Families Solent East July / August 2022

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IN THIS ISSUE IN THIS ISSUE

Summer fun Travel tips Family food

Issue 100 July/August 2022 Familiesonline.co.uk

Summer fun Travel tips Places to go Familiesonline.co.uk Families Solent East 1

TRAVEL

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SIX TH FORM

Summer Reading

Illustrations by Julian Beresford and © The Reading Agency 2022

Challenge 2O22

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Everyone who reads six books gets an eco friendly sustainable medal & certificate Finish the challenge for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tablet!

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CONTENTS

Welcome The long summer holiday is nearly here, bringing with it both the prospect of holidays and fun with the family, but also, for many parents, the challenges of summer childcare arrangements and keeping the kids entertained for at least six weeks….

Contact us

Well, you can rely on us to have you covered. We have loads of low-cost summer entertainment ideas in this issue, tips on piecing together the summer childcare jigsaw, thoughts about preparing for a family holiday and ideas for holidaying more sustainably. Of course, you’ll also find plenty of information about local events and activities to make the summer memorable close to home.

Editor Paul Constantine editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk 07592 370426 Sales Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk 07812 218331

The long school holidays are the perfect opportunity for cooling treats! Try our dairy-free ice cream recipe..

Book now to be included in our September/October issue.

We hate to mention the word ‘school at this time of year so all we will say is – September is (unfortunately) closer than you think so keep the necessary preparations in mind. In our Education section, check out our uniform tips and the skills you can help your school starter build over the summer before the big day.

In this issue 4.

Travel

6.

Summer fun

10.

Low cost ideas

12.

Summer childcare

13.

Clubs & classes

14.

Education

Finally, in this issue, we have loads of cool kids’ backpacks from Grass&Air to giveaway! Apply for these handy accessories for your child at familiesmag.co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

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March/April competition winners Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/MArecipients

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

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TRAVEL

How to holiday responsibly

By Vicki Bradley

We all like to do our bit for the planet but, when it comes to holidays, it’s easy for all those good intentions to fall by the wayside amongst all the planning. We asked Vicki Bradley from Tested by Tots for her ideas for some easy, ecofriendly holiday products that can easily be substituted for traditional alternatives. One of the key pillars of Vicki’s ethos is sustainable holidaying and she’s even managed to come up with some special offers to tempt you.

Remember, it’s Plastic Free July so an ideal time of year to focus on really making a difference!

Beeswax wraps

Use TOTS15 for 15% off

Beeswax wraps are a natural alternative to clingfilm; much better for storing and keeping food fresh and perfect for picnics and days out. Simply wrap your sandwiches or leftovers, sealing with the warmth of your hands. Plastic-free, washable and reusable for up to six years.

Use TOTS15 for 15% off. www.beeswaxwraps.co.uk

Sustainable teethers For a sustainable alternative to rattles, teethers and dummies, check out the Peace With the Wild collection. Made from natural, plant-based rubber there are lots of options to help you do your bit for the planet. https://bit.ly/sustainableteethers

Beachwear

Bamboo nappies and wipes

Skin needs protecting from the sun but you don’t have to compromise on your green ethos to do this. Style out the holiday in Frugi swimwear and clothing.

While regular disposable nappies can take literally hundreds of years to decompose, more than seventy percent of Mama Bamboo nappy components will biodegrade in six months, in a hot compost. Their bamboo wipes are fully compostable within three months. For a half price offer on a newborn starter kit, use the code NBTOT50 at the checkout. https://bit.ly/sustainablenappies

Beautifully designed to be bright and colourful, plus allorganic, Frugi prides itself on its sustainability message. It only uses GOTS certified organic cotton and its outerwear is made from recycled materials. Available in baby to adult sizes. https://bit.ly/Frugibeachwear

Shampoo bars

Reef-friendly sunscreen

Ditch the weighty plastic bottles and save space by packing shampoo and conditioner bars. These mini bars from Ethique are perfect for holidays and just as effective as the runny stuff!

