Last summer we launched our ‘My First Poem’ competition and received just over 1,000 entries! A collection of first poems were put together and after lots of deliberation Hillside Playcare Centre in Southminster, Essex were selected as the best overall set of entries and awarded £250.

Liz Lester, Nursery Leader, has bought chalk boards, magnetic sketchers, a shape game, Jolly Phonic cards, sand timers, individual sand trays and mark making equipment to use in the sand, and an Inuit house. Liz has also purchased several poetry books for the children to read and share. The children are looking forward to playing with all their new equipment.

Hillside Playcare Centre’s pupils are published in ‘My First Poem – Essex’.

Following the success of the summer holiday competition, we extended My First Poem to preschools and nurseries nationwide in late autumn of 2007. This resulted in us receiving over 20,000 entries!

Again, the task of selecting the group of best overall entries was a difficult, but enjoyable one. We are delighted to announce that we have recently awarded Burnside Children’s Centre Nursery in Cramlington, Northumberland £1,000 for being the best nursery in the series.

Gillian Allinson, Nursery Leader, has purchased furniture, book racks and seating as well as multicultural dolls, puzzles, a calendar, sand trays, a paint drying rack and alphabet tubs for the children. The children love their new-look nursery and can’t wait to see their poems in print.

Burnside Children’s Centre Nursery’s pupils feature in ‘My First Poem – Northern Poets’ which is published at the end of February 2008.

To order any of the titles from our ‘My First Poem’ series, simply visit our online shop or call our Customer Services team on 01733 890066 between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday.