Families Upon Thames Mar-Apr 2013

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upon Thames

March/April 2013 Issue 87

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March-April 2013

Motivate - Inspire - Achieve

Sunday morning sports for boys and girls of all abilities

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Mother’s Sunday March10th Day

Just for you!

Reclaiming Your Identity By Saffron Power

You’re driving your kids home from school. You’re exhausted, they are fighting in the back and, to top it all, you realise you’ve forgotten to take the chicken out of the freezer for dinner. You can’t remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep or did anything for yourself. You look in the mirror and you no longer recognise yourself. Oh, wait a minute, that’s right - you’re a mum. Yes, it IS the best job in the world but it is also the most selfless, all-consuming and exhausting.

But you ARE important too. So, this Mother’s Day, give yourself a gift. Just a small amount of time each week to reclaim your identity.

This is what happened when Claire (35), from Cobham, did just that.

Whilst never slim, it was after having children that Claire piled on weight that she couldn’t shift. Embarrassed, she avoided social situations with people she didn’t know and her self-esteem and confidence plummeted.

“Although I was a good mum and I loved my children, I was miserable” she says. “I was unrecognisable even to myself and couldn’t believe my husband still loved me, even though he said he did. I hated what I had become.”

Claire kept coming across instructors from the local branch of The Great British Martial Arts Academy (GBMAA) in town. “They asked if I’d like to try a class. I thought they were mad – surely they could see there was no way I could physically manage it?”

Eventually, something about the non-judgemental and supportive manner of these instructors, made Claire agree to try a

class. She cancelled her first, second and third free trial, but the instructors wouldn’t let her give up on herself. “I eventually got there and was made to feel so welcome” she reports.

“The women in the class were just normal people! In my head I’d turned them into super fit, super slim, super women. Initially, I just walked through the warm up and stretching, but afterwards I felt great! I’d taken the first step to getting fit. What I didn’t expect was the profound improvement in my sense of self. Gradually, I started to feel confident and positive for the first time in ages. Although it sounds dramatic, these classes changed my life. My kids and husband are so much happier because I’ve got more energy and more patience too.”

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flowers, foliage and even a butterfly! For those with a smaller budget, there are also cute Choc & Sock Bouquets and Fizzing Feet Bouquets in various designs.

For more mature mums, consider the Thinking of You Bouquet. Also beautifully presented, this is full of practical relaxation goodies including an eye mask, fragrance sachet, soap and snuggle socks.

Say It Personally’s new 2013 range also includes unusual gift ideas like Deluxe ChilliChocolate, Mum’s Coffee Time, and the tongue-in-cheek Hiccupping Housework.

If you are buying for an expectant mum, you can make her very first Mother’s Day extra

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special by choosing something from the Say It Personally range of baby gifts and bouquets, like the Sunshine Bouquet, which was finalist of the Gift of the Year 2013 awards.

Priding themselves on fantastic customer service and attention to detail, Say It Personally has a great range for any occasion – babies, birthdays and beyond – all hand-finished and beautifully presented.

To check out the above gifts and others, visit www.sayitpersonally.co.uk

For gift s with a personal touch!

Call: (01482) 638355

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GBMAA runs Women’s Only KickFit/Self Defense classes in Surrey which are tailored to suit YOU. It welcomes all fitness levels and all women and sees its role as helping each one feel confident and fit. Classes will assist you to lose weight, tone up - and have fun! Enjoy a free Mother’s Day gift from GBMAA Cobham. Just contact them and mention this article for 50% off joining fees! For more information, visit www.gbacademies.co.uk

Ideal Gifts for Mum

Wondering what to buy for Mother’s Day? Forget saying it with flowers. Say it Personally instead with an original, quality gift that will make the occasion extra special and be delivered right to your door.

This Deluxe Sock Bouquet which looks like a stunning bouquet of flowers, unwraps to reveal 5 pairs of ladies’ ankle socks in pretty shades of maroon, pale pink and cream, with hearts and polka dot design. The bouquet is made up with silk

A fantastic range of hand-crafted gift sets and “alternative bouquets” for any occasion.

Babies, birthdays and beyond...

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www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

New Year New You!

Surely this is the only excess weight you want to carry?

Then get in shape and stay in shape with simple, fast and delicious fat-burning meal plans that will give you energy and vitality!

A Personal Wellness Coach will help you meet goals and stay motivated.

Call Nevil on 07989 898 453 or 020 8432 9427 or e: nevil@nkenterprises.co.uk www.thinkslimntrim.co.uk March-April 2013

FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLBEING What exactly is Life Coaching and how can it help mothers?

Hannah Ashenden explains

Many more of us are turning to life coaching at difficult or transitional periods of our lives because it helps us discover, understand and overcome personal obstacles and challenges and choose new actions and beliefs that support us in creating the lives we want. Many mothers are drawn to coaching when they feel that the success and self-development they crave are being sabotaged.

The culprit? Deep-rooted behavioural patterns and negative beliefs that they just can’t seem to shift.

Emilia, a talented classical musician, wanted to set up a weekly music workshop for toddlers, enabling her to continue with her music and simultaneously care for her 2-year-old son.

However, taking time off to raise him had undermined her professional confidence, and her fear of returning to work had resulted in procrastination and, ultimately, deep frustration.

Through coaching, Emilia discovered that some of her biggest fears were triggered by seemingly insignificant events in the past (such as a passing comment from a school teacher), which, over a number of years, had led to the development of strong, negative self-beliefs.

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5 Reasons Why Exercise Improves Fitness and Eliminates Fat!

By Lorna Andrews Having examined these past events and the negative beliefs, Emilia realised that neither bore any relevance to who she was now. This released her to move forward with her life and choose more empowering beliefs.

Creating her workshop business then became about following her instincts and truly being herself, rather than feeling frozen by her own inadequacies. Emilia was able to enjoy building her business and now runs 3 successful workshops per week.

Joanne, mum of 3, really relished the list of “actions” set at the end of her life coaching sessions. Each step forward was broken into ‘bitesize chunks’ which meant that success was achievable even when she felt completely overloaded at home. Taking pride in small accomplishments gave her the confidence to continue, leading to an accumulation of successes, and ultimately to her completing her Feldenkreis training and setting up as a paid practitioner. She says, “Life coaching taught me how to take a step back from everything and really listen to myself - to find the quiet centre amongst the chaos and take action from there.”

Hannah Ashenden runs Coaching For Mums.

For further information about how Life Coaching can help you overcome obstacles in your life, visit www.coachingformums.net contact Hannah PP_FFF_fly_1_06_12.pdf 1 and 31/05/2012 16:35 for a FREE telephone consultation.

Burning Calories 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise burns 300 to 400 calories.

A brisk walk burns around 200 calories. So exercising for half an hour, every other day will help burn approximately 1,000 extra calories a week. Over a month, this is 3,500 calories which equates to 1lb of fat!

To ensure you are exercising at an effective ‘calorie burning’ pace, you should find yourself breathing more deeply and feeling warm.

Raise Your Metabolic Rate Exercise raises the metabolic rate so the body continues to burn calories even after you stop. The longer your heart beats faster, the longer this ‘after-burn’ goes on. For example, after a 30 minute aerobic session, you probably burn another 100 calories during recovery.

Build lean muscle tissue If you try to lose weight without exercising, you will lose lean tissue, which is not good for your health and lowers your metabolic rate, making weight loss harder. A US study showed that a group of people who were asked to diet but not exercise lost about 3.5kgs of lean muscle, whereas another other group who dieted and exercised, lost virtually none. In other words, the weight lost by the exercising group was virtually all fat, whilst that lost by the non-exercising group was less fat and more muscle.

Burn fat, don’t store it!

A low-calorie diet without exercise will encourage your body to go into ‘fat-storing’ mode. Exercising can prevent this and speed up the rate at which fat is burned.

Become fitter, burn more!

For the unfit, tolerance for exercise is low and so the ability to burn calories is limited. As fitness improves, pace increases, resulting in far more calories being burned every minute for the same level of effort.

You will also be able to exercise for longer. So getting in good shape not only makes you feel better but also enables your body to burn more calories during exercise.

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Lorna Andrews is a Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club Leader who runs classes in Sunbury, Hampton, Teddington, Whitton and Twickenham. For more information, call 020 8941 8143 or email lorna.andrews@rosemaryconley.com

Motivational Coaching

Building their foundation for life

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If you are concerned about your child’s confidence, behaviour or motivation and are worried that they are not fulfilling their true potential at school then you may be looking to give your child support and encouragement.

If so call us to discuss your child’s unique needs.

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Jules: 07789 264803 Rowan: 07973 340785 Email: info@yellow-brickroad.co.uk Visit our website for more information

www.yellow-brickroad.co.uk March-April 2013

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FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLBEING A Gentle Yet Effective Approach to Managing Back Pain

By Jeannie Di Bon It is estimated that 4 out of 5 adults will experience back pain at some stage in their lives. It is often hard to pinpoint the exact cause of lower back pain, leading to anxiety for the sufferer. Such anxiety causes the back muscles to tense more, leading to more discomfort and a negative spiral. Our bodies naturally want to protect us from pain, so back pain sufferers can start to avoid movements and activities that seem (rightly or wrongly) to cause the pain.

Reassuringly, less than 1% of back pain cases are caused by a serious spinal pathology and, sometimes, simply knowing that can ease the symptoms.

(However, please do consult your own GP if you have any concerns regarding your symptoms.)

If you do visit your GP with lower back pain, exercise may be recommended.

BackCare, the Charity for Healthier Backs, advises that the best way of coping with back pain and preventing it from worsening is to stay active. This can be as simple as making a small change to your daily routine, for instance, walking rather than driving the children to school. Bed rest can actually make the situation worse. Just two days in bed can weaken bones, stiffen joints,

6 Week Beginner/Intermediate Running Courses

Starting From Hampton Court Train Station Beginners – £32 Taking you up to 5km Intermediates – £42 Taking you from 5-10km Contact Helen 07734 263 842 info@runningfitcoaching.co.uk www.runningfitcoaching.co.uk

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! FREE COPIES OF “THE BACK BIBLE” BY DR JENNY SUTCLIFFE Published by Bloomsbury We have 4 copies of this brand new book to giveaway. Each book is worth £12.99 and is a must-have family reference packed with proven, practical approaches to caring for your back throughout your life.

The book provides a breakdown of the different types of back pain, when to see a doctor, and a run-down of the problems that can affect your back, neck, and shoulders.

Dozens of self-help measures are covered, including general back care, exercise routines, sleeping posture and the benefits of heat/hydro therapy and self-massage. There is also extensive advice on managing back pain and what to expect from conventional medical care. To enter, please go to www.familiesuponthames.co.uk/competitions

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atrophy muscles and make pain feel worse.

A prescribed Pilates exercise programme, ideally from a Back4Good practitioner, is an effective and proven way to manage chronic lower back pain. A specialist BackCare class will work on specific postures, with strong emphasis on the controlled and accurate performance of functional everyday movements. Relaxation techniques are key and gentle movements slowly rebuild confidence. Ultimately, through safe and functional movement, such classes can shift beliefs that movement causes pain, allowing sufferers to enjoy a range of activities again.

We have been running small Back4Good mat classes at Creattiva Pilates for almost 2 years, with some amazing results - from the ability to resume playing golf, to the simple joy of playing with our children without pain.

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Jeannie Di Bon is the founder of Creattiva Pilates, a fully equipped Pilates studio in Esher. She is a Back4Good Practitioner registered with the BackCare Charity.

To learn more visit www.creattivapilates.com

Finding a Gym that Works for You Finding a gym that suits you isn’t always easy, but, as trainer Bryony Ganf explains, it’s ultimately worth the effort.

Gyms are often overcrowded, noisy and brightly lit. Wall to ceiling mirrors display the bits we’d rather weren’t on show, as well as, unfortunately, the toned abs and thighs of the gym regulars. This can add up to an intimidating experience and feeling inadequate, uncomfortable and demotivated hardly encourages you to embrace a fitness regime.

No wonder Britons waste £37 million every year on gym memberships and fitness classes they don’t attend.

What is Right For You? Here’s what you should consider when signing up or continuing with a gym membership: l Does the gym offer members on-going advice and support in the areas of lifestyle, nutrition and exercise? l Is there a variety of equipment, including a selection of non-machine based kits such as Kettle Bells and suspension training? l Do you feel comfortable in the environment, particularly at the times of day you will want to be there?

Setting Goals If you haven’t previously achieved your fitness goals, you either need to change what you are doing or set more realistic goals.

A quality personal training studio will help you do this.

If your goal is fat loss, your plan must include lifestyle, nutrition and exercise components.

Miss out any one

www.familiesuponthames co.uk

of these 3 elements and your hard work and money could be wasted. Achieving sustainable weight loss involves a complete lifestyle change, not a 12 week eating plan. The area of nutrition can is a minefield and you need sound guidance. Remember, you can’t out-train a poor diet.

If the long hours of cardio you’ve been putting in aren’t leading to a leaner physique or sustained weight loss, ask a gym team member to help you explore effective exercises. For example, lifting weights is excellent for fat loss, increasing metabolism and lean muscle tissue. This is exactly what you need to shift the pounds, and keep them off.

If you are not getting results, ask for help.

Most trainers, including me, love to be asked ‘I’m exercising loads but not seeing results.

Where am I going wrong?’ ‘What is the best exercise for fat loss?’ ‘What is the best post-exercise meal?’

So start today! If you sign up with the right gym now, it’s entirely possible that you will achieve your goals in a couple of months and won’t need a year’s gym membership.

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Bryony Ganf is the owner of Quest Fitness, a NEW bespoke personal training and wellbeing studio at 11 Campbell Road, Twickenham, TW2 5BY. For further information, email info@quest-fitness.co.uk March-April 2013

FAMILY HEALTH AND WELLBEING There is increasing evidence that homeopathy can be effective in the management of emotional and behavioural conditions in children.

Melissa Wakeling (DI Hom Practitioner MARH RHom CEASE Therapist) tells us more

Cases of children diagnosed with behavioural conditions such as attentiondeficit-disorder, (ADD) attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are increasing.

The reason for this is not yet known, but viral infections, birth trauma, genetic factors, vaccines and environmental toxins have all been suspected. Treatment options are currently limited and autism, in particular, is classified as a lifelong condition.

Recent studies show that homeopathy, which treats the whole individual rather than isolated symptoms and gives emotional and behavioural traits prime consideration, can be beneficial in treating depression.

Whilst not officially recognised as a therapy for childhood psychological problems, many families are finding that homeopathy is

helpful when treating children with a range of emotional problems including ADHD, temper tantrums, shyness and anxiety.

Benjamin’s story is an interesting example.

Benjamin was diagnosed as autistic at age 3.

His parents described him as living in ‘his own little world,’ emotionally disconnected from his family. He made repetitive movements with his legs which increased at night and interrupted his sleep. Benjamin’s tantrums could last hours during which time he was ‘unreachable’ and he had also taken many courses of antibiotics for his recurrent chest and ear infections. Benjamin was given a homeopathic remedy that matched all his symptoms and a detox treatment for antibiotics to be taken over a period of 8 weeks.

At his follow-up appointment, Benjamin’s parents reported that he was less disconnected, held eye-contact and had fewer tantrums. He was

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Melissa Wakeling owns and runs Teddington Homeopathy and is a CEASE Therapist. She treats all family members, with a special interest in babies and children. For more information, visit www.teddingtonhomeopathy.com For advice on how homeopathy can help behavioural disorders, visit www.homeopathyplus.com.au/reversing-autism and www.cease-therapy.com

Endometriosis and Your Fertility Dr Sebastian Renz (MRCGP DFFP) provides an insight into the symptoms and treatment of endometriosis and how it can affect fertility.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue (endometrium) normally lining the womb (or uterus) grows outside, on and around the pelvic and abdominal organs and it is most often associated with heavy and/ or abnormal menstrual flow and painful periods. Over 1.5 million women are affected by endometriosis in the UK. As far as we know, the problem is hereditary.

Endometriosis and fertility Endometriosis can cause infertility, depending on how the disease has affected the

much calmer and sleeping better and, although he had one ear infection, it didn’t require antibiotics. Benjamin was treated with homeopathy over a period of 8 months during which his health continued to improve.

Homeopathic ‘remedies’, are non-toxic and safe to use even for very young children and, unlike some conventional medicines for behavioural difficulties, there are no side-effects. Homeopathy believes the remedies work by gently triggering the body’s natural system of healing, facilitating improvements in general well-being, as well as physical health. CEASE Therapists are homeopaths who are specially trained and certified to treat adults and children on the autistic spectrum.

reproductive organs. In some cases the fallopian tubes can become blocked which causes damage to the ovaries, making conception increasingly difficult and causing infertility.

Consult your doctor, if you: l Struggle with painful and heavy periods l Have chronic pelvic pain l Experience pain during sexual intercourse l You cannot get pregnant Symptoms can vary in severity depending on where the endometriosis has implanted and how long you have had the condition.

Diagnosis and treatment Endometriosis is diagnosed by excluding other conditions, with similar symptoms, such as fibroids. It requires a thorough assessment by

a GP or gynaecologist who will discuss your symptoms and conduct a pelvic examination, ultrasound scan and/or blood tests. Once all other causes have been excluded, the final diagnosis can, unfortunately, only be made with a laparoscopy or key-hole surgery, during which a doctor will establish whether endometrial tissue has developed outside of the womb, with the help of a camera. If such tissue is found, it can be treated at the time the laparoscopy is undertaken.

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Dr Renz is a gynaecologist at Richmond Practice where specialist integrated family health care is available Monday to Saturday with late evening appointments. For more information or to book an appointment, visit www.richmondpractice.co.uk

Join our Open Evening on April 18th l Learn more about teeth whitening l Find out about fast & invisible braces

Call 01784 454899 or pop in between 5pm - 9pm!

l Book a FREE 15 min consultation l Exclusive offers on the night l Join us for nibbles & a chat

01784 454899 March-April 2013

Thorpe Road . Staines . TW18 3EQ

www.thorpeleadental.com www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

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parenting

SAFE INDEPENDENCE Linda Craig tells us how to ensure this for your child

We can’t wrap our children in cotton wool forever, but we do want them to be safe. So it’s important to realise that personal safety is a skill that can be learnt and that most

risks can be minimised with proper awareness and suitable guidelines.

To improve their safety, children need to learn about safe independence.

TOP TIPS FOR SAFETY ON THE STREET ! Keep your mobile phone out of sight when walking home as someone may try to take it from you. If they do, just give it to them, as your safety is more important than any object. ! Walk in the middle of the pavement and facing oncoming traffic whenever possible. This will avoid any cars driving up alongside you. If you can’t avoid it and a car does stop beside you, turn and walk quickly in the other direction.

! Stay alert - Keep an eye on everything that is happening around you. ! Avoid wearing earphones or chatting on your mobile phone - this may distract you from seeing or hearing potential trouble in time to avoid it.

! Stick to busy routes where there are lots of people and avoid alleyways, deserted parks and badly-lit areas. ! Think about where you could go if you felt scared or threatened. Safe places could be local shops or garages, the houses of friends, the police station or anywhere there will be lots of people.

It’s hard for parents when children start going it alone – whether it’s walking to school on their own for the first time or meeting their friends in town at weekends. It’s important that children learn about personal safety well before this stage and you can begin to teach them from a young age. The next time you are out together, try asking them “What if…?” questions, such as “What would you do if you got lost?” and then talking through the answer together. Discuss the safest route home and why, e.g.

Is it usually lit well with lots of people around? Does it avoid quiet alleyways or parks?

Teach them to plan ahead if they are going anywhere. They should ask themselves the following questions: l How am I going to get there and back? l Have I told someone where I am going? l Do I know a “safe place” where I can go if I feel unsafe or need help?

This “safe place” could be a relative’s house, local shop, police station or anywhere there are lots of people.

Knowing how to stay safe

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Linda Craig works for the Suzy Lamplugh Trust which works to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety in order to help people to avoid violence and aggression and live safer, more confident lives. For further information and to download a Parents Handbook, visit www.suzylamplugh.org/tips

PROTECTING YOUR CHILD FROM ONLINE HARASSMENT The problems that threaten children’s safety safety in real life, can, unfortunately, follow them online. If you are a parent, it’s essential to protect your child from online harassment by controlling his or her online presence and the visibility of his or her personal information.

Here are some simple steps you can take towards protecting your child from cyberstalkers and online bullies: Keep your information private Never share information about your child’s online activities with other parents or children, including gaming names or usernames/passwords, as they could be used against them.

extra 0800 849 6334 / 07584 473784

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will help your child feel and look more confident. Encourage them to walk tall, to hold their head up and pay attention to what is going on around them. Explain that the sooner they spot potential trouble, the easier it is to avoid it. For the same reason, discourage them from wearing headphones or talking on their mobiles whilst walking down the street because this will distract them from their surroundings and may prevent them from seeing or hearing potential danger.

It’s important that children are not given the message that it is only “strangers” that they should beware of, as this could make them think that everyone else, no matter how little they ‘know’ them, is safe.

Teach them they should never go anywhere with anyone, even if they know them, unless it has been ‘cleared’ with their parent or guardian beforehand.

