Families Suffolk Issue 4 March - April

MAGAZINE

EE FR

THE LOCAL

for families with children 0-12 years ISSUE 4 March / April 2012

w w w.f a m i l i e s s u ff o l k .c o .u k

NEW IN THIS ISSUE Local News • Baby Talk • Education Feature • Childcare Feature • Our Community Pages • plus What’s On I P S W I C H • R U S H M E R E • B E L S T E A D • W H E R S T E A D • P I N E W O O D • K E S G R AV E • H E N L E Y • W I T N E S H A M N A C T O N • H O L B R O O K • S H O T L E Y • C L AY D O N • W O O D B R I D G E • H A D L E I G H • S T O W M A R K E T

contents WELCOME Hello and welcome to the latest issue of Families Suffolk magazine.

It has been a busy time since our last magazine, I am pleased to announce Families Suffolk has a new team member – Jack Michael Giddings (seen above with big sister Evie) arrived on 13th Feb weighing 8lb 9oz. Jack is fit and well and already making himself heard.

This issue not only celebrates Mother’s Day (please ensure your husband or partner reads page 7), but also provides many activities within the What’s On pages for the Easter period.

Joanna Moorhead reveals the secret ingredient in childcare on pages 10 & 11, plus the Baby Talk article deals with tantrums – a must read for anyone who cares for toddlers.

As ever I hope you enjoy reading the magazine, and am always happy to hear from you with your ideas on what matters to you. So please feel free to email me, twitter me or find us on Facebook.

Happy reading Lisa Giddings, Editor P.S for the many readers who have asked about Erin who we featured in the last issue, Erin is currently undergoing her next course of intense chemotherapy treatment, she isn’t well enough to go to Disneyland yet. We will keep you posted on her progress.

NEXT ISSUE May / June 2012 CIRCULATION 12,000 copies of Families Suffolk are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other distribution points throughout Suffolk. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please contact us.

CONTACT DETAILS 01473 788546 / 07887 945767 editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING AND ARTWORK editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk EVENTS, DIARY DATES, OUT & ABOUT editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk ORIGINAL DESIGN Creative Joy Sproughton, Ipswich 01473 744884 studio@creativejoy.co.uk www.creativejoy.co.uk

DESIGN ADAPTATION Richard Jarmy www.richardjarmy.co.uk info@richardjarmy.co.uk 07799 031 820 PRINT Five Castles Press Ltd, Raeburn Road South, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 0ET Telephone 01473 718719 www.fivecastles.co.uk

3

Local News

5

Baby Talk

6

Parents Place

8

Education Feature

10

Childcare Feature

12

Our Community

14

What’s On

The cuteness of tantrums / Setting boundaries

Mothers Day ideas, reader offer plus parent to parent interview.

Fun education products plus education news

Families Suffolk 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.

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

Joanna Moorhead reveals the secret ingredient in childcare

Articles from Survivors In Transit / SCC Fostering & Adoption / Cycle Suffolk & Gladwells Pet and Country Store

COVER IMAGE CREATED BY

MIA GORDON aged 7 years

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To contribute to future issues editionsplease pleaseemail emaileditor@familiessuffolk.co.uk editor@familiessuffolk.co.ukororcall call 01473 01473788546 000000

local news Hadleigh Pet Supplies launches website

Suffolk towns and villages on London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay route SIXTEEN towns and villages in Suffolk will extend a warm welcome to the Olympic flame as it makes its way around the UK on its 70 day journey to the London 2012 Games.

Lowestoft, Wrentham, Reydon, Southwold, Kelsale, Saxmundham, Aldeburgh, Wickham Market, Ufford, Melton, Woodbridge, Felixstowe and Ipswich, will all host the torch as it travels through Suffolk on 5th July 2012 and Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket will host it on 7th July.

Not only will the relay include villages, towns and cities along the route, it will also take in hundreds of important landmarks; from the famous to the unexpected; natural to the man made; historical to the modern. In Suffolk this will include Southwold’s iconic beach huts - helping to paint a picture that shows the diversity of the UK. Everyone in Suffolk lives within 30 minutes of the route the torch will take giving communities and individuals their moment to shine

Hadleigh Pet Supplies, in Hadleigh have recently launched their web site, and have been pleased with the response.

Whether you just want to find out what pets they have in stock, what special offers they have, or wish to have your animal, or bird seed, delivered, pay the new website a visit.

www.hadleighpetsupplies.co.uk

Buying their top selling items in bulk, means they can be very competitive on price. The store currently holds a large range of dog beds and coats for the chilly weather. See our advertisement on page 4. www.hadleighpetsupplies.co.uk - 01473 823203 - lynda@ashbrofeeds.co.uk

Shotley Kidzone Ofsted Rated Outstanding!

Local pre-school education providers Shotley Kidzone who are based within Shotley Primary School grounds, Shotley, near Ipswich are delighted to report that they have recently been rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Therasa Butcher Kidzone manager said “we are all extremely delighted and feel that the rating is a reflection of the whole team and how they all work really well and are all very passionate about their roles within Kidzone.

We constantly reflect on our own practise and all staff works on continuing their own professional development which all has a positive impact on the children and the setting”.

If you have any local news you would like included in the next issue please email editor@ familiessuffolk .co.uk

Leisure pools re-opening The leisure and teaching pools at Crown Pools will be re-opening to the public in March. And they’ve never looked better.

The two pools have new tiling, cool new mood lighting, improved airhandling, new glazing and a new water feature in the leisure pool.

The wave machine, slides and fountains still remain, the crèche has been re-furbished and everywhere has a new colour scheme.

The work carried out at Crown Pools is part of a £4m refurbishment programme which is almost complete, with just the competition pool to finish by the summer this year.

However, there is a temporary programme available at Fore Street until the summer with lots of public swimming times available too.

So go along and try the re-furbished leisure pools this spring and give your family a splashing treat!

The temporary programmes and further information about the refurbishment is available at www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport

Lucy Lockets Personalised Jewellery Local mum Lucy Bolton from Ipswich is moving her jewellery business forward from being ‘more of a hobby’ to a business with the expansion to the range of jewellery products available for you to turn into the perfect gift with the addition of your child’s fingerprints captured in solid silver or special word, name or date. Lucy offers a range of beautiful pieces of handcrafted jewellery such as bracelets, cufflinks and necklaces all made incredibly unique and special by adding your own child’s fingerprints. These are ideal gifts for Mother’s Day or indeed any occasion when you are searching for a very special gift.

Local Primary School Designs Business Logo.

With Copdock Mill celebrating 100 years this year Simon Gladwell the current managing director wanted a special logo for use in advertising and promoting one of Suffolk’s oldest established businesses. After seeing what a great job the children at our local village school did on their own logo we approached the teachers and staff to see if the children could design Copdock Mill’s own centenary logo.

With expectations high we were not let down! To see the great effort and thought the children put into the designs was fantastic. The hardest job was to choose which logo or parts of would be included into the final design. Simon Gladwell and Andy Morgan had a very difficult decision to make but once made the design was sent to be incorporated into the Copdock Mill2012 logo.

A big thank you from Copdock Mill to all the staff and children at Copdock Primary School for their hard work in producing the artwork that will be used on our paperwork and lorries and other uses throughout the year.

Contact Lucy 07789742342 - lucybolton@me.com

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

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local news A Live Dr Who Adventure in Ipswich The New Wolsey Theatre and Ipswich Arts Festival are delighted to announce that The Crash of The Elysium, Punchdrunk’s live Doctor Who adventure plays in Ipswich from 15 June – 8 July as part of the London 2012 Festival.

The Crash of The Elysium is unlike anything else you have ever experienced in the world of Doctor Who. This is your story, your mission, you are the hero. Everything depends on you. If you don’t turn up, the world does not get saved.

There is no stage, there is no comfy seating, there is no division between the world of the audience and the world of the show. This is a promenade, walk-through production.

The audience will be walking for the entire production, (approx 60 minutes) You are at the heart of the action and you drive the story forward. There are family, schools and after dark performances available. Please view New Wolsey Theatre website for full details: www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

Kidzone Mobile Crèche launch under 5’s soft play party package.

A FANTASTIC option for your little ones special birthday, christening or other social event, Kidzone mobile crèche are excited to be launching their new under 5s soft play party package and equipment hire. Your little ones would have a fantastic time tumbling around the soft play equipment, your package could include a small bouncy ball pit, slide, tents and tunnels, trampoline, ride on cars, bikes, soft play shapes and ball pond, messy play, arts and crafts and much more. Kidzone mobile crèche have a team of enthusiastic fully trained staff to supervise and run a stress free party tailored to your exact requirements or there is the option to simply hire the equipment to create your own fun party.

Call for more info on 07724114794 or 07756535059 or visit www.kidzonecreche.co.uk

National awards for remarkable Kumon students in Ipswich Central Kumon is the UK’s largest independent education provider, offering maths and English programmes to children of all ages and abilities. The Kumon study programmes are unique and are tailored to the needs of each individual child.

Sangeeta Kumar took over as Instructor of the Ipswich Central Study Centre in August 2011. Since then the number of Kumon students at the study centre has more than doubled. Sangeeta now supports over 100 students at her centre and at the end of last year at an Advanced Student Roll awards ceremony, 20 children from the Ipswich Central Kumon Study Centre were honoured for their success and continued development studying on the Kumon maths and English programmes.

Hemani Patel, a year 11 student at Ipswich High School for girls, says “Kumon has helped me to achieve a high level of maths in school, and although still in year 11, I am finding some A-Level maths work relatively simple.”

Vinesh Mistry, a student doing both Maths and English study programmes, says “Before I joined Kumon, I was not very confident in Maths and English. Kumon has helped me a lot and I am now in top groups for both English and Maths at school.”

To find out more or to enrol your child contact:

Sangeeta Kumar 01473 614 665

www.kumon.co.uk

ipswichcentral@kumoncentre.co.uk.

New BabyCalm classes for Ipswich Newborn babies often cry lots and sleep little, leaving parents feeling unsupported, tired and confused. BabyCalm classes are there to help! They can help you understand how to calm your baby’s crying, avoid colic and aid restful sleep, turning crying babies and stressed parents into calmer babies and happier parents!

BabyCalm strives to help parents to not only calm and understand their babies, but to help them to trust their instincts and confidently make their own parenting decisions. They present the evidence in an easy to understand way, honestly discussing the pros and cons of different approaches.

BabyCalm offer 3 different course formats, all reasonably priced, starting at only £30 for a group workshop, with special introductory offers. You can find more information about our courses at www.babycalm.co.uk.

For classes at Martlesham Heath and Birch Farm, Ipswich - Faye Burley 07565 592728, faye@babycalm.co.uk.

For classes at Lazy Daisy, Ipswich - Katie Mackenzie 07508 139580, Katie@babycalm.co.uk.

All BabyCalm courses are detailed within www.suffolkbabies.co.uk calendar.

Exciting family holidays from Stubborn Mule Travel With 15 years experience in the adventure travel industry and having recently cycled 3,000km around Asia with two small children and a husband, Suffolk based Liddy Pleasants has set up a new travel company offering exciting customtailored family holidays to Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The idea is simple; design holidays that enable parents to visit countries and sites that they have always dreamed about but make them family-friendly by also including activities that the children will love.

Having travelled extensively with their own children, the team know that any sightseeing will be much more exciting for children if done by bike, on a camel, in a tuk-tuk or on the back of a bullock cart. They also know the importance of a well timed ice-cream break or the promise of a swim. Each holiday is specifically tailored to each individual family, taking into account their budget, interests and ages.

To find out more, visit www.stubbornmuletravel.com.

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77 High Street, Hadleigh.

01473 823203 lynda@ashbrofeeds.co.uk Traditional Pet Shop offering a full range of quality pet/animal feed.

FREE DELIVERY SERVICE (subject

to minimum order)

We will deliver, all dog/cat food, poultry/bird seed etc.

All major brands stocked.

BOCM POULTRY FEED FROM £7.50/20kg

www.hadleighpetsupplies.co.uk

To contribute to future issues please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

baby talk The Cuteness of Tantrums / Setting Boundaries - By Helena Foss Relentless: That is the word I tend to mutter when I’m stomping around in a grumpy haze, steadying myself on walls and furniture, hand clamped onto forehead, begging the powers that be for strength as I surrender to the teeth-clenching exasperation that sometimes constitutes motherhood.

Sling Consultant & BraLady Consultations, Sling hire service Online shop. Expert bra fitter

www.natureandnurture.co.uk

‘It’s just relentless.’ I hiss to myself.

‘Relentless! Why did no-one tell me just how damn hard this parenting thing was going to be?’

Actually, mothering is only really relentless when I am not quite rising to the challenges it is chucking at me. And the last few months, dear readers, I have mostly been struggling with: boundaries. Ah yes, that old brick wall that children just love kicking against, for as long as they possibly can, until their little metaphorical feet hurt too much to keep going. What is it with little ones? Why do they give us such a hard time? I mean, where is their respect?

Losing It: Not long ago I found myself in that awful position of being the kind of mother I thought I would never be, losing my rag as I attempted to manage an allguns-blazing tantrum, smack bang in the middle of town, at rush hour. Reasoning was not getting anywhere. Neither was shouting. In the end, I had to grab my boy by the scruff of the neck and yank him onto a bus, holding him at arm’s length to avoid his attempts to scratch me. Determinedly ignoring the bus full of tut-tutting commuters, I pulled him and his flailing limbs upstairs and mercifully found a place right at the back for him to howl himself into exhaustion. Not my finest hour.

I really thought I knew about boundaries. Not only do I have a background in therapy, hey, I watched almost every episode of BBC3’s ‘The House of Tiny Tearaways’ with child psychology expert Professor Tanya Byron at the helm. The theory is great; but practically speaking, I had no idea how tough it would be to draw that all important line without resorting to threats, bribery or a big stick.

With the jigging motion of sitting on the back seat of that bus starting to calm us both down and normalise my blood pressure, I noticed that my internal dialogue was sounding horribly judgemental: ‘After all I have done for you,’ my inner embittered doormat moaned, ‘you ungrateful little...’ Cue the scratchy sound of a needle veering off an old vinyl record.

‘Noooooo!’ I yelled inwardly, sitting up with a jolt as if waking up out of a nightmare.

This was not the person I ever wanted to be.

The Blame Game: See, I know that blame is the easy option. The popular American family therapist Dr Phil insists that you have to teach people how to treat you. In fact, it is your job to point out when people

(c) Franck Boston - Fotolia.com

are taking you for granted. But this takes courage, tenacity and, importantly, respect for oneself. It means giving up the niceness and need-to-be-needed so prevalent in the

female conditioning.

Lying in bed that night, still stunned at just how hellish my afternoon had been, it dawned on me that I had been giving into everyone’s wants apart from my own – and lost my sense of self in the process. It was indeed mortifying to mentally assess just how resentful towards my family I had become; how relentless everyone’s needs felt upon me. My son had given me the gift of reflecting back just how secretly angry I was at myself, for relentlessly ignoring my own needs.

The art of good taking good care of oneself, as well as our children, I have found, is being able to set ground rules as a matter of fact. ‘This is Mummy time’ has to be said in the same straightforward manner as ‘the grass is green’. It is just how it is; no need to defend it with barbed wire and machine guns. As a friend of mine likes to say, ‘once everyone in the family knows their place, even the dog and the cat, we can all relax.’

Cute Tantrums: ‘You know, when I think back to those days of tantrums,’ a mother of several teenagers reminisced to me recently, ‘I actually think it was really cute.’

Cute?! It took me a while to get my head round that one. Children’s little brains, I have to remind myself, are not wired for considered, rational behaviour. If they want something they want it. Now. Not having it can bring on a full-blown grief reaction.

As overt as they are with their sadness, they are with their happiness and love too.

There is nothing quite like my son running up to fling his arms around me when I walk through the door, after nipping to the corner shop.

The other week, my son’s school nursery teacher told me she had asked the class if anyone knew what a tantrum was.

My boy’s hand, apparently, shot up. ‘A tantrum,’ he said solemnly as he stood in front of the class, ‘is when you just pry and pry and pry.’ (He hasn’t got the hard ‘c’ sound nailed in that particular word just yet). The discussion opened up and, one by one, the faces of his nursery chums lit up. ‘Oh yes,’ they chimed, ‘I do that sometimes too!’ And: ‘So do I!’ A four-year-olds tantrum support group!

Awwwww. Now that really is cute.

Helena is a hypnotherapist and writer about all things holistic and spiritual. www.helenafoss.co.uk

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

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parents place Joy Day, 32, 32, is married to Nick and has two lovely little girls, Amelie (5) and Isabel (3).

Joy is a freelance graphic designer and, having designed for many big-name brands in her agency career, she now offers agency-standard design to local businesses.

Joy designs for print and web and specialises in imaginative, meaningful design, helping businesses to elevate their image without breaking the bank.

Why you like living where you do? - We count ourselves lucky that we have many lovely country walks on our doorstep, including a ‘secret’ wood where we can often be found building dens! Plus there is a wonderful playing field (plus kids’ play area), which is great for flying kites on a windy day.

Favourite shop and why? - I’ve recently picked up a fabulous designer lbd little back dress from Persnickety on Woodbridge Road, which got quite a few airings over the festive season!

Favourite park and why? - Chantry park is our regular favourite, especially since it’s within cycling distance from our home. Since it’s been renovated, the play area is great fun for the kids, plus the park itself offers lovely scenic walks, tree climbing, duck feeding and squirrel spotting too!

Favourite children’s club/class? - Ballet at Birch Farm has been a long-running favourite for both our girls. Amelie has also recently joined the local Rainbow group at Bramford and is loving her Monday meetings!

Favourite day out and why? - We love going to Colchester Zoo, especially in the winter when it’s not so crowded. You can’t beat a day at the beach when the sun’s out in the summer. My own personal favourite is Southwold; for the beach, the eccentric pier amusements and of course fish n’chips at the end of the day!

Hypnotherapy Helping children with anxiety.

Fears phobias, panic attacks Nail biting Bedwetting Shyness, problems making friends Anger, tantrums, bad behaviour Insomnia, nightmares Exam nerves

For more information visit: www.melaniecollingshypnotherapy.co.uk

Call: 07855 798 789

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Proudest eco-friendly moment? - Ditching the car for our bikes for the school-run! The first time we tried it, Amelie had just mastered cycling without stabilisers but was determined to complete the mile-long journey all by herself – and Izzie sat beaming on the back of my bike!

Best planet saving tip? Reusable nappies – costefficient and great for the carbon-footprint!

Most embarrassing moment? - Having to strip to my undies at Felixstowe beach last summer, to swim out to retrieve my friend’s dog’s toy! I had thrown too far and the dog refused to fetch it; although as soon as I got within a meter of the toy, he splashed out to join me! The kids watched open-mouthed!!

Funniest comment? - When Amelie was 3, after a particularly exciting trip to Chantry park, she rushed in to tell Daddy “we saw a tortellini in the Duck pond” … meaning terrapin!

Favourite family holiday spot and why? - We had a particularly lovely holiday in Devon two years ago, staying on a working farm where the children were able to bottle feed the lambs and help feed the other animals twice a day. Last year we also enjoyed a lovely Easter weekend with friends, staying in our caravan at Dunwich’s beautiful coastal holiday park, Cliff House.

the years seems to inspire the children to come up with all kinds of imaginative stories and games – it’s always a pleasure to listen in!

Most successful recipe/food? - My Nan’s quick recipe for oatmeal cookies is a huge hit and the girls love making this with me; I only have to pass them the ingredients and they know just what to do!

If you would like to visit any of the places Joy has mentioned please find the contact details listed below: Persnickety - 785 Woodbridge Road Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 4NN . 07941 362646 www.persnicketyshop.co.uk Birch Farm Complex - Silver Hill, Hintlesham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3NJ. 01473 652152 www.birchfarm.co.uk Colchester Zoo - Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL. 01206 331292 www.colchester-zoo.co.uk Cliff House Holiday Park - Minsmere Road Dunwich, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 3DQ 01728 648 282 www.cliffhouseholiday.co.uk If you would like to speak to Joy regarding any design work you can contact her on 01473 744884 or visit www.creativejoy.co.uk

Best children’s book? - I’m a big fan of Mick Inkpen and love his playful illustrations, which often play with the structure of the book. Our girls love “This Is My Book”, which features great wordplay and is educational as well as being just a little bit naughty – this never fails to get a great belly laugh from both girls!

Best children DVD or video? - Both girls love the film Lion King and we can all sing along to every song! We took them to see the stage musical in London last November, which was a complete treat for us all!

Most played with toys? - Schleich animals and dinosaur toys. Very life-like and virtually indestructible, the collection we’ve built up over

SURVIVOR S IN TRANSITION

Drop in sessions held in Ipswich, Felixstowe and Beccles for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Contact us for further information Phone or text: 07765052282 BBM: 2255DF13 www.survivorsintransition.co.uk

Reader Offer...

You could be one of 50 lucky readers winning a one-hour portrait session worth £75 with Barrett & Coe photographers in Hadleigh.

Not only will you be treated to a photography session that could be used for the entire family or just you and your loved one, but you’ll also receive a beautiful *2 x 6” photograph worth £85! So, whether it’s the entire family in all their glory, you and your friends, your family pet or your beautiful bundle of joy, Barrett & Coe photographers are waiting to capture your moments.

Barrett & Coe Photographers offer a friendly service combined with beautiful, modern, relaxed photography, Barrett & Coe is one of the largest network of portrait photographers in the UK. You’ll be able to enjoy a lifetime of cherished memories with each and every photograph.

To win one of these sessions all you have to do is email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk stating the words Barrett & Co Reader Offer in the subject box, the first 50 emails received between 1st March & 30th April 2012 will win.

To win one of these sessions all you have to do is email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk stating the words Barrett & Co Reader Offer in the subject box, the first 50 emails received between 1st March & 30th April 2012 will win.

To contribute to future issues please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

What mums really want for Mother’s Day

by Gabrielle Starkey

Warning: This is a page for dads only – mums, look elsewhere (or leave the magazine conveniently open on this page where it might be found by your other half‌) Psst, dads – want to know what mum really wants for Mothers’ Day? Here are some ideas to show her how much you care.

A family gathering Mothering Sunday was originally a day-off from Lent, when servants were allowed to travel home to see their mums, and have a slap-up dinner together. Traditional presents were flowers and cakes – and you won’t go too far wrong if you stick to tradition. What mum doesn’t love having the family all around one table, with cake and flowers thrown in? But mum’s not making the feast, or doing the washing up – oh no.

Book her favourite restaurant or pub, or make the meal yourself, or find someone to bake a beautiful cake - and make sure you wash up afterwards.

Breakfast in bed Again, a traditional but excellent choice. Try making Jamie Oliver’s ridiculously easy American-style pancakes (1 cup each of flour and milk, plus one large egg: www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fruit-recipes/ apple-pancakes-with-the-girls) with fruit and maple syrup, add flowers and a pot of tea, and Bob’s your auntie’s live-in lover. Follow up with a family walk – or take the kids off yourself to let her really enjoy that extended lie-in.

Time to herself -

Available for first time buyers, home movers and remortgagers

This is one thing we mums often crave more than anything, so organise her some proper “me time�. Book her a spa day or indulge her hobby (yoga/writing/crafts/cookery) with a weekend course. If she doesn’t get to see her closest friends enough, maybe you could secretly liaise with them and organise a weekend away? You’ll be rolling in Brownie points after any of these.

Time with you, alone Chances are, since the kids came along, life’s been a little (or a lot) less romantic. Mothers’ Day is the perfect time to put this right, with a hotel reservation slipped inside the card and the grandparents on standby for next weekend. Happy days all round.

Personalised works of art If home is where your woman’s heart is, then a few personal touches to beautify it won’t go far wrong. Book a portrait session for the whole family with a great local photographer (see sidebar for some examples), or find a local service that turns an existing photo into a fantastic artwork. What woman could resist a framed print of her wedding day as a romantic gesture?

Something really unique With a little planning ahead, you and the kids can present mum with a truly unique and handmade creation. Take the children’s fingerprints or hand or foot casts, and have them made into pictures, keepsakes or jewellery – there are lots of places that do this now. Alternatively, take the kids to a pottery painting shop and have a great time making a personalised plate, mug or vase that mum will treasure forever.

Whatever you decide, we hope every mum has a wonderful Mothers’ Day!

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www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

07

education feature Poems and songs to make you smile by Shirley Bignell Music and storytelling have always been important to me. I taught cello, piano and double bass for many years, before turning my attention to writing and performing prose and poetry in Suffolk Schools. I began by creating stories and songs for and about my children.

In Counting and Creatures poems and rhymes are joined by drums.

Make counting easy and reciting fun with this selection of well loved traditional rhymes and poems from Britain and the Caribbean. The collection suits all ages, groups and individuals as younger children can be guided through the poems, whilst older children enjoy free expression.

Today we are going to Sing has original songs accompanied by guitar. It is a collection of simple, funny and imaginative poems with a variety of subjects and moods, changes of speed and rhythm and lots of opportunities to join in with the actions.

Music enhances children’s communication skills and learning.

Rhymes, poems and songs develop their vocabulary. In practice, these poems and songs written for younger children, engage all ages.

Today we are going to SING £5:75 Counting and Creatures £3:75 Talking Caribbean £13:95 All prices include UK p&p www.bigtoeaudio.co.uk for all products and purchasing

Testimonials: “Counting and Creatures is great fun. It’s a lovely introduction to repetitive rhythms and rhyme. I have been playing it to my 10 months old granddaughter and we have fun clapping along; she nods her head as she claps. A favourite is Five Little Ducks” - Sally Sago “I like the crocodile song because I like to do the actions” - Isabel age 3 “I LOVE playing along to the rhythm with my instruments!”

- Amelie age 5 “I have used Today we are going to SING with children aged two to three years. The lyrics are simple for young children to follow and contain lots of repetition. The songs have a catchy rhythm and have been designed to take into account the everyday experiences of very young children.”

- Fiona Norris, Pre-school Leader, Debenham Roundabout.

“As a mum, I found Shirley’s lyrical Caribbean accent gives a wonderful twist to some much loved traditional nursery rhymes, whilst the children quickly got to know the new ones. After just a few listens our girls clearly had their favourites and now rush to find instruments to join in; the percussion accompaniment is original and quite infectious!”

- Joy Day – mum to Isabel aged 3yrs and Amelie aged 5yrs.

Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to improve your child’s skills, develop their confidence and inspire a passion for learning.

To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a Free Assessment: Ipswich Central Study Centre Sangeeta Kumar 01473 614 665

OFSTED RATING

Improve your child’s study skills

OUTSTANDING

kumon.co.uk

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To contribute to future issues please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

School Life Scrap Album educational fun for everyone

for Girls aged 3-18

Two local mums, Jacqui and Ronelle, recently launched a unique expandable album, School Life Scrap Album.

Ronelle explains: “At the beginning of year 7 my youngest son struggled to adapt to senior school and his self esteem was at an all time low.

I merely acted on parental instinct and took out the scrap albums I meticulously kept since his first school day. I sat down with him and whilst looking back at all his school experiences, family cuttings, achievements and other highlights, managed to re-instil the confidence and pride he needed at that point. He reacted positively to this and realised his potential as a young teenager. My real life experience with my own child made me realise that every child should benefit in this way.

Collecting memories from an early age is vital for a child’s long-term success.”

Jacqui and Ronelle joined forces and together they created the School Life Scrap Album. This album guarantees hours of fun for children while they use it to collect all their photos, certificates, favourite artworks and memorabilia year after year, in one secure place. Furthermore, by using scrap bits of recyclable materials lying around the house such as bits of ribbon, scraps of paper, gift wrap, pizza or cereal card board boxes very little money needs to be spent! The greatest advantage of this album is the fantastic opportunity each child has to personalise it!

Can you imagine the sense of exuberance when looking back one day at a treasure like this!

The School Life Scrap Album in schools: • • • •

Introductory scrapbooking workshops offered to schools PTAs receive a commission on all purchases An excellent form of record keeping Wonderful gift for new students to the school or Year 6 Leavers

What our supporters have to say: “It definitely helps to improve the pride they have in their own accomplishments...” - Teacher “Epic cover...”- Tommy Age 10 “Pre-printed pages with UK specific language just great..” – Parent

Visit: www.memories.me.uk or contact us on 01206 331816

Recommended by friends Our girls thrive here. From PrePrep to Sixth Form everything we do is tailored to their everchanging needs. As the only all girls’ school in Suffolk, we really can offer your daughter a unique education; free to be herself, to build in confidence and to focus on learning in the perfect environment.

Open Day Thursday 15th March 10am - 1pm 01473 780201 www.ipswichhighschool.co.uk Woolverstone, Suffolk, IP9 1AZ

‘Outstanding School’ across all categories, ISI Inspection 2011

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

09

childcare feature Love changes childcare

By Joanna Moorhead

Joanna Moorhead reveals the secret ingredient in childcare – and explains how Ofsted has caught on to it as well.

If 18 years of organising childcare for my children taught me anything at all, it’s this: you can pay someone to look after your kids, but you can’t pay someone to love them.

What this means – or at least, what it means to me – is that when and if someone comes along who actually does love your kids, hold onto them for all you’re worth; because they are literally priceless in your family’s life.

For me, the wonderful carer who really did love my daughters was Linda, who looked after them (and sometimes me as well) for eight years. She arrived in our family’s life when my eldest child was two, and she stayed until the birth of my fourth. When she left, she said it was because she didn’t want to fall in love with another of my babies – because then it would be too hard to leave, and during the time she’d been working for us, she and her husband had moved further out of town.

Across the years I reckon I’ve paid at least 20 different carers to look after my children – and I still occasionally have to find childcare for my youngest daughter, who is nine. I’ve searched for – and found – carers for tiny babies, and for older (and not always very easy) preschoolers. I’ve found nurseries for some of my children, and I’ve had au pairs from time to time.

None of the carers in our family were as much a part of our team as Linda was, and none of them loved my children as much as she did (she still comes back to see them, several years on); but the more the carer engaged with, and enjoyed, whichever child or children she was looking after, the happier the children were. So I have no doubt at all what matters most in choosing a childcarer.

Look for someone who makes your child happy, pure and simple. Look for someone your child looks forward to being with, and is happy to share his or her days with.

MOAT BARN

Nursery School Open day Saturday

24th March 10am-3pm

We offer high quality care for children aged 3 months to rising five, and an after school club with FREE collection from There is a Holiday club for up to Beali Cha ngs 11 year olds.

Grundrsfield The nursery Wood isburgh b consists of & Kysridge on three large age appropriate rooms and large outside play area enabling an excellent learning environment where the children can thrive to become please n io at rm independent learners. info For morethe nursery on t contac

01473 738282

mail@moatbarnnursery.co.uk Moat Barn Nursery, Hasketon, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 6JW

www.moatbarnnursery.co.uk

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Often – or so it has sometimes seemed to me – parents are too ambitious in their hopes for a childcarer; and ironically, this means they end up getting a raw deal for their child. They want a carer who, as well as looking after their child, will also manage to make the beds and iron the laundry and leave the kitchen spotless at the end of the day. And of course, if you’ve been out at work since dawn and you’ve got another tough day tomorrow, tidiness does matter – because in order to enjoy a bit of time with your child, you don’t want to have to start ploughing through the washing up. But expecting too much ‘round the edges’ from a carer means your child can miss out: because it’s that primary relationship between the nanny, or mother’s help, or childminder, that matters more than anything else.

Childcare: your options There’s lots to think about when you’re weighing up which sort of childcare to go for. Do you want your child looked after at home, or somewhere else; with other children, or one-to-one with a carer? You’ll also need to consider what sort of care will dovetail with your working hours; plus (and all-importantly) your budget.

A nursery: usually open long hours, typically from 7am to 7pm. You need to think about how you’ll get your child to and from nursery; also, if you intend having another child

Interestingly, Ofsted recently came to the same conclusion.

In recent years, the main thrust of an Ofsted check on a nursery or childminder has been on safety issues, especially safeguarding ones. But under new plans, inspectors will concentrate instead, in the future, on whether children feel loved and emotionally secure while they’re in the nursery or childminder’s home, and will look at children’s personal development, such as how ready they are to share and to take turns, and how well they engage with the other children around them.

The plans are out for consultation until April, but they’ve already received a warm welcome – because of course they make perfect sense.

I’d also say, looking back over my many years of employing childcarers, that – strangely enough – the carers the kids would have chosen were unfailingly the ones who were most successful in our family. The litmus test of a childcarer’s abilities is, at the end of the day, whether your child would choose to be with that person (assuming you aren’t available which, of course, you’re not).

For this reason, it seems a bit odd to me that parents sometimes report feeling jealous of the feelings their child has for their childcarer. No carer is ever going to replace a parent, but surely the very best accolade for the choice you’ve made for your children is if your replacement is the next-best person in their life? Ideally, a carer should resemble a much-loved family member – depending on what sort of carer they are, and what sort of age they are.

So in my family, Linda was a ‘granny’ figure (although she was only ten years older than me, and a very glamorous granny when she first arrived at our door, aged just 40); we’ve had Czech and Polish au pairs, usually shared with other families, who have had a big-sisterly relationship with my daughters; and we’ve had carers in nurseries who have been like favourite aunties.

And all in all, my daughters have laughed a lot, and enjoyed their time, and improved their social skills through their attachments and their relationships with the people who’ve cared for them. Like every working mother, I owe all these people who’ve backed me up through the years a huge debt of gratitude: because we all need to know our kids are safe and happy in order to do our jobs. So, follow your instincts is what I’d say: find someone your child really likes being with, and a carer who clearly enjoys being with your child. If you’re very , very lucky, you may even find someone to love him, or her; and then you’ll truly have hit the jackpot.

soon, remember that having two children at nursery will double (or almost double, if there’s a sibling discount) the costs. Expect to pay: £30-50 a day A childminder: looks after up to six children (three of whom can be under five) in her own home. Childminders can often be flexible about working hours. Expect to pay: between £3 and £8 an hour A nanny: looks after your child in your own home, and may live in or live out. You can cut your costs, and give your child a playmate, if you share a nanny with another family with a similar-aged child. Expect to pay: between £7 and £10 an hour, plus you’re responsible for your nanny’s tax and NI contributions.

An au pair or mother’s help: au pairs or mother’s helps tend to come from other EU countries, and may or may not live in your house. They’re often not trained, but will need to have some experience of childcare; they look after your children, and may do some housework as well.

Expect to pay: between £6 and £8 an hour for a live-out, less if they’re live-in and you’re providing food.

Childcare pitfalls *Don’t be vague with your carer about what you want/ need. But once you’ve spelt out what you need, be prepared to trust her to provide what your child needs when she’s in charge, within the boundaries you have set *Don’t enter into a childcare arrangement unless you’re certain that the logistics work. Any niggle about practicalities is likely to grow much, much bigger as time goes by *Don’t forget to trust your instincts. Never ignore any nagging doubts about a carer’s suitability – explore the doubts instead, because you need to be completely sure that all is well when you’re not around

To contribute to future issues please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Cassandra Day Manager of Tines Childcare Suffolk and Norfolk also gave Families Suffolk a further childcare solution, Nanny share.

WEDDING

A Bespoke Wedding Crèche • Tailored packages to suit all needs.

• Professional, friendly and enthusiastic team.

• Craft table, outdoor games, age related toys.

• All imagination and equipment included!

• Children of all ages.

• No Distance a problem

Rise of the Nanny share - half the cost of childcare!

‘Organising childcare can seem complicated and daunting especially in the recession when purse strings are tight.

There are many different childcare options, which all come with varying costs.

Tinies Suffolk and Norfolk, (tinies.com, 0845 6434 188) the UK’s leading childcare agency can advise you on the different choices of childcare out there, and the best solution depending upon your lifestyle, income, flexibility and above all your children.

Hiring your own ‘Mary Poppins’ can do some serious damage to your bank balance. With every family watching their pennies at the moment ‘Nanny sharing’ is becoming one of the most popular and cost effective means of childcare.

Tinies has seen a sharp rise in ‘nanny share’ arrangements amongst families citing the credit crunch as the key factor.’

CRÈCHE

Let Little Guests take the stress out of your day and the kids will have bags of fun!

Emma Longman Tel: 07795 663290 • Sue McFadyen Tel: 07765 281419 Visit us at www.littleguests.co.uk • Email: enquiries@littleguests.co.uk Follow us on Facebook!

Over 25 years experience, with more branches and more childcarers than anyone else

• • • •

Nannies Mothers Helps Emergency / Temporary Childcare Babysitting

0845 6434 188

www.tinies.com

Top Tips on Flexible Working

tasks that need doing outdoors, eg posting a letter, en route. Eventually it will become a way of life.

1. When negotiating flexible working, make sure you think practically

8. Simplify your life - say no to the things you don’t need to do and build

By Mandy Garner

about what works for your family. For instance, make sure your childcare plans allow enough leeway so you don’t end up rushing everywhere all the time.

2. Be incredibly organised. Have a list where you write down everything

7. Be good to your friends and family. You will need them. If a friend

does you a favour, ensure you always repay it so that you can ask again in the future.

in some rest time into your life. Everyone needs a duvet day once in a while.

9. Ask your friends for tips on what makes their lives easier. It may be

you have to do. You can then feel a sense of achievement as you tick it off, even if you are adding more things to it in the meantime.

something as simple as tying your door keys round your neck to stop you from always scrabbling about for them. Learn from those who have gone before you.

3. Prepare all the school/nursery/childminder stuff you need in the

10. Be your own best friend. You will spend your life doing things for

morning the night before, including uniforms and lunch boxes. That way you only have to get the kids up, dressed, breakfasted and out in the morning. Anything more increases the stress levels and means you arrive at work as if you have been on a combat training course.

other people. Ensure that you also build some time in for yourself, even if it is only to have a bath all by yourself.

This article is written by Mandy Garner, Editor of Workingmums.co.uk.

4. Try to plan ahead so you are not always re-arranging childcare at the last minute. This includes inset days, holidays, Christmas plays,summer outings, etc, etc.

5. Have a back-up back-up plan. Negotiate with your partner, if you

have one, or any other form of support what you will do if there is an emergency such as school closure and try to share the burden. If you know in advance that there is going to be an emergency such as a school strike negotiate with your work to see if you can work more flexibly that day, eg, from home.

Workingmums.co.uk is a jobsite and community for working mums looking to work flexibly around their family.

They also run events Workingmums.co.uk LIVE London is at the Business Design Centre, Islington on March 27th 2012.

To register your free place visit

6. Multi-task. Try to save time by doing several things at once. If you are going out to drop someone off, make sure you remember to do all other

www.WorkingmumsLIVE.co.uk/london

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

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our community Survivors in Transition As regular readers are aware Families Suffolk is a news magazine for parents/ carers and is a relevant read for any adults caring for children up to the age of 12. As such some of the topics covered and services/charities featured deal with serious issues, Surviviors in Transit being an example of one of the many charities in Suffolk which offer fantastic support for anyone who needs them.

Survivors in Transition – or SiT as it is affectionately called is a local charity providing essential services in Suffolk to adult survivors of CSA (childhood sexual abuse).

SiT has recently opened a satellite session in Felixstowe. There is also a session currently running in Beccles to cover the North of Suffolk. ‘Our next target area is the West of Suffolk as there are currently no services in this area for survivors of CSA’ advised Clare. ‘From there we hope to open further satellite sessions throughout Suffolk’.

SiT mainly represents female survivors at the drop in centres currently operating, however work is being undertaken behind the scenes to improve services for male survivors. ‘Currently the only service we can offer male survivors is email, text, BBM or Skype sessions or individual counseling but we are actively improving and engaging with male survivors to research what works best for them’ explained Fiona.

Childhood sexual abuse affects 1 in 4 adult females and 1 in 6 adult males causing, amongst other things, problems such as eating disorders, self harm/injury, depression, low self esteem, relationship difficulties, parenting issues as well as numerous physical symptoms.

Frustrated at a lack of services co-founder Clare Wilson, with her partner Fiona Ellis, began SiT in a small board room in the town centre. The service quickly outgrew the space and moved into a community centre on the triangle estate in Ipswich aptly named ‘Our Space’. Our space provides ample room as well as a separate room for privacy if needed.

Fiona explains ‘ we saw the opening of SiT as a moral and social responsibility not only to the people of Ipswich but Suffolk as a whole. We work closely with the Butterfly Programme which is a therapeutic group programme for adult survivors of CSA. From this we identified a serious need in Suffolk for services and have

How Fostering could enrich the whole family.

worked tirelessly to ensure a professional and respectful service is provided to female and male survivors throughout Suffolk’. SiT provides a stepping stone for people to access individual counseling and group work as well as continued support after attending a group programme.

SiT is open on a Monday from 10am-12pm at Sea Breeze Children’s Centre in Felixstowe, Monday from 1pm – 3pm at Butterflies Children’s Centre in Beccles and on a Wednesday from 12 – 2pm at Our Space, Dickens Road in Ipswich.

Anyone can contact SiT, discreetly, via their website www.survivorsintransition. co.uk (generously provided by Rubious) or via phone or text on 07765 052282 via BBM 2255DF13 or male survivors can also make contact via Skype ‘survivorsintransition’ or email

support@survivorsintransition.co.uk

carers for almost 5 years and together with their two boys Tom and Joe (aged 9 and 11 when first approved) have cared for 7 children as young as 3 days old.

When foster children leave they take a little bit of you with them, and they leave a little bit of themselves behind, but ultimately knowing that you have made an positive impact on there life is why we do what we do, and that’s enough for us.

Families Suffolk magazine spoke to Stacey Phillips, Publicity & Recruitment Officer for Suffolk County Councils Fostering & Adoption Services regarding the increasing need for Foster families in Suffolk and how fostering can enrich your whole family.

If you have ever thought about fostering, but had concerns about how fostering could impact on your own children, we would urge you to think again. Many of our foster families in Suffolk successfully balance caring for foster children at the same time as their own birth children, and strongly believe being part of a fostering family can really enrich the lives of their own children.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Fostering Network 20% of fostering families in the UK had primary school aged children when they first became approved foster carers, and 15% had children under 5yrs. The same survey explored existing fosters carers initial motivations, and over 70% said ‘they thought that fostering would be a good thing for me/my family to do’.

Debbie and Rick Seabrook have been foster

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We have found fostering a very rewarding, and fulfilling experience for the whole family, and we are grateful to be given the opportunity to simply make a difference.

We feel as proud of a foster child’s achievements as we do of our own children’s achievements.

When asked about their fostering experience they said ‘Fostering was just something we always knew we wanted to do. We really wanted to help other children, who were in need of a caring and supportive home. Looked after children just want to be included in what you’re doing, and treated just like any other child would be.

Our birth children show great empathy and understanding of other people’s issues and circumstances, and they have a positive attitude to sharing us with others. They too have a very active role in fostering. The ‘foster grandparents’ also enjoy the fostering experience and the role they have within it and are very much part of the “foster family”. We really are a family that foster.

Tom commented ‘Mum you have the best job in the world, looking after these children. I like fostering because, its fun, and there is always something to do, and I never get bored.

Joe added ‘I enjoy fostering, I like looking after the children, and teaching them new things’.

If you and your family would like to find out more about fostering a Suffolk child please contact us today on 0800 328 2148. You can also visit our website www.suffolkfostering.com, or follow us on facebook.

To be a foster carer you must be over 21 and have a spare bedroom.

To contribute to future issues please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

An invitation to get on your bike!

Cycle Suffolk would love to hear from any rural towns or villages who are interested in having social led cycle rides organised for their community.

