Families Thames Valley East March-April 2015 Issue 77

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Thames Valley East March/April 2015 - Issue 77

RECRUITING NOW Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside & without compromising family commitments or current career.

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle,

please call Diana Page

01235 533362 07747 086518

Easter Fun! Under 5s Special New location for Windsor Day Club Nursery

Great Competitions

Try before you buy!

01628 660 893

www.justoutdoortoys.co.uk BIGGEST Display in the Thames Valley (just 5 mins from M4 J7) Abbey Rose Nursery, Nashdom Lane, Burnham SL1 8NJ

11+ and 13+ Success Moon Tuition • 17 boys passed Reading Boy 2014 11+ exams • 12 girls passed Kendrick 2014 11+ exams • Achieved the highest scores in Kendrick, Bucks and Slough 2014 11+

• 11+ 13+ Easter and Summer Camps • Maidenhead & High Wycombe centres just opened

Call 07474 898668 or go to: www.moontuition.co.uk

...endless ideas for families of young children.

Packed with interesting features and fun things to do with the family in Maidenhead - Windsor - Marlow - Ascot - Slough - Egham

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News & Information Clubs & Classes News Education News Parents guide to Independent Schools Focus on the under 5s What Childcare is best for you What to expect from Nursery Education Spotlight on Nurseries Kid-friendly Apps Mother’s Day gift ideas Spring Days Out Easter Camps & Activities Whats On Competitions. Your chance to win: A Stylish Mums Journal A Family ticket to the Lookout Discovery Centre A Half Term of language classes Tickets to Odds Farm Park The Naughty Step! Coping with difficult behaviour when your child is older Ed's Reading Room Bumps 'n' Babes - Baby Play is not just for fun...

Mums Who Mean Business Classifieds

web: FamiliesTVEast.co.uk tel: 01628 627586 fax: 08717 146 305 (calls cost 10p/min) e-mail: Editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk editor: Claire Winter circulation: 19,500 next issue: May/June 2015 due out: May 1, featuring: Holiday Activities and Camps copy/advertising deadline: April 1

After a long winter, it’s great to be planning some spring days out, we’ve got some great Easter events in our What’s On and some more ideas on pages 18 to 19. Plus some fun giveaways on page 26. If you are looking for childcare for your pre-schooler our annual Under 5s special should come in useful on pages 10-14 I’ve been lucky enough to attend a sneak preview of the new riverside restaurant in Bourne End. The restaurant is the brainchild of the owners of Coopers in Marlow. We had some mouthwatering canapés, including a hand dived Orkney scallop from Scotland with Black Pudding and Caramelised Cauliflower and lots of samples from their well stocked bar including a tasty whiskey aged cider, Thistly Cross and also a vast array of delicious artisanal wine, beer and liquors. Riverlight has been brilliantly refurbed in to a modern but relaxed restaurant that makes the most of its wonderful river views. I can’t wait to try it out, when it opens in March.

I also attended the first anniversary of the Maidenhead Business Girls and it was wonderful to see so many local entrepreneurial women in one space.

Whatever you do enjoy March and April and we’ll be back with our Summer Camps special in the May/June issue.

Local businesswomen celebrate networking groups’ 1st Birthday Maidenhead Business Girls celebrated their one-year anniversary at the Sanctum in Cookham Dean in February. The fun event started with a workshop followed by networking, cake by the Roli Poli Cake Company and a present swap, each member giving something that represented their business.

Marketing consultant, Amanda Ayres, set up the local group for businesswomen to network, learn new skills and support each other.

With 1200 members, the group meets regularly and has just launched courses for local businesses.

If you are local businesswoman and would like to join go to: facebook.com/groups/MaidenheadBu sinessGirls

Cover Photo: www.bigstock.com

twitter.com/familiestve • facebook.com/FamiliesTVE

Enrolling Now! Call your local school for details

Ascot: Bracknell: Bracknell Warfield: Henley, High Wycombe & Marlow: Maidenhead: Windsor:

The Royal Borough gears up for Magna Cartna celebrations The appearance of the Queen’s Row Barge, The Gloriana, is set to be a highlight in the Royal Borough’s 800th anniversary celebrations of the sealing of the Magna Carta.

Around 200 craft of all shapes and sizes will sail the Thames, over the weekend of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June. Local residents will be able to view the procession from many public locations along the river, from Hurley to Runnymede. Further details of the route can be found at thamesalive.org.uk/magnacarta A copy of the Magna Carta will be transported downstream, along with ‘King John’ and ‘barons’, with playlets to be acted out at seven locations along the route.

A series of events, activities and exhibitions leading up to the river pageant is being organised by libraries, the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, schools and community groups.

Further details are available, as they are added, at rbwm.gov.uk/web/museum_magna_carta.htm and magnacarta800th.com

01344 206466 01342 833380 0845 055 6382 01494 533 203 0118 959 1336 0845 293 7207

Holiday workshops booking now!

Age 4-18 Fun, confidence-building, educational classes in acting, singing and dance.

Telephone: 01628 627 586

www.stagecoach.co.uk

MARCH/APRIL 2015

QUALITY TRAINING ESTABLISHED 1988 600 SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE

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News & Info

Children in Berkshire set a very wiggly challenge

Count down to Cookham Festival

Learn to swim the eZee way in just 4 weeks -children and adults private one to one swimming -all ages and abilities -crash courses T: 01344 885675 M: 07585 963707 E: info@ezeeswim.co.uk www.ezeeswim.co.uk

HOWLAND TUTORS (MAIDENHEAD/MARLOW and WINDSOR/SLOUGH areas)

Expanding local agency (established in 1998 and owned by highly experienced teachers)

offers individual tuition in twenty subjects including: all primary; Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, French, Geography, History, Latin, Maths and Physics. Further tutors welcome Tel. (01628) 477164 www.howlandtutors.co.uk

BOOK NOW for advertising in our May/June 2015 issue Due out May 1st email: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

From May 2 to 17 Cookham Festival will once again be entertaining and inspiring audiences.

The festival draws on an enormous wealth of local talent to offer a kaleidoscope of music, art, drama, comedy, talks, workshops and exhibitions. The Festival Feast sees local pubs and restaurants provide special meal offers, with some pubs also staging musical events as part of the Festival Fringe entertainment. The box office opens on March 23, and for full details of all the events and how to buy tickets, visit cookhamfestival.org.uk or find them on facebook and twitter.

Do you need childcare and aren’t sure where to start?

Nanny Scout is based in Windsor and has been established to provide a personal service based on local expertise and knowledge of the area.

They provide search and selection services to match permanent, full time, part time and temporary nannies, mother's helps and nanny housekeepers with families.

The recruitment of a childcare professional is a key part of family life, and getting it right is a challenge. Nanny Scout has the expertise to guide families through the process. Founded by childcare professionals and parents in the area, they can match a nanny's skills with the requirements of the family. They will take the time to meet the family, listen to their requirements and advise on possible solutions, hand picking all candidates and working with them in order to ensure compatibility.

Providing search and selection services, interview guidance, sample contracts and references, Nanny Scout will take the pressure out of the process - let the professionals help provide care for the most important people in your lives.

Contact Victoria now on 07863116280; email victoria@nannyscout.co.uk; www.nannyscout.co.uk

MARCH/APRIL 2015

Leading charity Action for Children is teaming up with The World of Eric Carle™ and encouraging children’s centres, nurseries and groups for under-5s in Berkshire to host a Giant Wiggle on Thursday 19 March 2015 to celebrate the UK’s most read children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar™.

The under-5s will wiggle along in giant caterpillar conga lines, encouraging them to help others, as well as opening up their imaginations through storytelling and creative activities.

Action for Children provides early years child development, learning and childcare services to thousands of tots throughout the country, through its children and family centres.

Last year’s Giant Wiggle saw more than 32,000 children from nearly 800 schools and nurseries raise £80,000 for Action for Children.

For more information on how to organise your own Giant Wiggle at your nursery or children’s centre visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk/giantwiggle

Star in your own pop video You choose the song, invite your friends, decide on a theme and Ustarvideo will make a mock pop video that you’ll all enjoy. They’ll get you throwing some shapes, doing dance routines, and jumping out from behind furniture, while lip-synching to a fantastic song. During the shoot they film the best bits, and then edit it together to make a fabulous pop video for you. It’s fantastic fun, and a great way of celebrating birthdays, hen and stag dos, leaving school, graduation or a wedding.You could have a pop video experience as a bonding session between work colleagues, or use it as a creative and fun way of proposing.

Contact Marissa: marissa@ustarvideo.co.uk; www.ustarvideo.co.uk

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

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Could you help a family in need?

Frozen parties with a twist

Have your cake and eat it Maidenhead-based cake design business, The PaperCup Kitchen, specializes in Wedding cakes, cupcakes and bakes and cream teas or afternoon teas In-A-Box. A new side of the business is the Vintage pop-up tea and cake café. You will find Nel and her vintage tea and cake trailer at local fairs and events.You can also book her for special celebrations, for up to 60 people, including small weddings. She can cater for you in your garden or a venue of your choice; anywhere she can park Lula, her trailer.

Contact 07760294636; thepapercupkitchen@gmail.com; www.thepapercupkitchen.co.uk; @PaperCupKitchen

Get out and meet new friends with Ladies Circle Ladies Circle is an international organisation for women aged from 18 to 45, with over 1500 members across 140 groups in Great Britain and Ireland. They host events and fundraise for local and national charities, also providing a much-needed active and instant friendship group for members.

They have several groups across the Thames Valley region, Maidenhead, Marlow, Reading and Newbury. Meeting nights vary, but Maidenhead Ladies Circle meet at least twice a month (every 2nd and 4thTuesday evening) and participate in a variety of social activities such as rock climbing, ice skating, comedy club visits, spa trips and a lot more.

If you’re over 45 there is a sister club called Tangent.

You can also ship your other half off to partner organization, Round Table, who meet on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday evenings of the month. Joint events are held on a regular basis.

Contact Maidenheadlc@hotmail.com; @maidenheadlc; Facebook “Maidenhead Ladies Circle”

Showstopper Parties now offers a Frozen Adventure theme, which is very popular with partygoers. But, even more popular are the parties Mairi has created using the Frozen theme mixed with one of her traditional drama adventures parties. Princess Elsa & The Pirate or Elsa & the Fairytale Adventure.

These options offer parents enough of a Frozen element to keep those still crazy about it enthralled, with Let It Go being sung by the party leader as Elsa, whilst giving them peace of mind that children who aren’t quite so Frozen mad will still be captivated by the entertainment.

Playing games and singing Showstopper songs, the children get swept up on an adventure with either of Mairi’s popular characters, the Petrified Pirate or Fizzy Pop Fairy, so they can help free Princess Elsa from her Ice Palace and she can unfreeze her sister’s heart.

For more information call Mairi on 07885150034 or visit www.showstopperuk.com

The Home from Home scheme involves people looking after a disabled child for a short time to help their parents recharge their batteries.

Carers will look after a child who may have physical or learning disabilities for anything from a few hours each week, to an overnight stay, a weekend once a month or a day a week in the school holidays. Children can be any age up to 17 years. You'll get support with training and a strong carer network.

It’s Share the Care week from Monday 16th March – Sunday 22nd March 2015.

The team will be at the Britwell Library in Slough on Thursday March 19 from 10.30am to 1.30pm. They'd love to meet you.

Come and find out how you can give a little time but make a big difference to local children and their families.

They are on facebook at fosterforslough or search ‘home from home’ at www.slough.gov.uk

White Waltham School fun run in memory of fellow pupil Staff and pupils at White Waltham School are raising money by doing a sponsored run on in memory of Grace Duggan. The 10k and 1-mile runs take places on March 29. Grace was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago and sadly lost her battle with the disease on December 19 last year.

On her 7th birthday Grace was diagnosed with a brain tumour called a Medullablastoma.

She had to have three major neuro-surgeries and high-dose radio and chemotherapy. She was exceptionally brave and in June 2014 her MRI scan showed that the tumour had gone. Sadly in September, following another scan, her family were told that Grace had chemo radio necrosis, which was a side effect of the aggressive treatment she had undergone.

Grace didn't complain the whole time she was poorly and she didn't stop smiling. On the 19th December Grace lost her brave battle. She will be sadly missed by all her family, friends, fellow pupils and teachers.

The school is raising money for Sebastian’s Action Trust, who help families with seriously ill children.

If you would like to donate to this great cause go to justgiving.com/White-Waltham-Academy

The Windsor Club Day Nursery has moved!

Rebranded to “The Riverside Day Nursery”, we are now based at the Windsor Leisure Centre.

To find out more about our excellent new childcare facility and meet our team:

Call: 01753 855543 Email: info@theriversidedaynursery.co.uk Visit: www.theriversidedaynursery.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Clubs & Classes News New weekend art classes in Langley Art Classes for adults and kids are running art lessons for adults on Saturdays and sessions for kids on Sundays from April 12 at the Langley Community Association in Langley.

