Families London Surrey Borders Jan/Feb 2020

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RECRUITING NOW Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside and without compromising family commitments or current career.

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle

please call Katie Bridge 07909 681884

IN THIS ISSUE Early Years Special Kids Corner What’s on in January & February

Helping children believe they can do anything Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds

CHEAM & WORCESTER PARK stagecoach.co.uk/ cheamandworcesterpark COULSDON & CATERHAM stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon

SUTTON stagecoach.co.uk/sutton SHIRLEY stagecoach.co.uk/shirley

CROYDON stagecoach.co.uk/croydon EPSOM stagecoach.co.uk/epsom Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

Issue 90 January/February 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families London Surrey Borders

Improve your child’s maths skills with online one-to-one maths tuition for ages 6-12 Proven to deliver 7 months’ progress in only 14 weeks!

Used in over 2,000 schools and homes across the UK

“My two children have been using Matr for 5 months now. I have seen a huge improvement in their maths confidence and results” Olga, November 2019

Visit www.matr.org to kick-start your child’s maths journey learn@matr.org | 0203 794 2737

Fast feet, french and forest rangers.

Just another normal day at Little Downsend.

Downsend's STEAM focus is nurtured from day one. To find out more about STEAM and what it means for the way your child learns, join us at one of our Open Mornings coming up in March.

To check dates and book your place visit www.downsend.co.uk/visit-us

2 Families London Surrey Borders

familiesonline.co.uk

Perform is celebrating its 20th Anniversary!

London Surrey Borders Editor Tamar Pearson editor@families-LSB.co.uk Design Rebecca Carr rebecca@familiesmagazine.co.uk Printer Print Mates 21,000 copies printed 42,000 readers per issue Next issue March/April Booking deadline 7 February Cover Image ©Depositphotos

Welcome to issue 90 Welcome to our 90th issue, and what a wonderful adventure it has been.

Celebrate with us, with two great competitions offering family tickets to Bocketts Farm Park and LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort world’s first DUPLO® Dino Coaster, set in the heart of the bigger and even better DUPLO Valley!

Enjoy our very first Kids Corner, filled with fun and exciting activities for your little ones. This Valentines share the love and paint bright, colourful LOVE ROCKS to leave for some unexpecting strangers to fine. Remember to share your LOVR ROCKS with us at www.facebook.com/FamiliesLSBMag. We would love to see them all.

Families Chatted to Founder, Lucy Quick.

How did Perform start?

I was a musical theatre actress in Oliver! at the London Palladium and I loved working with children. I had a vision for a drama school that wasn’t about talent or auditions; where performing arts would be used to develop what we now call the 4 Cs: confidence, communication, coordination and concentration.

£40 Intro Discount Quote LSB14022 0

Where is Perform at now?

Starting with two classes in 2000, we now run 472 schools across the South East and West, employ over 250 teachers and have almost 8000 children attending weekly.

What’s the secret of Perform’s success?

We put child development at the heart of everything we do.

What does the future hold?

Opening more Perform schools across the country – we’re just launching in Nottingham - and continuing our confidence crusade to help children fulfil their potential through drama, dance and singing.

What are you proudest of?

My teachers. They are the most inspirational bunch of talented and enthusiastic people you’ll ever meet.

Try a FREE no-obligation dance or drama class in Purley.

Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book.

Quote LSB140220 for an introductory £40 discount when you book.

This issue we have our Early Years feature, with dedicated Early Years News Board, sharing top tips on setting your little ones up for a year filled with happiness and achievements.

Wishing all our families the most magical year. Happy 2020.

Tamar xx

In this issue 4. News 6. Education News 7. Independent School Open Days 8. The Importance of Lullabies 10. Early Years News Board 12. What’s on in January & February 15. Kids Corner Families London Surrey Borders is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families London Surrey Borders are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families London Surrey Borders. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families London Surrey Borders; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof. familiesonline.co.uk

Families London Surrey Borders 3

News New Principal at Stagecoach Performing Arts Sydenham Kim Findlay, Principal of Stagecoach Shirley and Stagecoach’s Franchisee of the Year will be taking over Stagecoach Sydenham from January 2020.

Kim told Families: “I am very excited to be managing Stagecoach Sydenham from January, alongside the popular Shirley school.

Stagecoach Sydenham has been operating for over 10 years and there are exciting opportunities for students in the coming terms, as I bring with me a strong team of talented and experienced teachers.”

Stagecoach Performing Arts was established in Surrey in 1988, and the ethos is to encourage and develop ‘Creative Courage for Life’, nurturing children’s talents and needs to achieve their full potential through acting, singing and dance.

For details including a two week trial, call Kim on 020 8949 1116 or visit: www.stagecoach.co.uk/sydenham or www.stagecoach.co.uk/shirley

Do you have what it takes to be a Wildlife Warrior?

Surrey Wildlife Trust is encouraging children to become Wildlife Warriors and take action to help nature. You could go out for a walk to spot wildlife, improve your garden or help out in your school wildlife garden.

You can upload photos and put details of what you have done on an interactive map and then see what others in their local area are doing.

The link to the web page and map is: www.surreywildlifetrust.org.uk/ wildlife-warriors. You’ll find ideas and tips on how you can become a Wildlife Warrior on the page too.

Winter is a great time to get out and about and spot birds in particular. Follow Surrey Wildlife Trust on Facebook for ideas for families on how to have fun outdoors over half term.

Do you want to be part of Girlguiding in Croydon?

With over 100 Girlguiding groups in Croydon, you will never be too far away from a local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Rangers group.

What is Girlguiding? Girlguiding Croydon is part of Girlguiding, the leading charity in the UK for girls and young women. They offer an exciting programme of activities for girls and young women across Croydon.

There are over 2,300 girls and young women, supported by over 450 adult volunteers, enabling girls to discover their potential and help them grow into confident, curious young women.

Units in Croydon: Rainbows (girls aged 5-7) Brownies (girls aged 7-10) Guides (girls aged 10-14) Rangers (girls aged 14-18) Girlguiding Croydon are always looking for new volunteers to support their units in roles which range from unit helper to unit leader.

Interested and want to find out more, please go to www.girlguiding. org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer or send an email to rebecca. webb@girlguiding.org.uk

The Big Garden Birdwatch The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from 25 to 27 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world. The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children.

To take part, you need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. You can request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden.

To make it fun, challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park to look for birds, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.

More info: www.rspb.org.uk

The Lotus Practice u yo e s Rai

acups... r te We are an independent family owned cafe nestled by a small woodland in the beautiful Rickman Hill Park in Coulsdon.

A warm welcome awaits, brimming with love and delicious delights for every palate. Pop in and say hi!

