In the first five years of trading, Play to Z Ltd reached the finals of numerous prestigious National Awards, winning a great deal. See details of our current awards below.
Practical Pre-School - Gold Award 2009
"We couldn't stop touching it" this is what the judges had to say about the Playscope Sensory Collection when they awarded it a coveted Practical Pre-School Gold Award in November 2009. This innovative new resource, available in two sizes, was awarded an amazing 97% score, and described as "Wow, wow, wow! What a brilliant product, definately the all singing, all dancing sensory tool. All settings should have one. We couldn't fault it, the resources seem to go on and on." link
Enterprising Women Green Award 2009 - Runner Up
Play to Z beat off strong competition from a range of environrmntal-based businesses to win the Runner-Up Award for the Enterprising Women Green Award. The national award honoured Play to Z's strong ethical and environmental ethos and its important role in helping to shape future generations. "It's great recognition for all our hard work in trying to make the business and products as environmentally and socially responsible as posible. The judges had a difficult choice, choosing between our work which helps shape environmental awareness in young people and their carers, and the winners, producers of environmentally sustainable feminine hygene products. We are delighted that all of our hard work has been recognised through this award." Sue Gascoyne, Managing Director, Play to Z Ltd. link
Nursery World Trainer of the Year, 2009 - Winner
Innovation, passion and commitment proved a winning formula for Play to Z's Sue Gascoyne, who was awarded the coveted title of Nursery World Trainer of the Year, 2009. TV presenter Michaela Strachan handed over the tropy at the prestigious Nursery World Awards dinner at Grosvenor House, Park Lane. Facing tough competition from trainers throughout the Uk, business worman and mother of two, Sue was awarded the top spot after the judges recognised how she was "making a real difference to children, families and practitioners." link
Nursery World Threes to Fives new launch - Finalist
In the same week as we scooped a Practical Pre-School and Trainer of the Year award, one of Playscope' s newest products made it to the finals of the Nursery World Threes to Fives launch, adding another certificate to our collection! The Problem Solving, Reasoning & Numeracy Activity Cards were praised for their practical, user-freindly and multi-sensory approach to bringing numeracy to life. link
British Female Inventor and Innovator Special Recognition Award, March 2008
In March 2008, Sue Gascoyne, creator of Playscope resources, scooped an internationally respected British Female Inventors and innovators Award in Cardiff. Sue was one of only 40 female inventors to receive a Special Recognition Award at the 10 year celebrations event attended by inventors from around the world. The Awards are designed to showcase inspirational examples of creativity and innovation. Previous winners include Mandy Haberman, the inventor of the Any Way Up Cup. Link
Nasen Inclusive Primary Resources Awards, 2008
In 2008 several Playscope resources were selected for the prestigious Nasen Inclusive Primary Resources Awards, beating hundreds of competitors to reach the final four. In their sixteenth year, the Nasen Awards represent excellence and best practice in books and resources for special educational needs. As Play to Z Managing Director Sue Gascoyne commented This recognition is brilliant, but what really matters is the impact these resources are having. The Fidget Floor Mats are improving childrens opportunities by helping them to focus, listen and concentrate, and enabling teachers to teach. The Playscope Complete Set is being used with children of all ages and abilities to address the curriculum in a fun, child-centred way". Here's just some of the great feedback from one of the panel judges.
"an holistic, tactile and versatile teaching and learning resource. The learning opportunities are endless...it enthuses the children to initiate their own learning....The cards are a useful activity bank to use as part of planned activities or as extension activities and all linked into the new EYFS. It is easily accessible for use by students and parent helpers because all the information and resources needed are listed on the cards which are bright and small and therefore easily transported/ stored.The [Fidget Floor] Mats with their colourful ribbons are a super resource for the little ones who need a little help to sit and listen at times like show and tell. Again a very versatile resource. Also have been used by children as an indicator, if they help themselves to one and sit on it means they have something they wish to say or share with the other children, they love this independence and feel very proud when other children sit and listen to them. Others simply love to sit on them when reading a book in a quiet corner...a real Wow factor in the Nursery...I use [the Playscope resources] in my day to day work in the Nursery, and I love it. I knew the children would love it too as soon as I saw it."
Nursery World Birth to Three's Award, 2008
After just 18 months of trading, Play to Z Ltd have had their innovative children's resources and training shortlisted for a further three national awards. The Playscope Complete Set was shortlisted for an award by Nursery World magazine, in the Birth to Three Resources Award as was the Playscope Playmat, designed to take children's play outside. The Playmat, praised by judges as "a perfect multi-purpose addition to any eraly yaers setting becasue it makes finding the space, time and inspiratiomn to play anywhere really effortless" won a Highly Commended Award. The judges also shortlisted Sue Gascoyne as a finalist for Trainer of the Year 2008. Sue commented "I am obviously thrilled to bits about this latest recognition. All six of our existing resources have now been selected for these national awards, and it's a great vote of confidence to have the training element of my business recornised too."