Features: Education, holiday clubs, Easter fun and more.
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...endless ideas for families of young children in Southampton • Winchester • The New Forest • Portsmouth • Fareham • Gosport • Chichester • Emsworth and all the areas inbetween!
10% off your first lesson Quote Families10
Swimming lessons with Fareham Swim School
Fareham Swim School offer classes and lessons for all ages and abilities including babies, toddlers, preschool and school age children.
Whether your child is scared of water and needing a confidence boost, a beginner just starting their water safety journey or just need to gain better technique and stamina, Fareham Swim School have small and friendly classes to suit their needs.
Lessons run seven days a week with very small class sizes, private changing for every swimmer and fully qualified experienced teachers who are always in the water to support children, helping confidence grow quickly – they can give you the best quality lessons possible.
Special offer: 10% off your first lesson when you quote ‘families10’ upon booking.
Email info@farehamswimschool.com or visit www.farehamswimschool.com to find out more or to book a class.
Try a FREE confidenceboosting Perform class this spring
Perform is not like other children’s drama schools. Its classes have a special emphasis on child development, using a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s potential. Classes focus on developing the 4 Cs - confidence, communication, co-ordination and concentration – using drama-based games and activities which are specifically designed to combine learning with fun.
This term, ages 4 to 7 are embarking on a sparkling underwater adventure Under the Sea whilst ages 7 to 12 work on a thrilling adaptation of a classic fairytale in Bluebeard’s Bride. Imaginations will soar as children work towards a magical performance for family and friends.
All abilities are welcome whatever your child’s age - just come ready to have the best fun of the week!
To book a FREE trial class in Chandlers Ford, Lymingon, Romsey, Southampton, Winchester or a NEW class in Hedge End visit www.perform.org.uk/try
Football fun with Little Kickers
Little Kickers gives children an introduction to sport by teaching high quality football skills in a friendly and pressure free environment. There are four different classes tailored specifically to the needs of children between 18 months and 8 years. Little Kickers aids early development skills such as learning colours and numbers, following instructions and playing as a team.
For more information, email hdarling@littlekickers.co.uk or visit www.littlekickers.co.uk
Unlock your child’s musical potential with fun music classes
Education through Music offers interactive classes in essential musicianship skills.
A good music education can offer many benefits, such as physical, emotional, social and cognitive development, as well as building up a secure foundation of musical understanding, which supports learning any instrument or just for the joy of learning music.
Under the expert guidance of a qualified, experienced music teacher (DBS checked) children will internalise musical concepts through listening, singing and movement before formally learning to read and write music in accordance with internationally recognised Kodály and Dalcroze principles. Classes cater for ages 2-10 and run on Saturday mornings at Emsworth Community Centre. Specialist tuition in piano, violin or viola also available. Book a FREE trial today. Contact Vincent on 07786253713, email educationthroughmusic1@gmail.com or visit the website www.educationthroughmusic.net
Fun music classes for children
Emsworth Community Centre
Interactive structured classes designed to teach essential musicianship skills
Supports learning any instrument or simply for the joy of learning music
Taught by fully qualified music teacher FREE trial available - book today!
Contact Vincent Call 07786253713 or email: educationthroughmusic1@gmail.com www.educationthroughmusic.net
Give your child the gift of confidence!
Performing arts allows children to be themselves and to be confident in who they are. The skills they learn at Stagecoach are not only fun and engaging, but provide them with experience and the key life skills such as discipline, perseverance, resilience, adaptability, and creativity. Stagecoach calls this Creative Courage for Life. Having a special interest in performing arts provides children with a platform to grow into well-rounded, confident individuals. Stagecoach Performing Arts offers singing, dancing and acting classes for children aged 4 to 18.
Two-week trials are available, providing the perfect opportunity to experience what Stagecoach is all about. Classes are small, allowing teachers to give each child support and attention. Teachers have the flexibility to adapt their class content to the interests, talents and ages of the students. All Principals, teachers and assistants have Enhanced DBS clearance.
Visit www.stagecoach.co.uk to find out more and your local school.
Pastoral care in primary schools
By Melanie Sanderson
News reports last year claimed there is a child with a suspected mental health concern in every primary school classroom in the country. Figures released by NHS England showed more than 165,000 children ages 6 to 10 were in contact with NHS mental health services at the end of February 2024, while the number of primary-age children in England either waiting or being treated for mental health problems, increased by over a quarter in less than a year.
The picture has never been starker and schools have a key part to play both in terms of prevention and providing expert support. The past twenty years has seen schools evolve from places where it was ‘brain first’ to spaces where body and mind are recognised as needing equal developmental attention.
Before anything else, a school should be a centre for care. Pastoral care encompasses a wide range of initiatives and approaches. A good primary school will embed pastoral care into all it does within the culture of the school: how it teaches, how it protects, how it listens and learns. A pastorally strong school is in the best position to thrive academically.
