Deb Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 (edited) Hi I'm currently trying to persuade our parent committee to buy the Community Playthings Pre-School set of unit blocks of 149 blocks in 20 shapes http://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/produ...locks/G431.html for indoor block play (we already have the hollow blocks for our decking area) at a cost of £787 including a fixed shelf unit. The committee have come back asking whether they are value for money given that they have found some Melissa and Doug blocks for £70 plus £57 delivery for 60 blocks http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-60-Pi...58778&sr=8- . I have already replied pointing out some of the benefits of the CP blocks such as: They are modular so can be used with other CP blocks CP have been making them for 50 years They have a 10 year guarantee They are the gold standard in Early Years (on everybody's wish list if they don't have them) It is important to have sufficient blocks to enable children to be creative without having to fight for blocks The fixed shelf unit would enable children to select the exact block they require as well as to sort blocks according to size and shape etc when tidying up I have explained my wish to have good quality resources over quantity. We have the money, it is a question of spending hard earned money wisely. I had a similar battle over the tea set I eventually bought, against cheeper plastic versions. However, their lack of response seems to indicate that I have still not managed to convince them of the merits of the CP blocks. So I was wondering if anybody could suggest any further benefits of the CP blocks over others? Or indeed if you think I am being too picky and the Melissa and Doug blocks are adequate? At the moment I would rather not have any, but that is a bit like throwing my rattle out of the pram! Any help appreciated. For some unknown reason I have put this in the wrong category, would some kind moderator kindly pop it in resources or whatever you think it appropriate, thank you. Edited September 3, 2011 by Deb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marion Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Hi I'm currently trying to persuade our parent committee to buy the Community Playthings Pre-School set of unit blocks of 149 blocks in 20 shapes http://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/produ...locks/G431.html for indoor block play (we already have the hollow blocks for our decking area) at a cost of £787 including a fixed shelf unit. The committee have come back asking whether they are value for money given that they have found some Melissa and Doug blocks for £70 plus £57 delivery for 60 blocks http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Doug-60-Pi...58778&sr=8- . I have already replied pointing out some of the benefits of the CP blocks such as: They are modular so can be used with other CP blocks CP have been making them for 50 years They have a 10 year guarantee They are the gold standard in Early Years (on everybody's wish list if they don't have them) It is important to have sufficient blocks to enable children to be creative without having to fight for blocks The fixed shelf unit would enable children to select the exact block they require as well as to sort blocks according to size and shape etc when tidying up I have explained my wish to have good quality resources over quantity. We have the money, it is a question of spending hard earned money wisely. I had a similar battle over the tea set I eventually bought, against cheeper plastic versions. However, their lack of response seems to indicate that I have still not managed to convince them of the merits of the CP blocks. So I was wondering if anybody could suggest any further benefits of the CP blocks over others? Or indeed if you think I am being too picky and the Melissa and Doug blocks are adequate? At the moment I would rather not have any, but that is a bit like throwing my rattle out of the pram! Any help appreciated. The Community Playthings blocks are made so that each block is in a direct size ratio to their other blocks so they develop mathematical concepts through play you won't get with cheaper random sized blocks http://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/resou...-not-equal.html http://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/resou...h-literacy.html http://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/resou...-brilliant.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narnia Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I am about to order a new set of the community playthings preschool blocks......................nothing else comes close, nothing else will do. The set i am replacing was in our flood ( sorry, 'deluge', as it came from the ceiling!) and the insurers wrote them off, because they couldn't be sure what was in the water! However, the blocks themselves are in good order, so we'll use them for outdoor play and use the new ones indoors. Oh, and our old set are AT LEAST 40 years old, and will last at least that long again. they don't chip, flake, or otherwise get damaged easily. I would send your committee to the CP website, to see what they say about block play.I know it's hard to sometimes understand the value of CP things, but as marion has pointed out, they are mathematically 'correct' in ratio to ther blocks in their sets. Don't give in, fight for the best for your children! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 Thanks Narnia and Marion for your replies, wish me luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catma Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 You will never have to buy another block ever. Generations of children will use them before they eventually give out. Pounds per use ratio: Huge. Cost: several hundred pounds Value to children:priceless Cx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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