Families SE JanFeb 2011 issue 127

ISSUE NO. 127

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ESTABLISHED 1996

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011

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www.familiesse.co.uk

south east london

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.

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ENOUGH ALREADY with the cold weather, tree decoration wrappers still under the sofa and the credit card bills popping onto the doormat as penance for the festive generosity.

It’s time to look ahead to the joys of 2011 with plenty of half term fun and a celebration of women who work for themselves. Here’s to a good year!

Robina Cowan, editor

IN THIS ISSUE 2-3 News and Views A new group for new mothers, meat-free in Dulwich, help with debt management, the big birdwatch, and education news

4-5 Choosing Childcare This month: finding the right nursery for your child (next month: childminders, nannies, and when family step in to help with childcare)

LocalNews email your local news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

Mum-me-time A new personal development group has been set up for local mothers with their babies and toddlers.

Facilitator Dr Katrin Bain explained: “Mum-me-time is a weekly 50 minutes class that looks at the way having a baby changes one’s life beyond imagination. It has no pre-set agenda but will adapt to the priorities and interests of the group. It is however no parenting class; we will not talk about routines, weaning or potty training. This is your time! You should leave the class recharged, with food for thought, new ideas and inspiration for a fulfilled and balanced life.”

The classes are meeting in Charlton. For more information, see www.mum-me-time.co.uk or call Katrin on 0798 145 470.

Recognising heroes 6 The Book Page Justine Crow browses the best of the bookshelves for the new year

7-12 What’s On Oodles of ideas for days out with the family, plus workshops and special events for February half term

13-15 Working Women Are you thinking of setting up your own business this year?

Be inspired by others who have done so, plus find out where to go for more inspiration and ideas

16-17 You and Your Baby The value of stem cells in treating medical conditions, and making breastfeeding easier

18-19 What’s New Useful products and services for families, health news, and young cooks in the kitchen

20 The Back Page Local business contacts to make your life easier

Front cover: Boy wears: ‘dyathinkhesaurus’ reversible hoody, sizes 0-24 months, £25, Frugi, www.welovefrugi.com

Next issue out 4 March, copy and advertising deadline mid February

Families South East PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB 020 8699 7240 www.familiesse.co.uk editor@familiesse.co.uk

© Families South East. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Families South East 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 licence.

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families south east - january february 2011

Tommy’s is on the hunt for champion family members, friends and health professionals who go that extra mile to help parents in its annual Let’s Get Baby Friendly Awards.

This year’s awards have four categories covering health professionals; premature ‘fighters’; neonatal workers; and supportive partners or friends.

By nominating your hero, you will also be in with a chance of winning a Keycamp family holiday.

Award winners and their nominees will be invited to a star-studded awards ceremony on 18 March at the Langham Hotel in London. For the Champion Children Award, three randomly selected nominees and a family member will be invited to attend the ceremony.

Tommy’s Let’s Get Baby Friendly Awards also recognise the most family friendly products and services across the UK, in a bid to recognise and thank organisations that go that extra mile to make parents’ lives less stressful whilst out and about with their baby. Votes are cast in a wide variety of categories ranging from Best Baby Food Brand to Best Family Supermarket.

Nominations are open from 10 January to 21 February through www.tommys.org/awards.

Meat-free meals Why not start the year with a fresh look at what you are eating?

The Dulwich Vegan and Vegetarian Society (DVVS) is a group with over 70 members, which was set up to encourage local organisations to become more accommodating towards vegans, vegetarians and other diet specific groups.

The society seeks to influence Dulwich shops, restaurants, schools and other organisations to provide healthier and more environmentally friendly products. Campaigns to date include: • Vegan ice cream in southeast London cinemas • Soya milk in Dulwich cafes • ‘Parmesan cheese is not vegetarian’ • Vegan and vegetarian parents network • The Dulwich case study • Dulwich meat-free Monday Meetings are held every month at the Blue Brick Cafe, 14 Felbrigg Road in East Dulwich. The next one is on 20 January from 6.30pm.

For more information, go to www.dvvs.vegangroup.co.uk, or find ‘The Dulwich Vegan a nd Vegetarian Society’ on Facebook.

The Dulwich Vegan & Vegetarian Society

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Cash for a month Many families pay for the expense of Christmas using their credit and debit cards and before they know it, they run up debts that last long after the last bauble has been boxed up. In fact, one third of personal insolvencies that occurred in March 2010 were triggered by overspending during the festive season.

Katharine Hill, Director of Policy, Research and Development at Care for the Family says: “Many parents find themselves struggling in January when the credit card bills start landing on the doormat. If the debt lingers from year to year then they may find themselves in real trouble.”

Care for the Family’s ‘Cash for the Month’ challenge encourages controlled spending by foregoing credit and debit cards and only using cash throughout the month. Katharine explains: “With ‘Cash for a Month’ we’ve kept things simple: standing orders and direct debits stay the same, but cash is used for everyday shopping. Most families who have already taken part in the challenge said that they found they had spent less and were going to be far more careful about how often they use cards to pay for things in future. For some people, it was the first time they really noticed how much they were spending every week.”

To take part in ‘Cash for a Month’, sign up at www.careforthefamily.org.uk to receive useful tips through the following four weeks to help you keep on track.

Watch those birds The weekend of 29 and 30 January will be the Big Garden Birdwatch.

The RSPB are once again inviting everyone to head into their gardens with pen and paper in hand, checking out the birds they spot. This year’s birdwatch hopes to smash the previous record of half a million participants. The more results they receive, the clearer the picture the RSPB will have of what’s happening to our garden birds in the UK. Find out more at www.rspb.org.uk.

EducationNews Campaigning for a Lewisham Montessori A group of local parents is campaigning for a new fully government-funded Lewisham primary school under the free schools initiative.

There is a serious shortage of primary school places in Lewisham, with 19 schools having to take an extra ‘bulge’ class in 2010-11. This is stretching current schools to the limit and the campaigners are proposing a new and different primary school following the Montessori method.

Support for the school is growing and the campaigners are keen to hear from others who would like to join them.

The campaign has a Facebook page (Lewisham Montessori Primary School), and an online petition at www.gopetition.com/petition/40913.html.

Little scientists Three and four year-olds in the nursery at Streatham & Clapham High School have been discovering that science is fun. The children were taught to be proper scientists; they were shown how to wear goggles and conducted an experiment in which they used bicarbonate of soda to make exploding liquids. They predicted what they thought would happen, and recorded their results using pictures and even some words.

Head of Nursery, Miss Hannah Warren, says: “We had great fun.

It was so good to see the children earning so much from such an adult activity. They thought hard about what the result of their experiment might be, and we had some excellent pictures of their results – some of which were a bit messy!” One of the nursery children adds: “I enjoyed it because the liquid went shooting up!”

Carbon detectives programme Growing numbers of Carbon Detectives are popping up around the country on a mission to find their school’s carbon waste and ways of eliminating it.

Over 6000 primary and secondary schools hare already signed up to the Carbon Detectives programme, a Europe-wide project operated in the UK by BRE. The programme is designed for 8 to 14 year olds and aims to engage pupils and teachers in fun, interactive activities that help schools become more sustainable and lower their carbon footprint, and also assist with the delivery of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) within the curriculum.

Once registered, schools are provided with an initial carbon footprint of their school, new teaching materials, planning tools and carbon calculators, plus the chance to enter a national competition with some fantastic prizes. All the details are online at www.carbondetectiveseurope.org.

Safer social networking ‘Safe’, is a new social networking safety programme for primary schools, launched by DigitalME. Backed by Childnet International, ‘Safe’ is designed to support primary school pupils in learning the essential skills to enjoy social networking, while remaining safe online.

While the internet is an infinitely powerful tool, it also presents risks.

Lucinda Fell, Childnet International Policy and Communications Manager, says, “‘Safe’ embraces the positive opportunities afforded by the internet, encouraging young people when sharing on the web to ask Who? What? Where? These are important messages for primary pupils to consider.”

The programme is free to schools and optional, paid for training, certificates, badges and other resources support the programme further. To find out more visit www.digitalme.co.uk/safe.

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january february 2011 - families south east

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Choosing a Nursery Childcare and Early Learning

By Robina Cowan

Childcare comes in a range of shapes and sizes, including willing relatives, nurseries, childminders, nannies and au pairs.

Apart from you of course, do nurseries offer the best childcare? That depends on what would suit your child - and finding a good nursery. If your child would thrive on the constant stimulation of other children and adults they trust, using a wide range of toys and outdoor facilities then the answer is probably yes.

Other advantages include year-round care and the experience of qualified staff, which can be particularly reassuring for first-time parents.

However, if your child is timid, doesn’t like competing for attention, prefers peace and quiet or isn’t ready for such a structured day, then don’t miss our next issue which will focus on nannies, childminders and other childcare options.

For now, let’s look at nurseries.

When and where to start

Nurseries in a nutshell

Nurseries with the best reputations tend to be hot property, and baby units are more scarce than places for 2-5 year-olds, so start looking well ahead of the time you’ll need a place, and join a waiting list if necessary. Some mothers start while they are still pregnant; others wait until their child is a babe in arms and they have a better idea of what they need.

Asking other parents for good local recommendations is a good place to start, otherwise the Families Information Service can supply a list of registered childcarers in your area by phone on 0800 2346 346 and online at www.direct.gov.uk/childcare.

Daycare nurseries • A useful option for working parents, day nurseries are typically open from 8am to early evening and children can stay for all or part of the day • Some parents feel uneasy about leaving their baby in sole care, no matter how well-qualified that person is. It’s reassuring to know that nursery staff can safely take breaks, and that you are covered if a member of staff is off sick • Consistency - your child can stay in the same environment from the day you go back to work until they start school • Social environment - children who attend nursery find it easier to settle into school routines when they join reception classes.

The cons: Some parents feel uncomfortable because playtime, naps and meals are at more or less set times.

Also you’ll need backup care when your child is unwell or if you’re late to collect.

Your child’s needs Once you’ve drawn up a shortlist of the nurseries you are considering, go and look around and ask lots of questions to see if they would suit your child.

Although all nurseries follow Ofsted government guidelines, there is room for interpretation in the way the childcare and learning are delivered. For example, private nurseries might serve organic, freshly cooked meals or include additional activities such as dancing, French and outings.

Consider issues such as your child’s daily routine (nap times, type of food provided etc), staff qualifications and experience, staff to child ratios and what the staff turnover is like. Check that you are happy with the range of toys and equipment available, cleanliness of the premises, security, the policy on discipline and late collections. Ask to see the latest Ofsted report or read it online. Find out if there are any extra charges for nappies, meals, certain activities and the cost of the deposit to go on the waiting list. Factor in the time it will take you to travel to and from the nursery, probably during rush hour. After all this, the most important thing is to absorb the atmosphere and look at whether the children are relaxed and happy, and members of staff are responsive and caring.

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Nursery classes in schools • A first step into school, although a school nursery place does not automatically guarantee a place in reception • Convenient if you are already dropping siblings at the school • Stimulation - some children are ready for school earlier than others and readily take to structured, educational play • Age-specific activities are geared to the school children they are becoming rather than the babies they used to be.

The cons: Sessions tend to be just three hours which is not practical for many families. Fulltime places are few and far between.

Pre-schools and playgroups • The Preschool Learning Alliance is one of the largest providers of quality childcare in England, offering a wide choice of settings from pre-schools and baby and toddler groups to full daycare places in nurseries and children’s centres • PLA settings are managed by experienced and qualified managers who lead teams of nursery workers and support staff, training them to meet children’s individual needs • Parents are encouraged to be active members, so you can be more involved in your child’s care • Small scale settings are less daunting for shy children.

The cons: Tend to be community operations so don’t expect glamorous premises. You may need additional care if you work fulltime although wrap around hours are available in some settings.

Private nursery schools • Stimulation - by two and a half most children benefit from some kind of pre-school environment. They learn without knowing it while using letters, shapes and numbers, looking at books and expressing themselves through making things, drawing and singing • Peer group - the opportunity to make friends of the same age • Might be more flexible on the availability of hours or days you need to fit in with your work schedule • Often smaller scale with a personal touch, and the nursery head is usually involved in the running of the school.

The cons: Some offer wrap-around care but are generally open only for school hours so you will need someone to pick up and collect if you are at work.

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Help with the costs Nursery fees very greatly, depending on location, demand and what is offered, but can be from around £100 to over £200 a week.

1. Local authorities receive government funding so they can offer 15 hours a week of early years education to all three and four year-olds from the term after their third birthday. If you choose a nursery which costs more than the funding or need more hours, you top up the difference.

2. Child tax credits and working tax credits are available to help with childcare costs. From April 2011, the ‘child’ element of the child tax credit will be increased for families earning up to £16,190 a year with an above-inflation increase.

At the same time though, families earning over £41,400 will no longer be eligible for the full tax credit.

3. Some employers offer childcare vouchers which staff can opt to receive instead of part of their salary. Parents can save up to £1000 a year by reducing their income tax and national insurance contributions.

What parents say about nurseries • Hands-on owners: ‘I would always go for an owner-run nursery. These people are not ‘in it for the money’. They are doing the job because they genuinely like and understand children. It’s a vocational thing.’ Mary, mother of three under six.