Led rides are ideal for people who prefer to cycle in a group and are maybe unsure of an ideal route to take. There are always trained lead riders who plan the route in advance, and these guys will be at the front and rear of the group, ensuring that they manage junctions and keep an eye on traffic, allowing you to focus on enjoying the ride. Cycling in a led ride is good fun and motivational and the routes are exciting, often visiting specific places of interest like churches or museums and usually including a refreshment stop.

The rides can be of varying distances, and the routes generally stick to quiet country lanes, and always travel at the speed of the slowest rider, so they are suitable for all abilities.

And if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a bike, no problem, Cycle Suffolk will loan you a bike for the led ride, so there really is no excuse.

Cycle Suffolk organised many led rides last year for rural communities and are hoping to do the same this year. So give them a call now to discuss how your town or village can benefit from led rides.

Visit www.cyclesuffolk.org or call Joseph Young on 01394 444590 or 07920 861819

Copdock MILL

In early February 2011 thieves targeted Copdock Millsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retail store and stole a small amount of money and then vindictively set fire to the building causing unimaginable damage. This was a devastating site to see for Mark Gladwell his family and all staff employed at this family firm. With typical spirit and immense public goodwill the company managed by various means to keep the vast majority of customers happy and supplied with the goods they needed. With the rebuild taking a little longer than expected a temporary building was erected which is where trading has took part until December 2011.

With the grand opening of the newly rebuilt store in early December 2011 customers were amazed by the transformation. With a new layout and exciting new ranges of pet feeds and accessories the new store is back bigger and better than before! Stocking all the feed and accessories you will need for your pets and animals at great prices this store is a must for the animal loving public of Ipswich and surrounding areas.

To add to the fantastic new store a complete floor opened on Saturday 18th February 2012 stocked with fishing equipment and bait alongside a great range of country clothing and essential equestrian wear. With a new reptile area on the ground floor the manager Justin Bartlett invites all pet and animal lovers to pop along and visit one of Suffolkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier pet stores.

Call for directions on 01473 731117 or visit our website on www.copdockmill.co.uk and follow the like to Gladwells Pet & Country Store Copdock.

A big thank you to all the customers and public for all the support and patience they have shown while building and repair work took place in 2011.

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

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Families Suffolk ‘What’s On’ pages We try our best to ensure the information listed is correct, but please always check with the venue before setting out in case things have changed.

Theatre The Gruffalo (2012) Tuesday 13 March to Wednesday 14 March Ipswich Regent Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the award-winning picture book

by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Voted the nation’s number one bedtime story by BBC Radio 2 listeners, The Gruffalo has been

Ipswich Regent

Suitable for ages 4+.

Ipswich Operatic and Dramatic Society present Oliver

PLEASE NOTE: This production is at the New Wolsey Studio, St. Georges Street, a five minute walk from the Main Theatre on Civic Drive.

Dickens’ classic tale of a young boy stumbling through life in search of happiness is brought gloriously to life in this fabulous musical.

Storymaker – Little Story

Under 14s must be accompanied by a paying adult

Sat 31st March & Sat 21st April - 11am

01473 433100 www. ipswichregent.com

If you’re 3 or 4 years old and love silly stories and tremendous tales then you’ve got to come to meet the Storymaker at the New Wolsey Theatre. Mums, Dads, Grans, Grandads, Big Brothers and Big Sisters should come too, they can look after you and pick up some tips along the way.

The New Wolsey Studio Sat 3rd March 2012

performed to well over a million people the world over and has even hit the small screens in a star-studded TV animation.

Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3+ and their grown-ups.

Under 14s must be accompanied by a paying adult 01473 433100 www. ipswichregent.com

The Little Big Club Live in concert Monday 9th April Ipswich Regent The Little Big Club Live in Concert is back!

This production features the world’s leading preschool brand Thomas the Tank Engine™ as well as favourites Bob The Builder™, Fireman Sam™, Barney the Dinosaur ™, Angelina Ballerina™, and Pingu™.

Under 14s must be accompanied by a paying adult 01473 433100 www. ipswichregent.com

Oliver!

Wednesday 18th April to Saturday 21st April

The Duke’s Headliners bring you stand up comedy for the Under 12’s. With a great selection of wacky and silly jokes, tailor made for kids.

Recommended for ages 8 - 12.

01473 295900 www. wolseytheatre.co.uk

The New Wolsey Studio

Storymaker makes children better listeners and families better at telling stories, and because we want to give everyone the chance to take part we even let you decide what to pay, it could be anything from 50p to £2.50

Chris & PuiRoadshow 2012 The Spa Pavillion, Felixtowe Wednesday 4th April 2012 CBeebies’ favourite double-act Chris and Pui are coming to town! Fresh from their hit show ‘Show Me Show Me’, they invite you to join them at the theatre.

01394 282126 www.thespapavillion.org

Marwyn School of Dancing (Ipswich) Hansel & Gretel The Spa Pavillion, Felixtowe

Sat 10th March 2012

Storymaker – Big Story

01394 282126 www.thespapavillion.org

It’s baking day and an inexperienced baker needs all the help he can get.

The New Wolsey Studio

This delightful and imaginative mixture of puppetry, storytelling, music and breadmaking is all played out on a kitchen table.

If you’re 5 or 6 you can leave your family downstairs in the New Wolsey Café and come upstairs to meet the to meet the Storymaker yourself for an amazing adventure, or an exciting escapade. Mums, Dads, Grans, Grandads, Big Brothers and Big Sister’s can come too, but they’ll have to join in with the fun.

Activities & Events

The New Wolsey Studio

Suitable for ages 4 to 7.

PLEASE NOTE: This production is at the New Wolsey Studio, St. Georges Street, a five minute walk from the Main Theatre on Civic Drive.

01473 295900 www. wolseytheatre.co.uk

Red Riding Hood The New Wolsey Studio Sat 24th March 2012 Once upon a time there was a young girl who went to spend the night at Grandma’s house... and her little brother came too!

She just wanted to go to sleep, but he wouldn’t settle down.

Sat 31st March & Sat 21st April - 12noon

Storymaker makes children better listeners and families better at telling stories, and because we want to give everyone the chance to take part we even let you decide what to pay, it could be anything from 50p to £2.50 01473 295900 www. wolseytheatre.co.uk

Kid Carpet & The Noisy Animals The New Wolsey Studio Sat 28th April Follow the adventures of the charismatic singer and his animal band (made up of a gorilla, a bear, a hedgehog and a badger) as they make friends, play games, contemplate the world and finally rock out at a grand dance contest.

Suitable for ages 3+.

PLEASE NOTE: This production is at the New Wolsey Studio, St.

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01473 295900 www. wolseytheatre.co.uk

01473 295900 www. wolseytheatre.co.uk

Chicken Licken

fossils and discover the secrets they hold of this forgotten time For more information visit: www.cimusuems.org.uk

Nearly New Sale of Children’s Clothing, Toys and Equipment

01473 295900 www. wolseytheatre.co.uk

An amateur prodction by arrangement with MusicScope and Stage Musicals Limited of New York.

Under 12’s comedy

Georges Street, a five minute walk from the Main Theatre on Civic Drive.

Friday 27th April & Saturday 28th April

Free Information Evening for Pregnancy & New Parents Thursday 8th March 7.00pm – 8.30pm The Lazy Daisy Birthing Studio, Ipswich Sports Club, Henley Rd, Ipswich A free information evening organised by local companies BabyCalm, Nature&Nuture and Lazy Daisy inviting new parents or soon to be parents to find out more about baby classes, workshops, baby wearing demonstrations and other alternative therapies in the local area.

