Dear Reader,
A new year can make many of us stop and think about what we have to be grateful for in the here and now. Our health, our loved ones, our homes, as well as what we might like to do in the future and what resolutions we might have. Maybe to slow down a little and spend more time with the family, to spend less time on our phones and be more mindful or simply to read a good book. Whatever your resolutions or plans might be, may 2025 bring you peace, joy, and happiness.
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News & Views
C. S Lewis Wise words!
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
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A FAMILY TICKET TO DINOSAUR ADVENTURE LIVE
Are you ready for a BRAND NEW ADVENTURE with DINOSAUR ADVENTURE LIVE? When a satellite tasked with controlling the island's weather systems malfunctions, chaos erupts.
The island's tropical climate spirals leading to one big JURASSIC STORM. If not stopped, it will erase all existence of the island… forever!
The adventure of a lifetime awaits… bring the family on a T-REX-IFFIC journey with our BRAND NEW Dinosaurs! Are you brave enough to face the Jurassic Storm!
Baby News 8. What's On 11. How To Build Confidence & Resilience in Girls 12. The Learning Habits of Smart Kids
Childcare Offering and Nursery Listings
15. Support Your Child with Swimming
EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336, editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Robyn Schuleman, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk
SOCIAL MEDIA: Robyn Schuleman, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk
DESIGN: Caroline Thompson-Heap, caroline@thompson-heap.com
The prize is for a family ticket of 4 for Saturday 12 April, 2.00pm. Please visit our Facebook page @FamCambsMag to enter. Simply follow our page then like and share our competition post. Good luck!
Solving Mealtime For Busy Parents
Loved by celebrities including Millie Mackintosh and Vogue Williams, introducing Rumble Tums; a next-gen kids meal company setting a new standard in the kids food industry. They are dedicated to nourishing the future by providing nutritionally rich, exceptional quality, flash frozen kids meals specifically crafted for children aged 2-10 years. Never any additives, preservatives, nasties or junk. They aim to make mealtimes guilt and stress free for parents and nutritious and delicious for kids. In collaboration with nutritionist and trusted health influencer Madeleine Shaw who has balanced the proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats in each meal, as well as packing up to nine (mostly hidden) veggies in. Only using the best ingredients from the UK’s best farms and suppliers who produce organic veggies, grass-fed meats, sustainable fish and wholemeal pastas, flours and brown rices. The meals are prepared by a team of professional chefs who flash freeze the meals immediately after cooking to keep all the nutrients whole and intact. Rumble Tums has 12 yummy classic lunch and dinner options that kids love and ask for including lasagne, mac and cheese, spaghetti bolognese, fish goujons, honey chicken rice, shepherd's pie, chicken dippers, fish pie and more. All come in two child friendly and age relevant sizes. Parents can order 6 or 12 meals as a one-off, or on a 1, 2 or 4 weekly subscription. Delivered nationwide to your door, ready to eat in minutes. www.rumbletums.com
ROLL OUT OF FREE BREAKFAST CLUBS TO BEGIN IN APRIL 2025
The Chancellor has announced that up to 750 state-funded primary schools will start offering free breakfast clubs from April 2025.
This initiative will run during the summer term (April-July 2025) as a pilot phase to prepare for a national rollout.
The Department for Education will work with the schools selected as part of the pilot to understand how breakfast clubs can be delivered to meet the needs of schools, parents and pupils when the programme is rolled out nationally.
The Government claims breakfast clubs will help reduce the number of students starting the school day hungry and ensure children come to school ready to learn. It will also support the government’s aim to tackle child poverty by addressing rising food insecurity among children. www.gov.uk/government/news
Crisis In Autism Care As Children Wait Years For Diagnosis
In England, children are enduring lengthy waits for ADHD and autism diagnoses, with some waiting over four years, according to data from the Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza.
This delay is significantly impacting their development and family life. Dame Rachel emphasises the urgency of the issue, stating, "These findings are a stark reminder of the daily fight children and their families face seeking support."
The data reveals that nearly 23% of children with ADHD and 15% with autism faced such delays in community health services.
The government has acknowledged these challenges, committing to a 10-Year Health Plan aimed at reducing waiting times and enhancing support both pre- and postdiagnosis.
Dame Rachel calls for a shift away from diagnosis dependency, urging improvements in mainstream schools and professional training to meet children's needs effectively. The NHS plans to address the surge in referrals with an expert taskforce, striving to transform care for affected families.
