Under 5s activity guide

from Families West Kent Jan/Feb 2019

by Families Magazine

What's Ons Jan/Feb

BUMPS AND BABIES

Playgroup sows the seeds of kindness

A much-loved grandfather was the inspiration for an intergenerational playgroup which is based in two nursing homes.

Alfie’s Acorns is named after founder Laura Clout’s late grandfather Alfred Davis.

Laura explained:“He spent his last months at Rockdale Nursing Home in Sevenoaks and I watched the way the residents lit up when my youngest two boys would visit him every week, and was inspired to look for a venue for an intergenerational playgroup.”

She set up the group two years ago and it ran in Borough Green until earlier this year, when it moved to Lavender Fields in Seal near Sevenoaks, every Monday from 10-12noon.

Laura’s sister Gemma co-runs

the group there and they bring their two youngest children along.

Danielle Gostling runs another branch of the group from 10-12noon every Tuesday at Gloucester House Care Home in central Sevenoaks.

At both groups, which are free, parents or carers bring their children for singing and crafts. The residents can come and go as they please, often joining in with the activities alongside the kids.

She adds: “At Lavender Fields I also bring along some Year 3 pupils from St Lawrence School in Stone Street every other week to play board games with the residents. This fosters a different sort of interaction to that between the residents and toddlers, and all parties really enjoy it.”

Alfie’s Acorns meets at Lavender Fields Care Home, High Street Seal, Sevenoaks, TN15 0AE on Mondays 10 -12noon and Gloucester House, Lansdowne Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3XU on Tuesdays 10-12noon.

Any age children are welcome. The groups normally meet in school holidays unless otherwise stated on the Facebook page Alfie’s Acorns (Intergenerational Playgroup) so please check the page before setting out.

You can also contact Laura on lauraclout@yahoo.co.uk

Parents’ guide to play cafes and play centres for Tinies

Getting out and about with babies and toddlers can be very difficult but worth the effort for mum and child. Here are a selection of simple, lower cost venues to suit all budgets. Please do check details on websites ahead of setting out to avoid disappointment.

Cafes with play areas

The Coffee Beam cafe at Pegasus Gymnastics Maidstone www.facebook.com/The Coffee Beam 01622 688719 The Little Play Café, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells (extra activities at different times, some paid, see website) www.thelittleplaycafe.co.uk Alice’s Tea Shop, Sevenoaks (toys and books area) www.alicessevenoaks.co.uk Café at Sencio Leisure Centre, Sevenoaks (small playframe and ballpool) www.sencio.org.uk NEW Babycino café Tunbridge Wells (play area) www.babycinocafe.co.uk Café at Hope Church, Sevenoaks. For preschool parents, every Tuesday 9.30-12noon plus Kent Baby Matters breastfeeding support session and meet up (Kent Sling Library) on Friday mornings 9.30-11.30am. www.hopechurch7oaks.org Baby Cafe, Tunbridge Wells (NCT) term times only Mondays 10am to 12noon at Manna Cafe, Christ Church www.thebabycafe.org

Play centres

Hartfield Early Education Sevenoaks (entry fee, booking may be required) www.hartfield.org.uk Soft Play Café at Sevenoaks Rugby Club (small entry fee) www.thesoftplaycafe.co.uk The Little Play Café, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells (see above) Pre School Bounce soft play at Angel Centre, Tonbridge (entry fee) http://www.tmactive.co.uk/ juniors/soft-play Larkabout Soft Play at Larkfield Leisure Centre, Aylesford (entry fee) www.tmactive.co.uk/juniors/ soft-play Soft Play centre at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre (entry fee) www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/ tunbridge-wells-sports-centre Polar Adventure Play Centre at Maidstone Leisure Centre with

Under 5s area (entry fee) www.maidstoneleisure.com Soft play/inflatables sessions for toddlers at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre (paid sessions) www.sencio.org.uk Free soft play on Fridays at Tunbridge Wells Library (term-time only) 11am -12noon. Visit Facebook page Tunbridge Wells Libraries

Library fun:

Free activities in local libraries can get you through a rainy morning with a baby or pre-schooler! Check out the Facebook pages for the posts about regular sessions such as Bounce and Rhyme sessions and special events.

Meet Up Groups

Mummy Meet up Kent A mummy and child meet up group that offers a weekly schedule of meet ups at different venues across west Kent. www.mummymeetupkent.co.uk Email mummymeetupkent@ outlook.com NCT groups for your area - Find on Facebook or look up on the NCT website, for coffee mornings, events, lunches, walks, sales and social events. www.nct.org.uk

Self care

Nourished Mums This Facebook community was created to encourage mums to remember to care for themselves. It’s a free-to-join group full of tools and tips for realistic self-care, a resilient mindset and effective stress reduction, as well as the support of hundreds of other mums. Search “Nourished Mums” on Facebook to join. Set up by Silke Thistlewood of The Massage Practice in Tonbridge.

4 Families West Kent January/February 2019 www.familiesonline.co.uk

yoohoo is a West Kent based speech and language therapy practice, passionate about helping families support their children.

Their mission is to ensure that every child can enjoy the gift of speech and have the freedom to express themselves confidently and creatively with language.

Their service is divided into two areas: yoohoo speech and language therapy including new Chatty Magpie classes for preschool children, and yoohoo resources. yoohoo speech and language therapy provides assessments, direct therapy and training to families, schools and nurseries to enhance speech, language and communication development in children.

Speech and language therapist Suzanne Bachelor and colleague Lucy Bailey blend a down-to-earth approach with a combined 36 years’ clinical experience and are known for their tailor-made presentation styles that engage children, parents, teachers and assistants alike. yoohoo resources offer a range of uniquely designed speech and language therapy products. Devised by speech and language therapist Suzanne and graphic designer Jo

EARLY YEARS

A Helping Hand with Talking

Smith, these are for everyone from therapists to teachers and parents.

Jo teamed up with Suzanne after they met when Suzanne was helping Jo’s daughter. Through the use of fun, creative and personalised therapy games Jo’s daughter flourished, gaining more and more confidence as her speech sound skills developed. A partnership was born.

Now yoohoo has launched Chatty Magpie Classes –

engaging 45-minute classes which run every week within school hours during term-time. Based in Hildenborough, the classes use yoohoo’s Chatty Magpie mighty box of fun.

Designed by Suzanne and run by Early Years Practitioner Beth, the class will engage parent and child in exciting activities that are individualised for each child’s needs.

As part of the class cost each child will be given their own

Chatty Magpie box. This can be used at home to consolidate the skills learned within each class.

These help to develop essential skills for preschool children:

✱ Shared focus – vital for learning

✱ Taking turns – critical for playing and interacting

✱ Memory skills – crucial for retaining facts and literacy

✱ Vocabulary – imperative for communication

Parents and therapists can also read useful blogs on the yoohoo website about children’s speech and language development, discover yoohoo’s top tips, learn about glue ear and have therapy tools explained.

Please visit yoohoo’s website www.yoohoo.org.uk for information on the classes and the yoohoo resources.

Sutton Valence Prep School – 50-week Nursery

Sutton Valence Preparatory School is delighted to announce the launch of a new 50-week Nursery from January 2019.

The School has a history of providing outstanding education and exceptional nursery care in stunning surroundings. The safe and nurturing environment enables children to play, learn and develop their skills with growing confidence.

Our partnership with parents facilitates a smooth transition from home to Nursery and the 7.30am – 6pm wrap-around care supports working families during the first important

steps into education.

There will be a morning bus service from Headcorn station (subject to demand) and government-funded free entitlement sessions will be available (15-hour and a limited number of 30-hour arrangements). Children may start in the term that they turn three.

To learn more, please contact Abigail Betts, email bettsa@svs.org.uk, 01622 842117, or come to our next Open Morning on Friday March 15. www.svs.org.uk

Bishops Down Preschool and Nursery

Bishops Down Nursery, Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SU We’ve Got you Covered Nursery Sessions: 8.45am to 3.30pm Breakfast Club from 7.30am After School Club until 6.00pm Holiday Play Schemes during all school holidays

● From Age 3

● 30 hours Funding Available

● Cooked School Dinners

● Beautiful Outdoor Space

● Qualified Teacher led

● Forest School

● Extra Buy In Sessions available

Support your child with essential skills for learning

yoohoo, speech and language therapy practice, are running Chatty Magpie Classes within the Tonbridge area to support families with children 3 years and up.

Classes are led by an experienced early years practitioner and use enjoyable, engaging activities from yoohoo’s Chatty Magpie. To find out more please visit the classes page on our website www.yoohoo.org.uk

BISHOPS DOWN NURSERY SCHOOL Call Jo Sheldon on 01892 520114 - Open Sessions thoughout the year or private tours available. office@bishops-down.kent.sch.uk www.bishopsdownprimary.org