• Looks aren’t everything: ‘When you’re looking around, don’t be fooled by appearances. Some of the most ‘lived-in’ establishments are far superior to some upmarket nurseries in terms of quality of care. The best childcare we’ve ever found was in state-run nurseries and playgroups.’ Eliza, mother of four children aged three to eleven.

• Socialisation: ‘Although I’m not at work, from the age of two I felt it was important for my son to start learning to get on with a range of other children and adults, to help him when he started school.’ Matt, father of Ollie, three.

• Experienced staff: ‘Look at the ages of the staff. Youngsters fresh out of college may have more energy and I’m sure they know all the latest thinking on childcare but in my opinion that’s no substitute for experience. I would always go for a nursery with mature staff, every time. They have more patience and you know they have to be doing this because they want to, they really love the children.’ Clara, mother of three under seven.

• Explore all options: ‘Go and see as many different nurseries as you can. Don’t get tied up in the Ofsted and what other people think. You know your child better than anyone.’ Ramona, mother of Klaus, five.

More information

Images: Wow, www.wowtoys.com

• Read more local childcare articles on our website www.familiesse.co.uk • For local nurseries on a map, with links to their Ofsted reports, go to www.findmyschool.co.uk • The National Day Nurseries Association provides a lot of useful information including a free checklist to take on your visit, and contact details for NDNA member nurseries, www.ndna.org.uk/parents, 01484 40 70 40 • The Preschool Alliance website has useful sections for parents and practitioners, including links to find local PLA childcare, www.pre-school.org.uk.

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Returning to work can benefit your child’s development After having a child and bonding with them throughout your maternity leave, going back to work can seem like life’s scariest challenge so far. Handing your most precious creation over to the care of a stranger is a daunting task and may deter you from returning to employment. However, research shows that allowing your child to attend a nursery or pre-school can positively impact their cognitive development and encourage the growth of their personal and social interaction skills.

In a report on early childcare and child development, the Journal of Social Policy states that: “Results show that formal group care is positively associated with school readiness test scores.” Allowing your child the opportunity to interact and grow with other children of the same level prepares them both mentally and emotionally for the giant step to full time school.

Dr Kirstine Hansen of the Centre for Longitudinal Studies at London’s Institute of Education analysed the Foundation Stage Profile results of 10,600 children, born in 2000 and 2001. From her research Dr Hansen found that children who are exposed to a form of official childcare, such as a nursery or a pre-school, are at an advantage in all areas of their development by the end of their first year of school. This demonstrates that children who are allowed the opportunity to socialise and interact with peers of the same developmental range are more likely to be ahead of those who have been looked after by a parent or childminder.

By having your child in a nursery or pre-school they will be developed and nurtured by government standards and requirements, giving you peace of mind in what can be a very difficult situation. By being part of a group a child learns life long skills from the very beginning, such as sharing, which is an invaluable aptitude to acquire from as early as possible.

The yearly cost of childcare exceeds £11,050 in London: meaning for some parents returning to work is simply not an option, so why not ask your employer about signing up to a childcare voucher scheme? The vouchers are accepted nationally at a wide range of registered childcare providers from nurseries to holiday play schemes for the care of children up to the age of 15 or 16 for those with disabilities.

One provider is the Co-operative Employee Benefits childcare voucher scheme. Read more about it at www.employeebenefits.coop/.

BA Hons MSc Ed Psy MSc Syst Psych

HPC Registered / BPS Chartered Educational Psychologist

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5

The Bookseller Crow

is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business.

Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or point your mouse at their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles.

REGULAR READERS of this page - c’mon, I know you’re out there - will recall that every new year I have the teeniest of grumbles about how difficult it is to get advance information about forthcoming titles for the months ahead because publishers are still sleeping off their festive hangovers long into February. Meanwhile, the rest of us out in the real world have to get back on the bike and back to work before the bubbles in the last glass of fizz have gone flat. So I usually pluck one or two faves from the previous year, flag up a couple of newies and also show you a few books that may have passed under your radar while you flew about trying to tie up the old year.

Not to mention tying one on.

OTHER GOOSE by J.Otto Seibold - Chronicle Books rrp £12.99. Ah. And setting the tone nicely for the struggles ahead, we have subversion in the nursery when the Other Goose, the one that has a battered bonnet and no golden eggs, re-writes the greats with witty wings, such as “Humpty Dumpty wasn’t that tall, Humpty Dumpty went to the mall..” and, “Jack Splat paints abstract, his wife paints country scenes..” Proclaiming that “a rhyme is lonely without a picture”, tradition gets the Seibold treatment, the Splat ditty being particularly ripe with bohemian accuracy including a fabulous canvas, a missus with a sailor’s tattoo and a cool crow just hangin’ out in his cage while the dude in the beret lays down some serious strokes as the needle bumps on the record player. If government insists on literacy at such a young age, they’ll learn the art of parody even earlier too and those protest placards will just get more cutting.

WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS by Shel Silverstein Particular Books rrp £14.99. We put this in the window of the bookshop and a customer came in shaking with incredulity.

“My daughter is in her thirties,” she stammered with excitement, “and when she was small, this book was the only one she would borrow from the school library. Week after week it came back home and she refused to choose anything else.” She hadn’t clapped eyes on it since. What fine taste her daughter had. By singer/ songwriter of renown, no colour here, just lovely loose drawings that unravel like string illustrating poems short and long on every subject from the sun to a hippopotamus sandwich (the problem is biting into it). Cue the quickest sale of the day.

KNUFFLE BUNNY FREE by Mo Willems - HarperCollins rrp £11.99. As I read this, I am nearly as shaken with recognition as the customer above. When Trixie visits “Oma” and “Opa” in Holland, she leaves her bunny on the plane by mistake and has to endure a whole holiday wondering what the stuffed cuddly was up to. My middle sister did the exact same thing on a KLM flight. Now I’m completely obsessing about what her bear was called; mine was the standard Edward, my other sister’s was named Jonathan, which is a bit spooky, but what was the lost one called? It will come to me in a moment.

Anyways, after tears and disconcertion Trixie, like my sister, began to feel normal again and even tries a Dutch coffee (I made that face too when I had my first one). The story unfolds with sketched characters overlaying actual black and white photos of streets in the Netherlands that add to my delightful sensation of déjà vu, the Dutch sort. And if you sense déjà vu too that’s because Willems wrote extensively for Sesame Street.

Which is some CV. THE IRON MAN by Ted Hughes, illustrated by Laura Carlin Walker rrp £15.00. Dark and gorgeous edition of the modern fairy tale that is close to my heart as I gave birth a day after seeing the underrated screen version. Ouch. Get a twinge in my undercarriage just thinking about those infra-red eyes searching the surface of the sea.

THE PADDINGTON TREASURY FOR THE VERY YOUNG

by Michael Bond - HarperCollins rrp £14.99. This evocatively middle-class anthology of the first six stories also triggered a nostalgic drift in me, thus I embarrassed myself by chatting to a wise regular in the bookshop and just assumed he’d remember Paddington in the storybook weekly episodes on

Blue Peter. He looked at me with pity - his first memory of the marmalade loving bear was the stop motion teatime shorts.

But I was thinking, how sad that he never experienced the thrill of Lesley Judd’s arrival on telly and that exhilarating whoosh of fresh air that came with her, as snappy as her Silvikrin haircut.

BOGWOPPIT by Ursula Moray Williams, with illustrations by Shirley Hughes - Jane Nissen rrp £7.99. Though I was too old to admit enjoying this charming novel about the appearance of a hitherto extinct furry creature when my littlest sister was reading it (yes, like Bogwoppits, there did indeed seem to be hundreds of us baby Crows afterall) I did love Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat by the same wonderful author who was so very famous in the ‘60s but who suffers the same infliction of many an author now an editorial care team too young to appreciate the gems in their publisher’s cupboard. Except for Jane Nissen of course.

Where they do their best to keep the best of the past century’s children’s writers in print come what may.

BEING BILLY by Phil Earle - Penguin rrp £6.99. Slap bang up to date here a teen novel from very local - wave and he’ll wave back - South East London author that gets right under our anti-hero’s troubled and awkward skin. But he is a hero afterall because he realises that the only person that is going to change him after years in the system is himself. The hard-walled institutional atmosphere made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle and the ending is so, well, liberating.

Pass the tissues..

A GIRL’S GUIDE TO VINTAGE by Lynne McCrossan - Luath Press rrp £7.99. A surprise seller for us, I’m all for encouraging the teens to spend less time in the statically charged inferno that is Primark and more in charity shops and jumble sales.

There’s a lesson to be learned here, not so much in avoiding those high street stalwarts with suspiciously cheap clothes that make one regard the label nervously, but in the value of fabric and style and recycling, not tossing it into the bin after one wear. I mean, if it has to be crafted in a sweatshop on the other side of the world for our benefit, we sure as heck ought to credit its hard-worn machinist by making it last.

AMELIA’S COMPENDIUM OF FASHION ILLUSTRATION, Amelia’s House, rrp £25.00 advocates an ethical approach to fashion and features a fascinating wealth of talented designers and illustration that delves deep into a world of creativity, belief and functionality in an accessible way that is absolutely perfect for weaning our youth off the throwaway garment mentality.

Mindyou, with the new protest campaigns up town in Top Shop et al, looks like worshipping the high street is finally unfashionable.

OUTSIDE THE LINES compiled by Dave the Chimp, Laurence King rrp £12.95 takes the doodle book craze to the next level by gathering page after page of activities to add to, twist and complete by world famous street artists. It will win you about a hundred gazillion Brownie points if you just happen to buy this for the graffito-mad, comic loving, happening skater boy or girl in your particular tribe.

PET FRIENDLY PLACES TO STAY 2011 - AA rrp £9.99. I know what you are thinking: Nurse? She’s out of bed again..

But bear with me. We went away with the cat recently. There was no room at the cat borstal we usually bang him up in so we had to endure two hundred miles of pitiful yowling.

However, the moggie soon took a kind of pleasure in his temporary surroundings and we took a great deal of pleasure in having the beloved family pet with us. And with info on nearest vets, campsites, hotels where you can leave animals, where they will stores baskets etc as well as the useful reviews on the food (human) and locations, strikes me this is a very handy guide. And if you have no pet, substitute with the word ‘toddler’ as I’m certain all the same restrictions apply...

The wonder that is texting reveals that the name of the bear my sister lost on that family trip to Rotterdam was, er, Teddy.

Which explains why I had had so much trouble remembering it.

Clearly in 2011, I need to get out more. With or without the cat.

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk www.booksellercrow.co.uk 6

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What’sOn

Diary Dates for Grown Ups DADS’ WORKSHOPS

For even more What’s On listings, go to www.familiesse.co.uk

Half Term Workshops CINNAMON KITCHEN: INTRODUCTION TO SPICES 21 February, CINNAMON KITCHEN, 9 Devonshire Square EC2M 4YL, 020 7626 5000, www.cinnamon-kitchen.com An interactive Spice Workshop that will immerse children in the smell and flavour of Indian spices, as featured in the restaurant’s contemporary dishes.

Children will be able to examine, touch, feel and smell various spices in their natural forms. Armed with their own safe-to-use utensils, they will grate, crush, pound, pestle and stir the spices, making them ready for use in cooking. They will also experience the flavours in delicately spiced, child-friendly canapés and Indian snacks, and take them home to recreate some of the dishes using Cinnamon Kitchen’s special recipe cards. 11am1pm, ages 5-11, £25 per child includes a ‘Top Chef’ certificate, spice booklet and exclusive spice bag to take home.

GET INTO FASHION ILLUSTRATION 21-23 February, DESIGN MUSEUM, 28 Shad Thames SE1, 020 7940 8782, www.designmuseum.org An exciting three day course offering budding young designers the chance to try their hand at a range of creative techniques and develop new skills in fashion illustration. The course will be led by specialist tutors and will include input and inspiration from some of the rising stars of contemporary design. The course will culminate in a celebration and exhibition of their work for family and friends. Ages 12-16, 10.30am3.30pm daily £125 for the course, book first.

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263,

www.soaneeducation.org.uk 23 February, FROM PAINTING TO PANTOMIME. Imagine the paintings in the museum coming to life!

Make a model theatre just like the ones Sir John Soane loved to go to, complete with scenery and characters to create your own pantomime based on the painting of your choice. Ages 7+, 10.30am-3pm, £18.

24 February, TOMB TIME. Spend time in the museum’s crypt, exploring its dark recesses and many strange and scary objects, before making your own tomb in the art room. Ages 7+, 10.30am-3pm, £18.

25 February, MAKE A MOBILE. Be a scientist and discover the basics of balance and experiment with gravity. Then become an artist and make a beautiful, balanced mobile. Ages 7+, half day workshop: choose from 10.30am-12.30pm or 2-4pm, £10.

WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOP 23 February, THE WALLACE COLLECTION, Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN, 020 7563 9500/ 9551, www.wallacecollection.org Learn the techniques of watercolour painting, creating textiles, glazes and shadows. Participants are asked to bring along a picture of a place they love to inspire a vibrant watercolour scene. Ages 9+, 10.30am-3.30pm, £10 per child, book first.