More info: www.bit.ly/AutismCareCrisis
Early Gender Gap: Young Girls Play Outside Less Than Boys
A UK survey reveals that girls as young as two play outside less than boys, highlighting early gender disparities. Conducted by researchers from the universities of Exeter and Cambridge, the study suggests these differences could affect girls' health as they age, with potential impacts on physical activity and mental well-being.
Dr. Kathryn Hesketh of the University of Cambridge commented, "It’s concerning that at age two we’re already seeing these differences in the time that boys and girls play outdoors in nature." The survey also noted that children from minority ethnic backgrounds and urban areas play outside less than their white and rural peers.
Professor Helen Dodd emphasised the benefits of outdoor activities, stating, "When children play in nature, they’re more likely to be active and to connect with and learn about nature." Addressing these early gender differences is crucial to promote equitable opportunities for all children to engage in outdoor play.
More info: www.bit.ly/ExeterPlaySurvey
Urgent Call for MMR Vaccination as One in Six Children Remain Unprotected
The NHS is urging parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated with the MMR jab, as new figures reveal almost one in six children haven't received their complete doses by age five. The MMR vaccine provides crucial protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, diseases that can lead to severe complications, including blindness and meningitis.
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, stressed, "Vaccines are our best form of protection against serious illness." To combat this issue, the NHS has been actively sending reminders to parents, encouraging them to book appointments with their GP practices.
Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, emphasised the importance of catching up on vaccinations, stating, "We advise parents to urgently check their child’s records and ensure they're protected from becoming seriously unwell." Healthcare professionals, including school nurses, are available to provide information and facilitate vaccination appointments. More info: www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine
VALENTINE’S DAY DELIGHTS FROM LOLA’S CUPCAKES
Valentine’s Day comes with an extra sprinkling of love this February. The talented bakers at Lola's Cupcakes are playing Cupid, having lovingly crafted a range of romantic treats that's sure to leave you smitten.
Delight loved ones with a hand-crafted decadent layer cake centrepiece; tempt your crush with cute cupcakes; or simply sit back and enjoy delicious bite-sized brownies alongside your morning cup of coffee in bed.
World Book Day 2025
Put Thursday 6 March 2025 in your diary for World Book Day 2025 and start planning your child’s costume.
Marked in over 100 countries, children and schools get involved by dressing up as their favourite book characters and reading together to celebrate authors, illustrators and reading.
Each year World Book Day releases a brand-new line-up of £1 books and issues tokens that children can use to choose one of the books for free
Spread the love even further with Lola’s range of nationwide cakes, cupcakes and brownie boxes (with gluten free and vegan options available) which ensure you can send a special greeting no matter where their love nest lies. www.lolascupcakes.co.uk
This year’s line-up of books includes short stories from firm family favourites Bluey; Paddington Bear for beginning and early reading abilities; a search-and- find story from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler; and a selection of poems for every occasion from the 2022-2024 Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho.
For more fluent and independent readers, Benjamin Dean captivates young adults with a standalone thriller, while Tom Palmer scores with ‘The Soccer Diaries: Rocky Takes the Lead’. More info: www.worldbookday.com
Take Part in The Big Garden Birdwatch
Get your family involved in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and help monitor bird life in the UK. With 1 in 4 birds in serious decline, it's never been more important to monitor the UK's bird populations.
It's the world's largest garden wildlife survey and over the past 45 years, volunteers from across the UK have helped the RSPB by tracking the birds living in their gardens and local green spaces.
Simply count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour between 24 and 26 January.
Challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.
To learn how to take part and get a free birdwatch guide, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
YOUR BABY’S BIOME
By Lucy Upton
If you’re a new or expectant parent, you may have heard a lot about the importance of your baby’s microbiome. But what even is it? And why is it important?
The microbiome encompasses the large but invisible community of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and more, that live in various body parts. The one receiving the most attention in recent years is the gut microbiome. Your baby’s gut microbiome affects everything from their digestion (which you might expect) to immune function and brain development.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MICROBIOME
During the early months and years, up until they reach age 3, babies develop a community of gut bacteria that will last a lifetime. Developing a well-balanced microbiome during these years not only supports shortterm health but will also reduce the risk of conditions like food allergies, asthma, obesity and immune conditions later in life. Several factors influence how your baby’s microbiome develops, some of which you can control and others which you cannot.
