Nursery World Awards 2011: Resources - Three to fives: tried and tested favourite

The 'real-life' look of the Wooden Workbench from NES Arnold has made this resource a hit with nursery children, particularly boys.

The fully-equipped workbench comes with pieces of wood for children to work on, a working vice and a variety of pretend equipment, including a saw, hammer, screwdrivers, spanner, nuts and bolts. There is a tray underneath the work surface for storing wood and tools, and the bench also comes with a work belt, which can be tied to the bench or worn as an apron. Made entirely of wood, it is durable and sturdy and provides great value for money.

Early years settings have found that the bench opens up fresh opportunities for imaginative play and cross-curricular learning, in particular aspects of mathematical development, problem-solving, reasoning, co-operation, decision-making and fine motor skills.

Anne Cullen, learning mentor at The Heys Primary School, says, 'The wooden workbench was bought as a continuous provision activity in the construction area for the children to use both with and without adult supervision. It was instantly attractive to many of the children due to the lifelike appearance of the workbench and the tools that came with it.

'Many of the children recognised the tools from home and were able to describe what they had seen the different tools being used for. The tools themselves were highly attractive to small hands - smooth, well-made, durable and ideally finished for busy little fingers.

'In terms of creative role play, the workbench formed part of a garage, a carpenter's shop and 'grandad's shed', and appealed to both boys and girls - future cabinet makers and mechanics, perhaps. The work belt proved particularly popular. One of the boys even offered to mend a teacher's car when he had a flat tyre!'

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Flip Flop painters, Asco Educational Supplies

Flip Flop painters from Asco are an ideal resource for enabling children to make and explore pattern. Children simply slide their hands into the Flip Flop, dip it in paint, then stamp out the design of their choice. Available in six different colours and designs, the Flip Flops are 11cm long, with the plastic thong making them easy for young children to grip. As well as finding the Flip Flops easy to use and to clean, one nursery practitioner said, 'Children find them very effective and love seeing the patterns they make.'

FINALISTS

StoryPhones MP3 Audio System, Ameeca

Wheelie Painters, TTS Group

Criterion: Open to early years resources and equipment that support children's learning, development and enjoyment in the EYFS.