[New] Co-Ed Pre-Prep from 2023 at Moulsford Prep School

Moulsford Prep School in Oxfordshire has announced plans for its Pre-Prep to become co-educational from September 2023, welcoming girls to their state-of-the-art new building. The Prep School (Years 3 - 8) will continue to deliver an outstanding all-boys education.

The announcement is a natural development for the Pre-Prep which already accepted girls from age 3 in its Pre-School and follows the successful September launch of the new building, which was designed with coeducation in mind, so there are no structural changes required.

It also reflects the strong demand from local families in South Oxfordshire and West Berkshire for a Moulsford Pre-Prep education for both boys and girls.

MUDDY FEET®

Muddy Feet aim to bring innovation to schools, communities, organisations and individuals to enable the opportunity for a wild time in today’s society that is filled with technology, social media and screen time. MUDDY FEET® believes that connecting with nature helps us have healthier, happier lives and relationships. All nature connection helps us to appreciate, understand and protect nature as well as contribute to our own wellbeing. Boasting a wonderful team of talented and experienced associate facilitators and trainers, MUDDY FEET® run holiday clubs, tots’ groups and pop-up events. The regular holiday clubs are filled with fun packed, awesome nature-based activities for children 5 years and over, held at both Evenley Wood Garden, Brackley and Heath Farm, Swerford. Activities can range from woodland games and leaf art to tool use and fire skills, there really is something for everyone! Both holiday clubs and tots’ sessions are extremely popular and we do advise booking early to avoid disappointment. Please visit the website to see the upcoming sessions and to book: www.muddyfeettraining.co.uk

Take Part in The Big Garden Birdwatch

Get your family involved in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and help monitor bird life in the UK. Simply count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour between 27th and 29th January.

Challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.

You can also watch Big Garden Birdwatch Live! on YouTube and Facebook to discover what birds are being spotted across the UK with live commentary, interviews and chats with special guests and wildlife experts and the chance to ask them questions. To learn about ways to attract birds to your garden and get your FREE guide, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Visit Cogges in the new year!

Visit Cogges in the new year, opening it’s big red doors earlier than usual from 11th February 2023. Cogges is a unique historic farm in the heart of Witney, Oxfordshire with a beautiful Manor House, enchanting walled garden, orchard, adventure play and friendly animal residents. There’s 17 acres of open space for you to enjoy, and they welcome well-behaved dogs on a short lead too!

The Cogges Kitchen Café is open to all (you don’t need a farm entry ticket) offering hot drinks, wine or craft beer, hot and cold food, cake and lots more from 9am; with an outdoor play area and lots of rustic seating, it’s a lovely visit in itself! The farm shop is full of special gift ideas and locally-produced items, from homeware to gardening tools –take home some of their delicious Cogges honey, straight from the garden bees! Look out for a fun events programme in 2023 packed full of family activities; plus a range of workshops for grown ups, from gardening to foraging, crafting, weaving, making and more. Book via cogges.org.uk and try something new in 2023!

NEW ONLINE CHILDREN’S PHYSIOTHERAPIST DIRECTORY LAUNCHED

Parents wanting to locate a local children’s physiotherapist can now use an online directory launched by Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists.

The majority of children’s physiotherapists work in the NHS. Your GP can advise about local services and make a referral, if appropriate. However, some parents choose to seek advice and treatment from an independent or private physiotherapist either instead of, or to supplement, NHS care.

Many children need support from a physiotherapist at some time during their childhood. This may be sought for advice and treatment relating to posture and movement or for acute injuries.

All qualified physiotherapists are regulated by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and children’s physiotherapists have additional expertise in child development and childhood conditions. They are specialist practitioners, with the right skill base and knowledge to deliver the best care for babies, children and young adults.

More info: https://bit.ly/findchildrenphysio

If booking any courses, please mention

Free Early Years Play Programme Launched

Leading toy company, Fisher Price© has teamed up with a leading support charity, Family Action, to launch the Family Action Play Programme for children ages 0 to 5, to help with their early childhood development.

The programme is available online and free to families and it shares early years expertise, practical tips and simple activities for families looking for quick and easy ideas to build play into the everyday and help their children thrive.

The programme includes five modules that tackle the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of play and its importance in early childhood development and has been developed drawing upon expertise from the Fisher-Price™ Play Lab and from the practice-based experience of Family Action staff.

To access the Family Action Play Programme, visit www.bit.ly/familyactionplayprogramme

‘March of the Mummies’

Thousands of mothers sporting spooky costumes descended on central London at the end of October last year to demonstrate against the cost of childcare, which has forced some to leave the workforce. Similar marches took place in other cities across the UK.

Data indicates that for many women, deciding whether to return to work after having a baby – or even whether to have a child at all – has become a question of cost.

The protest was demanding increased funding for childcare, properly paid maternity and paternity leave and flexible working.

Compared to other countries, the UK’s childcare costs are among the highest. According to data gathered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the net costs in the UK amount to around twenty nine percent of the average wage, compared to Germany’s one percent and France’s fourteen percent.

More info: www.pregnantthenscrewed.com