Mode of delivery. Babies born vaginally are exposed to their mother’s vaginal microbiota, while caesarean-born infants are initially exposed to microbes from their mother’s skin and the hospital environment. Feeding method. Breastmilk is ideal for growing a healthy gut garden, containing its own probiotics (food to fuel gut bacteria) and a whole breastmilk biome. Babies who are formula-fed are known to grow a different community of gut bacteria but increasingly, formula milks have added ingredients to try and mimic the components in breast milk that help good gut bacteria thrive. When your baby starts solid foods, their gut microbiome undergoes a significant transformation as they experience a diverse range of new foods.
Environment. Exposure to pets, siblings and diverse environments can fuel the growth of your baby's microbiome. A little dirt and outdoor play as your baby grows older are also excellent for their gut community.
Medications. Certain drugs are known to disrupt the balance of bacteria in your baby’s gut. Antibiotics are well-known culprits, but other medications, including some anti-reflux medications, are also known to impact the gut microbiome. However, it’s important to remember that these medications can be essential for treating specific conditions and should always be used under the advice of a doctor.
BREASTMILK AND THE BABY BIOME
Breast milk is a dynamic substance rich in various factors influencing your baby’s microbiome. Research suggests that breastfeeding lowers your baby's risk of certain diseases and helps build a strong immune system.
Below are just a handful of gut-loving components in breastmilk and how they help your baby’s gut garden grow and develop.
Breastmilk’s prebiotics
Prebiotics are fuel or ‘food’ for gut bacteria. Breastmilk is rich in a substance known as Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), a form of prebiotic. HMOs reach your baby’s gut undigested to encourage the growth of food bacteria and support immune function.
Breastmilk’s probiotics
Breastmilk contains a community of bacteria, sometimes called the breastmilk biome. These help to establish and maintain your baby’s balanced gut microbiome.
Antibodies
Certain antibodies, especially Immunoglobulin A (IgA), help coat your baby’s gut and protect it from harmful pathogens.
Lucy Upton is a specialist Paediatric Dietician and expert speaker at The Baby Show (www.thebabyshow.co.uk) with Lidl GB, taking place 7-9 March at ExCeL London and 9-11 May at NEC Birmingham.
OFF TO A ‘GUT’ START WITH SOLIDS
The introduction of food marks a significant shift in your baby’s gut microbiome. Suddenly, there is an influx of new options to feed the community of bacteria and certain foods are potent fuel - namely, those containing fibre. Whilst it’s essential to be mindful of overall fibre content in your baby’s diet, prioritising a varied weaning diet, including the foods below, will be a key step in nurturing a healthy microbiome.
Fruit. Offer a range of colours and types, such as pureed, mashed or soft finger food options like bananas, steamed apples, raspberries and ripe pear.
Vegetables. Offer a range of options, including green and root vegetables. Many work well as finger foods and/or pureed or mashed options.
Beans, legumes and lentils. These are easy to incorporate mashed or blended into meals or as options like hummus, which is excellent on toast or loaded onto roasted vegetables.
Grains. Oats are perfect for porridge, milled in pancakes or sprinkled on top of muffins.
What’s
On Things to do, places to go and fun to be had for kids of all ages in
Cambridgeshire
Animal Tails: Winter Sleep
Travel behind Thomas
WHEN: Jan and Feb
WHERE: Nene Valley Railway Travel behind Thomas, the much loved blue train, on his Branch Line to his countryside station at Yarwell, passing through the Wansford Tunnel.
Tickets from £5 per person. www.nvr.org.uk
Visit the Elves and Fairies
WHEN: Jan and Feb
9.15am-3.30pm
WHERE: Audley End Miniature Railway
Wander through the enchanted Fairy and Elf Walk to find winged friends in their charming hand made homes. Make a magic wand and use it to tick off the creatures you find.
www.audley-end-railway.co.uk
FLY HIGH AS A FAMILY
WHEN: Jan and Feb
Winter Snowdrop Walk
WHEN: 8 Jan-16 Apr 10.00am-4.00pm
WHERE: Chippenham Park Gardens
Start the year with amazing displays of stunning snowdrops. Winter doesn’t have to be grey! The snowdrop walk is closely followed by daffodil season when Chippenham Park turns into a sea of yellow. Adults £10, children £3. Under 5s FREE.
