Toddlers have become fascinated by an interactive whiteboard which has become the latest focus of interest at a Herefordshire nursery.
The state-of-the art equipment, which has been paid for by a Nexus grant from Advantage West Midlands’ Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ), is helping around 25 three to five year-olds hone their learning skills in a visual and fun-packed way.
The whiteboard, as well as a projector and laptop, costing a total of £1,641, have been installed at Kimbolton Nursery Group in Kimbolton, near Leominster, Herefordshire, and toddlers are so impressed they have been seen “swarming around” the new multi-media interactive whiteboard, keen to try it out.
Nexus, a grant programme offering up to £5,000 per project, is designed to improve access to services and facilities in communities within the RRZ, which covers Herefordshire and much ofShropshireand Worcestershire.
The scheme is managed by Malvern-based Community First, a registered charity which aims to build better local communities by advising, informing and supporting community groups and voluntary organisations.
An interactive whiteboard is a large touch-sensitive board which is connected to a digital projector and a computer. The projector displays the image from the computer screen on to the board. The computer can then be controlled by touching the board; either directly or with a special pen.
Matt Smith, Partnerships Manager at the RRZ, said: “We are delighted to support this project as this equipment is giving young children a great opportunity to develop their learning skills in an exciting way. The nursery has a fine reputation in the local community going back many years and the teaching staff is sure to benefit greatly from having this equipment at their disposal.”
Sophie Mead, Grants Administration Officer for Community First, said: “Parents can have every confidence that their children will gain much from using the whiteboard. It will give them every opportunity to develop a wider understanding of the world using the most up-to-date equipment in a challenging and rewarding environment.”
Sam Price, Classroom Assistant at the nursery, which has three staff, said: “Interactive whiteboards are perfect for young children as they learn the skill of manipulating software without the hindrance of cumbersome peripherals such as a mouse and keyboard.
“The children of Kimbolton will have access to the whiteboard for the whole of every nursery session, while staff training and parent partnership information will be easier to share as we will soon be connected to the Internet.”