Would you like to be a tester?
This year, as part of the judging process for the Practical Pre-School and 5to7 Awards, over 500 individual tests were completed in a number of nursery, playgroup, reception class and childminding settings throughout the country. The awards run in tandem with Child Care, a sister publication from MA Education.
Each year the testing panel are asked to test an entered product for three weeks in their setting, then return their test report on the supplied form. The test reports are clear, with marks awarded for pre-determined criteria and a section for additional comments.
Many types of equipment are entered for testing and all are designed for the 0-8 age range. Entry samples are usually kept by each member of the testing panel as a thank you, however in some instances, these may have to be returned. If so, a collection service is organised to ensure there are no expenses incurred by the setting. There is no payment for being a tester.
If you would like to be considered for the testing panel in 2012, please send a letter or an email to the organisers. You will be asked to complete and return a detailed form to qualify for a place.
All applications must be received by December 31 2011. The panel will be selected in January 2012.
Being a tester requires work. It is fun, but you need to be organised and keep to a deadline. You also need to be prepared to comment candidly about equipment.
To be considered as a tester, apply before December 31 2011 to:
awards@practicalpreschool.com write to: Gold awards testing panel: Evolution PR, The Abbey Centre, Market Square, Daventry, NN11 4XG
Our thanks to all those who tested the products for our 2011 awards, listed below. We hope it was fun! If you would like to be a tester for the 2012 awards, ensure that you contact us before December 31, 2011.
Childminder Ann Ross
Childminder Tina Clavering
Childminder Tracy Lee
Childminder Sally Clare
Childminder Louise Bentley
Childminder Julie Mortimer
Childminder Julie Stephens
Childminder Laura Donjon
Childminder Fay Davis
Childminder Carol Sheasby
Childminder Ann Glover
Parent Alyson Anscombe
Parent Becky O'Keife
Parent Lauren Tew
Parent Lesley Maxey
Parent Sadie Turnbull
Archfield House Nursery Bethan Gurry
Belgrave St Bartholomew's Academy Lisa Sarikaya
Bright Sparks Nursery Carolyn Below
Buckden Preschool Playgroup Sonia Wall
Busy Little Fingers Valerie Madeley
Crazy Kidz Emma Jones
Crick Primary School Karen Cunnington
Didmarton Playgroup Linzie Clark
Durdans Park Primary and Nursery School Sylvia Hammant
First Friends Preschool Kaye Casson
Grafton Childcare Denise Tupman
Hickory House Day Nursery Andrea Barlone
Jollytots Julia Trainer
Kerem Early Years Unit Alyson Burns
Little Acorns Sue Creamer
Little MarVal's Preschool Val Bond
Norton Preschool Anne Gladwish
Oakhurst Community Primary
School Early Years Team Karen Kingston
Sandy's Childcare Sandra Evans
Sheepsetting Preschool Jacquie Fuller
Somerville Primary School Joanna Methven
St Edmund's Playgroup Martine Turner
St James' Toddler Group Liz McAnaw
St Thomas' Hospital Day Nursery Alison Mary Swann
Thornton Childcare Jane and Tim Thornton
Tilda Henry's Victoria Williams-Lilley
Weston Rhyn Playgroup Teresa Jones
Whitby EC Mums and Tots Ruth Little
Woodlands Nursery Julie Singleton
