Jolly Tots Issue 27 Autumn 2014 by Jolly Tots Magazine

& D W VE NEPRO IM

J y Toʦ

AUTUMN 2014 www.jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

YOUR FREE GUIDE FROM PREGNANCY TO PRE-SCHOOL

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY! Inside: Expert advice and creative ideas for making happy holiday memories PLUS!

FAMILY HEALTH & WELLBEING FEEL-GOOD IDEAS FOR MUMS EXPERT EARLY LEARNING TIPS ACTIVITIES TO DO TODAY

CREATE & MAKE

SEASONAL CRAFTS HOMEMADE TREATS CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

PLACES TO GO

GREAT DAYS OUT & FULL LISTINGS FOR YOUR LOCAL AREA

WIN! A FANTASTIC

FAMILY DAY OUT AT CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURE

NEWBORN, BABY, CHILDREN & FAMILY PHOTO SESSIONS IN YOUR HOME

Capture the milestones & the memories Now booking for 2015 due dates for newborns, baby’s ﬁrst year, cake smashes, maternity, family fun shoots and portrait mini sessions Contact Caroline for details: 0770 3274439 www.carolineannphotography.co.uk

Autumn 2014

Welcome to the new & improved Jolly Tots... Welcome to the autumn 2014 issue of Jolly Tots magazine. Not only do we have an all-new look, and an array of new features offering you ideas and inspiration to create unforgettable family moments, but we’ve a completely new team. Our trusted experts specialise in sleep, health, education, play and great days out – the full spectrum of fun that enriches the precious time families share. We’ve fantastic articles, too, bursting with arts and crafts ideas for you to try this fall and in the run up to Christmas, along with recipes and homemade gift tutorials to help your budget go further. There’s expert health advice on ways to build your family’s resilience to winter bugs and an amazing competition in association with Nick Jr. Poppy Cat! Fancy a fun family day out at Chessington World of Adventures, then look no further than page 4. We’ve introduced some regular sections, too, so every issue you can benefit from age-appropriate activities as well as advice on education and behaviour from our experts and like-minded parents. This issue, find out how to develop your child through reading (p15), the best sleeping routine for babies (p9) and ways to manage biters (p11). Don’t miss Smile – our section just for mums – our local listings and adverts that are full of ideas of what to do and where to go, as well as our new website that has all this and more (www.jollytotsmagazine.co.uk). We hope you enjoy!

Caroline Schmidt Editor/Owner editor@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk 07980 128388

Meet the team

Victoria McAuley-Eccles

Tina Southwood

Sally Tilley

Art teacher & creative genius Mum to Teddy, 18 months, and Harrison, 6, Victoria is a full-time art teacher and the most creative person I’ve ever met! Enjoy her fantastic tutorials and ideas in our arts & crafts sections.

Sleep specialist Expert advice for helping your little ones sleep through the night is at hand with Tina on our team. Have your questions answered and read her suggested routines on page 9.

NHS Health Visitor Registered nurse and Health Visitor for NHS Cambridgeshire, Sally shares her expertise on how to keep your family healthy this winter and offers safe sleeping advice on pages 9 & 12.

Ashley Roberts

Abigail Briggs

Kimberly Temple

Nursery teacher Want to know how to make your activities more educational and how to nurture the development of you child? Ashley, from St Neots Orchard’s Day Nursery, offers suggestions on page 15.

Midwife For all our pregnant and new mum readers, Abigail is here to answer your questions, put rest your fears and help prepare you for what’s to come. Send your queries to us for next issue.

Blogger and mum of triplets Stay -at-home mum of three identical toddlers, Kimberly spends her days with her boys, blogging about their adventures and reviewing products that help parents. Read her column on p38.

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jollytotsmagazine

AD A W VEFAMIN N IL TU Y RE !

Win with Poppy Cat!

CELEBRATE THE NEW SERIES OF POPPY CAT ON NICK JR. WITH A FAMILY DAY OUT TO CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES To celebrate the second season of the hit pre-school series, Poppy Cat, on Nick Jr. every weekday at 9am, we have teamed up with the popular pussycat and Chessington World of Adventures Resort to offer one lucky family a fun-filled adventurous day out! Chessington World of Adventures Resort is bigger and better than ever and you could be in with a chance of winning a family day pass to experience amazing adventures together! Experience the Scorpion Express, a brand new ride set within Mexicana’s Scorpion Valley – a land of sweeping sands and gold mines. Also see the AMAZU Treetop Adventure where you can play amongst real monkeys as you

follow the adventure trail through the heights of AMAZU! That’s not all, one lucky runner up can also win a Poppy Cat goodie bag including a dominoes set, mini plush, a copy of the new Poppy Cat magazine and lots, lots more. The Poppy Cat TV series, voiced by Gavin & Stacey star, Joanna Page, is seen through the eyes of Poppy Cat’s owner, a little girl called Lara. Each story is an incredible adventure as Poppy Cat and her friends embark on exciting journeys through fantastical lands in pirate ships, hot air balloons and rocket rides. Don’t miss it! To enter, send your answers to:

competition@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

HOW TO ENTER Answer the following question correctly for a chance to win: Who is the voice of Poppy Cat? a) Joanna Page b) James Corden c) Ruth Jones For more information on Poppy Cat, please visit www.poppycat.com, or become a fan of Poppy Cat’s on Facebook (www. facebook.com/officialpoppycat) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/PoppyCat_). For more information on Chessington World of Adventures Resort visit www.chessington. com or become a fan of Chessington’s on Twitter (www.twitter.com/cwoa) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ chessington) watch the Resort’s latest videos on YouTube (www.youtube.com/ wwwchessingtoncom) and follow them on Google+ (www.google.com/+chessington)

Tickets are valid for up to four individuals, children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and children under 0.9m go free. A Family of Four Pass is valid for 2 adults & 2 children, or 1 adult & 3 children with children aged 11 and under. Tickets are valid for single use from the 19th March – 23rd October 2015. Tickets are not for re-sale and no cash alternative is offered.

4 JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN

Contents

7 SMILE Feel-good, look-good ideas for mums 9 baby essentials Newborn sleep routines and health advice 11 toddler trouble Tips for how to manage your little vampires 12 Health & wellbeing Keep the family fit and well this winter

15 early learning Learn how to make the most of books

Jolly Toʦ Get in touch

17 new book reviews

Latest launches for Christmas uncovered Fun activities to try with all ages this autumn

Telephone: 07980 128388 Email: editor@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk Visit: www.jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

20 Christmas crafts Festive ideas to do with your little helpers

editor@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

19 fall arts &crafts

23 homemade hampers Save money with our thoughtful gift ideas

Editor Caroline Schmidt

advertising@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

Gingerbread snowmen & strawberry Santas

26 GREAT DAYS OUT Don’t miss these events this holiday season

Advertising & distribution enquiries: advertising@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk Advert design services & queries: artwork@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

31 what’s on listings Your local classes, services and activities 38 mum’s the word The adventures of our ‘triplet mummy’

artwork@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk Advertising Kimberly Temple

24 TINY TREATS

39 useful numbers Who to call if you need help and advice

Design Luke & Joanna Marsh

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook. com/jollytotsmagazine Follow us on Twitter: @JollyTotsMag Digital edition: issuu.com/jollytots Any information provided in Jolly Tots or Jollytotsmagazine.co.uk is strictly the opinion of the author and Jolly Tots is not liable for any misinformation. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by the Jolly Tots team remains with M&S Publishing Ltd. Nothing in Jolly Tots or on Jollytotsmagazine.co.uk may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from the team at M&S Publishing Ltd.

20 Jolly Tots / Autumn 5

Smile

Just for mums

5 WAYS TO

Editor’s choice

STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER Take vitamins While you probably know that Folic Acid is recommended for women planning to get pregnant and up to at least the 12th week of pregnancy, did you know that The Department of Health advises that you continue to take Folic Acid throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, along with vitamins C & D? It is important that you take a supplement aimed at pregnancy or breastfeeding in order to avoid Vitamin A, which can be harmful to foetuses and newborns. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor for more information. Eat more fruit and veg 2 When it’s cold and dark outside it’s tempting to fill up on unhealthy comfort foods, but it’s important to ensure that you maintain a healthy diet, including your five portions of fruit and veg a day. If you find yourself craving a sugary treat, try a juicy Clementine or Satsuma, or sweet dried fruits such as dates or raisins. Winter vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, swede and turnips can be roasted, mashed or made into soup for a comforting winter meal for the whole family.

Five-minute solution

DID YOU KNOW? Conditioner hydrates the scalp, which provides the basis for strong, healthy-looking hair. Try using products such as Serious Conditioner from TIGI (£17.50) once a week to add shine and hide split ends. Jo-Ann Bevilacqua, owner of Serenity Loves salon in Peterborough

Get more sleep Easier said than done with small children, but get some tips on how to improve your child’s sleep from your team here at Jolly Tots magazine (see page 9). Taking regular exercise 4 You don’t have to go to the gym to keep fit. Try a winter walk in one of our beautiful local parks or countryside like Ferry Meadows or Wicken Fen and take a look in Jolly Tots for some ideas of things to do in your region. Meet up with friends or a new group for a buggy walk – it’s a great way to keep fit and meet other parents. Ask your Health Visitor for details or visit www.buggyfit.co.uk. Have a hearty breakfast 5 Start the day with a healthy fibre-filled bowl of porridge to help avoid mid-morning snacking. Oats also contain vitamins and iron, which can help combat fatigue.

Forget your expensive brands, this little beauty is packed with everything you need to brighten and rejuvenate your skin this winter. Enriched with vitamin E, Boots’ new Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Charcoal Mask is a well-deserved and effective treat for your skin – the Charcoal deep-cleans pores while the clay absorbs excess oil. It’s had rave reviews and I must say my skin’s never look better – oh, and best of all it’s a penny-pinching £3.59! *not suitable if pregnant or breastfeeding.

SANTA, ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS – SOME COAL!? No, seriously – Activated charcoal is pegged as the best-kept secret in the beauty industry. We won’t bore you with the science, but it’s draws out skin impurities giving you an ‘I’ve-slept-10-hours-andspent-the-day-at-the-spa-glow’. You can also buy Active Charcoal in capsules for its cleansing effects and some people are adding it to their toothpaste once a week for pearlier whites!

