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Cambridgeshire JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 ISSUE #28
EARLY LEARNING CAMBRIDGEHSIRE NURSERY LISTINGS 2015 SEE PAGE 15
WIN FAMILY TICKETS TOTHE DINOSAUR ZOO!
SEE PAGE 3
INSIDE HELP WITH HOMEWORK • WHERE TO FIND THE RIGHT NURSERY FOR YOU
CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE PRESENTS
DINOSAUR ZOO
brings amazing pre-historic creatures to the stage in a unique way that is super-fun for all the family. From the cutest baby dinosaurs to the most ferocious giants, Dinosaur Zoo is open to the whole family. For everyone aged 3 and above.
✰✰✰✰✰ “FABULOUS. ANY DINO LOVER OVER 3 SHOULD NOT MISS IT! “ BBC Radio 4
SATURDAY 14TH & SUNDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2015 CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE BOX OFFICE 01223 357851 | WWW.CORNEX.CO.UK SHOWING THIS MONTH AT THE LUXE CINEMA IN WISBECH…
BOX OFFICE: 01945 588808 TIMES: WWW.THELUXECINEMA.COM
The Luxe offers a lounge area for pre and post-film drinks and nibbles and a waitress service in the auditorium whilst relaxing in the comfort of a two seater sofa or an armchair!
SPECIAL OFFER! HALF PRICE CHILDREN’S TICKETS WHEN BOOKING ANY KID’S FILM WITH THIS ADVERT Family tickets £22, Children (13 and under) £6 Adults £7 Alexandra Road | Wisbech | PE13 1HQ
Contents & Competitions
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the first edition of 2015! A new year, new things, new skills, new places, new plans, new experiences and for some, a new baby!. I know many of you will feel like hibernating for most of January after overindulging and over-spending during the festive season, but we at Families have other ideas. We have managed to find lots of things going on in Cambridgeshire to get you out and about this month. Twilight at the Museum is
4 News & Views 6 What’s On Great days out and events in January to beat the winter blues, and things to do this February half term.
9 Twilight at the museum
@familiescambs
£18 for 12 issues (2 years). Call or email editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk for a subscription form.
TICKETS TO SEE DINOSAUR ZOO, SUN WIN!14FOUR FEB AT CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE. inosaur Zoo brings these prehistoric creatures to the stage as you’ve never seen before. Observe and interact with these extraordinary life-like dinosaurs in this entertaining and highly imaginative live show. But watch out - not all of these ravenous reptiles are as they seem! From cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants, meet the most recent addition to the Dinosaur Zoo, a carnivorous theropod known as the Australovenator, the most complete meat-eating dinosaur skeleton yet found in Australia. Children can watch wide-eyed from a safe distance or dare to get right up close to the creatures. To be in with a chance of winning visit www.familiescambridgeshire.co.uk and answer the following question: Who is the most recent addition to the dinosaur Zoo?
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Families Cambridgeshire is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.. We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributers cant be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any correspondences.
17,000 copies of Families Cambridgeshire available through schools, nurseries, hospitals, clubs and classes, selected shops and restaurants. If you would like copies for your establishment please let us know. Cover image: National Trust 2015
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DON’T MISS A COPY! Receive Families Cambridgeshire by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or
Winner of last month’s competition is Julia Grant from Cambridge
What’s in this issue?
my favourite event this time of year – as darkness falls, the museums of Cambridge will open their doors into the night for lots of family events that are FREE! Don’t forget to mention Families Cambridgeshire if you attend an event listed or join one of the clubs and classes. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
Discover a night of adventure at Twilight at the Museums and make this February’s half term one to remember. We take a closer look at Cambridges after dark event.
11 Why do I HAVE to do homework? Next time your child asks why they have to do homework, you’ll have the answer ready! We also have tips on how you can help…
13 What to expect from your nursery So you send your child to nursery, in the hope that it will improve their education prospects. But what are they actually going to do there all day?
15 Nursery listings 2015 We have put together a list of some of the nurseries in Cambridgeshire and the recent Ofsted ratings to make your life a little easier. EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336 editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk DESIGN: David Slade davidslade1@me.com
As a busy mum it’s important to make time for yourself… Natural style and simple elegance designed for you. 019 4 5 5 8 427 2 | t e a m @ t o p t o t o e l t d . c o. u k | 27 H i l l S t r e e t , W i s b e c h , C a m b r i d g e s h i r e , P E13 1B A JA N UA RY / F EBRUA RY 2015
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News & views
UK schools on a boot tapping journey through music…
International Children’s Charity, Angels, has teamed up with children’s TV presenter Andy Day to launch the ‘Angels Welly Beat Schools Challenge’; a unique opportunity with two amazing prizes. One school will win the chance to star in the music video of a specially written song called ‘Angels Welly Beat’ which will go on general release and another will win a visit from Andy for an ‘assembly takeover’! Angels has created a ‘Pop Up’ school within an informal settlement in South Africa where the childrenspend the majority of their time on the streets. First the children are fed and then they are taught according to a musical phonics based programme to re-engage them with learning. The third and final step is the provision of ‘Angels bags’ incorporating tiered educational resources, clothing and toiletries; essential kit for a return to school. Each bag costs £10 and returns one child to school. Open to all UK pre and primary age schools the ‘Angels Welly Beat Schools Challenge’ is designed to unite UK children with those in South Africa for an incredible journey through creative music and raise money to fund Angels Bags and the essential feeding and education programme. Along with Andy TV music producers Rob and Dan, from Bunkersonix, have written the ‘Angels Welly Beat’, a song based on the old South African gumboot tradition. Schools will be challenged to perform the chorus in their welly boots and in the most inspiring way possible. Andy will pick the most creative video and that school will win the opportunity to feature in the music video of the song. The school that raises the most money will receive a visit from Andy who will lead assembly that day. To participate get your head teacher to register before 13th February 2015 at: www. angels-charity.org
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Is it Cow’s Milk Allergy? Is your baby crying excessively in its first few months? Are you concerned that something might be wrong? New research shows that persistent and unexplained crying can be a sign of cow’s milk allergy, an intolerance that is notoriously difficult to diagnose. A new campaign called Is it Cow’s Milk Allergy? provides expert advice to help parents spot and understand the symptoms of CMA, which occurs when the immune system identifies a protein within the cow’s milk as harmful, and triggers an allergic reaction. Cow’s milk allergy can affect up to 7.5% of children under the age of one, and is
the most common type of food allergy in young infants, yet it can be very difficult to diagnose as symptoms are often mistaken for other common conditions such as colic and eczema. Symptoms will also vary from baby to baby, and can be immediate or delayed, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms to look out for. Visit www.CowsMilkAllergy.co.uk for more information and to download a fact sheet, symptom diary and detailed questionnaire which you can complete and then discuss with your GP. The Allergy UK helpline is on 01322 619898.
Otter Playground at Ferry Meadows scoops top award
The exciting new Otter playground in Ferry Meadows Country Park has scooped a top award at the British Institute of Landscape Industries (BALI) awards ceremony held on Friday 5th December 2014 at Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The playground received the ‘Principal Award’ in the BALI Registered Contractors and Registered Designers Joint Submission category and was also a winner in the ‘Community and
Schools Development’ category. Otter playground, a natural wooden play area, is located next to the Visitor Centre and Ferry Meadows Café. A meandering path travels through the playground taking children on a journey of discovery. With water and sand play, cradle swings, an oversized slide, a hollow log, a clambering bridge, a tree den and swinging acorn pods, there is plenty to explore.
News & views
LingoTots comes to Wisbech
LingoTot classes are interactive and fun, designed to introduce you and your child to a new language in a friendly and relaxed environment. Following a carefully tried and tested methodology, your child could leave the very first class responding to French, Spanish or even Chinese! Suitable for babies, toddlers, young children... in fact the whole family! Children have an amazing ability to learn language and this happens best when it is interactive, engaging and child-centered. For more information or to book onto a class email kate@lingotot.com or call 0845 680 8148 www.lingotot.com
Learn Spanish whilst playing football This summer term, St Faiths will be running an Arsenal Double Club programme for Year 5s and Year 6s – a well-established and highly successful means of combining language-learning with football skills. Sessions take place on Saturday mornings from 11am -12.30pm and include 40 minutes in the classroom, led by the School’s Spanish teaching team and 40 minutes on the football field, led by a qualified and experienced native-speaker coach. Children need have no prior knowledge of Spanish, or even football! – but must be keen to learn. Successful completion of the course brings its own very special reward: an invitation to participate in a bespoke visit to the Emirates Stadium in London, where children will have a chance to practice their language skills while visiting the Directors’ Box, media and changing rooms, and go pitch side to see the famous turf from the manager’s perspective. The cost of a term’s participation is only £11.50. Any interested families should contact St Faith’s School on www.stfaiths.co.uk/news/ arsenaldoubleclub and be quick – we don’t think the spaces will be around for long!
Primary schools to Help reduce tiredness provide nursery places We all know what it’s like to feel physically Childcare Minister, Sam Gyimah, is encouraging more primary and infant schools to offer nursery education. Currently 44% of primary and infant schools offer nursery places, with only a few hundred taking 2-year-olds. In a speech to the Policy Exchange, the minister claimed that: “those schools who do offer nursery provision are seeing some big benefits. Children’s behaviour and attainment improves, schools get to know children and their parents earlier on, offering them the tailored support they need, sooner.”
and mentally exhausted from a busy day at work or with the kids and coping with everything can be an everyday battle. Did you know that taking Pharmaton Vitality capsules helps reduce temporary tiredness and restore vitality when taken daily, and can be taken for a period of twelve weeks? Pharmaton Vitality capsules are packed with vitamins, minerals and the unique Ginseng G115 that’s clinically proven to relieve fatigue and also aid mental and physical wellbeing.Pharmaton Vitality capsules are also supported by over 30 clinical trials and studies. Try Pharmaton Vitality Capsules, to feel the positive difference.
5 year-old boys are still catching up with girls in literacy and numeracy
According to teachers’ assessment of children’s progress at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage last year, there is still a gender divide in pupil’s attainment. The level of development for all 5-year-olds was up by 8 percentage points from last year to 60%. In 2013-2014, fewer boys than girls met the expected levels in writing, reading and maths - 69% of five-year-old girls achieved a good level of development overall, compared with only 52% of boys.
AT Open to Year 5 and 6 Girls and Boys in Cambridgeshire Starting 18th April For 7 weeks | £11.50 More information and registration at www.stfaiths.co.uk/arsenaldoubleclub
LEARN SPANI SH!
HAVE FUN! P LAY F OOTBA LL! JA N UA RY / F EBRUA RY 2015
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Families Fun Sledging and IceSliding
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
WHEN? Throughout January and February
WHEN? 14th & 15th February
WHERE? Cambridge Corn Exchange Dinosaur Zoo brings amazing prehistoric creatures to the stage in a unique way that is super-fun for all the family. Meet Dinosaur Zoo’s newest addition, Australovenator, a carnivorous theropod and the most complete carnivorous dinosaur skeleton that has been discovered in Australia. Other dinosaurs range from the cutest baby dinosaurs right the way up the scale to the most ferocious giants. For everyone aged 3 and above. Show runs for 50 mins and is followed by a 15min meet and greet with the Dinosaurs!
WHERE? SnoZone, Milton Keynes HOW MUCH? From £3.50 To be guaranteed some snow this year visit the SnoZone in Milton Keynes. Covered in real snow all year round, it offers a whole new world of fun! Children and their parents can play around in the snow, go sledging and ice sliding. Age 2 years + and Adults www.snozoneuk.com
WHEN? 12th January, 10am to 11.30am
W hat’s On
WHERE? Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough HOW MUCH? £2.50 per
places Things to do, e h a d… to go, fun to b
child. A monthly outdoor parent and toddler group. Each session has a nature theme and will include a craft activity, outdoor session and story/ songtime. Suitable for preschool children, booking essential. 01733 234193 visitor.services@ neneparktrust.org.uk
Mucky Pups Winter Wellies
WHEN? 14th - 15th January, 10.30am - 2.30pm WHERE? Wicken Fen, Ely
HOW MUCH? £4.50 Seasonal fun, craft and adventure for under 5’s 0844 249 1895 www. nationaltrust.org.uk/Wicken-fen
… for k ids o f a
CONTACT 01223 357851 www.cornex.co.uk
ll ages!
booking a family film. ‘Into the woods’ is a modern twist on several beloved fairy tales. Intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters wishes and quests. www.theluxecinema.co.uk 01945 588808
Make a bird box WHEN? 18th January 10.30am-12pm and 1.30pm-3.00pm
WHERE? Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough HOW MUCH? £10 Park rangers will help you to make a bird box which you can take home and hang in your own garden. All materials and equipment supplied. Suitable for ages 8 and above. 01733 234193 visitor.services@ neneparktrust.org.uk
Nature Tots
WHEN? 9h February, 10am to 11.30am WHERE? Ferry Meadows Country Park, Peterborough
Victorian Games Galore!
