Families London SW March 2013 Issue by Families Magazine

Families SW – useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London.

March 2013

Iss

ISSN ue 22 4 135 4-95 Est 53 19

Free ! 90.

SouthWest

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

•Easter activities listings •Childcare feature •Exercise classes for mums with a creche •Prep School feature

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Cover picture credit: Mothercare Childrenswear Little Bird by Jools Oliver

DELIVERY!

Pottery Painting & Craft Studio •Paint your own pottery – perfect for gifts •Baby hand or footprints •Silver keepsake jewellery •Parties available; Pottery, Decopatch & Tshirt Painting •Holiday workshops Open MonSat 10am6pm, Sun 11am6pm 85 Nightingale Lane, Wandsworth SW12 8NX 020 8772 8702 www.smartypaints.co.uk

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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SouthWest

March 2013

Contents 04-05

08-09

Local news & information

08-09

Mums know best

Cover picture credit: Mothercare Childrenswear Little Bird by Jools Oliver

Some great parenting tips from readers

12-15

• Is independent education worth the cost? • School news

16-20

12-15

CHILDCARE feature • How childcare is changing • How to cut your childcare costs • How to choose the right nanny • The joy of using an agency

All content ©Families 2013 www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Fax: 020 8696 9679 Editorial: editor@familiesmagazine.co.uk News: news@familiesmagazine.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiesmagazine.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on info: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk Next issue: April 2013 Deadline: early March •“Families® South West” heads a group of magazines. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. •There are now 40 UK local editions with a print run of more than 700,000 copies in all, in which you can advertise too. Oh, and we have a very useful website… familiesonline.co.uk • MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise information on the website or call. • Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Basingstoke, Hants We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. • Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources — meaning trees which are felled are continuously replaced. Inks are soya-based, which can be re-cycled.

22-25

EASTER Listings Part 1

16-20

Arts and crafts, languages, music & drama, sports, museums and galleries.

28-29

Exercise classes for mums and babies Pramming in the park, studio classes, gyms and members clubs

Book reviews

Divorce/separation

22-25

When love is broken, how to tell the children

32-38

What’s On • • • • •

Find us on Facebook and Twitter FamiliesSW

March 2013

Prep Schools

28-29

Drama Competitions Events Exhibitions & Museums Diary dates & events

Classified ads Boxing Mummies group

Local treats

A new monthly market comes to Wimbledon! The Windmill Market takes place on the 2nd Saturday of every month, championing local artisans and producers, combining a Farmer’s Market with a Craft Market and offering a wide variety of products from fresh breads and cakes to

handmade crafts and gifts. Focused on promoting local businesses, only traders from Merton and the surrounding area are permitted and the organisers are particularly interested in hearing from local mums who run craft or food businesses. Windmill Market, St Mark’s Church, opposite Elys in Wimbledon Town Centre, 10am-2pm. www.mumsonthego.co.uk

Are your kids ready for exams? If not, why not try Confident Kidz? The workshops and programmes run by Confident Kidz are designed to help children and young people suffering from exam anxiety, giving them the opportunity to learn techniques to better manage their emotional state, build confidence and reduce anxiety. They also offer support for parents, so we can understand better the techniques our children are learning. www.confidentkidz.co.uk ALL my students come by word of mouth or from Families over all these years … I love Families :) Angelina of Vacani Dance ‘I always advertise in FSW and it really does work!’ Emma Hammett First Aid for Life, First Aid Training

No other parenting magazine prints as many copies in the SW postcodes. 30,000 copies printed A circulation of over 60,000 people UK-wide: there are 40 local Families® magazines in the UK

www.familiesonline.co.uk

Generous Gooseberry Bush Wimbledon's Gooseberry Bush Centre has been supporting the neonatal unit at St George’s Hospital over the past year, with some spectacular results. With the funds Gooseberry Bush have raised, First Touch, the charity which supports the work of the neonatal unit, have been able to order a twin cot so that premature twins can be The photo shows Rufus and Dexter Dawton who were recently cared for nursed together in the Special Care on the NNU at St George's. Nursery and kept warm via a special temperature-controlled water mattress. The unit cares for over 600 new-born babies each year, not only from the local area but also for babies requiring specialist treatment from across South East England. www.first-touch.org.uk, www.gooseberrybushcentres.com

Singing schoolgirls Pupils at Streatham & Clapham High School have raised over £1000 for the mental health charity, MIND, and for Save the Children by singing – and by rowing! Twelve Year 7 pupils rowed an impressive 140 miles in under nine hours in a sponsored rowathon, initiated by the Girls’ Day School Trust as part of their 140th anniversary celebrations. Meanwhile, singers and readers welcomed hundreds of parents and friends to the school’s annual Service at Southwark Cathedral and Junior and Senior Chamber Choirs entertained shoppers at Sainsbury’s, Streatham Common.

Film buffs unite Explore some of the greatest children’s stories in book and film ranging from the classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum to the action-packed Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz. Education charity FILMCLUB, which helps teachers and parents set up free clubs where children can watch and discuss films, launches an exciting new guide to inspire a love of reading through film. Book to Film and Back Again, produced in partnership with the National Association for Primary Education and Scholastic Book Clubs, aims to engage primary children with reading through watching and discussing film adaptations of great children’s books. Download the guide for free, plus schools joining FILMCLUB can order the films for free, plus the books at a 25% discount. www.filmclub.org

Locals come up trumps New postnatal depression support group in Clapham has received a much-needed financial boost thanks to local South West London residents and businesses who raised more than £1,200 at a charity event. The Cedar House Support Group was at the centre of the event where local artists donated their work and prizes given by 13 local businesses were auctioned to raise funds. “We really think a support group is needed in this Nappy Valley area of London,” said Zoe Cassidy, Cedar House Support Group Trustee. “PND can often be a frightening and isolating illness. By attending a support group, this helps mums to share their feelings and thoughts with others experiencing similar symptoms.” The Cedar House Support Group is held at the Weir Link Children’s Centre, SW12. www.postnataldepression.com

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Photo credited to ShutterBaby Photography

News

Inclusion in these pages is always FREE: send to news@familiesmagazine.co.uk

Support Octavia As part of Octavia Heart Day, why not build a Tree of Love this March? The Octavia Appeal is the paediatric arm of The Friends of Royal Brompton Hospital, raising funds to help paediatric intensive care and paediatric ward with specific items. You can help to raise money for the emergency paediatric resuscitation-training programme that Octavia are supporting in 2013 by getting your school or nursery involved. The Octavia Appeal would like all pupils to donate £1 to come dressed in red, and for each school to produce a “tree” covered in leaves and flowers with the children’s names on, which will then form a display at the hospital. An ideal spring project for your school! Go online for an information pack www.octaviaappeal.org

Read for rewards From Neverland to Hogwarts via Middle-earth: 90 titles have been announced for the Read for My School programme. 42 online titles and 48 Recommended Reads have been selected for Read for My School, the inaugural national schools reading competition from The Pearson Foundation and Booktrust, with support from the Department for Education.

Healthy party bags This winter due to popular demand Amanda’s Action Club are introducing new healthy-option party bags. Especially for mums who want their kids eating the best quality ingredients, the bags include healthy foodstuffs such as soft berry fruit, crunchy vegetable sticks with dips, canapé-size sandwiches and mini iced oatcakes. Great idea! www.amandasactionclub.co.uk

Aimed at children in years 5 and 6, Read for My School is offered for free to all primary schools, with a competitive element designed to be fun and motivate children of all abilities to read for pleasure. It will also give children the opportunity to read their way to rewards for themselves and their schools. “Read for My School is a terrific opportunity for schools and children to discover the excitement and pleasure of top quality writing from dozens of Britain’s best children’s authors,” said Jeremy Strong, children’s author and Read for My School spokesman. • Sign up to the scheme at www.readformy school.co.uk and get your school entered into a prize draw. Competition ends 22 March. www.booktrust.org.uk

Lovely little starlings Is your toddler looking for independence but is not quite ready for nursery? Then Little Starlings Pre-School could be just what you are looking for. The small, independent pre-school is run by mums and sisters Lorraine Jenkins and Lisa Sammut, both of whom are passionate about providing a warm, safe and stimulating environment for your little ones so your child can enjoy a fun-filled morning doing arts and crafts, puzzles, singing and storytime whilst enjoying a nurturing home-from-home environment. Little Starlings is perfect for little ones being left for the first time or stay-at-home parents needing some time to themselves. Sessions are 2 hours long, £17 per session. Ouseley Road, SW12 8EW www.little-starlings.co.uk

Volunteer with Home Help? Home-Start Wandsworth recruits and trains volunteers to visit families in their own homes and support parents in a variety of situations including isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness or disability. Bach to Baby held a concert at St Luke’s Church, Battersea in aid of the charity. The classical concert series for babies and their carers is founded by awardwinning pianist and mum Miaomiao Yu, who said, “We were delighted to support such a fantastic charity, one that is consistent with our aims of helping the educational and emotional development of babies” www.homestartwandsworth.org.uk, www.bachtobaby.com

Responsible Travel Week Well done Travel Matters for highlighting Responsible Tourism week last month. Not only do they organise bespoke holidays which minimise on negative impact whilst maximising on quality, but they also work with organisations exploring down-to-earth applications of noble concepts including responsible tourism, conscious travel, the local travel movement and ecotourism with effective and inexpensive social media and local events. Karen Simmonds, owner of Balham based Travel Matters set up the awareness campaign Make Travel Matter www.maketravelmatter.co.uk 020 8675 7878

March 2013

Get writing Children’s publisher Hot Key Books launches ‘Fleur Hitchcock’s Story Adventure’, a free interactive writing project aimed at children aged 7-11, to help author Fleur Hitchcock write the sequel to SHRUNK!, The Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week. Children can register at www.thestoryadventure.com to read Fleur’s prologue for the book and put forward ideas, and then the best ideas will be incorporated into the following chapter, with a new chapter every Monday until 13 May 2013. Children who offer outstanding contributions to the project will earn a place on the Star List and have their names included in the book. ‘I spent a lot of time working in schools,’ said Fleur, ‘and realised that children are bubbling over with great ideas, so many of which never got the chance to come out. The Story Adventure is the perfect way to let children have their say and explore the possibilities of their incredible imaginations.’

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools WWW.DAWMOUSE.COM There are now two established Montessori Nursery schools in Fulham bearing the Dawmouse name. The original Dawmouse Brunswick in Haldane Road, SW6 7EU and Dawmouse St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Terrace, SW6 7JS. Both schools offer a wide range of Montessori equipment and have outdoor play areas. They will offer a safe, stimulating and active environment in which children can have fun and achieve. The broad curriculum covers all areas of the Early Learning Goals and includes science, drama, cookery and music lessons. Project work will give the children scope for creative development as well as an increased understanding of their world. We insist on our staff being Montessori trained teachers. For a prospectus and a visit to view the schools please contact : www.dawmouse.com or speak with Miss Emma 020 7381 9385

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

THE WILLOW NURSERY 823-825 Wandsworth Road, Clapham, SW8 3JL Tel: 020 7498 0319 Est.1981 E-mail: admin@thewillownursery.co.uk Joint Heads: Caroline Henson & Virginia Bisset. Opening hours: 8.15am to 12.15pm Sessions: Mornings only Weeks open a year: Termtime Ages: Two and half to 5 years Max no. of pupils: 40. Pupil/teacher ratio: Under 3yrs: 4:1, 3-5yrs 8:1 Curriculum: Montessori and traditional methods. Activities: Art, craft, cooking, Spanish, gardening, home corner, ICT, messy play, computer club. Four specialist teachers for singing, dance, gym and cooking. Facilities: Large, bright, spacious hall and a smaller reception room. Contact: Please contact Amanda for Prospectus and to arrange a visit. The Willow is renowned for its creativity. Our aim is to create a stimulating, happy and fun environment so that the children love coming to school. We develop confidence and a keen interest to learn both independently and with individual attention.

www.thewillownursery.co.uk

We are looking for an After School Care Supervisor to work from 3.00 to 6.00pm Monday to Friday. This is term time only (approx. 35 weeks per year). An NVQ 3 in Child Care or appropriate qualification is needed. We are looking for someone who likes children and is an enthusiastic worker and team member. The successful applicant will have to complete a full CRB check and medical. For an application pack please email juniorschool@alleyns.org.uk or telephone 020 8557 1519. Closing date 15 March 2013 Alleynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junior School, Townley Road, Dulwich. SE22 8SU www.alleyns.org.uk March 2013

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Mums know best The page where parents share their knowledge. (Because raising the next generation is, you know, only the most important job in the world.) Compiled by Helena Foss

This March issue we are talking about parenting “In Africa we say that it takes a whole village to raise a child. It’s also true to say that it takes a whole village to keep parents sane.” From ‘The Spirit of Intimacy: Ancient African Teachings in the Ways of Relationships’ by Sobonfu Somé.

Breakthrough parenting It can be hard enough to discourage our children away from flickering digital screens, so set an example and follow the advice of reader Jo from SW9. “Every Friday to Saturday night I switch off my email and mobile phone. It was hard at first – I kept thinking I was missing something – but now my friends know when not to call. I even decided to stop doing chores during those 24 hours too. Instead, I dedicate the time to really enjoy being with my daughter; we play games, take walks and cuddle up. It means I can be really ‘there’, really present to both her and my husband – and when the technology-fast it is over, it’s exciting to go back to it all. It feels like my spirit has been ‘reset’ or rebooted. Try it.”

Facebook post: © Alliance - Fotolia.com

“I wish mummy and daddy would work longer hours and see me less so we could have more money and nicer things.” - No child. Ever.

Community parenting

Slow down mummy

The reality of modern day parenting is that few of us have extended family around to rely on for help with raising children. The other reality is that no-one can prepare you for parenthood; it is impossible to understand just how much hard work it is (and how rewarding) until it actually happens. The indigenous author and teacher Sobonfu Somé, from the Dagara tribe of West Africa (www.sobonfu.com), points out that simply because we are human, means we are limited as to what we can give our children; that they need the support and mentorship of other adults around them. Indeed, there is research that shows children with at least five positive adult relationships tend to be happier and do better in life. Clearly, not all families will ever have the luxury of community parenting support. In the absence of paternal mentor figures, boys could turn to a new book by the former BBC broadcaster Roy Sheppard. Dear Son: What I Wish I’d Known at Your Age is an engaging and emotionally intelligent compendium of fatherly advice for boys approaching their teens. (www.DearSonBook.com) See review page 30.

“My tip would be to slow down – don’t rush everywhere, don’t squeeze in a quick email check 10 mins before the school run etc. I think we were given this advice as the poor kids are often whizzed in and out by busy mums with appointments to keep, who are not appreciating the precious time that can be spent with our children. Even if it is walking at their pace and chatting, or allowing them to tie their shoes without diving in first. Time is precious, but time with your kids is even more precious.” Dorothy, SW11.

My best advice “Do not to worry too much about the house being in a mess but do make the most of every opportunity to play with and listen to your children. Give them your full attention and show genuine interest. The time when they want to tell you everything is so short - before you know it they are teenagers and everything is kept secret from you as you become the most embarrassing person on the planet!” Rachel, SW17.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Mums know best Go down to the woods today

London is full of secret treasures waiting to be discovered. Now that the weather is getting warmer, get out and explore wildlife and nature trails near you. The 35 acres of Cannizaro Park on the edge of Wimbledon Common really comes into its own in the spring with its burgeoning magnolia and azalea bushes. There are pushchair-friendly walks as well as woodland trails for children to run along. Families SW’s other favourite hidden gem of a garden is the Rookery at Streatham Common. Previously known as Streatham Spa because of its once popular mineral rich water springs, the Rookery is home to old cedar trees, ornamental ponds, rock gardens, woodlands and a cafe. Take a thermos of hot soup if it is chilly, a teddy bear’s picnic, and help your children foster a love of mother nature.

Keeping nightmares at bay “Kids have wonderful imaginations,” says Putney hypnotherapist Marygrace Anderson (www.mghypnosis.co.uk). “The only trouble is when their imaginations focus on their fears, which can lead to phobias and sleeping problems.” Marygrace suggests the following confidence-building bedtime exercise: Have them rub their hands together quickly, ask them to take a deep breath and as they exhale, imagine a protective bubble surrounding them so nothing can get in and they sleep well with beautiful dreams. Rub your hands together too (for extra support and dramatic effect) and together use your hands to form a pretend bubble all around them. Get them to imagine what they would like to put into their bubble: favourite toys, story characters, friends, happy memories etc., to give them strength, protection and comfort. Sweet dreams!

March 2013

Reasons why it is all worth it Amelia Bond from Fulham, newly single mum to Jonah, aged six, writes: “I’d been having a really tough week and was not in the best of spirits. We were on the top deck of a bus into town (where Jonah usually imparts his wisdom) when, out of the blue, he said: ‘It is so special that we are here, that we are alive, isn’t it Mummy?’ I was stunned; it made my day. Then a little later on he added: ‘I really love being a human being.’ Intrigued (and secretly hoping for some cosmic answer), I asked if he remembered being something else, before ‘being a human being.’ He giggled and then replied: ‘Er, yes, I used to be a poo!’ I have heard that they never quite grow out of toilet humour!”

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Prep Schools

Kensington Prep

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Prep Schools

Is an independent school worth the cost? Making the decision to pay for an independent education, especially at prep school level, is not easy. The average termly fees for preparatory school in London are £2,000-£3,750 for a day school, although some London prep schools are considerably higher, and extras such as lunch, activities, school trips and uniforms can add to the bill. In the past decade fees have risen by more than double inflation and families who previously might have afforded it are feeling the pinch. Yet despite this the numbers attending independent schools in Britain actually rose last year. The question is - is it worth it? cricket or after-school tennis, which can be less It is a fact that the number of privately educated expensive and more community-based. individuals in positions of power in politics, media, comedy, sport and music in our country is immense, Confidence and social skills are just as important as and thousands of parents make huge financial exam results, which are often qualities parents look sacrifices each year because they believe a private for in private schools, but these can be achieved at education will give their child a better chance in life. state primary schools too, depending on the size and The statistics speak for themselves when it comes to ethos of the school. Also, think about the locality secondary school level: although independent school and community of each school – do you get this pupils account for 7 per cent of the pupil population, more from a private school or local state primary? they achieve 26 per cent of A* grades awarded at Do you want a large school or small, cosy school – GCSE level. At A level fifty per cent of their entries you can get both of these in the private and state are at A* A grades, compared to 23 per cent of sector, depending of course on where you live. And, entries from state schools. This feeds into University is having a cross-section of society important to you, admissions with privately educated students and do you get it at your chosen accounting for more than 40 per “A good education is school? “The most important thing cent of students attending go and visit schools, both state Oxford, and one third attending a gift beyond price.” isandtoprivate, before making a Cambridge. judgement,” says Sylvia Howieson, Head of School at the Hurlingham & Chelsea and Smaller class sizes, better resources and greater one Langford Federation. “Then you can come to a to one support are the key reasons given for this decision truly based on what discrepancy between state and private. Academic schools have to offer and what high flyers are stretched to their potential at private will suit your child best. You prep schools, and children of average ability also gain might just be surprised at what from this environment as it helps them to punch is out there.” above their weight. However, small class sizes and teacher-pupil ratios can sometimes be found in state primary schools, too. Langford Primary School in Fulham is one such school, with class sizes not dissimilar to private prep schools, particularly in years 1-4 and, like private schools, it offers specialist music, Spanish and gymnastics teachers amongst others. Academic success is one very powerful reason for choosing an independent school but it is by no means the only one. The ethos of an independent school is often to develop the whole person and to enable them to expand their interest and enthusiasm in a whole range of extra curricular activities. Whether it is photography or music, kayaking or rugby, almost all private schools offer an impressive range of clubs and many have state-of-the-art sports, drama and art facilities. On the other hand, even if some state schools don’t or can’t offer such an extensive range of activities, parents often get together and arrange clubs such as Sunday morning

March 2013

“A fine education is the greatest gift a parent can give a child and one that no one can take away,” says Mr Nicholas Allen, Headmaster at Newton Prep School in Battersea. “A good education is a gift beyond price.” It is an opinion most of us would whole-heartedly agree with, but whether we choose to pay for it or not can only be an individual, personal decision. If money is no problem, it may be obvious to pay for private prep school. If money is tighter and it means scrimping and saving to pay the school fees, there might just be other options out there.

Prep Schools

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Prep Schools "If you can afford it, independent education is a priceless investment in the future of what parents regard as their most precious things – their children." Prudence Lynch, Head, Kensington Prep School, a day school in Fulham with 290 girls age 4-11 years.

A holistic education meeting individual needs Eridge House is firmly committed to providing a holistic education offering each pupil every opportunity to develop their own special talents, “meeting individual needs is our number one priority” they say. Eridge House sets high expectations of personal achievement; it successfully creates a culture of friendliness and respect for all members of the community. “At EH we ensure the best possible standards of behaviour, performance and interpersonal skills are met. We want pupils to be lifelong learners, be passionate in what they do, take calculated risks, and look at things differently, to be problem solvers and critical thinkers, to be able to work independently and with others and most importantly enjoy their life and work. At EH we celebrate the past, live for the present and look forward to the future.” 1 Fulham Park Road, London, SW6 4LJ www.eridgehouse.co.uk

Newton Prep school As an academic school, Newton Prep nurtures pupils according to their strengths, encouraging them to access a stretching, demanding and creative curriculum. As a large school, Newton Prep can offer a wide variety of cocurricular and extra-circular pursuits helping students to identify the areas in which they can shine. The purpose built, state of the art facilities provide bright and spacious learning spaces alongside plenty of outside space, including the all weather pitch. The excellent facilities and resources support exciting teaching and learning. Pupils at Newton Prep and its Apple Nursery are adventurous and confident with a thirst for knowledge. 020 7720 4091 www.newtonprepschool.co.uk

Labels4Kids launches new website

Kensington Prep celebrates 140th birthday Kensington Prep School in Fulham celebrates its 140th anniversary this year and has enjoyed a sought-after reputation throughout its history. It wins praise for its academic standards and nurturing atmosphere and won the Sunday Times ‘Best Prep’ award in 2009 for ‘inspiring leadership and innovations in the curriculum such as creative thinking’. Set in an acre of grounds it offers some of the best facilities of any prep school in London and girls successfully gain places at some of the country’s top day and boarding schools. Entry is selective by assessment. For details of Open Days and how to register your daughter visit: www.kensingtonprep.gdst.net Registration for 4+ entry in September in 2014 is now open.

Leading UK-based international kids’ labelling specialist Labels4Kids is launching their new look website this month. The new website makes ordering so much easier and you can even try designing your labels on the site prior to ordering. The fun site covers labelling for your children, your sport requirements, camping, corporate and even care home items for grandparents. In addition they have a full personalised clothing site with a separate checkout to produce high quality clothing in both climacool and normal ranges. These are not thin cotton material garments but thick, high quality items that will last. Ann-Maree Morrison, the founder and Managing Director, commented: “What we do, we do well and the difference with us is WE LISTEN. We have, I believe, the best quality labels for a reasonable price. Labels4Kids has very high levels of customer service with a money back guarantee, a free returns policy and a free 1st class delivery option.” See the full range by ordering at www.labels4kids.com/fam

Successful Kensington Prep alumnae can be found in all walks of life and the world of business. Among former pupils are inspirational women such as the suffragette campaigner, Emily Wilding Davison and Madeleine Albright who was US Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001.

March 2013

To see our complete listing all ALL prep schools in the area go to our Education Directory on www.familiessouthwest.co.uk

Childcare feature

How childcare is changing By Joanna Moorhead

But how can childcare be made cheaper without compromising on quality? That’s the question everyone, from government ministers to childcare providers, is grappling with at the moment.

Other changes include the introduction of a new graduate-level early years teaching qualification. Truss says the proposals won’t lead to children being neglected: she points out that the changes she is suggesting will still leave England with higher staff:child ratios than those for childcarers in France, Denmark and Germany, three countries that are often cited as providing high-quality care for preschool children.

What the government is saying

Her basic argument is that the current relatively tight ratios have two main effects: they mean higher costs for parents, and lower pay for staff. The changes she’d like to see would, she believes, lead to lower fees for parents and higher pay for staff, and this in turn would improve the quality of childcare workers over time.

In late January the government announced a new plan to change child:staff ratios for childminders and nurseries, in a move it says will cut costs for parents and raise pre-school standards.

Early years minister Elizabeth Truss is proposing that: Childminders, who are currently restricted to looking after three children aged one to five, should in future be able to look after four They would also be allowed to look after two children aged under one, instead of being restricted to one child under one Nurseries will be allowed to increase their staff-to-child ratio from the current 1:4 to 1:6 For under-ones, the ratio will rise from 1:3 to 1:4 Qualifications would be raised for new nursery staff – they’ll be required to have a GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths

But Labour’s shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg says he believes the plans would undermine the quality of the UK’s childcare. “I think this is one area where we’ve got something to teach other countries,” he says. “If you look at France, there’s quite a big public debate about whether they’ve got this right.” Marg Randles, managing director of Busy Bees, the UK’s largest childcare provider with 213 nurseries across the country, says "This flexibility already exists within settings for 3-5 year olds where providers can choose to adopt a 1:13 ratio where there is a qualified teacher or EYP working directly with the children.” She believes Busy Bees baby ratios of 3:9 and toddler (2-3’s) ratios of 3:12 works best across its nurseries, but others may find they can work within the new ratio guidelines. She welcomes changes, which puts the decisions in the hands of individual childcare experts and trust they will make the right choice for their children,

Picture credit © Tatyana Gladskih - Fotolia.com

Childcare in Britain costs more than childcare almost anywhere else in the world – according to recent figures, 27% of the income of families with young children is spent on the costs of a nanny, a childminder or a nursery. Everyone agrees it would be better if childcare was more affordable – especially for parents with two or more children, many of whom say it doesn’t make financial sense for them both to be at work.

parents and business.” But the important issue for Busy Bees is childcare vouchers: currently, employers are allowed to give employees up to £55 a week in tax-free vouchers to pay for childcare; raising this to £75 a week would make a real difference to parents, the chain argues. In comparison, the saving to families if the Truss proposals go through would amount, says Busy Bees, to less than £3.00 per week.

What about tax breaks? Childcare vouchers are one form of tax breaks for parents paying for childcare. However, before the recent Truss announcement it had been hoped that the scheme would be reformed and extended, allowing more parents to benefit from the scheme, and those already using it to save more.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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OPEN! New nursery in SW19 (3 months to 5 years) CONTACT: 07415 894 289 www.work-n-play.co.uk

Unfortunately these hopes haven’t come to fruition: Ms Truss has said changes are in the pipeline, but that they’re “going to be slightly longer in the gestation than would be ideal”. So the details of the scheme are still being worked out, and it’s been widely reported in the press that there are ideological differences within the Coalition. Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat deputy prime minister, has suggested that changes should be for those on lower incomes, while the Conservatives are believed to want the breaks to be universal. While we wait for another announcement, it’s being reported that the scheme under consideration could be worth thousands of pounds – sources close to the government have said working women with children aged under five could become entitled to claim a flat rate tax allowance of £2,000 a year to pay someone to look after their children. But if that’s the good news, the bad news – sadly – is that with all the political wrangling going on behind the scenes, the plan could take some time...though some experts still believe it could be introduced before the next General Election.

How to cut your childcare costs in the short term So the bottom line is that there’s not a huge amount happening at government level to cut your childcare costs right now – so if you need to get them down, it’s up to you to find a way. Here are a few ideas we’ve come up with at Families: Change your working hours: as a parent with a child under 16, you’re entitled to request flexible working hours from your employer, provided you’ve worked there for more than six months. You could ask to fit your work into fewer days that are longer – then your partner could collect your child or children from your carer on the days you’re working, and you can cut childcare bills. If you work part-time and use a nursery, check out whether the fees are lower on certain days of the week (they sometimes are) and see if you can switch the days you work. Team up with a friend who’s also working part-time and has a child of a similar age. So you look after her child with yours while she’s working, and vice versa. When you’re choosing a childminder, check whether she can access the free 15 hours’ childcare a week that all three and four-year-olds are entitled to – not all childminders can do this, and it can be worth up to £180 for 38 weeks of the year. For more on childcare go to www.familiesonline.co.uk

March 2013

Childcare feature

When a child carer chooses to work in a nursery, he/she is offered many courses, in-house or at local colleges, and is thereby given the chance to increase skills, credentials and job satisfaction. In comparison, the nanny typically has less opportunity to gain qualifications, career promotion or professional development. That is, until now.

