Editor's letter

Despite this, the number of nursery and teaching staff using them to buy their products is still very small, according to a sample of companies we surveyed. So it looks as if the days of those glossy catalogues that have been thumping on to your desk since the new year are not yet numbered.

Still, it's worth giving the Internet a try; just being able to make all those important purchases at a time that suits you is a real boon.

Whatever shopping method you use, make no decisions until you have read this issue from cover to cover. Once again, we have such a diverse range of topics we are sure that at least one or two will grab your attention. For instance, just look at the number and variety of changing tables we have found for your baby room, taking into account the size of your budget, the space available and the risk to your backs! (page 14). Then there are all the brilliant resources we have found to help you brighten up your entrance hall and make a really good first impression (page18). We have also found some great ways to keep the under-threes physically challenged (page 16) and tracked down some really gorgeous wall hangings and height charts (page 28).