YES TOUCH TYPING Weekends and school holidays, YES TUITION and Training, The Station Building, 187 Greenwich High Road SE10 8HA, 020 8858 9180 The touch typing courses run by YES are a real hit with southeast London parents, because the children find them fun, and they work - most children are tapping away proficiently in just ten hours.

Sessions can be booked to fit around other holiday commitments so children can progress at their own pace.

January Saturdays, FOREST HILL LIBRARY, Dartmouth Road SE23 Join your little ones in a creative literacy workshop with local author Loretta D’Souza. Children aged 5+ and their dads, 10.30-11.30am, free. Book first by calling 020 8314 7653 or email smith@lewisham.gov.uk.

SPANISH CONVERSATION CLASSES From 19 January, alternate Wednesdays and Thursdays, ALHAMBRA, 148 Kirkdale, Sydenham SE26, 020 3417 6385, www.alhambrahome.co.uk Evening sessions for adults, from beginners to intermediate. Contact the shop for full details.

CONSUME PECKHAM 24 January, PECKHAM MULTIPLEX, 95a Rye Lane SE22, http://peckhamresidents.wordpress.com ‘Consume Peckham: Take 16’ provides a snapshot of the varied and occasionally bizarre cultural mix that is to be found in South London’s most infamous postcode.

Sixteen short films focus on a variety of local businesses, building an authentic portrait of Peckham’s rich and diverse local economy, including bread producers, bespoke fashion retailers, busy greengrocers and international shipping logistics. Filmmakers from Chelsea College of Art & Design have immersed themselves within the community, building relationships and gaining the trust of the featured businesses. 7-8.30pm, admission £1.99.

CHILDREN’S TABLE SALE 5 February, LOCHABER HALL, Manor Lane SE13 5QL Parents will be selling anything their children don’t use anymore: clothes, toys, books, sport equipment, maternity gear and more, at very low prices. 3-5pm.

QUICK READS: FAMILY READING BREAKFASTS

3 March, various venues Children’s centres, schools and breakfast clubs across the country will bring parents and children together on World Book Day for Family Reading Breakfasts. Billed as ‘the biggest family reading activity ever’, the selected Quick Reads are inexpensive short books written by bestselling writers and celebrities. Ask at your child’s school or local Children’s Centre to see if they are running the event, or go to www.quickreads.org.uk.

WORKING MUMS LIVE 8 March, BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London N1, www.workingmums.co.uk A brand new exhibition where you can meet employers face to face, pick up expert advice on retraining, working for yourself, and brush up your CV and interview skiills. There will be seminars on a range of subjects and up to date information on childcare options and business funding. Exhibitors will include large employers, banks and colleges.

The event is free and there are creche facilities if needed. 10am-5pm, register first online and book your seminar places.

IDEAL HOME SHOW 11-27 March, EARL’S COURT Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road SW5 9TA, 0844 415 4144, www.idealhomeshow.co.uk Britain’s best-loved home event promises more exciting home improvement content, interiors, gardens, style and design advice, gadgets and technology than ever before, as well as a host of interactive features and celebrity expert advice for every aspect of the home, and every budget. Stroll through a full scale street and room sets to pick up easy home improvement ideas, interior design and styling advice, alongside an exciting array of the latest gadgets and gizmos for house and garden.

There will also be advice and tips from the UK’s leading industry experts and some of the nation’s favourite celebrity experts. With the widest collection of the UK’s biggest brands, over 600 exhibitors, industry firsts and UK product launches, this is a great day out with something for everyone. Open 10am-6pm daily and until 9pm Thursdays. Tickets £16/ £18 on the door, less online. Accompanied under 15s free.

Act, sing and dance at your local Stagecoach Here’s a way to spend weekends that’ll have 4-16 year olds buzzing. Enrol them in your local Stagecoach Theatre Arts school where they learn to act, sing and dance.

The skills they learn aren’t just for the Stage. Our students grow in confidence and self-esteem …..Skills for Life!

There’s no audition – all they need is enthusiasm.

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Beckenham Beckenham Blackheath Blackheath Dulwich Dulwich Sydenham Sydenham

020 256 8979212 2156 01932 0800 5519 020169 8417 0010 0845 055 6368 0845 055 6368 020020 8949 1116 8949 1116

Now NOW enrolling ENROLLING FOR JANUARY for 2010

Spring Term 2011 january february 2011 - families south east

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MoreWhat’sOn For even more What’s On listings, go to www.familiesse.co.uk

Events & Exhibitions DESIGN TRAILS DESIGN MUSEUM, 28 Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD, 020 7940 8783, www.designmuseum.org All family visitors can pick up a Family Trail featuring The Thinkerer to help them get the most from their visit to the museum. Museum open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free for under 12s, £7.50 adults.

and look around the cellar school, hidden under the destroyed streets of Warsaw in ‘The Silver Sword’. Behind the scenes of the stories, see what inspired the authors to write their books, and find out about the historical context of each story through objects, photographs and films. Adults £5.95, children £3.95, family ticket £12.50.

19-27 February, VOICE ALOUD! A free drama workshop that involves reading and listening to excerpts from a variety of sources from the Once Upon a Wartime exhibition. Ages 6+ for accompanied children.

25 February, CHINESE NEW YEAR. A range of activities for all the family to celebrate British Chinese history. 11.30am-4pm, free.

EXPLORE SATURDAYS. Meet a character from the past and take part in an exciting performance that brings maritime history to life. Suitable for ages 6+. Noon, 1, 2 and 3pm start, free.

DISCOVER SUNDAYS. Be inspired by the museum’s galleries and take part in free design, craft, illustration and music workshops designed for families. Suitable for all ages. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-5pm, free.

PLAY TUESDAYS. Young children can have fun with their families as they explore the museum through making, music, dance and drama. 10.30 and 11.30am, 1 and 2pm, suitable for under 5s; collect a ticket from the admissions desk.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3, 020 7730 0717, www.national-army-museum.ac.uk Museum open daily 10am-5.30pm. Visit the museum’s Action Zones to discover more about life as a soldier during the Victorian times, and the first and second world wars. For under 10s there is a free interactive learning and play space with a soft play area for babies.

19-27 February, BIG SPRING CLEAN. Join the connoisseur of conservation on his mission to defeat the Agents of Decay. Hunt for clues and solve puzzles, picking up hints on looking after your family heirlooms. Free.

CANARY WHARF ICE RINK Until 20 February, Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, 0844 847 1556, www.canarywharficerink.com Have fun skating in the magnificent setting of Canada Square Park, surrounded by Canary Wharf’s world famous towers. The arena is decked in atmospheric lighting and there’s music to help your sense of rhythm! Enjoy watching the other skaters go by from the viewing gallery while you’re waiting for your turn, with refreshments from the rinkside cafe. We have a family ticket up for grabs to use in February something to look forward to in the new year - enter online at www.familiesse.co.uk. Rink open 9.45am - 11pm Mondays to Saturdays and until 7.30pm Sundays. Tickets £10 adult non peak, £12 adult peak, £7.50 under 12s, £9 12-16 year-olds), £32 for a family of four.

Group skating lessons are available for novices. Book first.

BATTERSEA PARK CHILDREN’S ZOO MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, West India Quay E14, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out more about London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life.

20 February, BOGGLING PUZZLES. Take inspiration from the collection to design and create your own unique puzzles to take home and amaze your friends. 12.30-1.30pm and 2.30-3.30pm.

MUSEUM OF LONDON MUSEUM OF LONDON, London Wall EC2Y 5HN, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out more about London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life.

29 January, FANTASY RIVER CREATURES. Create your own fantasy river creature to take home in a felt-making session. Ages 5+, 12.30-1.30 and 2.30-3.30pm, free at the Museum of London Docklands.

19+20 February, SHARPEN UP. The prehistoric stone tools in the London before London gallery were used for hunting and cutting meat. Find out how they were made by watching a professional flint knapper transforming a flint nodule into a knife or an arrow head. 11am-1pm and 1.30-3.30pm.

BATTERSEA PARK, Chelsea Bridge Gate SW11, 020 7924 5826, www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Zoo open daily from 10am, children’s admission £6.

12+13 February, LOVE HEART HUNT. Look out for love hearts as you go around the zoo; count them up and post your answer to enter a prize draw.

22+24 February, BIRD ACTIVITIES. Take a look at real birds’ nests and make your own bird mask. 11am-1pm and 2-3.30pm.

STORYTIME WEDNESDAYS. Stories and colouring in fun in the warmth of a jungle themed cabin.

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM EVENTS

HAM HOUSE AT HALF TERM

QUEEN’S HOUSE, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM and ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH, National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.nmm.ac.uk Museum open 10am-5pm daily. Admission free.

FAMILY EVENTS AT THE HORNIMAN HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, admission free. Regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the museum collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions.

29 January, CROSSING BORDERS. Performances, crafts, object handling and more, in celebration of London’s diversity and the creative achievements of local refugee communities. 10.30am-5.30pm, free.

OSTERLEY PARK AND HOUSE 23-27 February, OSTERLEY PARK, Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, 020 8232 5050, www.nationaltrust.org.uk The stunning 18th century country estate is opening on selected dates for half term. Acres of gardens, meadows and tranquil woods provide children with the perfect location for hours of exploring, with many unusual features to hunt for, including a glass Garden House full of fragrant orange and lemon trees and a boathouse that once allowed guests onto a tiny island in the grounds.

The mansion itself is hosting special ‘family discovery’ guided tours from Wednesday to Sunday, and when energy levels need topping up, indulge in hearty meals at the cafÈ, which has a children’s menu and a play area. House and garden open noon to 3.30pm, park open daily from 8am.

ONCE UPON A WARTIME From 11 February, IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road, London SE1, 020 7416 5000, www.iwm.org.uk Museum open daily 10am-6pm.

Discover the war through the pages of well-loved books. Visitors can wander through life-size sets, peer into intricate scale models and explore the themes of loyalty, separation, excitement, survival and identity. From the bleak landscape of no man’s land in ‘War Horse’ to the imposing tower blocks of London’s gang warfare in ‘Little Soldier’, this exhibition is an immersive journey through the worlds of five books. Pull up a chair in Hepzibah’s kitchen where the scene is set straight out of ‘Carrie’s War’, discover the secret fortress from ‘The Machine Gunners’

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HAM HOUSE & GARDEN, Ham Street, Ham TW10 7RS, 020 8940 1950, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Explore acres of formal gardens with the help of Ham’s self-guided garden trail, and an ‘Explorer Pack’ of activities. Family guided garden tours take in the rare 17th century walled kitchen garden, brimming with unusual heritage varieties of fruit and veg (Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 1pm + 2pm). A new play area including a mini kitchen, toys, puzzles and books has been created in the Orangery restaurant, where families will find warming seasonal treats and children’s lunch boxes. A quiet zone with comfy sofas close to the second hand book corner gives adults the chance to relax in peace.

22 February, HAUNTED HAM. Ham House is regarded as one of London’s most haunted historic houses. Hundreds of people have reported strange sightings and sounds within its atmospheric interiors, many of which are associated with the notorious Duchess of Lauderdale.

Find out more on a family ghost tour around the 17th century time capsule. Tickets £6 children, £8 adults, 11.30am-12.30pm, book first on 0844 249 1895.

21-25 February, CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS. Discover a range of activities exploring the British Chinese heritage throughout the museum’s collection. Young visitors can make a red boat and find out about the animals in the Chinese calendar through a mix of workshops and storytelling events.

families south east - january february 2011

EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD Until 6 March 2011, BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8000, www.britishmuseum.org Follow the ancient Egyptians’ journey from death to the afterlife in this fascinating exhibition. Exhibits include beautifully illustrated spells on

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BATTERSEA PARK CHILDREN’S ZOO Battersea Park, Chelsea Bridge Gate SW11, 020 7924 5826 www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Daily from 10am. Usual child entrance fee £6 with activities.

2, 9, 16 + 23 February, STORYTIME WEDNESDAYS. A story & colouring-in fun in the warmth of the jungle themed cabin.

12+13 February, LOVE HEART HUNT. Tour the zoo and count up how many love hearts you can see, then post your answer in the shop to be entered into the draw for a Family Day Ticket.

22+24 February, BIRD ACTIVITY DAYS. Take a look at birds’ nests and eggs, then make a bird mask to take home. Drop-in sessions 11am-1pm & 2pm-3.30pm.

Fun for all

You can Bank on it!

21 – 25 February

The misadventures of Mr Toad

papyrus and linen, amulets, jewellery, statues, mummies and coffins. Some of these objects are more than 3500 years old and the ancient Egyptians believed that they would help them on their journey to the afterlife. Enjoy an introductory film for young visitors, an interactive family trail through the trials of the underworld and discover more with the exhibition family multimedia guide. A full family events programme accompanies the exhibition. Prebooking recommended on 020 7323 8181. Under 16s free with an adult.

19 February, FAMILY DAY. Free family activities plus special Book of the Dead sessions. 11am-4pm.

21-25 February, HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES. Free hands-on activities relating to the Book of the Dead. 11am-4pm.

MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD, Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Open 10am-5.45pm Mondays to Sundays, admission free.

Lots to do for children with trails, tours and creative Art Smarts, and a fabulous collection of toys from the past.