For more information: www. suffolkbabies.co.uk/events

Saturday 17 March 10.00 am – 12.00 pm Tattingstone Village Hall Here’s a local opportunity to sell your good quality but unwanted children’s clothing and toys at our Nearly New sale to be held at Tattingstone Village Hall on Saturday 17 March 10.00 am – 12.00 pm.

This is your chance to create some space, raise some money and get a return for your family on good quality unwanted items including toys, games, puzzles, books, computer games, DVDs, baby non electrical equipment and clothing.

Whether you are looking to buy for a new baby or equip your children as they are growing up, it will be a good chance to grab some bargains.

It is very easy to submit items for sale so if you would like a sellers pack please contact: Sarah on 07803 252892 rookeryfarm.shop@btinternet. com The sale is a fund-raiser for Tattingstone School

Shotley School Family Race Night Friday 23rd March 7pm Shotley Primary School, Shotley.

A fun family fund raising evening has been organised by the Friends of Shotley School to raise funds for the school this evening is guaranteed to be a great night out for all the family.

Free entry, bring your own drinks, nibbles will be provided.

For more information contact: Zoe on 07793031462 or 01473 787255

Mad Hatters Tea Party Tuesday 3rd April Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead,

Dinosaur Star Show Sat 10th March Drop-in 10am - 4pm Bookable planetarium shows at 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm Step inside a unique planetarium and take an incredible journey back to the time of dinosaurs.

Walk through the landscape, see dinosaurs and gaze at the night sky. See and handle rocks and

Ipswich.

Suffolk Food Hall are hosting a Mad Hatters children’s tea party on Tuesday 3rd April .For just £9.50 when booking individually or £8.50 when booking three or more your child will receive a picnic themed supper and an afternoon full of entertainment and games including face painting!!.

To contribute to future issues please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

in association with There is an Alice and wonderland themed fancy dress and a prize will be given to the best dressed and also an Easter bonnet competition so don’t forget to bring this along.

Places are limited so please book early.

For more information or to make a booking please contact Jo-Anne Wheatley on 01473 786610 or visit eat@suffolkfoodhall.co.uk

www.ipswich.suffolk.sch.uk

Melford Hall, Long Melford

Culford School

See Beatrix Potters Jemima Puddleducks toy and her bedroom

Starfish Holiday Club

Tues 20th March 9.45am – Pre-Prep & Nursery

2nd April to 13th April (closed for the Easter weekend). Stutton Primary School, Stutton, Ipswich.

Sat 24th March 10.00am – Nursery only

Bury St Edmunds.

Friday 9th March 10.30am – Prep School Saturday 10th March 10.00am – Senior School

Starfish Holiday Club will be open 2nd April to 13th April (closed for the Easter weekend). With their brilliant playworkers and great volunteers they have planned; cooking, body art, woodwork and a music day as well as all the usual fun and hopefully weather permitting we will include a walk to Stutton shore.

Contact Pauline on; 07877 598923 or visit starfishholidayclub@yahoo.com

01284 728615 www.culford.co.uk

Shotley Kidzone presents a Clairvoyant Evening with Fiona Nicholls Fri 27th April Shotley Village Hall, Nr Ipswich.

Doors open at 7pm begins promptly at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 on the door this also includes raffle draw entry. Tea and coffee will be available.

Halty Davis 07725815035 halty.davis@ btinternet.com www.shotleykidzone. co.uk

Suffolk School Open Events Open Event information for some schools in our area was not available for publication, most are happy to show you around at a time convenient for both parties. Please contact the school to arrange an appointment.

01473 780201 www.ipswichhighschool.co.uk

Anglo-Saxon royal burial site. New burial chamber experience – sights, sounds and smells of AD625 !

Playworld – Ocean Adventure, Stowmarket

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/suttonhoo/

www.everyoneactive.co.uk Colchester & Ipswich Museums.

Belstead Road, Ipswich.

Art,history,life,events, learning and fun

Sat 10th March 9.30am – 12.30pm

www.cimuseums.org.uk

01473 690281 www.stjos.co.uk

Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, Ipswich.

Easter Holiday Activities

Shop, café, children’s holiday activities

For inspiration and ideas of where to take the children over the school Easter Holidays visit the following venue websites: Ipswich Borough Council sports facilities.

www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk Kingpin Bowling, Martlesham.

Bowling fun for all the family www.kingpinbowling.co.uk Birch Farm Playbarn,Hintlesham.

A full programme of fun holiday activities

www.birchfarm.co.uk

www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport

Snakes & Ladders, Ipswich.

Foxburrow Farm, Woodbridge Outdoor activites with Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

www.snakes-and-ladders.co.uk

www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

www.play2day.biz

Easton Farm Park, Nr Ipswich.

Funtasia Indoor Play Centre,Felixstowe.

Learn all about the different farm animals

www.dclleisure.co.uk

www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk

Wacky Warehouse Punch & Judy, Ipswich.

Farm Shop, farm trail, coffee shop www.hollowtrees.co.uk

Woolverstone,Nr Ipswich.

Thurs 15th March 10am – 1pm

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge

St Joseph’s College

Hollow Trees, Semer,Ipswich.

Ipswich High School For Girls (ages 3 – 18)

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ melford-hall/

Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, Nr Ipswich.

Play2Day,Martlesham.

Tower Ramparts EVENTS 5-16th March Mother’s day competition Why not treat your mum to the ultimate gift and nominate her for Tower Ramparts’’ BEST MUM? We’ve got a selection of fantastic prizes including spa days, hampers and gift vouchers! So, tell us why your mum is so special…

See website and facebook for details on how to enter.

Competition closes 12noon 16th March 2012.

Between 31st March – 14th April: FREE art and craft activities for children during the Easter holidays

www.wackywarehouse.co.uk The Giggle Factory, Sudbury. www.thegigglefactory.co.uk

See website or facebook for details and exact dates www.towerramparts.com or www.facebook.com/towerramparts

Meet the rare breeds animals at Baylham

Woodbridge School www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk Burkitt Road, Woodbridge.

Sat 10th March 9.30am – 12 noon Queens House (ages 4 – 7)

The Chilli Company, Mendlesham.

Farm trail, café, farm shop

Fri 7th October 9.30am – 12 noon The Abbey (ages 7 – 11) 01394 615000 www.woodbridge.suffolk.sch.uk

www.chillicompany.co.uk Kentwell Hall, Long Melford.

Ipswich Prep School

Lambing and spring bulbs walk plus Easter re- creation of Tudor life

3 Ivry Street, Ipswich.

Thurs 26th April – open afternoon 01473 281302

www.kentwell.co.uk

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

15

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For all your pet and animal needs. Now with an extra floor!

Fishing Bait & Accessories Country Clothing Essential Equestrian Clothing Pet & Animal Feed Pet and animal accessories Reptile Section

Copdock Mill , Copdock , Suffolk , IP8 3LA Tel:01473 731117 Email gladwells.copdock@copdockmill.co.uk

Have you got room in your life for one more?

Join Suffolk County Council’s Fostering Service, the leading fostering provider for all Suffolk looked after children.

In return you will receive: • An opportunity to make a positive difference to a child’s life.

• Learning & development opportunities • A financial allowance (an enhanced payment scheme is available for more experienced carers).

• 24 Hour support.

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Contact us now Everyone who works for, or with Suffolk’s Fostering Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We need and welcome foster carers of all backgrounds and ethnicities who will share this commitment.

0800 328 2148 www.suffolkfostering.com

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk