Families Herts Issue 61 Mar-Apr 2015

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Issue No. 61 Mar/Apr 2015

Easter Holiday Fun Easter Egg Hunts Spring What’s On Prep School Feature Try our Childcare Quiz

Win a Family Pass to

Willows Activity Farm

The Herts magazine with the information young families want

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From your Editor…

In this issue:

Hip hip hooray, spring is on its way, and that means Easter means holidays means chocolate and more chocolate … I am sure you get my drift.

Amongst the non-chocolaty delights in this issue there is plenty of Easter holiday information and ideas to get out and about plus great competitions, a fun (and informative) quiz in our Childcare feature and a helpful guide to selecting a prep school.

I’ve not made too much of a song and dance about it but Families Herts is totally delighted to admit to being 10 years old! Our first issue saw the light of day in March 2005; at that time I had a ten year old son and a four year old daughter. Now he’s at uni and she is gearing up for GCSEs. Where has the time gone and how many other Herts families have grown and flown in that time?

If one significant celebration wasn’t enough, it is also the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the very first Families magazine. That one magazine has now grown into a group of thirty-eight magazines that are published as far afield as Scotland to the north and Isle of Wight to the south. So, wherever you move to, you will more than likely be able to pick up a local Families Magazine!

We are back in May with our Party issue; in the meantime, I hope that you enjoy the crocuses, daffodils and tulips as they begin to show their heads – and, of course, the chocolate!

News & Views: 4 Education: 6 Childcare Feature: 8 Easter Holiday Fun: 10 What's On: 16 Competitions: 19

Shelley Where are we? Baldock, Bishops Stortford, Borehamwood, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Kings Langley, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Welwyn GC. Pick it up from cafes, playgroups, nurseries, schools, activity groups, selected shops, surgeries, leisure centres and libraries. Email or call to request copies for your venue.

Next Issue: May/June Copy deadline: 8th April

Cover image © golyak www.depositphotos.com

Families Herts, PO Box 434, Pinner, HA5 9AH Tel: 020 8428 6384 editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesherts.co.uk

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News & Views Over The Wall: Free camps for Herts children with serious illnesses As part of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by the late actor, Paul Newman, the children’s charity ‘Over The Wall’ is offering children an exciting and empowering camp experience, that will improve each child’s confidence, self-esteem and independence through fun and adventure and help them to reach beyond the limits of their medical conditions. The camps are open to children affected by a serious illness, and families in Herts are being encouraged to apply. Over The Wall’s activity camps are completely free of charge.

Taking place at sites across the UK, children will be able to participate in activities such as archery, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, drumming circles, creative writing, climbing and kayaking. Every camp has a highly skilled team of medical professionals on site and available 24 hours a

day, ensuring that the children’s health needs are catered for.

This year, Over The Wall is aiming to reach out to at least 600 children and families. Increasing the life changing experiences it provides to children with a vast range of serious medical conditions.

They also offer separate camps for the siblings of children affected by illnesses and long weekends for the whole family to enjoy.

To find out more about the Over The Wall camps as either a participant or a volunteer call 02392 477110 or go to www.otw.org.uk.

Get ready for a Tip ‘Top Hat’ Summer!

With ex-students including Rupert Grint from the Harry Potter films, it is no surprise that Top Hat Stage and Screen School likes a bit of magic. Top Hat is gearing up for more magic and mayhem, with some flying carpets thrown in, with the choice of Aladdin as the musical for its 2015 summer courses. The summer course, for children and young people aged from 4 to 17 years, will be held at each of the three Top Hat schools in Potters Bar, Stevenage and St Albans.

Last year, Top Hat took 400 of its students to perform with stars of stage and screen in London’s West End. This summer will be just as exciting with students performing popular songs like ‘A Whole New World’ and ‘Friend Like Me’ at the Wyllyotts Theatre, Nobel School Theatre and Sandpit Theatre at the end of their five day course.

The courses run from 3rd to 7th August in Potters Bar and from 10th 13th August at the new Top Hat school in Stevenage. Top Hat St Albans has two courses: the first runs from 10th – 14th August and the second from 17th – 20th August. For more details and to book, email admin@tophatstageschool.co.uk or call 01727 812666. www.tophatstageschool.co.uk.

Real Nappy Week: 20-26 April This week is the real nappy community's opportunity to trumpet everything that is fabulous about using cloth nappies. Retailers, manufacturers, cloth nappy libraries, local councils and real nappy fans will hold giveaways and events to spread

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the word about the benefits of real nappies. Using real nappies will save you cash (up to £500 by using real nappies on one baby!), reduce waste and reduce your impact on global warming. Real nappies come in a wide choice of fabrics, styles and colours; you can even buy bespoke and personalise them! Discover what events the real nappy community have planned; nationwide events, local competitions and opportunities to get advice at www.goreal.org.uk/real-nappy-week.

News & Views Free maths and English activities – 31st March and 14th April!

Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition to 5-14 year olds of all abilities. Explore fits easily around family life with centres that are open seven days a week and which children can attend up to twice a week on a drop-in basis.

On the 31st March or 14th April, your local Explore Learning centre will be hosting a day of free workshops for children ages 5-14 years old.

There are limited spaces so call your local centre to reserve your free place. (See advert on page 3), or visit www.explorelearning.co.uk.

Improve your child's reading If you sit at home thinking there is nothing you can do to improve your Dyslexic child's reading because it’s in their genes, think again....

