Families West London Digital magazine May/June 23

West London

Welcome

Now the weather is getting better and the evenings longer, you can get the kids outside to play. We’ve provided some tempting activity ideas for outdoor fun. It’s also a great time for eating outside –from family barbeques to street parties. Check out our simple outdoor dining ideas. Meanwhile, if you’re planning some time under canvas this summer, you may be interested in our top picks for UK camping destinations.

And as we head towards the end of term, don’t forget Father’s Day or a thank you gift for your child’s teacher – we have plenty of ideas for you in this issue.

There are some great giveaways for you in this issue too, including your chance to win a holiday from Away Resorts, tonnes of Orchard Toy Little Shopping Lotto games and much more! Apply inside and also ensure you receive every issue of our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

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Competition winners from our January/ February issue Congratulations

Claim your FREE Little Shopping Lotto game NOW* Small in size but big in fun – perfect for both home and travel! APPLY HERE

*while stocks last T&C’s apply

What is the CPA approach in maths?

By Jemma Z Smith

CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) is a maths teaching approach that has grown in popularity in recent years. It involves using tangible objects for children to add, subtract, multiply or divide. They then progress to using pictorial representations of the objects and ultimately, abstract symbols.

This way of learning is one of the foundations of Singaporean maths, now being adopted in the UK.

Concrete

The tangible, ‘handling’ stage uses physical objects to solve problems. For example:

There are four buttons in the pot. Stanley has two buttons in his hand. How many buttons are there altogether?

In this problem, the children might first count out actual buttons before moving on to non-related objects such as counters.

Of course, almost anything can be used to help a child master this stage from pencils to plastic pots, to counting beans and coins. You don’t need to spend money on concrete resources to support learning.

Pictorial

The next step is for learners to move on to making their own representations.

Returning to the buttons example, these could be drawn as four circles on one part of the paper and two more on another part, representing the pot and the hand. Kids can then count each small circle, getting the same answer as with the buttons

Hape Nature Fun Detective Sets

What is it about your nursery that parents love?

Parents love the careful balance of high-quality learning with nurturing care, and comment on the rapid progress they see in their children due to our individualised approach to learning. Parents often tell us how much their child loves coming to Rolfe’s and we have even had parents tell us that their child is disappointed when they wake up on Saturday or Sunday and hear that there is no nursery on that day! We receive excellent feedback from past parents about how well-prepared their child was for their next stage of education and how much their child’s confidence increased during their time with us. The flexibility we offer in terms of attendance patterns is another big plus for parents.

Describe your nursery in 10 words

Welcoming, nurturing, safe, individualised, fun, stimulating, calm, supportive, motivating. And Ofsted says we are Outstanding!

When would you recommend starting to look for a nursery and are the main things to look out for?

In terms of looking for a nursery place in West London, sooner is always better. It is crucial to visit nurseries in person so that you can see the staff and children in action, and get a feel for the ethos and atmosphere; all nurseries will have their own particular approach and you will want to ensure that this properly aligns with your priorities and preferences as a parent. When visiting, it is worth noting how engaged and happy the children are, how the staff are interacting with the children and how welcoming and engaging the environment is.

What would a typical day look like at your nursery?

At Rolfe’s, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, encompassing communication and language, personal social and emotional development, physical development, literacy, mathematics, expressive art and design and ‘understanding the world’. We strive for excellence in all areas of the curriculum and provide a high-quality learning environment both indoors and out. Mornings entail a careful blend of adult-led and child-initiated learning. In the afternoons, each day of the week has a different focus; Forest School, Sports Coaching, Music, Art, Baking and Science. Parents also have the option to add on French and dance sessions should they wish.

How do you incorporate outside activity/trips into the children’s daily routine?

We have a beautiful outdoor space on-site at Rolfe’s, which all of the children have access to each day. In addition to this, Forest School sessions take place every Monday afternoon, wherein the teachers take the children to a local space dedicated which facilitates high-quality outdoor learning and Forest School pursuits. The children also enjoy local trips to support their understanding of the world around them, as well as regular visits to the library to further instil a love of books and stories.

