Families West London 121May - June 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

• Top tips for organising your child's party

• Mindfulness for mums • Importance of STEM education • Win tickets to a show!

See page 19 • What’s on for families in west London

Issue 121 May-June 2018

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In this issue...

The longer, warmer days are tempting us outside and this issue is full of ideas to excite you about adventures in west London.

Our pages are packed with information and activities for families as well as ideas for planning your child's next party.

So grab a coffee and enjoy your read!

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News & Views

ON TREND party planning!

Education features 10 Sleep baby, SLEEP! 7

12 Mindfulness for mums 14 Summer Camps and What’s On in west London 20 Activities, Clubs & Classes

11+ scholarship success at Clifton Lodge

Clifton Lodge School in Ealing is delighted to announce our pupils’ recent 11+ success. Their girls led the way with 5 Academic Scholarships, awarded for 11+ entry at the following schools: Notting Hill & Ealing High School St Augustine’s Priory (2 Academic Scholarships offered) St Helen’s Northwood College An academic scholarship was also offered to one of their boys at John Lyon. Congratulations to these pupils for gaining academic scholarship offers to these highly competitive schools.

Clifton Lodge tracks individual pupils’ academic progress and potential, which is a key tool when looking at senior school options. This assessment data shows that their pupils are working to and achieving significantly higher levels than in the maintained sector.

The next Open Day is on Saturday 12th May 2018, or informal, private tours can be arranged.

Clifton Lodge is at 8 Mattock Lane, Ealing, London, W5 5BG Email: floyd.steadman@cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk www.cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk 020 8579 3662

FREE tennis with the Great British Tennis Weekend!

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2 Families west London

Take advantage of endless amounts of family fun with the Great British Tennis Weekend!

From May to August over a thousand parks, clubs and venues across the nation will be opening their doors to host FREE tennis sessions for the whole family. So there is sure to be one near you!

Whether you’re a complete beginner, dusting off your racket or practically a pro, there will be something to serve up a smile for all ages and abilities!

From Mini Tennis sessions to Cardio Tennis classes, there will be lots of fun activities for everyone to get stuck into - and with rackets and balls on hand at each event, it really couldn’t be made easier.

So kickstart your summer and make the most of the great outdoors with your family and friends by finding a Great British Tennis Weekend event near you!

Go to: www.LTA.org.uk/GBTW

May-June 2018

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News & Views Eaton Square Schools group grows with the addition of new Kensington site

One of London’s leading independent schools group has announced its latest expansion, with the addition of a new South Kensington site. The Eaton Square Schools group is welcoming Eaton Square School, Kensington (formerly known as Hyde Park School) this Easter, after rebranding to align the collection of central London schools under one name. Based at South Kensington’s Elvaston Place, the school was first launched in 1962 and has grown from a small day nursery to one of London’s most well-known preparatory schools. Owned by Minerva Education, Hyde Park School joins the Eaton Square group which has an existing prep school located in Belgravia, as well as its newly launched senior school, Eaton Square Mayfair, situated on Piccadilly. Sebastian Hepher, Head of Eaton Square Schools Group, said: “Hyde Park School does some amazing things from regular charity work and fundraising, to creative lessons and outstanding after-school clubs - so I am looking forward to working with them and incorporating their ideas into the other schools in the group.”

New times table test for Year 4’s

The government has announced plans to have all Year 4 pupils sit a compulsory times table test.

The test will be tried out in a sample of schools with it being made available on a voluntary basis to all schools across England from June 2019. It will become mandatory in June 2020.

The test has been described by the Government as a 5 minute ‘onscreen check’ which is designed to help ensure children know the multiplication tables up to 12 off by heart and has been designed to avoid causing additional stress for children and teachers.

The Government has also said results from the check will not be published at school-level, and will not be used by Ofsted and others to force changes in schools.

Some teachers’ unions have expressed strong concerns about the introduction of another test being an unnecessary additional burden on schools.

A decade of success

Acton Ballet School celebrated ten years of success in style with a party, two charity fundraisers and a world record attempt. The school, which turned ten at the beginning of November, threw a party for all their students and families, using the event to collect uniforms and shoes to be donated to underprivileged dancers in Africa. The next day, along with its sister school Maida Vale Ballet School, the students took part in a Tapathon, which in addition to being a world record attempt also raised £360 for the BBC's Children In Need appeal. Both the schools have also celebrated outstanding Royal Academy of Dance ballet and International Dance Teachers Association tap and modern exam results again this year, maintaining their 100% pass rate with many students gaining the top distinction grade. In addition they were voted 'Best Kids Dance Classes' by parents via 'The Motherhood.' This summer, the school hosts its first ever summer school with a circus theme, there will be many dance styles to try, new circus themed skills to learn, an end of week show and a party. Booking opens on the 1st of May. Contact the school for further details. To join in the next charity event, donate to the dance wear appeal or for more information on the schools, please visit: www.actonballetschool.co.uk or: www.maidavaleballet.co.uk

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May-June 2018

Families west London 3

Be ON TREND with your child’s parties in 2018!

By Claire Winter

Children’s parties are always a hot topic of conversation in most households across the country.

Who to invite? What theme? Which location?

We’ve talked to party specialists and planners to find out the top party ideas for 2018, so you don’t have to, you’re welcome!

Unusual Themes

Think of a party with a twist.

Top party organiser Fable & Moon (www.fableandmoon.com) says “Children’s parties are becoming even more sophisticated in 2018! Unicorns and Mermaids are still going strong but expect a fresh twist on the theme. Also expect to see wedding trends making their way into children’s parties, particularly celestial (moons and stars) and all things holographic. Think, oversized disco balls and lots and lots of sparkle!”

Chocolate Parties

Most kids love chocolate; it’s messy, fun and creative.

What’s not to love? Hire a chocolatier to come to your house and teach your children to make some fantastic chocs.

Alternatively hire some moulds and melt dark, milk and white chocolate so they can make their own. The chocolate is hot so this option is probably not suitable for very small children.

The Chocolate Party People (www.thechocolatepartypeople. co.uk) offers a Build a Bar, Chocolate Pizzeria and Truffle Making package for kids. An extra bonus is they get to take away their chocolates instead of a party bag.

Unicorns are Still Cool

Kids are still going unicorn crazy.

Harriet Jones, founder of online boutique store Rockahula Kids (www.rockahulakids.com) says “2018 has to be the year that the unicorn trend and theme takes centre stage at children's birthday parties. Over the last few months, we have seen an incredible increase in demand for unicorn-themed accessories for party favours, whether it be hair clips, charms, necklaces or hairbands. Coupled with unicorns, we have noticed more interest in our rainbow themed accessories for party bags such as clips, rings, and bracelets which go hand-in-hand with the mythical creature." A kitsch, rainbow unicorn party sounds like just the ticket!

Glamping

Belltent and glamping parties are going to be really popular especially during the summer months. Set up tents with themes like cowboys, inter- galactic, or botanical.

You can hire companies to put them up in the garden and if you haven’t got a garden - set up the tents in the house. Older children can have a sleepover whilst the youngsters can go home.

Andrew Pearce, co-owner of the belltentexperience.com says “We have seen a huge increase in bookings for children’s parties. Bell tents are fun and versatile. You can set them up indoors, or outside and kids love them. Sleeping in a tent is magical whatever age you are!”

Get me out of here!

Escape rooms are a great choice for older children. You get locked in a room and have to work out how to get out. It’s a great teambuilding experience and no mess in your house! Many escape rooms have themes - you could even get guests to dress up to match it! You need to check what the age range is and whether you need adult supervision. www.escape-london.co.uk/ Welcome

Top tips for a budget party Timing

If you hold a party between 3pm and 5pm, you can provide party snacks or treats instead of a meal. Try fruit kebabs that you dip in melted chocolate for a fun treat. Hiring a chocolate fountain could also be a fun way to end the party. Just warn the parents not to dress their kids in their best party clothes! Older children would probably prefer a pizza delivery.

Try E-invites

Image credit: www.belltentexperience.com

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Create your own digital invitations to email to guests.

You can also use the free option at www.paperlesspost.com and pay a small amount using various other websites, like www.mini-epic.com.

May-June 2018

Founder of the business Jonathan says “Our digital invitations can be created and sent in just a few minutes, with no paper or postage involved, which not only saves you time and money but also saves some trees!

But what's proving really popular is the ability to download your Mini-Epic invitation to share via WhatsApp."

Look for bargains

Your pound shop can be a treasure trove of party napkins and decorations. Buy plain paper bags and get the children to personalise them. You could also make cupcakes and get the kids to decorate them. Party favours and entertainment all at the same time!

Themed parties

Choose a theme like pirates, Alice in Wonderland or teddies for the younger kids and base all the games make all the games centred on your chosen theme. Decorations can be homemade - get the whole family involved. Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration.

Share

Split the cost by sharing the party with a classmate whose birthday is at a similar time.

Just make sure you agree who is doing what!

Don’t forget to say thanks!

Take a group photo of all the kids at the party and print it off at Boots or use an online site.

Get your kids to write a thank you note on the back with a Sharpie or gold pen.