Research has shown that reading ability can be improved at any age so it is never too late. Centre4Excellence (C4X) helps children of all abilities to unlock their potential. C4X empowers both child and parent to take control of learning by offering them the correct interventions. They provide scientifically based programmes to improve auditory and sensory integration by retraining the brain.

Here’s what one mother has said: "Omer has gone up another level in reading. He is so proud and so am I. I can't tell you how positive the Fast ForWord programme has been for him, thank you endlessly and with your continued support I feel we will achieve much more.”(Mrs Ogredicit)" Read more about C4X’s impressive results on their Facebook page: Centre4Excellence.

For more information call Florence on 07919 067 343.

Drama Llamas are expanding Drama Llamas offer fun-filled interactive storytelling and drama sessions for 2-5 year olds and they are thrilled to announce the opening of new classes for the children of Ashwell, Baldock, Harpenden, Hatfield and St Albans this spring.

Drama Llamas’ approach is based around an original (or occasionally traditional) story. The sessions are fully interactive as the experienced leaders take the children through a fun-filled programme of activities, games and movement, using an eclectic range of music and props.

One week, children may go on a treasure hunt and follow a map through the countryside. The next week they could be rescuing a dolphin in distress! There is always something new and exciting to look forward to with Drama Llamas.

Drama Llamas provide: parent and child sessions where siblings are welcome; workshops at nurseries and schools for children up to school year one and creative fun parties for 3-5 year olds.

For more details or to book a free trial class email info@dramallamas. co.uk or call 07867 793407 www.dramallamas.co.uk

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Education

Parent’s guide to Independent schools

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

A variety of Independent schools An independent school is a school that is free to operate outside of many of the rules and regulations of the state system (there are, of course, statutory education, health and safety standards). Independent schools are also feepaying, and governed by an elected board.

Within the umbrella term of ‘independent’, you will find an array of different types of schools. Pre-prep is the name sometimes given to schools which cater for infant aged children (4-7), that usually are feeder schools for a prep (preparatory) school (for 8-13 year-olds, and sometimes younger).

The preparatory school takes its name from its original function of preparing pupils for entrance to senior schools. This might be a ‘public’ school – the older private schools, whose name derives from the fact that they are open to the public (providing they can pay the fees of course!).

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

Why choose an independent school?

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

The high staff to pupil ratio, on average about 1:10 gives staff and pupils more time to get to know one another.

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

It’s not just the academic kids who will benefit from what a prep school offers. Sport is taken very seriously, and they will offer a wide range, from rugby to badminton. They also cater for other interests, offering a variety of extra-curricular activities, such as dance, drama and music.

How to find a school Your first port of call should be the government’s database of all UK schools,

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www.berkhamstedschool.org

which allows you to search by area and type (private or state funded). You might want to look at this early on - according to the Good Schools Guide, getting a place can be cutthroat: ‘For a small number of schools (mostly in or near to London) the only way to gain a place is to register your child's birth then head straight to the school and etch their name on the waiting list; try not to deliver in July/ August - places are likely to have been nabbed by autumn births.’

Expect an interview, even for early years places – this is likely to involve some sort of assessment of basic speech, interaction and social skills. By age 7 or 8 you might expect a test of Maths and English ability, with possibly an IQ test. This could be accompanied by a school visit, to assess how your child will be placed at the school.

As with any school, you should make appointments to visit the school or go along to an open day. Also make sure that you check their inspection reports (these may be delivered by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, or Ofsted).

Useful links Government school search www.gov.uk/find-school-in-england Independent Schools Inspectorate www.isi.net Ofsted www.ofsted.gov.uk Independent Schools Council www.isc.co.uk Independent Association of prep schools https://iaps.uk Good Schools Guide www. goodschoolsguide.co.uk Advice on choosing a prep school www. telegraph.co.uk/education and search ‘How to choose the perfect prep school for your child’

Berkhamsted Preparatory School Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep are part of Berkhamsted School. The School has an innovative ‘diamond’ structure that combines both single-sex and co-educational teaching.

Boys and girls are taught together until the age of 11, then separately from 11-16 years, before coming back together again in a joint Sixth Form.

Berkhamsted Pre-Prep has extensive outdoor facilities including a woodland trail, Georgian walled garden and adventure playground. Stepping Stones (nursery) and Reception also have fenced gardens that are directly accessible from their classrooms.

Berkhamsted Pre-Prep offers excellent teaching combined with a high level of attention for each individual child.

At Key Stage 2, the children transfer to the prep, which has recently added a new netball court, an amphitheatre and dedicated classrooms for art and music to its other wonderful facilities. The children also benefit from using the Senior School facilities, such as the swimming pool, theatre, and science and food technology labs. The Prep’s weekly timetable incorporates teaching from some of the Senior School’s specialist teachers. This helps to develop the Berkhamsted School community and helps the children to more easily cope with the transition from Prep to Senior school.

The next Open Mornings will be on 6 March 9am-12 noon (Pre-Prep and Prep) and 7 March 10m-12 noon (Day Nursery and Pre-Prep).

Call 01442 358001 or e-mail admissions@ berkhamstedschool.org to book a place.

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Childcare Feature

Childcare quiz: what's best for me?

