Families Cheshire Issue 10 - Mar/Apr 2011

Edition 10 • March/April 2011

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The local magazine for families with children 0-12 years www.familiescheshire.co.uk

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In this issue >Pregnancy Talk >Does it pay you to work? >Volunteering is good for you

Covering: Poynton, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Knutsford, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Northwich, Winsford, Crewe, Nantwich and surrounding areas

Locally speaking

Inclusion in our locally speaking section is always FREE get in touch: editor@familiescheshire.co.uk

Champion Cheerleaders now in Knutsford

Pixies Cheer, a successful squad of cheerleaders from Poynton are bringing a new class to Knutsford.

Starting out in October 2007 with just a single team they now have three of different ages groups in Poynton: under 8’s, 8-15’s

Welcome Bring on Spring! It’s time to get some colour back into our lives after the greyness of the early year. We can almost hear the baa-ing of the lambs – the daffodils are about to bloom, and it’s nearly time for a sneaky bit of chocolate from the kids’ Easter stash.

So in the spirit of new life, this issue we talk about Pregnancy as well as Babies – and then continue our look at what Childcare options are available to you. But with the pending cuts in working tax credits, we ask the question “Does it actually pay you to work?”. Have a look on page 13.

As usual, you’ll find us jampacked with useful information that’s quick and easy to read – and remember to go online to find even more just like it. While you’re there, don’t forget enter our competition to win one of five family tickets to Tatton Park’s Alice in Wonderland Easter Festival.

Here’s hoping that Spring gives us all a new lease of life and wishing you much eggy fun this Easter.

Jayne Keep

Caryl Hall

In this issue 02: 03: 04: 07: 10:

Locally speaking News Education Parents’ place Pregnancy

Next issue: May/June 2011.

Circulation: 17,500 copies of Families Cheshire are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Cheshire. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Contact details: Families Cheshire, PO Box 581, Macclesfield, SK10 9FN Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiescheshire.co.uk Editorial: editor@familiescheshire.co.uk Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiescheshire.co.uk Events, diary dates, out & about: events@familiescheshire.co.uk Cover photograph by: teneight, Fence House, 84 Buxton Road, Macclesfield SK10 1JS. Tel: 01625 500488 www.teneightstudios.co.uk

12: 13: 16: 17:

Baby page Childcare Travel What’s on

Design: Through Creative, The Old School, Byron Street, Macclesfield SK11 7QA. Tel: 01625 500 939 www.throughcreative.com

Baby product rental service Super six piglets – comes to Bollington times two!

Kids Again nearly new shop located on Palmerston Street in Bollington has branched out into rentals.

They now offer items such as highchairs, travel cots and pushchairs for people to use on either a short term ad hoc basis, or longer term if required. The idea for this new service came from some of the grandparents who had visited the shop and said how great it would be to borrow these products for when they had grandchildren visiting. Kids Again owner Gemma Redwood thought this was a fantastic idea and soon launched the service.

A special weekend rate is on offer which is ideal for people with family who are coming to visit and do not have space in the car to bring everything from home. The high chairs and travel cots are brand new and the pushchair available is a micra light which is suitable for country walks or around town. Gemma is keen to offer her customers a good quality service so she is happy to tailor things to your individual needs. In fact if you have any ideas Gemma would love you to get in touch. Tel: 01625 578197.

Families Cheshire is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.

2 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Home Farm at Tatton Park has recently welcomed two litters of piglets.

Millie, a pure-bred Middle White sow, farrowed her very first litter, which was also the first litter of this type of breed for over four years. Tallulah the Tamworth sow is an old hand – farrowing her fifth litter.

The piglets will be kept indoors, feeding and resting under a heated lamp in their sty – until they are weaned. Visitors will be able to see them at the farm on weekends only during low season (until 25 March), and then daily from Tuesday to Sunday from 26 March.

Visit www.tattonpark.org.uk or call 01625 374400 for more information.

National Family Week 30 May – 5 June 2011

Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk

We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributors can’t be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences.

and over 15’s. Kelli who runs the classes, says “Cheerleading is a great fun activity to be part of. It uses dance, gymnastics and stunting so children are gaining some amazing skills and really getting confident with their body and the things they can do with it.”

The teams are regulars at competitions, local shows and carnivals so children involved really have something to work towards and a chance to show off what they have learned.

The Knutsford class is for under 12’s and will be held at the Leisure Centre on Mondays from 5.30 until 7pm. For more information call Kelli on 07852 903909.

National Family Week is back, and 2011 is set to be bigger and better than ever! Get involved by running an event for families or raise awareness of your organisation or cause.

Anyone wanting to create an event for national family week can access event ideas, theme toolkits, promotional materials and more via the partner zone on their website.To date, thousands of organisations from across the UK including local authorities, charities, sporting clubs, schools, community groups, children’s centres and faith groups have all taken part in National Family Week. Start planning and join in the UK’s biggest celebration of family life. www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk.

News Brighten up for Spring After our long, cold Winter, Polarn O. Pyret of Sweden has seized the Spring and launched their Spring jackets and Coats in a rainbow of bright colours and patterns.

All PO.P jackets are wind and waterproof, yet flexible and breathable so the most active child stays comfortable in all weather.

The lightweight fleece jackets are highly water resistant and very popular with kids because they just love the thumb grips. Buy them a little ‘bigger’ and the adjustable cuffs and thumb grips should help them to last for 2 years. Fleece Jackets from £35, Coats from £39.

Spring isn’t quite here yet…

Me Finder™ – helps Mummy find Me!

…but you can still keep warm. Every child loves cuddling up to a hot water bottle as well as their favourite teddy and now, thanks to wheatybags.co.uk, you can have them both rolled into one. Wheaty Bags cost from just £9.95 and can simply be popped into the microwave to warm them up. New for 2011 are the Wild Warmers – giraffes, leopards, zebras and tigers made of soft fur and filled with natural wheat and seeds that heat up safely, or check out their Cozy Cushions which couple as winter warming pillows. Visit www.wheatybags.co.uk for a great range of goodies.

Me Finder is a fun, self-contained, digital, water-resistant band that helps children when they get lost.

It stores up to 5 phone numbers and you simply display the number of the person going out with your child at any given time.

Me Finder is available in three funky, child friendly designs - Monkey, Pink Flower and Green Techno, and it’s proving popular with both parents and kids. Kids want to wear them because they’re fun, comfortable and make them feel safer and parents love the peace of mind that comes with knowing that if their child gets lost, they are now just a quick phone call away. Currently available to buy online at £14.99 – go to www.kidsshowandtell.com.

ElectroMagnetic Radiation dangers We reported on the danger of mobiles and WIFI to children in our last issue. Did you know cordless phones are just as bad - if not even worse? Do you have cordless phones at home? If you use a cordless home phone the radiation pulses 24/7 and penetrates walls and ceilings. If you sleep next to or in a room above the base station your sleep patterns will be disturbed and your melatonin production will be affected. Headaches and misbehaviour in children are other side effects. Inform yourselves!

There is loads of evidence out there. If you are pregnant you need to pay even more attention. Go to www.familiescheshire.co.uk for articles, links to videos and a forum.

www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 3

Education Forget Protesting – Start Saving With the recent student protests against increased tuition fees still rumbling around us, more and more parents are growing concerned about their children’s future education.

As a result of the higher tuition fees, plus exploding living costs, students now face the prospect of finishing university

with total debts of well over £30,000.

Although the Government insists that students won’t have to begin repayments until they are earning a decent wage packet, and that poorer students will be better off than they were under the previous Government’s fee structure, it is still a terrifying figure to be faced

with. With such huge sums of money looming in front of parents, many are deciding to start saving now. But the figures are jaw-dropping: if you want to provide your child with the money to leave university debt free, you need to save at least £200 per month from your child’s birth until their 18th birthday

(assuming inflation of 2.5% pa and net investment returns of 5.5% pa). And if you don’t start at day one the figures are even worse – delaying the start until your child’s 5th birthday means that you would need to save a whopping £377 per month! Perhaps it’s time to open that Child Trust Fund…

Cyberbullying

By Vanessa Rodgers Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers ISBN: 978-1-84905-105-7 RRP £9.99 This is an informative book that once dipped into makes it feel like an essential read.

Described as a valuable resource particularly to people working with children and teens, it soon becomes apparent that it would be useful for all parents. It is packed with practical exercises that explore different hypothetical scenarios; how to deal with all kinds of cyberbullying and how to deal with being the bully. It is punchy and inventive, helping young people face this issue without being alarmist. I found some of the cyberbullying examples mirror recent cases in the press and this makes it very real.

Reviewed by Emilie Amos

4 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Education Independent help for special needs Bright Inspiring New Nursery Photo: Dan MacDonald

One in three children has a ‘special need’ at some point in their development. This could be behaviour, physical or learning skills difficulties that you’ve been aware of since birth, or that have only recently come to light.

It can be time consuming, confusing, frustrating and complex to find the guidance, support and funding your child is entitled to through traditional NHS and Local Education Authority routes. Despite increasing demand from

parents, schools and other professionals, the reduced public services workforce means when support is eventually identified and provided, you may still struggle to co-ordinate or receive it within a reasonable length of time. Early intervention is vital to close the learning gap or ensure that your child has the very best start in life.