A great momento and a great thank you!

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Party Listings

MUSIC & MOVEMENT

For more information including full party terms and conditions and to book please visit: www.oddsfarm.co.uk

RUGBY

Rugby Tots www.rugbytots.co.uk

Blueberry Playsongs Fun, inter-active, musical parties for the under 5’s since 1991!

Guitar-accompanied songs with actions, joining in, instruments, games and dancing. t: 020 8677 6871 e: info@blueberryplaysongs.co.uk

CERAMICS

The Ceramics Café An ideal choice for arty children, who can decorate pottery animals, mugs, egg cups and more, and have them fired and glazed on-site. www.ceramicscafe.com/ studio-locations/west-ealing/

CRAFTS

Fun with Fimo Clay www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk

DRAMA

Perform Parties Based around a colourful theme, Performs energetic party leaders use a magical mix of songs, games and laughter to create fun-filled, actionpacked parties.

Call 0207 255 9120 or visit: www.performparties.co.uk Stagecoach Their themed parties for 4-10 year olds combine drama, dance and singing with a wide range of party games and storytelling all based around your chosen theme. You choose the date and the time and they can come to the venue of your choice.

Stagecoach Kensington: call Sara on 020 8398 8106 Stagecoach Chiswick: call Sally on 020 8398 4709

balloon modelling, puppets, music, games, dancing and face painters.

They also offer amazing disco/sports parties or the ever popular build a bear party. Plus hire of tables and chairs/ bouncy castles and soft play. t: 020 8959 1045 or 07969 121094 e: info@adamantsparties.co.uk www.adamantsparties.co.uk Boo Boo The Children’s Entertainer For lots of laughter, fun and games with mini disco, balloon modelling, juggling, magic tricks and puppet shows He has vast experience entertaining children of all ages and is suitable for all occasions.

Recommended by The Evening Standard. t: 07961 355269 www.mr-booboo.co.uk Silly Millie the Clown Parties for 3 - 9 year olds. Funny magic show, puppet’s, party games, silly songs and balloon animals.

Impossible = I am Possible t: 020 7823 8329 or 07939 239 397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

OUTDOORS

Birthday Parties at Odds Farm Park Everybody loves an Odds Farm Park party! Odds Farm party packages have everything you need and much, much more!

For just £19.95 per child, a children’s party at Odds Farm Park includes all day farm entry and exclusive, private hire of a stylishly themed party room for 2½ hours, including fabulous party food and party bags and complete with a docking station for your own music, animal masks, downloadable party invitations and animal feed for the goats and sheep. All you need to bring are the children and the cake!

Plus, enjoy FREE Admission for 1 Adult for every child’s place booked and complimentary tea and coffee for the grown-ups!

Odds Farm Park also offer a 2 hour after school party package which is available from 3.30pm, Monday to Friday during South Bucks term times for just £13.95 per child.

Odds Farm Park is located just minutes from Junction 2 of the M40, near Beaconsfield.

Party Plus They have a wide range of themed party ware available from stock including Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, Peppa Pig, In the Night Garden and much more. For mail order and more visit: www.partyplus.co.uk

TRAMPOLINING

Oxygen Have the perfect kids party at Oxygen Freejumping, London's favourite trampoline park, and explore over 100 connected trampolines and 8 jumping zones! Then relax and refuel with pizza and drinks. It's the ultimate party recipe! It is located on Kendal Avenue, West Acton W3 0AF. To book, please visit: www.oxygenfreejumping.co.uk or phone 0333 2000 249.

VENUES

Betty Blythe Specialises in bringing the Tea Service party to your own home or venue of your choice.

Alternatively they can host up to 10 guests in their Vintage Tea room. e: tea@bettyblythe.co.uk www.bettyblythe.co.uk

PARTY PLUS

For all your party needs, Balloons Partyware · Banners · Decorations and much more.

9:30am - 5pm Monday - Saturday.

ENTERTAINERS

Adam Ants Parties Adam Ants and his talented team makes sure their parties are non-stop fun, with something for all ages. Magic,

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PARTY SUPPLIERS

020 8987 8404 4 Acton Lane Chiswick Park W4 5NB www.partyplus.co.uk www.partiesbypost.co.uk

May-June 2018

Families west London 5

MIND MAP a childrens’ party!

Who doesn’t enjoy a good party? Planning the party, however, can be quite another matter - especially a children’s party, for which expectations have rocketed in recent years. Here’s a suggestion for approaching party planning in a completely different way.

I’ve created a Mind Map to show how to plan a children’s birthday party with a superhero theme, but you can, of course, use any theme you like - or, alternatively, leave out the children, if you wish!

What is a Mind Map? A Mind Map is a powerful thinking and planning tool that can help you get to grips with any topic. At its simplest, it is a diagram with branches radiating out from a central image, each branch carrying a single word or a picture that summarises an aspect of the topic. The branches then expand into sub-branches, as you delve further into each aspect. Mind Maps have symbols, images and colours and can be really bold, bright and inspiring.

The branches of a kids’ party Mind Map could explore the same core logistics as an adult party: once you’ve set the date, you need to choose a theme (if you want one) and a venue, setting considerations such as cost, space and transport against

each other. Then draw up your guest list and plan the entertainment, the food and drinks and the decorations, exploring these on the main branches and subbranches of your Mind Map. If the party is going to include any special features, such as games, swimming or a magician, include these in your Mind Map too.

You could also use one of the branches to explore how your party will reflect the theme, perhaps through costumes, decorations and the small gifts that the children get to take home.

You will need: A large sheet of plain white paper A selection of coloured pens or pencils A brain An open mind Imagination Step 1 Place the sheet of paper in front of you in landscape format (i.e. horizontally). Next, use at least three different colours to draw an image in the very centre of the paper that represents the party (in this example, it’s a superhero figure). This central image will activate your imagination and trigger associations in your thoughts, so make sure it’s positive and inspiring. You can also have a word at the centre; if so, make it multi-dimensional and brightly coloured.

Step 2 Now choose the first aspect to explore. Pick a colour and draw a thick branch coming away from the central image, like the bough of a tree. Let the branch curve organically, as this will be visually engaging and therefore more interesting to the brain, making you more likely to memorise the information on the branch. Shade in the branch. Label the branch with a single word in capital letters. For a kids’ party Mind Map, you might label this first branch VENUE or FOOD or DECORATIONS. Alternatively, instead of writing a word, you might decide just to draw a powerful image.

Step 3 Send out secondary-level shoots from the main branch. Then draw third-level branches that spread out from these secondary-level shoots. Write keywords on all the branches or draw symbols, or a combination of both. Give each symbol its own branch. There’s no need to rush: leave some of the branches empty at first, as this will naturally inspire your brain to fill them in.

Bright Eyes Montessori Nursery

Studios 1-4, 13 Acton Hill Mews Business Centre, 308 Uxbridge Road, London W3 9QN. (updated website under construction) Please Call Estelle, Margherita or Aga on: 02089 932 009.

Large and spacious nursery rooms in excess of 750 sq feet each room, following the Montessori Method.

Owner and Manager run.

Yoga and Meditation, Music and dance are practiced once a week as part of our extra curricula activities.

Registration will entitle you to 20% discount on your first month’s fees.

If you register before September 2018 you will be entitled to a 10% discount (Please quote ‘Families West’ when applying for discounts).

6 Families west London

May-June 2018

By Tony Buzan

Step 4 Pick another colour and create your next main branch, working around the central image. (Many beginners find it easiest to work clockwise around the centre, but do whatever suits you best).

As before, draw secondary and third-level branches from this new branch and label them.

Keep adding main branches until you have about five or six of them to work with.

Step 5 Now you have your main branches, move freely around your Mind Map, leaping from branch to branch, filling in any gaps and adding new subbranches as ideas and associations occur to you.

Step 6 If you wish, add arrows, curving lines and links between your main branches to reinforce the connections you have found between them.

When you have completed your Mind Map, you can use it as a list ticking off each of the branches once you’ve completed the task. When the party’s over, it’s useful to keep it to refer back to in future years!

Tony Buzan’s is the writer of

Tony Buzan’s Mind Map Mastery:

The Complete Guide to Learning and

Using the Most Powerful Thinking Tool in the Universe, available from most bookstores priced £14.99.

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STEM: Helping children with the fundamentals of education It’s not easy being a parent.

You want to do the best for your children, but sometimes it’s hard to work out what the best actually is. Education is one of those areas where advice is constantly changing.

If you are interested in helping your kids with the fundamentals of education there is an acronym which you should become aware of: STEM. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and it is fast becoming the core of the British and global education system. There is hardly a career which does not involve some element of STEM, from farming to neurosurgery, and it also plays a part in a many everyday activities. This is why it’s important our children can understand its key tenets.

As a parent, then, what can you do to help form the STEM of your child’s tree of knowledge?

I have always believed that learning should be fun and the popular perception is that the subjects of STEM are anything but.

However, science, engineering and technology are particularly wellsuited to play and mathematics can be applied to virtually any dayto-day situation. It’s just a matter of identifying the right opportunities.

