Families Surrey West Jan-Feb 2010 by Families Magazine

The really useful magazine for families with children aged 0-12

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Jan/Feb 2010

What’s on masses of ideas

Watch you child develop... in leaps and bounds... At SportsCoach your 6 – 16 year old will:

for half term!

 Flourish in small class sizes  Become more confident, happy & active  Learn to enjoy a variety of sports

Family Holidays

SportsCoach is ideal for both boys and girls of all abilities. SportsCoach Guildford runs from St Peters School, Horseshoe Lane East, Guildford, Surrey. Sessions are for 3 hours at the weekends during term time. Your child will lean respect, participation, patience and teamwork.

For a FREE 2 WEEK TRIAL please call 01306 886986

Parenting feature

To book of for more information call 01306 886986 or visit www.sportscoach.co.uk/guildford

SportsCoach

We are Ofsted Registered

You child helpeisd sporty, your andgreat accept Childcare If your ... Vouchers c h i l d t o w a l k . . . but they don’t need to be! ...we help them stand on their own two feet!

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Nurseries

SportsCoach runs for 3 hours on weekends during term time Above all else SportsCoach is fun, and in that atmosphere we will give your Our students thrive through sport, whatever their ability. At SportsCoach, your 6-16 year old will: 6-16 year old: Sporting tuition 18 diff erent sports FOR A FREE skills ExpertTo  Flourish in small class sizes bookin your FREE TRIAL or for  Become more confident, happy & active 2-WEEK Trial Team work, and fair play Sportsmaship anygenerosity other information call: FREE  Learn to enjoy a variety of sports Or further information Guildford 01306 886986 Tel: 01932worth 256262 Confidence whatever their ability Self 2 WEEK Email: info@sportscoach.co.uk JanFeb2010Ad-Families-QPL.qxd:Perform 26/11/09 15:19 www.sportscoach.co.uk skills for life! Woking 01932 248207 TRIAL www.sportscoach.co.uk

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SportsCoach Hampton runs for 3 hours at weekends during term time. Your child will learn respect, participation, patience & teamwork –

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Independent school open days

B U I L D C O N F I D E N C E • B O O S T C O N C E N T R AT I O N • M A K E N E W F R I E N D S • H AV E F U N

FREE Drama Class Watch your child’s self-esteem soar with Perform’s unique drama, dance and singing classes. Our weekly workshops will work wonders for their confidence, concentration and social skills as well as giving them the best fun they’ll have all week. Book your child’s FREE class today. Call 0845 400 4021 or visit perform.org.uk

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Covering Woking, Guildford, Farnborough, Farnham, Haslemere, Godalming, Cranleigh and surrounding areas

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Surrey West

Please tell our advertisers you saw them in Families Surrey West

13/12/2009 09:

What’s in this issue

Highlights Happy New Year from Families Surrey West! What resolutions have you made? If one of them is to be more tolerant with your children and to be a better parent then do read our parenting feature on pages 8-10 as I’m sure you will pick up some top tips to help! We’ve got lots more in this issue such as help with choosing a nursery and masses of what’s on listings - especially in half term. There are some amazing workshops for all ages from stage make up, theatrical unarmed combat and making a robot to pottery and sock puppets! Also, if you are planning a self catering holiday in the UK or Europe turn to page 12 for details of a very helpful new website. Finally, don’t miss the chance to win one of five family tickets to see the Heat Basketball team play at Guildford Spectrum - with the exciting atmosphere, cheerleaders and fast pace it is a great family treat - see page 23 for details.

Sarah Hatch, Editor

4-5 6 7 8-10

News and Views Back 2 Work Children and Baby Classes Parenting Feature

Helping children with low self esteem, tips to stop whining and how to cut down on the amount of tv your children watch, plus local parenting courses

11 Children’s Festivals

Some fantastic children’s festivals offering great entertainment!

12 Family Holidays. 13-15 Independent School Open Days 16-17 Nurseries

Tips on how to choose a nursery, help with funding and more.

Win & save!

18-24 What’s On

Look out for: • £2.50 off entry to Bocketts Farm, Leatherhead any day in January (page 19) • Win tickets to a Heat Basketball Game at Guildford Spectrum (page 23) • Win a family membership to the refurbished Cranleigh Leisure Centre when you attend the February half term holiday camp (page 23)

18-21 Days Out and Children’s Workshops 22 Children’s Theatre 23 Holiday Camps plus WIN tickets to a Heat 24

• Book and start a nursery place before 31 March 2010 at Leapfrog Day Nursery in Woking and receive free registration and up to one week’s free childcare (page 17)

Front cover: Boys Parka Jacket from £28.99, Woodland Print Top from £5.99, Jeans from £14.99 Adams Childrenswear

Basketball Game at Guildford Spectrum Half term Sports and Swimming courses, Farmers’ Markets, Nearly New Sales and Classified ads.

Next issue: March/April 2010 Advertising booking deadline: 1st Feb 2010 If you would like to reach over 26,000 local families call Sarah on 01737 558898 or email editor@familiessurreywest.co.uk Families Surrey West, PO Box 2910, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 3WP 01737 558898

For face-painting at your child’s birthday party, social event or celebration, contact Lollipop!

684 back2workmum

New for 2010! Girly nail bar 21/10/09 17:17 and glitter tattoos!

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Join Back2work Mum Entrepreneur Lunch - Wed 27th January with Saira Khan, star of The Apprentice. email back2workmum@me.com or Tel 01932 589943 Mob 07970 561 399 ®

Surrey West

News and Views New Year, New you, at Cranleigh’s New Leisure Centre With the New Year well under way, why not take the opportunity to treat yourself to a ‘new you’ and fulfill some of those New Year exercise resolutions! Pay the newly refurbished Leisure Centre at Cranleigh a visit and take advantage of the brand new gym, greatly enhanced dry-changing facilities, redecorated workout studio, new Fairtrade Café, redesigned reception area and revamped crèche facilities. • The new Gym is the largest in the Cranleigh area and offers over 50 pieces of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, with built in audiovisual entertainment to help you through your workout. • The male and female dry-changing facilities now offer modern styling and spacious lockers plus free use of the sauna situated in each. Available for use by both members and non members they will make your visit even more pleasurable. • The friendly Fairtrade Café offers a pleasant place to sit and relax after a work-out or where parents and carers can enjoy a drink whilst their children use the Soft Play area. Even if you are not working out, why not pop in and try out the range of great value drinks and snacks on offer. Take away is also available for those who fancy a hot drink whilst watching the kids play football on a Saturday morning! Why not go and have a look round or try out the gym and classes for a day? Simply visit www.dcleisurecentres. co.uk for more information and to get your 1 Day FREE gym pass. The final phase of the refurbishment will be completed towards the end of February with improvements to the pools, spectator seating and swimmers’ changing area completing the multi-million pound programme. Any queries about the refurbishment should be referred to Simon Crute, the leisure centre manager on 01483 274400.

Win!

Also, if you try the ‘new look’ children’s holiday activities club in February half term you could win a family membership! The holiday club is open from 8.45am - 5.30pm from 15-19th February for children aged 5-11 years. It is masses of fun with lots of supervised activities and is great value. It is not just for working mums - why not book your child in for a fun energetic day and for your chance to win a family membership just complete the voucher on page 23 and hand it in to the centre either when you book, or when your child attends the holiday club. Tennis in Woking Park

Did you know that behind the swimming pool and leisure centre in Woking Park are brand new tennis courts? Park Tennis, run by Caroline Bennfors, leases the three new courts and pavilion from the council. Caroline says “it is a really lovely setting and seems to be Woking’s best kept secret! - many tennis player parents have said that they had no idea the courts were here, yet they have been bringing their children to the Leisure Centre swimming for years.” Park tennis run adult and junior tennis courses to coincide with the school terms and junior camps every holiday and half term. Park Tennis aim to open up tennis for all so have no barriers to participation - there is no joining or membership fee and key concession card holders can get 50% off courses. To find out more about Park Tennis visit www.parktennis.net or call Caroline on 0772 3091969.

Cultivate your child’s love of reading The first Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award is now underway. Run by Surrey County Council library service children’s team and sponsored by the University of Surrey’s English Department, the scheme is aimed at inspiring your 7 to 9 year olds to read six shortlisted books and then vote for their favourite. Children can vote by visiting the website below or at any Surrey library. Every child who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win signed copies of the books. All votes must be in by 28 February. The author of the book with the most votes will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony during the Children’s Book Festival in March.

Enter the creative writing competition! To add to the fun, children from the ages of 6 – 12 can also enter the Children’s Book Award creative writing competition. Not only will the winners receive a signed set of the six shortlisted books, they will also get the chance for themselves, a parent and a friend to meet the authors at the Book Award ceremony. Their stories should be no more than 500 words and based on characters from at least two of the shortlisted books. Children can enter as many stories as they like by 31 January. Entries together with your child’s name, age and parent’s contact details can be emailed to libraries.cyp@ surreycc.gov.uk or posted to CYP Team, Chertsey Library, Guildford Street, Chertsey KT16 9BE. Further details can be found at www.surreycc.gov.uk/kidstuff.

Surrey West

Leak-proof, portable potty brings a positive start to toilet training My Carry Potty – a leak-proof, lightweight, portable potty – has been launched to help toddlers, and their parents, enjoy a better start to toilet training. Made of high-quality, easy to clean, durable plastic, the unique lid, with its special leak-proof seal, means that My Carry Potty is perfect to use when you’re out and about or in the car and there’s nowhere to dispose of the contents! Launched exclusively through John Lewis stores nationwide, there are no additional bags required so it benefits the environment and saves time and money. My Carry Potty’s colourful, fun appearance and carry handle ensure it appeals to toddlers who make it their own and it means life doesn’t have to stop when toilet training begins. Amanda Jenner of My Carry Potty added, “I’ve designed My Carry Potty to be the only potty a child will ever need, at home or out and about. My Carry Potty helps other mums and their children enjoy a better start to potty training.” For more information visit www.mycarrypotty.co.uk RRP £19.99.

The Bumpy Cupcake Co. Launches! Lisa Mathis is a local mum of two who lives in Milford. Originally from America, she has lived in England for three years. Lisa said “I went back to the US in the Summer to visit my family and it was then that I came up with the idea for my new business – The Bumpy Cupcake Co. Cupcakes are so popular in the US and I thought – why not bring them to Surrey! I have a lot of experience of baking – one of my daughters has food allergies and I have done a lot of baking for friends. I will never forget when I first went to a child’s birthday party in the UK and I saw a lovely birthday cake being cut up and mums frantically wrapping the pieces up in napkins to give out to the children as they left. Cupcakes make the whole process much easier! You can have really lovely decorated cupcakes for each child, and then sometimes the birthday child has a “super decorated” one. You can also buy cardboard tiered stands to arrange them on, and they really look stunning.” As well as cupcakes for birthdays, Lisa does them for all occasions and to any dietary requirements and then delivers them to your home or party location. Lisa can be contacted on 0782 4839758.

RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT WORKERS WANTED • For our friendly residential care homes for young adults with learning disabilities in Byfleet, Surrey.

• Full-time/Part time/Flexible hours available, days and nights.

• Are you committed, enthusiastic, fun and have good communication skills? • If you are looking for additional income, getting back to work or looking for a new career? £13’455 - £15’249 + benefits

• All training is given. For more information or an application pack, please call David, Roz, Zara or Elaine on 01932 343799 or e-mail: admin@ngcl.org.uk

News and Views NEW SATURDAY SKATE AT TOMLINSCOTE SPORTS CENTRE, FRIMLEY Roll on down to Tomlinscote Sports Centre on Saturday mornings and enjoy the new SATURDAY SKATE club! Saturday Skate is now open to the whole family, so whether your children just want to come along and have fun with their friends, improve their roller skating skills, practise what they have been taught or have some quality time skating with the family, Saturday Skate at Tomlinscote has something to offer everyone! Roller skate to music, enjoy games and activities and learn new tricks! No need to book - just turn up! Enjoy quality time with the children whether you are watching or joining in!

Soft Play & Fun for 0–5 year olds Soft Fun for 0–5year year olds SoftPlay play olds Play && & fun Fun for for0-5 0–5 year olds

Bouncy Castle Pool ***Bouncy Ball Pool Pool*** Bouncy Castle Castle *** Ball Ball * Baby Area * Sit & Rides **Baby Sit && Rides Rides*** BabyArea Area * Sit Café ***Café Parking*** Café *** Free Free Parking Parking Children’s ***Children’s Parties*** Children’s Parties Parties Tues,Wed Wed & & Fri Fri 10.30am-2.30pm Tues, Tues, 10.30am–2.30pm Tues, Wed Wed & & Fri 10.30am–2.30pm 10.30am–2.30pm

Saturday Skate is on every Saturday, 9.3011.30am and is open to anyone over 5 years old and costs just £4.50 for children and £3 for adults which includes the price of the skate hire. It is only £3 for children if they have attended the roller disco the night before! Tomlinscote Sports Centre, Tomlinscot Way, Frimley GU16 8PY 01276 670316 www.blueleisure.com

Scout Knaphill Scout Hall, Waterers Rise, Knaphill Scout Rise,Knaphill Knaphill ScoutHall, Hall, Waterers Waterers Rise, Rise,

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Insurance Claims Investigator goes raving MAD! A former insurance claims investigator has finally gone MAD and is devoting all of her energy to singing and dancing with pre-school children. Sarah Cox is the newest member of the exciting MAD Academy network and will be running classes in Guildford, Godalming and the surrounding villages, as please as please tickfetes as and music and movement sessions for nurseries. please tick as tick well as providing children’s parties, activities for appropriate appropriate appropriate

MAD Academy offers high-energy music and dance classes for babies and children aged 3 months to 4 years. What sets MAD Academy apart is the free-spirited, fun style of the classes, which brings to life the basics of music and dance. The classes include well known and fully choreographed children’s songs, musical instruments to discover and enjoy, musical guessing games and singing. Babies are introduced to movement, rhythms, tempos and instruments, and walkers get to experiment with all of these whilst learning more physical dance routines and musical interpretation. And of course, we mustn’t forget our favourite and most cuddly bear Ralph, who says hello in every class and has fun with every child.

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Sarah worked as a claims investigator in London for many years but has always loved singing and dancing. A competent pianist and clarinettist, she continued to pursue her love for music even whilst she was looking into fraudulent claims! She relished every opportunity to sing and dance with her own children and feels very fortunate to now be able to share this passion for music and movement with the children of Guilford. Sarah will be running classes three mornings a week from January in Guildford and Godalming, opening up the opportunity for even more babies and children to experience the magic that is MAD Academy!! If you would like more details of any of the classes, call or email Sarah now on 01252 790 220, sarah.cox@madacademy.com or visit www.madacademy.com.

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Catch-a-balls classes come to Guildford Catch-a-balls is a great way to give your child a flying start in the world of sport. If girls and boys can gain their confidence with their physical ability early, it will lead them to enjoy a whole host of tots white background.indd 1 sports quite naturally later. We coach ball handling skills,rainbow bat and ball techniques and agility. Classes are structured for the children to develop balance and posture, co-ordination, spatial awareness and social skills. Additionally the aim is also for the children to learn why exercise is important, how to move their bodies, improve their counting, colours and sorting abilities. Catch-a-balls offers a non competitive programme With fun games and activities Catch-a-balls is for children from 18 months up to the age of 5 years, split into relevant age groups. New classes launch in January in Guildford and Leatherhead. Classes are also held in Thames Ditton, Molesey, Surbiton and Walton on Thames. To find out more and to book your FREE trial class call 020 8398 3034 or visit www.catch-a-balls.co.uk

Classes now running in Woking and West Byfleet Term times only For more info and your FREE first class please email clare@schoolrun-runaround.co.uk or call Clare Davis 07979 694758 Insured & fully qualified instructor, personal trainer & school run mum!

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Surrey West

Back 2 Work JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITH NEW GENERATION CARE New Generation Care was first established in March 2006. A company which specialises in providing 24 hour residential care and accommodation to young adults with a learning and or physical disability. Managing Director David Horsgood explained: “We initially set up the company to offer prospective residents high quality care in high quality, non institutional, normal environment, which residents could share with like minded others”. He added: “When most of us left home for the first time, college or university etc, we ended up sharing accommodation with other young people, this is what we offer”. The company consists of two 4 person bungalows in the leafy suburb of Byfleet, Surrey. Both homes are modern and very homely and have been carefully and considerately developed to provide excellent accommodation which is accessible to all the residents who use the service including those people in wheelchairs. David said: “The care we provide is aimed specifically at meeting the needs, ambitions and wishes of the young people we provide care for. Our job is to assist, support, care and guide the residents in doing the everyday things that we all take for granted, and to offer them the same opportunities that we all have”. As recruitment into the care industry can be difficult, New Generation Care are always looking to recruit enthusiastic, hard working, motivated and fun people who either want a full-time, part-time or flexible job, or be returning to work. This could be as their main income or as part of a second income. Due to the nature of the work, the working times are based on shifts and are 7.30am – 3pm and 2.30pm – 10pm, although they are flexible to a point. There is a fun, bubbly yet professional team of people who work with great residents where the days are rarely the same. The company offers excellent training, which means that although experience and some degree of qualifications are preferable, it is not essential as it about employing the right people. If you are interested in joining the team at New Generation Care, or would like to find out more about the roles they have call 01932 343799. You can also find out more about the company by visiting their website www.ngcl.org.uk.

Local Surrey business celebrates first birthday with celebrity lunch Cobham-based coaching and recruitment agency, Back2workmum, is celebrating its first successful year in business in January with a pink champagne reception lunch and celebrity guest speaker. Saira Khan, star of the BBC Apprentice programme and founder of the natural baby skincare range Miamoo, will share with the audience of likeminded mums her experiences, advice & tips for starting a business. Naz Lewis, founder of Back2workmum, says: “When I returned to work after having my second child, I discovered that finding a rewarding and flexible part-time job was a difficult and frustrating process. I soon discovered, this was a common problem and that many women who had been out of the work environment, regardless of the time not only lacked confidence but found they had to re-evaluate their skills. “I began to organise informal coaching and training workshops – from CV writing to interview techniques – which evolved into helping them with their recruitment process and Back2workmum was born!” The Back2workmum 1st birthday celebration lunch is £25 per head, on Wednesday 27 January from 11.30am to 2pm at The Talbot Inn, Ripley. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. To book your place contact Naz Lewis on 01932 589943, 07970 561399, Email: back2workmum@me.com www.back2workmum.co.uk

Montessori Centre International Woking forges a new alliance with its London head office MCI Woking has recently been purchased by MCI London. Montessori was one of the most important early years educators of the 20th century, the innovator of classroom practices and ideas which have had a profound influence on the education of young children the world over. The Montessori approach is holistic and aims to develop the whole child. Fundamental to the approach is the belief that a child's early years from birth to six are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn. Montessori Centre International Woking provides part-time Montessori teacher training courses for anyone who wants to obtain a recognised qualification in Early Years Education, or who is simply interested in understanding the Montessori approach to child education. There really is no 'typical Montessori student'. It takes people from 17 to over 50 years in age; some are single, others are married with children. Most hope to pursue a career in early years education as teachers in Montessori schools or nurseries, and some are interested in setting up their own schools. But it also has students who are simply interested in the Montessori philosophy: parents - and often grandparents - who want to understand how to help their children develop into balanced and fulfilled individuals. The common factor is a love of children and a desire to give them the best possible start in life. The next open evening is Wednesday 27 January: 6.30-8pm. To find out more call 01483 740 720, or email: enquiries@montessori-surrey.co.uk www.montessori-surrey.co.uk

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A play activity 2 - 6 months programme developed by Babes an Occupational Therapist 6 - 9 months and Physiotherapist Super Babes speciﬁcally for babies in 9 - 12 months their ﬁrst year. Join the fun today and enhance your baby’s sensory-motor experience.

First session free! Spaces limited to 12 per session. Booking essential! Sunninghill 01344 87 37 30 www.mumsandtots.co.uk Member of the MOMS AND TOTS WORKSHOP GROUP

Surrey West

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17/11/2009 1

Parenting

How to identify and deal with low self-esteem in children By Lucy Martin

It can be hard to believe that children can suffer from low self-esteem. We see them as lively, carefree little people with the world at their feet and everything to play for, but the truth behind the facade can sadly be a very different story. But what exactly is low selfesteem, how do we identify it and more importantly what can we do about it?

What is low self-esteem? Self-esteem, crudely speaking, is the value we place on our image of ourselves (our self-concept). Ironically, that value and that image can be very different – for example a child who is brilliant at sport but has been taught by his parents that nothing but academic excellence is of any value, may have a good self-concept (I am good at sport) but low self-esteem (being good at sport is rubbish). The bigger the gap between the selfimage and the ideal self, the lower the self-esteem.

Where does it come from? So how does low self-esteem come about? There are too many causes to list here – bullying, bereavement, divorce, special needs such as dyslexia can all play a part – but parenting techniques also have a significant effect on selfesteem. As Melissa Hood at the Parent Practice in London points out, “Despite today’s much more child-centred approach to parenting we still make the common mistake of delivering praise that children don't believe, for example if we say they are brilliant at maths when they know others who know their times tables better than they do. If we praise our children a lot for their achievements, as most parents do, their sense of self worth will be tied up in their achievements, they will become afraid of making mistakes and become unaware of how to use their mistakes to improve.” Melissa also cites the concept of 'helicopter parents' (who hover over their children

doing their thinking for them) unwittingly limiting their children’s freedom and their ability to explore, invent, try things out…”Children are not learning the life skills that were learnt in the home in previous generations and they don't establish the kind of competencies that lead to natural confidence. A child who can see he's capable and valued because he can put his own clothes in the laundry or help vacuum the carpet or feed the cat or help to cook is a confident child.” Lynda Hudson, author and children’s hypnotherapist (www.firstwayforward.com) believes that children need to be more familiar with failure as well as success in order to know where their skills lie. “Schools can be responsible for creating a “false” sense of selfesteem, by banning the whole concept of failure (no competitive sports day, for example) and children get a shock when they find themselves in the outside world which isn’t so forgiving.” Lynda emphasises the need for us to use the term as a verb rather than a noun – to “esteem yourself”, perhaps indicating that this is something we have an active responsibility to do, rather than something we just have within us.

Identifying low self-esteem So how can you tell if your child’s self–esteem is low? There are a number of warning signs, including:

• • • • • • • • •

Being easily influenced Consistently avoiding new challenges for fear of failure Becoming frustrated too easily by setbacks Blaming others and making excuses when she doesn’t succeed at something Denying she has any talents or special abilities Shrinking into the background and withdrawing from group activities Acting up and clowning around to detract attention from the task she feels incapable of Bullying and aggressive behaviour Denial of feelings – because she doesn’t feel entitled to or capable of dealing with feelings

Promoting self-esteem It’s not easy being a parent, as we all know – one minute we can’t let them out of our sight for fear of abduction, the next we are told to send them out on their own building camps and climbing trees. There will always be a reaction to stories in the media about children, but here are some top tips from Lynda Hudson on how to get some of the basics right:

With a little help from … Being prepared and giving kids support and backup is vital. I started blending my essential oils to give my then 4 year old something he could take into school with him that would reassure him, help him feel safe and grounded. This blend - which he christened - What If? - is now one of my best sellers - it is perfect for those what-if-you-are-late-to-pick-me-up, what-if-noone-talks-to-me-moments! Applying a few drops of this blend of pure essential oils on a hanky and letting a child take this with them is effectively

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giving them a small but powerful helper to keep up their sleeve! How it works.... it may seem like black magic but in a nutshell this is what happens - the limbic system is directly connected to those parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance. This relationship helps explain why smells often trigger emotions. This also explains how inhalation of essential oils can have some very profound physiological and psychological effects.

DO • Spend time with them • Tell them often that you love them • Help them recognize their strengths • Tell them that you appreciate their qualities eg • • •

helpfulness, kindness, sense of humour etc Encourage them in activities which will produce positive feelings inside eg befriending a shy child, doing something for a good cause Congratulate them on their achievements Set them a good example in how the whole family respects each other

DON’T • Belittle them in a ‘jokey way’ or tease them with • • • • • •

nicknames like ‘clumsy’ or ‘fatty’ Compare your child to their brother or sister Give them the impression that they need to achieve things in order for you to love them Harp on about their lack of academic or sporting achievements Try to get your children to live out your ambitions if they aren’t right for them Forget to encourage them to be more competent and confident Underestimate the value of spending time with them

Alongside her work with children face to face, Lynda produces a whole range of CDs for children of all age groups to help them overcome low self esteem, as well as other anxiety-related issues like bedwetting, fussy eating, phobias, focus and concentration, sleeping and low confidence. The results speak for themselves – “Recently I made a tailor made CD for a child who was not just a fussy eater but was absolutely phobic about eating. He had panic attacks at the sight of certain food, let alone being asked to eat it! He listened to the CD regularly for a week or two and now continues to amaze his parents in the range and amount of different foods that he quite happily eats!” One thing that stands out when considering all the evidence on self-esteem is that as parents we have a real duty to play an active role in not only engaging with and supporting our children, but letting them explore, make mistakes, experience failure. The increasing role of computer games, the ubiquitous Nintendo DS, the Xbox and all things electronic work against this whole principle by removing the need for our personal connection and engagement with children, and giving them a false sense of control in a fantasy world where they are in charge. “I’ve just got to complete this next level” shouts my 7 year old boy when I call him for supper. Those gadgets are good childcare but isn’t it inherently depressing to see Cluedo and Scrabble left on the shelf while your children’s whole sense of self is tied up exclusively in Super Mario…?

When we inhale through the nose, airborne molecules interact with the olfactory organs and, almost immediately, the brain. Of course all our little cherubs need to know is that whenever they are feeling a little wobbly there is something they can do about it, and THAT is a real confidence booster! The full Special Little People range is available in leading Boots stores and online at www.speciallittlepeople.co.uk

How to Put a Stop to Whining

Parenting

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Whining not only shatters the nerves of every hassled parent; it also eats up an amazing amount of time. Make no mistake: that constant drip, drip, drip is meant to grind you down – until you can’t bear it a second longer. So before you or your child wastes another moment, here are some tactics to head it off before it starts.

Never cave in. It’s not easy to deal with, especially when you’re tired, overworked and are just praying for peace and quiet. Even if you’ve done valiantly by holding out nine times, don’t think it’s OK to submit on the tenth – or your child will think he’s learnt how to break you and will keep trying for longer.

Ask children not to use ‘the whiny voice’, and tell them it’s because you can’t understand them. Draw attention to how it sounds by talking back to them in the same tone. Instruct them to use their normal, nice voice instead. When they do request something nicely, look at them, smile and say thank you.

Nip whingeing in the bud by acknowledging what kids are asking for the first time they say it. Make sure they know you have heard them by looking at them, repeating what they have just said back to them and giving the appropriate response. Even if it’s not the answer they want, at least they know you’ve taken it on board. Always deliver on a promise. If you say you are coming to play with them, honour it. Don’t kid yourself you can squeeze in five minutes of housework first without them noticing. Many’s the time when I have been amazed by seeing my kids go from a zero to sixty tantrum – and just as rapidly back to zero again. Check what TV programmes they are watching. You might be surprised by the undesirable behaviour of some of the characters. Programme-makers may well

argue that there’s a moral at the end of the show, but your child is more likely to take away the bratty behaviour than the life lesson.

If you are taking your child to a place where it’s especially important that they behave, set some ground rules before you leave. Tell them they will only be rewarded at a very clearly defined end-time – and only if they have earned it. Don’t make the reward something you have to buy when you are out, otherwise the whole trip will turn into a nag-marathon about how soon they can have it. Instead, promise a game or trip to the park.