Finally, encourage your children to trust their instincts. Stress that if they feel something is wrong, then they should move away from the person or situation that is causing them to feel like that as soon as possible, and head for a safe place – even if it might appear rude!

Remember, the earlier a child learns about personal safety, the better they will become at recognising and avoiding risk as they grow in independence.

Do not respond Teach your children not to respond to cyberbullying attacks.

Contributing to the conversation often escalates the harassment.

Keep a record Download and save all abusive messages to report to school officials and, if necessary, the police.

Contact your provider By contacting your internet service provider, you can report the code of conduct violations and seek action against the bully.

Online protection Use filtering and blocking software as a part of a comprehensive approach to online safety, but understand software programs alone will not prevent cyberbullying.

The information in this article was provided by ZoneAlarm, a leading provider of computer and Internet security software for home and small business computers and networks. For more information, visit www.zonealarm.com March-April 2013

parenting

Creating a more

Harmonious Family Life

By Karen Henfrey

Is your home tranquil or turbulent? Here are some ways of bringing more harmony and relaxation into your family life.

Relaxation Techniques Colour wash Practice this technique and then teach it to your kids. Imagine the colour that is most soothing to you and visualise breathing it in very gently; imagine this gorgeous colour swirling beautifully and calmly around your body filling you with lightness and peace.

Continue this visualisation for 2 or 3 minutes.

Pause!

Stop for 5 minutes between activities to give your brain and body a chance to change pace, before moving on to whatever comes next. Both you and those around you will feel the benefit and you are role modelling effective energy management for your children. This will be essential for them in their adult lives.

Re-Organise “Do less and be more” Is your life full of play dates, after school clubs and homework commitments? Are you and the family spending more time out of your house than in it? Are family members doing everything separately and having little time at home together just relaxing?

Take action: Grab the diary and schedule in some “downtime” for you and the family, a time for you all just to “be” – be slower, be calmer, be quieter.

Remove one or two non-essential diary dates from your own schedule so that you can be at home with the children, have a cuddle or an extra story, have more time to help them with their homework or enjoy a really good chat.

Introduce more routines!

School bags During term time, lost uniform or missing sports kit can make parents feel instantly pressured and overloaded, with the result that children become stressed too. Talk to your kids about getting into the routine of emptying school bags at the end of the day and re-packing them for the next day. It takes around 30 days to establish new routines but, once they are working smoothly, last minute stresses are relieved.

Stressful mornings Are you always scrabbling around to get you and the family out of the door on time in the morning?

Set your alarm clock 10 minutes earlier. This will build in time for “dithering” which can be so stressful if we are on a very tight schedule. After the initial moans and groans, this WILL get the day off to a more positive start.

Switch Off! Take a techno break Switch off mobile phones, televisions and i-pads and enjoy half an hour or more reading with the children or listening to music or an audio story.

Kids’ uniform going astray?

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Karen Henfrey owns and runs the Chrysalis Family Wellbeing Consultancy in Chertsey, which offers family coaching sessions and holistic relationship courses. Karen would like to offer a free relaxation CD suitable for all family members age 3 and over to the first person to call her having read this article! (Offer expires 31.03.13.)

For more information, visit www.chrysalisparenting.co.uk

Would you like to become an even better parent than you already are?

Parenting Tutor offers workshops and private coaching sessions in which you can learn how to respond to the needs of your family and avoid or manage confrontation.

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March-April 2013

Add to the bath a couple of drops of chamomile roman essential oil or lavender oil in an egg cup of milk and mix in thoroughly. This will calm the minds of your children and ease them into relaxation mode.

balloon. Throw it high into the air. The aim is for all the family to laugh for the whole time the balloon remains in the air. Try this 3 times. By the second time, you will really be laughing and getting some endorphins flooding through your bodies, energising and refreshing you all.

Improve Your Mood!

Are energy levels low or tensions running high?

Try this laughter exercise as a fun way to boost positivity. Find a large feather or large inflated Brought to you by

Keep tabs on their clothes...

Create a chill zone Create a space for yourself and the children with soft cushions, fleecy blankets to lie on and wrap yourself in, and soft toys, if appropriate. Snuggle down and listen to relaxation CDs. To really feel the benefits, make this a regular time in the week or incorporate it daily as a wind down before bedtime.

Wind down at bath time

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er t s a E family food&nutrition Food

Chocolate Easter Nests Easter wouldn’t be Easter without chocolate! Get the kids cooking up a storm with our easy Chocolate Easter Nest recipe.

Ingredients 200g Chocolate – Milk, Dark, or White 100g All Bran Mini Eggs Method • Break the chocolate into small pieces • Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir all the time. When the chocolate is melted, remove it from the heat.

• Gently stir in the All Bran. Be careful not to break it up too much.

• Spoon the mixture into your cupcake mould, leaving a dent in the top so it looks like a nest.

• Place three mini eggs in the dip in the nest • Place them in the fridge for an hour to set.

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Have a delicious Easter!

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For more recipes, inspiration and child-friendly cooking products, visit www.titchykitch.co.uk

How to be like Mary Berry! By Alison Pinto How is it that other mums always manage to bake something tempting for the school cake sale, whilst the thought just fills you with dread? The answer is that they probably already have the key cake making ingredients to hand, which is so much easier than having to charge to the supermarket for supplies. So here are my thoughts on kitchen essentials for cake making so that you too can bake to impress!

The first step is to source the following: a large bowl, a sieve, scales, an electric whisk (or strong arms!), a loaf tin and two round tins.

Secondly, try to keep a stock of the following essential ingredients: self-raising flour, soft margarine (not low fat), eggs, caster sugar and baking powder. Add to these some grease-proof paper, jam, cocoa and a lemon and there’s a whole variety of cakes you can whip up.

Thirdly, keep in mind that: • Some ingredients do have a shelf life, but if you make a cake fairly regularly you should be fine.

• Make sure you measure your ingredients accurately!

• Always use good quality cocoa or chocolate for chocolate cakes as you really can taste the difference.

All that leaves you to do is to get baking!

Why not get hold of a Mary Berry cookbook and try to make a different cake once a month, starting with a lemon drizzle cake, a victoria sandwich or a chocolate cake. To get you started, check out our blog at www.menus4mums.co.uk/toptips for a delicious lemon drizzle cake recipe – it makes a perfect treat for Mother’s Day or Easter!

extra

Alison Pinto owns and runs Menus4Mums, an online resource which helps parents ditch takeaways and ready meals, serve up tasty, healthy food for their families and save time and money in the kitchen. Find out more at www.menus4mums.co.uk and download a FREE 1 week sample meal plan.

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Braised Beef Casserole

If you are expecting company this Easter, it’s great to be able to prepare your meal in advance. Using a cheaper cut of meat means that a great quality casserole doesn’t have to cost the earth either. This braised beef casserole is a simple but tasty option which takes less than half an hour to prepare before cooking.

For 4 adults and 2 children you will need: 500g braising steak (or stewing steak) cut into 3-4 cm chunks 2 tbsp plain flour 2 tbsp olive oil 2 slices smoked streaky bacon finely chopped 6 carrots cut into 5 cm chunks 3 onions cut in quarters 300g mushrooms cut in quarters 200ml red wine 500ml beef stock 1 tsp dried thyme (or a sprig of fresh thyme) 2 bay leaves 1 sprig rosemary Freshly ground black pepper to season Method: • Preheat the oven to 160 C. Use all the flour to coat the braising steak. Heat the oil in a large casserole dish (we use a Le Creuset 30cm casserole) and cook the meat until it is brown on all sides. Remove from the dish and set aside.

• Fry the bacon in the same casserole for 2 minutes. Add the carrots and onions and fry for 2-3 minutes. By now, the bottom of the dish will look sticky and brown. Add the wine and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to deglaze it. Don’t worry if there are a few lumps at this stage.

• Add the rest of the ingredients and bring the casserole back to the boil.

• Cover with a tightly fitting lid and put in the oven for 2 hours, stirring half way through.

• Serve with mashed potatoes.

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This recipe was provided by The Claremont Road Kitchen. For more recipes, join their blog at www.theclaremontroadkitchen.com 10 10

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March-April 2013

. pre-school & childcare .

Nannies and child-minders: the same or different?

By Sarah-Jane Butler

There is often a perception that a nanny is superior to a child-minder. After all, a child-minder looks after your child alongside others in their home, whereas a nanny is personal to you, works in your home and, unless you have a nanny share, looks solely after your child and, often, your house as well.

Child-minders must be Ofsted registered and have certain childcare qualifications. Some nannies may have higher level qualifications than child-minders, such as an NNEB Level 3 in Childcare or a Childcare Degree.

However, many actually have no qualifications at all and, in some cases, little experience either.

Unlike child-minders, nannies

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are not regulated and don’t have to be registered or have any qualifications. All a nanny needs in order to care for children is a DBS (formerly CRB) check and even that doesn’t have to be up to date. A good nanny agency will ensure that your nanny has the right qualifications and/or experience and is appropriately screened. However, the rise of internet search sites often drives parents to find a nanny online in order to avoid agency fees. Unsuitable nannies can therefore slip through the net and may be much cheaper than a child-minder. Many parents also pay their nannies cash in hand without accounting to HMRC for the tax and national insurance they owe, so the savings overall may seem substantial. Do remember though that not paying tax or NIC is illegal and can carry substantial penalties if discovered.

Not only that, but it unfairly

deprives your nanny of any state benefits in the future.

If you decide to employ a nanny, do make sure she has the right skills, experience and/ or qualifications. However much money you save, there is really no advantage in 1:1 care in your own home if the nanny you employ is woefully inadequate or unsuited to the job.

extra

Sarah-Jane Butler is co-founder of Parental Choice, a one stop shop providing parents with advice and guidance on childcare, payroll and employment contracts for nannies and facts and information on flexible working.

For more information, please visit www.parentalchoice.co.uk

The Screening Processes of A Good Nanny Agency If you are selecting an agency to find a nanny for you, it’s vital to establish that it employs a robust screening policy.

A good agency will check and verify the ID, qualifications and references of ALL prospective nannies before placing them on its books. Whilst many CVs look impressive and appear to demonstrate that the candidate has the necessary skills, experience and qualifications, the importance of the face-to-face interview cannot be overestimated.

A good agency will always ask candidates to outline their education and previous work experience. This highlights both the candidate’s knowledge and passion for working with children, as well as building a rapport with the prospective nanny in order to match personalities and ensure a “good fit” for families.

Verifying written references is the next crucial step in the screening process. A good nanny agency will use this opportunity to find out information regarding a nanny’s suitability that may not be covered by written references, as well as clarifying the reference as a whole.

A pro-forma checklist of attributes and competencies will be cross checked against a nanny’s CV and the agency will ensure that the nanny has: ☛ A solid work history and the right training ☛ DBS (formally CRB check) ☛ Paediatric 1st Aid Certificate ☛ Nanny Insurance ☛ And is a non-smoker!

By Yvette Sagoe

A good nanny agency will verify originals of the DBS and Paediatric 1st Aid Certificates, the nanny insurance policy, and the following: ☛ Passport ☛ Driving license (including paper counterpart) ☛ 2 utility bills and a bank statement ☛ 2 written references ☛ Qualification and Training Certificates Don’t be afraid to check that the agency you are appointing complies with all the above requirements. The more scrupulous you are, the greater the chance you have of finding a wonderful nanny!

extra

Yvette Sagoe is the Director of Hopscotch Nanny Agency, a London-based agency which recruits and places nannies extensively in the Richmond area and in North Surrey.

For further information, visit www.hopscotchnannyagency.com

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

11 11

. pre-school & childcare .

What Exactly Does a Nanny Agency do?

Suzanne Moore from Premier Nannies answers some of my questions. includes advice and assistance with

How do you attract nannies to sign up with you?

Premier Nannies has built up good relationships with lots of nannies in the area over a period of 21 years. About 60% of our nannies are re-registrations, meaning we have placed them before and they come directly back to us. The other 40% come via our website or a recruitment site.

Do you interview all your nannies?

Yes. When I set up, many agencies didn’t interview their nannies, and I was one of the first to insist upon a face- to-face interview. We essentially ‘vet’ our nannies before our clients meet them, to save parents’ time and assure them of high quality and reliable childcare. This is one of the reasons why parents return to us time and time again.

When you first meet or talk to a nanny, what are you looking out for?

A well-presented, easy-to-read CV, outlining relevant qualifications. If they are coming from another nursery or nanny job, I will ask why they are leaving.

I also like to know exactly what it is that appeals to them about working with children.

What about references?

Parents want to know their children are receiving the best possible care, so checking references and qualifications is important. We check passports, driving licences, Visas, CRBs, Ofsted registration, first aid, and a minimum of 2 employment references..

Do you negotiate pay with the nanny?

Ultimately it is down to the client to negotiate pay but our service

this.

Who pays the nanny and what happens about taxes?

Clients pay their nannies directly.

We advise on a pay roll service to handle payments and notify clients of any contracts requiring signature.

What if a client is unhappy with a nanny you provide?

We offer a 6 week trial on a pro-rata refund or replacement basis. Our clients and nannies are rarely dissatisfied, but this offers them extra reassurance.

How do you charge?

We charge a one-off fee on a sliding scale, depending on how many days per week the client needs their nanny.

What follow up service do you offer?

We like to get to know our clients and our nannies and

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offer a personalised service and support network throughout their employment. Both clients and nannies can pick up the phone and talk to us whenever necessary.

Suzanne Moore is Director of Premier Nannies, one of the longest-established nanny agencies in Surrey, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year. Suzanne is pictured here with her granddaughter. For more information, visit www.premier-nannies.com

The Nanny Interview By Tanja Jelley The ‘nanny interview’ can be tricky to negotiate. It is a formal job interview, but it will generally take place in the comfortable, casual environment of your own home and this can disarm even the most experienced recruiter. The chances are that, whatever your initial intention, the interview will feel more like a casual chat. Don’t let this distract you from asking your intended questions and probing more deeply if necessary. It’s all too easy to talk and even share a joke with someone over a cup of tea, only to realise later that you have no idea whether they are up to the job or not.

Having said this, a great nanny will generally carry a portfolio full of relevant certificates and references so this provides a good starting place for discussion.

If you are struggling to come up with relevant questions, then consider this list which we send to our clients: ☛ What do you most like about working with children? ☛ What led you into this career? ☛ Tell me about your previous jobs and why you left each one? ☛ What are you looking for in your next position? ☛ What activities do you like to do with children (inside and outside the house)? ☛ How would you keep children occupied on a long, wet day? ☛ What areas are you talented in? (eg sports/creativity/cooking/ education) ☛ Can you give some examples of meals you would cook for different ages of children? ☛ Could you help my child with weaning/potty training/ table manners /reading and writing?

☛ Have you ever had to deal

with an emergency situations whilst caring for children? ☛ What are your views on discipline?

It’s very important that you are on the same page with this. ☛ Are you happy to babysit/ be flexible with hours (at a chargeable rate)?

Happy Interviewing!

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Tanja Jelley owns and runs Mortimer Nannies, a London-based nanny agency covering the areas of South West London and Surrey.

For more information, visit www.mortimernannies.co.uk

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. pre-school & childcare .

LOVE, LAUGHTER AND ENDLESS CREATIVITY! The Stuff that Exceptional Nannies are Made Of...

By Sarah Cozens

Being a nanny is neither a 9 to 5 job nor an easy pay check. As every parent knows, children can push you to the very limit of your patience every day and caring for them can be physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting.

Do you need childcare qualifications in order to be an exceptional nanny? Not necessarily, but, by the same token, I am not interested in people who simply “didn’t know what else to do.” There is a call for all nannies to be qualified, but there are some exceptional child carers that have personal qualities that cannot be learned and which no amount of qualifications can guarantee. Insisting on qualifications would push these child carers out of the market and this would be a great shame.

Such nannies have an almost innate ability to tune into what is going on around them, to take note of both the big picture and the

minute details and act accordingly. Nannies with this ability can often pre-empt the needs of others before they even arise, making it possible to step forward when pro-activity is required, blend into the background, if necessary, and switch between the two seamlessly and at a moment’s notice. These nannies react appropriately and quickly to ever changing circumstances and integrate themselves into the family unit, whilst, at the same time, respecting its privacy and staying detached from any personal issues with which it may be grappling.

These exceptional nannies excel as entertainers, educators, chefs and good listeners.They are brilliant multi-taskers who can feed a baby whilst helping an older child learn spellings for a test, and build a Lego car at the same time. They are endlessly creative, coming up with new ideas daily, whilst simultaneously keeping calm, having the patience to repeat things multiple times

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The new state-of-the-art day nursery offers a safe and stimulating environment for learning and growth and the picturesque scenery provides opportunities for children to observe the change of seasons first hand, and experience the significant benefits that come from playing and learning in the countryside.

With CCTV in every room and secure video door entry systems, parents can be assured that children are being cared for in a safe environment. The spacious outdoor play area incorporates safety surfacing, comprehensive climbing apparatus and a sensory garden.

Extra-curricular activities will include foreign language and music classes and horse riding, as well as trips and visit to places of interest.

Parents are invited to take

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Sarah Cozens owns and runs Nutkin Nannies, based in Chertsey. For further information, visit www.nutkinnannies.co.uk

NUTKIN NANNIES Professionals with the Personal Touch

part in nursery life and to attend various special events throughout the year, such as Sports Days, Halloween parties and Christmas plays.

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and conjuring up a catalogue of answers for realms of endless “Whys?”

Such a nanny is remembered when children grow up for being the person who could discipline them whilst showing them they were still loved: the one they came to for advice, for comfort and to have a laugh with, and most importantly, the person who never turned them down if they wanted a cuddle!

As a nanny, you are loco parentis. Your job is to enable parents to get to work on time and stress-free, safe in the knowledge that their children are well cared for and well-loved in their absence. As sad as it may be for parents to see their own children screaming for the nanny when she leaves at the end the day, it does mean that she is doing a wonderful job. This will have a lasting and positive effect on their children.

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13

. pre-school & childcare .

How will the proposed childcare reforms affect YOU?

By Sarah-Jane Butler

As a parent, it won’t have escaped your notice that, last month, the Government proposed a series of childcare reforms aimed at improving Early Years’ Education and relieving the burden of childcare costs for parents in this country.

So, put bluntly, what are the proposals? They include: All nursery workers and child-minders are to be better qualified with at least Grade C in Maths and English and Level 3 in Early Years’ Education.

If childcare providers have a higher level of qualified staff, then they will be able to operate with more children per adult: 1:4 for under 2s and 1:6 for under 3s.

Similar increase in ratios will also apply to child-minders.

Ofsted will become the sole arbiter of quality in the early years and it will be Ofsted, rather than the local authorities, that focusses on identifying under-performance.

Child-minder Agencies will be set up to relieve child-minders of the burden of setting up

their own businesses, whilst also providing training and matching of child-minders with parents.

Although we know that the Early Years childcare system that currently operates in the UK is expensive and does not, in general, provide our children with the best start in life compared to other countries, notably in the Far East, the Government has failed to explain how these new proposals will improve and guarantee our children’s safety and education.

After all, just because a childcare worker is better qualified, doesn’t mean that they or anyone else can properly look after four 2 year olds or 3 babies at the same time.

Nursery group, Kidsunlimited, which has nurseries in Richmond and in Esher, has already stated that it has no intention of increasing the ratios in its nurseries as children will not get the level of attention that they need.

There is no doubt that having educated staff should definitely be encouraged especially since the brains of babies and toddlers Amanda Coxen, Director of Tinies Childcare, (www.tinies.com) says

“We think the government should be looking at better tax breaks for parents, and improving the standards of training in the industry.” develop more in those first few years than at any time during the rest of their lives. Support to develop numerically and verbally at such a young age can only have a positive effect when children start school. However, there is a strong risk that the new proposals will

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lead to the development of a 2-tier system of nurseries, with some attracting better qualified staff but not increasing ratios, and simply charging more to cover their additional costs. In this scenario, families who can afford to pay more will inevitably receive a better “The premise that these changes will lead to cheaper childcare is unsupported by any real evidence. Most nurseries won’t change their ratios as they believe more carers per child is better than less, and are unlikely to be able to cut fees anyway, as they are already working to tight margins, and would have to pay higher salaries to higher qualified staff.”

Amanda Coxen.

quality of education, support and attention for their children.

If childcare providers don’t increase ratios and pass on the resultant savings to parents, how are these reforms supposed to relieve the financial burden on parents who are now, more than at any other time, feeling the pain?

Child benefit has just been scrapped for middle-income earners and above. There is talk of scrapping childcare vouchers and any proposed childcare tax relief is likely to only be available to low income families. The result: a lot of parents, generally mothers, who will stay out of the workforce until their children are at school.

Rather than achieving the goal of encouraging more parents back work, it would appear that the impact of the proposed childcare reforms on childcare providers and parents could have the opposite result entirely.

extra Sarah-Jane Butler is co-founder of Parental Choice, a one-stop shop for parents which helps them make the right decisions about childcare and guides them through their legal rights, during and after pregnancy.

