Awards 2017 Awards 2017 the Essential Product Guide for Everyone Working with Young Children the Essential Product with Guide Foryoung Everyone Working

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DIGITAL EDITION Awards 2017 Awards 2017 The essential product guide for everyone working with young children The essential product with guide foryoung everyone working

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The latest award-winning products for children aged 0-11, all tried and tested by you 7 7

Now incorporating Child Care magazine AwardsAwards 20172017 In association with

Welcome to the Practical Pre-School Awards Guide 2017, in association with Primary Teacher Update, this year’s annual guide to all of the award-winning products for those who work with children aged between 0 and 11.

This year’s Practical Pre-School Awards ceremony, in association with Primary Teacher Update, took place on 22nd September in Birmingham. This guide contains full summaries about all of the products that achieved the much sought-after Overall Category Winner status, a Gold Award or a Silver Award, as well as listings of all those that achieved a Bronze Award.

This digital version has been produced to enable any education or child care professional to access the information and guidance contained within and to easily share this with colleagues. The Practical Pre-School Awards have been running for many years and have a strong reputation within the childcare and education sectors as reliable, informative and trustworthy. The categories for the Practical Pre-School Awards cover a range of specialist areas including: Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools; Toys and Games for both the 0 to 3 and 3 to 5 age ranges; Childcare; Music and Multimedia; Electronic and New Technology; Books and Publications; Classic Toys and Games; Creative Play and Outdoor Toys and Equipment.

For the Primary Teacher Update Awards, the categories are divided as follows: Primary Teacher Update Toys and Games; Primary Teacher Update Books and Publications; Primary Teacher Update Creative Play; Primary Teacher Update All Other Resources and Primary Teacher Update Outdoor Toys and Equipment.

Again, this year we have been hugely impressed by the wide range of products which have been entered. The entries clearly highlight and emphasise the sheer range of imagination, creativity, expertise and devotion that have gone into producing new products. All of the products, as you will see when you read the guide, have been rigorously tested and marked by professionals in settings to attain their nal score and their nal award – possibly a Gold, a Silver, a Bronze or even Overall Category Winner.

Please therefore use the guide as much as possible over the year ahead to enable you to make informed purchasing decisions for your educational setting or primary school. The Practical Pre-School Awards Guide 2017, in association with Primary Teacher Update, will prove a very valuable tool for you and your teams to refer to, time and time again.

I hope you nd this annual guide useful and informative. Now incorporating Child Care magazine Kind regards

Matt Govett Publisher and Managing Director MA Education Limited Now incorporating Child Care magazine Awards 2017 Awards 2017 The essential product guide for everyone working with young children The essential product with guide foryoung everyone working

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Contents Welcome to the 7 7 5 – 9 Teacher Resources, 2017 Practical Equipment and Tools Pre-School Awards 10 – 12 Toys and Games 0-3 in association with 13 – 17 Toys and Games 3-5 Primary Teacher Update

18 – 20 Childcare This supplement is the definitive guide to the award-winning, innovative products available now. 22 Music and Multimedia Welcome to the 2017 issue of the annual Practical Pre-School Awards Guide, 24 – 26 Electronic and New Technology brought to you by Practical Pre-School and Primary Teacher Update. These annual awards are for products aimed at professional childcare and educational 27 Books and Publications settings, and products that are aimed at all of primary education covering key stages 1 and 2. 28 Classic Toys and Games We are delighted to provide you with this annual guide packed with information about the wide range of exciting products that have been expertly designed for 30 Creative Play your use and for the benefit of the children in your care. So, whether you work in an early years setting, in childcare or in a primary school, the details in this guide will be of relevance and benefit to you and your teams. 31 – 32 Outdoor Toys and Equipment The Practical Pre-School Awards attract a wide range of entries from a broad mix of companies. The Primary Teacher Update Awards scheme, which runs 33 – 37 Primary Teacher Update in conjunction with the Practical Pre-School Awards, is designed to include Toys and Games products that are aimed at children in primary education, aged from five to 11-years-old. This Awards Guide will give you really useful guidance that will 38 – 39 Primary Teacher Update help you when choosing what products to use with the children and incorporate into your teaching. Books and Publications All of the products in the awards have been tried and tested rigorously in at least two separate settings by an independent panel of testers, including the children 40 Primary Teacher Update themselves. Testers marked the equipment against a pre-defined set of criteria Creative Play which included elements such as appeal to the children at the start and end of the trial, play value, durability, adaptability, educational values, ease-of-use, 41 – 43 Primary Teacher Update originality, value for money and more. All Other Resources With 90 per cent or more needed for products to attain a gold award, 80 to 89 per cent needed for silver to be achieved and 70 to 79 per cent required 44 Primary Teacher for bronze, the entries were all competing within a strict scoring system. Each category’s coveted overall winner is defined by the product in that category Update Outdoor Toys with the highest overall score. The scoring system is designed to highlight the and Equipment outstanding quality of these products, the innovation that has gone into creating them and the commitment of the product suppliers and manufacturers in providing you with exceptional products.

So please read on to find out what this year’s successful products are and use September 2016 Issue 188 the information in the guide to help you make clear and considered judgments when deciding what new products to invest in or recommend.

Our thanks go to our team of testers, the full list of whom can be found on page 4 of this publication, and to Evolution PR, whose commitment and support Now incorporating Child Care magazine www.markallengroup.com always make these awards so popular and engaging. Editor: Karen Faux Practical Pre-School is published by: [email protected] MA Education, St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road, London, SE24 0PB Managing Director: Matt Govett [email protected] Tel: 020 7738 5454 Website: www.practicalpreschool.com Design: Fonthill Creative Chief Executive Officer: Ben Allen

Awards scheme administered by Evolution PR Limited Now incorporating Child Care magazine Tel: 01327 227010. Email: [email protected] Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 3 Thanks

Would you like to be a tester? Now incorporating Child Care magazine

Would you like to be part of the panel responsible for selecting the best Being a tester is a lot of fun. However it does require some work and the quality resources for childcare, early years and key stage 1 and 2 settings? ability to keep to a strict deadline. If the answer is ‘yes’, then read on. We are now recruiting for testers for the 2018 Practical Pre-School and Primary Teacher Update Awards. If you feel you have what it takes and would like to be considered for the 2018 testing panel, please send a letter to the organisers, or an email As part of the judging process for the Practical Pre-School and Primary to the address below. You will then be asked to complete and return a Teacher Update Awards this year, around 250 individual tests were detailed form to qualify for a place. completed in a number of nursery, playgroup, pre-school, key stage 1 and 2 classes, and childminding settings throughout the country. Applications must be received by 31 December 2017. The panel will be selected in early 2018. So what can you expect? You will receive an entered product at your setting, after which you will have three weeks to test it. You will then To be considered for the testing panel, apply before 31 December 2017 need to return your test report on a supplied form. These reports are to: [email protected] clear, with marks awarded for pre-determined criteria and a section for additional comments. Alternatively, write to: Practical Pre-School Awards Testing Panel, Evolution PR, 18 Cottesbrooke Park, Heartlands Business Park, In the majority of cases, testers will be able to keep their entry samples Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 8YL. as a token of our appreciation. However in some cases – or for very expensive items – these may have to be returned. Should this be the case, a collection service is organised so that there are no expenses incurred by the setting.

A big thank you to all those who tested the products for our 2017 awards. We hope you enjoyed it! If you would like to be a tester, see above, and ensure that you contact us before 31 December 2017.

Playgroup Aly Llewellyn-Slade Harestock Nursery Anne Rodgers Morda Village Pre-School Sam Griffiths

Anne's Childminding Service Anne Leslie Parent & friends Helen Perks Munchkins Debbie Raheem

Barnston Buddies Nicky Prance Hickory House Day Nursery Andrea Barlone Childminder Natalie Highett

Beehive Nursery Angie Keane & Laura Henshaw Jollytots Julia Trainer Ogley Hay Nursery School Margaret Turley Piglets of Weedon Karen Eccles Belgrave St Bartholomew’s Academy Lisa Sarikaya Julie Stephens Childminding Julie Stephens Parent Rebecca Tew Braunston Pre-school Lynda Crooks Parent Kathryn Ludlam Childminder Sam Goldsworthy Bright Sparks Nursery Carolyn Below Kids Korner Nursery Karen Taylor Scamps Debbie Cetra Brooke Special School Jayne Crinigan Kingswood Village Playgroup Linzie Clark SJH Childminding Shetha Shaw Burwell Early Learners Tracy Parr Childminder Kirstie King St James' Toddler Group Liz McAnaw Busy Little Fingers Val Madeley Ladybird Pre-School Ltd. Maria Matthews Parent Stephanie Barber Carol Sheasby Childminding Carol Sheasby Ladybirds Pre-School (Porchester Road Site) Zoe Marler-Hausen Childminder Sue & Emma Mayes Chelmondiston Playgroup Lavinia Dzundza Laura Donjon Childminding Laura Donjon Sunnydays Childminding Tina Jones Chewton Common Playgroup Helen Dow Lightcliffe Pre-School Claire Whaley The Pines Pre-School Jacqui Pattison Childminder Claire Hosken Little MarVal's Pre-school Val Bond Thornton Childcare Jane and Tim Thornton Childminder Clare Tilney Lollipops Childcare Amanda King Tilda Henry's Victoria Williams-Lilley

Clarecroft Day Nursery Gemma Richardson & Natasha Louby's Childcare Services Louise Pitman Tracy Lee Childminding Tracy Lee

Clopton Nursery Trust Sarah Hudson Lynton Private Day Nursery Laura Brookes Woodland House Nursery Emma Base

Dunkys Day Nursery - Runcorn Jane McLean & Joanna Davies Bate Marcham Pre-school Nicky Sanford Yelvertoft Primary School Wendy Bates

Grafton Childcare Denise Tupman Parent Mark Hunt Your Child Matters Childminding Service Ann Ross

4 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools Gold Award

We’re OK with Risky Play! Overall winner Publisher: Lawrence Educational play. With advice on best practice for managing risk safely, this Tel: 01223 328 051 book shows the potential learning possibilities for young children taking developmentally appropriate risks. It is very much about Web: www.lawrenceeducational.co.uk emotional experiences, as well as nurturing physical and cognitive Price: £15.00 development. Covering topics ranging from kitchen and campfire Age range: Teachers’ Resource activities to physical challenges and expedition ideas, each activity Description: The 50 adventures in this book will inspire early comes with comprehensive and reassuring guidance for all in years practitioners to embrace risk as an integral part of children’s pre-school settings. Score: 97.1% What the testers said: “We loved this book. It has lots of new ideas we can use in our setting. The photographs are eye-catching

which make you want to read on and it will help Tools Equipment and Resources, Teacher staff who worry about risky play to plan and will give them confidence when carrying 7 out activities. The activities are innovative, exciting and motivating for both the adult presenting the task as well as the child taking part. The ring binder is a great idea and the lists for each activity are clear, precise and very useful. It is creative, experimental, exploratory, experiencing, and very inclusive and I would highly recommend this teaching resource.”

Awards 2018 Don’t miss out ... start planning now!