When they experience anxiety, children can’t access learning, making it crucial that all schools have a robust pastoral care system to support pupils’ development. Simple measures like buddy benches, mindfulness lessons and worry boxes or mood charts are now widely offered and can make a big difference. Animals are good too. Some schools have a therapy dog and even class pets like goldfish or hamsters can help children open up.
A common thread running through primary schools with a strong pastoral offering seems to be plentiful opportunities for fresh air, physical exercise and being in nature. Even in some of the most space-pressed inner-city schools, children are cultivating a mini allotment or growing sunflowers in the playground. Similarly, Forest Schools offering regular outdoor
hands-on learning sessions in natural environments, are building young children’s confidence and self-esteem.
Extra-curricular activities also play a role, fostering social engagement, personal development and a sense of belonging among pupils. An inclusive sporting ethos is often front and centre in schools with good pastoral care, particularly in the co-curricular timetable. However, do look for schools that offer a wide selection of clubs which appeal to all kinds of interests beyond sport too.
Amanda Childs, Chair of the IAPS adds: ‘Pastoral care is more than formal PSHE lessons. It incorporates every interaction an individual has in school; from the moment they arrive until they leave. It is about a genuine, positive culture, having excellent role models and high expectations, balanced with a kind and realistic view of the support any individual child needs to succeed - and that will be different for every single child.’
Central to a robust pastoral approach is staff fully trained in mental health first aid and safeguarding. This also includes the non-teaching staff that children often seek out to talk to such as school nurses, lunchtime and office staff. Sometimes the support offered will be a listening ear, at other times, children might require signposting to additional support. The more mentally healthy schools usually have a school nurse, mental health support teams and even dedicated counselling.
For Dean Taylor, Associate Headteacher at Seven Kings School, a co-ed state school for ages 4 to 18 in east London, it’s the relationship between staff and pupils that holds the key to positive mental health in schools. Dean says: ‘The ethos is more important than anything and you can walk around this school and see that it’s inclusive, friendly, safe and with clear and consistent boundaries’.
Seven Kings pays particular attention to pressure points and makes sure every child has a trusted adult. There’s a joined-up approach with the SENCO too, in the knowledge that youngsters with conditions such as ADHD and autism can be particularly at risk of mental health problems. ‘The most vulnerable pupils have a one-page profile that’s shared with all staff’ adds Dean.
Finally, successful pastoral care involves the school, child and parents. Starting school is a huge milestone for the whole family and a carefully managed transition makes for a smoother pastoral pathway right from the start. Likewise, primary schools with good pastoral provision work closely with secondary schools in Year 6 to ensure a seamless transition to the next stage of education.
Good schools take the time to get to really know a child personally; what they like or don’t like and what they are
interested in. Schools where pastoral care is foregrounded will extend their offerings to parents too. They might offer useful parent talks, for instance on safe use of technology and share wellbeing resources. Crucially, these schools will have the confidence to collaborate with parents in robust and trusting ways. If you think your child might need help, your first port of call should be your child’s form teacher or tutor who can elevate your concerns to the appropriate staff member.
Melanie Sanderson is Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide (www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk), which reviews the key components, pastoral care being one, of hundreds of schools per year, providing parents with in-depth, unbiased insights.
What do the inspectors expect?
The good news is that Ofsted and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) now assess personal development, which includes mental health in schools. Areas such as resilience, confidence, independence and how to keep mentally healthy are all covered in their assessments. As part of pastoral care, all schools are now also required to provide a mental health and relationships curriculum.
A school judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in the area of personal development will provide high quality pastoral support alongside a wide, rich set of experiences which support pupils to be confident, resilient and independent. It will offer exceptional quality opportunities for children to develop their talents and interests and strongly encourage take up of these, especially amongst disadvantaged pupils.
However, do look beyond Ofsted’s current one-word judgements and check when they last visited the schools that you are considering too. More than ninety percent of mainstream state schools are summed up as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ and yet, clearly, there is plenty to distinguish these schools from each other. What’s more, a lot can change in between Ofsted visits.
For parents with children in the private sector, the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) benchmarks are similar to Ofsted. The ISI is a government approved body that inspects and provides objective evaluation of independent schools. However, ISI reports are more nuanced than Ofsted reports and don’t give single word summative judgements for each area inspected.
Their recently revised framework has pupil wellbeing running through it, resulting in TES magazine stating: ‘The upshot of [the new framework] is that personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is now probably the single most important subject that schools teach when it comes to inspection outcomes.’
Amanda Childs, Chair of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Pastoral and Wellbeing Committee, added: ‘Pastoral care is what the independent sector is renowned for. It is about a child knowing they are completely valued and cared for; allowing them to feel safe in order to discover themselves, what they are capable of and developing a positive sense of self.’
Outstanding pastoral care at KES Prep
At King Edward VI Preparatory School, outstanding pastoral care is at the very heart of their approach. The school is committed to placing the wellbeing and personal development of every child at the forefront of their education.
Each child is supported by a dedicated form tutor, who provides day-to-day guidance, ensuring both their academic progress and emotional wellbeing are carefully monitored. This close pastoral relationship is complemented by an open-door policy, encouraging regular communication between staff, children and parents.