For more information, visit www.parentalchoice.co.uk “Tinies would welcome the idea of more qualified staff to be caring for children. However, we don’t believe that the government’s suggestions that staff should have Maths/English GCSE, for example, would lead to better quality of care.

A baby in a nursery needs love and attention, not a lesson in Maths.”

Amanda Coxen.

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March-April 2013

. pre-school & childcare .

Safe Exploration Children from Coombe Day Nursery out and about with their Walkodiles

By Christine Moxon Children deserve the chance to be in an environment that gives them the opportunities to develop and grow in confidence, whilst, at the same time, ensuring their safety.

Many nurseries these days have a ‘free flow policy,’ which allows children to make their own decisions about whether they play inside or out and with which toys and equipment. Some also offer additional activities such as yoga, tennis, drama and music too.

The ‘free flow’ policy provides children with opportunities to make their own risk-assessment. It’s important that children are allowed to do this as understanding and taking risks is a fundamental part of human learning.

The type of challenging play that children enjoy naturally involves taking risks.It is the role of a nursery to ensure these are the type of risks which offer children chances to enhance their learning and understanding. This can be encouraged in a variety of ways, from climbing the stairs on a slide in the garden; to using tools to dig and explore; to learning about crossing the road safely; to cutting

with scissors and building tall towers that could crash down at any time.

One of the most difficult things for a nursery to manage is safety while out and about. Yet exploring the local area and taking trips to local parks extend a child’s learning and development. The Walkodiles (pictured top left) recently purchased by Coombe Day Nursery in Kingston offers complete assurance to both parents and practitioners that children are safe whilst outside the nursery. “They have given us new opportunities to be able to go on outings to local areas and explore” says Christine Moxon, Manager.

“We have been going on trips to Richmond Park to make woodland crafts and explore nature and we were even able to bring bugs back to the nursery.

Without the Walkodiles, we were not able to get outside as much, as we found it difficult to ensure the safety of the children.”

extra

Coombe Day Nursery in Kingston is a privately owned nursery which offers full day care to children from 3 months to 5 years in a caring, warm and friendly environment.

For more information, visit www.coombedaynursery.co.uk

THE ALTERNATIVE CHILDCARE SOLUTION By Csilla Sarosi

Rising childcare costs mean that many families are looking for a cheaper alternative to costly nurseries or nannies. One solution could be an au pair.

Au pairs are young individuals (aged between 18 -30) with some childcare experience, who come from overseas to the UK to live with a host family. One of the great advantages for a busy family in having an au pair is that, above their childcare duties, they also help with housework. It’s perfectly acceptable for an au pair to spend as much time doing housework as she does with the children. It’s entirely up to you to allocate her time.

Live-in help offers a huge amount of flexibility, covering both early morning and late evening baby sitting, if necessary. An au pair works around your schedule and

her working hours can be changed weekly.

The host family is responsible for providing food and accommodation for their au pair but, instead of a salary, they pay some weekly pocket money, which can be as little as £75 for 25 hours per week, or up to £200 a week for a full time position.

If the pocket money is below £156 per week, no tax is due.

Au pairs generally live with families for at least 12 months and it is not unusual for them to stay for many years. However, there is the option of hiring an au pair for a shorter period, for instance, to keep the kids busy and entertained for the school summer holidays.

Having someone around from a different country can benefit children, helping them to appreciate a different culture (food, music,

literature) and expanding their knowledge of the world around them.

A good au pair agency will ensure that a family is only introduced to a thoroughly-vetted, CRB checked and reliable au pair that suits its needs and is guided through the process, with any questions it may have answered within 24 hours.

extra

Csilla Sarosi owns Duckling Childcare, a London-based Au Pair Agency. For further information and free registration, visit www.ducklingchildcare.com

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15

. pre-school & childcare .

“HELP ME DO IT BY MYSELF” Linda Stone talks to the owner of Milkshake Montessori Nursery in Whitton about how the Montessori Method helps children become independent learners.

Sonya Kanchan-Lal was working as a fashion buyer when her father, a GP, first discussed his retirement and selling the building that housed his surgery. “Don’t sell it, dad!” said Sonya “I want to turn it into a nursery.”

“My father was a carer” she goes on. “I suppose it was natural for me to start a nursery.

And I chose Montessori because the philosophy truly fosters a love of learning and equips children with a very high level of skills to take into Reception.”

So what actually is the Montessori Method? Sonya explains. “It was developed 100 years ago by Dr Maria Montessori and recognises that children want to be free to learn by themselves and will naturally do so in the right environment. In the Montessori classroom, which provides carefully planned activities and specialised equipment for different levels of learning, a child is completely free to choose how he or she learns.”

Although Milkshake Montessori caters for children from age 6 months, a Montessori education starts at age 2. A Montessori nursery traditionally divides a day into 2 x 3 hour “work cycles.” During this time, children choose the “work” they want to do using both the indoor and outdoor areas of the

nursery. I’m slightly horrified by the use of the word “work.” Sonya laughs. “It’s only adults that make the distinction between work and play and often suggest that play is more fun” she explains. Dr Maria Montessori believed that the “normalised” child is happy when industriously involved in a challenging activity which he or she is gradually mastering. In this situation, a child is “at one” with himself and his learning environment and experiences joy.”

Nevertheless, the afternoon “work cycle” is broken up by cooking, music and movement, dance, songs, stories, rhymes, yoga and art taught by specialist teachers. “I think it’s vital that our curriculum includes these” she says.

“They provide different types of stimulation and learning opportunities.”

Each child has a personal work mat, much as an older child would have a desk for study. This fosters independence and gives a child ownership both of the space and the activity with which he or she is engaged. At a Montessori nursery or school, there is only ever 1 piece of each equipment. When a child is using a particular piece, other children must ask permission to join in. Otherwise, a child must wait until that piece of equipment becomes free. “It really teaches the children about sharing” comments Sonya. “Children learn that although they are industriously involved in their individual work, they are also part of a co-operative community.”

Sonya tells me more about the Montessori equipment. Each individual piece is designed to teach a range of specific skills. Once shown how to use a piece of equipment, a child can then experiment until he gets it right. Then, the equipment is designed to provide another challenge, so that learning becomes progressively more difficult, providing great opportunities for children to progress and experience a corresponding sense of accomplishment.

The Montessori Method also encourages children to focus on their own individual needs. For instance, they help themselves

to a drink or snack when they are hungry rather than eating at a prescribed time, which encourages them to focus on their actual appetite. Children also use adult plates, cups and crockery – there is no plastic! They learn from an early age how it feels to hold a cup and plate, how heavy it is and what happens if something breaks. In so doing, they learn to respect the things they are handling.

Sonya shows me round the nursery. The atmosphere is calm and the children are happily and industriously engaged.

When I see the equipment, the penny drops for me and I finally understand what the Montessori Method is all about. If, after reading this article, you feel you still don’t quite get it, I’d encourage you to go along to your nearest Montessori nursery and see for yourself. The experience will be enlightening.

extra

Sonya Kanchan-Lal is the owner of Milkshake Montessori Nursery in Whitton. For further information, visit www.milkshakemontessori.co.uk

NURTURING YOUNG SPIRITS ByStoneLinda There is one aspect of education not specifically prescribed by Montessori or the EYFS that Sonya has introduced at Milkshake Montessori entirely of her own volition – the spiritual.

As a qualified yoga and meditation teacher, she teaches children during their week at nursery, as well as teachers and parents in 2 open sessions on a Tuesday evening. “Children are a blessing from heaven” says Sonya. “We need to feed them emotionally and spiritually and help them reconnect with their core.”

For Sonya, yoga started as something she did for herself – her own personal space away from her many other obligations. So effective was it in helping her to tune into her own needs and those of her family, friends and colleagues, that it has become a passion.

16

“Working on my own personal development has changed my outlook and my management style” she comments. “In life, we are at the mercy of our own minds and they tend to take us over.

Yoga, meditation and similar put us back in tune with ourselves, our environment and the bigger picture.” Sonya attends as many yoga, meditation and similar workshops as her busy schedule allows – the most recent being a sound healing workshop. She shows me a 28” Symphonic Gong she has purchased. The resonance of their tones is the basis of the theory of sound healing which she plans to introduce to her children, parents and teachers soon. Sonya’s ambition is to take yoga into the lives of older people and into schools to help relief children of exam pressure. For more information, email sonyakanchanlal@hotmail.com or call her on 020 8894 3113

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

March-April 2013

. pre-school & childcare .

THE BENEFITS OF A MONTESSORI EDUCATION Julia Moody explains.

encourages them move on to more challenging activities, often with the same equipment or materials, as these are specifically designed to offer challenges which are progressively more difficult. In this way, a child’s learning experience is accelerated.

Montessori encourages co-operative play, which enables and encourages children to share

and work together exploring the various areas in the Montessori classroom whilst learning respect for one another and building a sense of community.

All the activities and Montessori equipment have precise locations on the shelves and when a child finishes an activity, he or she is encouraged to return the activity back to the same place. This helps children develop a sense of order and promotes self-discipline.

One of the greatest benefits of the Montessori Method is the focus is on hands-on learning. Children work on activities that teach language, mathematics, culture, creative, practical life and sensory skills giving them a broad and varied learning experience.

Children learn to work on their own or as part of a group and the “prepared environment” encourages independence, confidence, concentration, coordination, self control, sense of order, initiative, grace, courtesy, patience, compassion, negotiation and self esteem.

Children educated the Montessori way become great at problem solving and able to make decisions at an early age, which is a marvellous preparation for starting school.

020 8894 3113 www.milkshakemontessori.co.uk 131 Warren Road, Whitton, TW2 7DJ

Julia Moody is the Principal of Julia’s Montessori Nursery in Hampton, a small caring nursery school for children aged 2 to 5 years old.

For further information, contact Julia at juliasmontessori@aol.com or call 020 8979 3236.

ssori Nurs e t e on

ol cho

Full and sessional day care available.

The very best care, attention and education for children from 6 months to 4 years.

Separate floor for 6 months to 2 yrs and 2 yrs+ Large, well equipped outdoor space Teaching the Early Years Foundation and Montessori Method to children age 2 upwards.

extra

S ry

Julia ’s M

Choosing a Montessori nursery and/or pre-school for your child has many benefits.

The Montessori Method is child-centered and the curriculum is designed around the specific needs and abilities of each child as an individual, which allows each to explore and learn at his or her own pace.

In the classroom, children are of mixed ages allowing the older children to mentor the younger ones and the younger children to learn from the older children and the curriculum focuses on ‘key developmental milestones’ that links in nicely with the new Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.

Children are encouraged to choose their own activities from a range of Montessori equipment and materials. These are specifically designed to be self-correcting, which means children can learn by themselves, through their senses and at their own pace. This naturally

Small and caring pre-school in Hampton Ages 2 to 5 Teaches Early Years Foundation Stage.

Curriculum and Montessori Method.

For a prospectus or to visit, call Julia on 020 8335 0666 / 07939 838991 or email juliasmontessori@aol.com

Knocking Lice on the Head!

By Linda Stone, Editor

Head lice are classified as the second most communicable childhood disease after the common cold. In the past, lice could be eliminated relatively easily with special shampoo but, in recent years, they have become increasingly resistant to most products and the new, more virulent strains of “super lice” are extremely difficult to oust. Not only this, lice do more than simply cause itching. They can also cause runny noses and interfere with sleep and concentration.

50% of all children aged 4 to 11 are inflicted with head lice at least once in their childhood and the percentage of sufferers in the under 4 and over 11 age groups is increasing too.

Justin Armitage, a mother and sales and marketing professional from Esher, is now offering a dream service for getting rid of head lice. Unlike traditional products, what Justine offers is not a product but a hand-clearing service which is guaranteed

100% effective.

Justine, who is professionally trained, uses a specialist lice hoover which removes lice efficiently and effectively. She then dehydrates the eggs without chemical or pesticides, using revolutionary technology from the USA, and combs them out of the hair.

The beauty of this service is that 2 appointments 7 days apart are all that is required to clear an infestation. Compare that to countless hours and a small fortune wasted on product! Justine’s motto and that of her team of fellow Lice Assassins is a clear one: “We do exactly what we say on the tin,

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time and time again”.

Justine was inspired to buy the franchise and set up The Hairforce – Lice Assassins in Esher, because, as she puts it ‘parents and children deserve effective support, rather than being sold false hope in bottle’.

Justine offers this unique service either at her studio or in the family home.

extra Featured on Channel 4’s Embarassing Bodies as ‘The Lice Experts,’ The Hairforce – Lice Assassins is a unique, award winning head lice clearing service which is guaranteed to shut down any infestation quickly and effectively.

For more information, visit www.thehairforce.co.uk/contact/ esher

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These handy little potty training pads add an absorbent layer so that all pants become potty training pants. They give your little one extra confidence and ease the pressure on you.

Dry Like Me pads encourage children to recognise the cues their body gives that they need to urinate, a key part of potty training. Whilst learning, small accidents can be captured in the training pads, reducing mess and stress! The pads are soft, comfortable and suitable for children of all ages with one size fitting all. They are available from Tesco Extra, Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons and Superdrug, Wilkinsons, Ocado and Amazon and cost around £3.49 for a pack of 18. Research shows they reduce accidents after only 1 week.

Dry Like Me are giving away 5 ‘Smarter Way to Potty Train Packs’ worth £15 each. Each pack contains 4 boxes of Dry Like Me pads and a lovely reward chart and stickers – all the tools you need to help your toddler achieve potty training success!

For more information, advice and special offers, visit www.drylikeme.com To Enter: Go to our website at www.familiesuponthames.co.uk and answer the following question: What is the Dry Like Me website address?

Closing Date: Friday, 26 April 2013 (Terms and Conditions Apply)

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March-April 2013

Education Focus SPRING 2013 Supporting Your Child’s Home Learning

March-April 2013

19

Education Focus SPRING 2013 Supporting Your Child’s Home Learning

SCHOOLS NEWS THAMES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ADDS A SPLASH TO PUPIL’S EDUCATION

Thames Christian College student experiments with colour

Colour is a serious business. The colour palettes for next season will influence the design of every type of product in the marketplace. To learn how colours are forecast and marketed, Brand Designer, Steve Trimm, asked Year 11

pupils from Thames Christian College to design their own range of colours for a paint manufacturer. They then presented their palettes to global colour expert, Justine Fox. Tamsin comments: “I loved working on this project. I’ve learned how to use CS6 design packages, such as Adobe Illustrator and now fully understand why colour ranges need to reflect what consumers are feeling and experiencing today.”

Justine Fox, who is part of a global network of trend consultants working for UK companies such as Homebase and Tesco, adds: “I was impressed with the pupils’ well-researched background stories, quality of work, depth of thought and understanding of customer base.”

For more information, visit www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk

ATHELSTAN HOUSE EMBRACES ANCIENT FORM OF EXERCISE The on-going initiative to raise the profile of physical activity at Athelstan House School saw it launch a new after-school club at the end of February. Specialist children’s yoga teacher, Sharon Cannon, uses stories, rhymes and games to teach the poses and breathing techniques of this ancient form of exercise. Each session ends with some relaxation providing the perfect antidote to a busy school day.

Children can derive enormous benefits from yoga. Physically, it enhances flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness, toning muscles and improving balance, and making children

Notre DAME GIRLS TAKE THE STAGE WITH THE SWINGLE SINGERS Notre Dame Girls sing with Swingle Singers

Last term, those Year 6 pupils of Notre Dame School who are members of Lestonnac Choir attended a fantastic workshop and concert with the Swingle Singers. This internationally famous, continually evolving group is celebrating its 50th year. Today’s group uses microphone techniques and beat-boxing, as well as folk, jazz and popular songs, alongside its still-astonishing performances of classical works.

The workshop began with a ‘circle improvisation’ during

which Kiki Fahy-Spada led 100 singers from 6 different schools in a harmonious, impromptu song. The Swingle Singers worked with each school on their own pieces, as well as on an arrangement of ‘Lady Madonna’ for everyone. The day ended with a concert, and Notre Dame girls, distinctive in canary yellow t-shirts, held their own against 6th form groups, stealing the show with their performance of ‘Lollipop’ by the Chordettes and ‘Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit’.

For more information, visit www.notredame.co.uk and watch their performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_syPKcCKFI&sns=em

HALLIFORD SCHOOL’S NEW BUILD IS COMPLETE!

Athelstan children learn yoga

The fine Georgian building that houses the administrative centre of Halliford School is set in 6 acres beside the River Thames.

Passers by may think that the the old house is the school, but behind it are modern buildings, on-site sports fields and, now, a new Music, Art and Sixth Form Centre.

The completion of the new-build provides improved facilities for Art, a new Music School, including a recital room, a music IT suite and recording studio, and extra space for the growing number of students now entering Halliford’s Sixth Form.

These now include girls who are made welcome and rapidly come to play an important part in the life of the school. In addition, there is soon to be a cafeteria for

For more information, visit www.athelstanhouseschool.co.uk

For further information, visit www.hallifordschool.co.uk

20

Athelstan children learn yoga

less likely to suffer sprains and fractures through accidental falls. Mentally, their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improve, helping to boost their attention span in lessons. General wellbeing is also enhanced with children feeling healthier, happier, more confident and positive.

Students are already starting to see the benefits of what Sharon is teaching them.

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Student at Halliford School makes use of new Art facilities

Sixth Form students and staff.

The project is an outward and visible sign of the confidence and sense of purpose that exists at the school.

March-April 2013

Teaching our Children Values

By Louise

Most parents know that it takes more than a successful academic record to make a good school. They want to know that the school they select for their child also shares the principles and values they have established at home. However, parents looking for a prospective school for their first child may not have stepped inside a classroom since their own school days, so how do they know whether it truly offers the environment they are seeking?

Most parents intuitively know when they have found the right school for their child.

A school’s ethos is not a tangible thing, but

Fox

when it is upheld and understood by the teachers, pupils and parents, visiting parents will feel it too.

Values education is not a new concept and values themselves have been taught for generations. When they are considered in a holistic way, however, they can become an intrinsic part of school life.

At school, there are opportunities to teach children about values throughout the day at playtime, in the classroom, when having lunch or performing in a school play. Respect for others, for example, at the age of 4 may involve taking turns or putting a hand up and not calling out. Young adults who understand the importance of respect, courtesy and moral integrity, will cope better with real life issues thus making a positive contribution to society.

At Claremont Fan Court School, values education is embodied in a 2 year programme, in which children celebrate a different character value each month. These values include “courage” and “creativity” and last term these two values were linked in the production of a talent show where children had the opportunity to celebrate their skills, as well as perform with confidence in front of their teachers and friends. For some this required more courage than others!

Children benefit from values education,

DENMEAD SCHOOL (Part of the Hampton School Trust) Independent Preparatory School Boys 3 - 11, Girls 3 - 7

which helps them to become well rounded and balanced individuals, who not only possess the level of confidence to achieve personally, but also the kind of compassion and other qualities which will benefit their wider environment.

extra Louise Fox is Head of the Pre-Preparatory and Nursery at Claremont Fan Court School, an independent co-educational school in Esher for children aged 2½ to 18 years.

For more information, visit www.claremont-school.co.uk

OPEN DAY LISTINGS Spring TERM ATHELSTAN HOUSE Monday, 18 March Wednesday, 20 March

9.30am to 11.30am 8.30am to 11.30am

CLAREMONT FAN COURT SCHOOL denmead school

* Happy family environment

* Wide range of co-curricular activities

* Before/After School care

* Broad curriculum

* Excellent 7+ and 11+ results

* Small class sizes

* Ongoing Assessment for Assured Places to Hampton School

* School Coach Service

Friday, 14 June 9.30am to 11.30am Please call to reserve a place

DENMEAD SCHOOL

Pre-prep department Friday, 1 March 9.15am to 11.00am Friday, 8 May 9.15am to 11.00am Prep department Friday, 1 March 10.00am to 12.00pm Friday, 8 May 10.00am to 12.00pm No appointments necessary

Halliford School

Tours On: Thursday, 7 March 9.30am and 11.30am Tuesday, 12 March 9.30am and 11.30am Thursday, Tours 9.30 and 11.30 By appointment

HAMPTON COURT HOUSE

Saturday, 9 March 10.00am Saturday, 11 May 10.00am We recommend individual tours available throughout term time and school holidays.

Please call to register for an individual tour or open day.

JACK AND JILL SCHOOL

Saturday, 23rd March 10.00am to 12.30pm At Twickenham site

NOTRE DAME Please call for further information or to arrange a visit.

Tel.: 020 8979 1844 Email: admissions@denmeadschool.org.uk web: denmeadschool.org.uk

March-April 2013

Tuesday, 5 March Wednesday, 12 June

9.30am to 11.30am 4.30pm to 6.30pm

THAMES VALLEY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Thursday, 2 May

11.00am to 1.00pm

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

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☛

Education Focus SPRING 2013 Supporting Your Child’s Home Learning

Home Learning:

The Parental Partnership

By Jill

Chatt-Collins

Being a parent is the most important job in the world, but the one for which we receive least training. It is important then that parents feel comfortable approaching the teachers/staff at their child’s school for advice about a whole range of issues: from sibling rivalry to sleep difficulties, from mealtime problems to “boundary pushing,” and, in particular, about how to support their child’s home learning.

For this to be possible, schools must nurture a partnership with parents which recognises that children’s learning is a shared responsibility. At Athelstan House School, this partnership forms before a child starts school, with a home visit from key staff.

This is an important opportunity to find out about the aptitude and interests of the individual child and for parents to share

information and any concerns.

Consequently, when children arrive at school on their first day, they will be greeted by a familiar adult and an activity that appeals to their particular interests.

Alongside formal progress meetings, the partnership develops throughout the child’s time at school with school performances, opportunities for children to show families around the school and for individual family members to talk to children about their special celebrations, hobbies or jobs Last year, in an attempt to strengthen our already strong links with parents, we decided to introduce a workshop for parents. The aim of the workshop was to offer guidance and share practical strategies which would respond to the problems parents often communicate about motivating and helping children complete homework.

You can read about some of the strategies we recommend elsewhere on this page. If you are interested in seeing some of these strategies demonstrated or discussed in more detail, the next workshop for parents is on Monday, 11 March at 1.30pm.

Athelstan House’s workshops are open to all parents, regardless of whether your child is a pupil at the school.

For more information, contact Jill Chatt-Collins on 100294_FamiliesonThames_OPENMORNJUNE_87x85mm :Layout 1 020 8979 1045 or email jillcollins@athelstanhouseschool.co.uk

An independent co-educational school for pupils aged 2½ to 18 years

Strategies for Tackling Common Homework Problems

By Jill

Chatt-Collins

Problem Children resist doing homework, perhaps because they think it will take too long, which it shouldn’t, or because they would simply rather be doing something else.

Strategy Negotiate a certain amount of time for homework, depending on your child’s age, and be specific about what your child can do after this period of time. Explain to children who are not yet able to tell the time that they can do something else “when the clock hands get to…” or “when you have completed…”

This helps to give your child a sense of control over what they are doing.

Problem Children say a piece homework is too hard or they don’t know what to do.

Strategy Send the homework back to school with a note. Homework should always be a reinforcement activity rather than something your child needs to be taught, so it’s important that your child’s school knows that he or she is struggling, so that they can go over the subject again.

Problem Parents are not sure what tools to use to help children with maths homework.

Strategy Ask your child’s teacher how number lines, hundred squares, money, cubes and other mathematical apparatus are used to support children in their understanding of new concepts. Also ask about the concepts and strategies used 23/0 to teach maths in your child’s school. In the past, there was a much greater emphasis on learning by rote or using ‘tricks’ such as ‘borrowing’ one from the tens in vertical subtraction, without necessarily understanding overall concepts.

Problem Children are reluctant to read, perhaps because they are struggling with tricky words, or are so focused on sounding out words that it is spoiling their enjoyment of the story.

Strategy Try telling the story by looking through the pictures and encouraging your child’s higher level reading skills by asking them to predict what is going to happen, or what they deduce from the pictures.

Alternatively, encourage your child to empathise with characters by asking about similar situations he or she may have experienced.

Problem Children may say that homework is “boring.”

Strategy Make learning facts such as number bonds, times tables or high frequency words more fun by adapting simple games such as bingo, pairs or snap, or allowing children to “win” flash cards in a timed challenge and then seeing if they can win more cards in the same time.

extra

Jill Chatt-Collins is Deputy Head at Athelstan House School in Hampton.

Athelstan House is a non-selective, independent pre-preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3-7 years. For more information, visit www.athelstanhouseschool.co.uk

Open Morning Whole School Friday 14 June 9.30am - 11.30am Prospective families are very welcome to attend.

To reserve a place, please tel: 01372 473624 or email: info@claremont.surrey.sch.uk

Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to unlock your child’s potential, building their confidence and independent study skills.

Contact your local Instructor for a Free Assessment.

Thames Ditton 020 8288 1819 Teddington 020 8780 5328 Weybridge 01932 423 144

Free

Assessment kumon.co.uk

www.claremont-school.co.uk

22

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

March-April 2013

Children Learning to Succeed...

First Class Learning New centre opening in Hampton January 2013

Maths and English Tuition Does your child need help with Maths or English? Do you want your child to feel more confident, help them to realise their potential and enjoy learning?

First Class Learning has the answer!

✓ Courses based on national school curriculum and guidelines ✓ Suitable for all ages and abilities - pre school to teens ✓ Flexible, responsive design to suit individual needs ✓ Helps with school assessments and exams ✓ Improves confidence and encourages enjoyment in learning Interested? First Class Learning is opening a new centre in Hampton.

To find out more information please call Jennie Page.

07585 950910 hampton@firstclasslearning.co.uk

Halliford School, Shepperton VISIT OUR NEW MUSIC, ART & 6TH FORM CENTRE

OPEN DAYS 2013 Thursday 7th March Tuesday 12th March Thursday 2nd May

Tours 9.30 & 11.30 by appointment Please telephone the Registrar for more information: 01932 223593

Russell Road, Shepperton, Middlesex, TW17 9HX Tel: 01932 223593 Email: registrar@halliford.net www.hallifordschool.co.uk Registered Charity Number: 312090

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ATHELSTAN HOUSE SCHOOL 020 8979 1045 admin@athelstanhouseschool.co.uk 36 Percy Road Hampton Middlesex TW12 2LA

☛ JACK AND JILL SCHOOL “Celebrating childhood through a tradition of excellence” Committed to the highest standards of academic excellence in a warm and happy environment.

Where every child is special

Excellent destination results at 7+.

ASA awards for swimming.

LAMDA speech and language awards.

Nursery & pre-prep school for 3 to 7 years • Nurturing environment where each child is valued for

Recognising each member of the school community as unique, with talents to develop and valuable contributions to make.

• Excellent academic standards and preparation for

Entry to our Nursery from age 2. Girls only entry into Reception from age 4.

• Strong emphasis on pastoral care – helping children

Extended care with our staff from 8am – 6pm throughout the year.

their unique qualities

local preparatory and independent schools

develop into confident, articulate individuals

• Small classes, maximum 16

Promoting integrity, kindness and respect for others.

OPEN MORNING Saturday 23rd March 10am – 12.30pm Nursery & Reception After School & Holiday Club 20 First Cross Road, Twickenham, TW2 5QA

Contact us for an appointment www.athelstanhouseschool.co.uk March-April 2013

Founded in 1951

Years 1 & 2 30 Nightingale Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 3HX

For further information please contact Admissions on: Tel: 0208 898 7310 e-mail: admissions@jackandjillschool.org.uk website: www.jackandjillschool.org.uk

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

23 23

Education Focus SPRING 2013

Supporting Your Child’s Home Learning

Educating Girls

Notre Dame students

kayaking

By Merinda D’Aprano It is a commonly understood notion that girls perform better in single sex environments.

This makes sense for several reasons. Firstly, girls tend towards a more communicative, articulate and less physical style of learning in the classroom, and secondly they can be intimidated by the more assertive learning styles used by boys and referred to in the article “Educating Boys,” written by Sara Cheston (Families upon Thames September-October 2012).

Developmentally, girls mature both physically and neurologically more rapidly than boys, with better fine motor control, ability to concentrate on small tasks for longer periods of time, and a useful aptitude for active listening and absorption of information.

Girls’ schools make the most of these diverse attributes, tailoring their style of teaching to suit and avoiding the gender stereotyping that can occur in mixed schools.

Such schools build instead on the genuine interests of the child and focus on discovering her true, rather than her perceived strengths. Girls mature emotionally faster than boys and although this often means there is a need to address the resultant issues head on, it does help to know that there is at least a level of emotional intelligence and some common ground among peers.

Girls’ schools have a responsibility to develop the whole person, emotionally and physically as well as academically, and to encourage girls to aspire to the most highly sought-after professions and places in society.

Students at Notre Dame participate in a mud challenge

So confidence must be high on the agenda, with added sport, drama, dance and public speaking which all encourage girls to develop a ‘sense of self’ and to be assertive in the right way when it matters.

The curriculum in a girls’ school also needs careful management, so that subjects which, in the past, were considered ‘best for boys,’ such as science, mathematics, design technology and digital technologies are elevated, introduced early and encouraged through the emotional, communicative and creative attributes which come naturally to girls as a group.

Music and drama have a very immediate pull for girls and drama groups, choirs, orchestras, ensembles and class activities teach more than the basic skills and give them poise. The relative emotional maturity of girls allows for thoughtful improvisation and a nurturing of the different aspects of personality. Girls enjoy humour in the classroom but are less able to cope with sarcasm or jokes that

put them in the limelight. Creative lessons allow them to explore this safely, as well as leading to fantastic performances and opportunities for success in the future. The idea is to capitalise on the feminine side and to develop the skills needed to become an all-round amazing person!

Many girls love participating in team or accuracy sports, but begin by being far less confident than boys about experiencing unfamiliar activities or trying out for a team.

They need to be taught that success breeds success in order to overcome their reticence and reach out to try new things. Competitive and non-competitive sports can be taught successfully away from the enthusiastic proactivity of

extra

physically confident boys and are vital in developing life-long fitness and wellbeing habits. Football clubs are particularly popular in girls’ schools, because there is no stereotype to confuse those who want to join in and have a great time.

A fear often expressed to me is that girls in single sex schools will not have the opportunity to get to know boys. Boys are, of course, a fact of life and so life will offer girls plenty of opportunities to play and work alongside them. For this reason, girls’ schools also need to present role models of successful male teachers alongside the female. I ask doubters to consider what being educated alongside boys might mean for some girls: less chance to play stereotypical boys sports, more leaning away from sciences and certain technical subjects, a reluctance to be noticed in a classroom and often being uncomfortable in a physically active (and as many girls see it, aggressive) environment.

For some, the sanctuary of an all-female class is the most positive and effective start they could have to their educational journey.

Merinda D’Aprano is the Vice Principal and Head of Prep at Notre Dame School. After teaching for 26 years, 15 as a school leader in girls’ education, she is now researching for a Doctorate at Roehampton and Kingston Universities. For further information, visit www.notredame.co.uk

www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk

Thamesbecause small schools build big futures our exceptional independent school for boys and girls

Places available for September 2013

Early registration advisable as we are operating a waiting list for some of our current year groups.

For all visits and questions, call Admissions: OPEN MORNING TH U RSDAY 2nd MAY 11 .0 0 -1 .0 0 For full list of open mornings, enrolment and fee details contact 020 7228 3933 Thames Christian College, Wye Street, London SW11 2HB

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www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

020 8614 0857 Read parent reviews at: www.hamptoncourthouse.co.uk Hampton Court House, Surrey, KT8 9BS

March-April 2013

BACK TO SCHOOL FOR PARENTS...

Karen Papirnik tells us about how parents can support home learning.

Close links between parents and schools are fostered through many initiatives and a recent programme of parent workshops at Jack and Jill School has enabled parents to experience life at school so that learning can be supported at home in a productive and enjoyable way.

The idea of these workshops originated from a parent who openly questioned the value, or perhaps sanity, of allowing her daughter into the kitchen to help with the cooking. However, after discussing her concerns about the chaos, extra time involved and safety issues, as well as the many benefits of this activity, she left feeling a lot more confident and actually had a go; reporting back that it had been a positive

experience for them both.

This exchange highlighted that perhaps we could do more to demonstrate how every environment can include fun learning moments. This then became our focus – and so began our “The Value of ...” series of educational workshops for parents.

“The Value of...” series sees nursery parents and their children together at school to experience practical activities of interest to, and suggested by parents themselves, without other distractions, and safe in the knowledge that the tidying up is down to us! Nursery children enjoy showing their parents what they do at school and parents have an opportunity to spend quality time playing with them. And the key word for these young children is ‘play;’ developing an appreciation of the way practical everyday activities foster their child’s learning and that play is the crucial part of this process, is essential for parents in comprehending what typically happens at school.

As well as sheer fun on the day, parents are encouraged to

develop these activities at home and a leaflet of further ideas is provided. This explains the activities as well as their benefit to a child’s development.

For parents of our older pupils there have been a series of Maths workshops designed specifically to explain how this subject is taught in school nowadays. Parents have taken part in real school tasks, using the associated language within an actual lesson that their child will also experience. In this way they can support their children by confidently assisting with homework, whilst at the same time enjoying new concepts together.

Parents have had lots of fun and children absolutely love the idea of their parents coming ‘back to school!’

Our most recent workshop took place as part of our Literacy Month and, for the nursery parents, included an opportunity to

take part in small world and role play activities, whilst for the older children we offered story writing workshops, for which parents joined their daughters in class, learning about different elements of a story. We gave tips for games to spark the imagination and, as always, parents left with a booklet of useful websites and great ideas to enjoy at home.

Feedback has been extremely positive; with the common thread being that only when able to actually engage in the activities and tasks with their children, can parents fully appreciate their child’s fantastic learning journey and provide support in a meaningful, confident way.

extra

Karen Papirnik is Principal of Jack and Jill School, a nursery and pre-preparatory school in Twickenham for children aged 2 to 7. For more information, visit www.jackandjillschool.org.uk

☛

A World Class Girls’ School in Surrey..

Inspiring Young Learners...Creating Life Long Thinkers Photo: Ariane Teysson

Early Years: boys and girls aged 2 - 4 Preparatory: girls aged 4 -11

To Find out about our Innovative Curriculum and a personal tour please call

01932 869991

‘Pupils are confident, caring and keen to celebrate the success of others...they have outstandingly well-developed personal Inspection 2011 qualities.’

Headmaster: Mr D S Plummer March-April 2013

t: @NotreDamePrepUK

www.notredame.co.uk

headmaster@notredame.co.uk

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SCHOOLS NEWS Education Focus SPRING 2013 Supporting Your Child’s Home Learning

BILINGUAL BOOSTS BRAIN POWER AT HAMPTON COURT HOUSE

When the BBC reported last year on a scientific survey proving that being bilingual boosts brain power, teachers at Hampton Court House weren’t surprised. The research, undertaken by US researchers from Northwestern University, suggested that bilingualism is a mental “workout” that fine-tunes the mind.

Anne Francoise Ropert, Head of the Lower Years believes that ever since allowing pupils to follow a French curriculum alongside the English one, the effects have been overwhelmingly

positive: “The children are far more focused. They can easily switch between languages and their communication skills in general are more sophisticated” she says.“The francophone school magazine is particularly popular.”

The same survey cited similar benefits from playing musical instruments. Art and music are both important in school life at

CLAREMONT FAN COURT ENJOYS SCIENCE WEEK

Children at Claremont Fan Court Pre-Preparatory and Nursery School celebrated Science Week with a wealth of awe inspiring One TO One PrivATe TuiTiOn All areas: All subjects: All levels Sybille (KT postcodes) 01372 806780 Andrew (W and SW postcodes) 0208 993 9001 Dermot (TW postcodes) 0208 892 7610 www.homeschooltutoring.co.uk

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11 PLUS TUITION & Mock Exam Practice West & South West London

Y3 (pre-Plus), Y4 and Y5 (11 Plus) State Grammar and Private Schools Bursaries and Scholarships Mathematics, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Exam Practice, Interview Technique

Hampton Court House, where the upper years are currently rehearsing their upcoming show, Bugsy Malone. This holistic approach to children and education is one of the driving principles behind the philosophy of the school.

For more information, visit www.hamptoncourthouse.co.uk

activities, which captured their imagination and curiosity.

Many parents offered their own knowledge in the field of science, speaking to the pupils about a range of subjects such as the stars and planets, caring for your teeth and eyes and even the elements on the periodic table.

Children used sand and marbles to investigate the different sizes of craters formed on the moon and created shoebox habitats for a snail using recyclable materials.

In the playground, a science assembly involved a particularly messy operation with exploding coke bottles, flying space shuttles and explosive bath bubbles! The Senior School science laboratories were used to mix chemicals and children looked like real scientists in their all-important protective glasses. Year 2 children are now preparing a science assembly to showcase to their parents the knowledge they obtained during this amazing week.

For more information, visit www.claremont-school.co.uk

JACK AND JILL HEADS TO THE FAIR The annual FJJS (Friends of Jack and Jill School) May Fair on Twickenham Green takes place on Saturday, 11 May 2013 from 10am to 4pm.

This event is a highlight of the school calendar enabling families to get together with others from the local community, whilst at the same time raising funds for the 3 school charities chosen by its Upper School girls. These are Shooting Star Chase, a charity which cares for local families with a child or teenager with

a life-limiting condition, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) chosen because some of its current pupils have benefitted from the expert care offered by staff at this hospital and Malaika Kids, a charity which works with Tanzanian orphans.

The May Fair includes many exciting activities from “Jolly Jars” and delicious food stalls to fun rides for children. Please come and enjoy this local event and raise much needed funds for these deserving charities.

For more information, visit www.jackandjillschool.org.uk

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This year the highly successful Assured Places assessment programme has seen 19 out of a cohort of 35 boys sit the 11+ entry exam safe in the knowledge that they already have a place at Hampton School. Of these, two boys were awarded top academic scholarships and another, an Art Scholarship. This year for

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the first time, the major school concerts and drama productions will be staged in Hampton School’s most impressive 450th Hall, offering all boys in Prep the fantastic experience of performing in a real theatre environment.

Hampton is not the only target at Denmead, however. The warm and caring ethos of this vibrant, high achieving preparatory school ensures that dedicated guidance is given to each and every child and that pupils become enthusiastically involved in the abundance of activities offered, inside the classroom and out, including co-curricular clubs and day and residential trips.

Contact the school for a tour in order to find out more about Denmead’s strengthening links with Hampton School and to experience what visitors describe as its “unique atmosphere.”

For more information, visit www.denmeadschool.org.uk March-April 2013

KATE’S ‘STEP IT OUT CREW’ PREPARES FOR THE CHALLENGE AHEAD

The Step It Out Crew, an elite troupe of skilled dancers from local dance school, Kate’s School of Dance will be entering Dance Challenge 2013, at which, last year, it scooped the 3rd Prize in the Juniors Category and performed at the Cadogan Hall in London in the finals. Dance Challenge is an international dance competition in which aspiring dancers are judged by some of the best choreographers in the UK. Members of the Step It Out Crew are selected by audition only. Training weekly, they work

&

clubs, classes activities

very hard to perform the best of their own choreography at competitions and local and national events.

The Step It Out Crew will also be entering its new dance creation at RichDance 2013 in April. RichDance was set up in 2002 to celebrate innovative new dance through community participation, performances from some of the UK’s most prestigious young dance companies, and emerging choreographers.

Kate’s School of Dance has recently introduced a variety of new classes, including a new Contemporary dance class on Saturday mornings for children aged 4 to 9 in Isleworth

and a First Ballet Class for 4 to 7 year olds on Wednesdays in Chertsey.

For more information, visit www.katesschoolofdance.co.uk

Linda Stone, Editor explores Movement, Adventure and Action at Toddler Sense!

of a magnificent Chinese Dragon with a body of hooped tubes which the children hold on to, Licensed by the franchisor of the popular Baby song, to which each child delighted, whilst he does a Sensory classes, Toddler Sense caters perfectly enthusiastically beats together circuit of the hall. for the needs of young children between 1 a pair of rhythm sticks. This Hayley from Hampton and 3, who are constantly on the go, learn week’s theme is Chinese New is impressed. Sebastian has extremely fast and require constant stimulation.

Year. Teacher, Sarah Taylor just turned 2 and this is The classes are a combination of free play on effortlessly manages a fast-paced their first session. Hayley soft play equipment and themed, interactive, toddler-sized re-enactment, in reports that he is normally teacher-led activities. The soft play equipment which children bang drums, quite shy but that he’d including bridges and slides, steps, tunnels and play with plastic snakes, marvel really got into the class. “It ball pit is set up slightly differently every week at Chinese Lanterns, roll plastic balls with lights was brilliant” she said. “I’ll very likely sign up.”

– and although sometimes the weekly changes inside and reach upwards to catch coloured petals “Daddy, I really, really fun” says 2 year old may be slight, the set up doesn’t repeat itself that float to the ground like confetti. Others Edith from Hampton Wick – and you can tell exactly for an entire 2 years. race around the room twirling coloured ribbons, she really, really means it!

Half way through the class, free play ends clearly in their element. It is a colourful, sensory Toddler Sense classes are currently running and everybody gathers to sing a “Hello” experience which culminates in the appearance in Teddington, Cobham, Addlestone and Kempton Park. For Addlestone and Kempton Park, contact Jo Ashe on 07810 540352 or email at weybridge@babysensory.co.uk. For “It’s such a shame that Teddington and Cobham, contact Phylly Jones (BA (Hons) Drama), has extensive children shy away from Sarah Taylor on 07970 796606 experience of working to enthuse and inspire drama because of emphasis or email teddington@toddlersense.co.uk children and young people to lead happy and on ‘performing’ Phylly says. fulfilling lives. She believes in the power of the “Drama is about playing FOOTIE TOTS imagination as the ultimate tool for success. and exploring who we are An introduction to the world of Combining her empathy for young children and and the crazy world we live fitness and football for children ages passion for and skills in drama, Phylly brings in! Pretending comes so 2 1/2 to 5 years Pyjama Drama to Surrey’s little ones aged naturally to this age-group from as young as 10 months. Young, dynamic and at Pyjama Drama we put our imaginations FOOTIE WIZARDS and full of fun and energy, Phylly provides centre stage.” The parents of Phylly’s students For children ages 5 to 8 years babies and children with a unique, exciting, certainly agree. Amy’s mum comments: “Amy ALL CLASSES HELD INDOORS - FOOTBALL PARTIES National Curriculum-supporting programme lacks confidence and has been reluctant to go to AVAILABLE where children sing, dance, pretend and play. a drama group. She LOVED Pyjama Drama!”