FIND US Rickman Hill Recreation Ground, Rickman Hill, Coulsdon CR5 3DU | 01737 559 255 @DottysCoulsdon

www.dottysteagarden.co.uk 4 Families London Surrey Borders

Now offering ü Cranio-sacral therapy ü Baby Massage Courses ü Baby Yoga Courses ü Osteopathy CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your own natural healing mechanisms to dissipate these negative effects of stress on your central nervous system and better overall health.

) 07956442223 : thelotus@hotmail.co.uk 8 www.thelotuspractice.com familiesonline.co.uk

News

Calling all families - Wear A Hat Day needs you!

55x70_alison.qxp_Layout 9 25/08/2016 10:52 Pa

The annual fundraising extravaganza, Wear A Hat Day is coming back in 2020 – Families Magazine and Brain Tumour Research are calling on you to get involved!

Wear A Hat Day 2020 takes place on Friday 27th March, at the end of Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

Over the last decade, this hattastic event has raised more than £1 million in support of the charity Brain Tumour Research. It has become a must-do event for many children and parents and their communities.

Taking part is really easy and the charity has some great ideas on their website to help you plan and host wonderful hat-themed fundraising events. Register today to ensure you get your FREE fundraising pack in time: www.wearahatday.org Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. No family should be devasted by a brain tumour. Wear A Hat Day is a really important campaign be involved with – not only is it great fun but with your participation, it becomes a powerful symbol of hope for all affected by this disease.

For classes of pure MADness, join MAD Academy

Birthday Parties Too!

Babies from 3 months action songs and sensory stimulation Walkers to 2 years music, movement and motor development 2 to 4 years dance, musicality and beat competency

Classes in Croydon & surrounding areas Call Alison on 020 8407 1726 or email: alison.storey@madacademy.com

madacademy.com Music And Dance and a whole lot of fun!

Funds raised will continue to help the charity build a network of experts in sustainable research at dedicated Centres of Excellence whilst influencing the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more nationally.

Together we will find a cure.

Dotty’s Tea Garden - a charming vintage tea room in a beautiful location Dotty’s Tea Garden, a charming vintage tearoom has just opened its doors in an enchanting woodland setting on the edge of Coulsdon.

Found tucked away in Rickman Hill Recreation Ground, Dotty’s Tea Garden will be offering breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, as well as coffee and cakes.

Also, as the sister café of the award-winning Dotty’s Teahouse in Carshalton, the café will feature their quirky décor, upcycled furniture and vintage crockery.

“We are thrilled to have opened our second establishment in this lovely location,” says owner Rebecca Mackenzie. “Being a little bit off the beaten track, it’s the perfect place for people to relax and unwind among nature before enjoying a trip to our tearoom.”

Serving loose leaf-teas, small-batch coffee, delicious cakes, their trademark cheese-on-toast and other home-made delights, they will also be offering the decadent afternoon teas for which they have become famous.

Now Recruiting Contact: Mrs Tracy Felton (020 8643 5919) Member of the IDTA, AQA/NSAP Professional Award, CRB checked, School Curriculum approved. Fully insured.

Hillcross Primary School, Ashridge Way, Morden, SM4 4EE

There will also be a weekly story-time for the little ones, and the tearoom will be available for private hire. More info: www.dottysteagarden.co.uk

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer

www.traymark.weebly.com TraymarkJuniorDanceClub

MOUR A BRAIN TU Y B D E T TA S DEVA SHOULD BE NO FAMILY

Just

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of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease

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www.wearahatday.org Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland). Company limited by guarantee number 08570737. familiesonline.co.uk

Families London Surrey Borders 5

Education news Preparing children for the digital age As Artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies (ET) are set to transform modern society, it is essential that children are equipped with creative, critical thinking and communication skills to prepare them well for the future.

Micklefield School extends its learning to prepare their children to meet the needs of the digital age. Whilst the school achieves excellent academic results, technology and creativity are also prioritised.

Subjects like Design and Technology, Computing and Art and Design are delivered by specialist teachers, which allows the children to further develop their skills and talents in a well-resourced IT room and art studio. Here the children have access to a 3D printer and Computer Aided Design software (CAD).

Micklefield prides itself on providing a nurturing family friendly environment with strong values that offers high quality tailored education and dedicated pastoral care. Due to the small class sizes, each individual is supported to ensure they reach their full potential.

More info: www.micklefieldschool.co.uk

New First Class Learning centre opening at Worcester Park library Local Mum, Shweta understands the importance education plays for each individual and this understanding increased many folds when she started teaching her own kids. Realising how much additional support was required to cope with the expectations of the UK Curriculum gave her the inspiration to change career paths as Chartered Accountant (ACA) and start to teach more kids English and Maths. The satisfaction and motivation were enough to start up my own First Class Learning centre. The FCL worksheets and programme are based on the National Curriculum that prepares the child for KS1, KS2, 11+ until GCSEs.

Ofsted ratings driving up house prices Families in England are paying a house price premium of as much as £100,000 to make sure their children live within the catchment of schools rated outstanding by Ofsted, new analysis suggests. Researchers analysed the Ofsted ratings of 20,545 secondary and primary schools in England and found that average house prices often reflect the quality of the local school. The average price of a house in England with top-rated schools nearby stands at £331,605, according to research by comparison website Confused.com. This is about £38,600 more than the average price of homes with schools rated ‘good’ by Ofsted nearby, about £78,000 more than in areas with schools that ‘require improvement’ and nearly £100,000 more than in postcodes with schools rated ‘inadequate’.

A similar study by the Department of Education found that house prices are 8% higher near the best performing primary schools.

To view the report, visit www.confused.com

Banstead Prep pupils celebrating success in local art competition Banstead Prep School pupils are celebrating their success at the inaugural Banstead Young Artist of the Year competition.

The competition invited local school children to submit their own works of art to be exhibited at Banstead Community, where members of the public as well as Banstead Art Group members were encouraged to vote for the pieces that they felt showed the greatest maturity and understanding of artistic techniques.

In what was nearly a clean sweep for Banstead Prep School, a number of pupils achieved awards across the age categories. The children all received a certificate, prize ribbon and generous prizes of artist materials provided by local business Pullinger’s Art Supplies as sponsors of the competition. More info: www.bansteadprep.com

We are offering Free Trials to help you know us better. Classes run every Saturday from 10am to 12pm. Email: worcesterpark@firstclasslearning. co.uk or call 07404702669.

Dunottar School, Reigate - where children receive an excellent education

of a vibrant, friendly community.

