Cm's where do you get your muticutural toys etc from

[MUM2BLESS]

I have a multicutural setting. Would like to get some more toys etc can you recommend where I could get them from at an affordable price?

What type of multi cutural toys etc have you got yourself? My toy library had a great chinese boy doll and an indian doll with a sari on, only on loan had to return them recently.

Also what celebrations do you do with the children?

Thanks

I use foreign food packaging in the play kitchen, and also have a large selection of material that can be used in a variety of ways, we wrap them like saries or as headdresses etc. (sp). I also have a few books and a story sack for handas surprise.

But its the one thing I got pulled up on in my inspection. I was told I had a lovely selection of multi cultural items but was not using them to there full potential. Which has always irritated me as I was inspected when I had 1 10 month old so it was a bit tricky.

Dan.....did you ask for an example of what you should have done then? Ofsted drive me mad with these silly things and I now am happy to challenge anything that I don't agree with. I was soooo desperate to be asked why I didn't have a jug of water for them to help themselves to when I had mine in March 09 (all 4 of the little ones were under 2!) - she didn't ask though! lol You know, the inspectors aren't always right (believe me, I know......managed to overturn a load of stuff a little while ago )

Mumtobless - I have dolls, books, chopsticks, material for wrapping round (like dan) but one thing I'm hoping to get soon are some skin tone crayons - need to look up where to get them.

I got a fantastic set of melamine Chinese bowls, plates, spoons & chopsticks in a local Charity shop plus ethnic clothing and fabrics like Dan & Looney. Charity shops & car boot sales are great for this kind of thing. Tamarind do good books & Festival Shop lots of resources. otherwise its a case of checking out the Educational suppliers like East-East Education, TTS, Hope etc but these can be pricey. Ebay is also a great place to find unusual bargains. I got lots of stuff for CNY and other festivals from a party supplies online shop but I can't remember who. Similar to Party Pieces but it wasn't them
We don't 'Celebrate' festivals as such but do raise awarenes activities for the major ones such as CNY, Diwali, Eid, etc. often based around food, crafts and music.

Great ideas thanks everyone. Thats got me thinking now.

There are a 4 multicultural dolls in the Smyths toy store very reasonably priced at around £8 IIRC. You can buy them individually.