Scientists have recently discovered that some ingredients in sunscreens could be damaging ocean life. Smart brands are now developing ‘reef friendly’ sunscreens which avoid the culprit ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate. Switch to the biodegradable spray from Nivea, which is compliant with the Hawaii Reef Bill.

Trial sizes are available for adults and children of all ages. https://bit.ly/EthiqueMiniShampoo

https://bit.ly/ReefFriendlySunscreen

Reusable BBQs

Sustainable toys

They’re very convenient but disposable BBQs can’t be recycled or composted and the aluminium frame can take up to two hundred years to decompose. Solve the problem by investing in a reusable one.

An easy swap from plastic playthings is to choose wooden, bamboo or recycled toys. Green Toys have a great range for babies upwards, covering bath time, pretend play and outdoor fun. We like the beach range - made from recycled materials and vigorously safety tested for happy times in the sand. Use 10GREENTOYS22 for 10% off. https://bit.ly/EcoFriendlyGreenToys

The Landmann Piccolino BBQ comes in two colours for under £70. https://bit.ly/LandmannPiccolinoBBQ

Use NBTOT5 0 half price offer

Use 10GREE N TOYS22 for 10% off

Tested by Tots checks out and recommends only products and services that are genuinely child-friendly. For hints and tips on holidaying with children, including holiday packing checklists, go to www.testedbytots.com

4 Families Solent East

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TRAVEL

Your family holiday countdown

By Ellie Malt Okay, take a deep breath, hold it, now focus on this happy thought: the summer holidays are coming! The prospect of a carefree, sun-drenched release from routine has never seemed quite so inviting. If you’ve booked a getaway it’s time to stop procrastinating and dig out those dusty suitcases.

Packing clothes is the easy bit but what about the rest? Here’s our four step plan to help you keep calm and get ready: Step one: check the swim kits For the children, swimming is probably going to be their ‘favouritist bit.’ (Mine is sitting down, anywhere, with a drink in my hand). As children grow (ridiculously fast in my opinion), the right kit can encourage their independence. What fitted last year is unlikely to work again this year. For babies, swim nappies are a no-brainer but consider buoyancy aids, sun hats, UV suits, floating toys and beach shoes.

For children beginning to swim independently, a small life jacket could boost confidence in deeper waters, without embarrassing arm bands. Meanwhile, back in the shallow end, underwater toys and goggles will keep kids occupied for hours.

For tweens, a boogie board, wet suit, mask and snorkel are more likely to buy you some peace. Many of these items only last for one holiday so it’s worth checking charity shops.

Step two: don’t forget essential equipment, allergies and medicines No one wants to waste a precious day of their holiday hunting down a pharmacy and then describing the problem with GCSE-

It’s all in the planning When it comes to packing baby paraphernalia, it’s a bit of a reality check when you see just how much luggage space one tiny human needs. Sadly, all this equipment leaves considerably less room for the really important stuff like your beach books and assorted favourite holiday shoes. Sigh.

On top of the full kit of baby feeding and changing equipment, take the essentials with you to avoid an emergency trip to the nearest chemist, supermarket or doctors’ surgery while on holiday.

Packing checklists come in useful here: yours is likely to include sun cream, after-sun, children’s paracetamol, any regular prescription medications, insect repellent, anti-histamine, plasters, a thermometer, snacks and adapter plugs.

Super-efficient tips Change all the beds before you set off on hols - there’s nothing better than coming home to clean sheets on your own bed.

Pre-order a big online food shop to arrive as soon as possible after you get home, so the supermarket run is one less thing to worry about.

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French and sign language!

Step three: plan ahead for quality sleep Yes, adapting to new surroundings IS part of growing up but when your child’s bedtime routine is essential to a happy holiday, have nightlights, blackout blinds and ear plugs on standby. Small travel clocks can help your child know when to stay in bed when they wake up early in a strange bedroom. Who knows, you might even get a lie in.

Step four: get mobile!

