Christmas came early last year for 14 daycare centres across the UK. In November 2000, IT giant IBM gave them up-to-the-minute PCs complete with printers, early learning software, and Little Tikes computer workstations specially designed for young children.
Almost all the centres received two computers each. The gifts marked the arrival in the UK of IBM's Kidsmart Early Learning programme, launched in the USA three years ago as one of the company's reputation-boosting Global Philanthropy initiatives.
The lucky nurseries and pre-schools were chosen with the help of Early Education (formerly BAECE), the company's partner in this endeavour. IBM installed the computers and has provided continuing technical support, so centres had to be fairly close to company offices. They also had to be non-profit-making, lacking in IT provision and, if possible, centres of excellence situated in disadvantaged areas.
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