www.chippenhampark.co.uk
WHEN: 10 Jan
WHERE: Cambridge University Museum of Zoology
Travel around the world to find out how animals cope with the cold. Then settle down for some cosy stories and make your own hibernating hedgehog to take home. Ages 2-5. FREE but booking essential. www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/ events
Revolting Rhymes
WHEN: 14 Jan 11.00am
WHERE: Kings Lynn Corn Exchange
Don’t miss Toddler Tuesday where the cinema is a bit more laidback than usual. In this animation based on Roald Dahl’s rhymes, Snow White takes on the wicked Queen, while Red Riding Hood deals with a pair of hungry wolves. Adults £4. Under 4s FREE. www.cambridgelive.org.uk/ cornex
Big Garden Birdwatch
WHEN: 24-26 Jan
WHERE: Anywhere outdoors
It’s easy to be part of Big Garden Birdwatch! Simply choose an hour between 24 and 26 Jan and count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony, or in your local park. Only count birds that land. Even if you see nothing, it still counts.
www.rspb.org.uk/whatshappening/big-garden-birdwatch
Junior Keeper Days
WHEN: 25 Jan and 22 Feb 9.15am-3.30pm
WHERE: The Raptor Foundation
See what being a keeper at The Raptor Foundation is really like! Help staff prepare food for reptiles, parrots and birds. Dissect pellets, participate in flying displays, and more. www.raptorfoundation.org.uk
National Storytelling Week
WHEN: 1-9 Feb
WHERE: Various Locations
Launched in 2000, NSW is now celebrated in over 500 schools, libraries, community centres, care homes, pubs, social clubs, castles and campfires, and marked by dozens of events up and down the country each year. Find – or host – a local event! www.sfs.org.uk/nsw
Winter Scents
WHEN: 1 Feb 10.00am-1.00pm
WHERE: Cambridge University Botanic Gardens
WHERE: Imperial War Museum Duxford
There’s plenty of fun to be had at IWM Duxford! Head to the Visitor Planning Point to find out what family activities are happening on the day of your visit. FREE with general admission. www.iwm.org.uk/ visitsiwm-duxford
Explore the wonderful world of winter plants! Discover their magic and create your own bath potions inspired by these delightful smells to take home for a relaxing treat. Free with adult entry for children 3+ but booking essential.
www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/whatson
St Mary’s Junior School open house
WHEN: 31 Jan 9.30am-11.30am
WHERE: St Mary’s School Cambridge
Join in on a normal school day to see firsthand a day in the life of a St Mary’s Junior, from engaging lessons to adventurous playtimes and everything in between. www.stmaryscambridge.co.uk/admissions
Taylor Mania
WHEN: 26 Jan 5.00pm
WHERE: Kings Lynn Corn Exchange
An award-winning extravaganza, as seen on BBC and ITV! Katy Ellis, a self-confessed ‘Swiftie’ with an incredible live band and dancers will deliver the most authentic recreation of a Taylor experience. £30 per person.
www.cambridgelive.org.uk/cornex
Lambing Live
WHEN: 13 Feb-2 May
WHERE: Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre
Join the fun at Church Farm and help bottle feed little lambs who can’t be fed by their mummies. There will also be lots of other baby animals to meet! churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk
Orienteering Challenge
WHEN: 18 Feb 1.00pm-14.30pm
WHERE: The Den, Ferry Meadows
Science Museum Live
WHEN: 19 Feb 2.00pm
WHERE: Cambridge Corn Exchange
The Science Museum is going on tour! This unmissable family production is sure to capture the imagination of young and old alike, and teach you something new and exciting too. Adults £20.50, children £19.50. www.cambridgelive.org.uk/ cornex
The Smartest Giant in Town
WHEN: 3-4 Mar
WHERE: Cambridge Corn Exchange
Based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. This heart-warming tale about friendship and helping those in need is brought to life in a musical, puppet-filled adventure.
Adults, £20, children £18. Ages 3-8.
www.cambridgelive.org.uk/ cornex
Do you think you can follow the directions and find your way around a real orienteering route? Test out your skills and see who will be the first to visit all the points. Ages 8-13. £6 per child. www.nenepark.org.uk
HOLIDAY BUSHCRAFT
WHEN: 17-22 Feb 8.30am-4.00pm
WHERE: Wandlebury Country Park
Learn practical bushcraft and survival schools at this holiday forest school adventure designed to encourage self-confidence and a sense of achievement. Ages 5-12. £45 per child. www. wildthymeandembers.co.uk/ holiday-bushcraft-club
Animal Tails: Under the Sea
WHEN: 14 Feb
WHERE: Cambridge University Museum of Zoology
Go on an underwater safari around the Museum of Zoology finding amazing marine animals, handle real sea shells and hear stories about life in the sea. Ages 2-5. FREE but booking essential. www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk/events
Pollen Prints
WHEN: 1 Mar 10.00am-1.00pm
WHERE: Cambridge University Botanic Gardens
Take a closer look at the tiny world of pollen through a microscope! Learn fascinating facts and make a unique polleninspired artwork to show off at home. Free with adult entry for children 3+ but booking essential. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/whatson
Wisbech Grammar School open morning
WHEN: 7 Mar 9.30am-11.00am
WHERE: Wisbech Grammar School
Wisbech Grammar School would love to show you who they are and what they can offer your child. Register for the school’s drop-in open morning to meet the headmaster, teachers, parents and hear from current pupils about life at WGS.
