UNDER-THREES
IQ Baby's Whose House? Shape Sorter (14.99) from ABC Nursery Supplies ***
ABC Nursery Distribution, Unit 1, The Stadium Estate, Cradock Road, Luton LU4 0JF (01582 503503)
Tested by Monday Monkeys Toddler Group, Norwich
This is a nine-piece soft shape sorter, featuring vinyl animal shapes, beads and textured fabrics. It comes complete with a handle and zipper for easy storage. The manufacturer's recommended age range is newborn to three years.
Tester's report
All the children loved the colourful shapes and textiles. The babies enjoyed opening and shutting the lid and posting shapes through the top, while the older children correctly placed the shapes through the appropriate holes and enjoyed imaginative play with the animal shapes.
However, I think the age range given is a little too wide - it is best for children under two. It isn't challenging enough for older children, who easily recognised the shapes and knew that a circle should not fit a square hole. There is a problem there, however, as, because it is made of soft fabric, it is possible to push any shape through any of the holes.
Sue Pomroy, Group Leader
Tolo's First Friends Car (19.99) from Racing Champions ***
Available from leading toy shops. Stockists 01271 336155
Tested by Highbury Grange Health Centre, London
The figure has moveable arms, legs and head, and a squeezy tummy. The car moves off automatically when he is placed inside.
Tester's report
I tried this out in two child health clinics and on a home visit. The babies in the clinic had a strong reaction to the toy, and became really excited. However, the reception staff found it was too noisy as they couldn't hear clients on the phone! It's good for developing fine motor skills and hand/eye co-ordination, as the figure can be taken in and out of the car. It is strong and sturdy, and should go down well in any baby room - as long as one bears in mind that the volume cannot be controlled, only turned off.
Dupe Akinrinmade, Nursery Nurse
K's Kids' Cubee Tunnels (15.99) from ABC Nursery Supplies *
Contact as before
Tested by Linden Nursery, Thetford, Norfolk
This consists of four soft prisms and three bees. The aim is for the babies to put together the blocks to form tunnels through which the bees can fly in and out. The activity is designed to enhance hand/eye co-ordination, spatial awareness and imaginative play. The manufacturer's recommended age is 18 months-plus.
Tester's report
It was not a great success. We found the play value limited across the age range, and the children played with it for very short periods. Additional Velcro pieces would improve the value of the experience. We tried to follow the suggestions given on the illustrated sheet that came with it, but, in several instances, these could not be completed satisfactorily by the adults, let alone the children!
Ann Aunins, Proprietor
K's Kids' Hungry Pelican (18.99) from ABC Nursery Supplies **
Contact as before
Tested by Impington Village College Nursery, Cambridge
This features a shrimp with a rattle, an octopus with a squeaky body and rattle, and a fish with a crunchy body. The manufacturer's recommended age range is newborn to three years.
Tester's report
This is colourful and makes a few noises, but would be better if there were more textures. The children didn't post the animals through the pelican's beak, but just took them from its tummy and ran off! It doesn't have a lot of learning potential.
Caroline Jones, Manager
Neo Trike (approx 49.99) from Wonderworld *
Wonderworld Products, DKL Marketing, 11 Deer Park Road, Northampton NN3 6QD (01604 678780, www.wonderworldtoy.com)
Tested by Platform 1 Pre School Day Care, Chesham, Bucks
This wooden tricycle measures 31 x 51 x 43cm, and is designed to help weight shifting and balancing skills. It also plays a tune, when a button is pressed. Manufacturer's recommended age - 18 months-plus.
Tester's report
I love wooden toys and this trike is very colourful but, unfortunately, the design makes it difficult and unsafe to use. When our younger children (around 18 months) tried to mount it, it toppled over, and it is too small for bigger children to use. We tried it out several times, but the children had to be closely supervised in case they fell off. It also steered more to one side than the other, making it hard to ride.
Irene Evason, Proprietor Baby Gym (approx 27.99) from Wonderworld ***
Contact as before
Tested by The Orchard Daycare Centre, Wallingford, Oxon
This wooden gym has three pieces of equipment, and measures 60 x 65 x 51cm.
The manufacturer's recommended age range is three months-plus.
Tester's report
Our older babies really enjoyed playing with this gym, and our toddlers used it like a Zimmer frame! It's good fun and was enjoyed by all. However, the straps holding the toys are too short; it would be much better if these were adjustable. It could be useful for children with special needs, to help develop hand/eye co-ordination.