Into The Woods
WHERE? Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden
WHERE? The Luxe Cinema, Wisbech
WHEN? 6th - 20th Feb, 11am-4pm
HOW MUCH? Child £5.80, Family ticket £25 From skittles to quoits, croquet to chess, play like a Victorian as you step back in time this February half term. Discover games that time forgot and master the skills needed to out maneuver your opponents and astound your family. www.english-heritage.org.uk
WHEN? Showing in February
HOW MUCH? Family tickets £22, half price children’s tickets when showing the Families advert when
HOW MUCH? £2.50 per child. A monthly outdoor parent and toddler group. Each session has a nature theme and will include a craft activity, outdoor session and story/ songtime. Suitable for preschool children, booking essential. 01733 234193 visitor.services@ neneparktrust.org.uk
The Family Tree WHEN? 7th February
WHERE? Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Sing-a-long-a-Frozen
WHEN? 17th January, 11.00am WHERE? Kings Lynn Corn Exchange
HOW MUCH? Family ticket £50 A full screening of Disney’s FROZEN with lyrics on screen to help you sing along with Anna and Elsa during the film. www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk
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HOW MUCH? Standard Garden admission for adults, £3 per child Everyone knows sticks are great. You can make them into swords and even magic wands with a bit of imagination. At this workshop we’ll be using sticks found in the Garden to make magical portraits of your family for you to keep forever. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk 01223 336265
JA N UA RY / F EBRUA RY 2015
Living With Dogs – FREE family dog safety workshop WHEN? 10th January 10.00am -12pm
Fre
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WHERE? Wood Green, The Animals Charity, Godmanchester Children will enjoy their very own workshop and through interactive activities will learn to speak dog language, know when their dog needs some time alone, discover how to make feeding time fun and get hands on with some dog training. CONTACT 0844 248 8181 www.woodgreen.org.uk
Please quote Families when booking any of these events
Nature Tots
Families Fun Mucky Pups Winter Wellies
Basil Brush WHEN? 22nd February
WHEN? 11th - 12th February, 10.30am - 2.30pm
WHERE? Key Theatre, Peterborough
HOW MUCH? £13.00 Basil Brush is a star with an outstanding ability to entertain and make people of all ages laugh and smile.He’s cheeky, irreverent, charming, naughty, quickwitted, scheming and foxy, but at the same time he’s kind, caring and affectionate. Basil has celebrated over 50 years in entertainment and The Basil Brush Show on BBC TV was seen by millions of viewers every week for 14 years. The show was BAFTA nominated and voted best comedy show on TV. Now, Britain’s most loveable fox is back on the road along with his TV chum Mr Stephen (aka Chris Pizzey)..
WHERE? Wicken Fen, Ely
HOW MUCH? £4.50 Seasonal fun, craft and adventure for under 5’s 0844 249 1895 www. nationaltrust.org.uk/Wicken-fen
Nest Box Day
WHEN? 15th February, between 11am - 4pm WHERE? Burwash Manor, Cambridge Nest box day is part of a national scheme to get everyone to put bird boxes up in their gardens. The RSPB will be on hand to help and advise on ways to assist birds and to help build a bird box. www.burwashmanor.com
CONTACT 01733 207239 www.vivacity-peterborough.com
50 Things: Build a Den WHEN? 20th February, 10.30am WHERE? Wimpole Estate, Cambridge
HOW MUCH? FREE The annual Cambridge book fair sees the guildhall transformed into a book-lovers paradise, serving up a treasure trove of books. www.cambridgebookfair.org
hilarious live show. 01733 207239 www.vivacitypeterborough.com
HOW MUCH? Adult £3, Child £3 Go along to a family event and have a go at building a den in the woodland belts. wimpolehall@nationaltrust.org.uk
Creatures of Twilight WHEN? 18th February, 4.30pm – 6.00pm or 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo
WHERE? Museum of Cambridge, Castle Street
WHEN? 25th -26th February
WHERE? Key Theatre, Peterborough
Denny at Twighlight, Cambridge
WHEN? 15th February, 4.30pm 7:30pm WHERE? The Farmland Museum & Denny Abbey, Cambridgeshire HOW MUCH? FREE The Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey look different in the dark – lots of different activities! Take a torch and wrap up warmly, hot drinks will be available from the tea room. www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk
50 Things: Star Gazing WHEN? 17th February, 5.30pm
WHERE? Wimpole Estate, Cambridge
HOW MUCH? All Tickets £6 In Febraury, thousands of people will visit hundreds of Stargazing events to view the stars and find out more about the wonders of space, galaxies and space exploration. Join Wimpole Estate for a night of star gazing with Cambridge’s brightest astronomer Paul Fellows and the Cambridge Young Astronomers. wimpolehall@nationaltrust.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ wimpole-estate 01223 206 000
HOW MUCH? from £12.50 Dare to get up close and personal! From cute baby dinos to teethgnashing giants, observe and interact with extraordinary life-like dinosaurs in this imaginative and
Cambridge Book Fair WHEN? 20th -21st February
Fre
WHERE? Cambridge Guildhall
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HOW MUCH? FREE Explore the museum with spooky animal sounds and glowing creatures that only come out at night! 01223 355159 events@ museumofcambridge.org.uk
Twilight at the Museums WHEN? 18th February 4.30pm - 8:30pm
HOW MUCH? FREE As darkness falls, Museums and collections across Cambridge are opening their doors into the night for an exciting evening of FREE drop-in and bookable family events. Taking place in twelve venues across the city set out and discover the extraordinary world of Cambridge museums and collections after dark. Whether it’s experiencing the sights and sounds of ice at The Polar Museum, journeying by torchlight through the Botanic Garden Glasshouses or creating amazing photographs in the evocative setting of the Museum of Technology, there will be plenty to explore! Get ready for the adventure by visiting www.cam.ac.uk/museums/ twilight
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Does your child need extra local tuition after school?