www.wisbechgrammar.com/ open-events
HALF TERM HISTORY MAKERS
WHEN: 15-23 Feb 10.00am-4.00pm
WHERE: Audley End House and Gardens
Join characters from the past for heritageinspired hijinks and hands-on shenanigans at Audley End this half term. Included with standard entry from £12.50 per child.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on
How to Build Confidence & Resilience in Girls
Our girls face a plethora of pressures in this modern world. According to the New York Times, by the age of six, young girls are less likely to view their own gender as ‘brilliant’. The journal Science reported that six-year-old girls start to believe specific activities are ‘not for them’, simply because they think they’re not smart enough. Furthermore, there is increasing concern about rising levels of unhappiness in girls, which is why it's crucial that we take time to have conversations with our girls and guide them to becoming their best selves. Building selfesteem and resilience in our girls is key to helping them to navigate their relationships, schoolwork and beyond.
Our girls go through several changes and challenges, and so I used my own platform to share seven empowering conversations in my book, Rise of the Girl, after having a daughter of my own, who is now fifteen. The global rise of girls and young women expressing thoughts of “am I good enough” can risk our daughters’ motivation and ability to use curiosity to dream big. In my book, Rise of the Girl, I discuss, through seven conversations, why it is so important for girls to put their hand up from a young age. To dare to be different, dare to dream, dare to make mistakes and dare to be curious. Anxiety is the thief of dreams, of contentment and of resilience.
FIVE WAYS TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND RESILIENCE IN GIRLS
MANAGING PEER PRESSURE
Many experience friendship difficulties or feel under pressure to follow what their friends are doing. Not only is it important for girls to follow their own path, but it is also crucial that we explain to our girls the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Spark a conversation on what to do when people act negatively. For example, encourage girls to ask themselves, ‘do I feel good about myself when I’m with this person?’ We need to empower our girls to respect their own self-worth. If your child is happy with who she is, her choices and her values, she is less likely to be influenced by others.
EMBRACE HER STRENGTHS
It’s okay to not be good at everything, and it’s possible to learn and improve over time. The first step is to encourage girls to start embracing their strengths and to identify them. This involves reflecting on skills, talents, and accomplishments. She can make a list of her strengths and revisit it often to remind herself of what she does well. Refer to the list anytime they are feeling doubts about themselves. The power of positivity will go a long way in supporting our girls on their road to success. Whatever success looks like for them. The sky’s the limit.
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Claire Shipman, co-author of the Confidence Code said: “If your daughter is always wanting to be comfortable, she’s not in the right place.” We don’t thrive in comfort zones, and taking the first step can be a great start towards building their self-confidence. Everything starts with a willingness to try, without being afraid of failure. We have learnt that sometimes experiences have their worth. We learn so much through our setbacks and after all, if we had never failed, how would we learn to be resilient?
FIND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in, at any age. With the right role models around them, our girls can learn how to grow and nurture their own self-confidence. Learning how to say yes to things; and how to say no. In equal measures, our girls need to learn how to stand up for themselves and to stand up for other people. We need to teach them to walk into a room without having to compare themselves
with anyone else. Great role models can teach her the value of good friendships, of kindness and of patience.
Teach her how to manage self-doubt, help her to find her voice, strengthen her self-confidence and find the things that she loves. Raising a girl is not easy but I believe we can achieve it with the right support. Small steps and milestones through their life with your guidance will, in turn, create a resilient, confident girl.
TURNING PASSIONS INTO POSSIBILITIES
Does your daughter dream of becoming a doctor, vet, racing driver, entrepreneur or a rugby player? When it comes to finding our girls’ passions, we can start small but think big.