Travel buggies are lighter and suited to aeroplanes and pavements. Fat-wheeled buggies or carriers are better for rough terrain. A sling is a faff-free solution for short walks. Finally, if any part of your journey is by road, remember the car seat. However you travel, distractions will help. Plan ahead and pack some age-appropriate activities to minimise ‘are we nearly there yet?’ syndrome.

Ellie is a writer and mum to two daughters living in Surrey.

Enjoy a PGL family adventure holiday!

Step out of the day-to-day and into a family adventure on an all-inclusive holiday with PGL. Let loose and get lost together on an exciting, action-packed adventure that turns the family back into a team. Whether you’re conquering the kayaks, hanging out on the high ropes or zooming down zipwires, there are plenty of goosepimpling adventures to dive into whilst your family enjoys a PGL holiday. You’ll be amazed by what you can all achieve when you tackle the fun challenges on offer.

Don’t miss out on PGL’s final summer sale and the chance to give your family the break they will always remember.

What’s more, you can save up to 50% off when you book a family adventure holiday or kids adventure camp this summer!

Visit https://pgl.co.uk/familymag to find out more and to book.

Families Solent East 5

SUMMER FUN

Aspex summer fun Get creative with a visit to Aspex this summer! Since 1981, Aspex has brought new art and ideas to the heart of Portsmouth. You can find the art gallery in Gunwharf Quays.

Every Saturday, (11am–1pm) Aspex welcomes families to a relaxed creative workshop, where you can explore a different art activity each week - including painting, model making, printmaking, inventing and more. The workshops are free and adapted to suit ages and abilities.

On top of regular art activities, Aspex presents four main exhibitions per year, alongside a seasonal programme of craft shows, community projects, and events. You can also enjoy great coffee and fresh, locally sourced food in their independent cafe, Port Coffee, and discover delightful items by independent makers and brands in the Aspex shop.

This summer Aspex have partnered with Portsmouth Museum to bring children days of fun, discovery and food! Activities take place on 30 July and 4, 11, 18 & 25 August (11am–3pm), £8 per child. Free spaces are also available to children eligible for free school meals.

Aldingbourne Country Centre family events Looking for a great day out this Summer? Join Aldingbourne Country Centre for a full six weeks of fun events, with something for the whole family to enjoy.

Events include: Bounce About Day, First Class Falconry, Aldingbourne’s Wipe Out Zone, Foam Party, Build a Den Day, Tom’s Talking Reptiles, Splash About Day and Aldingbourne’s Assault Course!

If you like the idea of supporting a local charity by having fun, the Aldingbourne Country Centre is well worth a visit.

With a woodland walk, mini golf, sand and water play area, wooden train and castle play area, and delicious locally sourced and home-cooked food in our own onsite café, these are just some of the activities you can enjoy.

Visit www.aldingbournetrust.org/events for full details.

Visit www.aspex.org.uk for more information.

Wonderful Weeks at Weald & Downland Living Museum The Weald & Downland Living Museum’s popular Wonderful Weeks will return this year with plenty of family fun. The Museum offers families an enjoyable and captivating day out in the great outdoors.

Journey into Space this Summer The South Downs Planetarium is an exciting place for people of all ages to visit. Sit back and relax. Get lost in our stunning fulldome images and breath-taking videos whilst our highly experienced and enthusiastic lecturers take you on a mindblowing journey through space.

Celebrating the theme of traditional games and pastimes, there will be a programme of activities and crafts that changes weekly, including nature trails, orienteering, singing and puzzles.

The Planetarium is located to the south of the City of Chichester, by the campus of the High School. With its spacious auditorium, colourful displays and well-stocked sales kiosk, the Planetarium has something for would-be astronauts and stargazers aged 6+.

Weekly themes: Natural world games (Mon 1 to Sun 7 August), Hobbies & Pastimes (Mon 8 to Sun 14 August), Team games (Mon 15 to Sun 21 August) and Personal challenges (Mon 22 to Wed 31 August).

The Planetarium is putting on a range of exciting public shows throughout the Summer. We also have Space Family Fun Days taking place on Sat 30 and Sun 31 July – great educational fun for all the family.