Jan Thorp, Manager
Easy Store Sand & Water Table (66.99) from Little Tikes *****
Available from Mail Order Express (08700 129090)
Tested by Sure Start Day Nursery, Tredworth, Gloucester
This has a large sand area and a water area with a moulded-in roadway, a bridge and a gate that creates an 'inner harbour'. Two hand cranks let children create currents to sail two boats (included) around the table and in and out of the harbour. The table can be folded, with the toys stored inside, to create a play table with built-in cup holders. The manufacturer's recommended age range is two years-plus.
Tester's report
As with all Little Tikes products, this looks as if it will last forever.
It has great play potential and the children loved the experience of playing with sand and water at the same time. It's a particularly important activity for children with special needs. We did need to restrict the number playing around the table at the same time, and we had to watch that no one pulled the plug out. Otherwise, this is a very enjoyable piece of equipment.
Kate McDonald, Day Care Manager
FOUNDATION
Weather Window (32.50) from Active Designs *****
Active Designs, Unit 6, Home Farm Business Park, Church Way, Whittlebury, Northants NN12 8XS (01327 858522, www.activedesigns.co.uk)
Tested by Green Top Private Day Nursery, Bradford, Yorks
This weather chart comes with labels for days of the week, ten words and eight appropriate symbols to put behind the weather window. It can be folded away when not in use.
Tester's report
This has excellent learning potential, and the children had great fun with it. Over the testing period it was available each morning, so the children could observe for themselves what sort of weather we were having. It is also good for learning the different weather symbols and the order of the days of the week. We found it particularly useful for children with limited verbal skills, so, overall, a good value-for-money product.
Janine Booth, Officer in Charge
Teddy's Colour Cupboard (29.95) from Active Designs ****
Contact as before
Tested by Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nursery School, Islington, London
The task of this game is to decide which colour t-shirt Teddy will wear and to find the matching colour word. It features an embroidered bear background, eight t-shirts and words, plus a song sheet and extra labels.
It measures 76 x 46cm when unfolded.
Tester's report
Children of all abilities from two to four and a half were able to work with this game, and it kept them interested each time it was used. It inspired lots of conversation and play. It's a fun way for them to have hands-on experience of colours, while also encouraging basic matching skills, word recognition and maths. We easily extended its use with older children, by using uncoloured word labels. It seems quite durable, although younger children need supervision as the t-shirt shapes are small enough to go in their mouths.
Tara Furey, Manager
Flower Toy (19.95 plus p&p) from Little-B **
Justbtoys, Unit 1, Easton Lane Business Park, Easton Lane, Winchester, Hants SO23 7RQ (01962 863957)
Tested by Daisy Chain Nursery, Kirkcaldy, Fife
This toy involves shape sorting and 'planting' the flowers, which, once watered, grow instantly. It comes complete with a watering device.
Tester's report This resource proved a bright, colourful addition to the nursery and seems extremely durable. Some of the younger children enjoyed using the flowers for props in imaginative play, but it failed to provide any kind of challenge, and our pre-school children quickly became bored with it. The watering can has to be emptied and re-filled at least four times before the flowers grow, which resulted in frustrated children and waning concentration spans. Its purpose is to demonstrate the growing process, but the lack of soil and real seeds defies the whole purpose. Using the chunky watering can can promote hand/eye co-ordination, but it's not something I would recommend to other nurseries.
Lynn Littwin, Officer in Charge
Stickle Bricks Fun ABC and Fun Animals (3.99 each) from Flair *****
Flair Leisure Products, Anne Boleyn House, 9-13 Ewell Road, Cheam, Surrey SM3 8BZ (020 8643 0320 www.flairplc.co.uk)
Tested by Belvedere Childminders and Carers Support Group, Kent
Each set (pictured above) comprises 36 illustrated bricks and 12 extra labels. Each piece in Fun Animals features a head or body part. The company states that adult assistance is needed to apply the labels.
Tester's report
These are colourful and appealing, and really make construction work fun.
The children loved spelling their names with the alphabet bricks. We also created lots of new animals and had a great time thinking up names for them (eleraffe for example!). Stickle Bricks are excellent for developing fine motor skills and are well-made and durable.
Lynn Manning, Leader
Giant Dominoes (31.99) from John Crane *****
Available from good toy shops.
John Crane Customer Line 01604 774949
Tested by Whitehall Infant and Nursery School, Uxbridge, Middx
These extra large wooden dominoes each measure 135 x 68 x 20mm.
Tester's report
These are excellent for all types of domino games, are of high quality and come in a sturdy, well-finished storage box. The dominoes are a really good size for young children. They are enjoyable to handle and the colour-coded pips make it easier for a child to recognise the numbers.