In celebrating her passions, we can teach her the value of personal mastery and working towards her personal best. Whatever our girls’ ambitions may be, it is our role to actively encourage and nurture their passions. Remember, it’s never too late to get started. Encourage your girl to try new things, lots of things, and watch her eyes open to a world of possibilities. Praise her efforts, not her results. Show our girls that they should strive for excellence, rather than perfection.
Rise of the Girl: Seven Empowering Conversations to Have With Your Daughter by Jo Wimble-Groves is out now (DK, £14.99). Available in the UK, US and Australia. Also, on Kindle and Audible.
Jo is the co-owner of UK technology firm Active Digital. www.activedigital.co.uk
The Learning Habits Of Smart Kids
By Bradley Busch
Want to raise a high-flying child? Here’s how to encourage the good learning habits that ‘smart kids’ demonstrate to set your child up for life.
BELIEVE THEY CAN IMPROVE. Kids can believe they have a fixed amount of intelligence, which can lead to a defeatist attitude towards schoolwork. They might say: ‘I know I can’t do this, so there’s no point trying.’ These children often give up on challenging tasks and reject feedback. Other children believe they can improve. They might say: ‘I find maths difficult so I’m going to try even harder.’ These kids have a growth mindset, believing they can improve by working hard and learning from their mistakes. This makes them better learners.
TRY THIS: Praise your child’s effort, not achievement. Try: ‘I’m pleased with how hard you worked on your writing. What do you think would make it even better?’
DON’T COMPARE. Smart children are more likely to focus on their own achievements and not compare their performance to others. This self-referencing leads to greater motivation and confidence. ‘It’s the difference between saying: ‘I know I’m good at ten-pin bowling because I always win’ and ‘I know I’m good at ten-pin bowling because I used to get 90 points and now I get 110.’
TRY THIS: ‘Your handwriting is really improving. Now try focussing on making your letters all the same size.’ Don’t say: ‘Why can’t you write as neatly as your sister?’ ASK FOR HELP. In late primary school, children can become reluctant to ask for help because they think it’s a sign of weakness. But
one of the hallmarks of a resilient learner is that they ask for assistance if a task is proving difficult.
TRY THIS: Explain to your child that asking for help is the sign of a mature learner. If they’re having trouble with homework, encourage them to seek an explanation from the teacher. LEARN FROM FEEDBACK. Can your child absorb the teacher’s comments and guidance for improvement? Many students see feedback as criticism and are less likely to take it on board.
TRY THIS: Rather than asking ‘Is this okay?’ – a question that leads to them accepting work that doesn’t live up to their ability – suggest that your child asks: ‘How can I improve this?’ Children whose parents have high expectations for them do better at school. A SENSE OF PURPOSE. If children understand why they’re doing a task or how it will help, they are more engaged and make more effort.
TRY THIS: A good teacher prefaces a task by explaining why their pupils are doing it. For example, ‘this will help you understand what we’ll cover in science tomorrow.’ Help your child understand what the purpose of their homework is and why it’s been set: is it a mock paper to help them do better in their SATs, for instance?
Smart kids recognise that procrastination isn’t helpful. Children often procrastinate because they don’t know where to start, the work looks too difficult or they don’t think they can finish it in one go. But once they start, they often realise it’s not as daunting as they thought.
TRY THIS: Set a timer for ten minutes. Encourage your child to start the task, with the promise that they can stop when the bell sounds. Often they’ll want to carry on, as the brain doesn’t like leaving things unfinished. Bradley Busch is a Chartered Psychologist and author of Release your inner drive: Everything you need to know about how to get good at stuff, available from www. bookshop.org
Relaxation and
self-care
Being sleep-deprived has a noticeable impact on children’s academic achievement. Sleep is closely linked to children’s learning, memory and emotional control and children who regularly get a good night’s sleep tend to raise their results by one grade per subject in exams.
TRY THIS: Enforce a screentime ban an hour before bedtime and ensure tablets, phone and laptops are not in their room overnight. Using screens before bed could result in your child losing an hour of sleep per night.
Contrary to appearances, smart kids are not the ones who put hours into every homework task and stop going to their after school clubs to revise for exams. Instead they balance their workload with extracurricular activities, seeing friends or just relaxing at home. Physical activity and social contact are linked to mental and physical wellbeing, which has a knock-on effect on their schoolwork.
TRY THIS: Make time to go to the park or for a family walk or run. Leading by example is important if your child is going to achieve a good work/life balance.
The New Childcare Offering
Early education and childcare are very expensive, especially for our youngest children and as research has shown, many parents end up working just to pay for their child’s nursery. So why is it so expensive compared to childcare in similar countries? The reason is that the government contribution has been so low and until recently it was limited to children ages 3 and 4.