Families can also enjoy exploring the beautiful grounds, seeing traditional farm animals and discovering the many historic buildings such as the working watermill, bakehouse and Victorian school to find out what life was like in the past.

There is free car parking adjacent to the Planetarium building, easy access for the disabled, and it is only a short walk from rail and bus stations.

More info at www.wealddown.co.uk 6 Families Solent East

For details of all upcoming shows and opening hours, visit www.southdowns.org.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

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Families Solent East 7

SUMMER FUN

Start Your Summer at Spinnaker Tower!

Join the Summer Reading Challenge

The iconic Spinnaker Tower stands at a soaring 170 metres tall, offering awe-inspiring 23 mile views over Portsmouth, the Solent and beyond.

Every year, thousands of Hampshire children take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. It’s fun and totally free!

This year’s science-themed challenge called ‘Gadgeteers’ will inspire children to discover the amazing science and innovation behind the world around you.

Venture across the thrilling glass ‘Sky Walk’ 100m above sea level; It is made of 3 layers of glass totalling just 60 mm in depth but is strong enough to hold a total weight of 288 stone – the equivalent of 2 black rhinos! Looking down through the glass gives you a whole new perspective on the harbour below.

Discover stories from the view with informative touch screens and breathe in the view from the open air ‘Sky Garden’.

From delicious locally sourced treats in our cafés to mindboggling virtual reality, nerve-jangling abseils to fun-filled events, choose from one of many outstanding experiences, set against the most breath-taking of backdrops.

Find out more and save on standard all day admission when you book online at www.spinnakertower.co.uk

Sign up for the Challenge at your local library. Your child will be given a collector’s card to keep track of their reading and gain stickers along the way. Everyone who reads six books gets an eco-friendly sustainable medal and certificate when they finish.

Children’s reading can decline during the holidays if they don’t have regular access to books or encouragement to read. The Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to keep up their reading skills and confidence during the long holidays.

At the heart of the Challenge is children choosing and sharing books such as novels, fact books, joke books, e-books and audio books. Hampshire library staff and volunteers can help your child to choose books they will really enjoy so sign up today. www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/kids-zone

Photo credit: Rebecca Newnham, Quercus (David Bird)

Chichester Cathedral Family fun There’s something for everyone at Chichester Cathedral this summer, as a major art exhibition arrives from the Royal Society of Sculptors!

Together We Rise will see over 26 artworks appear within the 940-year old Cathedral, and across its grounds.

On top of exploring the artworks, there will be special activities for children, available for collection on the door to the Cathedral.

The exhibition will open to the public and run throughout the summer to 6 September and will form part of Culture Spark – Chichester’s season of culture in 2022.

Make a day of it, and bring a picnic to enjoy on the Cathedral Green – or explore the Bishop’s Palace Gardens, a hidden gem in the heart of the Roman city.

Entry to the Cathedral is free of charge, and donations are welcome.

Plan your visit today at www.chichestercathedral.org.uk 8 Families Solent East

The Rascally Diner Everybody clap your pans – it’s time for The Rascally Diner!

Cook up a stink as part of Rufus Skumskins O’ Parsleys’ kitchen crew or bring a pot to bang and ward off evil cakes in this fun-filled, messy performance about food.

Chef Rufus Skumskins O’Parsley is famous for creating some of the world’s most disgusting dishes. You might know him from the award-winning children’s book The Rascally Cake, written by Jeanne Willis and Korky Paul.

Rufus went viral after baking a huge, human-eating cake from ingredients including thoroughly disgusting ingredients like snot, blubber and… a cowpat. He only escaped being gobbled up by the gruesome gateau because he tasted so awful - a result of his foul diet. For ten years now, Rufus has been on a mission to make everyone taste bad and protect them from the creature he cooked up. For the diners’ 10th Birthday, Rufus is presenting a televised spectacular and you’re invited!

Join Chichester Festival Theatre on Saturday 16 July for this fun outdoor event perfect for children aged 5+.

