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15
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Frugal &
Free things! to do in the New Year!
@THEPLAYKINGWALES EXCLUSIVE vouchers & Competitions to be WON inside!
Corporate discount scheme for local and national companies, and Child care vouchers accepted
School and Home pick up’s available!
‘Where your child is our main concern’ • Day Nursery, Pre-School & Holiday Club for 0-10 Years • CCTV & Second To None Security • Large Outdoor Play Area & Garden • Welsh Speaking Members of Staff • Home Cooked Healthy Meals • Holiday Club Ex Rates 5 - 10 years
• Exceptional Standards and highly recommended • Full & Part Time Places - Very Flexible • Planned Activities All Day and Daily Activity Record • Collection Service From Home or School
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Happy babies & children in a safe, stimulated environment, where they can develop & reach their full potential
www. lakesidedaynursery .co.uk 01792 781010 • Email : lakesidedaynursery@btconnect.com Coronet Way, Enterprise Park, Swansea SA6 8RH
Laying the foundations for future academic success
hool in Wales
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Happy New Year to all
Contents
I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and feel energized to start 2015.
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| Crafty Project’s
This healthy edition brings you tips from Schoolhouse Daycare on keeping active with your kids, whilst building memories at the same time. Perhaps you or your child fancy trying a new activity this year? If so, read about the health benefits and fun to be had at Dynamic Rock, as well as having the opportunity to enter their competition to win a rock climbing birthday party for your child!
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| New Year... New Sport?
Page 13 | Snowy Chocolate Muffins
Kidscene readers!
As we all know, along with the winter comes the miserable coughs and colds and Dr Louise helps us to understand the ear infection better and what to do when your child is suffering from one. To shelter from the cold, there are a number of shows in the coming months to look forward to, including CBEEBIES at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff or perhaps why not get baking with your child and check out the yummy Snowy Chocolate Muffins from Homebird Bakery. As ever, we bring you local news and what’s on in and around Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire. Finally, don’t forget to check out the voucher page for some very welcome January discounts.
For an up-to-date what’s on for January and February go to: www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk and subscribe to the Kidscene newsletter. Or Follow us on Facebook ‘kidsceneswansea’ or Twitter @kidscene1. Page 3
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Page 15 | 15 Frugal and Free Things Page 19 | Let’s get Active Page 21 | Mumpreneur Page 25 | Dr. Louise... Ear Infections Page 27 | Competitions and Vouchers
Pear Tree Playtime Pear Tree Playtime is place to drop in for play, activity sessions, support, info and some company! We have a timetable of drop-in baby and toddler sessions, craft, messy play and story time during the week (£2), plus bookable sessions and courses like baby yoga and massage, toddler yoga and gymnastics for 1.5-3yrs (prices vary). Pregnancy sessions, workshops and courses from hypnobirthing to social afternoons all available too. You can find our timetable at www.peartreeclasses.com or on Facebook. Open to all, from bump to five! - High St, Swansea.
Local News and Events Room on the Broom
Mobile Laser Tag!
Room on the Broom comes to Swansea Grand Theatre on the 9th & 10th Feb. Tall Stories’ magical musical stage adaptation of Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler flies into town prior to a smashing WEST END season! Will there ever be room on the broom for everyone? Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up (and their grown-ups). Get a sneak preview at www.roomonthebroomlive.co.uk
Cbeebies come to Cardiff! CBEEBIES - Roll up, roll up! CBeebies Live! are back on Wednesday 1st April at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena at 1.30pm & 4.45pm.
BBC Logo TM & Š BBC 1996
Justin & Friends: Mr Tumble's Circus will bring you all the thrills and excitement of the big top in a spectacular arena show. Joining Justin Fletcher MBE for this fantastic new show will be pre-school favourite Mr Tumble, alongside more characters from the CBeebies programmes Gigglebiz and Something Special. WED 1 APRIL 1.30PM & 4.45PM THU 2 APRIL 11AM & 2PM
motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk | 029 20 22 44 88 0844 847 1682
www.CBeebieslive.com
J&F Cardiff 210x148.indd 1
Calls cost from 5p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from mobiles will be considerably more.
Like our CBeebieslive page on
for news, competitions and fun!