Starting nursery can be a big step for parents as well as children. How do you help children settle in and ensure parents still feel involved?

We work very closely with parents during the settling-in process. Prior to settling in, the teaching team gather information about each child relating to their interests, needs and who they are as an individual. The very first sessions at nursery are shorter in duration and involve the parent being in the classroom for the initial part of the session. Communication is key, so the child’s teacher keeps parents informed throughout the settling-in process, and that continues far beyond the settling-in period. The parent-school partnership is key.

How do you support children with additional needs?

Strong strategies are in place to support children with additional needs, and we have close links with outside professionals. Our approach to additional needs reflects our very bespoke approach overall. Where a child requires additional support, the teacher would work closely with parents, our school SENDCO and (where appropriate) outside professionals, to ensure that the child receives joined-up, appropriate support and that robust, effective strategies are in place to enable the child to thrive.

34a Oxford Gardens, London, W10 5UG Tel: +44 (0) 20 7727 8300 contact@rolfesnurseryschool.co.uk

www.rolfesnurseryschool.co.uk

Choosing a nursery is a big decision and a personal one for any parent. Anna Collins talks to Sam Edwards who heads up Rolfe’s Nursery in Notting Hill about the setting and what parents should consider.

Teacher gift ideas

It’s approaching the end of term again…here are some great ‘thank you’ gift ideas for your child’s teacher, both hand-crafted and shop-bought.

Make a photo frame

Simple, fun project. Requires three materials and a photo memento.

Make a terrarium

Terrariums of all shapes & sizes look great on a desk!

Make DIY hot chocolate bombs

Encased in chocolate & filled with mini marshmallows.

Make pebble class art

Decorate pebbles marking out members of your class and your teacher.

Teacher’s Tin

A novelty desk tidy for the teacher who likes to be organised. £11.79

School backpack charity gift

A charity gift your child’s teacher will love. £11 ActionAid

Keep Calm & Pretend coffee mug

Fun quality mug for the teacher who enjoys a joke. £9.45

Thank You Teacher chocolate gift box

For a teacher with a sweet tooth! £10

Personalised

Teacher’s Survival Kit

Fill with essentialstissues, paper clips, tea bags £7.87

Developing independent learning

By Zuzu Jordan

How handwriting affects self-esteem

By Catherine Loble and Lisa Wander

Big family celebrations occur when our children display independence by taking their first steps or riding their bike without stabilisers.

So how do we then help children develop independence in their learning?

READ MORE

• Erupting volcanos

• Devious dinosaurs

• Secret caves

• Sneaking behind waterfalls

• Hunting

Kids who struggle with handwriting are often at a disadvantage in the high-paced classroom setting. According to the Dyspraxia Foundation, they are usually aware of their difficulty and their untidy writing can make them feel uncomfortable and frustrated.

READ MORE

Top children’s literature festivals

Children’s literature festivals are springing up all over the country and offer great entertainment for families. Here’s our selection.

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival

London’s largest festival. Big-name authors, shows & activities. 24-25 Jun

Appledore Book Festival (North Devon)

A dedicated children’s programme. 15-24 Sep

Edinburgh International Book Festival

Hundreds of events for families. 12-28 Aug

Cuckfield Children’s BookFest (Sussex)

Spectacular one day event with author ‘meets’ & talks. 7 Oct

Bath Children’s Literature Festival

Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival.

29 Sep-8 Oct

llkley Literature Children’s Festival (Yorkshire)

Top authors, free dropin events, storytelling, workshops. Oct

Wokingham Children’s Book (Berkshire)

Festival with author

‘meets’ & talks. 15 Oct.

Hay Festival (Wales)

Extensive programme & section for toddlers & parents. 25 May-4 Jun

Great Malvern Festival of Stories (West Midlands)

Storytellers, authors, theatre. 24-29 Oct.

Creative garden play

Water

Plastic water bottle guns – use old squeezy detergent bottles for squirty fun.

Water balloon pinata - make with balloons, water, string and a stick.