14, 21 and 28 January, 4 February, DRAGONS AND DAYDREAMS. Arts and crafts, drama and storytelling to celebrate the Chinese New Year. 10.30am-12noon and 1-2.30pm, book first.

29 January - 25 April, FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD. Explore how food plays a central role in our lives through eclectic displays of labour-saving gadgets and historic culinary devices. A kitchen larder reveals interesting food stories and nostalgic packaging.

21-25 February, HALF TERM FUN. A week of storytelling based on Eric Carle’s book ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’; and arty, family literacy workshops.

Until 13 March, THE INSTITUTE OF PLAY. Colin Booth created a major installation, architecturally inspired and responding to his own children’s play and the museum’s collection of building books. The sculpture uses 3000 individual blocks of tulip wood, and a selection of blocks are also available for visitors to play with.

Until 20 March, LIVING WITH AUTISM. A series of small displays exploring some of the more challenging aspects of contemporary childhood, bringing them to greater attention. Living with Autism is a thoughtprovoking display taking a look at life through the eyes of children with autism, in collaboration with the National Autistic Society.

WALKING IN MY SHOES Until April, CUMING MUSEUM, Old Walworth Town Hall, 151 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RY, 020 7525 2332, www.southwark.gov.uk/cumingmuseum The Cuming Museum has been working with young people in Southwark to develop an exhibition about the shoes we wear and the journeys we make in them, inspired by over 50 pairs of historic shoes from the museum’s collection. The collection already includes shoes such as the shoes worn by Eliza Sandwell at Camden Church Camberwell on her wedding day in 1893, and silk shoes which belonged to Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (1660 -1744), then known as one of the richest women in Europe.

Walking in my shoes is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World, which presents exciting new museum exhibitions across the UK, created by young people. Museum open 10am to 5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, admission free.

22+24 February, SUPER SHOES. Family activities from story telling to making your own dressing up shoes.

10-11.15am.

23 February, ME AND MY SHOES. A photography workshop for young people with artist Janetka Platun.

Ages 11+, 2-4pm.

12 March, AN INTRODUCTION TO SHOE DESIGN. A workshop about the history and development of footwear, with the chance to learn some shoe design techniques. Ages 16+.

10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm IMAGINE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL 12-27 February, SOUTHBANK CENTRE SE1, 0844 847 9910, www.southbankcentre.co.uk One of the most diverse children’s arts festivals in the UK, with an unbeatable mix of readings and storytelling by favourite children’s authors and poets, and a full programme of music, dance, comedy, film and performance.

12+13 February, THE FLYING MACHINE. One family must take to the skies to travel home, criss-crossing the world in an action-packed, life-affirming adventure. The modern fairy tale combines live action and stop animation in a 3D film inspired by Chopin’s timeless, unforgettable music. Tickets from £12.50.

19 February, CHARLIE HIGSON. Actor and comedian Charlie Higson reads from his latest heart-stopping adventure story ‘The Dead’ and takes questions from the audience. Suitable for ages 11+, 11.30am, tickets £4 children, £8 adults.

19, 20+21 February, COMEDY AND SONGS FOR CHILDREN. James Campbell is back with his stand-up comedy and music show especially for children, poking fun at everything from parents to penguins through great jokes and hilarious new songs. 2.30pm, tickets £4 children, £8 adults.

20 February, ARLENE PHILLIPS. The world-famous choreographer reads from her new book ‘A Viennese Waltz’ and tallks about dance styles from around the world. After the event there is a family ballroom dancing class. Ages 7+. 11.30am, tickets £4 children, £8 adults.

20 February, STRICTLY FAMILY BALLROOM. Children, parents, grandparents and carers are invited to dance together, as a live band plays ballroom classics.

12.30pm, admission free.

20 February, 12 CELLOS. Cellists from the world-famous Berliner Philharmoniker break free from the orchestra for a very special concert for families with children. The programme includes swing, classical, dance and film music. Ages 4+, 11.30am, tickets £14.

21+22 February, SING WITH ELIZABETH WATTS. Opera singer Elizabeth Watts can sing astonishingly loud and high, or unbelievably quietly and sweetly. She tells stories with her voice and is particularly keen on songs and stories about animals. Join her in workshops to learn songs, make music and tell stories. Ages 5+.

11am and 2pm, tickets £4 children, £8 adults.

21-25 February, Dr OCTOPUS AND THE WHEEL OF STEEL. Join DJ and poet Charlie Dark on an old school hip-hop poetry adventure deep beneath the sea with an original soundtrack for babies and under 2s. Featuring a starfish who wants to be a star, a beatboxing blow fish, a clumsy octopus and a mermaid who can’t swim.

10.30am daily, admission free.

22 February, POLLY DUNBAR. A morning of puppetry, storytelling and drawing, followed by a book signing.

11.30am, tickets £4 children, £8 adults.

22 February, A CAT’S TALE. Join acclaimed story-teller Jan Blake as she performs traditional stories inspired by felines from around the world, with rhythm and percussion accompaniment by Pete Eckford. Ages 4+, 12noon, admission free.

22 February, JEREMY STRONG. Jeremy will be reading

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A costumed storyteller will recount some adventures of Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole, the popular characters from ‘The Wind in the Willows’

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With special events and displays throughout the year, the Bank of England Museum is a great day out.

Admission free 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and public holidays. Entrance in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH. Tel: 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

13 NOV 2010 – 20 FEB 2011 CANADA SQUARE PARK CANARY WHARF www.ticketmaster.co.uk 0844 847 1556 For details and corporate bookings www.canarywharficerink.com

C H A M PA G N E

R E I M S - F R A N C E

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MoreWhat’sOn

as the central shelter for government and military strategists for the next six years. Open 9.30am-6pm, admission free for under 16s, £14.95 adults.

For even more What’s On listings, go to www.familiesse.co.uk

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road, South Kensington SW7, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Weekends and school holidays: HANDS-ON NATURE: CORALS. Visit the handling trolley in ‘Lasting Impressions’ and take a closer look at some interesting specimens with the help of science educators. 2-5pm, free.

5 + 19 February, CRAFTY NATURE: OCEAN MAMMALS. Use interesting materials to make fun creations based on natural history themes. Under 7yrs, 11am-1pm, and 2-4pm free.

27 February, NATURAL PUPPET TALES. 12noon & 1.30pm. A lively storytelling workshops based on discovering amazing facts about the natural world.

12noon and 1.30pm, free, reserve a place first.

from his book about the slapstick ‘Cartoon Kid’, superhero, followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Ages 7+, tickets £4 children, £8 adults.

22 February KIDS’ TAKEOVER. For one day only, the Imagine festival is run by children. From managing the cloakroom to showing visitors to their seats and selling programmes, every role is covered by a child aged 7-12 years.

23 February, ANTHONY BROWNE. Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne shows how he creates his wonderful characters, drawing an imaginative landscape and showing how his characters inspire his stories. Ages 5+, 2.30pm, tickets £4 children, £8 adults.

24-27 February, DAN ZANES AND FRIENDS. All the way from Brooklyn, Dan Zanes and Friends are joined by special guests including a London Youth Orchestra in a programme of electric guitars, fiddle, drums, trumpet, bass, harmonica, voices and more.

All ages, 11am and 2pm, tickets £12.

25 February, JAZZ FOR JUNIORS. Acclaimed Australian singer Trudy Kerr brings an hour-long jazz adventure with lots of opportunities to join in. 1pm, admission free, 26 February, KATHAK STANZAS. Gauri Sharma Tripathi celebrates the voice in dance with an imaginative workshop which combines traditional South Asian kathak dance and traditional Indian mythology. 11am and 1pm, admission free.

26+27 February, PENGUIN. A new puppet show based on the award-winning book by Polly Dunbar, with songs and surprises. Ages 3-7, 11am and 2pm, tickets £4 children, £8 adults.

D-DAY DUCK TOURS First Sunday of the month, from Chicheley Street SE1 (behind the London Eye), 020 7928 3132, www.londonducktours.co.uk

Using the actual ‘Duck’ vehicles built for D-day, London Duck Tours take passengers back in time to London’s home front during the Second World War, through London streets before splashing into the Thames. In a lively, entertaining and informative adventure suitable for all the family, professional character tour guides reveal the capital’s most important Second World War sights including the Cabinet War Rooms, Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM FUN BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R, 020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Visitors can examine intricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar and see the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank.

Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors. Open 10am-5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free.

21-25 February, THE MISADVENTURES OF MR TOAD. Half term fun with the adventures of Toady, Ratty and Mole recounted by a costumed storyteller.

10.30 and 11.30am starts, plus 2, 3 and 4pm.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM EVENTS GEFFRYE MUSEUM, 136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch E2, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from noon Sundays.

Saturday Special workshops and quizzes inspire

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

creativity and provide amusement for children on the first Saturday of every month. 10.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm.

CHILDREN AT THE V&A V&A MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL, 020 7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk/families During any visit, families can pick up a trail from the Information Desk and explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation. Suitable for 7-12 year-olds. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out. Museum open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free Saturday BACK-PACKS. Pick up a back pack and explore the museum with fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and games. 10.30am-5pm.

30 January, CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS. Welcome in the Year of the Rabbit with a day of free activities and performances for all ages. Try your hand at Chinese calligraphy, painting and paper-cutting. Have fun playing Chinese musical instruments and watch spectacular dance or opera performances and a show of traditional costumes. 10.30am-5pm.

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS, Clive Steps, king Charles Street SW1, www.iwm.org.uk The Cabinet War Rooms were created in 1938, as the underground storage areas of the Office of Works Building in Whitehall were converted to house the central core of government and to become a military information centre, serving the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff of the air, naval and land forces.

Intended as a temporary site, the rooms became operational on 27 August 1939, a week before the German invasion of Poland and Britain’s declaration of war. This ‘temporary’ but timely measure served

SCIENCE MUSEUM SCIENCE MUSEUM, Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7, 0870 870 4868, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Museum open 10am-6pm, admission free WHO AM I? A new gallery looking at what makes us special, presenting the latest in brain science through interactive exhibits and object-rich displays.

EXPLORING CLIMATE CHANGE. An exhibition exploring the science of climate change.

15+16, 22+23 and 29+30 January, 6 and 12+13 February, UP, UP AND AWAY. Interactive storytelling for under 7s with high flying adventures.

1.30pm.

15+16, 22+23 and 29+30 January, 6 and 12+13 February, SPACED OUT. Discover the fascinating world of roaring rockets and amazing astronauts. 11.30am and 3.30pm.

Art Activities DESIGN MUSEUM FUN DESIGN MUSEUM, Shad Thames SE1, www.designmuseum.org 23 February, CHILDREN’S GALLERY TOUR. Join a fun and engaging half hour tour through the museum. Learn about how the museum started and then take a look at Drawing Fashion and find out who is this year’s Brit Insurance Designs of the Year winner. Ages 5-11, 2.30pm, free with museum entry.

ARTPLAY AT DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk On the first and last Sundays of every month, adults and children are invited to drop-in for a different workshop activity each week. Make everything and anything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3-30pm, free with a gallery ticket or £2 per child.

THE TIGER IN ASIAN ART Until 12 February, ASIA HOUSE, 63 New Cavendish Street W1G 7PL, 020 7307 5454, www.asiahouse.org Today the population of wild tigers is only 3200, and the aim is to double it. Asia House is showing exhibition of rare Asian paintings, sculptures, textiles and photographs. Aspects of the project are very much family orientated, with interactive rolling documentary films about the plight of the tiger providing a great way for visitors to learn about this urgent issue.

SOMERSET HOUSE FAMILY EVENTS SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somerset.org.uk Free family workshops run on Saturdays from 2-3.30pm. Tickets available from 1pm from the information desk. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult.

15 January, SHAPE UP! Explore the work of St Ives artist Breon O’Casey who creates vibrant abstract paintings and sculptures, and then design your own colourful collages.

22 January, OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS. Many

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paintings and sculptures feature birds: take inspiration from artist Breon O’Casey’s work to find different meanings behind these powerful symbols, then make your own beautiful bird stencils.

29 January, FACE TO FACE. Create a special group portrait, inspired by the gallery’s paintings of families and friends.

WALLACE COLLECTION ACTIVITIES THE WALLACE COLLECTION, Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN, 020 7563 9500/ 9551, www.wallacecollection.org Open 10am-5pm, admission free. Follow a family trail, get your hands on some armour, and play interactive games.

4 February, COSTUMED TALK. Meet Marie-Antoiinette and find out about her life as the Queen of France and her love of fine things. 1pm1.45pm and 3pm-3.45pm. Free drop-in 22 February. THE QUEEN’S BET. Can you make your own house using card, glue and paint all in 70 minutes? 10.30am-12.30pm ad 2pm-4pm. £5 per child, ages 5+, book first.

23 February. WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOP 10.30am-3.30pm. Learn the techniques of watercolour painting, creating textiles, glazes and shadows and create a vibrant watercolour scene.

Ages 9+, £10 per child, book first.

24 February, ENTREZ DANS LA DANCE, Join Harlequin, Columbine and their friends at the party; discover the joys of the Fetes Galantes and create puppets for your own paper theatre. 2-4pm, free drop-in.