To book or find out more about family friendly events and activities visit www.cft.org.uk/forfamilies Familiesonline.co.uk

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SUMMER FUN

Low-cost summer fun

Educational

Out and about

Visit a museum. There are world-renowned museums in cities across the UK that offer free access to exhibitions year-round. To find a museum near you, visit www.visitbritain.com

Cinema deals. Odeon cinema and Cineworld will be running kids screenings all summer, with tickets priced from £3.25. www.odeon. co.uk and www.cineworld.co.uk

Festival of Archaeology. The Council for British Archaeology has teamed up with hundreds of museums to organise more than one thousand archaeology-related events and activities all over the country. www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk

Hop on board the train. Taking the train to visit somewhere new is an adventure in itself. And it doesn’t need to cost the earth if you buy a Family and Friends Railcard. www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk

Take the summer reading challenge. The challenge, aimed at children ages 4 to 11 years, is to read six or more library books over the summer. There are stickers and other rewards available from the library. Sometimes free and always inexpensive, a local library membership will really encourage your children to dive into books, audiobooks and more. www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. Get your kids closer to nature with The National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. There’s plenty of outdoor activities to undertake during the summer, from watching the sunset to creating some wild art. Many can be done at home and in your garden. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do

Visit a pet store. Kids will enjoy seeing all the furry pets for sale including hamsters, rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs and fish.

Pet stores often run animal handling sessions and other free activities during the holidays. Find My Pet Pals workshops at www. petsathome.com Pick your own berries. Take your young ones to a pick-your-own farm to gather a heap of juicy strawberries or raspberries. Of course, they will do plenty of eating too but, hey, it’s fruit!

Drive-in cinema. The perfect retroactivity for a balmy summer night or afternoon, why not head to an outdoor cinema? With outdoor or drive-in cinema popping up in various places throughout the UK, you might catch a family favourite or retro classic.

Outdoors

Something different

Go fly a kite! They’re cheap and easy to buy or you can even make your own. Read up on tips about how to fly them. www.thekitesociety.org.uk

Let’s fish! The Canal and River Trust is running free fishing taster sessions over the holidays, with professional angling coaches on hand to teach the basics. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Join in National Play Day. National Play Day takes place across the country on 1 August. Children and families have the chance to play at hundreds of community events, from mass adventures in woodlands to street parties with games. Find your nearest ones at www.playday.org.uk

Go for a bike ride. Cycling is a great way to reconnect with nature and get off the beaten track. Take a ride on a local cycle path or if you’re a bit more ambitious, why not take a family bikepacking trip somewhere a bit further afield?

Find the Gruffalo. If your kids love Julia Donaldson, there are themed walks based on her books up and down the country to take the family to visit. Find out more details on these trails at www.forestryengland.uk/gruffalo Woodland adventure. Explore your nearest woodland and enjoy adventure play areas, natural play, off-road cycling and lots of space to create dens. Find your local wood or forest at www. forestryengland.uk 10 Families Solent East

Enjoy a wild swim. When it’s warm, it doesn’t get much better than taking a dip in the sea, lake or river. If you live in a big city, don’t be put off! You’ll be surprised how many wild swimming spots are nearby. www.wildswimming.co.uk

Go geocaching. This is a real outdoor treasure hunting game that uses an app. You navigate to a set of GPS coordinates and try to find the treasure at that location. www.geocaching.com Borrow a doggy. Join Borrow My Doggy to let your kids bond with a dog that need some love while their owners are out at work. It’s a great way to get the kids walking in the school holidays. www.borrowmydoggy.com Free tennis coaching and court usage. You can net free tennis sessions or coaching as part of Big Tennis Weekends, organised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), at venues across Britain. www.lta.org.uk

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CUT  AN OU DK T EE P

Make dairy-free Neapolitan ice cream!

We asked Emily Leary, multi-award-winning food, lifestyle and parenting writer, presenter, photographer and author of A Mummy Too (www.amummytoo.co.uk) to share her delicious, creamy dairy-free Neapolitan ice cream recipe with us.

So the secret ingredient in this wonderfully tasty ice cream is …. banana!