Dunottar School in Reigate is a coeducational day school where boys and girls aged 11 to 18 receive an excellent, rounded education as part

Teachers at Dunottar are passionate about their subjects and deliver an engaging curriculum designed to spark imaginations and instill a love of learning, so that students acquire skills and confidence to think critically, challenge convention and aim high. Pupils are encouraged to be aspirational, tenacious, curious, creative, independent, collaborative and inclusive both within and beyond the classroom, and exceptional pastoral care underpins every aspect of school life.

Located just outside Reigate, Dunottar offers the transport convenience of a town centre site in a stunning 15-acre countryside setting.

Call the admissions team on 01737 761945, email admissions@ dunottarschool.com or visit www.dunottarschool.com for more information about Open Mornings.

6 Families London Surrey Borders

Build your child’s confidence and learning skills. Ages 5 – 16 years.

Sutton 07712 323582 sutton@firstclasslearning.co.uk Carshalton 07957 966316 carshalton@firstclasslearning.co.uk Worcester Park 07404702669 worcesterpark@firstclasslearning.co.uk South Croydon 07790 004 416 croydon.south@firstclasslearning.co.uk

Visit www.firstclasslearning.co.uk to enquire or book an assessment. familiesonline.co.uk

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OPEN MORNINGS Open events require advance booking, so please call the school to check.

Banstead Prep Banstead, SM7 3RA 01737 363601 Co–educational Prep school Pupils 2–13 yrs www.bansteadprep.com Open Day Thu 6 Feb Open Day Fri 20 Mar Toddler Time parent and toddler group Fri 7 Jan, 7 Feb, 13 Mar, 9.30am - 11am City of London Freeman’s Ashstead Park, KT21 1ET www.clfs.surrey.sch.uk Open Morning Wed 12 Feb, 10am-11.30am Collingwood School Wallington, SM6 0BD www.collingwoodschool.org.uk Open Day Sat 7 Mar, 10am-12noon Croydon High School Croydon, CR2 8YB Independent girls’ day school Pupils 3–18 yrs www.croydonhigh.gdst.net Year 3 Taster Afternoon Sat 29 Feb Sixth Form Taster Day Fri 31 Jan

Downsend School (Pre/Preps) Leatherhead, Ashtead and Epsom 01372 372197 Co–educational Pre prep school Pupils 2–6 yrs www.downsend.co.uk First Steps, Rising Reception, Reception, Year 1 Little Downsend - Leatherhead & Ashtead Fri 6 Mar, 9.30am–11.30am Little Downsend Epsom Fri 13 Mar, 9.30am–11.30am Year 2 – Year 11 Open Day (Downsend) Fri 6 Mar, 9.12am–12noon Dunottar School Reigate, RH2 7EL 01737 761945 Co–educational day school Pupils 11-18 yrs www. dunottarschool.com Open Day Tue 25 Feb, 10.15am

Ewell Castle Junior and Senior Ewell, KT17 2AW 020 8393 1413 Co-educational day school Pupils 3–18 yrs www.ewellcastle.co.uk Whole School Open Day Sat 8 Feb, 10am–12noon Senior School Open Day Fri 6 Mar, 9am–10.30am Homefield Preparatory Sutton, SM1 2TE www.homefield.sutton.sch.uk Open Day Wed 22 Jan, 9.20am Kingswood House School Epsom, KT19 8LG www.kingswoodhouse.org Open Day Fri 31 Jan, 9.30am - 12noon Open Day Thu 27 Feb, 9.30am - 12noon Open Day Sat 29 Feb, 9.30am - 12noon

2020 Open Mornings Tuesday 25th February Wednesday 29th April Thursday 25th June To book your place visit: www.dunottarschool.com or call 01737 761945 Dunottar School, High Trees Road, Reigate, RH2 7LE.

Manor House School & Nursery Little Bookham, KT23 4EN www.manorhouseschool.org Prep School and Senior School Open Day Wed 5 Feb, 9.30am Micklefield School Reigate, RH2 9DU 01737 224212 Co–education Prep school Pupils 3-11 yrs www. micklefieldschool.co.uk Open Day 7 Mar Old Palace School of John Whitgift Preparatory South Croydon, CR2 7YN Senior Croydon, CR0 1AX www.oldpalace.croydon.sch.uk Working Open Morning Nursery, Pre-School and Preparatory Thu 16 Jan, 9.30am – 11am Open Afternoon Seniors Sat 8 Feb, 2pm – 4pm Seaton House School Sutton, SM2 5LH www.seatonhouse.sutton.sch.uk Open Day Sat 29 Feb, 9am – 12noon Sutton High, Nursery and Juniors Sutton, SM1 2AL www.suttonhigh.gdst.net Nursery & Reception Open Day Thu 30 Jan, 9am

Free Magazines for your school, nursery, cafe, shop or club - just ask! editor@families-lsb.co.uk.co.uk or 01923 239 664

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Families London Surrey Borders 7

Early years

The Importance of Lullabies

By Laura Jane Foley Lullabies have been around for thousands of years. Musicologists believe the first lullabies were sung over 5000 years ago by the Babylonians. The fact that we’re still singing them today shows they certainly have longevity. Generations of parents have known that singing a lullaby to an infant has a lulling, calming effect.

Across all times and languages, lullabies have the same soothing, hypnotic qualities. These are created by the use of repeated, simple one or two syllable words and repeating musical phrases which are easy to predict.

Lullabies are necessarily easy to learn and sing. Infants need to recognise the familiar patterns of notes and words and parents need to be able to sing them without having any musical education or training. Traditionally lullabies were passed on through the generations from parent to child. Popular lullabies have stuck in the nation’s conscience due to the advent of recording, television and radio but there are hundreds of unknown lullabies which are just as beautiful and effective.

However, recent research has uncovered that only 38% of parents sing to their child every day. Yet singing to your baby is just as important as reading to them. A singing voice has a greater calming effect than speech so singing has positive health and emotional benefits not to mention the numerous studies which show that listening to music improves children’s intelligence.

Here is my top 5 list of lullabies to get you started: Brahms’s Lullaby Whether you know it was composed by Johannes Brahms or not,

Learn times tables quickly using Tunes Times Tables A creative and effective method of teaching multiplication Our objective is to teach children times tables through rhymes, music and actions.

6 x 2 is 12 2 x 2 is 4 11 x 7 is 77

this is the tune you’ll hum if someone asks you to sing a lullaby.

Composed in 1868 it is the most famous and recognisable lullaby in the world thanks, in part, to highly successful recordings by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Originally written with German words (‘Guten Abend, Gut’ Nacht’) there are several English translations.

Cradle Song by William Byrd I discovered this sweet Renaissance lullaby in an obscure out of print music book. I then spent several weeks tracking down the words for the missing second verse. The words are completely charming; it begins “my sweet, little darling, my comfort and joy”. It’s a fairly short lullaby and has a beautiful melody. I think it deserves to be much better known.

Dalmatian Cradle Song This traditional lullaby was originally a peasant’s song from Dalmatia (a region in Croatia). Its lilting melody is hauntingly beautiful. This lullaby tells a simple story about a father being away at sea. The chorus begins “Hush, my babe, my little one” and the “hush” sounds like the crashing waves of the sea. It’s calming and melodic.

Cradle Song or ‘Wiegenlied’ by Franz Schubert This simple lullaby uses few notes and echoes the rocking motion of lulling a baby to sleep. It was made famous by the superstar Italian Tenor Luciano Pavarotti who regularly sang it at his concerts. Originally written in German, several English translations are available which include these pretty lyrics: “slumber, slumber, in sweet dreams reposing.”

A Cradle Song by Ralph Vaughan Williams This beautiful lullaby is more interesting musically than the Schubert song. It has no repetition and has a range of well over an octave which is unusual as most lullabies use the same notes repeated in a limited range. The beautiful soaring melody by this twentieth century composer is complemented by the words of Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge: “Sleep sweet babe! My cares beguiling, Mother sits beside thee smiling”.

You can find recordings of all the above lullabies on YouTube.

10 x 3 is 30

Laura-Jane Foley has also recorded lesser-known lullabies, classical songs and readings for her new album Songs For My Daughter released by the Lullaby Trust and available from Amazon or iTunes price £10.95.

7 x 7 is 49

3 x 9 is 27

Email: asha@tunestimestables.com

Tel: 0330 333 8703

www.tunestimestables.com

Workshop locations: Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Brixton & Croydon 8 Families London Surrey Borders

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WIN tickets to ride the new ‘My First Coaster’ at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

Let me tell you why I love my school…

At Croydon High, we see every day as an opportunity to teach, to learn and to experience something amazing. In an environment like that, it’s not surprising that our girls are just bursting to tell people what they love about their school.

Why not bring your daughter along to our next Open Event where we guarantee there will be plenty to inspire her.

Please call 020 8260 7572 to find out more.

WIN

Don’t miss this roarsome new ride opening in March 2020 This year, the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort will welcome you aboard the world’s first DUPLO® Dino Coaster set in the heart of the bigger and even better DUPLO Valley! A pre-schoolers paradise, DUPLO Valley is home to LEGOLAND’s awesome outdoor water play areas, a host of much loved rides, from Fairy Tale Brook and the DUPLO Train to daily puppet shows.

To enter the competition to win 2 adult and 2 child tickets to the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, email your answer to the following question editor@families-lsb.co.uk with the subject The DUPLO Dino Coaster Competition. For full T&Cs see http://bit.ly/2YUu5oM

When will the DUPLO® Dino Coaster ride be opening?

A) January 2020 B) March 2020 C) May 2020

www.croydonhigh.gdst.net

Register to keep up to date with all of the latest DUPLO Valley news at www.LEGOLAND.co.uk/DUPLO © 2020 The LEGO Group

Where Children Thrive

Whole School Open Morning Thursday 6 February Activity Morning for Reception 2020 Tuesday 11 February

Independent Co-educational Day School For Pupils Aged 3-18

Book online bansteadprep.com/visit

OPEN EVENTS Saturday 8th February 10am-12 noon Whole School Friday 6th March 9am-10.30am Senior School Thursday 23rd April 9am-10.30am Prep School SUTTON LANE | BANSTEAD | ADMISSIONS@BANSTEADPREP.COM | 01737 363600

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www.ewellcastle.co.uk Families London Surrey Borders 9

Early years EARLY YEARS NEWS BOARDD

Researchers at the Birkbeck Babylab expand studies to include school age children Birkbeck Babylab don’t just study babies! Our team of friendly researchers create fun and interesting studies to learn how brains in babies, toddlers and children develop.

Our studies appeal to both babies and children through play, games and computer animations. Lisanne and Aude, two of our PhD students, are currently studying 2–6 year olds.

Lisanne uses motion capture cameras and Duplo toy blocks to learn how the ability to remember instructions and create things in the correct order. The technical psychology term for this is action sequencing and is essential to daily life. Aude uses a game on a touch screen computer where children build recipes for their favourite cartoon characters. The way the children plan, hesitate or change their minds while playing will provide insight into how action sequences develop and improve throughout childhood.

We are currently recruiting children from birth to school age to take part in our research in the heart of Central London. Participants will be compensated for travel expenses. Enjoy a fun day out in London and sign up today!

More info: www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/babylab

Why choose Jo Jingles as an extra activity in the nursery?

Jo Jingles is the country’s leading music and movement group for pre-school children.

Each structured session includes music, singing and movement/dance. Every child will also have the opportunity to play a musical instrument during each session with smaller instruments and sensory props for babies. The curriculum incorporates key areas of the EYFS. Sessions are fun, informative and educational, encouraging children with their language development, hand eye co-ordination, balance, agility, motor and social skills. As we are a weekly class, we build good relationships with the children and work with them to develop so many skills at a young age.

If we aren’t in your child’s nursery and you would like them to benefit from Jo Jingles sessions, please ask them to get in touch with us for a free trial. For Epsom contact Julia Dryland, email: juliajojingles@hotmail.com. For Banstead, Sutton and Purley contact Lorraine Bryant, email: lorraine.jojingles@yahoo.com

Rhymers are readers at Little Downsend!

“If a child knows eight nursery rhymes by the time they are 4 years old, they are usually among the best readers and spellers in their class by the time they are 8,” Mem Fox, best selling author of Reading Magic.

Did you know that Ofsted has recently recommended that more time is allocated to the teaching of nursery rhymes, due to the benefits they bring to children’s learning?

“We work hard to make sure that nursery rhymes and poems form a significant part of our day to day teaching. We know from experience that this helps with cognitive development by developing language and building memory capability. They aid language acquisition, speech development and increase vocabulary. Most importantly, we know that children love them, both the singing and the performance, all helping to build their self-confidence and self-awareness,” Vanessa Conlan, Head of Little Downsend Epsom and Leatherhead.

Come along to an Open Morning, arrange a personal tour or join us at our Toddler Groups to find out more. www.downsend.co.uk

Get your children ready with Tunes Times Tables Using Song, Action and Dance Tunes Times Tables is a fun, quick and easy way to learn multiplication using song, action and dance.

Tunes Times Tables is designed to complement conventional learning methods, and help children through lyrics, rhymes and music.

The Tunes Times Tables Programme has two main components: A series of songs which have been created to help students to learn and remember their times tables with interactive choreography and energetic delivery. This method is learnt so effortlessly that children as young as 3 years old can easily recite it.