Children will learn many skills including art history, painting, drawing, decorative arts, mosaics, ebru art and how to make handmade paper. They will also be entered in to competitions and receive art qualifications and certificates.

They are currently running evening sessions for children at the Langley Community Association, every Tuesday from 5 to 6pm, £8 per hour (all materials included).

For more information please visit www.artclassesgroup.com or call Marinela on 07501644537.

The benefits of music for babies

The Cheeky Monkey Show Monday’s 9.30 & 11.00

Kids’ magic, music and mayhem St Paul’s Chursch Hall Town Lane Wooburn Green High Wycombe Bucks HP10 0PW

For more info call:

John Jolliffe 07736 339310

Come and join the monkey madness!

www.cheekymonkeyshow.com

A Jolly Babies class is a great way to stimulate receptive young minds - whilst developing a sense of rhythm, the sessions go a long way encouraging early social skills, bonding between baby and parent and early speech development.

Music with Mummy and Jolly Babies was created in 1992 to take babies on a musical journey right through from birth to school. The small and friendly classes provide the perfect environment, where parents and carers can watch their baby’s confidence grow. Whilst they sing a repertoire of beautifully composed songs, parents will also be encouraging a number of social skills, including learning to take turns, soothing separation anxiety with games of peeka-boo, and learning to relax listening to soothing music.

The Jolly Babies and Music with Mummy sessions run on a termly basis. There are Jolly Babies sessions for 0-1 years, Music with Mummy for 1-3 years and Three Four Time for 3 & 4 years.

Jackie Faerber runs classes in Windsor on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and starting this term she will be running sessions in the afternoons. Please contact Jackie on 01344 301954 for more details.

Caroline runs classes in Sunningdale on Wednesday mornings. Please telephone 07905 913376 for details.

If you would like to try a free trial session please contact Jackie or Caroline for more details. There is currently a special offer for Jolly Babies, if you introduce a friend you receive a week free.

Join the Cheeky Monkey Club

Advertise for as little as £60 plus VAT.

Call: 01628 627586

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Join John Jolliffe for the Cheeky Monkey Show kids club, suitable from six months to six years.

These energetic, fun-filled classes include action songs, magic tricks, puppets and percussion. Kids even get to sing on a microphone. Sessions are £4.50 with £2 for each additional sibling. With this copy of Families, you get the first session free.

Term-time classes are 9.30 and 11.00 at St. Paul's Church Hall, Wooburn Green, Bucks HP10 OPW or Tuesday at 10.00 at two, 55-57 Market Place, Henley RG9 2AA. John has several music CDs and a DVD, and is also available to hire for parties. For more information visit cheekymonkeyshow.co.uk

MARCH/APRIL 2015

Have a dramatic Easter with Perform This Easter Perform’s holiday course in Marlow will take children on a swashbuckling royal adventure for brave pirates and fearless princesses. Whether running down the palace steps to defeat the fiery dragon or setting sail for treasure on the high seas, it’s going to be the best fun of their holidays.

They will enjoy an entertaining three days with experienced workshop leaders. The tailored approach enables all children ages four to seven to participate and they all get the chance to take part in a final performance for friends and family. With costumes, live music, scripts, improvisation and dance, they'll have an amazing time making new friends and developing their social skills along the way.

The cost of the course is £100 (with a 25% discount for siblings and reductions for groups). Families readers get a 10% discount by using the code FamiliesEaster2015 For more details go to www.perform.org.uk/classes-courses/holidaycourses/piratesprincesses or call 0845 400 1282.

Emma Hester is the new MAD lady in town Emma has taken over the running of the MAD Academy in the Maidenhead, Henley, Marlow, Taplow and Twyford areas from Emma Lelliott, whom many of you will have met over the last nine years.

The new owner Emma has been singing and playing music since she was at school.

She has a fantastic musical background, studying piano and singing since she was at school. She also has a Creative Arts degree, specialising in Music and Drama and plans to bring lots of fun and energy to the classes.

She used to have a desk job, so there’ll be no stopping her when she can be free to run round the class with the kids. The classes will run to the same timetable as before, and Emma is really looking forward to getting started and carrying on the brilliant MAD classes established in the area.

If you’d like to come and meet the new MAD Emma visit her timetable. Find out where she is on www.madacademy.com. She is available for parties, or if you need music sessions at your nursery or pre-school.

MAD Academy are in over 40 nurseries countrywide each week – a free demo trial is available.

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

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Education Free maths and English activities – March 31 and April 14!

Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition to 5-14 year olds of all abilities. Explore fits easily around family life; the centres are open 7 days a week, with children able to attend up to twice a week on a drop-in basis.

On March 31 or April 14, your local Explore Learning centre will be hosting a day of free workshops for children ages 514 in the local community. Spaces are limited so call your local centre to reserve your place.

Call your local centre to book a free trial, or visit www.explorelearning.co.uk.

Prepare for the KS1, KS2, 11+, 13+, GCSE with Moon Tuition Moon Tuition specialises in preparation for the KS1, KS2, 11+, 13+, GCSE and has recently opened branches in Maidenhead and High Wycombe.

Moon, a former International Mathematical Olympiad coach, has a degree in Meteorology and a master's degree in Computer Science, and worked in the mobile telecoms industry over 15 years. In 2009 she formed Moon Tuition in response to the increasing demand for 11+ and 13+ tutoring.

She had successfully tutored her first Moonovian, her son Tom, who passed the Reading School 11+ with the top score and got full marks in the Buckinghamshire 11+.

(He also won the Harrow School 11+ Peter Beckwith Scholarship and a top 13+ Academic Scholarship.)

She has considerable knowledge of the UK's entrance and national exams and strongly believes that "Teachers with passion inspire students". Moon Tuition also believes that educational materials are very important in achieving 11+ success. The company has designed and published many of its own 11+ materials, available for purchase on Amazon.

Moon Tuition has helped many children successfully gain places at local grammar schools and private schools across England. Some of her outstanding pupils have also won academic scholarships to top public schools such as Harrow School, Eton College and Winchester College.

To find out more go to www.moontuition.co.uk or call 07474898668.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

CEM-style 11+ mock exams – in Slough & Winnersh Since last year the Berkshire grammar schools have started using an 11+ test which is provided by the Centre for Evaluation and Monitor® (CEM®). Both the content and the way in which CEM tests are administered are markedly different to the ‘old’ 11+.

CEM tests include Verbal Reasoning, Numeracy and Non-Verbal Reasoning questions. CEM’s interpretation of Verbal Reasoning includes comprehension and vocabulary and the Numeracy (Maths) element includes problem-solving questions.

Sections of the tests are individually timed and typically last 6-20 minutes. The instructions for each question and examples are announced by a CD audio recording. There are two test papers on the same day, separated by a short break.

Parents should ensure that the teaching and practice materials they buy for their child, and any tuition or mock exams their child attends, are suitable preparation for the CEM 11+. Four CEM-style 11+ Mock Exam Sessions (May, June, July and August) in Winnersh and Slough have been developed specifically for CEM 11+ candidates and include all of the features of the real CEM 11+ tests mentioned above.

For more information and to book online, visit: www.sde11plus.com/mock-exams/cem

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Education

Parents 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 fee-paying, and governed by an elected board.

Within the umbrella term of ‘independent’, you will 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) and Steiner schools.

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 - prep schools often have specific gifted programmes.

Their better working conditions, with more resources and higher salaries, mean that independent schools can attract the best teachers.

There is also a higher staff to pupil ratio, on average about 1:10 (it’s around 1:20 at state primaries), giving 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, which might not be able to access in the state system.

How to find a school Your first port of call should be the government’s database of all UK schools, 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 tough: ‘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 and check their inspection reports (these may be delivered by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, or Ofsted).

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

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Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Focus on the Under 5s What childcare is best for my family?

Not sure whether to sign up for preschool, join a waiting list for nursery or employ a nanny? Joanna Moorhead looks at what options might be best for you. here are a whole host of factors to take into account in working out what childcare is going to be best for you and your family.

Here are some of the questions you might want to consider.

1. How many children do you have?

Different forms of childcare suit different sizes of family, primarily for cost reasons – 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 as you pay for the nanny’s time.

Score one per child, plus one if there’s a high chance you’ll be pregnant again in the next 18 months.

2. How old are your children?

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

Score three if your youngest is under a year, two if they’re under two years, and one if they’re three years and over.

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

It’s likely that the more populous your area, the more childcare options there’ll be, 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 three for a rural area, two if you live in the suburbs and one if you’re an urbanite.

T

4. Are you a single parent or do you and your partner’s parents live a long way away?

If so you’re likely to have less back up and so reliable childcare becomes more important. If your childminder becomes ill, it can become tricky if you have no one else who can help with the childcare; this scenario is less likely with a nursery.

Score two if yes.

5. 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 if you might end up working a really long day with little or no warning.

Score one for yes, three for no.

6. Do you have a long commute?

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 tricky if they have strict hours they’d like you to adhere to.

Score three for yes.

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

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 three for yes.

Photo: © Petro Feketa - Fotolia.com

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8. 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 one for laissez-faire, three for controlling.

What your answers could be telling you?

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

10–17: 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 cost less than nurseries or nannies.

18+: 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. And if your family is still expanding, a nanny can save you money in the long term.

We hope you enjoyed this quiz, please remember it’s just to make you think of your options in a different way and it may not provide the correct answer for you.

Windsor Montessori School Established in1980 The 1st Montessori School in Berkshire AMI Registered Outstanding Ofsted Report

“Where children learn how to learn” • Infant Programme: 6 ‐ 18 months • Pre –Primary: 3 ‐ 5 years

• Toddler Programme: 18 months ‐ 3 years • Primary class: 5 ‐ 9 years

Our mission is to foster a love of learning. We support children to be independent and confident learners, through self‐motivation and belief in their own ability. We offer a child centred and multi sensory environment following the principles of Montessori philosophy.

Staffed by highly qualified and experienced AMI teachers, our school is located in the beautiful grounds of the Home Park, at the foot of Windsor Castle. We have excellent outdoor facilities for children, and run weekly ballet and swimming classes.

We also have an infant, toddler and parent session, as well as offering some afternoon places for flexi and home‐schoolers. There are regular events for parents, carers and grandparents to better understand Montessori principles and to support the child’s development in the home.

Sessions we offer for preschool are: • Standard day: 9.15 to 3.30pm • Extended hours: 8.30am to 4.30pm • Morning session: 9.15am to 12.45pm (lunch club to 1.30pm) • 12.30pm to 3.30pm (completely free grant funded afternoon session for

pre‐primary children from 3 years to 5 years) Romney Lock Road, Home Park, Windsor SL4 6HX Telephone: School: 01753 868399 Office: 01344 844592 Email: For Infant, toddler and pre-primary class: menik@windsor‐montessori.com For Primary class: ann@windsormontesssorischool.co.uk

www.windsormontessorischool.co.uk

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Focus on the Under 5s

What to expect from your child’s nursery education

By Hannah Hunter

Choosing the right nursery for your child is important. Apparently a child who has gone to preschool 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. o 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 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 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

Photo: © Robert Kneschke - Fotolia.com

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• 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 2, 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 5, 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, preschool 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.

Come and see what makes our nurseries special!

Bourne End 01628 521522 Marlow 01628 487772

Beaconsfield 01494 677116 Old Windsor 01753 313030

New longer opening hours (7.30 till 6) from January 15

www.poppiesdaynursery.com Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Focus on the Under 5s

Spotlight on Nurseries...

Children of The World Montessori School With it’s exceptionally large, enclosed garden in central Windsor, Ofsted Outstanding Children of the World Montessori School has a focus on education and play for 2 to 5 year olds within a caring and happy environment.

The children select appropriate activities for themselves, developing their independence, confidence and self-discipline. This freedom of choice enables them to learn quickly through self-motivation. The children also work one-to-one with their key worker not only learning the Montessori materials, but also their phonic sounds, reading, writing and maths work.

Babies and toddlers are introduced to the Montessori classroom and parents learn about Positive Discipline and Montessori in the home at the Baby, Toddler and Parent Classes (from 6 months to 3 years).

Cheryl Clay and Alexis Hall are both Montessori trained teachers who own, manage and teach within the school along with other Montessori trained teachers.

For more information call 01753 833 771. cotwmontessori.co.uk

Eton End School Nursery Children are naturally imaginative and curious - at Eton End Nursery in Datchet they can discover the sheer joy of learning and finding out through play, supported and encouraged by staff to ‘have a go’. Every day promises the wonder of discovering something new and even at this early age they will enjoy Music and Dance with specialist teachers.

The Nursery is situated in The House at the heart of the Eton End School community. Divided into two year-groups, Fledglings and Skylarks, it has its own bright, colourful and interesting indoor and outdoor space as well as making full use of the school facilities.

For more information call 01753 541075. www.etonend.org

Cookham Dean Nursery School has moved After 23 years at Tythe Barn in Dean Lane, staff and children from Cookham Dean Nursery were extremely excited to be moving to a larger space - a beautiful house in the heart of Cookham.