When you freeze sliced bananas and then blitz them in your blender or powerful food processor, the banana eventually turns into a silky, creamy ice cream which can be flavoured with vanilla, cocoa and frozen strawberries to create gorgeous Neapolitan ice cream. Freeze in a container to create that classic Neapolitan look.

Instructions Ingredients

Step 1 Grab a non-stick tray that will sit flat in your freezer.

In a single layer, add the banana slices to the tray with the strawberries to one side. It’s okay if the layers overlap a bit, you may just have to break them up once frozen. You may need more than one tray. Then freeze your fruit.

Step 2 Blitz the frozen bananas in a blender. Set the frozen strawberries to one side.

The bananas will look chunky/sandy at first; continue until you have a pale, creamy mixture. If you don’t have a strong blender, blitz in batches. If your bananas won’t blend, let them defrost for five minutes, until softer.

Step 3 Divide the banana mixture between three freezer-safe bowls.

•

6 large bananas (750g peeled weight) sliced into 2cm (3/4 inch) pieces

•

150g (5.3oz) strawberries, hulled and halved

•

1 tsp vanilla extract

•

2 tsp cocoa powder (dutch processed)

Equipment • • • • • • •

Weighing scales Measuring spoons Chopping board Kitchen knife Food processor 3 bowls 1 litre freezer-safe tub with lid



Makes approx. 1 litre of ice cream.

Step 4 Add the vanilla to the first bowl, the cocoa to the second and the strawberries to the third.

Stir well. Pop the third bowl with the strawberries and banana back into the blender and blitz until smooth. You now have your three flavours.

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Step 5 Your ice cream may have become quite loose, which can make sectioning it in the container tricky. If necessary, cover all three bowls and firm back up by freezing for an hour.

Step 6 Once the three flavours are firm enough to hold their shape, transfer into a 1 litre tupperware container in the traditional Neapolitan pattern. Pop on the lid and freeze for another hour, or until firm enough to scoop.

Enjoy!

Families Solent East 11

CHILDCARE

The summer holiday childcare jigsaw

By Andrew Campbell For many parents, the long summer holidays can cause a massive childcare headache requiring an enormous amount of juggling and ‘piecing it together’ and involving substantial cost. If you’re facing the school holiday childcare puzzle right now, then here are some of the pieces you might be able to fit together in your jigsaw.

Family care Family members, typically grandparents, are often more than happy to share the childcare burden and with this comes with the advantage of knowing your children are with someone you all trust. Your kids will benefit by learning they don’t need you all the time and will build long-lasting bonds.

Other parents Teaming up with other parents by taking turns to care for each other’s children is a great way to spread the load. But this will require forward planning and organisation - so get in now. Try setting up a summer childcare WhatsApp group with the parents of your child’s friends.

Private nursery Many nurseries continue as normal throughout the summer but those adjoined to schools and pre-schools usually follow school term dates. Some private nurseries will take on some younger children just for the summer holidays. Contact them to enquire.

Childminders Childminders care for small groups of children of different ages in the childminder’s home. The children usually come from different families and sometimes include the childminder’s own children. If you currently use a childminder, ask about availability

Grandparent care

Here are some do’s and don’ts if your parents will be looking after your kids this summer.

Rules and routines. Don’t assume grandparents know all the rules your children are expected to follow or their routines. Make sure they are all discussed and written down if necessary.

Timekeeping. Stick to the agreed times for pick ups and collections. Caring for young children can be exhausting, especially for elderly relatives.

Money. While most grandparents won’t expect to be paid for occasional babysitting, it is reasonable for them to be paid if they provide ongoing or full-time care. Don’t expect them to meet all expenses such as nappies, activities and treats - they quickly add up.

Be fair. If you regularly use grandparents for childcare, be conscious that other grandchildren or children in the family may be missing out.

Be considerate. Grandparents have their own lives and activities too. They can often be very flexible but do offer as much advance notice as possible.

Backup plan. In case of illness, make sure you have another option. Make this clear at the outset, so grandparents don’t feel under pressure if feeling poorly.

12 Families Solent East

for summer childcare as they take holidays too.

