Families London SW Issue 244 2015

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ISSN ue 2 44 13 Est 54-9 553 199 0.

March 2015

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SouthWest

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•Prep Schools Special •Easter activities listing •Childcare solutions •Baby on a budget

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

Find us online: FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Contents

March 2015

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News & info

• Local news • Clubs and activities news • School news

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SouthWest

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Our Roving Reporter’s Column Candida Jones investigates Foodbanks in South West London

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ABI CAMPBELL

photography

All content ©Families 2015 www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 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

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• MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise information on the website or call us.

• 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.

ADVERTISE IN OUR NEXT ISSUE: Baby feature part 2 Easter activities part 2 Contact us on 020 8696 9680

March 2015

Top tips to save cash Mindfulness DVD review Increase in home births Travelling with baby New products 33-37

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Easter Holiday Listings part 1 Arts, craft, languages, sports, dance, music, workshops, days out, Special Needs, etc

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What’s On • Theatre • Museums & Galleries • Days out • Diary dates & events

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BABY Feature • • • • •

• Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Pewsey, Wiltshire.

• Designed by Shirley Trimmer

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CHILDCARE Feature • Take our Childcare Quiz!

• Solutions to your childcare conundrums • Local agency news • Why the learning shouldn't stop outside the nursery

Next issue: April 2015. Deadline: Early March 2015 •“Families® South West” heads a group of magazines.

All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

There are around 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

PREP SCHOOL Feature • Parent's Guide to Independent Schools • Local school news • Does your 7 year old know 7,100 words?

Front cover photo, with thanks to:

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News

Like us Compiled by Joanna Parry ®

FamiliesSW

Healthy walks scheme is a go!

Wandsworth Council’s Walk4Life programme has been given national accreditation by the Walking for Health scheme. Run by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support, Walk4Life is a nationwide movement dedicated to improving health through walking. Local walks are free and include Battersea Park at 10.30am every Tuesday, meet at the Albert Bridge Gate; Clapham Common, 7.30am Monday to Thursday, meet by the Green at Wix Lane School; Clapham Common, 5pm every Tuesday, meet at the band stand; Tooting Common, 9am every Tuesday, meet at the junction of Dr. Johnson Avenue and Hillbury Avenue; Roehampton, 10.30am first Sunday of the month, meet outside the petrol station on Roehampton Lane. Call 020 8871 6373 for more information or visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/walk4life

London Wetland Centre gets a boost Wetland wildlife is to benefit from new developments at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust thanks to the generous support of the People’s Postcode Lottery, which has awarded WWT £175,000. The money will help the charity improve wetland homes for wildlife on its nine reserves, including WWT London Wetland Centre, getting more people up close and learning about nature during 2015. London Wetland Centre’s Explore adventure play zone will be improved, helping to get more of WWT’s young visitors thinking about how they interact with the natural world.

• WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT, www.org.uk

Love to sing?

Design a bridge!

Did you know that singing can help improve breathing, relieve stress, develop core muscles and improve posture, as well as boosting confidence? Sing to Live, Live to Sing is an exciting new singing for health programme in Kensington and Chelsea, initiated by the Council's Arts Service in partnership with TriBorough Public Health. Join in the group singing workshops, have fun and meet people at the same time. Workshops take place at Chelsea Theatre, 7 World’s End Place King’s Road SW10 0DR every Tuesday 7-9pm and Friday 10am-12noon. Workshops are free and no previous singing experience is necessary.

Email michelle@chelseatheatre.org.uk

An international competition to design a new bridge across the River Thames has been launched. Architects and engineers from across the globe are being challenged to create an inspiring, innovative design for the new river crossing linking Nine Elms with the Pimlico Embankment. ‘This bridge has the potential to become an inspiring landmark,’ said Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council and co-chair of the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership.

‘The design must win the hearts and minds of Londoners, particularly the people living in the local area.’ We look forward to seeing the winning design! Find out more at www.nepbridgecompetition.co.uk

Hit the court If you’ve got a little one with an undiscovered backhand, check out South Park Tennis Programme this spring. With private and group lessons for adults plus an extensive junior tennis programme, it’s great for tennis coaching in the Fulham area. Classes start at £68 for 8 weeks and they cater for all ages and all abilities, including a new Tots Programme. They also offer free taster sessions and run holiday camps during the summer holidays and May half term.

Worth a try! Find out more at www.southparktennis.com southparktennis@gmail.com, 07767 480148.

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The First Humans come to the Pumphouse The Pump House Gallery is going prehistoric in its new exhibition! The First Humans includes sculpture, painting, film and video, filling the gallery with primitive-looking artefacts and primeval geology newly made by artists. Many art works in The First Humans are spoof or tongue-in-cheek; others make reference to sci-fi, sending prehistory hurtling into the future. The exhibition runs until 29 March, 11am-5pm Wednesday-Sunday, free entry. The Pumphouse Gallery, Battersea Park, info@pumphousegallery.org.uk, 020 8871 7572, www.pumphousegallery.org.uk

Get Arty!

Fancy flower pounding, pressing or eco-dying?

Mono-printing or plain old glueing? There is art fun for all ages at Artyfizz in Putney, including textiles, puppet making, book making, clay and play dough, papier-maché and much much more.

Choose from classes for mother and baby, preschool and after school workshops, as well as holiday workshops and, of course, they are the perfect place to hold your child’s next birthday party. They even have classes for parents and teenagers so there’s no excuse not to get stuck in now! Artyfizz, The Court Yard, 286 Upper Richmond Road, Putney SW15 6TH, 07413 751871, info@artyfizz.com, www.artyfizz.com

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

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Children's Chocolate Parties unveils new Bean to Bar bashes Ideal for 7-12 year olds, these fun and educational parties let children unleash their inner willy wonka as they learn how to make delicious chocolate bars from scratch.

The parties are run by chocolatier Leoni Wilton, who grew up in the familyowned Chocolate Boutique Hotel before launching her own chocolate party business. “Children love making chocolate and our parties are very hands-on,” says Leoni. “After learning a bit about the history of chocolate, they learn how to crush the cocoa beans, add cocoa butter and sugar, temper the chocolate and mould it. The chocolate bars they make are then added to their party bags to take home.” Leoni holds the parties at people’s homes or a venue of your choice. “There’s no mess,” she says.

“We bring it all and we clean it all up.” [May I come too? Ed.] To find out more ring 01202 556857 or visit www.childrenschocolateparties.co.uk

Help getting into work Intern Partnership provides comprehensive guidance and training for first steps into the workplace, particularly for young people, as well as access to an outstanding database of internship opportunities.

They provide one-to-one guidance, delivering invaluable information on: • job interview technique • building confidence • understanding the psychology of the workplace • improving presentation skills and self-awareness.

• help with finding work placements They also provide a CV review service, to ensure your resume is as good as possible. They charge a £200 fee for a 2-hour counselling service and an hourly fee if more help and support is required. While they cannot guarantee a work placement, you can have free access to their Intern Job Directory. Internship opportunities are available across a wide range of sectors including media, fashion, banking, PR and marketing, travel and hospitality.

•For more information, contact Anastasia Baker on 020 7731 1402 or 07850 980176 or Anastasia@internpartnership.com

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Help preserve Tooting Common Are you passionate about Tooting Common?

You should be, it is an amazing local, urban resource, with almost a rural feeling in some parts. The Tooting Common Heritage Project is looking for volunteers to help record its wildlife and protect its future. The Project offers training and guidance to anyone who can commit an hour or so on a regular basis and has an interest in helping survey the animals, insects and bird species that live on the common. As well as historical, research and archival work with volunteers, it will also draw up proposals on the restoration and conservation of heritage features like the 1930s drinking fountain and its tree avenues.

Contact TCHP@wandsworth.gov.uk

BAC and Wandsworth Museum unite This spring Battersea Arts Centre and Wandsworth Museum merge to create a brand new centre of culture and heritage in the heart of SW London. As BAC enters its final stage of development, the staff of Wandsworth Museum will move into the building and start working on this exciting new project. While Wandsworth Museum continues its learning programmes and exhibitions and events celebrating the history of Wandsworth, BAC will continue to invent the future of theatre. ‘Innovation and resilience are at the heart of what we do at BAC,’ said David Jubb, Artistic Director. ‘Recent projects like The Good Neighbour have brought together performance, heritage and our community to explore our shared values. The possibilities for a new partnership with Wandsworth Museum are enticing and boundless, together we will be inspired by the past to help shape a better future.’

• BAC, Lavender Hill SW11 5TN, www.bac.org.uk

March 2015

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

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Clubs and classes En cuisine

Going for a song!

Kids en cuisine believe in the importance of learning the benefits of a healthy and balanced diet from a very early age.

They say: “Dealing with us is the perfect way for your children to learn about cooking healthy food and awake your little cookers’ senses by playing with various textures, flavours and scents.

We come to your home, put on our aprons, roll up our sleeves and work with various ingredients and utensils to make a final dish with your budding cookers.” info@kidsencuisine.com 07778 069139

Have you got what it takes to write a hit song? Do you want your songs to be listened to by key players in the music industry, including Tom Odell and Naughty Boy? The Song Academy’s Young Songwriter Competition is back for 2015 and there are some fabulous prizes to be won. You can enter up to 3 songs, and you don’t need a professional recording as they will be judged on their originality, lyrics, melody, composition and potential to be a smash hit! Winners will release their own professionally recorded single at SONY ATV’s recording studio in London, have a professional photoshoot, perform at Westfield London and win a Farida guitar. All lyrics and music must be the entrant’s own work, closing date 6 April 2015. Enter at www.songacademy.co.uk/says15 - upload your song or record your song with our Audioboom app. It’s really easy, so do it now!

Fancy a game of chess?

The Fulham Junior Chess Club opened for the first time just over two years ago. With support from our local MPs, council youth services, the local press and Chess in Schools & Communities, they are now a thriving fixture of the local community.

The club opens every Tuesday evening from 17:30 to 19:00 at the Brunswick Club for Young People.

It caters for budding grandmasters from 6-14 years. All standards are welcome, from beginners learning the moves for the first time to experienced students playing in formal competitions.

020 8756 0474 078 33 577 451

New private house pool near Wandsworth Common SwimWay are delighted to announce the opening of lessons at a newly developed private house pool located close to Wandsworth Common and a short walk from Northcote Road.

The pool is perfect for parent and baby lessons and lessons for children aged 3 to 7 years. They can also offer adult beginner lessons depending on availability. Children's lessons will initially be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays afternoons. Private (1:1) half hour lessons between 2:00pm until 6:00pm. Parent and baby lessons will be available on Tue, Wed and Thur mornings. Small groups with a maximum of five parent and babies between 9:00am to 12.30pm. The pool has been developed to a very high standard and provides a lovely environment to come for lessons. 020 8871 3972 wandsworthcommon@swimway.co.uk www.swimway.co.uk

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Creative play top trend in 2015 Creative play is set to be the top toy trend of 2015 according to Netmums.

But don’t worry if you haven’t finished with the cornflakes box yet, or don’t know where to start. Little Letter Company offers complete craft kits for children aged 3 and up. These come as box sets perfect for rainy days.

They also offer subscriptions, for children who would love getting their own post every two weeks… and for mums who forget to keep the cornflake box!

To find out more, visit www.littlelettercompany.co.uk

For budding musicians Learn songs, play in a band, record your music in a recording studio, and perform live with PowerJam, a Pop Band Experience for budding musicians and vocalists aged 9-16 years. They offer non-profit, weekly, after school workshops led by a professional musician/instructor. Some instruments provided, all considered. All abilities welcome. Beginning April 2015 school term, 5pm-6.30pm weekly @The Powerstation Youth Centre, Mortlake.

To request one of their limited spaces, please email: annatexier.powerjam@gmail.com. The sessions will run on the day most convenient for all. All staff CRB/DBS checked.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

School news Primary school Dundonald Primary gets the green light set to expand Wandsworth Council has approved plans for the redevelopment of St Mary’s Primary School in Battersea Park East. The new state of the art school will welcome 420 pupils, plus a 60-place nursery, a new ground floor play space and multi-use games area on the roof. The redevelopment of the school is part of the enormous project to redevelop Nine Elms with shops, cafes, bars and galleries, many within the newly refurbished railway arches. It will also include a new centre for London's foodies at New Covent Garden Market and the new US Embassy, plus a new stretch of Thames riverside walk and up to 23 interconnected cycle routes.

It will even have a cycle bridge across the Thames to Pimlico. How exciting! We can’t wait to see how it looks. Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Lockington Road SW8 4BE, www.stmarysschoolbattersea.co.uk

Merton Council has announced the final phase contract to expand Dundonald Primary School, with work due to start this March. The old pavilion in the park will be replaced with a new two-storey building, including changing facilities and a hall. There will also be extra classrooms including a new school hall. The final external works will add three tennis courts, an enlarged children’s public playground and a green gym, all of which will help to provide more school places. Last year they were only able to offer places to pupils living within 100m of the school so when this work is completed children living slightly further afield might be able to come! Dundonald Road, Wimbledon SW19 3QH, www.dundonald.merton.sch.uk

Poetry stars

Sixth Form students at Streatham and Clapham High School indulged their love of poetry when they attended readings by the 10 shortlisted poets nominated for the prestigious T S Eliot Prize, and watched the winner David Harsent with his collection Fire Songs announced at the Royal Festival Hall. As part of the ‘shadowing' scheme for schools, SCHS Lower-Sixth student Raphaela Hopson was highly commended for an essay nominating her choice of poet to win the Prize, American Kevin Powers, whose poetry is partly inspired by his service with the US army in Iraq.

Raphaela commented: ‘He allows me, as an individual, to question how this man is still fighting, fighting for ‘afternoons in T-shirts and shorts’ in an A popular Roman Catholic primary school in Putney age that makes claims of “justice” and “freedom”. has plans to consult parents over changes to its A future poet at SCHS, perhaps? admission arrangements for 2016. Our Lady of www.schs.gdst.net Victories wants to make the school’s admissions SCHS students Alexandra Lawrence, Raphaela criteria fairer and hopefully ensure that places at the Hopson and Ellen To celebrate TS Eliot school are offered to children in practising Catholic families wherever they live within the parish of Our Lady of Pity and St Simon Stock. This year only children who live within 600 metres of the school were offered a place! Find out more at www.ourladyofvictories.wandsworth.sch.uk •Our Lady of Victories RC Primary School, 1 Clarendon Drive SW15 1AW

Will admissions change?

Brain tumour awareness Join in Brain Tumour Awareness Wear A Hat day on Friday 27th March. The event will help support long-term, lifesaving research, helping move us ever closer to a cure. There are so many ways to get involved…

Register now to receive your free fundraising pack, then visit the Hatter’s workshop for all your hatty extras; from posters to quizzes, hat-templates to merchandise order forms. It’s all there and ready to help you, help us make 2015 the hattiest yet! www.braintumourresearch.org/wearahatday With the rapid increase in the number of mobile phone users, the potential adverse effects of the electromagnetic field radiation emitted by a mobile phone have become a serious concern. A new, recent study demonstrated, for the first time, that ‘exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields activates the mkp-1/ERK pathway and causes blood-brain barrier damage and cognitive impairment in rats.’ For now we, parents, can protect our children by reducing our children's exposure to the electromagnetic field, for example reducing mobile use, switching off our WIFI at home at night when it's not needed or—better—wire your computers. It IS easy and yes you can still use your laptop (with an ethernet cable). [All our computers and laptops are plugged in at the Families offices! Ed.] www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000689931500030X

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Our Roving Reporter’s column This month Candida investigates Foodbanks in South West London

” e c a r g s i d l a n o i t a n a “ – s k n a Foodb p l e h o t w o and h

By Candida Jones our roving reporter It has been almost 50 years since the world’s first foodbank opened, in the US, in 1967, but until the global financial crisis hit in 2007 the phenomenon was relatively small-scale in the UK. However, since then, the number of people using foodbanks in the UK has increased dramatically.

In 2004, the Trussell Trust, the largest group coordinating UK foodbanks, ran just two in the UK. By 2008, this had risen to 22, and by 2011 there were 100. But the past five years has seen the most startling increases. By 2014, when foodbanks were opening at the rate of two a week, there were close to 1,000 across the country. They handed out 20 million meals to some 913,000 people; three times more than the previous year. Of them, 330,205 were children, a situation Trussell Trust chairman Chris Mould describes as “a national disgrace” whilst warning that these figures are “the tip of the iceberg.”

materialised and his work permit was revoked. This left him unable to work, with nowhere to live, ineligible for benefits and hungry. Sue put him in contact with professionals dealing with asylum issues and he was quickly able to get himself back on his feet and find work.

“Single men are often the most desperate, as they feel they have no one to turn to”, says Sue. A former consultant physician, Sue says that since setting up her foodbank in Furzedown in May 2013, she has seen more young men in tears in front of her than at any other time in her life.

There are many organisations running foodbanks including the Trussell Trust, which runs over 400. Fareshare and Food Cycle also manage several across the country and there are many independent foodbanks run locally, sometimes even out of mobile lorries. The majority, however, are hosted by churches in partnership with the wider community. They operate a “frontline” model: giving out food directly to the hungry. But unlike soup kitchens, most UK foodbanks are unable to help people who come in off the street without a voucher. These vouchers can be issued by a frontline care professional such as a doctor, a social worker or school’s liaison officer.

In one recent case in London, a police officer even referred a shop lifter, whom he had just caught stealing bread, to a local foodbank rather than arrest him, when he learnt that the offender had not eaten for four days.

Recipients can receive no more than three vouchers per “event,” entitling them to a maximum of three food parcels - enough for three days. There is no ceiling on the number of “events” for which one applicant can ask for help.

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If you are keen to donate food, the Trussell Trust website has information about where your nearest foodbank is, where the food drop-off points are and what food is needed. As well as food, Sue Clarke encourages her community to donate clothes, tin openers, strong bags to carry the food away in, baby products (nappies and wipes) and what she describes as “dignity items” such as toiletries, toothpaste, soap and shampoo. At her foodbank, there is a surplus of pasta and tinned tomatoes, but a shortage of fish and meat – especially halal products – so it’s worth checking what is most needed before donating.

Other than donating food, there are other ways to help out that needn’t cost a thing. Some websites offer a donation to charities – including foodbanks - when you shop with them. www.easyfundraising.org.uk has 2,700 online retail partners, including John Lewis, Amazon and ebay. They also run www.easysearch.org.uk – a search engine which similarly donates when you use it. Alternatively, you could hold a fundraiser for a local foodbank, do a sponsored challenge, help out at a foodbank storage facility, where donated food needs to be clearly dated, ordered and stored, or even set up a food collection point at a school or local hub. Some communities hold supermarket collections when shoppers are invited to pick up an extra item or two on their shop for the Food Bank Trolley left in the store.

Volunteers are always needed to shift the food afterwards!

For more information, go to:

Foodbanks rely almost entirely on donations from the public who can bring food to drop-off points, often located in schools and churches. But as well as food, foodbanks also offer support and advice and can act as community hubs, signposting people towards help with seeking asylum, welfare advice, budgeting and debt support or drug dependency. This kind of advice can be just as important as food in helping to turn people’s lives around, according to Sue Clarke, a vicar who runs one of Wandsworth’s fiveTrussell Trust foodbanks.

www.trusselltrust.org www.fareshare.org.uk www.foodcycle.org.uk www.londonfoodmap.org.uk www.wandsworth.foodbank.org.uk www.hammersmithfulham.foodbank.org.uk www.claphampark.foodbank.org.uk www.kensingtonchelsea.foodbank.org.uk www.wimbledon.foodbank.org.uk www.westminsterchapel.org.uk/ministries/foodbank

Sue gives the example of a young married father who came to her foodbank in a desperate state. He had been issued with a permit to work in the UK, but when he arrived from Africa with his family, in good faith, the job never

The Trussell Trust says that “Every day parents in Wandsworth skip meals to feed their children and people are forced to choose between paying the rent and eating.” Is there some way you could help?

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

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Prep School Feature

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Prep School Feature

Parent’s guide to Independent Schools (4-13 years)

By Hannah Hunter

We all want to give our children the best start in their educational life. If you can afford it, the independent sector provides an alternative to the state system, which can often operate like a postcode lottery. An increasing number of parents are looking at the independent sector– a report from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers shows numbers rising at their fastest rate since 2008.

An independent school is a school that is free to operate outside many of the rules and regulations of the state system (there are, of course, statutory education, health and safety standards).

Independent schools are also fee-paying, and governed by an elected board.

Within the umbrella term of ‘independent’, you will find an array of different types of schools.

Pre-prep is the name sometimes given to schools which cater for infant aged children (4-7), that usually are feeder schools for a prep (preparatory) school (for 8-13 year-olds, and sometimes younger). The preparatory school takes its name from its original function of preparing pupils for entrance to senior schools.

This might be a ‘public’ school – the older private schools, whose name derives from the fact that they are open to the public (providing they can pay the fees of course!).

You will also find different kinds of independent schools that will cater for infant and junior-aged children. These include schools with different learning styles, such as Montessori schools (often for younger children) and Steiner schools.

Why choose an independent school?

Independent schools can offer smaller class sizes, meaning more time for one-to-one attention, helpful for children with learning difficulties or other additional needs. Teachers have time to challenge more able children - prep schools often have specific gifted programmes.

Their better working conditions, with more resources and higher salaries, mean that independent schools can attract the best teachers. There is also a higher staff to pupil ratio, on average about 1:10 (it’s around 1:20 at state primaries), giving staff and pupils more time to get to know one another.

If you’re looking at an independent secondary school, a pre-prep will ensure that your child gets the best out of their common entrance exam (necessary in getting a scholarship or bursary). In grammar school areas, these schools may also offer preparation for the 11+.

It’s not just the academic kids who will benefit from what a prep school offers. Sport is taken

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very seriously, and they will offer a wide range, from rugby to badminton. They also cater for other interests, offering a variety of extracurricular activities, such as dance, drama and music, which might not be able to access in the state system.

How to find a school Your first port of call should be the government’s database of all UK schools, which allows you to search by area and type (private or state funded).

You might want to look at this early on according to the Good Schools Guide, getting a place can be cutthroat: Picture credit © flairimages - Fotolia.com

A variety of independent schools

‘For a small number of schools (mostly in or near to London) the only way to gain a place is to register your child's birth then head straight to the school and etch their name on the waiting list; try not to deliver in July/August - places are likely to have been nabbed by autumn births.’

Expect an interview, even for early years places – this is likely to involve some sort of assessment of basic speech, interaction and social skills. By age 7 or 8 you might expect a test of Maths and English ability, as well as verbal reasoning with possibly an IQ test. This could be accompanied by a school visit, to assess how your child will be placed at the school. Mary McCahery, Principal of The White House Preparatory School, also recommends talking to current parents at any school you are visiting. “We always put prospective parents in touch with our parent representatives. This gives them a good opportunity to ask any questions about life as part of The White House family”.

As with any school, you should make appointments to visit the school and check their inspection reports (these may be delivered by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, or Ofsted).

Useful links Government school search www.gov.uk/find-schoolin-england Independent Schools Inspectorate www.isi.net Ofsted www.ofsted.gov.uk Independent Schools Council www.isc.co.uk Independent Association of Prep Schools https://iaps.uk Good Schools Guide www. goodschoolsguide.co.uk Advice on choosing a prep school www.telegraph.co.uk/education/9264856/How-tochoose-the-perfect-prep-school-for-your-child.html

Tuesday Tutors • We coach children for state and independent school and entry tests: VR, NVR, English, Maths and interview preparation.

• We are also happy to offer Maths and English support for children in school, and Home Education.

• NEW- a dedicated Maths tutor up to A Level available for home-visits in central London Tuesday Tutors has placed many children in top state and private schools. It is advisable to contact us early, as high demand may mean that your child will be placed on our waiting list.

Experienced tutors welcome Tel: 020 7735 8268

07906 312541

tuesdaytutors@hotmail.co.uk tuesdaytutors.com

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Prep School Feature

Ofsted Registered

We accept Childcare Vouchers

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Prep School Feature

Hornsby House School wins London Schools Gymnastics competition Congratulations to the mixed gymnastics team from Hornsby House School, who has won the British Schools Gymnastics Association (BSGA) London regional title for floor and vault. The competition took place in Hampton, Middlesex on 24th January. The Hornsby House team will now progress to the national finals, which take place in Stoke-on-Trent in May. The team hopes to repeat their 2014 success and retain the national BSGA floor and vault title.

Edward Rees, Headmaster, said, “I accompanied the children to the competition on Saturday and I was so pleased to see them perform. Their enjoyment was obvious and the standard impressive – they were a credit to the school.

Gymnastics has become very popular at Hornsby House in recent years and it is an extremely valuable addition to the activities we offer.”

Hornsby House with the trophy for the British Schools Gymnastics Association London floor and vault competition

•Hornsby House is a co-educational day school for 4-11 year olds in Wandsworth. For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact: Mrs Alex Salandin at Hornsby House School, Hearnville Road, SW12 8RS. 020 8673 7573 or school@hornsbyhouse.org.uk www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

Exciting news: a NEW BILINGUAL prep school in Kensington!

The group of bilingual schools Les Chatons is very excited to announce the opening of a Bi-lingual Prep School in Kensington Square, W8. The aim of the group is to provide a safe and happy environment where each child can develop a positive reasoning along with social and language skills, which will help to build confidence and prepare him or her for school and life.

The French/English bilingual school follows the French Curriculum, they are accredited by the C.N.E.D and they also follow the English System preparing children for 11 +. Classes are from Petite Section (nursery) to CM2 (Year 6).

•The Kensington School, 24 Kensington Square, London W8 5HN. 020 7259 2151 ml@marie-laurence.com

Admissions process at St. Nicholas Prep St. Nicholas Prep explains: “We are delighted to welcome visitors to the school, many of whom discover us by word of mouth or via our website. We hold an “Open House” every Wednesday and Thursday at 09:30am when the Headmaster will meet and guide parents on a tour of the school, we also have more formal open mornings once every month and these have become increasingly busy. Parents are invited to let us know in advance but we welcome anyone who turns up on the day. We are also able to offer tours at other times. Parents may register before a visit or consequent to and once completed we invite the child/children for an assessment most normally 6-9 months in advance of entry date.