The commitment to pastoral care extends beyond the classroom. With a dedicated Wellbeing Centre and team of Emotional Literacy Support Assistants, extended outdoor provision and opportunities to engage with a wide range of experiences to support emotional and physical development. Find out more at their Open Morning on Friday 7 February. Visit www.kes-prep.school
The Gregg Prep School’s nurturing nature
The caring ethos at The Gregg Prep School is primarily shaped by their small class sizes. These smaller groups allow teachers to truly get to know each pupil - their personalities, aspirations and any concerns. Teachers have the time and space to nurture and develop each child, providing the right balance of support.
Importantly, pupil wellbeing is the responsibility of all staff members - the office staff, caterers, caretakers and teachers, every member of the community is committed to ensuring pupils feel valued and supported every day.
In addition, The School runs a Respect Programme, which celebrates positive behaviours and attitudes. Core values such as collaboration, kindness and politeness are encouraged, helping pupils to become well-rounded individuals, both within the school community and beyond.
To learn more about the Schools pastoral care and the Respect Programme, email registrar@thegreggschool.org or visit www.thegreggschool.org
Walhampton values STEAM education
Walhampton Prep School opened its newly extended technology centre in the autumn and held a STEAM Fair to embraces the link between Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths.
The centre was opened by Gareth Campbell from The Museum of Science, the Arts & Interdisciplinary Collaboration who also ran a workshop on the physics of colour to both Walhampton pupils and visitors from local primary schools. The extended tech space provides children with the opportunity to work in both ‘clean tech’ and ‘dusty zones’ depending on the nature of their project, whether that is graphic design, programming, 3D printing, sewing, woodwork or laser cutting.
The STEAM Fair is a brilliant opportunity for pupils to present their own innovative design to help solve a local or global problem with examples including deer-proof fencing and a solar playground.
Find out more at www.walhampton.com or visit their next Open Morning on 21 March.
Host and teach an international student
Hosting students on a language homestay offers an enriching experience for both student and host. Students are given an opportunity to learn English in an authentic environment, as they engage in real-life conversations, gain cultural insights and practise in natural contexts like at family meals and during social interactions and activities.
Hosts can share language and culture in a meaningful way, foster cross-cultural understanding and create connections and friendships with people from around the globe. Hosting also provides a flexible way of earning income from the comfort of your home. As a freelancer, you decide when to work and whom to host, allowing for a work-life balance.
Homestays vary in duration, generally ranging from one to three weeks and typically include private tuition sessions, fullboard accommodation and optional activities.
Influent offers full-immersion homestay language programmes abroad for children, teenagers, adults and professionals. visit www.influentme.com/become-a-hostfamily to find out more.
Roll out of free breakfast clubs to begin in April
The Chancellor has announced that up to seven hundred and fifty state-funded primary schools will start offering free breakfast clubs from April this year.
This initiative will run during the summer term (April-July) as a pilot phase to prepare for a national rollout.
The Department for Education will work with the schools selected as part of the pilot to understand how breakfast clubs can be delivered to meet the needs of schools, parents and pupils when the programme is rolled out nationally.
The Government claims breakfast clubs will help reduce the number of students starting the school day hungry and ensure children come to school ready to learn. It will also support the government’s aim to tackle child poverty by addressing rising food insecurity among children.
More info: www.gov.uk/government/news
Turbocharged learning at Portsmouth High School GDST
From the very beginning children are inspired, motivated and encouraged to be curious and develop a love of learning at Portsmouth High School. Stimulating and safe learning environments at the school enable staff to plan exciting adventures both inside and outside the classroom.
Provision is enhanced through a tailored approach to teaching children in Pre-School. Recently, the Pre-School space has increased through the addition of a second classroom giving pupils access to a wider range of activities to enhance their learning.
The class is now together for part of the day but, during core teaching times, it is split into a Nursery class for the youngest pupils, who join in the term of their third birthday and a PreReception class for older pupils who are looking ahead to starting Reception in September. This change enables older pupils to focus on their learning in greater depth in readiness for starting school.
Head of Early Years, Mrs Fabre De La Grange, said:
‘We are delighted to implement this bespoke approach to learning for our youngest pupils. It will enable a seamless start to Reception with children being even better prepared and ready for school. Our current Reception Class is in a newly refurbished classroom, a bespoke early years’ space full of engaging learning opportunities with a dedicated fenced play area alongside.’
Families are invited to explore the early years’ space and find out more about how the bespoke approach will give children the best possible start to their education. Book a visit at www.portsmouthhigh.co.uk
A Junior School Community at PGS
Pre-School children at Portsmouth Grammar School recently enjoyed a very special visit from pupils in Year 3 and Year 5.
The Year 3 and 5 pupils have been busy this term working on their reading fluency skills and they showcased their fantastic choral reading of Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt much to the delight of the Little and Big Cubs in the Pre-School. Year 5 asked questions about the stories and the children were all so eager to answer!