To advertise 7 in next year’s Awards Guide, call: Matt Govett on 020 7501 6735

Now incorporating Child Care magazine

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 5 Gold Award Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools

TickiT Giant ClearView Sand Timers TickiT A3 Light Panel with Power Pack Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools

Supplier/Distributor/ children will simultaneously “know” Supplier/Distributor/ power supply but alternatively can Manufacturer: Commotion when the time has run out. Manufacturer: Commotion be charged using the Power Pack, Tel: 01732 773 399 Score: 93.4% Tel: 01732 773 399 providing up to 8 hours of light. LED life span approx. 50,000 hours. Web: www.commotion.co.uk What the testers said: “These large Web: www.commotion.co.uk Score: 92.4% Price: £79.99 each sand timers were just the right height Price: A3 light panel: £79.99; for our children to sit on! Strong power pack £39.99 What the testers said: “A fantastic Age range: 3 years + and sturdy, they were very appealing resource, strong and easy to use and Description: Striking giant sand and colour coded with the time in Age range: 3 years + very appealing to the children. It kept timers (325 mm. high) with innovative minutes moulded onto the end. They Description: A slimline, lightweight their concentration for longer than usual ClearView panels at the top and encouraged children to use time- LED light panel with 3 light level and they were interested in finding out bottom will enable children to related language and were ideal for settings, providing cool, clean, bright how it worked and how it changed, using visualise the passing of time from time-related games and activities, such illumination. Ideal for the investigation the buttons. We used it with numbers, different angles, facilitating an active as tidy-up time – a race to put the toys of light, colour and shape or exploring blocks and coloured paddles to increase understanding of the timing of events away before the sand disappeared detail of natural or man-made understanding of mixing colours. Very or tasks. Available in 3 times: 1 – and timing each other playing with resources. Uses low voltage mains engaging and well worth the money.” minute (green), 3 minutes (yellow) certain toys and swapping when time and 5 minutes (blue). A versatile was up. An excellent resource which cross-curricular resource, ideal for helped visualise the difficult concept individual or group use where several of time.”

www.tickit.co.uk

Retail Sales Sensory Squares TickiT® products are sold by over 120 educational suppliers in the 7 beautiful rubberwood sensory squares promoting UK, including the following: observation and exploration to the younger child. Inserts are red, yellow, green, blue, magnifier, plane mirror & concave/convex mirror. SSP £24.99 Go to bit.ly/2wSJdbb for full product details

Giant ClearView Sand Timer Impressive colourful sand timers are a practical cross-curricular resource and provide a simple way for several children to simultaneously ‘know’ when the time has run out. For further information SSP £79.99 please contact us: Go to bit.ly/2wirjx4 [email protected] for full product details 01732 773399

TickiT® is owned & distributed by Commotion. Products that fire the imagination to inspire learning and make teaching more enjoyable

6 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017

PPS Awards Guide 2017_Chapter 1-4.indd 6 27/09/2017 15:46 Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools Gold Award

My Phonics Sound Puzzles Series How to be an Outstanding Early Years Practitioner Distributor/Manufacturer: The Desi i.e. two letters together, make. Once Publisher: Bloomsbury Education 7 Doll Company Ltd. again, an object or animal can be Tel: 0207 631 5891 Tel: 07769 694 655 heard using the digraph along with a fun sound effect! Both are beautifully Web: www.bloomsbury.com/ Web: www.desidollcompany.com illustrated and work really well education Price: £19.00 together, helping with early spelling. Price: £14.99 Age range: 3 years + Score: 91.2% Description: Early years practitioners Description: With My First Phonics What the testers said: “This product should aspire to deliver outstanding Sound Puzzle, hear the pure phonic is very durable and is easy for both practice on a daily basis. This letter ‘sounds’ and not the letter adults and children to use. The children comprehensive guide will help name! The puzzle also says an object/ really engaged with playing with the practitioners to do just that! Divided animal beginning with that letter puzzles and they opened up a lot of into easy-to-follow chapters focusing sound, as well as a fun sound effect. group time discussions. We think they on key areas such as knowledge of With My Second Phonics Sound are good value for money and would the EYFS, relationships with others, Puzzle, hear the sounds that digraphs, certainly recommend them.” planning and assessment, and safeguarding and child protection. Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools Equipment and Resources, Teacher 7 Score: 90.0% What the testers said: “A really good, helpful little book, quite slim, which makes it more appealing than some similar books currently on the market. Content is very supportive with lots of “in practice” advice, hints and tips. The sections read clearly and in very good order; they have clearly been organised effectively to facilitate continual reading. You can also dip in and out of sections which makes the book more personal to individual practitioners. Good for students and new practitioners.”

Award Winning Books from Bloomsbury Education 7

7 7 7

20% OFF each of these books online SPECIAL Use the code Practical20 on Bloomsbury.com at checkout OFFER! Offer valid until 31/10/2017 @ BloomsburyEd • www.Bloomsbury.com

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 7 Silver Award Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools

Kinderly 7 Zoobookoo Pre-school TickiT Wooden Light Table Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools 7 Supplier: NurseryBook Ltd. Cube Book Pack Supplier/Distributor/ 7 Tel: 0800 689 1875 Manufacturer: Commotion Distributor: Zoobookoo Web: www.kinderly.co.uk Tel: 01732 773 399 Tel: 01303 250 400 Price: From £10 + VAT per month Web: www.commotion.co.uk Web: www.bigjigstoys.co.uk Age range: 0-5 years Price: £159.99 Price: £12.99 Description: Kinderly, the leading EYFS app, Age range: 3 years + Age range: 3 years + supporting childcare professionals to be at their best Description: Attractive solid wooden table in recording and sharing a child’s progress so more Description: The ZooBooKoo Pre-School Cube Pack incorporating a bright LED light panel with touch children have a better start and parents are more is the ideal fun, educational pack for pre-schoolers. switch technology. Adjustable legs offer 4 heights, engaged in their development. Kinderly is partnering Included in the pack are the ZooBooKoo Alphabet – enabling children of different sizes to sit, stand or use with Achievement for All and PACEY to help improve First Phonics and Colour Matching Cube Book and as a desktop. A versatile cross-curricular resource for outcomes for all children. the Numbers – Find The Odd One Out Cube Book. SEN or early years settings, which can be used to The Alphabet Cube features letters of the alphabet Score: 88.9% investigate light, colour and shape, exploring natural in both upper and lowercase on each page, along and man-made resources, or for quiet focused play. What the testers said: “This is an excellent, with an example word and picture. The Numbers Score: 81.6% inexpensive app which is easy to use. It contains all Cube Book features numbers 1 to 12 along with day-to-day files needed for a nursery/childminding an illustration of an animal. The number of animals What the testers said: “Initial interest in this light setting. Being able to generate invoices, menus and shown on that page will correspond to the number. table was high and the children enjoyed using it. We daily diary cut down on time spent on paperwork The fun doesn’t end there: children must also find liked that the height could be adjusted, making the as things could be entered as they happened. the ‘odd one out’ on each page too! table accessible to children of all ages and sizes. Sending all information to parents by the press of a This will be a great and valued resource to add to Score: 84.2% button was our setting.” effortless. What the testers said: “Very easy to use, tactile Once set up and with a fun design. The letters relate to everyday with all the objects. The children were intrigued with these and, children at after being shown how the setting to use them, the older entered ‘into children used them the system’ well. Helps children to it makes recognise initial letters keeping an and sounds.” eye on the whole group easy.”

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Register now for your free trial at www.kinderly.co.uk SaveSave time, time, spacespace andand costs costs Register now for your free trial at www.kinderly.co.uk then from £8 +VAT per month or email then from £8 +VAT per month or email [email protected] for more information [email protected] for more information Digitally capturing Making admin easy Sharing progress, EYFS observations with the integrated daily diaries and Digitally capturing Making admin easy Sharing progress, and early learning Accounting and WOW moments EYFS observationsjourneys withInvoicing the integrated Package withdaily parents diaries and and early learning Accounting and WOW moments in partnership with journeys Invoicing Package with parents in partnership with

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live chat, email, progress at a glance we are rated A+ Finalist Excellentphone customerand free 1-2-1 Showing children’s byKeeping SSL Labs secure support including developmental and compliant: 15 tutorials 5 6 live chat, email, progress at a glance we are rated A+ Finalist phone and free 1-2-1 by SSL Labs 8 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools Silver Award

TickiT Sensory 7 Bronze Awards 7

Mood Light Table Multi-Lingual Welcome Booklet for Nurseries Webapp Supplier/Distributor/ Mantra Lingua Ltd. Manufacturer: Commotion Pupils' Admission Webapps Tel: 01732 773 399 Mantra Lingua Ltd. Web: www.commotion.co.uk Price: £159.99 Age range: 3 years + Description: The Sensory Mood Light Table provides a softly lit environment for sensory exploration. The remote control allows a choice of 16 colours through To advertise in a spectrum of shades, including clean white. Using safe low voltage mains power supply, one charge cycle provides approximately 10 hours of light. Ideal for use inside or outside. Water resistant IP65. Teacher Resources, Equipment and Tools Equipment and Resources, Teacher Score: 81.2% What the testers said: “Overall the light table is good – it is easily portable and charges quickly. It is also sturdy and safe. When we used it in our dark den, the colours were very clear. The children loved using the remote control to please call Matt Govett choose different colours. Would be brilliant to use in a permanently dark area such as a on sensory room.” 020 7501 6735

For more information call 01327 227010 or email: [email protected] visit www.evolution-pr.co.uk

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 9 Gold Award Toys and Games 0-3

Sand & Water Play Station Overall winner Manufacturer: Millhouse (part of Spaceright Europe Ltd.) Tel: 01526 354 404 Toys and Games 0-3 Web: www.inspirationalnurseries.co.uk Price: From £280.00 + VAT Age range: From 12 months + Description: Our sand and water play units come in three heights to suit children of all ages. Supplied with a wooden lid which can be used as a work surface. Made from birch plywood with protective water proof coating. Wheels on one side for easy mobility. Tub with bung for emptying water. Score: 96.5% What the testers said: “A fantastic piece of equipment, easy to assemble and 7 very well made. It is easy to fill and empty with water or sand. Excellent for learning maths skills and hand and eye co-ordination. Large enough for several children to all play at the same time, which helps their social skills. All of the children liked playing in the water tray, using funnels and tubes. Easy to move around as it has wheels at one end too.”