Wednesday 18th March 2015, 9.15am-2.45pm at Newton Prep A stellar line up is expected for this south London Education Conference. Nicky Morgan, the Secretary of State for Education (and the Minister for Women & Equalities) will open a new education conference, co-hosted at Newton Prep by headmistress Alison Fleming. “I am convinced that women continue to limit themselves when it comes to taking on leadership positions,” commented Alison Fleming, head of Newton Prep, a co-educational prep school at the heart of London’s most exciting urban developments (Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms, US Embassy etc). “My purpose is to get women together to share experiences but most of all, to help them to go away feeling empowered – believing that they too could be involved in school leader-ship.”

“I am delighted to be hosting this conference with our close neighbours Jan Hilary and Sarah Collymore of St. George’s Church of England Primary School.

We aim to bring together women from schools in both independent and maintained sectors to share thoughts and ideas and, just maybe, to resolve together to influence London schools for good. I could not be more pleased that our very inspiring line-up of speakers are also excited by this opportunity. We intend that the atmosphere at the conference will be relaxed and unstuffy but with a powerful message.”

Line-up includes: The heads of St George’s Primary in Nine Elms, Janet Hilary and Sarah Collymore, who are co-hosts; speakers include Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty; Baroness Doreen Lawrence, mother of Stephen Lawrence, who campaigned tirelessly to win justice for her son, leading psychologist and author Dr Linda Papadopoulos and Bernice McCabe, Headmistress of the North London Collegiate School and a leading light of the Prince’s Teaching Institute.

Strictly by pre-registration only.

Newton Preparatory School 149 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4BX •For enquiries please call Susannah Frieze, Director of External Affairs: 020 7720 4091 ext 235 or externalaffairs@newtonprep.co.uk

Congratulations on fifty years of excellence!

For entry to our Nursery we simply wish to see the child and parents meet with our Head of Early Years, during this meeting we encourage the child to be involved with other children in the classroom. For entry to our Reception, we have an assessment which lasts up to 45 minutes. For entry from Year 1 upwards we invite the child to spend the whole day with us to join in class activities during which we will also ask them to complete assessment papers in English and Maths. Our class teacher will also complete an observation and report. Consequent to this we aim to be in touch with parents within 48 to 72 hours often unofficially in the first instance. Formal offers are sent out with a due date for acceptance to secure a place.”

•St. Nicholas has an enviable position overlooking the open space of Hyde Park to the front and benefits from an extensive garden to the rear.

23 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PT 020 7225 1277 www.stnicholasprep.co.uk

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“Empowering Women in Education Leadership”

The Eveline Day and Nursery Schools Ltd were established by Mrs Maria KeaveneyJessiman in 1964. The six nurseries are celebrating 50 years of excellence in childcare and the school is celebrating 25 years. EDNS is a family-run business that delivers a unique service for working parents and is open from 7.30am-6.30pm all year round. Their ethos is to provide a loving, caring, family environment for the children in their care. They say: “We provide an extension of the home, promoting a close relationship between parents, children and staff. A child’s learning journey with us can begin at the age of three months right up to the age of eleven years old.” Viewings are daily by appointment.

020 8673 3188. evelinedayschool.com

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Prep School Feature STOP PRESS: Look out for Open days throughout this feature.

The White House Preparatory School (SW12) has an Open Day on Saturday 9th May 9.30-11.30am. www.whitehouseschool.com

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Prep School Feature

Does your seven-year-old know 7,100 words?

How many words does your seven-year-old know? Janet Sherlock says extensive research shows that a person’s vocabulary level is the best single measure for predicting future occupational success.

The importance of vocabulary to a child’s ability to succeed in school and beyond is why English and verbal reasoning make up one half of the 11+ exams in many selective schools. Indeed, parents often find these prove to be the most difficult tests for their bright children, and it is usually for one reason only: vocabulary.

Research into learning vocabulary has given us some startling data: • Gaps in vocabulary appear as early as age three, and widen thereafter.

• The extent of a child’s vocabulary at age five is so critical to the development of their perceiving, thinking, and understanding that it is used as a measure of these cognitive skills.

• The top quarter of pupils know about 7,100 words by age seven, and add about three new ones each day. The bottom quarter have fewer than half as many words at that age – about 3,000; they acquire only about one word a day, so the gap continues to widen.

• Early gaps in vocabulary and in language and communication skills are seldom made up in school.

Clearly, vocabulary acquisition must start early.

Parents need not invest time or money in specialist training, equipment, or software.

Indeed, some of the same research also reveals what parents can do to build vocabulary at home from an early age: • Provide a rich language environment. The more parents talk to their children from birth to age three, the greater their children’s vocabulary, rate of vocabulary growth, and chances of success in school.

• The early language environment should include teaching nursery rhymes. Children who learn eight nursery rhymes in their first three years typically rise to the top rank of readers by age eight.

• Provide opportunities for play. Physical play teaches the vocabulary of the body, of space and of motion. Incorporate rhyme and song into physical play and vice versa. Organised games teach the vocabulary of rules and fair play. Imaginative play with toys, or home storytelling or theatrics, increases the vocabulary of general knowledge, of other times and places, and of thought and emotion.

Spend time outdoors. Time spent with children outdoors – in varied locations and weather – can build vocabulary in nature, the physical world, commerce and society, even emotional states. Museums, parks, fields, gardens, a walk to the chemist or newsagents – can give you both time for relaxed conversation, and exposure to various new and familiar things to talk about.

• Give your children and yourself the gift of daily reading. Read to your children for as little as ten minutes a day at a regular time – more depending on the children’s attention and interest. Much of the vocabulary gap

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At good London Prep Schools like Sinclair House children are encouraged to learn a wide range of vocabulary correlating to socioeconomic status can be explained by parental behaviour: fewer than half of children from low income families are read to daily at age three; four out of five of the richest families read to their children daily.

Three-year-olds who are read to every day tend to become five-year-olds who flourish in school.

• When reading to young children, engage them with questions and conversation. The vocabulary of most seven-year-olds is mainly oral. Most of this vocabulary is acquired at home and in the world, from being read to and from conversing with adults.

• Expose children to adult conversation whenever possible. Talk to them about events of the day and the realities of parents’ lives. Parents can increase children’s vocabularies by using less common words in helpful, instructive or explanatory ways in ordinary conversation. Such use defies the effects of poverty and is independent of the parents’ level of formal education.

• Ensure your children learn how to read. By school age, new vocabulary acquisition comes primarily from books. Children who read more have larger vocabularies. This correlation holds across a range of IQ scores and other measures of intellectual ability.

Allow your children

plenty of time for quiet reading. The amount of reading and size of vocabulary correlate to greater general knowledge. The more children read, the more they know and the better they learn. Children who read more also read more efficiently. The amount of reading done by the most reluctant reader in a year can be done by a keen reader in two days.

About the author Janet Sherlock, BA LLb, is a mother of two and author of The Code Detective Book, soon to be on sale in bookshops. She heads the programme development team of language acquisition specialists, mathematicians and professors at Leaders are Readers.

01992 651 300. www.leadersarereaders.co.uk

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Nurturing and developing young people's potential through dance, drama and singing.

For 4-18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops.

Stagecoach Schools enrolling now Battersea Fulham Merton Park & Tooting New Malden Putney Wimbledon www.stagecoach.co.uk

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020 8946 0845 202 020 8942 020 8540 0845 265 020 8946

2986 5727 3502 7791 7050 3400

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CHILDCARE Feature

Childcare quiz:

what's best for me?

By Joanna Moorhead

There are a whole host of factors to take into account in working out what childcare is going to be best for you and your child or children. Joanna Moorhead guides you through the questions you need to ask yourself - and offers a key to what kind of care your answers might point towards.

Q1: How many children do you have?

Q6: Is your work predictable?

Different forms of childcare suit different sizes of family, primarily for cost reasons. For example, even though some nurseries offer reductions for a second child your bill for two children is still going to be a lot more than it will be for one, whereas with a nanny the cost is the same whether it's one child or three, because you pay for the nanny's time.

SCORE 1 per child; plus 1 if there's a high chance you'll be pregnant again in the next 18 months

Knowing you're going to start and finish work at the same time each day makes nursery a much more realistic option than if you're likely to be called in to your workplace at the drop of a hat, or in the middle of the night, or if you might end up staying til the early hours with little or no warning.

SCORE 1 for yes, 3 for no

Q2: What ages are your children?

The younger your youngest child is, the more individually-tailored care you're likely to need.

SCORE 3 if your youngest is under a year, 2 if he/she is under two years, and 1 if he/she is three-plus

Q3: Do you live in a rural or an urban area?

The more populous your area, the more childcare options there will be available, in terms of more nurseries, and a higher number of childminders. If you live somewhere really remote, hiring a nanny might be the only option.

SCORE 3 for a rural area, 2 if you live in the suburbs, 1 if you're an urbanite

You need to add travel time to your working hours, and if you're commuting a long distance a nursery or a childminder might be trickier.

SCORE 3 for yes

Q8: Do you have a spare bedroom?

A live-in nanny needs a place to sleep; though if you don't have the space, you can still consider sharing a nanny who lives in the other family's home.

SCORE 3 for yes

Q9: Does your child have an allergy or health issue of any kind?

A health issue could make a nanny the best bet, because her care can be concentrated on your child and all activities/meals/outings can be planned with your child at the centre.

SCORE 3 for yes

Q10: Are you a ‘laissez faire’ or a

Q5: How much disposable income do you have?

The money you spend on childcare is less about what you've got left over and more about investing in your career for the future. But you still need to have some spare income to pay for it.

SCORE 3 if you have what you'd consider a high disposable income; 2 if medium; and 1 if low

Stop Press: likeminders.co.uk launches UK’s first babysitting app “Our clients will be able to book our babysitters on the go, with the touch of a few buttons, and in less than 30 seconds. We know parents are busy people and so with this in mind the app will be efficient, flexible and reliable - just like the Like Minders service so many people rely on.” said Director Georgie Jones.

The app is free. Like Minders fees are: membership only £12 per month; booking fee £4; non-member booking fee is £22; babysitter rate £7.50 per hour.

Like Minders has over 15 years’ experience in childcare and offers a wide range of safe, flexible and affordable childcare services. All childcarers are DBS checked and interviewed and registered through a stringent screening process to ensure they match strict standards and levels of experience. They include primary and nursery school teachers, trained nannies, medical students, and Ofsted registered child minders.

•For further details please contact Like Minders on 0844 879 7189, info@likeminders.co.uk

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Q7: Do you have a long commute?

Q4: Are you a single parent?

If so you're likely to have less back-up, but also a lower disposable income.

SCORE 2 if yes

‘controlling’ parent?

If you're the kind of parent who's going to be happy to leave your childcarer to make decisions on your behalf through the day, you're probably going to be happier with a childminder or nursery setting than if you want to be able to lay down exactly what you want to happen while you're at work.

SCORE 1 for laissez faire, 3 for controlling

HOW DID YOU SCORE…?

Up to 10: Could a nursery be the right choice for you? Look round some of the nurseries in your area and see what your instinctive feel about them is. Nurseries provide more structured care that can suit many families, though it's harder for them to cater for parents who work very long or unpredictable hours.

10-20: Are you the perfect fit for a childminder? For families who like the idea of childcare in a different setting from home, with other children but with some flexibility on timings, this can be a perfect option - and childminders tend to be lower-cost than nurseries or nannies.

20-30: If you have the space and the income, hiring a nanny means you can provide care that's tailored precisely to your child or children. Plus if your family is still expanding, a nanny can be a cost-saver in the long term.

We hope you enjoyed this quiz. It is designed to make you think of your options in a different way, but it may not provide the correct childcare solution for you!

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

CHILDCARE Feature

We all have childcare conundrums but there are some great local solutions…

Why choose daycare nurseries?

We asked Laura Digby-Bell, director of The House Nurseries “Nurseries that provide daycare offer full days, usually starting around 8am and finishing at 6.30 or 7pm and continue 51 weeks per year. Some offer half days or term time options. If they are Ofsted registered they are obliged to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, which ensures certain standards are adhered to, including meeting the Early Learning Goals that are completed by the end of Reception. Daycare provides a good option for parents who both work and those that just want a little time to themselves during the week, as the children are in a learning environment during the day and will be stimulated through a variety of ageappropriate activities. Nurseries also have the advantage of offering a social environment for children and an opportunity to make friends.

Another advantage of a nursery over other forms of childcare is that parents do not have to worry about staff holidays or sickness as a nursery will always have these eventualities covered – managers are counted out of the staff ratio to cover for such eventualities. Nurseries also provide a safe environment, as there are strict guidelines on the number of staff who are trained in first aid, and the premises are risk assessed regularly. Knowing that your child is safe and in a warm, friendly atmosphere is generally most parents’ priority, and a good day nursery should be able to offer this.”

•Bennerley House & Northcote House are based ‘between the Commons.’ Northcote House provides flexible daycare and nursery school for children aged one to three years.

020 7924 3696 thehousenurseries.co.uk

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Unique London childcare service launches new membership programme and Special Needs Holiday Camps Role Models is a unique London childcare service providing bespoke ad-hoc and part-time care for children of three years and over. Role Models finds fantastic childcarers who are also teachers, actors, musicians and sportsmen and women who can inspire and engage children far beyond the remit of traditional nannies or au pairs. They are now offering a hassle-free membership programme, which makes securing high quality great value childcare even easier for busy parents.

During their first year the business has expanded into school holiday care with highly regarded holiday camps for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). See Easter listing pages 33-36 for the details.

Role Models' core principle is that care should be fun AND developmental. Numerous studies have shown the positive impact that activities such as sport, music, drama and art have on children’s

creativity, self-esteem, emotional development, social skills, spatial-temporal reasoning, intellectual capacity and physical health. In short, all children need a wide range of inputs, from a range of adults, in order to develop to their full potential.

Children are all individuals with their own specific sets of needs and interests. But parents and school / nursery carers cannot be all things to all children; and that’s where Role Models comes in.

All Role Models have extensive childcare experience, are DBS / CRB checked, interviewed, reference checked, speak fluent English – and are also talented in sport, music, art, drama, or homework (including foreign languages). What's more, they all love sharing their passion with children.

For further information contact Hugo Shephard on hugo@rolemodels.me 07825 598344 www.rolemodels.me

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CHILDCARE Feature The importance of checking references Last autumn Carla Surtees launched the Surtees Partnerships largely based on a bad experience she had two years ago when employing an after school nanny.

She put an advert on Gumtree and made the crucial mistake of not checking her references and undertaking an identity check. “At the time I presumed that by being at home I was able to judge if the help was adequate.” It turned out the nanny was blackmailing them and the police were involved.

Carla says: “I could never forgive myself for putting my children in a dangerous situation and I’m relieved that no harm came to them. However, I want to be able to put things right by helping others. We offer a bespoke nanny and housekeeping recruitment service tailored to our clients needs. Fundamental to our approach is the importance we place on our relationship with our clients. That is why we meet with our clients to establish correct expectations, agreeing the terms and delivery accordingly, but also to establish relationships of continuity and trust. We also place importance on our relationship with our candidates. We meet and interview all our candidates and we make sure they are who they say they are; references and suitability are thoroughly investigated and we only submit CVs that are relevant.”

For more information please go to www.surteespartnerships.co.uk

French au pair, 20, Manon, live-in We’ve received this request from a lovely French girl, if you need childcare help this summer, do contact her!

“I would like to work for a nice family throughout the summer vacation (4, 5 or 6 weeks in July/August). I love socializing, spending time with kids and would be pleased to speak French with them. I am an experienced, calm and easy-going baby-sitter.

I love travelling, dancing, reading and art, and I study Literature in “Classes Préparatoires”.

You can contact me on manon.oscaby@hotmail.fr

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‘Childcare’ for 8-16 year olds Living with teenage kids can be pretty trying, as some of us know well! While an au pair can be invaluable when your children are young, they might not work so well in an older family. And that’s where new agency Kidtection comes in.

Do you need someone to help run your house, walk the dog and help with homework while at the same time offering a friendly ear to your kids? Kidtection is focused on children aged 816 and will help you find a Kid Protection Specialist (KPS) with real skills for this age group – someone who focuses on listening to your children, helping them learn to think for themselves and even becoming your eyes and ears in areas such as social media. KPSs can be female or male but all have the essential life skills needed. They can drive, swim, ride a bike and even sew on name tags! Email hello@kidtection.com, www.kidtection.com

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

CHILDCARE Feature Nannies, Maternity Nurses, Housekeepers and Mother’s Helps

All our applicants are personally interviewed and their references checked

Permanent and Temporary Residential, Daily, Full and Part-Time Evening Babysitting Register

Why learning shouldn’t stop outside the nursery

Tel: 020 8947 4666 info@wimbledonnannies.co.uk www.wimbledonnannies.com 184 Copse Hill, SW20 0SP Fax: 020 8947 0405 Facebook: Wimbledon Nannies Twitter: @wimbledonannies

bestbear.co.uk accredited

Back in the old days, if a parent showed up at school it usually meant the child was in trouble. Not any more. Parents who are regularly involved in their child’s activities provide a very positive addition to their child's education. Parents want the best for their children, but are not always aware of the farreaching influence they have on their child’s education and development. We went to see Magdalen Nursery and Daycare in Earlsfield, which provides a genuine ‘working collaboratively with families’ environment–we found it really interesting.

Magdalen Nursery believes parents are the first and most enduring educators; they foster a trusting and warm relationship with the families and value their knowledge and understanding of their child. Parents take an active role in contributing to their child’s learning through initiatives such as workshops, seminars, formal

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and informal meetings. These initiatives offer families an invaluable opportunity to meet with Magdalen Nursery’s staff and management team outside regular working hours to discuss ideas and suggestions and also find out about different techniques and experiences used by the staff team.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

CHILDCARE Feature Workshops for parents Parental workshops are an effective, informal and hands-on way to support busy families in different stages of their child’s development. The Messy Play workshop for example, focuses on demystifying the concept that messy play is just about making a mess and getting dirty. Messy play is very important as it stimulates many of the child’s senses at once; children can see, feel, smell, and sometimes even taste the consequence of their messy active play. During the workshop, parents and carers are encouraged to take part in some of the sensory activities such as mud pies and are given handouts with activities and tips on how to minimise the ‘mess’ in messy play, ideal for replicating at home!

All workshops at Magdalen Nursery are interactive, fun and vibrant sessions so parents and carers can have a better understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework as well as experience first-hand, simple yet educational ideas to implement with their child outside of the nursery environment.

A two way information process Another great initiative at Magdalen Nursery to strengthen the relationship between the key person and the child’s family is the “parents’ observations process.” Fabiana Rodriguez, Operations and Business Development Manager says: “This activity aims to focus and drive the family to celebrate their child’s achievements and learning outside the nursery environment as well as enabling contribution to the ongoing assessment of their child within Magdalen Nursery.

Parents are actively involved in writing observations about their children; they write about what the children have said, what they enjoy doing at home and often include a photograph or a piece of art work created by the children at home.

These observations are shared with the key person when the child is back in the nursery setting and used for future planning and assessment purposes. We think early childhood professionals have a responsibility to engage and develop strong relationships with parents and carers.” Family learning is stimulated to provide a range of benefits for parents and children including improvements in reading, writing and numeracy. It also increases parental confidence to help their child at home.

• Magdalen Nursery and Daycare is a lovely setting in Earlsfield, Wandsworth, catering for 51 children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. It is situated in a wonderful Victorian building, with a lovely garden.

The primary objective within Magdalen Nursery is to provide a safe and nurturing environment, which is also stimulating and challenging for the children in order to help them achieve their full potential. Magdalen Road, London, SW18 3NP. 020 8870 4022.

We are pleased to introduce the Mother and Toddler Group and welcome Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Nannies to join us on a Thursday afternoon from 2.30 - 4.00 pm term time at St. Luke's Church Hall, SW3. ion Each sess with a concludes d rhyme singing an session ed by accompani om Margo fr Blueberry Playsongs.

A relaxed and friendly environment where children are free to explore and investigate their surroundings, develop social skills in play, and a curiosity for learning.

Please pop along for a trial session

020 7352 8784 lucy@ringrosechelsea.co.uk

www.ringrosechelsea.co.uk

Bespoke housekeeping and nanny recruitment services

We discuss your needs and expectations to establish a relationship of continuity and trust.

All candidates are subject to a thorough screening process. References and suitability of all candidates are fundamental.

Our philosophy: We aim to fulfil your needs.

We match candidates to their strengths Safety and discretion is paramount!

For more information please visit: www.surteespartnership.co.uk 0844 800 5240 March 2015

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

BABY Feature

Travelling with baby

By Rita Kobrak

My daughter, Alessia, had travelled on 50 flights by the time she was 2, mainly to various parts of Europe, and my son who is 17 months is nearly catching up (a little more difficult with two children I have to admit!). So I would just like to give you my Top Ten tips that helped keep me sane…

1 Sounds basic, but make sure you allow plenty of time for your baby’s passport to arrive, and when on holiday ask for help if you need to, most people like to help.

2 Use a baby carrier rather than a pram; it is so much easier. I used the babybjorn as I was mainly travelling on my own with my daughter and found it easy to put on by myself. Also, I wrapped a scarf around my neck and was able to breastfeed discreetly on the go. Great multitasking!

3 Don’t take liquids through customs as they check them and make you taste them, so wasting time and testing baby’s patience.

Just buy them at Boots after you’ve gone through customs.

4 Feed on take off and landing to avoid baby’s ears hurting. Staff are happy to warm up bottles if you are not breastfeeding.

Remember to drink plenty when breastfeeding, especially if going to a hot climate as baby will drink more.

March 2015

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5 Public transport in many European countries, such as Spain, Italy, Greece is far more baby friendly than the UK. So why not leave car hire and go for buses and trains. I have had fun (and a break) passing my son around to admiring commuters on a journey from Milan to Bellano.

6 Take a few small toys with music or lights to keep the little ones entertained. I sometimes wrap them up like a pass the parcel to make it a bit more interesting on the plane.

7 Take less than you think you need (you can buy most stuff out there) but do have lots of snacks and nappies as we once got caught out on the Croatian island of Lopud. I had not bought enough nappies and there was nowhere selling them on the island, so the apartment owner kindly got his daughter to bring some over by boat from the mainland.

8 If you have a lot of stuff to take there are companies that will ship baby equipment out to your destination.

9 Better to stay at a child-friendly apartment rather than a hotel. Many companies like ‘Tots too’ or ‘babyfriendlyboltholes’ supply most of the baby equipment that you need, and have checked out properties to make sure they are child friendly. Try Villa Radicata, my family friendly villa in Tuscany.

10 Take a holiday with other families with babies so there is babysitter and cook on hand, and it doesn’t matter if your little one screams or does a massive poo during dinner.

Try a yoga and cooking holiday in Tuscany www.mum-and-baby-experience.co.uk Mums really get to relax with walks, swimming, yoga, massages and cooking classes knowing that their babies and toddlers are being looked after. They have everything from toys to cots to prams and even nappies and baby toiletries so you just need to take baby.

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BABY Feature

Baby on a budget

By Joanna Parry

Having a baby is a costly business, and it’s not unusual for parents to spend thousands of pounds on kit before their baby even arrives. But the truth is, babies need very little stuff and what they do need you can almost always borrow from friends or buy second-hand.

Feeding and changing

Golden rules for buying on a budget

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you’ll need to invest in some necessities before your baby arrives, but you don’t need everything yet. Tell the world you’re pregnant–you’ll be amazed at what hand-me-downs come your way prepare a gift list, or exchange unwanted gifts for something useful hit eBay with a vengeance. Baby clothes and equipment often come in bundles, which are far cheaper than bidding for individual items only buy new if there is a safety issue involved. You can buy almost everything second-hand and as most baby gear is used for such a short period of time, things will be in surprisingly good nick. Look out for NCT sales, and if you live in a baby-centric area your local charity shop will be packed with prams, cots and highchairs if your friends have children why not organise your own swapping event? join recycling forum Freecycle or other swapping-buying-selling websites such as Nappy Valley or Gumtree if you must buy new, go budget. Budget brands have to pass the same safety tests as the expensive ones and are often made by the same companies. Many supermarkets sell stylish baby clothes at a great price, and Ikea have brilliant nursery furniture. If you can't live without the expensive brands, go straight to the sale rail buy in bulk whenever you see a good offer (especially nappies!)

Apart from a pram, cot and car seat, babies need very little - nappies, a few babygros (in neutral colours), a blanket, cardigan and hat.

Don’t buy any other baby clothes – you’ll receive enough gifts when they’re born.

Save money by breastfeeding - bottle-feeding costs over £500 a year and that’s just the formula! If you do bottle-feed, save money by not investing in a steriliser and using boilingwater instead. You don’t need a bottle warmer either – use hot water or even better, get your baby used to room-temperature feeds. You don’t need a highchair yet, and hopefully someone will lend you one by the time you do.

Whichever side you're on in the debate about green washable nappies, there's no doubt they work out cheaper - as long as you don't wash them at 90 degrees or tumble-dry. It can cost up to £1,000 to keep a baby in disposable nappies until they are potty-trained, whereas using reusable nappies costs only a few hundred pounds for baby number one and even less when siblings come along. If you choose to use disposables buy the supermarket value ones, or stock up on premium brands when they’re on offer. If you go eco, buy in bulk from websites such as naturebotts.co.uk.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

BABY Feature The gear you need Sleeping. Go for a cot-bed from the start and make it cosier by rolling up blankets to block off one end, or decorate a basic cot with stencils to make it look like a designer one. While cots can be bought second-hand, current guidelines on preventing SIDS suggest that babies should sleep on new clean mattresses. Baby sleeping bags are great but pricey so buy them second-hand or from the supermarket.

Many mums think baby monitors are unnecessary but if you do want one the £20 basic model is just as good as the all-singing, all-dancing variety Out-and-about. Easily the most expensive piece of kit is a buggy, so look for decent models on a recycling site. Or go for a cheap one that folds up and is light-weight.

Maclaren buggies still allow a newborn to lie flat Carrying. Invest in a second-hand sling for as little as £10, or borrow one – an unbelievable number of mums buy slings brand new and never use them. www.slingmeet.co.uk organises meet-ups across the UK for mums to test-drive different slings Driving. Car seats CAN be bought second-hand but make sure you are confident that the seat has not been in an accident. Go for a convertible model that lasts from birth to 4 years

e Websites pin try www.baby.shop.ebay.co.uk n cou www.freecycle.org ot, eC i s i www.nct.org.uk/branches/events/nearly-new-sales Ma www.nappyvalley.co.uk www.gumtree.com www.craigslist.co.uk www.faracharityshops.org www.ikea.com www.goreal.org.uk www.maternityexchange.co.uk www.kiddicare.com - mainstream brands at discounted prices www.babycentre.co.uk, www.moneysavingexpert - money-saving tips from fellow parents www.kelkoo.co.uk - price-check products www.babyworld.co.uk, www.babycentre.co.uk, www.askbaby.com, www.which.co.uk - compare products and read reviews

Families’ top tips to save cash

while some parents are happy to delve deep to pay for private antenatal classes, there’s no link between the amount you spend and the ease of your baby’s birth.