The next time you’re baking pastry together, let your child measure

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out the ingredients and ask them questions: what does ‘half fat to flour’ mean? Let them work out, according to that rule, how much flour is needed if you’re using 100 grams of fat. Get them to count out how many pastry cases were made from that ratio, then work out how much more pastry it would take to double the number of cases, or how many pies each family member will get based on the current number. Talk about the ingredients, what they are and where they’ve come from.

The next time your child falls, take the chance to talk to them about gravity and discuss why they fell downwards rather than upwards!

If they’ve grazed their knees, once the tears have stopped, chat a bit about biology - why is blood red, why do scabs form, how do cuts heal? If you don’t know the answers yourself, call on Doctor Google - he’s always there to help.

When you’re out with your children, encourage scientific observations: when walking to the park, talk about why the leaves are green or why they fall in autumn.

See if your children can spot any mini-beasts and set them the challenge of learning about them when they get home. And when at home, help bring out your child’s innerengineer by encouraging them to put those endless MegaBlocks and

LEGO bricks to work.

Every activity can be a learning opportunity without a child needing to identify it as such. Your job as a parent is to try to find ways to make the learning opportunity fun.

While I’m not saying that all education should be done by stealth, I am an advocate of learning through play. The lessons I most strongly remember from my childhood are those that were learned while I was having fun: the Van de Graaff generator sparking as much imagination as electricity; the recreation of the witches’ scene in Macbeth making Shakespeare seem relevant and interesting; the days in the garden, learning where food actually comes from and that there is a point to worms.

Children were born to learn and their brains are busy absorbing information from the second they leave the womb. If you can make your lessons fun, informal and an integral part of everyday life, then

May-June 2018

your little ones will learn by osmosis and you can sit back in the happy glow of a good job, well done.

Christopher Cederskog is MD of Wonder Workshop which teaches children coding through robotics and enables them to master critical thinking, problem solving, cause and effect, communication, and collaboration.

For more information, visit www.makewonder.com

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Making the most of Parent’s Evening

It’s almost impossible to ask questions at school drop-offs and pick-ups, so, for most parents, a consultation during Parent’s Evening is the only real opportunity for a proper chat with their child’s teacher(s). It’s therefore really important to maximise the time available in the one-toone consultations and make sure you get all the information you need.

Schools are required to hold at least one parents’ evening a year to enable parents to keep up-to-date with their child’s progress and forge good relationships with the school.

What to expect Whilst Parents’ Evenings will vary slightly in format from school to school and year to year, you should expect, at a minimum, to hear how your child is performing in numeracy 8 Families west London

and literacy against the expected levels for their age group.

Much more information will be conveyed as your child gets older. Consultations may also cover your child’s behaviour, levels of effort, and social and emotional development.

Talk to your child Take the time to speak to your child in advance of the evening.

Find out if there is anything they’d like to discuss or understand more about. If they are younger you may want to ask them how they feel, and if there is anything specific they’d like you to ask.

Write it down This may sound obvious, but unless you want to risk discovering that all the questions or issues you wanted to raise have vanished from your head, then write them down in the run up to Parent’s

Evening to make sure you cover them.

Listen If you do have specific questions, it’s best to let the teacher speak first so that they can cover everything they need.

However, if you need clarification or your question is related to what is being discussed at that moment, it is fine to ask.

Remember to take the time to listen to the teachers' feedback.

Seeing the bigger picture Although academic performance is obviously important, there are many other aspects of your child’s school life that you may not know about, like social interactions, so don’t be afraid to ask about these too.

Don’t compare Try to not compare your child’s progress with his/her peers or siblings. The teacher will focus

May-June 2018

By Justina Gapper

on how your child is achieving against expected levels for their age, so it isn’t useful to ask how their sibling/friend is doing in comparison. Keep in mind that children develop at different rates, particularly at this stage.

Stay focussed on your child.

Deal with unexpected news productively You may hear something about your child that you are not expecting. If this is about a negative aspect of their behaviour or performance, this may be difficult to hear or accept. Try not to get aggressive or become too defensive. A local teacher told me of a consultation during which a father refused to believe that his child was struggling with a specific learning area and became very accusatory and angry, insisting that the teacher’s perception was incorrect as his

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child “Didn’t struggle at home.”

If you do hear something unexpected, ask how you can work with your child to better support them. Teachers may often have already prepared a response to this question in advance.

Focus on your child’s level of effort One teacher I spoke to recently reminded me not to underestimate the importance of effort.

This is as important as achievement as it reveals a lot about your child’s behaviour, character and motivation. How your child gets on with teachers and peers socially is also very important.

For a quick overview Ask about your child’s strengths and weaknesses. This will give

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you a good idea of their overall performance and help you identify the areas in which you should be offering more support at home.

What’s next?

It’s a good idea to ask the teacher how you can help to support your child outside of the classroom - ask for any tricks they may have to help you with this. Discuss whether there’s a way of keeping in touch regularly should any more questions arise - whether meeting at school pick up, or via email if you aren’t at the school often.

Write a summary of the consultation afterwards It’s great to have a written record of what was said to show

other family members who weren’t there. However, do this at the end of the consultation and not during it. Otherwise you run the risk of missing something important that is being said.

Feedback Let your child know how the evening went - if they were there, discuss it with them.

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Were they happy with the outcome, and how are you going to address any issues raised? Working together on this is a great way to improve a child’s performance.

Justina Gapper is a Families

magazine reader and mum of 9

year old twins, Ruby and Sam.

Families west London 9

Sleep Baby, S L E E P !

Whether you have a newborn, toddler or older child, sleep is vitally important for them.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep can have an impact on a child’s mental and physical development.

Claire Winter takes a look at some common sleep issues and how you can deal with them.

Night Waking Night waking is one of the most common sleep issues with which parents struggle from birth right the way through childhood, according to Sarah OckwellSmith, mother of four and author of the bestselling 'The Gentle Sleep Book' (Piatkus, 2015, £13.99).

Lemon Tree and St Matthew’s Montessori schools based in Ealing Broadway offering both full day care (8.00am-6.00pm) and term time (9.15am-3.15am) for children aged from 1.5 years to 5 years old.

We offer French, Ballet, Yoga, Drama and PE inclusive of fees.

Full and part time sessions available. Qualified and experienced teachers offer a high standard of learning, nurturing and care.

“Night waking, however, is normal and natural, not just for babies, toddlers and older children, but for adults too. Nobody 'sleeps through the night,' we all sleep in several cycles (90 minutes for adults and 45 minutes for babies). Night waking tends to occur in the transition between one sleep cycle and the next. As adults, we can 'self-soothe' any problems that wake us when transitioning (e.g.

if we're uncomfortable, in pain, cold, hot, thirsty or are struggling with anxiety or fear from a nightmare, we can fix the problem alone). Babies and toddlers are physiologically and psychologically incapable of self soothing... (you can't teach them to self-settle you can only train them to not call out for you when they're in need), and so they wake fully much more frequently while transitioning

* Cooking , P.E. · Arts & Crafts Messy Play · Local Trips · Language Sessions · Storytelling and many more activities...

Staff are professional Early Year Educators.

We believe that care and education are equally important for children and the routines and activities are provided in ways that help each child feel they are a much valued member of the pre-school.

Lemon Tree Montessori: 07495 898 760 (Full Day Care) St Matthew’s Montessori: 07856 364153 (Term Time) Website: www.lemontreemontessori.com

10 Families west London

May-June 2018

Term Time Only Monday - Thursday: 8.15am - 5.15pm Friday: 8.15am - 3.15pm Breakfast Sessions: £2 per day Morning/Afternoon Sessions: £12 per day Lunchtime Sessions: £2.50 per day

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By Claire WInter between sleep cycles. The other big difference here is that as their sleep cycles are roughly half the length of ours, they wake a lot more frequently - up to 15 times every night!”

How to Help Providing a really good sleep environment is the best thing parents can do to aid their child's sleep, no matter the age of the

However, they may help you to get a few extra hours sleep!”

but persistent crying should be attended to.”

Routine is Key Former health visitor, parenting expert and author of ‘Happy Baby, Happy Family,’ Sarah Beeson, says establishing a bedtime routine is very important too.

“A key part of an evening routine is a milky supper or snack before bed. Do the same thing every

Trust Your Instincts In an age where there is so much parenting information, Sarah believes that mums and dads should trust their intuition more.

“My key bit of advice around sleep is for parents to trust themselves and follow their hearts. There is so

much advice out there that you feel you have to follow. But no one knows your baby better than you.

Do what works for you both.”

If you have persistent sleep issues with your baby or child please seek advice from your doctor or health visitor.

“Babies and toddlers are physiologically and psychologically incapable of self soothing...”

child. Sarah says it is incredibly important to understand how the sleep environment impacts on their child's sleep physiology.

“For the best sleep, we need to sleep in a cool room (15-18 degrees centigrade), but be warm enough in that room with appropriate bedding. For little ones, I always recommend special sleeping bags with fitted legs and open feet in 2.5 or 3 togs, like the ones made by Slumbersac. Next, you need a good level of humidity or moisture in the air. If the room is too dry (usually because of central heating), your child will wake with a dry throat and need to drink in the night. I always recommend a nightlight is kept on all night. However, any light that is blue, white, green, purple or pink inhibits the secretion of melatonin - the hormone of sleep. The only colour light that doesn't do this is red. So get hold of a red nightlight or a special 'low blue light' nightlight like the Lumie Bedbug. These tips aren't magic - babies and toddlers are meant to wake in the night and night-waking protects them from SIDS (cot death). familiesonline.co.uk

night, a warm bath, a milky supper and try and avoid rough and tumble and playing, if mum or dad comes home at bedtime.

Keep it calm and boring.”

Sarah also has lots of great practical advice on her website www.sarahbeeson.co.uk to help you get your baby to sleep.

Don’t Ignore Crying Once you have implemented a calm sleep routine and environment, Sarah says it is important to make sure you have emotional empathy for your baby when it comes to bedtime.

“Recognise that your baby is an independent human being that has rights. Sleep is part of that. Many people use the cry-it-out method.

A baby has equal rights to you and everyone else. You wouldn’t let an adult cry for hours and ignore their needs.

Crying is the way the baby lets you know that it isn’t happy in some way. Use your own judgement. If all their needs have been met, let them have a grumble/cry for five minutes or so, May-June 2018

Families west London 11

Mindfulness Tips for Mums

By Melanie Lawson and Palma Michel

As a mum of three children, who runs her own business and also donates time to the local community, I know that having a full life can be rewarding but also exhausting and not always that good for our mental health. For me, it can be the little everyday irritants that push me over the edge and I find mindfulness helpful in keeping my stress levels under control.

Mindfulness is about focusing on the moment and you can easily weave it in to your daily activities, without having to make time for it. It can be practised in many ways, from meditation through to painting. As a busy mum, the practices help me cope with everyday life.

Take a Breathing Break

Whenever you feel you are having a challenging moment with your children, take a breathing break to calm down and clear your mind. Take a few conscious inhalations through your nostrils, breathing in deeply all the way into your abdomen and exhaling as slowly as you possibly can.

Morning Shower

The morning shower is a fantastic opportunity for a few minutes of mindfulness. You are already taking this time out, so, instead of making mental to do lists, try to be fully present with your experience. Feel the water running down your back, smell the shampoo, give yourself a short scalp massage and gently soap your body. It won’t take any longer than your usual shower, but it allows you to have a few minutes of relaxation for yourself before the “storm.”

The Mindful To-Do-List

It is easy to be overwhelmed by incessant to-do-lists that are full of “I should do” and “I have to” which are mostly unexamined claims stemming from our attempts to be perfect. Just sit 12 Families west London

with your list for a moment and question each item. Would the world really come to an end if you were to remove a few things from it?

Mindful Eating

When was the last time you really tasted and appreciated your food? Start each meal with two to three mindful bites, smelling the food, looking at it and chewing it slowly. You could also make this a family experience and ask everyone to use their senses to describe what they eat.

Mindful Walking

Every time you walk outside with your children, leave your phone in your bag or at home and be present with the process of walking. Feel your feet touching the ground, notice the rays of sunshine on your face and the wind playing with your hair.

Be present in the moment.

Say Yes To No

Don’t say ‘yes’ to everything.

In order to be able to continue giving, you need to be mindful of when you need refuelling and at what point your body needs to rest. Sometimes resting is the most productive thing to do.

Count Your Blessings

The mind always focuses on what’s next, without being fully able to appreciate and rejoice in what you have at any given time.

Every morning or evening, think of or write down between three and five things that you can

appreciate and for which you are thankful (big things like a healthy child and small things like a moment of quiet after everyone leaves the house).

One Thing at a Ti

Research clearly indicates that multi-taskers make more mistakes and take longer to complete everything they are doing. Instead of helping your children with their homework AND checking work emails at the same time, just do one of those things at a time.

It will save time and definitely make you happier!

Be Kind to Yourself

You are just human, which means it is normal to forget something or, despite your best

May-June 2018

intentions, lose your temper with your child/partner. Accept that making mistakes is human and forgive yourself with kind words that you would use to comfort a friend in the same situation.

Melanie Lawson is a mother of three and has created her own brand of Omega 3 which she believes is one of the critical nutrients for mental health.

For more information, visit: www.barebiology.com Palma Michel is an executive coach and mindfulness teacher and the co-founder of Profuse29, which offers science-driven Mindfulness programmes for companies.

For more information, visit: www.palmamichel.com

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May-June 2018

Families west London 13

Summer holiday camps and courses guide The long summer holiday break is a great opportunity for children to take part in organised activities, play schemes, workshops or day camps either within their local area on a daily or weekly basis or, increasingly, attend an American-style residential summer camp.

Here’s our guide to some of the options available, together with some advice on how to choose the right summer activity for your child.

Residential Camps

These are independent holidays for unaccompanied children aged from 7 years and above. Children are supervised round the clock in a secure residential environment such as a boarding school. Group leaders usually take care of children’s pastoral and welfare needs whilst Instructors provide a programme of activities. Camps can offer specialist courses or a multi-activity programme. Unlike American summer camps, which due to longer school breaks and less holiday leave for working parents often provide a home-fromhome experience, residential camps in the UK usually involve just a 7 break. However, if your budget can be stretched there are a large number of residential camps operating throughout Europe and North America which can offer your child additional cultural and linguist experiences.

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Multi-Activity Day Camps

These are non-residential full-day camps running in your local area.

They are for unaccompanied children from 3 years and above which usually run from Monday to Friday, offering a varied programme of sports or creative activities throughout the day.

Typically multi-activity day camps involve 4 to 6 activities per day, with each activity session lasting between 1 and 1½ hours. Often the sessions focus on ‘tasters’ or introductions to a range of activities such as performing arts and outdoor adventure.

Generally, children can attend for as many days as they wish, with a price discount for a full week’s attendance. Day camp arrival and departure times vary but the day usually starts between 9am and 10am and ends between 4 and 5pm. Many camps offer early drop off and late pick up options.

Sports/Activity Courses or Workshops

Specialising in a specific sport or activity such as performing arts or art and craft, these courses are usually for children of 7 years and above. They generally operate for 2 to 3 hours per day, running for just one day or as a progressive course over 4 to 5 days. Sports courses are often led by qualified instructors/coaches or by local authority sports/leisure centres, specialist swim centres or riding schools.

National governing body awards can sometimes be achieved.

Performing arts workshops tend to be run by performing arts schools who also offer term time classes for children.

Holiday Play Schemes

These offer non-residential full or part-day supervised childcare for unaccompanied children from age 3 and above but are usually run

May-June 2018

by voluntary organisations or local authorities. Activities at play schemes may be specific, such as sports or art and craft, or involve a range of different activities.

Many play schemes run off-site trips to attractions such as museums or parks. In the main, they are provided for children living in the catchment area of the venue.

How safe will your child be?

Most summer camps and courses are regulated by various independent bodies, or in some instances by government inspectorates such as Ofsted which monitos safety standards. Levels of inspection vary according to the type of course or camp.

Day camps and play schemes offering full day care programmes for children under the age of 8 are legally required to register with their local authority. Registered

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By Andrew Campbell providers are subject to inspection by government inspectorates such as Ofsted. Sports/activity courses will not generally be registered with the local authority unless they provide tuition for under 8s. Horse riding centres are legally required to register with their local authority though.

Adventure activities run by any commercial organisation providing specific adventure activities (certain watersports, climbing, trekking and caving activities) are legally required to obtain a licence from the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA).

This body inspects and monitors safety standards. Information on these inspections is available to the public from the AALA. www.hse.gov.uk/aala Residential Camps are not subject to legal registration unless they operate specific adventure activities or provide courses for under 8's. Providers who are members of the British Activity Providers Association (BAPA) are subject to an independent inspection scheme covering site safety, activity standards, staff qualifications and training, health and safety and emergency procedures. Visit: www.thebapa.org.uk

Police Checks

All registered day camps and plays schemes are required to get checks on specific staff. In England and Wales this is done via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and in Scotland via Disclosure Scotland. It is worth checking with the provider to see what their policy is in this area.

Staff Qualifications

You may also want to check on staff qualifications. Most sports governing bodies have an official coaching scheme for instructors or leaders at various levels. It is a good idea to ask for further information on staff qualifications if the organisation does not explain its policy in its promotional material or on its website. familiesonline.co.uk

Will I be able to use childcare vouchers or claim tax credits?

You may be able to claim tax credits to help pay for your child's summer activities. If you pay for them to attend and if the activity provider is registered and regulated then you can claim as you would for an after-school club or childminder.

Parents enrolled in the Childcare Voucher scheme can also use their vouchers to subsidise the cost of summer childcare options including camps and courses. However, the provider must be registered and be prepared to accept vouchers.

To check what help you could get with childcare costs, visit: www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator

The Benefits of Summer Camps and Workshops

Physical Activity

Much of a child’s time at school is spent sitting behind a desk so spending the day running around, swimming, hiking, or playing sport gives children a great chance to get moving.