TickiT Sensory Squares Supplier/Distibutor/Manufacturer: learning about 7 Commotion colours and Tel: 01732 773 399 colour mixing. To advertise in Web: www.commotion.co.uk Score: 95% Price: £24.99 What the testers said: “A Age range: 18Months+ beautifully made Description: Seven beautiful sensory toy which rubberwood sensory squares to appeals to all promote observation and exploration ages. The blocks are great for the younger child. The smooth to learn colours and colour mixing, as chunky frames each contain a different well as learning about reflection and acrylic centre: red, yellow, green, blue, magnification and the children were Now incorporating Child Care magazine magnifier, plane mirror and convex/ particularly interested in the magnifying concave mirror. Ideal for encouraging square and mirror square, using them the use of descriptive language, to develop self-awareness. They are very investigating surroundings and for sturdy and are great value for money.” please call Matt Govett on 020 7501 6735

10 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Toys and Games 0-3 Silver Award

Bigjigs Toys Cutting Fruit Crate Toot-Toot Friends Farm House TickiT Easy Grip Balls

Manufacturer: Bigjigs Toys Ltd. 7 Manufacturer: VTech Electronics 7 Supplier/Distibutor/ 7 Tel: 01303 250 400 Tel: 01235 555 545 Manufacturer: Commotion Web: www.bigjigstoys.co.uk Web: www.vtech.co.uk Tel: 01732 773 399 Price: £12.99 Price: £32.99 Web: www.commotion.co.uk Age range: 18 months + Age range: 1-5 years Price: £21.99 Description: This brightly coloured Description: When Farmer Joe isn’t Age range: Suitable from birth crate of wooden play food includes a selection out with the Toot-Toot Friends, there is no Description: A set of four brightly of different fruits that can be sliced up carefully and place he’d rather be than the Toot-Toot Friends coloured inflatable balls with a honeycomb accurately with the aid of a wooden knife. Ensuring Farm House! Press Farmer Joe’s light up button effect surface which aids grip when catching and complete safety, your little one can chop the fruit up on and put him on MagicPoint locations to hear him throwing, ideal for encouraging collaborative play.

the supplied wooden chopping board. A great way to introduce himself, his hobbies and more! Sliding the The balls are lightweight but sturdy and a good size and Games 0-3 Toys learn about kitchen safety. Set includes an apple, pear, Farm House’s slider to rotate the windmill, pushing for young children to handle. Improves children’s orange, lemon, strawberry, banana and melon! Bigjigs Farmer Joe along on his tractor and playing with the confidence with ball skills and hand-eye co-ordination. Toys’ wooden play food is ideal to help your little one to stackable animals all helps to develop your child’s Score: 86.3% learn about the importance of a healthy and balanced imagination and motor skills! What the testers said: “A brilliant idea for helping diet, where our food comes from and how we prepare Score: 87.0% our meals. Once playtime is over, the wooden food can children to learn how to catch a ball and we have be stored back in the storage crate and secured with a What the testers said: “A lovely little farm never seen anything like this before. The tactile clear sliding lid. playhouse. Bright colours make the toy eye-catching surface of the balls makes them easy for small for young children. It is very portable, due to its hands to grip and the colours are beautiful and Score: 87.2% lightweight design. The sounds and songs are great vibrant. Our toddler group children had a lot of What the testers said: “The wooden fruit is beautifully and keep the children interested for long periods at fun playing with them. Not only do they encourage made and coloured. The children had great fun a time. The MagicPoint locations are a true hit as improved co-ordination, but also interaction between cutting the fruit with the knife and coming up with all well and I think this is a adults and other children, as ball games are played.” sorts of interesting ideas about cooking. It definitely toy that children will encouraged role play and want to play with also interactive play, as for years.” well as understanding of the world around them. It also helps to develop motor skills with the cutting aspect and encouraged turn-taking and sharing. We really liked this product!”

www.tickit.co.uk

7 Retail Sales Sensory Squares TickiT® products are sold by over 120 educational suppliers in the 7 beautiful rubberwood sensory squares promoting UK, including the following: observation and exploration to the younger child. Inserts are red, yellow, green, blue, magniﬁer, plane mirror & concave/convex mirror. SSP £24.99 Go to bit.ly/2wSJdbb for full product details

Giant ClearView Sand Timer Impressive colourful sand timers are a practical cross-curricular resource and provide a simple way for several children to simultaneously ‘know’ when the time has run out. 7 For further information SSP £79.99 please contact us: Go to bit.ly/2wirjx4 [email protected] for full product details 01732 773399

TickiT® is owned & distributed by Commotion. Products that ﬁre the imagination to inspire learning and make teaching more enjoyable Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 11 Silver Award Toys and Games 0-3

Tool Box Bronze Awards 7

Manufacturer: Tolo Toys 7 Farm Playset Web: www.tolotoys.com Brio Price: £15.00 Toys and Games 0-3 Age range: 12 months + Description: Let your little engineers show off their creations with the Tolo Tool Box! This 14 piece tool set includes a screwdriver, spanner, long oval connectors, cross head screws, bolts, nuts and gears – all packed away neatly in a sturdy tool case. Helps enhance dexterity and fine motor skills. Awards 2018 Score: 85.0% What the testers said: “A very well made toy and very colourful, it is excellent for fine motor skills and eye and hand co-ordination, as well as helping with colour recognition. The tools are well designed for Don’t miss small hands to hold. It’s easy to clean, easy to store and very portable. The children loved playing with this toy and pretending to be ‘Bob the Builder’!” out...start planning now! To advertise in next year’s Awards Guide, call: Matt Govett on 020 7501 6735 to secure your place in 2018!

Let your little engineers Tool Box show off their talents!

Contact First Celtic Toys & Learning Ltd. on enquiries@ﬁ rstcelticlearning.eu for a complete list of products. Tolo is a registered trademark of Tolo Toys Ltd. www.tolotoys.com

12 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Toys and Games 3-5 Gold Award

Bigjigs Rail Medieval Train Set Overall winner Manufacturer: Bigjigs Rail Tel: 01303 250 400 Web: www.bigjigstoys.co.uk 7 Price: £42.99 Age range: 3 years + Description: Transport the treasure around the wooden track to the castle. Train up the Knights ready for battle as the King and

Queen watch over. Use the Pillory to give bad guys a telling off! and Games 3-5 Toys The possibilities are endless with the Bigjigs Rail Medieval Train Set. Includes 46 play pieces including an engine and two carriages, wooden figures, trees, Knights’ flags and much more! Encourages creative and imaginative role play. Additional accessories available to expand this set and it is compatible with most other major wooden railway brands. Score: 96.2% What the testers said: “Hats off to whoever thought up this idea! The children were immediately drawn to this lovely set which encourages imaginative and creative play. Easy to put together and well designed with plenty of sturdy wooden pieces. The children loved creating the track and putting together the castle and manipulating the wooden figures. More than enough in the box for 3-4 children to play with happily, but delighted to see that there are additional sets available to extend the set and it is compatible with other sets too.”

Tonka Tinys Range 7 Wordphun Upper/Lower Case Letters

Supplier: Funrise International What the with 100 Pictures Tel: 01908 555 640 testers said: “This product Manufacturer: Thinkplay Ltd. variety of class needs. Now, also Web: www.funrise.com appealed to both T/A MORPHUN available with a free 1-year licence Price: From £2.49 - £22.99 girls and boys. Tel: 01453 731 724 for our online platform with more fun The children were and educational games. Age range: 5 years + Web: www.alerl.co.uk very interested in Score: 95.0% Description: Tonka Tinys are the perfect the level of detail on the Price: £57.00 vehicles to take on the go! These What the testers said: “Brilliant! vehicles and they spent time Age range: 4 years + micro-sized vehicles are built Tonka looking at, touching and testing what Really good fun, supporting and Description: Morphun’s Wordphun tough and feature the same great each bit that moved did. Supports Early scaffolding children’s development games make learning letters just styling as the classic Tonka vehicles Learning Goals - they discussed and in a fun way. The brightly coloured plain ‘More Fun’! Based on the now and are perfect for vehicle-loving negotiated whilst playing and physical bricks immediately appealed to the familiar side joining brick from our kids or collectors! Tonka Tinys are the development and fine motor skills were children. We could adapt the activities construction games, our cursive perfect pocket-sized vehicles to create observed as children manipulated the to suit the children’s age, stage and script letters sets will add interest adventures wherever you are. Choose vehicles on ramps and under/through developmental ability – a key test of and focus to everyday class activities from 22 different replicas of real-life tunnels. When the sets were combined, a product’s effectiveness within an and are very adaptable to meet a trucks. Each vehicle comes with its own they gave further opportunity to extend educational setting. The bricks help garage for storing and stacking! Also in imaginative play. ‘Palm’ sized meant the development of both hand and the Tinys range are the Tonka Tinys Mini that they could be easily transported eye co-ordination and dexterity. playsets for even more Tinys fun! and stored away.” Great size, durable, portable and Score: 95.4% both indoor and outdoor-friendly. A must-have resource – would definitely recommend.”

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 13 Gold Award Toys and Games 3-5

Gearphun Starter 200 Set My Phonics Sound Puzzles Series

Manufacturer: Thinkplay Ltd. 7 sets and has been designed Distributor/Manufacturer: Score: 93.1% T/A MORPHUN to meet the now fashionable The Desi Doll Company Ltd. What the testers said: “An absolutely Tel: 01453 731 724 requirements of STEM education. Tel: 07769 694 655 brilliant product, particularly for the Toys and Games 3-5 Web: www.alerl.co.uk Score: 94.7% Web: www.desidollcompany.com target age range. Bright, colourful, useful and the sounds are spot Price: £46.00 What the testers said: “A great Price: £19.00 little starter kit, very popular on. Easy to use with really relevant Age range: 4 years + with both the children and Age range: 3 years + sounds. We liked Description: Morphun’s staff. Enough pieces to Description: With My First Phonics the sensory feel 7 construction bricks have build several constructions, Sound Puzzle, hear the pure phonic and the direction been developed into a wide range developing their creativity and letter ‘sounds’ and not the letter of how to write of educational toys and games. The imagination. The child-friendly brick name! The puzzle also says an the letters. Gearphun education system is designed size is great, making the resource object/animal beginning with that Would definitely to be strong, durable and flexible in accessible to all the children and letter sound, as well as a fun sound recommend.” use. It compliments existing Morphun supports their dexterity skills. Brilliant, effect. With My Second Phonics construction sets adding 14 exciting colourful, sturdy and portable, we Sound Puzzle, new pieces, it offers greater flexibility would definitely recommend this and hear the for design and build than other gears are already purchasing more!” sounds that digraphs, i.e. two letters together, make. Once again, an object or animal can be heard using the digraph along with a fun sound effect! Both are beautifully illustrated and work really well together, helping with early spelling.

14 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Toys and Games 3-5 Gold Award

TickiT Sensory Rainbow Glitter Balls Supplier/Manufacturer: Commotion 7 Score: 90.4% To advertise in Tel: 01732 773 399 What the testers said: Web: www.commotion.co.uk “The children were able to carry them, even Price: £17.99 though they are quite Age range: 3 years + heavy, so the physical Description: Seven captivating sensory development and balls containing sparkling stardust in building muscle different colours which swirls around strength was good. inside the balls as they are handled. They rolled them to Ideal for boys and girls, the sensory each other and the sensory elements

balls will capture the imagination, and colours worked very well with and Games 3-5 Toys promote descriptive language, an autistic child. They used them for improve concentration and develop different purposes, e.g. for ‘treasure’ co-ordination skills. Red, silver, gold, and they loved watching the glitter green, blue, pink and purple. move around inside the balls.” please call Matt Govett on 020 7501 6735

TickiT Sensory Rainbow Cascade Farm World Tractor with Trailer Teletubbies Party Collection

Supplier/Distributor/ 7 Manufacturer: Schleich UK Ltd. Manufacturer: Character Options 7 Manufacturer: Commotion Tel: 01279 870 000 Tel: 0161 633 9800 Tel: 01732 773 399 Web: www.schleich-s.co.uk Web: www.character-online.com Web: www.commotion.co.uk Price: From £49.99 Price: From £12.99 Price: £24.99 Age range: 3 years + Age range: 3 years + Age range: 3 years + Description: The new Farm World Tractor and Trailer Description: 2017 marks the Description: Six fascinating sensory has everything young ones need to complete work 20th anniversary of the Teletubbies liquid towers, each containing two streams around the farm. With a moving front loader, trailer and, to celebrate, it’s party time for the of colourful liquid which tumble to the bottom and figures included, adventures can start from the Teletubbies toys! The super-fun, super-cute in droplets at varying speeds. With crystal clear moment children unbox the set! Schleich figures collection of 8-inch Talking Party plush includes all colours, the attractive rainbow cascades provide an are all about imaginative play and children’s four Teletubbies characters. Squeeze their tummies ideal resource for quiet focus, as well as inspiring imaginations are instantly inspired by these to hear them say key catch-phrases from the show, curiosity, helping develop creative language and realistic toys. with each character donning a fun party accessory demonstrating simple scientific principles. Score: 88.1% from pin-wheels and balloons to colourful party hats. Who wouldn’t love these fun new toys? Score: 89.6% What the testers said: “The children loved the What the testers said: “These are a great product tractor and trailer set – it’s a lovely product and very Score: 85.9% and have been loved by both children and staff. Very popular with the children. Very well made, appealing, What the testers said: “We received a Lala figure relaxing. Our children devised a race – they turned sturdy and the children have all enjoyed playing and the children were very keen to play with it. them all over at the same time to see which one ran with it. The set supports early learning goals well, Being interactive, it helps develop their fine motor out first! It kept them occupied for ages and they including encouraging imaginative skills and they found it easy to make it make the loved predicting which colour might win! We also used play, sharing and playing as a 7 sounds. It is bright and colourful, helping with sensory them on a large mirror so that children could see group, as well as learning more development. The material the reflections – this encouraged a lot of language about farms, vehicles is durable and it development. and animals.” has been well put Would recommend together. It is this to others and washable – which will be investing is a massive plus in more for our for this age range sensory box.” – and the soft material means it is an ideal toy during the day or at bedtime.”

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 15 Silver Award Toys and Games 3-5

Snap-n-Learn™ Counting Cows TickiT Stackable Huggable Heroes®

Supplier/Manufacturer: Learning Resources® Translucent Buttons Manufacturer: Huggable Heroes® 7 Tel: 01553 818 063 Tel: 07725 122 441 Supplier/Distributor/ 7 Web: www.learningresources.co.uk Web: www.huggableheroes.co.uk Toys and Games 3-5 Manufacturer: Commotion Price: £16.50 Tel: 01732 773 399 Price: From £25.00 Age range: 2 years + Web: www.commotion.co.uk Age range: 0-10 years Description: Ten tactile cows snap together for early Price: £19.99 Description: Huggable Heroes® learning fun! Learners match numbers (1-10) on the were born of a desire to help with Age range: 3 years + cow’s head to the corresponding number of coloured separation anxiety and emotional hardships patches on the tail (correct matches are the same Description: 144 mixed shape buttons in due to a parent working away, separation or colour). Promotes fine motor skills, counting, colour six bright colours, with one, three or five holes bereavement. Huggable Heroes® help children to and number recognition and encourages imaginative in the centre. Ideal for using on a light panel for express and play out their feelings and emotions, in play. Includes sturdy storage tub. sorting and counting, to develop fine motor skills turn helping their parent/keyworker also understand by stacking or threading with the 12 coloured laces Score: 85.8% how the child feels. included, or for learning about colour and shape. 7 Score: 83.5% What the testers said: Incudes a convenient storage container. “Our two-year-old loves cows What the testers said: Score: 84.4% because of grandad’s farm, so he “Wow! What a different adores this set! He can’t count What the testers said: “A good resource that type of product. The yet but is enjoying matching can be used in a variety of ways by children, child was delighted up the colours and we incorporating a number of areas of learning. Our when he opened his are starting to get him children enjoyed using these as a new lacing activity individual “gift”. to say some number and stacked them together. They also used the light The Huggable words since he has table to explore colour changes when colours are Hero has been been playing with mixed. We liked the range of colours and shapes.” used when the the set. Lovely size child has become for him to be able anxious during to handle them the day and confidently has definitely and he been an enjoys added value putting to support his them back day. With the in the tub right child this as well!” is a brilliant idea.”

PJ Masks – Dress Up Set

Supplier: Flair PLC 7 Tel: 0208 643 0320 Web: www.flairplc.co.uk Price: £24.99 Age range: 3 years + ® Description: With three dress-up Costume Sets in the PJ Masks range, kids can explore their imaginations and transform instantly into their favourite heroes at home. Whether it is Owlette, Catboy or Gekko, each set includes a mask and full body costume to complete the hero look and is an essential piece of kit in PJ Masks fans’ dress up boxes! Score: 82.7% What the testers said: “Very cute, lovely quality and very well made. The children were thrilled when they saw this and loved trying it on and dancing around – it has now prompted us to have a dressing up day in the setting! Fantastic for role play and taking it in turns to wear it. It triggered imaginative make-believe games and the children asked to play with it each day.”

16 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Toys and Games 3-5 Silver Award

Morphy Richards Microwave, Gazillion Giant Bubbles Range Bronze Awards 7

Kettle & Toaster Supplier: Funrise International 7 Deluxe Cleaning Trolley Tel: 01908 555 640 Casdon PLC Manufacturer: Casdon PLC 7 Web: www.funrise.com Mr Tumble's Fun Sounds Tel: 01253 766 411 Musical Car Price: £6.99 to £24.99 Web: www.casdon.co.uk Golden Bear Age range: 5 years + Price: £25.00 Description: Take to the outdoors Age range: 3 years + and max up the fun with bubble machines, Description: Another great wands and blasters from Gazillion Bubbles. This addition to the brilliant Casdon range. top bubble brand has Giant Bubble Solution along The electronic microwave has a light ‘ping’ with new gadgets and gizmos to add to old favourites,

sound and realistic looking touch pad with food ideal for outdoor play with larger than life bubbles. and Games 3-5 Toys selector for realistic cooking role play fun. The Let the big bubble bonanza commence! stylish kettle has a water fill gauge, whilst the Score: 81.9% toaster has a pop-up action when the included toast is ready. What the testers said: “This had immediate appeal to all the children and provided hours of fun. As the Score: 82.3% children practised how to create a successful bubble, What the testers said: “The children enjoyed the product was even more fun and satisfying. A great playing with this set – the biggest hit was the product for outdoor play, especially on a calm day. microwave oven. They were particularly keen for the Good value for money – would definitely recommend.” kettle to make a noise! The set really enhanced our home corner play area and is excellent for role play.”

Essential reading for the 0-5 team

y Stay up-to-date with current thinking and best practice y Inspire an enthusiasm for learning within your setting y Understand how theory can be put into practice RESEARCH-LED AND EVIDENCE-BASED BEST PRACTICE TO DEVELOP YOUR PROVISION

PROFESSIONAL NEWS ANALYSIS EYE SUPPLEMENT/ DEVELOPMENT SECTION FOCUS POSTER Through an inspiring mix of A new section taking an in-depth A 7-page section providing Every issue contains an expert articles on topics covering look at the latest early years in-depth, research-led analysis inspirational pull-out 16-page best practice, child behaviour, news and policy changes complete of a different topic each practical supplement and our play, development and more, EYE will with insight on how they will month that is vital to your double-sided colour activity poster propel your provision to new heights affect you and your practice early years practice to help you develop children's skills

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Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 17 Gold Award Childcare

Cuddledry Hands Free Towel Overall winner Manufacturer: Cuddledry Tel: 01823 323 363 Web: www.cuddledry.com 7

Childcare Price: £29.99 Age range: 0-12 months Description: The Cuddledry hands free towel is made using a signature bamboo and cotton mix; it’s bigger and much softer than normal baby towels. It’s worn like an apron, leaving two hands free during bath time. When the fun is done, baby can be lifted safely into a soft, warm embrace. Score: 99.0% What the testers said: “We all really loved this towel and so did the babies who we tried it out on. We even loaned it to a couple of parents with newborns who were also very impressed with how soft and easy to use it was; one parent described it as ‘life changing’. Incredibly soft and very absorbent, it comes in a range of patterns. It washes up really well and is as good as new each time. A fabulous product which would make a lovely gift for a new baby or to take along to a baby shower. Would definitely recommend it.”

The Outinz Bag Manufacturer: EYD Ltd. nine yards and 7 Tel: 01454 527 627 then some! They fonthill have provided Price: £79.99 creative absolutely design s print s publishing s digital s mailing Age range: All ages everything Description: The Outinz Bag is required for a for all your setting’s a comfortable, Hi-Viz rucksack group outing (even containing all the ‘essentials’ an a phone case print and design needs early years setting or childminder and whistle!) and, needs for a small group outing. The considering its prospectus yearbook newsletters stationery bag’s main purpose is to increase well-stocked contents, the rucksack calendar diaries website advertising signage safety, visibility and reduce worry for is very lightweight. Its triangular design practitioners by ensuring they are ensures it sits perfectly on your back organised and fully prepared for and doesn’t slide down your arm. It their outing. also allows the wearer to fulfil their role as practitioner and still be Score: 98.8% able to hold the children’s What the testers said: hands. I would definitely “Wow! A fantastic product. recommend.” Top marks for this first aid bag. EYD has gone the whole

Call us today for an informal chat about your requirements t 01722 717057 e [email protected] w fonthillcreative.com unit a 1-5 dinton business park • catherine ford lane • dinton • salisbury • wiltshire • sp3 5hz fresh thinking, best outcomes 18 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 2 & 3 February Business Design Centre, London Seminars and masterclasses are open for bookings Book by 8 December for Early Bird Discounts

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Now incorporating Child Care magazine Gold Award Childcare

Safe & Sound WiFi Video & Audio Milton Solo Travel Steriliser Baby Monitor BM6000 Manufacturer: Milton a difference to 7 Tel: 0800 097 5606 long car journeys, Manufacturer: VTech Electronics Score: 93.7% 7 picnics and trips Web: www.milton-tm.com Tel: 01235 555 545 What the to the park – a Price: £10.99 real winner.” Web: www.vtech.co.uk testers said:

Childcare “The VTech Age range: 0-5 years Price: £249.99 BM6000 baby Description: The Milton Solo Travel Age range: Birth onwards monitor is a great Steriliser is a 2-in-1 microwave Description: Keep an eye on your way to put your or cold water steriliser, little one remotely via WiFi from your mind at ease as ideal for sterilising iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. your little one when away from The motorised pan, tilt and 10x digital sleeps in another room. The home. It cleans and zoom feature lets you see all details screen is a good size and the picture sterilises bottles, as you watch live HD footage of your is really clear, even at night, due to teethers, plastic baby’s room. Includes volume control the infrared night vision. It has a range toys, breastfeeding and sounds & movement alerts. You of alerts which you can set – e.g. if equipment and other can also soothe baby from afar with the baby moves or cries and the volume is small baby equipment Talk-Back communication feature and also adjustable. Overall the monitor is from two minutes in the capture photos and video memories by very easy to use and includes all the microwave and in 15 using a Micro SD card (not included). features I would look for.” minutes for cold water. Score: 98.0% What the testers said: “This is an excellent travel steriliser, which is simple, quick and very easy to use, with the added bonus that you can use it in the microwave or with Milton sterilising tablets. It is extremely portable and takes up little space to store. Don’t know what we did before we had this! It has made such