The nursery is called Park House Nursery and Pre-School (after the existing name of the house) and it is located on Maidenhead Road close to the shops. With Cookham train station on the doorstep, it allows commuting parents and staff links to the nursery and their place of work.

The nursery has made several major investments in new equipment and the building itself has separate sleeping, eating and messy play areas, together with a learning zone for pre-school children.

They look forward to showing prospective parents around the new nursery.

For more information call 01628 481401. www.countrysidenurseries.co.uk

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Focus on the Under 5s

Claires Court Nursery Each week in the Claires Court Nursery Maidenhead, learning comes to life through a topic that encourages investigation and exploration. When it came to the letter ‘D’ and the dinosaur topic the children had to use their imagination too. After looking at books and pictures the pupils created a ‘pterodactyl’ that hovered from the ceiling and a giant dinosaur from boxes they called Mike!

You can visit them at an Open Morning and meet the pupils (and Mike), they are looking forward to telling you all about dinosaur skeletons and footprints!

For more information visit www.clairescourt.com

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Early Years at Upton House

Littles Fishes Preschool

At Upton House in Windsor they believe that children need time to discover the excitement of learning and to develop their emotional and social well being, selfesteem and confidence in order to fully benefit from their wonderful opportunities for academic progress.

Throughout the Early Years, children at Upton House benefit from a stimulating environment delivering high quality care and education. The children are able to experience activities both inside and out to support all areas of the curriculum including language and mathematical development through adult led group sessions and one to one experiences.

They also benefit from the opportunities to explore their understanding during uninterrupted times for discovery learning.

Expressive arts and design are delivered through songs, dance and movement and the children have daily opportunities to explore colour mixing and mixed media resources. Specialist teachers deliver lessons and experiences in French, Music, Drama and Physical Education and all the children from 2 years old enjoy using the equipment and apparatus in the gym.

For more information call 01753 862610. www.uptonhouse.org.uk

Little Fishes is a community Ofsted registered preschool run out of Furze Platt War Memorial Hall, Maidenhead. It offers children from 21⁄2 years to school age a fun, safe, loving and educational experience. All staff are qualified, experienced and mums themselves. It has a fantastic outside area which the children can access whatever the weather. Regular visits from the emergency services, community wardens and opportunities to handle some furry and some not so furry animals!

Snack and lunch time which aids their social skills ready for the transition to school and great links with local schools.

Visits welcome, contact Niki 07855 572336 or visit www.little-fishes-preschool.co.uk

MARCH/APRIL 2015

Highfield Nursery Stay and Play Take your preschoolers to Stay and Play at Highfield Nursery, Maidenhead, from 9.30am – 10.45am to join their fun, creative and inspiring sessions. It’s a perfect opportunity for parents and carers to come together in a friendly atmosphere. Each session children explore a range of stimulating activities, toys, songs and stories, supervised and supported by their friendly and experienced Early Years team.

For more information visit www.highfieldprep.org/stayplay/

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Focus on the Under 5s Places available for September start in Maidenhead preschool.

• • • • • • •

Daily sessions 9.15am-1pm with lunch Large outside space Social snack time High staff to child ratio Links to local schools Regular woodland visits Early years Foundation Stage Curriculum followed • Ofsted registered For more information or to arrange a visit please contact Niki on 07855 572336 or visit www.little-fishes-preschool.co.uk

Little Fishes Preschool Furze Platt War memorial Hall 75 Furze Platt Road Maidenhead SL6 7NG Registered charity no: 1070343

Book during your visit and save up to £260.00

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New location and name for the Windsor Club Day Nursery The Windsor Club Day Nursery is delighted to announce that it is relocating to the Windsor Leisure Centre and will now be called The Riverside Day Nursery.

The Windsor Club Day Nursery has been on its current site for ten years and over the last few years has experienced some uncertainty over its future due to plans for its current site to be re-developed. Rated as Outstanding by OFSTED, it is great news that the nursery will now prosper for many more years to come.

Proprietor Emma Summersgill said, “I am thrilled to finally have found a new location for our long established nursery. We have a very exciting development plan in place to make the childcare facilities the best in Windsor, and aim to offer new and carefully planned activities in addition to those we already offer. This will ensure the children we care for enjoy the best nursery experience whilst still offering excellent value for parents. We are working in partnership with the Leisure Centre to offer a limited number of crèche spaces for Windsor Leisure Centre members alongside the nursery spaces. I want to thank all of our families who have remained loyal during this period of transition – their support over this time has been tremendous”.

Since the beginning of December Emma and her team have been busy renovating the site to get ready for their move. The new nursery will have some great facilities including a dedicated outdoor space, an indoor climbing frame and physical play area, a professional, experienced and dedicated team of childcare practitioners together with a broad curriculum of activities to help nurture each individual child’s development across the age groups. The newly named Riverside Day Nursery will continue to offer a fantastic programme of learning for pre-school children together with Scrumys rugby & football, Spanish, Gym, and Swimming plus lots more to help prepare every child not just for school but for life beyond.

New or prospective parents are invited to come and view the new facilities.

To check out more about the new nursery please visit www.theriversidedaynursery.co.uk or telephone Emma Smith, Nursery Manager on 01753 855543 to arrange a visit.

MARCH/APRIL 2015

Story Hour and Play at The Mini Marist Nursery, Sunninghill Story Hour and Play sessions run every Wednesday at the Mini Marist Nursery, from 1.45 to 2.45pm during term time.

There is no need to book in advance – just go along and join in the fun!

The Marist Early Years department is well equipped with a willow dome outdoor classroom; various planters for the girls to grow vegetables, herbs and plants; a sensory and music play area; play house with outdoor mud kitchen; water wall and sand pit; various climbing frames and racing vehicles; and a dedicated forest school area.

The children are also able to use the facilities of the Marist Prep School including sports field, hall and gym, ICT suite, outdoor theatre and forest trails.

For more information visit themaristschools.com

Windsor Montessori School Montessori Early Years Education supports the child’s different stages of learning and development through a series of continuous learning passages, in multi-age classrooms.

With this in mind, Windsor Montessori School provides children with three separate environments: 3-18 months in The Nido (nest); 18 months - 3 years in The Children’s Community Room; 3-6 years in the Multi-age Classroom. The Montessori programme concentrates on different areas for different ages. From birth to 18 months, the focus is on communication and the need for movement - by moving, touching, smelling and listening a child begins to understand their environment. From 18 months to 3 years the child strives for independence - to do things and think for themselves. From 3 to 6 years, the environment is designed to foster independence, concentration, self-motivation and love for learning.

For more information call 01753 868399; www.windsormontessorischool.co.uk

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

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Kid-friendly apps

Parenting

Many children now own their own tablet and they often know how to navigate the digital world better than you.

How do you make sure its safe for them to play on and how do you choose from the massive selection of apps available? Lucy Gill from Fundamentally Children has some tips to steer you through the minefield. ost concerns surrounding screentime stem from what children are not doing because of the time they spend with their nose near a screen, which is all too easy in the British winter.

Manage your children’s time on tablets to ensure they have a balanced play diet with plenty of real-world active, social, imaginary and creative play.You could also look for apps that encourage your child to be active (like the new Kurio Motion apps) or encourage social development (ie, multi-player apps where you share the device).

It’s also a good idea to choose apps that have some developmental benefit. Or if there’s a topic that your child is showing particular interest in, or a skill they’re currently motivated to master, an app could be one way to encourage this. Likewise, if your child is struggling with something, a fun app can really help.

Finding good apps can be tricky, so try looking at review sites such as Good App Guide. They offer the option to search for apps by subject or age and you can check what the experts think before you download.

And although it’s tempting just to get the freebies, a good app is often cheaper than the price of a coffee or a children’s physical book or magazine and well worth the investment.

M

What app shall I choose?

At Fundamentally Children we encourage you to choose apps (we have a wide range reviewed on our website) that are genuinely fun while helping your child to learn and develop while they play. Here are some ideas:

For 0–3 year olds Prior to their fourth birthday children develop at an enormous rate so it’s worth

finding apps that support development of whatever skills they’re currently trying to master. For example, if they’re learning to recognise colours, shapes and patterns then apps like Busy Shapes from Seven Academy and TinyHands apps are a good choice, and also help with fine motor skills. Or if they’re learning letters or numbers, consider apps like Justin’s Lettersounds and Farm 123, Bugs and Numbers and Grandma Loves Bugs. If they enjoy books, try interactive books such as those from Nosy Crow or Henri le worm.

It’s also particularly important to encourage creative, imaginative and social skills in preschoolers – try apps like My Playhome, Duckie Deck Sharing, Mister Maker, Bug Art and Louie Teach Me.

For 4–7 year olds Apps can now be fabulous to support their education, helping to develop their strengths further or making harder areas more fun.

There are apps like Jolly Phonics Lettersounds to encourage literacy and iSortWords, which make learning about how words are formed fun. For maths, try Moose Math, Invasion of the Moon Monkeys or those from Squeebles and if you’re looking to inspire a future scientist try Toca Lab, Piiig Labs or My Incredible Body.

Don’t forget to set up the right parent controls Whether your child has an Android device, uses an iPad or something else (like a LeapPad, Innotab, etc.) there’s a lot you can do to protect them from online dangers.

Assuming the tablet will be used at home then the first job is to make sure you have appropriate parental controls on your broadband – leading providers offer this for free, contact yours if you’re not sure. If you’ve bought a child-friendly tablet, have a look at what features are built-in – like multiple accounts, internet restrictions, even time-management functions. If this isn’t sufficient, you can download parental control apps to Android devices or for iPads, have a look in Settings->General>Restrictions – you’ll find ways to prevent in-app purchasing, as well as ways to restrict the content children can access. If you share the device, also beware of oneclick ordering or saved passwords – we’ve heard many horror stories of big bills from those who haven’t.

For 8–12 year olds Games like Minecraft are current favourites and do have developmental benefits.

However, doing a bit of research yourself to suggest good developmentally sound apps is a great idea. A few suggestions include Brain pop (a fun video resource), Brains my body, Geochallenge, Monster Physics and Dinorama.

Lucy Gill is a local mum instrumental in founding www.FundamentallyChildren.com providing independent, expert advice to parents on apps, toys, tablets for children, play and parenting. The Good App Guide is part of this website providing reviews of approved apps tested by children, reviewed by experts.

Thames Valley East For Little Kickers & Little Rugby classes in Maidenhead, Bourne End, Henley, Marlow & Stokenchurch. Call 01628 526 584 or email bevans@littlekickers.co.uk.

For Little Kickers classes in Ascot, Langley, Windsor & Eton call 07412 166 686 or email sleslie@littlekickers.co.uk.

Call for Birthday Party entertainment information

Call: 01628 627586 to advertise now

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Make Mum’s Day

Spoil your mum on Mothering Sunday Families has found five perfect present ideas to show your love and appreciation this Mother’s Day, Sunday March 15.

Make your mum the centre of attention in a mini photoshoot Treat yourself, or someone you love, to a Mother's Day Photo Shoot with local photographer Pauline Beal. For £65 you get a 30 minute session, with 3 high-resolution, professionallyretouched digital images (6’x4” prints), and a private online gallery on her website.

Create a unique memory to treasure Time goes so quickly and our children aren't little for long. Why not capture those tiny hands, feet or fingerprints forever in silver?

Try Rosé this Mother’s Day

The Dinky Fingerprint Company has gifts that every mother would love, from bracelets, necklaces and individual charms to cufflinks, bookmarks and key rings.

Call Pauline on 07789038764 to book your photo shoot www.paulinebealphotography.co.uk

You can also create a simple heart pendant to show mum just how much she means. You choose your own message, from children's names to special dates, and they will engrave them.

Call 01628 623386 or go to www.dinkyfingerprintjewellery.co.uk

Whether your preference is sweet and bright pink or elegantly dry in the lightest shade of salmon, there’s a rosé wine out there for you. Jo, from Perfect Friday Wine, has some recommendations: “I’m in the latter ‘dry and light’ camp and usually look towards the South of France for my rosé, however there’s a bevvy of beautiful rosés on our doorstep. The delicious Oaken Grove Benham Blush 2012 (£11) is dry, bright with a distinct grapefruit flavour and the vineyard is just a stone’s throw from Henley.

“If bubbles are on the menu, the stunning Bluebell Vineyard Estates Brut Rosé 2010 (£25) is made in East Sussex using the same method as Champagne; dry, fresh with strawberries and peaches and will go down a treat with afternoon tea, brunch or salmon.”

Visit www.perfectfridaywine.com and contact Jo at jo@perfectfridaywine.com or 07789642512 to buy handpicked and fabulous wines and for more information on wine tasting parties and events. Watch out for English Wine Week later in May!