Get yourself a good night’s sleep! Call on our experienced team of Night Nannies. Tel: 07800 843618 www.nightnannies.com louise@nightnannies.com

When dealing with older kids who whine, ask them to pay ten pence out of their pocket money into a glass jar for charity each time they succumb. That way they can see how much they are doing it and will feel the consequences.

Watch your own whining. Are you constantly moaning to your partner, tutting, sighing, huffing and raising your eyes to high heaven? Be honest and double check your children are not learning bad habits from you. Try to go a day without complaining to start with, and then keep going.

9. Make sure your children are getting enough sleep and getting a proper diet that’s keeping their blood sugar at an even level. Sometimes they might just be tired and hungry. 10. If older kids have a more general complaint –

like they are not allowed the same privileges as their friends – ask them to write it all down so you can really hear what they are saying without it descending into a row. It will get it out of their system, and once it’s down in black and white, it may not seem so important to them after all. They will also feel you are taking their grievance seriously.

Are you fighting a mum who feel’s she’s losing battle against the clock, trying to keep your show on the road? Do you sometimes feel it’s impossible to enjoy motherhood because you simply have so much to do? If so, author and mum-of-two Tanith Carey has written a new book for what modern mothers need now. It’s not yet another book telling mums how to be perfect. It’s a book that simply helps mums find more baby timesensory in the day. The above article is an extract from “How to be an Amazing Mum - When 2.indd 1 you Just don’t have the Time - the Ultimate Handbook for Hassled Mums” by Tanith Carey, price £7.99.

Local Parenting Courses If you would like to brush up on your parenting skills or you are a new parent wanting to learn more, then there are several courses available locally. Many children’s centres run parenting courses. To find your local children’s centre visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/childrenscentres St Paul’s Children’s Centre is running the following courses from their West Surrey Foundation venue in Ash (please pre-book these courses on: 01252 400222): 1 2 3 Magic on 19th, 26th Jan and 2nd Feb. 9.3011.45am. This course gives parents the tools to calmly manage everyday dealings with their children. Understanding Behaviour – a 5 week course from 24th February to 24th March. Wednesdays from 9.30-11.45am. Making it better for boys with Ali McClure on 16th and 30th March – an evening course.

Are you completely exhausted? Does your baby need settling at night? Do you need help with sleep training?

Boxgrove Children’s Centre is running a Parenting Puzzle course from January 13th for 10 weeks. The course offers positive, practical ways of guiding and nurturing children so that they learn how to handle both their feelings and their behaviour. The course will be held at the St John’s Centre, Merrow. To book call 01483 540818. Practical Parenting Woking run 8 week parenting courses for parents with children 0-6 years, primary age and secondary school age. Courses aren’t currently running, but to register your interest for future courses please call 01483 762448. Surrey Parenting Education and Support provides support for mums, dads and those in a parenting role. Visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/ surreyparenting for more information and a list of local parenting courses.

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Think outside the box a treasure hunt or making a slide with an old cot mattress propped against the sofa – the trick is to have an idea, and make sure it’s got the potential for excitement.

The amount of TV kids watch today is mad, bad and dangerous – but what can parents do about it? Joanna Moorhead has some ideas. We joke about it, we make excuses for it, we feel we couldn’t possibly live without it – but deep down inside, most of us worry about the amount of time our kids are slumped in front of a screen. According to recent studies, nine in ten under-twos now watch two hours of telly a day, and some spend as much as 40% of their day in front of the box. For older kids the figures are equally shocking: a survey earlier this year found that the average time spent in front of a screen for 5-16-year-olds is six hours a day. The uncomfortable truth is that putting our kids in front of the TV, or not minding them being there, can be incredibly convenient: it’s the time when we can ‘get on with things’, cook the tea, phone the plumber or do a bit of work. Watching telly is far less messy than most of the activities kids indulge in: it also keeps them quiet (TV noise notwithstanding), and we know where they are and that they’re safe. But the problem is that these ‘benefits’ are a quickfix solution to the immediate problem (a need for a bit of adult space and time) and, as researchers are finding out more and more, they undermine the very thing we most want to get right, which is our parenting and our kids’ healthy development. Because what studies are finding is truly alarming stuff: one academic who reviewed over 75 studies on telly-watching carried out over the last quarter century found that too much TV when kids are small delays language and may reduce a child’s attention span, reading and memory skills in later school life. Another study found that a young child who spends more than two hours a day in front of the telly has double the risk of developing asthma (it’s because of the associated sedentary living rather than the TV-viewing itself, experts say); and pre-schoolers are fatter according to how much time they spend in front of the box – an extra hour a day makes the average kid one kilo fatter than his same-age

Play and Learn sessions: • Are for parents and carers of children aged 0 – 5. • Are free, fun-filled sessions that give you the opportunity to play and learn with your child. There are toys, crafts, puzzles, activities and more.

playmate who watches less. Blood pressure rises too in line with TV time: another study this summer found a link between more time watching TV and higher blood pressure in three to eight year olds. It’s enough to have set the alarm bells ringing - and the bottom line is that, while governments and experts do what they can to flag up the problems (France, for example, has banned the making of TV programmes aimed directly at under-threes), it comes down to individual parents and individual families to make the changes necessary to keep our children safe from long-term harm. Learn to cut down Most of us parents would like to cut down on our kids’ screen time…the problem is, we don’t know how. But the good news is that you don’t have to go telly cold turkey: TV, after all, has huge benefits to offer families, as well as mega pitfalls. The trick is to learn to cut down where cutting down can come easily: because the benefits of slightly less TV can be enormous. So be ambitious: aim to make real reductions in your kids’ viewing time, but look for the small changes that can make a big difference. One trick that’s always worked well in my house is to keep a large box with card-making equipment (ready folded cards, stencils, glitter, glue, bits of coloured felt, and so on) in the kitchen. Card-making is hugely popular with small children. Have a cardmaking session once or twice a week when you’d usually plonk them in front of the TV, and you’ll be well on the way to reaching your ‘less telly’ target. It’s rarely a good idea to decide on the spur of the moment to switch off the telly: far better to plan ahead and to have some exciting scheme up your sleeve for tomorrow’s TV slot, rather than shouting at them right now, this very minute, to turn the box off and tidy their room. No kid wants to tidy his or her bedroom, but lots of them might like the idea of making an indoor den, doing

Play and Learn at Brookwood Children’s Centre Other activities at Brookwood SureStart Children’s Centre include:

• Baby massage • Give you the opportunity to chat • Dad’s Stay and Play to other parents, share ideas group and stories, get leaflets and • Storybook Soldiers information. • Plus more to come… at: Pirbright Youth & Community Centre, Opposite the Spar shop, Billesden Road, Brookwood

Please call the centre for details of days and times.

Surrey West

For more information about the Children’s Centre or any of our activities, please call Corrina Meyer on 01483 473315 or e-mail children@brookwood.surrey.sch.uk

Which brings us to another point: cutting down on the telly will undoubtedly make your house messier, and that’s something you just have to accept from the start. But the thing is, if you’d REALLY wanted a tidy house you wouldn’t have had kids, would you? A messy house, as every sensible parent knows, is often a testament to hours spent having fun, stretching the imagination and extending learning: who wants their cushions to stay on the sofa, or no flicks of paint on the kitchen floor, if those are the by-products of having kids who grow up happier, smarter, leaner, healthier and more communicative?

How to cut down • Top priority: remove TV sets from kids’ • • •

•

bedrooms: they cause the most harm there Have a TV-free night once or twice a week (on the night when there’s nothing much on) Don’t have the television on during mealtimes Plan ahead. There’s lots of good stuff on TV – it’s the mindless channel-flicking that’s least edifying. Be a lot pickier about what you watch, and organise your viewing ahead of time rather than just seeing what’s on Have a ‘before tea or after tea’ TV rule. My kids are allowed to watch telly either before their tea, or after it – but not both

Five quick half-hour fillers • Who can write their name the smallest? • •

• •

Dish out paper and pens and let them find out (it’s surprisingly absorbing) Get them to write down boys’ names/girls’ names for every letter of the alphabet Get older kids (seven-plus) to find the most interesting story in today’s paper. Tell them to read it and tell you about it while you’re making tea/doing the ironing Who can pair socks the quickest? The race is on (or if you’ve only got one child, you might need to employ a small reward per pair) Dot-to-dots: amazingly popular. “Mum!” said my seven-year-old the other day. “I can’t have tea now, I HAVE to finish my dot-to-dot…”

Ideas for filling more time: • Encourage your kids to learn poems or

• •

nursery rhymes by heart. One lovely idea is to encourage children to ‘give’ poems as presents: they choose a poem they think the recipient will enjoy, learn the verse and recite it as a Christmas or birthday gift. Make an indoor den. For a special treat, allow snacks and drinks. Put on a show: kids love this.

ST PAUL’S C/E INFANT SCHOOL ST PAUL’S C/E INFANT AND CHILDREN’S CENTRE SCHOOL

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c 2008, Martin Handford. Where’s Wally? books. Published by Walker Books Ltd.

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Children’s Festivals

Surrey Libraries Childrens’ Book Festival The first Surrey Libraries Children’s Book Festival will launch on 4 March in Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne and run for four fun-filled weeks. Run by Surrey County Council library service and sponsored by the University of Surrey English Department, the Book Festival will be the largest run by one local authority in the UK and will appeal to children of all ages. The festival will be celebrated with a variety of exciting events and activities that will be held in libraries across Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne. These events will encourage groups of children, young people, parents, carers, teachers and the wider community to get together to share and enjoy children’s books. They will all be able to experience first-hand the joy and pleasure that reading brings. Justin Somper is one of the much acclaimed and hugely popular authors who have been invited to take part in the fun. He will launch the festival both in celebration of World Book Day and the release of the latest book in his Vampirates series, ‘Empire of the Night’. His blood-thirsty talk will have the audience on the edge of their seats. Famous illustrators will also be helping libraries to make the festival a memorable month. Tony De Saulles is the much loved illustrator of the Horrible Science series of books and his Horrible cartoon drawing workshops will easily draw you in. Tony will be showing that any child can learn to draw and will be highlighting the value and power of illustration in children's literature. Magicians will also be spellbinding and storytellers enchanting. Manga drawing, live music and films will be inspirational, and Wii and Knex competitions will be irresistible to all. Elmer the Elephant is just one famous character who will also be there to meet you. But where will Wally be? Wally will be celebrating his 10th anniversary by visiting several libraries throughout the festival. Not only will you get the chance to have your photo taken with him, you will also be able to get copies of his books both to buy and to borrow, and also take part in some fantastic Wally themed activities. For more information on the many events on offer and details on how to book tickets, go to www.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries, call 01483 543599 or visit your local library.

The Electric Theatre’s Family Festival If you are looking for something to do with the children during February half term why not visit The Electric Theatre during its Family Festival week of workshops, storytelling, puppetry, drama, music, dance and fun? Following the fantastic success of the 2009 Festival, The Electric Theatre have kept all the ingredients which made it such a hit with families last year including the children’s menu in the café bar, affordable ticket prices with all tickets being £5 or below and many free events! The programme includes some favourites from last year such as Jactito Puppet Theatre returning with two beautiful puppet shows - the stories of Hiccup The Hippopotamus and Sonia The Seal. Aimed at young children, they are wonderfully imaginative and will thoroughly entertain children with their fun and thought-provoking stories. Following the success of their visit to the theatre during Guildford’s International Music Festival, Theatre Lyngo present their magical show, What A Wonderful World. This is a highly interactive magical show for 2-5 year olds. Also returning are two fantastic dance workshops - Boogie & Ballet Babies – offering a gentle and fun introduction to dancing for the under 6s and for older children from 8yrs plus Unarmed Combat and Stage Fighting workshops. A new addition for older children will be two stage make-up courses so if you child is keen to learn the tricks of the trade book early as these workshops will be a big hit! As with previous years alongside the main programme there is an abundance of drop-in activities in the foyer such as Colouring Corner and the very popular and free Storytelling sessions in the Café Bar throughout the week. Closing the festival, there is a fantastic finale day, the highlight of which will be an appearance by Katy of CBEEBIES ‘I can Cook Fame’. The day will include shows and workshops and will be packed full of fun. The Festival runs from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 February. Call the Box Office on 01483 444789 for further details or visit www.electrictheatre.co.uk. Events are also listed on pages 18-21 in our What’s On section.

Children’s Festival at the West End Centre

Bear parties Jewellery parties Diva parties

Children’s Parties & Face Painting Face painting & glitter tattoos Blood & gore parties

bizzielizziescreations.co.uk 07971 182520

Tumble Tots is Britain’s leading physical play programme for children aged 6 months-7 yrs. All classes are designed speciﬁcally for the different age groups. We sing, we roll, we climb, we balance in a safe, fun and Classes in: stimulating environment. It is Godalming, Guildford, the springboard to developing Liphook, Fernhurst and new skills in your child. Shamley Green For more information on classes or parties call Sandra on 01483 417402 or Email: tumbletots181@hotmail.com www.tumbletots.com

This annual children’s festival in February half term at the West End Centre in Aldershot is an established and popular event that many families look forward to every year. Due to overwhelming demand, the age range has been extended this year to include events and activities for 12 year olds. There are masses of activities to choose from such as arts and crafts to music and theatre. Many of the events are “Forever Young” activities - designed specifically for parents to attend with their children and spend some quality time together doing something fun. Everyone joins in and either you can do a joint project with your child, or you can all make something individually. You can choose from pottery, mosaics, feltmaking - or you can even decorate your own pillowcase! Also very popular are the children’s shows with a pre-show workshop. Red Riding Hood’s Magic Purse is a classic story told with a difference! Favourite characters abound, an Red Riding Hood’s adventurous Red Riding Hood, an independent Granny (just home from Magic Purse her last trip round the world), and of course the wonderful, Wicked Wolf who plans to have “Granny for lunch and little Rosie for afternoon tea!”. In the pre-show workshop, textiles experts will help you to make your own interactive picture with a scene from this well-known story. All events are either £6 or less and there are many activities that are free such as the Amazing Art Afternoon where children can come with an adult and have an hour of creative fun. Other free events include Storytelling and Tribal Groove - where children can learn to use their body as a drum kit! Don’t miss the fantastic free music sessions for pre-schoolers - or how about dressing up in historical outfits from the Aldershot Military Museum? For a full listing of events see our What’s On section on pages 18-21 or visit www.westendcentre.co.uk. The festival runs from Monday 15 - Friday 19 Feburary. Remember to book early as many activities are very popular! Box office: 01252 330040

Playing with a ball is fun for girls and boys! FREE TRIAL

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Surrey West

How to find a holiday for you and your family By Lucilla Paul

* TV/DVD for that “quiet time” when they won’t go to sleep but are happy to watch a DVD.

