon run out, so perhaps a refill pack would be a good idea.
Although there are no safety issues we feel it is more appropriate for children from four years upwards if they are playing unaided.
Carole Angood, registrar
Come Alive Stories
Yellow Door 15 each
*****
Telephone 01223 525628
www.yellow-door.net
Tested by Whitehall Infants School, Uxbridge, Middlesex
The two stories currently available are 'The Billy Goats Gruff' and 'The Three Little Pigs', which are re-told in rhyme and set to music. Each title comprises an audio CD with spoken and sung versions of the story, plus large and small story line cards and teacher's notes with activity ideas.
Tester's report
These are a lovely resource and there are great ideas linked to Foundation Stage Stepping Stones, including literacy, numeracy, creativity and knowledge and understanding. The CD is an ideal way to enhance listening skills. It is particularly good for children who can't access the written word and for those needing extra support with sequencing skills or who have impaired vision. EAL children often don't know the traditional UK stories so they made a good introduction. The accompanying booklet was very useful for LSAs and is wonderful for non-music specialists. Some of the comments of staff who used them included 'Fantastic', 'We had so much fun', 'The children loved them and so did I!'. As you can tell, these were enjoyed by all! Are there any more stories in the series?
Barbara Scorer, deputy head
The Natural World Storybox
Yellow Door 30
Contacts as before
Tested by Whitehall Infants School, Uxbridge, Middlesex
The Storybox, designed to stimulate imaginative play, creativity and language, includes a variety of scenes, characters and props. It comes with a set of teacher's notes with lots of ideas for how this resource could be used.
Tester's report
I was a little disappointed when I opened the box - I expected something really exciting. Some of the animals are so small they get lost easily and, although the box is fine, the blue material slipped on the table, so it was best used on the carpet. To be honest, we could buy animals individually, make our own box and provide a couple of pieces of material much more cheaply. However, the children enjoyed the creatures and if we were doing a project on minibeasts or dinosaurs we might have been able to use it more constructively.
Barbara Scorer, deputy head
Occupation Accessory Pack
NES Arnold 44.95
***
0845 120 4525
www.nesarnold.co.uk
Tested by Hyde 'n' Seek Nursery, Glasgow
The pack contains items relating to various occupations, including doctor, post person, and policePeterman.
Tester's report
We used the pack alongside our theme on people who help us. It was good for role play and equally enjoyed by the girls and boys. However, because all the pieces are soft, our pre-school children found them a bit unrealistic.
It might work better with younger children.
Gillian Sweeney, manager
Smart Safari
Learning Resources
19.95 each
****
Contacts as before
Tested by Poppies Red Cross Day Nursery, Knutsford, Cheshire This features three jungle animals with wheels and sound effects, designed to teach the alphabet, number and shape - Count 'n' Stack Giraffe, Shape Sorter Gator and Alphabet Fun Frog.
Tester's report
All three were useful for sequences and number recognition. The children particularly liked the giraffe and were intrigued to see which letters would pop out of his mouth next. The animals are well made, so they should sustain wear and tear, and are useful for group work.
Helen Woodman, manager
Smart Splash
Learning Resources 12.95
****
Contacts as before
Tested by Poppies Red Cross Day Nursery, Knutsford, Cheshire
These are new additions to the Smart Splash range for water play (enthusiastically reviewed in Nursery Equipment, Spring 2006, page 23) and feature Memory Match Clams, Match and Hook Fish and Letter Link Crabs.
Tester's report
The children thoroughly enjoyed splashing each other during the hot summer days. The crabs proved the most popular - very good for letter recognition and the older children had fun spelling out their names.
Helen Woodman, manager
ABC Chalk Talk Electronic Learning Chalkboard
price = /Learning Resources 29.95
****
Contacts as before
Tested by Whitecastle Nursery, Ashton under Lyne
Chalk Talk is an interactive mat with over 30 touch sensors, designed to teach the alphabet, number, shape and colours. It includes a music mode and a chalkboard for writing practice.
Tester's report
We used this daily over the testing period and found it a good resource for writing and listening. However, because it features an American accent we couldn't give it full marks. We found we had to listen very carefully to understand some of the words. It's a durable piece of equipment and the children generally enjoyed using it.
Christina Whitelegg, manager
Inflatable Alphabet and Number Blocks
Learning Resources 29.95
*****
Contacts as before
Tested by Whitecastle Nursery, Ashton under Lyne
These consist of 26 inflatable alphabet and number blocks, linked together with Velcro. The alphabet blocks show upper and lower case letters as well as a picture of an object with that initial letter. The number blocks show numbers, Roman numerals, a written form of the number and domino-style dots.
Tester's report
These provide an excellent way to learn numbers and letters. They are very safe and easy to handle, so would be good for children with additional needs. I'm unsure how hard wearing they might prove, if the children try to bite them or throw them against hard surfaces.