Develop Talents and Skills

At some camps, children may be given the opportunity to learn skills and take part in activities they have not encountered before. Learning archery, painting or lacrosse may help children discover talents and interests they didn’t know they had.

Building Confidence

Discovering these new talents and developing new skills will, in turn, help children to grow in confidence and self-esteem.

Learning Social Skills

Engaging with children from

different schools, different areas and ultimately different backgrounds, is a great way to build social skills and to make new friends.

Developing Independence

Sometimes giving children the freedom to make decisions and plan their own time is a fantastic way for them to learn to be independent.

Leaving Technology Behind

As fantastic as it is that we live in a world filled with TVs, mobile phones, lap tops and other devices, it is always great to encourage children to get outside for a good old-fashioned kick about and run around.

Enjoying the Outdoors

Climbing trees, changing a bike wheel, or building an outdoor camp can help ensure your child does not miss out on the learning benefits to be gained from the great outdoors and enjoy adventures they would not otherwise experience.

Offering Role Models

Often the instructors on summer camps provide a rare opportunity for a child to interact with an adult who is not part of the family unit or teacher. Their leader should be trained to care for them, offer them support and advice when needed, and always be there for them throughout their attendance.

Playing!

At summer camps children have the chance to just be children, away from the pressures of school, social media and the commercial world.

Image credit: Perform

May-June 2018

Image credit: Paint Pots

SUMMER HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

Our Families West July August issue will have a comprehensive listings of children's activities for the summer holidays.

BOOK NOW:

Paint Pots Summer Fun Arts, crafts, music, games and other seasonal activities.

Age: 3-6. *All sessions are un-accompanied.

Location: Paint Pots, St Mary The Boltons, The Boltons, London, SW10 9TB. Dates: 16 July - 3 Aug, Times & Prices: 9.30am12.30pm, £45 / 9.30am-3.30pm, £65.

Led by fully qualified Nursery School and Creative Classes teachers.

Book online at: www.paintpotshouse.com

Perform’s three day summer courses for 4-7s. Inspire your child’s imagination this summer with Perform’s unique holiday courses. During July and August, your 4-7 year old could be flying away to Neverland on one of Perform’s three or five day courses. They are setting sail for an unforgettable drama, dance and singing adventure. With a sprinkle of fairy dust, the team of skilled actors, musicians and dancers will work their magic to ensure your child enjoys every minute as they work towards a showstopping performance to delight family and friends.

Dates and locations: 25 Jul - 27 Jul, and 22-24 Aug 10am - 3pm, St Peter's Hall, 59A Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 3DB. 6 Aug - 10 Aug, 10am - 3pm, St Michael's Hall, Elmwood Road, Chiswick, London, W4 3DY. T: 020 7255 9120. enquiries@perform.org.uk www.perform.org.uk/try

Club Petit Pierrot Fun French Immersion Summer holiday club Creative activities and fun projects such as arts & crafts, cooking, singing, dancing, sporty games, theatre & language games all help to develop your child’s communication skills in French, as well as developing their creativity, critical thinking and imagination. 23-27 Jul at St Mark's Church Hall, NW8 9UT. Half day and full day sessions for ages 3-5 and 6-8.

020 7385 5565 admin@clubpetitpierrot.co.uk www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

NEW! St Benedict’s Summer Club The St Benedict’s Summer Club offers an exciting programme of activities which will provide something for everyone, including a wide range of sport, arts and crafts, science, dance and music. The Summer Club will run on weekdays, from 23 Jul to 17 Aug and is open to all children aged 6 to 12.

To find out more or to book a place visit: www.stbenedicts.org.uk/summerclub summerclub@stbenedicts.org.uk

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What’s On DIARY DATES

12 May OPEN DAY AT ORLEY FARM SCHOOL 10am-12 noon. No need to book.

For more information, call 020 88697634 email registrar@orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk www.orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk 12 May OPEN DAY AT CLIFTON LODGE SCHOOL, EALING 10am-12 noon.

Call 020 8579 3662 or email: admissions@cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk www.cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk 13 May COVENT GARDEN MAY FAYRE AND PUPPET FESTIVAL Enjoy a day of traditional puppetry and celebrate the 355th birthday of Mr Punch at St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford Street, WC2E 9ED. Admission free. Grand procession around Covent Garden at 11am, followed by puppet shows and workshops. www.alternativearts.co.uk 14-17 May KEY STAGE 2 SATS WEEK 16-19 May MUSEUMS AT NIGHT Take part in special events, tours, talks and sleepovers as museums, galleries and historic spaces open their doors after hours. www.museumsatnight.org.uk 10 Jun LONDON FOUNDATION FETE A fun community day for all the family with exciting activities, inclusive games, football coaching and tournament and delicious food. Money raised supports DM Thomas Foundation for Young People and Jack Tizard School. Free entry. 12-3pm.

020 7605 7733. events@dmtfyp.org dmthomasfoundation.org/ londonfoundationfete 8-24 Jun BEDFORD PARK FESTIVAL There is something for everyone at this huge local community festival including art, photography, drama, music, film, poetry, talks, walks and children’s and community events. www.bedfordparkfestival.org 11 Jun MUM2MUM MARKET IN WEST DRAYTON A pop up market where you can buy or sell nearly new baby, children's and maternity goods in good condition at fraction

of high street prices. Takes place at Yiewsley & West Drayton Community Centre, Harmondsworth Road, West Drayton, UB7 9JL. From 2-4pm. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk/north-andwest-london-nearly-new-sales.html 16 Jun HANWELL CARNIVAL Parades, music, dance, entertainment for all the family, inc. a fairground, inflatatables and the everpopular animal zone. Plus plenty of charity and trade tents and refreshments. 12-6pm, Elthorne Park, Boston Rd, London W7. www.hanwellcarnival.co.uk 16 Jun MUM2MUM MARKET IN EALING A pop up market where you can buy or sell nearly new baby, children’s and maternity goods in good condition at fraction of high street prices. Takes place at St Barnabas Church Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, W5 1QG. From 2-4pm. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk/north-andwest-london-nearly-new-sales.html 17 Jun FATHER’S DAY Time to give the old man in your life a big treat.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES BRITISH MUSEUM

WC1B 3DG www.britishmuseum.org DIGITAL WORKSHOPS Takes place at weekends and school holidays on a variety of themes. Free, 11am-4pm, for ages 7+ (unless stated). Special events include: 26 May LITTLE FEET: ANIMAL SOUNDS Become a little explorer on a sonic animal adventure. Hear the sounds of the animals in the Museum and create your own digital noises! For under 5s,11am-3.30pm.

30 June LITTLE FEET: ANIMAL HOMES Find out where in the world animals call home and programme a robot to help find them in the galleries.

For under 5s, 11am-4pm.

FOUNDLING MUSEUM

WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk 17 May, 14 Jun BACH TO BABY Discover the award-winning classical concert series for babies, toddlers and parents. Themed concerts are performed by pianist Miaomiao Yu along with other internationally renowned musicians.

29 May CASTING TRACES Inspired by Jodie Carey’s sculpture Cord, join Sculpture Lab for a fun plaster casting workshop.

Using rope, create a collaborative work of art that will grow throughout the day.

Age 5+, free.

31 May IDENTITY TOTEMS Join artist Lydia Hardwick for a clay sculpture workshop.

Drawing inspiration from the exhibition Sea, sculpt a clay totem and stamp your identity onto it by creating textures, patterns and images. Age 5+, free.

1 Jun PHOTOGRAPHIC TRACES Explore ideas of absence and presence in Jodie Carey’s exhibition Sea in this experimental photography workshop. Using light-sensitive paper, create a photographic print that captures the trace of objects and movement.

Age 5+, free.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

SE1 6HZ www.iwm.org.uk EXHIBITIONS: HOLOCAUST Film, photographs and a large number of rare artefacts document the history of the Nazi persecution of the Jews and other groups before and during the Second World War. For ages 14+ A FAMILY IN WARTIME Explores the lives of William and Alice Allpress and their ten children and what life in London was like during the war.

SECRET WAR The clandestine world of espionage, covert operations and the work of Britain’s Special Forces.

FIRST WORLD WAR Discover the story of the war - Over 1,300 objects including

weapons, uniforms, diaries, letters and souvenirs, will be on display as well as a recreated trench with periscopes and a dugout, along with a soundscape and projection will evoke what daily life was like for the troops.

Every Sat and Sun OBJECT CONVERSATIONS New immersive object handling sessions where families can explore objects from the collections- feel the weight of a shrapnel piece from the First World War and come to grips with real objects.

Drop-in, free, for all ages.

11am - 12.30pm and 2 - 4pm.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM

SW3 4HT www.nam.ac.uk 12 May LONDON CRAFT WEEK: MEET AN ARMOURER Join Graham Ashford as he explains the craft of armouring, demonstrates techniques and hosts a handling session.

26 May- 3 Jun BE A JOURALIST Make your own mini-documentary about some of the Museum’s objects. Discover the stories behind the objects, write a script and record your film using the Museum’s iPads.