Locally based Edge Inclusion Consultants provide a fully comprehensive, independent education and inclusion service for families. They offer free initial consultations – usually in your own home – during which they will listen, observe and if appropriate, assess your child’s needs. They may then offer you reassurance that your child is simply going through a developmental stage that doesn’t require any professional input (for example from a speech therapist, physiotherapist, dyslexia coach, special needs teacher or child psychologist), or they can work with you to plan a tailored service to precisely meet your needs.

To book a free half hour consultation call call Sarah Rawsthorn on 07790 500487, email her on sarah@edgeinc.co.uk, or go to www.edgeinc.co.uk for further information.

The Nursery at Terra Nova School has undergone a complete refurbishment and the building is now awash with colour, excitement and inspiration for the months ahead.

The three main classrooms have been transformed to provide a Creative Room where the children are inspired to get creative and two main classrooms with vast opportunities for learning through play. Through the creation of a dining area, the children can now enjoy their cooked lunch in the security of the warm, nurturing, nursery environment.

Rachel Cookson, who joined Terra Nova last September as Head of Early Years Foundation Stage, said “We are

absolutely delighted with the Nursery. It really does offer the ‘wow’ factor. We believe the first steps of a child’s education journey are very special and require much nurture, creativity, inspirational teaching and affectionate support. When you combine this with the environment we have now created for our three and four year olds, the Terra Nova Nursery really is a special place to be.”

As the weather improves, the outdoor learning environment, which already boasts a large expanse of outdoor space and an adventure play area, will be further enhanced with a vegetable and herb garden; multi sensory areas; a role-play setting and science and investigation opportunities.

www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 5

Education Advertise in Families Cheshire Call Jayne on: 01625 801801 or email advertising@familiescheshire.co.uk

Girls develop faster than boys We are all aware of this universal truth, but now figures published by the Department for Education show that more than 50% of five-year-old boys are making too little progress.

The data is based on teachers’ observations of hundreds of thousands of five-year-olds, and comes to the conclusion that more than half of all boys in England are not making good enough progress at school by the time they reach the age of five. The children were tested for 13 skills, covering their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development, with those that

achieved at least six points for each skill as well as scoring well in the social and emotional development category said to be reaching “a good level of development”. The data showed that 64.9% of girls achieved a good level of development in the tests in 2010, compared with only 46.8% of boys. A spokeswoman from the Department for Education said, “There are still too many children starting school without the solid foundation they need to succeed. In particular, we are concerned that boys continue to lag behind girls even before they start school, especially in writing.”

The Big Ideas That Changed The World

and 3-D also feature – find out how the invention came about, for example the radio and cellular technology that preceded the mobile phone, and look at later advances such as the BlackBerry. There is an amazing amount of information, set out in short, easy-to-read paragraphs, as well as lots of high-resolution photographs, which will have children totally absorbed. Even reluctant readers might be interested to learn the story behind the invention of football or the electric guitar. An ideal book to have at home for children of various ages to dip into, (and also their parents!).

Published by Dorling Kindersley ISBN 978-1-40535-683-1 RRP £16.99 Examine the amazing stories behind some of the most incredible inventions, ranging from scientific and industrial to technological and day-to-day. Learn about the tin can and the flushing toilet as well as the more obvious such as the light bulb and the telephone. Recent inventions such as digital cameras, mobile phones

The Number Devil

By Hans Magnus Enzensberger Published by Granta ISBN: 978-1-84708-053-0 RRP £9.99 This is a fabulous book for all those interested in mathematics. Your child really needs to have covered fractions and square roots before reading this, but after that, it’s all systems go!

12-year-old Robert hates his boring old maths teacher. The sums are boring and the children

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Reviewed by Fiona Thornton

can’t use their calculators in class. Then his life changes, as he starts to have dreams which take him into various adventures with the Number Devil. The Number Devil always ends up helping Robert to explain a mathematical concept, and there are lots of lovely diagrams to help with the explanations. We whizzed through prime numbers, Fibonacci numbers and Pascal’s triangle with no trouble at all!!

Thoroughly recommended!

Reviewed by Sue Morgan

Parents’ place Mums can boost their earnings during tough economic times

It’s Official: Volunteering is good for you! By Sam Hannay

Mum Panelists discuss a new product for children.

Parents and families up and down the country are feeling under pressure during these harsh economic times. And, as one of the hardest hit groups of The Government’s latest tax reforms, things may get worse before they get better.

For mums who are looking for the opportunity to earn some extra income from home, MumPanel is looking for mums and mums-to-be across the UK who would like to become ‘Mum Panelists’. In return for your honest views and opinions about products and services, you’ll receive rewards such as high street vouchers, product samples and in some cases cash rewards.

You’ll also be helping to influence the products and services we see on our supermarket shelves, high street and online stores, as well as getting the opportunity to work with some great brands.

Mums who join MumPanel will be invited to participate in local activities like online surveys, product testing, product reviews, focus groups, workshops, mystery shopping, and diary keeping.

Mums who sign up before the end of March 2011 will also be entered into a prize draw to receive £100.

Lynne Barcoe, Founder of MumPanel, said: “Our mums have already helped to shape products from Organix, Soreen and Woolworths.co.uk. Mum Panelists recently reviewed a range of Woolworths toys at home with their children. Their honest reviews and photos were used on Woolworths.co.uk to help provide buyers with valuable insight.

Some of our more recent focus groups have discussed issues like shopping, and products such as fruit juice and baby food. We usually pay our mums between £40 and £50 per focus group session. Mums are also often sent relevant online surveys to fill in, which take two minutes and there’s a chance of winning up to £100 worth of high street vouchers on each one, dependent on what it is. We plan our activities to fit in with our mums’ busy schedules and family commitments and they are always relaxed and informal, usually taking place within the home. We do this purposely to keep a natural environment as it’s key to the outcome. So anyone can get involved and we encourage them do so.

Those interested in becoming Mum Panelists can sign up at www.mumpanel.co.uk.

Emotional Healing For The Inner Child (A Survivor’s Guide To The Journey Of Life)

By Anne Cummings Published by The Book Guild Ltd ISBN 978-1-84624-285-4 RRP £17.99 Is the way you react to your children because of your own childhood and upbringing? Do you feel inhibited by some things, possibly associating it unknowingly, with something that happened to you? Have you got the right work/life balance?

Anne Cummings takes us through various stages of our lives likening it to a ferry crossing, looking carefully at the beginning and the various calms and turbulences along the way. Initially sceptical about reading her book, it intrigued me. I felt like I was being counselled as I read it, even though at times, I felt slightly overwhelmed by some of her references to different psychology studies.

Reviewed by Maggie O’Brien

A systematic research review paper was published by the Lampeter University, Wales, which highlights a number of health benefits linked to volunteering. However, I don’t believe it takes a scientist to come to the conclusion that doing any form of volunteering can make us feel good, both in terms of our physical and emotional wellbeing.

Having both trained volunteers and been one myself for a number of years, I would like to share with you some thoughts about the fantastic and often underused opportunities that volunteering can bring.

Margaret Mead, an American Anthropologist said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Volunteers can do anything! In various settings and circumstances around the world there are volunteer doctors, cleaners, cooks, lawyers, gardeners, engineers... the list is virtually endless. Many organisations are entirely run by volunteers, or have volunteer management committees and it can be said that volunteers are the lifeblood of any charity organisation.

So why do people volunteer?

Social contact – many people use volunteering as a way of meeting people and developing a valuable social network.

Volunteering promotes social support and interaction and can provide an opportunity to use skills in a different environment or simply get out of the house for some physical activity.

Feel-good factor – volunteering can offer us the feeling that we are a significant part of the world around us and that people notice, care about and value our existence.

People see volunteering as an effective use of spare time, when they can contribute to their community and ‘give something back’ to society, particularly as society values volunteer roles. Volunteering is often seen as a way to help others – people or animals - less fortunate than ourselves which contributes to a feeling of self-worth.

Personal development – volunteering can be a fantastic way to acquire new skills and learning, whether someone is trying to gain experience in a new field, demonstrate their commitment to a particular role or establish a route back into the workplace.

Employers value volunteer work as highly as paid experience, particularly as it demonstrates commitment and motivation.

Personal satisfaction – volunteering offers an extensive choice of activities which can generally be fitted around people’s work and family lives. Some people use the experience of volunteering as a way to gain challenge and achievement which may be lacking in their paid roles. A volunteer role may also offer the opportunity to satisfy a life-long desire or work in a field that is unavailable to them in a paid capacity.

To share experience or skills - volunteer roles can provide people with the ability to share their experiences with others or pass along much needed skills, again promoting feelings of self-worth. Volunteer management committees provide a platform for decision making, financial responsibility, publicity and fundraising, event management and many other highly skilled, team roles. Indeed, having appropriately skilled and more importantly, motivated individuals, are essential to the success of many charity organisations. If you are considering a volunteer role, it’s useful to bear in mind the reasons why you are doing it so the organisation is aware of what you are looking to gain from the experience and can provide you with the resources and support necessary.

Samantha Hannay runs her own training and coaching company Making Sense of Parenthood and is also a postnatal leader for the NCT. As well as training volunteers in her previous work with the RSPCA, she has been a volunteer herself for the RSPCA and conservation groups and can be contacted on 01428 606886 or pnl.hannay@yahoo.co.uk Whether you want to work with children, adults or animals, there are numerous organisations in our area desperate to fill volunteer roles with enthusiastic and motivated individuals.

