Nursery World Awards 14: Equipment - Three to Fives

The Playframe was designed by a team of three over a year, during which time they visited 20 UK childcare centres for research and prototype testing, and consulted experts including Julian Grenier, headteacher of Sheringham Nursery School and Children's Centre, and Nicola Amies, director of early years at Bright Horizons.

The resulting structure, made from solid birch wood or from beech or birch plywood and protected with a durable child-safe finish, is suitable for outdoor and indoor use. Its versatile design makes it easy to set up, change around and pack away without the need for tools. Every part of the climbing frame, which includes a ladder, a bridge and a slide, can be attached at different levels. The triangle and square shaped platforms click into place at any point on the structure.

This encourages imaginative and active play, with the Playframe representing an adaptable prop in children's role-play situations rather than simply a static piece of exercise equipment. The climbing frame can be turned into a house, barn, shop or castle. Bamboo panels create cosy spaces for imaginative play and optional extras allow nurseries to strap their Playframe to the wall for convenient storage, move it along in a large cart on wheels or add soft mats for safe usage.

The structure motivates children to engage in active play involving climbing, sliding and jumping, which helps to protect against the risks of childhood obesity and improves children's large-muscle physical skills.

Nursery manager Jenny Goadby from Asquith The Centre Milton Keynes Day Nursery, observed shy children particularly enjoying and succeeding on the Playframe, and watched a child with Down Syndrome gaining confidence by climbing on the ladder while it was laid flat on the ground.

Another manager, Kim Olson from Hythe Bay Children's Centre in Kent, said the Playframe was 'brilliant for gross motor skills and developing confidence. It is a beautiful piece of equipment and the different configurations were great, to make a basic model and then extend it for the older children'.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Beleduc Farmyard Hand Puppet Set

This set of puppets features five well-known farm animals; a chicken, pig, cow, horse and sheep. The soft, padded gloves have hole access for four fingers and a thumb to allow movement of the head, body and legs of the animal. The puppets help children to learn animal noises and inspire discussion, storytelling, role-play and singing songs. Liz Mankelow, an early years practitioner from Kent, said, 'The puppets are very versatile and cover several areas of the EYFS curriculum. I would use them to improve motor skills (for ages three and up), speech and communication skills, performance, PSED, understanding the world, and, of course, imaginary play. They appealed to a greater age range of children than I was expecting. Great fun all round.'

FINALISTS

Playforce Early Years Scrambler Sets

Totem Pole Awe & Wonder (Fairies)

CRITERION

Open to early years resources and equipment that support children's learning, development and enjoyment in the Early Years Foundation Stage or equivalent.

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