After the performances, the children settled down in quiet corners to enjoy some additional stories with their Junior School readers, clearly relishing the calm start to the day. The morning’s event was finished with the delightful gifting of books from the Year 3 and 5 to all the Pre-School children.
Ms Hart, Whole School Literacy Lead, said:
‘It is our priority to showcase the joys of reading to the youngest members of the community. I can’t think of a better way of doing this than getting the Year 3s and 5s to perform and read, modelling to the Pre-School that reading is exciting and joyful. The buzz and joy in the pre-school was wonderful.’
Find out more about Portsmouth Grammar School at their forthcoming Open Mornings on Tuesday 21 January, Wednesday 26 February or Thursday 20 March. Book your space at www.pgs.org.uk
your daughter’s early years’ education
independent school for girls aged 2½ to 18 years
Supporting highly able children at home
By Erin Miller
As a teacher, the most common question I receive from parents is: ‘how can I support my child’s learning at home?’ All parents ask this question, whether their child is struggling or flourishing at school.
You may find that your child’s school has more support and resources available for children who are struggling than for children who are thriving in school. It is quite natural that schools are most concerned with ensuring that children who struggle are given as much support as possible to access the curriculum.
Unfortunately, the byproduct of this is that sometimes less time is spent nurturing the talents of the most able children. The Department for Education does not state how schools should meet the needs of their most able learners, only that all schools have an obligation to provide an education which meets the needs of every learner.
Of course, many schools do an excellent job in supporting their highly able children to build upon their talents but realistically, a highly able child will have a thirst for knowledge that must be fostered at home as well as in school. Therefore, it is useful to know what you can do at home if you have a child who is highly able.
What to do at home is as much about creating the right atmosphere as it is finding concrete enrichment activities for your child.
I believe that this is threefold.
Firstly, be a home which is open to intellectual curiosity
If your child expresses an interest in something, ask more questions and allow yourself to be guided by their interest in your choice of media, outings and family activities.
Secondly, be a household which visibly values education
For example, having books on display in your home communicates that you value reading. This can be achieved easily and cheaply through visits to libraries and charity shops.
Enrichment for primary ages
National Geographic Kids (www.natgeokids.com/uk): humanities, natural sciences, games, videos, articles. Epic Reads (www.epicreads.com): hosts reading challenges for book-hungry children.
Primary Homework Help (www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk): wide range of resources aligned with the primary curriculum. NASA’s Climate Kids (www.climatekids.nasa.gov): games, videos, activities about climate science. Aquila (www.aquila.co.uk): a subscription magazine aimed at highly able children. www.code.org: used by schools, helps children learn how to code.
Thirdly and perhaps most importantly, support your child to become an independent learner
A concern that the parents of highly able children often voice is that their child is bored or under-stimulated at school. Relative to age, children need to understand that they also have a responsibility for their learning. They should have routines and practices to turn to if they finish their work early at school or if they want to pursue an interest in a particular topic. For example, always having a reading book or knowing where to find extension tasks or activities.
You may have noticed that I have used the phrases ‘most able’ and ‘highly able’ interchangeably. This is because, since the Young Gifted and Talented Programme closed in 2010, there has been no official, national terminology to describe the most able students. Therefore, the definition and identification of ‘highly able’ varies from school to school.
This definitional information is also likely (and rightly) to be kept in-house as making this label known to children can have awkward connotations, both for the pressure it can place upon individual students and the impact it can have on other students who do not receive such a label.
Therefore, be cautious about how you approach discussing this topic with your child, if you choose to at all. It’s likely they will already have an awareness of where they fall in their peer group and labels can be damaging for highly able students.
Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning.
Enrichment for teens
FutureLearn: offering short courses from various universities. Perfect for giving secondary children experiences of studying subjects they have previously not encountered.
Nrich.maths.org: from the University of Cambridge, helping gifted mathematicians (age 3+).
BBC Bitesize (www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize): resources of excellent quality across all subjects, linked to the national curriculum. Scratch by MIT (www.scratch.mit.edu): for children interested in developing their coding skills (Scratch Jr available for younger children).
Optimising circadian rhythms for learning
By Usha Patel
Do you have difficulties getting your child up in the mornings and worry that they are not getting sufficient sleep?
Sleep is a vital process for children, especially for memory consolidation. The transfer of short-term memories happens during sleep, when everything your child learns during the day is moved to a part of the brain called the hippocampus. Memories stored in the hippocampus can be retrieved when called upon in the future.
The rest, repair, and memory cycle during sleep are beneficial not just for our children but for all of us and understanding this can help you make informed decisions about your child’s sleep habits.
We each have an internal ‘body clock’ known as the circadian clock. This clock creates daily rhythms for sleeping, eating and being active during a twenty-four-hour day cycle. By aligning your child’s routine with their natural circadian rhythm, you can help them achieve their best performance and get the most out of each school day.