Try these for size....

Cheshire Wildlife Trust: www.cheshirewildlifetrust.co.uk/ volunteers.html National Trust: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/wglobal/w-localtoyou/w-northwest/wnorthwest-volunteering.htm Homestart: www.home-start.org.uk Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) Cheshire East: http://cvsce.org/ Cheshire West: www.talkingwestcheshire.org/ my_community/volunteering.aspx

www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 7

Parents’ place Mums in Business There’s no doubt that being a mother is exciting, fulfilling and rewarding (yes, as well as tiring!). But with so many of us having no choice but to work as well as being supermum, and faced with the often restrictive and inflexible corporate working conditions, it’s not surprising that the number of ‘mumpreneurs’ is growing. It’s tough, it’s daunting, but it’s definitely do-able!

We speak to two local mums who have found fulfilment and that often elusive work/life balance by running their own business.

Eleanor Patel – Bamboo Childcare

Tell us a bit about yourself. I am a mum of two young boys – Rowan 3 and Louis 2.

I have had a successful career as a senior manager in social care recruitment and am now co-owner of Bamboo Childcare.

What is your business? Bamboo Childcare is a specialist recruitment agency supplying childcare professionals to families and organisations. Based in Bury and Didsbury, we provide a personal and professional service to clients in the North West. We supply Nannies, Maternity Nurses, Families Helps, Housekeepers and Babysitters to families. The focus of our service is to provide childcare solutions that can promote stability to families and childcare organisations, in particular supporting families achieve a work/life balance.

How did you get started? Hayley and I both worked in social care recruitment for many years and struggled juggling corporate work pressures with young children. We wanted to create a company utilising our recruitment expertise and skills, whilst also

supporting families to continue their careers without compromising family life. We launched in February 2010 and are looking forward to continued growth in 2011.

What does the future hold for the business? Our first year has exceeded our expectations and we are hoping to continue to grow and develop more areas of the business as diversity is key in the current climate.

What is the best bit about what you do? Finding the ideal person for a role particularly a family, as it is so personal and often parents are so apprehensive about employing a nanny.

Any bad bits? Working from home can sometimes make me feel like I am constantly housebound.

How do you fit work around family life? Hayley and I both work on a part-time basis so I am very fortunate and get two days off in the week to spend with my boys.

I also do some evening work meeting families and contacting candidates as this is often the most convenient time when children are in bed.

What advice would you give to other mums looking to work for themselves?

Take your time in deciding what you want to do, research your market, contact some networking groups and talk to other people that have set up businesses. Then you can make your calculated risk and go for it!!!

Stress-Free Parenting in 12 Steps

By Christiane Kutik Published by Floris Books ISBN 978-086315-762-2 RRP £7.99 Modern day parenting, with all the pressures of 21st century life, is undoubtedly stressful and I value any book that successfully advises how to avoid the pitfalls that exacerbate the stress levels. This book does so very well, largely because it draws on sound, traditional values with clear roles, rules and respect. Each chapter starts with a familiar challenging scenario; the author then demonstrates how deftly to handle these potentially stressful situations, remembering that the parent should always remain in control. I found this book deeply insightful and the advice, in its simplicity, so helpful and achievable, and I would highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Rosie Elphinstone

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Ann Barr – Tumble Tots

Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m over 40 (42¾ to be precise!), married with two lovely children aged 11 and 10 (one of each).

(We share our house with two cats as well and the children have plans for all sorts of additional livestock!). I’ve done lots of different things over the years, worked as an engineer making weedkiller, been a Brownie Guider, done a distance learning degree and worked for a charity promoting volunteering to sixth formers. For a long time I had been looking for an opportunity to work for myself and when I heard the local Tumble Tots franchise was up for sale in 2008 I had to ‘seize the day’ (plus I love driving transit vans).

What is your business? I own the Tumble Tots franchise for the mid Cheshire area.

With a great team of eight full and part time team members, we run physical play sessions for children from 6 months to 7 years across 5 locations. Every day, I drive the van to a different location and we run fun sessions for babies and children to suit their developmental stage.

What does the future hold for the business? I am always looking at opportunities to expand the business to provide sessions at times and locations which suit local mums. In the medium term I hope to open sessions in a number of new locations in which we don’t currently run. I aspire to a fleet of transit vans – then I’ll truly be “White Van Ann”.

What is the best bit about what you do? The best bits are watching the children who come to our sessions develop and learn minute by minute, week by week. My own children loved and really benefited from taking part in Tumble Tots and I am really proud to be able to offer this opportunity to new generations of children.

Any bad bits? Most bits which involve me having to log in to www.hmrc.gov.uk – even though they are very helpful  How do you fit work around family life? Like any working mum, it is a juggling act. I have a great team who work with me – we all try to be flexible in providing cover so they and I can get along to school/family activities during the day. On a working day, my session times are pretty fixed, but the admin can be done at any time so it gets fitted in round the rest of family life. After Tumble Totting during the day, I then have a couple of hours of being Mum’s taxi, cook, homework monitor and listening ear before catching up on admin, accounts and emails once the children go to bed. My iPhone has changed my life as it means I can see and reply to emails and enquiries almost anywhere and anytime during the day.

What advice would you give to other mums looking to work for themselves?

If it’s what you want – go for it. It will be hard work but immensely rewarding. Aim to have a great team to support you – whether that’s people who help you to do your job or friends and family who help out with lifts, childcare and moral support. Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Find the work/life balance which is right for you and your family.

Parents’ place Barnardo’s Calls for Foster Carers in Cheshire Barnado’s children’s charity is appealing for people to consider becoming a foster carer for the thousands of children across the UK who are in need of temporary or permanent homes.

Foster carers just need to be able to

provide a loving, stable home for children who are unable to stay with their birth parents. Carers come from all walks of life, and many who make the move see it as a rewarding and challenging career change.

Other parents combine it with bringing up their own children.

The children need someone to look after them for a few days, weeks, months or even years depending on their needs. You will need a spare bedroom, full time availability as the main carer, and some experience of living

or working with children. You would be given full support and training, as well as a competitive weekly allowance of £300 - £520.

Barnardo’s encourages anyone thinking about fostering to contact their friendly team for an informal chat, to answer any questions and to help people decide if fostering is right for them.

Tess Gilbert from Cheshire has been a foster carer for 20 years. She says: “I had a background working with people with disabilities and could see that a stable

home background was what really made a difference to children. Fostering is a lot more satisfying than any other job and has enabled me to spend more time with my own children.”

For more information call the North West Fostering team on 0845 894 9509 or visit www.barnardos.org.uk/ fosteringandadoption

about health care as the course helps them to communicate better with healthcare staff.

Courses will be held throughout East Cheshire in 2011. If you would like to find out more information or register onto a course please contact: Andrea on 01606 275282 Caroline on 07909 528759 Hilda on 07887 691648 Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust support and run this programme locally and are asking you to pass the message on to colleagues, patient’s, family and friends.

For more information visit www.cecpct.nhs.uk/yourservices/expert-patients-programme

Film Buffs Needed The Primary Care Trust is looking for teenagers who live with long-term conditions, especially diabetes, who would like to become part of a project aimed at producing a website of self care videos giving advice about a range of issues, including; ‘how to use your blood sugar monitor’ and ‘planning for holidays’.

Young People can be Expert Patients

The Expert Patient Programme (EPP) is a FREE six week course for anyone living with a long-term condition such as asthma, diabetes, depression, heart disease etc. The EPP aims to help your child, if they are under 18 years of age, to take control of their health by learning new skills to manage their condition on a daily basis.

The course is run by trained tutors who themselves have long-term health conditions and offers the opportunity to meet with other young people and share their experience.

The Expert Patients Programme also run a companion course for carers called Looking After Me. This course, also aimed at those under 18 years of age, helps develop new skills to manage their caring situation and gives them the confidence to take control of their lives, and allows them to have the opportunity to be young people.

People who have attended these courses in the past have found that they gain confidence in managing their situation and become less reliant on health care professionals. They also become much more involved in decisions

If you are interested and want to find out more please contact: Jan 01606 2754446 or Andrea 01606 275282

www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 9

Pregnancy Innovative new “Robe-Around” for pregnant women Sporty Bump, the UK’s first maternity sportswear brand, has unveiled its latest innovation – the Robe-Around. Designed specifically with pregnant women in mind, the towelling wrap-around robe has a clever pleat which expands with the growing baby bump, ensuring complete privacy for the wearer.

The black towelling Robe-Around boasts a strong Velcro fastening to ensure comfortable fitting for women of all shapes and sizes. Unlike a regular

towel secured over the bust, which always leaves a triangular area of the pregnant body exposed due to gaping, the Robe-Around’s ingenious pleat ensures the mum-to-be’s dignity remains intact at all times.

Sporty Bump’s spokesperson, Lesley Singleton, comments, “Women are always conscious of their body shape, even more so during pregnancy when such significant changes take place.

Thanks to the expandable pleated section of the Robe-Around, pregnant women can feel relaxed in public places, such as

the swimming baths, gym or health club.

It’s also the perfect holiday cover-up, ideal when relaxing by the pool or on the beach.

