Toys and resources

[Littlepurpleprincess]

Where do you buy your toys and resources from? I find it really difficult to get hold of (what I think are) pretty simple toys.

The only toy shop near me is ELC. I like the things they have on Relections on Learning but they are so massively over priced.

It seems that I have to go really out of my way and spend a fortune to get anything thats not pink/blue plastic tat.

I raid the charity shops often but this is not reliable enough.

As a childminder I just don't have the money but I want to do best by the kids.

ebay anf freecycle

also your early years team may run a toy library

you are claiming back expenditure in your accounts?

i not been to my toy library yet! need to find a telephone number as not sure where or when it is!

Boot fairs
Charity shops
NCT sales
Toy library
Ebay

Argos actually do some ok stuff, I've had some chad valley things recently that arn't pink/blue and are very reasonably priced, mindees also love them.

Toy Library and story sacks also good, do you know any minders locally that you can swap resources with for a few weeks each, just for some changes.

I'm actually starting to veer away from bought stuff (although I have just ordered a play kitchen ) in favour of household stuff, a basic sandpit on legs can have loads of possibilities, ours is full of shaving foam today, playroom smells loverly. Also using bamboo canes to make dens, pebbles with plastic insect things, trellis etc all these things can be done inside as well as outside and I find they hold interest longer than a ready made bought toy IYSWIM. If you look in your kitchen cupboards and under the stairs, shed etc you'd be amazed at what you can do with whats just lying around, kids are facinated by bits and bobs, lumps of wood and plastic piping.

Thanks for that. I know there is a car boot sale every sunday not too far from me but it's still a fair way to go without a car.

Will check NCT site as well.

I agree with Atworknotworking about 'not' toy things. We found a load of driftwood after a recent rock fall on a local beach that they love.

Today they have been playing with the buggy, climbing in and out, being 'mummy and baby'.

I do claim it back but I don't have that much in the first place at the moment.

littlepurpleprincess, i havent made a profit yet but find things, like hnging up puts and pans to hit, and flapping paper fish along the floor, its the unusual they seem to love the most!

e-bay is the most fantastic invention ever in my opinion! since I discovered it I don't think i've paid full price for anything!!!
(smug emotion!!)

make sure you take your NCMA card if you are a member into ELC so you can get the discount card.

I get toys from all sorts of places - ex-minders, friends, neighbours and relatives, playgroups/nurseries when they are having a clear out - i just make them all aware that I would appreciate being considered for their throwaways , NCT sales, small ads in local rags, car boots and yard sales, charity shops, make my own (or get hubby to make them), use what i already have in different ways, oh not forgetting the toy library and also doing swops with other childminders.

I scour the internet including; Amazon, Ebay, PreLoved, Freecycle and keep a check on the childminding forum for people selling things
The Festival Shop, Childminding Treasures, www.thechildmindingshop.co.uk/

High street shops - Argos, Wilkinsons, some of the larger supermarkets, Aldi/Netto/Lidl
oh my list could go and on lol

I am getting rid of loads of things as we use the outdoors and the children centre for stay and play and toy library so much.
Things that we have at home tend to be traditional toys like cars,lego,drawing, story sacks, jigsaws and a builders tray that we fill with anything.
I recently cut down a small tree and cut up loads of mini logs from a branch add some pebbles and mini figures and you've got a forest scene.