Pauline Beal Photography Portrait Photographer covering Maidenhead, Windsor and surrounding areas Specialist newborn, baby and children's photographer www.facebook.com/paulinebealphotography www.paulinebealphotography.co.uk

07789 038764

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Make Mum’s Day Pamper mum with a spa day or a special lunch

Get a beautiful bouquet through your letterbox

Book a day of pampering at the Crowne Plaza Marlow, and give your mum a well-earned break. The ‘Day with Mum’ offer (£49) is available throughout March, and includes a 25 minute treatment, full use of the Quad Club facilities, as well as lunch and a glass of fizz.

Or you could book lunch with the family on Mothering Sunday – from 1-3pm they will be hosting a special 3-course meal in Glaze restaurant, including a little gift for mum. Plus there’s a great adventure playground for the kids to play on.

Bloom & Wild Send a mother’s day bouquet that she won’t have to wait in for, with a Bloom & Wild delivery. Order online or download their simple to use iPhone app, and you can send a one-off bouquet or a monthly gift, which will arrive in an elegant letterbox-sized box. The Rosalind would make a perfect Mother’s Day surprise – 12 long-stemmed pink roses, for £25, with each head individually netted so they arrive in perfect condition.

Families readers can use the code THAMES15 until 15th March to get 15% off their first order.

Visit bloomandwild.com for more information

If your mum’s a jazz lover, then Strok’s restaurant at the Christopher Wren Hotel in Windsor is the perfect choice for a Mother’s Day treat. The traditional Sunday lunch menu includes free flowing bubbly and tunes from their popular Jazz trio, for £39.95 per person.

To make a reservation contact the Events Office on 01753 442422 or email: events@windsor.wrensgroup.com

For details visit www.cpmarlow.co.uk/whats-on, or call 01628 496 800

• Kids Art Clubs • Pottery Painting • Adult Art Classes & Workshops • Corporate Meetings & Events • Parties

Are you thinking about selling your home?

Real Interiors can help you achieve the best price for your home through home staging and de-cluttering. Affordable prices, evenings and weekend appointments available.

Contact Shirley: Tel: 07866 566141 Email: hello@realinteriorsuk.com Web: www.realinteriorsuk.com

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Spring Fun Easter wouldn’t be the same without egg puns, chocolate, spring flowers and of course lots of great things to do with the kids, here are some of our favourites.

Discover the Easter Trail through the colourful spring woodland at Windsor Great Park this Easter from March 28 to April 19.

Set off on the trail and enjoy a great family event, with fun clues for all ages taking you around the woodland surrounding The Savill Garden. Look out for the ducks and take in the fun children's play area suitable for under-8s. There are things to look out for as well as clues to solve, with a chocolate prize at the end.

The trails are £3.50 each (one prize per trail), purchased from The Savill Building from 10am to 5pm (Normal car parking charges apply).

The Amazing Bubbleman, My Friend Mole and Sing-along Frozen. There is also daily craft and storytelling sessions plus art, drama and animation clubs.

On Friday 3 April, join us for a full day crammed with low cost Give it a Go! workshops. Try something different, from circus skills to chocolate making or choreography to magic. All workshops last 1 hour and are £3 per person, alternatively buy a Give it a Go! Festival Pass and take part in 4 workshops for just £10 per person! Booking essential.

Call 01628 788997 or go to www.nordenfarm.org to book.

March until 19 April. At Manydown children can have lots of fun and also experience the countryside 'up close'.

Energetic activities include racing in and out of the 'rabbit warren' and up the tractor tyre mountain; bouncing on the giant trampolines and inflatables; and winning on the new crazy golf course or at the sheep racing! There are also educational areas where you can meet new lambs, learn about the lambing season, and an animal-handling area where you can hold chicks and rabbits. All activities are included in your ticket. For more information visit www.manydownfamilyfun.co.uk or find them on Facebook.

Be a Cadbury Eggsplorer with the National Trust The National Trust and Cadbury are once

Photo: NT Rob Stothard

Family fun on our Easter Trail starting from The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park

It's a farmer’s life for us!

The local farm attraction Manydown Family Fun (near Basingstoke) opens daily for its Easter Lambing event from 28 Complete your day out with a visit to The Savill Building, and enjoy a delicious lunch or a hot chocolate and home baked cake from our award-winning restaurant.

For more information about The Savill Garden call 01784 435 400 or visit www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk

again joining forces to bring chocolateflavoured fun to the Easter holidays throughout the country. This year, families are invited to become a Cadbury Eggsplorer by unleashing their inner explorer and following adventurous trails to win a chocolate Egghead prize.

Hundreds of Cadbury Easter Egg Trails are taking place at National Trust attractions around the country. Each is unique to its location so your young Eggsplorers will be finding out about each special place as they take part in the trails.

Jump In! Festival at Norden Farm There is something to do at Norden Farm every day of the Easter Holidays, so Jump In! and get involved.

The two week holiday is packed with family friendly shows and films including

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Spring Fun There are loads of locations to choose from in this area alone, from the magnificent large-scale gardens of Cliveden, to intriguing places like The Vyne and Greys Court. Turn to our What’s On pages 22-25 to find details of events running over the long Easter weekend.

What’s more, every single trail will help support special places looked after by the National Trust for future generations to explore. Normal admission prices apply. Entry for National Trust members is free.

Find out more at www.eastereggtrail.com

Treat your family to an Easter Sunday Lunch Have a lovely lunch and fun with the kids at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Marlow on Easter Sunday, April 5.You can enjoy a lovely three course Sunday lunch in Glaze Restaurant, an Easter Egg Hunt, bouncy castles and face painting. £21.95 per adult, £14.95 per child (3-12), 0-2 year olds are free. Call 01628 496 800 to book. www.cpmarlow.co.uk You could also treat yourself to a three course meal at the lovely Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa, in Windsor. The meal will be accompanied by live Jazz music and each child will receive an Easter Egg gift. £34.50 per adult. £16.95 per child (4-12 years). Call 01753 202833 to book. www.Sarova.com

If you are cracking up and just can’t eat any more chocolate here are some more ideas…

Bottle Feed the lambs…at Odds Farm Park, this perennial favourite is always a winner with the kids. There’s heaps to do whatever the weather with tractor rides, a fantastic indoor play area and animals aplenty. www.oddfarm.co.uk Go Nautical…at the National Maritime Museum in London.

Take your children on an immersive theatrical tour of the museum with Punchdrunk Enrichment. The museum has the world's largest maritime collection and the tour will ensure all its contents and stories truly come alive. A crew will welcome visitors and take them on board a journey through the exhibition that's packed with lively stories and exciting events. Against Captain’s Orders: a Journey into the Uncharted is suitable for children aged six to 12. Tickets are £19.75.

Booking is essential go to www.rmg.co.uk/national-maritimemuseum All aboard… experience The Railway Children in Kings Cross Station, London. If you missed this great play at Waterloo Station it has now moved to Kings Cross. It’s set in a purpose built 1000 seat venue, the show features a stage built around a real train track and a beautiful 60-tonne locomotive steams into the theatre which really gives the show the wow factor. The play is suitable for children aged two and above and prices start at £19.50, buy tickets from www.railwaychildrenlondon.com Have some outdoor Easter fun…with the Earth Trust Centre in Little Wittenham, Oxon (nr Wallingford). You can join in an Easter bunny hunt, bring an egg to boil on an open fire, paint it and then roll it down the Wittenham Clumps. From April 5 to 10, 10am-2pm. £4 per child, accompanying adult(s) free. No need to book 01865 407 792. www.earthtrust.org.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Easter Camps & Activities

Make sure your children have an eggcellent Easter holiday by trying some of these great camps. There’s art, drama, sport and lots of new fun activities to try out.

REDROOFS SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 26 Bath Road SL6 4JT, Littlewick Green SL6 3QY

NOW BOOKING ONLINE Easter School for Stars April 13-17th Step Inside the Chocolate Factory April 13-16th ***

At Redroofs the emphasis is on performance with many performing opportunities.

Baby dance from age two years upwards, dress up and dance from age 3, and musical theatre. Redroofs Musical Theatre Parties, ISTD Tap grades, RAD ballet, senior acting schools, screen acting and workshops. LAMDA speech and drama.

***

Redroofs is the place to learn from the very best in the business, to grow in confidence and for each child to achieve his potential in a friendly atmosphere in our own purpose built studios and two theatres.

See our website for new timetables.

***

Redroofs part time dept age 2-adult Redroofs Full Time school coed academic and vocational for yrs 5-13 inclusive.

Redroofs 6th form BTEC and A levels, musical theatre, dance and teacher training.

Gap year foundation course one year intensive theatre arts.

Redroofs agency offering representation for all pupils for TV, film theatre etc.

Holiday courses and masterclasses.

Call us on: 01628 674092 • Email: info@redroofs.co.uk Find us on Facebook and Twitter

Tuesday 7th - 17th April Kings Court First School, SL4 2NE

Monday 30th March 10th April

(closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday)

: Times

- 4.30pm 8.30am r o - 6.30pm 8.30am

Thorpe CofE Primary School, TW20 8QD

Ofsted 'OUTSTANDING' Provider

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

Tel: 07854 078 728

email: hc_thegapclub@yahoo.co.uk

QUALITY ASSURED HOLIDAY CHILDCARE

www.redroofs.co.uk

AMANDA’S ART CLASSES (www.amandasart.co.uk), for small groups of children aged 6 – 13. Amanda will be running EASTER ART WORKSHOPS in Ascot 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm; call 01344 885086 or 0796 882 4560 or email a.kavanagh@amandasart.co.uk for further details.

DANCE INSPIRED PRESENTS URBAN CREATIONS – a STREET DANCE CAMP where students learn hip hop, breakin, how to DJ and Graffiti art.

14th-17th April 9:30- 16:00. Cost £100. 07743 551501 for further details go to www.danceinspired.co.uk HANDS-ON-ART ADVENTURES will be running CREATIVE WORKSHOPS each morning 10am to 11:30am (Tues-Fri) over the Easter Holidays, the Potters Wheel can also be booked on Holiday Wednesdays. For more information about their Art & Craft Activities please see www.hands-onartadventures.co.uk or call Janet on 01753 206 265.

LONGRIDGE ACTIVITY CENTRE is running DAILY ACTIVITY DAYS at Quarry Wood Road, Marlow from Monday April 6 to 10 and April 13 to 17. The activity day starts at 8:45am and either finishes at 4pm (cost £40 for 4 activities) or finishes at 5.30pm (costs £50.00 for 5 activities). Activities will be chosen on the day depending on the weather and water levels. They will also be running Kayaking, Rowing, Sailing and Fencing courses. Call their new booking line 0330 303 0101 to book. www.longridge.org.uk PERFORM in Marlow is running a PIRATE AND PRINCESSES HOLIDAY COURSE…at All Saints Church Hall, the Causeway, Marlow from 13 to15 April, from 10am to 12pm, your children will go on a swashbuckling royal adventure.

They will enjoy an entertaining three days with experienced workshop leaders.

The tailored approach enables all children of all ages to participate and they all get the chance to take part in a final performance for friends and family. With costumes, live music, scripts, improvisation and dance, they'll have an amazing time making new friends and developing their social skills along the way. The cost of the course is £100 (with a 25% discount for siblings and reductions for groups). For more details go to www.perform.org.uk/classes-courses/holidaycourses/piratesprincesses.

SPECIAL OFFER: To get a 10% discount please quote: FamiliesEaster2015 PHOENIX GYMNASTICS CLUB is running EASTER ENERGIZE! At Unit 1, Water Oakley Farm, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5UJ during 7 April to 17 April. Fun Gymnastics classes for children aged 5 to 12 years of age non members welcome. Choose from 9 sessions over the Easter holidays. Each session is from 1.00 to 2.30 p.m. with fully qualified British Gymnastic coaches.

Children will have the opportunity to try Olympic gymnastic apparatus. Price: £10 per session. Call 01628 778881, email info@phoenixgym.co.uk or see www.phoenixgym.co.uk for more details.

REDROOFS is running REDROOFS EASTER SCHOOL FOR STARS from April 13 to 17 from 10am to 4pm at Redroofs School for the Performing Arts, Maidenhead, for ages 7 to11 and 12 to 15 years. All abilities and beginners welcome. Musical theatre, team building and lively rehearsals. Plus an end of week performance in their own traditional Victorian style theatre. Wraparound care available from 9-10am and 4-5pm daily. £245.00. Plus STEP INSIDE THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, from April 13 to 16 from 10am-4pm at Redroofs School for the Performing Arts, Maidenhead, ages 5-8. £160.00. An Easter treat of a 4-day scoop of deliciously chocolatey musical theatre adventure! To book go to www.redroofs.co.uk STAGECOACH ASCOT is running an EASTER HOLIDAY WORKSHOP: 'CATS'! on April 9 and 10, from 10am to 4.30pm at the Windlesham Theatre, Kennel Lane, Windlesham, GU20 6AA. Suitable for ages 6-18. Cost: £75 (Sibling discount £65). To find out more or book your place call: 01344 206466 or email ascot@stagecoach.co.uk STAGECOACH MAIDENHEAD is running HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS at Altwood CofE School, Maidenhead, from April 13 to 17, for ages 4-16yrs. Age 616,Times: 10am-4pm, Cost: £125, sibling price £62.50. Ages 4-6; Times: 9.30am – 12.30pm, Cost £60, sibling price £30. To find out more ring 01189 591 336; www.stagecoach.co.uk/maidenhead SUPER CAMPS is running a MULTI-ACTIVITY EASTER CAMP at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar school, Marlow and the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe from March 30 to April 10 (excluding April 3 & 6), for ages 5-14, from 9am to 5pm. They are also running a MULTI-ACTIVITY EASTER CAMP from April 7 to 17 at Hurst Lodge School in Ascot, for ages 3-14, from 9am to 5pm. All childcare vouchers accepted. Extra hours available, for an additional cost. Go to www.supercamps.co.uk to find out more.