Factors that govern our circadian rhythm start in the morning with daylight. Our built-in light sensors pick up this morning light and create a level of alertness, getting ready for the day ahead. Morning daylight comprises more blue light frequencies which provide a signal to the body for a level of activity. Importantly, receiving this blue light input in the morning signals to the body’s main central clock that it is the start of the daily cycle.
Children must eat a substantial meal to start the day after being asleep for eight hours (or more, depending on their age). Eating times are another critical factor affecting optimum learning
The last meal
While all children have different eating patterns and needs, the timing of the day’s last meal is critical. When there’s sufficient time between eating and going to bed, a child’s core body temperature is reduced, providing another trigger for the body to go into sleep mode.
The more significant the gap between the last meal and going to sleep, the more the food is entirely digested, thus it feels natural for children to wake up because they are hungry. So, when children find it challenging to wake up in the morning, lengthen the time between their last feed and bedtime.
Undigested food from a late-night meal indicates to the body’s circadian clock that more sleep is needed to finish digestion. Being forced to wake up when your child’s body is not ready to do so is challenging for them.
Understanding our circadian rhythm is essential for everyone and making small tweaks can have a huge impact on overall wellbeing. The Circadian Code by Dr Sachin Panda is a book worth reading, especially for busy working parents.
performance. The last meal should be around three to four hours before bed. Having a break after eating the last meal signals to the circadian clock that the night-time activities the brain and body need to do can start ahead of going to sleep.
Premature babies and circadian rhythms
Research shows that preterm babies who spend their early lives in Neonatal intensive care units (NICU) often have poorly adjusted circadian clocks.
Exposure to constant bright light means that these newborns find it difficult to naturally wind down when it gets dark, once they are well enough to leave the hospital.
Early excessive light exposure, in turn, impacts their feeding, growth, learning and general development. Many children with ADHD also show the same symptoms.
Usha Patel is a Neurocognitive Therapist at Raviv Practice London (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk).
The best kind of light
Is your child getting enough daylight in the mornings? Walking for around twenty minutes in the morning (to school) is a way to ensure that your child is getting enough blue light, even on overcast days.
Generally, evening lighting should be warmer, especially in your child’s bedroom, upstairs landing and bathroom. Warmer lighting in your child’s bedroom triggers the hormone for sleep production, melatonin and illuminating the desk instead of the room is considered gentler on the eyes at that time of day. Electronic devices emit blue light, so they should have their blue light sensor switched off in the evening.
Sometimes, children want to get up at night to drink water or use the bathroom. Having a glass of water next to the bed and warm light in the bathroom means they are not overstimulated at a time when they should be resting.
Excessive light exposure when children are supposed to be sleeping triggers the wake cycle and the child needs to restart their sleep cycle from the beginning.
The new childcare offering
By Purnima Tanuku
Early education and childcare is very expensive, especially for our youngest children and as research has shown, many parents end up working just to pay for their child’s nursery. So why is UK childcare so expensive compared to childcare in similar countries? The reason is that the government contribution has been so low and until recently it was limited to children ages 3 and 4.
So, when the previous government’s plan to expand childcare support for working parents in England was announced last year, this was great news, not just for parents but also for children. Research shows that high quality early education and care supports their development, wellbeing and has an impact on their education all through their schooling.
What is the new childcare offering in UK childcare?
The childcare expansion is being delivered in stages, building on the thirty hours of funded childcare for children ages 3 and 4 which was already available. However, the offer is still only available to families where parents are working at least sixteen hours a week.
The roll out provides:
• fifteen hours funded childcare a week for children age 2 from April 2024
• fifteen funded hours for children ages 9+ months from September 2024
This will be increased to thirty hours funded childcare for all children under age 5 from September 2025.
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Although government funded hours make a difference to family finances, this funded childcare still involves costs for parents. It is important to be aware of the following parameters:
The thirty and fifteen hours of government supported childcare is not ‘free.’ The government only pays for the actual childcare sessions, which does not include any meals, snacks, consumables or additional activities, so families can expect to see settings make charges for these.
The funded hours are only during term time. Most parents work all year round so providers may ‘stretch’ these hours across the year, reducing the hours per week.
Depending on the length of your sessions, you will need to pay for any additional hours you need at the nursery’s usual fee especially for early or later hours.
Purnima Tanuku OBE is Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) (www.nda.org.uk), a charity with a mission to see children and families thrive through access to high-quality early education and care.
It’s not ‘free’, it’s ‘government-funded’
The offer of ‘free’ childcare launched by the previous government has now been renamed by ministers as ‘government-funded’ childcare. Calling the funded hours free has misled parents and created difficult conversations when providers need to charge for meals and other items not included in the funding.
The Department for Education (DfE) announced late last year that it would be consulting with providers in the coming weeks on new guidance regarding charging parents for ‘extras’ such as meals and consumables. It’s important that the government works with providers to create guidance that is clear, fair to parents and sustainable for providers.
Although the government offers funded hours, the rates they pay for these have never covered the actual costs of delivering high quality early education and care. When we speak to providers, the vast majority say funding rates do not cover their staffing and other costs and when funding increases do not keep pace with inflation and staffing costs, that gap only widens.