5 Jun GET HANDS ON: MILITARY MEDICINE IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR Join a curator for a free object handling session and learn about military medicine during the First World War. 17 Jan FATHER'S DAY Bring your dad and enjoy free tours and family activities including a robot adventures workshop, marching workshop with a First World War soldier and gallery tours.

30 Jun ARMED FORCES DAY Celebrate Armed Forces Day with tours, entertainment and family activities including a medal making workshop, highlight tours and music.

NATIONAL GALLERY

WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk Every Sun FAMILY SUNDAYS Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm.

From Baby to Ballerina

Classes for Boys and Girls aged 21/2 to 16 years old Ballet, Pointe Work, Jazz, Tap, Annual Performances

Classes held in: Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate, Oxford Street, Shepherds Bush and South Kensington

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May-June 2018

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helping uncover the causes of rare diseases and cancer, big data's invisible revolution has begun. Ages 8 to adult, free.

11 May, 1 Jun ASTRONIGHT An overnight science extravaganza! Workshops, science shows and activities rounded off with breakfast and a breath-taking IMAX 3D film.

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM

A wonderful day out at THE NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM MAGIC CARPET STORYTELLING For children aged 2-5. Sundays 10.30 -11am and 11.30am-12pm. Fly away on the magic carpet, coming to land in front of a different painting each day.

DRAWING SUNDAY Explore gallery paintings as inspiration for your art. For ages 5 -11. Sundays 11am and 2pm. Drop-in.

6, 20 May UNFOLDING STORIES Work with artist and designer Bethan Durie to experiment with contemporary drawing techniques and sketch from still-life paintings. See your visual story unfold by adding collage to create a concertina drawing series.

STUDIO SUNDAYS Take inspiration from the collection with studio sessions. These handson workshops start in the Gallery and are followed by a studio session. Sessions are two hours long and start at 11am and 2pm.

13 May SHAPING SPACES Join creative practitioner Alice Bednarova to investigate spaces and reimagine fun-filled rooms.

Shape your new ideas back in the studio with a range of materials to make a model of your new structure.

Every Weds WELCOME WEDNESDAYS Bring paintings to life through interactive music, storytelling, art and messy play activities. Every Wednesday, 10.30 and 11.30am for walkers under age five, 1pm for sitting babies to walkers.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Up to 13 May VENOM: KILLER AND CURE Encounter some of the world's most venomous creatures and discover their surprising connection to human health.

Exhibition highlights include a live venomous creature, the head of a gaboon viper, the species with the biggest known venomous fangs, the insects with some of the most painful venoms known to science, and the enchanting flower urchin, whose venom can cause temporary paralysis in humans!

Every weekend INVESTIGATE FOR FAMILIES Get a feel for how scientists work by having a go yourself. Come and explore hundreds of real nature specimens that form the evidence Museum scientists use in their daily work. Drop-in, 11am-5pm.

Until 16 Sept SENSATIONAL BUTTERFLIES See hundreds of live butterflies and moths up-close in the tropical butterfly house, all ethically sourced from Africa, Asia and the Americas. Find out fascinating butterfly facts and learn more

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about the behaviour and diversity of these much-loved creatures.

20 May DAWNOSAURS A free event that lets children on the autism spectrum enjoy the Museum with their families and siblings, free from the hustle and bustle of the general public. Visitors have access to a wideranging programme of activities, including a chance to see, meet and even touch live animals. All activities are supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators.

A dedicated Sensory Room will also be available for those children needing a quieter and calmer space. This event is best for children aged five to 15, and siblings are welcome.

1 Jun DINO SNORES Ever wondered what goes on at the Natural History Museum at night? 7 - 11 years. 7pm till morning, torchlit trails through the museum, live animal shows and more. For ages 7-11.

SCIENCE MUSEUM

SW7 2DD www.sciencemuseum.org.uk WONDERLAB: THE STATOIL GALLERY The UK's biggest interactive science gallery is filled with specially-commissioned exhibits and artworks, live science shows, explosive demonstrations and immersive experiences from the museum's team of scientists OUR LIVES IN DATA Information about our lives is increasingly being captured, analysed and used, transforming the world around us.

From toys that can understand a child's personality and smarter public transport planning to new genomic technology that is

SW7 2RL www.vam.ac.uk Every Sun in May, 3 Jun DROP-IN DESIGN Create your own design using a wide range of materials inspired by the Museum’s collection. Join in special making activities and curate a cabinet of curiosities, celebrate St. George's day with shadow puppets and design your own Japanese family crest.10.30am-5pm, for age 5+ 7 May GROWING STRUCTURES Use your problem-solving and team building skills to build a collaborative lightweight structure.

This activity was designed with Arup engineers as part of the Museum's Engineering Season in 2016. Back by popular demand, this is your chance to have another go and enjoy the building process with your family and friends.

28 May-1 Jun POP-UP PERFORMANCE Time travel to the future by taking part in energetic sound and dance performances directed by Scanners Inc. and performed by House of Absolute. 'Stardust' is a promenade performance with level access, that moves from the John Madejski Garden to the Sackler Courtyard and will last approximately 40 minutes.at 11am, 1 and 3pm.

28 May-1 Jun IMAGINATION STATION: THE FUTURE STARTS HERE Can you solve the problems of the future? Design solutions for the challenges we will face in years to come. This activity has been created with Arup engineers and on selected days, you can work alongside them and find out more about becoming an engineer. Part of the The Year of Engineering 2018.

Every Sat in Jun POP UP PERFORMANCES take part in exciting and unique performances suitable for all the family.11am, 1 and 3pm. Free, drop in.

May-June 2018

Please make sure you tell them you saw them in Families west London magazine!

DAYS OUT BRITISH LIBRARY

NW1 2DB www.bl.uk 30 May DRAWINGS OF DISCOVERY: FROM PENGUINS TO POLAR BEARS A family art workshop. Experiment with drawing animals through playful challenges.

Gather your sketches in a traveller’s portfolio and hear how Captain James Cook’s artists drew animals to amaze their friends back home. 11am and 1.30pm for ages 5-11.

2 Jun MOANA FAMILY SINGALONG A sing-along screening of the film 2-5pm.

9 Jun ARCHITECTURE EXPLORERS Take a journey from the red bricks of the British Library to the striking pink palaces of Jaipur and use your imagination to design your very own building! Families will have a chance to experiment with different materials and collage to make 2D pictures or a 3D model.

10.30am and 1pm for ages 5-11.

CHISWICK HOUSE AND GARDEN

W4 2RP www.chgt.org.uk 28 Jun-9 Jul GIFFORDS CIRCUS A magical village green circus that tours England throughout the summer. This year Giffords Circus celebrates the birth of circus which happened near Westminster Bridge in London in 1768- the most bonkers, surprising, diverse and life affirming art form there is.

CUTTY SARK

SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Every weekend CUTTY SARK CHARACTERS Come aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s incredible stories brought to life by characters from the ship’s past. Suitable for ages 3+

WHAT’S ON LISTINGS CONTINUE ON PAGE 18

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What’s On CONTINUED Every Weds TODDLER TIME Bring your little sailors along for songs, stories and playtime on board. 10-11.30am for ages 4 and under.

SPECIAL EVENTS: 2, 3 May ALL ABOARD GAME Climb the rigging, scrub the decks and hoist the sails and use all the sailor and ship facts you have learnt on to create your own maritime themed board-game to take home with you.

How your sailors make it to the end of the game is entirely up to you.11.30am and 2pm, for ages 4+.

5, 6 May STORIES AHOY! Set sail with our Cutty Sark storytellers for an adventure across the high seas. Meet magical sea-faring people and enjoy fantastic tales of faraway lands before making the return journey home to dry land. 11.30am and 2pm, for ages 3+.

28 May-1 Jun THE SAILOR’S CHALLENGE Visitors can demonstrate their sailing skills as they navigate their way around the giant gaming board, collecting cargoes from all around the world. 11.30am and 2pm, for all ages.

FULHAM PALACE

SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org every Mon and Tues THE PALACE EXPLORERS A weekly parent/carer and toddler sessions for children aged 2-4. £3 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack.

27 May HANDS-ON ARCHAEOLOGYTOBACCO AT THE PALACE An opportunity to examine the huge quantity of pipes found here at Fulham Palace! Learn how to date a pipe and explore the Bishops’ North American links and personal use of tobacco over the centuries. Suitable for children and adults, 1-3pm.

30 May FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY: THE TREMENDOUS TUDORS Stories of Queen Elizabeth I's eventful feast at Fulham Palace, a photo booth with top to toe Tudor garb, objects to handle and a whole host of fun-filled crafts and games.

Free, no booking necessary. 11am-3pm.

16 Jun LITTLE GREEN FINGERS Explore and learn how vegetables and flowers grow.

Practice sowing, planting, caring for and harvesting produce and flowers in the Walled Garden.10.30am-12.