Take up the offer of free NHS classes and you can join the NCT coffee mornings once your baby arrives

instead of a live-in nanny, recruit Granny if you can. Set up a babysitting circle so you never have to fork out on a sitter

your local library offers more than just books. Many have toy libraries, free music classes for babies, and play areas as well as book corners

be shy of yummy-mummy clubs and expensive classes, and search out free drop-in baby groups, which often include music sessions. Many sports centres have classes for tiny ones, too.

And rediscover your local park – it can be just as fun and costs nothing

indoor play centres can be expensive but some cafés and shops have soft-play areas for the price of a mere latte!

never, ever waste your money on such things as wipes warmers, nappy disposal bins, baby swings, walkers, door bouncers, baby-weighing scales, bottle warmers, pram parasols or shopping trolley covers…

“Use your sink or washing-up bowl as a baby bath. And you don’t need to buy new baby towels.

”

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery School “To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will able him to develop freely” Maria Montessori

Celebrating 20 years of excellence in Montessori teaching Come and visit one of our two Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools in Fulham and discover why we have enjoyed such a long period of success teaching children from 2yrs to 5yrs in their early years education.

To learn more about us just visit our new web site at www.dawmouse.co.uk or email miss.emma@dawmouse.com

www.dawmouse.co.uk

Tel: 020 83989294

Passionate about teaching and learning

March 2015

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BABY Feature Business is (baby) booming for homebirths and independent midwives New guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have confirmed that homebirths and midwife-led centres are ‘best for many mothers’. And, with evidence that giving birth at home is often as safe for babies as in hospital, it certainly looks to be the way childbirth is headed. A home birth can give you the space and time to deliver the way you want, with evidence showing that homebirths and midwife-led births often have lower rates of intervention, as women are more comfortable in their environment and are assisted by midwives they know and trust. No wonder they are booming! As this boom continues the demand for midwife-led care and independent midwives, particularly where the service is not offered by the NHS, is growing. We all understand the importance of continuity of care, and dream of the same midwife accompanying us throughout our pregnancy, through birth and into the post natal period.

The College of Midwives is calling for more midwife-led units to be set up across the country so that all mothers-to-be can have the choice of a midwife-led or home birth, if they want one. At the moment 9 out of 10 babies in England and Wales are born in doctor-led obstetrics units in hospital, however the new guidelines say that 45% of women are at extremely low risk of complications and may be better off giving birth elsewhere – especially those who have already had at least one child. In the meantime, many women are turning to independent midwifes to get the birth and continuity of care they want, either at hospital or at home, and hiring one of these fully qualified midwives who work outside of the NHS to oversee everything. Take a look at Independent Midwives UK to find out more. www.imuk.org.uk

Breastfeeding support scheme grows A scheme that offers one-to-one breastfeeding support is now available to all of Wandsworth’s new mums. The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) runs a telephone support line open to mothers living anywhere in the borough with a baby under 8 weeks old, and now there are more ways to access the scheme, including online and in children’s centres - you can refer yourself or ask your GP, midwife, health visitor, local children’s centre or any other health professional to refer you. You can also now get face-to-face support in any Wandsworth children's centre, so if you are struggling with breastfeeding there’s no need to suffer alone. wandsworthreferrals@breastfeedingnetwork. org.uk, 07873 585359 or www.facebook.com/breastfeedingnetworkw andsworth

Becoming Mother: Yoga and mindfulness for pregnancy and birth Reviewed by Mary Attwood, mother, writer and female entrepreneur

We can’t always get to a pregnancy yoga class; too tired, too busy or no childcare. Sometimes a home practice is exactly what we need. That’s why I was delighted to be asked to review the new Becoming Mother: Yoga and Mindfulness for Pregnancy DVD by co-founder of BatterseaYoga and pregnancy expert Nadia Raafat. Endorsed by midwives, doulas and birth professionals, this is the first comprehensive Pregnancy Yoga programme in the UK to also include Mindfulness practices - and is made by one of our own local teachers.

together, cover the span of pregnancy from 14 weeks to the birth itself. The yoga is dynamic, but accessible to all stages of pregnancy, the instructions are clear and the sequences are really enjoyable to practice.

By the time you reach your due period, and are practicing class 5, you are physically and psychologically ready to enter the birth experience and meet your baby. The DVD culminates with a celebratory birth-dance - the joyful expression of free-flow in the body and mind.

The DVD expertly brings together three ancient traditions; yoga, meditation and birth dance and delivers them in a flowing package that makes them simple and accessible to all.

It features 5 original classes each containing a 30 minute mindful pregnancy yoga flow sequence and a 15 minute mindfulness meditation which,

What makes this DVD unique?

Throughout the meditations Nadia expertly guides you to discover the awareness that emerges when you pay ‘deliberate and openhearted’ attention to the moment-by moment unfolding of your experience — both internal and external. The idea being that, with practice, we can become much more steady-minded and receptive to whatever is unfolding either within us or without — whether the contractions of labour or a colicky new-born that won’t stop crying. In this way the Becoming Mother programme doesn’t just focus on your pregnancy but actually prepares you for the trials and tribulations of new mothering too.

“I have really enjoyed these five classes with Nadia, I felt totally safe in her hands. I think this DVD provides an excellent resource for pregnant mums encouraging you to tap into what feels natural and

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real, let go of technique, and meet experience as it arises with an open heart and mind. This should be on every new mothers list!”

The DVD is available on www.yogamatters.com

WIN a place at a workshop or a DVD! To enter go to www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/competitions.

Terms and conditions apply. The competition closes on March 31st.

First Prize: A place on a one day Yoga and Mindfulness for Pregnancy workshop with Nadia Raafat of Battersea Yoga, author of the DVD, value £130.

Two Runner Up Prizes: The DVD Becoming Mother Pregnancy Yoga and Mindfulness, value £16.99 each

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

BABY Feature

s t c u d o r p w e N

Just delicious

Are you bored of rice cakes and rusks? Growing, active tots need constant re-fueling throughout their busy day but it’s often tricky to find healthy, nutritious snacks that don’t make a complete mess. Kiddylicious have launched a range of brand new products perfect to tempt your toddlers - choose from Wibble Wobble Jelly Pots, Banana Fruity Puffs and deliciously light Flying Saucers.

Yum! Available in all good supermarkets or at www.kiddylicious.co.uk

Mini-Me Does your little one adore your shoes? Does she want to dress just like you? A local SW Mum has set up gorgeous website My Fashion Tribu, perfect for mother and child matching styles in ballerinas and boots, sandals and slippers. With gorgeous, exclusive brands you can mix and match, or match and match with your child, and both look super-glam (with no worrying child heels, of course!). www.myfashiontribu.com

Bensimon Tennis Watercolour Kids/Women

Gorgeous gifts Check out the gorgeous clothes from LaLa & Bea, a brand new fun and quirky British Childrenswear brand. Set up by two SW London Mums with years of experience in the retail industry and four children between them, Lala & Bea uses quality fabric and yarns, and is all manufactured in the UK. They also offer a range of accessories and family skincare. We love their gorgeous Spotty Hats, £24, and Rainbow Pram Blanket, £35.

Worth a look! www.lalaandbea.com

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Easter Holiday activities, part 1

Club Petit Pierrot

Gambado Cat

15 April - The Thames Family Drop-in. Build a boat, design a riverside building or create animals and birds to populate the model Thames river scene. Age 2+, £2, no booking necessary, 2pm-3.30pm

Geffrye Museum 136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA 020 7739 9893 www.geffrye-museum.org.uk 8-11 April. Easter Holiday Activities: Gardens Galore!

Celebrate the reopening of the gardens for spring and the launch of the Geffrye Museum’s new garden resources. Age 5-16, 10.30am12.30pm and 2-4pm

ARTS, CRAFT Bank of England Museum Bartholomew Lane EC2R 8AH 020 7601 4878 bankofengland.co.uk/museum

30 March – 2 April and 7–10 April. EGGstraordinary Fun! Follow the trail to find the chicks and egg hidden in the museum, then decorate your own Easter animal finger puppet to take home. A chocolate egg for every child!

10am–4.30pm

Fulham Palace Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA 020 7736 3233. www.fulhampalace.org Easter Activities 5 April - Fulham Palace Easter Trail. Start in the Tudor Courtyard and find all of the clues to win a chocolate prize! Age 2+, £2, no booking necessary, 1.30pm-3.30pm 8 April - Rabbit Warren Family Drop-in. Meet on the main lawn and create your own paper rabbit.

Age 2+, £2, no booking necessary, 2pm-3.30pm

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Superhero Film Shoots Contact Studio Film School on 020 71019329 balham@studiofilmschool.co.uk www.studiofilmschool.co.uk Ages 7+, 30th March - 2nd April 2015, 9am - 4pm, Broomwood Hall School, Balham, SW12 8NR, £195 Save the world this Easter!

Inspired by celebrated comic book films, this Easter workshop is a chance to try filmmaking on an epic scale! Children will create magical green screen effects, dazzling stunts and action set pieces to make a spectacular superhero movie over 4 days.

Studio Film School

Picassos in the Park

Gambado Chelsea

Taking place in Kennington Park Cafe picassosinthepark@gmail.com Children learn about the history of art and get a chance to experiment with new materials, learn new techniques and be creative which is not always easy at home. They will be running their first ever 3-Day PICASSOS IN THE PARK EASTER CAMP on Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th and Friday 10th April from 9.30am-3pm daily.

Book early to avoid disappointment!

For children aged between 510years.

7 Townmead Road, London SW6 2PY Phone:020 7384 1635 www.gambado.com/clubs/chelsea Check out their FREE and special pre-book events this March & Easter. From celebrating Dr Seuss 110th Birthday with that crazy Cat in the Hat, Red Nose Day Fun to their annual Easter Eggs Hunts & Disco to a right Royal Tea Party! Pop over and like the Gambado Chelsea Facebook page where you will be kept up to date with all events and can book tickets online.

FUN DAYS OUT

LANGUAGES

Eddie Catz www.eddiecatz.com 020 3475 5268 • Eddie Catz Putney, First Floor, 6870 Putney High Street SW15 1SF • Eddie Catz Wimbledon, 42 Station Road SW19 2LP Eddie Catz is open every day over the Easter holidays with a fun range of drop-off workshops, special events and toddler activities, or just drop in for a play session. As well as Frozen, Dance and Ballet Workshops there will be an Easter Games & Crafts Morning with an epic egg hunt and their popular Easter-themed Make A Bunny workshop. There will also be visits from famous characters including the Despicable Me Minions!

Et Patati et Patata Fulham Start Centre and St Andrew’s Church, Fulham SW6 07966 893674 caroline@etpatatipatata.com www.etpatatipatata.com Throughout Easter holidays.

Easter Camp - Fun in French 100% French club, 100% fun!

Learn French this Easter and set your child on the fast track to becoming bilingual. French classes, workshops and fun activities, with French dancing and storytelling, ages 3-9, 9am-3pm, Monday-Friday.

Club Petit Pierrot Across SW London 020 7385 5565 www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk Throughout Easter holidays.

Fun French Tuition

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Et Patati et Patata We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed. Please double check event with the organiser to avoid disappointment.

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Easter Holiday activities, part 1

Upbeat Music French private tuition at your home for individual children or minigroups (all ages) during all holiday periods. These can be lessons which follow the Club's unique "immersion method" programme with fun activities, games and exercises (reading/writing for older children), or creative classes (cooking, decorating Easter eggs) or help with course work or even revision for exams.

Also in Notting Hill 30th March to 2nd April inclusive from 10am to 1pm, for 3 to 6 years old, fun and varied activities, all in French

MUSIC AND DRAMA Allsorts Drama • More House School, 22–24 Pont Street SW1X 0AA • Notting Hill Prep School, 95 Lancaster Road W11 1QQ 020 8969 3249 www.allsortsdrama.com 13-15 April.

Easter Drama Workshops Create a play and then perform it to your family and friends. Ages 4–6 and 7–11, 9.30am-3.30pm

Caterpillar Music Battersea, Fulham, Southfields and Tooting 020 8540 1762 / 07968764301, info@caterpillarmusic.com www.caterpillarmusic.com Throughout April. Music Classes Fun, stimulating classes using puppets, nursery rhymes, action songs and instruments

Chickenshed Kensington and Chelsea Chelsea Academy, Lots Road SW10 0AB 020 7351 9298 www.chickenshed.org.uk 7-10 April.

Easter Holiday Project A great opportunity to develop your performance skills in drama, music,

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dance and singing using Chickenshed’s proven teaching methods and unique performance style. Create an original show based on ideas and concepts from Alice in Wonderland and invite family and friends to watch it at the end of the week. 10am-4pm, £100, siblings £50, age 6-11

Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes Streatham and Battersea 0800 107 7949, mail@funkymonkey.info www.funkymonkey.info 7-11 April. Easter Music Workshops Fun packed one-day and four-day taster courses for beginner musicians aged 4-8. Read, write, play music, art activities and lots of fun

Funky Moves Oak Lodge School, Wandsworth SW12 8NA 07810 431101 www.funkymovesdance.com 30 March – 2 April.

