My day with Nick Jr!

So, a few weeks ago, I was kindly invited up to London to have a LIVE web chat with the utterly gorgeous Helena Dowling and scrummy mummy Becky Overton (writer of Arnie & Barnie's Bedtime Stories on Nick Jr).

I had arrived fairly calm and collected, and just excited to meet the lovely team, when a voice perked up -  "Holly, would you like to have a look at the set?", 'Sure" I said, you know like I do this thing all the time. One look at the cameras and lights, and BAM! 'hello' heart beating REALLY fast, and oh 'not seen you in a while' sweaty palms. The nerves had kicked in.

It wasn't so much the topic or the fact I was being filmed, more to the point it was going to be LIVE!
If you know me, you know that I am a bit of a klutz  sometimes I don't think before I speak, and a lot of the time I am quite clumsy. I had visions of Bridget Jones in her first live TV appearance where she got stuck down a fireman's pole (ooh matron).

But, once we got started, it was just such an amazing time. Becky Overton, is just the easiest person to talk to and instantly put me at ease and Helena is, of course, a pro.

You can catch the clip on the post below. I am far too critical of myself, so have watched it once and that is enough...

A huge thank you to Jessica Feldman, Sarah (lovely PR wonder woman) and Becky, the Arnie & Barnie producer who were all so so lovely.

Blimey, it's like I have won a bloody Oscar...

That's next year...

Help Dora Help

Well, its that time of the year again, when Nick Jr are offering the chance for a pre-school or nursery to win £20,000 worth of equipment!

Last year, Hope Nursery, Belfast won and look at what they spent their money on:

Every nursery/ pre-school can apply for the activity pack, giving them educational activity resources.The pack follows the Early Years Foundation Stage development goals and contains six activity session plans that provide stimulating learning opportunities with the theme of Dora the Explorer’s adventures. The themes for this year’s pack are: Cooking, Sports Day, Fairy Tales, Animals, Seaside and Music.

Once the pack has been received, they then have the opportunity to apply for the £20,000 award.

Registration is now open at nickjr.co.uk/helpdorahelp for nurseries to apply for a pack. They have until 22nd July to work through the activities with their pre-schoolers and put together their application for the £20,000 award.

Once this year’s applications have been submitted, an expert panel led by Nick Jr.’s Wake Up World Helena Dowling, alongside Nick Jr. representatives and partners including The Prince’s Foundation, Dora Magazine and Chad Valley will choose five finalists. The public will then be able to vote for their favourite application and decide who is awarded the £20,000.

Each of the five finalists will be awarded discovery and learning equipment from Chad as well as a classroom visit from Dora the Explorer and all five finalists’ award bids will be filmed and aired on Nick. Jr.

Nurseries and pre-schools can apply for the free Help Dora Help Activity Pack and Award Fund at www.nickjr.co.uk.

 The campaign, supported by The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts 

For more info please visit www.childrenandarts.org.uk

Hola Mi Amigos.....HELP DORA HELP!

Dora The Explorer on Nick Jr, aids learning through exploration and investigation and will also speak key words in Spanish. So while your child is engrossed in, what seems from the outskirts, a fun cartoon, they are learning and absorbing a lot of information.

But now Dora needs your help!

Dora would like to bring her explorations to life and in your children's Pre-school or nursery.

The Help Dora Help team have created an activity pack which will guide and support your pre-schoolers development and provide fun, stimulating and motivational learning opportunities.

By submitting your nursery/pre-school for the initiative, they will receive a free pack containing:

• Six curriculum linked session plans, giving children the chance to use their imaginations, solve problems and practice their sense of physical adventure.
• A comprehensive Practitioner's Guide  including a Help Dora Help Award Fund application activity and full details of the submission criteria (see details below)
• Exclusive reward stickers and much more!

HELP DORA HELP AWARD FUND

The pre-school/nursery can also apply for the chance to receive one main award of up to £20,000 and runners up prizes of learning equipment to help the children learn and explore - just like Dora!

The pre-school/nursery can use the award to:

• kit out their school with new games and toys
• provide and install new outdoor equipment
• build a play area

Entries for the award fund need to be received by the 22nd July 2011. The entries will then be shortlisted to five finalists (who will be approached to take part in filming a Help Dora Help clip to be aired on the Nick Jr channel and website) by their judging panel including a representative of one of The Princes Foundation for Children and the Arts - to which this initiative is supported by and Helena Dowling, presenter of Nick Jr.'s Wake Up World.
The winner will be picked by you, viewers of Nick Jr.