Children must first learn to trust in order to form a secure attachment Training for Nannies launches this month and is the answer to dissatisfied, undervalued nannies. In partnership with After School Nannies and its sister agency 0-5 Nannies, Training for Nannies offers short intense courses, allowing nannies the flexibility of attendance according to the needs of the families for whom they work. The courses on offer include Child Development, Nutrition, SEN, Home Education and Sleep Training.

Mary Ainsworth, Child Psychologist and pioneer researcher of Attachment and Attachment Styles in young children, notes that in order for a child to form a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;secureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attachment they must first learn to trust. This takes time and it is vital that a) the primary caregiver (parent/nanny for example) is able to respond appropriately and b) the caregiver remains constant. In light of the recent announcement by Elizabeth Truss, the Education and Childcare Minister, and in anticipation of the imminent Childcare Commission report, Training for Nannies could not be more timely. www.trainingfornannies.com www.afterschoolnannies.com

Nannies expand

Help from heaven

Local nanny agency Abbeville Nannies are opening a new branch in Putney this winter. Abbeville Nannies, based in Clapham since 2001, have developed a great reputation for placing nannies, mothers helps and maternity nurses across South London and now Abbeville Nannies Putney will strengthen their service to families in South West areas such as Putney, Fulham, Barnes, Wimbledon, Sheen and Richmond. Worth a look! Hyde Park House, 5 Manfred Road, Putney SW15 2RS, 020 7627 1123. www.abbevillenannies.co.uk

Do you need a trustworthy helping hand? Heavenly Au Pairs is a new bespoke au pair agency based in South West London. Their maxim is to only offer au pairs who they would actually choose for themselves, thus maintaining a very high standard. The staff are friendly and experienced and offer help and advice every step of the way. Choose from Driving, Graduate, Au Pair Plus and near-fluent English speakerâ&#x20AC;Ś. all are experienced, all are Heavenly! Call 0333 800 8085. www.heavenlyaupairs.com

Like Minders agency

How timely! New intensive courses for nannies just launched

The joy of using an agency By Bryony Churchill, director and co-founder of Like Minders:

Finding childcare for your family can be a daunting process and the minefield of checks, interviews and references is enough to put anyone off. The joy of using an agency such as Like Minders is that it allows parents the freedom to relax in the knowledge that all relevant checks have been undertaken before the childcarer arrives at your front door. At Like Minders, one of our founding principles is to ensure the best quality childcarers are provided to our clients. We pride ourselves on our strict interview process, including a face to face interview and we follow up a minimum of 3 references on each candidate. They are all over 21, and unlike most other agencies, all are fully CRB checked. In addition, they must all have at least two years professional experience. The benefits parents get from an agency such as Like Minders is not only limited to the recruitment side of things but also the day to day organisation of babysitters and ad hoc childcare. We do all the leg work to ensure that parents have cover as and when required, often at very short notice, without having to call around various childcarers to find help. Each Like Minders childcarer is matched to families according to their experience and the age of child(ren) they are caring for. Flexible childcare is hard to come by and it is so important to ensure that anyone you take into your home has been fully checked and is trustworthy, reliable and most of all a safe pair of hands. www.likeminders.co.uk

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Childcare feature

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Childcare feature Great tips from Nappy Valley Nannies to help you choose the right nanny The prospect of trying to find the right nanny with the caring, safe, sensible attitude coupled with experience and common sense, can be a daunting task for any mother. The prospect of opening your home to dozens of nannies you meet for the first time is not always an experience many of us relish to have. Remember always, that you will be placing the care of your children in the hands of someone you have never met before. The agency who has sent you the nanny would have checked all her references, qualifications, experience and trustworthiness as opposed to the family finding a nanny on their own through a website. The screening process is very time consuming and one needs to know what questions to ask ex-employers to get the best feel of what the applicant is truly like. Many employers feel more comfortable speaking with agencies as this is done confidentially. The agency is then in a better position to ascertain if the applicant is up to scratch and a good nanny. Often nannies also feel more comfortable securing a position through an agency as we would mediate between you both to iron out any potential problems and have the knowledge that all is above board. One should also consider why a nanny would prefer to advertise independently for a position? After all, the agency service is free to them. Perhaps thorough checks are being avoided? In addition it is very important that Nanny has a valid Paediatric First Aid and an enhanced CRB check which is clear. These can only be done through agencies.

Childcare Breakdown?

Looking for a place to work close to baby?

For UK working parents, normal childcare arrangements break down 9 times a year. If you’ve been in that situation, you’ll know how stressful it can be! Emergency Childcare is a service that lets parents plan ahead for such situations, and then when things go wrong, book an emergency nanny, nursery or childminder anywhere in the UK with as little as 2 hours’ notice. Visit www.emergencychildcare.co.uk to find out more. They’re currently offering a 3 month free trial so you can check out the service for yourself. It really is as easy as A, B, C...

Third Door Workhub and nursery in Wandsworth is great for small businesses which need flexible office space. Parents of children aged over 3 have access to Government funding for their nursery and we also have reduced rates for over 3's. They have great flexible packages, so you can upgrade or downgrade according to your needs. "Fun, friendly, creative, inspiring, productive, flexible, social and collaborative." These are the benefits of joining a cowering space. It’s a place where you belong, not your work, not your home, it’s a place where you can be with your loved ones… Why not go and have a look? www.third-door.com Call 020 8877 0098

A practical co-working childcare solution for parents with 0-6 yrs children Above the hustle and bustle of central Brixton, Treehouse is a hideaway just waiting to be discovered. The Treehouse concept was developed in response to local families, who asked for more flexible childcare to be able to get a few jobs done or just for a little personal time. With as little as two hours’ notice, Treehouse can accommodate parents and / or children at an affordable rate for all. Treehouse gives children the space to play, explore and learn in a vibrant, multi-activity, indoor play centre with the reassurance of mum or dad being close by. It therefore serves as an excellent stepping stone for young children as they move towards independence. Open 7-days a week, Treehouse works to enrich local community life. In response to sector funding cuts, Treehouse Work and Play is an original approach to fundraising to help sustain the community work our service users rely on. Profits are invested into youth initiatives provided by Youth Scene Services - a social enterprise of which Treehouse is a subsidiary. To become a Treehouse member please visit: treehouseworkandplay.com/membership Or contact: 020 7998 3789 info@treehouseworkandplay.com

Nappy Valley Nannies can make all of this easier for you. We thoroughly check all the nannies and mannies on our books, and have a reputation of being a great agency which we passionately uphold, The majority of our positions are through personal recommendations which is a testimonial to our abilities as a caring and trustworthy agency. www.nappyvalleynannies.co.uk

Focused, intelligent, consistent childcare for children on the pre-school journey with affordable, practical in-house ‘Training for Nannies’ from child development to nutrition and cookery. We encourage our families to nurture and grow their nanny to meet their child’s needs at every stage. 0-5 Nannies—with you, with your children, with your nanny— every step of the way. 0208 871 2211 0-5@afterschoolnannies.com afterschoolnannies.com

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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Easter Holiday listings part 1

Play with Clay

ARTS AND CRAFTS Artyard Handmade 318 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen SW14 7JN 2-5 and 8-12 April. Art and Craft Workshops Make 3D birds, create gorgeous bird feeders for the garden, design spring outifts, oriental lanterns, giant spring flowers, dream houses and Dickensian notebooks. 10am-3pm, 5-12yrs, £35. 020 8878 1336, info@artyard.co.uk. www.artyard.co.uk Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road SE21 7AD 10 and 11 April. Easter Holiday Workshop Birds of a Feather: create colourful printed bird sculptures for display in your own garden. Explore pattern and mark making though polyblock printmaking, painting and 3D construction skills. 6-8yrs - 10.30am12.30pm, 9-11yrs - 2-4pm, £18. 020 8299 8732, l.mckie@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Eddie Catz Putney First Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street SW15 1SF 3 April. The Animal Man

Club Petit Pierrot

Sir John Soane’s Museum Experience with Ranger Stu Ranger Stu gives children the chance to learn about and handle a variety of animals. 5-11yrs, 11am-12pm, £10 4-11 April. Cooking Extravaganza with Cookie Crumbles - 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, 4-8yrs, £45 for 2 days/£25 for 1 day 4 April. Toddler Cookery with Cookie Crumbles - 2-3pm, 2-4yrs, £13 9 April. Make a Bunny Easter Workshop - 10am-1pm, 4-8yrs, £22 10-12 April. Got to Dance! with Dynamic Dance - 10am-1pm, 510yrs, £60 for 3 mornings 0845 201 1268 eddiecatz.com Eddie Catz Wimbledon 42 Station Road SW19 2LP 3 April. The Animal Man Experience with Ranger Stu Ranger Stu gives children the chance to learn about and handle a variety of animals. 5-11yrs, 2-3pm, £10 4 April. Crazy Science Workshop 10am-1pm, 5-10yrs, £22 5 April. The Creation Station Mummy and Me Easter Session – 10.40-11.30am, 2-6yrs, £8/£5 siblings 8 April. Easter Fun Morning – 10am-12pm, 5-9yrs, £15 10 April. Make a Bunny Easter Workshop - 10am-1pm, 4-8yrs, £22

11 April. Puppet Workshop – 10am-1pm, 5-10yrs, £22 0845 201 1268 eddiecatz.com

including all materials and firing. 07930 413649, info@play-with-clay.com. www.play-with-clay.com

Fulham Palace Bishops Avenue SW6 6EA 14 April. Archaeology Handling Handle real archaeological objects including some Roman pieces. Free, no booking needed, all ages welcome, takes place in the Fulham Palace Museum. 2-3.30pm www.fulhampalace.org

Smarty Paints Pottery Studio 85 Nightingale Lane, Balham, SW12 8NX 8-12 April. Easter Holiday Workshops Fun and creative holiday workshops, 10.30am-12.30pm, age 6+. Different activities each day including painting on pottery, T-shirts, canvas and Decopatch. £15 per session. 020 8772 8702, info@smartypaints.co.uk. www.smartypaints.co.uk

Fun with Fimo Clay West London 4, 10 and 15 April. Craft Activity Sessions Floppy Bunny, Candy Crocodile, Water Dragons and more. Fun and creative, fully supervised and nonmessy workshops. 6 yrs+, 10.15am4.15pm, £50. Bring a packed lunch and a box to put your creations in. 020 8992 3767, fimofun@tiscali.co.uk. www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk Play With Clay Streatham & Clapham High School, 42 Abbotswood Road, SW16 1AW 8-12 April. Easter Holiday Workshops Fun and creativity with clay, ages 6+, 9.30am-3.30pm, £24 per half day

LANGUAGES Club Petit Pierrot Across SW London Half term fun Take a crash course in French while having fun! Learn French with private tuition and enjoy music, games, songs, stories and puppets. 020 7385 5565, admincpp@btconnect.com. www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

MUSIC AND DRAMA Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes Dulwich, Herne Hill and Streatham

Le Club Français FUN FRENCH FOR CHILDREN FROM 3-11yrs In school teaching for Keystage 2 children We arrange Clubs for Nursery, Primary Schools for lunch and after School

Call 07918 156831 or 020 8542 2709 for details

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Easter listings

Hansel and Gretel—Perform drama 8-12 April. Keyboard Superstar/One Hit Wonder Workshop Keyboard workshop for 5-8yrs. Choose from a one-day taster workshop or a week of music making. Special week course for Families SW Readers £109 (normally £119) – quote FSW when booking. One Hit Wonder Workshop £30. 0800 107 7949, mail@funkymonkey.info www.funkymonkey.info

5-18 years. Grades 2 to 8. MusMak1@aol.com, www.musicmakers.co.uk Perform Barnes, Battersea, Fulham, Kensington and Wimbledon 3rd -10th April Hansel and Gretel holiday courses. All the excitement of the original fairytale, with unique games, specially written music, energetic dance and colourful improvisation, Perform’s team of enthusiastic and experienced actors, musicians and dancers will help bring this classic tale to life. Inspiring and encouraging the children every step of the way so that they’ll have a half term to remember forever. £93 Per Child (including refreshments each day). 0845 400 1278 www.perform.org.uk

Funky Moves at The Exhibit The Exhibit, 12 Balham Station Road SW12 9SG 4, 6, 9 and 11 April. Kids Club Eat a packed lunch provided by The Exhibit in a private cinema, watch a film and learn a cool dance. Films include Brave, Rio, Alvin and The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked and Despicable Me. 1-4pm, 5-12yrs, £15 020 8772 6556, exhibit@exhibitbars.com funkymovesdance.com / theexhibit.co.uk

Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB Easter Workshops Act, sing, dance, direct and create at Polka Theatre. Experience life behind the scenes of a real working theatre 2 April – Feathered Friends. 10-11.15am, 4-5yrs, £18 3 April – Play in a Day. 10.30am-3.30pm, 7-11yrs, £30 4 and 5 April – Spring Time Bugs

Music Makers King’s College School, Southside, Wimbledon Common, SW19 4TT April dates TBC. Easter Holiday Courses Week-long holiday music courses for