Christina Whitelegg, manager
Viaduct Waterplay System
Asco from 295
****
Contacts as before
Tested by University of Teesside Day Nursery, Middlesbrough
This consists of wooden channels, made from untreated European pine, which are designed to be light enough for small children to lift and carry. They allow children to design and build water channels or ball runs in the sand area or on grass. A hose can be connected to one end. The system includes a branch and distribution element with control flaps and plugs, so water or balls can be re-routed down different channels. The Starter Set consists of six 100cm channels and three 50cm channels.
Tester's report
Our children were fascinated with the journey and speed of the balls and enjoyed organising races with each other and discussing how the incline affected the outcome. It can be used both indoors and out and there is the potential for use in all areas of learning. We felt that the over-fives would get even more out of it; with an age group of three to five it definitely needs adult supervision. It is very expensive in terms of our budget so would be classed as a 'luxury item'.
Janet Graham, manager
Ten Little Indians
Asco 33.95
***
Contacts as before
Tested by Daisychain Nursery, Kirkcaldy, Fife
The set consists of a fabric wigwam, measuring 35cm high, and ten numbered Native American characters to help with number recognition. It also features a canoe, a horse and a totem pole.
Tester's report
It provided a nice addition to our small world resources and was used daily over the testing period. It proved effective in helping the children familiarise themselves with numbers up to ten while they were playing and everything is machine washable. However, it is rather expensive.
Lynn Stevenson, proprietor
Hobby Horses
Asco 28.50
***
Contacts as before
Tested by Daisychain Nursery, Kirkcaldy, Fife
These soft-headed animals are designed for children up to the age of four.
The pole is 90cm in length and the width of the crossbar is 28cm.
Tester's report
These horses have been a great hit and become very well loved. They are fabulous role-play props and have also been used in makeshift puppet shows.
The price is fair for such a plush toy and it's good that the head is removable for machine washing. A valuable resource for young riders.
Lynn Stevenson, proprietor
First Computer Station
Reflections on Learning 175
*****
Telephone 01732 225850
www.reflectionsonlearning.co.uk
Tested by Meadow View Day Nursery, Newport Pagnell
This is made to accommodate a flat screen monitor and upright computer. It is made from a combination of MDF panels and rubberwood. The height of the desk top and chair, together with the backrest position of the chair, are adjustable to encourage good posture. The desk, which can accommodate two children, can be fixed to a wall and the computer is enclosed in a separate compartment for added protection.
Tester's report
The desk is extremely well designed - it's a great size for nursery children and also easy to fit into a smallish room. The materials used are all high quality and yet the station is very reasonably priced. It should prove very durable.
Stuart Harper, nursery nurse
The Fun Chair
9.99 plus packaging
*****
Telephone 0191 515 3722
www.thefunchair.co.uk
Tested by St Mary's Childcare Centre, University of Sunderland
This is made from corrugated board which is 70 per cent recycled and is fully recyclable after use. It provides a blank canvas for the children to use their creative skills and decorate, using paint, collage, pens or crayons. It is supplied flat packed with construction instructions. For each sale made on the internet 50 pence will be donated to the Rainbow Trust Charity.
Tester's report
The children really enjoyed building the fun chair from a flat piece of cardboard and then they spent a long time decorating it. It has excellent learning potential in the areas of design and technology as well as creativity. The children can see how the chair is constructed and enjoyed using it when it was completed. It is durable and has lasted well despite the rigours of daily use. It has given everyone a great deal of pleasure.
Lisa Stringer, manager
Bella Bistro Deluxe Chef Set
Great Gizmos 11.99
**** Telephone
www.mailorderexpress.com
Tested by Bexley Childminders Association, Kent
The set includes a tea towel, hot pad, oven glove, apron with adjustable ties, wooden spoon and a rolling pin.
Tester's report
The chef set enhanced our home corner and led to some active role play.
It's something a little bit different. Of course, it was fought over, especially the apron. All the items are well made and colourful. We have made a lot of fairy cakes!
Lynn Manning, co-ordinator
Star rating
***** Excellent
**** Very good
*** Good
** Satisfactory
* Less than satisfactory
BEST OF THE BUNCH
The products most highly recommended by our testers in this issue are:
Happy Hammer Farm from Asco
Come Alive Stories from Yellow Door
Inflatable Alphabet and Number Blocks from Learning Resources
First Computer Station from Reflections on Learning
The Fun Chair
NURSERY WORLD EQUIPMENT AWARDS
Products which testers decide should have five stars for excellence will be assessed for one of our prestigious 2006 Nursery World Equipment Awards.
Many thanks to companies which provided the products for assessment and to the testers for taking time to write reports. If you would like to join our panel of testers please write to the editor at the address on page three giving the ages of the children with whom you work and full contact details of your establishment, including an e-mail address if possible. We are seeking people from early years settings and primary schools.
PLEASE NOTE that the prices quoted here and elsewhere in the magazine do not necessarily include VAT and postage charges. Please check before ordering.