Holidays with the family can be a bit of a “hit or miss” experience. With a little bit of planning, it is possible to make it more of a hit. La Garenne, Poitou-Charentes When my husband and I first had children, we tried to continue holidaying in hotels but found that it just didn’t work with the children. We even tried “child-friendly” hotels but perhaps we tried the wrong ones as it still felt like a chore rather than a holiday. So we quickly headed down the route of independent self-catering holidays so that we could accommodate the children’s needs just when they wanted them – if they were happy, then we were happy. But here is the dilemma, we (read, me) still wanted a holiday away from the daily grind of cooking, cleaning, washing up, childcare – so how did we also achieve having a holiday as well as the kids? Well we came up with a list of criteria:

* *

Forest Country Cottages

* Washing machine – you have no idea until you have a family how much washing you can get through and it is always handy to be able to do that “emergency” wash whilst you are away. So the next problem is how to find such holidays.

Well, I trawled the internet over and over and over again. Until finally I got so fed up of not finding enough choice for what I wanted out of a holiday, I recently set up www.RecommendedFamilyHolidays. com and this website already lists over 600 independent self-catering properties in France, UK and Ireland and what’s more, you can search by the criteria above. The site also has over 70 family skiing holiday properties in the Alps and we also list Dishwasher to avoid having to wash up. the top 10 most recommended properties in case Self-catering property that provided baby you’d like some help choosing. The website focuses equipment such as cots, highchairs, stair gates on recommendations from like-minded mums and if necessary so that we didn’t have to pack that dads as we found the best holidays were those “kitchen sink”. recommended to us. So if you want a holiday as well Catering options – many properties. as the children, why not give the website a try and let understand that you don’t always want to cook us know if you have any other “top tips” on finding a so you can get meals brought to your cottage holiday that is a hit with all the family. or homemade from the freezer to the oven. www.RecommnededFamilyHolidays.com Childcare so that my husband and I could have some time together – we even found somewhere that has a kids club as well as babysitting. Willowfield Lake Cottages If you are going somewhere hot – a pool is a massive bonus for the children as it keeps them occupied for hours, whereas in colder climates, many properties also have indoor play rooms to help keep the kids occupied. Other people/children – for us, we like to go self-catering at a place where there is more than one property and often ask if there are other children around the same age as ours staying when we want to book – it gives them someone else to play with and someone for you to hold an “adult” conversation with.

Glamping for city dwellers Have you ever watched your kid hunched over her laptop, crisp packet in hand, and thought: how did childhood come to this?

If you’ve ever entertained romantic notions like these, Country House Hideout is the place for you this summer. It’s the brainchild of Dutchman Luite Moraal, and his British partner Mark Gordon: they were the team behind the luxurious Feather Down Farms campsites, and their new venture looks equally starred for success.

But the best bit of the Country House Hideout concept – the name, by the way, is because you’re glamping in the grounds of a big country pile – is that the whole thing is geared to the kids having a back-to-basics, Swallows and Amazons, no-tech holiday. It’s a chance to connect with that family you would have been if you’d been living a rural life 150 years ago. “We were very busy doing nothing,” say our Families testers, who had lots of fun on their Country House Hideout weekend pulling together to do jobs like lighting the fire, cooking over the fire, and boiling the water for the bath. “And what fun the tented bathroom was, once the bath was full – we lolled around in there for hours,” says our hard-pressed tester mum, who clearly enjoyed a holiday where the whole point of the exercise was to not only share the chores, but to have a good time sharing the chores.

Like Feather Down Farms, Country House Hideout is all about ‘glamping’ – in other words, this is to camping what the Dorchester is to a B&B. Put all thoughts of sleeping bags and leaky tents right out of your mind: the kit here is real beds and cotton sheets, and while you might technically be under canvas, your holiday home is furnished with rustic furniture par excellence.

Our tester family highly recommends Country House Hideout, although they warn it can be a bit expensive (though look at sharing the cost with another family, since the tents sleep eight and therefore can accommodate two clans). Bear in mind, too, that the weather will make a big difference to how your weekend or week pans out: “We had fab weather and it would be

What, you might have mused, became of that magical, once-in-a-lifetime phase when it took nothing more than a garden or a wood or a field and a long afternoon in which a child could make a den, climb a tree, hunt for tadpoles or read a book in the sunshine?

Surrey West

By Joanna Moorhead definitely hard and muddy to have to head out to the loo and to wash if it was wet,” says our tester mum. But for busy city dwellers, this could be a big hit for short breaks for 2010. By Easter, say Country House Hideouts, there should be ten sites around the country. And they’re all carbon neutral too: in fact, given that you have to pedal a bike to make your own electricity, you’re part of the greenery yourself. Country House Hideouts are on 01420 549150 or www.countryhousehideout.co.uk Weekend rates start from £345.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL AND NURSERY OPEN DAYS

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Open Open Morning Morning Wednesday 24th February 2010 Wednesday 24th 24th February February 2010 2010 Wednesday

Barrow Hills is a successful co-educational, 3 to 13, Barrow Hills is a successful co-educational, 3 to 13, Barrow Hills isWe a successful 3 to 13, Catholic day school. welcomeco-educational, children of all denominations Catholic day school. We welcome children of all denominations Catholic daysupport school.them We welcome children of all denominations and within a caring Christian ethos. and support them within a caring Christian ethos. and support them within a caring Christian ethos. Come and join us for our Open Morning and get a Come and join us for our Open Morning and get a taste ofand a typical at our active, caringand school. Come join usday for our Open Morning get a taste of a typical day at our active, caring school. taste of a typical day at our active, caring school. Guided tours available anytime between 10am – 12noon. Guided tours available anytime between 10am – 12noon. Guided anytime 10amPellett – 12noon. For tours moreavailable information pleasebetween call Pandora For more information please call Pandora Pellett onFor 01428 or e-mail info@barrowhills.org.uk more683639 information please call Pandora Pellett on 01428 683639 or e-mail info@barrowhills.org.uk on 01428 683639 or e-mail info@barrowhills.org.uk

Barrow Hills Barrow Hills Barrow Hills School School School

Roke Lane, Witley, Surrey GU8 5NY www.barrowhills.org.uk www.barrowhills.org.uk www.barrowhills.org.uk

www.barrowhills.org.uk

Make the best possible start Great teachers and small classes mean children in our Nursery and Junior School enjoy the best possible start to their education. Every pupil learns to work and play actively and intelligently, and this leads to high achievement. To find out more and for details of forthcoming Open Mornings Untitled-1 1 explore our website, or telephone the School to arrange an individual tour. We look forward to meeting you. T 01483 277313

www.dukeofkentschool.org.uk

NExT OpEN MOrNiNG Saturday 6 February 10 am – 12 noon

Duke of Kent School Nursery (3+) to GCSE

Peaslake Road, Ewhurst, Surrey, GU6 7NS

Say you saw it in

Surrey West

School Open Days

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

Here is a listing of Independent prep school open days. If you are interested in attending an open morning please call the school to see if you need to register - and don’t forget to tell them where you saw their open day listed!

School

Open Day Date

Amesbury School, Hindhead 01428 604322

By appointment. Mixed 3-13 years.

Aldro School, Shackleford 01483 810266

Sat 6 March 11am-12.30pm. Boys 7-13 years.

Barfield School, Runfold 01252 782271

Fri 29 January 9.30-11.30am, Fri 12 March. Mixed 3-13 years.

Barrow Hills, Witley 01428 683639

Wed 24 February 10am-12noon. Mixed 3-13 years.

Belmont Preparatory School Holmbury St Mary 01306 730852

Sat 23 January 10am-1pm. Mixed 2-13 years.

Coworth Park Flexlands School Chobham 01276 855707 Boys 3-7 , Girls 3-11 years

Fri 5 March (Early years/Foundation) 9.30-11am. Sat 6 March (Years 1-6) 9.30-11am.

Cranleigh School, Cranleigh 01483 542051

Sat 27 February 10am. Mixed 7-13 years.

Cranmore School, W Horsley 01483 280340

Fri 12 March 9.30-12noon. Boys 3-13 years.

Duke of Kent School, Ewhurst 01483 277313

Sat 6 February 10am-12noon. Mixed 3-16 years.

Edgeborough, Frensham 01252 792495

By appointment. Mixed 2-13 years.

Frensham Heights, Rowledge 01252 792561

Thurs 25 February 9.30am. Mixed 3-18 years.

Glenesk School, E Horsley 01483 282329

Thurs 11 February. 10am. Mixed 2-7 years.

Greenfield School, Woking 01483 772525

By appointment. Mixed 3-11 years.

Guildford High School – Junior School Guildford 01483 543853

Thurs 28 January, Wed 3 March 10am. Girls 4-18 years.

Halstead Preparatory School for Girls Woking 01483 772682

Sat 27 February 10am. Girls 3-11 years.

Haslemere Preparatory School Haslemere 01428 642350

Fri 5 March 9-12noon, Sat 6 March 10-1pm. Boys 2-13 years Girls 2-4 years.

Hoe Bridge School, Woking 01483 760018

Thurs 25 February 9.30-11.30am. Mixed 2 ½-13 years.

Lanesborough School, Guildford 01483 880650

Fri 5 March Pre-prep (ages 3-7) 1.30-3pm Prep (ages 7-13) 2-3.30pm. Boys 3-13 years.

Longacre School, Shamley Green 01483 893225

Please call the school for next open day date. Mixed 2 ½-11 years.

Manor House, Bookham 01372 457077

Wed 3 February. Girls 2-16 years.

Moon Hall School Holmbury St Mary 01306 731464

Sat 23 January 10am-1pm. Specialist school for dyslexic children aged 7-13 years.

Oakfield School Pyrford 01932 342465

Fri 5 March 10am-12noon. Boys 3-7 years Girls 3-16 years.

The Royal School, Haslemere 01428 605805

Mon 8 February 10-11.30am - Daycare and Nursery open morning. Girls 6 weeks-18 yrs, Boys 6 weeks-4 yrs.

Ripley Court, Ripley 01483 225217

By appointment. Mixed 3-13 years.

Rydes Hill School, Guildford 01483 563160

Please call the school for next open day date. Boys 3-7 years. Girls 3-11 years.

St Andrews School, Horsell 01483 760943

Please call the school for next open day date. Mixed 3-13 years.

St Catherine’s Preparatory School Bramley 01483 899665

Mon 25 January, Mon 1 March 9.30am. Girls 4-11 years.

St Edmund’s School, Hindhead 01428 609 875

Sat 27 February 10am-12noon. Mixed 2-13 years.

St Ives School, Haslemere 01428 643734

Fri 26 and Sat 27 February 9.30-12noon. Girls 2-11 years Boys 2-4 years.

St Hilary’s School, Godalming 01483 416551

Please contact the school for next open day date. Boys 2 ½-7 years Girls 2 ½-11 years.

St Teresa’s School, Effingham 01372 750204

Thurs 11 March. Boys 2-4 years. Girls 2-18 years.

Tormead School, Guildford 01483 575101

Junior School: Tues 2 March, Tues 27 April 9.30-11am. Girls 4-18 years.

Surrey West

Tormead

Your daughter deserves the best possible education. One that helps her to fulfil her academic potential, whilst nurturing her as an individual and preparing her for adult life. At Tormead School we foster a love for learning, respect for self and others, and the confidence and skills to be independent thinkers. Do join us at one of our Open Days and discover the supportive, caring environment for which we are renowned. Junior School Senior School Sixth Form Tues 2nd March 9.30 – 11 am Tues 27th April 9.30 – 11 am

Fri 19th March 2 – 4 pm Thurs 29th April 2 – 4 pm

As well as means-tested Bursaries, we offer Academic, Art and Music Scholarships at 11+ and 16+ An outstanding independent day school for girls 4 -18 years Tormead School, Cranley Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2JD T: 01483 575101 www.tormeadschool.org.uk E: registrar@tormeadschool.org.uk Tormead School is a Registered Charity Number 312057

By appointment with the Registrar

School Open Days

AND NURSERY OPEN DAYS

OUTSTANDING INSPECTION REPORTS JULY 2007, 2008 & 2009

nings r o M pen O s e v I St

TH ED 12 RANKHE UK IN IN T E ADDED VALUUE TABLES LEAG

St Ives School for Girls

NURSERY AND PREP SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 2-11 (BOYS 2-4)

Pre-prep & prep for girls 4-11 yrs. Co-ed nursery from 2½ yrs.

Friday 26th & Saturday 27th February 2010 9.30am - Midday

SENIOR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 11-18 (BOARDING 8-18)

We look forward to seeing you.

Effingham Hill, Dorking, Surrey, 01372 750204 Email: info@stteresas.surrey.sch.uk www.stteresasschool.com

01428 643734 www.stiveshaslemere.com

In federation with Haslemere Preparatory School for Boys.

Our Open Morning: your guides await.

Longacre School Independent Day School for Boys and Girls aged 21/2 – 11 Excellent academic progress in small classes Confident, motivated pupils

Committed, caring staff Close contact with parents

At our Open Morning, our pupils are your guides. So come and ask the people who know St. Ed’s best.

St. Co-Edmund’s

An independent prep school in 40 beautiful acres for boys and girls ages 2-13.

Open Morning Saturday 27th February 2010 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Call Karen Subba Row: 01428 609875. e: registrar@saintedmunds.co.uk www.saintedmunds.co.uk St. Edmund’s School, Portsmouth Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU 26 6BH.

St Co-Edmund's Open Morning 87x130mm 10.12.09.indd 1

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TO VISIT THE SCHOOL OR FOR DETAILS OF OPEN MORNINGS, PLEASE CALL

Wonersh

Longacre School

Shamley Green

Ewhurst

Cranleigh Horsham

01483 893225

admissions@longacre.surrey.sch.uk Longacre School, Hullbrook Lane Shamley Green, Surrey GU5 0NQ www.longacre.surrey.sch.uk

Where children succeed because they are happy and fulfilled

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Surrey West

Nurseries

Which Nursery? Making the right choice for your child NOT SO LONG ago your baby was a tiny bundle of joy that you took everywhere with you - ah, where did the time go? When you start thinking about nurseries, it’s likely to be because: • You are returning to work and need childcare • You feel that your toddler would benefit from mixing in a group with their peers, at least part time, to prepare them for school, or • You want to take up the free morning or afternoon place that is available for your three or four-year-old.

FINDING A NURSERY Nurseries come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find them attached to schools; in church halls, pavilions and community centres; in purpose built buildings or in converted houses; offering everything from a cosy home-like environment to more legstretching possibilities for the more boisterous. If you’ve not found a nursery yet, try our advertisers - they’re here because they want you to know about them. .

THE COST OF CHILDCARE Nursery charges vary greatly, depending on the location, demand, and what is offered. The 2009 Daycare Trust costs survey shows fees ranging from around £150 to £200+ for 50 hours a week, with longer hours and London nurseries costing more to cover the higher overheads.

By Robina Cowan

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Your employer may provide subsidised onsite childcare, or offer Childcare Vouchers as a portion of your salary. Download a free parents’ guide from www.childcarevouchers.co.uk.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON A VISIT Given that your precious little bundle is going to spend hours in other people’s care, it’s important that you feel confident their needs will be met. Here are some things to look for:

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Here are some ways to help with the costs:

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Children are currently entitled to 12½ hours’ free nursery care a week once they turn three. In some areas, the entitlement is being extended to 15 hours a week in a bid to encourage parents to work.

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You may be able to recoup some of your childcare costs through the tax credit scheme, depending on the number of hours you work, and your household income. To find out if you are eligible and how much

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you could claim, use the tax credit checker at www.payingforchildcare.org.uk, or call the government tax credit helpline on 0845 300 3900 between 8am and 8pm.

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Trained and experienced staff who are responding to the children’s needs and seem proud of what they do (not staff in huddles, looking bored and chatting to each other). Busy but relaxed children who seem happy and purposeful with plenty of clean toys and equipment. Safe and clean premises with a welcoming and child-friendly outside play area. Clean food preparation areas - ask for a sample menu if meals or snacks are included. Clean baby changing areas and lavatories. A mix of fun time and quieter activities, plus timetabled naps (in a day nursery). A big welcome for you and your child and an interest in what you expect from the nursery. Finally, ask if any existing parents would be happy to talk to you. Any nursery worth its salt will be happy to comply. Then go with your instincts. Never forget, when it comes to your child, you are the expert.

10 THINGS NURSERIES WANT FROM PARENTS 1. To allow the child at least 2-3 weeks to settle in 2. To receive feedback and thanks from the

parents for the care they give Not to prolong leaving if their child is upset, so that staff can settle the child quickly 4. To understand that nursery rules and procedures exist to protect the children, not to inconvenience parents 5. To keep staff updated with changes in personal circumstances which may affect the child 6. To provide staff with up to date emergency contact numbers 7. To attach name labels to all belongings which are taken to nursery 8. To teach them to use a lavatory/ blow their nose/ put on their coat (if they are old enough) 9. To discuss problems with staff rather than gossip about it to other parents 10. To pick up their child on time!

MORE INFORMATION • Three to five year-olds are taught according to • • •

a framework set out in the Government’s Early Years Foundation Stage. Read about it by typing ‘EYFS’ into the search box at www.direct.gov.uk www.familiessurreywest.co.uk has a listing of nurseries and pre-schools in our local directory Childcare Link has contact details for local registered childcare providers. Call free on 0800 234 6346, www.childcarelink.gov.uk OFSTED regulates the registration and inspection of daycare settings. All their reports are online, www.ofsted.gov.uk

Nursery News New co-educational Nursery PLUS at St Teresa’s

Refurbishment at Leapfrog Day Nursery

“The quality of the provision is outstanding. Children make excellent progress as they are cared for in a child-centred environment and where their individual needs are effectively promoted” Ofsted Report - July 2009

Leapfrog Day Nursery in Woking, part of the Busy Bees Group, is a purpose built nursery designed specifically with children in mind. The nursery is currently undergoing a major refurbishment to further improve the environment and facilities currently offered. As part of the refurbishment the nursery now has a brand new pre-school room and ICT area for 3-5 year olds to interact. The pre-school room leads directly to an under cover outdoor area, giving the children the opportunity to play outside in all weathers; this area is also used by all children in nursery at different times during the day.

St Teresa's new, co-educational Nursery PLUS has been operating since September 09 from brand new premises on the beautiful safe 48 acre site of St Teresa's School in Effingham. Unlike the main school, the nursery now offers places to boys as well. With state-of the art facilities, an extended day in term-time from 8am to 6pm, a different specialist activity each day specially designed to stimulate young minds AND an outstanding Ofsted report already under its belt it is small wonder that places are disappearing fast. To learn more just call Annabel Charles on 01372 750204.

Surrey West

The baby room will also receive a make over with the introduction of a brand new ‘Busy Babies’ area which will enhance babies’ senses with a contrast of black and white and lilac images and objects. Leapfrog Day Nursery has secure access systems and CCTV throughout the nursery, a specially designed Sensory Room which is fully equipped with bubble tubes, mirrors and soft play for the children to explore and extra curricular activities including Jo Jingles, Tots in Sports and French lessons. The nursery is delighted to welcome a new senior management team; Nursery Manager Helen Brown joined in September 2009, with a wealth of managerial experience within the nursery environment, and Sam Colbourne, Deputy Manager, joined in November 2009. The refurbishment is planned to be complete in early 2010.

Nurseries Your child at the heart of our care

Open 8am-6pm

b flexi le hours Mon-Fri

F eel better about your childcare with qualified, experienced staff. Teddies Nursuries provide nuturing care for children aged three months to school age. Over 85% of the parents who view our nurseries choose Teddies

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3 Horndean Road, Bracknell RG12 0XQ

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106 High Street, Godalming GU7 1AQ

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15 The Grove, Woking, Surrey GU21 4AE

Teddies Nurseries Bracknell

Teddies Nurseries Godalming Teddies Nurseries Woking

teddiesnurseries.co.uk

0800 980 3801

OUT NURS STANDING ER REPO Y OFSTED RT 2008 & S JULY 2009

Toddler Group Nursery Plus (Boys & Girls)

(Boys & Girls 2 - 4 years)

We welcome you every term time Tuesday from 9.30 to 11am.

We have now moved to our brand new, purpose-built Nursery and Prep School in Beech Avenue, Effingham.

Singing, Music,Toys and Puzzles, Art and Craft Activities, Soft play, Outdoor Play and Story Time. Fruit platter and refreshments. £1 per session

Come and join us! For more details or to arrange a visit just call 01372 750204

www.stteresasschool.com

Part of the Busy Bees Group

Quality Childcare at Leapfrog in Woking Leapfrog Day Nursery in Woking is a unique nursery designed specifically with children in mind. The nursery offers a safe, stimulating environment for 0-5 year olds to play, learn and make new friends in 2010

Brand New Pre-School Room and ICT area CCTV and Secure Access Systems Sensory room Extra activities Indoor / Outdoor play area NEW Busy Babies initiative Coming Soon Woking – 01483 486116 Woking – 01483 486116 Goldwater Lodge, Goldsworth Goldwater Lodge, Goldsworth Park, Woking GU21 3RT Park, Woking GU21 3RT

Ripley – 01483 222020 Ripley – 01483 222020 Georgelands, Ripley GU23 6DE Georgelands, Ripley GU23 6DE

Ottershaw – 01932 874286 Ottershaw – 01932 874286 The Old School House, Brox The Old School House, Brox Road, Ottershaw KT16 0HH Road, Ottershaw KT16 0HH

Haslemere – 01428 654117 Haslemere – 01428 654117 Chestnut Avenue, Haslemere Chestnut Avenue, Haslemere GU27 2AT GU27 2AT

Toad Hall Nurseries also in Toad Hall Nurseries also in Walton on Thames 01932 226975 or 252858 Walton on Thames 01932 226975 or 252858 Shepperton 01932 592525 Shepperton 01932 592525

Special offer...

Book and 26/11/2009 start a 10:00:39 nursery place before 31st March 2010 and receive free registration and up to one week’s FREE childcare on your child’s 1st birthday*

Call Helen on 01483 797 966 for details Leapfrog Day Nursery, 50 Cavell Way, Knaphill, Woking (next to Sainsbury’s) www.leapfrogdaynurseries.co.uk

Say you saw it in

*terms and conditions apply

Surrey West

What’s On

If you have an event in March or April you would like listed here for free email details by 1st February to: editor@familiessurreywest.co.uk

SATURDAY 9 JANUARY

SATURDAY 16 JANUARY

FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY

Fun with Fabrics and Fibres Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 Take a look at natural fibres in the Kew exhibition and make an item from natural fibres and fabric to take away. 10.30am-12noon for 5-11 year olds. Members £5, non-members £6. Please pre-book.

Butterfly Family Activities RHS Garden Wisley Woking 0845 260 9000 In the Clore Learning Centre. Have a go at planting a verbena, make your own grasshead butterfly or create a caterpillar puppet. 10am – 3.30pm. Free with normal garden entry.

Circus Skills Workshop Farnham Maltings Bridge Square, Farnham 01252 745444 4-5pm. Learn a range of circus techniques, working individually and in a group. Including acrobalance skills,manipulationskills:balljuggling, spinning plates and diabolo. For ages 10yrs+. £6. Please pre-book.

Playtime, Elmbridge Museum Church St, Weybridge 01932 843573 Free family fun drop-in sessions. 11am-1pm and 2-4pm. What did you have for Christmas? Victorian children had very different presents. Come and play with the toys and games of yesteryear and make your own Victorian toy to take home.

WEDNESDAY 13 JANUARY Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham KT11 1JE 01932 584284 Free entry every Wednesday in January and February. Winter opening times 10.30am–4pm or dusk if earlier (last entry 3pm).

FRIDAY 15 JANUARY No Place Like Home Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 10.30-11.30am Come and see the amazing dolls’ house, listen to a story and make your own collage of a house. Adult £1, child £2. No need to book. For accompanied under 5s.

SAT 16 JAN - SUN 28 FEB Butterflies in the Glasshouse RHS Garden Wisley Woking 0845 260 9000 Come and see beautiful exotic butterflies in the wonderful surroundings of the tropical section of the Wisley Glasshouse. You can get the chance to see these delicate insects close up and learn interesting facts about how they eat and change from caterpillars. New for 2010 is the hatchery, where visitors can see the new butterflies as they emerge. Suitable for all ages. Families can take advantage of a fun, butterfly themed activity card through out the duration of the experience. Butterflies in The Glasshouse will be open from 10am–3.45pm daily (last entry 3.30pm). The Garden will close at 4.30pm (last entry 3.30pm). The experience is free with normal garden entry of £9.50 adults, £3 children (6 – 16), under 6 free, RHS members free. Butterflies in the Glasshouse Wisley

SUNDAY 17 JANUARY Butterfly Family Activities RHS Garden Wisley See 16 Jan for details.

SATURDAY 23 JANUARY Drop-in Family Workshop – Mini Magazines, The Lightbox Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 4AA 01483 737800 Come and learn how to make your own mini magazine. 1.30–4pm. For ages 4+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free entry (donations welcome).

FRIDAY 29 JANUARY Space Explorers Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 1.30-2.30pm. Learn all about the wonders of space, listen to a story and even create your own universe! Adult £1, child £2. No need to book. For under 5s with a parent/carer.

SATURDAY 30 JANUARY Big Garden Bird Watch Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 11am-4pm. Family drop-in event. What birds will you discover in the museum garden today? Come as a family to the museum to enjoy bird-watching, make your own bird feeder and other fun activities. Adult £1, child £2. No need to book. Open Day, Millers Ark Farm Roke Farm, Roke RG29 1HZ 01256 701847 1-4pm. Entry £5, with under 1s free. Tractor rides, lots of animals and barn teas.

SUNDAY 31 JANUARY Stage Combat Workshop Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford 01483 565191 11am–5pm. For ages 15+. £20. This will be run by Paul Benzing who has been one of the country’s leading fight directors for more than 10 years. He will be looking at unarmed combat moves and the day will end with a feast of fighting. Please pre-book. Open Day, Millers Ark Farm See entry on 30 January.

WEDNESDAY 3 FEBRUARY Rhymetime - Storytime Special Guildford House Gallery 155 High St, Guildford 01483 444742 10.30-11.15am Free toddler session for accompanied children under 2. Nursery rhymes, songs, stories and fun. Pre-booking is advisable.

SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY Forever Young Family Saturday Pottery, West End Centre 48 Queens Road, Aldershot 01252 330040 10.30am-12.30pm. These sessions provide a fantastic opportunity for families to get together and create something amazing to take home with them. Materials provided, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Please pre-book. Tree Inspirations Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 Be inspired by the weird and wonderful shapes in the Museum’s fallen chestnut tree and make a design for the Sculpt.it team to carve into the tree. 10.30am-12noon for 5-11 year olds. Members £4, nonmembers £5. Please pre-book. Viking Scales, Chertsey Museum 33 Windsor St, Chertsey 01932 656764 2-4pm. Drop-in for 15 minutes of family fun - free.

Butterfly Family Activities RHS Garden Wisley See 16 January for details.

SAT 13 - SUN 21 FEBRUARY February Half Term Trail Claremont Landscape Garden Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG 01372 467806 10am - 4pm. Have fun as you walk around the garden with the children’s trail and learn more about birds. Meet the gardeners whilst they feed the waterfowl Mon–Fri 11am. Normal admission (adult £6, child £3, family £15). February Half Term Trails Winkworth Arboretum Hascombe Road, Godalming GU8 4AD 01483 208477 10am - 4pm. Free trails all day, every day, and you can borrow umbrellas for the children if the weather turns wet. Normal admission charges apply (£5.60, child £2.80, family £14). Ivor the Engine Mid Hants Railway 01962 733810 The Pride of Wales returns to the Watercress Line! Fantastic fun for all the family. Come and enjoy rides behind Ivor, plus many other activities. Adult £13, child (2-16) £7, family (2&2) £33 (includes booking fee). Ivor the Engine

FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY Fascinating Fossils Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 10.30-11.30am. Travel back into the past to discover a time long ago by looking at fascinating fossils. Adult £1, child £2. No need to book. For under 5s with a parent/carer.

SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY West End Centre 48 Queens Rd, Aldershot 01252 330040 Hearts for Your Valentine Create fun and decorative hearts using a mixture of materials and techniques. 10.30am-12.30pm. £4 per person. For ages 3+ with an adult. Have fun creating something with your child. Booking recommended. Mabon 7pm £10, Under 18s £5. Standing. These high-octane, festival favourites pump out electrifying celtic music! Please pre-book Build Your Own House! Elmbridge Museum Church St, Weybridge 01932 843573 Free family fun drop-in sessions. 11am-1pm and 2-4pm. Elmbridge has a rich and diverse architectural heritage. Be an architect for the day and construct your own scale-model. Under 10s must be accompanied by an adult.

Monty Mouse Trail Aldershot Military Museum Queens Av, Aldershot 0845 6035635. Open daily 10am-5pm. Adult £2, Child (5-15) £1, under 5s free. Monty Mouse is visiting the museum this Spring half term - follow the trail and try to find him!

SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY Butterfly Family Activities RHS Garden Wisley See 16 January for details.

MON 15 - FRI 19 FEBRUARY Guildford Spectrum Parkway, Guildford 01483 44 33 22 Family Bowling (Early Bird Special) 9.30am–11am. One game of bowling for a family of 4 (maximum 2 adults and 2 under 16’s) including shoe hire for £17.50. Public Ice Skating Daytime public skating sessions; 10.30am-12.30pm, 1pm-2.30pm (Ice Disco Session), and 3.30pm–5pm.

What’s On

We took every care preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed. Please double check event with organiser to avoid disappointment.

Trusty's Rangers, Polesden Lacey Great Bookham, nr Dorking RH5 6BD 01372 452048 10am - 4pm. Explore the grounds at your own pace and discover the incredible diversity of life on earth with our trail. Normal admission charges (Gardens only: £7, child £3.50, family £17.50) plus £1 per trail. The house will not be open. Half Term Family Activities Brooklands Museum Brooklands Rd, Weybridge KT13 0QN Half term activities including car rides on the Museum site in classic cars (subject to weather as some are open top). Normal Museum admission, plus a donation for car rides. Open daily 10am-4pm.

MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY West End Centre 48 Queens Road, Aldershot 01252 330040 Advance booking recommended for all these activities: African Drumming 10.30am-12.30pm 3-7 years (all 3-7s must be accompanied by an adult). 1.30-3.30pm 8-11 years (adults welcome, but children may attend unaccompanied). £5 per person. Led by renowned musician Noah Messomo you will learn the basics of African percussion in this fun-filled session. Toddler's Pottery 10.30-11.15am. For under 5s. (maximum of two children per adult) £2.50 per child. The Amazing Art Afternoon FREE! 45 minute sessions from 1.30, 2.30, 3.30 and 4.30pm. Ideal for children under 12, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Get down on the floor and get creative in our fabulous, free art sessions. Tribal Groove - FREE! 10.30-11.15am 8-12yrs. Learn how to use your body like a drum kit. My Story Workshop Loseley Fields Children's Centre Green Lane, Farncombe 11am-12.30pm or 2.30 - 4pm. Organised by the Watts Gallery. Free drop-in workshop for children aged 5-10 with their parents or carers. Booking not required. Create and illustrate your own story using drawing and collage materials. Electric Theatre Onslow St, Guildford 01483 444789 Telling Tales 11am. For all the family from 4yrs+. Tickets: £5. Telling Tales is a playful, funny programme of stories told through dance. Look out for a version of The Hare and The Tortoise with the Hare doing everything possible to win the race; and a fast paced retelling of The golden Goose. And to finish the event, a wonderfully magical company piece, which as the dancers leave the stage you really wish would go on for ever…! Please pre-book.

Storytelling in the Café Bar 3.15pm Relax in the Café Bar while our storytellers enthral your child with stories. Free. Mary Poppins + Arty Fun! The 1964 musical still casts its spell nearly 50 years after it was made - a must see film for any family. Arty fun is from 4pm with the film screening at 5pm. £5. Please pre-book.

Telling Tales The Electric Theatre

Monday Mayhem Guildford Spectrum Parkway, Guildford 01483 44 33 22 7pm–10pm, 1 game of bowling for £3 or 2 games for £5 including shoe hire!

TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY Electric Theatre Onslow St, Guildford 01483 444789 Advance booking is recommended for all events (except Storytelling)

Theatre Lyngo presents What A Wonderful World For 1-4 yrs. £5. 11am. Before anything new is made it must be dreamed. Welcome to the Sea of Tranquillity, where we make the new day every night. What do you want in tomorrow's world? In this highly interactive show for the early years you can get your hands on the stuff of creation. Objects Dart Puppet Theatre presents Little Red Riding Hood 2.15pm. An intimate puppet show of a re-working of the popular story - we see a naughty little girl with her red hoodie coming through the wood to visit her granny. Will she talk to the wolf? Granny's shopping trolley is full of strange objects, and they come in handy when telling this story! Ages 2yrs+. £3. Storytelling in Café Bar 3.15pm. Free children’s stories. Junk Puppets Ages 3yrs+. £2.50. 3.45pm Bring along your junk such as plastic flowerpots and small milk cartons to make your own puppet! Objects Dart Puppet Theatre The Elves & The Shoemaker 5.30pm. The shoemaker’s things (shoe trees, shoes, scissors and hammers) help to tell this story of magic and kindness, in a kind and magical way! For ages 4yrs+. £3. Woking Shopmobility Pancake Race, Woking Town Square 11.30am – 1pm. Watch the crazilycostumed teams career around the town centre course, to raise money for the Woking Shopmobility scheme. PAG Presents a Special Needs Arts Festival, West End Centre 48 Queens Road, Aldershot 01252 330040 10am-3.30pm. £3 per person. An action-packed day full of fun activities for the whole family. Join the amazing Jackson Tonewall for a music workshop or get together with the art team and have great fun making puppets. Advance booking recommended. There are also FREE taster alternative therapy drop-in sessions, which are open to everyone.

at West Clandon Village Hall

Theresa Hawkins Dance GF only Ju1 104/06/2009 20:34:25

BALLET TAP HIP-HOP MODERN/JAZZ

Theresa Hawkins Dance GF only Ju1 104/06/2009 20:34:25 Theresa Hawkins Dance GF only Ju1 104/06/2009 20:34:25 Fun, friendly classes for boys and girls 2 1/2 years upwards Introductory offer TheresaTheresa Hawkins Hawkins Dance GFDance only Ju1 20:34:25 GF 104/06/2009 only Ju1 104/06/2009 20:34:25 Generous discounts on multiple classes Qualified, experienced, registered teachers Contact Linda Streat BPhil (Hons). BSc. LRAD AISTD Theresa on Hawkins Dance GF only Ju1 104/06/2009 20:34:25 01483 282506

Theresa Hawkins Dance GF only Ju1 104/06/2009 20:3

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What’s On Alice Holt Forest Farnham GU10 4LS 01420 23666 Please pre-book these activities: Welly Crafts For accompanied 4-7s. 10-11.30am. £6.50 per child. We’ve gone welly mad and planned a session of arts and crafts with plenty of ideas; cute boots, boots with roots, even newts for boots. All materials provided. Welly Wanging! £1 per child. 11.45-12.15pm for under 8s and 12.15-12.45pm for 8yrs+. Wellies (for wanging, not wearing) provided. There’s a small prize for the winners of each age group. Under 8yrs should be accompanied.

Clay Heads Workshop, The Lightbox Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 4AA 01483 737800 Dress for mess and join us to make self-portraits in air-drying clay. 1-2.30pm (4-8yrs), 3-4.30pm (8-16 yrs). Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Materials included. Booking required. £6.50 per child, accompanying adult goes free.

Welly Wanging! Alice Holt

Electric Theatre Onslow St, Guildford 01483 444789 Boogie Babies 10.30am. Sessions include songs, movement activities, parachute play and much more! Ages 0-5 yrs. £2. Session lasts approx 45mins. Please pre-book. Ballet Babies 11.30am This class gives little ones the chance to experience the joy of ballet in a fun and friendly environment. Ages 2-6 years. £2. Session lasts approx 45 minutes. Please pre-book. Jactito presents HICCUP the Hippopotamus ... 2pm. Hiccup the Hippopotamus hiccups every time he gets worried. One day he loses his glasses so he hiccups causing the whole jungle to shake. One by one creatures who become disturbed by his hiccuping try to help him. Ages 3 – 6 years. £4.50. Please pre-book. Storytelling in the Café Bar 3.15pm. Free storytelling for children. Sock Puppet Making Drop in from 4pm for the chance to turn your old socks into scary monsters or cuddly teddy bears. A fun arty session the whole family can join in. Free – but bring a sock! Jactito presents SONIA the Seal…. 5pm. Life can be hard for a baby seal, swept far from home on her first swimming lesson. Polar bears, dolphins, mermaids and a troup of dancing snowmen all try to help. Join Sonia on her fun filled adventure as she tries to make her way home. A show of puppetry, music and exotic multi-coloured fish! Suitable for all the family from 4 years+. £4.50. Please pre-book.

Farnham Maltings Bridge Square, Farnham 01252 745444 Darkroom Photo Fun Make real photograms, using leaves and shapes, in the Maltings darkroom. Then make them into fun bookmarks and greetings cards. 10am-12noon or 2-4pm. For ages 8 12. Please pre-book. £10. Jungle Bugs and Butterflies 10.30am-12nooon. Create a bug from a variety of materials. Dress for mess and bring an adult! Please pre-book. £7.50. Mad Science - 3, 2, 1 … Blast Off Guildford Spectrum Parkway, Guildford 01483 44 33 22 Designed for budding astronauts and rocket scientists, children will spend the day learning about rockets and even building one themselves! 1pm5pm. For 5-12 yrs, £25. Teddy bears’ picnic, Box Hill 11am-1pm. A little walk through the woods to a special picnic spot, with stories, songs and games. Children's picnic provided – just bring your teddy. For ages 3–6 years. Child £6. Booking essential on 01372 220644. Organised by the National Trust. Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 Year of the Tiger Learn all about these wonderful animals as the Chinese celebrate their New Year. 10.30am-12noon for 5-11 year olds. Members £4, nonmembers £5. Please pre-book. Family Talk - Tigers 2-3pm. Admission by donation, no need to book. Jonathan Hodrien of the charity Global Tiger Patrol will talk about tigers and the charity’s 21st Anniversary of conserving wild tigers.

We took every care preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed. Please double check event with organiser to avoid disappointment.

Surrey West

Spiky Spears and Safe Shields Chertsey Museum 33 Windsor St, Chertsey 01932 656764 11-12.30pm or 2-3.30pm. For 5-12 years. £4.40. Please pre-book. WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY

West End Centre 48 Queens Road, Aldershot 01252 330040 Advance booking recommended for these activities. Storytime FREE! 10.30-11.30am. Join Ginny Arnison as she delves into the exciting world of books! Forever Young Feltmaking 11am-1pm £4 per person. Experiment with felt and make cute little treasures to keep. For ages 3+ with an adult. Forever Young Pottery 10.30am-12.30pm £4 per person. For ages 3+ with accompanying adult. Come as a family and have fun making something together out of clay.

Forever Young Printing: Decorate Your Own Pillowcase 2-4pm £4 per person. Using lots of colour and a range of stamps you will make a personalised pillowcase. Tribal Groove Free! 10.45-11.30am all ages. Learn how to use your body like a drum kit.

Starting Digital Photography Farnham Maltings Bridge Square, Farnham 01252 745444 10am-12noon. A simple introduction to using a digital camera. Learn about the basic controls and take some fun pictures. Don’t forget to bring your digital camera! Ages 10-16. £10.

Mad Science – Electrifying Electricity, Guildford Spectrum Parkway, Guildford 01483 44 33 22 1pm-5pm. For 5 - 12 years. £25. Using a Van der Graff generator, children begin a hair-raising adventure designed to explore the various properties of electricity.

Monochrome Magic Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 Family drop in event from 11am3pm for 5-11 year olds. Join Maggie Monteath and immortalise your favourite objects from the Museum using this simple printing technique. Adult £2, child £3. No need to book.

Secret Spies, Chertsey Museum 33 Windsor St, Chertsey 01932 656764 11-12.30pm or 2-3.30pm. For 5 -12 years. £4.40. Please pre-book. Playschool Morning Woking Leisure Centre 01483 771122 Soft play, trampolines, arts and crafts, bouncy castle for ages 18 months - 4 years 11 months with an adult. 10am-12noon. £4.30. Drop in Family Workshops Seascapes, The Lightbox Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 4AA 01483 737800 Create your own seascapes inspired by The Ingram Collection: Marine Landscapes exhibition. Drop in anytime between 1.30–4pm. For ages 4+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free Entry (donations welcome). Alice Holt Forest, Farnham GU10 4LS 01420 23666 Willow Bird Feeders For 5-12yrs. Half hour sessions at 10am, 12noon, 1pm & 3pm. £4 per feeder. Join us in the classroom to make a hanging willow bird feeder. Children under 8yrs should be accompanied and will need your help. Booking recommended. Nest Boxes For 8yrs+ with an adult. One hour sessions - £7 per box. 10.45-11.45am or 1.45-2.45pm. All children should be accompanied. Please pre-book. Book both willow feeder and nest box sessions for £10.