“The wearer can be confident that her body is covered, without having to clutch at small towels, meaning that both hands are left free – ideal for drying hair or applying make-up after a swim, workout or beauty treatment.”

The Robe-Around is 100% cotton, machine washable and costs just £20 plus £5 postage and packaging. It’s on sale now at www.sportybump.co.uk.

Rosie Health and Pregnancy When you are pregnant, your head is often filled with questions and concerns. Sometimes you feel as if you need a little extra help and support that may not be available through the usual system.

Independent health visitor Rosie Gay has now extended her services to support mums prior to baby being born so you can go into motherhood, whether it is for the first or the fourth time, feeling supported and prepared.

Rosie of Rosie Health, based in Bollington, has over 20 years of experience supporting families and young children. She is a registered nurse and health visitor so you can be certain of sound advice. The new service

she is offering gives support at any stage of pregnancy in any way that is required, so this really is tailored to the individual.

Common issues Rosie is called to deal with include diet in pregnancy, how to cope with a newborn, discussing feeding options and learning the skills needed prior to birth, plus much more. Rosie says: “I would be rich if I had a pound for every time a new mum said to me ‘Nobody tells you how babies turn your life upside down’, so I can help expectant mums manage their expectations and talk through how to work through any possible issues.”

The support offered continues after baby is born. This gives continuity of care from someone who already knows you, your family and your concerns.

Rosie will weigh baby, answer queries on feeding, sleeping etc, plus she can help with any health problems for older siblings, deal with your anxieties and can even teach you baby massage on a one to one basis.

Rosie will carry out visits at a time to suit which could be in the evenings or at the weekend if preferred. She also offers packages to keep costs down. For full details visit www.rosiehealth.com or call 07961 614882.

Photo: Ben Earwicker – www.garrisonphoto.org/sxc

Perfectly Pregnant at Glo Glo Family’s boutique playcentre in Cheadle is the place to be if you are pregnant. From their Burts Bees Mama Bee pregnancy range to their Baby Shower package, there’s lots on offer for the mum-to-be.

Pregnancy Yoga is held on Tuesday evenings at Glo. Anna White, the class instructor is renowned throughout South Manchester and Cheshire, having helped hundreds of women to have a calmer and more relaxed birth experience.

According to one participant “I would recommend Anna’s classes to everyone. They are not just for you but for your baby, as a calm mummy is a calm baby.” The classes are also an excellent way to meet other Mums-to-be. On Sundays, there’s Pregnancy Pilates, with Kath Taylor, Glo’s resident Physiotherapist.

Pilates will help you keep those all important pelvic floor and “core” muscles strong which not only help prevent pregnancy backache but also help to push baby out! Judith Kuratac, an independent midwife, is available after the class to offer advice at Glo’s informal Pre and Postnatal drop-in.

If you and your partner want to prepare for your birth then the Glo Weekend Childbirth Course comes highly recommended.

Set over two weekend days, this is a great way to learn all

10 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

you need and get advice from a midwife with over 20 years of experience.

Pelvic pain and sciatica are common during pregnancy and can cause a lot of discomfort, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. Sally Scott is a pre and postnatal specialist Chiropractor who is based at Glo. Sally treats many pregnancy related conditions and also practises optimal foetal positioning. Acupunture is also available at Glo where Balwant Kaur is their Pregnancy Acupuncture specialist. Balwant successfully treats many pregnancy related conditions such as morning sickness.

Baby showers are becoming increasingly popular in this country. They are a really lovely way to get all your friends together and to celebrate the forthcoming arrival of your baby.

Glo offer a Baby Shower package which includes hire of their beautiful venue with either a vintage tea party or champagne and canapés. They also offer a Baby Gift List service at Pixie Childrenswear.

There’s a whole lot going on for the pregnant woman at Glo and of course, once you’ve had your baby, there’s a whole lot more! 0844 800 7380 www.glofamily.com

Pregnancy Sibling Acceptance

• Explain what baby will be like at first, what will they be doing? For example how much they might sleep and cry, and how they will feed.

• Try to spend time with other small babies so they get used to a baby being around. Perhaps even babysit a friend or relative’s baby.

• Work on practical preparations together such as decorating and shopping for the baby.

• Practise time away from your older child, perhaps with them at a grandparent’s or a friend’s house so they are prepared for when you go off to have the baby.

• If you have major changes such as potty training, or giving up a bottle or dummy, make sure this is done a few months in advance of baby’s arrival.

• If you think you will need to alter routines start things the new way a few weeks before.

After baby arrives When you are preparing for the arrival of your second • Let your older child know how well they are doing at child you may spend time wondering… how will I being a sibling cope with two? How will I get things done? Will I love • Do not always answer the baby first. If you are busy with number two as much as number one? But have you your older child baby is fine to wait a minute or two. stopped to think about what your first child might be • Try not to blame the baby for disruptions to your older thinking as mum’s tummy rapidly grows? child’s life.

Helping your child to accept the new arrival is something to • Don’t insist your child is quiet while baby sleeps. Baby start before the birth. Jo Summerfield, nanny and Maternity will adapt to the noise and your child will feel less nurse, helps us with some advice on how to start the process. disruption and resentment.

Before the birth For more advice from Jo on sibling acceptance, sleep, routines, • Your child needs to feel involved so talk to them about feeding and more you can call her on 07766 717415 or babies and how to care for them. Perhaps discussing visit her website www.josummerfield.co.uk. ways he/she can help out.

Understanding your fertility to achieve or avoid pregnancy

from sleeping to feeding, establishing baby routines and body image after birth. The helpline number is 0300 330 0772 and is open 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday, with calls charged at local rates. “Remember, you are not alone,” adds Juliet. “Many new parents feel overwhelmed, and the NCT’s recent postnatal care survey of first time mums found that emotional support, physical care and information provided to mums was sadly lacking, leaving many of them feeling abandoned and uncertain.” For more information, go to www.nct.org.uk.

Natural Fertility – to achieve or avoid pregnancy For many, couples achieving pregnancy can be far from simple; for a woman to conceive the timing must be right. An egg only has an 18 hour window of time in which it can be fertilised. Fortunately sperm can survive in a woman’s body for up to six days which widens the window slightly, but how does a woman know when the time is right? Natural Family Planning Teacher Hilary Hodgson explained to Families Cheshire.

“Natural Fertility is about a couple recognising the changes in a woman’s body to identify their fertile time,” says Hilary.

“By teaching a woman to observe the changes in her natural vaginal mucus and the position of her cervix she can recognise when she is fertile. A small rise in temperature seen on an oral thermometer will confirm that ovulation has occurred and the fertile window is coming to an end. By knowing this a couple can optimise their chances of conception.”

Health advice and support for families with young children Rosie Gay Independent Health Visitor 07961 614882 info@rosiehealth.com www.rosiehealth.com

Fertility Advice Service

Postnatal help While becoming a parent for the first (or second!) time can be very exciting, many of us also find it an immense challenge. With concerns over everything from breastfeeding to broken sleep, parents often need somebody to talk to, and this spring the NCT has set up a new Postnatal Line for all parents.

“New parents often feel they are getting everything wrong, while everyone else has the right answer,” says Juliet Pollard, NCT Postnatal Leader. “At NCT, we think there is no right answer.” Staffed by qualified NCT advisors, the Postnatal Line offers support and information to new parents on everything

RosieHealth

These methods can also be used as a form of contraception for those who are not comfortable using other methods for medical, cultural or personal reasons. Again by observing the changes in the body you can be taught when to avoid intercourse.

Hilary is a qualified registered general nurse and midwife.

She has 30 years experience in the NHS in the field of midwifery, women’s health, fertility and contraception. She has now set up a private service in which she offers couples a confidential consultation that explains the body’s changes in depth and gives the couple the tools to monitor and chart what is happening and optimise their health so they feel much more in control. This in itself removes a huge amount of stress which can otherwise be a barrier to conception.

For more information call Hilary on 07565 352736 or email hilary.hodgson@ntlword.com.

Private consultations

by Hilary Hodgson RGN RM Natural Family Planning Teacher

07565 352736

The Second Baby Survival Guide

By Naia Edwards Published by Rodale ISBN 978-1-905744-67-1 RRP £10.99 Clear and informative, this guide provides helpful advice for parents considering – or already on their way to – having more than one child. Different temperaments, different routines, and different sleep patterns all come to mind during the first few months following my second child’s birth. I had naively thought that it would be easy with a second child as I knew what to expect, and that the new baby would magically slot in. This book suggests many coping mechanisms, which include planning a sibling strategy; understanding rivalry issues; managing sleep with two; and looking after two or more children while sustaining your marriage.

Reviewed by Emilie Amos

www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 11

Baby page Baby Exercise – not just a fad In recent years, new mums have found that there has been an explosion of classes for babies, from baby massage to music, signing to singing, gymnastics to yoga.

Many of these classes are valuable both for baby’s development as well as a way of meeting other mums, but recently research has been undertaken that pushes the importance of some of these classes to the fore, with the theory that exercise in infancy is vital in maintaining a child’s lifelong health.

This may seem like a fad, but concerned parents are flocking to exercise classes catering for children of all ages, including those too young to even crawl.