DIY Slip n Slide - spread out a long tarp and apply hose for slippery, slidy fun. Ice play – freeze water overnight in empty cartons for building, sculpting and slipping.

Mix & stir

Leaf tea – infuse a variety of leaves from the garden in an old teapot or saucepan. Cappuccino – help them carefully froth a muddy watery mix with a whisk.

Mud ice creams – use ice cream cones, dirt and flowers for decoration.

Garden perfume – using sealable bottles, add water and best smelling flowers and herbs.

Make a cheap & easy mud kitchen

Sand & mud

Mobile mud patch – convert your wheelbarrow into a mud pit. Natural sand pit – dig a shallow hole. Line using plastic with rock edging. Add sand.

Sand wall – attach old, upsidedown cartons and bottles with ends removed for pouring sand.

Muddy car wash – get the toy cars really muddy, then wash them in a soapy water bucket.

Creative garden

Small world garden play –connect with the natural world with these imagination zones. Soil art – use an ancient method to make paint from the garden. Paint a mural – let imaginations flow using a washable chalk paint recipe.

Ice excavation – freeze interesting items inside blocks of ice for your children to release.

Make seed bombs

Transform an old chest of drawers into a kid’s kitchen using household junk.

Two simple ways to spread colour and biodiversity in your garden.

Great gifts for the dad in your life

Don’t forget to show dad how much he’s appreciated on Father’s Day on Sunday, 18 June. Check out our gift suggestions for something he might like – all for £20 or less.

FOCO Moccasin slippers

Comfy suede slippers with your dad’s team logo. £15.

Reversible belt

Wardrobe versatility with this reversible black/tan belt. £20.

Dad’s Toblerone

Personalised Toblerone bar for a special treat. £17.

Stormtrooper decanter

For the Star Wars lover. Stores spirits, decants wine and serves. £19.99.

I Love My Daddy picture book

Spend special time with dad with this joyful, rhyming picture book. £6.64.

Tile Mate

Keeps track of Dad’s keys, wallet and phone. £15.99.

V&A Italian hot chocolate

Rich, mouth-watering hot chocolate from Italy in a keepsake arty tin. £10.

Hotel Chocolat Milk Chocolate Old Fossil

Smooth, mellow and from the prehistoric era (remind you of anyone?).

Personalised face cooking apron

Great for the cook who can’t get too much of himself! £19.99.

Mrs Doubtfire arrives in the West End!

It’s official dearies! Mrs Doubtfire has been given the full West End treatment. Following a sensational, sell-out run in Manchester, Mrs Doubtfire opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 12 May.

Prepare to experience the heart warming and hilarious story of Mrs Doubtfire like never before. This musical adaptation of the beloved story takes the best parts of the 1993 film and adds layer upon layer of fresh and exciting elements that will leave audiences wanting more.

With original songs like ‘Make Me a Woman’ and ‘As Long as There Is Love,’ the show brings the Mrs Doubtfire story to life with an emotional punch by expanding the roles for supporting characters, updating references and jokes and including innovative staging and choreography. Critics and audiences alike have praised the combination of the show’s faithfulness to the original story and the new take it offers on the classic tale.

This new musical adaptation has been created by John O’Farrell, Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick, the award-winning team behind Broadway’s ‘Something Rotten.’

Mrs Doubtfire tells the story of Daniel Hillard who is struggling to cope with his divorce and the loss of custody over his children. A voice actor, Daniel is spending his days searching for a job and a place to live when one day he sees that his ex-wife has posted a classified ad for a housekeeper and babysitter. Thus, the elderly Scottish nanny Mrs Euphegenia Doubtfire is born.

With the help of his brother Frank, Daniel

transforms himself into the perfect ‘old lady,’ complete with a prosthetic mask and gradually becomes an integral part of the family. But as the show unfolds, Daniel’s ruse becomes harder and harder to maintain, especially as he falls deeper in love with his ex-wife all over again …

Don’t miss the chance to see this fabulous show. Book your tickets for Mrs Doubtfire at The Shaftesbury Theatre today and meet the world’s favourite nanny!

For more information, visit www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk

Win a family ticket to see Mrs Doubtfire in the West End!