Call Andy for info and bookings on 07931 707720 For more information, visit www.pyjamadrama.com and for details about Pyjama Drama’s andy@footie-tots.co.uk Easter Workshops, see page 28.

IMAGINATION! THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL IN THE BOX

Baby Sensory

Award Winning Baby Development Classes Designed for Babies from Birth to 13 Months

Sessions held weekly in Egham Hythe Staines Lower Sunbury Addlestone & Weybridge For more details contact Jo Ashe on 07810 540 352 or email Weybridge@babysensory.co.uk

Visit www.babysensory.com

March-April 2013

PETITES POINTES BALLET CLASSES A captivating introduction to ballet through storytelling for children age 2.5 to 5 years First Class FREE WHEN: Saturday morning Monday afternoon – NEW class!!

WHERE: Innerspace Studio, Kingston, KT2 6NH ROYAL ACADEMY OF

DANCE

TEL: 07958 530962 www.brooksdanceacademy.co.uk REGISTERED TEACHER

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

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EASTER FUN EASTER CAMPS, WORKSHOPS AND COURSES ART & CRAFT

Happy Potter Workshops

Ages: All Make Your Own Pottery from Clay Start from scratch, using clay to make your own unique pinch pots. Items will then be bisque fired, ready for children to come back and paint the following week!

1 to 12 April 11am to 12.30pm in Teddington £15 including snacks! £10 for second painting session (either week after initial session or whenever convenient) Pottery Painting, T-Shirt Design and Decopatch!

Drop the kids off for their chance to create a unique T-shirt, design some decopatch letters or paint their very own piece of tableware to use at home.

1 to 12 April 3pm to 4.30pm in Teddington £15 including snacks!

More info: 020 8973 1468 info@happypotterceramics.co.uk www.happypotterceramics.co.uk

BABY & CHILD DEVELOPMENT The Little Gym Easter Holiday Camps

Ages: 3 to 6 and 6 to 12.

Children will spend 1 hour in the gym area learning gymnastic skills.

Structured and run like a Little Gym class, the children will get to experience the bars, beam, tumbling and vaulting.

The second hour will be spent doing craft and having a well-earned snack (provided.) The final hour is games hour! The children will enjoy 1 hour of semi-structured gymnastic games and fun. Please call to get specific timings.

2 to 4 April in Hampton/Teddington £30 members, £35 non-members for each 3 hour workshop.

More info: 0208 977 0099 hampton_teddington@thelittlegym. co.uk www.thelittlegym.co.uk

COOKERY

Sassy Stirrers Easter Baking Workshop

Ages: 4-12.

Sassy Stirrers’ fun workshop will include baking and decorating Easter muffins, chocolate Easter cookies & mini savoury pies. Lots of bowl-licking fun promised, plus goody bags to take home.

Wed 10 and Thu 11 April 2013 (11am-3pm) in Esher £28 for 4 hour workshop.

More info: 07789 792676 info@sassystirrers.com www.sassystirrers.com

11 April (1.30-4.30pm) in Twickenham £15 for 3 hour workshop More info: 07813 170707 info@dancefusiontwickenham.com www.dancefusionrichmond.co.uk

Twinkle Toes Ballet Holiday Workshop

Ages: 2 to 10.

Lots of Easter fun in these Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz dance days.

8 Apr to 12 April in Richmond Price and session times to be advised More info: 07879 521456 info@twinkletoesballet.com

DRAMA & STORYTELLING Perform Hansel and Gretel Workshop

Ages: 4 to 8.

Perform uses unique games, specially written music, energetic dance and colourful improvisation and a team of enthusiastic and experienced actors, musicians and dancers to help bring this classic tale to life for your child.

Inspiring and encouraging the children every step of the way, you’ll child will have an experience to remember forever.

3 to 5 April in Richmond £93 for 3 days (10am-12pm) More info: 0845 400 1284 jennifergannon@perform.org.uk www.perform.org.uk

Pyjama Drama

Ages: 5 to 7 years A day packed full of tasty drama games and activities designed to ignite the imagination! To avoid disappointment, book your table at the best restaurant in town and enjoy a culinary journey across the globe. So what’s on the menu tonight? Crazy waiters?

Noisy customers? Whatever you order you can be certain that you’ll soon be shouting for MORE! Share your favourite bits with family and friends at the end of the day.

3 April in Ashtead, 5 April in Walton on Thames, 9 April in East Molesey.

11 April in Oxshott (10am -3pm in all locations) £28 per child or £46 for 2 children booked together.

More info: 01932 807150 phylly@pyjamadrama.com www.pyjamadrama.com

Step on Stage Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Workshop

Ages: 3 to 8.

Step On Stage Academy will help your child explore Roald Dahl’s wonderful story through song, dance and drama. Children will work as a whole ensemble, as well as in smaller age-appropriate groups throughout the workshop and they will explore the story and characters through improvisaDANCE tion, storytelling, character work, songs Dance Fusion Princess Workshop and dances, as well as making props for Ages: 3 to 6. the show which they can take home.

Dance Fusion is holding a princess 9 to 11 April (9.30am-1pm) in workshop. Come dressed up as your Twickenham favourite princess and enter the £70 for 3 days. magical world of Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, More info: 07973 900196 Snow White, Cinderella, info@steponstageacademy.co.uk Belle or Jasmine. www.steponstageacademy.co.uk 28

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Storytelling Adventures “Alice in Wonderland” Workshop

Ages: 2 to 11 (grouped by age) During this magical 5 day adventure, Storytelling Adventures develops children’s confidence through drama game, songs and dance routines and their creativity through art, craft and puppetry.

1 April to 5 April in Richmond and Twickenham £75 for 5 days. Drop-in daily rate: £25 (buddy discounts available) More info: 020 3222 3085 www.bridgeac.com

Theatrebugs Workshop

The Caterpillar’s Voice Drama, Music & Dance Ages: 3.5 to 6 A little caterpillar wanders into a cave one day and discovers how big and loud his voice becomes. He sounds like a big, huge, enormous animal! He decides to play a trick on his friends the hare, the elephant, and the lion. Flutterby Butterfly joins in the fun too! 3 fun filled days of acting, dancing, singing, art, craft and dressing up.

On day 3: hit the stage!

Greater London: 3 to 5 April in Richmond (9.30am-12.30pm), 8 to 10 April in Kew (9am-12pm), 10 to 12 April in Kingston (1.30-4.30pm) Epsom and Surrounds: 8 to 10 April in Cobham (1.30-4.30pm), 8 to 10 April in Claygate (9am-12pm) and 3 to 5 April in Weybridge (1.30-4.30pm) £78 for 3 days.

More info: Greater London: 0800 9755290 enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk, Epsom & Surrounds: 01483 882244 hannahmason@theatrebugs.co.uk www.theatrebugs.co.uk

MULTI-ACTIVITY

Colets Easter Kids Camp

Ages 4 to 12. Open to Members and Non-Members All day or separate morning or afternoon sessions. Children are split into 4 groups but can elect to be with siblings or friends.

They participate in sport, circle games, arts and craft, soft play, movie time, Xbox Kinect, games & quizzes. Each day has a particular theme. Children can participate in themed activities or alternative games, sports and soft play. Use is made of fantastic facilities including field area, squash court, junior activities room, soft play and, for swimmers able to swim in a free play environment, daily swim sessions with instructors in the water to supervise the children’s play.

29 March to 12 April 2013 (booking from 4 March) in Thames Ditton £22 per day for members, £32 per day for non-members More info: 020 8335 6993/020 8398 7198 juniors@coletshealthclub.co.uk www.coletshealthclub.co.uk

Pavilion Café Claygate

Ages: All Children’s activities including football, cake-making, dance, cricket and nature trail, with activity sessions every weekday.

1 Apr to 12 Apr in Claygate All activities are FREE More info: 01372 464999

OUTDOOR

Wild Easter Camp at Painshill Park

Ages: 8 to 13.

Have a wild adventure with bushwhacking, bivouac building, archery and mud sculptures.

2 to April (9am to 4.30pm) in Esher £115 for 4 days or £35 per day More info: 01932 868113 www.painshill.co.uk

SCIENCE

Mother Nature Science Rockin’ Robot Science Camp

Ages: 5 to 12.

Let your child get ahead with enriching science in this fun, educational and unique camp. Children will get hands-on with exciting and fun science activities and take-home experiments every day, with content including gearwheel mechanisms, pneumatics, robotic claws, electronic motors, solar powered grasshoppers, 6 in1 solar robots, plasma balls, an Eco-Robot design competition and more.

2 to 5 April & 8 to 11 April (9am-3.30pm) in Richmond, Kingston and Merton. £170 for 4 days. Book siblings and friends under 1 payment and save.

More info: 020 8940 0289 richmond@mnature.co.uk www.mnature.co.uk

SPORT

Footie Winning Ways Football Camp

Ages: 4 to 12.

A great chance to experience Footie Winning Ways unique concept of creating a realistic environment in which every child has an equal opportunity to learn.

Tue 2 to Fri 5 April (9.30am-3pm) in Thames Ditton Full day £15, Half day £9.

More info: 07931 707720 andy@footie-tots.co.uk www.footiewinningways.co.uk

Little Kickers Holiday Course

Ages: 4 to 7.

The real goal of Little Kickers is to use football as a fun forum to instil our growing squad with a little extra confidence, co-ordination, control and sense of camaraderie; which we feel will stand them in very good stead for the future.

2 to 5 April (9am-12pm) in Twickenham £60 for 4 days More info: 020 8979 8048 gware@littlekickers.co.uk www.littlekickers.co.uk

Springboard Swimmers Swimming Courses

Ages: 3 to 8.

Top quality swimming lessons suitable for non-swimmers and beginners.

Small groups of 3 children. You will be amazed at how much progress your child will make in a week!

1 April to 5 April and 8 April to 11 April in Teddington £57.50 for 5 days.

More info: 020 8255 7455 springboardadmin@blueyonder.co.uk www.springboardswimmers.com March-April 2013

EASTER FUN

The Pavilion Café: The Perfect Destination For Families Out and About

By Linda Stone, Editor

On the Claygate Recreation Ground, adjacent to a fantastic kids’ playground, stands the newly-refurbished Claygate Cricket Pavilion, now also home to The Pavilion Café. Less than 12 months old, the cafe has already been firmly taken into the hearts of the local community.

Owners, Helen Ayres, Fanny Stocker and Lisa Buhr, who have 7 children between them, spent many hours pushing their kids on the swings at the playground, dreaming of a decent cup of coffee and wishing there was a café nearby. Wind forward several years to the day when the news that the Claygate Cricket Pavilion was going to be re-furbished hit the local community. “When we heard, we knew it was fate!” comments Fanny, with a smile. “We decided we were going to open a community café in the new pavilion.”

Before having children, Fanny was in the restaurant business. Helen ran the ladieswear department at Harvey Nichols and Lisa was a flight attendant. They share a passion for cooking and good food and between them have an abundance of relevant experience. Their vision was a café which sold wholesome, homemade, delicious family food with good quality ingredients. “Good coffee was a must!” comments Fanny. “We sell Musetti, the same coffee Marco Pierre White uses in his restaurants. Teapots, cake stands and a welsh dresser were key too!

And, crucially, we wanted a place which the community could feel belonged to them.

Somewhere to hold community events and family activities.”

During the Easter school holidays, the café will be hosting a variety of FREE activities for children including an Easter Egg Hunt, Wheelbarrow Race, football, cake decorating, dancing, cricket, singing, story time and more. It has also recently hosted the Great Claygate Pancake Race and has exciting plans for the future, including cooking and baking lessons.

“We all knew Claygate was amazing, but we still didn’t expect the support we’ve been given. We truly do have the community to thank for a fantastic first 9 months” says Fanny.

Contact The Pavilion Café on 01372 464999, read more about it at www.familiesuponthames.co.uk and for details of its Easter activities, see pages 28 and 35.

NOW ENROLLING! For all classes April & September 2013 Easter Musical Theatre Workshop Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

April 2013

Drama, Musical Theatre & Music Twickenham & Hampton Hill Summer Schools, LAMDA, INSET Youth Theatre & Children’s Agency Call 0208 408 0633 / 07973 900196 info@steponstageacademy.co.uk www.steponstageacademy.co.uk

Music classes for babies and young children! ®

Action songs and rhymes Music and movement Fun with percussion Musical games

Since 1993 thousands of children across the UK have grown up with Monkey Music. Our unique teaching curriculum was written by classically trained musicians, To book your complimentary class, call and introduces music to very young children in a way they Kingston and Surbiton: 0208 224 3971. can easily understand and enjoy.

Banstead and Claygate: 01932 223309.

Rock ‘n’ roll - from 3 months Weybridge, Cobham and Molesey: 0208 Heigh ho – from 12 months 224 0096. Richmond, Twickenham and Jiggety jig – 2 & 3 year olds Teddington: 0208 847 4031 Ding dong – 3 & 4 year olds

time of music Nur turing a life

monkeymusic.com March-April 2013

Fun Weekly & Holiday Drama Clubs for 5-7 year olds!

For more information please contact Phylly on 01932 807 150 or email phylly@pyjamadrama.com

pyamadrama.com

Twinkle Toes ToesBallet Ballet Twinkle

Enchanting & magical classesclasses 18 months - 10 Enchanting & magical

18 months -years 10 years BOOK A FREE TASTER CLASS

BOOK A FREE TASTER CLASS

Children learn to dance through imaginative stories, using props,

Children learn to dance through imaginative stories, using props, puppets & pictures. never-ending imagination!

We aim to inspire & capture their wonderful Info@twinkletoesballet.com or 07879 521 456 never-ending imagination!

puppets & pictures. We aim to inspire & capture their wonderful

RICHMOND – EAST SHEEN –or KEW – TWICKENHAM Info@twinkletoesballet.com 07879 521456

Founded by Royal Ballet School Graduate & Qualified Teacher

Jessica Williams DipIn MA Hons RICHMOND – EAST SHEEN – RBS KEWAISTD – TWICKENHAM

contact our resident Fairy Godmother Founded by Royal Ballet School Graduate & Qualified Teacher info@twinkletoesballet.com

Jessica Williams Dip RBS AISTD MA Hons

Winner of the Best National Pre School Activity Award.

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

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EASTER FUN

Spring is in the air!

Let’s get down to the farm...

Linda Stone, Editor, tells us what 3 uniquely different local farms have to offer families this Spring.

Meet the Animals at Hounslow Situated inauspiciously off a traffic-clogged road in a gritty area of Feltham, it’s hard to believe what lies at the end of the track marked Hounslow Urban Farm. In fact, if not for the attention-grabbing, quirky, cartoon alpaca’s head on the roadside signage, you wouldn’t even know the farm was there.

Yet only a few miles from major arterial roads, motorways and Heathrow Airport, lies one of the country’s largest community farms, a pretty, rustic oasis which offers as interesting and exciting encounters with domestic and exotic animals as anything available in the countryside.

Taken over last year by the previous owners of the now-closed Tropical Zoo at Syon Park, the Farm has been completely transformed, with interactivity with animals that was so popular at the Zoo, now high on the agenda. Co-owner Alice and her team want kids to “fall in love with animals,” as well as increasing their awareness of responsible farming attitudes and how deforestation is affecting the planet.

Urban Farm!

Throughout the year, The Farm offers a full daily schedule of family activities from 10.30am to 3.30pm. There are opportunities to meet the animals with an informative talk from one of the team at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm, as well as chances to meet exotic animals such as reindeer at 11.30am. British and an Asian Owl also take to the skies in an aerial encounter at 1.30pm. There’s no need to worry about the possibility of inclement weather either, as the team has been working round the clock to completely cover the main barn which ensures that animal encounters and other activities will now take place indoors.

With the arrival of spring, The Farm is an ideal place for a picnic and also has a children’s playground and a café for hot drinks and the pre-requisite ice cream. An indoor play barn complete with bouncy castle, hay bales to climb and drive-on tractors helps the kids burn off extra energy. For further information, visit www.hounslowurbanfarm.co.uk

Help Give The Tropical Zoo a New Home!

Last year, The Tropical Zoo at Syon Park closed to make way for the build of the new Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Co-owner, Alice Purdy, was distraught when she was informed by local

authorities that all the animals at the Zoo would have to be euthanized if homes could not be found for them. Alice and her small, but dedicated team, worked tirelessly 24 hours a day to ensure that each of the animals was found a new but temporary home. Now they are throwing heart and soul into various fund raising events in order to raise enough money to build a new home for the Zoo, opposite Hounslow Urban Farm, and bring their animals home.

You can help by coming along to these events at the Farm during the year. Keep your eye on these pages for further details, or visit www.hounslowurbanfarm.co.uk

07813 170707

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The Farm’s breeding programme ensures that this Easter, families will be able to get up close to baby rabbits, chicks, lambs, and goats and perhaps even get to bottle feed a lamb!

Easter Weekend Activities will include Easter Egg Hunts for the kids, lamb feeding, lamb racing and on Easter Monday, 1 April, The Farm’s “Big Fun Day” with a visit from the cast of Dr Who! For further information, see page 34.

Private swimming lessons for the easter holidays

Dance classes for everyone from 18 months to adults Our Baby Beats, Nursery and Junior

info@dancefusiontwickenham.com www.dancefusiontwickenham.com

Easter Fun at Hounslow Urban Farm

SPringboard SWimmerS

BALLET ★ TAP ★ MODERN

classes are a fun introduction to dance using stories, mimes and songs

Rare Breeds As well as domestic animals, Hounslow Urban Farm is also home to the exotic – reindeer, alpaca and some rare breeds of sheep and pigs, including the closest that you can now see to a Saddle Back pig. The pure Saddle Back is extinct but the Farm has a pig which is an amalgamation of 2 of the closest surviving breeds. Other rare breeds of pigs include the attractively-titled Gloucester Old Spot, so named because of the black spots which appear in autumn and look like bruises made by falling apples!

If you haven’t done a crash course before, you will be amazed at how much progress is made in only one week!

Call us on 020 8255 7455

Crash courses for the easter holidays available

or email springboardadmin@blueyonder.co.uk

www.springboardswimmers.com

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Suitable for: non-swimmers and beginners from 3 years of age, children needing stroke improvement.

Where: Stanley Primary School, Teddington.

This is an indoor, heated pool of constant 1m depth.

CoSt: £57.50 per child per week; this gives you 5 x 30 minute lessons at the same time every day of the course with the same tutor and in the same group of 3 children.

We also run term time leSSonS every day from Monday to Saturday; mornings, afternoons, after school and early evening during term time, for all ages and abilities.

March-April 2013

EASTER FUN Feed the Animals at Bocketts Farm!

Don’t go to Bockett’s Farm in Fetcham, near Leatherhead, with only a couple of hours to spare. Instead, prepare to spend the whole day there. Not only are there great opportunities to get up close and feed some of the larger animals in the Big Animal Barn, but there’s also a Small Animal Village, “Little Hoppington” where you can visit the smaller animals, as well as ponies in the Stable Yard and a Farm Park Walk on which you can help your children spot and name many of their favourite animals in the fields.

Lambing is a major highlight during the spring months, when over 300 new born lambs are expected in the Big Animal Barn.

If you are lucky, you may even get to see one being born. Try one of the daily animal handling sessions which give children the chance to get close to cute chicks and cuddly rabbits. Plus there will be plenty of other domestic animals to meet including llamas, pigs, cows and greedy goats.

There’s plenty of other animal-related entertainment too, including pig racing, pony rides, goat milking and rabbit cuddling!

If we don’t get spectacular weather this spring, there’s plenty to do inside at Bockett’s

Farm too. Two large play barns house a giant astroslide which is safe for children of all ages, a Young Tractor Drivers Zone and Supersix trampolines. During any intervals of dry weather and sunshine, you may find it difficult to drag the kids away from the plethora of swings, slides, climbing frames, sandpits and maze outside.

Enjoy being on the move? Then a highlight of your visit will be a trip through the scarecrow wood on a tractor and trailer ride.

Expect many more animal encounters along the way and hope for a clear day as, from the top of the farm, there are spectacular views of City of London and London Eye up to 22 miles away.

Don’t forget to complete the Easter Egg Trail too, with a yummy chocolate treat for each child!

For further information, visit www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Animals Leap Off The Page at Hobbledown

Situated on the old site of the Horton Children’s Farm, animals and adventure blend effortlessly at the unique family attraction, Hobbledown in Epsom.

Those who are not familiar with Hobbledown or know only about its fantastic indoor play barn and outdoor adventure park, may not be aware that it is actually a zoo as well and houses a wonderful range of domestic and exotic animals.