The science According to some paediatric experts, parents who use prams, playpens, car seats and bouncing chairs for hours at a time may be delaying not only their child’s physical development but their mental development too. “The need for even the very young to be physically active is something parents often don’t understand,” says Jane Clark of the University of Maryland, USA. “The earlier infants and toddlers get exposure to daily movement and exercise, the better the likelihood of healthy development in later

life.” In fact, regular exercise in the very young encourages the kind of development that may be critical for health in later life, as during infancy the brain is developing pathways and connections to the muscles.

Children who do not get enough exercise may miss out on the chance to make the strong kinds of brain-muscle connections that make physical activity easier, more enjoyable and more likely to become a life-long habit avoiding obesity and other weight-related conditions. The lesson learned – keep your baby active and it will set them up for a healthier life.

Early Days Although it may not seem like much, a newborn baby’s daily routine of changing, bathing, crying and growing is enough exercise for them. In fact, a newborn is exercising many of its muscles in the very act of feeding at the breast, and crying is important for the lungs and diaphragm and plays a large part in the development of the baby’s musculature. One exercise you can do at this stage is baby massage, a great way to physically and emotionally bond with your baby, and a soothing and relaxing experience for babies. You can do baby massage at home or in a class - for tips

Ernesto De La Cruz

12 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/ physical_health/child_development/ babies_massage.shtml or http://www.makewayforbaby.com/m assages.htm Exercise classes Once a baby reaches 4 months, there are a plethora of baby exercise classes out there. This doesn’t mean your baby needs to take weight-lifting classes down the gym (in fact, there are no dumbbells involved at all!), but parents keen to give their little one a good start in life are looking to yoga, swimming and developmental play classes for their tots.

Start with a baby massage class, where simple massage techniques help stimulate your baby’s senses. Many local health services run free massage classes and there are plenty of private classes around too.

Baby yoga is a great way to encourage baby-parent interaction. Through free-flowing movement, touch and sound, babies learn better coordination, sitting and standing techniques and motor skills. Proponents of yoga say it also helps alleviate problems such as colic and constipation. “You do things like bend their legs, push their knees up to their chests and make hip circles,” says Sally, mum of two. “You can be surprisingly firm as you move them around as they are so flexible, and they seem to like being manipulated.”

Swimming – babies are born with natural swimming reflexes which, if not developed, they lose at 8-10 months.

Swimming not only helps with bonding, but exercise in the water is particularly good because it supports the weight of the baby.

Baby gym classes have sprung up across the UK in recent years, with sessions from as young as 3 months. What you get depends upon where you go, but many have ball pits, trampolines, basic gymnastics equipment, crawl tunnels and soft play areas to teach babies and toddlers about rhythm, movement, coordination skills and dance through a series of fun tumbling exercises.

Exercise at home Baby exercise classes may be fun, but some can cost upwards of £10 per session and with many of the free, SureStart-organised classes rapidly disappearing, filling your

baby’s day with a range of activities can become expensive. The good news is there are plenty of exercises you can do with your baby at home.

3-6 month old babies: Lie your baby on a blanket and put toys in front. Encourage your baby to reach and try to grasp them. A baby gym with hanging toys is great too.

Finger pull exercise – put your baby on their back and offer your two fingers. When they catch them successfully, lift your hands.

Most of the time your baby will leave your hand quickly, but as you play they will hold tighter and hang on for longer.

Play peek-a-boo or other games that will encourage your baby to imitate you.

Give your baby supervised tummytime every day to help with crawling.

Any kind of movement that your baby enjoys is good - bouncing on your knee, standing with support or “flying” through the air all helps to strengthen their bodies.

Older babies: Sit your baby on the bed with your hands a few inches away. When your baby inclines to one side, help them sit upright again.

This will help with balance and develop trunk strength.

With your baby on their tummy, roll a ball so they have to extend their arms to grasp it and roll it back to you. Alternatively, sit facing each other with your feet touching and roll the ball back and forth, stretching in the process.

Practise rolling in both directions.

Your baby’s attempts to crawl will help them exercise as they work to push themselves forward. Motivate baby to move by clapping your hands and motioning to come towards you.

If your baby is trying to stand, encourage them to move towards you.

Remember, whatever exercises you do with your baby, they will enjoy it. “These activities are not done to babies, they are done with babies,” says Francoise Barbira Freedman, the founder of Birthlight, a charity which runs infants’ yoga and aquatic classes.

“The aim is to help parents bond with their new child, and to instill an enjoyment of exercise from the start of life.”

Childcare The cost of paid work “Many parents find support with childcare costs absolutely essential to staying in work, and the big worry is that some will now find that work doesn’t pay,” he says. And he points out that, coming after recent rises in travel costs, the cuts come at a time when families are feeling the pinch very hard indeed.

After all, for working parents childcare cuts don’t just represent a loss of income: they force parents to think about whether working when their children are young is actually worth the effort at all. Given that the government is committed to helping parents to work if they want to, that doesn’t make much sense.

Having a job when your children are young just got more expensive.

Joanna Moorhead explains why.

We’re all in this together – we’ve all heard that, many times, from our politicians about our country’s financial problems.

But from April, if you’re a working parent you could be forgiven for thinking you were maybe taking more than your fair share of the hit.

Why so? Well, that’s when cuts to state-funded help with childcare announced in last year’s comprehensive spending review start to kick in: and what they’ll mean is a cut in income of around £400 a year to some families in Cheshire, according to the thinktank Resolution Foundation.

Chancellor George Osborne announced last year that the percentage of childcare costs recoverable through the working tax credit system would be reduced from 80% to 70% this month. But, says the Resolution Foundation, many families are still unaware of the changes – and, says its chief executive Gavin Kelly, those on middle-to-low incomes are the ones likely to find the losses hardest to bear.

To be totally fair about it, of course, a two-parent family should view the costs of childcare as a proportion of their joint income. But in practice, how it’s seen by most couples is as a proportion of the mother’s wage. And if the proportion of that income spent on travel, lunches and childcare becomes too high, then many mothers start to think: what’s the point of carrying on working?

After all, life is hard enough when you’ve got a small child or small children; if the money you’re bringing in is making a big material difference to your family, then it’s worth it. But when it ceases to do that, you might as well reduce the stress in your own life and increase the amount of time you spend with your child or children, and quit work.

The problem in the UK, as compared with many other countries in Europe, is that childcare costs already eat up a huge proportion of a family’s income – 33%, according to recent figures from the OECD, compared with 4% of a family’s income in Belgium, 11% of a family’s income in France, and even compared with 19% of a family’s income in the US.

And many campaigners argue that failing to invest in childcare, and so reducing the proportion of a family’s income spent on childcare, is failing the long-term economic future of the country.

After all, working mothers are extremely valuable to the economy: they’re paying into their pensions, they’re learning new skills, they’re keeping their confidence up, and even if they only tread water while their children are young, they’re keeping connected with the world of work in a way that will make it much easier to up a gear when their children are at school.

From the government’s point of view, of course, the changes to working tax credit are all part of a cuts package that has to affect everyone in the land. This month’s changes to the childcare element of the credit will save £270m next year, rising to £385m by 2014-15. The policy is one of several deficit reduction measures which will hit families, including an end to the £250 child trust fund for new babies, and the cutting of child benefit from 2013 to families where one parent is a higher-rate taxpayer.

What’s especially unfair is that, if women leave the workplace when their children are tiny, they often find their working choices hugely reduced when they try to return to work three, or five, or even ten years down the line.

And given that we’re being encouraged to anticipate living longer, and working for longer, that makes no sense.

More information Daycare Trust: www.daycaretrust.org.uk Working Families: www.workingfamilies.org.uk Childcare tax credits: www.direct.gov.uk

The cost of childcare: what mums say I’ve got two children aged two and three, and to be honest I reckon it costs me to work. Around 70% of my income goes on childcare, and the rest is eaten up in travel, lunches and clothes to wear for work. I keep telling myself that it’s a long-term investment in my capacity to work when the children are older and at full-time school, but there are days when that rings very hollow indeed. The truth is that it’s a real slog, working so hard when you’ve got small children... somewhere in your mind you know they’re happiest when they’re with you, and you know you’re happiest when you’re with them, and if you’re not even making money out of it, there comes a point when you think: why bother. (Julie, 37, works in marketing) I’ve worked out that unless I can earn at least £35,000 a year, it’s simply not worth going back – so, for the moment, I’ve decided to stay at home.

What worries me is how I’ll get back into the job market – I feel that while I’m at home I’m not getting the kind of experience employers are interested in, and that my confidence will be muchdiminished by the time I’m ready to put in job applications again. Like many working parents I’d rather work part-time than full-time, but working part-time means an even lower salary, and you still have to get yourself into the office, buy lunches and so on, and that costs a huge amount.

What I need is a system under which my children could get good, affordable childcare so that I could at least keep my toe in the water with my job, for the long-term. (Suzy, 34, former curator)

www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 13

Childcare Are you making the most of Childcare Vouchers?

How to Pay your Nanny

By Eleanor Patel & Hayley Knowles – Bamboo Childcare

When you take on a nanny, you become an employer. This means you have to conform to current employment legislation and HM Revenue and Customs requirements in the same way as any other employer.