THURSDAY 18 FEBRUARY Cosmic Bowling Guildford Spectrum Parkway, Guildford 01483 44 33 22 7.30pm–10.30pm. A bowl disco session with xtreme lighting. Grass Heads Workshop The Lightbox, Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 4AA 01483 737800 Make your own grass heads to grow at home. 11am–12pm and 1–2pm (4-8yrs) 3–4pm (8-16yrs). Under 8s must be accompanied. Materials included. Please pre-book. £5 per child, accompanying adult goes free. Brilliant Bracelets, Chertsey Museum 33 Windsor St, Chertsey 01932 656764 11-12.30pm or 2-3.30pm. For 5 -12 years. £4.40. Please pre-book

Electric Theatre Onslow St, Guildford 01483 444789 Storytelling in the Café Bar Free children’s story telling. 3.15pm. Stage Make Up (Fantastical & Magical) 6pm. For ages 8yrs+. £5. Call the box office for further details of this workshop. Please pre-book. Unarmed Combat 6.15-8.15pm. For ages 8yrs+. £5. You will be taken through a variety of illusions from slaps and punches to strangles and neck breaks. You’ll have plenty of chance to practice and then perform your sequence at the end of the session. Please pre-book. Woodland crafts for kids Headley Heath 1pm - 3pm. Join us for a forage around the heath to collect materials for woodland arts and crafts. For ages 6–12. Child £5. Booking essential on 01372 220644. Organised by the National Trust. West End Centre 48 Queens Road, Aldershot 01252 330040 Advance booking recommended for these activities. Forever Young Pottery 10.30am-12.30pm. £4 per person. For ages 3+ with an adult. Come as a family and have fun making something together out of clay. Black Sheep Comedy Storytelling Workshop 12-1pm. For ages 7+. £2. Join the performers and writers from CBBC for a pre-show warm-up workshop of games and exercises that will help you create and tell your own stories. Black Sheep Present Fairly Tales... 2pm £6 For ages 4+, reserved seating. The most inspirational show you can take your kids to, Whose Line is it Anyway? meets Jackanory in an improvised comedy show for all of the family. Watch as hilarious new stories are created out of thin air by the ‘world famous author’ and his idiot assistant, using the audience’s suggestions. Fairly Tales, West End Centre

What’s On

If you have an event in March or April you would like listed here for free email details by 1st February to: editor@familiessurreywest.co.uk

Mad Science - Radical Robots Guildford Spectrum 01483 443322 1pm-5pm, For 5-12 years, £30. Put your technical knowledge to the test and demonstrate the basic concepts behind robotics. Campers will build and take home there own robot!

FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY

Electric Theatre Onslow St, Guildford 01483 444789 Storytelling in the Café Bar – Free children’s storytelling. 3.15pm. Stage Make Up (Gruesome Wounds & Horror) 6pm. For ages 9yrs+. £5. Call the box office for further details. Please pre-book. Sword Fighting 6.15-8.15pm. For ages 9yrs+. £5. Using a wooden, foam covered sword you will learn how to wield a two handed broadsword and various fighting techniques . A variety of real metal stage weapons (non sharp) will be brought to the workshop to look at. Call the box office for further details. Please pre-book. SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY Fire Craft Fun, Alice Holt Forest Festival Finale! Electric Theatre Farnham GU10 4LS 01420 23666 For Onslow St, Guildford 01483 444789 8-12yrs. 10am-2.30pm. £15. Go back 10am-4pm. Come along and make in time before lighters or matches. a puppet person out of a wooden Explore the many different methods spoon to participate in the Family and materials that burn and be Festival Fantastic Finale Show! Katy amazed by creating your own blazing Ashworth (from Cbeebies I Can fire! We’ll even cook up a tasty treat. Cook) and Geoff Lawson (from

Chinese New Year Celebration, Woking Town Square 11am-3pm The Chinese Association of Woking presents an exciting, colourful celebration, featuring a dazzling display of talented singers and dancers. Plus you'll find all things Chinese at their variety of stalls.

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West End Centre 48 Queens Road, Aldershot 01252 330040 Advance booking recommended for these activities. Aldershot Military Museum Dress-Up Morning Free! 11am2pm. For all ages. Have a go at dressing up in historical outfits from the museum's collection. Forever Young Pre-show Workshop: Little Red Riding Hood 11am-1pm. £4 per person. Join textiles experts as they help you make your own interactive picture with a scene from this story. For ages 3+ with an adult. Forever Young Pottery 10.30am-12.30pm. £4 per person. Have fun making something out of clay. For children 3+ with an adult. Music in the Afternoon FREE! 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30pm. For babies to 4 year olds. Fun-filled 40 minutes of music with lots of music games, songs and percussive activities. Clydebuilt Present: Red Riding Hood's Magic Purse 2pm For ages 3-7 (with an adult). £6. A classic story told with a difference! Favourite characters abound, an adventurous Red Riding Hood, an independent Granny (just home from her last trip round the world), and of course the wonderful, Wicked Wolf.

Butterfly Family Activities Wisley See 16 Jan for details.

Drop-in Family Workshop – Mini Magazines, The Lightbox See 23 January for details.

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Alice Holt Forest, Farnham GU10 4LS 01420 23666 Where’s the Welly? 10am-12noon. £5 per team. Maps at the ready! A chance for the whole family to take up this new challenge! Follow the trail to find the clues. Minimum of one adult per team. Pre-book. Den Building For 8yrs+. 1-3pm. £6. This activity is always popular, so book early and wrap up warm!

A Professional Babysitting Service by the Surrey Nanny Agency Friendly, Personal Service Competitive rates Telephone 01483 560320 Mobile 07951 091035 www.surreynannys.co.uk lorrainegordon@surreynannys.co.uk

SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY Butterfly Family Activities RHS Garden Wisley See 16 Jan for details.

FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY Bear Shadow, Haslemere Educational Museum 78 High St, Haslemere 01428 642112 1.30-2.30pm. Listen to this story and learn all about shadows. Make a shadow puppet of your own. Adult £1, child £2. No need to book. For accompanied under 5s.

SAT 27 FEBRUARY Forever Young - Tribal Groove, West End Centre 48 Queens Road, Aldershot 01252 330040 Design and make a tribal outfit out of junk and then learn how to use your body like a drum kit to create elaborate rhythms. 10.30am12.30pm. £4 per person. For ages 3+ with an accompanying adult. Booking recommended.

Crafty Chefs

SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY

Musical Theatre Workshop Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford 01483 565191 The Electric Theatre’s Little Sparks 11am–5pm £20. For ages 8+. Music from Natural and Recycled show) bring the Family Festival to an This will be an intensive day Materials, Farnham Maltings Bridge Square, Farnham 01252 745444 end in style with a fun-packed hour where you will learn a big show of music, songs, puppetry (hence the number and put a polished 10-11.30am. Make beaded shakers spoons!) and storytelling for all the dance and movement routine and willow tambourines. All ages family. Call the box office for a full together ready to perform welcome, under 8’s must have an programme of events and booking at the end of the day. Please adult. Adults welcome to stay. £7 information for the Festival Finale. pre-book. (adults free). Please pre-book.

• • •

Children‛s Cooking Parties Children‛s Cooking Party Kits Cooking Accessories Cooking workshops/ courses

• Special recipes for children with food allergies

For more details call 01428 648663/ 653251 or see www.craftychefs.co.uk

Harmony Dance Dance and Drama Harmony

learning through story, drama and play Baby Story Play 6 months - 2 years

Interactive storytelling and imaginative play encourage you to communicate and create with your little one. Be inspired by a new story each week!

Early Years Drama 2 - 7 years

Delight in your child’s love of story as we fire their imagination, boost their confidence and build their language, listening and social skills through dramatic play.

FREE TRIAL CLASS Contact Casey Rand Email: casey@debutots.co.uk Tel: 01483 479460

www.debutots.co.uk

Guildford · Godalming · Woking

Harmony Dance Dance and Drama Harmony new surreyHarmony nanny ad.indd 1 Harmony Dance and Drama Dance

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Surrey West

What’s On Theatre CAMBERLEY THEATRE

Knoll Rd, Camberley 01276 707600 Noddy in Toyland Sun 31 January 1pm & 3.30pm. It’s an exciting day in Toy Town, it’s Noddy and Tessie Bear’s sing-a-long, dance-a-long party and everyone is invited to join in the fun... everyone that is except those two naughty Goblins, Sly and Gobbo! Tickets £12, family £40. How the Koala Learnt to Hug Sun 14 February 2.30pm. This is a charming tale about the magic of family and the importance of a nice warm hug! £8, family £28. Boogie Pete Live Tues 16 February 2pm. With Pete Hillier from the BBC show Boogie Beebies. Join Pete as he shows you some moves, some magic and some silliness in this fun packed show! £7.50. Show Me Chris and Pui Sat 20 February CBeebies’ favourite double-act Chris and Pui are coming to town with their fabulous new roadshow with fantastic songs, games and more. £12, child £10.

DORKING HALLS

Reigate Road, Dorking RH4 1SG 01306 881717 Peppa Pig's Party Wed 24 February 1 & 4pm, Thurs 25 February 10am & 1pm. It's Peppa Pig's birthday. Come and join the fun with Peppa and George, Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Emily Elephant. A charming, original and imaginative show, full of brand new songs! £12.50, £14.50, £50 Family (top price seats only, 2 adults & 2 children).

ELECTRIC THEATRE

Onslow St, Guildford 01483 444789 Little Sparks Every Saturday in the cafe bar at 11am. £4 per child (adults and babes in arms free). For under 5s. No booking required - please pay cash or cheque. Fun show with music, games, stories, songs and puppets. Children’s Festival Mon 15 - Sat 20 February. For details of the Children’s Festival events please see pages 19-21.

FARNHAM MALTINGS

Bridge Sq, Farnham 01252 745444 Goldilocks Sat 23 January 2.30pm. £6 ( £5.50 groups of 4+). Presented by Hand to Mouth Theatre, this is an original adaptation of the well-loved tale. For ages 3 – 9 years. Alice and The White Rabbit Sat 20 March 2.30pm. £6 ( £5.50 groups of 4+). Join Alice on her magical adventure as she chases the White rabbit back in time on a fantastic spiralling journey into Wonderland. Watch her change in size in this dream-like shadow adaption inspired by the famous tale by Lewis Carroll. Presented by

Surrey West

If you have an event in March or April you would like listed here for free email details by 1st February to: editor@familiessurreywest.co.uk Indigo Moon Theatre Company. For ages 4+.

GUILDFORD'S SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Romeo and Juliet Fri 5 – Sat 20 February (except Sundays) 7.30pm, (Mon 8th 7pm) Saturday Matinees 13th & 20th at 2.30pm. After four summers in the open-air, Guildford Shakespeare Company invites you to join them as they bring their infectious energy and invention indoors for the first time. The venue chosen is the evocative 18th Century Holy Trinity Church in the heart of Guildford, whose dramatic (heated) interior will provide the perfect backdrop for the famous star-crossed lovers. Adults £16, Concessions £13, Saturday Matinees all tickets £10. Box Office: 01483 304384 or visit www.guildfordshakespeare-company.co.uk

HASLEMERE HALL

Bridge Rd, Haslemere 01428 642161 Aladdin 7, 8 & 15 Jan 7.30pm, 9 & 16 Jan at 6.30pm. Matinees 9, 10 & 16 Jan at 2.30pm. A panto for the whole family.

LEATHERHEAD THEATRE

Church Street, 01372 365141 The Little Big Club - Live in Concert Sat 23 January 1pm & 3.30pm. This new 90-minute theatrical and musical extravaganza brings Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Angelina Ballerina™, Pingu™, Fifi Forget-me-Not™ and Fireman Sam™ together on stage for the very first time and offers something younger members of the family will never forget! Adult £13, Child £11 and Family (4 tickets) £40.

THE NEW VICTORIA THEATRE

Woking 0870 060 6645 Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake Tues 26 – Sat 30 January, 7.30pm (Wed, Thurs and Sat matinees, 2.30pm). Th longest running ballet in the West End and on Broadway. £15 £37. Recommended for ages 14+. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Mon 1 - Sat 6 February. Mon 7.30pm, Tues-Thurs 1.30pm & 7.30pm, Fri 5pm & 8pm, Sat 2, 5 & 8pm. A truly global phenomenon, Joseph has been thrilling audiences for over 40 years. The Chinese State Circus Wed 17 – Sat 20 February, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sun 21 February, 2pm. £13 - £28. An action–packed spectacular, bursting with high-adrenalin acts. Disney’s High School Musical 2 Live on Stage Mon 22 – Sat 27 Feb Mon – Thurs, 7pm; Fri 5pm and 8pm; Sat 2.30pm and 7pm. Enjoy all the songs from the smash-hit movie, as well as some awesome dancing and an amazing live band. £14.50 - £37.50. PRINCES HALL Princes Way, Aldershot 01252 329155 Chuckle Brothers

Tues 16 February 2pm & 5pm. Celebrating 21 years of the BBC's Chuckle Vision with some of their best comedy routines performed live and some special film segments. £12.50.

WEST END CENTRE

Queens Road, Aldershot 01252 330040 Children’s Festival Mon 15-Fri 19 February. See listings on pages 19-21 for details.