So, when the previous government’s plan to expand childcare support for working parents in England was announced last year, this was great news, not just for parents but also for children. Research shows that high quality early education and care supports their development, wellbeing and has an impact on their education all through their schooling.
WHAT IS THE NEW CHILDCARE OFFERING?
By Purnima Tanuku
The childcare expansion is being delivered in stages, building on the thirty hours of funded childcare for children ages 3 and 4 which was already available. However, the offer is still only available to families where parents are working at least sixteen hours a week.
THE ROLL OUT PROVIDES: fifteen hours funded childcare a week for children age 2 from April 2024, fifteen funded hours for children ages 9+ months from September 2024. This will be increased to thirty hours funded childcare for all children under age 5 from September 2025.
Although government funded hours make a difference to family finances, this funded childcare still involves costs for parents. It is important to be aware of the following parameters:
The thirty and fifteen hours of government supported childcare is not ‘free.’ The government only pays for the actual childcare sessions, which does not include any meals, snacks, consumables or additional activities, so families can expect to see settings make charges for these.
Cambridgeshire Nurseries Listings 2025
Helping you find the right place for your little ones - our 2025 guide to some of the nurseries local to Cambridgeshire with the latest Ofsted ratings, correct at the time we went to press.
ACE Nursery School, Cambridge www.ace-nursery-school.org.uk
01223 357181
(Ofsted Outstanding 2022)
***All Saints Interchurch PreSchool, March www.allsaints.cambs.sch.uk
01354 659000
(Ofsted Requires Improvement 2022)
Blackberry House Day Nursery, Wisbech www.blackberryhousedaynursery. co.uk 01945 428747
(Ofsted Outstanding 2024)
Bright Horizons Cambridge Science Park www.brighthorizons.co.uk
0330 057 4064
(Ofsted Good 2023)
Bright Horizons Wolfson Court, Cambridge www.brighthorizons.co.uk 0330 057 4727
(Ofsted Outstanding 2024)
Bright Horizons Ely www.brighthorizons.co.uk
0330 057 3559
(Ofsted Good 2024)
Bright Horizons Fulbourn, Cambridge www.brighthorizons.co.uk 0333 920 3166
(Ofsted Outstanding 2020)
Bunnybrookes Day Nursery, Cambridge www.brighthorizons.co.uk 0333 363 4489
(Ofsted Good 2020)
Busy Bees at Cambridge Westwick www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk 01223 232400
(Ofsted Outstanding 2021)
Butterfly Day Nursery, Cambridge www.butterflydaynursery.co.uk 01223 353164
(Ofsted Good 2022)
Chestnut Nursery School, Chesterton www.chestnut-nursery.co.uk/ nurseries/chesterton 01223 728390 (Ofsted Good 2019)
Clarence House, Cambridge www.chdn.co.uk 01223 778383
(Ofsted Good 2022)
The funded hours are only during term time. Most parents work all year round so providers may ‘stretch’ these hours across the year, reducing the hours per week.
Depending on the length of your sessions, you will need to pay for any additional hours you need at the nursery’s usual fee especially for early or later hours.
IT’S NOT ‘FREE’, IT’S ‘GOVERNMENT-FUNDED’
The offer of ‘free’ childcare launched by the previous government has now been renamed by ministers as ‘government-funded’ childcare. Calling the funded hours free has misled parents and created difficult conversations when providers need to charge for meals and other items not included in the funding.
The Department for Education (DfE) announced late last year that it would be consulting with providers in the coming weeks on new guidance regarding charging parents for ‘extras’ such as meals and consumables. It’s important that the government works with providers to create a guidance that is clear, fair to parents and sustainable for providers.
Although the government offers funded hours, the rates they pay for these have never covered the actual costs of delivering high quality early education and care. When we speak to providers, the vast majority say funding rates do not cover their staffing and other costs and when funding increases do not keep pace with inflation and staffing costs, that gap only widens.
Purnima Tanuku OBE is Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) (www.nda.org.uk), a charity with a mission to see children and families to thrive through access to high-quality early education and care.