Hint, hint!

Most men need help when MUM NEEDS A it comes to buying presents, fact. So instead of DAY OFF! subtle comments, be bold this season! Stick pictures from your wish list in their pockets, on the fridge or even their dashboard. If you’re opting for a more frugal Christmas, ask for a simple day off – 24 hours of pure ‘me-time’: sleep, use the bathroom undisturbed, watch a movie that’s not made by Pixar, engross yourself in that pre-baby novel or meet up with fellow child-free friends. You may return to mayhem but at least you’ll be rejuvenated. JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN 7

Baby

0 -18 months

Get more sleep with our expert’s routine SLEEP SPECIALIST TINA SOUTHWOOD SHARES HER EXPERTISE IN OUR FOUR-PART SERIES STARTING WITH THE FIRST 12 WEEKS “Sleep is precious, even more so when you’re a new parent, and instilling healthy sleep habits in your child early will help ensure that you and they get the vital sleep you deserve. For the first two weeks, there’s little you can do but feed on demand if you’re breastfeeding, at least until your baby has returned to their birth weight. Once you’ve reached this stage, aim to fit in a minimum of five feeds between 7am and 7pm. It’s normal for breastfed babies to want to feed, feed, feed between 6pm and 8pm, so give them as much as they want. A bedtime routine is generally not advisable until 12 weeks – you’re best to keep them downstairs with you swaddled in a Moses basket then take them upstairs with you around 10pm and settle them with a dream-feed. If they’re colicky or have reflux, don’t give a dream-

Did you know?

feed as the more they feed, the worse it gets. Don’t delay the feed until midnight thinking it will help them sleep through, it will disrupt the deepest part of their sleep and boost their metabolism, causing them to wake more. If you’re formula feeding and your baby weighed more than 7.5Ib at birth, you can introduce a gentle routine of feeds every three to four hours – but never exceed four hours, even if they’re asleep. Similarly, if your newborn gets hungry, feed them – it only takes a few minutes of crying for a baby to become exhausted and then they’ll fall asleep on a feed, which can create sleep associations.” www.sleep-baby-sleep.co.uk Pick up the next issue of Jolly Tots in January 2015 for the second part in the series: 12 weeks to six months or visit: www.jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

Has your baby got colic or persistent wind? Do they struggle to latch or suckle, have difficulty sleeping or generally agitated? If you had a quick or difficult delivery, these could be signs that your baby’s skull experienced excessive compression during birth. A safe and effective way to relieve this pressure and tension is through Cranial Osteopathy; a treatment of light pressure on areas of the head delivered by a medical professional. After treatment it’s common for an infant to be relaxed, sleep well or have a bolt of energy. If the condition goes untreated, some research links it to squints, frequent ear infections and the overcrowding of teeth in older children.

Real Mum’s Q&A Q) How warm should my baby’s room be and should I use a heater? Health Visitor Sally says: “Babies don’t need hot rooms. It is rare for a baby’s room to need the heating at night and should only be used if it’s thermostat controlled. Between 16°C and 20°C is a good temperature, with 18°C being the ideal. If heating is used, the baby’s cot should be kept away from the heat source as overheating in babies, particularly younger than six months, has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The number of layers you dress your baby in depends on the room’s temperature and how warm/cool your baby feels on their chest no two babies or two blankets are the same so there’s no hard and fast rule. It’s not advisable to use a duvet or a pillow for children under 12 months old, so instead layer clothing with a sleeping bag or lightweight blankets to make adding and removing layers easier depending on their temperature. Remember, a folded blanket counts as two layers!” If you’re concerned about SIDs, visit www.LullabyTrust. org.uk for more information or talk to your Midwife or Health Visitor. If you have a question you’d like answered by our experts, email: editor@jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

WE LOVE...

Snugglebundl, the world’s first hooded lifting wrap for babies with handles. Never again will you need to risk waking your sleeping baby while lifting them out of prams, cots or car seats. £34.99 / www.snugglebundl.co.uk

JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN 9

Toddler

ONCE BITTEN... “My 20 month old was a serial offender. He drew blood, left bruises and his iron-clad jaw made even the toughest of men yelp. Every time his nursery gave me an incident report, it was like signing a declaration of bad parenting. The days when I got multiple reports were the worst – I found myself scanning the room to see who was glaring disapprovingly, half-expecting to see his victims cowering in a corner. How could my warm, beautiful little boy who showed nothing but kisses and hugs at home be responsible for these aggressive daycare ASBOs? What was I doing wrong? The answer was absolutely nothing. “Naturally no-one was placing blame on me, except me. Once I confided in friends, similar stories flooded in and the consensus from parents, health visitors and nursery staff was there’s very little you can do before they’re two. While the behaviour shouldn’t be ignored, you’re limited by their communication and understanding – they’re expressing frustrations one of the only ways they can. While I understood the adult logic of biting back to teach them that it hurts, at such a young age they still cannot make the connection and, besides, where’s the sense in correcting aggression with

18 months - 3 years

FOR SOME OF US, OUR RESIDENT BITERS AREN’T CONFINED TO ALL HALLOWS’ EVE. READ A REAL MUM’S EXPERIENCE AND EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH LITTLE NIBBLERS aggression? We took the tact of communication and it worked a treat. While it was rare for the gnashers to come out at home, we nipped it in the bud by using baby sign language to diffuse frustrations and responded with a firm ‘No’ and ‘Ouch’ before removing him from the activity we were doing. There was also a clear connection between his nibbles and teething, so we often found replacing a shoulder or cheek with a cold teething ring helped. “For consistent discipline, it was crucial to be on the same page as his nursery. His teachers also reacted with a firm ‘No, that’s bad behaviour’ and removed him from the play area, while lavishing attention on the victim. As a parent, staying calm, being consistent and understanding why he was biting really helped us manage those monster moments.” Ann Tollington, first-time mum

Expert view

What can you do before two? “You still need to tell them that it’s wrong as while they may not understand the words, they will understand the firm tone of voice. Stay calm and redirect them to another activity, give attention to the child who’s been bitten an do not get physically forceful with them as that will model behaviour you don’t want them to replicate.” NHS Cambridgeshire nurse and health visitor, Sally Tilley

MANAGEMENT METHODS For children older than 24 months Use ‘Time Out’: One minute of ‘time-out’ for each year of their age Use star or reward charts to reinforce good behaviour Tell them sternly what they’ve done wrong – ‘Do not bite people’ If multiple caregivers are involved with the child, make sure everyone understands and enforces the same consequences Stay calm and in control. Try to understand the reason behind the biting: is it teething, are they trying to communicate a frustration or is it a habit that has to be replaced?

JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN 11

Health & wellbeing

How to manage winter illnesses As sure as the temperature drops, cold and flu viruses do the rounds through homes and daycare facilities. We offer you advice for weathering winter illnesses

ctober to February, better known as flu season, when throats are raw, noses sniffle and sneeze, and bones ache and shake. As parents we prepare ourselves for the extra sick days, high temperatures and miserably tired children, especially if they’re in childcare or pre-school. But what can we do to reduce the risk of them catching a virus and help them to get over winter illnesses quicker? Jolly Tots asks Cambridgeshire NHS health visitor Sally Tilley to bust some myths, offer some tips and give us the lowdown on warning signs.*

True or false? Keeping my child away from snotty friends will help them stay healthy? False. Those with colds and flu are contagious before symptoms start so it’s usually too late to guard against it – get the tissues ready and read our expert tips to help prevent illnesses.

* The answers given are our team’s expert opinions but it’s always advisable to check with your GP and health visitor for the latest guidelines. (NHS Choices) http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cold-common/pages/commoncoldinchildren.aspx

Winter illness: Frequently asked questions Q When can my child have a flu jab? The nasal spray flu vaccine for 2014/15 will be offered routinely on the NHS to all children who are aged two - four on September 1st 2014. Q What is a safe room temperature? The optimum temperature for a child’s bedroom should be around between 16-20°C. Use light bedding or a lightweight well-fitting baby sleeping bag. Feel your child’s tummy or the back of their neck as it’s normal for your child’s hands and feet to be cool. If their skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes. If your child feels cool, add more layers but ensure your child’s head is not covered as this can increase the risk of overheating. Q What should I do if my child’s temperature drops below 36°C? It could be that the room is too cold. Because babies cannot regulate their temperatures as well as older children, they lose heat quickly. Young children can sometimes become cold rather than hot when ill, so check for other symptoms. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 35°C (normal body temperature is 37°C), and is usually caused by being in a cold room for a long time. It can quickly become life-threatening,so seek medical advice if your baby seems sick and their temperature is lower than normal.

12 Jolly Tots / Autumn

Q How long is the illness likely to last? When taking care of a sick child, try to remember that most winter illnesses pass within a week and ultimately strengthen their immune system. So while they may seem more demanding and miserable, make the most of the extra needed TLC and simply make time to relax and snuggle on the sofa. Before you know it they’ll be full of energy again. Q Is there any truth in the Old Wives’ Tale “Wrap up or you’ll catch a cold”? We heard it from our parents and now we say it to our kids, but how true is it? Getting cold and wet won’t actually cause your child to become ill, but if they’re already carrying the virus in their nose, it might make them more susceptible to becoming ill and cooler air can exacerbate an existing cough or chest infection, so wrap up warm!

Snuff the sniffles! Wash your hands: Wash their hands frequently and try to avoid them touching their mouth, nose and eyes to avoid conjunctivas. Catch it, bin it, kill it: Encourage your family members to cover their mouths with a disposable tissue when they cough or sneeze, or to do it into the inside of their elbow, not their hands. Try not to share: Teach your kids not to share food and other things that go in the mouths, also avoid sharing personal items such as towels and pillows.

When to see your GP? TEMPERATURES: 0-3 months: higher than 38° 3-6 months: higher than 39° Six months +: higher than 39° as well as showing signs of being unwell, such as floppiness and drowsiness.

MAKING YOUR CHILD MORE COMFORTABLE Increase the amount of fluids your child normally drinks. Use saline nose drops to help loosen dried nasal secretions and relieve a stuffy nose. Ask your pharmacist, GP or health visitor about them. If your child has a fever, pain or discomfort, children’s paracetamol (from two months old) or ibuprofen (from three months old) can help. Check the dosage on the package. A warm, moist atmosphere can ease breathing if your child has a blocked nose so a vaporiser or humidifier can help, however it’s important to keep them very clean as bacteria and mould thrive where there’s water. If your child has a persistent cough, a high temperature or is breathless, see your GP as they may have a chest infection. Antibiotics may be needed if it’s a bacterial infection, but cold and flu viruses will be unaffected by antibiotics.

SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR: – Cold symptoms that last for more than 10 days, particularly if your child is coughing up green, yellow or brown sputum or has a fever. It could be a sign of a bacterial infection that needs treatment with antibiotics. – If your child finds it difficult to breathe: fast breathing, grunting while breathing or their stomach is being sucked in under their ribs, seek medical attention immediately. – Severe earache or a sore throat that’s lasts longer than three days: you’ll often see babies with earache rubbing their ears and seem irritable. – A high-pitched or continuous cry, a lack of responsiveness, unusually drowsy and is difficult to wake. – A spotty, purple-red rash that doesn’t fade under pressure anywhere on the body can be a sign of meningitis (don’t wait for a rash if you suspect meningitis). OTHER KEY SYMPTOMS: – A bulging fontanelle in babies – Stiff neck in a child – Refusing drink for more than 8 hours – Fits, convulsions or seizures – Turning blue, blotchy or pale – Vomiting bile stained (green) vomit – Your child seems to be getting worse rather than better See page 39 for our list of local hospitals and support services JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN 13

EARLY LEARNING

Get the best from books Nursery teacher Ashley Roberts, from The Orchards Day Nursery, explains the benefits of changing your behaviour during play to match your child’s age

0-12 months Talk, read and interact with your baby as often as possible. When reading a story, point, make eye contact, pull faces and make sounds to bring the story to life and increase their engagement. Describe the pictures in detail, for instance: the orange tiger roared or the red car moved fast. Developing skills: Eye contact, communication, understanding of the world, social and emotional development, self-confidence and self-awareness. Top tip: An animal book, such as Walking Through The Jungle or Dear Zoo, is great for making animal noises and using hand actions to engage your infant. Use puppets or stuffed animals, too.

1-3 years old By this time some books will be familiar, which is a perfect opportunity to have your toddler join in with the storytelling. Encourage them to make the sounds, describe the pictures, point and name the characters. If the story is repetitive and familiar, pause while reading to encourage your child to say the next line. At this age you can have fantastic fun with reading by giving certain characters different voices and building the anticipation for what’s on the next page; it all contributes to the development of their creative and critical thinking. Each page is also an opportunity to teach them maths by counting what’s on the page and to identify new subjects. Ask them questions about the story, such as: ‘Can you find the …?’, ‘What’s this?’ (as you point to a picture) or develop their knowledge of size and positioning by asking if an item is big, small, on top, behind or under. Developing skills: Speech, maths concentration, relationships and creative/critical thinking.

3-5 year olds Take your reading sessions with pre-schoolers beyond the book as you focus on developing their imagination and awareness of feelings and behaviour. Offer them math problems while reading for instance, ‘If one monkey goes away, how many are left?’ Encourage them to make up their own stories, to talk about their favourite parts of the book and use action words when describing pictures such as follow, lead and jump. Talk with them about how the characters could feel and try to connect the feelings with personal situations. It’s a great opportunity for family engagement, too, and to use a role model to demonstrate good listening skills; one of you can read, while the other sits and listens with your child. Suggested reading: Going on a Bear Hunt and The Gruffalo Developing skills: Literacy, math, imagination, listening, speech and the understanding of emotions and behaviour. www.orchardsnursery.co.uk/st_neots/ JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN 15

OUR READING CORNER REVIEWS WE LOOK AT THREE OF THE LATEST LAUNCHES FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE

Baby’s Bedtime Story box

Musical Christmas

My First Keyboard Book

£30 / www.usbourne.com

£13 / www.usbourne.com

While this box of five bedtime books have been written for the very young, the five bitesize tales within each book are the perfect length for toddlers, too. The scope for animated voices, the colourful illustrations and lovely little stories make it a beautiful gift for any young family.

You cannot help but get in the festive spirit while enjoying this musical board book. With five pages, and five familiar tunes, the book is beautifully illustrated and while there are few words, there’s plenty to spot on each page. Look out for the cat, dog, robin – and even the odd Santa.

We absolutely adore this book and it’s ideal for pre-schoolers. It takes some dexterity and coordination but it’s a fantastic first introduction to playing an instrument and understanding pace and rhythm, thanks to its colour-coded keys, nine familiar tunes and tuition. A great gift!

Fallcrafts

Inspire

Autumn is a fleeting season full of colour, crisp mornings and bountiful nature walks. Fill your days with scavenger hunts and these brilliant rainy-day activities

Leaf bowls 3yrs+

Clay autumn bowls make fantastic family gifts for Christmas and children as young as 12 months old will love the focused task of collecting leaves. To make the bowls you’ll need air-drying clay, a rolling pin, bowls, paint, brushes and clear varnish. 1)With a little help, pre-schoolers can roll out the clay until it’s about 5cm thick. Place a leaf on the clay and roll over it again to leave a strong imprint. 2)Carefully cut around the outline of the leaf and place inside a soup bowl to dry for a couple of days so that it can mould into shape. 3) Once it’s dry, encourage your child to paint it autumnal colours. Children as young as 12 months can be involved with this stage, but be careful that they do not eat the paint. 4) As a finishing touch, use a dry brush and a small amount of gold acrylic paint over the top of the dry autumn colours. Seal the bowls with a clear spray varnish, as instructed on the canister, and wa-lah!

Make an Autumn wreath 8m+

∞ Child’s part: Encourage your child to brush or dip the leaves in paint and to then print them on to white paper. Help them to cut out the leaf prints so you can attach it to the wreath’s frame in the next step. ∞ Mum’s part: Cut out the centre of a paper plate, weave plastic bags around the edge and secure with sticky tape, then cover with neutral-coloured tissue paper. Next weave string around it to give you something to attach the leaves to. Secure your child’s leaf prints under the string or attach with glue and fill any gaps with your own leaf shapes cut from sugar paper to hide any visible string. Tie a ribbon around the top and hang the wreath for your kids to be proud of.

Other ideas! Apply the same principles we’ve shown you here to make a Monster wreath for Halloween or a festive red and green wreath for Christmas. Visit us online today at www.jollytotsmagazine.co.uk for more creative step-by-step tutorials from real mums. Jolly Tots / Autumn 19

Chr stmas crafts

have fun with your little helpers while creating homemade gifts and decorations 0-3yrs

Salt dough handprints What you need: 1 mug of salt 1 mug of water 2 mugs of flour A baking tray and paper Rolling pin Optional: paint, glitter & a ribbon Mix the flour and salt together with a little bit of water until it’s smooth. Turn the dough on to a clear surface and knead for 10 minutes (it should be soft, warm and pliable) and let it sit for 20 minutes. Sit your child in their highchair and roll the dough out, cutting in to your desired shape but leaving a big enough space to fit your child’s handprint. Place the dough on their tray and press your child’s hand in to the middle, using just enough pressure to make an indent. If you’re making a tree ornament,

poke a hole at the top to feed the ribbon through and leave to air dry for several hours, sometimes days, depending on size and thickness. Once dry, help your little one decorate and give to your loved ones as a gift. Can I help? Let your child explore the leftover dough with their hands to build motor skills. All ingredients are natural and edible.

0-2yrs

Add some shape cutters and rollers to help with fine motor skills, too. Older children can use Christmas cookie cutters and decorate the dried salt dough for smaller handmade tree ornaments. Top tip If you decide to bake your salt dough, make sure you don’t put the oven on any higher than 100°C as it may cause the dough to crack. for nan & grandad

Reindeer footprint Christmas card Fold the card in half and paint the bottom of your child’s foot, then print it on to the front of the card. You can either paint the antlers on or paint your child’s hand and print them at the top of the foot as the antlers. Once it’s dried, stick some googley eyes on and a pom-pom for the nose. You could also cut small circles of white paper for the eyes and a circle of red paper for the nose. Finish with a heart-warming message inside.

20 Jolly Tots / Autumn

Inspire 3yrs+

Create your own wrapping paper If you want some order and design to your Christmas wrapping paper, this DIY is best left to pre-schoolers who have more dexterity and control over hand movements. All you will need is some brown paper, paint for dipping and your trusty Christmas cookie cutters to use as stamps, then stand back and let them go at it!

12m+

Loved by mums

DIY Christmas trees Victoria, mum to Teddy says... “My 18-month-old loves making these hand-printed trees. Roll up a thick piece of card in to a slim cone shape and secure with sticky tape; you may need to trim the base so it stands up. Do the same for the second, but make it shorter and wider. Paint their hands green and print them on white paper using a flat surface, cut them out and glue them to the cone so that each handprint slightly overlaps to cover the cone. Pull the fingers out to look like branches and tah-dah!, you’ve got some festive tree decorations for your home. It’s best to paint your child’s hand rather than let them stamp their hands into the paint and then on to the paper as it slips and slides everywhere. Teddy loved having his hands painted with a brush as it tickled – we had a great laugh!” Upcycle Christmas baubles... Give old baubles a new lease of life by decorating them with scrapes of coloured paper, comic book pages or glitter, and covering with PVA glue. You could also fill clear baubles with photos, sequins or sentimental messages.

Jolly Tots / Autumn 21

Inspire

Make it count

It’s easy to forget that it’s the thought that counts at Christmas, so save those pennies and put on an apron for our simple and affordable homemade hamper ideas

or most families with young children, Christmas can be an exceptionally expensive time of year. We all get wrapped up in festive mayhem and often forget that actually the smallest gifts can mean much more than ones costing hundreds, if it has the personal touch. It takes more effort, time and ingenuity to be creative but it’s also much more cost-effective – and don’t forget fun, especially if you’ve got your own team of little elves to help. Grandparents, friends, teachers and even partners will all appreciate the effort your family put in to these treats.

Start jammin! (1) Jams, chutneys and marmalades – they’re o’so simple and look great in a hamper. Follow these simple steps to chunky elderberry and blackberry jam. You’ll need: 800g blackberries 200g elderberries 1kg jam sugar (with pectin) 2 tbsp lemon juice In a stockpot, mix the ingredients and simmer until all the sugar has dissolved, then bring to a boil. Stir frequently for 15 – 20 minutes. To check the jam is ready to set, cool a plate in the freezer and then put a little bit of jam on the plate and move your finger across it – if it crinkles, the jam is ready to cool and transfer in to jars.