THE GAP CLUB LTD is running HOLIDAY CLUBS at King's Court First School, Ashbrook Road, Old Windsor from Tuesday 7 to 17 April and Thorpe CofE Primary School, The Bence, Thorpe from March 30 to April 10 (closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday), from 8.30am to 4.30pm, £24.00 per day or 8:30am to 6:30pm for £29.00 per day. To book call: 07854 078728; hc_thegapclub@yahoo.co.uk.

MARCH/APRIL 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

TVE 77 16/02/2015 14:40 Page 21

GYMTOTS! PRE-SCHOOL GYMNASTICS

FUN + SAFE + CHALLENGING Classes for Children walking to 3 years plus.

Enjoy participating with your child in our safe indoor environment with its exciting up-to-date play equipment, based within the Altwood School, Maidenhead. Every day at 10am from Wednesday to Saturday. Our programme has been developed through more than 31 years’ experience with young children and their parents. Gymtots will enable your child to gain confidence by expanding their physical ability, coordination and social skills, with your involvement and under the guidance of our experienced staff. Our advanced class for 3 to 4 years plus, without parent participation, on Wednesdays at 3pm, is more structured and builds upon the earlier classes.

Classes in Maidenhead & Marlow

Telephone

07 957 223 124 for details

s, 5-7 yrs, 7-10 yr

11yrs - upwards

Offering authentic Street Dance classes in Hip Hop, Break Dancing, Locking & House for all abilities as well as Celebrity Workshops.

Classes based in Maidenhead, Windsor and Burnham Contact Amy on:

07743 551 501 enquiries@danceinspired.co.uk www.danceinspired.co.uk

Susan Handy School of Dance BRANCHES AT: ETON•DATCHET•ICKENHAM•OLD WINDSOR•PYFORD•WINDSOR•WOKING

Fun packed magic par ties Mini Disco 6-8 years olds Mega Disco 9-11 year olds

 Ballet  Tap  Modern Jazz  Musical Theatre   Contemporary  Music & Movement (from age 2½ upwards)  Dance Themed Birthday Parties  Enquiries: 01753 542672/07515 270432 Email: office@susanhandydance.co.uk www.susanhandydance.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

MARCH/APRIL 2015

Schools fun nights Family (Speciality) School disco hts Live race nig

Also Adult Disco 40th -50th

01494 - 815168 www.oscar4fun.co.uk events@oscar4fun.co.uk

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What’s On

Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal Windsor March 1-7

Romeo & Juliet at Norden Farm on March 8 and 10

The History Boys at the Theatre Royal Windsor, March 9-14

MARCH

Tuesday March 1 to Saturday 7 SLEEPING BEAUTY Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS, 01753 863444.

Vienna Festival Ballet return with their enchanting production and parade of fairytale characters.

Tuesday-Saturday 7.30pm; Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Saturday March 7 FAMILY FUN DAY Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA, 01628 605069. Enjoy a day volunteering with the ranger team, having fun making charcoal, clearing woodland and toasting marshmallows. 10.30am-3pm. Free (usual admission applies), but please reserve your place online or call 0844 249 1895. Suitable for ages 6+. More information: jess.darwin@nationaltrust.org.uk. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Every Saturday from March 7 PARKRUN Black Park, Black Park Road, Wexford, Bucks, SL3 6DS, 01753 511060. Parkrun is a weekly, timed 5km run open to everyone, regardless of ability. It starts from the top of Black Park Car Park.You must register online first. 9am. www.parkrun.org.uk/black-park

Saturday March 7 and Sunday 8 ESIO TROT TRAIL Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, High Street, Great Missenden, HP16 0AL, 01494 892192. All ages, drop-in. 11am-5pm. Free for museum visitors. www.roalddahl.com/museum/whats-on Sunday March 8 MANE CHANCE CHARITY GALA CLASS ACT Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS 01753 863444. Star-studded fundraising night for horse charity, hosted by Russell Grant featuring special guest stars and pupils from Redroofs Theatre School. 7.30pm. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Sunday March 8 WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD SCHOOLS CONCERT The Hexagon theatre, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, 6pm. Call 07769 777955 for tickets.

Sunday March 8 and Tuesday 10 ROMEO AND JULIET – BALLET SCREENING Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997.

Bolshoi Ballet. Sunday 3pm, Tuesday 2pm. £15. www.nordenfarm.org Monday March 9 to Saturday 14 THE HISTORY BOYS Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS, 01753 863444.Voted the nation’s favourite

MARCH/APRIL 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

Until Tuesday March 31 A DAY WITH MUM SPA Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, SL7 1GJ, 01628 496800.Throughout March (subject to availability), treat your mum to a day of pampering, a spot of lunch and some time well spent catching up. 1 x 25-minute treatment, glass of fizz, lunch in agua café and bar (set menu). Full use of Quad Club facilities. £49 per person. www.cpmarlow.co.uk Until Sunday April 19 WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION Tring Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, HP23 6AP, 020 7942 6171. Explore an incredible range of beautiful images by the most talented wildlife photographers from around the world. www.nhm.ac.uk/tring Sunday March 1 SNOWDROPS AT MAGNOLIA HOUSE Magnolia House, Grange Drive, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP10 0QD. More than ten thousand snowdrops in the beautiful half-acre garden. Refreshments on sale. Open 11am-2pm, £3 adults, children free.

Combined admission £3.50 adults, children free. www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/find-a-garden/garden.aspx?id=196 14

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What’s On

Compiled by Siobhan Newman Event times and dates do change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

Mothering Sunday at Cliveden on March 15

Arthur's Dream Boat sails into Norden Farm, March 22

Chinese New Year Extravaganza at Theatre Royal Windsor, March 22

play, Alan Bennett’s multi award-winning The History Boys is back. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Wednesday March 11 SIMPLY WALK Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE, 01753 647358. New walkers welcome. Arrive early to register at 11am. Meet at the cafe and information point at Lord Mayor's Drive at 10.45am.

Wednesday March 11 to Monday 30 MAGNA CARTA WOMEN EXHIBITION Maidenhead Library, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1QU. To celebrate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta, Tracy Satchwill’s exhibition is on display in the foyer of Maidenhead Library.

Friday March 13 LEGOLAND Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 4AY 0871 2222 001 The theme park reopens for 2015, with new attraction Heartlake City to follow in early summer. www.legoland.co.uk Sunday March 15 CHICKEN LICKEN Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. A baby chick is born and thinks the sky is falling down. On the way to tell the King, she meets Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky and Turkey Lurkey, but there's a surprise! Enjoy a recipe of food, puppets and music in the story of the Little Red Hen and the sly Foxy Loxy. Tickets £8.50. 11.30am and 2pm. www.nordenfarm.org Sunday March 15 HANDS-ON SCIENCE Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, HP13 6PX, 01494 421 895 Science activities, all ages, drop-in. 2-4.30pm.

Sunday March 15 MOTHER'S DAY CRAFT & TRAIL Hughenden Manor, Hughenden, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755573. Make a gift and follow the daffodil trail. 11am-4pm. Free, but normal admission charges apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Sunday March 15 MOTHER’S DAY Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA, 01628 605069.

Celebrate Mother’s Day by bringing your mum for free and treating her to free wine tasting from midday (while stocks last!). Children can also make their mum a special gift at the craft workshop. Please note, the free admission promotion cannot be redeemed at Cliveden House Hotel. Normal admission charges (except mums). No booking. Noon-3pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Sunday March 15 MOTHER’S DAY Savill Gardens, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, Surrey, TW20 0UU, 01784 435544. Take mum to see the flowers. Free admission to The Savill Garden for mums. Normal car park charges apply. www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/events/2015/03/mothersday Sunday March 15 MOTHERING SUNDAY Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, SL7 1GJ, 01628 496800. Treat your mother to a sumptuous three-course lunch in Glaze Restaurant, with a bouncy castle to keep the children entertained. Lunch, plus a little gift for mothers costs £21.95, £14.95 per child (3-12), infants aged 0 to 2 free. www.cpmarlow.co.uk Sunday March 15 MOTHERING SUNDAY Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa, Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1PX, 01753 442400.

Three-course menu with coffee and petit fours, a gift for Mum and live jazz music. Adults £34.50, children (4-12 years) £16.95. www.sirchristopherwren.co.uk Saturday March 21 EARTH TO ECHO Firestation Arts Centre, The Old Court, St Leonard's road, Windsor, SL4 3BL 01753 866865. Charming science fiction adventure. A group of kids discover a visitor from another planet and film their experiences with it.

1pm. www.firestationartscentre.com

Sunday March 22 ARTHUR’S DREAM BOAT Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. Based on the book by Polly Dunbar. A magical playful children's show with breathtaking puppetry. Suitable for ages 2+. 11.30am and 2pm.

Tickets £8.50 or £31 family. www.nordenfarm.org Sunday March 22 BUNNY FUN RUN Oaken Grove Park, Oaken Grove, Maidenhead, SL6 6HL. Starts and finishes at Oaken Grove Park in Maidenhead.

Free bunny set and commemorative medals to finishers. Entry and sponsorship forms from www.BunnyFunRun.co.uk.

Sunday March 22 CHINESE NEW YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS 01753 863444. A unique and exciting show full of spectacular cultural skills and acts.

Amazing acrobatic and kung fu skills, including the auspicious Lion Dance, the awe-inspiring contortion and more. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Sunday March 22 NEARLY NEW SALE Juniper Hill School, Churchill Close, Flackwell Heath, High Wycombe, HP10 9LA. Friends of Juniper Hill School are holding their first Nearly New Sale, with everything from maternity wear to teenage clothes, toys, games and everything else related to babies and children.

There are also child and baby-related stalls with new products and a cafe selling hot drinks and snacks.

11am-3pm. Adults £1, children free. www.juniperhill.bucks.sch.uk Friday March 27 TIN TALK TIM Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, HP13 6PX, 01494 421 895. Let's go Fly A Kite. Under 5s, booking required. 10.30-11.30am and 1.15-2.15pm. £2.

Saturday March 28 CRAFT MARKET Hare Hatch Sheeplands, London Road, Hare Hatch, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9HW, 0118 940 1600. Support local talent and find exciting original gifts for friends and family. 9am-4pm at Market Place (greenhouse at top of car park. www.harehatchsheeplands.co.uk Saturday March 28 VISIT BY DONATION DAY Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB 01494 871117. Chiltern Open Air Museum reopens to the public for the 2015 season and to mark the occasion, instead of the standard admission price, visitors can enter by making a small donation. www.coam.org.uk

Saturday March 28 to Sunday April 12 EGG HUNT Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, HP13 6PX,01494 421 895. Egg hunt with prize, all ages, drop-in (except bank holidays).

10am-4.30pm. £1.50.

Saturday March 28 FEED THE LAMBS Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Common, Buckinghamshire, HP10 0LX, 01628 520 188.

Cute, cute and cuter still. Children can feed lambs, which are trained to drink from bottles. A great opportunity to get close to them in a great hands-on experience and there's a chance to win a yummy treat in the Spring Trail. www.oddsfarm.co.uk Saturday March 28 to Monday April 6 HUGHENDEN'S EASTER EGG TRAIL Hughenden Manor, Hughenden, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA 01494 755573. Egg hunt and crafts, plus prize, all ages, drop-in. 11am-4pm. £3. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/whats-on/events Sunday March 29 OPEN GARDEN DAY Ditton Manor, Riding Court Road, Datchet, SL3 9LL. Ditton Manor sits on a 14-acre moated island at the centre of a 208-acre estate created in the traditional English landscape style, originally designed by Capability Brown.

11am-5pm. Admission £3.50, children free. www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/find-a-garden/garden.aspx?id= 30626 Sunday March 29 STEAMING DAY Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, Aylesbury, HP22 4BY, 01296 655720.