When does my child need their first pair of shoes?
Buying your child their first pair of shoes. This is a big milestone as your child is turning from a baby to a toddler. As children’s feet are not fully developed until they are teenagers, it is important to get shoes that fit properly to avoid foot health problems.
Does my child need shoes when crawling?
Professional advice is that barefoot is best, as this gives your child a chance to strengthen the muscles in their foot and feel and grip the floor underneath them for balance. Once they start crawling and cruising you can protect your baby’s feet from bumps and scrapes with properly fitted pre-walkers which should be light and flexible.
When should I buy my baby their first pair of shoes? When your child is walking more than crawling, which is around 4-6 weeks from their first few steps. Shoes can be useful, especially if they need to walk outside and need protection. This can be any time between 9 and 18 months on average.
W. J. French & Son are an award-winning local shoe shop. Their experienced fitters will make sure that your child’s feet are properly measured and fitted with the most suitable shoe for their stage of development. They have a great selection of well known quality brands and take a polaroid photo as a keepsake to mark this special milestone. Find out more at www.wjfrenchandson.co.uk
Hampshire’s first beach and nature nursery
The Titchfield Haven Visitor Centre has been acquired by the Hopscotch Day Nurseries group, who have already begun work on its conversion into Hampshire’s first beach and nature children’s day nursery.
Opening in May 2025, Harbourside Nursery will emphasise the outdoor environment, leveraging its unique location next to the beach and the Titchfield Haven National Reserve.
Freya Derrick MBE, Founder of Hopscotch, stated, “Our vision is simple: we aim to provide a day nursery with a dedicated ethos and commitment to early years education in an outdoor, natural environment. Drawing inspiration from countries like Sweden and Norway, recognised global leaders in early childhood development, Harbourside’s children will spend the majority of their time outdoors.
Freya continues: “The nature reserve and coastline will serve as their classroom, where they will learn and grow immersed in natural cycles. When weather conditions are not ideal, a stunning indoor facility will ensure children continue to benefit from this unique setting.”
Visit www.harboursidenursery.co.uk to find out more.
Baby & Children’s Nearly New Sales in Janury & February
If you are expecting a baby then one of these markets will be great for picking up some nearly new bargains.
Sunday 26 January
Little Pickles Market
Totton Health & Leisure, SO40 3GX
Sunday 9 February
Little Pickles Market
Applemore Health & Leisure Centre, SO45 5TN
Sunday 23 February
Little Pickles Market
Brockenhurst Village Hall, SO42 7RY
0-5 years, baby and children’s nearly new market with a range of clothes, toys, nursery furniture, baby equipment and more!
For more information and to book visit: www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk/ hampshire
Early gender gap: young girls play outside less than boys
A UK survey reveals that girls as young as two play outside less than boys, highlighting early gender disparities.
Conducted by researchers from the universities of Exeter and Cambridge, the study suggests these differences could affect girls’ health as they age, with potential impacts on physical activity and mental wellbeing. Dr. Kathryn Hesketh of the University of Cambridge commented, “It’s concerning that at age two we’re already seeing these differences in the time that boys and girls play outdoors in nature.”
The survey also noted that children from minority ethnic backgrounds play outside less than their white and rural peers.
www.bit.ly/ExeterPlaySurvey
What's On Your family guide to
All listings correct at the time of going to print. Please check with the venue before visiting to ensure events are still going ahead and the venues are open.
WINTER FUN
Treasure Trails across Hampshire
A self-guided spy mission walking trail or treasure hunt inspired walk. Trails are 2 to 2½ miles and take approximately two hours. www.treasuretrails.co.uk
‘50 Things’ Activities at the National Trust
Why not try some of the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ challenges? There’s something for every young explorer to do. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
New Forest Wildlife Park
An unforgettable wildlife experience. Where family fun, conservation and nature come together. Daily feeding time keeper talks available. See online for details and times. www.newforestwildlifepark.co.uk
Winter Bird Explorer at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey SO51 0QA
Until 30 Jan
Self-guided family fun. Come for a winter stomp and join the bird watch, look for winter wildlife in the Gardens. £1 plus normal admission. www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/ hilliergardens/whatson/Birdexplorer-Jan25?date=202501181000
Take a look at our top rainy day places to visit that are open during the winter months.
The Mary Rose Museum Portsmouth, PO1 3PY
Open daily 10am-5pm
Explore Henry VIII’s favourite ship and the largest collection of Tudor objects in the world. maryrose.org
Royal Navy Submarine Museum Gosport, PO12 2AS
Open Wed to Sun 10am-4.30pm
Take a deep dive into the fascinating world of submarines. www.nmrn.org.uk/visit-us/ submarine-museum
SeaCity Museum
Southampton SO14 7FY
Open daily 10am-5pm
Discover the history of RMS Titanic with a visit to SeaCity. Enjoy fun, interactive activities and special exhibitions throughout the year. www.seacitymuseum.co.uk
Winchester Science Centre Winchester, SO21 1HZ
Open weekends and school holidays 9.30am-5pm
An interactive hands-on science centre with 100 hands-on science exhibits plus also the UK’s largest stand-alone digital planetarium. A great place for kids to burn off energy and learn all about science in the process. www.winchestersciencecentre. org
Slime-tastic fun at Winchester Science Centre
It’s squishy, stretchy, lots of fun and now slime is taking centrestage at Winchester Science Centre with a brand-new February half term live show, The Slime Show from Friday 14 to Monday 24 February.
Families are invited to the Science Theatre for a 20-minute exploration into the mysterious world of slime – FREE with general admission. Audiences will discover if slime is a solid or liquid as they delve into the scientific properties of matter. Live experiments and daring demos will bring to life what happens to slime under different types of pressure. And then, for the ultimate slime-tastic test, the Inspirers will attempt to walk on slime! Plus, there’ll be two epic adventures to enjoy in The Planetarium, huge ‘don’t-try-this-athome’ demos in Science Live and lots of fun to be had on the two floors of hands-on interactive exhibits.
For more information and to book tickets visit www.winchestersciencecentre.org
FAMILY THEATRE
Lou Lou the Snow Dragon at The Point, Eastleigh SO50 9DE Thu 9-Wed 22 Jan
Lou Lou the Snow Dragon wants to be an astronaut. Lou Lou’s Mummy Dragon looks on lovingly as Lou Lou grows up, flies the nest and follows her dreams. A magical winter story world for young children and their grown ups. www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk/ whats-on/lou-lou-the-snow-dragon
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Chichester Festival Theatre Fri 24 Jan
The UK’s premier baby friendly comedy club. With shows featuring the funniest comedy stars from the circuit and TV, the event is all about you, the parents! www.cft.org.uk/events/bring-yourown-baby-comedy-2
Creation: The Bubble Show at Chichester Festival Theatre Sat 1 Feb
Immerse yourself in this spectacular adventure as the master of bubbles breathes life into light, water, plants, animals, stars and the essence of human nature itself. Creation is a feast for the senses, with fire effects, poetic puppetry, light-displays, captivating music and brand-new bubble masterpieces. Ages 2+. www.cft.org.uk/events/the-bubbleshow-2
The Guffalo at Chichester Festival Theatre, PO19 6AP Tue 4-Wed 5 Feb
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Ages 3+. www.cft.org.uk/events/the-gruffalo
Room on the Broom at Theatre Royal Winchester, SO23 8SB Fri 7-Sun 9 Feb
Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ funfilled adaptation of the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Ages 3+. www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/ whats-on/room-broom
Dinosaur Adventure Live at The Point, Eastleigh SO50 9DE Sat 15 Feb 11am, 2pm
The adventure of a lifetime awaits… bring the family on a T-REX-IFFIC journey with a brand-new dinosaur, meet their ROAR-SOME babies and help the rangers save the Island. Are you brave enough to face the Jurassic Storm! www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk/ whats-on/dinosaur-adventure-thebig-jurassic-storm
The Littlest Yak at Chichester Festival Theatre, PO19 6AP Mon 17-Sat 22 Feb
This musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book will delight audiences with beautiful puppets, catchy tunes and an uplifting tale of self-acceptance for all the family. Ages 3+.
www.cft.org.uk/events/the-littlestyak
Sing-a-Long Encanto at New Theatre Royal, PO1 2DD Wed 19 Feb
Cheer on Mirabel as she tries to save the magic surrounding the Encanto. Sing your heart out with a live host, who will teach you some dance moves, help you create some magic and show you how to use your free props bag. 2pm. All ages. www.newtheatreroyal.com/ performances/singalonga-encanto
Dinosaur World Live at Chichester Festival Theatre, PO19 6AP Thu 20-Sun 23 Feb
Experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family! Ages 3+. www.cft.org.uk/events/dinosaurworld-live
Exciting Science at Theatre Royal Winchester, SO23 8SB Sun 23 Feb
This brand-new, exciting and educational show will amaze and astound. With fun and fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as we recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with our smoke blaster! Ages 4+. www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/ whats-on/exciting-science
The Smartest Giant In Town at Fareham Live, PO16 7DB Sat 1-Sun 2 Mar
A heart-warming tale about friendship and helping those in need is brought to life in a musical, puppet-filled adventure. All ages. www.trafalgartickets.com/farehamlive-fareham/en-GB/event/family/ the-smartest-giant-in-town-tickets
Take part in The Big Garden Birdwatch
Get your family involved in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and help monitor bird life in the UK. With 1 in 4 birds in serious decline, it’s never been more important to monitor the UK’s bird populations.