The fact that you have only a single employee does not exempt you in any way from this. Nannies have exactly the same rights as any other employee and you have the same responsibilities as any other employer. For example, nannies are entitled to sick pay if they become ill and a redundancy payment at the end of their employment if they have been employed for long enough. Unless you have previous experience of employing people, dealing with all these rules and regulations can be a daunting prospect.

The basic process is actually quite simple – you will need to set up a PAYE scheme with HM Revenue and operate this in accordance with their rules and in accordance with employment law. You will need to calculate and deduct income tax and National Insurance from the nanny’s gross pay and pay this to HM Revenue every three months, produce a P60 for the employee at the end of each tax year, submit an annual return to the Revenue and provide a P45 to the nanny when employment ends. HM Revenue produce lots of information which covers the process and even provide simple software which you can use to do the

calculations. It is therefore perfectly possible to operate the payment process yourself.

However, whilst not particularly difficult, someone new to employing staff will need to spend many hours reading all the documentation supplied by HM Revenue, understanding the timetable when specific tasks need to be performed and familiarising themselves with all the jargon and rules which payroll professionals take for granted. Unless you are familiar with the details of PAYE, the process gives you many opportunities to make mistakes and HM Revenue applies penalties even to inexperienced employers who are late with their paperwork or payments. This can make a simple mistake or misunderstanding a very expensive one! For this reason the majority of new nanny employers use a specialist nanny payroll processing company. The payroll company will take away the headache of pay calculation and will also be able to offer guidance on employment law and contractual issues, should the need arise, and use of such a service will be seen as a very worthwhile investment by the majority of those new to employing.

Bill works closely with nanny agencies, including North West based Nannyplus, providing advice and services to their clients.

He can be contacted on 01485 533322, or visit www.payefornannies.co.uk

childcare costs.

In the first week of December 2010, over 19,000 schools in England were forced to close as heavy snow and freezing temperatures made roads impassable and caused heating systems to break down. And summer’s not here just yet!

Please Note: • There is no cover for the first day of

each school closure • The whole school must be closed • Closures of less than a whole day are not covered • Cover starts 14 days after purchase of the policy • Maximum of £500 per policy year For more information, go to www.schoolclosuresinsurance.co.uk.

Easter is coming and for working parents with school aged children this can be both a logistical and financial concern. According to a leading provider of childcare vouchers, parents are missing out on thousands of pounds of savings for after-school and holiday childcare.

Figures from Computershare Voucher Services (CVS) show that the majority of childcare vouchers are generally used on nursery care (68% on average each month) compared to 8% of parents who use the vouchers for afterschool care or activities. Even during the summer months, very little voucher uptake was recorded for daytime activities and holiday activities.

For example, did you realise that vouchers can be used for the following once your child has started school and for children up to the age of 15 years (most have to be registered and regulated for vouchers to be used)?: • Out of school clubs • Childminder • Nanny (Bamboo Childcare can assist you in sourcing a suitably qualified and experienced Ofsted registered Nanny.)

• Extra curricular activities • Holiday clubs or schemes • Activity holidays including Camp Beaumont, PGL and Supercamps.

Also thanks to new legislation introduced in 2008, schools that offer qualifying childcare can now accept Childcare Vouchers. This could include activities such as music lessons and sports clubs, providing they are: • invoiced separately from compulsory education fees • taking place after school hours • are not a part of the National Curriculum • Taking place on the premises that forms part of the school’s annual inspection.

For those that claim childcare tax credits, please be mindful that using a childcare voucher scheme can significantly affect the amount you get (useful information can be found at www.moneysavingexpert.com/family /childcare-vouchers#low) So with the Easter holiday approaching it is worth checking what additional activities and childcare options are available where vouchers can be utilised, so you don’t miss out!

For further information on how utilise childcare vouchers to employ a Nanny and the benefits for your family of this childcare option please visit www.bamboochildcare.co.uk or contact Eleanor or Hayley on 0844 822 5727.

School Closure Insurance to cover childcare Towergate Insurance has launched a School Closures Insurance product specifically designed to protect parents against loss of earnings and additional childcare costs.

The new School Closures Insurance is the first of its type providing cover at £30 per annum for each child. The policy, which

can be purchased online, covers parents once the school has been closed for more than one day because of snow, flooding or boiler failure.

In the event of a school closing, parents will receive £100 per day for up to a maximum of five days in total. What’s more, there’s no requirement for parents using the policy to prove any loss of earnings or additional

14 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

By Bill Hill - PAYE for Nannies Ltd

Childcare What’s the difference between a Childminder, a Nanny, and an Au Pair? language or sport). He/she works a maximum of 25 hours a week, and provides a maximum of 2 evenings babysitting for a minimum of £60 per week. The family provides full board, own room and two consecutive days off. As the au pair tends to participate in many of the family activities, he/she is treated as part of the family. An au pair can only look after babies or children under school age if a parent is at home.

There are a number of excellent North West based nanny agencies, such as those

that advertise here. One benefit of using a reputable agency is knowing that any prospective candidates have already been thoroughly checked and vetted. Your local Family Information Service can also supply a list of registered child carers in your area.

For Cheshire East, call 0800 408 2013 or visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/fis.

For Cheshire West and Chester, call 0800 0852 863 or visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ familyinformationservice.

Leading Nanny agency throughout Cheshire and North West • A range of full and part-time childcare services including, nannies, live in/out, babysitting, maternity nannies, emergency care, mothers help, housekeepers & special needs nannies.

• All candidates are thoroughly vetted, interviewed and reference checked • Home visits, to enable us to fully understand your requirements

Tel: 01925 768188 or 07766 290802 Email: support@nannyplus.co.uk www.nannyplus.co.uk

Achieving the difference...

ormation S In f ice

Fami

responsibility for the child/children or work alongside the mother/parents. Nannies are responsible for all aspects of care and household chores relating to the children.

They are paid hourly rather than per child, so if you have two or more children, it automatically becomes more cost effective – and sometimes even cheaper than – a childminder.

In the current economic climate, many parents are opting to share a nanny in an attempt to cut childcare costs. This brings children from two families together in one home, or the week is split with a few days at one home and the rest at another.

While not essential, nannies can join the voluntary Ofsted register, which gives parents the reassurance that they have had an enhanced CRB check, first-aid and basic childcare training.

An au pair is typically a single person, male or female, aged 17-27 and usually a foreign national, who helps a host family with childcare and sometimes light housework, while living as a guest in their home. The au pair has the opportunity to learn English and can even help older children develop particular skills (such as learning a new

er v

ly

In the last issue of Families Cheshire, we looked at the different types of nurseries and pre-schools. But what are your options if you want your child to be cared for in a home environment?

Childminders provide professional daycare in their own home. Their service is flexible and, because they look after small groups of children, their daily routine is very adaptable. They can offer full or part time care, or just for a few hours. Childminders can take children to playgroups, nurseries, schools and clubs, and pick them up too, as well as providing help with homework.

Services are often offered outside of standard opening hours, which makes a childminder an ideal care provider for children whose parents work shifts.

A registered childminder is allowed to look after up to six children under the age of eight (their own children included in this), and only three of the children can be aged under five. A childminder who only looks after children eight years and older does not need to be registered with Ofsted.

Nannies are childcare professionals who work at the family home. They can live in or live out, and can either be given sole

0800 408 2013

Do you need information, advice or guidance for your family but don’t know who to ask?

Then call Cheshire East’s Family Information Service on 0800 408 2013.

Cheshire’s Family Information Service can help you or your family if you: Are looking for childcare Want to know more about your childcare options Would like advice on how to access Tax Credits, Childcare Vouchers or Nursery Education Grant Need support for children with additional needs and/or a disability Want information about parenting support Want to know more about Need help or advice with a family matter ……..and much more guidance service for families with children and young people 0 - 19 years of age.

0800 408 2013

www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 15

Travel Italian fitness, yoga and cookery retreat for mums and tots Travelling this

Easter?

Finding time to get back into shape after having a baby can be difficult, but family-friendly travel company Tots to Travel has a solution – a fitness break with your baby in Italy!

Casa Alessia in Tuscany will be running two special breaks designed specifically for mums, perfect for getting away with those ante-natal class friends.

The Family Fitness Break is for mums who really want to get back into shape and lose that baby belly. A fitness trainer will put you through your paces in four daily workout sessions, including Pilates, Fusion (a mix of tai chi, yoga and Pilates), cardio, circuit training, fighting fit, aqua aerobics and walking. All meals and snacks are included on this break. Meals are low GI and

a nutritional consultation is held on day one.

Baby sitting is included while mums go to the classes.

For a less strenuous break, the Yoga and Cooking break offers a great mix of gentle exercise with learning how to cook the Italian way. It includes organized activities such as yoga, cooking lessons and peaceful walks in the Tuscan countryside. For the little ones there is baby Latino dancing, painting and baby Italian outdoors. There’s also plenty of free time for mums just to relax, swim or read while the babies are looked after. Breakfasts and healthy dinners with wine are included in the price. Critically, no cooking or cleaning is allowed by the mums! There’s also plenty to do in the local area and pamper treatments

like massage and manicures are available. Or simply sit on the terrace chatting to the other mums, while taking in the gorgeous view.

Casa Alessia has a variety of room sizes and include queen-size beds, cots, fireplaces, private baths, a cosy living area with television and DVD’s and plenty of toys. Outside there is a fenced pool and lots of garden space with a slide, outdoor toys and paddling pool.