08/12/2014 16:10
Justin Fletcher says: "I'm really excited about the circus theme for our next arena tour. As a child I used to love the circus and I'm really looking forward to bringing some of our CBeebies characters and friends into that world. The combination of CBeebies Live!'s great production values and the magic of the big top will mean we can create something truly unique." Call: 029 20 22 44 88 to book your tickets.
Are You Looking for a Special Activity for your birthday, School, Sports Club, Workplace or even back garden? Celtic Laser, based in Pembrey Country Park are a mobile indoor/outdoor laser tag company, that can provide laser tag for any situation. We offer exciting combat games with minimal risks; no projectiles, no mess, and most importantly, no expensive ammunition. We use the latest technology and we can set up in a variety of locations, allowing our games to offer a great range of scenarios and experiences. We also offer activities that can be set up at any location at a time that suits you best. www.celticlaser.com | 07732171687 | 07599672000
Cirque Du Hilarious Cirque Du Hilarious comes to the Swansea Grand Theatre on Feb 18th, Starring Clive Webb and Danny Adams. Winners of the Ken Dodd Comedy Award and CFA Best Comedy Award. Clive & Danny once again bring their madness and mayhem to the Swansea Grand Theatre with a brand new show for 2015. Dubbed "The Superstars of Slapstick", father and son Clive and Danny's particular brand of lunacy runs throughout the show, causing havoc and chaos on stage, and screams of laughter from all the family. www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk
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Crafty Projects! Heart Cardboard Tube Stamping You will need: A cardboard roll Red Paint Paper plate & felt to make a homemade stamp pad Previously painted heavy weight paper Or plain paper You can use this to turn old painted paper into a fab valentine picture or wrapping paper. First you need to make a simple cardboard tube Heart Stamp. This can be done by simply creasing the cardboard roll in 2 places and manipulating it into the shape of a heart. Pop the felt on the saucer and squeeze on some red paint. Spread this out evenly but not too thinly. Simply dip your shaped tube into the paint and stamp onto the paper.
String Ball Ornaments You will need: Balloons String or wool PVA Glue Bowl or dish Glitter and paint brush Blow up the balloon until it’s slightly smaller than your fist. Tie the end of about 3ft of string or wool to the end of the balloon. Thin the glue slightly with water and dip the string into the glue. Run the string through your fingers to remove some of the glue and begin wrapping the string around the balloon vertically and horizontally. Cut the string and secure it with glue. Pinch the top of the balloon with a clothespin and hang to dry, with some paper underneath to catch any drips. This may take a while so leave overnight. Once dry, pop the balloon with a pin and remove it. Add a loop, you can leave it like this or brush the balloon with glue again and working over a bowl, spoon on glitter and set aside to dry.
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Rock Climbing is an easily accessible sport to participate in for children of all ages. In Swansea there is a fully equipped indoor centre called Dynamic Rock. At the centre we encourage as many young people as possible to get into the sport as it has so many health benefits physically, mentally and socially.
Classes Available
Rock climbing is a great activity to increase self confidence through problem solving, decision making and goal setting. Climbing is a great sport for stress relief as all other thoughts are subsided by the concentration and visualisation that rock climbing requires. Indoor climbing is a very social activity and it is a great way for children to realise their true abilities versus their perceived abilities. Climbing is an activity that generally involves working together in small teams, this is a great way to build friendships, trust, to character build and develop communication skills such as listening and verbally communicating. Physically rock climbing is a low impact cardio vascular activity that is fantastic for building up muscular strength, it assists developing primary muscles used for other sports such as rugby, football and tennis.
What’s On!...
TASTER – a 1.5hr climbing session for those who want to try rock climbing for the first time, all kit and instruction is provided INTRO – a four week course of 1.5hr session learning all things climbing from belaying and warming up to rock climbing techniques. BIRTHDAY PARIES – celebrate any age at the climbing wall a 1.5hr climbing session with all kit provided, free use of our balcony cafe for cake and food. We do not supply food but it can be brought into the centre. Parties can be booked in at different times not just the allocated slot. SQUAD/TEAM – session for members of the Dynamic Rock climbing team. LADIES NIGHT - £5 entry for all ladies YCC – young climbers club is for those between 8 – 16yrs to climb, kit and instruction is provided (booking recommended). Page 7
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BBC Logo TM & Š BBC 1996
WED 1 APRIL 1.30PM & 4.45PM THU 2 APRIL 11AM & 2PM
motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk | 029 20 22 44 88 0844 847 1682
www.CBeebieslive.com
Calls cost from 5p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from mobiles will be considerably more.
Like our CBeebieslive page on
for news, competitions and fun!
Valentine’s day So how do you celebrate the Day of Love, St Valentine’s Day? This year February 14th falls delightedly on a Saturday. I started writing this and thought I would make a comparison of Valentine’s past and present, of Valentine’s before kids in the heady days of romance, your entire existence laid out excitingly before you. I thought it would be amusing to make a comparison between then and now. However as I wrote it I became increasingly frustrated with my negative outlook, and my assumption that Valentine’s was no longer the exciting day it once was. Who exactly am I trying to convince here? Valentine’s Day has never been all that… I vaguely remember one of my first boyfriend’s taking me on a romantic meal complete with obligatory jewellery (which I still have and use!) and single red rose placed on the passenger seat of his (Dad’s) car. I repaid that kindness with blind drunkenness and a dumping, which my ‘girlfriends’ fully endorsed as he was ‘too nice’ and basically a bit of a muppet. Other Valentines have been filled with broken promises, carnations (hate them), and some extremely raucous girls nights out bolstering our opinion that we don’t need a man to have a good time. Let’s be completely honest though Valentine’s day is just a gimmick. True love, admiration, and partnerships can only be born out of manoeuvring through the everyday trials and tribulations that life brings us. I spent years, before I met my husband,
feeling as though everything would be just right if only. This frame of mind brought me nothing but heartache, confusion, and even a little bit of self-loathing thrown in. I’d love to say that the moment I met my husband the light bulb went off, the choirs began to sing, and birds tweeted around delightedly at the dawn of a new horizon in my singledom... it didn’t. Our love, and believe me it is deep rooted, has grown over a number of years through a number of scenarios and situations and continues to do so. We expect nothing from each other except respect and a little understanding. We understand that there are days when you need to be alone, there are days when you need to be together. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my partner in crime, my wing man, my ying to my yang, and the voice of reason when it gets a bit crazy sometimes… and I’d like to think he receives this from me too. He challenges me daily yet bends to my whims too. I would go so far to say that our life together is nothing but a conundrum effectively dealing with the crazy world around us. I doubt very much that I will even get a card this Valentine’s Day, sackable offence of boyfriend’s past, however what I know I will get is a hug, a smile, a laugh, tea cooked for me, and if I’m really lucky and treasured full control of the TV remote… Now that’s what love should be all about.
Ninja Parent
Enrolling Now for January 2015
Swansea
01792 204848
www.stagecoach.co.uk/swansea www.facebook.com/Stagecoachswansea
Believing in the potential of every child
Age 4-18 Fun, educational, confidence-building classes in acting, singing and dance. Please enquire for a prospectus
QUALITY TRAINING
ESTABLISHED 1988 600 SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE
Moving Indoors for the Winter As the weather gets worse and the Ocean gets colder Surfability is able to use the Boardrider at Swansea’s LC for indoor surfing sessions. The Boardrider is a standing wave, this means the wave always stays in the same place and the surfer is able to ride the wave until they get tired or fall off. We have a hardy group of surfers who will continue outdoors on Saturday mornings despite the cold but most sessions will move indoors until the Spring. The Boardrider is great because it provides consistent conditions to practice on and develop core strength, coordination and balance. Because the wave doesn’t move, surfers can ride for a long time once they get used to it
and really build their strength and skills. The wave can be surfed lying on a body board and kneeling or standing up on a soft surfboard. Participants start by learning to fall safely and can then progress from lying down to kneeling to standing up. At Surfability sessions as well as a Coach we have a Catcher at the back of the wave to help participants stand up after their ride. We can also film our surfers to give instant video feedback of their waves and help improve technique. Once participants have learned the basics there are lots of tricks to learn on both the body boards and surfboards. We have some spaces in our regular indoor session that runs on Sunday mornings 10-11am. We can also book group sessions. We can include people with a wide variety of additional needs so please get in touch if you have questions about whether you would be able to participate or would like to give indoor surfing a try. Contact us: 07517230427 | surfability.uk@gmail.com