Booking essential.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk selected Thurs and Sats: THE MAGIC GARDEN Experience the legendary world of the Tudor tournament in this imaginative play garden setting. Inspired by the palace’s past, the Magic Garden is located in Henry VIII’s former tiltyard where Tudor tournaments were once held. Discover something new around every twist and turn in an immersive world populated by mythical beasts, including a 25m dragon! Take the family to become Tudor Knights, besiege the battlements, storm the Tiltyard Towers and explore a mysterious secret grotto. Open

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from 10am-5.30pm.

From 5 May TUDOR KITCHENS This May sees a complete re-imagining of the famous Tudor kitchens, transporting visitors back to a time when they were the beating heart of life at Hampton Court Palace. New displays will feature interactive technology and sensory experiences, so for the first time ever visitors will be able to see, smell and touch their way through the process of preparing a meal fit for a king.

17 May-30 Jun TINY EXPLORERS Explore and play in the palace together in one of these special multi-sensory sessions for under-4s! Discover the stories of Hampton Court Palace through music, movement, messy play and more. Sessions take place every Thurs and Sat excluding half term week at 10.30am for babies and 1 and 2.30pm for walkers.

26 May-2 Jun HORRIBLE HISTORIES: GORGEOUS GEORGIANS AND VILE VICTORIANS AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE From the long line of King Georges to a deadly outbreak of cholera in Victorian London, dive into the most gruesome parts of British history, all within the palatial gardens of which the Georgian kings called home.

HOLLAND PARK ECOLOGY CENTRE W8 6LU www.rbkc.gov.uk/ecologyevents 26 May SPRING TREES: WILDLIFE AREA OPEN DAY A great chance to explore a hidden corner of the park. In spring the woods are bursting with new life and growth, with woodland flowers and trees coming into leaf. Free, drop-in, 12-4pm.

31 MAY BIRDS OF HOLLAND PARK: ECOLOGY CENTRE OPEN AFTERNOON Find out more about the different birds who live in the park. Take part in a bird quiz and make a clay bird to take home. Drop-in, 12-4pm.

29 May-1 Jun HALF TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES Outdoor and creative activities utilising the park and wooded wildlife area for ages 4-8. Also Forest Days for ages 8-12.

KENSINGTON PALACE

W8 4PX www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace 27 May - 1 June HALF TERM Discover what growing up in a palace is really like and enter Princess Victoria's magical world of stories.

Born at Kensington Palace in 1819, Princess Victoria’s childhood experiences will be brought to life with drop-in sessions including illustration workshops and storytelling.

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Throughout May POSTER GIRLS: Girl power comes to Covent Garden when Poster Girls - a major new exhibition about 20th and 21st century female graphic artists opens at the Museum.

Throughout May DIGGING DEEPER Discover this fantastic new gallery exploring the history of tunneling from Brunel in the 19th century to modern day Crossrail.

The Tremendous Tudors at FULHAM PALACE Featuring a giant audio-visual tunnel projection and a life-size recreation of the tunneling shield that helped create the world’s first electric Tube railway. Kids go free.

ODDS FARM PARK

HP10 0LX www.oddsfarm.co.uk A FABULOUS DAY OUT AT THE FARM! Meet the farmers and get close to the animals in the hands-on area and in the large undercover animal barns. There is a massive adventure play area with a four lane astra slide, two drop slides, a netted area with zig zag chicanes and tunnels, swinging ropes and much more. Also a special Toddler and Under 5’s areas.

26 May-3 Jun YOUNG FARMER’S GREAT ESCAPE Sheep Shearing and lots of new traditional farming activities.

TOWER OF LONDON

EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Throughout May ARMOURY IN ACTION A family friendly exhibition revealing the fascinating story of arms and the armoury at the Tower. From shooting arrows and assembling firearms to brandishing swords, a thousand years of history at the Tower is brought to life in this exciting, hands-on experience.

From 6 May ARREST AND LAST DAYS OF ANNE BOLEYN Follow the dramatic story of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII, through her arrest, imprisonment, trial and execution at the Tower. From hope to hopelessness, watch Anne’s journey unfold in this live performance which will be staged twice per day.

THE LONDON WETLANDS CENTRE

SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk 26, 27 May, 2. 3 Jun REALLY WILD WEEKENDS Two action-packed weekends where you can marvel at meerkats, be amazed by armadillos, see snakes and learn about lizards. Plus, come face to face with fascinating giant bugs! There’ll be something for everyone at this exciting encounter.

Plus pond dipping and walks to discover the wildlife on the reserve.

May-June 2018

FAMILY THEATRE BECK THEATRE

UB3 2UE www.becktheatre.org.uk 21, 22 May DINOSAUR WORLD Grab your compass and join an intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a prehistoric world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend.

1 Jun DOCTOR DOLITTLE A show all about the man who could talk to and understand animals, with original music, lots of audience participation and amazing puppets. For ages 7+ 30 Jun, 1 Jul TELETUBBIES LIVE: MY FIRST THEATRE SHOW Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po in a show full of love and laughter as they explore the magical world of Teletubbyland. For age 6 months plus.

CAMBRIDGE THEATRE

WC2H 9HU www.matildathemusical.com Booking until Feb 2019...

MATILDA THE MUSICAL The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s magical story about a girl with extraordinary powers.

LYRIC THEATRE

W1D 7ES www.bearhuntlive.com BOOK NOW! 4 Jul-2 Sept WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT The smash-hit production of We're Going on a Bear Hunt returns vividly and noisily to the West End in director Sally Cookson's fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower's versatile lively score. Join the intrepid family of adventurers and their musical dog on a quest to find a bear; as they wade through the gigantic swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and the thick, oozy, squelchy mud! Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure. The production is adapted for the stage from the modern classic written by Michael Rosen and illustrated

by Helen Oxenbury. For ages 3+

familiesonline.co.uk

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH

W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 5 May THE TIN FOIL ASTRONAUT Today is the day of the space race! A race to put the first human on the Moon! But our astronaut isn’t quite like others, she’s… different.

A story of discovery, individuality and a celebration of differences for ages 3-7.

12 May TOM THUMB Tom shows everybody that even though he is mini he is still mighty as he saves his brothers from Mum, Dad and the ogre. A show is full of magic with feathery spinning birds, a flying fiery house and a portable forest. Age 3-6.

19 May OSKAR’S AMAZING ADVENTURE Fun-loving Oskar has to run down a mountain to find a friendly animal to play with. But where are the animals? And why does Oskar have to wait till spring to play his favourite game again? An original, heartwarming and entertaining play, full of humour, adventure, music and song.

Age 2-8, £8.

26 May THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT Join Owly-cat and fellow family members, Jumblie and Quangle Wangle Quee, in a story inspired by the nonsense world of Edward Lear. Age 4-11.

29 May - 2 June THE GINGERBREAD MAN. Imagine being born in an oven and the first person you meet wants to dunk you in his tea! Come and see the adventure of the deliciously smelling Gingerbread Man and meet the bravest biscuit of all time. Age 3-10.

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE

W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com 24 Mar-13 May THE BIRDMAN PLUS MONKEY BUSINESS A wonderfully contrasting double bill. The first half is a moving story about a little bird who falls from its nest and is saved by a passerby.

The second half is a fun-filled series of circus tricks.

19 May-8 Jul RED RIDING HOOD Deborah Jones retells the popular story of Little Red Riding Hood with poetic beauty, humour and a new twist to the tale. Red Riding Hood is

presented with marionettes and shadow puppets, original music, lighting and effects.

For ages 3+ (Relaxed performance on 16 May and Captioned performance on 9 Jun).

RICHMOND THEATRE

TW9 1QJ www.atgtickets.com/Richmond 23, 24 May PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE Join Peppa as she gets ready to go on an exciting camping trip to the woods with her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. With lunch-boxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa and friends are excited about their outdoor adventure, full of games, laughter and live music!

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

SE1 8PX www.southbankcentre.co.uk Every Mon, 30 May, 1 Jun DRAGON BABIES Bring your little ones to shake, rattle and gong. Gamelan for ages 3-5.

Every Fri (except 1 Jun) RUG RHYMES FOR THE UNDER FIVES A short session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories, and the opportunity to look at and borrow books. Free but booking essential.

7 May THE MAGIC FISH A classic Indian tale, retold through dance, storytelling and beatboxing for ages 5+ 14 May GONG BABIES GAMELAN Bring your babies aged under six months for a fun music workshop, with no experience required.

30 May, 1, 2 Jun FAMILY GAMELAN TASTER SESSION Play in a Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra. For ages 6+ 26, 28 May THE HUNTING OF THE SNARK Enter the imaginative world of Lewis Carroll in this adaptation inspired by his classic poem.

10 Jun FUNharmonics Family Concert Animations bring Stravinsky’s glorious Petrushka to life in this family concert 10 Jun, 30 Jun OAE TOTS Introduce your child to the magic of the orchestra in these kid-friendly concerts. Join them on a musical adventure, discovering Baroque music with a theatrical twist. For ages 2-5.

UNICORN THEATRE

SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com Until 1 Jul SENSACIONAL Bring your toddler along to a sound and light show in which they are the participants. Watch as your child puts on a white suit and becomes part of a digital world of ladybirds, shapes, squiggles and squarks that won’t keep still, no matter how hard you try to catch them!

