Families Manchester Sept-Oct 11

Edition 29 • September/October 2011

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

® MANCH E S T E R

In this issue >Back to school special >Out of school clubs & classes >Mothers’ guilt - go on, hang up your halo!

Covering: Altrincham, Trafford, Salford, Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Didsbury, Stockport, Cheadle, Bramhall, and surrounding areas.

Locally speaking

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

Channel 4 Looking for Step Families in the Manchester Area

Welcome Hooray! It’s back to school and we’ll finally be able to find a bit of time to catch up with the myriad of tasks that we just couldn’t get to do over summer.

For those of you with children starting nursery/reception/secondary school – it’s a scary but exciting and emotional time we know! Our Back To School feature has some good advice on what to expect, and how to be sure you’ve chosen the right school for your child.

A new Channel 4 documentary series celebrating the many stages of love will examine the experiences of stepfamilies in the Manchester area.

Aiming to shed light on the universal joys of love, this film will celebrate the process of bringing two families together for the first time.

If you and your partner are merging two young families to create a new one,

A-maizing Wild West Maize Maze higher than ever!

With the start of the new school year, it’s also the time to look at various out of school clubs and classes – and there are some great ones available in our area. Not only for school-going children of course, but for babies and toddlers too.

And do make sure you read “Mothers’ Guilt” on page 13 – we found it enlightening and oh so true. We’re the first to hold up our hands and declare that we’re not perfect (as much as we expect our husbands to believe we are). But our kids still believe we’re “the best mummy in the world” – so we must be doing something right!

Till next time

Caryl Hall

Jayne Keep

In this issue 02: Locally speaking 06: Back to school 12: Parents’ place

Next issue: November/December 2011.

Circulation: 25,000 copies of Families Manchester are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Greater Manchester. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Contact details: Families Manchester, PO Box 581, Macclesfield, SK10 9FN Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiesmanchester.co.uk Editorial: editor@familiesmanchester.co.uk Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiesmanchester.co.uk Events, diary dates, out & about: events@familiesmanchester.co.uk Cover photograph by: teneight, Fence House, 84 Buxton Road, Macclesfield SK10 1JS. Tel: 01625 500 488 www.teneightstudios.co.uk

15: Clubs & classes 21: Baby & toddler 22: What’s on

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

Red House Farm’s Maize Maze is still open for family fun! The Maze covers more than six acres of field and has been created by cutting a design out of maize or corn in the shape of a 75 metre tall cowboy on a horse. It also hosts a laserquest game – or Mazerquest as it’s been dubbed!

The amazing Maize Maze is just one of many unique attractions at the farm which sits in the heart of Dunham Massey, just a few minutes from

Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk Families Manchester is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.

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

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The Garden Productions would love to hear your story.

From the team that brought you the BAFTA award-winning series One Born Every Minute and 24 Hours in A&E on Channel 4, this new series about love will “reflect relationships throughout a lifetime – from first kiss to final farewell and everything else in between,” says Emma Tutty of The Garden Productions.

“Across the generations, we will explore what it really means to be in love.”

For more information, please email love@thegardenproductions.tv or call The Garden on 020 3465 9060. Calling does not oblige you to take part in the series.

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

Altrincham, Hale, Bowdon or Sale and just a few miles from the M56 and M6.

Owned and run by the Clare family for over 100 years the farm is simply a great relaxed fun day out in the country with something for visitors of all ages.

Jonny Hewitt, the farm’s Director of Fun, comments: “Families today spend so much time being busy at work or school or rushing from one activity or appointment to the next. What we’re able to give children and their parents is an opportunity to slow down, have fun in a safe environment, take pleasure from playing, get grubby and just enjoy the pace and quality of life on a real, working farm. We want to become the neighbourhood farm for families in Manchester and Cheshire, whether they want to pop in for a slice of cake and a cuppa, to get lost in the Maze or just to fill their lungs with a bit of fresh farm air!”

Admission to Red House Farm is £6.50 per day for adults and children and £3 for children aged 2 – 4. Children under 2 are free.

Manchester Child Art Psychotherapy Is your child effected by: nightmares, eating difficulties, divorce or separation, trauma, bullying, exam stress?

Art Psychotherapy can help with a range of childhood problems.

Paula Fotheringham Manchester Art Psychotherapy Services T: 07738865779 / E: manchesterartpsyc@gmail.com W: manchester-art-therapy.co.uk

Locally speaking Retro Party Bags Welcome To from Bah Humbugs Manchester Art Psychotherapy Services

Children’s party bags have been around for generations, but they have moved on from the traditional piece of cake and balloon.

Today a decent party bag is a must for all children’s parties and parents are becoming more and more competitive with what they give! Bah Humbugs has stepped in to help parents who have little time to source treats to fill the bags. With a wide range for varied budgets (from £2.99 to £6.99), bags can be ordered easily online from www.bahhumbugs.com We recently sampled the delights of a Mega Retro Sweet Party Bag (£2.99) which contains Popping Candy, Double Dip Sherbet, Finger of Fudge, Refreshers, Black Jacks, Fruit Salads, Candy Whistle, Double Lolly, Fruit Lolly, Mini Love Hearts, Drumstick Lolly, Fizzers, Parma Violets and a Candy Necklace. Presented in a simple silver card bag this is definitely a stylish and tasty way to end a party.

Tamsin’s Toys Tamsin’s Toys is an exciting new sewing business recently founded by local mum and solicitor turned seamstress Tamsin Morris. Based in Cheadle, Tamsin has designed a gorgeous range of patchwork comforters, bandana bibs, quilts and personalised bunting. Tamsin’s Toys products are eco-friendly, using repurposed and vintage fabric, to ensure that your child has a unique and stylish look.

Tamsin also makes beautiful memory quilts, taking your cherished but outgrown baby clothes and turning them into a unique quilt for your child to treasure as they grow. Tamsin’s personalised mini-bunting, made to order, is the perfect new baby or christening gift.

Products are stocked at Glo Family in Cheadle, Millymog in West Didsbury, Ten Little Monkeys in Wilmslow and Bewitched in Davenport, or you can find out more and order online at www.tamsinstoys.com

A new service specializing in the emotional needs of children and young people has just opened in central Manchester. Manchester Art Psychotherapy Services based off Oxford Road provides creative therapy for children, and families.

Art psychotherapy, also known as art therapy, can provide children with a simple way to express themselves. Children are often naturally artistic and creative and a young child is likely to be more comfortable initially expressing him/herself with some crayons and markers, than by expressing emotions and feelings through words.

Through art therapy, children receive treatment that is based on their existing strengths, interests, and concerns. It can help children of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

Children who can benefit from art therapy may have a wide range of different difficulties, disabilities or diagnoses. These include emotional, behavioural or mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities, life limiting conditions, brain injury or neurological conditions and physical illness.

Manchester Art Psychotherapy Services has been founded by Paula Fotheringham, a registered Art Psychotherapist accredited by the Health Professionals Council and the British Association of Art Therapists to work as a Private Practitioner and Supervisor. Paula has over 10 years’ experience working in the field of mental health and social care and specializes in working with children and adolescents.

For further information contact Paula on 07738 865779 or email her: manchesterartpsyc@gmail.com.

Or visit the website www.manchester-art-therapy.co.uk.

For films about how art therapy can help children visit www.baat.org.

Mother’s Instinct Baby & Toddler show – FREE ENTRY! Don’t forget to join us at the Mother’s Instinct Baby & Toddler show at The Waterside Hotel in Didsbury (M20 5WZ) on Sunday 11 September from 12noon till 5pm.

It’s guaranteed to be a great afternoon jam-packed with entertainment and displays for both children and parents. There’ll be stalls from retailers and nurseries, kiddie clubs and classes, with special show day offers and competitions. Entry is free and open to all – do come along and say hello!

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Locally speaking The coat to last all seasons

Polarn O. Pyret of Sweden has cracked the dilemma for parents everywhere this autumn. The coat solution that can handle warm, windy, raining, snowing and freezing.

How? Flexible, lightweight, high-tec layers that are waterproof, windproof and most importantly for active children... breathable.

The windproof, water resistant soft fleece jacket fixes into the shell jacket when winter weather arrives. The thumbholes stop sleeves riding up... and kids just love these!

Their philosophy has not changed for over 35 years – children need clothes they can play in and parents need hard wearing coats that look good, feel good and will last all year from September through to summer showers.

Wind and water resistant Fleece Jacket sells from £35. Water and Windproof Coat sells from £59.

Find Polarn O. Pyret in House of Fraser, Manchester or online at www.polarnopyret.co.uk

Inclusion in our locally speaking section is always free.

Get in touch: 01625 801801

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Become a Time Detective!

© Roger Keach

The Manchester Museum offers children an archaeological adventure as they enter the world of Ancient Egypt.

From 30 September, The Manchester Museum stages Unearthed: Ancient Egypt, an exhibition of Egyptology with a difference. Children are invited to become an archaeologist for the day and help uncover the stories behind some of the Museum’s ancient artefacts. The Museum has one of the finest collections of Egyptological material anywhere in the UK outside London and now there is the

opportunity to experience it in an innovative way.

In a newly created gallery space, visitors will be transported back to the 1920s, the heyday of British excavations in Egypt, entering the mysterious storeroom of fictional archaeologist Dr Digby - played on a specially commissioned series of films by acclaimed author Terry Deary of Horrible Histories and Egyptian Tales fame.

Through projections of pyramids, tented structures, display cases, and a reconstruction of a tomb as well as handling objects, Unearthed: Ancient Egypt creates a fascinating fictional archaeologist’s store from around 1925.

These discoveries present a picture of what life was like for the ancient Egyptians, from their home life and work to their language and beliefs. Unearthed: Ancient Egypt will encourage its trainee archaeologists to question how these objects were discovered and identified as well as how much they reveal about this ancient civilization.

Entry is free. Visit www.manchester.ac.uk/museum for more information.

Back to school Moving on up!

A new school year and it’s not just the children who have things to learn.

Sarah Ebner takes a look.

As your child moves up the school, they (and you!) will face all sorts of different issues. Unfortunately I don’t have enough space here to go through them all, but here are three which I’m pretty sure you’ll encounter...

Homework You’ll soon look back upon the days of reading books and learning individual letters as a halcyon time. And if you’re anything like me, you might find that homework is taking up far too much of your – and your child’s – time.

The Government is keen to promote homework and offers specific guidelines.

These suggest an hour a week for Years 1 and 2, one and a half hours a week for Years 3 and 4, and 30 minutes a day for Years 5 and 6.

The idea behind homework is that it builds on what children have learnt at school. The aim is to help learning and encourage children to study on their own and be selfdisciplined. It’s not supposed to rely on parents teaching their children new concepts.

But for pupils, homework can become a real burden, and doesn’t actually seem to enhance learning a great deal. It’s worth

noting that there’s no definite link between homework and student achievement. In fact, for primary-school children, there appears to be no link at all. A review of 75 years’ worth of studies by the University of London’s Institute of Education found that the benefits were negligible.