Prices for a room for one adult with baby or toddler with shared bathroom is £700 (£300 for an extra adult sharing the room) for 5 nights, 6 days. For a room with a private bathroom it’s £800. Prices include full board (wine on the yoga weeks) including a meal out, all yoga, cookery, fitness classes and airport transfer from Perugia.

DATES FOR 2011 Family Fitness breaks 1-6th May & 8-13th May Mum and baby yoga and cooking break 15-20th May & 22-27th May Breaks also available in September Go to www.totstotravel.co.uk to view the property or call 0845 26 941 26.

Tried and tested child friendly places to stay with children

By Helli Roberts A very Scandinavian experience

We recently got back in touch with nature and stayed in a log cabin in the ancient Forest of Dean. There are miles of trails to explore through England’s largest oak woodland and along the banks of the river Wye it is outstandingly beautiful. The children were persuaded to get active collecting haycorns as we ‘hunted’ for wild boar. Unsurprisingly ‘Piglet’ proved elusive but we returned muddy and happy to ease aching muscles in our outside hot tub. It was sheer bliss to lie in steaming water gazing up through the tree canopy

whilst sipping a glass of wine. A very Scandinavian experience. The cabin was cosy and well equipped with children’s games and DVD player. If you need more entertainment you can enlist the help of the forest rangers to build a survival shelter, discover mini beasts and learn orienteering. Forest Holidays also have cabins in Cornwall, Yorkshire and Scotland - we shall definitely be returning.

Tel: 0845 1308223 www.forestholidays.co.uk And a very British experience

16 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

The family owned Runnymede Hotel has a wonderful location right on the Thames near Windsor and is the perfect place to stay if you want to extend a trip to nearby Legoland or Chessington – or just feel like escaping the city. In the summer it is a joy to laze on vast bean bags on the river bank whilst the children play giant Jenga and swing in hammocks. In the winter the spa’s pool provides entertainment along with the Wii and toys in the children’s games room. I managed to sneak in an indulgent massage! Our well-designed family room had floor to ceiling windows perfect for lying in bed whilst watching boats navigating the lock. The hotel’s boat is available for hire if you too fancy messing about on the water. Children are well catered for with early ‘ducklings dinners’, welcome activity packs and endless bags of bread to feed the ducks!

Tel: 01784 220960 www.runnymedehotel.com

A new website has been set up to address every conceivable need of parents when travelling with little ones.

From travel cots with canopies to sunshades and travel backpacks, www.contentandcalm.com is packed full of products to help your little ones remain content and calm when on the move. Content and Calm was born when founder Solvej Biddle realised there were very few products on the market designed to make travelling easy and stress-free for her and her children.

Now, with the help of some of the products on the site, you can make travelling a breeze and, if you are going on holiday this Easter, check out the site’s top tips for travelling with babies and for ensuring a restful night’s sleep – for all of you! We particularly like the award-winning TrayKit – an all-in-one kid’s carry-on backpack and play-tray solution. The pack can strap to train and plane tray tables as well as hang from the seat in front in a car to provide an extendable play surface with raised sides to give kids their own play space. No more toys on the floor! Pack the bag with familiar toys, pop in a few new ones and it can make the perfect holiday travel accessory. The TrayKit is available in Pink Polka Dot or Blue Camouflage for £24.99, and can also be viewed in more detail on www.traykit.com.

Advertise in Families Cheshire Call Jayne on: 01625 801801 or email advertising@familiescheshire.co.uk

What’s On Enjoy quality time with your kids this Easter By Joanna Parry Whether you’re a working parent looking to spend time with your brood over the Easter weekend, or a full-time mum desperate to fill a long school holiday, here are a few ideas to try out with your children. With a bit of planning and a few inspired ideas, you can avoid the tantrums and arguments.

So tear your darlings away from the TV and the Wii and enjoy the Easter break, rather than finding yourself counting down the days until school starts again!

• the holidays are the perfect time to clear out old toys or games and replace them with new finds from the charity shop or swap with friends. Take the chance to reintroduce some traditional board games and toys into the mix.

• encourage your kids to dig a vegetable patch of their own in your garden. If you don’t have any outside space, make a mini garden by filling a plant tray with earth and arranging small sprigs of leaves, daisies and grass over the soil. Try small pebbles for paths and foil for a pond.

Invite their friends over Plan the day The holidays are a great time to bring back some of the old fashioned games and spend real time with your kids. It can be hard at first, throwing yourself into games and activities, but this is the stuff that childhood memories are made of. It is important to plan your day: write out a holiday timetable of activities such as painting and board games for the morning and playing in the garden and a small amount of TV in the afternoon.

If you let them drift from one cartoon to the other they’ll get frustrated very soon!

Activities at home With a little thought, you can come up with dozens of fun things to do at home, from building castles out of rubbish to dens in the garden, but when you run out of ideas, here are a few more.

• let your hair down and release your inner-child. Roll around in the garden with your kids, make mud pies, dig for worms and make dens out of sheets and washing lines.

• invest in some Play-Doh, art supplies and face paints and get creative • hardboil some eggs and paint with food colouring. When they are dry they are great for egg rolling - if you haven’t got a hill, a slide will do!

• water painting - paint with a clean paintbrush and a pot of water outside on walls, paving slabs, fences. It’s very effective and the sun removes the evidence!

• put a cloth on the floor as a picnic rug and serve lunch on the living room floor. Or in the garden.

• home camping – hang a tablecloth over furniture, add a torch and a sleeping bag and have some fun!

• decorate biscuits by mixing icing sugar and water in a bowl to make runny icing and decorate with sprinkles or smarties.

• pass the parcel. Why save it for parties?

Your kids can do the wrapping too using old newspaper, with prizes as simple as a sticker or packet of raisins.

• make pasta jewellery • roll a sheet of newspaper into a ball and play volleyball over a washing line.

• make salt dough with 3 cups of plain flour, 1 cup salt and 1 cup water.

Model it like playdough and dry out finished models in a cool oven. Then paint and varnish.

• treasure hunt - hide toys or sweets around the home and give your kids clues to find them. Kids like setting the hunts too. Alternatively, devise a nature trail where they have to find a series of items such as different coloured leaves.

• set up a home cinema in your living room: close the curtains, rearrange the furniture, make tickets and prepare snacks before putting on your favourite DVD. • apple bobbing. Float an apple in a bowl of water and get your kids to try to bite it without using their hands. If you don’t mind mess you can repeat the game with a chocolate or grape in a bowl of flour!

• hit the park and get active. Borrow the nearest friendly dog and go for a walk, or set up an obstacle course in the garden with buckets, chairs, tables, garden rakes... anything goes really!

When you’ve run out of ideas, invite your children’s friends over to play. You may think double the children means double trouble, but it’s often easier for them to have playmates around to entertain each other. It also means they will get invited back, giving you a much-needed break!

Don’t interfere If you have more than one child and they are playing nicely together let them get

on with it. You don’t have to be involved in everything they are doing!

Give them some jobs to do for pocket money Children like to earn their own money and to get a bit of responsibility – they will often jump at the chance to do a chore that you have been putting off for ages.

Give them a treat Take them on a trip to a theme park, swimming pool or cinema as a special treat. Make full use of local resources to find out what’s going on in your area - there are always free activities and events going on during school holidays. Visit your local council’s website and or parenting sites for ideas.

Useful Websites www.rspb.org.uk/youth/makeanddo/i ndex.asp www.allfreecrafts.com familyfun.go.com www.kidsturncentral.com/links/esitel inks.htm

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN FAMILY TICKETS TO TATTON PARK’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND EASTER FESTIVAL The White Rabbit put on his spectacles.

“Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?” he asked. “Begin at the beginning,” the King said gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”

Join Lewis Carroll’s favourite characters including Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter, for loads of activities across the Park. You’ll get a warm welcome at the Farm where the Queen of Hearts will be making jam tarts. Meet the lovely spring lambs and follow the Cheshire Cat trail. For more magic – watch the White Rabbit appear for Poz the Magician and let Mr Bimbamboozle dazzle you with an Alice Punch and Judy show in the Stableyard! Then follow the White Rabbit trail to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party in the Gardens.

The festival runs from Saturday 23 – Monday 25 April and we’ve got 5 Family tickets to give away. Each Family ticket allows entry for one car into Tatton Park and for 2 adults and up to 3 children under 16 to visit the Mansion, Gardens and Farm.

Enter online at www.familiescheshire.co.uk – entries close Thursday 14 April. Full terms and conditions are available online. www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 17

What’s on Destination 49’s Easter Egg Hunt

NCT Nearly New Sales East Cheshire Sat 12 Mar 11am – 12.30pm £1 entrance The Silklife Centre, George Street, Macclesfield, SK11 6HS No pushchairs or shopping bags.

Coffee and cake lounge upstairs.

Have you discovered Destination 49 yet? It’s the home of high quality experiences along the A49 in the heart of Cheshire – and perfect for a wonderful family day out.