Emneth Nursery School and Children’s Centre www.emneth-nur.norfolk.sch.uk 01945 582401
(Ofsted Outstanding 2024)
Flutterbies Childcare, Benwick www.flutterbieschildcare.com 01354 677733
(Ofsted Good 2020)
Harvey Road Day Nursery, Cambridge www.harveyroaddaynursery.org.uk 01223 363860 (Ofsted Good 2019)
Histon Early Years Centre, Cambridge www.histon.cambs.sch.uk 01223 712075 (Ofsted Good 2022)
Homerton Early Years Centre, Cambridge homerton.cambs.sch.uk 01223 508766
(Ofsted Outstanding 2021)
Ladybirds Day Nursery, Wisbech 01945 466667 (Ofsted Good 2023)
Little Ted’s Day Nursery, Haddenham 01353 741765 (Ofsted Good 2023)
Magdalene House Prep School, Wisbech www.wisbechgrammar.com/PrepSchool 01945 583631
Cambridge International School, Cambridge cischool.co.uk 01223 416938 (Ofsted Good 2022)
Patacake Day Nursery, Cambridge www.pata-cake.co.uk 01223 411636 (Ofsted Good 2022)
Perse Pelican Nursery School, Cambridge www.perse.co.uk/pelican 01223 403940
Snap4Kids, Hauxton www.snap4kids.co.uk 01223 870966
St. Mary’s Pre-School, Cambridge www.stmaryscambridge.co.uk 01223 311666
The Maltings Day Nursery, Ely www.themaltingsdaynursery.co.uk 01353 661442 (Ofsted Outstanding 2022)
The Willows Day Nursery, Chatteris www.thewillowschatteris.co.uk 01354 461232 (Ofsted Good 2022)
Wisbech Day Nursery, Wisbech www.wisbechdaynursery.co.uk 01945 586966 (Ofsted Good 2022)
SUPPORT YOUR CHILD WITH SWIMMING
According to Swim England, nearly two thirds of parents and guardians of children ages 7 to 11 haven’t been swimming with their children in more than a month. They’re missing out: regular family swims can be enjoyed whatever the weather and help children develop their swimming ability more quickly.
If you’ve booked your child in for swimming lessons, here’s how Swim England recommends supporting them:
before lessons to get your child used to the environment.
Don’t end lessons too early. Water competency is often misinterpreted by parents and guardians as their child being able to jump into a swimming pool and being able to put their face in the water. The reality is very different. Learning to jump into a swimming pool is an important safety skill that is often achieved in the early stages of their learning to swim journey. It is a skill which mimics the motion of falling into water which teaches swimmers to get themselves safely to the side without panicking. However, there are many other water safety and survival skills that a child needs to learn before they are safe in water, such as floating and treading water.
So don’t be tempted to stop your child’s lessons before they are competent swimmers and have achieved Swim England’s minimum water competency standards. When is my child water competent?
Swim England’s minimum water competency standards give parents and guardians a clear set of skills that children should achieve before a child stops swimming lessons. The four competencies are:
• Perform a star float for at least sixty seconds
• Tread water for at least thirty seconds
• Have experience of swimming in clothing
Research in September 2021 highlighted that more than three million 7 to 11 year old children were not achieving this standard, with just four percent of the age group being classed as ‘water competent.’
Swim England strongly recommends that where possible, parents and carers keep children in swimming lessons until they have completed Learn to Swim Stages 1 to 7 as a minimum. By this point children will have achieved all four of the minimum standards for water competency and will be much safer if they get into trouble than a child who hasn’t demonstrated these skills.
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Lessons are fun. Learning how to swim should be fun, so check with the lesson provider that games and activities are regularly included within their programme of teaching. Timing is key. Book lessons for a time that is easy to fit around your family commitments. Pay attention. If you are poolside during lessons, be ready to give your child a wave and lots of encouragement. Putting away your mobile will help your child understand that these lessons are important. Celebrate their swimming milestones. Rewarding children keeps them motivated to improve in their lessons. Swim England’s Learn to Swim Awards and app give children regular celebrations of their swimming milestones. Regular reports. Parents should expect regular updates either through reports or verbal feedback. If your child is struggling in lessons, talk to the swimming teacher and ask what you can do to help encourage them. If they haven’t started swimming lessons yet, visit the pool
• Swim at least one hundred metres with ease and without stopping
See more on swimming stages at www.bit. ly/SwimPathway and for further swimming information, visit www.swimming.org
KIDS SWIM FREE OUTSIDE OF LESSONS
Better Swim School pupils enjoy free Swim For All sessions outside of regular lessons for extra practice and fun.
Speak to a member of sta or scan the QR code to find out more.
THE HIVE LEISURE CENTRE
CLASSES FOR 4 - 11 YEAR OLDS
Coleridge
