Help Dora Help Campaign

Nick Jr. launches nationwide initiative to get pre-schoolers exploring 

Nick Jr., Nickelodeon’s leading pre-school channel, announces the launch of the Help Dora Help to bring exploration to life in nurseries and pre-schools across the UK. The campaign, supported by The Princes Foundation for Children and the Arts, consists of a free activity pack, giving nurseries and pre-schools educational activity resources, and the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £20,000.

The free activity pack, developed by Nick Jr. education experts, follows the Early Years Foundation Stage development goals and provides stimulating learning opportunities with the theme of Dora the Explorer’s adventures. It contains six activity session plans, a practitioner’s guide and other teaching aides to encourage pre-schoolers to use their imagination, solve problems and develop their sense of physical adventure.

The award fund allows pre-schools and nurseries to apply for a grant of up to £20,000 for educational and learning purposes. Runners up will be awarded discovery and learning equipment packages and Dora the Explorer will visit a selection of the successful nurseries. There will also be the opportunity for the nurseries to be featured on Nick Jr. 

Tina McCann, MD Nickelodeon UK, said: “As a broadcaster dedicated to offering pre-school audiences the best entertaining and educational content, we’re delighted to continue our support of pre-school education in the community with Help Dora Help. The campaign mirrors the very essence of what Dora the Explorer and Nick Jr. offer children - early years development and personal discovery.”   

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

Applications to the Help Dora Help Award Fund will be accepted from all UK pre-school settings, please see www.nickjr.co.uk for full terms and conditions. The Help Dora Help Award Fund is a sum of up to £20,000 to meet the requirements of the winning pre-school setting. 

Closing date for applications is 22^nd July. Applications received on or before this date will be posted on the Nick Jr. website gallery before being reviewed in August by a judging panel, which includes a representative from The Princes Foundation for Children and the Arts, Nick Jr. presenter Helena Dowling, education and parenting expert Collete Ford and Nickelodeon management. A shortlist of five nurseries and pre-schools will be selected who will be approached to take part in filming a Help Dora Help clip to be shown on the Nick Jr. channel and website throughout October with viewers invited to vote for their favourite nursery to win the funding. 

This fabulous campaign for nurseries and pre-schools was brought to my attention by the lovely Louise Harris at Rock ad Roll Baby World and fully intend to pass it on to the fantastic pre-school my daughter Emma currently attends.

The work some of our nurseries do on a daily basis even staggers me and the help and support Emma has received whilst in hers has been outstanding and we clearly take them for granted. Cuts are being made left right and centre and Sure Start Centres are closing all over the country and this amazing campaign could save your much loved nursery or pre-school.

So pass on the details, http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/dora/helpdorahelp/ to your local nursery or pre-school and get them involved!! You may not need them now but one day you will.

Would love to hear your thoughts...

L xx