Snowy Chocolate Muffins
Ingredients
Makes approx. 12 Muffins 180g butter or baking spread 120g caster sugar 60g light soft brown sugar 3 free range eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 100g self-raising flour 80g cocoa powder 1 level teaspoon baking powder 4 tablespoons milk 100g milk chocolate Icing sugar to dust
Equipment
One 12 section cupcake/muffin tray Paper cupcake/muffin cases
Sarah Thomas, Homebird Bakery
A range of wholesome comfort cakes made to order for celebrations corporate events, weekends or just for today. Find Homebird Bakery at Sketty, Pennard & Penclawdd local produce markets homebirdbakery@gmail.com www.homebirdbakery.co.uk
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Method Preheat oven to 170 degrees centigrade. Thoroughly clean your work surface area and then wash your hands. Cream together both sugars and the butter/baking spread until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs with the vanilla extract. Add a third of the egg to the mixture with 1 tablespoon of flour and beat until combined. Repeat this twice more. Sieve the remaining flour, cocoa powder and baking powder into the mixture and gently fold in until all mixed together. Add the milk and gently fold in. Take 75g of the chocolate and cut into chunks, add to the mixture and gently fold in. Put the paper cases in the tin and spoon in the mixture so each case is about two thirds full. Bake at 170 degrees centigrade for around 20-30 minutes until the top is springy to touch. Take out of the tin and leave to cool. Gently melt the remaining chocolate and drizzle over the muffins. Leave to set and then dust with icing sugar before serving. Enjoy!
Enj o y
Swansea this half term!
Mwynhewch
Abertawe hanner tymor hon!
Events, activities and lots of things to do! Mwynhewch ddigwyddiadau, gweithgareddau a llawer o bethau i’w gwneud!
www.enjoyswansea.com www.mwynhauabertawe.com @enjoyswansea @mwynhauabertawe
/enjoyswansea /mwynhauabertawe
Frugal or Free Things With Family Days Tried and Tested! 1. MAKE A MILK CARTON NIGHT LIGHT/LANTERN... Wash out a plastic milk carton, decorate with sharpie marker pens, fill with battery operated fairy lights. 2.TRY SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR BREAKFAST... Decorate eggs with permanent marker pens before boiling, you could try drawing on funny faces, write jokes or personalise with names. 3.MAKE SOME PRETTY PAPER WEIGHTS... Collect some pebbles from the beach to paint and decorate. 4.WATCH THE SUNRISE WITH A FLASK OF HOT CHOCOLATE... Take advantage of the sun rising later in the winter months and head out to watch the day begin. 5.RAINY DAY SLEDGING... Why wait for the snow!! Venture out in the rain to find a grassy bank to slide down. 6.MAKE A 2015 MEMORY BOX... Decorate a small box to fill with all your memories throughout the year....you can open it up on New Year’s Eve to reflect on your year. 7.MAKE A RAINY DAY IDEAS BOOK... Allocate and decorate a book that everyone can write their rainy day ideas in. 8.SET YOURSELF A ‘FRIDGE FACTS’ CHALLENGE... Write a fact on a piece of paper each day and pin it to the fridge for the kids to see... keep all the facts and at the end of the year have a ‘Fridge Facts’ quiz night.
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9.TEDDY BEAR PORRIDGE... Start the day the fun way with some teddy bear porridge! Top your porridge with sliced banana to make your bears ears, and nose and add raisins for the eyes. 10. PLAY A GIANT GAME OF NOUGHTS & CROSSES AT THE BEACH... Draw a super sized grid with a stick to play on! 11.HAVE A BOAT RACE... Build your own sailing boats from junk and find a river or canal to sail them down, use a ball of string to tie them, so they don’t sail away! 12.MAKE AN OUTDOOR CINEMA..Take a pop up tent to the beach with lots of blankets, your tablet to watch a film and plenty of popcorn! 13.STAR GAZING & SPACE STATION SPOTTING... Go on a walk when the sun goes down and spot the stars, download an International Space Station app on your phone for alerts when it is passing over! 14.VISIT A MUSEUM... Learn something new!! There’s lots of free museums...visit one! 15.BUILD A BIVOUAC... Head to the woods and build your own den! You could take a flask of hot chocolate to enjoy once you’ve finished!
Visit ‘Family Days Tried & Tested’ on Facebook to check them out!