This is a chance for one lucky family (maximum four people with minimum one and maximum two adults) to see the show Mrs Doubtfire, which opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 12 May.

Following a sensational, sell-out run in Manchester, Mrs Doubtfire has been given the full West End treatment. This musical adaptation of the heart warming, hilarious and beloved story takes the best parts of the 1993 film and adds layer upon layer of fresh and exciting elements that will leave audiences wanting more.

To win a family ticket simply answer the following question:

Who famously played Robin Williams rival in the film of Mrs Doubtfire?

a) Pierce Brosnan

b) Roger Moore

c) Sean Connery

To enter: Email your name and answer to the above question to editor@familieswest.co.uk no later than midnight on 30 June. T&Cs at https://bit.ly/FamMrsD

Upcycling your child’s party

Be kind to the planet with these ideas from Ice Cream and Jelly

Party bags

Store shopping bags can make perfect gift/party bags. With a little imagination, crafty materials and glue, these branded shop bags can be transformed into unique, personalised bags. Or make your own: there are some easy video instructions on making a paper bag in the tutorials section on Instagram.

Tablecloth and napkins

Party

bag fillers

Make time to make these rather than buying new. Here are some ideas to get you started: scrunchies made from leftover fabric, painted rocks or shells found on the beach, bracelets made from beads from your local scrap store or crayons made from all your kids’ broken crayons.

Old bed sheets work well refashioned into tablecloths - paint, tie-dye or appliqué in order to tailor them to the party theme. It’s a great activity to get the kids involved in! If you already have a tablecloth, make placemats or a table runner from scrap fabrics to match the theme of your party.

Summer wetland adventures

Simple outdoor eating

Take your pick of these great recipes and create meals to eat outside which the family will love.

Roast chicken garden salad

Sweet & sticky chicken wings with classic slaw

Super easy Spanish tortilla

Quick grilled pizza

Lamb meatball pitta pockets

Salt & pepper tofu skewers

Vegetable tartlets

Roasted banana & cinnamon ice cream

Lemon sherbet ice

Win a family holiday with Away Resorts!

Win a four night stay for a family of up to six people at an Away Resort of your choice.

Experience one of Away Resorts’ fabulous UK locations, from countryside to coast, all within areas of natural beauty. Your accommodation will be off-thescale amazing and new experiences await at every turn. Jam-packed with activities, entertainment, fantastic facilities and events, every member of the family will be grinning from ear to ear.

Explore The New Forest, Hampshire, Tattershall Lakes

Appletree or Cleethorpes Pearl in Lincolnshire, Mersea Island in Essex or Golden Sands in North Wales –or perhaps somewhere else will take your fancy.

Full list of locations HERE.

APPLY HERE by 30 June 2023

T&Cs.

6 Available

Sustainable toy for curious little explorers

Eco family days out

Entertaining and inspiring places with a conscience that also offer bags of adventure for a family visit.

Bewilderwood

Environmentally-friendly adventure parks in Norfolk and Cheshire.

The Centre for Alternative Technology

Snowdonia, Wales. Interactive displays, ecodemonstrations & family activities.

Cornwall. Rainforests, Mediterranean zones & outdoor gardens.

The Living Rainforest Berkshire. Tropical rainforest adventure with plants & animals.

Award-winning indoor and outdoor adventure park in North Norfolk.

Award-winning family fun park in Gwynedd, Wales.

Essex. Ancient woodlands, arboretum & The Wild Wood play area.

Kent.

Set in 40 acres of ancient woodland & holds over 200 British animals in natural enclosures.

London.

Land train, nature play area, the Hive & the Children’s Garden.

Wildwood Trust

Greenwood Family Park

Kew Gardens

Pensthorpe

The Eden Project

Markshall Estate

Tackling summer ailments

Summer is fun but it’s good to be prepared for the common ailments your child may suffer that are peculiar to the season. Here are our tips.

Sunburn

* Stay in shade from 11am to 3pm;

* Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses;

* Use at least factor 30 sunscreen;

* Reapply frequently.

