More than 9,000 early years practitioners and teachers flocked to this month's Early Years and Primary Teaching Exhibition, held at London's Business Design Centre and sponsored by Nursery World and the Times Educational Supplement.
A record-breaking 187 exhibitors took stands at this year's show, many of them newcomers, including Lucky Lizard, which aims to solve schools' and nurseries' playground and gardening problems. A popular new resource with visitors at the exhibition was the Festivals video produced by Child's Eye Media, following a young child through traditional celebrations.
Maxamec showed its Swedish-designed construction equipment made of light wood, and Smartscapes demonstrated its range of hard-wearing, flat-packed seats for circle time in a funky fruits or wild animals design.
Community Playthings unveiled its 'welcome area' furniture and three trikes. The lucky winners of its show competitions were Anita Roache of Buffer Bears Nursery, Borehamwood, who won a KinderVan, and Susanna King from Monson Nursery in Lewisham, London, who won an art island.
Training was well represented with a dedicated Career Zone. APU offered the flexibility of online learning for people who are already working in schools. It runs two foundation degrees in education that have been tailored to the needs of teaching and learning assistants.
Visitors were invited to help the charity ChildLine celebrate its 18th birthday by getting children to take part in the Pat-a-Cake game. Each child receives a Pat-a-Cake picture to decorate with 18 everyday items and a sponsor form. Find out more by emailing patacake@childline.org.uk or fax 020 7650 3201.
Further information
* For information on forthcoming Early Years and Primary Teaching Exhibitions and TES Teaching Exhibitions, visit www.teachingexhibitions.co.uk.