By Joanna Moorhead

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

7. Do you have a long commute?

1. How many children do you have?

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

SCORE 3 for yes

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

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

2. What ages are your children?

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

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

3. Do you live in a rural or an urban area?

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

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

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

SCORE 3 for yes

8. Do you have a spare bedroom?

9. Does your child have an allergy or health issue of any kind?

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

SCORE 3 for yes

10. Are you a 'laissez faire' or a 'controlling' parent?

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

SCORE 1 for laissez faire, 3 for controlling

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

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

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

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

4. Are you a single parent?

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

SCORE 2 if yes

5. How much disposable income do you have?

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

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

6. Is your work predictable?

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

SCORE 1 for yes, 3 for no

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www.littlenightingales.com

Little Nightingales Children’s Day Nursery Little Nightingales provides a warm and welcoming, home-from-home environment for children from 3 months to 5 years old.

They want to make your life simpler by offering a range of sessions where everything your child needs is taken care of. Every child is treated as an individual, giving them space to develop and grow. The children at Little Nightingales enjoy playing with their friends whilst developing into confident, well-rounded little people.

Childcare – your options at a glance: Childminder* – Childminders will look after children in their own home. They can look after up to six children aged from birth until eight including their own children.

Day Nurseries* – Good for working parents, as they are usually open from 8am-6pm.

Nanny – A nanny will look after children in the family home. If a nanny has registered on the Ofsted voluntary register the employing family will be able to use tax credits.

Nursery Schools* – Good for older toddlers (usually from 2 1/2 years and over) they offer a more structured preparation for school.

Parent and Toddler groups - Drop-in sessions for parents with babies and toddlers.

They are often run by volunteer parents and are held in local halls for one or two hours weekly. They offer an opportunity for toddlers to play with and share toys with other children and for parents to connect with each other.

Pre-schools and playgroups* – These are generally open in term time and are for children aged from 2 – 4 years old. They offer morning or afternoon sessions and may also offer extended sessions to include lunch. Each child will have a keyworker who keeps a track of their development.

Little Nightingales are proud to trumpet the opening of their new under 2s baby unit. This specialist baby unit offers a unique setting providing all-inclusive care for your baby. With a 3:1 ratio of children to staff, every baby receives individual attention making your little one feel happy, secure and relaxed.

As your baby grows the caring staff help them establish a routine which adapts over time as they become more independent. At Little Nightingales they care just like you care.

To find out more call 01727 827533 or go to www.littlenightingales.com.

School Nursery Classes* - These usually run for the year prior to reception, they have a similar structure to nursery schools, though often only run half-day sessions. *Day nurseries, School Nursery Classes, Preschools, Nursery Schools and childminders will all deliver the early years foundation stage (EYFS) curriculum to all children under the age of five.

For more detailed information and guidance go to www.hertsdirect.org/childcarechoices

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Easter Holiday Fun A little bit of what you fancy does you good … and this applies to more than chocolate during the Easter holidays.

It’s a great time for parents and children to get back outside and experience something together or for children to do their own thing and explore a totally new activity or something utterly familiar. With our guide to some of what is available during the Easter Holiday and our Easter What’s On listing you won’t be stuck for ideas and you might even discover a hobby or interest that will last a life time or a talent that you didn’t know you had!

Butterfly World: a sensory treat Beautiful butterflies, creepy crawlies and phenomenal flowers are the inspiration for fun, crafty and educational events and activities at Butterfly World. See hundreds of tropical butterflies. Watch the busy leaf cutter ant colony in Ant World and, perhaps, even hold stick insects, cockroaches and giant snails in the Insect Study Centre. Discover how to attract wildlife to your own garden as you wander through the Designer Gardens.

Meander along the antennae paths to the brand new Music Meadow. Kids can run wild in the natural children’s play area with its willow

www.butterflyworldproject.com

tunnels, wooden climbing frames, sand pits and giant slides. Stop by the Nectar Cafe for tasty food, drinks and ice creams.

Butterfly World is open from 23rd March, 10-5 daily. Entry is only £5 per person until the end of April. For half-price child entry with voucher; see advert on page 11.

Call 01727 869201 or go to www.butterflyworldproject.com

Fit for Sport Keep your kids active this Easter at a Fit For Sport Activity Camp! All the activities are full of energy and their qualified and experienced team will have plenty of sports and games each day for children aged 3 – 12. Camps run each day from Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April. To find your nearest camp and book a place, visit www.fitforsport.co.uk or call 0845 456 3233.

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Best Holiday Academies and Best News This year’s holiday academies in St Albans have a fantastic set of themes. Starting with 'The Habbit' for children aged 6 to 16 years during Easter. "Any resemblance to Tolkien is purely coincidental," says Best co-founder, David Bevan. "We start with a title and the children create the story over 5 days, culminating in a theatre show for parents and friends. In the summer we'll have 'ChilledOlaf's Revenge', 'A Grimm Summer Night's Dream' and 'Despicable Minions'. So every week will be different."

For younger children, aged 4 to 6, there's 'Jungle Book' in the spring, followed by 'Frozen', 'Peter Pan' and 'The Lion King' in the summer.

Students will be performing in a specially written new musical called 'Timonfeya' at The Sandpit Theatre. Plus, The BYTE, youth theatre group, will be taking part in the National Theatre Connections programme at The Maltings Arts Theatre in a disturbing new play called 'The Boy Preference'.

Best will shortly announce an extra weekly class for 4 to 6 year olds, and a midweek acting class for children in years 6, 7 and 8.

Find out more at besttheatrearts.com or call 01727 759634.

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Easter Holiday Fun Super Camps at Easter

This Easter holiday Super Camps will be running three camps in Hertfordshire at Heath Mount School (Hertford), The Royal Masonic School for Girls (Rickmansworth) and Westbrook Hay Prep School (Hemel Hempstead). All three venues are offering a Multi-Activity camp and there will also be a Raw Adventure camp at the Westbrook Hay Prep School venue.

At the Multi-Activity camps children aged 4 to 14 years old take part in a programme that offers sports, arts and crafts.

The Raw Adventure programme is for ages 7-14 years and is just right for kids who are inspired by Bear Grylls and want to get back to nature and learn some bushcraft and survival skills. The Easter camps are running from 6th to 17th April. For more details and to book call 01235 467300 or visit www.supercamps.co.uk

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There’s so much to do at SportSpace and the XC The Easter holidays are fast approaching and Dacorum Sports Trust has a jam packed programme of activities to keep children entertained during the school holidays!

Sportspace have a range of water fun activities taking place including swimming crash courses, large pool inflatables and fun sessions. There are also fun activity workshops running with an Easter theme, Dinky Ducks for 3-4 year olds and Active Bunnies for 5-7 year olds plus a variety of sports workshops and activity camps. For the more adventurous there's climbing, caving and skateboarding at their world class extreme sports facility: XC. For outdoor activities Junior Golf workshops will be available at Little Hay Golf Complex.

To find out more call 01442 507100 or visit www.sportspace.co.uk or www.thexc.co.uk

Ahoy there! Pirates and Princesses set sail to Perform Perform Drama School is back with another exciting Easter Holiday Course for 4-7 year olds. Give your child a treat to remember with a drama, dance and singing holiday course.

This entertaining three day swashbuckling royal adventure for brave pirates and fearless princesses will be led by Perform’s talented and experienced workshop leaders. Perform’s tailored approach enables all children of all ages to participate and everyone has a chance to take part in the final performance for friends and family. With costumes, live music, scripts, improvisation and dance, children will have an amazing time making new friends and developing their social skills along the way.

The course is running in St Albans and Stanmore and costs £100 (with a 25% discount for siblings and reductions for groups). To find our more call 0845 400 1272 or visit www.perform.org.uk

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Easter Holiday Fun Golf and more at Panshanger Golf Complex

Fitness and Fun at Hatfield Leisure Centre

Play more than just Golf at Panshanger Golf Complex in Welwyn Garden City. This top-class course with stunning views over Hertfordshire's Mimram Valley has been cleverly designed to provide a challenge to experienced golfers and still be encouraging for beginners. The atmosphere is very relaxed and golfers of all ages and abilities are welcome. ‘Pay and Play’ is available seven days a week and a wide choice of membership packages are offered for all age groups. There is also a 9 hole Pitch and Putt course.

Panshanger Golf Complex is also proud to be the home to Hertfordshire’s first UKFootGolf Course. Double take … yes, you did read UKFootGolf. What, might you ask, is UKFootGolf? As its name implies it is an innovative game that mixes soccer with golf.

It is played on a golf course using a size 5 football. The players aim to get the ball into the hole using their feet in as few shots as possible. This 'addictive' combination of the world’s two most popular sports is open to everyone and is fantastic family fun.

Find out more at www.finesseleisure.com/ golf-complex

There is something for everyone at Hatfield Leisure Centre which includes Hatfield Swim Centre and Reflex Health & Fitness. Together they offer a wide range of fitness activities from racquet sports, indoor and outdoor football and a fitness gym and studio classes.

The Leisure Centre is also a venue for a number of clubs for children and adults such as Badminton, Fencing, Gymnastics, Dance, Ju Jitsu, Karate, Soccer and even a Roller Hockey Club.

The Hatfield Swim Centre has an extensive programme of swimming lessons and the Swim School is in action all year. There are lessons for swimmers and aspiring swimmers of all ages and abilities including parent and babies, parent and toddler, pre-school, juniors and adults. Whether it’s learning to swim from scratch, building water confidence, stroke improvement or getting stronger the Swim School programme ensures everyone will enjoy swimming.

Visitors that haven’t seen Hatfield Leisure Centre for a while will be impressed by the brand new changing facilities and showers as well as the beautifully refurbished main hall.

Hatfield Leisure Centre is offering the chance for one lucky reader to win a free 6 month membership at Reflex Health & Fitness worth £294. Go to www.familiesherts.co.uk to enter.

Berkhamsted BASECAMP Based at Berkhamsted School, BASECAMP offer holiday activity camps for children aged 3-16 years. Choose from a wide variety of camps to keep every child busy during the holidays! From the Multi Activity Camp held at the Pre-Prep site with its fantastic Sports Hall, walled garden and woodlands to explore; or try one of the sporting camps: tennis with Langley Tennis Club or the International Netball Roadshow. Also available are specialised camps for children aged 3-5 years at MiniBASECAMP – with activities suited to the younger age group.

Most of camps also offer additional hours from 7.30am through to 6.30pm. To find out more go to www.berkhamstedbasecamp.co.uk or call 01442 358115

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Summer follows Spring at Celtic Harmony Camp Celtic Harmony Camp, the Iron Age Settlement, is an award winning charity where history is brought to life with fun and exciting hands-on cultural heritage education Spring is always an exciting mix of new life and celebration at Celtic Harmony Camp.