Free steam train rides, all ages. 10.30am to 5.30pm / Adult £11, Senior £10, Child, £8, Family £32. www.bucksrailcentre.org Saturday March 28 to Sunday April 12 EASTER FAMILY FUN Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Common, High Wycombe, HP10 0LX, 01628 520188.Easter bunny trail with treat, feed the goats and more, all ages. 10am-5.30pm. www.oddsfarm.co.uk Monday March 30 to Wednesday April 1 CHILDREN’S CRAFT ACTIVITIES Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher, KT10 9JG, 01372 467806. Children's Easter Craft workshops in the Thatched Cottage. Gates open 10am, Workshop 10.30am-12.30pm, £1.50 plus usual admission price. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

Classes in Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley & Charvil Call Emma on 07935 248749 or email emma.hester@madacademy.com Classes in Windsor, Ascot, Sunningdale & Farnham Royal Call Kate on 01753 830162 or email: kate.lawrence@madacademy.com

MARCH/APRIL 2015

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What’s On

Please email listings@familiestveast.co.uk with any events.

Easter egg fun at Cookham Moor

Easter egghead trail at Cliveden for Easter

Photo: Stuart Cox

photo: Robert Morris

Feed the lambs at Odds Farm Park in the Easter holidays

Tuesday March 31 TERRIFIC TUESDAY BUDDING SPRINGTIME Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB, 01494 871117. Spring crafts, games and family activities. 11am-4pm. Adult £9.50, child £6, under 4s free. www.coam.org.uk/whats-on/events Tuesdays March 31 and April 7 AMAZING EGGS Tring Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, HP23 6AP, 020 7942 6171. Handling and craft workshop, all ages. 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am, 2.30pm, 3pm. £2. www.nhm.ac.uk/tring Tuesday March 31 to Saturday April 4 CHESS Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS, 01753 863444. SWMTC returns with an amateur production of the hit musical. Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm. www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk Tuesday March 31 to Sunday May 31 OPEN GARDEN Magnolia House, Grange Drive, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP10 0QD Beautiful half-acre garden. Combined admission £3.50 adults, children free. www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/find-a-garden/garden.aspx?id= 19614

Wednesdays April 1 to April 15 WILD WEDNESDAYS Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA, 01628 605069. Outdoor adventures for children aged 4 to11. Child £2 (plus normal admission charge).

No booking required. 11am-3pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Thursday April 2 SING-ALONG-A-FROZEN Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE, 01494 512000. Sing along with live host, booking required. 11.30am and 3.30pm. From £11. www.wycombeswan.co.uk Friday April 3 EASTER TRAIL Maidenhead and Cookham Commons, Pinkneys Green, SL6 6QD, 07818 427242. Follow the woodland trail to discover a chocolaty treat. Come and eggsplore the woodlands at Pinkneys Drive, hunt out and crack the clues to win an Easter treat. Collect your trail from one of the rangers any time between 11am and 3pm. £3. Well behaved dogs under close control welcome. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Friday April 3 to Monday 6 CADBURY’S EASTER EGG TRAIL Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA, 01628 605069. Take part in a special Easter trail, supported by Cadbury. Hunt for clues around Cliveden’s gardens and enjoy a Cadbury Chocolate Egghead prize. Child £3 (plus normal admission charge). No booking required. 11am-4pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Friday April 3 to Monday 6 DAY OUT WITH THOMAS Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, Aylesbury, HP22 4BY, 01296 655720. Thomas The Tank Engine-themed day.

10.30am-5.30pm. Adult £15, child £11, family £44.50, advance booking cheaper. www.bucksrailcentre.org Friday April 3 to Monday 6 EASTER EGG TRAIL Stowe Landscape Gardens, Stowe, Buckingham, MK18 5EQ, 01280 817156 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe Egg trail plus prize, all ages, drop-in. 10am-4pm. £2.50.

Friday April 3 to Monday 6 EASTER SPECIALS Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4ER 01844 353535. Chick hunt, egg for kids, hot cross bun for adults. Trains at 10.15am, 11.45am, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. www.chinnorrailway.co.uk

Friday April 3 to Monday 6 TRADITIONAL EASTER Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB, 01494 871117. Crafts, activities and games. 10am-5pm. Adult £9.50, child £6, under-4s free.

Saturday April 4 EASTER BONNET PARADE Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher, KT10 9JG, 01372 467806. Make or dust off your Easter bonnets and come to Claremont. Two prize categories, one for children and one for adults! More information: 01372 467806, claremont@nationaltrust.org.uk.

3-3.15pm. Usual entry fees apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Sunday April 5 and Monday 6 CADBURY’S EASTER EGG TRAIL Runnymede National Trust, Runnymede Estate Office, North Lodge, Old Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 2JL, 01784 432891. Fun for all the family in the riverside meadows and woodlands of Runnymede by the Thames. Activities include an Easter Egg Trail (about one mile) and a Design Your Own Egghead competition. 10.30am. Tickets £3 per trail. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Sunday April 5 EASTER MEAL Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa, Thames Street, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1PX. 01753 442400 Celebrate Easter with a three-course choice menu, live jazz music and an Easter Egg gift for every child. Adult £34.50, child (4-12 years) £16.95. www.sirchristopherwren.co.uk Monday April 6 FAMILY BARBECUE Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor Road, Windsor, SL4 5UR, 01753 609988. Family barbecue on the riverside lawns, noon-3pm. Weather permitting. No need to book, just turn up. Bouncy castle and giant garden games for kids. www.oakleycourt.co.uk Monday April 6 and Tuesday 7 THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. Louis Pearl amazes with square bubbles, giant bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles and even people inside bubbles! Suitable for all ages. 11.30am and 2pm. Tickets £8.50. www.nordenfarm.org Tuesday April 7 to Friday 10 HONK THE MUSICAL IN FOUR DAYS Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE, 01494 512000.

Workshop for ages 8-13, booking required. 10am-4pm. £150. www.wycombeswan.co.uk

APRIL Wednesday April 1 to Saturday September 12 MAIDENHEAD'S THAMES EXHIBITION Maidenhead Heritage Centre, 18 Park Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1SL, 01628 780555.

Summer exhibition will take you on a voyage of discovery along one the river from Cookham and Cliveden downstream to Maidenhead and Bray. Open 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday, and on the mornings of Maidenhead Farmers Markets. www.maidenheadheritage.org.uk/visit-the-centre Wednesdays April 1 and April 8 STEAMING DAY Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, Aylesbury, HP22 4BY, 01296 655720.

Free steam train rides, all ages. 10.30am-5.30pm. Adult £11, senior £10, child, £8, family £32. www.bucksrailcentre.org

Nearly New Sale Sunday 22nd March 11am‐3pm

Blossom Ballet

Music with Mummy Themed, fun music classes for children aged up to 5 years in small groups

Juniper Hill School, Churchill Close, Flackwell Heath HP10 9LA ● Lots of nearly new items including maternity wear, baby/child clothing, accessories, toys, basically everything you might need from pregnancy up to teenage years ● Lots of free parking ● Cash or Card payments accepted ● Cafe selling homemade cakes, tea and coffee ● Sorry, no pushchairs in the hall‐ but plenty of space to store them in our buggy park ● A selection of stalls selling brand new items relating to children and babies

For more details or a sellers pack email juniperpta@gmail.com

For a FREE taster class or for further information please contact Lucy:

07813084283 lucy@blossomballet.com www.blossomballet.com

Blossom Ballet

Jolly Babies – specially designed for babies under one year Jackie @ Windsor: 01344 301954 Caroline @ Ascot: 01753 850772 www.musicwithmummy.co.uk

is about having lots of fun and making new friends.

Classes throughout the week, including weekends, in Windsor, Birch Hill and Maidenhead.

24

FAMILIES Thames Valley East

MARCH/APRIL 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

TVE 77 16/02/2015 14:40 Page 25

What’s On

Compiled by Siobhan Newman Event times and dates do change. Please try and check that an event is still going ahead, before you head out.

Mrs McMoon's at Norden Farm, April 9-10

Wind in The Willows at The Firestation, Windsor, on April 12

My Friend Mole at Norden Farm on April 15

Tuesday April 7 to Tuesday 28 TUESDAY GARDEN TOURS Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA, 01628 605069. Discover the abundance of spring flowers throughout the gardens on a free guided tour. 2-3pm. First come, first served. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Tuesday April 7 to Monday 13 SPRING TRAIL Hughenden Manor, Hughenden, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755573. Spring-themed self-led trail, drop-in. 11am-4pm. £3. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/whats-on/events Wednesday April 8 SHOW US THE DANCE WORKSHOP Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE 01494 512000, 9-16yrs, booking required. 10am-4pm. £35. www.wycombeswan.co.uk Wednesday April 8 SIMPLY WALK Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common, SL2 3TE, 01753 647358. Meet at Information Point in Lord Mayor's Drive at 10.45am. New walkers welcome.

Arrive early to register.

Thursday April 9 and Friday 10 MRS MCMOON'S TEA PARTY Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997.

Join Mrs McMoon in her cosy old living room for a tea party full of mischief, surprise and laughter. Presented

by Worboys Productions, this is an immersive, interactive storytelling show. Suitable for ages 3+ and their families. 11.30am and 2pm. Tickets £8.50. www.nordenfarm.org Thursday April 9 and Friday 10 TREE CLIMBING Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA, 01628 605069. A tree-top adventure in Cliveden’s woodlands provided by The Big Tree Climbing Company. £17.50 per person for one hour (plus normal admission charges). Booking essential on 0844 249 1895. 10.30am-5pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden Friday April 10 EASTER ARTS & CRAFTS EGG-STRAVAGANZA Wycombe Swan, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE, 01494 512000.

5-7yrs, booking required. 10am-noon. £5. www.wycombeswan.co.uk Saturday April 11 COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS SHOW AND WORKSHOP Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival comes the Comedy Club 4 Kids, a proper comedy club where the best comedians perform their work without the swearing or the rude bits. For ages 6+. 2pm, tickets £10. Workshop for children aged 6+ at 11.30am, costing £22 including entry to the show. Suitable for ages 6+. www.nordenfarm.org Saturday April 11 WILDLIFE ON THE MOVE Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Station Approach, Station Road, Chinnor, Oxon, OX39 4ER, 01844 353535. Wildlife train ride with commentary, booking not required. Trains at 10.30am, noon, 1.30pm and 3pm. www.chinnorrailway.co.uk Sunday April 12 WIND IN THE WILLOWS Firestation Arts Centre, The Old Court, St Leonard's road, Windsor, SL4 3BL, 01753 866865. Spectacular musical adaptation of the classic tale by Kenneth Grahame, who lived in (and was inspired by) Cookham Dean. Join the boat-loving Ratty, the sensible yet curious Mole, wise old Badger and the fantastically irrepressible Toad. 3pm. Tickets £12, concessions £9. www.firestationartscentre.com

Tuesday April 14 to Friday 17 GREASE SING-ALONG Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. Trainee T-Birds and Pink Ladies, get ready to handjive and join in all the hits. 11.30am. Tickets £5. www.nordenfarm.org Wednesday April 15 MY FRIEND MOLE Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, 01628 788997. A tender tale of a very special friendship and the imagination, using live music, songs, storytelling and a rich visual language. Suitable for ages 3+. Tickets 8.50.

11.30am and 2pm. www.nordenfarm.org Saturday April 18 BLUEBELL WALK Waltham Place, Church Hill, White Waltham, Berkshire, SL6 3JH, 01628 825517. Start at the Ormandy Centre, Church Hill, White Waltham (opposite side of the road to the farm entrance). Adults £7, children (5-16) £3, under 5s free. 2pm. www.walthamplace.com Saturday April 18 and Sunday 19 FUN ON THE FARM: MEET THE LAMBS Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB, 01494 871117. Meet and learn about the lambs plus family crafts. 10am-5pm. Adult £9.50, child £6, under 4s free. www.coam.org.uk Sunday April 19 BOLSHOI BALLET – IVAN THE TERRIBLE Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF 01628 788997. Live screening.

Tickets £15. 4pm. www.nordenfarm.org Wednesday April 22 and Thursday 23 BEN AND HOLLY'S LITTLE KINGDOM The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA 0118 960 6060.

Magical musical adventure. Wednesday 1pm and 4pm, Thursday 10am and 1pm. Tickets £16.50, under 16s £14.50, family of four (max two adults) £58. www.thehexagon.co.uk Saturday April 25 CRAFT MARKET Hare Hatch Sheeplands, London Road, Hare Hatch, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9HW, 0118 940 1600. Art, glass, papercrafts, canal art, jewellery, silver, textiles, wood, cards, candles, objets d'art, photography and more.

9am-4pm.

Saturday April 25 DAWN CHORUS AND WALK Maidenhead and Cookham Commons, Pinkneys Green, Pinkneys Drive, Maidenhead, SL6 6QD, 07818 427242 (Mon-Fri). Local expert and author Brian Clews will guide you through a host of birdsong on this early morning stroll. 5.30am. A barbecue breakfast is provided afterwards. All tickets £16. Meet at National Trust car park, Henley Road, SL6 6Q. Booking essential on 0844 2491895. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Saturday April 25 GLOW IN THE PARK Dorney Lake, Off Court Lane, Dorney, SL4 6QP. Experience the thrill of running in the dark in the 5km run at the impressive Eton Dorney Rowing Lake. Don your brightest garb and try night running in this fun, safe and social environment. Bring your children and run and dance your way through the Glow Course – part run, part party. www.glowinthepark.co.uk Saturday April 25 NCT NEARLY NEW SALE Egham Leisure Centre,Vicarage Road, Egham, TW20 8NL, 01784 437695. Entry £1.50. 10.30am. For information email: nns.sae@nct.org.uk Sunday April 26 BLUEBELLS AND THE WONDERS OF THE WOODLAND GUIDED WALK Runnymede National Trust, North Lodge, Old Windsor, SL4 2JL, 01784 432891. One-mile walk through a swathe of bluebells. 11am. Booking essential.

Adult £5, child £2.50. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sunday April 26 OPEN GARDEN The Odney Club, Odney Lane, Cookham, SL6 9QH, 01628 520160.Visit the beautiful gardens of the club owned by the John Lewis Partnership. Dogs welcome. Teas available. £4.50, children free. Share to Thames Valley Adventure Playground. 2-6pm.

Sunday April 26 RIDGE OFF-ROADER Bledlow Ridge School, Church Lane, Bledlow Ridge, Bucks, HP14 4AZ. Run through Bledlow Ridge and the Chiltern hills in aid of the Bledlow Ridge School Charity. www.ridgeoffroader.co.uk Wednesday April 29 DISCOVER ASCOT RACEDAY Ascot Racecourse, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7JX, 0844 346 3000. Free grandstand entry to celebrate the first day of the season, children free too. Premier admission £11 in advance. Times to be confirmed. www.ascot.co.uk Friday May 1 MORRIS DANCING DISPLAY WITH BREAKFAST Runnymede National Trust, Runnymede Estate Office, North Lodge, Old Windsor, SL4 2JL 01784 432891. Watch the sunrise and the Datchet morris dancers before enjoying a cooked breakfast in the Magna Carta tearoom. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Saturday May 2 to Sunday 17 COOKHAM FESTIVAL Cookham Moor, The Moor, Cookham, SL6 9SB Arts and events taking place all over Cookham, starting with Strictly Cookham dance workshop on Friday, April 24, with the official programme running from May 2 to 17, including People's Shakespeare, Let's Rock the Moor, activities, sculpture walks and more. www.cookhamfestival.org.uk Saturday May 2 to Sunday 17 SCULPTURE GARDEN Odney Club, Odney Lane, Cookham, SL6 9QH 01628 520160 www.barngalleries.com A wonderful day out for families as part of the Cookham Festival, strolling along the riverside and exploring the gardens.View ad buy work by more than 30 sculptors.

Children’s quiz on the sculptures. 10am-5pm. £2 adults, children free. Refreshments available. www.barngalleries.com Saturdays May 2, 9 and 16 DAWN CHORUS WITH BREAKFAST Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, SL6 0JA, 01628 605069.

Experience Cliveden as it comes to life. Finish in the National Trust Orangery Café with a full English breakfast (vegetarian options available). Information: Jess Darwin 01628 605069, jess.darwin@nationaltrust.org.uk. Booking essential 0844 249 1895. Meet Information Centre in main car park. Suitable for children, but same price of £25 applies. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Monday May 4 WINDSOR RACECOURSE FAMILY FUN DAY Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, SL4 5JJ, 01753 498400. See Peppa Pig and George with loads of free fun activities for children of all ages. Come early and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere, free face painting plus children’s entertainer and fun fair. Entrance is free for racegoers under 18 when accompanied by an adult. www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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TVE 77 16/02/2015 14:40 Page 26

Competitions and Offers with WIN ONE OF FIVE STYLISH MUM’S

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO THE

NOTES JOURNALS FROM MUM’S OFFICE

LOOK OUT DISCOVERY CENTRE

We have FIVE gorgeous MUM’s Notes luxury journals to give away courtesy of parenting stationery specialist MUM’s Office.

Suitable for mums of all ages, you could win a stunning MUM’s Notes journal in peppermint, raspberry, blackberry or silver with reptile-effect hardback covers. A beautiful selfindulgent journal designed to record anything and everything in your life from thoughts and daydreams, inspirations, special projects in the home or garden, words to remember, quotes of the day and more.

MUM’s Notes makes the perfect gift or selfindulgent treat and is a great keepsake ideal for storing treasured memories. It has two grosgrain ribbon page markers, contains 128 beautifully thick white pages with gorgeous silver gilt to the page edges. A blank page for jottings, notes and drawings and a lined facing page for writing.

MUM’s Notes is £12.95 and is available to purchase from www.mumsoffice.co.uk To win this prize please go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions

We have two family tickets (two adults, two children) to giveaway for The Look Out Discovery Centre in Bracknell.

It is a great place to visit for all the family. There are over 90 hands-on science and nature activities, mostly geared towards under-12’s. However, there is something for all ages! Come and play the light harp or build a body! Can you really leave your shadow on the wall? Make a mini animation, build an unfinished house, launch the hot air balloon or create circuits (plus, much more).

The centre is set in 1,000 hectares of Swinley Forest with trails and walks, a fantastic adventure play area, picnic area, gift and coffee shops. Open daily from 10am -5pm (except 24th-26th December). Just off J3, M3 or J10, M4 (opposite Coral Reef). To find out more go to www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be For your chance to win a family ticket go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions

WIN TICKETS TO ODDS FARM PARK THIS EASTER!

WIN HALF A TERM OF PRESCHOOL LANGUAGE CLASSES WITH BILINGUASING To celebrate the launch of new classes in 2015, BilinguaSing is offering readers the chance to win a half term (6 weeks) of bilingual music classes in Windsor, Bracknell or Farnham Royal.

BilinguaSing is a class for Mums, Dads and little ones to learn another language together in a fun and engaging way.

Familiar nursery rhymes are learnt in both Spanish or French and English and are accompanied by a variety of fun movements and lovely props to stimulate the senses.

Their 'Baby Loves Spanish/French' classes are suitable for babies (from one month old) and incorporate relaxing sensory elements and techniques inspired by baby yoga and massage. Their 'We Sing Spanish/French' sessions are for toddlers / pre-schoolers and are super active and lots of fun!

For more information or to book a FREE TRIAL visit www.bilinguasing.com To win this great prize go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions

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Guaranteed to give you the Ahhhh factor, there's plenty of Family Fun this Easter at Odds Farm Park and we have 3 Entry Tickets for 2 Adults and 2 Children to give away!

From 30 March until 19 April, children can solve the Spring Trail around the farm and earn a Yummy Treat, Bottle Feed Lambs and, back for 2015, board the daily Tractor & Trailer Rides* for a fun tour of the farm. Plus, with plenty of ewes due to lamb, you may be lucky and see one born!

Elsewhere, you’ll love to meet the farmers and get extra close to the animals in the Undercover Animal Barns! Stroke bunnies, hand feed goats and sheep, meet cheeky pigs and take part in the Daily Animal Activities Programme.

Within the Giant Indoor Playbarn, you’ll find a massive adventure play area including a 4 lane Astra Slide, 2 large drop slides, a netted area with zig zag chicanes & tunnels, swinging ropes and much more. With special Toddler and Under 5’s areas, there’s bags of fun for all ages. And adults can relax too with a delicious speciality coffee from the fantastic Espresso Bar! Combined with the outdoor play, including the Adventure Maze, Go-Karts, Log Play Areas, Sand & Water Play and Crazy Golf, there’s so much to do.

Award winning Odds Farm Park is located just minutes from Junction 2 of the M40, near Beaconsfield. For full details, visitors should call 01628 520188 or visit www.oddsfarm.co.uk. *(April-October, Weather Permitting).

To win this great prize go to www.familiestveast.co.uk/competitions

MARCH/APRIL 2015

E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

TVE 77 16/02/2015 14:40 Page 27

“Help – my child is too big for the naughty step!”

Parenting

By Dr Lucy Russell Thanks to programmes like “Supernanny”, everyone has heard of the naughty step. It is what you do when your child has a tantrum and kicks her little brother, isn’t it?! This article aims to bust some misconceptions about this method, and in doing so, help provide some practical tips for helping with difficult behaviours as your child gets older.

What is the purpose of the naughty step/time-out step method?

Unfortunately, the message about this method has got a bit confused. When a child is behaving badly, two separate things may need to be provided.

1. S/he may need to calm down.

2. S/he may require a consequence for their actions, to help ensure the behaviour doesn’t happen again.

Calming down A step or corner is intended to help calm a child down. It should never be confused with a consequence or punishment, as it simply won’t work. A child has powerful emotions which they cannot manage or control when they are little. Time out helps teach her how to contain it. So we must remove all reference to naughtiness. Now we know that time out is about the child learning to handle emotions, we can see that there is no need to remove yourself from the room or leave a child alone.

You need to be present to help her learn these essential life skills.

He needs to be removed from the situation where he is having a screaming fit and may injure himself or someone else, and the time out corner/step serves this purpose. However, we also need to teach practical strategies for calming. Whilst on the step, he can do some deep breathing, while counting the breaths on his fingers. This helps slow down the heart rate, and reduce the overwhelming effects of “stress chemicals” adrenaline and cortisol, which tend to flood the body when a child is overwhelmed by emotion. To similar effect, he could massage a teddy, his own hand, or sing through a favourite song.

You will need to spend some time practising these methods when your child is calm, and at first you will also need to sit with her while she is on the step. So now you can see the true purpose of time-out, you may be able to see how it can be easily adapted for an older child.

It will no longer be appropriate to remove them physically from the situation, but you need to take her to a quiet place or if all else fails, remove everybody else from the room, to prevent others getting hurt. Then, use the same strategies to teach the child how to contain her emotion. Sit quietly with her until she has calmed enough to do some of the strategies you have been practising with her, such as deep breathing, hand massage or singing. Your child may also develop his own strategies, such as listening to a particular piece of music on his iPod. Or teach your child mindfulness. “Still Quiet Place” by American doctor Amy Salzman, is a series of mindfulness CDs and books for both children and teenagers, which come highly recommended.

Consequences Once a child is old enough to understand the principle of consequences for an action (four or five, approximately), a consequence is useful in making it clear that a behaviour is not acceptable, and deterring a child from doing it again in the future. This should be approached completely separately from time out.

• If a child has thumped his sister but is calm, he does not need time out but does need a consequence.

• If he is beside himself with anger and kicking his legs on the floor, he needs time out to prevent anyone getting hurt and help him calm down, but he doesn’t need a consequence as he hasn’t caused harm to anyone or anything.

• If he is in a rage and has lashed out in anger, then it would be appropriate to follow the time-out route and apply a consequence.

Consequences must be all about teaching a child how to behave, and never about shaming or humiliating. Therefore, they must be in proportion to the behaviour, they must have a clear end-point, and once this end-point has been reached, everyone must move on and forgive. For children under nine or ten years of age, consequences must be immediate, otherwise the child will not be able to connect their behaviour with the consequence. Suitable consequences might include, not allowing your child to watch her favourite programme that day, or missing an activity that was planned. For an older child who can “delay gratification” you may reduce their pocket money allowance or remove a toy for a specific length of time. It must be one they play regularly on e.g. Wii or Playstation, but not one they are emotionally attached to. One golden rule is never to remove something that nurtures your child, such as a bedtime story, as this may be felt very personally. At the end of the day you are aiming to attack the behaviour, not the child.

Dr Lucy Russell is a Clinical Psychologist at Everlief Child Psychology in West Wycombe.

For an informal discussion, or to make an appointment, call Mike or Hayley on 01494 521332, email contactus@everlief.co.uk or visit www.everlief.co.uk.

Eva Winter Osteopath BSc (Hons), DPO • Providing safe and effective hands-on treatment for adults, children and babies • Vitality Osteopaths, 1st Floor 36 West Street, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2NB

For more information T: 01494 482028 M: 07776 448700 E: evaosteopathy@gmail.com W: evawinter.co.uk Registered with the General Osteopathic Council, British Osteopathic Association and Alumni for Paediatric Osteopathy

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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Ed’s Reading Room Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere!

I’m Ed and here is my Spring book selection for you to enjoy. The books are all available online and from good bookstores.

Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools.

For Ages 5 to 7 years My Hamster is a Detective

by Dave Lowe (Templar £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Ben is hoping to have an adventure with his genius hamster Stinky. The Tenacious Two don’t have to wait long for a mystery to solve when Delilah the kitten is cat-napped – and a neighbour’s cat also disappears. But will the ransom notes hold the clues the detective duo need and will they be able to carry out their cunning plan without their secret that Stinky can talk being discovered?

‘This is the latest hilarious story about Ben and Stinky. It is entertaining from start to finish and is complemented by amusing illustrations.’