Mad Science
Striking a balance -
between mum at school and teacher at home. Striking a balance between Mummy in school and teacher at home is harder in practice than it sounds. I don’t actually have to ‘teach’ my children so I guess in some ways this role is easier. They are independent and happy in school and consequently do not seek my attention or reassurance. If anything they can be too casual with just a nod or a wave, maybe a smile. They have never called me Mum in school although I have never told them not to, it’s natural for them to want to be the same as their peers. In fact when my youngest son recently started Nursery, one evening he said “I saw you today but when I saw you, you weren’t my Mummy.” Of course I reassured him that I am always his Mummy but this hadn’t concerned him he had just seen and accepted me in a different role. I am pleased too that my children’s friends are also able to differentiate between the two roles and seem to relish the idea of calling me by my first name
(occasionally over using it, with great emphasis) when they come on a play date. The role of teacher at home has always been more of a challenge, whilst there are some days when the thought of yet more handwriting, spellings or times tables can be exhausting, these are the expectations I would have for the pupils I teach and so of course it’s what my own children deserve. I do occasionally need to remind myself that not all play activities need an objective and it’s okay if they want to be ninja turtles and play fight on the trampoline! On a positive note, I am always up to date with the latest array of children’s literature, toys and resources. I am able to make cards and crafts to suit all occasions and I am very accomplished at nursery rhymes and action songs! So, do I strike a balance? There is never an ideal, as with all mums regardless of profession, time or pressures we simply try to do our best.
Saskia
Part-‐time courses for adults, in your community and on campus
DACE provides a wide range of part-‐time courses starting throughout the year across the South West Wales region. We also offer the Prepare for BA Humanities Programme. Financial assistance schemes are available for eligible students to help fund their studies. Free, impartial and confidential advice and guidance is offered to discuss course choices. To request a copy of our brochure, telephone 01792 602211 or email adult.education@swansea.ac.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cyrsiau rhan-‐amser i oedolion, yn eich cymuned ac ar y campws
Mae AABO yn darparu ystol eang o gyrsiau rhan-‐amser yn dechrau drwy gydol y flwyddyn ar draws rhanbarth De Orllewin Cymru. Rydym hefyd yn cynnig y rhaglen baratoi ar gyfer BA Dyniaethau Mae cynlluniau cymorth ariannol ar gael i fyfyrwyr cymwys i’w cynorthwyo ag ariannu eu hastudiaethau. Cynigir cyngor ac arweiniad diduedd a chyfrinachol am ddim i drafod dewisiadau cyrsiau. I ofyn am gopi o’n llawlyfr, ffoniwch 01792 602211 neu e-‐bostiwch adult.education@abertawe.ac.uk
Let’s get Active! Maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle over the festive season was difficult for us all but a great opportunity to treat ourselves and indulge in fancy foods and relaxation with all the family. With a new year brings a new start and now is the time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and to follow through on those changes. One of the most common resolutions people make is to lose weight and become more active and there is no better way to achieve this than through making healthy lifestyle choices for the benefit of the whole family. Our children’s health is just as important as ours. Healthy family relationships often translate to healthy eating and exercise habits and families who engage in healthy eating and exercise together will ultimately become a healthier family unit. This doesn’t necessarily mean making huge lifestyle changes, incorporating small, simple changes to your family’s daily routine can have long lasting benefits to the whole family’s health and wellbeing! There is no better way of staying healthy than getting active and is a perfect excuse for children to exhaust some of their energy. The benefits of an active lifestyle for adults and children are endless, not only does it get the heart pumping and burns some unwanted calories, it’s also a great way to build family bonds.
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10 Small active things to do with your children;
Walk to school Go on a nature walk to your local woods Visit your local park Put on the music and dance Get that Wii fit out Play Tag Go on a bike ride Do some gardening Play indoor hopscotch Skip, hop, jump! By engaging in these you are creating memories that your child will cherish someday, memories of times you spent laughing and simply enjoying each other’s company as well having a strong positive affect on a child’s health, personal identity and on the relationship they hold with you as their parents. Written by
Sarah James
Manager - City Day Nursery
Mum to Mumpreneur with Sarah Tell us about your business
Makers of Dance Energy is a dance school that focuses on hip hop/street and jazz dance, no exams or uniform for ages 3 to adult. It’s main focus is to teach technique in fun way, inspiring youngsters to harness a love of dance and we do this through a team of excellent teachers that use up to date moves, music and styles. Its child centred, developing self confidence; the annual show, which this year is Once Upon a Time... in July at Penyrheol is always a sell out event. I like to call it creative vision! But due to the mix of styles, it does very much allow for the dynamics of the show to take its audience on a journey. Last year, they needed a tissue – sometimes for the crying and other times for the laughter! After running the school for 15 years, we celebrated its anniversary in April with a large show in the Grand, I am still as passionate about teaching and quality now as I was when I started.
Where did you begin and what motivated you to start your own business? 15 years ago 1999, with 22 students. I was freelance teaching with various companies and I thought – I can do this! I had no business experience at all, in hindsight, I think I must have been mad, but I would never change a thing.
How many children do you have - tell us a bit about your family
I have 2 amazing, busy boys. Iwan age 5 and Evan age 2. Both have hair like surfers, yet wont go near the sea! They make me laugh, and drive me nuts in equal measures, but would not change it for the world. We all like to mountain bike, we take it in turns to childcare whilst the other tackles the hill!
How do you juggle childcare?
With difficulty. I find it hard to balance everything, especially my mind monkeys that appear suddenly saying ‘your a bad mother for giving them here and there!’ I think every parent struggles with that. My husband is shifts, and in effect so I am I, with evening teaching. So we are lucky in that the children will see more of us individually, the down side is my husband and I are like ships at night, Page 21
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passing childcare over. I do however have very supportive local parents and mother in law and the baby goes to nursery 1 day a week. Other than that, it’s download the webinar and listen in the car on the school run or when they have gone to bed. Multi-tasking, is not always good in business, but with 2 small children is a necessity.
What do you do to relax?
I don’t! I find it hard to, although I am sure my husband would say its crap TV! I continually read and learn, I am currently studying a Post Grad, hoping to do my MA in September and a course to update my anatomy and physiology skills. Oh and did I say I am writing a book? I tend to do all this once the boys are in bed, so relaxing does not come easy to me.
What’s been your biggest challenge in business and how have you overcome it?
Good question. Many challenges, particularly in the last 3 years. Get good advice, even if you have to pay for it.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to other mums wanting to start their own business?
Balance – get the ground work right before you launch. Understand the type of business you want, and make it work to your life, not the other way around.
Bonfire Night Editorial
kidz korner
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Treforys Tiny Tots Day Nursery Tel: 01792 796198 | www.treforys-tinytots.co.uk
NOW OPEN SATURDAYS AND LATE EVENINGS Holiday Playscheme up to Age 11 now available!
Open Mon - Fri 6.30am to 9.30pm Saturday 6.30am to 5.30pm
Tiny tots, toddlers and babies can enjoy a world of fun and excitement at one of Swansea’s best nurseries. Well established Treforys Tiny Tots day Nursery brings together children of all ages to teach them love care and respect. The large nursery based in Swansea Enterprise Park features separate baby and cot rooms, a spacious outside play area and dedicated areas for its holiday play-scheme. Parents can head off to work with peace of mind thanks to the nursery’s safe and secure premises and highly qualified staff.
15% discount for NHS Staff
Busy parents can also benefit from the nursery’s school pick-up service along side its flexible and convenient hours which is tailored to suit their working day. Discount is offered for NHS workers and also many corporate clients in and around Swansea area. The friendly and welcoming staff who are Welsh and English speaking are always on hand to help you with all your nursery needs and to provide your children with the best care possible six days a week. The nursery employs its own cook who ensures that healthy and nutritious meals are served daily.
Benefits of Homework Few children welcome homework but most parents and teachers agree that it is academically beneficial to extend lessons beyond the classroom. How much homework is healthy is the subject of intense debate with no real clear guidance or definitive answer. Many parents today are concerned at the amount of homework primary school aged children are being asked to complete. As children reach secondary school, however, and approach their exam years there is a general acceptance that good grades require considerable independent study. Some children need little encouragement to get on with their homework while others refuse completely, which inevitably descends into a nightly battle of wills. This is partly because to many children, especially teenagers, homework is pointless and swallows too much of their leisure time. We all enforce the homework rule but few of us have any real understanding why it’s so important. The following list details the advantages of homework and reinforce why it should remain a priority. So here’s five benefits of homework: 1. TIME MANAGEMENT Homework is a valuable lesson in time management. Whichever career or job your child will have in the future; they’re very likely to have deadlines and/or be required to prioritise their work according to what is most important. Homework teaches the same skills and requires a child to establish the running order of their homework according to what is due in first.