Hobbledown brings to life the unique world of a book by children’s author Angela Kecojevic,

which features an array of quirky characters called The Hobblers and their equally quirky animal friends.

The vision for the zoo is to provide a home for all of the types of animal that appear in the book. So read it before your visit and see if you can identify the various animal characters!

As well as domestic animals, Hobbledown is home to meerkats, Siberian Chipmunks and Chincillas. The Meerkats had babies last autumn and, whilst now 6 months old, they are not fully grown yet. have a go at picking them out from their parents…

Make sure that you don’t miss the new animals that have arrived this spring. Inside its mother’s pouch, lives a gorgeous baby wallaby.

He is about 6 months old and is now venturing outside the comfort of his mother’s pouch for the first time to explore his new home. Be prepared to play hide and seek with him and come with your cameras! Other baby animals include Shetland Pony foals which are expected in April or May, adorable, baby African Pygmy

goats and some miniature pigs.

On permanent loan from Chessington, Hobbledown’s otters are some of the most entertaining animals at the zoo. All are from the same family and perhaps this is why their trademark squeaking calls are particularly lively and loud! Watch the otters dive for and handle fish at feeding time, daily at 11am and 2.30pm.

Hobbledown also has a special programme of activities for Easter including its Merrydown Procession, a flag and giant flower procession in which children can participate, puppet shows and workshops, as well its daily programme of animal “meet and greets” and character walkabouts.

For further information, visit www. hobbledown.com

st Fir is ss a l c e!

Fre

Weekl y drama-based workshops for children aged 18mt hs - 7 years.

A fun way to develop your child's confidence and communication skills.

www.bridgeac.com | 020 3222 3085 March-April 2013

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

31

EASTER FUN

The Pod Takes Off Like a Rocket!

Steam Along with Thomas!

If you fancy a trip a little further afield this Easter, there’s plenty for train-enthusiasts, young and old at The Watercress Line, a beautiful steam railway running from Alresford to Alton through the heart of the Hampshire countryside.

Just a short blast south on the M3 and you can enjoy A Day Out With Thomas on any day between 29 March and 7 April.

This is a fantastic, action-packed day of entertainment for both fans of Thomas and siblings who are, perhaps, a little bit less enthusiastic! The all-inclusive ticket price includes an entire day of travel on the big steam trains that run up and down the 10 mile stretch of line, so you can hop on and off whenever you like and check out the activities at Ropley station and the Imagination Station at Alresford. These big trains run approximately every 30 to 40 minutes from 9:35am to 4:30pm.

For Thomas-loving kids, tickets also include a free ride with ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ at Ropley, in either ‘Thomas’ Carriage or ‘Toad the Brake Van’, and free

rides in Diesel’s cab at Alresford or Diesel’s friend’s cab at Ropley.

There are also free Miniature Railway Rides, at ‘Ropley Upper Level’ station. Have fun helping your children look out for friends of Rocky the Crane and The Troublesome Trucks along the line!

And when you need a break from the trains, there’s a picnic area and marquee at Ropley, complete with free activities such as a Bouncy Castle and Mr Wizard Shows, including Punch and Judy, whilst in the Imagination Station at Alresford, there are free games, colouring and Thomas and Friends DVD shows. Hot and cold food is available from the West Country Buffet at Alresford and refreshments are available at Ropley. There’s more than adequate parking at all the stations and, for those with babies and toddlers, baby change facilities are available at Alresford, Ropley and Alton.

For further information, visit www.watercressline.co.uk or see listing on page 35.

WIN!COMPETITION!WIN!

This is a chance for 3 lucky families to WIN a Family Ticket to visit Marwell Zoo!

Get up close to the wonders of the natural world at this 140-acre zoo. Set in beautiful, landscaped surroundings, the zoo is home to over 180 exotic and endangered species. See a range of fantastic animals from ring-tailed coatis to majestic giraffes, laughing kookaburra to frilled lizards, curious meerkats to bat-eared foxes.

Enjoy lots of fun activities at Marwell over Easter! For details, go to our Easter listings on page 34.

For more information, visit www.marwell.org.uk To Enter: Go to our website www.familiesuponthames.co.uk and answer the following question:

New soft play centre, The Pod, which opened at the end of October 2012, has a lot going for it and has rapidly become a firm favourite with local parents.

The Pod is located at the YMCA Hawker Centre in Kingston which has a large, free car park and cafe.

Large enough to be engrossing, yet contained enough to avoid intimidating younger children, The Pod has something different for all ages up to 11 years.

Older children will find plenty of challenge in the 125 metre play frame, with its tunnels, slides, and bash pads. Younger children will enjoy the ball pit, where they can feed balls into the ball cannon which sucks them through aerial tubes into a big net on the ceiling.

Children can then pull the handle

and release all the balls! A multi-sensory room offers bubble mirrors, a laser start projector and infinity tunnel and, with its comfortable cushions on the floor, is perfect for some quiet play.

The Pod’s mascot, Luna Boo has plenty planned to keep children entertained over the Easter holidays, including Easter Egg Hunts and some surprise visits from the Easter Bunny!

For further information, including information about Easter opening times, visit www. thepodatymca.org

WIN!COMPETITION!WIN!

This is a chance for 3 lucky families to WIN a Family Ticket to visit KEW BRIDGE STEAM MUSEUM.

A great day out for the family this spring, Kew Bridge Steam Museum is based in a Victorian water pumping station. See the enormous steam engines that revolutionised London’s water supply.

Be amazed by the 3 storey high 160 year old Grand Junction 90 inch engine, just one of the 5 remaining original engines that pumped water to West London. Marvel at the world’s largest collection of steam pumping engines, many of which you can see working at weekends. Explore the interactive activities telling London’s dramatic water story in the Water for Life gallery.

Over the Easter weekend, you can ride the Waterworks Railway on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Families can also make Victorian Easter bonnets and take part in Easter Egg Hunts happening each day of the Easter weekend.

To Enter: Go to our website www.familiesuponthames.co.uk and answer the following question: What was pumped to West London from the Kew Bridge Steam Museum site?

Closing Date: Friday, 26 April 2013 (Terms and Conditions Apply)

TW8 TW9 TW11

How many acres does Marwell Zoo occupy?

Closing Date: Friday, 26 April 2013 (Terms and Conditions Apply

A fairy tale princess’ castle or a fort for a young knight?

Strawberry Hill sparks the imaginations of visitors of all ages.

Come along to our entertaining and educational events on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the school holidays.

For more information,

visit www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk/events 32

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Football training for under 5s who are nuts about football Get your midfield dynamo enjoying super-skills, fun & exercise CRB checked & FA qualified coaches Training sessions, courses & parties across London

kiddikicks.co.uk 020 7937 7965

NEW! Match Play for Under 8s March-April 2013

EASTER FUN

It’s Peppa Pig! Oink!

Kids go free to meet Peppa and George at Kempton Park this Easter Saturday!

If you fancy taking a peek at some horse racing this Easter, whilst giving the kids a treat at the same time, head along to Kempton Park on Saturday, 30 March. BAFTA Award winning Peppa Pig and her little brother, George, will be appearing in-between races at various intervals throughout the day. What’s more, if you book in advance, adult general admission is just £12.80 and children under 18 go free, if accompanied by an adult.

There are great food options at the recently refurbished ground floor of the Grandstand, with many bars and a food court.

Alternatively, if you fancy treating the family to an extra-special Easter meal, you can try the Panoramic Restaurant with its amazing views of the track. If you book a table, it is yours for the day and you can come and go as you please.

Kempton Park’s Easter Saturday event is the first of 3 Family Fun Days being held this spring. On Saturday, 13 April, families will be able to meet Mike the Knight, currently one of TV’s most popular children’s characters. Mike is an energetic, cheeky yet bountiful young knight-in-training, driven by his passion to help others and, along the way, be the best knight he can be. He is aided in his pursuits by some nifty medieval gadgets, including his enchanted sword and his shield. Mike the Knight will be making appearances throughout the afternoon race fixture, giving fans the opportunity to meet and greet their hero from the hit TV show.

Then on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May, the Mascot Grand National returns! Mascots from sports clubs up and down the country will be thundering down the final furlong, on foot, rather than on horseback, jumping over specially made hurdles en route to victory. Why not enter

your club’s mascot in the race? Your entry fee will go to Kempton Park’s charity of choice but you can raise sponsorship money for your own choice of charity too. For further information, visit www.kempton.co.uk or see our listings on pages 34, 41 and 42.

Step Back in Time at Strawberry Hill House

If you’ve ever driven from Twickenham to Teddington along Waldegrave Road, you can’t fail to have noticed the gleaming white turrets of Strawberry Hill House, one of England’s most elegant and eccentric Gothic houses. Created by Horace Walpole in the 18th century,Strawberry Hill House is internationally famous as Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture. It also inspired the first gothic novel The Castle of Otranto.

Visiting Strawberry Hill is a truly theatrical experience. Magically lit by a unique collection of renaissance glass, its gloomy castle-like hall and grey gothic staircase lead dramatically to the magnificence of the gallery and state

March-April 2013

apartment, a burst of crimson and gold. The garden with its winding paths, grove of trees, lilacs and honeysuckles was the first landscape garden to be connected to a picturesque house.

Its 9 acres contains a lawn, meadow and an open terrace with views of the River Thames.

This Easter, take the opportunity to wander round the garden (free entry) or visit the house while your kids participate in the Easter activities on offer. There’s a drop-in Easter Garden Trail, with prizes, Royal Easter Bonnet Making, and Architectural Drawing Looking further forward, children can also make their very own puppets and join in some storytelling on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May. For further information about dates and times, see our listing on pages 35 and 41 or visit www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk

Calling all budding authors!

• • •

✍

Would you like to see yourselves in print? Enter the 2013 Young Writers Competition and write a letter to Horace.

Tell him about your day at Strawberry Hill, what you liked about it or what your own dream house might look like. Write him a story or just say “thank you.” There are two categories 8 to 13 and 14 to 19 and all entries will be made into a book

to be displayed in Horace’s Library. The 2013 winning entry will be announced in October 2013 and will WIN a private ‘spooky tour’ of the House for themselves and 10 friends and a super spooky hamper of goodies, just in time for Halloween. For further information, visit www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk

Ceramic Painting Studio for all ages

Families Welcome Baby Hand/ Foot Childrens Prints Parties & Casts Free refreshments

16a High Street, Thames Ditton 0208 398 6681 www.thepotteryandcraftstudio.com

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

33

EASTER FUN

Claremont Landscape Garden

What’s on Easter Weekend

Watercress Lin e

Bedfont Lakes Easter Event

Ham House

Bocketts Farm

Fri 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Time: 11am to 5pm. Cost: £3 per trail.

4 days of fun, family activities including the annual Easter Egg Hunt in the garden with a chocolate prize.

Ham Street, Ham, TW10 7RS More info: 020 8940 1950 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Fri 29 Mar to Sat 30 Mar Time: 10am-2pm Cost: £5 Child.

2 fun days out for all the family, with an Easter Egg Trail and a chocolate treat, face painting, crafts and baby animals. Book by 24 MAR. Clockhouse Lane, TW14 8QA More info: 0788 741 0811 www.hounslow.info

Easter Eggstravaganza

Fri 29 Mar to Sun 14 Apr Complete the Easter Egg Trail with a chocolate treat for every child.

Lambing will be the main highlight during Easter with over 300 new born lambs expected in the Big Animal Barn. Meet llamas, pigs, cows and greedy goats, and enjoy daily animal handling sessions,indoor and outdoor play areas, pony rides, tractor rides, goat milking, pig racing and more.

Young St, Fetcham near Leatherhead KT2 9BS More info: 01372 363764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Claremont Landscape Garden Easter Egg Trail

Fri 29 Mar to Sat 30 Mar Time: 10.30am to 4.30pm. Cost: Normal Admission plus £2 for trail.

Easter Egg Trail plus free face painting, play zone and storytelling.

Easter Bonnet Parade

Sat 30 Mar Time: 3.00-3.30pm. Cost: Normal Admission plus £2 for trail.

Come along to Claremont in your best Easter bonnet and enter the Easter Bonnet competition, with prizes for the Best Child and Best Adult.

Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG More info: 01372 467806 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Easter Activities

Happy Potter Ceramics Ceramic Egg Hunt

Sat 30 Mar to Sun 31 Mar The traditional Easter Egg Hunt will take place in the secret garden.

Chocolate eggs, ceramic eggs and sweeties will be hidden in the garden for the children to find! Free for any painters. Every child painting an egg cup will receive a free ceramic egg to paint.

14 Broad St, Teddington TW11 8RF More info: 020 8973 1468 www. happypotterceramics.co.uk

Hobbledown Easter Fun

Fri 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr A special programme of Easter activities including a Merrydown Procession, a flag and giant flower procession in which children can participate, puppet shows and workshops, as well as daily programme of animal “meet and greets” and character walkabouts.

Horton Park Children’s Farm, Horton Lane, Epsom KT19 8PT More info: 0843 289 4979 www. hobbledown.com

Hounslow Urban Farm Easter Egg-Travaganza

Friday 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Enjoy spring time fun on the farm this Easter with new baby animals!

Bottle feed lambs and calves,

ks Bockett’s Farm chic

experience piglet racing, cute animal encounters, owl displays and Easter Egg Hunts! Covered indoor barn for animal encounters, playbarn, picnic spots, playground and café.

Faggs Road, Feltham, TW14 0LZ More info: 020 8831 9658 www.hounslowurbanfarm.co.uk

Kempton Park

Easter Family Fun Day

Sat 30 Mar

Time: 12.50pm. Cost: £12.80 in advance, £16 on day, Children free.

A perfect afternoon of entertainment for parents and kids, including the opportunity to meet popular TV characters Peppa Pig and George who, back by popular demand, will be meeting and greeting their friends at intervals throughout the afternoon Don’t forget kids get in FREE! Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury TW16 5AQ More info: 01932 782292 www.kempton.co.uk

Kew Bridge Steam Museum Easter Family Fun

Fri 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Time: 11am-4pm. Cost: Adult £10, Child £4, Family £24.

Ride the steam locomotive on the Waterworks Railway for the last time in 2013 (Sat 30, Sun 31, Mon 1 only).

Make Victorian Easter bonnets and follow the clues in the Easter Egg Hunt every day over the weekend. Free parking.

Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, TW8 0EN More info: 020 8568 4757 www.kbsm.org

Kew Gardens Easter at Kew

Fri 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Fun filled family days out, arts and

crafts activities and delicious chocolate on offer. Join in the Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 31 March 2013 and collect tokens from around the Gardens to pick up your prize - a delicious chocolate treat from the Easter Bunny!

Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AB More info: 020 8332 5655 www.kew.org

London Transport Museum

Time Travelling Tube Family Fun

Mon 1 Apr to Fri 12 Apr oin London Transport Museum’s ‘Make and Take’ Arts and Crafts Workshops and Storytime sessions inspired by the 150th Anniversary of the London Underground. Hear about some of the characters that appear in the new exhibition Poster Art 150 – London Underground’s Greatest Designs, like Petra the Penguin and Percy the Policeman, and their Tube travelling story time adventure. Become an artist of the Underground with our ‘make and take’ poster workshop Storytime: 11am & 2pm. For all ages but most suitable for 3-7s.

Make and Take Craft Workshops: 11.30am & 2.30pm. For all ages but most suitable for 4-12s.

Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB More info: www.ltmuseum.co.uk

Marwell Zoo

Wild Egg Hunt and Easter Bunny!

Fri 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Time: 10am Cost: Adult £14/£18.

Child £11/£14 You can be at Marwell Zoo in less than 60 minutes by car. Visit the huge range of animals in this 140 acre park and take part in Marwell’s Wild Egg Hunt. Visit the Easter Bunny to collect your very own chocolate

Come and visit the café in the park

The Perfect Place for Families ENJOY ALL THE SPRING TIME FUN ON THE FARM THIS EASTER WITH OUR NEW BABY ANIMALS. BOTTLE FEEDING LAMBS AND CALVES • PIGLET RACING CUTE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS • OWL DISPLAYS • EGG HUNTS HOUNSLOW URBAN FARM • FAGGS ROAD, FELTHAM TW14 0LZ • 020 8831 9658

Open every day for breakfast, brunch, lunch and tea

Home made cakes and mouthwatering menu

Available DAYTIME for christenings, wedding receptions and kids parties!

Available EVENINGS for parties, group nights out and any other catered events. Canapes, bowl food, 3 course menus and curries – it’s your choice!

Contact: 01372 464999

The Pavilion Café, Claygate Recreation Ground, Church Road, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0HQ.

34

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

March-April 2013

Little Rugby 2yrs-5th 87x60

13/10/09

17:55

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Following the huge success of the Little Kickers football training programme for kids, here is another great idea we decided to run with. Little Rugby is a fun introduction to the sport and is non-contact, so it’s safe and friendly.

Kempton Park

egg! From 29 March to 14 April, you can also visit new walkthrough bird aviary, get creative with free feathery crafts and listen to some fascinating talks Thompson’s Lane, Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1JH More info: 01962 777407 www.marwell.org.uk

Osterley Park

Easter Eggstravaganza

Fri 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Easter Trail with a chocolate prize. Visit the mini farm on SUN & MON. Jersey Road, Isleworth TW7 4RB More info: 020 8232 5050 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park

Pavilion Café Claygate Easter Egg Hunt

Monday, 1 Apr Hunt for eggs at the café and surrounds. For more details, including time, please call café.Claygate Recreation Ground, Church Road, Claygate, KT10 0JP More info: 01372 464999

Strawberry Hill House

Claremont photo by John Millar

Royal Easter Bonnets

Sat 30 Mar For Ages: 5+. Time: 1-3pm. Cost: £4.50.

Use felt, fabric ribbons and bows to create your own Easter Bonnet fit for a King or Queen.

to draw in isometric, one and two point perspective and then draw your very own Strawberry Hill House.

268 Waldegrave Rd, Twickenham TW1 4ST More info: 020 8744 1241 www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk

APPROVED RUGBY TRAINING FOR KIDS FROM 2 TO 5TH BIRTHDAY

Call 02030921313 01932 429602

Syon House Easter Trail

www.littlerugby.co.uk cchalmers@littlekickers.co.uk www.littlerugby.co.uk gware@littlerugby.co.uk Fri 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Cost: Children under 16 free. Adults normal admission.

Look for the clues inside Syon House and outside in the gardens to win a prize.

Syon Park, Brentford, TW8 8JF 15/12/2011 More info: 020 8560 0882 www.syonpark.co.uk 819 Little Rugby A Jan11.indd 1

The Watercress Line

A Day Out With Thomas the Tank Engine

Fri 29 Mar to Sun 7 Apr Cost: Adults £16. Children £10 Your ticket includes an entire day of travel on the big steam trains that run up and down the 10 mile stretch between Arlesford and Alton, as well as rides on Thomas, Diesel and a miniature railway. Enjoy the free bouncy castle, Mr Wizard shows, face painting, games, colouring and DVD shows.

The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG More info: 01962 733810 www.watercressline.co.uk





Easter Garden Trail at Strawberry Hill House

    

Sat 30 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Cost: £1. Drop-in activity. Find and answer all the clues to win an Easter treat.

Mon 1 Apr

Architectural Drawing at Strawberry Hill House

 

For Ages: 8+. Time: 1-3pm. Cost: £4.

Looking at perspective, tone and shadow, learn how

SUR R EY'S NEW MYSTER ICA L FAR M PAR K A DVENT UR E

FUN FOR THE K IDS, WHATEVER THE WEATHER!!!

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PARTY COME &

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Through an old wooden door the Hobblers discovered A place more magical than any other.

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50 ACR ES O INDO O F A DVENT U ROUS R A ND O PLAY W IT H WO UT DO OR NDER F UL A NIMA LS

Join Thomas & FriendsTM at a heritage Railway near you.

Experience a ride on a real steam engine and take part in Thomas-themed activities.

“

MID HANTS RAILWAY ‘WATERCRESS LINE’

Amazing de sign, lovely and helpful Hob blers, health y and delicious fo od. My two kids loved, loved, loved it!

Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG

”

29TH - 7TH 2013

 

Hobbledown, Horton Park Childrens Farm, Horton Lane, Horton, KT19 8PT T: 0843 289 4979 E: thehobblers@hobbledown.com www.hobbledown.com www.facebook.com/hobbledownuk www.twitter.com/hobbledown

Day Out With Thomas Thomas the Tank EngineTM. Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry. © 2013 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. © 2013 HIT Entertainment Limited.

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

March-April 2013 10030_HOB_SPRING 2013 AD.indd 1

www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk TM

30/01/2013 13:33

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LOCAL THEATRE GUIDE WATERMANS

40 High Street,Brentford TW8 0DS 020 8232 1010 www.watermans.org.uk

show, combining humour, music and storytelling. For Ages: 4+.

The Waving Cat of Japan 28 April. In this exciting new show, with integrated sign language, Krazy Kat presents a Bunraku puppet- style theatrical fantasy, mixing in spectacular traditional Japanese images borrowed from the ‘Noh’ and ‘Kabuki’ theatre.