Hazel Mansfield, Head Teacher Zamiloo My 18 Story Cubes (14.99) from John Crane **
Available from Mail Order Express (08700 129090, www.mailorderexpress.co.uk)
Tested by New Hedges Toddler Group, Lamphrey, Pembrokeshire
These are part of a new toy range designed to encourage imaginative play.
The Cubes feature illustrations depicting aspects of daily life, including a classroom scene, a visit to the doctor and a firefighter at work.
Tester's report
We were very unsure how to use this product. I know Zamiloo makes a point of not including instructions because it believes this may limit imagination but, frankly, it seemed incomplete. Our children have built towers and enjoyed learning about spacial concepts, but clear, activity ideas would have given it much more learning potential. This would not be something we would choose to buy.
Vanessa Durham, Group Leader
Hopscotch Mat (22.99) from John Crane ***
Contact as before
Tested by Vicar's Green Primary School, Alperton, Middx
This is one of a new range of play mats and measures 200 x 95cm.
Tester's report
We used this for during numeracy and for free activity throughout the day.
It is excellent for its purpose of teaching counting, but tends to be very teacher-directed, so we found the children were limited in what other use they could make of it. We have not used this with children with special needs, but as the children use gross motor skills while learning to count, I imagine it would be very good for them.
Nicola Pearcy, Reception Teacher
What's This? (38.50) from Asco **
Asco Educational Supplies, 19 Lockwood Way, Leeds LS11 5TH (0113 2707070)
Tested by University of Teesside Day Nursery, Middlesbrough
This comprises a wooden baseboard, a cloth lid stretched over a wooden frame and seven different shapes and objects. The aim is for the child to identify items through the felt cloth. The baseboard measures 33 x 33 x 3.5cm.
Tester's report
This resource is good for shape recognition, but was not a great success with the children. The box was too flat, which restricted what extra items we could place in it. The items also moved around and got wedged under the framework, making it difficult for the children to feel them. It's also possible to see through the fabric by pressing it down. This is not something we would buy. A feely bag serves the same purpose and they are much cheaper; you can even make one yourself.
Helen Fixter, Assistant Manager
Service Tabards (from 6.95) from J&M Toys ****
J&M Toys, 46 Finsbury Drive, Wrose, Bradford, West Yorks BD2 1QA (01274 599314) Tested by Holy Cross Playgroup, New Malden, Surrey
The tabards come with interchangeable labels, so children can play a number of roles while wearing the same one. The options include a vet, a supermarket check-out assistant and a hairdresser. They are available in two sizes; ages three to five and ages five to eight.
Tester's report
These tabards offer good play value, but we had to explain to the children how to use them as they didn't really understand how the interchangeable names worked. They look as if they will last a very long time and appear to be good value for money.
Pat Pain, Group Leader
Math Mat Challenge Game (27.95) from Learning Resources *****
Learning Resources, 5 Merchants Close, Oldmedow Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk PI30 4JX (01553 762276, www.learning-resources.co.uk)
Tested by The Column Nursery, Shrewsbury
This is an interactive, talking floor mat. The child listens to the equation, does the maths and then has to step on the right answer. If the answer is correct, there is a 'ding' sound; incorrect answers elicit an 'ah-ah' response. It features six different games, and two skill levels, and is designed to reinforce numbers, counting, addition and subtraction up to number 20. The mat measures 34(d)" and requires three AA batteries.
Tester's report
We used this a lot with children across the age range. With the three-year-olds it proved good for number recognition. It gives each child a score at the end of their turn, along with a cheer and encouraging praise. If the child's first answer is not correct they are given a second chance, and turns are limited to one minute 45 seconds. Children have to listen carefully and think quickly, but they were all queuing to have a go.
It can also be used on a table, as hands are just as good as feet for pressing the numbers. Another bonus is that it is easy to wipe clean.
Kay Rogers, Manager
Colour & Counting Lotto (44.75) from Asco *****
Contact as before
Tested by Whitehall Infant and Nursery School, Uxbridge, Middx
This comprises 60 wooden pieces, including the numbers one to ten, contained in a wooden box. It is designed to help children explore counting and colour recognition, as well as early addition and subtraction.
Tester's report
We used this with our reception children and they enjoyed matching the tiles. They are a good size for small fingers. They were able to put in the numbers and symbols by themselves and much work on early addition and subtraction can be covered. This is also a good resource for older children with special needs, as it offers a visual way of teaching addition. The name Lotto is deceptive, though, as it is not really lotto.
Hazel Mansfield, Head Teacher
Spatial Relations (49.95) from Asco ***
Contact as before
Tested by Phoenix Nursery School, Wolverhampton
This comprises two lotto games, and includes 56 blocks - each measuring 6 x 6cm - and two wooden boxes with lids - measuring 32 x 20 x 3cm. The aim of the game is for the children to match the pieces according to the character or its position.
Tester's report
This game is useful to assess a child's grasp of positional language, and can be used one-to-one or in a very small group. The pictures are clear and the pieces large and sturdy. However, it is dull and did not sustain the children's interest. Some ended up using the pieces to fill up boxes and bags to carry around! It is much more exciting when teaching positional language to use the children themselves or objects in the nursery. Most suitable for four- to six-year-olds.
Michala Hoyland, Nursery Teacher
Arbio (45) from Asco *****
Contact as before
Tested by Castle Montessori Nursery, Berkhamsted, Herts
The aim of Arbio (pictured below) is to teach children about 12 types of trees. The set contains 24 boards with 12 trees in summer leaf, 24 boards with 12 types of leaves, 24 boards with different tree fruits, a master card and full instructions. It comes in a wooden storage box of 30.5 x 29.5 x 4cm.
Tester's report
This has so many uses and is a lovely piece of equipment to use with a group or with an individual child. The children had great fun learning the names of trees, plants and fruits, and it effectively supports knowledge and understanding of the world. It is also a good way of showing children how they can work together, and was used for circle/discussion time. It does seem quite expensive, but looks as if it will last a long time and, as the learning potential is so good, it's value for money.
Laura Thompson, Deputy Manager
Leotard (6.50), long skirt (from 8), short skirt (8.50), crown (4.95), tiara (5.95) from J&M Toys ****
Contact as before
Tested by Smarty Pants Day Nursery, Plaistow, London
The leotard (one size only) comes in white, pink or gold. The long skirt (available in two sizes and complete with a cape) and the short skirt (one size only) are available in white, pink or purple. The crown and tiara are either silver or gold.
Tester's report
Dressing-up clothes are important, so it's essential to have a good range that can be rotated to sustain children's interest. These are good value for money and a useful addition to your collection. The girls enjoyed making up stories about princesses and acting them and, as the skirts are elasticated, they are easy to get on and off. However, for hygiene reasons, I think it would be better if the leotards were just tops. This would make them more suitable for nursery use.
Jennifer Lewis, Proprietor
Playstack Jack and the Beanstalk Large Set (19.99) ****
Playstack, 1st Floor, 42 Elcho Street, London SW11 4AU (020 7627 8811, www.playstack.com)
Tested by Great Milton Primary School, Great Milton, Oxford
Each pack contains 28 cards and a 16-page colour story book. The cards are capable of building a tower of 1.3m, and are designed to promote active storytelling.
Tester's report
This covers many areas of learning, and proved particularly popular with the boys, so it is a valuable resource for encouraging literacy skills.
Because it is a construction 'toy', it instantly appeals to them, and enables them to be creative in storytelling in a way that doesn't involve picking up a pencil! I also like the fact that it gives less confident children the security of a familiar story in which to play and make adaptations. It seems quite sturdy, and it's great having a box with a handle for storage.
Sarah Peregrine, Reception Teacher
Phonemic Awareness Reading Rods Classroom Kit (45.95) from Learning Resources ****
Contact as before
Tested by Coston Primary School, Greenford, Middlesex
These rods are designed to help children recognise upper and lower case letters, sequence the letters of the alphabet, identify phonemes and match letter sounds with pictures.
Tester's report
By this time of the year, most children could use this product independently in Reception. They enjoyed matching the initial sound cube to the picture cube and checking that all four pictures on the cube began with that sound. More able children could join cubes to spell simple words.
Vowel cubes are a different colour to consonant cubes and this is useful when talking about middle sounds. The letter cubes have upper and lower case letters on them, which provides another learning opportunity. The set comes with an excellent instruction and activity book with structured ideas for group work. Overall, this is a very good product and I am thinking of purchasing extra rods.
Carole Ives, Reception Teacher
Large Size National Literacy Scheme Words for Reception (3.99) from Magvertise ***
Magvertise, Castor House, Castor, Peterborough PE5 7AX (01733 380850, www.fridgemagic.com)
Tested by St Luke's Church of England Primary School, Cambridge
According to the company, these magnetic words feature the 45 essential high frequency words that a child is expected to recognise by the end of their first year in the Reception class.