26 February, A DAY IN THE 18th CENTURY. Music, gallery talks, lectures, singing and costumed interpreters. Families can make a gold box and learn to sing an opera; and adults can attend talks on architecture, paintings, decorative arts and the art of making princely weapons, while listening to music and hearing some of Voltaire’s writings. No need to book, suggested donation £2 per person.

NATIONAL GALLERY NATIONAL GALLERY, Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN, 020 7747 2894, www.nationalgallery.org.uk FAMILY SUNDAYS. Free hands-on art workshops for families at 11am and 2pm.

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MAGIC CARPET STORYTELLING. Fly away on the magic carpet, which comes to land in front of a different painting every Sunday. Ages 2-5, 10.3011am and 11.30am-12noon.

DRAWING SUNDAYS. Hands-on workshops for families with 5-11 year-olds, starting at 11am and 2pm each week.

21, 22 + 24 February, MAKE IT MOVE! Explore the actions and rhythms in a painting and transform them into your own creations. Ages 5-11, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.

22+24 February, STORYSCAPE. Interactive story sessions for 2-5 year-olds, 11.30am-12noon.

23 February, DRAWING STORIES. Tell a story through art-making and play. Ages 2-5, 11.30am-12.30pm.

23 February, ADVENTURE TRAIL. An exciting look at the gallery with James Mayhew, illustrator and creator of the ‘Katie’ books. Ages 5-11, 2-3.30pm.

listening game, search for shapes, patterns and talking hands, and make your own sculptures.

Every weekend the free Art Trolley encourages children to imagine and create, make colourful collages, style a wonderful sculpture or perhaps make a sketchbook and fill it with great ideas.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, St Martin’s Place WC2N 0HE, 020 7306 0055, www.npg.org.uk 5 February, CHINESE NEW YEAR. An afternoon of fun drop-in activities to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. 1-4pm.

19 February, STORYTELLING FOR FAMILIES. Storytelling fun, followed by an art activity. Ages 3+, 10.30am and 1.30pm.

19 February, FAMILY ART WORKSHOP. Explore portraits in the collection, followed by an art activity.

Ages 5+, 11.30am and 2.30pm.

21-25 February, HALF TERM FUN. A week of tour and draw sessions led by artists and storytellers, plus art workshops and Chinese puppet making.

FAMILIES AT THE TATE TATE BRITAIN, Millbank SW1, 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk/britain Open daily 10am-5.50pm, and until 10pm the first Friday of the month.

Family trails are available daily from the Information Desks and are free for 5yrs and under. Go on a journey around Tate Britain and post your discoveries into your ‘Post it’ box as you go. When you get home, open up the box and show your friends what you found. Or you could follow the ‘Join up’ trail: play the

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263, www.soaneeducation.org.uk Tucked away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields at the heart of London, this magical, mysterious museum encourages young visitors to explore Soane’s treasures and develop new skills with specialist guidance. Sir John Soane (1753- 1737) was an inveterate collector, filling every nook and cranny of his beautiful home with items that fascinated him.

From fossils to classical fragments from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and from contemporary paintings to architectural models, drawings and literature, he intended that after his death both his house and its extraordinary contents should be used to educate and inspire.

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Theatre, Shows & Music GET INTO LONDON THEATRE 1 January - 18 February, VARIOUS VENUES, www.getintolondontheatre.co.uk A month of theatrical entertainment and ticket deals to over 50 top shows. Activities include acting, singing and dance workshops with West End professionals, and a rare opportunity to peek behind the scenes and discover the backstage secrets of a selection of London’s historic theatres.

Family Legal Services To arrange an initial free consultation please ring

FAMILY SUNDAYS AT THE ALBANY THE ALBANY, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8, 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk Fun for all the family with the best in theatre for the under 7s.

Enjoy lunch and the Sunday papers in the cafe and garden, then take in a show. Tickets £5.50.

13 February, FINDING ALICE. As the lines between the worlds blur, Miriam gets lost in Wonderland. Single Leaf theatre put a comic spin on the children’s classic, Alice in Wonderland.

Ages 4+.

27 February, THE FABULOUS FLUTTERBYS. Join in the adventures of two very different caterpillars who eat their way to success! Ages 3+.

6 March, DISCO DAZE. A disco party for the under 5s and their grown-ups, with live DJs, a chill out area and special entertainment. 5pm.

020 8858 6971 Friendly, professional legal advice Email family@grantsaw.co.uk Visit www.grantsaw.com Norman House, 110-114 Norman Road, Greenwich, SE10 9EH Find us just around the corner from Greenwich train & DLR stations

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 2 February to 17 April, COLOUR HOUSE THEATRE, Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way SW19, 020 8542 5511, www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Kind Prince Pierre has been changed into a Beast by an evil witch. Belle is looking for love. She wants to escape from her mean family and the mad magician who is desperate to marry her. When poor Belle is trapped in the Beast’s castle against her will, she becomes good friends with him. Will this friendship turn to love and break that evil spell?

Of course it will! 2pm and 4pm, ages 3+, tickets £7 children, £9 adults.

FAMILY SATURDAYS AT THE LYRIC LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE, Lyric Square, King Street W6, 0871 22 11720, www.lyric.co.uk Saturdays shows at 11am and 1pm, tickets £6 children, £8 adults, followed by Messy Play sessions for £5.

29 January, MALINA’S DREAM. Malina lives with her Grandpa in the land of the midnight sun. One day a stranger arrives and needs Malina’s help. Will she be able to save the day with a little help from Grandpa and his magic drum? Ages 4-7.

5 February, LAURA’S STAR. One night Laura finds a star on the pavement. As it glows warmly in her hand she knows that she will be able to tell it all her secrets. But the next morning, the star has disappeared. Was her special friend just a dream? Ages 3-7.

12 February, TIM AND LIGHT. Tim and Light; his pet cat, embark on a dangerous rescue mission to save the mysterious girl in the red dress in this brave new fairytale.

Ages 4-7.

19+20 February, RAINBOW FISH. Be whisked away on a deep sea adventure with Rainbow Fish, with her shimmering scales. Ages 4-7.

ROALD DAHL’S TWISTED TALES 14 January - 26 February, LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE, Lyric Square, King Street W6, 0871 22 11720, www.lyric.co.uk Enter a wonderfully dark and dangerous world where nothing is quite as it seems. Expect the unexpected with tales of sinister landladies, sweet revenge and gambling with the highest of stakes.

Matinees and evening performances, ages 14+, tickets from £10.

WHY THE LION DANCED 15 January, GREENWICH THEATRE, Crooms Hill SE10, 020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk.

21+22 January, LYRIC HAMMERSMITH 0871 221 1729 Every thirteenth moon the Nian visits a village and the people find their New Year celebrations disrupted by the terrible monster. The only creature that scares away the Nian is the Lion, but the next year when the Nian revisits the village, the Lion is busy guarding the Emperor’s palace and cannot help the villagers. So they create a lion costume, perform a Lion Dance and scare away the evil one.

A Lion Dance is still performed in China and is said to bring good luck and happiness. Yellow Earth’s production features four performers and a spectacularly decorated lion costume and mask. It includes shadow play, original live music and songs and has been created for children aged five and over. After the show the audience will be invited to join the performers in celebrating Chinese New Year. Tickets £6.50 children, £8 adults.

GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE Until 23 January, BLOOMSBURY THEATRE, 15 Gordon Street WC1H 0AH, 020 7388 8822, www.thebloomsbury.com An adaptation of Roald Dahl’s amazing story, with wizzpopping magic for all the family. Tickets from £16.50.

THE MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS 20-23 January, NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE, The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19, 0844 871 7646, www.ambassadortickets.com/wimbledon A brand new show, ‘Legenda’ encompasses contemporary and classical circus at its very best. Tickets from £14.

APASSIONATA 29+30 January, The 02, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX, 0871 620 7056, www.apassionata.co.uk An amazing show featuring over 40 real horses, fast-paced action and an amazing soundtrack. The heroine Layla

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This month on Families Online: www.Familiesonline.co.uk WIN a 12-month membership to Menus4Mums’ fabulous online meal planning service!

Menus4Mums members get a new menu plan each week for dinners the whole family will enjoy, with recipe cards and a shopping list broken down into supermarket aisles. www.menus4mums.co.uk To enter, go to www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk/competitions Terms and Conditions apply.

Closing date for the competition is 1st March 2011.

WIN a Speedo Aquabeat MP3 Player LZR Edition courtesy of funswimshop.co.uk!

The Speedo Aquabeat is ideal for listening to your favourite music while swimming laps. FunSwimShop is a one-stop swimming shop for swimming equipment, baby swimwear and swimwear. www.funswimshop.co.uk To enter, go to www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk/competitions Terms and Conditions apply.

Closing date for the competition is 1st March 2011.

Music classes for babies and young children! ®

d no blues ! all r hythm an

Action songs and rhymes Music and movement Fun with percussion Musical games

For classes in: Blackheath & Greenwich, Dulwich & Herne Hill, Tel: 020 8764 5185 Forest Hill, Sydenham and Crystal Palace Tel: 020 8699 0977 Beckenham, Bromley, Chislehurst & West Wickham Tel: 020 8777 6700

Since 1993 thousands of children across the UK have grown up with Monkey Music. Our unique teaching curriculum was written by classically trained musicians, and introduces music to very young children in a way they can easily understand and enjoy.

www.monkeymusic.co.uk

It’s fun, formative and a great way of making friends!

Rock ‘n’ roll - from 3 months Heigh ho – from 12 months Jiggety jig – 2 & 3 year olds Ding dong – 3 & 4 year olds

january february 2011 - families south east

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MoreWhat’sOn For even more What’s On listings, go to www.familiesse.co.uk watches as a star falls from the sky and splinters into stardust right before her eyes. Embarking on a magical journey from her enchanted palace to the magical garden, she spreads joy to the people she meets along the way. Family tickets £56.25.

UNICORN PRODUCTIONS UNICORN THEATRE, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark SE1 2HZ, 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com Until 23 January, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. The classic story, with magic, music and moments to make your hair stand on end. Ages 7+, tickets £13 children, £19 adults.

2-12 February, ROMEO AND JULIET. The story of dangerous rivalries and secret loves is vividly brought to life in this fast-moving and contemporary retelling. Ages 11+, tickets £10 children, £20 adults.

1-27 February, TRICKSTERS AND FOOLS. A three-week season of storytelling performances by some of Britain’s most masterful tellers of traditional tales, including the Anansi stories from the Caribbean, and fantastic myths from Russia and Eastern Europe. Tickets £7.

MACBETH

AND ROMEO & JULIET 1-5 February, FAIRFIELD, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk Two of Shakespeare’s most known plays, onstage with Stuart Morrison Productions. Tickets £18.50.

THE SNOW QUEEN Until 5 February, POLKA THEATRE, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19, 020 8543 4888, www.polkatheatre.com A brand new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale by Mike Kenny. Ages 6-11, tickets £8 children, £16 adults.

Tennis-4-kids Rally round for a smashing time!

Tennis-4-kids a fun filled introduction to tennis for 2 -11 year olds.

Played indoors with small rackets, sponge balls and scaled-down court.

Tennis-4-kids aids agility, co-ordination and balance.

A positive introduction to tennis with lots of fun

Weekend and weekday sessions now available

For further details ring Gordon on

07877 391005 or www.tennis-4-kids.com or email gordon@tennis-4-kids.com

POLKA THEATRE, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19, 020 8543 4888, www.polkatheatre.com Until 12 February, LOST AND FOUND. Once there was a boy and one day he found a penguin at his door. A beautiful and touching tale of friendship based on Oliver Jeffer’s acclaimed picture book. Ages 3-5, tickets £7 children, £9 adults.

11 February - 9 April, THE MACHINE GUNNERS. It’s 1940 and Britain is at war. Young Chas McGill has the second best collection of war souvenirs in town but desperately wants it to be the best. One day, he stumbles across a shot-down German bomber and snatches the ultimate souvenir to add to his collection: a machine gun. This moving and touching story vividly recreates life in Britain during World War II. Ages 9+, tickets £6 children, £12 adults.

22 February, CHINESE NEW YEAR. A craft and storytelling workshop for the whole family. 10am-12noon, ages 5+, tickets £10.

22-26 February, THE FABULOUS FLUTTERBYS. The adventures of two very different caterpillars who eat their way to success! Using the themes of threatened ecology, recycled materials and metamorphosis, three performers bring this joyous puppetry show to the stage accompanied by live music. Ages 3-6 years.

SATURDAYS AT THE HALF MOON

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ZIPPOS CIRCUS 22-27 February, FAIRFIELD, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk An incredible line-up of international circus stars including daring trapeze artistes, breathtaking acrobats and hilarious clowns. Performances 2.30pm and 7.30pm, tickets from £14.

SWAN LAKE & THE CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS 26+27 February, MICHAEL CROFT THEATRE, Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, East Dulwich SE22 The classic four act ballet ‘Swan Lake’, performed by 8-18 year-old students from Dulwich Ballet School, supporting the ballet’s Prince, who is played by a second year student from Ballet Rambert. 7.30pm.

In the afternoon, younger students from Dulwich Ballet School will perform the short ballet ‘Carnival of the Animals’, supported by the modern, tap & street dance students in ‘America’. 2.30pm. Tickets available from 1 February by emailing sally@dulwichballet.co.uk, or call 07958 753 883.

AVENUE Q

FAMILY SHOWS AT THE POLKA

HALF MOON THEATRE, 43 White Horse Road E1 0ND, 020 7709 8900, www.halfmoon.org.uk Child-friendly productions for the weekend. Tickets £6.

15 January, LITTLE RED ROBIN HOOD. A merry mix up in the forest, involving glove puppets, false teeth, a frying pan and a generous helping of slapstick and clowning. Ages 4+, 11am and 2pm start.

29 January, THE MOUSEHOLE CAT. PuppetCraft animate the awardwinning book with carved wooden puppets, coloured shadows, live music, songs and a stunning set. 11am and 2pm.

5 February, THE WAY BACK HOME. Based on the book by Oliver Jeffers.

An inter-galactic adventure tale with an original soundtrack. Ages 3+, 11am and 2pm.

10 February, THE CONFETTI MAKER. A highly visual show which combines slapstick, puppetry, absurd storytelling, improvisation, and of course, lots of small bits of paper, expertly woven into a hilarious yet poignant show. Ages 8-11, 1.30 and 4.30pm.

12 February, CIRCUS MINIMUS. In lots of ways every family is a circus.

There are toddling clowns, teenage lions, mums who spin plates and dads who fly by the seat of their pants. Ages 2-4.

19 February, SMALL WORDS. Step inside a magical tent and be transported to a beautiful, miniature landscape. An unforgettable piece of visual theatre, fusing animation, projection and puppets. 10.30am, 12, 1.30 and 3pm.

26 February, LITTLE HIPPO AND HIS MAGIC PEN. For his birthday, Little Hippo had a magical red pen filled with the most amazing things in the world, but how can he get these wonderful secrets out? In English and in French with audience participation. 11am, 1 and 3pm.

5 March, MALINA’S DREAM. Breath-taking puppets and live music combine in this inspiring tale. Ages 4+, 11am and 2pm.

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FANTASTIC MR FOX 18 February, Ashcroft Theatre, FAIRFIELD, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk For years, Mr Fox has defied three blundering farmers by pilfering food from under their noses. Tobias Picker’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s tale is perfect for opera-loving adults and fox cubs alike. 7.30pm, tickets £13.50-£22.50.

28 February - 5 March, RICHMOND THEATRE, The Green, Richmond TW9, 0844 871 7615, www.ambassadortickets.com A hilarious and uproariously entertaining production, with songs, performers and puppets. Ages 12+, tickets from £14.

PEPPA PIG’S PARTY 5+6 March, FAIRFIELD, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk, www.peppapiglive.com Peppa is a playful little pig who lives with her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Through everyday adventures she plays games, makes new friends and enjoys her absolutely favourite activity - jumping up and down in muddy puddles. Peppa Pig’s Party recreates this highly popular |television series for the stage, featuring beautifully true-to-life puppets and brand new songs. Ages 3+, tickets from £12.50.

LOVE STORY Until 30 April, DUCHESS THEATRE, Catherine Street WC2B 5LA, |0845 505 8500, www.duchesstheatre.co.uk Oliver Barrett IV went to Harvard and Jenny Cavilleri to Radcliffe. He was rich, she was poor. He was sporty, she played music. But they fell in love.

This is their story. A celebration of love and life, Love Story will win your heart. And it might just break it.

Inspired by Erich Segal’s best-selling iconic novel and one of the most |romantic films of all time, Michael Ball makes his West End debut as producer in this life-affirming musical, scored by the Emmy and BAFTA award winning composer Howard Goodall with lyrics by Stephen Clarke.

The West End cast includes Emma Williams as Jenny, Michael Xavier as Oliver Barratt IV and Peter Polycarpou as Jenny’s father, Phil.

THE DISNEY 50 AT THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE BFI SOUTHBANK, Belvedere Road, Southbank SE1 8XT, 020 7928 3232, www.bfi.org.uk Every weekend throughout 2011, the BFI are screening some of the world’s most celebrated family films of all time. Tickets £5 for under 16s, £9.50 adults.

16 + 23 January, TANGLED. An action-packed, animated 3D musical comedy about the girl with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. 4.15pm.

The remaining forty nine films will then be shown chronologically, starting with the 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

23 January, SOUTHBANK FAMILY FUNDAY. Participants will get to draw their favourite dwarf and make their own animation feature in new and exciting ways. Children can join in with a whole range of activities, learning new skills and meeting people from in front of and behind the camera.

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Working Women IF THIS IS the year you intend to start your own business, take inspiration from others who have done just that.

Also, there is plenty of inspiration and help available, as we’ve been finding out...

Mothers Mean Business The story behind LittleBubbles Claire Sherman lives in Forest Hill and is a mother of two young girls under six.

She launched LittleBubbles children’s classes in January 2008.

Now about to embark on her fourth year in business, Claire tells us how LittleBubbles began.

could be creating a job that would work around my family.”

FSE: What are the benefits?

Claire: “The main benefit is that I’ve been able to be a full time mother for the last six years while at the same time developing my own company and watch it grow to where it is today. I feel a massive sense of achievement seeing something that was just an idea become a reality, and something I can be really proud of. Also, I had amazing support from my husband, without whom I couldn’t have achieved the standard of our brilliant and original LittleBubbles music!”

FSE: Are there any drawbacks?

FSE: How does it work?

FSE: What was your job before you set up LittleBubbles?

Claire: “Having spent my whole life performing in theatre, I began my career after leaving a London theatre arts college in 1993. I performed on London’s West End stage as a singer and dancer/ actress for many years in shows such as Starlight Express, Grease, Smokey Joe’s Cafe ... the list goes on! I then crossed over into television as a straight actress appearing in ITV’s Night & Day, a series of Sky1’s Dreamteam as well as numerous other Sky TV programs. After meeting my now husband we were keen to start a family and I wanted to step back from my career to be a full time mum.”

Claire: “We run weekly activity classes for all children aged 12 months to 4 years old. Our classes have been structured to allow the children to express and discover new and exciting inner feelings and abilities. The children can come along and enjoy the physical fun of moving freely to funky tunes whilst expressing themselves in a warm, encouraging environment. Every child is different and all develop and progress individually. I believe one of the most important things is that a child is given encouragement and praise for effort and achievement. At LittleBubbles our key aim is to promote self-belief; a must-have life skill.

LittleBubbles is a development of their imagination a kind of ‘let’s pretend’ to music. We exert as much energy as we can as well as including an educational slant and not forgetting bubbles... lots of them!”

FSE: What inspired you?

FSE: How difficult was it to start up?

Claire: “Obviously when becoming a mother you embark on a whole new world that takes time to discover and adapt to. Being a singer, about a year into motherhood, singing nursery rhymes on a daily basis, started to take its toll; I needed something a little cooler to do and sing with my little girl. Also around this time I was pregnant with my second child. I attended playgroups and baby clubs, and felt there was a gap in the market for the ideas that I had bubbling away in my head. I couldn’t help but feel inspired to channel my knowledge and abilities into these amazing little people somehow!”

Claire: “It was really hard work and still is. No one can see or appreciate all the effort you put in to making your business happen; they only see the result. It’s only other business owners who have done it themselves that can understand. It’s not until you start something that you realise just how much goes into preparing, setting up and running your own business. Simply getting a new business off the ground from nothing to something takes a great deal of effort and belief! I was really tired having two children under the age of two, but I couldn’t help but put my ideas into action, and I felt excited that I

Claire: “Rome wasn’t built in a day and the buck stops with you with any problems. Launching an unknown brand into an already saturated market takes time and patience, plus a ton of endless energy, enthusiasm and belief! No one is going to make it work or happen for you - just you and lots of faith. Also, having my own toddlers to care for during the day meant the majority of my research and admin was done once the children were in bed, so say goodbye to your well-needed evenings to put your feet up with a glass of wine. Well maybe not goodbye to the glass of wine!”

FSE: Does the work/ family balance work for you?

Claire: “Yes, completely. Other than the fact you can’t really switch off thinking about work, there’s always something to be done, remembered or paid for! You never really leave the office! But it still allowed me to be around my children the whole time and as a family we’ve made it work for us.”

FSE: Any advice for other mothers thinking of running their own business?

Claire: “Well I’d say be sure to have emotional support, whether it be a partner, friends or family as you’re going to need it! Believe in what you think is right and don’t give up as it takes time and perseverance to begin to get results.”

FSE: How can readers contact you to find out more?

Claire: “Our main point of contact has always been our website at www.littlebubbles.com where they can find most of the answers to any questions they may have, and all our contact details to get in touch.

Or they can always call the office on 020 8291 7719.”

Do you like fashion and design?

Are you outgoing and looking for a new challenge?

Do you want to decide your own working hours?

Come work with me&i!

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Local entrepreneur

Carolyn Cowan Carolyn Cowan is a Camberwell entrepreneur who is prolific as a teacher of Kundalini yoga classes, a photographer, body painter, couture tailor, and most recently, founder of Devotion, an online retail store which sells beautiful clothing, original gifts and yoga/ meditation DVDs. We caught up with Carolyn to find out how she manages to achieve so much, and how it all going...

FSE: Did you start working life with a ‘proper job’, if so, what was it?

Carolyn: “I have only ever had one ‘proper job’ and it was in the Habitat Cafe on the Kings Road in 1978. I think I lasted a day. I have spent the rest of my life being freelance or self employed. I wanted to be a make up artist and body painter from a young age and decided the way forward was to start painting on people’s faces. So I did. There was no proper make up for that then. I used Caran D’Ache pencils with a wet brush. Eventually I learned a lot by working with Steve Strange and Boy George.

The way forward seemed to be making a portfolio so I sold all my clothes in a second hand shop in Chelsea and bought a plane ticket to Milan. Arrived with no clothes and no money; knocked on the door of Italian Vogue, showed my work and was employed there and then for five months.. my work from that period up till the ‘90s can be seen on www.bodypaintingart.co.uk.”

FSE: What are the benefits of working for yourself?

Carolyn: “I set my hours, which can be good and bad. I have to be disciplined...”

FSE: What inspired you to set up so many different businesses?

Carolyn: “I have a very entrepreneurial mind. I try to control it and refuse to work on an idea unless I have cooked it for 40 days! Otherwise I would be doing far, far, more. Not all things have worked but I love solution-based thinking, I enjoy people and technology and I communicate well.”

FSE: Have there been any drawbacks?

Yes. The learning curve has been hard at times.

I suppose I am self taught. If I got to start all over again, based on my knowledge now, I would do it all very differently, but it is surprising where one learns, how and what is useful. At times I have really found myself wondering how I would keep going, financially, but so far all is good and it does keep growing. I would recommend the book Free

by Chris Anderson.

If the internet is something that interests you, then Youtube is such an interesting medium, I have a

channel on this site, which has transformed aspects of my business in ways I could never have imagined and so quickly, too. But finding people who really do understand the internet, marketing and PR is also key. This has been an ongoing process for me but now, I am 50 and I seem to only employ people half my age. Their vision and perspective is amazing. This decision has removed a lot of drawbacks that I was meeting based upon my own limited thinking, vision and experiences.”

FSE: What is keeping you busy at present?

Carolyn: “I have started teaching yoga again in Camden. Apologies to those of you who came to my classes locally. Also I took time to train as a tailor. I am a bespoke designer and couture tailor. I make clothes for women over 40 with a great sizing range, and now run my own clothing business, Devotion.

Also I am also setting up a photographic archive to sell prints of my and my father’s work - he was a fashion photographer in the ‘60s. His work is vibrant and exciting and has been ‘lost’ for 40 years. It is a long project and I cannot show you anything yet but that takes up a lot of time.

I write a newsletter every two weeks that covers a vast range of topics and takes hours to complete. It is successful and profoundly affects my business.

You can subscribe on my Devotion website.”

FSE: Does the work/ personal balance work for you?

Carolyn: “Through all of this I am also a Mummy with an eight year old and a 12 year old, both at a Steiner School in south London. I had a shop near their school for three years but closed it last February. It was too much. I worked far too hard, starting at 8am after the school run and usually not finishing before 7pm. Now, based at home and working by appointment, my bills have plummeted,

Working for Yourself

14

Before you start

Me&i - and maybe you!

A growing number of mothers are setting up their own businesses to find a better work life balance.

Many work from home, but what should you consider before embarking on a home-based business?

• Firstly, one of the drawbacks of homeworking is isolation. If you are a good self motivator this will not be a problem, but isolation can be hard to deal with. The solution is to use social networking to get regular online contact with people working in related fields to your business and make contact with local business groups and general business support groups • Secondly, get out and about. Use social networking to arrange face to face meetings • Thirdly, ensure you have childcare in place. It is very difficult to work when trying to look after children • Fourthly, keep your work station separate from family life. If possible, install a second business-only phone line or you could use a virtual office assistant. Also ensure you have a good broadband connection and back-up if your computer goes down • Lastly, work your hours. One danger of homeworking is overwork. Make sure you get enough rest and don’t burn out.

For more ideas, seminars, exhibitors and the chance to meet employers face to face, put 8 March in your diary to spend the day at Workingmums Live. See our What’s On listings, and www.workingmumslive.co.uk.

