kidsunlimited said it made the decision to replace adult computers with those specifically designed for young children, because they are easier to use and more practical.
The RM One computers include a pre-installed educational and games software package, the RM Early Yeas Window Box, which is designed to be suitable for children from the age of three.
Previously computers in the group’s nurseries were often damaged, children struggled to use the mouse, and there tended to be different software installed at each setting.
Kevin Preece, kidsunlimited IT manager, said, ‘kidsunlimited has introduced child-friendly and child-focused computers to support the transition to school of our pre-school children.’
The computers and software are similar to those that children typically use when they start school.
Children are able to use the computers at any time during the day. The multi-coloured keyboard helps them to identify the letters of the alphabet and a smaller mouse is easier for the children’s hand eye co-ordination.
Mr Preece said, ‘Previous computers used within our pre-school rooms were aimed at office users and therefore they weren’t very practical for delicate young hands.
‘The new computers offer a multitude of benefits such as pre-defined software, which is aimed at the EYFS and offers consistency at all our nurseries.’
He added, ‘Other benefits include a brightly coloured keyboard and mouse, which are designed for a young children’s hands and all the letters on the keyboard are lower case. Most importantly they are robust and easy to use.’
Mr Preece said that feedback from nursery staff had been overwhelmingly positive and that some settings had received enquiries from parents interested in buying the computers for home use.