How to… Sterilise your used jars and twist-top lids by cleaning them well and placing in a hot oven for at least 30 minutes. Do this before you start making jam as it can take at least 30 minutes for the jars to cool for them to be safely handled and filled with jam.

1 2

Gingerbread treats (2) Turn to page 24 for our recipe of snowflake gingerbread cookies.

Simple Sloe brandy (3) Place your freshly picked Sloe berries in the freezer overnight to split the skins and place them in a large container or jar. Pour in the brandy and caster sugar, then shake or stir vigorously. Opt for a 3:2:1 ratio (for every 450g of sloe berries, add 1litre of brandy and 250g of caster sugar). Store in a cool, dry cupboard and every two weeks, stir the mixture to help the sugar dissolve – it can often take more than two months for the fruit to steep in brandy. When it’s ready, strain the mixture through a muslin and decanter into smaller sterile Kilner bottles for multiple gifts and finish with festive gift tags. Tasty alternatives... Why not try blackberry brandy, sloe gin or use frozen raspberries and vodka?

A helping hand (4) – Make scented candles from glass jars, wax and wicks from eBay. – Use cellophane bags and twine to present homemade chocolates, amaretto biscuits or sugar cookies. – Got a spare jar? Layer the ingredients for cookies or hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and write the directions on the label for an instant treat that teachers and little people will love. We adore Jamie Oliver’s Epic Hot Chocolate recipe for something super special. – If you lack the artistic touch, consider buying personalised gifts from someone with oodles of creativity, like Victoria Catherine (p22), Daisy Hill (p25), Canuck Castings (p22) or a photo session from Caroline Ann Photography (p22) – we absolutely love them! – Visit fairs and markets for festive inspiration – or just the mulled wine. All in the name of research! Jolly Tots / Autumn 23

Tiny treats

Home baking

Gingerbread snowmen & snowflakes THE HOLIDAY SEASON CALLS FOR A LITTLE SOMETHING SWEET. OUR FANCIFUL DESSERTS MAY BE SMALL BUT THEY’RE BIG IN FLAVOUR Ingredients to make 12 snowmen (or six and a dozen snowﬂakes) 80g unsalted butter 80g dark muscovado sugar 1 free-range egg 3 tbsp golden syrup 150g of plain flour 1 tsp bicarbonate soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon, or to taste 2 tsp ground ginger, or to taste Preheat the oven to 180°/ Gas Mark 4. Cream the butter and sugar together, then add the egg, golden syrup and mix well. Add the flour, ginger and cinnamon and kneed the dough until smooth, wrap it in clingfilm and leave it in the fridge for 15 minutes. Roll the dough out so it’s about a centimetre thick and cut out your gingerbread shapes, placing them carefully on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 15 – 20mins, or until golden brown. Let them cool and then decorate.

WE LOVE... These half-eaten gingerbread man cookie cutters, from Fred ABC Cookies, make baking so much fun. They’re great for all occasions, but especially Halloween and Christmas. £3.99 from www.amazon.co.uk

Can I help? Older children may enjoy carefully measuring the ingredients, but children as young as 15 months can sieve the flour, shake the cinnamon and sniff the ginger. Make it an experience for all the senses!

A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE: Strawberry Santas If reduced sugar is more to your taste, try these simple strawberry Santas. All you need is a punnet of strawberries, some whipped cream and a knife. Slice the stem off the bottom to create a flat base and then the top third to create the ‘hat’. Place a dollop of whipped cream in the middle, followed by spots of cream on the body for the buttons and dab for the bobble. Put the hat on top and you’re ready to go. Yum! Four to five year olds will enjoy creating these little Santas, while younger ones are sure to devour them.

24 JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN

Top tip Use the same recipe for your homemade hampers, simply substitute the gingerbread cookie cutters for Christmas shapes – fondant icing cutters worked really well here giving great detail to the snowflakes.

Explore

SHOWS & PANTOS Duck in the Truck, Burgess Hall, St Ives Tickets: £7/ Family £25 Sun 26th October at 11am & 2pm Based on the bestselling book, this funny, silly, yucky mucky show will have you giggling away, singing along and laughing out loud. www.burgesshall.ticketsource.co.uk

WHAT’S ON THIS SEASON Halloween Spooktacular!

Give your children a Halloween to remember at Sacrewell or Thurleigh Farm Centre during October half-term. Featuring tractor rides, a haunted house, pumpkin carving and story-telling, there’s plenty of ghoulish antics to enjoy. For the big kids, ask about the fright nights for some night fun. www.sacrewell.org.uk and www.thurleighfarmcentre.co.uk.

Encore Christmas Concert

Once a month in Cambridge and St Neots there’s classical music concerts for babies and toddlers, performed by professional musicians. You’ll love it, they’ll love it and it’s a fabulous way to meet other parents. Get in the festive spirit with their Christmas Celebration concert on 17 and 18 December, respectively. Visit www. encoreconcerts.co.uk/concerts for the dates and details of concerts between Oct - Dec.

Christmas Day Skating at Planet Ice, Peterborough

Get the kids out from around your ankles while you make Christmas dinner, or why not try a new festive family tradition on Christmas morning, and take them to Planet Ice from 10am to 12pm for a FREE skating session! Booking advised online at www.planet-ice.co.uk.

Christmas markets

You do not have to go far this year for great Christmas festivities. There’s the Cambridge Christmas (24 Nov) as well as craft fairs and markets at Moulton Mill (23 Nov), Burghley House (27 - 30 Nov), Buckden village (30 Nov) as well as at Ferry Meadows (6 Dec) .

Sooty Key Theatre ,Peterborough Tickets: £12 / Family £38 Mon 27 October at 11am & 2.30pm Direct from CITV, the nation’s favourite bear performs a new show that’s sure to delight the whole family. www.vivacity-peterborough.com

Sacrewell’s Santa

Take the children to see a classic Father Christmas at Sacrewell. You’ll find him sitting by a log fire, with a sack of presents to deliver and plenty of time to hear the wish list of each child. Costing £8 per person, it’s an all-inclusive day out giving you access to Santa, the new giant playbarn, tractor rides and the farm. www.sacrewell.co.uk

Nene Valley Railway

Take the whole family on a festive 55-minute steam train ride, where you’ll be served drinks and treats, mince pies and winter warmers. Prices start from £12.50. Book now to avoid disappointment. www.nvr.org.uk/events/santa-special

A SPECIAL TREAT!

Does your pre-schooler get dizzy about Disney? Celebrate 100 years of magic with Disney on Ice this Christmas at the London O2 Arena and enjoy their smiles as they watch all their favourite characters come to life. Showing 24 Dec - 4 Jan. www.disney.co.uk/disney-onice/100-years-of-magic

Pinocchio Key Theatre, Peterborough Sat 1 November 1.30pm & 3pm Tickets: £8 per person Enjoy the magical musical adventure of classic Pinocchio, performed by Starbright Entertainments. www.vivacity-peterborough.com Jack and the Beanstalk Key Theatre, Peterborough 4 December – 4 January 2015 Tickets: £10 – £17.50 / Family £48.00 It’s panto season and this classic production is set to be the best show around this Christmas. Book now! www.vivacity-peterborough.com Sleeping Beauty Burgess Hall, St Ives 13 January – 18 January 2015 Tickets: £8 - £11 Kick off the new year watching Sleeping Beauty by the awardwinning Centre Theatre Players. www.burgesshall.ticketsource.co.uk JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN 26

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HEN WOMEN BECOME mothers, it’s an experience that creates powerful emotional brand connections, a need for new products, advice and guidance on how to develop, provide and entertain their children. It’s the perfect opportunity to form brand loyalties and Jolly Tots magazine is the ideal gateway to doing just that. It’s a quarterly premium listings magazine for parents looking for ideas of what to do and where to go. It’s distributed to parents of children under five via childcare facilities, retailers, Sure Start centres, medical centres, as well as baby and toddler groups, to name a few (see panel), so you can be sure your advert is getting maximum exposure. Prices start from £20, with online and print packages available as well as creative advertising solutions, such as pullouts, sponsorships and advertorials. Need professional photography or design services for your advert, we can help with that too. Find us online at www.jollytotsmagazine.co.uk

Jolly Tots key beneﬁts: 10.5k+ distribution to parents in your area Reach new and expectant parents Increase the exposure of your brand Priority editorial coverage for your service* Target parents with children under five Run by an expert team with more than ten years experience in magazine publishing Online & social media marketing opportunities Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jollytotsmagazine *APPLICABLE TO BUSINESSES THAT BOOK FOR A YEAR

Jolly Tots FAQs When do you distribute? Autumn issue: October – December Winter issue: January – March Spring issue: March – June Summer issue: July - Sept Where do we distribute? Child-specific retailers including Kiddicare, baby & toddler groups, nurseries & pre-schools, activity centres & classes, Children’s Centres, coffee shops, hospitals and walk-in clinics, as well as child-friendly businesses, such as award-winning Serenity Loves beauty salon. What areas to you cover? Huntingdonshire, Peterborough, Cambourne and surrounding area, including Sandy, St Ives & Stamford Follow us on Twitter: @JollyTotsMag JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN 29

What’s on in your area from baby yoga and tots groups to storytime and activity centres, we have it all... Pregnancy & Newborns Beautiful Birth Hypnobirthing classes for mums to be. Learn key relaxation skills to help you manage and enjoy your birth. Contact Debbie: 07502 375459. NCT Bumps and Babies For pregnant parents and babies up to one year. Come along for coffee, tea, chat, play, postnatal and breastfeeding support. - Peterborough: Mons 1pm-2.30pm. Tesco community room at Serpentine Green Shopping Centre. - St Neots: Thurs 10am-12pm, Eatons Children’s Centre. Relax & Breathe Antenatal sessions for for expectant mums to learn practical skills for use in labour. A three-week course, based in St Neots, costing £30. Email: jenny@ relaxstneots.com or read more details at www.relaxstneots.com Mantenatal Dads-only antenatal workshops. A chance to explore pregnancy, birth and early parenting from their point of view. Email bookings5g@nct.org.uk or visit www.mantenatal.com BabyBliss Courses for infant massage, baby/toddler yoga, baby & child swimming and First Aid within the Huntingdon /Peterborough area. Call Kate Stewart: 07857 683291 www.mybabybliss.info Daisy Birthing A course for pregnant women. Keeps the body healthy and strong through yoga, breathe work, relaxations and self hypnosis. For course dates contact One Leisure St Ives 01480 388500, One Leisure Huntingdon 01480 388600. Visit: www.oneleisure.net Yoga 4 Pregnancy Wed 7pm – 8.30pm. Oak Tree Centre, Huntingdon PE29 7HN. Call: Barbara Moorby 01480 380307. www.yoga4everybody.co.uk

MamaBaby Bliss & Toddler Yoga Pregnancy & baby yoga, relaxation and baby massage. Toddler Yoga classes to stimulate and entertain 1-3 year olds, includes movement, singing, stories and treasure baskets. Call Joanna: 07904 374212. Sleep Clinic If you have a child older than 8mths keeping you awake at night, contact the Westwood & Ravensthorpe Children’s Centre in Peterborough for sleep management advice. Call: Linda Minett 01733 260833. Caroline Ann Photography Beautiful pregnancy and newborn portraits taken in your home. Visit: www.carolineannphotography. co.uk /call Caroline 07703274439.

Baby & Toddler Groups

2 - 5 year olds. £2 per child (babies free). Contact Carol Law to book special EY group sessions: 01733 864 700 / visit: www.Vivacitypeterborough.com/museums Tiddlywinks St. Andrews Church, Alwalton, near Peterborough PE7 3UU.For under 5’s and their parents/carers. Mon 9.30am -11.30am (term time). stories Singalongs, toys and refreshments. Call Liz or Malcolm: 01733 239289. Tot Stop Stanground Baptist Church, Chapel Street, Stanground, Peterborough PE2 8JG. Fri 9:45am-11:45am (term time). Toys for babies, toddlers and pre-school children, craft activity, singing and refreshments. A friendly and welcoming group. Call Jane on 01733 310411.

Westwood & Ravensthorpe Children’s Centre Offers support to local families and fun activities. Based at Highlees and Ravensthorpe Primary School, Peterborough. Call 01733 266425.

Mummas & Bubbas Meet Up British Legion, 210 Broadway, Yaxley, PE7 3NR. Mondays in term time: 10.30 - 11.30. Cost £1. Contact Lou: 07710 465711. Email: mummasand bubbasmeetup@gmail.com

Funky Monkeys Farcet Salvation Army Church, Peterborough. For age 0-5yrs. Tues/Thurs 9.30am - 11.30am (term times). Cost: £1 per family. Call Beverley: 01733 240130.

Orton Wistow Toddlers Orton Wistow Community Centre, Napier Place Peterborough PE2 6XN. Newborn - pre-school. Indoor and outdoor play. Tues 1.15pm - 3pm (term time). Cost: £2 per family (includes drink/biscuit). Call Lynn Whitfield: 01733 237727.

Mini Movers For newborn - pre-school, Wed 10am - 11.30am (term time). Art, craft, singing and trips. Kingsgate Community Church, 2 Staplee Way, Parnell, Peterborough PE1 4YT. £1.50 per family, includes drink/ snack. Call Kim Connor: 01733 311156 via church office. Moonlight Hare’s Baby & Toddler Group Peterborough Museum First Thursday of month (term-time only). Story and rhyme; handle real objects and enjoy a craft activity. Suitable for

Jigsaw Juniors For pre-school age. Toys, books, activities and messy play. Wed 1.30pm-2.45pm. Orton Children’s Centre, The Jigsaw Centre, Orton Malborne, Peterborough PE2 5PW Call: 01733 452690. Ramsey Children’s Centre 25 Great Whyte Ramsey PE26 1HG. Open Mon, Tues & Thurs 9am-5pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm and Fri 9. am-4.30pm. Call (01480 379420) or cambridgeshirechildrenscentres.org.uk Jolly Tots / Autumn 31

Ramsey Toddler Groups Scout Hut, Ramsey, Free. Unstructured play for under 5’s to develop their creative side. Soft play: Thurs 9.30am – 11.30am, Messy Play Wed 1pm-2.30pm. General Play: Fri 9.30am – 11.30am term-time only. Call Sarah Abraham:01487 813279. Little Lambs Toddler Group Salem Baptist Church, High Street, Ramsey PE26 1AB. Toddlers: Every Thurs 9.30am-11am (term time). Call Jo Smith: 01487 711109. Chatterbox Toddler Group Memorial Hall, School Lane, Alconbury. Fri 9am - 11am. Juice/hot drinks and biscuits provided. Call Vicky Brown: 07775 777091. Poppies Children’s Centre Brampton Primary School, The Green, Brampton, PE28 4RF. MonThurs 9am-12pm (01480 376191) Brampton Baby & Toddler Group Commemoration Hall, Brampton. For 0-5 yrs, every Mon 9.30am -11.30am (term time). Arts & crafts, role play, singing, floor toys for all ages. Healthy snacks and drinks. Follow us on Facebook. Only £2. MOMS Club of Huntingdon Playgroups/Playdates, Park days, Outings, MOMS Night Out, Crafts, Activity Groups & More! For moms with kids of all ages. Email: momsclubofhuntingdon@gmail.com www.momsclubofhuntingdonuk. weebly.com. Follow us on Facebook Rainbow Toddler Group 83A High Street, Huntingdon Community Church Centre PE29 3DP. Newborn – 4 yrs. Tues 9.30am – 11am. Cost: 50p per family, refreshments provided (01480 411665) church@hccuk.org Busybees Great Staughton Village Hall, PE19 5DG Cost: For 0 - 5 yrs. Weds (term-time only) 10.00am - 11.30am. Fruit and drink for the children, arts & crafts and floor toys. Free. Call Tracey: 01480 357540 Daffodil Children’s Centre Godmanchester Primary School, Park Lane, Godmanchester, PE29

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2AG Open Mon-Fri 9am-3.30pm. Call 01480 375116 Multiple Births Group Mon 10am - 11.30am (term time) Daffodil Children’s Centre, Godmanchester Community Primary School (01480 375116). St Mary’s 0-5 Playgroup Comrades Club, 58 Cambridge Street, Godmanchester. PE29 2AY For 0-5 Yrs. Every Thursday 9:30-11:30 (term time) £2.00 per family. Craft, free play and singing. Toys for all ages. Drink and biscuits included. Call Stacey (07876191982). Email: staceyrodger@hotmail.com Fenstanton Baby & Toddler Group Church Centre, Fenstanton. Meets every Wed (inc. school hols), 10am - 11.30am.Sessions cost £2. First is free. Come along or call Becky on 01480 493067. Colne Toddler Group Colne Community Hall, East Street. 9.30-11.30am Friday during term time. Birth up-to school age. £2.00 per family. Includes refreshments. Contact Charlotte: 01487 843925. Smiley Tots Parent & Toddler Group Yelden Village Hall, Spring Lane, Yelden MK44 1BA. Every Wed 10am-12pm (term time). Come and play! £2 per family inc. drink & snack. Call Vicky: 01933 317220. Roxton Tots Climbing and ride-on toys, craft table, baby area and song time. Roxton Village Hall. Fri 9.30am11.30am. £2.50 (one adult, one child). 50p per extra adult or child over one. Refreshments included. Call Andy: 07795431766 or join our closed group on Facebook. The Eatons Children’s Centre Various sessions, courses and support available for parents/carers and children aged 0-5 years. Mon Thurs 9am - 4pm and Fri 9am - 1pm. Bushmead Primary School, Eaton Socon, St. Neots PE19 8BT. For more details 01480 358340. Visit: cambridgeshirechildrenscentres.org.uk Who Let the Dads Out St Mary’s Church Eaton Socon. A

chance to have some fun with your preschooler, eat some bacon, meet other dads, even read a newspaper! 3rd Saturday of the month at 9am. Term-time only. Cost £1 per child. Contact: curate@eatonsocon.org Tiddlers and Toddlers Jubilee Hall, Eaton Socon, St. Neots. Est. 30 yrs. Friday 9.30am – 11.30am (term time). Call Margaret 01480 215695; Benny 07980 810313. St Neots Rural Children’s Centre Little Paxton Primary School, Gordon Road, PE19 6NG. Various session, courses and support available for parents/carers and children aged 0-5 years. Open term time Wednesday and Fridays 9am - 1pm. cambridgeshirechildrenscentre.org.uk Tots Praise St. Neots Parish Church, PE19 2BU. 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month 10.30-11.30. FREE. Bring your little one to play and take part in a children’s interactive Christian mini service. Term time only. Call Jane on 01480 350137 Butterfly Children’s Centre Various sessions, courses and support for parents/carers and children aged 0-5. Open Tues Thurs 9am -4pm. Winhills School, off Duck Lane, St. Neots PE19 2DX. cambridgeshirechildrenscentres.org.uk Busy Bears Fun Time Newborn - 5 yrs. Wed & Fri 10am-11.30am (term time). The Priory Centre, Priory Lane, St. Neots PE19 2BH. Cost: £2.50 per child, £4 family ticket. 01480 388922. Mornings One Leisure St Neots. Relaxed and sociable sessions which include use of Leo’s Funzone plus other fun activities.Term-time only. For reduced prices, times and dates visit www.leosfunzone.co.uk Little Angels Newborn - 4 years. Wed 1pm 2.45pm (term -time only). Free play. Refreshments provided, no fee just donations. Berkley Street Methodist Church, Eynesbury, St. Neots PE19 2NB. Call: 01480 474062 email: ellash1705@gmail.com.

Puddleducks Mums n Tots Overhills Primary School, Kimbolton, PE28 0HY. Tues 9am - 11am. £3 per family, includes drink and biscuits. Contact Mandy 01480 869370. The Daisy Children’s Centre Papworth Everard & surrounding villages. For more information about their current programme, call: 01480 831423. Baby & Me Friday 10am-11.30am. The Hub, Great Cambourne. Playtime for 0-2 year olds (older siblings up to school age welcome) £1.50 per family. www.facebook. com/BabyAndMe.cambourne St Ives Children’s Centre Wheatfields Primary School, Nene Way PE27 3WF. For 0 – 5 yrs. Mon 9am - 3pm. Tues - Wed 9am - 5pm, Thurs 9am - 4pm, Fri 9am - 12pm. Call: Fran (07776 494 100). Baby Lounge Time for Health, St Ives, hosts group play sessions for babies up to 15mths: Fri 10.45am – 12.00pm; and Baby Lounge Extra for 0 - 2yrs: Fri 3.00p.m - 4.45 p.m. Call: 01480 461411. www.timeforhealth.co.uk Houghton & Wyton Toddler Group Houghton & Wyton Memorial Hall, St. Ives Road, Houghton, PE28 2BJ. Arts & Crafts on Tues 10am - 11.45am (inc. holidays). Craft, free play and singing. Refreshments available. Cost: £2 per family. St. Ives Christian Fellowship Parents and Toddlers Burleigh Hill Community Centre, Constable Road PE27 3ER. Newborn – 4 yrs. Thurs 9.15am – 11am (term time). Call Jason: 01480 463161. Needingworth Little Tigers Baby & Toddler Group Needingworth Village Hall, St Ives. For 0-5 yrs. Mon 10am -11:30am (term time). Call 01480 469294.. Little Pins @ Basement Lanes Social 1½ hour tenpin bowling for parents and under 5’s on Wednesdays and Fridays. One Leisure St Ives, Westwood Road, St Ives PE27 6WU. Call 01480 388500 to book. www.basementlanes.co.uk

Warboys Under 5’s Toddler Group High street, Warboys, PE28 2TA. Newborn – 5 yrs. Fri 1pm – 3pm. Cost: £1.50 for first child, 50p each additional child. Toys, games and refreshments. Call: (01487 823190)

Childcare AJJ Recruitment Nannies, maternity nannies, event childcare and babysitters.Call 01767 688713 www.ajj-recruitment.co.uk Nice Nannies Now 40, Station Road, Warboys, Huntingdon, Cambs PE28 2TD. Childcare for all ages. Call Helen 01487 823516. www.nicenannies.co.uk Families and Childcare Information Services Local childcare information Peterborough (0800 29 89 121) Cambridgeshire (0345 04 54 014) www.familiesandchildcare.org.uk Useful resources: www.sitters. co.uk and www.childcare.co.uk

General Caroline Ann Photography Newborns, baby and family photography created in your home. First-year, cake smashes and mum & me packages. Call 07703274439 or visit: carolineannphotography.co.uk Canuck Castings St Neots. Infant & toddler hand imprints & 3D casts done in your home. Call Mark 07933 824763 Baby Café Local Stanground Children’s Centre, 31a Chapel Street, PE2 8JF. Tues 1.30pm - 3pm. Baby Café Serpentine Green Shopping Centre Every Thurs 12.15pm - 1.45pm. www.facebook.com/ serpentinegreenbabycafe NCT Breastfeeding counsellor visits every week. Please telephone before arriving. Call 01733 452610.

Soft Play/Adventure Active Antics Highlees Primary School Hall,

Ashton Road, Westwood PE3 7ER. For 0 - 4 yrs, Wed 10am - 11am (term time only.) Fun movement activities. Build sensory and motor skills. Call: Lynn Boness (01733 295864). Activity World & Toddler World Padholme Road East, Peterborough, PE1 5XH. Indoor play. Separate Toddler World. Open 9.30am – 5.30pm. Closed Tues. Cost: from £4.95. Birthday parties. Call 01733 314446/www.activityworld.co.uk Big Sky Adventure Play 24, Wainman Road, Shrewsbury Avenue, Woodston, Peterborough PE2 7BU. Soft Play area for 3 months to 11 yrs old or max height of 4 ft 11 inches. Open 9.30am – 6pm (term time), Sat 10am - 6pm, Sun 10am – 5pm. Birthday parties. Call 01733 390810/ www.bigsky.co.uk Cracker Jacks 3 Foundry Way, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE198TR. A play and party venue in St. Neots for 0-12 year olds. Call (01480 477515) www. crackerjacksplay.co.uk Dave the Clown’s Fun House The Cresset, Bretton Centre, Rightwell Peterborough PE3 8DX. For 0 – 8 yrs. Soft Play Centre. Mon 10am – 1pm. Call 01733 265705. Eat ‘n’ Play Huntingdon Road, St. Neots PE19 1XG. Large play area (max height 1.45m/4’9”) Separate toddler area. Open 11am daily. Cost: £3.75. Weekends/hols £4.25. Call 01480 471611 /www.eatnplay.co.uk Houghton Mill Houghton, Huntingdon PE28 2AZ. See a working mill in action, with lots of hands on fun. Beautiful grounds and boat rides. Ideal for a family day out. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Flutterbyz Funbarn A short drive from Huntingdon, in Fenstanton is this brilliant softplay facility with baby and toddler areas. The centre is suitable for children up to 11 years old. Specialises in parties for ages 1 to 8. Tues - Sat 10am 5pm and Sun 10am - 4pm. Costs £2.50 - £4.50. Call 01480 493394 www.flutterbyz.co.uk Jolly Tots / Autumn 33

Jungle Jims Playland 5 Tyne Road, Sandy, Beds, SG19 1SA. Indoor adventure play, separate area for under 3’s. Open Tue – Sunday. Fantastic Jungle Parties starting from £7.95. (01767 682808) www.junglejimsplayland.co.uk Leo’s Funzone Indoor adventure play centre for babies, toddlers and children. A great venue for children’s parties.Free entry for adults and discounted entry for children under 1. Open 7 days a week. Call: 01480 388600/ visit: www.leosfunzone.co.uk - One Leisure Huntingdon: St Peter’s Road, Huntingdon - One Leisure St Neots: Barford Road, St. Neots Little Monkey Funhouse A softplay centre for under 6’s with a bouncy castle and soft play equipment at One Leisure Ramsey. Weds 9.30am - 11am. £3.60 per child Whale of a Time Childrens indoor softplay centre. 8 Viking Way, Bar Hill, Cambridge CB23 8ELMon-Fri 10am - 5.30pm Sat & Sun 10am - 6pm (01954 781018) www.whaleofatimecambridge.co.uk

Theatres Burgess Hall Westwood Road, St Ives PE27 6WU . Productions, events and discos for children throughout the year. Box Office: 01480 388500 or visit: www.burgesshall.net Key Theatre Embankment Road, Peterborough. PE1 1EF. Productions aimed at children throughout the year. Box office: 01733 207239. The Cresset Theatre Rightwell, Bretton Centre, Peterborough PE3 8DX Seasonal shows for children. (01733 265705) www.cresset.co.uk

Developmental Play Dance and Movement Brewster Avenue Children’s Centre, 10, Brewster Avenue, Woodston, Peterborough, PE2 9PN. For 12mths - 5yrs. Thurs 1.15pm - 2.15pm.

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Just drop in (term time). Call 01733 452600. Happy Faces 16 Lincoln Road, Glinton, Peterborough. Monthly fee. Organised educational play sessions for 8mths - 5yrs for 1hr 15mins Monday to Friday. Call Claire 01733 324851 / 07714276901. www.clairehappyfaces.co.uk

Languages La Jolie Ronde French Open Centre 58 Burleigh Road, St. Ives PE27 3DF. Introduction to French with songs, rhymes and games. Age 5+ Call: Anna Ireland (01480 382036). Minilinguals Learn Spanish with your toddler through music, movement and rhyme. For ages 0 -5. Contact Vicky: 07979 503269 / hello@minilinguals.co.uk. Visit: littlelanguagelearners.com

Music/Singing/Clap & Sing Warboys Community Primary School Community Hall. All pre-schoolers welcome. Thurs 1.45pm - 2.45pm (term time). Cost: £1 donation. Call: Kate Smith (01487 824390). Clap & Sing / Parachute Play The Rainbow Children’s Centre Sure Start Parkhall Road, Somersham. For newborn – 5yrs. Song and movement to stimulate babies. Wed 9.30am – 10.30am, 10.30am – 11.30am (term-time only). Pre-enrolment. Voluntary donation. Call: Trisha (01487 741456). Encore Concerts St. Mary’s Church, Eaton Socon. Every third Thursday of the month. These classical concerts are perfect or all ages but are aimed at babies to pre-school. Adults £5, children free. Refreshments included. Contact info@encoreconcerts.co.uk / facebook.com/encoreconcerts Music for Little People Fun and educational music classes for 0 - 5 years. All taught by qualified musicians and teachers. Call Karen: 01480 812469

www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk Musical Minis Heritage Park Primary School, Park Farm, Stanground and AlwaltonFrom 0 - 5yrs. Music sessions for babies and toddlers. Call: Janie (01778 570340) www.musicalminis.co.uk Sing and Sign Samuel Pepys School, St. Neots. For 6 - 18mths. Thursdays. Learn to communicate with your baby or toddler pre-speech. Call Julie Warriner for details 01767 691488. Tiny Talk Whaddon, Cambourne, Histon & Brampton. Baby signing classes for all babies and young toddlers. Class is 1 hr - ½ hr singing and signing followed by ½ hr social time. Call: Carol (0795 1601107) Email: carols@tinytalk.co.uk Tuneful Tots Brewster Avenue Children’s Centre, 10, Brewster Avenue, Woodston, Peterborough, PE2 9PN. For 0 - 5yrs. First session 9.30am -10.25am. Second session 10.50am to 11.45am. To book call: (01733 452600). Warboys Clap and Sing (including Toy Library) Warboys Community Primary School Community Hall. All pre-schoolers welcome. Thurs 1.45pm - 2.45pm (term time). Cost: £1 donation. Call: Kate Smith (01487 824390). Wiggle Waggle Huntingdon, Godmanchester, Ramsey and the Hamptons area of Peterborough. Lively, fun and educational music, dance and fitness programme for ages 0-5. Build confidence, self-esteem and fitness. Call Sharon for details of class venues and times on 01480 382103 / shaz_simmons@yahoo.co.uk / www.wigglewaggleonline.com Just Drama Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives. For 3 - 18 year olds, £8 per hour. Call Natalie: 07870249129 www.littlebeansworld.com On Stage Youth Theatre School 71, Shakespeare Road, St. Ives PE27. For age 4+. Train in the performing arts in a fun and friendly

environment. Call: 01480 461959 / visit: www.onstageyts.co.uk Stagecoach Theatre Arts School For age 4 +. Learn to act, sing and dance and build confidence. For Huntingdon classes contact: Jo (01353 667442) and Peterborough call: Ashleigh (01778 440077) www.stagecoach.co.uk Stage Stars Theatre Academy Alconbury, Brampton, Papworth & Sawtry. Classes in drama, singing and dance for ages 2+. Contact Gemma: 07807193182. Stars on Stage UK Alconbury, Woodston & Orton Waterville. Dance and drama classes for various ages. Courses run over half term and summer holidays. For full details Contact: Sam & Hannah stars-on-stage@hotmail.co.uk www.starsonstage.org.uk

Entertainers/Parties Colin Daines MMC Magic and balloon modelling. Member of the magic circle. Family occasions a speciality (01480 212571) Crafty Monkey MooresWalk, St Neots or Mobile Offers Pottery Painting, Build a Bear, decopatch, Jewellery Making parties for all ages. Call 01480 219222/ craftymonkeypotterypainting.com Kreepie Krawlies Soft Play A soft play party hire in the Cambs area. Call 07447 582457 / 01763 209 174 /www.kreepiekrawlies.co.uk Little Beans Parties Themed parties for children aged 1 +. Call Natalie: 07870 249129. www.littlebeansworld.com Party at One Leisure One Leisure Huntingdon, Ramsey, Sawtry, St. Ives and St. Neots. All One Leisure sites provide a wide range of fun pool, soft play and sports birthday parties for under 5’s and juniors. Contact your local One Leisure site for details: Huntingdon: 01480 388600, Ramsey: 01480 387900, Sawtry: 01480 387800, St. Ives: 01480 388500, St. Neots: 01480 388700 or visit oneleisure.net

Party Time! Fun entertainment for Babies ,Tots through to Pre Teens. Choose from: Knights & Princesses, Grease, Tearless & Fearless, Ugly Bug & Beautiful Butterfly ball or Pirates & Fairies. Call: Trisha (01487 741456) partytime.uk.com The Birthday Football Club TBFC deliver completefootball birthday parties. Personalised Invitations, Party Bags & Personalised Homemade Cake, all included! Call Gareth: (07901 022874). www.thebirthdayfootballclub.co.uk

Libraries Bretton District Library The Cresset, Rightwell, Bretton, Peterborough PE3 8DS.Storytime: Thurs 11am -11.30am. Rhyme Time: Tues 2pm - 2.30pm. Story and Rhyme time: Sat 10.30am - 11am. Call: 01733 864291. Cambourne Library Rhymetime and Storytime alternate Fridays from 9.30am -10.00am. Termtime only. Call 0345 045 5225. Chatteris Library 2 Furrowfields Road, Chatteris PE16 6DY Storytime, Tues 2:15pm2:45pm (term-time only), Rhymetime (birth to 3 yrs), Thurs 10am-11am (term time only) Call: 0345 045 5225

Weds 10.30am –11am. Rhymetime: 0 - 18 mths Fri 10.30am - 11am. Orton District Library Orton Centre, Peterborough PE2 5RQ. Storytime: Orton Library Storytime is every Thursday, 10 – 10.30am (all year round) and every Saturday 11 – 11.30am. Rhymetime: Mon 10.30am -11am. Call 01733 864296. Peterborough Central Library Broadway, Peterborough PE1 1RX Storytime: Fri 2.15pm - 2.45pm, Sat 11am -11.30am & 2.15pm - 2.45pm. Rhyme Time: Thurs 1.30pm-2pm. Call: 01733 864280. Ramsey Library School Lane, Ramsey PE26 1AF. Rhymetime: 0 – 3 yrs. Tues 2pm - 2.45pm. Call: 0845 045 5225. Sawtry Library Fen Lane, Sawtry PE28 5TQ. Story and rhymetime: Fri 2.30– 3.15pm. Somersham Community Information Centre Church Street Somersham PE28 3EG.For pre-school children. Tues 10.30am-11am - stories & rhyme ending with a craft activity every week (term time) (01487 840266). Stanground Community Library Southfields Avenue, Peterborough PE2 8RZ. Storytime: Fri 3.30pm 4pm. Rhymetime Tues 10 -10.30am.

Dogsthorpe Community Library Central Avenue, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough PE1 4LH. Storytime: Thurs 2pm - 2.30pm. Call: 01733 864300.

St. Ives Library 4 Library Row, Station Rd, St. Ives PE27 5BW. Rhymetime: (for up to 18mths - preschoolers welcome) Weds 10.30am – 11am (term time).

Eye Library Crowland Road, Eye, Peterborough PE6 7TN. Under 5’ s storytime: Mon 10.30am - 11am. Rhyme Time: Mon 11am - 11.30am. Children’s craft club, Sat 11am - 12pm. Call: 01733 864142.

St. Neots Library Priory Lane, St. Neots PE19 2BH. Storytime: Mon 2pm–2.30pm. Rhymetime:(0 - 18mths) alternate Fri 10am & 11.15am (term time).

Hampton Library 6B Serpentine Green Shopping Centre, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8DR. Rhymetime: Tuesday, 10.15 – 10.45am Call: 01733 864538. Huntingdon Library Princes Street, Huntingdon PE29 3PH. Storytime: 18mths – 5 yrs,

Thorney Library Church Street, Thorney, Peterborough, PE6 0QB. Rhymetime: Friday 11am - 11.30am. Under 5’s Storytime: Friday 11.30am - 12pm. Call:01733 864542. Warboys Library High Street, Warboys PE28 2TA.For 18mths - 5yrs. Storytime:Thurs 10.30am – 11am. Jolly Tots / Autumn 35

Werrington District Library Staniland Way, PE4 6JT.Storytime: Tues & Thurs 2pm – 2.30pm, (also Thurs) 3.30pm - 4pm. Sat 10.45am - 11.15am. Rhyme Time: Fri 2.15pm – 2.45pm. Call: 01733 864282. Woodston Library Orchard Street, Peterborough PE2 9AL.Storytime: Thurs 10.30am - 11am. Rhyme Time: Wed 2.15pm – 2.45pm Call: 01733 864304. Yaxley Library Lansdowne Rd, Yaxley. Storytime: Alternate Tues 10.30am–11am (term time). Rhymetime: alternate Fri 10.30am–11am (term-time only).

Bowling & mum’s fitness Basement Lanes Tenpin Bowling One Leisure St Ives, Westwood Road, St Ives PE27 6WU A modern tenpin bowling facility suitable for all ages. Also available for exclusive hire and party packages. Call 01480 388500 to book. www.basementlanes.co.uk Buggy Boot Camp Postnatal outdoor workout for mums with babies and their buggies. St Neots and Huntingdon. email: lindsay@b-activ.co.uk Buggyfit Postnatal outdoor workout. www. buggyfit.co.uk for local classes

Dance Dance Studio The Cresset, Rightwell, Bretton, Peterborough PE3 8DX.Classes for age 2+. Babies Ballet age 3+ Fri 3.15pm - 3.45pm. Modern and tap age 4+ Sat 2pm - 2.30pm. Term-time only. Call: 01733 842516. www.cresset.co.uk Dance Supplies 20, Bridge Street, St. Ives PE27 5EG. Authorised retailer (01480 498174) www.dancesuppliesstives.co.uk Kelly Marie’s Dance Supplies Unit 2, Fishers Yard, Market Square, St. Neots PE19 2AF. Outfit sizes fromage 2. Call: (01480 477212). www.kellymariesdancewear.co.uk

36 Jolly Tots / Autumn

Linda Allen School of Dance Alconbury, Kimbolton & Spaldwick Ballet, Tap & jazz classes from 3½ yrs. Email: balletclass@btinternet. com /www.balletclass.org.uk New Road Studios New Road, St. Ives, PE27 5BG.Dance, singing and drama. Dance parties Call : Lucie (01480 493111). Peterborough Academy of Dance 19, Abbotsbury, Orton Malborne, Peterborough PE2 5PS. Various classes for under fives. Call: Jill Dawson (01733 234 555). Saldance Theatre Arts 27, Fenlake Business Centre, Peterborough PE1 5BQ.Mums & Tots (from age 2): Thurs 1.15pm. Pre-school age: Thurs 2pm. Cost: £4 per session. Call Nicola Storton on 01733 340003 or email: info@saldance.co.uk Stage Door School of Dance St. B’s Hall, Yaxley., PE7 3LZ. Pre-School Ballet on Tues, Weds, Thurs. Call Lesley: 01733 244779 Stageworks Studios The Towers, High Street, Buckden, St. Neots PE19 5TA.Toddler Dance: Tues 10am - 10.45am. Call Pauline: 01480 812626 www.stageworksstudio.co.uk Tu Danse Studios Newark Road, Peterborough, PE1 5YD. Dance & movement classes for age 2 yrs+. Contact: Anita (01733 553830) E-mail: anita@tudanse.co.uk Wendy Burke School of Dance Hartford, Huntingdon and Sawtry. Ballet classes. For age 3yrs +. Contact: Wendy 01487 822002 / wendy.burke@hotmail.co.uk

Football, Rugby & Cycling Dribblers Football School - One Leisure St Ives, Westwood Road. For ages 2+ years. 01480 388500. - One Leisure Sawtry, Green End Road, Sawtry PE28 5UY. For ages 3 - 5 yrs. 01480 387800. - One Leisure St Neots, Barford

Road, Eynesbury, St Neots. For ages 3 – 4 yrs. 01480 388700. Little Kickers Pre-School Football Classes Peterborough/Stamford for 18mths – 5yrs. Children will learn sound football skills with a positive introduction to sport. For free taster session at Peterborough/Stamford call 07976 179899 / email: pshah@littlekickers.co.uk / www.littlekickers.co.uk Tiny Tykes Peterborough. Football coaching for 18m – 3yrs and 3yrs-5yrs at Vivacity Hampton Leisure Centre or Deepings Leisure Centre. Call 07944889321 / Peterborough@tinytykes.co.uk / www.tinytykes.co.uk Little Scrummers Peterborough & Cambridge. Various Saturday morning rugby sessions for 2yrs – 6yrs. Call 07738591232 www.littlescrummers.com Balanceability One Leisure St Ives, Westwood Road, St Ives PE27 6WU. Introduction to cycling in a safe environment. Develop cycling skills, balance, co-ordination, agility and flexibility. 6 week accredited programme for 2½ to 4 year olds. For course dates contact: 01480 388500.

Gymnastics Tumble Tots & Gymbabes St Neots and Huntingdon Contact Cheryl: 07871 946695 www.tumbletots.com/kettering Baby Gym Huntingdon Gymnastics Club, Claytons Way PE29 1UT.Class for baby walking – 2yrs, Fri 10am -10.45am; 8wks old - walking, 10.50am - 11.35am, £3, term time only. Structured Toddlers - call to join class (pre-booked and pre-paid. Call: 01480 523 43. info@huntingdon-gymnastics.org www.huntingdon-gymnastics.org Tumble Tots For 6mths - 7 yrs. For classes in Peterborough call: Amanda (01832 272127) and St. Ives Karen (01353 661255) www.tumbletots.com

Skating/Ice Skating Tots Planet Ice 1 Mallard Road, Bretton, Peterborough, PE3 8YN Cost: £4.70Supervised skating sessions for 18mths - 5yrs with qualified coach. Pay full price for first child, second child only £1.50. Sun 10am -11am. Call: 01733 260222 www.planet-ice.co.uk Roller Skating @ One Leisure Get your skates on to One Leisure. Fun roller skating sessions for all the family every Sunday and also during the school holidays. Available at One Leisure St Ives (01480 388500) and One Leisure St Neots (01480 388700). www.oneleisure.net

Martial Arts Black Belt Attitude Tora Kai Karate classes at various locations, For age 4+. Call: 01733 246471 / 07800 985724 / www.blackbeltattitude.co.uk Evolution Taekwondo Martial Arts Academy, Unit 4, Wainman Road, Peterborough PE2 7BU. Classes from age 4. Call for more info (01733 235230) or email: info@evolutiontkd.co.uk Little Ninja’s (Hicks Karate) Loxley Community Centre, Loxley, Peterborough, PE4 5BW and Dogsthorpe Community Centre, Poplar Avenue, PE1 4QF. Martial Arts Classes for age 3+. Call Andrew Hicks (01733 810043 / 07974 196256). www.hickskarate.co.uk

Swimming Baby Swimming Lessons For 6 - 18 mths and 18mths - 3 yrs. Introduces babies and toddlers to aquatic activities. Call your local One Leisure site for details: St Ives: 01480 388500; Huntingdon: 01480 388600; Ramsey: 01480 387900; Sawtry: 01480 387800, St. Neots: 01480 388700 or visit www.oneleisure.net First Strokes Godmanchester Community Pool,

Park Lane, Huntingdon PE29 2AG. Swimming lessons for all. (01480 375145) www.firststrokes.com Junior Swimming Lessons One Leisure Huntingdon, Ramsey, Sawtry, St. Ives and St. Neots. Qualified teaching staff help your child gain confidence, develop technique and enjoy swimming. Call local site for details: Huntingdon: (01480 388600) Ramsey: (01480 387900) Sawtry: (01480 387800) St Ives: (01480 388500) St Neots: (01480 388700) or visit: www.oneleisure.net Kimbolton School Swimming Pool Kimbolton, PE28 0EA.The pool is open to the public all year. General swimming for children under 8 years of age with parents. Lessons for over 5’s. For more info and timetable details call: (01480 862276) www.kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk Water Babies Teach your baby to swim at classes in Buckden, Cambridge and Wellingbrough. From Newborn. Call: Debi Hogston (01933 651790) www.waterbabies.co.uk Oasis Beach Pool Aquapark in Bedford, MK42 OBZ. Features flumes, rapid river and an area for babies and toddlers. Under 3s free, kids and adults £4.50 - £7.

Toy libraries Huntingdon Toy Library Huntingdon Nursery School, Ambury Rd, Huntingdon PE29 1AD. Newborn – 5 years. Thurs 9am 11.15am, 12.45pm – 3pm. £1 per year subs then 25p per toy. Term-time only. Call: Mary Mansfield (01480 375216).St. Neots Butterfly Children’s Centre Winhills School, off Duck Lane 01480 358350 , open Tues – Thurs 9am – 4pm; The Eatons Children’s Centre, Bushmead School, Eaton Socon 01480 358350 Mon -Thurs 9am - 4pm and Fri 9am - 1.00pm; St Neots Rural Children’s Centre Little Paxton School, open term-time Mon-Fri 9am – 1pm Call: 01480 358350.

Highlees Children’s Centre, PE3 7ER. Pop in any time. Baby Explorers - Fri 12.45am - 2pm. No charge and no booking needed. Call: Steph for more details (01733 260833).

Wildlife Centres Hamerton Zoo Park Nr Sawtry, Huntingdon PE28 5REWildlife park and adventure playground. Open daily. www. hamertonzoopark.com Sacrewell Peterborough, PE8 6HJ. From £5.50 Activity barns, tractor rides and shire horses, Sacrewell has lots to entertain and inform you little ones all year round. www.sacrewell.org.uk Pigeons Farm Wisbech Road, Peterborough, PE6 0TD. Many breeds of farm animals and birds, large play area, restaurant and shop. Open all year. For more details call 01733 271020 or 01733 271414, email: info@pigeonsfarm. co.uk or visit: pigeonsfarm.co.uk Shepreth Wildlife Park Station Road, Shepreth, SG8 6PZ. Adventure playground and soft playroom for under fives. Open 10am - 5pm. Call: 01763 26 22 26. www.sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk The Raptor Foundation The Heath, St. Ives Road, Woodhurst, Huntingdon PE28 3BT. Open daily, flying displays. Cost: Under 3’s free. Age 4+ £3. Adults: £5. Call 01487 741140 www.raptorfoundation.org.uk Thurleigh Farm Centre Cross End, Thurleigh, MK44 2EE. Open from 9.30am - 5pm. Farm animals, tractor rides, playground and cafe. www.thurleighfarmcentre.co.uk Wood Green The Animal Charity King’s Bush Farm, Godmanchester PE29 2NH. Animal re-homing centre. Children’s play area, pet supplies and shop. Open 10am – 4pm daily. (0844 248 8181) www.woodgreen.org.uk Jolly Tots / Autumn 37

MUM’S THE WORD

Three against one AWARD-WINNING BLOGGER AND STAY-AT-HOME MUM KIMBERLY TEMPLE TELLS US WHAT LIFE IS LIKE MANAGING MULTIPLES “I have considered printing a sign and attaching it to my buggy (or possibly my forehead) that states, ‘Yes they’re triplets, yes I have my hands full and yes I’m tired – thanks for reminding me!’ I am often fondly referred to as ‘The Triplet Mummy’, a strange creature who some are wary of and most are intrigued by. I have created my own mini army, an unstoppable force that often leaves me begging for mercy. My identical two-and-a-halfyear-old trio consists of Lucas, a thinker and an opportunist; Harry, charming and inquisitive; and Oscar, creative and a joker. These differences combined make for the most eventful of days – life is certainly never dull with triplets. In fact, it’s mayhem – but it’s when the mayhem stops that it’s time to be afraid, very afraid.

“In my house silence means somebody has broken into the biscuit tin and eaten their body weight in sugary naughtiness. It means somebody has found my expensive face cream and decided to plaster himself and the sofa in it. It means somebody has pooed on the carpet and the other two have decided to try to vacumn up the mess with your brand new Hoover (to be ‘helpful’). I’m sprouting grey hairs just thinking about all the things they’ve done. “My house is a menagerie of noisy, grubby toddlers digging in dirt and farting on each other’s heads. Despite this, it is not a nightmare as some people have kindly suggested, but it is extraordinary. Parents of multiples get to experience something unique and our children will have friends for life. For them, there is always somebody to play with, to cuddle, to laugh and to fight with! “In case you’re wondering what a triplet mummy looks like, she is the one holding her breath as child one is scaling an 8ft slide while wiping the nose of child two with one hand and pushing child three on the swing with the other. If you see one of these strange triplet mummy creatures don’t stare, go and say hello and offer to catch child one as he takes flight from the 8ft slide.” www.thetripletdiaries.co.uk

FAMILY SUPPORT

USEFUL CONTACTS

WHETHER IT’S HEALTH AND WELLBEING ADVICE OR PARENTAL SUPPORT, HELP IS AT HAND...

For every day health needs, contact your local GP, Midwife, Health Visitor or Pharmacist in the usual way. If they are not available you can use the following contacts or attend a local A&E, a minor injuries unit or walk-in centres.

GP Out-of-hours service

Outside normal surgery hours you can still phone your GP surgery, but you’ll usually be directed to an out-of-hours service. The out-of-hours period is from 6.30pm to 8.00am on weekdays, all day at weekends and on bank holiday.

NHS Telephone service

Call free on 111. Use this service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a lifethreatening situation. It’s available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Emergancy services

Call 999. Use in an emergency or life-threatening situation.

LOCAL HOSPITALS & OUT-OF-HOURS SERVICES Hospitals Peterborough City Hospital Edith Cavell Campus, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, PE3 9GZ 01733 678000 Addenbrookes Hospital Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ 01223 245 151 Hinchingbrooke Hospital Hinchingbrooke Park Huntingdon, PE29 6NT 01480 416561

Minor Illness & Injury Unit Peterborough MIIU City Care Centre, Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6DB 01733 293800 St Neots Health Centre 24 Moores Walk, St Neots, PE19 1AG. 01480 219317

SUPPORT & ADVICE Cambridgeshire Parent Partnership Service For parents and carers of children and young people with special needs. Advice Line: 01223 699214 www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/pps Lullaby Trust Advice for safer sleep for babies www.lullabytrust.org.uk 0808 802 6869 NHS Choices Advice on healthy living, local services and symptom checkers. www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx NCT one-to-one support: www.nct.org.uk / 0300 330 0700 Family Support www.home-start.org.uk 01480 700242 office@homestartwcnf.org Parenting and family support: www.familylives.org.uk 0808 800 2222

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT La Leche League www.laleche.org.uk Find your local breastfeeding support group in Peterborough and Cambridge or call 0845 120 2918 for help. National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 St Neots Breastfeeding Support Eynesbury, Cambridgeshire, PE19 2HD. Tuesdays 11am -12.30pm Debbie Abbott: 01480 214110

FURTHER CONTACTS For up-to-date details on weigh-in clinics and local Children Centre activities, visit www.jollytotsmagazine.co.uk JOLLY TOTS / AUTUMN 39