How the equipment & resources awards were judged…

Find out about our methods and our testing panel

Every product entered into these awards was tested in two separate settings. Testers are practitioners or teachers and use the products with the children in their care to assess them as thoroughly, realistically and scrupulously as possible.

All testers are provided with a form so that all products are assessed fairly against consistent criteria. They provide marks on elements such as ease of use, learning and development potential, versatility, value for money, originality, quality of design, safety, durability and ability to be recommended.

Each product is then given an overall score and the results are determined as follows:

TESTING PANEL

Our testing panel is made up of early years and nursery practitioners including managers and owners, childminders, nursery staff and teachers from a wide range of settings, and most important, the children in their care. We also called on the expertise of early years consultants and trainers:

Anne's Childminding Service, Dagenham
Noah's Ark Playgroup, Duston
Clopton Nursery Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon
Hickory House Day Nursery, Daventry
The Pines Pre-School, Hertford Heath
Your Child Matters Childminding Service, Dartford
Chelmondiston Playgroup, Ipswich
Ogley Hay Nursery School, Walsall
Marcham Pre-school, Abingdon
Norton Pre-School, Bury St Edmonds
Thornton Childcare, Swindon
Busy Little Fingers Childminding, Altofts
Cypress Primary School, Croydon
N Family Club, London Fields
Kingswood Village Playgroup, Wotton-Under-Edge
Amanda King Beansprouts Childcare, Weston-super-Mare
Dunkys Day Nurseries, Warrington
Lynton Day Nursery, Warrington
Kids Korner Day Nursery, Halesowen
Bright Horizons Day Nursery and Preschool, Southam
Bright Sparks Nursery, Ryton
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Hastings
Barnston Buddies, Wirral
Woodland House Nursery, Bristol
Busy Bees, Chingford

SPECIAL THANKS GO TO:

Kym Scott

works nationally and internationally, providing consultancy, training, workshops and keynote speeches on a number of subjects related to early years. She has brought her expert insights to bear as she has evaluated these resources.

Sarah Fillingham

is area manager for Portico Nurseries, overseeing a team of around one hundred practitioners within the group. Sarah ensured that a variety of her team members had the opportunity to test products and provide detailed feedback.

Joseph Wright

is director of Paint Pots Nurseries, the Southampton-based nursery group founded by his parents David and Anna Wright. Joe gave a lot of thought and time to ensuring nominated products were rigorously tested in his nurseries.

John Warren

is managing director of John Warren Consultancy, which supports day nurseries who wish to change and improve their practice. With a Masters in Early Education and an NNEB, achieved in 1983, he has drawn on his wide experience to be a judge in these awards.