2. PROBLEM SOLVE Children need an opportunity to apply the knowledge they have accumulated in class in practical terms. This helps increase their understanding and confidence. Homework which builds on classroom teaching but requires independent thought and problem-solving skills will ensure a child has fully grasped what they have learnt. 3. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY Homework encourages children to take responsibility. By law, every child must go to school but the choice on whether or not to complete homework is an individual one. Homework gives children a clear message that they are ultimately responsible for their academic success. 4. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT It’s an old adage but practice really does make perfect. The more work your child completes externally, away from the classroom, the quicker they will master the skills being taught to them. It will also help them to prepare for the next learning step. 5. RELATIONSHIPS Strengthens the relationship between school/ teacher and parent. Homework involves parents and gives them a clear insight into how their child is developing academically. If there are issues to be addressed, parents can play an important role at home and support work that is taking place in the classroom. We hope you found our article on ‘What are the top five benefits of homework?‘ useful. If you have a child struggling with their homework, then why not call us on 01792 299996 to discuss it and we can see if we can help.
Homework! www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk
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Dr. Louise... Ear Infections Ear infections are a very common and painful complaint. You will probably have come across two types of ear infections - otitis externa which occurs in the ear canal and otitis media which occurs in the small space behind the eardrum (the middle ear). This article concentrates on otitis media. How does an ear infection occur? The middle ear space sometimes becomes filled with mucus, often during a cold. This can result in a dull ear ache which is self-resolving and eased by painkillers. If the child is well, then ear infection is unlikely. However, the mucus may become infected by germs (bacteria or viruses) which is then termed an ear infection. Symptoms of middle ear infection: -Pain, but note that babies can’t complain of pain so may be seen to rub their ears, be hot and irritable and cry more than usual - High temperature - Dulled hearing for a few days - Nausea/vomiting/off their food -Sometimes the eardrum bursts (perforates). This lets out infected mucus and the ear becomes runny (a discharge) for a few days. Children often report that the pain of earache eases after the eardrum has burst and they feel better. This is due to the pressure being relieved behind the eardrum. What is the treatment of ear infection? Antibiotics are usually not indicated straight away. This is because the infection usually clears within 2-3 days by itself. When an ear infection first develops it is common for us GPs to advise a ‘wait and see’ approach for 2-3 days, using painkillers such as
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paracetamol/ibuprofen to ease the pain and wait for infection to clear. In most cases it does and no follow-up is needed. However if it does not, then a review is needed to see if antibiotics are required. The exception to the above is when the child has a severe infection from the start, is very young, unwell or has a discharge. Can I take my child swimming with an ear infection? It’s best to avoid swimming during the illness to prevent water getting into the ear. Water can cause more discomfort to the ear as well as introduce bacteria. Your child will probably be feeling unwell so won’t fancy swimming anyway. If the ear drum perforates, then you need to keep the child’s ear dry & avoid swimming for 4-6 weeks until the ear drum heals. Your child needs to be examined by your GP to confirm healing and to be told it’s safe to resume swimming. What if you’re supposed to be flying on holiday and your child has an ear infection? The official advice is that active otitis media, effusions (fluid in the middle ear) or recent surgery are contraindications to flying but not many people would cancel a holiday for the first reason. This is where you need to contact your own GP who can advise you on your personal situation. If you do fly, then sucking on a sweet during take off and landing can help balance pressures on either side of the eardrums and minimise pain, as well as using painkillers. As I mentioned last time, this article is no substitute for advice from your own GP if your child is unwell. Please see your GP if your child becomes more ill, does not improve over 2-3 days, or develops any symptoms that you are not sure about.
Phonics ThruMusic PhonicsThruMusic ebooks have been specifically designed to be relevant to learners of all ages. Older readers will relate to the characters and enjoy the engaging storylines, while all learners will enjoy interacting with the touchscreen technology and superb graphics. Whatever their age, students will amaze themselves by how quickly they learn the new skill of reading and will finish the series with a huge sense of achievement.
What makes us different?