As a child moves up the school, I think homework can help with exam preparation and possibly time-management skills. But I’m not convinced that children need so much of it. However, the reality is that homework does exist, so here are some tips to ease the pain: 1) Find somewhere quiet to do it – not in front of the TV or around loud younger siblings.

2) Set up a workstation – a desk or table rather than the floor.

3) Don’t do it too late – your child, and you, shouldn’t do homework when you’re too tired.

4) Don’t help if you don’t know – it’s confusing if you offer help with maths, but don’t know the methods your child uses.

5) If all else fails, offer bribes – for instance, tell them they can play on the computer only after they’ve finished.

Sport at school You may notice that your child plays a lot less school sport than you used to. PE is part

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of the National Curriculum, but not a big part.

In Key Stage 1, children will take part in some combination of dance, games and gymnastics twice a week, but dancing to nursery rhymes never really appealed to my daughter. In Key Stage 2, they continue with these, but add in athletics, ‘outdoor pursuits’ or swimming (still across only two sessions a week).

One major problem is that lots of schools don’t have sporting facilities and playing fields have been sold off (private schools tend to have much better facilities). Many teachers no longer want to spend their free time coaching sport, and, unfortunately, sporty kids tend to play their sports at clubs outside school (or ironically, in after-school clubs on school premises, but run by other people).

Do encourage your child to play sport, in or outside school, as it will set them up for life. And take heart: the revised curriculum recently announced by the Government promised an element of competitive sport.

The next step: secondary schools It’s vital for you to start thinking about secondary schools before your child enters Year 6. So, you need to look up OFSTED reports, find out about schools near you and speak to local parents.

There may be all sorts of application criteria which you need to address a year or so ahead (for faith schools, for example), and if you’re choosing a school which selects its pupils in some way (either academically or in a particular area such as music) you might want to think about hiring a tutor. You should plan to go on Open Days when your child is in Year 5 (or earlier if you’re very keen!).

Don’t choose a school on the basis of your child’s friendships (or yours for that matter).

They will make new friends, and you need to make sure this is the right school for their personality and abilities, not anyone else’s.

Take advantage of parents’ evenings to find out how your child is doing. Many teachers don’t give very specific information, so you may need to press them. There’s no point entering your child for a selective school if they are not going to get in, or manage the work once they are there.

Sarah Ebner is the author of The Starting School Survival Guide: everything you need to know when your child starts primary school, published by White Ladder and available from bookshops and www.amazon.co.uk

Not ready for school?

New research shows that thousands of children are ‘not ready for school’ by the time they reach the age of five. In fact, up to 50% of five-yearolds are not ready for school and as a consequence they are unable to learn properly when they start.

Sally Goddard Blythe, a child development expert and director of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology in Chester, claims that children are failing to develop vital physical and communication skills after being denied interaction with their parents during their early years, as many parents are not engaging them in games, rhymes, music and books. “It’s alarming the proportion of children with immature motor skills when they start school, regardless of intelligence,” says Sally Goddard Blythe, who has released a new book, The Genius of Natural Childhood.

“A significant percentage of children have problems they don't need to have. They seem to have missed out on early stages of development.” She believes that much of the reason for this is parents using electronic toys to keep toddlers occupied, rather than interacting with them in a more traditional manner, and that this can affect a child’s development even to the point of the child being wrongly thought to have behavioural problems. “Parents are tired and stressed and you can understand the temptation to put a fretful child in front of the TV or give them an electronic game to keep them quiet for two hours. But what that means is that the baby isn’t socially interacting, listening and learning to take turns when it comes to communicating.” She added: “If they have immature motor skills, it will affect their ability to sit still, pay attention, hold a pencil and even grip a knife and fork properly.” Recently there has also been an Ofsted report that found an increasing number of children are being diagnosed as having special needs.

Back to school Moving to Secondary School Easily It’s that time of year when children move onto secondary schools.

Perhaps your child is one of them.

This is a time of great change for a child and for the family as a whole as this transition is a time of growth, learning and independence. Children naturally have mixed feelings about this change.

“I was scared that I might not make any friends and that I'd get bullied, though I was excited too because it was such a big step in my life.” Chris aged 11 Children worry about getting lost, as the school is much bigger and looks like a maze of endless corridors with thousands of people, or they worry about not fitting in, or having the mickey taken out of them if they don’t like sport, or football. They worry about their physical appearance, their spelling, their journey – the list is endless.

Try asking your child these 3 questions: • What is the best thing about your new school?

• What will you miss most about your old school?

• What is the scariest thing about your new school?

Talking through issues and concerns with your child builds their confidence and gives them support in coping with the practical and emotional worries they may be experiencing.

Many larger schools have their own websites, and many of the questions that come up can be found on them. You can find out about school trips, sports fixtures, homework expectations, and the choice of clubs on offer, which can all help alleviate the uncertainty. As moving schools can be a stressful time, don’t be surprised if your child loses their temper or gets irritable more often. They may start to argue with you over trivial things like their school uniform, packed lunch or pencil case. Remember to keep your mind on the bigger picture of supporting your child through these changes and be patient with them. As parents it’s important to see this experience as something positive – if you are upbeat, so are your children. Remember Positive Parents = Confident Kids!

By Sue Atkins Top Tips for Kids 1. Make sure you are organised – then life for everyone is much easier.

2. Never be afraid to ask for help, or talk to someone you trust, like your mum or dad, or tutor.

3. Always make the first effort to make new friends – it helps you move through change easier, as everyone is in the same boat.

4. First impressions last a long time, so make sure yours are good ones - for organisation, presentation, and behaviour! This is your chance to make a fresh start – embrace it and make the most of all the new opportunities. Try out clubs and activities. You will make new friends.

Feel the fear – and do it anyway!

5. Make notes and write down anything you need to remember.

6. Behave in a way that won’t get you noticed too quickly.

7. Find out the layout of the school, and learn where your classrooms are (and the toilets!).

8. Find out your time table, and remember it! Find out what time you need to be at school, and what time you need to go home!

9. Find out what uniform you need, and what to bring in or wear for sport.

10. And finally... find out where the drinks and sweet machines are (get your priorities right!)

Remember, secondary school isn’t a ‘wild jungle’, more like a ‘human zoo’, with lots of interesting animals. The zoo keepers are there to help you – not just to contain you.

Sue Atkins is a Parenting Expert who offers practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, well behaved children.

She is also the author of “Raising Happy Children for Dummies” one in the black and yellow series published worldwide and the highly acclaimed Parenting Made Easy CDs. She regularly appears on BBC Breakfast and The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and her parenting articles are published all over the world.

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Back to school Independent School Focus Why is St James the Ideal School for your Child?

There are many unique aspects to St James Independent School. It is a school where the children really enjoy their learning – they love to go to school! This is greatly helped by the outstanding teacher to pupil ratio – every child receives the attention they deserve in a caring family atmosphere.

Not only does this enable pupils to aspire to their highest academic potential, it also fills them with confidence, cheerfulness and enthusiasm. Their leavers have achieved a 100% placement in the secondary schools of their choice, including MGS, Withington and Alderley Edge School for Girls.

They provide an environment where each child: • Delights in the love of learning • Grows in confidence and well-being • Grows in awareness and thoughtfulness • Develops talents and overcomes limits • Values friendships and respects others • Is happy and contented Their recent OFSTED inspection report highlighted their “outstanding provision for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and welfare” of the children.

The best way to appreciate the amazing education they have to offer is to go and see the school. You are welcome to visit at any time. www.stjamesschool.org.uk

Outstanding New Facilities for an Outstanding School

July 2011 saw the official opening of Hesketh House, Bolton School’s new state-of-the-art £5m Junior Girls’ School. Over the past year, pupils have brought this wonderful new facility to life, enjoying their subject specific classrooms dedicated to the pursuit of art and design, to science and ICT, and their new library.

The new build, set in the heart of the 32 acre campus, follows on from the recent £1.5m refurbishment of the Junior

Boys’ School and the building of a brand new co-educational Infant School (ages 4-7). Building work will begin on a stunning new Sixth Form Centre in 2012.

The new facilities complement the School’s outstanding educational offer – in 2010, the Nursery and Infant School received the rare commendation from the ISI Inspectorate of being outstanding on every level in their Early Years Foundation Stage provision. Each year boys and girls achieve outstanding exam results. In January the new ranking of schools by pupils’ performance in traditional GCSE subjects, made the Girls’ Division the top school in the North and 23rd best in the country.

Bolton School is an all-through school and most Junior School pupils progress through to the Senior Schools. Upon leaving the school, students attend the top universities, enjoy high flying careers and make a difference in the world. www.boltonschool.org

Northern Independent Schools Show For parents who believe that choosing the right education is one of the most important decisions they’ll ever make about their children’s future, the Northern Independent Schools Show is the place to be.

Some of the most prestigious schools in the country will be showcasing the best of British education at the exhibition on Friday 14 October and Saturday 15 October at Cheshire’s Thornton Manor.

Among them will be Cheadle Hulme School, Terra Nova School, Chester’s Abbey Gate College and Abbey College Manchester. And for families keen to explore the option of boarding, major schools such as Stonyhurst, Casterton, Rydal Penrhos in North Wales and York’s Queen Ethelburga’s College will be showing how modern day boarding schools are exciting, busy and challenging places that exist to complement family life – not to replace it.

There will be advice too on school fees planning and admission appeals.

Show organiser Sue McCann said: “The event will bring together the largest collection of independent school heads and senior staff under

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one roof for the first time in this part of the country to share their knowledge and expertise with visiting parents.”

Family admission to the Northern Independent Schools Show is free with online booking.

To get tickets, view exhibiting schools and the timetable for keynote speakers, go to www.northernschoolsshow.co.uk Make a day of it AFTER your visit to the show, why not complete your day out and enjoy the benefits of a special 10% discount shopping card for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Village, only 15 minutes’ drive time away from the show.

Or – take a peek behind the doors of Thornton Manor when you visit the show.

It’s a unique opportunity to see the former home of William Lever, probably the country’s greatest visionary, entrepreneur and industrialist who founded the soap empire and became the first Viscount Leverhulme, as the Grade II listed building is not normally open to the public.

A free guided tour of the house will include the manor’s fabulously ornate music room and Lord Leverhulme’s famous outdoor bedroom. To book a tour place on Friday, October 14, please email info@suemccann.co.uk

Withington Girls School – one of the best value for money schools in the country

Withington Girls’ School has placed 92 per cent of its Sixth Form pupils in Britain’s leading universities over the last three years – significantly more than any other school in the north of England and second in the entire country by a margin of less than one per cent – according to new research by the Sutton Trust.

The success comes in the wake of a Financial Times report naming Withington as not only the top performing school in the North but also one of the best value for money schools in the country.

But Withington pupils don’t just scale outstanding academic peaks: the school’s World Challenge team climbed Mt Kilimanjaro during the summer – just one of many exciting extracurricular opportunities. These range from music, sport and drama to Model United Nations and Young Enterprise – all relished by happy and engaged girls imbued with a sense of purpose and a belief that they can succeed in whatever they choose to do in life.

The School’s relatively small size affords all the girls personal attention throughout and the single site enables Junior girls to be taught by Senior School specialist staff across the sciences, modern languages, music and PE, ensuring all-round educational development starts at an early stage. www.withington.manchester.sch.uk

Back to school

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Back to school My Jolly Phonics Jolly Learning, publisher of the Jolly Phonics resources for school and home have recently released the ‘My Jolly Phonics Home Kit’, a fantastic collection of fun, multisensory resources to help parents support their child in learning to read and write at home. The extensive set of materials is easy to use and is particularly useful for children at the early stages of reading and writing (age 3+).

The kit contains 7 activity books, a DVD, a games CD, an audio CD of songs with a song book, Jolly Stories book, letter and sound poster and coloured pencils.

All of this comes in a bright canvas case that is attractive and easy to carry.

We tested the kit out on Lily, age 5, and Izzy, age 3…

The CD was a real pleaser and was played over and over on car journeys. Lily knew all the songs from school already so

Labels4kids - for cash it kept them fresh in her mind over the Summer and she was able to teach them to Izzy who was soon singing along.

The activity books contained a good variety of things to do. The arrows demonstrating the direction of the pen strokes to make the letters was really helpful to Lily at her level, where the join the dots approach of writing suited Izzy so they could both have a go. The sticker activities really held Izzy’s attention where Lily preferred pages where you had to read words and match pictures.

Jolly Stories was a lovely book for the girls to enjoy together. This is a really tough hard back book with card pages so it can cope with the hands of a three year old! Simple stories follow the antics of the Phonics characters Inky, Snake and Bee as Inky the Mouse goes in search of each letter/sound. The book is interactive with plenty of chances for the children to look at how words break down into sounds.

The DVD backs up the Stories book but the girls preferred the book as they could get more involved and it held their attention longer.

The CD of games was popular with Lily as she already had some PC skills and reading experience but Izzy struggled here.

This is a fantastic resource to have at home. Ideal for supporting children in their early school education by backing up classroom work and great for getting them familiar with the phonics concept to prepare them for starting school. www.jollylearning.co.uk

Children’s labelling company Labels4Kids are recruiting sales agents. In exchange for a small start-up cost, readers who refer friends and family to the company’s website can earn money back in commission.

You get to show and explain products you like to others who may also benefit from their use, and make some money too.

Over the years Labels4Kids has been entered in and won numerous high profile awards, including Online Retailer of the Year in 2010.

As well as ordering kits through the website, customers can read blogs on numerous topics on the latest educational and parents related issues. There is also a Labels4Kids Facebook page where discounts, offers and news are posted.

For orders, go to www.labels4kids.com/fam.

To ask about becoming an agent, email sales@labels4kids.com

Checking out your school By Elisabeth Dolton Make sure you have chosen the right school for your child, with these simple ways to monitor the progress of the school and your child.

So you’ve been through the dilemma of choosing the school, the application was accepted, your child’s place allocated, uniform bought and named, and they are now settling into their new school. Your job is done... or maybe not. Now it’s time to start thinking about how to monitor your child and the school’s progress. Are the teachers doing their best for your child? Did you choose the right school? But how do we keep an eye on things, simply and easily, without needing to join the PTA? Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you as parent will make for your child, therefore getting a clear and accurate sense of day-to-day life at the school is imperative.

Unfortunately, it’s often easier to get information about a car or household appliance than a school, so an easy first step is to look at published information, readily available about every school.

Once a year, look at these figures for your school, and see what’s changed. If an area has worsened, ask your child’s teacher why, and what is being done about it? Your aim here is to check that the school is aware of these issues, and has good steps to tackle them. Seek evidence that what is planned is being put into place, and, more importantly,

that these actions are making a difference to the education of the pupils.

However, school is not just about learning and passing exams. There are a whole range of good things about being at school – like building a good group of friends, exploring new activities, learning to get on with people of all backgrounds and going on school trips, so it is important to monitor other factors. The ethos and culture of a school will tell you a lot about what it is trying to achieve. Consider the learning environment - do they post artwork on the walls, have carpet in the classrooms, provide easy access to books? Check out the school’s own development and performance targets.

These are all good indicators on how the school is progressing.

Of course the best way to check that the school is right for your child is to ask the people who work there. Regular meetings with teachers are an effective way to monitor your child’s progress.

Ask for information on your child’s performance, results and overall observations. Take a morning off work, once a year, and attend a class if that is possible. Check out pupils’ behaviour and how is it dealt with. Book a short appointment with the Head teacher.

S/he is the person most responsible for the quality of the teaching, the atmosphere, and whether your child will be looking forward to going to that

10 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

building every day. Ask them what the school’s strengths and weaknesses are, the school’s priorities this year, and ask yourself: “Would I hire this person to work in my office?” This will give you a sense of whether or not the school is delivering its best for your child.

Finally, the most important thing to ask is “does my son/daughter appear to be content at school?” If the answer is yes, then they are likely to be learning which is pretty good. Ask them about their day – what did you do in Maths today? Be specific in what you ask them and vary your topic, PE the next time, English the next. Ask your children to show you their school work, check out their marks and teacher comments. You will be able to gauge a lot about what level they are at. Ask teachers to show you examples of successful work, compare it to your child’s work, and listen to their comments about where your child can improve. If necessary, make a plan with the teacher on how you can work together to help those improvements.

As a parent, you play an important role in your child’s academic achievement. Taking steps to monitor the school and track progress helps you know the school is the right one for your child, and helps your child get the best out of this amazing time.

Off the shelf reports – Inspection of schools The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulate and inspect all local authority schools and independent schools that are not members of the Associations of the Independent Schools Council.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and School Inspection Service (SIS) inspect schools who are members of the Associations of the Independent Schools Council.

The Bridge Schools Inspectorate inspects schools belonging to the Christian Schools’ Trust and the Association of Muslim Schools throughout England. All publish their reports on their websites.

Relevant websites www.ofsted.gov.uk www.schoolinspectionservice.co.uk www.ISI.net www.bridgeschoolsinspectorate.co.uk

Back to school Choosing a Secondary School Junior School Open Events If your child is starting out in year 5 or 6, now’s the time to fully investigate your secondary school options. Take advantage of the planned School Open Events in your area: School MANCHESTER Bridgewater School Cedar Mount High School Chorlton High School Hulme Hall Grammar School Levenshulme High School Loreto High School Oldham Hulme Grammar Schools Manchester High School for Girls Manchester Islamic High School for Girls North Cestrian Grammar School Our Lady’s RC High School St Bedes College St Peter’s RC High School Stockport Grammar The Barlow RC High School and Specialist Science College The Manchester Grammar School Trinity C of E High School William Hulme’s Grammar School Withington Girls’ School Wright Robinson Sports College BOLTON Bolton School Bolton St Catherine’s Academy Ladybridge High School Mount St Joseph Business and Enterprise College Smithills School Turton High School Media Arts College BURY Broadoak High School Bury Church of England High School Castlebrook High School Elms Bank Specialist Arts College Parrenthorn High School Philips High School Prestwich Arts College Tottington High School The Bury Grammar School – Boys The Bury Grammar School – Girls The Derby High School The Elton High School Woodhey High School ROCHDALE Beech House School Cardinal Langley RC High School Falinge Park High School Hollingworth Business & Enterprise College Holy Family RC & CE College Kingsway Park High School Matthew Moss High School Middleton Technology School Oulder Hill Community School & Language College Siddal Moor Sports College St Anne’s Academy St Cuthbert’s RC Business & Enterprise College Wardle High School & Performing Arts College

Open Event 5 November 13 September 28 September 8 October 20, 22, 24 September 6 October 8 October 11 October, 5 & 18 November 19 November 9 November 29 September 10 September, 6 October 21 September 13 October, 19 November 5 October 24, 26 September 12, 19, 26 , 29 September 3 October 29 September 10, 12 November 15 September 15 October 6 October 20 September 29 September 30 September 20, 21, 22 September

Manchester is home to some excellent state and independent junior schools.

While Open Event information for some schools in our area was not available at the time of going to press, most are more than happy to show you around at a time convenient for both parties. Simply contact the school to make an appointment.

School MANCHESTER Bridgewater School Hulme Hall Grammar School Oldham Hulme Grammar Schools Manchester High School for Girls – Preparatory Moor Allerton Preparatory School St Bedes Preparatory School St James Independent School Stockport Grammar The Manchester Grammar School William Hulme’s Grammar School Withington Girls’ School BOLTON Bolton School BURY Bury Catholic Preparatory School The Bury Grammar School – Boys The Bury Grammar School – Girls ROCHDALE Beech House School – Upper Preparatory Beech House School – Lower Preparatory

Open Event 5 November 8 October 8 October 5, 18 November 6 October 10 September, 5 November 11 October, 10 November 19 November 24, 26 September 29 September 10, 12 November 15 October 20 October 8 October 9 October 10 October 11 October

Please call the schools to confirm times or for more information.

Zoobookoo back to school “must haves”

20 September 6,7 October 19, 20, 21,22 September 12 October 29, 30 September 5,6 October 27, 28 September 22, 23 September 8 October 7, 9 October 29, 30 September 27, 28 September 4 October 10 October 29 September 3 October 5 October 6 October 6 October 5 October 6 October 14 September 22 September 20 September 21 September 29 September

Please call the schools to confirm times or for further information. Most schools will be happy to show you around individually should you not be able to attend the planned events.

Why not give all those excited 5 year olds a helping hand as they gear up to start school?

Try the Reception Words Write & Spell Book from ZooBooKoo. This is an 8 page, write and wipe booklet with a sturdy backing to lean on and a dry wipe pen. The book contains over 50 high frequency words which form the target learning aims for all our little newcomers.

With a simple cursive writing style, the child can firstly follow the dots twice and then try to write on their own.

Ask any ‘Tiger Mum’, practice and repetition are the keys to success. With

the Receptions Words booklet the children can practise time and time again, perfecting their spelling and their cursive handwriting. Being the perfect A5 handbag size, they are great on the go, too.

There is also a Year 1 & 2 Write & Spell Book with the next 50 high frequency words. Let’s develop some good habits in our stars of the future.

Retailing at around £6.50 each these products are available from good toy, book and gift stores and online from www.zoobookoo.com or www.amazon.co.uk

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 11

Parents’ place Mums in business

What does the future hold for the business? In September I am launching another location at the Y-Club in Castlefield and am attending the Baby Show at Manchester Central which I’m really excited about. I’m currently recruiting and looking forward to having a ‘team’ very soon. Longer term the plan is to grow the business across Manchester, Oldham, Stockport and South Huddersfield and to roll out Puddle Ducks’ ‘Swim Academy’ for school age children.

What is the best bit about what you do?

There’s something really special about helping parents understand how they can help their children to learn to swim and be safe in and around water. It’s wonderful to see both parents and little ones grow in confidence as the term progresses. I get to do this and spend lots of time with my kids which is fantastic.

Any bad bits? It is difficult to close the door on the office and leave the iPhone alone in

the evening! However, working in the evening sometimes is a small price to pay for the extra time I have with the children during the day.

How do you fit work around family life?

I work school hours a couple of days a week and have a few days where I have a whole day teaching or doing admin. Luckily I have great support from my husband and family which helps enormously.