For ages 18 months to 3 years.

27 May - 1 July NOT NOW BERNARD David McKee’s iconic picture book is vividly brought to life. An astonishingly clever, sometimes melancholic and outrageously funny play for children over 3, and a must-see for parents.

CONCERTS BACH TO BABY

www.bachtobaby.com/londonnorth All concerts at 10.30am.

30 May, 27 Jun in Kensington (Christ Church, Victoria Road, W8) 19 May, 19 Jun in Notting Hill (St. John's Church, Lansdowne Crescent, W11) 18 May, 30 Jun in Chiswick (St. Michael and All Angels, Bath Rd, W4) 5 May, 2, 23 Jun in Ealing (Haven Green Baptist Church, W5 2DP)

ROYAL ALBERT HALL

SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com Every Tues and Weds STORYTELLING AND MUSIC SESSIONS A series of sessions for babies and toddlers aged 0-4, to encourage interaction between parents/carers and their little ones using musical instruments, singing, movement and stories. 10am and 11.30am, £5.

6 May CLASSICAL FOR KIDS: TUNEFUL TRIOS Favourite pieces of classical music to include lots of interactive elements for all the family to enjoy. For ages 2-16.

26 May A STRANGE NEW SPACE is Tessa Bide’s non-verbal, one-woman show aimed at children aged 4-10 years old, and follows

the journey of space-obsessed Amira, who dreams of becoming an astronaut.

30 May ALBERT EINSTEIN: RELATIVITIVELY SPEAKING (junior edition) A family theatre show celebrating the 20th century’s most brilliant thinker as part of the Festival of Science: Space.

30 May ENSONGLOPEDIA OF SCIENCE A song about science for every letter of the alphabet - expect atoms, big bangs, cells, DNA and plenty more. Expect the unexpected, and expect it to rhyme!

1 Jun ALBERT'S BAND PRESENTS: TO INFINITY AND BEYOND The perfect family friendly introduction to some of the most famous and recognised pieces of classical music in the universe.

3 Jun MOOMINS AND THE COMET: LIVE RE-SCORE A rare chance for Moomins fans old and new to experience Anne Wood’s TV adaptations of Film Polski’s breathtaking and charming animations, all accompanied by a live score.

16 Jun CLASSICAL FOR KIDS: COSMIC KEYS Top class musicians performing a carefully selected repertoire for children and their families to enjoy without any expectation to stay still or quiet. Buggies, babies and budding musicians all welcome.

WIGMORE HALL

W1U 2PB www.wigmore-hall.org.uk 3 May, 14 Jun CHAMBER TOTS: UNDER THE SEA Music-making workshop for children aged 1 - 2. 10.15 and 11.45am.

30 May CHAMBER TOTS: BEAR HUNT Music-making workshop for children aged 1 - 2. 10.15 and 11.45am.

16 Jun RNIB FAMILY DAY For blind and partially sighted children aged 6 - 12 years and their families.

30 Jun FAMILY CONCERT: FAMILY CONCERT: BUTTERFLY BRAIN Interactive concert for families with children aged 7+

72 Leighton Road, London W13 9DS 020 8567 7778 www.debonairgroup.co.uk info@debonairgroup.co.uk For further information, including details of our rates, please email or call.

Debonair Maintenance provide quality repair and home improvement work across London.

Whether you need a handyman, electrician, plumber or joiner, our friendly and professional tradespeople deliver a full range of services: from refurbishment and decorating, to household problems that need a speedy solution.

familiesonline.co.uk

May-June 2018

Families west London 19

Activities, Clubs & Classes MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

HARTBEEPS Award-winning, original, multi-sensory musical baby and toddler classes with original music, bubbles, costumes, twinkles, sparkly parachutes, puppets and more. Classes in West Kensington, North Kensington, Notting Hill, Shepherds Bush and Maida Vale. Contact Louise. e: loulou@hartbeeps.com · t: 07738 522856 Classes in Ealing, Fulham, Putney, Kew, Chiswick, Hammersmith, Wandsworth, Barnes and Acton.

Contact Kimmy. e: kimmy@hartbeeps.com

CIRCUS

ALBERT & FRIENDS INSTANT CIRCUS Mondays at The Hub, St Alban’s Church W6 8HJ Wednesdays at Melcombe Primary School W6 9ER Thursdays at Melcombe Primary School W6 9ER Saturdays at The Hub, St Alban’s Church W6 8HJ Email or visit the website for all the classes. e: Info@albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk www.albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk

DANCE

BALLET4LIFE Since 2004. Ballet4life offers top quality.

Welcoming daily ballet, dance and fitness classes taught by professionals. All classes are held in large dance studios and our programme includes creative dance classes for kids, beginner ballet and barre courses, and dance fitness.

Mums and babies welcome. www.ballet4life.com Follow us: @ballet4lifeuk Like us: www.facebook.com/ballet4life.uk/ DANCE GALLERY Dance Gallery is Ealing’s leading dance school and specialises in modern, jazz, tap and musical theatre productions for children aged 4-18 years.

e: jill@dancegallery.co.uk t: 0208 566 9672 · www.dancegallery.co.uk

KENSINGTON BALLET 18 months - 2 years.

Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill and Fulham. t: 07957 650 042 www.kensingtonballet.com

STAGECOACH PERFROMING ARTS Provide fun and engaging weekly classes in dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Students aged 4 to 18 years are taught by a professional and experienced team of teachers. They offer two-week trials for all new students so that your child can try the class out.

To enrol go to: www.stagecoach.co.uk info@stagecoach.co.uk Chiswick - 020 8398 4709 Hammersmith & Kensington: 020 8398 8106 Ealing: 01494 260249 WEST LONDON DANCE ACADEMY Ballet classes in Chiswick & Ealing.

Free Trial Lesson. e: natalieparnell.wlda@gmail.com t: 07795 578781 www.westlondondanceacademy.com

WEST LONDON SCHOOL OF DANCE 21/2 - 16 years.

020 8743 3856 westlondondance@aol.com www.westlondonschoolofdance.co.uk

DRAMA

ARTSED EXTRA Fun and engaging weekly Musical Theatre, Drama and Dance classes in Chiswick.

Develop skills and grow in confidence!

Available to children 4-16yrs of all abilities. e: ptc@artsed.co.uk · t: 020 8987 6692 www.artsed.co.uk

PERFORM Weekly drama, dance and singing classes About:Confidence building fun for 4-12’s.

A unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child's true potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention. Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions.

Venues: Acton, Brook Green, Chiswick, Ealing, Hammersmith, Kensington W8, Ladbroke Grove, Maida Vale, Marylebone, Notting Hill, Shepherds Bush, Turnham Green and West Kensington. e: enquiries@perform.org.uk t: 020 7255 9120 www.perform.org.uk

STAGECOACH PERFORMING ARTS Provide fun and engaging weekly classes in dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Students aged 4 to 18 years are taught by a professional and experienced team of teachers. They offer two-week trials for all new students so that your child can try the class out. To enrol go to: www.stagecoach.co.uk e: info@stagecoach.co.uk Chiswick: 020 8398 4709 Hammersmith & Kensington: 020 8398 8016 Ealing: 01494 260249

FOOTBALL/SPORTS

KIDDIKICKS Football (W2,W4,W8,W10,W11,TW8).

For boys and girls from 18 months to age 7. e: info@kiddikicks.co.uk · t: 020 7937 7965 www.kiddikicks.co.uk

JUMP LDN Empowers people through Double Dutch Skipping! Double Dutch is a socially fun sport and street game which promotes teamwork, communication and unity.

Harrow Club, 187 Freston Rd, London W10 6TH (2mins from Latimer Road Station) JUMP YOUTH: 6pm-7pm (16yrs and under) JUMP FITNESS: 7pm-8pm (16yrs and over) e: info@jumpldn.com www.facebook.com/jumpldn1 www.jumpldn.com

SWIMMING

Swimming Lessons.

From 3 years.

Crowne Plaza Heathrow. t: 01753 364 366 www.seriouslyfun.com

TUITION SUPPORT

EXPLORE LEARNING Maths & English Tuition Centres. 5 -14 years.

Free Trial session.

Ealing 020 8090 8710 Hayes 020 8561 8530 Westfield London 020 809 01216 www.explorelearning.co.uk VICTORIA PAGE Private tuition 21/2 - 11 years. t: 07050 246 810

VIVIEN BORNEMANN Home tuition. Art, Craft and design. All ages. t: 020 8932 1010.

BABY YOGA & MASSAGE

WEST LONDON BABIES Chiswick Sling Library, Family First Aid session, Breastfeeding Buddy sessions and Pregnant Parents Social Club. Also The Bub Hub which runs every fortnight and is a collective of professionals working together to support parents during the first year of their baby's life.

Subjects covered include baby massage and babywearing, sleep, feeding, managing expectations, returning to work, Mums of More than One, 6-12 month old focus and lots more.

Ealing. t: 020 8090 8710

LANGUAGES

ARABIC For Women and Children.

Female teacher. t: 07956 845 053

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