WOKING DANCE FESTIVAL

www.wokingdancefestival.co.uk 01483 737830 Fri 19 February - Sat 6 March. With a world-class line up of contemporary dancers and new commissions from professional, international dance companies, local communities and individuals, this is the largest dance festival in the South East. Here are two of the best performances for children, please visit website for details of other events. City Maquette H.G. Wells Conference & Events Centre The UK premiere of French choreographer Mathilde Monnier's amazing production, which will be devised when Mathilde and members of her company work for 4 weeks with over 60 people from in and around Woking. City Maquette will bring together a diverse group of people of all ages, abilities and previous dance experience to create an incredible production which reflects their personal relationship to Woking as a place to live and work. £9 (Concession £5). A Marja Fly Fly H.G. Wells Conference & Events Centre Sat 27 Feb. Please call or see website for times. Come and meet Marja, the ladybird and Tuuli, the fairy, two very different characters who get lost in an unknown and colourless landscape where strange things suddenly happen… A beautifully endearing performance for pre-school children, lasting approximately 30 minutes without intermission. The children will be invited to interact with the performers and will get the opportunity to meet the dancers and explore the set and props after the show. From £7 (one adult & one child). A Marja Fly Fly

WOKING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S ANNUAL FAMILY CONCERT Sat 16 Jan 3.30pm at H.G. Wells Conference & Events Centre. Music to include excerpts from Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C and Adam’s A Short Ride in a Fast Machine. Tickets on the door or call 01483 712710 www. wokingso.co.uk. £5, under 3s free.

YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE

Guildford 01483 440000 Guildford Philharmonic Adventures in the Magical Kingdom A special family concert. This is your invitation to attend a Grand Ball for Princes and Princesses, Fairies and Giants, Frogs, Friendly Ogres and other kindly creatures. Magical Music will be provided by the Merry Minstrels of the Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra and our Court Jester Alasdair Malloy will act as Master of Ceremonies. Don’t forget to dress up as your favourite character! Adult £12. Child £7.50. The Princess and the Pea (In the Mill Studio). Sat 16 January 11am & 2pm. Come and see what happens when fairy tale characters decide to do what they really want, and no-one is quite what they seem! For ages 5+. £6. The Dragon's Daughter (In the Mill Studio) Sat 23 January 11am & 2pm. £6. A little boy called Hans spent his days imagining the most fantastic adventures. He would pretend to fight scary monsters, search for sunken treasure, and slay fairytale dragons. But one starry night, a tiny ball of light fell from the sky, and there was Dotty; a real-life baby dragon! For ages 4-7. The King's Got Donkey Ears Sat 6 February 11am & 2pm. £6. This tale of mythical mayhem and asinine antics, is lovingly told with a unique blend of puppetry, storytelling and original music. For ages 4+. Beauty and the Beast (In the Mill Studio) Wed 17 - Sat 20 February. Wed 7pm, Thur - Sat 2.30pm & 7pm. Adults £9, Under 18s £7. In this enchanting tale we encounter two worlds. The domestic world of Beauty’s family – safe and familiar – and another world, first stumbled upon by her father: a place of great riches and disturbing nightmares, dominated by the fearsome and tragic Beast. Uniting the two is Beauty’s humility and sense of duty which slowly matures into transforming love. For ages 8+. Giraffes Can't Dance (In the Mill Studio) Sat 27 February 11am, 2pm & 4.30pm. Tickets £6. With bewitching music and beautifully carved puppets, this uplifting tale of individuality promises to melt even the coldest of hearts. Suitable for ages 4-7. Mr Panda's Magical Showtime (In the Mill Studio). Sat 6 March 11am, 2pm & 4pm £6. Join the giant, cuddly, loveable bear, Mr Panda and his colourful friend, children's personality Rainbow Bigbottom, in this fun, bright, magical piece of theatre. For ages 3-8.

What’s On Holiday Camps

         

ADVENTURE & COMPUTER HOLIDAYS 01306 711005 Day camps near Dorking every school holiday and half term for ages 4-14yrs. CASA CLUB 01252 727000 07881 907554 Holiday camps in every holiday and half term at Farnham Sports Centre. 8.30am-5.30pm. Half days available. Childcare vouchers accepted. Farnborough Leisure Centre, Westmead, Farnborough 01252 370411 Playscheme with excellent facilities for children to enjoy activities such as arts & crafts and sports based activities whatever the weather! Lunch is provided.

    

   

GUILDFORD SPECTRUM Parkway, Guildford 01483 443322 Xtreme Activate day camp for 5-12 year olds is available from 15-19th February from 10am-4pm, £20 per day, £90 for the week. Xtreme Activate Xtra is from 8.30am-6pm, £27.60 per day or £128 for the week. Activities such as ice skating, bowling, swimming (for children 9 years +), exploring Specky's Pirate Ship (for the younger ages), trampolining, track time and arts and crafts. KOOSA KIDS 0845 094 2322 15-19 Feb. Holiday club for 4-13yrs at Guildford, Liphook, Fleet, Bracknell, Ascot, Odiham and Ash. 10am-4pm (extended day avail.). TOMLINSCOTE SPORTS CENTRE Tomlinsocte Way, Frimley 01276 670316 A half term holiday club will be running from Monday 15th February until Friday 19th February. The holiday club offers arts, crafts, sport and lots of fun for 5 - 12 year olds.

February Half Term Fun! Tr y o u r ‘ n ew l o o k ’ ch i l d re n ’s h o l i d ay a c t i v i t i e s cl u b & w i n a fa m i l y m e m b e rs h i p *

THREE PEAKS OUTDOOR PURSUITS 0700 393 2610 Activity day camps at Barfield School, Farnham for all 4-13 year olds - open to non-Barfield pupils. 8.45am-4pm (early drop off and late pick up avail.). WOKING LEISURE CENTRE Woking Park 01483 771122 Daycamps for ages 5-7 and 8-13 from Mon 15-Fri 19 Feburary. 8.45am-4.15pm (extended day available). £22 per day.

O p e n eve r y we e kd ay 8 . 4 5 a m - 5 . 3 0 p m 1 5 t h t o 1 9 t h Feb ru a r y 2 0 1 0 (call us to book) • Fo r ch i l d re n age d 5 - 1 1 ye a rs • S a fe a n d s u p e rv i s e d a c t i v i t i e s Cranleigh Leisure Centre • G re at f u n a n d gre at va l u e Village Way, Cranleigh GU 6 8AF

Name .......................................... 01483 274400 P h o n e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

enq uiries@cranleig hleisurecentre.co.uk

*Last entry date 19th February 2010. Prize is one family annual m e m b e r s h i p . Ti c k t o o p t o u t o f o u r m a r k e t i n g l i s t

M a nage d b y D C Le i s ure wi t h t he s up p or t of Wav e rl ey B oroug h C ounc i l

WIN FAMILY TICKETS TO A HEAT BASKETBALL GAME!

Win!

With interest in the British Basketball League (BBL) at an all time high, Families Surrey West can offer you some of the hottest tickets of the season. The Heat – the only premier league sports team in Surrey – has provided Families with five sets of family tickets (two adults, two children) to give away to see one of the team’s home games, played at The Spectrum in Guildford.

and chant with the crowd, then visit www.guildfordheat.com for details of home games between now and April 2010. The price of an adult ticket is £8.40 online or £10 at the box office, with tickets for children, students and OAPs available at £4.20 online and £5 at the box office. To enter and win one of five sets of family tickets for a home game in March, answer the following question:

The basketball season is now underway and the Heat, with newly appointed player/coach, Chad McKnight at the helm, are a high performing team with a growing fan base from across the county. If you would like to cheer for Chad and his team mates, watch the cheerleaders

Where do the Heat’s home games take place? Email your answer, together with your name, address and telephone number to editor@familiessurreywest.co.uk. Rules: End date 1 March 2010. Winners will be informed by 5 March 2010. No alternative prize will be offered. The judge’s decision is final.

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Surrey West

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Nannies, Maternity Nannies, Mobile Crèches Surrey, Hampshire, W.Sussex 01483 415406 www.hattiesnannies.co.uk

Larah Au Pairs 01932 341704 Au pairs, mother’s helps and couples with refs and police checked. Personal, friendly service. All areas. www.larahaupairs.co.uk

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Half Term Sports & Swimming Courses GUILDFORD SPECTRUM Parkway, Guildford 01483 44 33 22 Trampolining Tues 16 or Thurs 18 Feb, 2.15-3.45pm, 4-12 yrs, £7.70 Special Needs Gymnastics Wed 17 Feb, 9am-10am, 5-14 yrs, £5.60 Speckys Holiday Gympups Tues 16 Feb, 9am-10am, 3-5 yrs, £7 Holiday Gymnastics Thurs 18 Feb 9am-11am, 5-12 yrs, £10.20 Parent & Toddler Bounceabout Fri 19 February, 9am-10am, from walking - 4 yrs, £4.90 Archery Thursday 18 February, 12.30pm-2.30pm, 8-14 yrs, £12.60 Guildford Heat Basketball 1 Day Camp Mon 15 Feb, 9am-5pm £30.70 or 10am-3pm £21.50, 8-16 yrs Rugby Tots Wed 17 February, 10am-10.30am, 2–3 yrs, £4.60, 10.45am–11.45am, 3–5 yrs, £7.20 Mini Musketeers Wed 17 Feb 2pm-3pm, 6-10 years, £7.70 Star Track Athletics Mon 15, Tues 16 and Wed 17 February, 10am-3pm, 8-14yrs, 1 day £25, 2 days £35, 3 days £45 Soccer Skills (in association with Chelsea F.C.): 2 day soccer school (6-14 yrs), Thurs 18 & Fri 19 February, 9.45am-3pm, £28.70 2 day goalkeepers course (6-14 yrs), Thurs 18 & Fri 19 February, 9.45am-3pm, £34.80 2 half day mini-kickers (4-5yrs), Thurs 18 & Fri 19 February, 9.45am - 12noon, £16.40 Super Tots Tennis Fri 19 Feb, 12.30pm-1.30pm, 3-5 yrs, £7.70 Tennis Instruction Camp Fri 19 Feb, 1.30pm-3.30pm, 5-10 yrs, £9.50 Ice Skating 5 Day Courses: Monday 15 to Friday 19 February Learn to Skate 10.30am-11am or 11am-11.30am, 12.45pm-1.15pm, 5-10yrs, £45 Learn to Dive 5 day course: Mon 15 to Fri 19 February 5+ years Beginners 9.30am-10am or 10.30am-11am, £26.50 Improvers 10am-10.30am, £ 26.50 Learn to Swim - 5 Day Courses: Mon 15 to Fri 19 Feb 4+yrs £26.50: Non Swimmers 9am-9.30am Ability 5-10 metres 9.30am-10am Ability 10-15 metres 9.30-10am Ability 15-25 metres 10-10.30am, Ability 25+ meters 10-10.30am

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Farnham Central Car Park, Victoria Guildford, High Street Tues 2 Feb 10.30am-3.30pm Haslemere, High St, Sun 3 Jan, Sun 7 Feb 10am-1.30pm

Milford, Secretts, Chapel Lane Sun 17 Jan, Sun 21 Feb 10am-1.30pm Ripley, Ripley Village Green Sat 9 Jan, Sat 13 Feb 9am-1pm Woking, Town Square Thurs 21 Jan, Sat 30 Jan, Thurs 18 Feb, 9-2.30pm

HOEBRIDGE GOLF CENTRE Old Woking Road, Old Woking 01483 722611 Junior day camps: Beginner/Improver Mon 15 and Wed 17 February. 9.30am-3pm. Practice your skills in the morning ready for a fun game after lunch. £40 including lunch. For ages 7+. Tots on the Tee Tues 16 and Fri 19 February 9.30am-12.15pm. £35 including lunch. For 4-6 year olds of any standard.

PARK TENNIS Woking Park 07723 091969 Junior Half Term camps Tues 16 to Thurs 18 Feb 3 day camp: Tots 10.30am-11.15am & 11.15am12noon £15 Mini 10.30am-12noon £27 Junior 10.30am-12noon £36 Tournament 18 February only open to ages 8 years upwards, 12.45 onwards. Refer to www.parktennis.net for details and booking information. POOL IN THE PARK Woking Park 01483 771122 Swimming courses from Mon 15 - Fri 19 February. For ages 4+. Other courses available include: Underwater skills, Introduction to deep water and Introduction to diving. 30 minute lessons daily for a week is £27.50. SERIOUSLY FUN SWIMMING www.seriouslyfun.net 0844 3511469 Holiday swimming courses at Riverbourne Health Club, Chertsey from Mon 15-Fri 19 Feb. 30 minute lessons daily. WOKING COUNCIL The following courses are organised by Woking BC. To book visit Woking Leisure Centre (9am-7pm) or call 014783 771122. Horse riding day camp Tues 16 and Wed 17 Feb. One-day camp for beginner or intermediate riders. 6yrs+ 9.30am-4.30pm. Cliff Hatch Stables, Mayford £55. Horse riding - two day course Thurs 18 - Fri 19 Feb 1.30-3.30pm. £48. For 6yrs+. For beginners or intermediate riders. At Cliff Hatch Stables, Mayford. Climbing Wed 17 February. 10-11.30am. 5-7 years £18. 8 years+ £16. At Craggy Island, Guildford. Multi-sport camp Mon 15 - Fri 19 February. 8-12 yrs. 2-4.30pm. £3 per day or £10 for the week. Netball skills day Thurs 18 February. £20 10am3.30pm. 8-13 years. For beginners and experienced netballers. At Winston Churchill School. Three-day netball course Mon 15 - Wed 17 February. 8-13 years. 10am-12noon. £3 per day or £8 for three days at Winston Churchill School. Four-day rugby course Mon 15 - Thurs 18 February. 8-12 years. 10am-12noon. £3 per day or £10 for four days. WOKING FC SOCCER CAMP Westfield Primary School, Bonsey Lane, Woking Mon 15 - Wed 17 Feb. Children will be taught the essentials of football – passing, shooting, tackling and team-work – during this three-day soccer skills camp. £35 for three days or £15 per day. To book call Jane Spong on 01483 772470 or email: community@wokingfc.co.uk

Copyright: Families Surrey West Magazine 2010. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owners’s risk and, whilst every care is taken, neither Families Surrey West nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families Surrey West 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 this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor the accuracy of the contents nor any consequence.