A visual feast for all the family! Free family workshop before and after show. For Ages: 3-7

THE ROSE THEATRE 24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL 0844 482 1556 www.rosetheatrekingston.org Bringing Down the Moon 10 March. A heart-warming tale of aspiration, friendship, adventure and a little bit of mischief; the perfect treat for Mother’s Day. Free family workshop before and after show.

For Ages: 3-7s.

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet 17 March. The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams, brought to life by Little Angel Theatre using beautiful puppets, well-loved ballet music and dazzling comedy.

For Ages: 2-6.

Rumpelstiltskin & The Wheel of Fortune 24 March. Using its trademark puppets, music, story-telling and transforming sets, Widdershins aims to create gold on stage with this new version of the Grimm’s classic tale.

For Ages: 4+.

The Boy at the Edge of the Room 2 April. This moving new play explores issues concerned with autism in today’s world. The performances coincide with World Autism Awareness Day.

My Brother the Robot 21 April. Tall Stories (the company that brought you The Gruffalo, Twinkle Twonkle and The Snail and the Whale) presents its brand new 36

Wash 12 to 14 March. Follow the adventure of a favourite toy needing its very first wash, from his first dip in the warm soapy water to styling his soft clean fur. With song, rhythm, puppetry and movement.

For Ages: 6mth-2yrs.

Sally and the Sunflower 15 to 16 March. This enchanting and inventive re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk uses puppetry, colourful projections and storytelling.

For Ages: 4-7.

The Tinderbox 22 to 23 March. A roguish soldier acquires a tinderbox, which gives him the power to magically summon three extraordinary dogs. Watch the soldier’s remarkable roller-coaster adventure reach dizzy heights and plunge dark depths. For Ages: 4-7.

The Gruffalo’s Child 14 to 17 March. The creators of the stage version of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Gruffalo, Tall Stories Theatre Company, return in a magical, musical adaptation.

For Ages: 3+.

Spot’s Birthday Party 7 to 9 June. Based on the books by Eric Hill and adapted and directed by David Wood, this is great musical fun for children age 2 upwards. Come and celebrate Spot’s birthday with all his friends!

THE POLKA THEATRE 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com

Cloud Child 7 April. This brand new show explores the bond between parent and child in a very special way. DNA Puppetry is a company with an international reputation for creating captivating visual theatre for families with children of all ages. Free family workshop before and after show.

For Ages: 2-5.

Pop! 14 April. Join Christian Lee, the “king of comedy magic” (Time Out), and enter his magical world of mirth, mayhem, and frolics. He has got a lot to say and do in this fast paced show that will wow you by the minute!

For Ages: 4+.

Mavis Sparkle 8 to 9 March. With a Magician for a Dad and a Stargazer for a Mum, no wonder there’s more to Mavis than meets the eye! For Ages: 4-7.

Curious 26 to 30 March. A perfect, giggle-making introductory experience to theatre that explores everyday objects in an interactive environment.

For Ages: 6mths to 3yrs.

Kid Carpet and the Noisy Animals 29 March. A rock & roll musical for kids. A fresh and fantastically fun show, that serves as a perfect introduction to the world of live performance. For Ages: 4-8.

Comedy 4 Kids 30 March. James Campbell is a stand-up comedian for you and your children, and anyone who likes comedy without the rude words.

For Ages: 6-11.

Blown Away 2 to 6 April. One windy night a small girl finds herself swept up and whisked away on an unforgettable journey with the wind.

For Ages: 3-5.

Egg 3 to 13 April. Watch as this delightful story unfolds on a tiny, rustic set, exquisitely constructed out of twigs, feathers and shell.

Guaranteed to entertain with magic, live music, plenty of action and an egg! For Ages: 4-7.

Grimm Tales 5 to 23 March. Join the award winning Theatr Iolo as they bring to life the magical stories of the Brothers Grimm, adapted by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, with renowned Theatre Director Tim Supple. Grimm Tales includes the deliciously scary Ashputtel (the original Cinderella story), Hansel & Gretel and Snow White.

For Ages: 6-11.

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Cloud Man 9 to 13 April. Follow the clues to the very top of Cloud Mountain where the views are always surprising. If you are lucky, you may see something very special indeed. For Ages: 4-7.

Pied Piper 19 to 20 April. A humorous and irresistible show with puppetry, foot-tapping live music and storytelling. For Ages: 3-7.

Just a Bit of Paper 26 to 27 April. Let your thoughts unfold and ideas take flight as we join Scribble and Scraps in their playground of paper. Fold, tear, scrumple, scrunch, scribble and imagine in this highly interactive show. For Ages: 3-6.

Charlie and Lola’s Extremely New Play 27 April to 17 August. Don’t miss everyone’s favourite brother and sister who are back on stage with their new show.

For Ages: 4-7.

MAGNA CARTA THEATRE Thorpe Road, Staines TW18 3HU Box Office: 07907 614 916 www.smtg.org.uk

Oliver!

13 to 17 March. Enjoy Lionel Bart’s classic musical about orphan Oliver’s adventures in low-life London presented by the Staines Musical Theatre Group. Tickets: £12/£10 & £14.

THE THEATRE IN THAMES DITTON

Vera Fletcher Hall, 4 Embercourt Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0LQ 0844 844 8832 www.verafletcherhall.co.uk Laika the Space Dog 16 March. Four singers, four players and a puppeteer tell the true story of Laika, the first dog in space, through song, puppetry and animation.

For Ages: 7-11.

The Wind in The Willows 23 March. A family participation musical based on Kenneth Graham’s classic of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad. For Ages: 5-11.

Jack and the Beanstalk Cafe 27 April. The traditional tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, with puppets, storytelling, comedy, songs and a modern twist.

For Ages: 4-8.

RIVERHOUSE ARTS CENTRE

Manor Road, Walton KT12 2PF 01932 253354 www.riverhousebarn.co.uk Elephant’s Bridesmaid 16 March. A magical musical about weddings and wombats and the loveliest elephant the world has ever known. Come in your fancy clothes or fancy dress.

For Ages: 4 to 104.

The Secret Garden 20 to 23 March. Red Dress Productions present Frances Hodgson-Burnett’s classic, using a mixture of performance disciplines including physical theatre, text and puppetry. This production may not be suitable for younger children as it plays on the darker elements of the story.

March-April 2013

Popular Children’s Picture Books Come Alive at The Rose!

There’s a wealth of great productions based on books for young children in the coming season at The Rose Theatre. A great way to enhance your child’s enjoyment of his or her trip to the theatre is to buy or borrow the relevant book and read it together before you come. Seeing favourite characters come alive on stage is a magical experience and guaranteed to make the theatre visit more enjoyable and meaningful for a child.

For fans of the books of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, there’s an amazing double-bill of fun: for children age 3 upwards, a comic adaptation of The Gruffalo’s Child kicks off the season from 14 to 17 March.

Then, on 27 June, catch Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales, also adapted by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and based on a selection of their books including Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle and The Smartest Giant in Town. Meet Tiddler and his friends under the sea with live music, puppetry and lots of colourful fun.

If you are thinking of introducing your child to theatre for the first

time, make sure you grab an invite to Spot’s Birthday Party on 7 to 9 June. Based on the books by Eric Hill, this is musical fun for little ones age 2 upwards. All Spot’s friends arrive dressed for a party and bring a homemade birthday card for Spot.

Later in the summer, Aliens Love Underpants, for ages 2 upwards, is based on the book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. As the title suggests, it is a zany,

hilarious tale with lots of stunning effects, crazy action, original music, lots of laughs - and, of course, plenty of aliens!! It’s guaranteed you and your child will laugh your pants right off!

Relax at the family-friendly Culture Café at the theatre before or after the performance, enjoy a light meal or coffee and cake or order a Children’s Lunch Bag for just £4. The Rose also caters for group bookings for children’s birthday parties.

For further information, visit www.rosetheatrekingston.org

WIN!COMPETITION!WIN!

This is a chance to WIN a Family Ticket to see CHARLIE AND LOLA’S EXTREMELY NEW PLAY, Live on Stage at The Polka Theatre in Wimbledon.

The season runs from 27 April to 17 August and ticket will be valid for any performance, with the exception of those held on Saturdays at 2pm.

Everyone’s favourite brother and sister are back with their new show following The Polka Theatre’s international hit, Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play (**** Time Out).

Enter a magical journey through the seasons, as Charlie and Lola discover that everything is different and not the same. What will happen when Lola and her best friend, Lotta, absolutely promise to look after Sizzles the dog? And follow Charlie and his best friend Marv on a Pirate Squidbones adventure! Playful, funny and full of surprises, this extremely new play about friendship and adventure promises to be a treat for everyone. Based on the wellloved BBC series and characters created by Lauren Child, this clever, beautifully observed and endearing story is a treat for the whole family.

Closing Date: Friday, 26 April 2013 To Enter: Go to our website www.familiesuponthames.co.uk (Terms and Conditions Apply). Please note: and answer the following question:

What is the name of Marv’s best friend?

THE GRuffAlO’S CHIld

children under 4 will only be admitted to Watch With Baby shows as per Polka Theatre’s under-age children policy.

Children under 4 will not be admitted to other performances.

27 April - 17 August Polka Theatre and BBC Worldwide present

Charlie and Lola’s

Adapted from the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Thu 14 – Sat 17 Mar

SPOT’S BIRTHdAY PARTY

TIddlER & OTHER TERRIfIC TAlES

Fri 7–Sun 9 Jun

Thu 27 Jun

Adapted & directed by David Wood Based on the books by Eric Hill

LOCAL THEATRE GUIDE

extremely New play Based on the characters created by Lauren Child Adapted by Jonathan Lloyd

Adapted from the best-selling books by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

020 8543 4888 / www.polkatheatre.com facebook.com/polkatheatre

ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON A world class theatre on your doorstep Visit

rosetheatrekingston.org 08444 821 556 (bkg fee applies)

March-April 2013

Polka Theatre is a registered charity no. 256979

@polkatheatre

4 -7

years

Charlie and Lola TM ® and © Lauren Child 2005.Charlie and Lola is produced by Tiger Aspect Productions and distributed by BBC Worldwide Ltd. BBC logo TM & © BBC 1996

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

37

The

Property Guide

Estate Agents For The Digital Age

With the advent of the major online property portals like Rightmove and Zoopla, clients looking to let, buy or rent a home are becoming ever more educated and savvy; they know what they want and how much it should cost and they are far less inclined to tolerate extortionate estate agency fees.

Increasingly, house hunters use the internet to shortlist for themselves properties in which they are interested, contacting a high street agent only when they want to organise a viewing. For this reason, there are many agents in the sector

London Van MoVes

who have decided to forego offices altogether and a wealth of online, low cost estate agents are cropping up all over the web offering to let and sell for less. There is more choice than ever for the consumer.

Edward Gray from Cocoon Lettings and Management Ltd in Kingston began trading in November 2012, offering landlords heavily reduced letting fees (starting from just 4% and no VAT for a limited time), whilst maintaining the full service packages found at most high street estate agents. But how can Cocoon afford to operate with a level of fees so much lower than the corporate high street agents?

The answer is simple. Cocoon cleverly resisted the temptation to invest in costly prime location office networks, and has instead focused investment on having a significant online presence. As Edward Gray, Managing Director of Cocoon (UK) points out: “That is where house hunters operate in the 21st Century, not on the high street going door to door.” However, Cocoon still acknowledges the need for a local presence, saying: “We didn’t want to be a faceless organisation.”

“I see Cocoon as a hybrid of the traditional and digital, offering the best of both worlds” says Edward. “We’re still the ‘local agent’ focussing on a concentrated territory, but we

Small business? Small child?

FROM £15 PER HOUR Driver can load/unload And take up to 2 people along in the van!

CaLL 07787 995795 www.londonvanmoves.co.uk

For more information, visit www.cocoonlettings.co.uk

Family Accountants that can help Contact Claire T: 020 8977 9387 M: 07970 272281 E: info@accountsresource.co.uk W: www.accountsresource.co.uk

Buying a new property?

Re-mortgaging? Buying to Let? Life or Critical Illness Protection.

We have been offering helpful and impartial advice to people all over the UK for many years and can arrange mortgages and mortgage-related insurance products.

We are based in Surrey and willing to undertake local travel.

01932 428925 david.saunders@rosemountfs.co.uk www.rosemountfs.com Rosemount Wealth Management is a trading style of Rosemount Financial Solutions Ltd who are an Appointed Representative of Intrinsic Financial and Mortgage Planning Limited, which is authorised and regulated by The Financial Services Authority. Intrinsic Financial and Mortgage Planning Limited is entered on the FSA register (http:/www.fsa.gov.uk/register/) under reference 440703 and 44071.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Some Buy to Let mortgages are not regulated by the FSA.

38

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

operate from a cost effective first floor work space, rather than having a shop front on the high street. And, of course we have a heavier online presence.”

Coming from a traditional lettings background, Edward questions whether it is still justifiable to ask Landlords and Vendors to shoulder the costs of extravagant office networks with equally extravagant rents.

“We are all now part of an ‘ipod generation’ and with retail consumers benefitting from online retailers like Amazons and iTunes, why shouldn’t homeowners benefit in the same way?” he asks.

One thing is clear: it is now possible for independent agents to compete with the larger corporates by offering cheaper, alternative options and for a company like Cocoon to position itself as the new breed of estate agent for the digital age. This can only be an advantage for those letting and renting property in Kingston.

extra

TRULY PRoFessIonaL Man and Van seRVICe. We CoMe HIGHLY ReCoMMended

West and South West London & Surrey Removals, picks ups/deliveries Single items/full loads

By Linda Stone

Fun WithMusic!

Music!

Fun With

In Central CentralRichmond Richmond In Music Classes for for Music Classes Music Classes for 1-5 Year Olds 1-5 Year Year Olds 1-5 Olds For For more information, more information call: call:

For more information, call:

020-8332-2275 020-8332-2275

020-8332-2275 www.christinasfunwithmusic.co.uk

Cocoon Lettings Kingston Local Service. Online Prices.

New Landlord Offer: Let Only 4% (No VAT) Rent Collection 6.5% (No VAT) Fully Managed 8% (No VAT) (offer ends 22nd March 2013) Call us for a Free Valuation: 020 300 63 515 Visit: www.cocoonlettings.co.uk

March-April 2013

The

Property Guide NB Pantone Colour 5635

VILLAGE PROPERTIES Specialists in Letting to Corporate and Professional Tenants

020 8392 3996

village-properties.co.uk Stonehill Road, East Sheen

£5650pcm

Unfurnished

Burges Grove, Barnes

£5950pcm

Unfurnished

A beautifully presented and very well maintained 5 bedroom, 2 reception, 2 bathroom detached family house in this quiet road off Sheen Lane, close to the entrance to Richmond Park. Off-street parking, garage and garden. Perfect access to the German School and Ibstock School. Available Beg April 13

A modern detached family house in this popular development close to Hammersmith Bridge offering accommodation on two floors comprising 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, conservatory, family kitchen, garden, garage and parking. The property has been redecorated throughout and has the benefit of wooden floors. Available now.

Ashleigh Road, Mortlake

Liverpool Road, North Kingston

£1600pcm

A wonderful period ground floor apartment having the benefit of a private garden. The property has an elegant living room, 2 bedrooms, beautiful open plan kitchen/dining room, bathroom, private west-facing garden. Available 5th March 13

£2950pcm

Unfurnished

Detached 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house close to Richmond Park, two reception rooms, w.c., kitchen, large garden, off-street parking and garage. Available now.

NB Pantone Colour 5635

NB Pantone Colour 5635

Barnes • Richmond • East Sheen • Mortlake • Kew • St Margarets • Kingston • Twickenham • Ham • Petersham 20 Mortlake High Street, London, SW14 8JN

What Type of Mortgage Would a Mortgage Adviser Take?

David Saunders tells us.

Choosing the right mortgage deal has always been something of a gamble.

Should you go for a Fixed Rate and risk interest rates going down or choose a Tracker deal and suffer the consequences of any rate increases?

Most economists aren’t predicting rate rises anytime soon and it seems unlikely that rates will fall again either, which means that you may be happily hedging your bets on your Lender’s Standard Variable Rate, rather than considering a Fixed Rate.

However, be careful, because you may be missing a trick, particularly if you have savings languishing in a savings account with a very low interest rate.

With many lenders charging relatively high Standard Variable Rates, you will almost certainly be able to save money by switching to a new mortgage deal. The re-mortgage market is particularly competitive for those who own 25% or more of their property’s value.

Is there a way of saving money on your mortgage and improving the return from your savings? There certainly is and it’s called the Offset Mortgage. With this type of mortgage, your savings offset March-April 2013

your mortgage balance and you can either reduce your mortgage term or lower your monthly payments. Talk to a Mortgage Adviser to see if this is the right move for you.

So what type of mortgage would a Mortgage Adviser take? I’m about to change to an exclusive and extremely competitive 5 year Fixed Offset Mortgage at 3.19% while it is available. Until very recently, you paid high costs for the security of knowing what your repayments would be for 5 years, usually a considerably higher rate than a 2 year Fixed Mortgage, for example. But in recent months, some 5 year Fixed Rate deals have become as cheap, if not cheaper than 2 year deals and consequently, they are surging in popularity.

The mortgage market is a minefield. If you get help to navigate it, you will make considerable savings. It’s our incentive to get you the best deal we can so that you come back to save more when your current deal is up. It is important to take into consideration any fees (Mortgage Arrangement, Valuation etc) when working out whether to switch and it is your Mortgage Adviser’s job to find the most cost effective

overall option, not necessarily the cheapest rate. Let someone like me do the hard work and

extra

you just relax and enjoy the extra money you are saving every month!

David Saunders is from Rosemount Wealth Management in Surrey and offers impartial advice about mortgages and mortgage-related insurance products. For further information, email david.saunders@rosemountfs.co.uk or visit www.rosemountfs.com

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

39

what’s on

Osterley Park

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Bocketts chicks

SAT 9 MAR Mammal Walk at Hounslow Heath 450 Staines Road, Hounslow, TW4 5AB Ham house Time: 9am. Cost: Adult £4. Child £2.

Using some animal friendly traps, join the rangers to see what small mammals live Claremont in Hounslow Heath and learn about their Landscape Garden secret lives in the undergrowth.

Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG More info: 0788 7410811 01372 467806 www.hounslow.info www.nationaltrust.org.uk Hats Galore at Chertsey Museum Elmbridge Museum The Cedars, 33 Windsor Street, Time: 2-4.30pm. Cost: £1.50 Chertsey KT16 8AT See examples of different historical hats 01932 565764 from the museum collection and make www.chertseymuseum.org.uk one for yourself. Will yours be a helmet, Elmbridge Museum a crown, a flowery bonnet or something Church St, Weybridge KT13 8DE else?

01932 843573 MON 11 MAR www.elmbridge.gov.uk Baby Signing Taster Kempton Park Racecourse Session in Richmond Staines Road East, Sunbury St Stephen’s Crossway, Richmond Rd, TW16 5AQ Twickenham TW1 2PD 01932 782292 www.kempton.co.uk Time: 11-11.45am. Cost: Free Kingston Museum Experience this unique and enthusiastic Wheatfield Way, Kingston KT1 2PL approach to learning language and 020 8547 5006 having fun with music www.kingston.gov.uk/museum More info: 020 8288 1706 Osterley Park www.singinghands.co.uk Jersey Road, Isleworth TW7 4RB FRI 15 MAR AND FRI 19 APR 020 8232 5050 www.nationaltrust.org.

Museum Monkeys at uk/osterley-park Chertsey Museum Painshill Park For Ages: 0-5. Time: 9.30-11.30am.

Portsmouth Road, Esher KT11 1JE Cost: £4.50 01932 868113 www.painshill.co.uk Singing, stories and crafts for the under Polka Theatre 5s. Booking required.

240 The Broadway Wimbledon SW19 1SB SAT 16 MAR 020 8543 4888 Free Musical Instrument www.polkatheatre.com Lesson in Hampton Hill Strawberry Hill House Hillsound Music, 24-26 High St, 268 Waldegrave Rd, Twickenham Hampton TW12 1PD TW1 4ST In conjunction with National ‘Learn 020 8744 1241 To Play’ Day, supported by UK music www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk charity Music For All, children are invited Teeney Weenies to come along and enjoy a free guitar, Play Cafe drum, saxophone or piano lesson.

Imperial Pavilion, Teddington Sports For times and further details, Ground email help@hillsound.co.uk Udney Park Rd, Teddington TW11 9BB or call 020 8977 7788.

079 4034 8726 More info: 020 8977 7788 www.teeneyweenies.co.uk www.hillsound.co.uk Wandsworth Museum Comic Relief Red Nose Day 38 West Hill, Wandsworth, SW18 1RX Charity Event in Kingston 0208 870 6060 All Saints Parish Church, Clarence St, www.wandsworthmuseum.co.uk Kingston

VENUE DETAILS

40

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

Kew Bridge Steam Museum

Time: 11am till late. Cost: small donation.

There will be a mega inflatable slide and a large bouncy castle.

More info: 020 8399 5679 www.party-bounce.co.uk SAT 16 MAR AND SAT 20 APR Young Archaeologists Club at Chertsey Museum For Ages: 8-16. Time: 11am or 2pm.

Cost: £4.50.

Session must be booked.

COMMENCING TUE 19 MAR Sassy Stirrers Cookery Workshop at Teeney Weenies Play Cafe Time: 10.15am and 11am Cost: £7.50 Every Tuesday, there will be 2 fun filled cookery sessions with Sassy Stirrers and a play in the café.

SAT 23 MAR & SAT 27 APR Saturday Cooking Club in Esher For Ages: 4-12. Time: 2.30-4.30pm.

Cost: £14.

Fun cooking club where you mix baking skills with fun! Recipes and samples of cooking to take home. Address to be finalised.

More info: 07789 792676 www.sassystirrers.com Den Building at Painshill Park For Ages: 5-13. Time: 9.30am-4.30pm. Cost: Adult £12, Children £8.

Special family den building outdoor activity with the help of our experienced instructor.

SUN 24 MAR Dusty’s Easter Eggstravaganza in Twickenham The Winning Post, TW2 6LS Time: 2-4pm. Tickets: £3 Adults, £6 Child. Dusty the Disco Dog just loves to dance! Come along to this eggciting afternoon and join Dusty and the Disco Dollies for some Easter holiday fun!

Special appearance by the Easter Bunny with chocolates.

More info: 07792 182951 www.dustydoesdisco.co.uk Family Discovery Day at Osterley Park Time:12-3pm. Cost: Normal admission.

Creative fun days for families, each with a different theme.

Lucky Dip Disco at Riverhouse Arts Centre Manor Road, Walton KT12 2PF Time: 3-5pm. Cost: £6 Children, £4 Adults.

London Transport Museum

For All Ages: Retro Disco with bubbles, lights and games.

More info: 01932 253354 www.riverhousebarn.co.uk TUE 26 MAR Easter Egg Hunt at Teeney Weenies Play Cafe Cost:£6 first child, £3 siblings.

1st Adult free, Additional Adult £1.50 Booking required. Children discover hidden tokens to redeem for chocolate.

WED 27 MAR Baby Signing Taster Session at Teeney Weenies Play Cafe Time:10.15-11.00am. Cost: £3 entry to café. Experience this unique approach to learning language and having fun with music as well as a play at the café.

FRI 29 MAR – SUN 14 APR Easter Eggstravaganza at Bocketts Farm Young St, Fetcham near Leatherhead KT2 9BS Complete the Easter Egg trail with a chocolate treat for every child. Lambing will be the main highlight during Easter at Bocketts Farm with over 300 new born lambs due in the Big Animal Barn. There will also be daily animal handling sessions, indoor and outdoor play areas, pony rides, tractor rides, goat milking, pig racing, gold panning.

More info: 01372 363764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk Easter Eggstravaganza at HOUNSLOW URBAN FARM Friday 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr Enjoy spring time fun on the farm this Easter with new baby animals! Bottle feed lambs and calves, experience piglet racing, cute animal encounters, owl displays and Easter Egg Hunts! Covered indoor barn for animal encounters, playbarn, picnic spots, playground and café.

Faggs Road, Feltham, TW14 0LZ More info: 020 8831 9658 www.hounslowurbanfarm.co.uk FRI 29 MAR to SUN 7 APR Day Out With Thomas The Tank Engine at The Watercress Line The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG Your ticket includes an entire day of travel on the big steam trains as well as rides on Thomas, Diesel and a miniature railway, bouncy castle, Mr Wizard shows, face painting, games, colouring and DVD shows.

More info: 01962 733810 www.watercressline.co.uk

March-April 2013

Kempton Park

MON 1 APR to FRI 12 APR Time Travelling Tube Family Fun at London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2E Join London Transport Museum’s ‘Make and Take’ Arts and Crafts Workshops and Storytime sessions inspired by the 150th Anniversary of the London Underground. Hear about some of the characters that appear in the new exhibition Poster Art 150. Become an artist of the Underground with our ‘make and take’ poster workshop.

Storytime: 11am & 2pm. For all ages but most suitable for 3-7s.

Make and Take Craft Workshops: 11.30am & 2.30pm. For all ages but most suitable for 4-12s.

More info: 020 7379 6344 www.ltmuseum.co.uk TUE 2 APR Feathered Friends Workshop at Polka Theatre For Ages: 4 to 5. Time: 10-11.15am.

Cost: £18 Create some feathered friends inspired by the show Egg in this drama and craft workshop.

TUE 2 to FRI 5 AND TUE 9 to FRI 12 APR The Great Easter Egg & Spoon Challenge at Painshill Park For Ages: 2-13. Time: 12-4pm.

Cost: Normal admission price.

Woodland egg and spoon course. Balance the egg on the spoon and weave, jump, duck and run through the obstacles.

TUE 2, THU 4, TUE 9 AND THU 11 APR Easter Holiday Activities at Chertsey Museum For Ages: 5-12. Time:11am-12.30pm or 2-3.30pm. Cost: £4.50 Sessions must be booked in advance.

WED 3 APR Open Wardrobe: Play in a Day at Polka Theatre For Ages: 7 to 11. Time:10.30am-3.30pm.

Cost: £30.

If you missed out on our very first open wardrobe, now is your chance to try on costumes and explore our props and puppets from past productions. Then bring them to life in your very own performance.

WED 3 APR Aspects of Strawberry at Strawberry Hill House For Ages: 8+. Time:11.30am-3.30pm.

Cost: £15.

Working inside and outside the House, create colour sketches of this historically important building.

THU 4 APR Easter Eggstravaganza at Kingston Museum For Ages: 4-10. Time: 1-4.30pm. Cost: Free Find out about the history behind some of our Easter traditions, decorate an egg and make a bunny finger puppet to take home.

THU 4 & FRI 5 APR Spring Time Bugs & Butterflies at Polka Theatre For Ages: 3 to 4 & 5 to 6.

Time: 10-11.15am(3-4s) 11.30am-12.45pm (5-6s). Cost: £36.

Create spring time creatures and bring them to life in this fun drama, storytelling and craft two day workshop.

SAT 6 APR Storytelling Puppets at Strawberry Hill House For Ages: 5+. Time: 1-3pm. Cost: £4.50.

Make your very own puppet and then join in some Strawberry Storytelling.

15 Minutes of Fun at Chertsey Museum March-April 2013

Time:1.pm-3.30pm. Cost: Free.

Free drop-in family craft activities.

SUN 7 APR Sunday Afternoon Art at Orleans House Gallery Riverside Twickenham TW1 3DJ For Ages: 4+. Time: 2.00-3.30pm.

Cost: Free.

Free drop-in workshop for families.

More info: 020 8831 6000 www.richmond.gov.uk/arts MON 8 APR Picture Printing for Under 5s at Strawberry Hill House For Ages: under 5s. Time:1-2pm.

Cost: £4.50.

Create a master piece with your child using simple printing techniques and designs inspired by Strawberry Hill.

MON 8 to FRI 12 APR Easter Holiday Activities at Claremont Landscape Garden Time:11am-1pm. Cost: Child £1.50.

Children’s activities in the Thatched Cottage.

WED 10 APR Royal Easter Bonnets at Strawberry Hill House For Ages: 5+ Time: 1-3pm.

Cost: £4.50.

Using felt and fabric ribbons and bows create your own Easter bonnet fit for a King or Queen.

Behind the Scenes: Actors Boot Camp at Polka Theatre For Ages: 7 to 11.

Time: 10am-3.30pm. Cost: £30.

Join the Boot Camp and explore everything you need to know about acting. You will be put through your paces with techniques, exercises and games used by professionals WED 10 APR & THU 11 APR Printing Techniques at Wandsworth Museum Time: 1.30-3.30pm. Cost: Free This Easter holiday, try your hand at a range of printing techniques, from block printing to collagraphs.

THU 11 APR Put Yourself in the Picture at Kingston Museum For Ages: 4-10. Time:1-4.30pm.

Cost: Free Be inspired by the Stuart Heydinger photography exhibition and create your own black and white masterpieces.

FRI 12 APR Musical Director for a Day at Polka Theatre For Ages: 8 to 13. Time: 10.30am-3.30pm. Cost: £30.

Create your very own songs inspired by a Polka show and perform them to family and friends. Bring an instrument if you play one but no previous experience is required SAT 13 APR Ghoulish Gargoyles at Strawberry Hill House For Ages: 5+. Time: 1-3pm.

Cost: £4.50.

Take inspiration from Strawberry’s Gothic roots and create a Gargoyle to frighten off unwanted pests.

Family Fun Day at Kempton Park Time:12.50pm. Cost: £12.80 in advance, £16 on day, Children free.

Meet Mike the Knight, one of TV’s most popular children’s characters of the moment. Mike is an energetic, cheeky yet bountiful young knight-in-training, driven by his passion to help others and, along the way, be the best knight he can be. Mike the Knight will be making appearances throughout the afternoon race fixture, giving

Join us for our Easter trails Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont Ham House and Garden, Richmond www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hamhouse Morden Hall Park, Morden www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mordenhallpark Polesden Lacey, Dorking www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey River Wey Navigations and Dapdune Wharf, Guildford www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkwortharboretum Check property websites for event details, opening times and prices or visit

www.nationaltrust.org.uk Registered charity No. 205846.

300 eaSter eggStravaganza Bocketts Farm Park 29th March - 14th april 2013

Fantastic Family Fun this spring! › Easter Egg Hunt Trail with chocolate treats for everyone › Panning for Gold! › Daily animal handling with cute chicks and cuddly bunnies!

over

baby l am due bs plus

Jumping pillows, play barns, animal handling, tractor rides, pig racing and pony rides daily

www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

#

Special

Offer

d ar aw wi nn ing !

£1 off full price farm entry per person

(max 5 people) valid from 1st - 28th March 2013.

Only with this voucher.

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

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fitness

Lilli's Cabin

Complementary & Beauty Therapy Facial Massage Waxing Tinting Shaping Manicure Pedicure Australian Body Care Ear Candling Chertsey

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www.Lilliscabin.com 0789 181 3542

Matwork and reformer group and 1:1 sessions Morning, lunchtime and evening Specialist pregnancy and postnatal classes www.performpilates.co.uk 07425 143203 home maintenance

R.S.Maintenance

* Bathrooms & Kitchens * Tiling * Painting & Decorating * Fencing * All Home & Garden Maintenance

Call Rob - 07980 566 106 parties

“The Best Party Magic” Over 25 years of top entertainment

The most amazing magic, plus balloon models, games, party bags… and Harry the white rabbit!

Tim Barnes

(020) 8568 5706 tim@timbarnes.biz www.timbarnes.biz Member of The Magic Circle

shopping

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what’s on fans the opportunity to meet and greet their hero from the hit TV show.

Pithy Prints at Elmbridge Museum Time: 2-4.30pm. Cost: £1.50 Learn how to make relief prints using fruit and vegetables and create a personalised place mat. Come dressed for mess!

SAT 27 APR Saturday Cooking Club in Esher Time:2.30pm-4.30pm. Cost: £14.

For Ages: 4-12 Fun cooking club where you mix baking skills with fun! Recipes and samples of cooking to take home. Venue to be confirmed.

More info: 07789 792676 www.sassystirrers.com Wildlife Family Fun at Painshill Park For Ages: 5-13. Time: 10am-1pm.

Cost: Adult £12, Child £8.

Woodland egg and spoon course. Balance the egg on the spoon and weave, jump, duck and run through the obstacles.

SUN 28 APR Family Farm Day at Claremont Landscape Garden Time: 10.30-4.30pm. Cost: Normal Admission.

Family Discovery Day at Osterley Park Time: 12-3pm. Cost: Normal admission.

Creative fun days for families, each with a different theme.

MON 6 MAY Family Fun Day at Kempton Park Time: 12.50pm. Cost:£12.80 in advance, £16 on day, Children free.

The Bank Holiday sees the return of the Mascot Grand National. Mascots from up and down the country will be thundering down the final furlong, jumping over specially made hurdles en route to victory in the mad cap race for club mascots. The hilarious race that raises hundreds of pounds for charity will take place before an afternoon of horse racing.

FOR PARENTS

WED 6 MAR Baby and Child Resuscitation at Pitter Patter Richmond The Cricketers Pub, The Green, Richmond TW9 1LX Time: 9.30-11.30am. Cost: £45 per person, £75 per couple.

Learn what to do if a baby or child stopped breathing or chokes. By practicing on manikins and learning an easy to remember CPR technique, this course will give you peace of mind.

More info: 07796 942771 www.baby-steps.co.uk THU 7 MAR London Mothers Club “Ask the Expert” in Clapham The Jam Tree, Clapham Old Town Time: 2-4.30pm. Cost: Free, donations accepted.

London Mothers Club is teaming up with a host of experts to bring you the opportunity to quiz them in this charity event. There will be experts in sleep, weaning, child nutrition, child development, education, your legal rights, your career, your health and much more...

More info: www.londonmothersclub.com FRI 8 to SUN 10 MAR Florimania at Hampton Court Palace An extravaganza of flower displays over this Mothering Sunday Weekend along the Tudor route at the Palace with flower arranging demonstrations, afternoon tea and oyster and champagne bar.

More info: www.hrp.org.uk

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

abin jan 2013 2.indd 1

Painshill Park

SUN 10 MAR Mother’s Day at Ham House Ham Street, Ham, TW10 7RS Time: 11am-5.00pm. Cost: Free entry for Mums with children.

More info: 020 8940 1950 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Free Entry for Mother’s Day at Painshill Park Time: 10.30am-6pm. Cost: Free to mothers with children.

Spend the day with your mother in the beautiful landscape garden. Free to mothers when accompanied by their children.

More info: 01932 868113 www.painshill.co.uk Free Entry for Mother’s Day at Claremont Landscape Garden Time: 10am-5pm. Cost: Free to mothers with children.

Stroll through the gardens and visit Cameillia Terrace in bloom. The tea room will be open for lunches and afternoon teas.

Mother’s Day at Pottery Café 332 Richmond Rd, TW1 2DU Free hot drink and cupcake for mums and opportunity to decorate a beautiful piece of pottery.

More info: 020 8744 3000 www.pottery-cafe.com Mothers Day at Happy Potter Ceramics 14 Broad St, Teddington TW11 8RF Free cupcakes for any mummies on the day.

Any mothers day themed photo frames painted before the big day will get a tea mug half price!

More info: 020 8973 1468 www.happypotterceramics.co.uk WED 13 MAR Childhood First Aid at Pitter Patter Richmond The Cricketers Pub, The Green, Richmond TW9 1LX Time:9.30-11.30am. Cost: £45 per person, £75 per couple.

This invaluable course enables you to feel prepared managing First Aid, including burns, allergies, head injuries and the initial steps to follow in a range of childhood emergencies.

More info: 07796 942771 www.baby-steps.co.uk Rainbow Nurseries Charity Walk in Richmond Park Cambrian Gate, Richmond Park Time:10.30am. Rainbow Nurseries will be holding its annual sponsored walk for Cancer Research UK whilst the children participate in sport and art activities, followed by a cake stall at 12pm at the nurseries.

More info: julia.hunter@hotmail.co.uk SAT 16 MAR Show Stoppers in Twickenham The Clarendon Room, York House, Richmond Rd, Twickenham TW1 3AA Time: 7.30pm. Cost: £12 Celebrates the great musical numbers from the biggest shows, ‘Wicked’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Sweet Charity’ and many more! The Tempo Tots Choir, Children from the All Expressions Theatre School plus soloists from the English National Opera will be showcasing their dazzling voices in this West End style evening!

More info: www.musicalshowstoppers. eventbrite.co.uk THU 21 MAR Home-Start Elmbridge Golf Day Silvermere Golf Complex, Cobham

Cost: £55. Join the Home-Start Elmbridge team for fun golf day includes tea/coffee, bacon rolls from 8am, hot buffet lunch, raffle, auction and prizes.

More info: 01932 235802 ahillis. homesart@elmbridgehousing.org.uk THU 28 MAR & FRI 19 APR London Mothers Club Pamper Party in Kingston Bishop Out of Residence, 2 Bishop’s Hall Kingston KT1 1PY Time:1-5pm. An afternoon of pampering: many treatments to choose from and babysitters onsite to entertain the little ones while you relax and socialise.

More info: www.londonmothersclub.com THU 4 AND THU 11 APR Craft Cart at Osterley Park & Gardens Time: 12-3pm. Cost: Normal admission.

Visit Osterley’s craft cart and find fun craft activities for families.

THU 18 APR Thorpe Lea Dental Open Evening Time: 5-9pm. Book a FREE 15 minute consultation, learn about teeth whitening, fast & invisible braces and have an informal chat with exclusive offers on the night.

Thorpe Road, Staines, TW18 3EQ More info: 01784 454899 www.thorpeleadental.com

NEARLY NEW SALES

SAT 23 MAR Mum2mum Nearly New Sale in Teddington Teddington Baptist Church, Church Rd, Teddington TW11 8PF. Time: 2.00pm to 4.00pm More info: www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Mum2mum Nearly New Sale in Hersham Hersham Village Hall, Queens Rd, Hersham KT12 5LT. Time: 2-4pm.

More info: www.mum2mummarket.co.uk SUN 24 MAR Baby & Children’s Market in Staines The Magna Carta School, Thorpe Rd, Staines TW18 3HJ. Time: 2.30-4.30pm.

More info: 07885 658394 www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk SAT 13 APR Walton Twins Club Nearly New Sale in Walton The Playhouse, Hepworth Way, Walton.

Time:10-11.30am.

More info: www.waltontwinsclub.org SAT 20 APR NCT Nearly New Sale in Twickenham All Hallows Church, Erncroft Way, TW1 1EW. Time: 10-11.30am.

More info: 0844 243 6304 www.nct.org.uk SAT 27 APR Cherished Nearly New Sale in Addlestone Addlestone Community Centre, Garfield Rd, KT 15 2NJ. Time: 10.30am-12pm.

More info: 07931 617339 cherishednearlynew@hotmail.co.uk SAT 4 MAY Good as New Children’s Clothes, Toys & Equipment Sale in Thames Ditton Esher College, Weston Green Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0JB. Time: 1.30-3.30pm.

More info: 020 8398 2787 farmiloes@aol.com www.goodasnewsale.com March-April 2013 14/12/2012 14:51:16

Approved football training for kids aged 18 months to 7 years

Kingston 020 8286 6038 Richmond 020 8979 8048 Weybridge 01932 847439

www.littlekickers.co.uk

Where learning’s a ball Creating an environment in which your child’s love of dance can thrive

KBS NEW MALDEN Est. 1995 Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Modern Dance classes for 2½ to 18 years in New Malden

NEW FOR NEXT TERM:

Tap and Modern for 7 to 9 years Saturday Ballet for 3/4 and 5/6 years • Free Trial Lessons • Sibling Discounts

Option to take exams in all dance styles, 100% success rate All teachers are highly qualified and RAD registered For full details:

www.kingstonballetschool.com Principal Louise Jefferson B.Phil(hons),LRAD,ARAD, AISTD

on 07909 139149

March-April 2013

www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

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EASTER KIDS’ CAMP at Colets

29TH MARCH-12TH APRIL 2013 4-12 years • Non-members welcome

JOIN US THIS EASTER FOR... Easter Egg Hunt • Lego Day Trampoline Day • Virtual Gaming Day • Under the Sea Day Circus Day • Zoo Lab Day • Pizza Express Day (8-12yrs) PLUS... Swimming every afternoon!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...

MINI MAY KIDS’ CAMP: Monday 6th May 2013 (Inset Day) MAY HALF-TERM KIDS’ CAMP: Friday 24th-Friday 31st May 2013

Full details & booking forms online at www.coletshealthclub.co.uk St Nicholas Road • Thames Ditton • Surrey • KT7 0PW 020 8335 6993 • juniors@coletshealthclub.co.uk

www.coletshealthclub.co.uk

Enrolling NOW for our new term.

Come along to a free INTRODUCTORY SESSION and see how much FUN your kids can have while growing their skills and confidence.

At The Little Gym we offer a non-competitive, progressive approach to our developmental classes which enable children to reach their greatest potential. Children aged from 4 months to 12 years learn at an age appropriate pace through our structured gymnastics classes which grows new skills and builds confidence during each stage of their childhood. All this while they are just having loads of FUN with our friendly tea team of instructors. That’s what we call Serious FUN! We also do great birthday parties and holiday camps for all ages.

Book your free introductory visit NOW and secure your place. Enrolment available throughout the year.

www.thelittlegym.co.uk Hampton & Teddington Hampton Hill  TW12 1NY 020 8977 0099 hampton_teddington@thelittlegym.co.uk

Wandsworth & Fulham Wandsworth, SW18 1DB 020 8874 6567 wandsworth_fulham@thelittlegym.co.uk

Chiswick Chiswick  W4 3AN 020 8994 3729 chiswick@thelittlegym.co.uk

Westfield Westfield shopping centre  W12 7GE 020 8735 0817 westfield@thelittlegym.co.uk

Families upon Thames is designed by Sarah Harmer and printed by Warners, in Lincolnshire. Copyright, Families upon Thames magazine 2013. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liabilty for loss or damage. Families upon Thames is part of the Families Group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under liscense. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.