We didn’t invent synthetic phonics and we’re certainly not the only program teaching it. But there are a few things which separate us from the crowd. Cutting edge, touch screen technology allows learners to take learning into their own hands Superb graphics, interactive tests and a unique ‘write your own song’ feature Material that is appropriate for older learners too Swansea based organisation launches world first reading resource! PhonicsThruMusic ebooks are a series of stories following the adventures of aspiring musician, Stan Spits and his friends. The series works logically through the major phonemes of the English language, with the early books introducing the reader to the most common sounds and letters. As the series progresses and the reader grows in confidence, less common sounds and more complex words are introduced. Each ebook features an interactive key where the reader can separate individual letter sounds or listen to the pronunciation of entire words. At the end of each story they will find a test where they can practise what they have learned. PhonicsThruMusic ebooks also have a unique feature that allows students to mix songs with the new sounds using the touchscreen technology and professionally recorded backing tracks.
Contact us We’re happy to help, contact us via the details below. Address: Rewise Learning Ltd, 91 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4BN, Wales. Email: info@phonicsthrumusic.com Phone: (+44) 05603 684297
Baby Signing ...the fun way! Help your baby communicate before speech. 3 classes: 0-6mth, 6-18mth & 14-24mth Using pictures, props, toys & an award winning music program we make learning easy & fun! To book a class or FREE TASTER Call 07583 087157 or email: beverleythomas@singandsign.co.uk www.singandsign.co.uk www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk
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Competitions and Vouchers! WIN
Win a Build a Teddy Bear Party for up to 10 children, worth £120.
WIN
Family ticket for Cirque Du Hilarious on Wed 18th February at 2.00pm at Swansea Grand
Includes: Teddy bears picnic lunch bags and a choice of a huge 16” bear to fill, they also get a wish star, a birth certificate and a carry box/ bag to take the teddy home.
WIN
A birthday party for 8, worth £80 at Dynamic Rock, Clydach
T&C’s Valid until 01/12/15 Competition is open to everyone. All children attending the party must be 8 years old or over. The birthday party is subject to availability so book in advance we can accommodate you where we can.
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Just one year ago James Anthony from Swansea began his mission to encourage more boys and young men into the world of Ballet and dance! Mr James Anthony who owns a 37 year well-established and successful theatre school in Swansea, ‘Counterpointe Theatre Arts’, has been exposed to the performing arts world from a very young age. His schools have a long history of successes and each year this continues with more students gaining scholarships and placements within well renowned and prestigious full time performing arts establishments. Despite many of Mr Anthony’s family being dancers, Ballet teachers and performers, Mr Anthony was always too embarrassed as a child to take up a hidden passion of Ballet, but soon made up for it in his twenties when he began intensively training towards Intermediate & Advanced Ballet qualifications with some of London’s most respected and qualified teachers. Over the last 12 month James has successfully established the UK’s first ever Boys Ballet School (London Boys Ballet School) which is based in Central London offering classes to boys and young men aged from 4 to 16. A staggering amount of boys and young men now attend this unique school and have a full timetable of classes which cover all dance and theatre disciplines up to Advanced Vocational Qualifications.
A school like no other! With new boys enrolling each week and more classes being introduced, this school certainly goes by its slogan – ‘Be Part of Something Different!’ The school which is situated in brand new purpose built premises has already attracted a lot of attention and has been featured in professional dance magazines, local and national newspapers and on the BBC news. Recently the school has begun to branch out to other areas of the UK with the hope to finally change the unjust and misguided image of boys and men in Ballet and dance. Mr Anthony has just opened a South Wales branch running classes on Saturdays in his hometown of Swansea and is soon to introduce a full range of ‘boys only’ classes to offer focussed male training in the region. “I am so passionate about these schools, I always believed that there were many other young men out there who would like to dance, but the image that was being portrayed in dance forms such as Ballet was somewhat discouraging. With the growth of our schools which has tried hard to change the stereotypical image, I am pleased to say that I was right! ” says James Anthony. Why not bring your son along to see what classes are on offer at LBBS Swansea. They presently have a fantastic offer of 3 Months of Free Boys Ballet Classes, to see if they can encourage those boys who may just be tempted, to come and have a try!
Wales National Pool Swansea - more than just swimming! • Learn to swim ages 3-16 • Allsorts – our youth club in the pool • Pool parties • Adult Lessons • Aquatic Fitness classes • Rookie Lifeguards
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Wales National Pool Swansea, Sketty Lane, Swansea SA2 8QG
enquiries@walesnationalpoolswansea.co.uk Please quote Kidscene when enquiring or booking.
ks07-08-13