For Ages 7 years plus The No 1 Car Spotter Goes to School by Atinuke (Walker Books £4.99)

Cakes in Space

by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre (Oxford £8.99)

A Whisper of Wolves by Kris Humphrey (Stripes £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘No 1 learns a lot from life around him in the African bush and especially from his grandfather. When he and his best friend Coca-Cola meet a young American boy they realise how different their lives are. No 1 dreams of going to school and is thrilled when the opportunity arises but he now has much less time with his grandfather – and some things he can only learn from his grandfather, sitting under the iroko tree.

ED SAYS: ‘Astra is travelling through space to her family’s new home in Nova Mundi, so far from Earth that it will take them 199 years to get there. The idea that the Nom-O-Tron Food Synthesizer can create any food is rather appealing to Astra. But when Astra asks for the most amazing cake ever, so delicious that it’s scary, she doesn’t realise how scary life could become.

Can she and her robot friend Pilbeam save the spaceship from complete destruction by so many cakey fiends?

ED SAYS: ‘A long time has passed since the kingdom of Meridina was invaded by the evil Narlaw but it seems that these sinister beings are approaching. Only the guardians of the wild, the Whisperers and their animal companions, have any hope of defending the realm. Will Alice and her wolf friend Storm be able to protect Meridina with the help of the other Whisperers before time runs out?

‘This is a delightful book about a charming character, with super illustrations. It is a gently humorous story, itself illustrating the power of storytelling.’

‘This is an exciting book with super characters that will delight boys and girls alike. It is a real page-turner with fantastic illustrations throughout.’

‘This is a brilliant story – mysterious and atmospheric with fantastic characters. It is the first of a new series so look out for the next Guardians of the Wild book.’

Ed’s Reading Room is part of www.edontheweb.com, a DTI award-winning website. It was created by Maggie Humphreys, a teacher of more than 25 years, and Les Snowdon, who together are authors of several books on fitness walking and healthy eating. You are very welcome to contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or by email at maggiehumphreys@aol.com.

Toddler Parties

The winner of Ed’s New Year Competition was William Nawn.

Congratulations William!

A Toddler Party at The Marlow Club ensures a great time for children, and a stress free experience for parents!

Age appropriate toys and resources are available to entertain your children, leaving you free to enjoy the party with no mess to your home!

Available Saturdays & Sundays from 12pm, For more information please contact carol@themarlowclub.co.uk Enjoy life. Enjoy The Marlow Club the marlow club.co.uk The Marlow Club | Globe Park | Fieldhouse Lane | Marlow | Bucks | SL7 1LU

01628 475709

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E-mail: editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk

TVE 77 16/02/2015 14:40 Page 29

Baby play is not just for fun!

By Lynne Murray Whilst playing with your baby can be fun, it is not at all trivial. It is one of the main ways in which babies engage with other people, and a fundamental means of developing their social understanding. ow babies play, and the way in which parents can support their play, changes dramatically during their first two years of life. Babies generally become playful from around six weeks, when they start to smile, vocalise and show deliberate facial movements and expressions.

Parents typically find themselves imitating these baby signals, or reacting to them with stereotyped, exaggerated expressions called ‘marking’. These responses are largely automatic, and they help the baby maintain his positive mood and stay engaged. These early exchanges are like ‘conversations,’ and they are a very basic way for babies to sense the connection between their experience and that of someone else - one of the basic building blocks of social understanding.

By around four or five months, a baby’s vision has improved and he or she can focus on things at a distance, and also start to reach out and grab things. These developments mean that a baby’s interests expand, and the previous, purely social, face-to-face play loses its attraction. This can be disconcerting for parents, as they search for new strategies with which to engage their baby.

This is a stage when body games, like ‘pat-a-cake,’ or ‘round and round the garden’ come into their own. Babies quickly become familiar with the different steps of such games, and most of their pleasure comes from the sense of anticipation and climax. These games, and supporting babies play with toys, represent a new form of social relating for the baby - one where play is about a ‘topic’ that baby and parent share together.

Although babies and parents enjoy these body games and toy play, they can also feel something of a ‘one-way-street’ for parents, since the baby typically doesn’t show great interest in the parent themselves. This situation changes from around nine months, as relationships shift from being ‘topic-based’ to being more genuinely two-way and connected. Now, babies notice more of what their parents are doing, and will typically want to join in and even, in their own way, ‘help.’ They start to follow simple suggestions, and swap roles with their parent in games like ‘peek-aboo.’ With this change, parents sometimes feel as if their baby has now become a ‘real’ person, and play can become easier and more satisfying.

This more connected phase culminates in the development of genuinely co-operative behaviour and more mature social understanding from around eighteen months, when babies can appreciate that other people

Bumps ‘n’ Babes have different experiences from their own, as well as different likes and dislikes. These developments are assisted when parents engage in pretend play, which can support the baby in thinking about the experience of, say, doll characters. Talking about people’s experiences and their feelings, and the reasons for them, either during play or during activities such as sharing picture books, are also important ways for parents to support the growing social understanding of their baby.

H

Lynne Murray is Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Reading, and author of The Psychology of Babies: How Relationships Support Development from Birth to Two (Constable & Robinson 2014), in which more information on play, as well as other aspects of babies’ development, is provided.

!

EW

N

Telephone: 01628 627 586

So don’t feel that when you are playing with your baby that you are somehow wasting time.You are teaching your baby to become a sociable being!

SPANISH and FRENCH music Classes Windsor - Bracknell - Ascot - Farnham Royal - Maidenhead - Reading - Wokingham

* FIRST CLASS FREE * No foreign language knowledge needed, learn with your little one!

For babies, toddlers & young children info@bilinguasing.com • www.bilinguasing.com

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Mums Who Mean Business After the birth of her son, Louise Lithgow-Dicker used her HR skills and experience to set up her own business, creating a job that fits around family life.

Who you are and where do you live?

My name is Louise Lithgow-Dicker and I live in Cookham with my husband and two children, Alice who is 5 and Henry who is 17 months. We have lived in Cookham for almost 3 years since moving from Birmingham.

Why you set up the business/or why have you changed career?

I have set up a HR Consultancy called Go HR, www.gohr.co.uk. I was made redundant whilst on maternity leave with my son and felt it was a sign to do something new that would enable me to spend time with my family, go to school plays and do the school run. I have worked in corporate HR for over 20 years and decided that I could

Stagecoach Easter Camp booking now!

From April 13 to 17, for ages 4 to 16 years.

Ages 6-16, 10am to 4pm - £125 (sibling £62.50) Ages 4 to 6, 9.30am to 12.30pm - £60 (sibling £30) Call Sarah to book your place 01189 591 336 www.stagecoach.co.uk/ maidenhead

BOOK NOW for advertising in our May/June Issue - Due out May 1 email: editor@Families TVEast.co.uk

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Come and talk to one of our specialist Family Law solicitors about a tailor-made solution so your family can find a way to move on with as little pain as possible.

To arrange a £50 fixed-fee initial meeting, please call 01628 631051 or email selena.ludick@colemans.co.uk or elizabeth.miles@colemans.co.uk

21 Marlow Road, Maidenhead SL6 7AA www.colemans.co.uk

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FAMILIES Thames Valley East

put all the great experience I have to use supporting local businesses.

What did you use to do?

I have worked in Senior HR positions in Vodafone, Astra Zeneca, Yellow Pages, The National Exhibition Group, Inchcape Retail, with my last role working in Media with SIS Live (a Broadcast company). I worked really hard to get experience across many different industries, so that I could one day set up and work for myself and now I am doing exactly that. I have moved all over the UK with work so it is great now to be able to focus on my local market place and make a real difference in the local communities supporting great local businesses.

What inspired you to set up the business?

I have always offered support to anyone who has asked HR related questions and really enjoy working with people. There are lots of businesses that don’t have a HR Department but still come across the same people management challenges as big corporates. I can use the knowledge that I have gained to really support businesses and be a cost effective partner, working as their virtual HR Department. Go HR for companies really is ‘Your HR department Rimu Marketing was born last year, after a redundancy made Sophie Comas re-evaluate what she wanted from her working life.

Who are you and where do you live?

I am Sophie Comas, I live in Windsor with my husband and our two children Emilio and Xavier. I am a Freelance Marketing Consultant, specialising in working with small/ medium size business owners who have a drive and passion to make their business succeed.

Why did you set up the business?

I set up Rimu Marketing in April 2014 after being made redundant from my corporate life. We parted on good terms and it was the right thing for me to do, I had been searching for my next challenge and this gave me the opportunity to go and find it. After some investigating with the help of an out placement agency I came to the conclusion that I still loved marketing. I wanted flexibility to work around my family and most importantly to help small businesses to succeed. Thus Rimu Marketing was established.

What did you use to do?

I used to work in blue chip travel and leisure sector corporate marketing teams. I have had some amazing experiences, visited some great places and learned a lot from some really inspirational people. I love marketing and the creativity that comes with it.

What inspired you to set up the business?

After I had been made redundant, I had a conversation with a good friend of mine and I was explaining the dilemmas I was facing with what to do next. A small business owner herself she said that she would love some help with her marketing. It took some time for me to take the plunge and to finally set up the business but I am so glad I did. I have met some truly inspirational people on my journey so far and I now go to work happy that I am, for at least the majority of the time, able to see

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Classifieds when you need it’. As I am independent I can tailor my support to the business’ specific needs and support them to be legally compliant with the vast amount of employment legislation that is out there, that at times can be very confusing for small businesses.

What are your plans for the future?

My aim is to grow the business, I am still within my first year of setting up, so getting my company name out there is vital so that I can provide support to businesses across the Thames Valley area and balance that with being a great Mom. I am a career minded woman who is striving to be a positive role model for my children.

Getting the balance right is vital to me - I really enjoy being in businesses and supporting local companies whilst enjoying family time with my children.

my children and be there to watch them grow up. And at the same time do something that I really enjoy.

What are your future plans?

Last year for me was about doing something different! Which I achieved, I did 12 different projects in as many months. This year is all about building the business, but starting to focus on the key leisure, travel, children focused and lifestyle industries which I love to work with, but most importantly where I feel I can bring most value. I am essentially a “Virtual Marketing Manager” and can help any passionate small businesses with their marketing from setting their Marketing Strategy, PR, Email Campaigns, Social Media PLUS much more. I also plan to build on some great workshops that I have run recently, so please watch this space – get in touch to find out more.

I offer a FREE 60-minute consultation for any business serious about getting their Marketing to work effectively for them and to drive their business forward. To find out more visit www.rimumarketing.co.uk or to get in touch email: sophie@rimumarketing.co.uk.

Maidenhead mum, Zoe Masters, took the plunge after the birth of her kids, and following a life-long interest, re-trained as a hairdresser.

Who are you and where do you live?

My name is Zoe Masters and I am 37 years old.

I live in Maidenhead with my beautiful children, Lola 8 and Ted 4 Why have you changed your career?

I have been a full time mum since Lola was born and have thoroughly enjoyed my time with both my children but Ted starts school in September, so I felt it was time to do something for me, and our future as a family. I have always been interested in hairdressing but thought I had left it too late to start it as a career. I love being creative and have never been able to fulfill this with previous jobs but with hairdressing I'm able to.

What did you use to do?

I used to work as an estate agent in Maidenhead and then before I had Lola and Ted I worked for a private company in Henley caring for people in their own homes.

What inspired you to set up the business?

After not working for 8 years I had felt like I had lost a lot of confidence and the thought of not only going out to work again but starting training and a whole new career was terrifying.

Two of my friends are hairdressers and they both gave me great advice, support and inspired me to go for it! I am very lucky to have amazing family and friends who supported and helped me and made it possible to do the training I needed.

I did my training at The London Hair Academy in Shoreditch. The whole experience was fantastic, I met some lovely people and for the first time in a long time I was called Zoe, not Lola or Teds mummy!

What are your plans for the future?

Since graduating from the academy I have been lucky enough to get a job at Elements, a new Aveda salon in Henley on Thames. I am learning new things every day with my fantastic new colleagues/friends and just want to keep moving forward on this exciting new path I have found.

I always need models and would love for people to come over to Henley for a haircut. Please contact me to arrange an appointment at Elements 01491 412166

Doudouclass

Candle-making parties for children and grown-ups! www.candlebyparties.co.uk

Tel: 01628 947224

Tuition: Provided by a qualified and dedicated tutor.

Choose from: 11 plus Verbal/ Non-Verbal Reasoning, Common Entrance Exam, GCSE, Sciences and much more.

Tel: 01628 637008 or 07887 936484

MM Popcorn and Hotdog Hire

Local commercial popcorn and hotdog machine to hire perfect for school fairs, christenings, community events, children’s parties From £80 machine hire only or £120 staffed option

Call us on 07415 746 196 www.mm‐popcorn‐hire.co.uk

Maidenhead Chinese School

Mandarin classes for adults and children from 3.5 years old onwards EVERY SAT 1:30pm to 2:30pm Old Vic house, St Mary's Church SL61YY

Email:doudouclass@gmail.com

Call: 07979105918 Or: 07538820819 www.Doudouclass.co.uk

Telephone: 01628 627 586

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