Children of all abilities are welcome and full learning albums are also available to download.

More Info: www.tunestimestables.com

Sue Fraser

Parent Coach/RMN

Building Parent Confidence Understanding and managing child behaviour Learning together “There is no job more important than parenting” Benjamin Carson

suefrasercoaching@gmail.com 07739 038610 10 Families London Surrey Borders

Tailor made nursery programmes with MAD Academy Croydon MAD Academy has been delighting and developing children in nurseries and children’s centres for many years. They deliver fun-filled and stimulating music and movement classes carefully tailored to specific age groups, from babies up to preschool children. All the activities are designed to support key aspects of the Early Years Foundations Stage framework.

MAD Academy Nursery Programmes work around each individual nursery, planning classes around their specific needs and incorporating topics to reinforce their Learning Goals and help hit their OFSTED targets. Sessions are usually weekly, but don’t have to be, and can vary in length to suit your setting.

Do get in touch if you’d like further information or to arrange a demonstration class. Contact Alison Storey on 020 8407 1726. www.madacademy.com/dt_team/alison-storey

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Early years

Separation Croydon High School in Selsdon, anxiety at nursery children start nursery, many is an exceptional When parents are faced with the prospect their child in the care independent day ofof leaving strangers, which often causes feelings of anxiety and sadness. school for girls Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the leading network of independent girls’ schools in the UK, Croydon High has been delivering outstanding education to local girls since 1874.

Girls join Nursery in the term in which they will turn 3, progressing through Junior School, gaining confidence and experience, enjoying unparalleled opportunities to discover individual talents with a curriculum specifically developed to empower and inspire girls. This includes specialist teaching in areas such a computer science, drama, music and PE from Nursery up.

A personal tour of the Junior School on a normal school day is the perfect opportunity to meet Head Sarah Raja, to see first-hand how the girls learn and to soak up the school’s unique atmosphere.

Contact us to find out about our age appropriate assessment process the Junior Admissions team is on 020 8260 7572 or juniors@cry.gdst.net

Forest School has arrived at Ewell Castle Preparatory School Ewell Castle pupils from as young as Nursery through to Year 3 all enjoy Forest School. The weekly sessions allow children to enjoy a variety of different fun and educational activities in the various Forest School sites around the School grounds. These child-driven and child-focused sessions offer our pupils a very different and special experience. It gives them the opportunity to explore and to climb, to swing and to balance, to jump and to stretch, building strong bodies and confident, resilient and independent thinkers. For the children, it is simply tremendous fun, and the sound of their happy laughter is a regular feature of life at the Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School.

More info: www.ewellcastle.co.uk

The benefits of performing arts for children’s wellbeing

Regardless of how you are feeling, your child will need to know that you are confident in leaving them at nursery. Don’t take too long in saying goodbye, and if your child is really struggling, try giving them something to keep with them that belongs to you or even just a spray of your perfume/ aftershave can help.

Parenting can be joyful and fulfilling, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful, and sometimes we need a bit of help along the way.

If you are struggling with confidence as a parent or need any help in settling your little one into nursery, contact local Parent Coach, Sue for more information on suefrasercoaching@gmail.com or 07739 038610.

Running, climbing, jumping and exploring is more than just having fun All of these activities require core strength. This plays a vital role in the development of children’s skills.

Core strength is essential for nearly every gross motor activity; it gives us a stable base in order to move our arms, legs and head. The development of the torso muscles enables the body to stabilise, align and move the trunk of the body. This development starts in early infancy - ever wondered why tummy-time is so important?

Without a stable-base, children will not be able to develop their gross motor skills which, in turn, is essential for the development of fine motor skills.

Children who have weak core strength may struggle to balance when taking one foot off the floor to get dressed, need to lean forwards on a table and support their head, slouch on a chair or lean against other people for support.

So, get your children outside running, climbing, rolling, crawling, skipping and exploring!

Debbie Burridge is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist with DOT Occupational Therapy Services. If you have something you would like to discuss with Debbie, please contact her on 07572 186109, or visit www. dotot.co.uk

Paediatric Occupational Therapy

The world throws a lot of challenges at children and young people, especially in such a fast-moving technological society.

From body image, social media and peer pressure, there are so many obstacles that young people face which can really affect mental health.

The performing arts offer children a fantastic platform to be expressive and channel emotions, bravery and courage, whilst learning new skills, being active, having fun with other local children and ultimately growing in confidence.

Stagecoach runs Early Stages classes for four - six-year old’s, encouraging young children to use their imagination and make new friends. Stagecoach is more than just performing arts classes; they are a community in which they take great pride in watching children grow into wonderful young adults.

Your child can see what it’s all about in a Two-Week Trial and to find out more about your local Stagecoach visit www.stagecoach.co.uk

To advertise your business with us in our next issue email editor@families-LSB.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

• Handwriting • Fine motor skills • Gross motor skills • Sensory Processing • Developmental Coordination Delay • Autistic Spectrum Disorder • Dyspraxia Services we offer include: detailed assessments and reports, school programme, home programme and 1:1 therapy session For more information contact Debbie Burridge E: debbie@dotot.co.uk T: 07572 186109

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What’s on

What’s on

Before setting out please check details with the venue in case they have changed since we have gone to print ...and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families London-Surrey Borders!

DIARY DATES Throughout Jan & Feb The Winter Garden at Polesden Lacey Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Discover cheery yellow aconites and carpets of snowdrops. Between 13 Jan and 14 Feb, you’ll also find places to sit with blankets that have been hand-knitted by our volunteers, and bird-feeders created by volunteers.

Every Mon, 1pm- 3pm & Fri 10.30am-12.30pm FREE Food Growing Drop-in Sessions Carshalton Community Allotment, SM5 2PW www.ecolocal.org.uk Enjoy the outdoors, meet other people, learn new skills, get a bit of exercise and take free fresh veg home. No booking needed.

Every Fri, 10am - 11.30am & 1.30pm – 3pm Trails and Tales Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Enjoy the story and go for a walk in the park to bring the story to life. Return to create artwork linked to the story.

Every Fri, 3.45pm – 4.45pm Meme Club Sutton Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SM1 1EA www.sutton.gov.uk Use tablets and library computers to turn book reviews and book news into short video clips and memes. The best ones will be published by the library.

11 plus.

Every Sun, 9.30am – 10.30am Crafty Storytime Sutton Central Library, SM1 1EA www.sutton.gov.uk Start the day with a visit to the library for a story and then make some lovely artwork to take home. Carers must stay with their children.

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Until 31 Jan, 10am – 4pm Winter Children’s Trail Ham House, Richmond, TW10 7RS www.nationaltrust.org.uk Follow Ham’s own four legged friend to spot everything Charlie the dog has found in this winter children’s trail.

Every Tue from 7 Jan, 11 Feb, 10am – 11.30am Into the Woods: Parent & Child Forest School Painshill, Cobham, KT11 1JE www.painshill.co.uk Weekly parent and child Forest School sessions are the perfect way to get out and introduce your child to the great outdoors whilst mum or dad get a breath of fresh air and try something new.

Thu 9 Jan – Wed 22 Jul Exhibition: Polesden Voices Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Uncover the stories of people who lived and worked at Polesden over the last century, using new research and reminiscences.

Thu 9 Jan, 10.30am-11.15pm & 11.30am-12.15pm Mini Aces Under 5s Club Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com Mini Aces club brings the Museum to life through stories, craft, song and dance. With a focus on different objects, stories and exhibits each month, children will discover the treasures we have in our collection and build self-confidence in a new and exciting environment. Book in advance.

Tue 21 Jan, 11am – 12.30pm Tuesday Tree Walk - New Year Winter Woollies Trail Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher, KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremontlandscape-garden An excursion among some of our most special trees.

Sat 25 Jan - Sun1 March The Giant Houseplant Takeover RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk Step into a house reclaimed by its plants long after its human inhabitants have left. Visitors will find a banana plant has pushed through the roof, carnivorous plants feasting in the dining room and cacti playing chess.

Sat 25 Jan, 10am – 5pm Lunar New Year Celebration Whitehall Historic House, Cheam, SM3 8QD www.sutton.gov.uk Enjoy special activities such as creating your very own money envelopes, celebratory postcards, chinese paper hats, follow the Zodiac animal trail.

Storytelling with words, music, puppets and art. Drop in. Free.

Sat 1 Feb, 10am-12pm Croydon Mum2mum Market All Saints Church, Sanderstead, CR2 9AB www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Award winning pop-up baby and children’s markets in Sutton and Croydon boroughs.

Sat 1 Feb – Sun 1 Mar, 10am–4pm Polesden love stories Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Visit the Love Tree on the South Lawn to write a note to a loved one and discover costumes and stories in the house.

Fri 7 Feb, 10.30am Epsom Bach to Baby Family Concert St Martin of Tours, Epsom, KT17 4PX www.bachtobaby.com Bach to Baby is the acclaimed concert series for the whole family to enjoy together.

15 – 23 February February Farm Fun at Bocketts Farm Leatherhead KT22 9BS 01372 363764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk Enjoy a great day out on the farm this February Half Term with the start of the Spring lambing. There are up to 70 lambs due from Feb 14th - you may even see one being born! Birds of Prey will also be at the farm Monday-Friday where you can meet them up close and watch the flying demonstrations twice daily. What’s more, the wonderful ‘Gigglettes’ from The Giggle Company will be running shows daily with lots of dancing, games, bubbles and more!

Sat 8 Feb – Sun 8 March Kew Orchids Festival: Indonesia Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey www.kew.org Visit Kew’s second annual Orchids Festival, on the theme of Indonesia with dazzling displays inspired by Indonesia’s wildlife and plant diversity.

Sat 8 Feb, 1pm – 2.30pm Anglo-Saxons or the not so Dark Ages Bourne Hall, Ewell, KT17 1UF www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk The Anglo-Saxons ruled from six centuries from 410 to 1066.

It was a time of war, of the breaking up of Roman Britannia into several separate kingdoms, of religious conversion and, after the 790s, of continual battles against a new set of invaders: Vikings.

Sat 1 Feb - Thu 30 April Feather Art Exhibiiton WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk An exhibition of unique artwork by Mandi Baykaa-Murray, inspired by the beauty of birds.

Thu 9 Jan & Thu 27 Feb, 4pm – 5pm Code Club - Spring Term Sutton Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SM1 1EA www.sutton.gov.uk At Code Club, we think all children should have the opportunity to learn to code, no matter who they are or where they come from. 9 - 13. are limited, prebook to avoid disappointment. Free.

Sat 11 Jan, 1pm – 2.30pm Museum Kids Club – WW2 Rationing – A fair share for all Bourne Hall, Ewell, KT17 1UF www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk Meet a wartime couple and learn why they rationed food in WW2 and what it was like to queue for hours. Find how important your ration books were if you didn’t have one, you had no food. £5.

Sat 11 Jan, 10am-12pm Sutton Mum2Mums Nearly New Sale Thomas Wall Centre, SM1 4DP www.mum2mummarket.co.uk/sutton Buy quality second hand and nearly new baby & children’s stuff.

FM/WINTER2019

Every Thursday 9 Jan - 13 Feb, 10am - 12 noon Wild Tots at Nower Wood Nower Wood Education Centre, Leatherhead www.Surreywildlifetrust.org/families Wild Tots provides a wonderful opportunity for your little ones explore, learn and play in our stunning ancient woodland nature reserve. Weekly sessions include arts and crafts, games, exploration of the woodland, playing with our mud kitchen, minibeasts and so much more.

Suitable for 2-5 year olds accompanied by an adult and siblings under 2 years and babes in arms are FREE. Booking online is essential, book a block of six sessions in advance and receive the sixth session for free or just Pay As You Go.

Until 30 Jan, 10am – 3pm Winter Woollies Trail Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher, KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Pull on your warm winter woollies and see what you can find at Claremont as the seasons change. Children will love following our trail boards around the garden.

Sat 18 Jan -Sun 19 Jan, 11am-3pm Big Wetland Birdwatch Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Look for a range of wild birds with our knowledgeable Nature Group as you stroll down our wetlands boardwalk.

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treasures we have in our collection and build self-confidence in a new and exciting environment. Book in advance, sessions are limited to 10 children max.

Mon 10 Feb, 10.30am Croydon Bach to Baby Family Concert St. Mildred’s, Bingham Road, CR0 7EB www.bachtobaby.com Bach to Baby is the acclaimed concert series for the family to enjoy together.

FEBRUARY HALF TERM 15 - 23 February Godstone Farm Olympics Godstone, RH9 8LX 01883 742546 www.godstonefarm.co.uk Join us for an action packed day on the farm and celebrate this Olympic year as you complete our farm themed challenges. Will your toy tractor win the race? Will your welly throw be far enough? Get all 5 rings and join us on the winners podium! With animal encounters and play areas to keep all mini Olympians busy, everyone’s a Sat 8 Feb – Sat 1 Mar Snowdrop Walk Hever Castle, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk Follow a trail of thousands of snowdrops starting to emerge from their winter hibernation.

Sat 8 Feb – Sun 23 Feb, 10.30am – 4pm Half term trail: Colour Quest Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher, KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk With spring on the horizon, colour is returning to the garden once again.

Bring your mini adventurers for some half-term fun this February.

Sun 9 Feb, 3pm - 4.30pm NCT Nearly New Sale St Andrew’s Church, Cheam, SM2 7HF www.nct.org.uk Top quality baby and children’s clothes and equipment at bargain prices. Cash only. Buggy park available. £1 per adult.

Thu 13 Feb, 10.30am-11.15pm & 11.30am-12.15pm Mini Aces Under 5s Club Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com Mini Aces club brings the Museum to life through stories, craft, song and dance. With a focus on different objects, stories and exhibits each month, children will discover the

Sat 15 Feb - Sun 23 Feb February Half Term- Whatever the weather RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk Find out how every type of weather affects plants and how they grow, featuring a different type of weather every day.

Sat 15 Feb – Sun 23 Feb, 10am – 4pm Half term trail: Spectacular Sticks Winkworth Aboretum, Godalming, GU8 4AD www.nationaltrust.org.uk From den building to sword-fighting, there’s no end to the fun that can be had with the world’s greatest toy – a stick.

Sat 15 Feb, 10am-12pm Sutton Mum2Mums Nearly New Sale Thomas Wall Centre, SM1 4DP www.mum2mummarket.co.uk/sutton Buy quality second hand and nearly new baby & children’s stuff.

Sat 15 Feb – Sun 23 Feb, 10am–3pm Half-term trail: Secret Power of Trees Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Visit Polesden Lacey this February and discover the secret power of trees. You might be surprised at how they look after themselves and each other.

Mon 17 Feb, 11am -12pm Bring a Book to Life: Kids’ Book Club and Crafting Sutton Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SM1 1EA www.sutton.gov.uk Join us for this unique opportunity to bring some of our favourite books to life with arts and crafts! 6-10. £5.

Mon 17 Feb – Fri 21 Feb, 10am – 4pm February Half Term: Ready to Race Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com Get your overalls on and step into one of our workshops as we explore the science behind speed. Join the pit-crew for a fun and hands-on session and have a go at getting a car ready to race at Brooklands.

Mon 17 Feb & Fri 21 Feb, 10am, 11am &12noon Teddy Bear’s Train Ride & Storytelling Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk Bring your favourite Teddy for a vineyard train ride and storytelling.

Tue 18 Feb, 11.30am & 2.30pm Tropical Creepy Crawly Roadshow Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk Meet Snakes, Lizards, Mini-Beasts, Frogs for an inspiring Animal Encounter.

Tue 18 Feb - Fri 21 Feb, 11am-4pm Half Term: wild crafts!

Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Roll up your sleeves and join us to make and take home wildflower seed bombs and decorate a grass-head pot!

Booking essential.

What’s on Tue 18 Feb,10.30am -11am & 11.30am-12pm Show the Love Family Holiday Workshop WWF Living Planet Centre, Woking, GU21 4LL www.wwf.org.uk Show the love for the things you care about that might be affected by climate change. You will be making 2 colourful flags with your important Show the Love messages – one for our tree in the Learning Zone and one for you to take home with you. Free, but a donation of £2 per child appreciated.

Tue 18 Feb – Sun 23 Feb Half Term Fun - Inspired by the portraits of William Orpen and G F Watts Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Guildford GU3 1DQ www.wattsgallery.org.uk Step into our pop-up portrait studio to experiment with drawing using mirrors and perspex. Add to our growing Hall of Fame and create portraits to take away. Every picture tells a story- G F Watts wanted to paint the most interesting faces - you can see some of them in the galleries. Join Storyteller, Olivia Armstrong, to hear the stories of some of the characters, wake up the paintings and animate the Gallery.

Wed 19 Feb, 11.30am & 2.30pm Fancy Dress Disco Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk Traditional children’s disco including party games & dancing Thu 20 Feb, 11.30am & 2pm Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk One of the UK’s best loved touring theatre companies.

Monday 17 Feb, 10am – 11.30am & 1.30pm – 3pm Forest Fun Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Join our Forest School area to explore Cedar Wood, make woodland crafts and enjoy a snack around the fire.

Nower Wood, Leatherhead Enjoy nature with your little one Bugs, mud & exploring galore!

Book your places online

and

surreywildlifetrust.org/wildtots

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What’s on

15 - 23 February Living with Nature at Hever Castle Edenbridge, TN8 7NG 01732 865224 www.hevercastle.co.uk Learn more about wildlife and nature as part of Hever Castle’s February half-term event, Living with Nature.

Families and individuals are invited to visit the historic castle in Kent to enjoy ‘Living with Nature’ aimed at school aged children.Come and watch the falconry displays and learn about the work of different wildlife charities as well as take part in children’s activities.

Follow the nature trail in the grounds to investigate animal footprints and tracks, create a ladybug or bumble bee in a free craft workshop.

Thu 20 Feb Earth Hour Family Holiday Workshop WWF Living Planet Centre, Woking, GU21 4LL www.wwf.org.uk Make a colourful collage poster to spread the word about Earth Hour in your school and at home to show how small changes can make a big difference. Stick it in your window and show the world you care! We will be using card, photos, fabric, pens, scissors and inspirational messages.

Thur 20 Febr, 10am – 11.30am & 1.30pm – 3pm Junk Modelling: Build a House Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Make a dolls house, a haunted house or a princess palace! A standard ticket gives access for one child. 4 – 7.

Thu 20 Feb, 9.30am – 4pm Wild Explorers Holiday Club Nower Wood Education Centre, Leatherhead www.surreywildlifetrust.org Join us for an action packed fun day out in the woods looking for wildlife, building a campfire, making crafts, building shelters and toasting marshmallows. 5-11. Booking essential.

Thu 20 & Fr1 21 Feb, 10am – 8pm Sat 22 Feb, 10am – 4pm Epsom Book Fair Epsom Methodist Church, KT18 5AQ www.epsommethodistchurch.org.uk Annual Giant Charity sale of secondhand books, DVDs and Music. Over 60,000 books including antiquarian, out-of-print, children’s, fiction and nonfiction. Refreshments and light lunches available. Entrance 50p (children and students free).

Mon 24 Feb & Tue 25 Feb, various times Box Hill Bugs Spring Box Hill, Tadworth, KT20 7LB www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill Box Hill Bugs is a fun, exploratory, toddler and pre-school group for nature lovers.

Sat 29 Feb, 10am-3pm The Great Green Leap: Tree planting Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Celebrate the leap year and get involved by helping our Gardens & Outdoor team to plant over a thousand of trees in the park.

THEATRE Epsom Playhouse Epsom Playhouse, KT18 5AL www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk Wed 15 - Sat 18 Jan Sleeping Beauty YOUtheatre are delighted to be back at Epsom Playhouse with Sleeping Beauty the pantomime where dreams come true, our fun filled family pantomime.

Sun 19 Jan Jack Petchey’s Perfect Pitch Jack Petchey’s Perfect Pitch is a music education programme supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation. The programme focusses on the teaching of a cappella skills to young people.

Sun 26 Jan Epsom Symphony Orchestra Animal Magic A colourful concert of musical animals for all the family which will feature the ever-popular PETER and the WOLF which will narrated by David Leonard (West End Matilda’s Miss Trunchbull).

Children of all ages welcome.

Sun 2 Feb The Snow Queen WINTER IS COMING...

When Kai is abducted to an enchanted frozen palace, his best friend Gerda sets out to rescue him… but will she reach the Snow Queen before it’s too late? 5+.

Fri 21 Feb Chinese Cultural Show Mark the fresh beginning and welcome the Year of the Rat at the Playhouse this Chinese New Year as Jinlong Culture & Performing Arts brings a spectacular line-up of Chinese acrobatics, music and dance to Epsom!

Sat 22 Feb Unbelievable Science Expect explosive thrills, chemical spills and a risk assessment that gives their stage manager chills, all backed up by the daring duo’s trademark wit, charm and detailed knowledge of the scientific method.

Colour House Theatre SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Until 26 Jan, Sat & Sun, 12pm & 3pm Aladdin Poor Aladdin is tricked by his evil

‘uncle’ to enter a dangerous cave and look for a magic lamp. Soon he is trapped inside. Will Aladdin find what he needs to escape, find love and make his fortune?

Sat & Sun,8 Feb – 12 Apr, 12pm – 3pm Hansel and Gretel Hansel and Gretel are lost in the forest with no hope of finding their way back home. When they explore a house made of sweets, they think their luck has changed, but things take a turn for the worst when they discover the house belongs to an evil witch.

New Wimbledon Theatre SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon-theatre Tue 21 Jan - Sat 25 Jan Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Go, Go, Go Joseph, Any Dream Will Do, Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door To Me and many more.

Wed 22 Jan -Sat 25 Jan Little Star Baby Show A Star lit show for babies. Using puppetry, music and captivating visuals to delight our young audience, an intimate, relaxed setting makes this the perfect first theatre experience.

Thu 20 Feb, varies times for different age groups Polka Theatre Presents: A Treasure Chest of Stories Workshop ‘Once upon a time…’ four magical words that will take you on a journey to the farthest reaches of your imagination. Bring in your treasured toy and join our storyteller on a magical story adventure.

Fairfeild Halls Park Lane, Croydon www.fairfield.co.uk Until 30 Mar Donkey Dots with the Musical Balloon Band Donkey Dots is a free music and movement class for under fives. Unique and highly interactive live music sessions every Monday supporting early years development.

Thu 20 Feb LMP Lunchtime Concert – Half term story time A magical story of beauty, nature,

music and silence.

With music by Debussy, Mendelssohn, Ravel and Shostakovich. Free.

Thu 5 Mar & Sat 7 Mar Zog Ashcroft Playhouse Large in size, and keen in nature, Zog is so eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know.

Harlequin Theatre Redhill, RH1 1NN www.harlequintheatre.co.uk Tue 18 Feb Ensonglopedia of Animals Twenty-six animal songs, one for each letter of the alphabet. Expect extraordinary echinoderms, distressed damselflies, curious corals, batty birds and amazing arachnids. Expect the unexpected. And expect it to rhyme.

Dorking Halls Dorking, RH4 1SG www.dorkinghalls.co.uk Thu 16 Jan & Mon 20 Jan Royal Ballet Live: The Sleeping Beauty This production of The Sleeping Beauty has been delighting audiences in Covent Garden since 1946. A classic of Russian ballet, it established The Royal Ballet both in its new home after World War II and as a world-class company.

This ballet is sure to cast its spell over anyone who sees it.

The Leatherhead Theatre Leatherhead, KT22 8DN www.theleatherheadtheatre.com Sun Feb 9 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Four children, Lucy, Susan, Edward and Peter discover the far away land of Narnia behind the professor’s wardrobe; a world that’s frozen in eternal winter, waiting to be set free from the cruel power of the White Witch.

Puppet Theatre Barge Blomfield Road (opposite 35) W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com Wed 15 Jan till Sun 23 Feb Little Venice -The Water Babies After a harsh beginning of child labour in an unforgiving world, a little chimney sweep’s suffering ends when he is transformed into a water baby.

Godstone Farm Olympics 15th - 23rd February 2020 Can you complete all 5 challenges and make it onto our hay bale podium?

1st 2nd

3rd

Book online & save! www.godstonefarm.co.uk 14 Families London Surrey Borders

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Kids corner

Welcome to our very first page just for kids!

Puzzles, competitions and lots of fun!

Spot the difference and win one of two family ticket to Bocketts Farm Park!

Enter our Spot the Difference Competition to win a family ticket to Bocketts Farm Park!

How many differences can you spot between these two pictures of the horse riding at Bocketts Farm? To be in with a chance of winning a family ticket to Bocketts Farm, email the number of differences between the two pictures to editor@families-lsb.co.uk with Bocketts Competition in the title.

Share the LOVE

If you are under 18, please ask your parent or guardian to email for you. Please include a parent or guardian’s name, child’s name, contact telephone number as well as the number of differences you found. Please email your answer by 5pm on Saturday 29th February 2020.

For full T&Cs see http://bit.ly/2tqLnyd.

February LOVE ROCKS Project Throughout the months of January and February paint stones with hearts in bright patterns and colours, leaving them in random places for unexpecting strangers to find in February.

Top Tips Flat stones work best For vibrant colours – paint a white base layer Let the shape of the rock guide you Paint pens, Sharpies and nail polish work very well

How many LOVE HEARTS can you find?

We have hidden some love hearts throughout the magazine - have a look through and see if you can find where they are hiding!

Join the dots to create a creature you may see in your garden this winter!

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We would LOVE to see your LOVE ROCKS! Share the LOVE on our Facebook page

Can you solve the picture clues and put them in the crossword?

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ENROLLING NOW

Where children become everything they can be Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds

CHEAM & WORCESTER PARK 020 8773 4242 stagecoach.co.uk/cheamandworcesterpark

CROYDON 0845 265 7083 stagecoach.co.uk/croydon

SUTTON 01372 272561 stagecoach.co.uk/sutton

COULSDON & CATERHAM 0345 078 0805 stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon

EPSOM 01737 669504 stagecoach.co.uk/epsom

SHIRLEY 020 8949 1116 stagecoach.co.uk/shirley

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned Families London Surrey Borders 16 familiesonline.co.uk by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.