Easter Course Amazing dance, cool art activities, fun games and a performance for the parents. Perfect for children aged 5-14. 9.30am-12.30pm, £110, siblings £105

Perform Drama • Kensington United Reformed Church, Allen Street W8 6BL • St Peter’s Hall, 59A Portobello Road W11 3DB • Kew Community Centre, St Luke’s in the Avenue TW9 2AJ • Christchurch, 67 Studdridge Street SW6 3TD • Stephen’s Church, Manfred Road SW15 2RS www.perform.org.uk 0845 400 4000 8-15 April.

Easter Holiday Course Go on a swashbuckling royal adventure for brave pirates and fearless princesses. With costumes, live music, scripts, improvisation and dance your little ones will have an amazing time making new friends and developing their social skills along the way. Age 4-7, times and dates vary according to venue

Chickenshed Families readers receive a 10% discount by using the code FamiliesEaster2015 when booking.

Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com 1 April. Easter Egg Detectives Does anyone know what happened to the Easter Eggs? Discover the mystery in this drama and storytelling workshop. Ages 3-4, 9.45-10.45am, ages 4-5, 11am12pm, £18 7 April. Weather Work Out Whatever the weather may bring, spring into action with a movement session exploring sunshine and rain.

Ages 3-4, 9.45-10.45am, ages 4-5, 11am-12pm, £18 9 April. Behind the Scenes: Stop Motion Animation Lights. Camera. Action. Stop! Work with the Polka Theatre’s filmmaker to create your very own short film using stop motion animation techniques. 10.30am-3.30pm, 8-13 years, £30 10 April. Behind the Scenes: Comics and Clowns A side-splitting workshop for all jokers, class clowns and comedians who want to learn about slapstick and professional clowning. 10.30am3.30pm, 7+ years, £30

Putney Arts Theatre Ravenna Road SW15 6AW 020 8788 6943 www.putneyartstheatre.org.uk 30 March – 2 April.

Finding Neverland What really happened when Wendy, John and Michael flew off to Neverland? Get ready for four days of pirate dodging, crocodile hunting, den making and adventure seeking as you explore the famous story of Peter Pan but with a few twists of their own. Ages 7-11, 10am-4pm, £85

Song Academy 07710 023743, contact@songacademy.co.uk www.songacademy.co.uk 8-9 April and 13-14 April.

Easter Workshops

Role Models Be inspired by professional songwriters and create lyrics, melodies, instrumental parts, dance routines and more. 8-11 year olds Holy Trinity Church, Brook Green W6 7BL; 12-16 year olds – Upper Mission Hall, Parsons Green SW6 4UH. £75 for two afternoon workshops, siblings £70, 2-5pm

Stagecoach Battersea Honeywell School SW11 6EF 07956 288928, Battersea@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/battersea 7-10 April.

Easter Holiday Workshop Put on a show in just four days.

This time, they’re doing Annie!

9.30am-12.30pm, 4-6 year olds, £120; 10am-4pm, 7-16 year olds, £150

Upbeat Music Courses Venues in Chelsea and Parsons Green 07816 901396, upbeatmusic@btinternet.com www.upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk 7-10 April.

Easter Holiday Course Sing, dance, guitars, drums, record a CD and perform! 10am-4pm

SPECIAL NEEDS Role Models Wandle Recreation Centre, Mapleton Road, Wandsworth, SW18 4DN. Hugo Shephard 07825 598344 Hugo@rolemodels.me www.rolemodels.me/sen-eastercamp/ £60/day, discounted to £50/day if all four days are booked. Childcare vouchers accepted. Please enquire regarding local authority funding support as this is very much a possibility.

March 30–April 2 inclusive (9.30am–2.30pm daily). Four day Easter Special Educational Needs (SEN) camp. The camp is OFSTED registered and will meet the needs of 6-12 year old children with mild

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Easter Holiday activities, part 1

SPORT

Central London Golf Centre Burntwood Lane SW17 0AT 020 8871 2468, juniorgolf@clgc.co.uk www.clgc.co.uk 23 March – 10 April.

Easter Golf Camps What better way to spend the holidays than improving your golf with an array of skills challenges, competitions and tasks? For children of all levels. Includes golf coaching, daily fun competitions and prizes. £30 per half day 9am-12pm, £40 per full day 9am–3pm

Chelsea FC Soccer School Venues across SW London 020 7957 8220 londondevelopment@chelseafc.com / soccerschools@chelseafc.com www.chelseafc.com/foundation Throughout Easter holidays.

London Soccer School For boys and girls aged 3-13. Times vary according to course, from £30

Fulham FC Foundation Venues in Fulham 0870 442 5432, holidaycourses@fulhamfc.com www.fulhamfc.com Throughout Easter holidays.

Holiday Courses Holiday courses for all abilities in a fun and challenging environment. 35yrs - 9-11am, 6-14 yrs - 9am-3pm, from £15 per day

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The Little Gym Unit 8, Compass House, Smugglers Way SW18 1DB 0208 864 6567, wandsworth.fulham@thelittlegym.eu www.thelittlegym.co.uk/wandsw orthfulham 31 March – 2 April.

Easter Holiday Fun Let your child bunny hop, skip and jump at these ever popular Easter Camps. The 3-hour OFSTED approved camps for over 3s build gymnastic skills and develop confidence while the kids have loads of FUN. Please call for timings and to book a camp. Get £5 off your first camp quoting “Families SW”

Picassos in the Park

Fit for Sport Venues across the UK including Wimbledon Park Primary School and Bishop Gilpin Primary School, 0845 456 3233, www.fitforsport.co.uk Fit for Sport's Ofsted-registered holiday childcare activity camps are designed to engage and educate children through activity, with swimming, ballgames, active challenges and arts and crafts based on seasonal themes. Standard day 9.30am-4.30pm with extended hours available. Ages 3-12 years, bookable by half or full day, or weekly blocks - see the website for full details.

SwimWay East Sheen, Knightsbridge, Putney and Wimbledon 020 8871 3972, info@swimway.co.uk www.swimway.co.uk 30 March – 2 April and 7-10 April. Swimming Courses Intensive courses to improve your child’s swimming technique, on a private or semi-private basis.

3-9yrs, dates and times dependent on venue

Stagecoach Battersea

Urban Ascent Rock Climbing Unit 5 Parsons Green Depot, 33-35 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham SW6 4HH 020 7751 0913, info@urbanascent.co.uk www.urbanascent.co.uk Throughout Easter holiday.

Climbing Club Ensure your kids get the most out of the holiday and bring them rock climbing. Kids sessions start from age 5, each session lasts 1 hour and costs from £10

Youngstars MultiSports and Activity Camp Balham, Clapham, Putney, Parsons Green, Wimbledon and Dulwich 07920 426499, info@youngstars.co.uk www.young-stars.co.uk 30 March – 2 April and 7-10 April. Easter Holiday Camps Fun, games and excitement whilst being introduced to all aspects of sports, in an all inclusive and noncompetitive environment. 3-7 years, 9am-1pm £29, 9am-3pm £42

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Funky Moves to moderate special needs, including Kiddikicks Dyspraxia, Down’s Syndrome, Across South West London Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

020 7937 7965, As per previous SEN Camps, each sarah@kiddikicks.co.uk day will be a balance of calm and www.kiddikicks.couk dynamic activities, such as whole March and April dates TBC. group games of rounders, designing Holiday Sessions posters & pictures etc plus some Kiddikicks (football 18m to 5 years) brand new Easter activities. Run by Kiddisports (multi-sport 18m to 5 teachers with extensive special years) and Ligasoccer (football needs experience. Minimum of 1:5 Under 8’s) sessions run throughout staff to children ratio and a the holidays. Or arrange a bespoke maximum of 20 children per day. session (1 to 3 hours) for your player and their friends: pick your sport and they’ll provide the coach, equipment and place

Super Camps Various venues including Wimbledon High school, Putney High School, St Nicholas Prep School, 01235 467300, www.supercamps.co.uk A multi-activity, Ofsted-registered daycamp designed to offer holiday childcare to parents while appealing to children of all types and ages.

Each child explores and experiences a daily schedule of different activities with others their own age, under the guidance of superblytrained staff. The venues offer sports, outdoor and indoor games, arts and crafts activities. Ages 4-14 years, 8am-6pm, bookings available by day or in weekly blocks - see the website for full details.

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Easter Holiday activities, part 1

SwimWay from p.35

Barracudas Activity Day Camps

Wigmore Tennis Club 43 Becmead Avenue, Streatham, London SW16 1UJ 020 8769 3671 Wigmore Tennis Club are running tennis camps over the Easter holidays for children aged 3-15yrs of all levels from complete beginner up to county standard. Sessions are run by our team of qualified coaches. (20% off before the 1st March) Find out more at www.wigmoretennis.com/juniorholiday-camps-2015

Explore Learning

Perform

0845 123 5299 www.barracudas.co.uk In Streatham High School, SW16 and Trinity School, Croydon.

Fun and exciting activities including sports and arts & crafts. Rated 'OUTSTANDING' by Ofsted more times and more consistently than any other activity day camp provider! Great value for money.

For children aged 4.5years to 16yrs, 30th March to 10th April.

All Star Tennis Wandsworth Common, Wandsworth Park, King Georges Park, Tooting Bec Common, Putney, Furzedown Rec, Roehampton. 020 8871 4706 info@allstartennis.co.uk

www.allstartennis.co.uk Holiday camps. For ages 5 to 7 years mini-tennis activities include co-ordination, balance, movement and group games. For ages 8 to 14 years, courses increase awareness of the game, teach appropriate techniques and provide experience of tennis drills, tactics, biomechanical principles, team games and tournaments.

Playball Easter Camps 07738375317 gavin@playball-London.com www.playball-London.com Camps are from • March 30th-April 2nd Battersea Park Astroturf, near the tennis courts • Monday the 30th of March Oaklodge School, Nightingale Lane, London SW12 8NA Tuesday the 31st of March, Wednesday the 1st April and Thursday the 2nd April.

There will be Playball skills and games, Easter treasure hunts and a whole lot more… You may do as many days as you would like and you do not have to be a Playballer to join… 10am-1pm

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(Lunch at around 11:30am) Parents may drop children off for the duration of camp, as there will be 7 coaches present… For 3-8 year olds.

MATHS AND ENGLISH Free maths and English activities On the 31st March and 14th April, your local Explore Learning centre in East Sheen, Wandsworth, Brixton or Merton will be hosting a day of free workshops for children ages 5-14 in the local community.

Spaces are limited so call your local centre to reserve your place. www.explorelearning.co.uk Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition to 5-14 year olds of all abilities. Explore fits easily around family life; the centres are open 7 days a week, with children able to attend up to twice a week on a drop-in basis.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

What’s On

Drama See more events in our online What’s On calendar

The Cambridge Theatre Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street WC2H 9HU uk.matildathemusical.com Matilda The Musical Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny Throughout March

The Chelsea Theatre 7 World's End Place, Kings Road SW10 0DR www.chelseatheatre.org.uk What Are You Waiting For? A performance devised by the Youth Theatre members of Chickenshed Kensington and Chelsea. This honest and original ensemble piece fuses movement, drama and music and explores the themes of hope, doubt and ambition, asking its audience - why not now? 7pm, £10 24 March

Chicken Shed Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE chickenshed.org.uk Changing Stages - Spring Show With a range of performers, pieces and styles, Changing Stages celebrates Chicken Shed’s beliefs in inclusivity and its power to create outstanding theatre through an uplifting and entertaining musical show. £10/£8 5-8 March As the mother of a brown boy...

A powerful true story about a mother who remembers the life and untimely death of her mixed-race son, told through dance, physical theatre, music and multimedia. £10/£8 19-22 March Tales from the Shed Vibrant, interactive theatre shows perfect for young children. Every week they present different stories featuring the same much loved characters – from Can-Can the beautiful bird to laid back Lion Down and The Thing That Goes Blurgh! £6 Every Friday and Saturday to 21 March

March 2015

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Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

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LOVES!

Battersea Park, Chelsea Embankment SW11 4NJ 020 7924 5826 batterseaparkzoo.co.uk The Children’s Zoo in Battersea Park is a favourite of ours at Families Magazine for a really fantastic day out with the kids. With a fascinating range of animals from monkeys to chinchillas, donkeys to emus, turtles to pigs and snakes to geckos, there’s a lot to choose from! Don’t miss the otter and meerkat feeding times or to pet Watch out for meerkat the rabbits. s in Batters ea!

They also run events such as Story Time on Mondays at 11am for little ones, and they have a great pirate ship play area for the older ones. It’s also a great place to hold your next children’s birthday party – and the animals enjoy it too! Their parties are perfect for age 4 upwards and include a tailor-made fact-filled tour of the zoo plus meeting the animals and helping the keepers feed them, a birthday tea and much more.

Visit the zoo during the holidays and take part in a wide range of family events – this Easter join in an Egg-stravaganza Day and guess how many eggs there are in the Egg Display, or take part in the Easter Egg Hunt, make an Easter Bunny Card or take the Rabbit Quiz Challenge (28 March – 16 April.)

This family-run zoo is a truly wonderful place for children to enjoy, respect and learn about the animals with whom we share our planet. If you haven’t been yet, make sure you visit soon!

Colour House Theatre

Lyric Hammersmith

Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Jungle Book Join Mowgli on his amazing adventure as he meets friendly, dangerous and unusual characters.

2pm and 4pm, £8-£10 Every Saturday and Sunday to 12 April

Lyric Square, Kings Street W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk Monkey Join in the adventures of the amazing superhero Monkey as his story is brought to life with a special script written by Michael Rosen. 11am and 1pm, £8 7 March The Real Fairy Story An adventure begins when Miss Amelia sets out to take a picture of a real fairy. A show full of wonder, mayhem and close encounters of the fairy kind. Ages 3-7, 11am and 1pm 14 March My Friend Mole Who knew that moles made the best of friends?

The story of a very special friendship and the power of imagination that will delight and

The Lilian Bayliss Studio Roseberry Avenue EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com Wild Card – Casson & Friends Wild Card returns with a new generation of dance makers, bringing fresh perspectives to the stage. 8pm, £17 18 March

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Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline or we got it wrong...

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Families ‘top five’ this month This month we have chosen our favourite Easter holiday workshops to fill those long spring days. Book now before the rush!

Chelsea Physic Garden

2 © Charlie Hopki nson

66 Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HS chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Family Activity Days Are you searching for something constructive to fill the long Easter holidays? The Chelsea Physic Garden offers loads of family activities where you can explore, create and have fun with your little ones. From discovering the world of minibeasts to learning how to take brilliant photos of the Garden, they have something to engage and excite everyone, no matter what age. Choose from Chocolate Tuesday and look into the history and science of chocolate and, of course, create your own mixtures to take away, or Creepy Crawling where you discover the diverse world of animals with Vic Taylor from Mynewt Enterprises who will show his marvellous menagerie including a hissing cockroach, giant millipede, corn snake, giant African snail and Mr. Jelly Belly the tree frog. Plus so many more! Pre-booking is essential, ages vary, children £6.60 half day/£8.60 full day, adults £9.90 half day/£11.90 full day 7-16 April

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Firepower Royal Artillery Museum Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18 6ST www.firepower.org.uk Holiday Boot Camp It’s time to get some physical and mental training this Easter with Firepower's Junior Gunners Boot Camp.

Choose from exciting activities including Military-style physical training, the Challenger Troop assault course, or test your knowledge of their museum collection.

Plus, the Camo Zone will open for target practice and bungee run. Sounds dangerous! Activities run 11am–1pm and 2pm–4pm Tuesday to Friday each week, activity package £4.50 plus normal admission of £2.50 per child. Bring your Junior Gunners card along to earn great treats or if you are new to the museum grab your free one on the day 31 March – 10 April

The London Wetlands Centre HMS Belfast The Queen's Walk SE1 2JH www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast Crossing the Line ‘Cross the line’ this Easter holidays and find out what it was like for sailors crossing the equator for the first time as they took part in initiation rituals, dressed up as different characters from the court of the sea god Neptune and were made to do forfeits! While you are there, don’t forget to see how artist Hew Locke has imaginatively transformed the experience of HMS Belfast, bringing to life the stories of people on board the ship. It’s a truly creative and surprising art installation which explores the joys and dangers of life at sea. £16 adults/£8 children 28 March - 12 April

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Queen Elizabeth, Barnes SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk Giant Easter Duck Hunt Some of the ducklings have gone missing - can you help them find them? Follow the Giant Easter duck trail around the beautiful nature reserve to discover where they are hiding and if you discover them all you'll win a prize! Create your own colourful duckling to take home in a duck painting eggs-travaganza and join in the egg-citing games. So put a spring in your step and come along to London Wetland Centre for an Easter adventure. £1 each including small gift, admission fees apply 28 March – 12 April

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V&A Museum of Childhood

sity Cabinet of Curio Paper House by

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Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Paper Houses and more Easter Workshops Play with paper at the Museum of Childhood this Easter and unfold a world of paper houses, cardboard dens and disposable costumes, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. These are free drop-in workshops for all ages, 10.30am-4pm. Or sign up to Make Small Stories of Your Own and create a picture book with award-winning author and illustrator David Lucas (ages 5-12, £5 per child). Make a wonderful paper house which can be transformed into a glowing light at the Paper Lighthouse Workshops with illustrator Frances Barry (ages 5-12, £5 per child). Book now for all workshops on 020 8983 5205 28 March - 10 April

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

surprise audiences of all ages. Ages 3-6, 11am and 1pm 21 March Red Riding Hood A rich mix of puppetry and songs are used in a lively re-telling of the traditional folk tale from this acclaimed puppet theatre company. Ages 4-7, 11am and 1pm 28 March Bugsy Malone Join Bugsy, Blousey and Tallulah for an unforgettable theatrical experience. Age 6+, £8 From 11 April

New Wimbledon Theatre The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledontheatre Calamity Jane Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man in Deadwood. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago on the Deadwood Stage to recruit a star, Adelaide Adams. From £17.90 17-21 March The Sound of Music One of the greatest musicals of all time returns to the stage in a magnificent new production to enchant and enthral the young and the young at heart. From £23.40 30 March - 11 April

12-15 March My Father and Other Superheroes The day Nick Makoha found out he was going to become a dad, he realised he had no idea how to be one… £13.50/£10 19-22 March

Putney Arts Theatre Ravenna Road SW15 6AW www.putneyartstheatre.org.uk The Wiz! Groove on down the road in this popular adaptation of the Wizard of Oz set to rock, gospel and soul music. £12, £8 30 March-2 April

The Royal Albert Hall SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com Madam Butterfly The Hall will once again be turned into an enchanting Japanese water garden for the return of the spectacular in-the-round production of Puccini's Madam Butterfly To 15 March Best of Broadway New York comes to London for a musical-theatre extravaganza from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 7.30pm 18 March

The Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB polkatheatre.com Yeh Shen The world’s first Cinderella story from China. An enchanting tale about a young orphaned girl, her nasty stepmother and a lost shoe. £13.50/£10 To 8 March Error 404 There’s a boy. No more than ten years old. You know someone just like him - except his best friend is a robot. Join him on a roller coaster of laughter, tears, music and games. £11.50/£9 4-27 March I Believe in Unicorns Tomas didn’t like books, stories or school. He was happier climbing mountains or tobogganing with his Dad. That was until the Unicorn Lady came to town and reeled him in with her irresistible magic tales. £13.50/£10

March 2015

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SW1E 5JA www.stjamestheatre.co.uk The Three Lions A footballer, a prince and a prime minister walk into a hotel room…A hilarious new comedy offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of diplomacy in action, revealing what really went on between David Cameron, David Beckham and Prince William in a Swiss hotel the night before England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup! From 24 March

The Unicorn Theatre 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com Up Club Join the Unicorn play club every Saturday. Take part in free activities from rocket building to portrait painting, giant Jenga tournaments, cake decorating and lots more.

12noon-1.30pm Every Sat from 1 March The Caucasian Chalk Circle Blood runs through the streets and the Governor's severed head is nailed to the gates of the city. A young servant girl must make a choice: save her own skin or sacrifice everything to rescue an abandoned child. £10-£16 To 21 March

Museums & Galleries

Peacock Theatre WC2A 2HT sadlerswells.com/peacock-theatre English National Ballet and English National Ballet School — My First Ballet: Swan Lake The evil magician Rothbart has turned the beautiful princess Odette into a swan. Will Prince Siegfried be able to save her, or will he fall for Rothbart’s sorcery? Featuring a narrator to help the young audience follow the story and a shortened version of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music. Age 3+ 2-12 April London Children's Ballet — Snow White Snow White is forced to flee from the palace to escape the beautiful but evil Queen. Seven mischievous dwarves become Snow White’s loyal protectors, but can they save her from the Queen’s cunning plans? With a cast of young dancers aged 9 - 16 23-26 April

The St James Theatre

See more events in our online What’s On calendar

The British Museum

Royal Court Theatre Sloane Square SW1W 8AS www.royalcourttheatre.com The Twits Mr and Mrs Twit are not very nice. In fact they're extremely nasty. They're nasty to each other, and they're VILE to everyone else. Mischievously adapted from one of the world's most loved books by Roald Dahl 7 April - 31 May

Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org Defining Beauty A major exhibition on the human body in ancient Greek art. This exhibition will explore the Greek experience and its preoccupation with the human form. £16.50 adults, under 16s free 26 March - 5 July

The Design Museum 28 Shad Thames SE1 2YD designmuseum.org Designs of the Year Celebrating design that promotes or delivers change, enables access, extends design practice or captures the spirit of the year 25 March - 16 August

Sadler's Wells

Grant Museum of Zoology

Rosebery Avenue EC1R sadlerswells.com English National Ballet — Modern Masters Honouring the work of three of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century: Ji í Kylián, John Neumeier and William Forsythe. £12-£45 10-15 March Northern Ballet — The Great Gatsby On New York’s Long Island in the heady, indulgent days of the roaring 1920s, young Midwesterner Nick Carraway meets his infamous neighbour Jay Gatsby – a mysterious millionaire with a secret past and a penchant for lavish parties. £12-£42 24-28 March

UCL, University Street WC1E 6DE www.ucl.ac.uk Fossil ForageSieve through sediment that dates from a time over 50 million years ago when London was underwater and patrolled by sharks and rays. Any fossils you find whilst sieving you get to keep, and they are all real. Drop-in activity.

1-4.30pm 21 March FREE Strange Creatures: The art of Unknown Animals When new regions are explored and the animals in them discovered, how does the wider world get to experience them? 1-5pm From 16 March FREE

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What’s On

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What’s On

The Horniman Museum 100 London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Family Workshops Touch real museum objects in these popular themed sessions for families, or join in with an art workshop with a different theme each week. £3 Every Saturday in March

At Home With Music From parlours to palaces, musical keyboards have been part of family homes for hundreds of years. This exhibition brings together highlights of keyboard instruments including organs, harpsichords, pianos and clavichords Throughout March Youth Panel Takeover: Family Day The Horniman’s Youth Panel take over for a day of family fun, arts and crafts, music, stories and more! 12.30-4.30pm 14 March

Lived and Will Never Die An exciting new exhibition delving into the mind of the world’s most famous fictional detective, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes To 12 April

The London 2012 Cauldron A new home for the London 2012 Cauldron tells the story of this iconic symbol of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The exhibition celebrates Thomas Heatherwick’s cutting edge design and the unforgettable moment it was revealed to the world during the Olympic opening ceremony Throughout March FREE Museum Explored Join one of the Museum's hosts and explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities. 11am and 2pm Every Sunday in March FREE

Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ www.iwm.org.uk Fashion on the Ration - 1940s Street Style Explore how fashion survived under the strict rules of rationing during the Second World War in new and unexpected ways. £10/£5 5 March - 31 August Fashion on the Ration - Design a Scarf Find out about fashion of the 1940s and be inspired to design your own bold and colourful scarf to take home.

11.30am-12.30pm and 1-4pm 28 March to 12 April FREE

The London Transport Museum

The National Gallery

Covent Garden WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Goodbye Piccadilly – from Home Front to Western Front Exhibition commemorating the centenary of the start of the First World War, revealing the untold story of London’s Home Front To 8 March

The Museum Of London London Wall EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk Sherlock Holmes – The Man Who Never

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Chicken Shed

Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN nationalgallery.org.uk Family Sundays Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm, age 5-11 Every Sunday in March FREE

National Maritime Museum Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Against Captain's Orders An exhibit for 6-12 year olds and their families, taking audience members on the adventure of a lifetime through the National Maritime Museum’s

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

What’s On

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

Our skilled staff prepare children aged 2­5 years for their next school and start them on a journey of life­long learning.

Incorporating art, cooking, music, sport, drama and all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum. Please arrange a visit to see the learning and excitement in action. www.oaktreenurseryschool.com Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QX Tel: 020 8166 5932

Imperial War Museum - Fashion on a ration

Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Wildlife Photographer of the Year Combining the extraordinary work of talented professionals and gifted amateur photographers from around the globe to showcase the beauty, magnificence and diversity of life on our planet.

From £5 Throughout March Wildlife Garden Visit the Museum's first living gallery of British habitats and wildlife 1 April Sensational Butterflies Wander through a tropical enclosure full of these beautiful creatures, and discover the science behind them and their amazing life cycles as they evolve from crawling caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. £4.95/family £16.95 From 2 April Spring wildlife Find out about the butterflies, moths, bees and birds that call the garden home. Make an insect hotel and bird feeder, and identify seeds and fruits using microscopes 11 April Coral Reefs: Secret Cities of the Sea Plunge into spectacular seascapes and explore the richness of life beneath the waves at the Museum’s exciting new exhibition on coral reefs. £12.60/£6.30 From 27 March

Science Museum Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD sciencemuseum.org.uk Engineer Your Future Think like an engineer and have your preconceptions challenged in this free interactive exhibition. Engineer Your Future will put visitors’ problem solving skills to the test, exploring engineering through interactive games and digital

March 2015

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experiences that bring to life the skills engineers use every day. Ages 11+ Throughout March FREE Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age For the first time in the UK, the remarkable story of Russian scientific and technological ingenuity that kick-started the space age will be explored in a landmark new exhibition at the Science Museum. Age 8+, charges apply Throughout March Churchill’s Scientists Explore the triumphs in science during Winston Churchill's period in power, both in war and in the post-war era. It coincides with the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s death in January 1965. Suitable for 13+ Throughout March Unlocking Lovelock: Scientist, Inventor, Maverick A new exhibition celebrating the life and career of British scientist and inventor James Lovelock, including images of the scientist’s laboratory alongside notebooks, photographs, manuscripts and audio-visual material To 9 April

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

V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Small Stories: At Home in a Dolls' House Revealing the fascinating stories behind some of the UK's best-loved dolls' houses, taking you on a journey through the history of the home, everyday lives and changing family relationships Throughout March FREE It's My Party... Taking a look at children's birthday parties from the perspective of both children and parents. The centrepiece is a lifesized installation telling the story of a party thrown for Wilfred, a shy resident of the MuseumThroughout March FREE

The Victoria And Albert Museum SW7 2RL vam.ac.uk Wedding Dresses 1775–2014 Trace the eternal fashion of the wedding dress and discover the most romantic, glamorous and iconic dresses from the last 200 years. This magical exhibition highlights exceptional craftsmanship and brings together couture and designer-made wedding garments from key fashion designers including Charles James, Vivienne Westwood and Vera Wang. From £8 To 15 March

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extraordinary collection of maritime artefacts.

Exciting, enlightening, and, who knows, perhaps just a tiny bit dangerous, the event promises a theatrical journey through the museum, the like of which has never been seen before. £19.75 28 March - 31 August The Greatest Adventure Celebrate the opening of an exciting new interactive gallery with a range of activities that will take you on your greatest adventure. 10am5pm 30 March - 10 April FREE

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What’s On

The London Wetlands Centre

Days Out See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Brixton Windmill Windmill Gardens, End of Blenheim Gardens SW2 5EU www.brixtonwindmill.org Windmill Tours Visit the 'two mills in one' and hear the intriguing story of the Ashby family. You will see the original wind-powered machinery and find out how it was once used to make stone ground flour.

Booking required Every weekend in March

Cutty Sark

Children Learning to Succeed

Maths, English, 11+ Preparation Vicky Barnett BA, MSc, PGCE 020 8876 2553 www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Cutty Sark Characters Come aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s incredible stories brought to life by characters from the ship’s past. Meet Captain Woodget, the ship’s most daring master, Jock Willis, the man who built Cutty Sark, Nannie, the ship’s figurehead, and the ship’s cook, James Robson, who all have an extraordinary story to tell Every weekend in March Musical Statues Help bring to life the colourful characters in Cutty Sark's figurehead collection by making a fabulous headdress to wear in a game of musical statues. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-4pm 7-8 March

Firepower Royal Artillery Museum Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18 6ST www.firepower.org.uk In Their Own Words A new exhibition about the Great War bringing to life artillerymen of different nations, through extracts from their diaries, letters home and photographs Throughout March

The Royal Observatory Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory Out of This World Activity Mornings Join the Greenwich astronomers as they explore comets and look at the ongoing mission of the Rosetta spacecraft, with a planetarium show, workshops and entry to the historic Meridian Courtyard and Flamsteed House.10am-12.30pm, £5 30-31 March

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Queen Elizabeth, Barnes SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk Winter Birdwatching Walk Our coldest season is a wonderful time to visit WWT London Wetland Centre, with the colourful winter birds decked out in their finest plumage 7 March Star Gazing Evening Expand your horizons by discovering more about the stars and planets in our solar system and the galaxies beyond, 6.30pm-8.30pm, £10 18 March Family Bird Watching Find out more about goldeneye, pintail, goosander and red-breasted merganser, as well as the usual flocks of exotic looking ducks such as teal and shoveler. £3 plus admission, 11.30am-1pm 21 March

Diary dates & events See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Pump House Gallery SW11 4NJ www.pumphousegallery.org.uk Every Sunday to 29 March.

Free family workshops Throughout The First Humans exhibition, join the Pump House at these free family workshops led by practicing artists. Drop in and get hands on with a range of materials and techniques. 11.30am–3.30pm

Royal Opera House WC2E 9DD www.roh.org.uk Every Sunday in March. Family Sundays A regular event for families to come and explore the Royal Opera House, its artists and the world of opera and ballet. Packed full of creative and practical activities for all the family including informal performances from Royal Ballet dancers, plus interactive singing and dance activities. 12–4pm, £5 adults, £3 children

French Coffee Morning Contact Teresa at info@leclubtricolore or 020 7924 4649 / 07889 967003 Every Wednesday morning in March Get together ‘between the Commons’ for coffee and to speak French for an hour. Lively discussions on a topic (articles are distributed in advance) and a great opportunity to practise your French

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

What’s On

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

345 is proud to be entering its 32nd year as an independent nursery school where 'children become independent, inquisitive and motivated in a rich and vibrant environment' (Ofsted).

An exceptionally warm welcome and a very large outdoor space awaits every child. We also have Music, Sport and Spanish plus Playball, Relax Kids and Ballet in afternoon clubs.

Please do visit us to capture some of the children's excitement in learning.

Contact: Annabel Dixon 345nurseryschoolwandsworth@gmail.com www.345 nurseryschool.co.uk 020 8870 8441 Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3NH

Science Family Day, John Burns Primary School

NCT Wimbledon & Wandsworth www.nct.org.uk/branches/Wimbledon Coffee, Me and Baby. Every other Wednesday in March, 2pm onwards at The Old Frizzle, Wimbledon.

Come along and meet new and expectant mums in the area over a relaxing cup of coffee Breastfeeding Drop-in. Every Thursday in March, 10am–12pm, Gooseberry Bush Café (upstairs studio), Wimbledon SW19 1LT

Dulwich Picture Gallery SE21 7AD dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk First and last Sunday in March.

Family Sundays Enjoy being creative together in these drop-in Artplay sessions, making everything from bunting to block prints. 2.10pm and 3.10pm, no booking necessary, free for families with a Gallery ticket or £3 per child

appropriately and get stuck in to an enjoyable family activity that will also benefit your local park and teach your children some gardening know-how. Meet at the Community Greenhouses, 10.30am-12.30pm

NEW AND SECOND-HAND SKI CLOTHES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN SKISUITS, JACKETS, SALOPETTES, GLOVES, SNOWBOOTS, GOGGLES, HELMETS, ETC. At 22 Northbourne Road, Clapham, SW4 7DJ

BFI Southbank W1T 1LN www.bfi.org.uk 8 March. Mukhsin Family screening of this lyrical and beautifully presented film, with a refreshing take on the universal themes of friendships and first love. 1pm

www.skiderouge.com

Any enquiries ring Libby de Rougemont on

020 7720 4871 / 07939 051220 libbyderouge@hotmail.co.uk Do come and bring friends

Putney Embankment Art and Craft Market The Embankment, Putney (Between the Thai Square Restaurant and Thames Place) www.facebook.com/artonputneyembankment 1 March and 5 April An exciting market showcasing a range of arts and crafts such as paintings, sculpture and photography, wood carvings and furniture from established and emerging artists. 10am–4pm

Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses

March 2015

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BFI Southbank Mukhsin 15 March. Home Film Funday preview of Home. When Earth is taken over by the overly-confident Boov, an alien race in search of a new place to call home, all humans are promptly relocated. 1pm 15 March. Funday Workshop Create an intergalactic adventure with your very own alien race in this animation workshop to accompany the screening of Home. Free to ticket holders of Home, 11am

NCT Putney & Fulham www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com 11 and 25 March.

Fulham FC coffee morning 10am–12pm at Cafe at the Cottage, Fulham Football Club, Stevenage Road SW6 6HH. Join Debs if you’re new to the area, starting to get out with your baby or just need an excuse for a well-deserved cup of coffee 11 and 25 March. Putney new mums' group 10.30am–12.30pm at Tried and True Cafe, Upper Richmond Road SW15 6SP. Contact sophie.bartholomew@gmail.com

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Dulwich Road SE24 0PA www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk 4 March. World Book Day celebration Bring your favourite storybook (ideally with a garden or nature theme) to share at this story-sharing session followed by a trail around the gardens to find some famous book characters hiding in the undergrowth. A range of book-inspired craft activities will also be available. Free, drop-in event. Donations welcome.

10.30-11.30am 7 March. Nature Explorers A monthly nature club designed for ages 7-12 and their carers. New members always welcome. Requested donation £2 per child. 10am-12noon 15 March. Bath Bags and Bouquets for Mother’s Day Come to this drop-in event to make mum a beautiful herbal bath bag or pretty paper bouquet for Mother’s Day. £2.50 per child, 10am-12noon 21 March. National Science Week Family Event Why do seeds grow? How do plants transport water?

How strong are eggs? What does a bee look like under a microscope? All these questions and many more answered at this family drop-in event in honour of National Science Week. £3 per family, 10.30am-12.30pm 22 March. Junior Dig the Park The final chance to participate in these family volunteering sessions until Autumn 2015. Dress

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What’s On Youth Circus Experience Days National Centre for Circus Arts, Coronet Street N1 6HD www.nationalcircus.org.uk 7 March Turn your youngsters into performing monkeys at these circus skills workshops teaching everything from juggling and diabolo to tightwire walking and trapeze.

Age 8-16, 2.30pm, book in advance £55

First Aid for Life Balham and Westminster firstaidforlife.org.uk 13 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

Landmark Arts Centre TW11 9NN www.landmarkartscentre.org 13 March. Classical Babies Relax and enjoy classical music by professional musicians in a baby friendly environment. Soft blankets available to roll around on and babies can make as much noise as they like. 11–11.45am (families and babies up to 3 yrs), £10 adult, babies free. Contact Nadine Andre 07732 058705, info@classicalbabies.com, www.classicalbabies.com 21 March. Kids’ Art Club Using Robert Browning's poem ‘The Year's at the Spring’ as inspiration, create a picture incorporating drawing, decoupage and paint. Fully supervised,

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There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk fun workshop. Limited places, so early booking essential. £12 per child, 10am12pm, 5-11 years

Mum2Mum Market Nearly New Sale Ricards Lodge High School, Lake Road, Wimbledon SW19 7HB www.mum2mummarket.co.uk 21 March and 18 April Buy or sell quality baby and kids goods at this pop-up indoor market. 43 stalls under one roof with thousands of kids bargains at a fraction of the high street price. Admission £2, kids free, 2-4pm

Science Family Day John Burns Primary School, Wycliffe Road SW11 5QR www.sciencefamilyday.com A fun packed afternoon of science for all the family. See Scotty’s Science Circus or try your hands at experiments, the Detective Trail and the Family Engineering Challenge. Aimed at families with children aged 3-11, entry £3 per child, £2.50 siblings, adults free. 1.305.30pm 21 March

Little Folk with Albo Concerts Colour House Theatre, Merton Abbey Mills, Watermill Way SW19 2RD www.littlefolkwithalbo.com / www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk 21 March Recommended for children from babies to 5 years, 10.30am-11.15am, tickets £5, call 020 8542 5511 or book online

Little Folk with Albo

Fulham Palace SW6 6EA fulhampalace.org Every Monday in March. The Palace Explorers For children aged 2-4. £3 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack.

Booking essential, 10.30am-12pm 22 March. Museum Drop-In: Tudors Try on period costume, handle artefacts and learn about the history of the Palace.

All ages welcome. Free, no booking necessary, 2pm-3.30pm

The Art of the Brick Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane E1 6QL www.trumanbrewery.com To 12 April Gawp at artworks made entirely of Lego.

Includes large-scale recreations of famous artworks such as Da Vinci's Mona Lisa

and the Venus de Milo as well as many original pieces including a six-metre long T-Rex skeleton constructed from over 80,000 bricks. Then head to the Interactive Zone to build your own mini masterpiece. £8-£16.50

RHS Great London Plant Fair RHS Lindley Hall, SW1P 2QW / RHS Lawrence Hall SW1P 2QD www.rhs.org.uk 14-15 April A vibrant celebration of spring with nurseries and trade stands bursting with colour, plants and flowers for sale. Stock up on plants and take home tips and advice from a full programme of talks on spring flowers given by the growers themselves.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

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Reliable Handyman

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• Garden maintenance and building work (fences, patios, sheds, etc..)

• Jobs around the house (carpentry, painting, fitting furniture, etc…)

• Upcycling furniture and Shabby Chic items available £20/hour.

Call Brian: 0774 513 6424

Face Painting & Balloon Modelling Contact Susie 07814 925462 www.magicaldesigns.co.uk

Ly d i e

Classified Public Speaking

Speech & Drama, Confidence Building Wimbledon/Vauxhall.

Clare Price. LGSM, LLAM

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

CHILDCARE

C h i l d r e n’ s Pa r t i e s 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

TUITION

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

HEALTH

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Clown Pirate Jester Wizard

Friendly, experienced and qualified teacher of children 6+ and adults.

www.charlietheclown.co.uk

Home visits possible.

07808 732 390

Mark Lester MA, CT ABRSM

020 8870 7830 www.marklester.biz

Astronaut, Magician, Explorer

PAINTING & DECORATING THEO THE MAGICIAN “Voted one of the UK’s Favourite The Magic Circle, Equity & CRB Fun Magic for Children & Adults

07711 724129 www.magictheo.com

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

VACANCY

John:- James & Lamont

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

Earn Extra Money?

Capital Focus Groups are looking for people to take part in Market Research and give their opinion on a variety of subjects.

If you would like to earn extra cash please call Liz on 07761 128059 or e-mail e.dahlgren@btinternet.com

March 2015

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