Tester's report
For my Reception class, these words were a bit too difficult, but the set would be good for Year 1. They really are more appropriate for five- to seven-year-olds. They were not of much use to my class, I'm afraid.
Mary Lown, Reception Teacher
OUT OF SCHOOL
Dave Benson Phillips's Maths Machine (10, plus 1.50 p&p) from Hillier-Stevens Music ***
Hillier-Stevens Music, PO Box 663, Tring, Herts HP23 5WA (01296 662333)
Tested by Oakington Primary School, Cambridge
Dave Benson Phillips will be familiar to many children through his television appearances. The object of the CD (pictured above) is to use a variety of popular rhythms, such as rap and hip hop, to help children learn multiplication tables. The theory is that children seem to find it very easy to remember the words of their favourite pop songs, especially when they dance along to the music.
Tester's report
This is most suitable for seven- to nine-year-olds, although children who were too young to do the maths loved dancing to the music. Perhaps if it is played a lot to them there might be some subliminal learning. Our village children found Dave Benson Phillips's accent difficult to understand at times, although they really liked the sounds. This could be a useful resource for dyslexic children who usually find it impossible to learn tables.
Anne Williams, Class Teacher
Under the Sea Gears Set (27.95) from Learning Resources ****
Contact as before
Tested by Whitecastle Out-of-School Club, Ashton under Lyne
This is a 67-piece construction set, featuring underwater creatures, such as turtles, dolphins, an octopus, a crab and a shoal of fish.
Tester's report
The eight- to nine-year-olds played with it first and enjoyed an hour putting it together. Afterwards, I asked for their comments. These were: 'excellent', 'I like the moving parts' and 'It's a group game'. Because it had taken them so long to put together, they thought younger children would find it too difficult. (We did try it out with some four-year-olds who were able to build with guidance, and got very excited about the animals, where they live, what they might eat.) The pieces are nice to handle and, essential in our setting, can be easily washed.
Tina Whitelegg, Manager
Inflatable Sports Sets (10 each) from Early Learning Centre ***
ELC Customer Line 01793 831300
Tested by Kids Club, Butlins, Bognor, West Sussex
There are three sets in the range - Tennis, Football and Basket Ball. The inflatable tennis net and basket ball hoop (pictured below) are free standing.
Tester's report
We found these very good for gross motor play, especially when the weather was not suitable for outdoor play. The basket ball hoop was not very stable and tended to topple over, but we really appreciated the inflatable goal posts, which pack flat when put away.
Melanie Lawrence, Group Leader
Badge It! (14.99) from Bandai *****
Bandai Customer Line 01489 790944
Tested by Junior Reds Academy (Kids Clubs), Butlins, Minehead, Somerset
This device is designed to create badges in seconds.
Tester's report
As well as being great for out-of-school and holiday clubs, this would be useful for schools at the beginning of a new term, when people are having to learn lots of new names. It's also an excellent product for fund-raising activities. It has plenty of play value and our children really enjoyed designing their own badges. It also seems very good value for money, as the only additional cost is replacing badge pins and covers. It's quite safe for children over five to use on their own.
Andrew Thomas, Team Leader
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 were:
* Easy Store Sand & Water Table from Little Tikes
* Weather Window from Active Designs
* Stickle Bricks Fun ABC and Fun Animals from Flair
* Giant Dominoes from John Crane
* Maths Mat Challenge Game from Learning Resources
* Colour and Counting Lotto from Asco
* Arbio from Asco
* Badge It! from Bandai
MANY THANKS to the companies who provided the products for assessment and to the testers for taking time to write thoughtful reports. If you would like to become a tester, please see the editor's letter on page 3. We are interested in hearing from staff from all types of childcare and early education settings.
PLEASE NOTE not all the prices quoted throughout the magazine include VAT, so do check before ordering.
NURSERY WORLD EQUIPMENT AWARDS
The winners of the first Nursery World Equipment Awards were announced at a reception in February. Those products shortlisted for an Award had originally been highly recommended by our testers in Nursery Equipment throughout last year. Each product was then carefully assessed by three further sets of staff in a workplace setting before the final decision was made. The Awards were divided into three sections and the winners were as follows: UNDER-THREES
WinnerMusical Instruments from Insect Lore Highly-CommendedLearning Drum from Leapfrog FOUNDATION NURSERY
WinnerSkribi from Asco Highly-CommendedPlay Parachute from Full of Beans FOUNDATION RECEPTION
WinnerNumicon Foundation Stage Maths Kit Highly-CommendedInfant Video Toolkit from 2Simple
