The Playroom Audit Framework (PAF)

At The Playroom Audit, we don’t just "review" toys. We audit them. Every item that enters a home is a trade-off between floor space, budget, and a child’s developmental focus.

We use the PAF—a four-point scoring system—to determine if a toy is an Heirloom Asset or a Space Thief.

1. The Open-Ended Index

We measure the ratio of Toy Action to Child Action.

The Rule: If the toy performs while the child watches, it fails.

• The Goal: We look for "Tools, not Trophies." A high score is given to toys that require a child’s imagination to function (e.g., wooden cars, blocks, silks).

2. Spatial Tax Ratio

We calculate the Physical Footprint vs. Play ROI.

• The Calculation: (Square Footage Occupied) ÷ (Minutes of Weekly Engagement).
• The Goal: A "low-tax" toy is either small and high-value or large but modular. We fail "Dead Space" toys—massive, hollow plastic structures that sit idle for 90% of the week.

3. Sensory Integrity

We audit the Neurological Load of the toy.

• The Rule: No batteries, no flashing lights, no "dopamine-loop" sound effects.
• The Goal: We prioritize natural materials (wood, steel, organic cotton) that protect against dopamine loop and encourage long-term concentration rather than a "hit-and-run" attention span.

4. Resale Velocity (The Asset Test)

We determine the Total Cost of Ownership.

• The Math: (Retail Price) - (Average Secondary Market Resale Value).
• The Goal: We only "Pass" toys that hold their value. If a toy has a £0 resale value, it is a 100% loss. If it can be sold on Vinted for 70% of its original price, it is a high-velocity asset.