Jane and her team of qualified teachers have worked in schools in West Norfolk and offer tailored after school tuition classes for children aged five and above who may be struggling with school work, want to boost their grades, need extra help preparing for up and coming exams or want to get into a specific school. Contact Jane today to discuss your child’s needs and visit our education centre. JANE MURRAY, CENTRE DIRECTOR Units 5-6 Castle Yard, Wesleyan Lodge Mews,High Street, Downham Market, PE38 9HF t: 01366 384778 m: 07774 551452 westnorfolktuition@gmail.com/www.westnorfolktuition.co.uk
Families Fun HERE’S A TASTE OF WHAT YOU’LL FIND…
TWILIGHT at the Museums
Destination: Exploration! Wednesday 18 February, 4.30 - 8.30pm iscover a night of adventure at Twilight at the Museums and make this February half term one to remember. Cambridge’s annual after-dark event for kids is on Wednesday 18 February, 4.30 to 8.30… so wrap up, grab your torch and get ready for fun. Museums and collections across the city are joining forces to turn Cambridge into an adventure playground. With 13 venues taking part, there are loads of free drop-in and bookable activities to keep everyone entertained. Dive into the depths of the ocean at The Polar Museum’s Deep Sea Darkness event; play Guess Who with the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and find characters from around the world; step into the natural world of the Botanic Garden and journey through the glowing glasshouses; and bring a spot of technical know-how to the evening with hands-on fun at the Museum of Technology. For the book worms amongst us, for the first time the University Library joins the Twilight team. Situated on West Road, just a short walk from the centre, the library will turn lights down low so you can explore your favourite items by torchlight, search high and low for the answers
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to a book-spotter quiz, and even have a go at making your own mini-book. Travelling between the museums is all part of the fun – look out for an interactive light display illuminating the magnificent Fitzwilliam Museum and discover the historic streets of Cambridge after dark in a torch-lit tour with the Cambridge Guides. All that exploring can build up an appetite so ‘Steak and Honour’ - burger van with a difference - will be popping up to keep grumbling tummies at bay alongside Caffe Mobile with hot drinks and cakes. More food and drink options will be available with cafes at the Fitzwilliam, Botanic Garden and Farmland Museum, and the Museum of Cambridge running a special Twilight Tea Room (for workshop participants only). To plan your evening adventure, make sure you pick up a Twilight booklet. It tells you what’s on where, how to get there, and most importantly it contains the Twilight Passport, where you can collect a stamp at every venue you visit. If you can’t get your hands on one, don’t panic – download a printable one at the website, www.cam.ac.uk/museums/twilight.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE FOR ALL THE JUICY DETAILS SO YOU CAN START PLANNING: • Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Downing Street Guess Who • Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Brookside Deep Dark Pollinator Hunt • Museum of Classical Archaeology, Sidgwick Avenue Treasures by Torchlight • Cambridge University Library, Milstein Exhibition Centre, West Road Reading After Lights Out • Farmland Museum & Denny Abbey, Ely Road, Waterbeach (A10) Shadows and Light at Denny • The Polar Museum with Museum of Zoology, Lensfield Road Deep Sea Darkness • Cambridge Guides, Downing Street Guided Torchlight Tours • Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, Downing Street Sedgwick After Dark • Cambridge Science Centre, Jesus Lane Science in the Dark • Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Free School Lane Cosmic Mission • Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cheddars Lane Technology and Torchlight • Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street Twilight Illuminations
PRE-BOOKABLE EVENTS
PLEASE ONLY ATTEND THESE EVENTS IF YOU HAVE PRE-BOOKED. BOOKING OPENS ON MONDAY 5TH JANUARY 2015 •M useum of Cambridge, Castle Street Creatures of Twilight Workshops: 4.30 – 6.00pm or 6.30 – 8.00pm. To book telephone 01223 355159 or email events@ museumofcambridge.org.uk • Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street Light Source. To book email education@ kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk • Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street The Dragon’s Pearl. Performances: 5.30, 6.30 or 19.30 To book telephone 01223 332904 or email education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk The Museum will also be open to drop-in visitors (see drop-in activities above). www.cam.ac.uk/museums/twilight Find us on Facebook Cambridge University Museums Follow us on Twitter @CamUnivMuseums #CamTwilight This event is presented by the University of Cambridge Museums, supported using public funding by Arts Council England
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Families Feature ext time your child asks why he has to do homework, you’ll have the answer ready. We also have tips on how you can help.