Insect bites

Most improve within hours. * Remove the sting; * Wash affected area; * Apply cold compress to any swelling; * Avoid scratching/bursting any blisters.

Dehydration

Thirst/dark yellow, strong smelling wee, weeing less, lightheadedness, dry mouth, lips & tongue – if untreated, can become serious. * Give extra fluids gradually.

Asthma

*Keep taking preventer inhaler;

* Take reliever inhaler everywhere; * Use your action plan; * Go outside earlier - air quality better; * Drink plenty of fluids.

Heat exhaustion

Dizziness/nausea/ headache/fast breathing or heartbeat. * Move to cool place; * Remove clothing; * Give sports drink/water;

* Cool skin; * If still unwell after 30 minutes, call 999.

Tick bite

* Cover skin walking outdoors; * Use insect repellent;

* Check for ticks on clothes and skin;

* Remove quickly;

* If rash appears or child become unwell, see GP.

Eczema

Itchy, red, dry, cracked skin.

* Dress in thin cotton layers; * Use light cotton blankets or sheets; * Apply moisturising cream;

* Keep out of the heat.

Swimmer’s Ear

eczema

Painful ear/itchiness/reduced hearing/noises inside ear/discharge from ear. * Use drops from pharmacist.

* If symptoms after a week, see a GP.

STEM craft activities

Stimulate your child’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with these inspiring craft ideas.

Create salt dough fossils

Fun activity which shows kids how fossils are made.

Paper straw rockets

Experiment with propulsion and flight with these easy downloadable templates.

Gravity action art

A super-easy way of seeing science and art working together.

Magnetic slime

Discover how to create magnetism with this fun activity.

Paper building blocks

Simple craft demonstrating engineering with paper.

Fruit Solar System

A fruity way to grasp the planet sizes in our Solar System!

Invisible ink art

Fascinating art project where science plays a big role.

Make a volcano

A safe miniature eruption!

Robot Hands

Discover the mechanics of robotics and how everything works together.

Best travel games for kids

Perfect for stashing in a corner of the suitcase or car when you head away this summer!

Mixups

Compact card game for Snap or creating fantastical beasts.

Ages 4+. £5.94

Othello on the Move

Pint-sized version of this classic strategy game.

Ages 7+. £9.95.

Mini 4 in a Row

Classic game. All-in-one folding compact design. Ages 3+. £5.59

Articulate!

Compact version of this classic fast-talking description game.

Ages 6+. £10.19

Cluedo Grab & Go

All the thrills of the classic detective game in a mini set.

Ages 8+ £5.

Battleship Grab & Go

Compact, mobile version of the Battleship game. Ages 7+ £5.

Dino Dump

Speedy card game featuring kids’ faves: dinosaurs and poo!

Ages 6+. £9.99

100 PICS Riddles

Family Travel Card Game

Pocket sized, full of family-friendly brain teasers. Ages 6+. £6.99.

Rummikub Travel

Fast-paced game of tile manipulation. Ages 8+ £15.99.

Top UK camp sites for families

Looking for a family-friendly camping experience? Take a look at our top picks.

Catgill Farm

Camping to glamping in Yorkshire Dales. Outside village of Bolton Abbey.

Burnbake

Woodland campsite/ luxury lodges in Dorset, close to coast & Corfe Castle.

Kelling Heath Holiday Park

Surrounded by Norfolk woodlands/trails, indoor/ outdoor pools, steam railway.

Sherwood Pines Campsite

Acres of Nottinghamshire woodland, walk to adventure playgrounds, Go Ape, bike hire.

Gwithian Farm

West Cornwall. Close to beach & pub, goats & guinea pigs to feed.

Glenmore Camping

On the shores of Loch Morlich, Scottish Highlands. Hiking, swimming, kayaking.

Fforest Fields

Set on family run farm in Wales; green hills, woodland trails, lakes.

Red Shoot Camping Park

Ideal base to explore New Forest, attractions nearby, family friendly pub.

Heathland Beach

Walk to Suffolk beaches.

Heated pools, fishing lake, tennis, family restaurant.