Make the most of what’s on offer by taking part in this year’s Easter Egg Hunt on Friday 22 April. Pick up your collectors passport at Blakemere Craft Centre from 10am, then drop into all participating venues along the A49 – including Nunsmere Hall, The Chocolate Shop in Tarporley, Hollies

Farm Shop, The Shire Horse Centre, Alvanley Arms, The Swan Hotel, Cabbage Hall and the Cheshire Polo Club. Make sure you have your passport stamped and enjoy the activities and gifts on offer at each stop, then end the trail back at Blakemere by 3pm to collect your eggy treasure when you hand in your completed passport.

Entry is free, and you’re guaranteed a great day out. For more information on any of the participating venues, go to www.destination49.co.uk.

Chester Sat 19 Mar 12.30pm (12 pm for NCT members – proof required) All Saints Church Hall, Vicarage Road, Hoole, Chester Including a baby and children's fair, with local suppliers exhibiting.

North Cheshire Sun 20 Mar 12.30pm (12 pm for NCT members – proof required), £1 entrance Monks Sports Club, Hillcock Lane, Warrington WA1 4NF Stockport Sat 26 Mar 10.30am – 12pm (priority for NCT members – proof required) £1 entrance Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church, Ramillies Avenue, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport SK8 7AL No pushchairs

somewhere different through creative branding & communication

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18 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

What’s on

These listings are for guidance only - please check before you go to include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiescheshire.co.uk

Activities Sun 6 Mar The Kingsway Lower School, Cheadle Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12.30pm Table costs £10 Entrance 50p Picnic area at The Moor, Knutsford Pancake race on The Moor Time TBC (check Knutsford Heritage website) Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tues 8 Mar NT yard behind Wizard Restaurant, Alderley Edge Down the Mines!

7pm – 9.30pm Age 6+ (must be accompanied) £6 - Booking and payment in advance essential 01625 504505

Sun 27 Mar

Sat 9 – Mon 25 Apr

Astbury Mere Country Park Visitor Centre Mereside Meander 2pm – 3pm Children must be accompanied by an adult.

01260 297237

Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester Easter Fun Normal admission charges apply

Tues 29 Mar Tatton Park Nature Trail 10am – 12pm Age 8+, £6 Normal Park Entry Charges Apply

Throughout April Blaze Farm, Wildboarclough Watch Lambing at Easter 10am to 5.30pm Admission charge applies

Sat 19 Mar

Sat 2 April

Chorley Village Hall, Knutsford Road, Wilmslow The Engine Shed – train club aimed at children on the autistic spectrum.

12.30pm Free, but advance booking essential.

Lyme Park Marvellous Mums 1pm - 3pm £5 per child Normal admission charges apply

Sun 20 Mar Alderley Edge Festival Hall Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12.30pm Table costs £10 Entrance 50p Poynton Civic Hall Poynton Family Ramble 10am – 1pm Free refreshments from 9.30am Children must be accompanied by an adult.

01625 504528

The Kingsway Lower School, Cheadle Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12.30pm Table costs £10 Entrance 50p Stockley Farm Park Mother’s Day Brunch

Wed 6 Apr Sat 26 Mar Poynton Civic Hall Poynton Annual Litter Pick Litter picks, bags and gloves provided 10am – 12pm 01625 872238

Stockley Farm Park “Sheep Stakes” (Grand National)

Sun 10 Apr Brereton Heath LNR, Davenport Lane, Brereton Brilliant Bushcraft 10am - 1pm Age 10+ £2 - Booking & payment in advance essential 01625 504505 Tytherington High School, Manchester Road, Tytherington Tytherington Clean-up Refreshments, safety instructions and equipment provided.

1pm - 3pm 01625 374790 Children must be accompanied by an adult

St Mary’s Church, Nantwich Rocks and Fossils in Nantwich 6.30pm - 8pm Age 8+ (must be accompanied) Booking essential 01625 504505

Mon 18 – Fri 22 Apr Chester Zoo Ape Week Normal admission charges apply

Mon 18 – Mon 25 Apr Stockley Farm Park Easter Week Brunch with the Easter Bunny from Fri 22 – Mon 25

Mon 18 – Fri 29 Apr Quarry Bank Mill Easter at The Mill 11am – 5pm Normal admission charges apply

Wed 20 & Thurs 21 Apr

Stockley Farm Park Chick Week

Silk Museum, Macclesfield Chirpy Chicks 10am – 12 noon Age 6-11 £6 - Booking Essential

Tues 12 April

Thurs 21 Apr

Lyme Park Spring has sprung 1pm - 2pm Normal admission charges apply

Sat 16 & Sun 17 Apr

Riverside Park Ranger Centre, Beech Lane Tytherington Family Pond Dip Age 6-11(must be accompanied) Time: TBC on booking Booking essential: 01625 504505

Sandbach Town Centre Sandbach Transport Festival 10am – 4pm

Fri 22 Apr

Mon 4 – Fri 8 Apr Stockley Farm Park Sheep Week

Tatton Park Lambing Week at The Farm 12 noon – 5pm Normal admission charges apply

Sat 9 & Sun 10 Apr

Mon 11 - Sun 17 April Sun 3 Apr

Sat 16 Apr – Fri 22 Apr (Closed Mon 18)

Starting point: Blakemere Craft Centre Destination 49’s Easter Egg Hunt 10am – 3pm Free

www.familiescheshire.co.uk | Families Cheshire 19

What’s on Fri 22 – Mon 25 Apr

Sat 23 – Mon 25 Apr

Thurs 28 Apr

Sat 30 Apr

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton Easter Trails 11am – 4pm £1.50 per trail Lyme Park Hop around Lyme this Easter 11am – 4pm £2 per trail Normal admission charges apply Biddulph Grange Garden Easter Egg Trail 10:30 am - 4:30 pm £1.50 per trail Dunham Massey Easter Eggstravaganza 11am – 4pm Normal admission charges apply

Tatton Park Alice in Wonderland Easter Festival Normal admission charges apply

Riverside Park Ranger Centre, Beech Lane, Tytherington Family Pond Dip Age 6-11(must be accompanied) Time: TBC on booking Booking essential: 01625 504505

Tatton Park Piggy Treasure Trove 10.30am – 12.30pm Age 8-12 £8 - Booking Essential: 01625 374428 Chorley Village Hall, Knutsford Road, Wilmslow The Engine Shed – train club aimed at children on the autistic spectrum.

12.30pm Free, but advance booking essential

Sat 23 & Sun 24 Apr Gulliver’s World Gulliver’s Grand Easter Egg Hunt 10.30 – 5pm Normal admission charges apply

Sun 24 & Mon 25 Apr Blakemere Craft Centre Easter Market 10am – 5pm

Mon 25 – Thurs 28 Apr Stockley Farm Park Royal Wedding Build-up

Wed 27 Apr Riverside Park Ranger Centre, Beech Lane, Tytherington Easter Activities at the Park 2pm – 4pm Age 5 -10 (must be accompanied) Booking essential: 01625 374790

For a guide to what’s on at theatres in your area, go to www.familiescheshire.co.uk Try out this great easy recipe for Cauliflower Stuffed Pita – from Riverford An Indian-style snack or light meal.

Naan bread would be more authentic than pita if you can find it.

Ingredients 1 cauliflower, cut into florets A handful of green peas (frozen are fine) 1or 2 fresh chillies, finely chopped (optional) 1 tbsp oil 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp cumin ½ tsp ginger 1 tsp garam masala (or use any combination of your favourite curry spices) salt + pepper squeeze of lemon handful coriander leaves, chopped 4 small pita breads, to serve (or naan bread)

Method 1. Boil the cauliflower until quite soft.

Add the peas, cook for 2-3 minutes more, drain well and mash roughly.

2. Heat the oil, fry the turmeric, cumin and ginger in the oil for a minute, then add the chillies and garam masala.

3. Scrape the oil and spices into the cauliflower and mix through. Season with salt and pepper and add a little lemon juice to taste, plus the coriander leaves.

4. Halve the pitas or cut a slit in their sides and stuff them with the cauliflower mix.

5. Preheat the grill and toast the pitas, turning to cook each side. Eat as a snack or with a salad and perhaps some plain yoghurt with chopped mint mixed through.

20 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Fri 29 Apr Stockley Farm Park Royal Wedding Street Party

Contact information: Blakemere Craft Centre: 01606 883261 / www.visitblakemere.co.uk Blaze Farm: 01260 227229 / www.blazefarm.com Biddulph Grange Garden: 01782 517999 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk Cheshire East Rangers: 01625 504505 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers Chester Zoo: 01244 380280 / www.chesterzoo.org Destination 49: www.destination49.co.uk Dunham Massey: 0161 9411025 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk Gulliver’s World: 01925 444888 / www.gulliversfun.co.uk Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop: 07748 601248 / www.kidscarbootandswapshop.co.uk Knutsford Heritage Centre: 01565 650506 / www.knutsfordheritage.co.uk Legoland Discovery Centre: 0871 2222662 / www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk Little Moreton Hall: 01260 272018 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk Lyme Park: 01663 762023 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk Macclesfield Silk Museum: 01625 612045 / www.macclesfield.silk.museum Quarry Bank Mill: 01625 445896 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk Sandbach Transport Festival: 01270 766238 / www.sandbachtransportfestival.co.uk Stockley Farm Park: 01565 777323 / www.stockleyfarm.co.uk Tatton Park: 01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk The Engine Shed: 01565 872010 (Liz) / www.engineshedcheshire.com