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

Find an idea you absolutely love (your own or a franchise) as running your own business is hard work but if you love it, you won’t notice how much work you are actually doing.

How to Find a Flexible Job

Yummy Cookery Club

It's the Holy Grail for many working mums, particularly in the current climate: how to find a good flexible job which uses your experience and skills. Since many organisations don't advertise flexible jobs, except part-time ones, it can be difficult to know where to start looking.

There are organisations, such as Workingmums.co.uk, which specialise in advertising family friendly jobs so it is definitely worth registering with them. A large percentage of job vacancies are not formally advertised.

It is also worth networking as widely as you can. This is important even when you are in a job. Use social networking and don't forget your personal network of friends, colleagues, ex-colleagues and acquaintances to find out about any possible vacancies.

If you spot a good job that is advertised as full time it may still be worth applying and asking whether the employer will consider some form of flexibility. Legally, you don't have the right to request flexible working until after you have been in a job for six

Manchester mum Kathryn Stanley has recently launched The Yummy Cookery Club – a FREE online resource aimed at both competent cooks and those wanting to learn. The emphasis is on making cooking fun.

Her recipes are designed to be easy but still look impressive – like you've been slaving all day in the kitchen!

What started out in response to friends asking Kathryn for her delicious recipes has now grown to around 250 members!

Each recipe has notes at the bottom on how to adapt it for families, with particular emphasis on babies, toddlers and weaning – inspired by her own daughter, Hannah aged 2.

It’s a quick and easy sign up process to join and then you’re sent a free 3 course dinner party menu followed by a recipe each week to try out. You can then comment on how you got on with the recipes and see other

members’ ideas. You’re also encouraged to detail any changes you made and how these worked.

Members have access to all the back catalogue of recipes and everything else on the site. There’s also a facility for non-members to see a selection of sample recipes.

Recipes are written in an easy to read style, in simple steps with photos included at each stage. They are suitable for both family food and for relaxed entertaining. The idea is to build up a bank of stock recipes which members will make on a regular basis. Members are also encouraged to send in their own recipes and photos.

There are many pages of General Information, focusing on measurements, ovens, ingredients and equipment. There is also an ‘In a Pickle?’ page, which allows members to send in their culinary queries to be answered by Kathryn.

For more information or to sign up, go to www.theyummycookeryclub.com

Suzanne Horton Puddle Ducks

Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m married to Gary and we have two children Caitlin (5) and Luan (2) and we are also lucky to have Gary’s son Cameron who is 15. After an 11 year career in the law I now run Puddle Ducks Greater Manchester.

What is your business? Puddle Ducks is a national baby, toddler and pre-school swimming franchise business. I own the Greater Manchester franchise area. We teach

children to swim from birth to 5 years old in small, friendly classes using fun activities, songs and games within an excellent programme which is designed to teach children to swim independently at an early age.

How did you get started? I was looking for a career change so that I could spend more time with my family and have more flexibility and independence. I had been thinking about running my own business and was looking at franchise businesses as a good option. One evening I came across Puddle Ducks and thought it sounded fantastic, I have always been a keen swimmer and immediately loved the concept. I called the franchisors and luckily the Greater Manchester area was available. After completing the intensive Puddle Ducks training course and gaining some hands on teaching experience I launched at the beginning of July with 3 locations in the Manchester area.

months, but if the organisation wants you, you will have more leeway.

The six million dollar question is when to bring up the issue at interview.

There are many different opinions and every job situation is different so there are no hard and fast rules. Feel your way, but don't make it the first thing you talk about. You could try asking general questions at the end of the interview about the organisation's flexible work policy. You should research this before you apply in any event and ask contacts for the inside view on whether the organisation really backs flexible working or just does so on paper.

The good news is that a growing number of employers are coming around to the positives of flexible working for both employers and employees.

For the lowdown on all things flexible working, visit Workingmums.co.uk LIVE event on 8th November 2011 at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester. Register for free entry today at www.workingmumslive.co.uk/ Manchester

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

Start Your Own Home-Based Business

By Nick Dawes ISBN: 9781905367306 RRP: £12.99 Having recently been involved in setting up a new business I was interested in reading this book to see if I had done things correctly! From the start I could see that the author had broken the book up into easy to read sections that covers everything you need to know about running a business at home. It also includes some very useful examples and checklist which could help with decision making. While I found the chapter on business plans and financial forecasts insightful I did feel that the sections about computers, phones & faxes were very dated.

Overall this book offers very good advice about starting your own home-based business, even though at times it did become a little patronising. If you are in a position of starting out on your own, I wish you lots of luck with your future business adventures.

Reviewed by Annabel Beattie

12 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

If you want to find out more about Puddle Ducks classes in Greater Manchester call 07411 944566 or go to www.puddleducks.com

Parents’ place Mothers’ guilt Nothing prepares you for first time motherhood does it? There is a life BC (before child/children), and an utterly different kind of existence afterwards; one where you are never top priority anymore, where your life revolves around others’ scheduled needs: nap times, school times, meal times, milk times, bath times, bed times. Yes, you are now in service to the next generation.

For the rest of your life, you will probably find something about your children to worry about, no matter what age they are. The word ‘mother’, it has been said, is not just a noun. It is a verb.

Fake it till you make it There is this crazy assumption that when motherhood hits, we will somehow, intuitively know what to do; it will all just flow naturally. The reality, I think, goes more like this: we hit the ground running, muddle through and do the best we can. And it is, as they say, just one thing after another. Once we have the routine and sleeping through the night thing nailed, then we have the joys of encouraging them to eat healthily, along with the Herculean challenges of boundary setting.

After the umpteenth request to ‘please, do NOT leave your rollerskates at the bottom of the

stairs,’ or ‘no, it is not OK to chew on your baby brother’s ear,’ is it any wonder we start sounding like our own frustrated parents when we yell: ‘If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times... Why don’t you LISTEN??’ Or the classic one that makes me shudder when I imagine my neighbours overhearing it: ‘JUST PUT YOUR F***ING SHOES ON!’ Ooops. Swearing at child. Guilty as charged Your Honour. But can I claim mitigating circumstances? My son practices selective deafness, I was stressed out and we were horribly, horribly late.

Sigh. There goes another few quid in the ‘therapy for when he is older’ box.

Angels in training Mothers aren’t supposed to shout or be cross or tear their hair out or cry and scream with frustration, are we? Especially not in supermarkets. We’re supposed to be sweet and kind and giving and patient and perfect with angelic supplies of unconditional love.

We’re not supposed to park them in front of CBeebies for the morning and go back to bed nursing a hangover. No. We must provide educational activities, bake cakes, rustle up fancy dress costumes out of remnants in the recycling box, present a clean and tidy house, organise schooling, lay proper meals on the table and, often, hold down a job and even a marriage too. But we can’t and we don’t.

And we feel guilty about it.

The best advice I ever heard about mothering went something like this: ‘Look, you have to accept that you are going to get it wrong. You are going to make mistakes.

Everyone does. It is the only way you learn.

So the best thing you can do is just resolve to love your children as much as you possibly can.’ My rules are that I always apologise for my appalling behaviour and then tell my son I love him. Our biggest mothering mistake really, is believing we shouldn’t be making any.

In have a little sign in my kitchen that reads: ‘mothers are angels in training’. Feeling guilty is how we punish ourselves for not reaching impossibly high standards. I don’t know any mother who thinks she ticks all the ‘perfect mother’ boxes. And you know what?

Maybe we are right. Maybe, we weren’t even designed to meet every single one of our children’s needs.

Tribal Heart There is an African saying that goes: ‘It takes a whole village to raise a baby.’ In her book ‘The Spirit of Intimacy’, Sobonfu Some, a woman from the Dagara tribe of West Africa, says that it is also true that it takes a whole village to keep parents sane. In fact, it was not until she was nearly six years old that she understood that she came out of one particular woman’s womb, that she did not biologically ‘belong’ to all of the women in her village who breastfed and cared for her.

We would do well to remember that one-to-one parenting is a pretty recent evolution in our species. Back in the day there would be aunties, sisters, cousins, neighbours and grandmothers all on hand for mass childcare duties. Sobonfu insists that if a child has a problem that their parents can’t sort out, he or she needs to have other adults to turn to. If nothing else, there is a much better chance the child will actually listen to sage advice. Let’s face it: children just don’t like having to listen to their parents.

(I mean, did you? I certainly didn’t. Dammit, of course my son doesn’t want to listen to me!)

Hang up your halo ‘Motherhood,’ Oprah once said, ‘is the hardest job in the world. Women everywhere must declare it so.’ In my opinion, it is also the most undervalued, the most rewarding and the most important job in the world too. Hey, we’re at the coalface of building the foundations – the veritable bedrock – of society here. Let’s hang up our halos and, through example, teach our children that we are all on a lifelong learning curve, that we are all lovable despite our imperfections.

That, in itself, is a great education.

Abi Foss is a hypnotherapist who writes about all things holistic and spiritual. See: www.abifoss.co.uk

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 13

Parents’ place

Design Directions offers a one room to whole property scheme. We can be involved at a variety of levels - creating sample boards, drawing-up furniture layouts, sourcing all the products and tradesmen - all within your budget. Leaving you with the tools you need to turn your dream into reality.

JJenni Jen en Nolan 0788 0788 7 795875 07880 No12 152 Barlowmoor Road 1552 Ba B West Didsbury Manchester M20 2UT

www.designingmyspace.co.uk

14 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Clubs & classes With the constant wail that schools focus on teaching children to pass tests, adding out of school activities gives your child a chance to shine and have fun outside the classroom. Hobbies lead to new friends, they reveal hidden talents and develop skills that could become a real advantage one day.

By Robina Cowen

Everyone is good at something, and finding it is a huge confidence booster.

Just because you drop the ball in PE doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be great at swimming or dancing; the child who isn’t interested in the bright lights can still shine in an arts class or on the sports field.

There really is plenty of variety to choose from, as we’ve been finding out. Try our advertisers - they're here because they want you to know about them and will be happy to answer any questions you might have. For more information all year round, children's activities are also listed on our website www.familiesmanchester.co.uk Music Music gives amazing educational and developmental benefits. From just three months, babies actively enjoy music groups, and as soon as they can shake a rattle, they can join in too. Belting out a song teaches rhythm and helps develop speech.

Those hand actions you do when you

Practical Considerations While it might seem tempting to guide your child to musical, sporting and artistic genius outside the classroom, they need time for just ‘chilling’ too. Liz Baker is a parent, and also a school teacher. In her view: “there is no point in enrolling in every class going. Don’t assume your child will get an academic head start. They will only benefit academically when they are ready, and not before. Remember children get exhausted too - give them time to themselves. Children should choose and be given a taste of each activity before deciding if he or she wants to commit to it long-term - there’s no gain in putting your child under pressure.”

Think ahead. You may need to put your child’s name on a waiting list, particularly for more popular classes.

Stay local. Walking distance is best, otherwise getting there and back becomes another chore.

sing nursery rhymes? They boost spatial reasoning, which will later be useful in maths and science. Playing an instrument is great for dexterity and co-ordination. It teaches teamwork and responsibility, and improves concentration and memory. At six or seven, children might start with a recorder, keyboard or violin. From eight, guitar is an option. Brass and wind instruments are best left to older children, when children can join their school band or orchestra.

Languages With over 60 different languages now spoken in schools across the UK, we are bringing up our children in a truly multicultural society.

Experts agree that the earlier a child starts learning other languages, the better. Children are extremely receptive to new ideas and information, especially when they’re having fun.

Preschool language classes build confidence and familiarity on an instinctive level, typically through songs, dances and simple games. School age children should be more aware of grammar and syntax, and supplementing school lessons with a language club will pay dividends boosting their confidence, vocabulary and appreciation of different cultures.

Active Bodies Regular exercise is hugely beneficial to long term health and fitness. It’s easy to see the value of activities that help children burn off some energy at the end of the school day, or build skills in sports which they already

Great staff. The best leaders are enthusiastic, skilled, trained, and have eyes in the back of their heads to spot children who need a little more encouragement, particularly when they are new and might feel shy.

Additional costs. Will you need specialist clothes or equipment? Does the club offer these second-hand? Is there an annual subscription or insurance charge?

How much are exam fees?

Look-see. Many clubs offer a free trial class, especially if they run on a term basis. If that’s not possible, ask to pay weekly for the first two sessions.

Give it time. Some children are prone to dropping out. Unless you think they are completely and utterly unsuited to the activity, or really, really hate it, stick it out for at least a couple of terms.

enjoy at school. Even the tiniest children can benefit from the social side of playing team games, or the fun element of learning ‘solo’ sport like trampolining, tennis or diving.

When children are engaged, they pay more attention - 61% of young people claim to be better behaved in PE than other lessons, in most cases simply because they enjoy it more. This is particularly true amongst boys, and children who admit to misbehaving at school - of whom 73% claim to be better behaved in PE lessons.

Theatre arts “I like acting and pretending to be someone else and learning songs and dances with my friends,” says five-year-old William, who has attended a children’s performing arts club for nearly a year. For boosting the confidence of shy or reserved children, drama can’t be beaten. And the skills that a child learns through performing arts classes will stand them in good stead throughout their lives - twenty years down the line, they’ll thank you when it comes to addressing a meeting room or chairing a conference.

Performing arts classes are not only for children with starry aspirations. Theatre arts bring literature to life, and build selfconfidence. Learning to perform in front of an audience can help children with public speaking; role playing and improvisation give their minds freedom to develop while developing empathy for other people’s feelings.

Arts and Crafts Children love to get messy, and the chance to create their own piece of art is something special. Even the smallest child loves the

sensation of clay between fingers, or the thrill of splodging finger paints on paper.

Expressing themselves through the arts - whether through painting, drawing, story writing or making ‘junk models’ - gives children the freedom to unleash their creativity and push boundaries.

By providing a balance and a creative outlet, art skills complement and assist literacy and numeracy skills in the classroom.

If you’re not artistically inclined yourself, or never have the time to sit down and help your child create a wonderful cushion, collage or clay model, why not leave it to the experts?

School support Parents choose out of school academic subjects for their children for a host of reasons - perhaps your little one excels in maths and you want to give them more challenging and stimulating tuition - or maybe you simply want to supplement what is being taught at school by introducing the skills needed for independent study and fluency in the subject. Whatever your reason, group or individual tuition can make a huge difference to your child’s progress and greatly enhance their school-based studies.

More and more parents, particularly in London, are hiring private tutors to give their child the edge when it comes to achieving in class, or practicing and preparing for exams.

If your child is bringing home good school reports and is happy and settled, there’s no need; however there’s no longer any stigma in finding extra help if you want to, and the best classes are fun as well as educational.

Five benefits of extra curricular activities 1. Curriculum boosting After-school activities and clubs are a great way to complement and extend what children have precious little time for at school, especially art, music and languages.

2. Socialising Claire, mother of four under 10 year-olds, believes it is important for children to make new friends outside school: “It really helps them stand on their own and develop their confidence. There isn’t that pecking order thing that you have in the playground. It’s a chance to break out of whatever mould you’ve been cast in.”

3. After-school care When both parents work, after-school activities on

school premises can be incredibly valuable. Most schools offer a mix of teacher-run and externally-organised clubs after school, and even at weekends.

4. A sense of achievement Amanda says: “Kitty, 8, has just reached purple belt and she has been made karate captain. She’s very proud, it’s tremendously good for her.”

5. For all the family When Patrick started tennis lessons, his parents were inspired to get active too. Mum Maria has joined a tennis club for adult group coaching, and Dad Mike cycles to and from Patrick’s lessons with him.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 15

Clubs & classes Local Clubs and Classes news New Theatre Tots classes Theatre Tots is run by actress and mum of two, Natalie Blades, who is passionate about providing young children with the opportunity to stretch their imagination and develop their personality through play.

Theatre Tots classes build confidence, boost creativity, inspire imagination & encourage development of social & communication skills. All of this is done through fun sessions filled with drama, stories, songs, music, movement and puppets.

The sessions compliment all key areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and really help the 0-5’s flourish.

New classes due to open for the September term are: Mondays at Rough n Tumble, Marple (10:00am), Tuesdays at Harpers Studios, Hazel Grove (9:30am), Tuesdays at Funizuz, Cheadle (11:00am). Or why not organise your own private class with ‘Theatre Tots At Home’ sessions. No living room too small!

To book your place today call Natalie 07825 370214 / natalie@theatretots.com / www.theatretots.com

Puddleducks grows by popular demand Puddle Ducks Greater Manchester is delighted to be expanding its programme of baby, toddler and pre-school swimming classes in Greater Manchester.

Additional classes start in September at Y Club, Castlefield on Sundays and at Momentum Leisure, Wilmslow Park, on Saturday mornings. If you would like to find out more about these classes and other locations throughout the Greater Manchester area please contact Suzanne on 07411 944566 or go to www.puddleducks.com

Tennis Tykes for under 5s smashes government targets on physical activity and early learning goals

The government has recently launched new guidelines for under 5s advising at least 3 hours of physical activity a day and this advice comes amid growing concern about levels of childhood obesity and new research linking a lack of physical activity with poor brain development and social interaction.

The good news, is that even over the winter months when it’s harder for children to get outside and participate in active play, Tennis Tykes is providing lots of opportunities locally for children. This indoor educational tennis skills and play programme for the 2-5 year old age group follows the government’s Early Years Foundation

Stage and the little tykes all easily exceed the physical learning goals as they exhibit great balance, movement control and coordination and the ability to handle and operate the tennis equipment well.

Tennis Tykes has been running full and successful classes in Bramhall, Didsbury, Knutsford and Wilmslow since May and due to demand is now extending the times of those classes and also adding Hale/Bowdon classes on a Wednesday afternoon. William’s Mum is just one of the many happy customers, “We have been really impressed by how William’s tennis skills have developed since starting the classes and each week he can’t wait for the next class to take place. I only wish we had Tennis Tykes classes when I was his age!”

For further information on Tennis Tykes please call Caroline Buncall on 07843 342662 or log onto www.tennistykes.co.uk

Glo Family Toddler Time

Launched recently at Glo Family in Cheadle is Toddler Time – running each Tuesday from 10am – 12pm and Friday from 2 – 4pm.

This activity session has a different theme each week, and is followed by juice and a biscuit for the little ones and a more general play in the play area. Sessions include “Choose veg for a soup” (where the soup is made by the chef and brought out for the children to try – they do vegetable related crafts while he’s making it) and “Snap Crackle Pop” (the children enjoy crafts, stories and making rice crispie cakes). Sessions are free for members, and cost just £2.50 for non-members. Great fun for the kids – and some relaxing time for mums! Call 0844 800 7380 or visit www.glofamily.com for more information.

Little Kickers Football launches into Cheadle Hulme It has been a hectic couple of years growing classes throughout Manchester and Trafford for Little Kickers but they are very pleased to have finally made it to Stockport’s footie mad youngsters with classes now open in Heaton Moor and Bramhall. From September, they are now able to offer a Sunday morning option for pre-schoolers and their parents.

Little Kickers classes introduce football to boys and girls aged 18 months to seven years. The programme was developed by FA qualified coaches and child health specialists.

Over 15,000 children a week worldwide enjoy the Little Kickers football programme. The

16 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Stockport classes are in addition to the existing classes in Didsbury, Altrincham, Sale, Bowdon and Urmston.

Alex Leete, Director, says: “Our real point of difference and success is that the classes are well structured, age appropriate and once a child is ready to be a Junior Kicker at over 2 years old, they will be doing the classes independently of their parents - in whatever way they choose and often with hilarious consequences. Little Kickers is a unique opportunity within an activity class for preschoolers.”

Little Kickers classes in Stockport run on a Saturday morning at 9.15am-10.am for

Little Kicks (18 months-2 years) and 10.15am-11.00am for Junior Kickers (2 years-3.5 years) and 11.15am-12pm for Mighty Kickers (3.5 years-5 years).

Children can start at any time providing there is a space.

New classes will run at Cheadle Hulme School on a Sunday at 9.30am-10.15 for Little Kicks, 10.30am-11.15am for Junior Kickers and 11.30am-12.15pm for Mighty Kickers.

For further details and to book a course, please telephone 0161 442 5713, email aleete@littlekickers.co.uk or visit www.littlekickers.co.uk

Clubs & classes Bonjour les enfants!

La petite Ecole de Manchester is a new Saturday school opening in Didsbury, specifically aimed at children from French speaking families.

The school caters for children for whom French is spoken regularly at home - typically where at least one of the parents or carers is from a French speaking region.

As French is also widely spoken in North & West Africa, the Middle East and Asia, la petite Ecole offers a truly diverse learning environment. The school is open to children from all such regions, as well as British children who may have spent time living and studying in such parts of the world and wish to maintain and develop their French.

La petite Ecole follows the standard curriculum as studied in schools in France (L’Education nationale).

The objective of the school is learning through play, with children being taught in classes of between 10 and 12 students. There will initially be three classes: les classes maternelles de la moyenne section, grande section et CP. The director of La Petite Ecole, Chadia Smith, decided to open the school so that her daughters could experience a French education, and to offer other families in the region the same.

“Having run Les Grenouilles (French speaking group) in Withington for the last 3 years, I have met many parents who wanted their children to have some exposure to a French curriculum, so I

Let’s get the ball rolling

Sunday school with a difference

Enjoy-a-Ball has gone from strength to strength, with even more new classes to offer this term.

One customer says: “My 4 year old gets so much out of Enjoy-a-Ball. Sam and her assistant Richard run the classes brilliantly! The games in the class are varied and keep the children interested. Most importantly, it is good fun and a fantastic experience for children.”

Classes are held in Bramhall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in Chorlton on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and in Didsbury on Fridays. Go to www.enjoy-aball.com to find your nearest class, or call or email Sam on 07973 886783 / sam.hinckley@enjoy-a-ball.com.

Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

knew there was a demand for such a school. I was surprised that considering the size of the French speaking community in Manchester, there was no such school catering for the children of native speakers. I got fed up of travelling to the French school in Leeds every Saturday, so decided it was time to set-up La petit Ecole de Manchester.

My mother was Belgian and I was French educated. I know how important it is to have solid foundations if my children are to grow up truly bi-lingual.”

La petite Ecole de Manchester opens its doors to new students in September 2011. It is open on Saturday mornings during term time and is based in the Didsbury SureStart centre which is situated in Didsbury Park.

Chadia has previous experience from setting-up and running a French language school when she spent time working in Lebanon, but this project is much closer to her heart.

“For me, La petite Ecole has been borne out of necessity. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage but I’ve already had lots of enquiries about the school from excited parents who are keen to register their children. We’re all looking forward to September.”

Places at La Petite Ecole are strictly limited, and any parent wishing to register their child or to obtain more information should visit www.petiteecolemanchester.com

Sunshine Studios know that young people need something to do at the weekends, and what better way to end the week than at their Hip-hop Sunday school sessions.

The Sunday school course is just £156 for 12 weeks, which is just £13 a week for 4 hours of professional training, with world class choreographers that have danced with stars such as Rihanna and Justin Bieber. Students will also learn valuable knowledge about the dance industry and understand how professionals train to be the best.

This Sunday school course could be exactly what your child needs, to reach their full dancing potential or even just keep occupied, stay fit and make some friends. Whether your child is 6 or 16 they can be taught how to use their natural dance ability and improve their confidence and fitness.

To find out more get in touch: 0161 228 6814 or enquiries@sunshine-studios.co.uk or visit the website www.sunshine-studios.co.uk to find out what other offers and courses they have that may suit you.

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 17

Clubs & classes Local Clubs & Classes Directory ARTS AND CRAFTS Colour You Happy Colourful and creative art workshops for under 5’s. Thursdays (term time) 10am & 11am, The Edge, Chorlton. Saturdays (monthly) 10am & 11am, St Clements Church, Chorlton. £5 per session (book ahead) FREE taster session Thursday 8th September.

Email colouryouhappy@yahoo.co.uk for information or to book a place.

Mucky Pups Bramhall Nikki: 07511 622445 www.mucky-pups.com BABIES Baby Massage Time Learn to massage your baby the IAIM way; baby massage reduces colic, deepens sleep and enhances bonding and it’s a great way to meet other new Mums. Group or 1:1 courses in your own home or venues in and around Cheadle and Poynton. Contact Suzanne 07738 564666 or Suzanne@babymassagetime.com www.babymassagetime.com COOKING Kiddy Cook Kiddy Cook provide unique kids cooking classes and parties exclusively designed for children aged 2 - 11 years to encourage them to learn about “good food” and to explore new flavours in an educational fun way. Classes include nursery & school sessions, holiday clubs, after school clubs, themed weekend classes and weekly pre-school classes.

Contact Mandy Baylis 07411 560011 stockport@kiddycook.co.uk www.kiddycook.co.uk

DANCE Sunshine Studios Sunshine Studios, one of Europe’s leading dance studios, offers a vast range of dance classes and courses from ballet to break dance.

They provide studio space for hire, dance wear, a dance agency and an actors’ guild.

To find out more about the region’s leading dance studio phone 0161 228 6814, email enquiries@sunshine-studios.co.uk or check out the website: www.sunshine-studios.co.uk Lesley Taylor School of Dance Pre-school ballet & tap classes for children age 2-5 at Cheadle Village Hall, Cheadle, SK8 1PQ, Sale Leisure Centre & Lyburn Hall, Brook Close, Timperley, WA15 6RH. Ballet, tap, modern & freestyle for children age 4-18 at Lyburn Hall. Free trials available.

07702 808467/0161 483 1331 lesleytaylor70@hotmail.com, www.lesleytaylor.net DRAMA / PERFORMING ARTS Pyjama Drama

A fun and exciting drama programme for children up to age 7, that develops key social skills such as concentration, co-operation and confidence. Poynton, Bramhall, Cheadle, Alderley Edge and Wilmslow – Alison: 0844 504 5119 Trafford Borough & Didsbury – Emma: 0844 504 5201

Razzamataz Theatre School

With a choice of Thursday or Saturday sessions, Manchester’s funkiest stage school continues to offer an exciting mix of acting, singing, street dance and musical theatre to boys and girls aged 4-18.

Teenage students can now obtain their Arts Award at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, and younger students will soon be able to work for their Junior Arts Award. There are regular presentations, community performances, and an annual theatre show. “I was dead nervous but I loved it, and most importantly, so did my child” (Razzamataz father).

Contact Rhonwen on 0161 225 3990, manchestersouth@razzamataz.co.uk or visit the website www.razzamataz.co.uk Stagecoach Theatre Arts School Stagecoach provides quality part-time training in the performing arts. Early Stages sessions are suitable for 4-7 year olds and act as a gentle introduction to the main schools. In the Main Schools children and teens aged up to 18 learn to sing, dance and act in small groups with specialist CRB checked teachers.

Altrincham – Marion: 01925 222445 Bolton & Bury – Ruth: 01204 827127 Salford & Didsbury – Anne: 0161 789 1349 Stockport – Cathy: 0161 864 3974 www.stagecoach.co.uk

Starlight Performing Arts Academy Drama – acting, musical theatre (Cinderella), Showtime (singing, dancing, acting).

Pre-School – Popstar Teenies, Baby Ballet/Tap. Holiday Clubs – 8am to 6pm every school holiday.

Music – Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Singing, Rockstar Academy – learn how to play in a band, Girl and Boy Bands, Popstar Academy, Adult Choir/Rockstar/Showtime, Brass/string/ woodwind lessons, songwriting/recording.

Dance/Fitness – streetdance, ballet, tap, zumba, aerotone.

Birthday Parties – Popstar and Rockstar Parties £99 for 2 hours including party games.

Call 0161 439 8009. www.starlightperformingarts.co.uk Theatre Tots A unique blend of drama, stories, songs, music, movement, puppets and fun for 0 to 5 year olds. Fun and action packed sessions compliment all key areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

Through original stories, children are transported to a magical world of make believe and play, where anything is possible.

Call Natalie 07825 370214 for further information or email natalie@theatretots.com www.theatretots.com FOOTBALL

3D Dynamos Football Club www.3ddynamos.com Boothstown Football Club www.boothstownfc.co.uk Bury Juniors Football Club officialburyfcjuniors.co.uk AFC Clayton Juniors www.clubwebsite.co.uk/ afcclaytonjuniors01 Farnworth Football Club www.farnworthfc.co.uk High Lane Football Club www.highlanejfc.co.uk Manchester Tigers Football Club www.clubwebsite.co.uk/ manchestertigers AFC Stanley Junior Football Club www.afcstanley.com

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Clubs & classes LANGUAGE Le Club Français & El Club Español After school clubs for children aged 3 to 11 years in the Stockport, Cheshire and South Manchester areas. Boost your child’s vocabulary and improve their confidence and communication skills. Let your children learn by having FUN with puppets, games and songs. Use our FREE online learning resource BABELZONE. FREE TRIAL SESSION - contact: Annette Hicks 07587 000617 Email annettehicks@lcfclubs.com www.lcfclubs.com/englishzone Talking Tots Fun, interactive classes that help your child communicate with confidence. These unique preschool classes, which follow the developmental stages of language, are bursting with exciting activities and games.

Classes coming soon to Didsbury, Heaton Moor and Marple. Contact Siân on 07794 433179 or email sian@talkingtots.info. www.talkingtots.info MUSIC & SOCIAL

Jabberjacks Developing social and physical skills for children from 6 months to 4 years old, through a unique combination of puppets, music and fun. Pre-school classes and parties available.

North Manchester – Gaynor: 0161 790 8080 (classes and parties) South Manchester – Clare: 07587 186284 (parties) www.jabberjacks.co.uk Jittabugs Classes are specifically tailored for 0 - 2 year olds and adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines, which means not only are they highly entertaining and stimulating, they are educational too.

Baby Sign & Play (Term Time Mondays) Signing for babies, with bubbles, mirrors, scarves, feathers, play parachutes, balls, fabrics and musical instruments.

Baby Move & Groove (Term Time Wednesdays) Activities, exercises, music, songs and games to promote your child’s movement, balance, posture and memory skills.

Different types of music each week, from jazz, rock n roll, classical, gospel, and pop, make it as much fun for you as it is for your baby!

Classes in Sale. Call Karen on 0161 973 2656 / 07765 080350 www.jittabugs.com

Jo Jingles Jo Jingles provides fun and educational Music, Singing and Movement classes for babies and young children. With the help of our Jo Jingles doll, trained and experienced presenters run the UK’s most popular music and movement experience.

Cheadle, Bramhall, Wilmslow, Marple, Glossop and Stalybridge: Laura – 0161 431 0674 Didsbury, Heaton Moor, Heaton Mersey, Timperley, Hale Barns and Lymm: Jacqui – 01925 269136 www.jojingles.com

RUGBY Bolton Rugby Club www.pitchero.com/clubs/bolton Broughton Park Rugby Club www.pitchero.com/clubs/broughtonpark Bury Rugby Club www.pitchero.com/clubs/bury Didsbury Rugby Club www.pitchero.com/clubs/didsburytochrfc Manchester Rugby Club www.pitchero.com/clubs/manchester Rochdale Rugby Club www.rrufc.org Sale Rugby Club www.salefc.com Sedgley Park Tigers Rugby Club www.pitchero.com/clubs/ sedgleyparktigers Trafford MV RFCC www.pitchero.com/clubs/ traffordmv SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Enjoy-a-Ball

A fun sports programme that gradually develops skills such as concentration, coordination and confidence in a caring, positive and fun environment. Classes for children between 3-9 years packed with fun activities and games are held in Chorlton, Didsbury and Bramhall. Holiday camps and birthday parties also available.

Contact Sam on 07973 886783, sam.hinckley@enjoy-a-ball.com www.enjoy-a-ball.com

Glo Family Cheadle A totally new concept in play centres and a location for many classes from dancing and drama to baby massage and music.

Daily craft sessions for your little ones and twice weekly “Toddler Time”. Classes also run for mums including pregnancy and post natal sessions. For full details of the extensive list of what's on visit www.glofamily.com info@glofamily.com 0844 800 7380 Little Kickers At Little Kickers the focus is on fun as football is used as a forum to instil a little extra confidence, co-ordination, control and sense of camaraderie. Classes run in four distinct age groups, to maximise involvement and development. Age groups range from just 18 months to 7 years.

For classes in Didsbury, Sale, Altrincham, Bowden, Urmston, Heaton Moor & Bramhall call Alex 0161 442 5713 www.littlekickers.co.uk Little Superstars West & South Manchester / Cheshire Louise: 07904 344552 www.littlesuperstars.co.uk

SWIMMING Puddle Ducks Baby and Toddler Swimming

Puddle Ducks is a fun and friendly swimming programme offering unique baby, toddler and pre-school swimming classes. Children develop from water babies to confident swimmers without even realising they are learning to swim.

By engaging each child’s abilities and natural affinity with water, Puddle Ducks offer simple steps to a lifetime love of swimming. Children learn lifesaving, swimming and underwater skills in small classes of up to 8 children and are often able to swim 10 metres or more before they start school.

Call Suzanne on 07411 944566. www.puddleducks.com Splish Splosh At Splish Splosh, the fun and friendly teachers, teach in the pool! Swimming classes for babies (from 3 months), children and adults in groups of no more than 8. Professionally taught lessons in welcoming environments.

Following a programme based on fun, safety and sport. Classes in Manchester, Gorton, Alderley Edge and Bolton. For more information call 0844 264 1102. info@splishsploshswimmingschool.com www.splishsploshswimmingschool.com

Tennis Tykes

An educational tennis play and skills programme for children aged 2-5 years old. All classes are run by qualified and trained staff, use specially adapted equipment with personal achievement charts for every child. Classes now in Bramhall, Didsbury, Hale, Knutsford and Wilmslow. For further information, please log onto the Tennis Tykes website at www.tennistykes.co.uk or call Caroline Buncall on 07843 342662.

Water Babies Swimming classes that are fun and innovative, led by some of the most highly skilled instructors in the world.

This unique programme is structured yet gentle, completely centred on your baby’s individual needs. Waterbabies have won 5 national awards and were voted Best Baby and Toddler Activity of 2011!

Call 01204 846003 www.waterbabies.co.uk

Learn French or Spanish the FUN way After school clubs for children up to Year 6 using games, songs, plays, and activity sheets.

Free access to our online fun learning resource - Babelzone. Try a FREE taster session in Cheadle.

Contact your local organiser: Annette Hicks Tel: 07587 000617 Email: annettehicks@lcfclubs.com

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 19

Clubs & classes So, why is music important to babies anyway? By Karen Brownsell, Jittabugs The young are like sponges, soaking up every opportunity for learning.

The internet is bursting with research supporting the theory that learning experiences must begin in the early years from birth to age five.

This is a critical time in a child’s musical and cognitive development. The benefits of music and movement in the preschool years have been well documented. Research studies show that music enhances brain development and academic learning.

Music affects many areas of brain function and neurological development and music is a powerful enhancer at each stage of neurological development. The earlier a child is exposed to music and movement, the better. Research findings include: • Children who receive early music training score higher on standardized tests.

• The use of music during learning can increase a child’s IQ. • Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year compared to children who do not

receive musical training.

• There is a link between spatial reasoning and participation in music and movement activities.

As children make, listen, and move to music through a variety of experiences, they develop creative abilities, attention spans, motor and rhythmic co-ordination, socialization skills, mental agility, and the ability to process aural information. It is very important for parents to expose their children to music and to encourage participation in music and movement activities both informally at home and in more organized music education settings.

Classes should be as much fun as possible for both the baby and their grownup. Traditional as well as new songs, can all help to engage interest, as can nursery rhymes, songs on fingers and toes, counting songs and ones about animals, colours and letters. For the more mobile babies use songs that encourage walking, dancing, marching and jumping.

So, get up, get moving, get laughing and singing, and above all, have fun!

Is your child the next Jonny Wilkinson?

With the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand just about to kick off, there’s bound to be a flurry of enthusiasm for this traditional sport that’s popular with both boys and girls.

Trafford MV is a local amateur rugby and cricket club that invests a great deal of time and effort in its development of youth talent - many of their current 1st XV grew up through the Hawks set up and have

20 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

staked their place in the adult ranks. The new season starts on Sunday Sept 4th at 10.30am – when around 200 MV HAWKS aged 3 years upwards (both boys and girls) will gather at their club in Sale (M33 6LR). All newcomers very welcome! Contact Greg Hawkins on 0161 973 7061 or Wilf Dooley on 01942 884542/07771 913994 or visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/traffordmv

Baby & toddler Perfect Products Brain Boosting Omega-3 Fish Oil from Nordic Naturals!

We all know that a healthy balanced diet is vital, but if you have a fussy child, how do you ensure they are on the road to a healthy development?

Recent studies have shown that children who have an omega-3 enriched diet have a significantly higher cognitive performance, are protected against childhood diseases such as asthma, and go on to have better health in adulthood.

The omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA are considered “essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture them. The best source of omega-3s is oily, cold water fish such as sardines, cod and anchovies. However, persuading your child to eat fish 2-3 times a week can be a struggle.

Now there is a safe and easy way for parents to get all the benefits of omega-3s and multivitamins into their children’s diets with Nordic Naturals range of appetizing, chewable gummies and soft gels.

Mum on a mission

Each product is naturally fruit flavoured and completely free from any fishy taste or after taste – so delicious, their daily dose can be disguised as an after dinner treat! Fortified with vitamins and minerals, the range will help to improve IQ, mood, memory, learning and focus.

The Families children tested out the strawberry flavour Gummy Worms and the tangerine flavour Gummies. Both proved popular but the worms were the favourite.

The children enjoyed the taste and saw them as a treat. The only down side was that they asked for more when they had already taken their daily dose!

Supplements tested suitable from age 2.

For more information visit www.nordicnaturals.com/uk

Less Mess Thanks to Munchkin Out and about through the Summer, Logan Keep (aged 14 months) has been putting the Munchkin Snack Catcher through some vigorous testing.

Snacks are always a great way to keep babies and toddlers happy when you need to keep them still on a car journey or in the buggy, but how often do you find they drop what you have given them leaving the food covered in dirt, hair and goodness knows what else, which then results in screams for more of what they just lost?!

Well, problem solved with this fab product.

The Snack Catcher cup keeps bite-sized snacks inside the container until little fingers pull them out. Even if it tips over! The soft flaps make it easy to access and the little finger cleaning bumps are a special plus

for keeping nearby surfaces cleaner.

Logan found the Snack Catcher easy to use and was thrilled that he was able to just help himself as and when he wanted more. He did find some foods easier to dispense than others – anything too small he would still manage to drop a few of when he took his hand out of the pot – but the mess was certainly greatly reduced. The Snack Catcher gets a thumbs up from Logan (and mum) and will be used on the school run now that Summer outings are over and we are back to the routine.

For stockists details visit www.munchkin.eu.com/stockists.html

Pure Beginnings at John Lewis A trusted South African organic care brand Pure Beginnings has arrived at John Lewis. This eco and vegan friendly skincare range meets organic standards without the use of petrochemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrances, colourants and sulphated surfactants to care for little ones’ sensitive skin.

The Pure Beginnings product range comprises of: • Baby Bum Cream with Baobab – an effective daily barrier cream with natural anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

• Baby Wash & Shampoo with Baobab – a rosemary and geranium scented all-in-one baby wash and shampoo with baobab fruit extract, that is effective on cradle cap.

• Baby Body Lotion with Baobab – mildly scented with rosemary and lavender, and featuring anti-oxidant rich baobab fruit extract as well as skin-nourishing shea butter.

• Bubble Bath created for children of all ages, SLS-free citrus and ylang ylang scented.

Named after her two children, Baba + Boo is now a thriving business selling a range of beautifully-designed products for babies and young children.

And Eve is so confident in the quality of her nappies she offers a trial service. Buy any premium nappy for £8.75 plus P&P and if you don’t like it, you can return it within two months for a 70% refund.

Manchester mum Eve Bell is on a Not sure that cloth is for you? mission. She wants to get more babies’ bums into cloth nappies. But Contact Eve for some friendly, no-obligation advice by emailing not any cloth nappies. Fabulouslyeve@babaandboo.com designed fashionable cloth nappies, courtesy of her business Baba + Boo. www.babaandboo.com Eve’s no eco-nut, but she firmly believes that cloth nappies are the way forward for mums wanting to save on the costs of bringing up baby.

“When I looked into cloth nappies for my second child I was shocked at how much I’d have to spend to buy them. A The pack contains 5 Series II nappies of £300 investment just seemed like too your choice, a wet bag (again of your much, and, being a former buyer, I knew I choice), a nappy bucket, and 2 mesh could source nappies that were just as bags which you place over the bucket good, but for a much better price. But I to make the transfer from bucket to also wanted my nappies to be a fashion washing machine a lot easier – simply statement. As mums we all care about place the whole bag in the drum. how our children look, so I’ve been to The perfect starter pack - a nappy for your little one to wear, a bag to store it great lengths to source funky prints, when you’re out and a bucket to store used nappies until wash day. meaning baby can look good literally from To enter the competition, simply go to our website top to bottom.” www.familiesmanchester.co.uk and enter now. Competition closes 31 October.

• Berry Toothpaste designed for children of all ages and suitable for teething babies.

The Families tribe of tots sampled the Baby Wash & Shampoo and the Bubble Bath and both products were enjoyed by all. The Bubble Bath was very bubbly and the bubbles lasted well through some very splashy bathing. It was the Baby Wash & Shampoo that was the biggest hit; it smells wonderful (so much so, mum chose to use some for her bath too!) It left skin squeaky clean, smelling gorgeous and feeling soft.

With three kids who can get pretty mucky in a day and all of whom are prone to dry, sensitive skin it certainly did well.

All products can be bought through John Lewis either in store (including Cheadle, Liverpool and Trafford) and online www.johnlewis.com

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN A Baba + Boo starter pack worth £50

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 21

What’s on Activities Every Sat in Sept Imperial War Museum North (Learning Studio) Open Studio: Smoky the Dog 1-4pm, Age 5+ (under 12 must be accompanied), Free, drop in

Every Sun in Sept Imperial War Museum North Evacuee Hotspots Age 5+ (under 12 must be accompanied). Free, drop in

Thurs 8 & Fri 9 Sept Smithills Hall Heritage Open Day 12 – 4pm, Free

Sat 10 Sept Hall I’ th’ Wood Museum Heritage Open Day 12 – 4pm, Free Bury Art Museum Messing about in Boats Art and craft activities and storytime.

10.30am – 3.30pm, Age 4-12, FREE event.

Origami Boats 2 – 3.30pm, Age 4-12 £2 per child. No booking necessary but places are limited.

Waterside Arts Centre Open Day 10am – 3pm, Free Imperial War Museum North (Meet under Harrier Jump Jet) Billy’s War 11.30am, Age 4-10 (must be accompanied), Free, drop in

Sun 11 Sept Whitworth Art Gallery Dark Tales & Gruesome Games 1.30 – 3.30pm, All ages, Free, Drop in Waterside Hotel, Didsbury Mothers’ Instinct Baby & Toddler Show 12 - 5pm, FREE entry

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

Imperial War Museum North (Meet under Harrier Jump Jet) Oskar’s Journey 11.30am, Age 4-10 (must be accompanied), Free, drop in Smithills Hall Heritage Open Day 12 – 4pm, Free Sale High School, Sale Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12pm Table costs £10 Entrance 50p

Mon 12 Sept Whitworth Art Gallery Toddlertastic Art 10.30-11.30am / 11.30am – 12.30pm Under 5s, Free, Booking Essential

Sat 17 Sept Bury Art Museum Seascapes 2 – 3.30pm, Age 4-12, £2 per child. No booking necessary but places are limited.

Imperial War Museum North (Meet under Harrier Jump Jet) What Nancy Did Next 11.30am, Age 4-10 (must be accompanied) Free, drop in

Sun 18 Sept Imperial War Museum North (Meet under Harrier Jump Jet) The Adventures of Able Seaman Wally Tobin 11.30am, Age 4-10 (must be accompanied) Free, drop in Whitworth Art Gallery Colourful Sundays 1.30 – 3.30pm, All ages,Free, Drop in Target Fitness, Heaton Moor Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12pm Table costs £10 Entrance 50p

Mon 19 Sept Whitworth Art Gallery Toddlertastic Music 10.30 – 11.30am / 11.30am – 12.30pm Under 5s, Free, Booking Essential

22 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Sat 24 Sept

Sat 1 Oct

Bury Art Museum Sea Shanties 2 – 3.30pm, Age 4-12, £2 per child. No booking necessary but places are limited.

Quarry Bank Mill Ramble through the seasons: Autumn 9.30am – 12pm, Adult £10, Child £5 Booking essential Imperial War Museum North (Meet under Harrier Jump Jet) Billy’s War 11.30am, Age 4-10 (must be accompanied), Free, drop in Manchester Museum Big Saturday: ExtInked 11am – 4pm, All ages Most activities are Free and drop in, but some may need to be booked on the day and may cost up to £1.50

Bury Art Museum Crafty Corals 2 – 3.30pm Age 4-12, £2 per child. No booking necessary but places are limited.

Waterside Arts Centre Comedysportz 6.30pm, Age 8+ £6 / £4

Sun 25 Sept

The Kingsway Lower School, Cheadle Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12pm, Table costs £10 Entrance 50p Imperial War Museum North Evacuee Hotspots 5+ (under 12 must be accompanied) Free, drop in Whitworth Art Gallery Shadow Play – Grandparents Day 1.30 – 3.30pm, All ages, Free, Drop in

Whitworth Art Gallery Colourful Sundays 1.30 – 3.30pm, All ages, Free, Drop in Imperial War Museum North (Meet under Harrier Jump Jet) Oskar’s Journey 11.30am, Age 4-10 (must be accompanied) Free, drop in

Mon 26 Sept Whitworth Art Gallery Toddlertastic Dance 10.30 – 11.30am / 11.30am – 12.30pm Under 5s, Free, Booking Essential.

Fri 30 Sept Manchester Museum Magic Carpet: Wildlife Storytelling and activity session for under 5s.

11am – 12pm, Under 5s £1 per child.

Bookings from 23 Sept

Sat 1 & Sun 2 Oct East Lancashire Railway Day out with Thomas Pre booking recommended Quarry Bank Mill Autumn Fair 9.30am – 12pm Free event Normal admission charges apply

Sun 2 Oct

Mon 3 Oct Whitworth Art Gallery Toddlertastic Drama 10.30 – 11.30am / 11.30am – 12.30pm Under 5s, Free. Booking Essential

Wed 5 Oct Stockport Air Raid Shelters Explorer Tour 7pm, Age 10+ Adults £6.10, Under 16’s £5.10 Booking Essential

Visit www.familiesmanchester.co.uk for more information on these listings.

Sat 8 Oct

Mon 17 Oct

Hatworks, Stockport The Big Draw Weekend 11am – 2pm, All ages, Free, drop in Waterside Arts Centre The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark 11.30am & 2.30pm, Age 3-7, £7 / £5 The Met, Bury – Main Theatre Hansel and Gretel 2.30pm, £6

Whitworth Art Gallery Toddlertastic Music 10.30 – 11.30am / 11.30am – 12.30pm Under 5s, Free, Booking Essential

Sat 8 & Sun 9 Oct Dunham Massey The Big Draw 12pm – 4pm Normal admission charges apply

Sun 9 Oct Stockport Art Gallery The Big Draw Weekend 11am – 2pm, All ages, Free, drop in Sale High School, Sale Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12pm Table costs £10 Entrance 50p Imperial War Museum North Hotspots 5+ (under 12 must be accompanied) Free, drop in

Mon 10 Oct Whitworth Art Gallery Toddlertastic Art 10.30 – 11.30am / 11.30am – 12.30pm Under 5s, Free Booking Essential

Sat 15 – Mon 31 Oct Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester LEGO® Halloween Normal admission prices apply

Sat 15 Oct Manchester Museum Big Saturday: Ancient Egypt 11am – 4pm, All ages Most activities are Free and drop in, but some may need to be booked on the day and may cost up to £1.50

Sun 16 Oct Manchester Museum The Manchester Weekender 12 – 3pm, All ages Most activities are Free and drop in, but some may need to be booked on the day or in advance.

Target Fitness, Heaton Moor Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12pm, Table costs £10 Entrance 50p Imperial War Museum North Hotspots 5+ (under 12 must be accompanied) Free, drop in Whitworth Art Gallery Dark Drawings 1.30 – 3.30pm, All ages, Free, Drop in

What’s on

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

Sat 22 Oct Manchester Museum Manchester Science Festival: Celebrating Trees 11am – 4pm, Visit website to book Manchester Science Festival: The human body trail 2 – 3.30pm, Visit website to book

Sat 22 – Sun 30 Oct Gulliver’s World Spooky Halloween Week & Firework Spectacular 10.30am – 5pm Normal admission prices apply Lyme Park Walking Festival – explore the park with Freddy the Fox 11am – 4pm, Children must be accompanied, Free event Normal admission charges apply Welly Walk 11am – 12pm All ages. Children must be accompanied Free event, Normal admission charges apply

Sun 23 Oct Whitworth Art Gallery Colourful Sundays 1.30 – 3.30pm, All ages Free, Drop in

Win a family ticket to see “Scrooge” at The Lowry!

Scrooge is the ultimate in family entertainment this Christmas with great songs, a brilliant story and wonderfully bright and funny characters. This wonderful musical starring Tommy Steele, is coming to The Lowry from Mon 12 December to Sat 7 January, and you can win a family ticket for the press night on 13 December.

Simply go to our website www.familiesmanchester.co.uk to enter by answering the following question: Which famous Dickens’ story is Scrooge is based on?

Entries close Monday 31 October.

If you’re not lucky enough to win, you can by tickets for the show by calling 0843 208 6010 or log on to www.thelowry.com/scrooge. For details of their ‘children eat free’ offer have a look at www.thelowry.com/eat

Mon 24 & Tues 25 Oct Lyme Park Ghostly Goings On 12 noon – 4pm Age 6+ (must be accompanied) £2 , Normal admission charges apply.

Mon 24 – Fri 28 Oct Dunham Massey Family Walks in the Park 1.30 – 2.30pm Normal admission charges apply.

Manchester Museum Unearthed: Ancient Egypt 11am – 4pm, All ages Most activities are Free and drop in, but some may need to be booked on the day and may cost up to £1.50.

Mon 24 – Sat 29 Oct Quarry Bank Mill Halloween Spook-tacular 11am – 4pm Free event Normal admission charges apply

www.familiesmanchester.co.uk | Families Manchester 23

What’s on Tues 25 Oct

Tues 25 – Thurs 27 Oct

Tues 25 – Fri 28 Oct

Lyme Park Spooky Stories 1pm – 3pm 6+ (must be accompanied) £3 per activity Normal admission charges apply.

The Met, Bury – Main Theatre The Selfish Giant 1.30pm, Age 5+ £6 (£4 members)

Hatworks, Stockport Spooky Halloween Masks 10.30am – 12pm / 1pm – 2.30pm Age 5-11, £3.50 or Leisure Key £3.00 (limited places), Booking Essential

Whitworth Art Gallery Arty Experiments 1.30 – 3.30pm. Age 6+ Free, Drop in

12 - 1.30pm / 3 - 4.30pm All ages, Visit website to book Magic Carpet: Ancient Egypt 11am – 12pm, Under 5s £1 per child, Booking from 21 Oct

Wed 26 Oct

Fri 28 – Sun 30 Oct

Bury Transport Museum Kids Workshop 11am – 3pm, £1 per child Normal admission applies Stockport Air Raid Shelters Children’s Explorer Tour 6.45 – 8pm, Age 7+ (must be accompanied) £3.95 per child, accompanying adults £2 Booking Essential

Wed 26 – Fri 28 Oct Lyme Park Petrified Pumpkins 11am – 1pm / 2pm – 4pm Children must be accompanied £4 per child Normal admission charges apply.

Wed 26 – Sat 29 Oct Hatworks, Stockport Spooky Children’s Tour 2.30 – 3.30pm, Age 5+ £2.00 for children £1.00 for accompanying adults, Booking Essential

Thurs 27 Oct Smithills Hall Smithills Spooky Crafts 1 – 4pm Adults £3, Concessions £2

Fri 28 Oct Smithills Hall Casper’s Ghost Tours!

4pm, £4 per person Advance booking required Manchester Museum Manchester Science Festival: Amoeba to Zebra

Lyme Park Ghostly Goings On 12 noon – 4pm 6+ (must be accompanied) £2, Normal admission charges apply.

Sat 29 Oct Manchester Museum Manchester Science Festival: Science Spectacular Visit website to book

Sat 29 & Sun 30 Oct Bury Transport Museum Kids Halloween Workshop 4.30 – 7.30pm (Sat) / 4.30 – 7pm (Sun) Free admission with your valid Halloween ticket plus £1 per child for the workshop Halloween Ghost Trains 6 & 8pm (Sat) / 5.30 & 7.30pm (Sun) Adults (16+) £10, Children (3+) £2, Under 3s (unseated) Free Pre-booking essential

Sun 30 Oct Bijou Club M3 7NJ Baby Loves Disco – Halloween Event 2pm – 5pm, £8 per person (non-walking babies free) Whitworth Art Gallery Spooky Shadows 1.30 – 3.30pm, All ages Free, Drop in

Mon 31 Oct Whitworth Art Gallery Toddlertastic Art – Spooky special 10.30 – 11.30am / 11.30am – 12.30pm Under 5s, Free Booking Essential

Contact information:

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24 Families Manchester | www.familiesmanchester.co.uk

Baby Loves Disco: www.babylovesdisco.co.uk/locations/manchester Bury Art Museum: 0161 253 5878 / www.bury.gov.uk/arts Dunham Massey: 0161 9411025 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk East Lancashire Railway: 0161 764 7790 / www.quaytickets.com (for Thomas Tickets) / www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk Gulliver’s World: 01925 444888 / www.gulliversfun.co.uk Hatworks: 0161 355 7770 / www.hatworks.org.uk Imperial War Museum (North): 0161 836 4000 / www.iwm.org.uk Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop: 07748 601248 / www.kidscarbootandswapshop.co.uk Legoland Discovery Centre: 0871 222 2662 / www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk Lyme Park: 01663 762023 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk Manchester Museum: 0161 275 2648 / www.manchester.ac.uk/museum Quarry Bank Mill: 01625 445845 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk Smithills Hall & Hall I’ th’ Wood Museum: 01204 332377 / www.boltonmuseums.org.uk Stockport Art Gallery: 0161 355 7770 / www.stockport.gov.uk/artgallery The Met, Bury: 0161 761 2216 / www.themet.biz Waterside Arts Centre: 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscentre.co.uk Whitworth Art Gallery: 0161 275 7450 / www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk