Series
"very carefully designed to offer help and guidance to any early years practitioner..." - Lois Nott, Early Years Online
"Recommended early years resource"
- Teacher's TV
My Friends and Me
"First impressions of My Friends andMe were very good; the book is bright and colourful and is attractive to look at. Nursery practitioners will find this book useful as it packed with ideas.The CD-ROM adds another element and encourages children to use ICT. It can be used without the CD-ROM so practitioners who like to use hard copies will still find it helpful." - Lauren Ward, National Day Nurseries Association, May 2008
Favourite Stories
"A fantastic reference book which can be used by new and experienced practioners [sic] alike. The CD-ROM encourages ICT within settings and how this can enhance and extend learning. I rate this series as 10/10, Childminder friendly and would recommend it as an essential part of the childminding toolkit." - Samantha Goudie, National Childminding Association, May 2008
Exploring Materials
"This is one of twelve titles in the Play Foundation series. Each A4 page contains a lesson plan to cover one of the six areas of Learning and Development in the EYFS. I was impressed how each activity encouraged independent learning with very little adult intervention. I believe this would be a very useful resource for teaching science to the foundation age groups." - Anita Loughrey, Write Away, June 2008
"The book starts with a comprehensive and informative introduction. A very clear planning grid shows how the activities in the book link to the areas of learning… This seems to me to be a very useful and practical book that could be used in any sort of pre-school or Reception class setting... it may well be worth checking out some of the books in this series for your Early Years setting." - TES Website, May 2008
Journeys
"An excellent book for anyone working with pre-school children. Aimed at children aged 3-5, there are games to be played, songs to be sung, things to make and stories to listen to. An interactive CD enhances the book, offering photographs, film clips, songs and activity sheets to print. Early Years practitioners will find the planning charts very useful and the book also includes assessment ideas and observation hints." - Sheila Woodburn, Write Away, June 2008
Bugs and Animals
"I tried this activity book and CD out with a bright four year old and it was I have to say just perfect. Everything about this book and CD is bright colourful and simple, simple to use and straight forward for the children instantly get involved. The whole strategy is fantastic as it allows the childminder or teacher to structure their activity or lesson plan according to the time available... I just wish this had been available when I was a child! I give this book a big nine out of ten." - Raine Bowman, National Childminding Association, May 2008
Where I Live
"The CD-ROM features a range of resources for children to use. I particularly like the use of ‘Claude the Cat’ Claude is a cartoon cat who tells the children how to use the CD. He also asks questions alongside some of the pictures, videos and photographs." - TES Website, May 2008
All About Me
"If you have been wondering how you are going to deliver the new Foundation Stage… this is your answer. This purpose written book is a bright, slim attractive, A4 sized paperback. This is a textbook and it does not preach – and is about as nicely palatable as it is going to get. I would give this book 8 out of 10." - Jean Jones, National Childminding Association, April 2008
Exploring My World
"The 'Let’s Talk' section for everyactivity is very helpful, giving practitioners support in modelling language, through commenting and the use of simple vocabulary, rather than a barrage of questions. Where questions are used they are appropriate to direct the child’s attention or extend their thinking rather than to test their knowledge." - Writeaway.co.uk, April 2008
Animals
"This vibrant resource book provides themed play ideas which you can simply dip into when doing your planning. We will all have to use the new EYFS from September 2008 so this book is ahead of its time in giving practitioners exactly what we need. This is [a] great resource book that is well put together and worth a read. I can’t wait to use the play activities with my Nursery class." - Laonie Butler, TES Website, April 2008
"This is a practical hands-on book for anyone working and playing with children from nurseries, creches, pre-school and toddler groups, nannies, child minders and parents. The activities are adaptable to different settings and ages and abilities of children with clear, well laid out instructions of which age range each activity is suitable for. Score 10/10." - National Childminding Association, May2008