Try a hunt with a difference this Easter; aiming at fifteen 3D animal targets around the woodland, taking your best shot using soft balls to hit the targets! The BIG Hunt is from 7–10 April and 13-17 April.

Following on, join the festivities for the start of the summer with live music, a fire procession, archery and children’s activities at the Beltane Summer Festival on Bank Holiday Monday, 4 May, from 10am until 5pm.

Celtic Harmony guarantee you will have a relaxing family day out with lots of hands-on activities for the children, or they will give you your money back!

Space are limited so book early for your great day out! www.celticharmony.org/events Registered charity

Barracudas Activity Camps Barracudas, children’s activity camp, offers peace of mind for parents during the Easter and summer holidays. Barracudas are proud that they have consistently been judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and because they are registered with Ofsted, parents have the added bonus of paying using childcare vouchers.

With their successful formula and continued popularity with parents and children Barracudas are offering camps at 34 UK locations this year, including a new venue in Letchworth. With action packed programmes and choice of varied activities including archery, swimming, fencing, motor sports, arts & crafts, dance & drama they offer so much to keep children entertained.

This year’s camps are at: Bishop’s Stortford College; Abbot’s Hill School,

Hemel Hempstead; Haileybury, Hertford; St Christopher School, Letchworth Garden City (new!); Watford Grammar School for Boys; Sherrardswood School, Welwyn Garden City.

To find out more and to book call 0845 123 5299 or visit www.barracudas.co.uk

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What's On: Spring & Easter EASTER EGG HUNTS & TRAILS ALDENHAM COUNTRY PARK Aldenham Road, Elstree, WD6 3AT, 020 8953 9602 aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk Easter Eggstravaganza 4 -18 April daily Do your best bunny hops as you complete the egg hunt; bottle feed lambs and more. Limited spaces available, book online. Normal activities open as usual.

Cost: Easter Eggstravaganza - £2.

Farm entry not included. Car parking charges of £4.50 per car apply

ASHRIDGE ESTATE Visitor Centre, Moneybury Hill,, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LT 01442 851227 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Easter Egg Trail 3-6 April Put on your wellies and Eggsplore the secrets of the woodland at Ashridge. Answer questions along the way and collect your Cadburys Easter Egg reward at the end.

Cost: £3. No need to book.

BARCLAY PARK Park View , Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 8PX www.broxbourne.gov.uk Easter Egg Hunt 4 April - 1-3pm Easter fun for all. Proceeds go to the Friends of Barclay Park Cost: £2.

BUTTERFLY WORLD PROJECT Miriam Lane (off Noke Lane), Chiswell Green, AL2 3NY 01727 869203 butterflyworldproject.com Easter Baskets 4-5 April - 10.30am-12noon / 1.30-3pm Decorate Easter baskets and top with a chocolate egg. Ages 3+.

Cost: £3. (plus normal admission applies)

CEDARS PARK Theobalds Lane, Cheshunt, EN8 8RH www.broxbourne.gov.uk Let’s GO Play Easter Special 28 March - 12-4pm Easter egg hunt, arts & crafts, pin the tail on the rabbit & more.

Ages 5-12.

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CELTIC HARMONY CAMP

ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS

Brickendon Lane, Brickendon nr Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8NY 01438 718543 www.celticharmony.org Big Hunt: Easter Woodland Quest 7-10 April / 13-17 April 10am-5pm Fun for all the family. Aim at 15 3D animal targets around the woodland, take your best shot using soft balls and gain points if you hit the target!

Cost: £5 admission.

Have a go Archery.

Cost: £1.50.

Drop-in pottery and bushcraft workshops Cost: £2.50-£3.

Advance bookings only. Please book online.

Under 2s free.

Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1JY 01992 707370 www.royalgunpowdermills.com £9.75. Concs £8.75. Child £7.75.

Under 3s free. Family tickets available 3-4 Apr Easter activities for younger children - egg hunt, crafts; face painting; meet the Easter bunny.

HATFIELD FOREST Takeley, Bishop's Stortford, CM22 6NE www.eastereggtrail.com/ Hatfield-Forest Easter Egg Trail 3-6 April - 11am-3pm Follow the clues, answer the questions and complete the challenges to find your way to a chocolatey prize!

Cost: £2

HIGHFIELD PARK Charters Health Club, 59 Russet Drive, St Albans , AL4 0DB 01727 847242 www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk Easter Bunny Hunt 15 April - 10.30am-2.30pm Lots of Easter holiday fun.

KNEBWORTH HOUSE Knebworth Park, Knebworth, SG3 6PY 01438 812661 www.knebworthhouse.com Easter Trail 3-4 April Complete the Easter Trail around the Garden to claim a reward.

Cost: Normal admission applies plus £1 for quiz sheet

LEE VALLEY PARK FARMS Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF 01992 892781 www.visitleevalley.org.uk/go/ farms £9.50. Child £8.50. Under 2s free.

Pre-book online for discount Easter Eggstravaganza 3-6 Apr – 10am-5pm Easter fun and egg hunt.

SHEPRETH WILDLIFE PARK Station Road, Shepreth, Nr Royston, SG8 6PZ 01763 262226 sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk Easter Egg Hunt 3-6 April - 12-4pm Easter fun.

WILLOWS ACTIVITY FARM Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, AL2 1BB 08701 299718 www. willowsactivityfarm.com Easter Eggstravaganza 28 March - 19 April Outdoor & indoor Easter fun.