Lumie Bedbug 7 Nana’s Manners ergonomically Bronze Awards 7

Supplier/Distributor/ designed children’s cutlery Babycup First Cups Manufacturer: Lumie Babycup Ltd. Supplier: Nana’s Manners 7 Tel: 01954 780 500 Web: www.nanasmanners.com Web: www.lumie.com Price: £19.95 Price: £59.99 Age range: 4-5 years + Age range: 6 months to 5 years (not suitable for under 3s) Description: Lumie Bedbug is a bedside lighting Description: Nana’s Manners product for children. It incorporates low-blue light ergonomically designed children’s LEDs that reinforce the child’s natural sleep cycle, cutlery supports children in becoming helping them to sleep better. confident and independent at mealtimes. The Score: 87.2% patented shape supports the tri-grip position and What the testers said: “We were very impressed fun finger stickers (included) guide little hands with the clear, concise instructions which made into the correct position, with no adult intervention operating the light very easy. It “does what it says needed. This means more fun and relaxed mealtimes on the tin” - the low-blue white light is excellent for everyone. Our cutlery is a world first – only for bedtime as you can read stories by it and yet comfortable when held correctly. Made from stainless it creates a calm atmosphere in the bedroom. We steel with a beautiful soft-touch (BPA-free) handle. liked the fading light and the nightlight option is Score: 84.0% bright enough to see what you’re doing without What the testers said: “Wonderfully designed cutlery waking you up completely.” which helped the children try out using knives and forks. Perfect size for little hands, giving the children confidence in both holding and using them. Our four- year-olds really liked the design of the cutlery and have been very excited to use them, showing improving skills already. The conversation cards are also fantastic and have provided many wonderful opportunities for talking and listening together, not just at mealtimes! They’re wonderful and we’ll be buying more of these.”

20 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 7 Gold Award Music and Multimedia

It’s Signing Time 3 DVD Overall winner Publisher: Singing Hands Tel: 0208 288 1706 Music and Multimedia Web: www.singinghands.co.uk 7 Price: £12.99 Age range: 0-10 years (but suitable for all) Description: The latest DVD in the “It’s Signing Time” series features a collection of 25 tried and tested Makaton-signed songs, including some lesser known favourites and re-imagined vintage classics. The Singing Hands approach is innovative and motivating, with a clear focus on learning and development as well as encouraging participation and inclusion. Score: 95.5% What the testers said: “A great way for helping children learn Makaton with this DVD, which has 25 exciting songs with signs from emotions, animals, vehicles, the alphabet, colours, numbers and lots of other concepts in a very fun, engaging way. The songs are simple, chatty and easy to sign and sign along with. Each song has a related environment to go with the song. The staff and, most importantly, the children, really loved using this DVD and found some of the songs very funny, which was lovely. Good value for money.”

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22 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Support, challenge and inspire your children’s learning y Practical activity ideas y Take the quality of your provision further y Develop new and engaging activities

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*Access to event savings are only available via a Full Membership or Digital Membership subscription Gold Award Electronic and New Technology

Dinosaur Train: Paint and Match Overall winner Supplier/Manufacturer: Kuato Studios Electronic and New Technology Web: www.kuatostudios.com Price: £0.99 7 Age range: Under 5s Description: Based on the Jim Henson TV series, Dinosaur Train: Paint and Match lets children unleash their creativity as they explore colours with Buddy the dinosaur and draw pictures of him and his friends. Children can then Electronic and New Technology practise their memory skills as they help Mr. Conductor correctly match his many train tickets. All in a safe and fun environment that encourages creative play and learning. Score: 95.5% What the testers said: “Very colourful and appealing to the younger children. It taught them to use technology and they soon grasped the idea of changing colours too. They loved both elements of this game – the gentle easy colouring-in, then the challenge of the pairs against the clock. Great value for money.”

Leapfrog Platinum Kidizoom Duo

Manufacturer: VTech Electronics What the testers said: “Another Manufacturer: VTech Electronics What the testers said: “Appealed Tel: 01235 555 545 fantastic product from VTech. This Tel: 01235 555 545 to all our children and needed very robust, sturdy tablet is definitely little adult support, following initial Web: www.vtech.co.uk suited to rigorous handling in a pre- Web: www.vtech.co.uk input and set-up. The younger ones Price: £99.99 school environment! Very supportive Price: £52.99 enjoyed the camera function, whilst Age range: 3-9 years + across all areas of the EYFS and Age range: 3-9 years the older ones preferred the games, Early Learning Goals and an excellent but they all came back repeatedly to Description: Introducing LeapPad resource. Instructions are clear and Description: Take great selfies and play with it. It’s absolutely brilliant and Platinum, from the makers of the precise, the screen is easy to ready pictures of your friends with this immediately supports Early Learning No.1 kids’ learning tablets and the and it is very child friendly. A good dual lens Kidizoom camera! Switch Goals from creativity to language trusted leader in learning for 20 variety of apps for young children. It’s between the lenses at the touch of and literacy, maths to hand-eye years. Features a 7” hi-res multi-touch a big hit with our son – he feels like a button. Add fun distortion effects, co-ordination, as well as imagination capacitive screen, a fast and powerful mummy and daddy with his own tablet stamps and frames, or use the auto- and dexterity. Would definitely processor and a sleek new design. and it is also good that older LeapPad portrait feature. Add animations to recommend – we Built kid-smart with access to a games cartridges fit and we therefore your movies and record your voice have purchased 7 learning library of 800+ games. don’t need to buy them again.” with funny effects! Features 4x digital a second Score: 93.1% zoom, You and Me photo effects, 5 already as 7 great games, Wacky Photo Shaker, the “price is photo editor, Silly Face Detector and right” too!” large 2.4 inch colour screen. Score: 92.7%

24 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 7

Electronic and New Technology

7 Gold Award Electronic and New Technology

Noddy Toyland Detective App

Supplier/Manufacturer: Score: 91.3% Electronic and New Technology Kuato Studios What the testers said: “Brilliant Web: www.kuatostudios.com little app, ideal for long car journeys. Price: £2.99 Fun and educational for all children up to the ages of five or six. Bright Age range: Under 5s colours, quick quiz and story board Description: Noddy Toyland Detective style functions. Lots of different parts is an app designed to develop to the app which kept the children children’s literacy and puzzle entertained. Used various skills, both solving skills through activity based mental and physical and helps to build game play. Children play as Noddy, creativity. Would highly recommend.” navigating Toyworld, solving mysteries using the who, what, where book! After each case a personalised story book of the child’s adventure is created to read with parents. 7

Literacy Apps: Pre-Writing App; Mini Mash

Letter Formation App; Letter Manufacturer: 2Simple Recognition App Tel: 0208 203 1781 Web: www.2simple.com/mini-mash Publisher: Yellow Door 7 Tel: 01223 328 051 Price: £200 Web: www.yellow-door.net Age range: 2-5 years Price: £8-£30 (excluding VAT) Description: Mini Mash is an interactive virtual classroom that allows children in nursery and Age range: 2 years + reception to explore, learn and create in a safe Description: This suite of Literacy online space. In each of the seven learning areas, Apps targets key skills for early you’ll find a wide range of tools and content reading and writing. The Pre-Writing App mapped around the EYFS framework. helps young children to develop fine motor skills Score: 84.6% and the language to talk about shape and pattern; the Letter Formation App helps children learn to What the testers said: “We think the activities are form lowercase letters consistently and accurately; great and the graphics really appealing. Very good, the Letter Recognition App has a simple game play understandable games, catering 7 helping children to recognise and remember upper for all children’s needs and ages of and lowercase letters. development. The younger children understood the activities too. The Score: 86.4% older children showed the most What the testers said: “Our children have really interest; they found it great and enjoyed playing with these apps and have a good easy to use.” sense of achievement when playing with them. They maintain attention and the older children are showing better knowledge of letter sounds and shapes. The Letter Formation and Pre-Writing apps were easy and appealing to use.”

26 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Books and Publications Silver Award

Will You Be My Friend? Overall winner Publisher: Bloomsbury Education Tel: 0207 631 5891 Web: www.bloomsbury.com/education 7 Price: £9.99 Age range: 3-6 years Description: What makes us a good friend? What makes us not such a good friend? These are questions Molly Potter

poses in her new picture book. Filled Books and Publications with beautiful illustrations, Will You Be My Friend? is humorous and charming, prompting children to discuss the idea of friendship with peers and parents. Score: 85.9% What the testers said: “An outstanding book to teach personal, social and emotional development. The illustrations are beautiful. Lots of chatting and discussions go on about how to be a good friend, with fantastic ideas and great parent/carer tips at the end. Very good value for money. It was useful as an aid to conversation about friendship and could be particularly useful for autistic children.”

Spot the Difference Animals Bronze Awards 7

Publisher: DK 7 Spinderella Tel: 0203 176 2939 Egmont Web: www.dk.com The Great Heffalump Hunt Egmont Price: £4.99 Wild Goose Age range: 2-5 years Award Publications Ltd. Description: With amazing facts and questions on every page, Spot the Difference Animals is the perfect activity book for little ones. Whether comparing two pictures to find the differences or looking for the odd one out in repeated patterns, readers will develop observational skills, learning in a fun and interactive way. Awards 2018 Score: 80.4% What the testers said: “A durable, bright book that immediately appealed to children from two to four years old. They loved spotting and talking Don’t miss about the differences and hidden objects e.g. a snail camouflaged on an elephant’s ear, a snake in place of a cat’s tail. They out...start enjoyed looking at the book independently, planning now! asking each other to spot different things and the older To advertise in next year’s Awards Guide, children were interested in the educational call: Matt Govett on 020 7501 6735 facts, which were short and to the point.” to secure your place in 2018!

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 27 Gold Award Classic Toys and Games

Stickle Bricks Big Red Bucket Overall winner Supplier: Flair PLC

Classic Toys and Games Classic Toysand Tel: 0208 643 0320 Web: www.flairplc.co.uk 7 Price: £19.99 Age range: 18 months + Description: The perfect construction toy for babies and toddlers. The Classic Stickle Bricks Bucket is filled with lots of assorted bricks for creating anything your little one can think of! The building possibilities and role play opportunities are endless! The Bucket also doubles as a handy storage container! Stickle Bricks promote the best in development of dexterity and imagination with their easy to hold bricks that lock together any way you like! It’s perfect for little hands with big imaginations! Score: 95.0% What the testers said: “We love Stickle Bricks! All of the children enjoyed playing with them and the constructions were never ending! My one-year-old loved these and has played with them every day. He even enjoyed tidying them away! The bright colours and different shapes are great as they kept his interest and all could be easily stored in the bucket that he could carry around as everything is so light.”