It’s the world’s largest garden wildlife survey and over the past 45 years, volunteers from across the UK have helped the RSPB by tracking the birds living in their gardens and local green spaces. Simply count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour between 24 and 26 January. Challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. To learn how to take part and how to spot garden birds with a handy free birdwatch guide, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
TOP RAINY DAYS
Dinosaur and Nature Trails at Curtis Museum, Alton, GU34 1BA
Until 2 Mar
Drop-in for a trail sheet and win a sticker if you can find all the toy dinosaurs or complete the natural history quiz! 10am–4:30pm. www.hampshireculture.org.uk/ event/dinosaur-nature-trails
After Dark - The Planetarium Live at Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ
Fri 14 Feb
Zoom through the stars on an exciting flight through the solar system. Take a seat in the breathtaking Planetarium and discover the secrets of the skies above us during a presenter-led live show. 6pm. 45-minute show. www.winchestersciencecentre.org/ whats-on/planetarium-experiencefebruary
February Half Term Slime-tastic Fun at Winchester Science Centre, SO21 1HZ
Fri 14-Mon 24 Feb
Slime takes centre-stage with a brand-new live science show.
See page 14 for full details. www.winchestersciencecentre.org
February Half Term at Paultons Park, SO51 6AL
Fri 14-Mon 24 Feb
Over 70 exciting rides and attractions, set within 140 acres of beautiful park to enjoy, plus visit Peppa Pig World, with 9 fun rides! Meet Peppa and George and jump in muddy puddles. Perfect for toddlers and children under 1 metre. FREE! See online for opening times and ticket information. www.paultonspark.co.uk
Mission Minecraft at Royal Navy Submarine Museum Gosport, PO12 2AS
Sat 15 Feb
Take on Mission Minecraft: Worlds Beneath your Waves. Explore 150 years of maritime science from the pioneering expedition of HMS Challenger in 1872 the groundbreaking research undertaken by the Royal Navy today. 11am-3pm. Ages 5-11. www.nmrn.org.uk/events/missionminecraft-worlds-beneath-waves
Mini Gallery Week: Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake at Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, PO12 1NS
Sat 15-Sat 22 Feb
Step into the magical world of Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake. Explore hands-on art activities and creative workshops inspired by the beloved characters of Roald Dahl. Perfect for budding artists and bookworms alike. The week-long adventure will ignite imaginations and celebrate the power of creativity! FREE, drop-in. 10am-4pm. www.hampshireculture.org.uk/ event/mini-gallery-week-roalddahl-and-quentin-blake
Worlds Beneath the Waves Family Trail at Royal Navy Submarine Museum Gosport, PO12 2AS
Sat 15-Sun 23 Feb
Go on a 150-year voyage of scientific discovery in this new exhibition. Make learning about our changing planet fascinating and fun with this hands-on exhibition family trail. www.nmrn.org.uk/events/worldsbeneath-waves-family-fun-trail
Magic of Locomotion at Mid-Hants Railway, SO24 9JG Sat 15-Sun 23 Feb
Discover the magic of train travel with magicians! Be spellbound by shows at the Old Goods Shed and wonder at the close-up tricks and entertainment on board the service trains. 10.30am-4.30pm. www.watercressline.co.uk/specialdays/magic-of-locomotion
Invent and Inspire Week at The Arc, Winchester SO23 8SB Mon 17-Fri 21 Feb
Let your child dive into Invent and Inspire Week - where innovation and science meet arts and crafts for a week of imagination and hands-on creativity! £10 per child. 2-4pm. www.hampshireculture.org.uk
Rude Science at Portsmouth Guildhall, PO1 2AB Tue 18 Feb
The naughtiest, funniest, most revolting science show in the world. Brace yourselves for BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates’ revolutionary, hightech, highly-explosive new show, packed with outrageous science stunts. 11am. Ages 5-14. www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/ whats-on/event/rude-science
Family Archaeology at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey SO51 0QA Tue 18 Feb
Be an archaeologist and join us at this purpose-built trench in the woods to find hidden treasures from ages past. Study some Stone Age artefacts to work out what they were used for. Learn about the Stone Age in more detail by living the life of our ancestors through a variety of hands-on activities around the fire. Ages 4-12. 10.30am-12.30pm. Booking is required. www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/ hilliergardens/whatson/StoneFeb25
Retro Games Day at Petersfield Museum, GU32 3HX Sat 22 Feb
Embark on a journey down memory lane at this Retro Games Days, where pixels meet passion and classic gaming reigns supreme! 10am-4pm. FREE. www.petersfieldmuseum.co.uk/ events/retro-games-day-22february
February treats at Chichester Festival Theatre
There’s some fantastic February half term fun in store at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Go on a roarsome interactive show at Dinosaur World Live or treat little ones to a rollicking heart-warming musical tale at The Littlest Yak (with beautiful puppets, catchy tunes and an uplifting story!).
Returning is The Bubble Show with new creations (who doesn’t enjoy fire effects, puppetry and bubble pyrotechnics) as well as The Gruffalo for another daring adventure through the deep, dark wood with Mouse.
There’s also Bring Your Own Baby Comedy (very much for the parents!) as well as a gentle exploration of the season from Little Angel Theatre with Persephone (for babies aged 6–18 months). Plus Family Backstage Tours and FREE family-friendly spaces with room to unwind - the whole family can come and play.