Nanny share A nanny share or ‘home childcarer’ is when you and another family share the costs and responsibilities of employing a nanny to look after your children in your home. Nannies can often work for two or more families, by caring for the children all at the same time or by splitting the week between them.

Holiday camps and workshops Run by private providers, these can be multi-activity day camps focussing on a variety of sport and/or creative activities or single activity camps focussed on a specific sport/creative activity.

Holiday workshops tend to take place for shorter more intense periods and, often organised by providers that also offer weekly term time classes, they offer a valuable opportunity to receive elite coaching and tuition.

Holiday play schemes Playschemes are usually for children of primary school age. Run by schools, councils, youth clubs and community groups, they provide a range of activities and typically cost around £30 a day although this can vary widely, with subsidised prices offered for low-income households.

Where to find childcare?

Finding someone you trust to look after your children can be a formidable undertaking. There are three main ways of finding the best person for the job.

Using an agency Whilst there will be additional agency fees payable, using an agency means you don’t have to check references/backgrounds and do Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checks. Look out for agencies registered with ANA (Association of Nanny Agencies) or the British Au Pair Agencies Association (Bapaa).

Searching and advertising Parents who wish to employ someone directly can search or advertise on websites such as www.searchchildcare.org.uk, www.childcare.co.uk, www.nannyjob.co.uk or even www.gumtree.com. Check https://bit.ly/FamChildmind for local registered childminders and look up a childminder’s latest Ofsted report at www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports Word of mouth Ask friends, neighbours and parents you know in the local area.

Personal experience is likely to give you the best insight into the quality of childcare care offered by a provider.

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CLUBS & CLASSES

Performing and developing key life skills with PQA Whether it be diving into their dressing up box or stepping onto the stage, performing is important to children and young people, although its benefits can often go unnoticed.

Performing arts can teach children and young people key skills that can be used in everyday life.

Creativity Naturally imaginative, pretend play and make believe come easily to kids and can assist their social and emotional development, helping them form new ideas and develop resourcefulness.

Problem solving Solving problems creatively within the safety of a performing arts environment can help kids deal with issues in everyday life.

If children feel comfortable exploring and dealing with problems in a non-linear way, this makes them more confident overall.

Empathy Performance is a classic form of storytelling, used both to entertain and to share tales and ideas and performing in character can help children appreciate another person’s point of view. To accurately portray a character, it’s necessary to step into their shoes and understand both their situation and what has brought them to that situation. This involves developing empathy which can then be applied in everyday life, helping them to interact with friends and adults in an understanding way and develop their social skills.

Listening Listening is an important skill, especially when a child is in a new setting with new routines and expectations. During performing arts classes children take direction from their teachers and peers, encouraging them to be receptive to others’ ideas and work collaboratively.

Confidence Building Some children are never happier than putting on a show for their family and friends whilst others can be daunted by standing up in front an audience. Performing arts is hugely beneficial in increasing children’s confidence levels. Learning new skills, rehearsing and performing in a safe space, with the support and encouragement of expert teachers and peers, can prepare children to deal with situations in which they feel anxious.

PQA’s three core modules, Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television, offer students the very best mix of both performance-based and technical training as well as providing skills for life.

For more information, visit www.pqacademy.com

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Families Solent East 13

EDUCATION

How to have an educational holiday

By Jemma Z Smith Holidays are all about swimming, having fun and playing games, all past bedtime, aren’t they? Living in the UK, our ‘big annual holiday’ often takes place in the summer and whether you are jetting off abroad or staying in a tent at home, this break is generally considered to be a time that is free from the demands of school and everything that comes along with it.

What does it mean then to have an educational holiday? Do you have to stay inside and read books all day? Well, no. Holidays can be fun AND educational. You can use these tips to make sure that your child comes back from their summer break knowing a little bit more than they did before.

Get kids involved with planning Whether you are choosing to go to Spain or Salcombe, get your child to look up the location on a map or on Google Earth. They can find out how many kilometres you will travel to get there, how long it will take to drive, walk or fly. This will help them contextualise the place they are visiting, hopefully avoiding the ‘are we nearly there yet?’ questions as well.

Learn a bit of the local language Regardless of where you are travelling to, the locals will have a specific vernacular. Learning hello, goodbye and thank you is not just a way to introduce a new language to your child, it is also a great way to get along with the locals. Discuss any similarities between English and the local language, for example, in French the word for ‘dance’ is ‘danse.’

Take an immersive class If you are travelling to Italy, how about learning how to make pizza or pasta? If you’re on holiday in France, learn how to play boules; in Spain, try a bit of flamenco! It is a great way to celebrate a local culture and learn a new skill; after all, not all learning happens in the classroom.

If you’re holidaying by the beach and your child likes being in the water, consider scuba diving, fishing or surfing tuition.

Waiting games Instead of handing your child your phone when you’re in a queue for an attraction, try some simple word games. See how many words you can think of that are … a type of hat? Trilby, sombrero, cap, bowler! You could even bring along a pocket quiz game to keep you all occupied.

Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).

Holidays during term time

Educational travel activities

Let’s face it, it is much cheaper to go on holiday in term time.

However, you must get permission from the Headteacher of your child’s school if you want to take your child out of school.

Otherwise, you risk large fines.

Here are some ideas to keep your kids’ ticking over whilst on holiday.

One way to try to convince the Headteacher to grant permission is to meet with them and outline the ways in which your trip will be educational for your child. It’s completely up to the school whether they agree to grant permission but, if they do, they may ask your children to keep a written diary of their trip or even to access recorded lessons during their absence.

When approaching the Headteacher, try to think as broadly and laterally as you can about the learning opportunities your child may have whilst on holiday. Ensure that you highlight the learning areas with tangible examples - ‘getting a flavour of the culture’ may not cut it.

Take time to consider which activities your child will be doing that lend themselves to maths and English learning.

14 Families Solent East

Using currency and converting between pounds and local currency; Using a map and scales; Writing letters/postcards home; Writing a scrapbook/keeping a journal.

There are also some longer projects that older kids can embark on and many of these relate to the school curriculum. I use these when I accompany students on their trips as a full-time tutor.

Creating a vlog or website for friends and family; Getting involved with local conservation efforts; Learning about volcanoes or Egyptians by visiting key places and then creating a poster or presentation; Putting together a talk or a short video which will teach the class about the place you’re visiting; Writing a story for kids about the area that you are visiting.

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EDUCATION

Preparing for school

By Emma Lewry No sooner has summer arrived than we are starting to talk about ‘starting school’ or ‘back to school’ preparation.

Uniforms line the shop rails tempting us to think about being organised and ready for school. If you’re already thinking ahead, here are some top tips for preparation.

If your child is starting school this year it can feel like a huge event with lots of pressure.

You may be aware of parents swapping notes about how ready their children are to start school. Try not to compare your child with others; each child is unique and individual in their strengths and in the areas with which they need support. Teachers are ready for this and they know how to support lots of different children in a class. In fact, the uniqueness of each child is often what they love best about the job!

When you start to think about preparing your child to begin school there are some key skills which are beneficial to practise and develop. I’m not talking about academic things; your child doesn’t need to be able to read the alphabet or do the two times table.

The three skills I recommend are building CONFIDENCE, COMMUNICATION and INDEPENDENCE. These skills can be developed through play and fun at home, giving lots of opportunities for your little ones to try new things and offering plenty of praise and encouragement. Talking to your child and reading books about school opens up lots of valuable communication too.

schools want children to be working on developing those confidence, communication and independence.

It can be helpful to offer additional emotional support in the lead up to going back to school, especially if your child is moving to a new school. Talk about what will be different but also what will be the same.

These constants support many children’s need for things to feel safe and familiar. What if your child isn’t keen on talking?

Looking at pictures, reading stories and role-playing school are all great ways to initiate conversation over the summer.

Good luck with starting and going back to school!

Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.

If your child is heading back to school and moving up a year group, many of the starting school ideas apply. At all ages,

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