A gorgeous new range of childrenswear from Sweden is coming to the UK. Me&i was founded by two Swedish mothers in 2004 and their clothes represent Swedish design at its best - high quality, funky colours and cool prints - and they are really comfortable to wear. All the clothes are tried and tested by a panel of children for both comfort and looks.

With me&I, clothes shopping for children is a relaxed affair.

A me&i representative will come to you and showcase the clothes so you and your friends can get a really good look and feel.

If you are thinking about returning to work or just want to change to a job that fits round your family, take a look at the company’s website as they are currently looking for people to join them as self-employed me&i representatives.

Call 07725 030 821 or go to www.meandi.eu.

families south east - january february 2011

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Working Women I do not have to deal with passing trade, I have no daily staff issues and can be at home for all the meals with the children. It is much more fun this way for all of us.

Yes, I like how it is balanced now. I am frequently accused of being a workaholic but I disagree. I am passionate about my work, I enjoy it, I am good at it and it is how I earn my living. I would happily employ someone with my dedication and refuse to see it as anything negative.”

FSE: Any advice for other mothers thinking of running their own business?

Carolyn: “Meditate on your idea first for 40 days. Talk it through with friends but be careful how you listen to feedback. Local governments run amazing courses for small businesses. I made huge leaps in my awareness of how to run mine from Wandsworth Council Skillset Courses. Do speak to an accountant before starting to be aware of tax breaks and incentives. There are grants for new businesses, especially now, in the recession. The government cannot survive without small businesses and is doing all it can to help more get going. Be careful going into business with another. If you do, make sure the contract is watertight. A partnership can be cheaper and easier than a limited company and you can write your own agreements. Learn about VAT. It can be a great way, when registered, to get the tax back on all your office needs like computers etc. List your ambitions for yourself. Do daily affirmations. Run or do yoga to manage you mind and your thought processes.”

FSE: How can readers contact you to find out more?

Carolyn: “There is a sale of my Devotion products at Jeannie Avent in Northcross Road in East Dulwich, from 6-16 January.

• My classes are at Alchemy, www.alchemythecentre.co.uk • My youtube channel is www.youtube.com/user/CarolynCowan • My bodypainting site is www.bodypaintingart.co.uk • My photography site is www.mooncycles.co.uk • My new personal website is www.carolyncowan.com.

This is a work in progress. It is a new site and not yet fully functional. But classes and talk, workshops and one-to-one sessions can be accessed from here • My clothing website is www.devotion.co.uk/store • My home, the shop by appointment, is 020 7701 9269, 114 Benhill Road, London. SE5 7LZ

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Mothers Mean Business showcases the work and lives of existing and new advertisers who work for themselves. If you would like to be featured, email some brief details to editor@familiesse.co.uk with ‘Mothers Mean Business’ in the subject line.

Next Open Day Tues 8 March 10.15 to 12.15

129 brilliant business ideas If your New Year’s resolution is to find a family friendly way to work, an empowering and hands-on book by flexible working experts Antonia Chitty and Helen Lindop would be a good investment.

Running your own business from home is a dream shared by millions of British mums, but the majority of them are unable or unwilling to turn it into reality. Start a Family-Friendly Business: 129 brilliant business ideas for mums can help you: • find great business ideas that work well with a family • assess the ideas you have and see how they might work • understand your family needs and your goals for a business • create a plan that will put you on the first step to success.

Research reveals that over three quarters (76%) of British mothers who don’t work for themselves would like to do so. According to Antonia Chitty, the book’s co-author, many are daunted because they lack reliable information about launching and operating a business successfully: “It’s one thing to have an idea for a business, and the desire to work flexibly around family life, but quite another to be confident that your idea is viable, to put money behind it and to make sure your business is set up properly. Our book can help you to overcome this by giving a real insight into the benefits of different kinds of businesses.”

Packed with practical advice to help you launch the business that’s right for you, Antonia and Helen’s book features over 120 proven ideas for flexible work and goes in-depth with 23 of them. Covering businesses as diverse as life coaching, childcare, personal training, cleaning, graphic design and journalism, the book outlines the pros and cons to give you a detailed and realistic basis for decision-making. The book also includes no-nonsense tips to help you take the first step on the road to successful self-employment, ranging from advice about business planning and complying with legislation to finding help with marketing and promotion.

Start a Family-Friendly business: 129 brilliant ideas for business mums, rrp £9.99, can be bought or ordered from your favourite independent bookshop, or online through www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk.

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Exceptional independent secondary school for boys & girls For enrolment and all inclusive fee details call 020 7228 3933 Thames Christian College, Wye Street, London SW11 2HB

Call Greg Randall on

020 8670 6141 We help with family problems, including: • Divorce • Separation • Civil partnership dissolution • Disputes about children • Inheritance disputes

Our experience includes dealing with substantial assets We aim to resolve disputes in a constructive and non-confrontational way We can also help with pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements

www.bennettwelch.com Bank Chambers, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, London SE19 1TY

january february 2011 - families south east

15

Cord blood - a frozen asset

By Tracey Thomas

AS PARENTS we have many decisions to make as our children grow, but one of the most important needs to be made before they are even born. It’s the decision as to whether to collect your baby’s stem cells from their umbilical cord or allow them to be discarded as is still common practice here in the UK.

What are stem cells?

Storing cord blood

Stem cells are the body’s building blocks for life.

Their job is to multiply and transform into the cells that make up our blood, bones, tissues, tendons and organs - in fact everything that makes us physically what we are. They can build from scratch but can also restore and repair as we grow.

These vital cells are already being used to treat thousands of people for an ever increasing list of medical conditions. In fact the use of stem cells is now standard medical practice in many countries.

For families with a history of cancers or many other diseases, the availability of stem cells can be a life saving resource. Studies in 1997 indicated that the chances of a use by a child were 1:2700. Today, with the number of applications having increased, the probability of lifetime use is now estimated to be as high as 1:2001. If scientific progress continues at its current pace, the ratio is likely to continue to narrow.

The UK’s first fully accredited ‘cord bank’ is at Future Health Biobank, which was recently honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The Nottingham company currently stores over 30,000 samples for families from some 43 countries around the world. They are also the first cord blood bank in Europe to store the cord tissue cells as well. As they hold a Human Tissue Bank licence this means that the samples they hold can be used for the family; not just the donor.

Researching stem cell use • Research by German scientists has indicated that one day doctors may be able to use stem cells from umbilical cord blood to build new heart valves for children born with heart defects • An American clinical trial of children suffering from Type One diabetes may promise new hope for millions of diabetics by offering better blood sugar control and a reduction in the requirement for insulin • Several new trials are underway in the US to assess how cord blood stems cells can help children with cerebral palsy • A team in Seattle has come up with a way of making stem cells multiply in the laboratory, offering a breakthrough in the treatment of Leukaemia.

Sourcing stem cells Until now, the most common source of stem cells has been bone marrow, however the umbilical cord blood and tissue are much richer sources. It is also a much simpler and less invasive way to obtain them. After birth and the delivery of the placenta, the cord is simply clamped and the blood is collected along with approximately 15cm of cord tissue if both samples are required. The whole procedure takes less than ten minutes and is completely painless.

One of the disadvantages in the use of bone marrow is the difficulty in finding the perfect match.

This is even more of an issue for mixed race, single parent or older parent families. With umbilical cord stem cells you have a 100% match for the baby and a high probability of a match with siblings, parents and perhaps even grandparents.

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Paula Aspinall and newborn son Daniel. The first family in the country to freeze their baby’s umbilical cord - in the hope of using it if they ever became sick.

Current options for cord blood 1. Donate: Only five NHS hospitals currently collect cord blood for the national public cord blood bank where anyone can search the 10,000 or so samples for a match. The Anthony Nolan Trust, which established a national bone marrow register, has recently set up its own public cord blood bank, initially taking donations from King’s College Hospital in London. A total of 50,000 donations are expected by 2013, of which 20,000 will be suitable for transplantation, with the remainder being used in cord blood research.

2. Save: A number of private cord blood banks offer a collection and storage service with 20-year storage contracts. Future Health holds a full unconditional licence from the Human Tissue Authority. It will store 100% of a cord blood sample and also provide fully trained health professionals to make the collection if the midwife at the hospital is unable to do this. It is also the first in the UK to offer to store cord tissue alongside cord blood.

3. Discard: This is currently what happens at the vast majority of UK births as, at the moment, mothers-to-be are not routinely informed about other options for their baby’s umbilical cord.

Collecting cord blood So how do you arrange for cord blood/ tissue collection? The advice from Future Health is to approach your midwife, consultant or hospital as soon as possible in your pregnancy as not all hospital staff are able to make the collections.

The Human Tissue Authority will only allow collections to be made under their licence by suitably trained staff. The difficulty is that there is no national NHS policy on cord blood collections and each hospital can set their own rules, meaning a real postcode lottery for parents. However, even if the hospital is unable to assist, a private cord blood bank should be able to arrange for a fully trained third party to attend the birth. For example, Future Health employs qualified midwives and phlebotomists to undertake collections.

The cost of saving cord blood varies from

families south east - january february 2011

company to company but is currently around £1,500 for the collection kit, processing and an initial 25-year storage contract. Including cord tissue, with banks that provide this service, will be an additional cost - for example, £495 with Future Health.

Hopefully your baby will never have to use their sample but you will have the reassurance of knowing that it is within reach should they or a close relative have need of it.

More information • The author Tracy Thomas is Head of Midwifery at the Private Birth Centre in Northwich, and Consultant Midwifery Advisor to Future Health • The Anthony Nolan Trust has established a programme to collect cord blood donations in an expanding group of NHS maternity hospitals, including King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill. Read more at www.anthonynolan.org • For more information on private cord blood and cord tissue banking, contact the Future Health customer care team on 0800 954 5335 or visit www.fhbb.com.

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You and Your Baby

Breastfeeding Support

Fun French for Children • 3 – 11 years old • Games, Songs & Drama • Native French Teachers • Professional Materials • Free Trial Session

By Kate Cameron

For SE3, SE4, SE12 SE21, SE22, SE23 & SE24

“A newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence.

Breastfeeding satisfies all three.” - Grantly Dick-Read, the first NCT President I recently finished my training as an NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor. As well as facilitating the breastfeeding class of antenatal courses, I am available to support local parents (NCT members and non members alike) with breastfeeding. This service is free of charge and is available over the telephone and face to face.

NCT Breastfeeding Counsellors support parents however they choose to feed their babies, believing all parents have a right to informed decision making.

Superior nutrition Human milk is the best food for babies and exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until a baby is at least six months old (World Health Organisation guidelines).

It provides superior nutrition, protects against disease and enhances infant development. It is not only the breastmilk that is beneficial for babies, but the act of breastfeeding itself. Suckling has a pain-relieving and soothing effect on a baby as well as a relaxing effect on his mother, when the ‘happy’ hormone, oxytocin, is released into her bloodstream during breastfeeding.

In brief, breastfeeding has life-long physical, emotional and intellectual benefits. Many mothers choose to breastfeed for a number of these reasons and to experience the closeness that comes with nursing a baby.

Call Séverine: 020 8699 7665

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Supporting mothers Although natural, breastfeeding is not always instinctive, and many new mothers experience difficulties in the early days. Our culture has evolved such that we no longer learn to breastfeed by observation of our female relatives.

In parts of the world where families still live close together, being unable to breastfeed is virtually unheard of. Furthermore, in our current climate of pregnancy under medical supervision and obstetrically led childbirth, it is little wonder breastfeeding no longer follows easily.

With support and dedication, most mothers can overcome most breastfeeding problems. Partners, relatives, friends and health professionals, as well as the mother herself, have vital roles to play in the success of her breastfeeding experience.

For parents to make choices regarding infant feeding they need sound, factually based, accurate information, free from commercial bias. Campaigning for this and the protection of breastfeeding will be part of my role, along with helping to dispel the myths surrounding breastfeeding, such as “not enough milk”.

Locally, it is hoped to set up new breastfeeding support groups. Look out for news of this in the near future. I am also involved with helping to make our community more breastfeeding friendly so that mothers feel welcome to breastfeed their babies in public. Restaurants and cafÈs can sign up to the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, display a sticker in their window and be listed on the website as breastfeeding friendly. They will be provided with an information pack to help them make their premises more welcoming to breastfeeding mothers.

More information • To find Breastfeeding Welcome businesses, go to www.breastfeedingwelcomescheme.org.uk.

• NCT runs classes to help mothers breastfeed successfully, and offer support through a national helpline on 0300 330 0771 • A number of SureStart Children’s Centres run breastfeeding support groups - ask for details at your nearest centre • La Leche League provides friendly mother-to-mother breastfeeding support from pregnancy through to weaning, with factsheets, support groups, an online forum and more. Read more at www.laleche.org.uk or call the helpline on 0845 120 2918.

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register here to get paid for your opinion

Fabulous fun-filled music classes and parties for babies and young children.

Action songs and rhymes accompanied by guitar. Props, posters, stories, percussion, bubbles and more! Stimulating, educational, interactive and fun, great for building confidence and social skills. The highlight of your child’s week – as well as yours!

Classes on Mondays in Herne Hill, Tuesdays in Dulwich Village and Thursdays in East Dulwich. FREE TRIAL

020 8670 0644 www.tinpanannie.co.uk

want to read more?

Families’ website has hundreds of articles on parenting, family health, education, childcare, reviews and more Plus What’s On listings, back issues and a useful directory of local companies.

Register with us for even more local information, competitions and a local forum

www.familiesse.co.uk january february 2011 - families south east

17

Annabel on an app

What’sNew

Annabel Karmel, the leading expert in feeding babies and young children, has launched her first iPhone app aimed at parents with babies from six months through to pre-schoolers.

‘Annabel’s Essential Guide to Feeding Your Baby & Toddler’ has nutritious and easy recipe ideas and tips, and ‘how to’ videos showing cooking techniques, with voice activated page turning and an interactive meal planner. “This app will be bringing my recipes to life,” says Annabel; “not only will it offer parents 70 of my favourite new recipes but also advice and guidance on simple cooking techniques to help make their lives easier and provide good, nutritious food for babies and toddlers.”

Download yours for £4.99 from http://itunes.apple.com, or find more feeding advice and recipes at www.annabelkarmel.com.

useful products & services Time to sleep When your child is too young to tell the time and you’d like a weekend lie-in, these clocks might help...

The Kid’Sleep has a split screen showing two characters one ‘sleeping’, the other ‘awake’ The sleeping character shows it’s still bed time, until a preset time when the awake character becomes softly lit.

There are three different brightness settings and two time settings: one for night and one for naps.

For older children the product includes a digital time display and the change from the sleeping to wide awake character can be accompanied by a ‘birdsong’ alarm function if desired.

The Kid’Sleep is available in pink or blue, priced £35. For stockists’ details, call Bibs and Stuff on 01293 774924 or go to www.bibsandstuff.com.

Shop ‘til you drop

Those slippery slopes...

The NipperGrip is a great help for families who ski with young children. Developed by husband and wife, James and Katherine, over years of teaching their three children to ski, the NipperGrip is a ski harness for children up to eight years old. With a handle on the front and the back, you can pick up your child whichever way they fall. The NipperGrip makes getting on and off chairlifts easy - no more panics or having to stop the lift while you untangle your child on the floor. The NipperGrip also comes with detachable reins so you can control your child’s direction and speed as they ski along in front of you.

It is also good for cycle training, roller or ice skating, priced £25 plus postage and packing, online from www.nippergrip.com.

We could all do with a few more pounds in our pockets and a few more minutes in the day looking after children, working and dealing with daily chores doesn’t leave a lot of time, or patience, for buying your little ones a new wardrobe.

This February sees the launch of Half-Pint Chic a new online members’ club offering beautiful designer childrenswear at up to 70% off. Nicole Frost, founder and proud mother of two year-old twins found it tough shopping and decided that it was time to offer an alternative: “I am a busy working mother and not only did I find it a stressful experience to take both the girls shopping, I also found that it was so expensive, especially when I had to buy two of everything. It was this that made me realise there was a gap in the market for a designer childrenswear discount site - not one where the stock sits on the site for years, but one that changes weekly to offer exciting new brands and clothes perfect for the coming seasons.”

Log on to register and you’ll receive an email letting you know when each sale is about to go online. Brands include Poppy & Ned, Baby Graziella, No Added Sugar and Their Nibs, all at www.halfpintchic.com.

health news BPAs banished from baby bottles

Soothe their skin

The European Commission has just announced a ban on the use of bisphenol-A (BPA) plastics in baby bottles, which will come into effect during 2011.

Although many brands (including Avent) already sell BPA-free products, the controversial chemical is still currently used in some baby bottles sold in the UK. There is evidence to suggest it can interfere with healthy growth and body functions, mimicking the effect of the hormone oestrogen in the body, to which babies are particularly vulnerable.

“We have been calling for a UK ban on selling baby bottles containing bisphenol-A plastics for several years,” says Belinda Phipps of the NCT, “and are thrilled their import and sale will soon be outlawed across the EU. When you put hot liquids into a bottle containing BPA, particularly as the bottle gets older and more scratched, the chemical can leach out of the plastic and be absorbed into the baby’s body. However, now there are viable alternatives and so there is no reason to continue using this chemical when there is concern about potential risks to young babies. We would now like to see BPA plastics banned in other |products, as the chemical is also used in the linings of some formula tins and baby food containers.”

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families south east - january february 2011

A new campaign has been launched by the National Eczema Society to help the one in five children in the UK with eczema.

‘Soak and Smooth’ is aimed at parents who do their best to control their child’s eczema but wish they could do better. The campaign deals primarily with emollients and how to use them, and is supported by a step by step video tutorial which demonstrates how to use emollient treatments effectively.

The video, plus details about the campaign and more information on dealing with eczema can be viewed at www.eczema.org.

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competitions for cooks CookIt! - calling young cooks Young cooks across UK are challenged this year to enter CookIt! 2011. Run by the Guild of Food Writers, this year’s theme is ‘In for the Skill’ and asks entrants to put their cooking talents to the test by creating a two-course meal to demonstrate their skills in the kitchen.

Last year’s winner was 13-year-old Anamay Viswanathan from Streatham: “Going to the BBC Good Food kitchens last June to take part in the competition final was very exciting. Valentine Warner and Stefan Gates watched as we cooked our dishes and gave us pointers along the way. Hearing my name called out as the winner came as a total surprise! I won a five day holiday for my family at a working Guernsey dairy farm in Cornwall which included a brilliant cookery course and local culinary tours!”

Diana Henry, award winning food writer for the Sunday Telegraph, is heading the panel of expert judges for 2011: “Cooking is all about creating new ideas and connecting people through recipes, and CookIt! is a fantastic way to get children to explore ingredients and develop their skills in the kitchen. I cannot wait to see what the children cook up for this year’s competition.”

CookIt! is supported by Gold Top milk and is open to children aged 10-14 years. The challenge is to create a menu for a delicious and imaginative two course meal for family or friends - a main dish that shows their imagination and originality, and a scrummy dessert, ideally incorporating some milk. The dishes do not have to be complicated but must be their own creation and show originality and skill.

Six finalists will be chosen to attend a Cook Off in London in June. All finalists will receive exciting prizes with the main winner going on a family holiday to a working Jersey dairy farm. The closing date is 28 April.

Full details and an entry form are available on www.gfw.co.uk.

Junior herb heroes wanted British herb growers are encouraging children to get cooking with the launch of a new competition to find Britain’s Junior Herb Hero.

It’s not just about the recipe - entrants are invited to upload a four minute video of themselves demonstrating how to prepare the dish, so a good presentation style and enthusiasm are key ‘ingredients’ too!

One of the judges will be John Torode, chef and restaurateur, who said: “This is a great competition for youngsters age 7 to 16 who love cooking with fresh ingredients. There are a lot of negative comments about the cooking ability of school children, but I’ve seen for myself the wealth of talent out there, even from very young kids.

“With such a great array of fresh herbs in supermarkets, there’s never been a better time to experiment with cooking at home, even if you’ve never tried before. Get an adult to help you to begin with, or look out for books you can borrow from the library. I am delighted to be judging the cook off in May, and am really looking forward to seeing creative ideas with herbs, great cooking skills, but most of all a passion for food and for fresh herbs, even in our youngest competitors.”

Whether it’s a beautiful breakfast recipe, lovely lunch, delicious dinner, or just a brilliant family recipe which your child wants to share - whatever the style, or country of influence, the British Herb Trade Association wants to hear from them. For parents who think they’ve got what it takes to be a Herb Hero, there’s also an adult category, with a cash prize.

The top three junior entrants will be invited to a cook off in London on 24 May with an all-expenses paid two night stay in London for themselves and a parent or carer. The overall winner will pick up a prize of £200 of vouchers and two runners up will each receive £50 worth of vouchers. All entries must be uploaded by Friday 6 May 2011. For full details, go to www.fresh-herbs.co.uk/competition.

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At Tumbletots we endeavour to provide the opportunities, through a challenging environment of active physical play, for children to fully explore and develop their physical capability, especially their motor skills of balance, agility and co-ordination, whilst at the same time stimulating the imagination and having fun. Classes also include music, songs and rhymes, and are split into different age groups starting at six months up to 5 years.

Information / bookings: for Dulwich, Blackheath, Battersea and Clapham Call Julia Forrest on 020 8464 4433 or email julia.forrest1@ntlworld.com

Fourway Pharmacy 12 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London SE24 9HU • Moltex, Nature, Bambo and Tushies eco-friendly nappies • Buggiboards • Baby passport photos • Green toiletries, homeopathy, aromatherapy • Friendly and free health advice

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World’s smallest asthma inhaler Asthma is the most common chronic childhood illness and affects 1.1 million children in the UK. On average there are three children with asthma in every classroom in the UK, and every 17 minutes a child is admitted to hospital in the UK because of their condition.

Signs that a child is not managing the condition properly include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Often asthmatic children don’t use their inhalers when they should because they don’t like being stared at in the playground or in lessons. They don’t want to stand out and be different from everyone else. They can also be seen as disruptive in class with their frequent coughing and wheezing.

A recent study by University College London analysed 49 used asthma inhalers collected by respiratory nurses and discovered that one in four inhalers were found to contain bacteria. This is because children have a habit of keeping their inhaler in their pocket, bag or desk drawers where it collects dirt and dust.

The world’s smallest asthma inhaler can tackle bacteria and help prevent bullying in children.

Easyhaler is easy for children to keep in their pockets, comes with an ingenious mouthpiece which ensures the drug is inhaled correctly and at the right dose, and is ready to use in a quick click. The case can be personalised with fun stickers so it looks less medical.

It allows children to quickly carry on with their school life.

The Easyhaler device is so effective and discreet that children as young as six can use it.

Lynette Williams, a respiratory nurse specialist, says: ‘My patients like the look of the Easyhaler and find them easy-to-use. Its protective case is a novel bonus and has helped the children, in particular, keep their inhalers clean.

Easyhaler is available on prescription from GPs. For more information contact www.asthma.org.uk or call the Adviceline on 0800 121 6244 to speak to specialist asthma nurses.

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january february 2011 - families south east

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HEALTH & COUNSELLING SENSITIVE COUNSELLING for the problems that make you unhappy

Mark Arram MBACP 0794 797 2918

Counselling

Families South East PO Box 11591 London SE26 6WB Tel: 020 8699 7240 Email: info@familiesse.co.uk Contact: Robina Cowan

Individuals and Couples

Helen Storey

MBACP

020 8699 1652 THE VALE PRACTICE Structural & Cranial Osteopathy – Acupuncture Specialising in the treatment of children and expectant mothers.

T. 020 8299 9798 www.thevalepractice.co.uk

FAMILY & HOME SERVICES PAINTING & DECORATING Interior / Exterior Experienced, Reliable, Clean Fully Guaranteed / Insured FREE ADVICE AND QUOTE

TUMBLE TOTS need enthusiastic and reliable p/t helpers.

A love of children essential!

Call Julia on 020 8464 4433

John:- James & Lamont

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

WINDOW CLEANER

Looking for a new career?

International company is looking for ambitious and self-motivated people to work part time and from home.

Call Dorothy to find out more 020 8698 3266

A reliable, professional service for houses and businesses.

One-offs or regular visits.

All areas covered.

Call Ian 07920 179 345

For all your household repairs and odd jobs.

I offer a professional and courteous service

www.shaunthehandyman.co.uk 020 8249 3264 or 07913 656 502

For back issues and more articles than we can squeeze into each issue, a directory of local companies, competitions and forums plus the latest What'sOn listings, join us at

www.familiesse.co.uk CLASSES & TUTORS

Inky Pinky Parlez-Vous Fun French play sessions for 0-5 year olds. Action songs, stories, games and more.

Private individual and group French tuition from beginners to A level and Oxbridge prep also available.

Call Caroline on 07776 234 108 or email inkypinkyparlez-vous@hotmail.co.uk

www.inkypinkyparlez-vous.com

For more

children’s activities, Professional and friendly accountants providing book-keeping, tax and accounting services for small & medium sized businesses.

try our online directory www.familiesse.co.uk

FREE CONSULTATION ON Contact Beverley Walker

07970 628 466 Email: bwalker@tallhorse.co.uk www.tallhorse.co.uk

Handyman

Families online

New year issue out 4 March 2011

Are you a Plumber?

Electrician? Party Entertainer?

Therapist?

BE NOTICED with an advertisement in Families

PARTIES

Childcare feature: For more

party entertainers,

nannies & childminders

try our online directory www.familiesse.co.uk

YOUR CHILD deserves the best, while YOU take a rest

PARTIES TO REMEMBER

Traditional fun, planned with you & your child, food & pinatas optional

Age 3 to 12yrs

020 7249 3242 www.partiestoremember.co.uk

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Adult & Children’s Entertainer Magic, Plate Spinning Balloon Modelling Interactive Games Karaoke, Mini Disco

Tel: 020 8480 8176

plus; family holidays, mothers mean business, education news, family life and listings advertise yours in Families Deadline mid-February Call or email us now!

www.amigosmagic.co.uk

families south east - january february 2011

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

DESIGN: Lancasters 020 8658 9975 www.lancasters.co.uk Printed on paper from sustainable forests. www.russellpress.com

3 Yoga classes and a mat worth £16 for only £30

om www.wowtoys.c

mtarram@yahoo.co.uk