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What is homework for? Tempting though it might be - in order to hurry up the process, it is not the chance for you to show off how much you remember from your schooldays and do it for them! Homework is set: • For children to practise, reinforce and extend work that is taught in class • To enable teachers to find out whether or not pupils have understood the lesson • To help children develop skills of independent time management • To show what children are able to produce under unaided conditions • To encourage pupils to understand that school work does not finish when the school day ends and that responsibility for working continues beyond the classroom • To develop a strong work ethic.
Should parents get involved? The answer from experienced teachers is a resounding “yes!” One told us that “the improvement in a young child whose parent is hearing them read for 15-20 minutes a night is fairly astronomical compared to those who don’t, and the improvement carries right up to ages 7 or 8, by which time children are usually reading fluently.”
Why do I HAVE to do homework?
If you have a school age child, you’re probably familiar with the eye rolling and sighing response to any mention of the ‘H’ word…
is being done. Is it too much? Too little or rushed? Communicate with the school if you have concerns • Extend schoolwork with visits to museums and exhibitions - London offers so much that can bring subjects to life in a way no amount of books or websites can do • Ask your child if they are pleased with their homework (before we “At St Faith’s Homework diaries leaping in to point out an is rk ewo believe that hom Most schools give out all the mistakes!), and . um icul curr the of essential part homework diaries, offer praise where it is k wor to ity abil the elop It helps to dev making it easier for due - for example the and nds exte and tly den indepen the parents to see what work is neat, or well in ed plet com k wor the s enriche us rmo has been set, when it written, or answers eno of is ding Rea m. sroo clas should be handed in, the question really importance, and is vigorously and providing a way well. supported by the school.” TER, for teachers and parents • Time management is NIGEL HELLIWELL, HEADMAS ST FAITH’S, CAMBRIDGE. to communicate. one of the hardest aspects If your child is taking longer for a child to get to grips with than the expected time to do their - but they’ll need to when it comes to homework, or if you had to explain how to siiting exams. Give your child a timer set for the work out the set maths, make a note in the duration of the homework and see how much homework diary so the teacher knows about it. they finish. Initially it can help if you remind your child when they are halfway through the How to help time, and again when there are ten minutes Show an interest in your child’s work; point left. This is good training and before long they them in the right direction rather than telling will have adjusted to how much work they can them the answer; offer a snack and a drink produce in the allotted time while they work. Here are more tips from • Children who have been sitting at desks for most experts - the teachers. of the day often need to let of steam after school. • Be aware of where and how your child works A run around the park on the way home can dispel best. Some children need quiet, others prefer restlessness before settling down to homework people around them. Some want to start their • Set a positive example. Other members of homework as soon as they are home to get it the family can use homework time by taking up out of the way; others are better after a snack their own studies or settling down to a focused and a half hour ‘chill’ activity (such as sorting bills/ reading the • Show a positive interest and monitor what paper/ ironing) at the same time.
All work and no play? One Surrey junior school went as far as abolishing all homework apart from reading and occasional projects, for children aged seven to eleven. The school was graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and the head teacher saw no difference in achievement. In an article published by the TES, it was suggested that the amount of homework children complete has little correlation with their level of academic success; in fact many believe homework can have a negative impact - particularly in relationships between children and their parents who are trying to get them to concentrate. Homework may be more appropriate in secondary school where it is an invaluable tool in teaching hard work and self-discipline. Experts agree that homework should be varied and motivational - technology is proving useful, with an increasing number of tasks being completed online. Children may also be given activities to complete in their local community, for example at the library - while this is learning outside school, it is not homework in its more traditional sense. Homework clubs at school have also proved successful. As the debate continues, many schools are moving away from ‘timed’ homework slots and, only where appropriate, are concentrating on simple repetition and reenforcement of skills being learnt during the day. The full article ‘All Work and No Play’ was published in 2009 by the TES Newspaper, who revisited the subject by asking ‘Is it Time to Scrap Homework?’ in 2013 JA N UA RY / F EBRUA RY 2015
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Families Feature
EARLY LEARNING What to expect from your child’s nursery education
e’ve all heard about the importance of early years education. Apparently a child who has gone to pre-school has more chance of getting better exam results and ultimately earning higher wages, according to new research undertaken by academics at the Institute of Education. So you send your child to nursery, in the hope that it will improve their education prospects. But what are they actually going to do there all day? They’re not going to tell you! Teenagers struggle enough to recall what’s happened a few hours before, so you can’t expect detailed information from a 3-year-old. To give you some idea of what will happen, you can look at the legal requirements for nurseries in the UK. The Early Years Foundation Stage framework [in England, Scottish guidelines are ‘curriculum for excellence’ – www.scotborders. gov.uk/info/857/curriculum/333/curriculum_ for_excellence] is a document that sets out the statutory welfare and developmental goals for children 5 years and under. It gives guidelines for safety and learning and development for all early years providers - all nurseries, child minders, playgroups, preschools and reception classes.
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THE EYFS EXPLAINED The EYFS framework document can seem daunting, but it’s there to ensure that all children receive a suitable level of care.
It sets out the legal requirements that keep your child safe and promote their welfare. This includes: • Basic checks, such as staff security checks • Setting the number of children each member of staff can look after • Ensuring the facilities and equipment are safe and suitable • Checking the quality of the environment, e.g. recommending access to outdoor space It also covers the seven areas of learning and development. These are: • Communication and language • Physical development • Personal, social and emotional development • Literacy • Mathematics • Understanding the world • Expressive arts and design The activities they will do at nursery, to support their learning and development will be unique to your child’s needs. They will learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside. There is a requirement for ‘continuous provision’, which in layman’s terms means that there needs to be high quality resources and activities available all of the time, so your child can learn through play in lots of different ways.
ASSESSMENT The EYFS also lays out guidelines for assessment of your child’s progress. Soon after your child turns two, you will get a written summary of how your child is progressing in communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. Any areas where they need extra help or support will be highlighted at this stage. The next written assessment will come when your child is five, usually at the end of their reception year, which is the last year they are classed as being in early years education. This will include assessment of skills such as writing their name, reading and talking about a favourite book, speaking to people your child is not so familiar with or their understanding of numbers. The school will give you a progress report including some of this information.
HOW WILL I KNOW HOW MY CHILD IS DOING? Your child will have a ‘key person’ at nursery, pre-school or reception class, who is responsible for putting together information on how they are developing. This person will be your main point of contact, and it’s important that you work together and communicate well. Any worries about your child should be discussed with their key worker, and they will be able to build on what your child is learning at home. JA N UA RY / F EBRUA RY 2015
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Families Health
ENERGIZE HELPS CHILDREN ACHIEVE A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Helping your kids make informed choices about food and activity… nergiZe is a free programme for families with children aged 7 – 11 who are above their ideal weight. Each week the families attend a 2 hour workshop including interactive games, healthy eating and physical activity. A different theme runs through each session to provide you with the skills and knowledge to ‘eat well, play better and have fun.’ EnergiZe runs for 12 weeks with follow-on support for up to a year. Stuart and Sarah have just completed the12 weekly EnergiZe sessions with their two children. They said: ‘The children have felt very involved in the EnergiZe sessions. They have given us the skills to understand food labels, what to look for to make better choices and helped us gain an understanding of how much fat and sugar we actually need. As well as learning about the benefits of
healthy eating the children have also enjoyed the physical activity. Our two children are definitely more aware of what they eat and how active they are. They are showing more responsibility and making better choices for themselves. Their confidence and concentration has certainly improved since starting EnergiZe. As parents we have become better role models by actions and not words. We have found EnergiZe very positive, have made changes for the better and are looking forward to the follow on sessions.” Sally has completed the full EnergiZe programme with her daughter May and commented, “EnergiZe has enabled us to make informed choices about the types of food we eat and has encouraged us to fit regular activity into our busy lives. We are enjoying being more active together, having more
As well out as learning ab lthy f hea the benefits o dren eating the chil the yed have also enjo ity. physical activ
EnergiZe kids are healthy, happy kids!
energy and feel really happy about achieving individual goals we have set ourselves.” For more information or to register for a place on EnergiZe please email energize@nhs.net or call 01480 376300
Are you worried your child is above their ideal weight? Is your child aged between 7 – 11? Then join Cambridgeshire’s free 12 week family programme
EnergiZe for more information email: energize@nhs.net or contact the EnergiZe team on
01480 376300 Enrolling families today
eat well.....play better.....have fun
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Families Education
KIDSUNLIMITED kidsunlimited have 6 nurseries across Cambridge, each setting boasting it’s own individual appeal. www.kidsunlimited.co.uk 0845 365 2160 kidsunlimited Cambridge Science Park A purpose built nursery ideally located for companies on the Science Park. OFSTED RATING: GOOD
kidsunlimited Wolfson Court Located just off Madingley Road, with excellent links to all the main transport networks, including the A14, M11 and Cambridge City Centre. OFSTED RATING: GOOD
kidsunlimited Ely Located on the Cambridgeshire Business Park — just five minutes from Ely train station, making it an excellent location for parents working in the area or commuting elsewhere. OFSTED RATING: GOOD
kidsunlimited Long Road On the grounds of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, making it an ideal location for parents who work at the site. (ofsted rating good) Kidsunlimited Bunnybrookes - is located within Addenbrooke’s hospital and is available for Addenbrooke’s NHS Trust employees. OFSTED RATING: GOOD
kidsunlimited Fulbourn Relocated in early 2014 to a brand new, purpose-built nursery on Capital Park. The nursery boasts huge external play areas, set on greenbelt land. in a tranquil setting. OFSTED RATING: PENDING AT TIME OF PRESS
SCALLYWAGS Scallywags are committed to providing a safe, healthy, stimulating and loving environment for every child, where they can develop and learn at their own pace. www.scallywagsdaynursey.com Scallywags Girton was the first Scallywags to open in 1994 and is very much part of the Girton community, nestled in the heart of the village. Following on from our recent refurbishment, our gorgeous, spacious and open plan building make it a happy, energetic place for children to spend their day. 01223 277400 OFSTED RATING: GOOD
Scallywags Westwick Nursery The larger of the Scallywags nurseries, It is a modern spacious, purpose build nursery located in 4 acres of grounds. Within this setting the children from both nurseries enjoy our Nature Nursery and all our wonderful animals. 01223 232400 OFSTED RATING: GOOD
Helping you find the right place for your little ones – our 2015 guide to some of the nurseries local to Cambridgeshire, with Ofsted ratings. CHESTNUT NURSERY, CHESTERTON
01366 388066 OFSTED RATING: OUTSTANDING
One of ten nurseries and part of an established group, Chestnut nursery is attached to the newly opened Chesterton Primary School. This newly refurbished nursery is the first in Cambridge, with good links into Cambridge Town Centre and the nearby Science Parks. www.chestnut-nursery.co.uk 01223 728390
SNAP for kids is committed to the development of all children aged from 3 months and offers a relaxed and happy environment for playful and creative learning in partnership with parents and carer’s in Cambridge and Hauxton. 01223 477413 www.snap4kids.co.uk
OFSTED RATING: GOOD
OFSTED RATING: GOOD
BLACKBERRY HOUSE DAY NURSERY Blackberry House believes in creating experiential learning opportunities by offering environments and resources that inspire the imagination and natural curiosity of the developing mind. Blackberries is an outstanding nursery provider for children from 0-5 years in Wisbech, March and Peterborough. 01945 428747. www.blackberryhousedaynursery.co.uk OFSTED RATING: OUTSTANDING
DOWNHAM MONTESSORI NURSERY This is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2-11 years. The school is non selective and there is no entrance exam. Their aim is to help all children, regardless of academic ability to reach their maximum potential. www.dpsmn.norfolk.sch.uk
SNAP FOR KIDS
ACE NURSERY A popular nursery school in the heart of Cambridge, staffed by qualified and enthusiastic Early Years Practitioners. The school welcomes up to 40 children from 2 1⁄2 to 5 years alongside the ACE Day Nursery, a 17-place nursery for 1–3 year olds. www.ace-nursery-school.org.uk OFSTED RATING: GOOD
HISTON EARLY YEARS CENTRE Made up of Histon Nursery school and childcare, and the village’s childrens centre. The sure start centre offers integrated universal services for families with children up to the age of 5.It aims to provide a positive setting, where children and their families are happy, secure and feel valued and in which there is an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation. OFSTED RATING: OUTSTANDING
Unfortunately, due to space, we cannot include all the nurseries in Cambridgeshire within the magazine so for more nursery listings please visit the website www.familiescambridgeshire.co.uk JA N UA RY / F EBRUA RY 2015
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