Dance the 'bunny hop' with the Easter Bunny. Tour the farm on Tristan the Runaway Tractor.

Complete Woolly’s Workout Agility Play Trail. Shoot foam eggs in Captain Chicken’s Egg Dodge. Find hidden eggs in the Easter Garden. Meet animal friends in the farmyard, including fluffy chicks & the bunnies of Hoppity Hills.

WARE PRIORY Priory Street, Ware, SG12 0DE www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk Easter Fun Day 4 April - 1.30-3.15pm Egg decorating competition – prizes for the best entries. Plus egg hunt in the Priory grounds for under 8s.

WIMPOLE ESTATE Arrington, Royston, SG8 0BW 01223 206000 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ wimpole-estate Easter Egg Trail 28 March - 6 April 10.30am-4.15pm Help Wimpolena the Wimpole goose find her feathers in the Gardens. Follow rhyming clues to spell the magic word to claim your Cadbury's Egghead. Extra family activities at the Farm.

Gardens open 10am-5pm Cost: Normal farm charges apply. £2 per Easter Egg trail. Garden admission free for NT members, normal admission applies for non-members.

THE OLD TOWN HALL THEATRE The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AE 01442 228 091 www.toth.dacorum.gov.uk/ families Easter Holiday Fun 2 April - 12 noon-2.30pm. Film 2.30pm Easter bonnet competition for all the family. Show off your homemade creations and receive a treat from the Easter Bunny.

Stay to enjoy craft activities and the film Hop.

FUN THINGS TO DO THIS SPRING ALDENHAM COUNTRY PARK Aldenham Road, Elstree, WD6 3AT 020 8953 9602 www.aldenhamcountrypark. co.uk Winnie the Pooh Day 1 March, 5 April - From 11am Activities and crafts. Join in the bee hunt and meet Winnie the Pooh. 0-8 yrs. Limited spaces, book online.

Cost: £2.50. Car park charges of £4.50 apply.

ASHRIDGE ESTATE Visitor Centre, Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LT 01442 851227 www. nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridgeestate Wild About Ashridge 8-17 April - 10.30am-3pm Outdoor fun adventures, whatever the weather with the National Trust team.

Dawn Chorus Walks 25 April - 5-7am Join an Ashridge Ranger on this early morning walk to look and listen for birds. Followed by breakfast . Booking essential.

Cost: £15 Adult. £10 Child

BUTTERFLY WORLD PROJECT Miriam Lane, off Noke Lane, Chiswell Green, AL2 3NY 01727 869203 butterflyworldproject.com Spring Cards 3 April - 10.30am-12noon, 1.303pm Make beautiful celebration spring cards for family and friends.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £2.50 (plus normal admission charge)

Spring Crowns 6 April - 10.30am-12.30pm, 1.30-3pm Make paper crowns with feathers and flowers.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £2.50 (plus normal admission charge) Guide Dogs for the Blind Activity Day 7 April - 10.30am-3pm Decode a braille trail, play blindfold activities. Try 'Sticky Paws' by cutting, buttering and spreading jam on a scone all blind folded! Meet Guide Dog pups in training and working Guide Dogs.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £2 suggested donation (plus normal admission charge) Dizzy Wizzy's Amazing Butterfly Show 8 April - 11.30am, 2.30pm A nature walk around the gardens followed by an interactive story.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £2.50 (plus normal admission charge) Make a Felt Butterfly 9 April - 10.30am-3pm Transform wool and soapy water into beautiful butterflies.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £5 (plus normal admission charge) Bug Hotels 10, 14 April - 10.30-12noon, 1.30-3pm Use recyclable materials, such as fence panels, cardboard, leaves and bamboo to create nests for the bugs in your garden.

Ages 3+.

Advance booking required.

Cost: £4 (plus normal admission charge) Bird Feeder 11-13 April - 10.30am-12pm & 1.30-3pm Make and decorate a bird feeder using recycled materials.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £2.50 (plus normal admission charge) Sock Caterpillars 12 April - 10.30am-12pm, 1.303.30pm Create your own caterpillar using clean old socks. Ages 3+.

Cost: £2 (plus normal admission charge) Storytelling 15 April - 11am, 12noon, 1, 2, 3pm Hertfordshire Libraries bring your favourite stories to life using puppets and movement. Ages 18 mths to 5 yrs.

Cost: Free (plus normal admission charge)

Spring in a Pot 16 April - 10.30am-12.30pm, 1.30-3.30pm Plant and decorate a miniature garden, and take it home to enjoy as it springs into bloom.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £4 (plus normal admission charge) Cress Caterpillars 17 April - 10.30am-12pm & 1.30-3pm Make an egg box caterpillar and plant seeds along his back. Watch them grow and turn him furry.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £2.50 (plus normal admission charge) Sand Art 18 April - 10.30am-4pm Make your own unique creation using coloured sand.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £4 each, £7 for two (plus normal admission charge) Pencil Pots 19 April - 10.30am-12noon, 1.30-3pm Create a spring scene on a card tube to make a container for your pencils.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £2.50 (plus normal admission charge)

LEE VALLEY PARK FARMS KNEBWORTH HOUSE Knebworth Park, Knebworth, SG3 6PY 01438 812661 www.knebworthhouse.com Jousting 5-6 April Cheer for your favourite knights as they joust in front of Knebworth House.

Cost: Jousting is included in the Knebworth Gardens and Park admission ticket price.

LEE VALLEY BOAT CENTRE Old Nazeing Road, Broxbourne, EN10 6LX www.riverleecruises.co.uk Mother's Day Cream Tea Cruise 15 March - 3-5pm Gentle cruise along the River Lee. Cost: £13 including cream tea Mother's Day Sunday Lunch Cruise 15 March - 12.30-3.30pm Cruise with three course meal.

Cost: Adult £26. Child £13

Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2EF 01992 892781 www.visitleevalley.org.uk/go/ farms £9.50. Child £8.50. Under 2s free.

Pre-book online for discount Mother's Day 15 Mar – 10am-5pm Bring Mum in for free! See website for terms & conditions.

Spring-tastic Farm Fun 28 Mar-19 Apr – 10am-5pm Meet the chicks & lambs. Enjoy seasonal activities around the farmyard.

LETCHWORTH & DISTRICT ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Standalone Farm, Wilbury Road, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4JN 01462 686775 www.ldas.org.uk Star Party 11 April - 7-10.30pm Enjoy the wonders of the night sky at the Letchworth & District Astronomical Society's observatory.

CELTIC HARMONY CAMP Brickendon Lane, Brickendon nr Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 8NY 01438 718543 www.celticharmony.org Beltane Summer Festival 4 May Enjoy and take part in our summer festival! With live music, and food available all day. Performances include fire breathing, story telling, bushcraft, owl displays. Plus seasonal activities such as crafting a Celtic Dream Catcher and the Beltane Fire Procession.

Cost: £10 when booked online.

HEARTWOOD FOREST Sandridge, St Albans, AL4 9DQ 07909 893545 christinajoachim@ woodlandtrust.org.uk Tree Planting 14 March Every tree at Heartwood Forest is planted by a volunteer.

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What's On: Spring & Easter NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AT TRING The Walter Rothschild Building, Akeman Street, Tring HP3 6AP 020 7942 6171 www.nhm.ac.uk/tring Hungry Caterpillars 5 Mar – 11am & 2pm Messy play for under 5s. 30-min workshop. £2 Fossil Fun and Meet Mary Anning 8 Mar – 2-4pm. Drop in All ages. FREE Amazing Eggs 31 Mar, 2 & 7 Apr – 10.15, 10.45, 11.15am, 2.30 or 3pm 30-min handling & craft workshop for all ages. £2 Ponderiffic Dipping 1 & 15 Apr – 11am or 2pm 60-min workshop for ages 5+. £4 Eggtastic Egg Hunt 3-6 Apr Trail sheet £1 Walter’s Wander in Tring Park 8 Apr – 10.15am or 2pm 2-hour walk for all ages. Book in advance. FREE Big-Mouth Frogs 9, 14 & 16 Apr – 10.15, 10.45, 11.15am, 2.30 or 3pm 30-min workshop for all ages. £2

PLAY ALOUD Hitchin: 07903 336113 playaloudstandrews@hotmail. com Pirton: 07985 517911 playaloudpirton@hotmail.com Samuel Lucas: playaloudsamuellucas@hotmail. com Play Aloud offer after school childcare and are open daily 7.30am to 6.30pm.

They also provide care during school holidays and all children are welcome. They will be providing special activities with something different every day during the Easter holidays.

Play Aloud have three centres (see above) and they cater for children aged for 2 years up to 11 years. They pride themselves of offering total flexibility for parents.

Costs: Contact for prices and to book.

OAKLANDS COLLEGE St Albans Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL4 0JA www.oaklands.ac.uk Lambing Weekend 14-15 March - 10am-3pm Watch lambs being born. Plus tractor rides, farm trail, farmers market and access to Oaklands'

Animal Care Centre - boasting creatures from reptiles to rabbits. Refreshments available.

No dogs. Pregnant women advised not to attend (risks associated with lambing and pregnancy).

Cost: FREE

RIVER LEE COUNTRY PARK Showground, Highbridge Street, Essex EN9 1AB oakleighfairs.co.uk Easter Country Fair 5-6 Apr – 10am-5pm Fun-packed country show. £3-7.50

ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1JY 01992 707370 www.royalgunpowdermills.com Explosive Easter 28 Mar-12 Apr Children’s indoor and outdoor activities and exhibits. Professor Nitrate shares his experiments in the Mad Lab. Fire rockets across the Test Range.

5-6 Apr Includes arena event with exciting explosions, demonstrating how gunpowder and other pyrotechnic explosives work, two shows each day.

Cost: Adult £9.75. Concs £8.75.

Child £7.75. Under 3s free.

Family tickets available

ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL The Abbey, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY 01727 860780 www.stalbanscathedral.org Family Discovery Morning 9 April - 10am-12.30pm.

Fascinating trail packed with activities, followed by a fun craft session.

Ages 3-11 (adult must stay).

Arrive before 11.30am to complete all the activities Cost: Donations gratefully received

THE LAURA TROTT LEISURE CENTRE Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, EN8 9AJ www.broxbourne.gov.uk St George's Fun Day 25 April - 12 noon to 5pm Activities and entertainment for all the family.

THE SANDPIT THEATRE Sandringham School, The Ridgeway, St Albans, AL4 9NX 01727 370067x244 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Science Soapbox 16 March - 6pm In celebration of Science and Engineering Week, Sandringham School brings you an evening of science based mini-lectures from their expert Science Faculty topped off with a guest speaker.

Cost: Free entry, ticket required Chemistry Show 17 March - 6pm Loud noises, flashing lights and lots of mess! Hold onto your hats and enjoy this explosive showcase of Sandringham’s Science Faculty.

Cost: Free entry, ticket required

TICK TOCK MUSIC Thunder Base Scout Hut, Chene Drive, St Albans, AL3 5QP 07933 153054 abiticktock@yahoo.co.uk Spring Holiday Class 15 April - 9.45am Have fun with a unique mix of music, songs and drama.

All non-members are welcome.

Cost: £6 per child, £2 for siblings (6mths to 1yr), £3.50 (siblings over 1yr) over.

Twins under 1 year: £7.50 Twins over 1 year: £9.00 Advance booking and payment required.

WIMPOLE ESTATE Arrington, Royston, SG8 0BW 01223 206000 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ wimpole-estate Wimpole after Dark 7 March - Gates open 5.459.30pm Live music from Gypsy Jazz band ‘Parisian Swing’. Tickets also include 2 of 3 night time tours: Reflections sculpture trail illuminated for the evening with artist Theo Gayer-Anderson; guided tour of the house; or explore the parkland after dark.

Cost: Adult £8. Child £5 Climb a Tree 15 March - Slots 10am-4.45pm Learn how to enter a tree’s canopy using ropes, knots and karabiners, whilst being securely attached in a harness.

Ages 6+.

Cost: £18.50 Discover What's In A Pond 31 March - 1-2.30pm Join the Ranger and discover the secret life in Wimpole's ponds.

Buckets & nets provided.

Cost: Adult £3. Child £3 Go on a Nature Walk at Night 3 April - 7.30-9.30pm Guided by the Ranger, explore Wimpole's parkland in the dark.

Search for nocturnal life using eyes, ears and some clever technology.

Cost: Adult £4. Child £4 Hunt for Bugs 10 April - 11am-12.30pm Guided by a Ranger, you will find some exciting bugs on this wild family adventure.

Cost: Adult £3. Child £3

THE ARK THEATRE Hertswood School Upper Site, Thrift Farm Lane, Borehamwood, WD6 1TS 020 8238 7252 www.thearktheatre.co.uk Super Hero Academy 14 April - 10.30am-3pm An action-packed day of superhero activities. Lego Movie screening; interactive games; arts & crafts and more. Bring lunch, snacks & drinks.

Ages 5-14 Cost: £10.50

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Competitions Win a Cracking Family Day Out at Willows Activity Farm Hop over to Willows Activity Farm’s Easter Eggstravaganza event any time from 28th March until 19th April.

Visitors will enjoy the Willows Easter Garden, where children can find hidden Easter eggs to win a chocolate treat. Meet, Willows’ special guest, the Easter Bunny, who will be teaching the children how to dance the “bunny hop”.

There’s even more fun to be had: ducking and diving in Captain Chicken’s Egg Dodge; visiting the fluffy chicks and bunny rabbits of Hoppity Hills; and driving the trucks in JCB Little

Learners. Take a tour on Tristan the Runaway Tractor and face the challenge of the slides in Woolly Jumpers Indoor Play Barn. With acres of indoor and outdoor play to enjoy, Willows offers families an Easter day out to remember.

For a chance to win one of two family day passes (each for four people) to the Easter Eggstravaganza at Willows Activity Farm, St Albans, go to www.familiesherts.co.uk.

For tickets and information visit www.willowsactivityfarm.com, call 0870 129 9718 or follow @Willows_Farm on Twitter.

Enter at www.familiesherts.co.uk. Closing date: 22nd March

Win Justin Fletcher’s latest CD CBeebies star Justin Fletcher MBE knows a thing or two about entertaining children, especially when it comes to compiling the perfect party playlist. Just Party is Justin’s brand new album and it’s packed with toetapping tunes. Featuring a great mix of traditional party songs, pop hits and Justin’s single ‘Just Party’, Justin’s new album is the ideal musical soundtrack for your little ones’ party. Sing along with Justin on chart toppers including “Happy” and “La Bamba” and get your feet moving on the dance floor with “Let’s All Do the Conga” and “Macarena”.

“There are lots of things that you need to create a fantastic party,” says Justin. “Good friends, delicious food and fun-filled games are all important, but no party would be complete without some great music to sing and dance along to.

Connect with Justin Fletcher on Facebook: justinfletcherofficial For a chance to win one of three Just Party CDs go to www.familiesherts.co.uk.

Closing date: 26th April

Win a copy of 100 Family Adventures The 100 adventures in this book are designed to encourage families to get outside and do things together, to help adults and children alike to push their own comfort zones – even if it is just a little.

The book is grouped into themes: Woodland, Water, Close to Home, Hills and Mountains, Exploring, By the Sea, Extreme Weather.

The adventures in each themed section are graded in difficulty ranging from sleeping in a wood to scrambling up a stream, from exploring a rock pool to finding a waterfall.

Each activity has helpful instructions from authors and parents, Tim and Kerry Meek with tips and jokes from their daughters, Amy (10) and Ella (8). As the Meeks say: “Adventure is out there – you just have to go and find it!”

Published on 5th March 2015 by Frances Lincoln. RRP: £14.99 Enter at www.familiesherts.co.uk for a chance to win one of three copies.

Closing date: 26th April

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What's On

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