Classic Figure 8 Set

Manufacturer: Brio 7 Tel: 01869 363 830 To advertise in Web: www.brio.net Price: £37.99 Age range: 2 years + Description: A classic starter set for the two-year + child, with all wooden details. Take the classic inspired engine out on an adventure along the tracks. Lots of fun for the youngest drivers. Score: 80.9% What the testers said: “A great little set – lovely classic, old-fashioned styling and a sturdy and durable toy which will last a long time. Easy to use and can be added to other sets to increase the track size and give more fun!” Now incorporating Child Care magazine please call Matt Govett on 020 7501 6735

28 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 7

Creative Play

7 Silver Award Creative Play

Dessineo ‘Learn to Draw’

Manufacturer: Jumbo Games Tel: 01707 289 204 Web: www.jumbo.eu 7 Creative Play Price: £34.99 Age range: 4 years + Description: Dessineo ‘Learn to Draw’ is a creative inspiring educational drawing aid that will help young children learn how to draw. Dessineo has been specially designed to help children develop drawing techniques and skills, using simple and easy-to-use steps. Dessineo helps inspire creativity artistic learning, in a fun and entertaining way. Score: 87.3% What the testers said: “The children (and staff!) absolutely love this and really enjoyed playing with it. It’s easy to use, great fun and supports dexterity development and hand-eye co-ordination with lots of pencil control activity. Enough discs to keep all the children interested – simple in design and very child friendly. One of the best features is the stability of the product when in use – the rubber bottoms mean it stays put. A good confidence building resource, encouraging those with an “I can’t” attitude to have a go and realise that they really “can”. Brilliant.”

Playscapes Art Easel Manufacturer: Millhouse 7 Awards 2018 (part of Spaceright Europe Ltd.) Tel: 01526 354 404 Web: www.inspirational nurseries.co.uk Price: £254.00 + VAT Don’t miss Age range: 12 months + Description: Playscapes Art Easel encourages expression and imagination. It is made from maple out...start melamine which is durable, hard wearing and easy to clean. The easel is double-sided with whiteboard on each side and paper clip. Room for eight paint pots. 10 year guarantee. planning now! Score: 87.1% What the testers said: “This unit was so easy to put together, was immediately appealing to the children and looks beautiful! It is very good quality To advertise and extremely easy to clean. It holds large or small sheets of paper. Overall, we love it!” in next year’s Awards Guide, call: Matt Govett on 020 7501 6735 to secure your place in 2018!

30 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Outdoor Toys and Equipment Gold Award

Little Tikes Fold ‘n Go 5-in-1 Trike Overall winner Manufacturer: Little Tikes Web: www.littletikes.co.uk Price: £129.99 7 Age range: 9 months-5 years Description: The Little Tikes Fold ‘n Go 5-in-1 Trike offers an innovative folding capability for the most compact storage and convenience on-the-go! With the Zip & Go bag, parents Outdoor Toys and Equipment can benefit from safely storing and Outdoor Toys Equipment their belongings while they take their child for a stroll and removing it to take along when the trike isn’t being used. Score: 94.6% What the testers said: “The folding feature is fantastic and makes popping it in the car super easy. Loved all the different stages and that the trike stage looked like a funky trike, not a hybrid! It is excellent as it caters for such a wide age range. It is very safe as it has harnesses on it and the options to push the child or let them ride themselves. Would highly recommend. It would make a lovely gift for a child and see them through many happy years of fun.”

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Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 31 Silver Award Outdoor Toys and Equipment

Y Glider Refresh 7 Muddy Puddles Originals Plum® Discovery Create

Distributor: Yvolution Bib and Brace 7 and Paint Easel

Outdoor Toys and Equipment Outdoor Toysand Web: www.yvolution.com Supplier: Muddy Puddles Manufacturer: Plum Products Ltd. 7 Price: £69.99 Tel: 01299 407 150 Web: www.plumplay.co.uk Age range: 3+ Years Web: www.muddypuddles.com Price: £200.00 Description: The new Y Glider Price: £24.00 Age range: 3 years + scooters from Yvolution are the smartest Gliders yet! All of the Y Glider scooters now come Age range: From 18 months to 12 years Description: The painting screen with colourful wheel and deck inserts for the Description: Come rain or shine, at Muddy Puddles, is easy-clean so children can paint ultimate customised scooting experience, along with we have designed our kids’ 100% waterproof Bib and away and wash off for another day. The extra wide rear wheels and easy grip handlebars Brace to protect from the rain and mud. It has extra easel includes storage holders for brushes, for stability. As well as colour customisation the room in the body to allow for movement and flexibility paints and garden trinkets. All Discovery toys have new Glider refresh range also has adjustable whilst wearing warm and sometimes bulky clothing been made from FSC® sustainably sourced wood, steering! The patented underneath. The adjustable braces and elastic include a bamboo wind chime and incorporate a mini lean-to-steer system can stirrups ensure you get a comfortable fit. Machine growing station for beginner gardeners. now be changed from washable and available in five classic colours. Score: 82.4% loose to firm as the user Score: 82.6% What the testers said: “A fantastic piece of progresses through the equipment. We painted directly onto the clear ranks, making Y Glider the What the testers said: “These were well made from board and then wiped it clean at the end of the go to scooter range for nice material and washed well. The adjustable straps session, although it would be useful to have clips to first time riders. enabled them to fit the children properly and the children were happy to wear them. They kept the attach paper to the easel, so that the children can Score: 85.4% children 100% dry in heavy rain. They also kept them keep their works of art! There was a lot of social What the testers said: “This warm and protected them from the wind. Overall, a interaction around is a good quality, sturdy very good product.” the easel as it’s nice scooter and the adjustable and big and you can steering is brilliant as it use both sides. It allows children to learn to encourages children to scoot properly and safely. explore their creative The customisation side as well as helping effects are great as with fine motor skills they allow for the and they loved using changing tastes it. Sensory aspect of kids.” good with the chimes and planter.”

Bronze Awards 7

Little Tikes Fountain Factory Water Table fonthill Little Tikes creative Little Tikes Princess design • print • publishing • digital • mailing Horse and Carriage Little Tikes for all your setting’s The Walkliner (L’atelier) Colemoi print and design needs prospectus yearbook newsletters stationery calendar diaries website advertising signage To advertise in

please call Call us today for an informal chat about your requirements Matt Govett t 01722 717057 e [email protected] w fonthillcreative.com unit a 1-5 dinton business park • catherine ford lane • dinton • salisbury • wiltshire • sp3 5hz on 020 7501 6735 fresh thinking, best outcomes 32 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Primary Teacher Update Toys and Games Gold Award

I Learn ‘to Read’ Overall winner Manufacturer: Jumbo Games Tel: 01707 289 204 Web: www.jumbo.eu 7 Price: £19.99 Age range: 5+ Description: Learn to read and spell words in a fun and entertaining way. The specially designed letter system ensures that children can practise independently at home, what they learn at school. Includes 15 activity cards with 90 exercises across Toys and Games three increasing levels. The learning aid can be easily stored inside the practical storage case. Primary Teacher Update Toys Primaryand Update Toys Teacher Games Score: 94.6% What the testers said: “I Learn to Read is amazing! We have never seen anything as good as this and will recommend so highly to others. Everything stows away neatly in a handy carry case and the self-correcting system means that the letters only fit in the correct place. The three different levels help all abilities, moving on from recognising letters to finally spelling complete words. Amazing value for money.”

Rory’s Story Cubes

Distributor: Esdevium Games Ltd. which really helped the children to use Web: www.storycubes.com/shop their imaginations, develop literacy and writing skills and promote verbal Price: £9.99 communication, as well as turn- Age range: 6 years + taking and sharing. In a nice neat Description: Rory’s Story Cubes® storage box, great for storing away is the pocket-sized creative story at home and small enough to fit in generator that encourages creativity, a bag or pocket so it can be taken develops social confidence, enhances anywhere. A great resource for any language development skills and childcare setting.” creates connections and unique 7 moments between people young and old alike. Roll the nine dice, look at the images and create fun, limitless stories with millions of combinations. Score: 93.8% What the testers said: “This was a big hit with my childminding children. The nine cubes each show a selection of images that are used to build up a story. A simple idea

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 33 Gold Award Primary Teacher Update Toys and Games

Fundels Writing Letters Penguin Pile Up Primary TeacherGames Update ToysPrimary and Manufacturer: Cartamundi 7 Supplier/Manufacturer: 7 Tel: 01268 511 522 Ravensburger Web: www.fundels.com Tel: 01869 363 800 Price: £9.99 Web: www.ravensburger.com Age range: 5 years + Price: £14.99 Description: Our brains are 68% Age range: 5 years + more active when we’re having Description: Penguin Pile Up is a fun. That’s why Fundels WRITING great fun game for all the family as LETTERS, a fun card game that they try to place the little penguins helps kids recognise and write on to the wibbly wobbly iceberg! letters of the alphabet and The first player to put all of their short words, is so effective. penguins onto the iceberg will It’s been tested – and be the winner. approved – by teachers and Score: 90.9% pupils in schools across the UK and Europe! What the testers said: “This is a lovely game and the Score: 93.8% children find it great fun to try What the testers said: “This and balance the penguins on game was very appealing the iceberg. They want to play with the monkey on the with it all the time. It’s very front and, after reading the easy to understand even for instructions, it was quick younger children. A game to set up, so we were able of luck and skill and to play it with ease and great for rainy days. keen competition! It needed It’s easy to store adult supervision to ensure away and the the children were using children love it, the resource appropriately. laughing and It wiped clean easily and giggling every was quick to put away. Very time they play. portable – we will definitely be Great value using and playing and taking it for money.” out and about with the children.”

Mathlink® Cubes Activity Set Labyrinth Supplier/Manufacturer: Score: 90.6% 7 Manufacturer: Brio What the testers said: “We couldn’t Learning Resources® What the Tel: 01869 363 830 wait to open this game and it’s Tel: 01553 818 063 testers said: awesome! It’s a lovely old-fashioned Web: www.brio.net game which has kept the children Web: www.learningresources.co.uk “When we saw this product was Price: £29.99 fascinated and brought us hours of Price: £16.20 made by Learning Age range: 6 years + fun. It teaches the children patience and staying power! One of our 10 Age range: 4 years + Resources® we Description: This game has knew it would be a year old boys loves high tech gadgets Description: Supporting the challenged and fascinated players of but can’t wait to come in every mathematics mastery teaching great resource and all ages ever since it was introduced we were not disappointed. morning to beat his previous score approach, this hands-on set includes in 1946, proven by the fact that it and get to the end!” 100 Mathlink cubes in ten colours and The children loved using the has sold 3 million copies! Balance 15 double-sided activity cards. Activities cubes as part of our daily table top the ball from start to finish without it 7 help to develop a variety of early maths maths provision. Enough pieces and falling into any of the holes. Think it skills from patterning and sequencing boards for two to three children to sit looks easy? You have a go, then! together and play and explore, gaining to ordering and measurement. Ideal for Score: 90.5% solo or group activities. a basic understanding of maths. They enjoyed the different activities which can be adapted quite easily to suit different ages and abilities. The different coloured cubes help children to visualise what they are doing when completing calculations, making maths more real so they develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.”

34 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Primary Teacher Update Toys and Games Gold Award

Funny Bunny Gearphun Starter 200 Set Supplier/Manufacturer: 7 Manufacturer: Thinkplay Ltd. the now fashionable requirements of Ravensburger T/A MORPHUN STEM education. Tel: 01869 363 800 Tel: 01453 731 724 Score: 90.4% Web: www.ravensburger.com Web: www.alerl.co.uk What the testers said: “The children Price: £14.99 Price: £46.00 were very excited about this product and wanted to play with it straightaway. Age range: 5 years + Age range: 4 years + They found it very easy to use and it Description: Whoever gets their bunny Description: Morphun’s construction was very robust as it was dropped/ to the top of the hill first is the winner! bricks have been developed into a banged and pushed on many, many But the journey is full of surprises – wide range of educational toys and occasions! The children are still excited your bunny can be flipped, knocked or games. The Gearphun education each time they use it and it appeals dropped out of the game! An action system is designed to be strong, to both boys and girls. It has also game that can help with counting durable and flexible in use. It promoted a lot of discussion regarding skills and colour recognition. compliments existing Morphun how to use the cogs and there has Score: 90.5% construction sets adding 14 exciting been lots of experimenting, too.”

new pieces, it offers greater flexibility Primaryand Update Toys Teacher Games What the testers said: for design and build than other gears “Our children have all enjoyed sets and has been designed to meet playing this game. They didn’t need very much adult support and it has been very popular. They waited with great anticipation every time a carrot came up! It is very 7 competitive, which always works.”

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Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 35 Silver Award Primary Teacher Update Toys and Games

Little Live Pets Ladybugs Le Mosaïquier Basic I Learn ‘Maths’ Primary TeacherGames Update ToysPrimary and Manufacturer: Character Options 7 (L’atelier) Manufacturer: Jumbo Games 7 Tel: 0161 633 9800 Tel: 01707 289 204 Manufacturer: Colemoi 7 Web: www.character-online.com Web: www.jumbo.eu Web: www.colemoi.net Price: Playset £22.99; Single Price: £19.99 Price: £92.65 Ladybug £5.99 Age range: 4 years + Age range: 5 years + Age range: 5 years + Description: Learn counting, Description: Le Mosaïquier Basic Description: You’ll fall in love with adding and subtracting in a fun and is made of wooden, washable tiles Lil’ Ladybugs! They move, play, and are so entertaining way. The specially designed which securely stick to the playing beautiful just like real ladybugs! There are 12 super number system ensures that children can practise pad but are removable. Step by step, the cute ladybugs to discover and collect each with independently at home, what they learn in school. players match patterns, first with only colours, then their own distinct pattern. They come in a variety Includes 15 mathematical activity cards with 83 with different levels of coding. Playing vertically, of beautiful colours with a shiny finish. Each has exercises across six increasing levels. The learning using the tray as a writing or drawing pad is also their own baby bug that tags along … some even aid can all be easily stored inside the practical possible. Aids recognition of colours and geometrical have twins! Collect them all and build up your bug storage case. shapes, as well as fine motor skills and creativity. family! Catch the bug and give them your love! Score: 85.9% Look out for the rare characters! Score: 85.9% What the testers said: “A lovely, useful resource What the testers said: “We found this toy good Score: 86.7% with colourful cards which immediately appealed to for colour sorting and matching, as well as for What the testers said: “The children were excited to the children; they enjoyed using it and very quickly making pictures and because all the blocks are explore this toy; it has an immediate appeal and was grasped the concept. A lovely, educational toy.” square, the older children loved making Minecraft a great hit from the start. They quickly learned how to pictures with it! A useful educational and creative operate the ladybugs and could easily turn them on. resource with brightly coloured pieces which stick Bright and colourful and hours of fun. The children well to the boards.” played together and had races with them. A good fun toy, especially for developing early technology skills and encouraging their imaginations too.”

Minecraft Range 7 Wordphun Upper/Lower Case Talisman Card Games

Manufacturer: Character Options Letters with 100 Pictures Publisher: Phonic Books Ltd. 7 Tel: 0161 633 9800 Tel: 01666 823 411 Manufacturer: Thinkplay Ltd. 7 Web: www.character-online.com T/A MORPHUN Web: www.phonicbooks.co.uk Price: £8.99 - £34.99 Tel: 0208 987 9768 Price: £45.00 plus VAT Age range: 6 years + Web: www.morphun.com Age range: Key Stage 2 Description: Collect your favourite Minecraft Price: £57.00 Description: Talisman Card Games characters with these super cool three-inch scale are ten beautifully illustrated packs Age range: 4 years + action figures. There are five highly detailed and fully of card games for children learning to read articulated figures to collect including: Charged Creeper Description: Morphun’s Wordphun games in KS2. Designed to engage and appeal to older, Pack, Zombie Pigman Pack, Alex with Diamond Armor make learning letters just plain ‘More Fun’! struggling readers, these fun, socially interactive Pack, Snow Golem Pack and Steve with Minecart Pack. Based on the now familiar side joining brick from our card games offer phonic reading practice that will Each character has its own Minecraft accessories. So construction games, our cursive script letters sets will help children come to grips with alternative spellings now you can create, build and customise your own add interest and focus to everyday class activities and for vowels and consonants. are very adaptable to meet a variety of class needs. world of Minecraft with these amazing toys! Score: 83.3% Now, also available with a free 1-year licence for our Score: 83.8% on-line platform with more fun and educational games. What the testers said: “Our children were really What the testers said: “We tested the character engaged with this product. They loved the theme Score: 83.8% ‘Blaze’. This is well-made and detailed and comes and picked up the rules quickly. Packs are easily with a block and small accessory. It is very true What the testers said: “This product was very portable and great to store. This is a unique to the computer game and with several different easy to use, store, manage and put away. It was resource which was easy to use and we did see characters, you can enjoy small world play based on also very durable and did not break, even when improvement with some of the children’s spelling.” the game. It is a durable toy which is a good size for dropped, stood on and pushed hard! The children young hands and upwards. Fab for Minecraft fans, have really engaged this caused a lot of excitement with them!” with this and have had great fun building words.”

36 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Primary Teacher Update Toys and Games Silver Award

Children’s World Map 3D Puzzle Boom Blast Stix Large Skull Trap with

Supplier/Manufacturer: 7 Manufacturer: Character Options 7 Velociraptor Ravensburger Tel: 0161 633 9800 Manufacturer: Schleich UK Ltd. 7 Tel: 01869 363 800 Web: www.character-online.com Tel: 01279 870 000 Web: www.ravensburger.com Price: £14.99 Web: www.schleich-s.co.uk Price: £19.99 Age range: 6 years + Price: £24.99 Age range: 7 years + Description: Boom Age range: 5 years + Description: Brand new and Blast Stix is the explosive updated with more colourful illustrations, stacking game which thrill-seekers simply Description: The Large Skull Trap this map is a great way to introduce your child can’t get enough of! Featuring sensitive interlocking is the go-to playset for dinosaur themed to world geography. The 180 plastic pieces are springs that can trigger at any time, the aim of the fun; the impressive playset has a giant fossil-like curved to form a perfect sphere once assembled. game is to stack as many of the 32 interlocking design with the hollow cavity of the skull making the The finished 3D puzzle measures 20cm across and pieces as fast as possible before they explode! perfect play location for kids and their dinosaurs. comes with its own stand. Presented in a tube which doubles as the tower’s Also included is the exciting Velociraptor figure with moveable arms and jaw. Score: 82.3% base, this game is unpredictable, addictive and

loads of fun for all ages. Score: 80.6% Primaryand Update Toys Teacher Games What the testers said: “A lovely idea for older, more co-ordinated children with increased fine motor Score: 80.8% What the testers said: “The children were very skills. Once it has been put together, it is excellent What the testers said: “This is an unusual and excited with this toy – it had an immediate appeal for looking at countries all around the world. Would different toy. The and we set up a small world dinosaur area. It definitely recommend. An excellent product” children were very encourages small world play and introduces many keen to play new words to the children’s vocabulary too. Very with this game. good quality and the children were even more It taught them impressed when they found that the mouth and turn-taking and front legs of the problem solving, dinosaur move!” as well as helping with their fine motor skills when trying to balance the pieces. As quoted by two of our boys: “This is awesome!”

Bronze Awards 7 Graffiti Sneaker 3D Puzzle Awards 2018 Ravensburger TickiT Translucent Stackable Counters Commotion I Learn ‘to Write’ Don’t miss Jumbo Games out...start planning now! To advertise in next year’s Awards Guide, call: Matt Govett on 020 7501 6735 to secure your place in 2018!

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 37 Gold Award Primary Teacher Update Books and Publications

Primary Primary Teacher Update Books and Publications The Huntress: Sea Overall winner Publisher: Egmont UK Tel: 0203 220 0400 Web: www.egmont.co.uk 7 Price: £6.99 Age range: 9 years + Description: Ever since Ma died, Mouse has looked after her little brother, Sparrow, dreaming of her destiny as Captain of the Huntress. But now Da’s missing, Sparrow is in danger and a deathly cold Books and Publications is creeping across Trianukka. Sea-churning, beast- chattering, dream-dancing, whale-riding, terrodyl- flying, world-saving adventure. Score: 92.2% What the testers said: “A great adventure fantasy story book with a female lead character, which had my daughter hooked almost instantly. She loved the characters and commented particularly and enthusiastically about the language and style of writing. It has a beautiful cover, which is all shiny and blue and looks like the sea, while there are lovely doodle-like graphics throughout the book. We cannot wait to read the other two books in the trilogy.”

The Best Bear in All the World Publisher: Egmont UK 7 Tel: 0203 220 0400 To advertise in Web: www.egmont.co.uk Price: £8.99 Age range: 7 years + Description: Each story – from some of the most beloved children’s authors writing today – will transport you back into the Hundred Acre Wood for more adventures with Winnie- the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet and the rest of the Child Care gang. With decorations by Now incorporating magazine Mark Burgess, in the style of the cherished illustrations by E.H. Shepard. Score: 90.0% What the testers said: please call “A beautiful book which all the children loved. Winnie- the-Pooh is such a classic and the children were happy to read the stories. Matt Govett The pictures were ace and helped to keep their attention throughout.” on 020 7501 6735

38 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Primary Teacher Update Books and Publications Silver Award

The Skeleton Book I Don’t Like Poetry Bronze Awards 7

Publisher: DK 7 Publisher: Bloomsbury Education 7 Barry Loser and the Tel: 0203 176 2939 Tel: 0207 631 5891 Birthday Billions Egmont Web: www.dk.com Web: www.bloomsbury.com/ education Mark of the Cyclops Price: £12.99 Bloomsbury Education Age range: 7-13 years Price: £5.99 Description: With incredible Age range: 7-11 years computer-generated artworks, Description: With poems on every the skeleton book shows how truly amazing topic from the power of books to the joys of our internal scaffold is. It looks at key parts of the fried chicken, this collection is packed with Joshua skeleton to show how and why our unique skeleton Seigal’s subversive humour and insight into the world is the way that it is. The book also includes a pull-out of children. life-size poster of the whole human skeleton! Score: 82.5% Score: 89.0 What the testers said: “This book tied in nicely What the testers said: “Another brilliant book by with the curriculum area currently being taught in Dr. Robert Winston, describing in amazing detail the school. As an NQT, this item was very useful

how the human skeleton is made up. It is very user and gave lots Update Books and Publications PrimaryTeacher friendly with lots of illustrations that would appeal of ideas. The to younger children as well as the target age range. content is It contains lots of interesting, weird and wonderful accessible to all facts that the children loved and compares parts of and enjoyable the human skeleton to read. In to those in the fact, one of animal kingdom. The our children life-size poster was thoroughly an added bonus enjoyed reading and ideal to display the book on for continuous his own and reference. Fits in was inspired to nicely with some write his own of the KS2 science poems.” strands.”

Award Winning Books from Bloomsbury Education 7

7 7 7

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Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 39 Gold Award Primary Teacher Update Creative Play

Mr. Frosty Choc Ice Maker Overall winner Primary Primary Teacher Update Creative Play Distributor: Flair PLC Tel: 0208 643 0320 Web: www.flairplc.co.uk 7 Price: £14.99 Age range: 5 years + Description: Kids will love creating their very own choc ices with the Mr Frosty Choc Ice Maker. It’s so simple, children can enjoy the fun without following complicated instructions. They just freeze their favourite flavour of yoghurt in the moulds, then when frozen, Creative Play just dip it into the melted chocolate to form a delicious chocolate shell! Kids can even add sprinkle or coloured sweets to make the penguin’s eyes. Perfect for keeping kids entertained in the summer months! Score: 90.9% What the testers said: “This has obvious, immediate appeal to the children, due to the fact they were given ice lollies and chocolate! It was easy for them to make and dip the lollies themselves. We only helped to melt the chocolate in the microwave. Just four little pots of yoghurt to make six lollies which were quick to dry and none of them fell off the stick before the children had finished, which we thought was impressive! Great fun and good value for money.”

Bronze Awards 7

HUE Animation Studio Ascent IT Ltd. t/a HUE fonthill creative design • print • publishing • digital • mailing for all your setting’s print and design needs prospectus yearbook newsletters stationery To advertise in calendar diaries website advertising signage

please call Matt Govett Call us today for an informal chat about your requirements t 01722 717057 e [email protected] w fonthillcreative.com unit a 1-5 dinton business park • catherine ford lane on • dinton • salisbury • wiltshire • sp3 5hz 020 7501 6735 fresh thinking, best outcomes 40 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Primary Teacher Update All Other Resources Gold Award

Don’t Be Serious (Teacher Manual and CD) Overall winner Supplier/Distributor/Publisher: Kiddliewinks Music Pty Ltd. Web: www.kiddliewinksmusic.com 7 Price: $60.00 AUD (approx. £35.00) Age range: 3-8 years Description: This resource gives teachers the means of sharing fun, creative orchestral music with their class. It helps children use their imagination as they interact with the music through movement and actions. Styles include: Big Band Jazz, Marching, Latin, Symphonic Metal,

Cinematic, Celtic and Easy Listening. PrimaryUpdate All Teacher Other Resources Score: 90.0% What the testers said: “This musical based resource is useful to have as a lesson extension and gives good ideas to support the listening and appraising part of the music curriculum. The book is very user-friendly and contains a lot of educational activities, pictures, ideas and guidance to accompany the CD, which can also be linked to the Physical Development and Expressive Arts and Design areas of the EYFS. The children loved the CD and we have played it on repeat as background music. A fantastic long-lasting addition to any early years setting.”

7 Awards 2018 AVAILABLE NOW Don’t miss out ... start planning now!

To advertise in next year’s Awards Guide, call: Creative Music for Every Child! Don’t Be Serious In this album you will hear the orchestra play delightful Matt Govett music that paints great pictures. As the children listen and participate they on will be asking to hear more. Includes a comprehensive, 020 7501 6735 easy to understand teacher manual with accompanying audio CD.

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Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 41 Silver Award Primary Teacher Update All Other Resources

Primary Teacher Update All Other Resources Other TeacherUpdate All Primary HUE HD PRO HUE Flexible Tablet Stand Medpac

– Classroom Camera Manufacturer: Ascent IT Ltd. 7 Manufacturer: 7 t/a HUE Ingenious Products Manufacturer: Ascent IT Ltd. 7 Tel: 0208 874 5777 Tel: 0845 073 9430 t/a HUE Web: www.huehd.com Web: www.medpac.co.uk Web: www.huehd.com Price: £29.95 + VAT Price: From £9.49 each Price: £44.95 + VAT Age range: Any age Age range: All ages Age range: 8 years + (recommended for teachers) Description: The HUE Tablet Description: Medpacs are practical Stand is perfect for teachers who want to bags specifically designed for carrying Description: Designed specifically use an iPad or tablet in the classroom to share and storing prescribed and emergency medicines, for teachers, this versatile, portable, multi- student work or a demonstration, for stop motion complete with photo ID and treatment card. They purpose classroom camera is affordable so that animation, attaching to a wheelchair or using in allow you to store medicines safely and ensure schools can have one in every classroom. The the kitchen for recipes whilst cooking. you have the correct medication for the correct flexible neck allows the camera to be positioned at child. Ideal for use in school and on trips, they are any angle. The PRO also comes with HUE Intuition, Score: 87.1% perfect for asthma inhalers, epi-pens and jext pens, easy-to-use camera management software. What the testers said: “A top of the range epilepsy and diabetic medication and more. Score: 89.2% stand for tablets of varying sizes. High specification with a pleasing design and easily adaptable. Score: 85.0% What the testers said: “This is a very good piece Sturdy and easy to use and it made the iPad/tablet What the testers said: “A lovely vibrant colour of equipment with easy to download software. It safe for use by made from a durable material which was easy to worked quickly and the children were really engaged. the children. wipe clean. Both sizes were easy to store and hold It uploads straight to the PC which is easier than Ideal for use a lot. The treatment cards were useful as you can cameras and iPads and produces clear, sharp when viewed add additional information and I liked the fact that images. Easily portable and good value for money.” by several you could include a photo of the child to avoid any people at the confusion in an emergency. Both have a sturdy zip same time.” and the clip on the smaller one was very handy as it could be clipped to a belt or pushchair.”

Matific 7

Publisher: Slate Science Web: www.matific.com Price: £5 per student per year Age range: 5-11 years Description: Matific delivers progressive, online primary mathematics activities aligned to the new primary curriculum. It allows children to develop a mastery of maths Whether starting Pre-School or Primary Education, through hands-on problem solving. Matific also Medpac® gives 7 increases student investment and love of maths lessons, decreases maths anxiety and leads to reassurance better performance on tests. Score: 81.8% What the testers said: “This site was easy to use and login. It gave clear instructions and was set out so that it was easy to select the area you carry wanted, so straightforward for pupils to use too. handle Very beneficial to their learning and appropriate for insulated the curriculum. Good range of activities for a wide for extra photo range of abilities and ages.” protection ID wristbands with brightly coloured treatment extra message for visibility cards Practical bags specifically designed for carrying and storing medicines with personal identification Ideal for asthma, epilepsy, allergy, diabetic medicines and more

To order and for further information: Telephone 0845 073 9430 www.medpac.co.uk

42 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 Primary Teacher Update All Other Resources Silver Award

7 Mighty Writer 7 Multi-Lingual Welcome Bronze Awards

Supplier/Manufacturer: Booklet for Schools Webapp Pupils’ Admission Webapps Mighty Writer Ltd. Mantra Lingua Ltd. Publisher: Mantra Lingua Ltd. 7 Tel: 01202 251 126 Pocket Pack Bundle Tel: 0208 445 5123 Web: www.mightywriter.co.uk Speech Link Multimedia Web: www.mantralingua.com Price: £379 + VAT Tomtag Price: £20.00 + VAT Orkid Ideas Ltd. Age range: 4-7 core, but intervention for each language webapp and SEN above this – annual licence Description: Mighty Writer is a brand new, innovative Age range: Parents/carers of children and multisensory resource, which quickly transforms in Primary Schools children’s literacy. Its core age range is 4-7 years; however, it can be used with children of all abilities. Description: Mantra Lingua’s Multi-Lingual Welcome Booklet Webapp helps schools to create Score: 81.3% their own personalised Welcome Booklets in 24 What the testers said: “Mighty Writer is a good languages with vital information for parents/carers: resource for younger/SEN pupils. It was tested with term times, holidays, procedures, photos of school

two different groups of special needs children of staff, etc. Easy to fill in online form in English, then PrimaryUpdate All Teacher Other Resources mixed ability, with some children on the autistic print out the Welcome Booklets in English and spectrum. It particularly appealed to a very reluctant 24 other languages, or save as pdfs for school’s boy who finds literacy skills challenging and he was website or to email to parents. proud of the work he produced. The mat allowed our Score: 80.5% children to access it easily.” What the testers said: “Good translation – we tried this in Urdu. Useful for parents for understanding where there is little or no English. We love the background and like the ability to upload a document for translation. A reasonable cost for an annual licence.”

in the primary classroom

Digital Literacy in the primary classroom is designed to develop children’s competence in digital learning at Key Stage 1. The series provides teachers with a structured, but fl exible approach to digital learning, covering three main areas: Computational Thinking and Programming; Communication, Collaboration and Creativity and Computer Networks and Productivity. It includes: • detailed lesson plans to complement the computing curriculum • advice on the use of modern technology as well as staying safe online.

3 Now available for Reception – Price £21.00

To order call: 01722 716935 email: [email protected] Buy online at: www.hopscotchbooks.com

Practical Pre-School Awards 2017 43 Bronze Award Primary Teacher Update Outdoor Toys and Equipment

Primary Primary Teacher Update Outdoor Toys and Equipment Messi Training System – Training Goal Ball and Pump

Distributor: Flair PLC Tel: 0208 643 0320 Web: www.flairplc.co.uk 7 Price: £19.99 Age range: 6 years + Description: The Training Goal Ball and Pump makes all round footballing perfection possible. Featuring four modes of play for young Messis to train their accuracy, Outdoor Toys and Equipment shooting, ball control, touch and precision skills. Children can aim and shoot at the targets, use the curved surface to develop ball control, use the net to practise passing and use the large target and net to show off their new skills! This multi-feature goal is priced at only £19.99 and comes with a football and pump. Kids aged 6+ will have hours of fun all whilst perfecting their footy skills! Score: 74.6% What the testers said: “The children enjoyed this very much and it worked well both indoors and outside. Very lightweight so easy to move and very good value for money.”

Awards 2018 Don’t miss out ... start planning now!

Would you like to be recognised for the concept behind, and quality of, and Apps, Music and Multimedia, Creative Play, Outdoor Toys and the products in your early years, childcare and primary education ranges? Equipment, Classic Toys and Games and Days Out and Attractions. If the answer is ‘yes’ and you feel that you have a deserving gold award winner on your hands, why not consider entering the 2018 Awards? The target audience of the annual awards is ever-increasing and we are expecting a large volume of entries, so there’s no time like the present: The Practical Pre-School Awards Scheme, in association with Primary start thinking about your 2018 entries now! Teacher Update, considers equipment aimed at early years, childcare and key stage 1 and 2 settings, for both their play and educational If you would like further information on how to enter next year’s Practical values. Products are also judged on other factors such as durability and Pre-School Awards in association with Primary Teacher Update, simply ease of use. email the following email address: [email protected]

Our dedicated panel of testers includes childminders, nurseries, playgroups, pre-schools and primary schools, and let’s not forget the children themselves. It is these high standards, and thorough evaluations, that result in awards for educational products of the utmost quality.

Results will be announced at the annual awards ceremony in September 2018 and published in a full-colour awards supplement, which is distributed free with Practical Pre-School magazine. It can also be accessed online at www.practicalpreschoolawards.co.uk

One of the largest in the country, our Awards Scheme encompasses products from a far-reaching and varied group of suppliers both nationally and internationally. The categories reflect all things related to childcare, the early years and primary education, including Toys and Games, Books and Publications, Teacher Resources, Childcare, Electronic Toys Now incorporating Child Care magazine

44 Practical Pre-School Awards 2017