March 2013

Stagecoach Theatre and Arts, Battersea and Butterflies. 10-11.15am 3-4yrs, 11.30am-12.45pm 5-6yrs, £36 9 April – Blossoms and Blooms. 10am-12.30pm, 6-10yrs, £25 10 April – Actors Boot Camp. 10am-3.30pm, 7-11yrs, £30 12 April – Musical Director for a Day. 10.30am-3.30pm, 8-13yrs, £30 020 8543 4888. www.polkatheatre.com Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Battersea Honeywell School, Honeywell Road, Battersea, SW11 6EF 9-12 April. Easter Holiday Musical Theatre Four days packed with dance, drama and singing from a host of musicals including 'Les Miserables', 'Tangled', 'Charlie and The Chocolate Factory', 'Wicked' and 'Viva Forever'. Put on a performance for family and friends. 4-6yrs 9.30am-12.30pm, 7-15yrs 10am-4pm, from £50. Call Micky on 020 8946 2986, battersea@stagecoach.co.uk. www.stagecoach.co.uk/battersea Studio Film School Balham 8-10 April. The Big Blockbuster! An epic action-adventure of a workshop as you make your own blockbuster movie, creating explosive

Special FX, driving high-octane drama and mastering screen combat techniques. 10am-4pm, ages 7–16, £165 includes DVD. 0845 533 3763, info@studiofilmschool.co.uk. www.studiofilmschool.co.uk Theatrebugs Drama workshop for 3.5-6 year olds in several places in SW London The Caterpillar’s Voice. Three fun filled days of acting, dancing, singing, arts and crafts and dressing up. On day 3; they hit the stage! Fee £78; Places Limited; Early Booking Recommended Snack and Drink included, youngest sibling receives a 10% discount! 0800 975 5290 Book online at www.theatrebugs.co.uk/londonandho mecounties.html enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk www.theatrebugs.co.uk Upbeat Music Chelsea and Fulham 2-5 April. Easter holiday sessions Record a CD with your photo on the front. Sessions include singing, dance, drums, electric guitars and end-ofcourse performance. 10am-4pm each day, ages 4-14. 07816 901396, upbeatmusic@btinternet.com 8 www.upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk page 24

Easter Holiday listings part 1

Central London Golf Centre

SPORTS All Star Coaching Wandsworth Common Tennis Centre, Dorlcote Road, SW18 3RT 25 March – 19 April. Tennis Camps Tennis coaching for all levels. Age 5-14, prices and times vary. 020 8871 4706, wandsworthcommontennis@gmail.co m www.allstarcoaching.co.uk Central London Golf Centre Burntwood Lane SW17 0AT 25 March – 12 April. Easter Camps Golf tuition followed by fun and informal competitions - the perfect way to entertain your kids. Birdie Camps 6-8ys, 10am-2pm, £175 per week/£35 per day; Eagle Camps 916yrs, 10am-2pm, £225 per week/£45 per day. 020 8871 2468, golf@clgc.co.uk www.clgc.co.uk Fulham FC Foundation Bishop’s Park, Stevenage Road, Fulham SW6 Dates TBC. Easter Holiday Courses Holiday courses for all abilities from beginners to regular players in a fun and challenging environment. 3-5yrs - 9-11am, 6-14 yrs - 9am-3pm, from £12 per day. 0870 442 5432, holidaycourses@fulhamfc.com www.fulhamfc.com/fulham-fcfoundation/football/holiday-courses Furzedown Soccer School Furzedown Recreation Centre, Ramsdale Road SW17 9BP 8-12 April. Easter Holiday Programme Ball work, skills and techniques for all abilities. Age 6-12, 10am-3pm, £50 per week, 10% discount for siblings, or £12 per day. 020 8871 7171, RPettigrew1@wandsworth.gov.uk www.wandsworth.gov.uk Furzedown Tennis Camp Furzedown Recreation Centre, Ramsdale Road SW17 9BP 2-5 April. Easter Holiday Programme Fun-filled courses for all

abilities, based on the LTA mini tennis scheme. Children’s Junior 4-6yrs 1011am, £26; Children’s Junior 7-9yrs 11am-12.30pm, £39; Intermediate 1014yrs 12.30-2pm £39. 020 8871 7171, RPettigrew1@wandsworth.gov.uk www.wandsworth.gov.uk Henry Lamb Tennis Barnes, Fulham, Putney 2-5, 8-12 and 15-17 April. Tennis Holiday Programme Formerly Menace Tennis. Enjoy tennis courses at St Paul’s School, Kensington Prep School and Putney High School. Dates, times and ages vary according to venue. 0203 478 4903, info@menacetennis.co.uk www.henrylamb.co.uk The Little Gym Riverside West, Wandsworth SW18 1DB 2-4 April. Easter Holiday Fun The ever-popular camps including gymnastics , games, crafts and a whole lot of fun. 3-6yrs, times TBC. 020 8874 6567, wandsworth _fulham@thelittlegym.co.uk. www.thelittlegym.co.uk Ridgway Stables 93 Ridgway, Wimbledon Village SW19 4SU 2-12 April. Easter Holiday Courses Merton Active Plus are running 4-day horse riding courses for children 816yrs, 10am-12pm and 2-4pm, £120. Children from 4yrs can try an introductory half hour lesson. Call Julia 020 8946 7400, ridgwaystables@freeuk.co.uk. www.ridgwaystables.co.uk, www.merton.gov.uk/activeplus SwimWay East Sheen, Knightsbridge, Putney and Streatham April dates TBC. Easter Swimming Courses One-week intensive courses to improve your child’s swimming technique. 3-9yrs, 020 8871 3972, info@swimway.co.uk www.swimway.co.uk

Great listings

Army Museum Telford Park Tennis Club 35a Killieser Avenue, Streatham Hill, SW2 4NX 1-5 and 8-12 April. Hotshots Easter Holiday Tennis Camps A series of fun, 5-day coaching sessions for all levels, ages 4-15. 11.30am-4pm Monday-Friday. £25 per day/£115 for the week. 020 8674 5979 07736 068375, coaching@telfordparktennisclub.co.uk www.telfordparktennisclub.co.uk/h oliday-camps Tennis4you Wimbledon Park Tennis Courts, Wimbledon Park, Home Park Road, SW19 7HR Dates TBC. Easter Holiday Camps Ideal Easter holiday fun for kids, 4-16 years. Call 020 8789 0482 / 07961170675, paul@tennis4you.co.uk / paul@londontennis.co.uk www.tennis4you.co.uk Urban Ascent Rock Climbing Unit 5 Parsons Green Depot, 33-35 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham SW6 4HH 1-12 April. Easter Climbing Club Come rock climbing in Parsons Green! Age 5+, 1.30-2.30pm, 3-4pm and 4.30-5.30pm. £12, or 5 sessions for the price of 4. info@urbanascent.co.uk, 020 7751 0913. www.urbanascent.co.uk

Wandsworth Leisure Wandsworth 2-5 and 8-12 April. Holiday Fun programme The ever-popular Wandsworth holiday programme returns with a wide range of activities for ages 3+ across a number of venues. Booking line opens 11 March. 0208 871 6756, holidayfun@wandsworth.gov.uk www.wandsworth.gov.uk/holidayfun

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES British Library 96 Euston Road NW1 2DB Easter Holiday Family Workshops 2-4 April – Who Done It? Become a famous detective in a hands-on workshop for all the family. 1112.30pm and 3-4.30pm 9-11 April – Stamp! The British Library has a first-class stamp collection. Join artist Sara Haq in this creative workshop to make your own stamps. 11am and 3pm www.bl.uk/whatson/events Geffrye Museum 136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA 6 April. Easter Treasure Hunt Explore the gardens, answer clever clues and collect your treasure from the Quiz Desk, 12.30–4.30pm 9-12 April. Spring is in the Air Bake herbal biscuits, create seasonal headwear and take part in a treasure hunt around the gardens, 10.30am12.30pm and 2-4pm, 5-16yrs 9-12 April. Spring in Your Step Explore spring in homes and gardens through stories, songs and craft activities, 10.30-11.30am and 12-1pm, 2-5yrs 020 7739 9893 www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Museum of London 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN 29 March – 14 April. Easter Holiday Activities Including Pearly King and Queen, Roman Weaving, London Make Do and Mend, Musical London, Sculptastic and The Roaring Lions of Trafalgar. Dates, ages and times vary 020 7001 9844 www.museumoflondon.org.uk Museum of London Docklands West India Quay E14 4AL 30 March – 13 April. Easter Holiday Activities Including Billy Jenkins: a pirate's life for me, Musical London, Lighting up the River, The

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

isn’t it! Please make sure you tell them where you saw them.

V & A Museum of Childhood

Sir John Soane’s

Hat Makers of Southwark and Thomas Coram and the Foundling Children. Dates, ages and times vary 020 7001 9844 www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ docklands

Create your own painted Easter egg with a secret compartment for hidden treasures, 10.30am and 2pm, £7, age 7+ 7 April. The Little Draw Free drop-in workshop for all ages, taking inspiration from some of the fantastic beasts and monsters you’ll find hiding in the Collection, 1.30-4.30pm. Find out more at www.drawingpower.org.uk 10 April. Comic Book Illustration Join award-winning comic artist Tom Humberstone and learn everything you need to know about comic art, 11am4pm, £14, age 13+. 11 April. Musical Stories Join musician Luke Crookes and artist Marc Woodhead for an interactive storytelling session in the galleries, 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Free, age 5+ 020 7563 9500/9527, booking@wallacecollection.org www.wallacecollection.org

National Army Museum Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HT 6-7 April. Pick-a-Fight! Bring your budding generals and wouldbe commanders along this Easter holiday and help re-write history. 10.30am-4.30pm, age 7+ 1-12 April. Easter Workshops 11am and 2pm, ages 5-11 020 7730 0717 www.nam.ac.uk Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 5BD 8 April. Night Safari with MasterCard Discover some of nature’s most fascinating specimens in the mysterious setting of the Museum at night in this exclusive after-hours event. See some of the Museum’s most famous exhibits and learn about their fascinating background through one-on-one chats with the Museum’s scientists. 16yrs+, 7-10pm, £28 www.nhm.ac.uk

Wandsworth Museum 38 West Hill SW18 1RX 23 March. Easter-Eggstravaganza! Create Easter-inspired bonnets and gifts, learn about spring traditions and parade your bonnet on the catwalk 10 and 11 April. Printing Techniques Try your hand at a range of printing techniques from block printing to collagraphs, 1.30pm-3.30pm 27 April. Trains, Planes and Automobiles Learn how Wandsworth has been at the forefront of advancements in transport and create your own trains, planes and automobiles, 1.30pm-3.30pm 020 8870 6060. wandsworthmuseum.co.uk

Sir John Soane's Museum 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP 3, 4, 10 and 11 April. Easter Workshops Make your own amulets, badges and jewellery inspired by Egyptian, Greek and Roman objects in the Museum. Age 7+, times vary, from £12, booking essential. 020 7440 4263, admin@soane.org.uk www.soane.org

ALL-DAY CAMPS

V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA 29 March – 1 April. Egg-tastic Easter Fun Solve clues to find out where the Easter Bunny has hidden his chocolate eggs, make an Easter egg basket and other seasonal crafts. 11am4pm, free, all ages. 8983 5219 www.museumofchildhood.org.uk

Activ Camps Emanuel School, Battersea Rise SW11 1HS Wimbledon College SW19 4NS Barnes Sports Club SW13 9QL 25 March – 12 April. Multi-activity Camps - Non-stop, fun-filled and action-packed! Age 4-14, from £35 per day, discounts for siblings. Dates dependant on venue. 07896 546067, info@activcamps.com www.activcamps.com

The Wallace Collection Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN 5 April. Easter Egg Treasures

March 2013

Easter listings

Families South West is the biggest it has

EVER been! No other parenting magazine prints as many copies for the SW postcodes.

We now print 30,000 copies â&#x20AC;Śand did you know? There are now 40 local FamiliesÂŽ magazines around the country!

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

March 2013

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Exercise classes for mums with babies Congratulations, you have a baby! But when is it time to start think about exercising, and who is going to look after your baby while you do it?

Postnatal yoga course focussing on closing the body after birth and enabling you to regain your strength and energy, plus baby yoga to ensure that both mothers and babies enjoy their yoga experience.

Fear not - from pilates studios to yoga classes, from running in the park to yummy mummy members clubs, there is a whole range of exercise out there where you can bring your baby with you. Research shows that not only does exercise help your body recover from pregnancy and birth, it can also help prevent postnatal depression, so now there’s no excuse not to get stuck in!

Bend it like Lisa

Whatever form of exercise you choose, remember to get checked out by a doctor before you start, don’t push yourself too hard and above all, have fun!

PRAMMING IN THE PARK A buggy class in the park is a great way to meet other mums while getting a safe, cardio-based workout.

Buggybells

Buggybells Common Ground Café, Wandsworth Common 0800 112 3410 buggybells@gmail.com www.russiankettlebellsuk.com/ buggybells Buggybells is a brand new fitness concept for mums who want an express Kettlebell Workout outdoors. A fun 45-minute workout 3 times a week, aimed at new mums who hate gyms! Beginners welcome. Free trials available.

HA Fitness South Park Gardens, Wimbledon Common, Wimbledon Park claire.brown@hafitness.com www.hafitness.com/classes Meet people, shift your postnatal weight and get fit. HA Fitness runs Buggyfit sessions in South Park Gardens, Wimbledon Common, Wimbledon Park, as well as Fit in the Park outdoor fitness classes for both beginners and experienced exercisers. Babies and children welcome!

Mum on The Run fitness Buggyfit Tooting Common

Buggyfit Wandsworth, Tooting Common and Wandsworth Park 07779 271655 info@buggyfit.co.uk elizadoalot@hotmail.com www.buggyfit.co.uk An hour long outdoor class, usually involving a 3-5 mile route in total. Start with a moderate warm up walk, moving into a power walk or run to raise heart rates. Then start to burn fat! Each class includes group exercises specifically selected to strengthen and tone particular muscle groups, and enable you to cope with the demands of motherhood. Finish off with... a cool down, pelvic floor and stretch. All Buggyfit classes have been developed by trainers who are experts in assessing how hard to work each mum.

Bootybarrre Maloca, 10 Point Pleasant, Putney, and St Barnabus Church, 146 Lavenham Rd, Southfields and Fybregym Northcote Road, Battersea. 07779 271655 elizadaolot@hotmail.com www.thebootybarre.com A revolutionary new Fitness Class combining Dance, Yoga and Pilates with a creche. With routines needing no previous experience, selecting the best of a traditional workout, Booty Barre provides an enjoyable, fun approach to getting fit, concentrating on strength, flexibility and cardio, to blast away cellulite, help tighten tummies and tone bottoms, or target those hard-to-shift post-baby areas. Expert post-natal fitness instructor and trained professional dancer, Eliza Nearn.

Raynes Park Sports Ground & Pavillion, Taunton Avenue, Raynes Park SW20 OBH 07779 591 558 najat@mumontherunfitness.co.uk www.mumontherunfitness.co.uk Indoor and outdoor boot camp exercise classes and Personal Training especially for New Mums On The Run. Bring along your baby, meet other mums and work with a qualified trainer on specific postnatal exercises. Also School Mums on The Run to work on those hard to hit areas, and Working Mums on the Run.

Powerpramming Tooting Bec Common 07976 778413/07957 560103 tessswann@powerpramming.co.uk www.powerpramming.co.uk Get fit with your baby. All levels of fitness welcome, just take it at your own pace. Classes Mondays and Thursdays 10am, meet by Tooting Bec Common Café, no need to book.

Pushy Mummies Barnes Green SW13 0LF 020 7693 0177 enquiries@pushymothers.com / jennieg@pushymothers.com www.pushymothers.com Buggy Workouts are guided walks incorporating a wide variety of postnatal specific exercises. Pushy Mothers on the Run are for mums with babies over 6 months who wish to pick up the pace. Jennie Gordon runs Buggy Workouts Tuesdays at 12pm, meet at The Old Sorting Office. Coming soon to Richmond too.

Tim Hayes Lifestyle Fitness Barnes, Clapham, Knightsbridge, Richmond, South Kensington, Wimbledon 020 7096 9396 / 07872 994 691 info@timhayesfitness.co.uk www.timhayesfitness.co.uk Bring your baby with you for post-natal exercise in your own home and in local parks.

Vern Hill personal training Unit 26 Jaggard Way, Wandsworth Common SW12 07967 777294 www.vh-pt.co.uk Post natal exercise specialists covering Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common and Balham. Workouts help re-educate women about their bodies and its needs.

Fit for a princess Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common, Earlsfield, Fulham 0208 879 6114 princess@fitforaprincess.co.uk www.fitforaprincess.co.uk New mums are welcome at all of their outdoor workout classes, as well as babies in buggies of course! They also run special postnatal mummies classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am on Wandsworth Common. Free trials offered.

STUDIO CLASSES Many Pilates and yoga studios have classes specifically designed for postnatal women, and most studios offer either a crèche or welcome your baby into the class with you.

Annabel Hargrave Yogabirth Wimbledon and Merton 07817 931571 info@annabel-yogabirth.com www.annabel-yogabirth.com 4- and 6-week courses in Postnatal Yoga and Baby Massage in Wimbledon and Merton. Sessions focus on core strength recovery, gentle stretches and relaxation.

Apple Yoga Open Door Community Centre, Keevil Drive, Southfields SW19 6TF / Pimlico Academy, Lupus Street SW1V 3AT 0845 643 7027 info@appleyoga.com www.appleyoga.com Postnatal yoga bringing an enhanced feeling of health, strength and peace to your daily routine.

Authentic Pilates Unit 8B Commodore House, Juniper Drive SW18 1TW 020 7199 2060 info@theauthenticpilates.com www.theauthenticpilates.com Private, duet or group sessions in Pilates from the beginner to the advanced.

The Awareness Centre The Awareness Centre, 41 Abbeville Road SW4 9JX 020 8673 4545 info@theawarensscentre.com www.theawarenesscentre.com A wide range of yoga and Pilates classes for all levels.

Battersea Yoga Battersea Arts Centre, Chatham Hall and St Vincents Hall 020 7978 7995 www.batterseayoga.com

Across Chelsea, Clapham North, Earlsfield, Roehampton, Wandsworth and Wimbledon www.benditlikelisa.co.uk As well as a variety of yoga classes, Lisa runs a Postnatal Yoga class on Mondays 12.30pm at Sure Start, South Thames College, Roehampton Centre, 166 Roehampton Lane SW15 4HR. Suitable for mums with babies up to crawling, drop in, free.

Body Alliance Body Alliance, 88 Atlantic Road, Brixton SW9 8PX 020 3286 6228 info@bodyalliance.co.uk www.bodyalliance.co.uk Bring your baby with you for postnatal reformer Pilates and enjoy a balanced exercise programme.

Boxing Mummies Clapham and Balham 07932 784547 www.12roundsboxing.co.uk/boxingtraining/boxing-mummies A unique class that allows mums to take part in boxing fitness training while their fully-qualified childminder takes care of your baby. Meet other mums and train in a supportive environment, tone those problem areas and banish bingo wings forever!

Fairlee Wellbeing Centre 26 Queenstown Road SW8 3RX 0800 098 8867 / 020 7720 7933 Reception@fairleewell.co.uk www.fairleewell.co.uk/mother-baby-yoga A friendly, modern therapy centre serving Battersea, Clapham and the rest of South London, offering Tibetan Yoga and Pilates.

My Baby Pilates First Floor, English National Ballet School, Carlyle Building, Hortensia Road SW10 0QS 0756 453 0199 dina@mybabypilates.co.uk www.mybabypilates.co.uk Postnatal Pilates with your baby, focussing on correct postural alignment, toning arms and legs and gentle stretching.

Physio4life Putney Medical Centre, 125 Upper Richmond Road, SW15 2TL 0208 704 5998 admin@physio4life.co.uk www.physio4life.co.uk/pilates-putney Yoga and Pilates for postnatal women. Book in for a free consultation before starting classes.

The Pilates Practice 213 St John’s Hill, Battersea SW11 1TH 020 7228 6787 info@thepilatespractice.com www.thepilatespractice.com Private or group Pilates classes in a calm, intimate atmosphere. A million miles away from a crowded gym! Builds core strength, tones and stretches the body after pregnancy.

Ten Pilates Barley Mow Centre, Barley Mow Passage W4 4PH020 8996 1710 chiswick@tenpilates.com and Lower Ground Floor, 6 Duke Street SW1Y 6BN 020 7930 4442 stjamess@tenpilates.com www.tenpilates.com Like traditional Pilates, TenPilates, the home of Dynamic Pilates, is designed to

All our listing can be seen on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Great listings isn’t it! Please make sure you tell them where you saw them. engage and strengthen your core waist and lower back muscles, helping improve posture and prevent injury.

Physio on the river The Old Ticket Office, Barnes Bridge, The Terrace, Barnes SW13 0NP 020 8876 5690 help@physio-on-the-river.co.uk Pilates and yoga from beginners to advanced, right on the river in Barnes.

Whyyoga

The Harbour Club

Balham and Earlsfield 01372 459 400 askvicky@whyoga.com www.whyoga.com Mother and baby yoga classes focussing on strengthening core and lower back, releasing tension in the shoulders, toning the abdomen and deep breathing exercises to alleviate tiredness. Classes at Balham and Earlsfield libraries as well as in your own home.

Watermeadow Lane SW6 2RR 0207 7371 7700 www.harbourclub.com From beginners Pilates to bootcamp for the more adventurous! Babies from 3 months are well cared for in their excellent crèche.

Yogabirth

Burns Road, Battersea, SW11 5AD 0207 207 8004 www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk All sorts of studio classes from Boxercise to Zumba with Pilates and yoga in between, with an affordable crèche for babies from 12 weeks.

Across SW London jillactivebirth@aol.com www.yogabirth.org Feel recharged with specialised yoga practice and breath awareness classes, with your baby.

Shape 2 fit

GYMS AND MEMBERS CLUBS

Ground Floor, Baltimore House, Griffiths Road, Wimbledon SW19 1SR 07777 698581 lauren@shape2fit.co.uk www.shape2fit.co.uk Mother and Child Pilates, plus Zumba, circuits, Kettle Bells and more.

Many gyms offer postnatal exercise classes and also have crèches. Some gyms don’t require membership; with others your membership will come with a free session with a personal trainer, who will be able to create a post-baby training programme especially for you.

Sitram Yoga 07595 219759 sitaramyoga@googlemail.com www.sitaram.org A programme of classes specially designed to provide a warmly supportive environment in which to enjoy getting to know your baby. As the babies grow into toddlers another set of classes is available, with challenges and yogic fun for all.

Balham Leisure Centre Elmfield Road, Balham SW17 8AN 0208 772 9577 www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk All sorts of studio classes from Boxercise to Zumba with Pilates and yoga in between, with an affordable crèche for babies from 12 weeks.

South West London Yoga Wimbledon Village SW19 07977 298648 southwestlondonyoga@gmail.com www.southwestlondonyoga.co.uk Mum and baby yoga classes in a tranquil studio in Wimbledon Village. Tone your body while bonding with your baby as well as getting to know other mums.

Cupcake 11 Heathmans Road SW6 4TJ 0207 186 6000 www.cupcakemum.com The ultimate club for families, Cupcake offers dozens of classes including pilates, yoga, postnatal fitness and parent/child wellbeing as well as more energetic classes such as Zumba and bootcamp. Babies are welcome in many classes but they also have a crèche for children from 4 weeks and an after-school club for 3-5 year olds.

Tara Lee Yoga The Life Centre, 15 Edge St, London, W8 7PN www.taraleeyoga.com Tara Lee’s Mother and Baby Yoga classes are as popular as ever, enabling you to practice safe yoga postnatally while bonding with your baby. The classes use a dynamic yoga form to aid recovery and build your strength.

David Lloyd

Vitality Ccntre

Fulham, South Kensington, Putney, Raynes Park 0845 217 6464 www.davidlloyd.co.uk A member’s only gym that offers a crèche in most of their clubs, as well as specially designed children’s activities Club Play (3-4 years) and Club Active (5-11 years) so you can work out while your kids are having fun. A range of post-natal exercise and swim classes for new mums plus classes for mothers and babies.

155-159 Merton Road SW18 5EQ 020 8871 4677 jamesthirlwall@gmail.com www.vitality-centre.co.uk Don’t miss their Pilates for New Mums class Mondays at 10am and Wednesdays at 11am, babies welcome! £12. Creche facilities also available on Monday and Friday lunchtimes so Mums can leave babies and young children in the creche while they attend a class or have a treatment.

Latchmere Leisure Centre

Nuffield Health Gyms Fulham, Battersea, Wandsworth, Wimbledon 0333 920 1126 www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms From Pilates for new mums to express Kettlebells workouts, Nuffield gyms offer exciting and varied timetables, with crèches to look after your little ones.

Putney Leisure Centre Dryburgh Road, Putney SW15 1BL 0208 7850388 www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk All sorts of studio classes from Boxercise to Zumba with Pilates and yoga in between, with an affordable crèche for babies from 12 weeks.

Tooting Leisure Centre Greaves Place, Tooting SW17 0NE 020 8333 7555 www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk All sorts of studio classes from Boxercise to Zumba with Pilates and yoga in between, with an affordable crèche for babies from 6 months.

Virgin Active Fulham, Wandsworth, Putney, Chelsea, Clapham, Wimbledon, Merton, Streatham 0207 717 9000 www.virginactive.co.uk Mum members of Virgin Active find Pilates one of the best exercises they can do after pregnancy, helping reduce stress and maintain the body’s balance during pregnancy. Their crèches cater for babies as young as 6 weeks.

Boxing Mummies: a unique women only fitness class Combining boxing with an all over workout to help mums get fighting fit, classes come with an on-site au-pair to allow mums to bring babies and toddlers along while they train. Owner and personal trainer Kat Bryson believes boxing is one of the most effective workouts for women. ‘Boxing targets common problem areas for women like bingo wings and love handles. It burns maximum calories and builds strength and definition without any bulkiness. Most importantly it’s a lot of fun! Kat believes that making the workout enjoyable is what keeps her clients coming back week after week. Sessions are varied and interactive and can also provide valuable social support to new mums. “Never before have I enjoyed exercise as much as this and I am now a complete addict. The classes are challenging, varied and fun. The results you will see in terms of your fitness, strength, weight loss, and changes to your body shape are quicker than other forms of exercise and a real incentive to keep going. The classes are also a fantastic way of dealing with stress. I really recommend giving it a go.” Local mum Ali Key has been boxing with Kat for 2 years 10% discount on their spring beginners courses. To find a class near you visit

Wandle Recreation Centre Mapleton Road, Wandsworth SW18 4DN 0208 871 1149 www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk All sorts of studio classes from Boxercise to Zumba with Pilates and yoga in between, with an affordable crèche for babies from 12 weeks

www.12roundsboxing.co.uk/boxingtraining/boxing-mummies/ or contact Kat on 07932 784547.

Child c Prov are ided! and oor oor d n I utd s! O asse Cl

Fun and effective fitness just for mums! • An all over workout using boxing techniques and fitness drills • Boost your fitness and burn maximum calories! • Tone and define upper body and core • Feel energised and de-stressed • Gain confidence and meet new friends!

Se resul e real ts w week ithin s!

Contact kat@12roundsboxing.co.uk 07932 784547 to find a class near you!

March 2013

Book reviews Reviewed by Sarah Naughton

Storytelling For Life: Why stories matter and ways of telling them By Josie Felce Published by Floris RRP £14.99 Paperback ISBN 9780863159237

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Pick up this book looking for practical tips on storytelling and you may find you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. Josie Felce has been a storyteller for thirty five years, and has travelled the world gathering tales and wisdom from diverse cultures. Far more than a simple practical guide her book is a rich amalgam of storytelling theory and history, alongside a selection of traditional tales. Felce believes passionately in the power of stories to combat abusive childhoods and prepare children for the challenges of growing up and, although some of the language can be esoteric at times, she makes a pretty strong case. Families Rating: 4 out of 6 Reviewed by Rosie Elphinstone

Love Bombing – Reset Your Child’s Emotional Thermostat By Oliver James Published by Karnac Books RRP £9.99 Paperback ISBN 9781780491370 Love Bombing is an interesting and innovative way of addressing a wide range of emotionally challenging behaviour with the aim of getting the parent-child relationship back on track. It is a very accessible self-help book. Oliver James starts by explaining what Love Bombing is and how and why it works. Each chapter looks at the types of behaviour that cause the relationship problems and then documents relevant case studies of Love Bombing being applied, the outcomes and longer term behavioural change. I found it both an intriguing and inspiring read and would recommend it to any parent seeking to improve their relationship with their child. Families Rating: 5 out of 6

Teaching Kids To Be Good People By Annie Fox, M.Ed

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Published by Electric Eggplant RRP £9.95 Paperback ISBN 9781480083936

Annie Fox evidently has lots of experience in helping young people and is passionate about her work. This comes across strongly in her book

which I found to be an exceptionally good read. Her definition of a ‘good’ person comprises many qualities – all teachable rather than innate. Each section of the book is illustrated with real life scenarios, plenty of learning and self-evaluation opportunities, quizzes and empowerment tools. The book is full of insight, wisdom and sensible, practical advice. It would be easy for such a parenting guide to be condescending, but Annie writes with such genuine warm-heartedness, humour and self-deprecating humility that she takes you with her all the way. Highly recommended. Families Rating: 5 out of 6 Reviewed by Jan Deykin

Show me a Story By Emily K Neuburger Published by Storey Publishing RRP £11.99 Paperback ISBN 9781603429887

A wonderful book to help you inspire children’s imaginations. Specifically written to develop children’s storytelling skills, it has 40 projects and activities for a single child or big group. The idea is that children make props then use them as prompts to kick-start and develop stories. Paint characters on stones; invent the history of an everyday object; pass on a plot with Story Ping Pong! It also guides adults on encouraging storytelling and how to structure stories. Perfect at home, outside or traveling, this is a fabulous, fun resource full of colourful photographs. Families Rating: 6 out of 6

Parenting a Teen Girl: A Crash Course on Conflict, Communication and Connection with your Teenage Daughter By Lucie Hemmen PhD Published by New Harbinger Publications RRP £17.99 Paperback ISBN 9781608822133

This practical, thoughtful and comprehensive book contains straightforward good advice to help your parenting of teenage girls. “Did you know that driving you nuts is part of your daughter’s healthy development?” asks the author, a psychologist and mother. How we respond has an enormous impact so the specific steps suggested, for example towards productive conversations, are invaluable. In addition to sex, drugs and alcohol experimentation, girls today have the pressures of social media, websites and mobile phones. Knowing how to support our girls with appreciation and love will have a lasting value. Essential reading. Families Rating: 6 out of 6

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

When Love is broken – how to tell the children By Soila Sindoyo MBPsSS

Depending on the age of the child, realise that this moment might be something that they will always remember – the time you told them that you, mummy and daddy, were going to live separately. It is therefore critical that the news is conveyed with caution and this is what we shall be looking at here. Here is what you will need to keep in mind and to have in place when and while you are breaking the news. Chose the right time. You know your children best so you will know when the right time is. However, before bed is not really a good idea as this means that they are left with their own thoughts through the night, not the best time to digest such news. You want them to be able to come to you through the day with any questions they may have. Of course they will still think about it when the lights are out and for a long time coming but let’s reduce the pain and stress as much as possible. Tell them together wherever possible. This may sound obvious but I have heard of cases where one parent takes it upon him/herself to talk to the children without the knowledge of the other. If you cannot tell them together for whatever reason, do let the other parent know what, when and how you are intending to tell the children and as you tell the children, do let them know, from the start that their father/mother knows that you are talking to them. Agree on what you will be telling them and how you will be saying it. As we all know, words carry a lot of power and prepare yourselves for questions. Some questions to anticipate: 1. Why? 2. Do you not love mummy/daddy any more? 3. Where are we going to live? 4. Am I changing schools? 5. Will I still see daddy/mummy?

getting back together ever again. Do not promise them ANYTHING. If you don’t have an answer then let me them know. Tell them when you are both calm and have the time to sit through any questions or concerns that they might have. Please don’t rush through it. Tell them when you are somewhere safe, somewhere calm and preferably somewhere familiar to them. This way there are neither new nor noisy distractions. They can concentrate on what is going on here and now. Don’t make it a “special” occasion i.e. take them to the cinema, get them whatever they want and then out to lunch in their favourite restaurant and break the news in there. They don’t need any associations with the news i.e. they don’t need to always see a Pizza Express or a Zizzi restaurant and “remember the time when…”

Most importantly reassure them that it is not their fault in any way. Really make sure that they get this. Contrary to popular belief, not all children blame themselves but it does happen. You might have to revisit this with them again and again.

This is one of the times that you will need to be totally present with your child. Watch them as you speak. Watch their body language and their facial expressions. They can tell you a lot about what is going on within them. Are they fidgety, avoiding eye contact, fighting back tears, curled up? Sometimes these and other behaviours will give you a cue on when to reach out to them physically. “Come here Tom, you look like you could do with a hug right now.” There are some children who might feel that they suddenly need to look after you – “Are you alright mummy/daddy?” Don’t let them parent you this could just be their way of avoiding hearing, processing and dealing with their own anxieties, fears and worries and displacing/transferring them onto you.

Be honest. If it’s a trial separation then let them know, if it’s definitely going to end in a divorce then let them know that too. Do not, under any circumstances, give them false hope. It is not fair on them to have to relieve the whole thing again, once they realise that you will not be

Whatever you tell them make sure it’s age appropriate and use age appropriate words and language. Little ones might not understand a whole account of what is going on while teenagers may need more information.

March 2013

Be prepared to have them come to speak with you at the most inconvenient time... yes, children have a way of finding the strangest time to want to discuss the most difficult things; when you’re running late for instance. Bear with them. The timing may not be the best for you but it is for your little one. Do not, under any circumstances, tell the children to keep what is happening at home to themselves. This is very heavy news for a child to carry. You have offloaded onto them, they should be able to do it too, to whomever they chose. They need care, attention and support from you and others around as opposed to them looking after you and your secrets. Anyway divorce and separation is like pregnancy, you can only keep it a secret for so long. • Soila Sindiyo is a seasoned therapist who helps families and children get through the challenges of divorce. A twice-divorced parent, she deeply understands the challenges faced by families going through divorce. Her coaching approach was developed over 10 years whilst working with children and families overcome the trauma and after effects of crime. Soila today specializes in working with mums and children living with or in the shadow of divorce. Soila is an accredited Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) practitioner and a member of the British Psychological Soceity. She has a Bsc (Hons) in Psychology and Msc in Child Psychology as well as training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Soila is also a soon to be qualified family mediator. www.soila.co.uk soila@soila.co.uk 07850 85 60 66

What’s On Compiled by Joanna Parry Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline or we got it wrong...

DRAMA ARTSDEPOT N12 0GA artsdepot.co.uk 10 March. MAVIS SPARKLE With a magician for a Dad and a stargazer for a Mum, there's more to Mavis than meets the eye! Age 5-10, £7, 12pm and 3pm 17 March. RUMPLESTILTSKIN AND THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE Poor Polly Buckwheat is in a bit of a pickle. If she doesn't turn straw into gold by the morning the king will be very cross. But should she trust the mischievous Rumpelstiltskin? Age 4+, £7, 12pm and 3pm 24 March. MISUNDERSTOOD MONSTERS Saint Georgie, a professional monster catcher and his sidekick Squeezy are on their most dangerous mission yet. Age 4-9, £7, 12pm and 3pm

CHELSEA THEATRE SW10 0DR chelseatheatre.org.uk 10 March. THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK Plop is exactly the same as every barn owl that has ever been, except for one thing. Plop is afraid of the dark. Age 7 and under, £8, 11.30am and 3pm 16-17 March. MY BROTHER THE ROBOT Once upon a time in the future there will be a little girl called Bobbie.. Bobbie and her dad will have everything they need, until one day Bobbie announces that she’s lonely and wishes she had a little brother. Age 7 and under, £8, times vary

CHICKEN SHED THEATRE N14 4PE chickenshed.org.uk 1, 2, 15, 16, 22, 23 March. TALES FROM THE SHED A highly entertaining, interactive show. Friday 11.30am, Saturday 10am and 11.30am, age 0-7, £5.50 2, 16, 23 March. SATURDAY SHED Performance workshops for 5–12 year olds, £6

COLOUR HOUSE THEATRE SW19 2RD colourhousetheatre.co.uk Every Sat and Sun to 14 April. SLEEPING BEAUTY The Green Fairy casts an evil spell on baby

WIN a family ticket to see 'Charlie and Lola's Extremely New Play' at the Polka Theatre, Wimbledon! Don't miss everyone's favourite brother and sister who are back on stage. Playful, funny and full of surprises, this extremely new play about friendship and adventures promises to be a treat for everyone and is running from 27th April till 17th August. www.polkatheatre.com/whats-on/charlie-and-lolas-extremely-newplay To enter, go to www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/competitions Terms and Conditions apply. Closing date for the competition is 27th March 2013. Princess Aurora because she wasn’t invited to her christening. Will a handsome Prince find her and wake her up? 2pm and 4pm, £8/£10

JUSTIN AND FRIENDS EASTER TOUR Wembley Arena cbeebieslive.com 6-7 April. Starring the one and only Justin Fletcher from CBeebies. Times vary, from £13

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE N1 2DN littleangeltheatre.com 6-10 March. THE NIGHTINGALE Imagine you could have anything you wanted. Unfortunately for the little King, he already has that, and he still feels something's missing. Age 4+, £8/£10, times vary 30 March and 17 April. THE GINGERBREAD MAN Using puppetry and live cooking The Gingerbread Man is brought to life in a brand new way. Age 3+, £8/£10, times vary

LONDON PALLADIUM W1F 7TF reallyuseful.com From 13 Feb. A CHORUS LINE A new production from the London Palladium. £18.50-£87.50, age 10+

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH W6 0QL lyric.co.uk 9 March. NOBODY RIDES THE UNICORN Zoe knows she must set the Unicorn free but will she be putting herself in terrible danger if she does? Puppets, music and moments of magic bring this original tale to life. 11am & 1pm, age 4-7 15 and 16 March. WOLF TALES The big bad wolf from your favourite fairy tales reveals the secrets behind stories such as Little Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs. Times vary, age 5-10

23 and 24 March. LANDSCAPES Come and explore the four corners of the world: the desert, ocean, rainforest and South Pole. Times vary, age 4-9

PEACOCK THEATRE WC2A 2HT sadlerswells.com/page/peacocktheatre 27 March – 6 April. MY FIRST BALLET: CINDERELLA Introduce your little ones to the magic of classical ballet with this performance of the well-known fairy story. Age 3+, £10-£25

POLKA THEATRE SW19 1SB polkatheatre.com 5–23 March. GRIMM TALES In the dead of the night the moon is hiding behind a cloud, and in the dark forest two children are lost, scared and hungry... Playful, mischievous and deliciously scary fairy tales. Age 6–11, £8/£12 8-9 March. MAVIS SPARKLE With a Magician for a Dad and a Stargazer for a Mum, no wonder there's more to Mavis than meets the eye! £8/£10 12-14 March. WASH! Follow the adventure of a favourite toy needing its very first wash. With song, rhythm, puppetry and movement. £8 15-16 March. SALLY AND THE SUNFLOWER A delightful story of a very small girl and a very tall sunflower. £8/£10 22-23 March. THE TINDERBOX A roguish soldier acquires a tinderbox, which gives him the power to magically summon three extraordinary dogs. £8/£10 29 March. KID CARPET AND THE NOISY ANIMALS Follow the adventures of a charismatic singer and his animal band as they make friends, play games and rock out at a grand dance contest. Age 4–8, £8/£12

Please say you booked as you saw them in Families! Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s On 30 March. COMEDY 4 KIDS James Campbell is a stand up comedian for anyone who likes comedy without the rude words. £8/£12

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE W9 2PF puppetbarge.com To 17 March. JOEY’S FIREWORKS A wonderful marionette spectacle celebrating the arrival of the New Year and featuring traditional characters such as Burglar Bill, Dog Toby, Joey the Clown and Mr Punch. 3yrs+, £8.50/£10 From 23 March. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE And other tales from Aesop…3yrs+, £8.50/£10

UNICORN THEATRE SE1 2HZ unicorntheatre.com To 6 March. LIAR LIAR Acclaimed writer E V Crowe’s latest play is a contemporary tale about Grace, a young girl who knows the truth can be dangerous. Age 13-16

SW15 6AW putneyartstheatre.org.uk 20-23 March. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Step out into Skid Row and join nerdy Seymour as he takes on more than he bargained for when a rare and exotic plant mysteriously appears. Performed by Group 64. £7/£10

TW9 1QJ atgtickets.com/Richmond 2-3 March. BEN AND HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM The BAFTA Award-winning television show comes to the stage for the first time. With actors, masks and colourful costumes, this story of elves and princesses will delight. Times vary, £12.50/£16.50

SOHO THEATRE

BRITISH MUSEUM WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org 28 March – 29 Sep. LIFE AND DEATH IN POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM The life and times of the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum - from the bustling street to the intimate spaces of a Roman home, the exhibition will look at daily life prior to the devastating volcanic eruption of nearly 2000 years ago. The focus will be on the ordinary Roman and the realities of home-life and, uniquely, will include material from both Pompeii and Herculaneum To 26 May. ICE AGE ART: ARRIVAL OF THE MODERN MIND Masterpieces of Ice Age sculpture, ceramics, drawing and personal ornament from across Europe

PUTNEY ARTS THEATRE

RICHMOND THEATRE

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

DESIGN MUSEUM To 17 March. 1001 NIGHTS Using everyday objects you might find in your bedroom, the bookish Shahrazad transports her friend and father to an imagined world of kings, viziers, and jinns. Age 6-9 24 March – 28 April. MISTER HOLGADO When Conrad’s parents suddenly welcome a mysterious stranger, Mister Holgado, into their home, Conrad suspects he’s more of a threat than any tiger ever could be. Age 8+

SE1 2YD designmuseum.org From 30 Jan. EXTRAORDINARY STORIES ABOUT ORDINARY THINGS Six design stories offering a diverse look at design 20 March - 7 July. DESIGNS OF THE YEAR 2013 Showcasing the most innovative and imaginative designs from around the world, spanning seven categories: Architecture, Digital, Fashion, Furniture, Graphics, Transport and Product.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM

W1D 3NE sohotheatre.com 9 March. COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS Family-friendly comedy club that promises no clowns, just a great line-up of proper comedians. Age 6+, £10 29-30 March. DOCTOR BROWN BROWN BROWN BROWN BROWN AND HIS SINGING TIGER Join Doctor Brown and his Singing Tiger on a madcap adventure from breakfast to bedtime with a ski race, tennis match and spectacular BMX finale. Physical comedy at its best. 1pm, £10

TARA THEATRE ARTS SW18 4ES tara-arts.com 9 March. LITTLE SUNSHINE LITTLE RAINFALL Little Sunshine and Little Rainfall invite you to their magical Japanese garden but when naughty Storm Fox comes to visit all the creatures must think quickly to save their homes and families. Age 4+, 10.30am and 1.30pm, £8/£10 30 March. DOGS DON’T DO BALLET Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He likes moonlight. And music. And walking on his tiptoes. Age 2-6, 10.30am and 1.30pm, £8/£10

SE1 7EW florence-nightingale.co.uk 7 March. GHOST STORIES Lower the lights and gather together to hear a winter ghost story, guaranteed to chill your blood. What is the mysterious music echoing around the deserted house? Who is the spectral child that leaves no footprints in the snow? Find out if you dare.... 6.30pm, £10 6, 13, 20, 27 March. MISS NIGHTINGALE SAID... An illustrated talk examining the incredible life and achievements of 8 Florence Nightingale. 3pm. page 34

HAPKIDO SELF DEFENCE classes available for children, teenagers and adults. Dan Jun breathing, Kicks, punches, throws, joint-locks, tumbles, jumps and breakfalls. NEW: Learn the way of the Samurai sword, children ages 9yrs and over Hapkido teaches: •Respect •Fitness •Discipline •Confidence •Control & sensitivity •Inner calm & peace •Defence •Strength & agility Instructor: Jon Bailie, 2nd Dan Qualified Hapkido Instructor and fully insured Classes available @ St Luke's Community Hall SW12, Broomwood Hall SW11, The Contact Centre SW4 and other venues

For all enquiries/bookings, please call on

07932 667 336 Private tuition/home visits also available

www.semokwan-hapkido.co.uk

March 2013

What’s on FOUNDLING MUSEUM WC1N 1AZ foundlingmuseum.org.uk To 19 May. FATE, HOPE AND CHARITY Discover the untold stories of the Foundling Hospital tokens left by mothers with their babies at the Hospital between c.1741-1760.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM E2 8EA geffrye-museum.org.uk 2 March. THANKS MUM! Create a special card and gift for Mother’s Day, 10.30am-12.30pm, 2-4pm 2 March. SECRET GARDENS Create a miniature herb garden to grow on your windowsill, 2-4pm

HORNIMAN MUSEUM SE23 3PQ horniman.ac.uk From 16 Feb. AMAZON ADVENTURE Take a trip along the Amazon, the world’s largest and most biologically diverse river. Explore the tummy of a giant catfish and feel the simulated zap of an electric eel

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM WC2E 7BB ltmuseum.co.uk From 15 Feb. POSTER ART 150 – LONDON UNDERGROUND’S GREATEST DESIGNS Since its first graphic poster commission in 1908, London Underground has developed a reputation for commissioning outstanding poster designs

Culloden to Rorke’s Drift, this exhibition examines the key facts, impact and legacies of the 20 top British battles chosen by their curators VICTORIAN SOLDIERS ACTION ZONE Quizzes, games and hands-on activities help you learn about life as a Victorian Soldier and the part they played in the shaping of Britain’s Empire KID’S ZONE A new children’s play area exploring aspects of army life from camping to clothing, with soft play, art and crafts and dressing-up costumes

NATIONAL GALLERY WC2N 5DN nationalgallery.org.uk 3, 10, 17, 24 March. FAMILY SUNDAYS Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm MAGIC CARPET STORYTELLING for children aged 2-5. Sundays 10.30-11am and 11.30am–12pm. Fly away on the magic carpet, coming to land in front of a different painting each day

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM SE10 9NF rmg.co.uk 10 Jan. BBC STARGAZING LIVE 2013 Make the most of the night sky, whether you are a beginner or an enthusiast. 6-9.30pm 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 March. EXPLORE SATURDAYS

MUSEUM OF LONDON EC2Y 5HN museumoflondon.org.uk 10 March. CHARACTERS FROM HISTORY – RESURRECTION MEN 19th century body snatchers stole bodies from graveyards and sold them for research. Why did they do it and who were these men? Age 5+, 11.30am and 2pm

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS E14 4AL museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands 2 March. HOW TO BE A PIRATE Join in with the fun and games to help the bungling buccaneer learn how to become a proper pirate. Age 5+, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM SW3 4HT nam.ac.uk To March 2013. WAR HORSE: FACT AND FICTION A major new exhibition exploring the true history behind the popular War Horse novel - exciting interactive displays, exclusive costumes and props from the Spielberg-directed film, and material from War Horse author, Michael Morpurgo and the National Theatre From 13 Jan. BRITAIN’S GREATEST GENERALS What was Britain's Greatest Battle? You decide! Exploring over 400 years of Britain’s battles, from

HMS Belfast Meet a character from the past and take part in a performance bringing maritime history to life. 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, 6yrs+, free 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 March. DISCOVER SUNDAYS Be inspired by our maritime past and explore your personal connections to the sea. 11.30-1.30pm and 2-4pm, free 5, 12, 19, 26 March. PLAY TUESDAYS Make music, dance and drama. Under 5s, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm, free To 28 April. ANSEL ADAMS: PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA Explore the exhibition with a free activity trail to find out more about Ansel Adams and landscape photography

New Wimbledon Theatre SW19 28 Jun – 30 Jun Nickelodeon's Dora The Explorer LIVE! To book tickets visit nickjr.co.uk/doralive Everyone’s favourite explorer is embarking on a LIVE musical adventure across the UK! In Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys, Dora has lost her teddy bear Osito, and the search is on to retrieve him! With the help of the audience, Dora uses her map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully pass through the number pyramid to reach the City of Lost Toys. But you never know what that sneaky fox Swiper might be up to along the way! Dora the Explorer fans will delight in this two act, song and dance spectacular that invites them to think, sing and play alongs.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s on

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM SW7 5BD nhm.ac.uk 29 March – 15 Sep. SENSATIONAL BUTTERFLIES Dive into the tropical butterfly house to take on butterfly challenges, try out fun games and exciting activities as you discover one of the planet’s most amazing life cycles. £4-£16 Until 8 Sep. EXTINCTION: NOT THE END OF THE WORLD? Giant deer, bizarre insects and super-sized birds – millions of species that once roamed the planet are no longer around

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD E2 9PA museumofchildhood.org.uk 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 March. WONDERTOTS: CIRCUS 90 minutes of art, storytelling, movement, and drama. Explore circus toys to make your own fairground amusement. 10.30am and 1pm, under 5s, free To 14 April 2013. MODERN BRITISH CHILDHOOD A major new exhibition exploring how childhood has transformed in Britain during the period between the London Olympic Games of 1948 and 2012

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM SW7 2RL vam.ac.uk To 7 April. LIGHT FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: NEW PHOTOGRAPHY The first major museum exhibition of contemporary photography from and about the Middle East.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION W1U 3BN wallacecollection.org 3 March. THE LITTLE DRAW Free drop-in drawing workshop for all ages, taking inspiration from some of the fantastic beasts and monsters in the Collection, 1.30-4.30pm. Find out

more at www.drawingpower.org.uk 16 March. FAMILY PUBLIC TOUR Explore the collection through new eyes and handle objects as you are guided through the intriguing corridors and magnificent rooms, 2.30pm 24 March. DESIGN YOUR OWN PASSOVER PLATE Hear the Passover story of Moses, munch some matza and decorate your own miniature Passover plates, 2-4pm, £7, age 6+ To March 2013. MAKING THE RENAISSANCE SWORD Featuring stages in the construction of a rapier, this display reveals that the Renaissance swordsmith relied on a unique tradition of craftsmanship dating back to the early Middle Ages

PERFECT PARTIES THEMED ACTIVITY PARTIES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, ENTERTAINERS, FACE PAINTING & BALLOON MODELLING, BALLOONS & BALLOON DECORATING, CAKES & CATERING, MASCOTS, PARTY BAGS CONTACT JUDE - fancydress@pantaloons.co.uk 020 7630 8330 or 07501 221 903 www.pantaloons.co.uk 119 Lupus St, Pimlico, London. SW1V 3EN

DAYS OUT

Maths, English and 11+ Tuition Study Centres Contact Vicky Barnett BA, MSc, PGCE Tel: 020 8876 2553 barnes@firstclasslearning.co.uk putney@firstclasslearning.co.uk www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

BATTERSEA PARK CHILDREN’S ZOO SW11 4NJ batterseaparkzoo.co.uk 29 March – 1 April. EASTER EGG HUNT Solve the quiz to find out which of the animals are guarding Easter Eggs. £1.50 plus entry fee 2-14 April. COUNT THE GOLDEN RABBITS As you go around the zoo keep your eye out for golden rabbits. £1 2 and 4 April. RABBIT DAYS Help the keeper feed the rabbits, plus rabbit story time, 11.45am and 2.45pm, free. Rabbit badge making, 11am and 1.30pm, £1 9 and 11 April. GUINEA PIG DAYS Help the keeper feed the guinea pigs, plus guinea pig story time, 11.45am and 2.45pm, free. Guinea pig picture making, 11am and 1.30pm, £1

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN SW3 4HS chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Dates in March and April TBC. FAMILY ACTIVITY DAYS

CUTTY SARK SE10 9NF rmg.co.uk/cuttysark 2-3 March. FAMILY FUN WEEKEND: NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK Discover weird and wonderful scientific secrets. All ages, free with entry 29 March – 1 April. FAMILY FUN WEEKEND Come on an epic Easter egg hunt around Cutty Sark and see if you can find all the eggs. All ages, free

HAMPTON COURT PALACE KT8 9AU hrp.org.uk 1, 3, 8, 10 March. GHOST TOURS Hear spine chilling stories of residents past and visit the spot where two bodies were discovered in shallow graves in the 1870's. Experience the atmosphere of the palace at night, if you dare! Over 12’s, £25

page 36

ROBIN FARQUHAR-THOMSON Wonderful Pictures of Children

robinft.co.uk 020 7350 0312 info@robinft.co.uk

March 2013

What’s on WIN a family ticket to Marwell Zoo in Hampshire! A visit to Marwell Zoo is a chance to get up close to the wonders of the natural world – and help save them. This Easter you can take part in their Wild Egg Hunt, visit the Easter Bunny as well as the new walkthrough bird aviary. www.marwell.org.uk To enter, go to www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/competitions Terms and Conditions apply. Closing date for the competition is 27th March 2013. 2-3 March, 29 March – 1 April. TUDOR COOKERY The historic cooks are toiling in the kitchens of King Henry VIII, preparing exotic dishes for his majesty 8-10 March. FLORIMANIA: FLORAL JEWEL Marvel at the beautiful flower arrangements celebrating the re-creation of Henry VIII’s crown. A perfect Mothering Sunday weekend treat From 27 March. SECRETS OF THE ROYAL BEDCHAMBER A new exhibition exploring the bedchambers of the 17th and 18th century royal court. These are beds but not as you know them!

HMS BELFAST SE1 2JH iwm.org.uk 9-10 March. HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS Discover the stories hidden within HMS Belfast and find out about the men who lived and worked on board. 11am and 2pm 16-17 March. CELEBRATING 75 YEARS SINCE HER LAUNCH! HMS Belfast comes to life with re-enactors, simulated gun firing, live radio transmissions and craft activities 23-24 March. SIGNALS AT SEA Send and decode secret messages and find out how the navy used secret signals to communicate. 11am and 2pm 29-31 March. DARNING AND YARNING A fun way to learn how sailors repaired their own clothes in this communal art sewing activity. 11am and 2pm

KENSINGTON PALACE W6 4PX hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace 9-10 March. MOTHERING SUNDAY WEEKEND Exciting craft activities and special History Bite talks about the royal families who have lived at Kensington Palace 29 March – 1 April. FAMILY FUN Enjoy live performance and storytelling and

explore the beautiful gardens with Peter the Wild Boy’s Easter Egg Hunt 29 March – 1 April. EASTER BONNET MAKING COMPETITION Make your own Easter bonnet or hat inspired by costumes at the Palace

KEW GARDENS TW9 3AB kew.org 29 March - 14 April Get stuck into chocolate workshops with arts and crafts activities, or join the traditional Easter Egg Hunt on 31 March and collect tokens from around the Gardens to pick up a chocolate treat from the Easter Bunny!

COSMOS Showcasing how anyone with a digital camera can capture spectacular images of the night-sky. 5yrs+, £6.50/£4.50 Throughout March. MEET THE NEIGHBOURS Meet our neighbours in space in this entertaining interactive show, where you decide which planets to visit. 5yrs+, £6.50/£4.50 Throughout March. SOLAR SYSTEM, GALAXY, UNIVERSE Exploring the scale of the Solar System, Galaxy and Universe and how we measure it. 5yrs+, £6.50/£4.50 Throughout March. SPACE SAFARI Join Ted the teddy bear for live music and rhyme as he journeys throughout the solar system looking for the Great Bear in the sky. Age 7 and under, £6.50/£4.50 Throughout March. SKY TONIGHT LIVE A live show presented by a Royal Observatory Astronomer takes visitors on a tour of what can be seen in the night sky. 12.30, 2 and 3.30pm, 5yrs+, £6.50/£4.50

MORDEN HALL PARK SM4 5JD nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hall-park Explorer Packs and Trails Explorer packs are available from the second-hand bookshop. Follow trails around the park with activities to complete.

OSTERLEY PARK AND HOUSE TW7 4RB nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park 29 March – 1 April. EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Easter trail with a chocolate prize, plus take part in the great egg and spoon race. 11am-4pm. £3 per trail, plus entrance fee

PUMP HOUSE GALLERY SW11 4NJ pumphousegallery.org.uk 10 March. FAMILY WORKSHOP Make your very own camera obscura and experiment with mixing analogue with digital photography, 11am-3pm, free, all ages

ROYAL OBSERVATORY GREENWICH SE10 9NF rmg.co.uk Throughout March. THE UNIVERSE EXPOSED: PHOTOGRAPHING THE

Leeds Castle

SYON HOUSE AND GARDENS TW8 8JG syonpark.co.uk 29 March – 1 April. EASTER TRAIL Look for the clues inside Syon House and outside in the gardens to win a prize. Children go free all weekend

TOWER OF LONDON EC3 hrp.org.uk 6, 13, 20, 27 March. TOWER TWILIGHT TOURS Dare to take an evening tour of the Tower, taking in gruesome sights and spooky stories. 12yrs+ £25 29 March – 7 April Join the dastardly Colonel Blood and his gang of desperados in the greatest heist of all time – stealing the new Crown Jewels from the heart of the greatest fortress in the realm!

Green Shoots Day Nursery, SW8 1AR Open for 0 to 5yr olds 8am to 6pm 0207 582 3133 www.greenshootsday nursery.coop

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s on

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

OUT OF TOWN BODIAM CASTLE TN32 5UA nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle 29 March – 5 April. EASTER TRAIL Join the hunt for the Easter Bunny around the castle and grounds to claim your prize, £2

KEW BRIDGE STEAM MUSEUM TW8 0EN www.kbsm.org 29, 30, 31 March and 1 April. EASTER FAMILY FUN Ride the steam locomotive on the Waterworks Railway. Make Victorian Easter bonnets and follow the clues in an Easter egg hunt. 11am-4pm. Family tickets £24

LEEDS CASTLE ME17 1PL leeds-castle.com 29 March – 1 April. EASTER TREASURE HUNT Enjoy an exciting treasure hunt and search for clues around the grounds of the estate

NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM SO42 7ZN beaulieuevents.co.uk 29 March – 14 April. EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Join in a Hare-Brained Easter Trail. Look for the hares, find the answers to the clues and collect a treat

PAINSHILL PARK Cobham, Surrey painshill.co.uk 23 March. FAMILY FUN: DEN BUILDING Get back to nature with a special family den building outdoor activity. Create your own shelter in the woods and finish off the morning with marshmallows and hot chocolate by a camp fire. 10am-1pm, £12/£8, age 5-13, must be accompanied by an adult 2-5 and 9-12 April. THE GREAT EASTER EGG AND SPOON CHALLENGE Woodland egg and spoon course. Balance the egg on the spoon and weave, jump, duck and run through the obstacles. Age 2-13, 12-4pm 2-5 and 9-12 April. WILD EASTER CAMP Have a wild adventure with bushwhacking, bivouac building, archery and mud sculptures. Age 8-13, 9am-4.30pm, £35 a day or £115 for 4 days

DIARY DATES AND EVENTS It only costs £25 to secure a listing here. Simply go to www.familiesonline.co.uk/listings

THE SOUTHFIELDS SCHOOL OF BALLET We offer imaginative Ballet and Jazz classes for children (boys & girls) from 21/2 years. The emphasis of the school is on fun, musicality and fitness, with the option to take Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations.

020 8683 0222 classes held in Southfields and Wimbledon

ALTERNATIVE LONDON BIKE TOURS EC2A 3BE alternativeldn.co.uk Fridays and Saturdays in March 2-hour and 4-hour tours of street art, history and cultures of East London. £14/£20 includes bike and helmet hire. 13+yrs, 10.30am-12.30pm, 2-6pm THE BABYDROP SW11 6SF www.thebabydrop.co.uk Every Tuesday and Thursday in March. Maths and Science club for ages 3-5, £10-£15 MUSICAL EXPRESS Wimbledon, Southfields, Earlsfield www.musicalexpress.co.uk Dates throughout March. Fun interactive music and movement classes

Sibling Discount Join anytime Principal: Mrs. Eliane Gerhard, BA (Hons), LRAD

Warm loving environment for 2+ to 5 year olds Montessori-qualified staff International atmosphere Light and airy premises Private sunny patio Fulham /Hammersmith border Please ring— Morning sessions plus Tuesdays 1-3pm

020 7381 3511 020 7736 8729

YOGA CLASSES with Anja Streatham, Chelsea, Knightsbridge. Vinyassa Flow Yoga, Pre and Post natal yoga, Private Yoga sessions, Ayurveda. Workshops and retreats. 07963 820 702 www.yogaembodied.com LANDMARK ARTS CENTRE TW11 9NN landmarkartscentre.org 2 March and 20 April. KIDS ART CLUB Fun workshops supervised by professional art educators including drawing, painting, relief making, printing and collage. 10am-12pm, £12, 511yrs PROFESSOR QUANTUM’S MAGNIFICENT TIME TOUR Meet at the bus stop, 6 Northumberland Ave WC2N 5BY timetour.co.uk 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 March. Combining theatre and technical trickery with an insightful look at London's rich past, aboard the Professor's 'Incredible Time Bus'. All ages, 2.45pm, £22 DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY SE21 7AD dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk 3 and 31 March. ARTPLAY Make everything and anything from bunting to block prints and all things in between. 2–3.45pm, 8 page 38 £3 per child

Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QX

Visit 345 Nursery where “The Nursery offers an exceptionally welcoming and inclusive environment” (Ofsted November 2011). Children become independent inquisitive and motivated in this rich and vibrant learning environment. Great outdoor space! Options include Afternoon School, Lunch Club and Early Bird Club. www.345nurseryschool.co.uk Please contact us on 020-8870-8441 or dixonannab@aol.com Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3SA

March 2013

‘The unique needs of the children are promoted exceptionally well and staff are committed to meeting children’s learning and welfare needs' (Ofsted Outstanding – December 2011) Please come and see us in action and capture the excitement of learning at Oaktree Nursery School Incorporating art, music, yoga, sport, cooking and drama and all aspects of the Early Curriculum. Contact: Annabel Dixon Phone: 020 8870 8441 email: dixonannab@aol.com www.oaktreenurseryschool.co.uk

Diary dates and events FULHAM PALACE SW6 6EA fulhampalace.org 3 March. FAMILY DROP-IN DISCOVERY AFTERNOON Try on Roman costumes, handle artefacts and learn about the history of the Palace. 2-3.30pm, free, all ages 17 March. ARCHAEOLOGY ROADSHOW Bring along objects such as pottery, brick, bottles and clay pipe and show them to the archaeologists. 1.30-3.30pm, free, all ages WILDLIFE WATCH CLUB Wimbledon Common, SW19 5NR www.wpcc.org.uk 3 March. Meet at the Information Centre near the Windmill. 10am-12pm. 8-14yrs. £1 registration fee and £2 per session LONDON ARTISAN MARKET Outside The Manor Arms SW16 6LQ www.londonartisansmarkets.co.uk 3 and 17 March. Including Astons Bakery, Brambletyre Fruit Farm, Fish Tale, The Flour Station, The Giggly Pig and The Honest Carrot. 10am-3pm WARNER BROS STUDIO TOUR: THE MAKING OF HARRY POTTER WD25 7LS wbstudiotour.co.uk To 6 March 2013. Walk through sets including the Great Hall, Dumbledore's office, Gryffindor common room and Hagrid's hut. £28/£21BUCKHOLD LONDON MOTHER’S CLUB www.londonmothersclub.com 7 March. ASK THE EXPERT A charity event in aid of the neonatal department at St George's Hospital, at The Jam Tree, Clapham Old Town, 2-4pm. A team of experts specialising in child and mum related topics talk about child development, sleep and nutrition, and breastfeeding, and for mums: life coaching, career, and health and wellbeing. Babysitters onsite! THE PAPERED PARLOUR 7 Prescott Place SW4 thepaperedparlour.co.uk 10 March. SILVERSMITHING: MAKE A PAIR OF EARRINGS Learn a new skill and discover your creative side as you make a unique pair of sterling silver earrings. 12-5pm, £87.50

Every Accomplishment Starts With The Decision To Try

THE PARENT PRACTICE Chelsea, Clapham, Fulham, Putney, South Kensington, Wandsworth and Wimbledon theparentpractice.com 7 March. EXAM MATTERS 10am-12pm in Clapham, £40 12 March. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILDREN PUSH YOUR BUTTONS 10am-12.30pm in Clapham, £50 See also our blog on www.familiessouthwest.co.uk POP-UP EMPORIUM Venue TBC facebook.com/thepopupemporium 31 March. A great event to find those not-on-thehigh-street goodies. 12-5pm FIRST AID FOR LIFE Balham and Westminster firstaidforlife.org.uk 9, 13, 26 March. THE EMERGENCY COURSE A 3-hour course covering care of the unconscious baby and child as well as most commonly occurring injuries and illnesses such as choking, bleeding, breaks, bleeds, burns, head injury and febrile convulsions. 9.30am-12.30pm, £60/£65. PETER & THE WOLF St John’s Notting Hill, Lansdowne Crescent, W11 2NN 9 March, 10:00-11:00 NCT Kensington and Chelsea interactive performance workshop of Prokofiev’sPeter and the Wolf facilitated by a storyteller. Each child will also get own maraca as a gift to rattle and shake. 2-5 years. £5/£3 concessions . Online Booking: http://nctpeterandthewolf.eventbrite.co.uk INSTITUT FRANCAIS SW7 2DT institut-francais.org.uk 9, 16, 23 March. BABY AND KIDS TALES French tales with a professional story-teller with interactive fun and games. 16 and 23 March – ages 0-3; 9 March - ages 3-5, £5/£7, 11am TREDI TRAINING PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID COURSES redi-training.co.uk 13 March. Covers all essential topics on first aid for babies & children, with paediatric A&E nurses. At Maggie and Rose, see website for details MUM2MUM MARKET Wimbledon YMCA, 200 Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 8JG mum2mummarket.co.uk

16 March. BABY AND CHILDREN’S NEARLY NEW SALE Book a stall in advance. 2-4pm, £2 entry NCT NEARLY NEW SALE www.nct.org.uk 17 March. New and nearly new babies' and children's equipment, toys and clothes from 3-5pm at Putney Leisure Centre, Dryburgh Road SW151BL. £2. Book a seller's table or volunteer to help 07971033320, potter.pamela@googlemail.com EARTH HOUR www.earthhour.org 23 March, 8.30pm Turn off your lights at exactly 8.30pm to signal your concern about the future of our life on this earth. Get involved and sign up now! STUDIO FILM SCHOOL Balham and Clapham studiofilmschool.co.uk To 23 March. Saturday Film Shoots – Learn skills in filmmaking and drama, work with professional filmmakers, direct, shoot, perform, edit, design and more as you make your own films in creative projects each week. Age 7-16, 11am–1pm LONDON DANCE ACADEMY www.thelondondanceacademy.com 24 March. EASTER SHOW Performances at the Lambeth Academy, Elms Road SW4 9ET at 2pm and 4pm RHS GREAT LONDON PLANT FAIR RHS Horticultural Halls www.rhs.org.uk/gardens 26-27 March. See some of the best UK and international nurseries, quality horticultural products, and get expert advice 28 March WEAR A HAT DAY. Brain Tumour Research funding. 01296 733011. BARBICAN CENTRE EC2Y 8DS barbican.org.uk To 31 March. THE BIG BARBICAN ADVENTURE Calling all intrepid adventurers! Explore the Barbican in this do-it-yourself adventure trail for families. Set off to discover the secrets of the Barbican through cryptic clue solving, drawing and games. Age 6+, free

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www.charlietheclown.co.uk

Public Speaking, Elocution, Comprehension, Drama Confidence Building, Speech & Interview Technique

07808 732 390 clown pirate story-teller wizard

Clare Price. LGSM, ALAM, SRD.

(020) 7735 3156 www.speechspecialists.co.uk

Learn to massage your child

Massage is relaxing and brings loving closeness. Learn simple techniques in your own home or your friend's. Hands-on parent and child workshop by qualified massage therapist and aromatherapist. Call Lorraine on 079101 14153

babbleparade.com Hugely popular

BESPOKE PARTIES: Fairies, Pirates, Spies, Circus, You name it! Jam packed with fun activities!

PAINTING & DECORATING

07794 084671

Interior / Exterior Experienced, Reliable, Clean Fully Guaranteed / Insured FREE ADVICE & QUOTE

Ly d i e C h i l d r e n’ s Pa r t i e s

John:- James & Lamont

0207 622 2540

The Unique Birthday Experience The theatre of Peter Pan, Superheroes, Fairies,Arabian Nights and more... In your home! Unforgettable Bilingual English/French www.lydieparties.com

Silly Millie the Clown Parties for 3-9 year olds Funny Magic Show, Puppet’s, Party Games, Silly Songs and Balloon Animals Call 020 7823 8329 - 07939 239397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

MUSIC

TUITION PIANO TUITION

Friendly, experienced and qualified teacher of children 6+ and adults. Take exams or learn purely for pleasure.

SERVICES

Different styles covered. Home visits possible.

THEO THE MAGICIAN

Mark Lester MA, CT ABRSM

AMITY COMPUTER SERVICES

“The Magic Circle, Equity & CRB”

020 8870 7830 www.marklester.biz

Home and business computers repaired & managed. Consultancy and tuition also available.

Fun Magic for Children & Adults Free Magic Wand & Certificate for Birthday Child 07711 724129

www.magictheo.com

HEALTH

Phone Danny on

8944 0681 or 07961 428 596 E-mail: acs@amitygrove.com

Reliable Handyman • Garden maintenance and building work (fences, patios, sheds, etc..) • Jobs around the house (carpentry, painting, fitting furniture, etc…) • Computer maintenance (repair, teaching) £20/hour or packages possible. Call Brian: 0774 513 6424

Interior & Exterior decorators, Floor Sanding, Murals, Staining, Varnishing, Maintenance work undertaken

CHILDCARE

Email: rh_painter@yahoo.co.uk

07427 276649 020 8675 5270 Established 20 years

March 2013

Larah Au Pairs 01932 341704 Commercial or Private

Au pairs, mother’s helps and couples with refs and police checked. Discount for Personal, friendly service. Families readers All areas. www.larahaupairs.co.uk

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk