Handprints North Bristol Spring 2010 by The Magazine Production Company

Handprints sPRING 2010

m A G A Z I N e

FRee

Inside this edition:

Great discounts, competitions & reader offers exclusive to Handprints magazine readers. Read more inside about health, family friendly work & spring garden fun.

www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk A guide to life with under 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in North Bristol & south Gloucestershire Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 1

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realising individual  brilliance...  To see for yourself, please call 0117 933 9087  or go to !!!.cli&'n)ig).bris.'l.sc).u0

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Spring

ow, its spring already! It seems like only yesterday that we were planning christmas parties and making snowmen. Life has been busy as usual at Handprints Magazine, and we have some new additions to the team including Handprints Bear. You can read more about our Teddy about Town who loves to do the things that 3 year olds do on page 17. Handprints Bear loves to meet new friends so if you have somewhere that you would like Handprints Bear to visit then let us know and we will do our best to get him there. We have lots more in store in this edition including our brand new problem page – a problem shared. We also have a competition to win a Spring Gardening

weLcome

with

Prize from Henleaze Garden Shop and don’t forget the Jump vouchers on the back page! Take care and have a great spring, our next edition will be available in Summer from July.

xxx Lucy, Lisa & Becca If you would like to contact us you can on our new number 0800 8824027 or email hello@handprintsmagazine.co.uk

Jo Jingles is Here! Fun Music, Singing & Movement Classes for children aged 3 months to 5 years Develop your child’s t Social Skills t Language t Confidence t Listening Skills t Co-ordination t Imagination

learning through story, drama and play Baby Story Play

Early Years Drama

6 months - 2 years

2 - 7 years

Interactive storytelling and imaginative play encourage you to communicate and create with your little one. Be inspired by a new story each week!

Delight in your child’s love of story as we fire their imagination, boost their confidence and build their language, listening and social skills through dramatic play.

FREE TRIAL CLASS Contact Lucy Smith on 01454 612063 lucy@debutots.co.uk www.debutots.co.uk Bradley Stoke · Thornbury · Downend · Redland · Henleaze · Chipping Sodbury

Children’s Parties & Nursery Sessions also available!

NO JOINING FEE!

For details on classes in Redland, Emersons Green, Thornbury, Westbury-on-Trym, Yate, Portishead, Bradley Stoke & Clevedon Call Pam on 01454 610553 pam.jojingles@tiscali.co.uk www.jojingles.com/bristol

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Baby Massage A special and fun time with your baby Choose from a group 5 week course or home individual tuition – letting you learn a simple, effective massage with your baby in a way that suits you. Suitable for babies from 7 weeks Some comments from parents ‘ A great course to do to help bond with your baby’ ‘ It’s a lovely way to spend time with baby’ Further feedback available on the website See website or call for further information and details for groups: www.louise-morgan.co.uk contact@louise-morgan.co.uk 07779 234144 0800 8824027 hello@handprintsmagazine.co.uk www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 5

Spring 2010 • Handprints Magazine • 5 10/3/10 12:10:27

working parents

Flexible Working – Know Your Rights Working and being a parent isn’t an easy life and its often hard to maintain the balance between work and family life. You either feel like you are letting the team down if you have to deal with family issues or you sacrifice family time to get your job done either way someone is not happy.

It works for me… Andrea is a personal travel agent with Dream Travel Group she has two children aged 5 and 4. What makes your job so family friendly? I have the flexibility to work hours to suit my family life, especially around my husband’s work hours which vary daily!

Flexible Working can help parents to manage the work life balance and can benefit both employers and staff. Flexible working is a working pattern that is adapted to suit your needs – for example part time hours, flexi time, annualised hours or job sharing. If you are an employee and have worked for your employer for 26 weeks’ continuously and not made another application to work flexibly during the past 12 months you can apply for a flexible working pattern. You have the statutory right to ask for flexible working if you have parental responsibility of a child aged 16 or under or a disabled child under 18. This includes foster parents and adoptive parents and guardians. Your employer must give serious consideration to your application and can only reject it if there are good business reasons for doing so, but remember… You have the right to ask for flexible working but not the right to have it. For more details about how to apply for flexible working and information about parental leave, maternity and paternity rights you can log on to www.direct.gov.uk and look in the parents or employment sections where you will find useful help on how to apply and what to include in your application. 6 • Handprints Magazine • Spring 2010 Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 6

How do you maintain the balance of work and family life yourself? The mix of customer contact and administration allows me to split my work across the day – I often deal with emails and admin late at night allowing me the time to speak with tour operators, airlines and clients during the day. In between, I’m able to get the kids up and ready for school, collect them myself at the end of their school day, take them to their clubs with time to get involved where I can, as well as fitting in the household chores of cleaning, cooking and ironing!

Diane is a Jamie at Home Consultant I left work four and a half years ago after working full time. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. After much contemplation about work I finally joined the Jamie at Home team in September last year. It fits in perfectly with my family life, my husband works days and I work evenings. I have even done some day parties and helped a couple of organisations raise money by having parties, this can work with children’s toddler groups too.

www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:10:27

Would you like to run your own business?

Boogie Beat is seeking energetic, confident and motivated people who would like to run their own Boogie Beat Franchise. This fun and flexible opportunity can fit around your family. We provide full ongoing support and training. Boogie Beat Music and Movement classes are energetic and fun, combining music and dance with carefully structured learning. For more information please contact Nicky or Lisa : 01934 741648 / 744272 www.boogiebeat.co.uk

Flexible Working Opportunity Successful business Mum is seeking working partners to work part time from home without compromising current working or family commitments. If you have a Supervisory, Managerial, Sales, Marketing, Recruitment or Self-Employed background or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle call me NOW.

Fran Nash-Smith 01454 316 133 07800 670598 0800 8824027 hello@handprintsmagazine.co.uk www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 7

Spring 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ Handprints Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ 7 10/3/10 12:10:29

gardening

Garden Fun

Spring is here and it’s a great time to get out in the garden with children... Warmer weather, sunshine, longer days... there are plenty of great reasons to get out and have fun in the garden. Gardening is a fantastic free activity and you don’t need a lot of space to plant flowers or even veggies. Getting little ones involved in gardening allows them to explore nature, they will love to plant their own seeds and watch them grow. Big seeds that are easy to handle are a good choice – miniature sunflowers are a favourite. Growing vegetables is a brilliant way to introduce children to how food is grown and where it comes from. You don’t need a lot of space and a little bit of time invested now could see you eating your own fruit and vegetables in summer and autumn. Start simple with ideas like cress egg-heads or some potatoes in a bucket or strawberries in a pot. The joy of eating your home grown produce is amazing!

to support our gardening ideas the helpful guys at Henleaze Garden shop have donated a childrens gardening prize. If you would like a chance of winning, email prizes@handprintsmagazine.co.uk with your name and address and childs age. Winners will be chosen at random at the end of April and will be contacted via email.

Henleaze Garden shop, 146-8 Henleaze Road, Bristol, Bs9 4NB 0117 962 0418 www.henleazegardenshop.co.uk Do you have a veggie child? Maybe they’d love to be a part of the Twiggy Club!

Join today and save 25%!

The Vegetarian Society’s youth clubs aim to give young vegetarians a voice, support and activities just for their age group. The Twiggy Club is for children aged ten and under. Members receive: • Twiggy Club membership card and keyring • Veggie Kids’ Kitchen cookery booklet • exclusive Twiggy Activity Booklet • quarterly Twiggy newsletter • stickers We also have a club for members aged 11 to 16, Team Veggie, who will receive their own welcome pack and opportunities to get involved with our work! Why not get membership to the Twiggy Club or Team Veggie for your own little veggie for just £7.50?* Plus we’ll send you a free copy of ‘Vegetarian pregnancy, vegetarian babies’ booklet.

To buy membership for a child you know, please email info@vegsoc.org, call 0161 925 2000 or visit www.vegsoc.org/members and buy membership online. Quote ‘HPMAR10’ by 15th April 2010 to get 25% off today!

www.vegsoc.org

www.youngveggie.org

*usual price £10

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A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:10:31

Learn to cook for your children with Baby Bites In an ideal world we would all like to cook for our children. With such busy lives many of us have grown to rely on convenience food. Well, Baby Bites is here to help. Baby Bites is a new Bishopston based company set up by Louise Barnard a Cordon Bleu trained chef who has worked as a chef for the past eight years. Louise started feeding her own recipes to her first son Oscar whilst weaning him. Since then she has realised that there are a number of parents who wanted to cook for their baby but simply lack the confidence and/or skills in the kitchen. Louise feels passionately about good food and believes that parents should have the confidence to cook for their children from the start. Baby Bites’ classes are aimed at teaching parents and carers some easy recipes to get them on the road to feeding their babies nutritious homemade food. Baby Bites offers a series of four classes. Each class is tailored to those that attend it, (allergies, intolerances, baby led weaning.) Classes are £20-£40pp, including all the organic ingredients, lots of lovely meals for your baby to try during class and scrummy baby food to take home too. Baby Bites will also be launching a weekly home delivery service of fresh, organic baby food to your door.

Gift vouchers and party catering for little ones are available. For more information please contact Louise on 07531237527 or email info@babybites.co.uk Website www.babybites.co.uk

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Get rid of your unwanted stuff, cheaply, simply and locally.

Buy, sell or swap …face 2 face Get a 2good2tip online stall… it’s just like having a tabletop or carboot sale on your computer! ®

www.2good2tip.com – The community based website for buying, selling, swapping low cost stuff, locally – you can even use it for fundraising! Think of all those things around the home you no longer want, use or need – most of it is 2good2tip. Why not get your own stall on line (rather like a tabletop or carboot stall) where you can up load all your things and advertise them to people local to you. Put your stall on community groups around you – join ones that already exist, or start your own group at your school, club, workplace, village... and get your friends involved. 2good2tip is the new and simple way to trade face to face with people you know or people who are local to you. For only £1 a month – become a member of www.2good2tip and get your own stall – and then you are free to buy and sell as you please and you keep all the profit. Why not start a new group with your friends – make some extra cash or use it to fundraise for that special cause. 2good2tip is all about making friendlier, fun and

1100ad:Layout 1

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14:58

Page 1safer places to buy, & sell. Find out more and meet

Visit www.2good2tip.com NOW

the floggies by visiting www.2good2tip.com

BCY BRISTOL CITY YOGA

Supporting families every step of the way • Pregnancy & Mum-Baby Yoga • Couples Birth Preparation • Baby Yoga & Massage • Acupuncture & Therapies • Family & Children’s Yoga • Kinder Music

www.bristolcityyoga.co.uk 0117 924 4414 10 • Handprints Magazine • Spring 2010 Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 10

www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:10:34

Questions & Answers

We get lots of questions from parents – everything from parenting advice to starting a small business so we though it was time we asked the experts for their advice in our new regular page – A Problem Shared.

Starting a new business?

Sleeping

Q: I have always worked as an employee, but now want to take steps to set up my own business and work for myself. Can you explain how this differs to being employed?

Q: “How can I get my kids to sleep?” My 2 year old has slept in our bed since he was very small, he was ill one week so we gave him comfort in our bed and now it’s a habit every night. Controlled crying didn’t work for us and I just don’t see the end of the disrupted nights.

A: W hen you are employed, your employer deducts tax and NI from your gross pay and pays the balance to you. The amounts deducted are paid to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through your employers PAYE scheme. Assuming you have no other source of income, you are unlikely to have any further tax liabilities, and will not be asked to complete a Self-Assessment Tax Return (SATR). However, the rules for the self employed require you to register as self-employed with HMRC (www.hmrc.gov.uk) within 3 months of starting your business, and failure to do so results in a £100 fine. You are responsible for ensuring a SATR is prepared to disclose your earnings, and any Tax and National Insurance are paid by the due dates. This will require you to maintain appropriate records of all your business transactions. Whilst you do not need to consult an Accountant, it is probably a good idea to appoint one as they can provide you with guidance and support to help you deal with the mountain of regulations that have to be complied with, together with identifying any tax savings due to you. They can help with this and can also help you to develop sound ways of improving business profitability from the outset, ensuring you can measure the progress of your business against your desired targets.

A: When he cries loudly for your attention it is very difficult not to settle him with a bottle in your bed as you know that will work. My suggestion would be to settle him to sleep at night, confidently tell him that he can go to sleep and that you are happy with him sleeping in his own room – eye contact for this is essential. When he wakes, wait for a couple of minutes to make sure he will not settle himself, then go in and put your hand on his back or tummy so he knows you are there. Gently tell him that everything is alright and that he can go back to sleep – it is important that you feel that he can go back to sleep as babies communicate a lot through emotion. Continue this until he goes back to sleep, however listen to him and if you feel he needs to be cuddled then do so and then pop him back in his bed again telling him you are happy with him going back to sleep on his own. It might mean a few unsettled nights for you all, but once he has learned the skill of self settling, it will mean more sleep and confidence for you all.

Many thanks to Nick at My Baby Life and Ali from Tax Assist for their expert help. 0800 8824027 hello@handprintsmagazine.co.uk www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk Spring 2010 • Handprints Magazine • 11 Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 11

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Bristol Babysitting Agency has been helping parents in the Bristol area find babysitters since 2000. All our sitters are: © Police checked © Qualified/experienced in childcare © Referenced © Interviewed

Phone: 07791 478028

www.bristolbabysitting.co.uk 12 • Handprints Magazine • Spring 2010 Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 12

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A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:10:37



A dAY iN THe LiFe

Have you ever wondered what life is like as a childminder? We spoke to maxine Pinkett a registered childminder to ﬁnd out what a typical day is like for her and the children in her care. I enjoyed being with young children and when my son was two I needed to be earning a wage again but didn’t want to miss out on his early years so this was the perfect combination. In the last few years the opening of the Children Centres has made a positive difference to my job. As well as drop-in groups that offer a massive array of activities and resources that wouldn’t necessarily have at home there are also Childminding Groups who offer us childminders fantastic support with EYFS. A typical day for me would start from anytime after 7.30 when the children arrive at my house. We

earn+learn

become an Early Years Professional and work towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

Choose your route to success UÊ Validation Only pathway - Four months part time UÊ ÊShort EPD pathway – Six months part time UÊ Long EPD pathway – Fifteen months part time UÊ ÊFull Training pathway – Twelve months full time To find out more Telephone 0117 32 84128 E-mail eyps@uwe.ac.uk

We offer: Excellent mentor support No fees Supply Cover A dedicated and experienced team High success rate MA programmes Supported network of Early Years Work Placements

do a school run first thing in the morning to drop my boys off and then often we will go to Oldbury Court Children’s centre. At the centre the children will get nice and messy with sand or water. There are lots of activities for the children, lots of toys and learning spaces. The centre offer a healthy snack of fruit and water or milk. Then after tidy up time we have a group story with singing and then its home for lunch. After lunch Esme (one of my children at the moment) will have her afternoon nap and then we do the school run. When we get home Ezzie loves spending time playing with my boys until tea time and then her Mum picks her up. I would recommend childminding to anyone who has a love of children. Its definitely not the easiest job I’ve done but it is by far the most rewarding as you get to build such a great relationship with the child and the parents. maxine currently has vacancies and can be contacted on 0117 9656032. If you would like to ﬁnd a childminder in your area take a look at childcareﬁnder.direct.gov.uk

uwe 02/01d

www.uwe.ac.uk/eyps

To find out more about becoming a childminder contact your local authority: South glos: www.southglos.gov.uk or 01454 868008 Bristol: www.bristol-cyps.org.uk or call the family Information Service 0845 129 7217.

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Spring your children’s learning to life with Debutots! This term we have a host of new characters and stories in Debutots classes across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. We will meet Doug the bug who finds out he’s a slug, we’ll travel with Milton Monkey on his first day at work on the Jungle Bus and we’ll meet Stella Star to create our very own Space Trek and learn all about the sun, moon, star and planets through story, drama and play! Anything is possible in the magical world of stories and at Debutots Early Years Drama we know how to nurture young imaginations so that through creative play, children can make sense of the very big world they live in. Our popular weekly classes are a blend of interactive storytelling and dramatic play designed to fire budding imaginations, build children’s self confidence and help develop their communication skills. Join our Baby Story Play Classes perfect for tiny tots under 2 or weekday Early Years Drama Classes for preschool age 2 – 4 or Saturday classes where we enjoy a drop off session for 4 – 7 year olds and a great family

class for under 4’s where parents have just as much fun and laughter as their children. Debutots now has classes in more venues in Bristol and South Gloucestershire and from April classes will be available in Henleaze, Bradley Stoke,Thornbury we will also be introducing new classes in Downend and Emersons Green with our new practitioner Emily. We also offer a highly recommended party entertainment package for little ones with our loveable characters Fairy Fuddle, Pirate Goldstealer, Tiny Ted and Safari Sue, perfect for children aged 2 – 6 years old.

You can find out more about our classes and parties from Lucy on 01454 612063 or email lucy@debutots.co.uk or look at our website www.debutots.co.uk

Calling all Schools and Nurseries We can entertain at your end of term parties or summer fayres and provide creative and interactive workshops for holiday activity schemes for children under 7 – just call Lucy for more information on 01454 612063 or email lucy@debutots.co.uk

the painting pottery Café

Bristol’s newest and biggest paint-your -own-pottery café! l S • Suitable forALL ALLages! ages! uitable for l O • Over ver 100 items to choose choose from from l IItems • professionallyglazed glazed tems professionally and fired fired l Collect a few days later • Collect a few later, and keep a lifetime! Ideal for: Ideal for l U • Unique Gifts nique Gifts l F athers Day • Mothers DayPresents presents l Capturing Baby’s Foot • Capturing Baby’s Foot or or Handprint Handprint l Children’s Parties • Children’s Parties l Adult’s Parties • Adult’s Parties l Girl’s Night Out/ Hen Nights • Girl’s Night Out / hen nights l ffice Parties Parties • O Office

open 7 7 dAys daysA aweek week Open in schoolhALf holidays! thrOugh term!

9 Byron place (off the Clifton triangle) tel: (0117) 927 3666

www.flyingsaucers.co.uk

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A Guide to Life with Under 5’s

20/01/2009 17:21:40

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environment

Going Green

– it’s a growing business

It can’t have escaped your notice that the world is becoming increasingly concerned about global warming and carbon emissions. We’ve all seen the adverts on TV with the small child asking “is there a happy ending?”

If you run a business, school or organisation, there is plenty of legislation that may affect how you operate. To help you simplify this complexity and use it to your advantage, it is worth getting some specialist advice. Steve Tainton says “Smaller businesses and organisations often haven’t got the time to understand all the issues that might affect them. They may be missing really good opportunities to reduce their energy costs, “green” their organisations and improve their performance. If you can integrate a positive environmental story into your marketing you can generate new business too – green markets are growing all the time”.

For more information go to www.taintonsds.co.uk or call Steve on 0117 9856640.

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Bristol’s Premier Baby & Toddler Event Ashton Gate Stadium Sunday March 28th 2010 10.00am - 4.00pm Free Face Painting! Free goody bag for the first 500 families! Admission £3.00 for adults & kids go free!

And much more...

Visit www.little-monster.co.uk for more details

Relaxed and easy-going, Halo is so laid back it feels like a Sunday Morning every day. It’s the sort of place you can bring the family to and know that everyone will be comfortable, from Great-Gran to the new babe-in-arms. “AN ATMOSPHERE SO RELAXED ITS ALMOST HORIZONTAL” (Bristol Evening Post)

10% Discount for Handprints Readers 141 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8BA Tel: 0117 944 2504 www.halobristol.co.uk 16 • Handprints Magazine • Spring 2010 Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 16

www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:10:42

HANdpriNTS beAr

Meet Handprints Bear... Handprints Bear is the newest member of our team. He is a 3 year old teddy bear and he loves to do all the things teddy bears enjoy, so we have taken him on as a roving reporter. Since joining the team Handprints Bear has been very busy. Here is his first report... “Hi, I love working for Handprints Magazine cos I get to do lots of really fun things with the children and adults I meet. In January I enjoyed the snow and I built a snowman with Stan and Toby – it was brilliant! I also went to the cinema @Bristol and Softplay. In February I was very busy. First of all I joined my friend Charlotte at a Gymtastic Club 4 session. “Gymtastic is Fantastic! I loved the activities and using the equipment. Sherri and Vicki have such fun songs and brilliant exercises. I did a handstand and learnt how to do a forward roll. My favourite bit is star jumping on the trampoline. I can’t wait to go again! I also joined Thomas and his Mummy at a swimming class with Puddleducks in Thornbury. I LOVE SWIMMING! Thomas and I really enjoyed splashing and swimming as a Little Kicker with Sarah the teacher. The best part was singing 3 Little Ducks with Sarah’s puppet. My fur got very wet though and I did need to use the hairdryer at the end. Great fun – I wish I could go every week! I joined Stan and Toby for a fantastic afternoon at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Millennium Square Bristol... Wow how exciting! Lots to sea – whoops see. We could see and reach everything we had a great time exploring. Octopus feeding time was great fun. We visited the Imax 3D Cinema to watch a film about Whales and Dolphins which mummy wasn’t sure we’d be patient enough for but it was brilliant, Stan said it was “Real Magic”. And finally, I went to Flying Saucers Pottery Café with Charlotte and Thomas where we painted some Mother’s Day gifts for our Grannies. This was really good fun, I loved getting my paws wet to make a pawprint on the plates we chose and I can’t wait to see what they look like when we collect them.”

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Further details... Gymtastic classes are gymnastic classes for preschool children. the classes are held at esporta Health Club in stoke Gifford. For more details call 0117 910 9563 or look at www.gymtastic.co.uk Puddle Ducks run baby and toddler swimming classes that teach your child to swim, be safe and have fun in the water in lots of pools in Bristol, south Gloucestershire and North somerset. Contact sarah on 0117 971 7165 or bristolandbath@puddleducks.com or visit www. puddleducks.com for more information. Flying saucers Pottery Café is in Clifton. they are open 7 days a week in school holidays. For more information please visit www.ﬂyingsaucers.co.uk or call 0117 927 3666.

Blue Reef Bristol Aquarium & ImAX 3D Cinema, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, Bs1 5tt, 0117 929 8929 www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk

A family day out that won’t break the budget

Ea this New

ster

uck d e l d d u P corner Meet our team of tame ducks, watch them follow the feeder before listening to a special talk from the warden.

The ideal venue for Children’s Parties with yummy party food available and lots of places for them to let off steam. There’s an adventure playground and lots of animals to see plus a great cafe area serving hot and cold snacks, to keep the grown-ups happy.

Visit wwt.org.uk/slimbridge for more details, events, news and the latest wildlife sightings.

Slimbridge

Old Down Country Park, Foxholes Lane, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4PG (off the B4461 Thornbury to Aust)

Tel: 0845 683 0730 Email: info@olddownpark.co.uk www.olddowncountrypark.co.uk

18 • Handprints Magazine • Spring 2010

Wetland Centre

Gloucestershire GL2 7BT T 01453 891900 Reg charity in England & Wales, no. 1030884 and Scotland, no. SC039410

www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Life with Under 5’s

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book review

Love Reading? Visit your local library – with free activities and a great selection of children’s books there is always a warm welcome to families… Every library in South Gloucestershire is ready to welcome you. There are no fines for children and we understand that sometimes books will be damaged but don’t worry as we will not charge you. And don’t forget to collect all your free Bookstart packs which are available to all parents when their children are aged 9 months, 18 months and 3 years. These fantastic packs provide free books to help you and your child enjoy reading together.

A great book to look out for is I’m not cute by Jonathan Allen... Baby Owl doesn’t want to be cute, he wants to be a scary, sleek, sharp-eyed hunting machine. All the other animals cannot resist hugging him because he is so sweet. When Baby Owl’s mum agrees with him that he isn’t cute, it’s a different matter and then he changes his mind and decides that he is! A lovely simple story with ‘cute’ illustrations! Further details of all library activities can be found at www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries

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Voucher for £5 off a Filton Fun Hangar Birthday Party Booking at Filton Sports and Leisure Centre, Elm Park, Filton, Bristol 01454 866686 This voucher can only be used when presented in person at the Lesiure Centre reception. Please note it can only be used when booking a Fun Hanger Party and not for any other type of party. It must be used at the time of payment and not once party is booked and paid for. No photocopies accepted

Filton Sports and Leisure Centre (Dolphin Pool) Elm Park, Filton (Just off the A38 behind Filton Police Station)

Enjoy our 2 swimming pools, our learner pool offers a great environment for young children to enjoy swimming. Book on to our swimming lessons, classes run for those aged 3 and over or book a children’s party, We offer the following parties:bouncy castle, soft play, pedal go karts, swimming or walk on water without getting wet in our Waterwalkerz (the only venue in Bristol to offer this party)

For more details call us on 01454 866686 or visit www.filton-town-council.co.uk

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Filton Sports and Leisure Centre, Elm Park, Filton is operated independently by Filton Town Council. We are open 7 days a week and our facilities include the Dolphin Pool (2 swimming pools), The Ratepayers Arms pub, badminton court, soft play area, squash court and 2 outdoor floodlit football/tennis courts. We run a swim school for over 800 children a week with classes catering for babies through to competition standard swimmers. We are the only pool in the Bristol area to offer the chance to walk on water without getting wet in our WATERWALKERZ parties and fun sessions. We also offer children’s parties in the following activities; Pedal Go karting, Swimming, Softplay and Bouncy Castle. In the Ratepayers Arms pub we offer free wifi and a big screen for sports events as well as offering 2 snooker tables, a skittle alley and function hall. For further information about all our facilities please call 01454 866686 or visit www.filton-town-council.co.uk

www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:10:52

4 Beaufort Mews,Horse Street Chipping Sodbury BS37 6DA

Telephone 01454 313011 Paint Your Own Ceramics Studio Childrens Parties Babies Hand & Feet Impressions Silver Fingerprint Keepsakes Mum’s Night Off Mother & Toddler Groups Brownies, Youth Groups Ladies Groups

NEW! TEDDY BEAR MAKING PARTIES booking recommended

It’s more than just becoming water-confident. It’s about nurturing your child’s natural love of water. Join at any age, from birth. Tel 0117 971 7165 Email bristolandbath@puddleducks.com

Life but swimmingly...

www.puddleducks.com

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Spring 2010 • Handprints Magazine • 21 10/3/10 12:10:56

dad’s page

Back on the road again Unfortunately, or fortunately, whichever way you look at it, my road trip has taken an unexpected diversion. Whilst cruising in my MPV I found my self suddenly back on the career highway dodging traffic cones! I was offered a job, almost 1 year since I was made redundant. It was such a great opportunity that I could not turn it down, So the MPV is now parked back up and I’m back in the driving seat of my new company car.

However the time I have spent with my children has been invaluable. Where most dads have to work at least 7 hrs a day (just like me now!) I was lucky enough to spend this time for the past year with the most important people in my life, my kids (oh yeah and the wife!). It has been such a great ride and a great opportunity to bond and to really get to know them, and them to get to know and trust me. So where before Tom hurt himself, or was upset, it was always “Mum!” nowadays “Dad!” seems to creep in a bit more often. So to all those dads who may be facing troubled times, if the worst happens and you do loose your job, its crap I know, I’ve been there! But use this time to your advantage. Get to know your kids better, spend all the time you can with them. You wont regret it. At the end of the day you will find another job, but you’ll never have another chance to enjoy being part of your children’s lives as they grow up!

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www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:10:57

Open Morning Come and meet Emma Davies, the new Head of Badminton Junior School, on Monday 3rd May. Badminton Junior School (4-11 years) offers the perfect nurturing environment for your daughter. Why not ﬁnd out for yourself what makes us so special? Small class sizes, combined with one-to-one teaching in a happy setting, daily sport and lots of extracurricular activities mean children are inspired from day one. Our fees are realistic too, and most parents ﬁnd them in line with pre-school childcare costs. Call Julie Graveney on 0117 905 5273 or email jgraveney@badminton.bristol.sch.uk Open morning: Monday 3rd May, at 9.15am

Visit www.badminton.bristol.sch.uk 0800 8824027 hello@handprintsmagazine.co.uk www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk Spring 2010 • Handprints Magazine • 23 Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 23

10/3/10 12:10:58

Custom Made Hand Crafted Jewellery

Abacus Professional Training 12 hour Paediatric First Aid £50 per person Little Stoke Bristol:

Tel 01179 599280 michelle-handprints@live.co.uk

Your child’s fingerprint in pure polished silver! We capture a precious moment in time, by taking your child’s finger print and casting it in 99.9% pure silver. Beautiful handcrafted jewellery as unique as you or your child. A truly meaningful gift for your family or friends to treasure forever.

In House Courses Available From £375 Ask for Michelle

HSE Approved Training Provider

Do you ever struggle to find a reliable and professional Evening Babysitter?

We can help! ELF sitters provide an evening babysitting service for hundreds of families throughout Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. ELF sitters is owned and run by Emma Fursman and Emma personally selects all the ELFs and ensures they go through a strict application process. This process includes checking references, ensuring an enhanced CRB check is held and meeting each potential ELF to assess their suitability. All Emma’s ELFs in addition to this must have their own transport, have relevant child care experience, and be 18 years of age or older. The majority of Emma’s ELFS tend to be mid 20s upwards and are often Mummies themselves. Unlike most child care agencies ELF sitters prices are modest. Their hourly rates for sitters are reasonably priced at £5.80 per hour for weeknights and £6 per hour at weekends. In addition to this rather than have to pay a large registration fee or monthly retainer ELF sitters charges a small booking fee each time you use a sitter. In fact the more bookings a family has in one month the smaller the booking fee becomes. Emma, is keen to provide an excellent service but at affordable prices, especially in the present economic climate. For ﬁrst time families ELF sitters is offering a discount of £1 off your ﬁrst booking fee. Please quote hp01 when booking to receive this discount.

For more information visit our website www.elfsitters.co.uk or get in touch with Emma on 0117 2309053 or email emma@elfsitters.co.uk 24 • Handprints Magazine • Spring 2010 Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 24

www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:10:59

Yummy Mummy’s Hair & Beauty If you have not heard about this salon yet you are in for a treat! Its the salon that caters for you and your children. Free kids play area, Princess pamper parties, Kids cuts £5 (under 9’s), Creative cutting and speacialist colour technician, Threading. Handprints Magazine Readers can get 20% off one treatment using the voucher in our magazine!

23c Felix Court, Downend Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 1RT 0117 967 6461 www.yummymummysltd.co.uk

toddler Cafe opens in Little stoke on 15th march Handprints offers a warm and relaxed atmosphere, fabulous toys, craft activities, story telling, singing and so much more!! our cafe will also offer a wide range of refreshments, including bacon sandwiches. Free goodie bag for all on our launch day!! www.myhandprints.co.uk 01454 612128 other sessions in Stoke gifford, Bradley Stoke and Little Stoke 0800 8824027 hello@handprintsmagazine.co.uk www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 25

Spring 2010 • Handprints Magazine • 25 10/3/10 12:11:01

ugly bugs softplay NOW OPEN!

Fantastic toddler softplay perfect for Under 5’s Food Served Daily Our opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.30-5 Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4 Party information on uglybugssoftplay.co.uk Unlimited play Mon-Fri 10.30-11.30 messy play, snacks and juice all included

Telephone 0117 9603969

TaxAssist Accountants Specialising in Small Businesses Business Accounts and Taxation l Self Assessment l Bookkeeping, VAT and Payroll l Flexible appointment times l Monthly fixed fees agreed in advance l

Call Ali Redwood for a free initial consultation without obligation on

0117 314 9499 www.taxassist.co.uk/aliredwood 26 • Handprints Magazine • Spring 2010 Handprints 0310 Issue 6 NB AW.indd 26

www.handprintsmagazine.co.uk

A Guide to Life with Under 5’s 10/3/10 12:11:02

directory nurseries & Pre-schools Alveston

emersons Green

henleaze

Natural Choice Nurseries, 27 Davids Lane, Alveston - 01454 419419

Abacus Pre-School, Village Hall, Emerson’s Way - 01454 867285

Busy Bees Pre-School, St Peters Church Hall, The Drive - 07949 225350

St Helen’s Pre-School, Jubilee Hall, Greenhill Rd, Alveston - 07717216762

Leapfrog Day Nursery, St Lukes Close 0117 9568222

Lake House Nursery, Lake Road 0117 9622948 or 9445963

Ashley down

Filton

Toy Box Nursery, The Drive, Henleaze 0117 9623010

Ashgrove Park Day Nursery, 60 Ashgrove Rd, Ashley Down, Bristol - 0117 9513123

Bishopston Clyde House Day Nursery, 1 Nevil Rd, Bishopston, BS7 9EG - 01179247488 Magic Dragon Pre-School, Bishopston, Bristol - 0117 9243446 St Bonaventure’s Pre-School, St Bonaventure’s Catholic Primary School, Egerton Road - 07840 796993 or 07597 900718

Brentry Once Upon A Time Day Nursery - Brentry - 0117 9504529

chipping sodbury First Steps Day Nursery, The Cotswold Education Centre (Building B), Hounds Road - 01454 850134

Abbey Wood Tots Day Nursery, College Way, Filton - 0117 9693990 Filton Park Pre-School, Charborough Rd, Filton - 01454 866580 Priory Day Nursery School, 99 Gloucester Road North, Filton 0117 9692503

fishponds Fledglings Day Nursery, Oldbury Court Road - 0117 9393398 St Joseph’s Pre-School, St Josephs Church Hall, Forest Road - 0117 9147173 Stepping Stones Day Nursery, Hawkesbury Road - 0117 9657269

fraMpton cottErell 100 Acre Wood Day Nursery, 149 Church Road, Frampton Cotterell - 01454 872117

Raysfield Pre-School Playgroup, Doddington Parish Hall, Finch Road 01454 324688

Crossbow Pre-School, St Peters Hall, School Rd, Frampton Cotterell 07928381976

clifton

The Cottage Day Nursery, 3 Lower Stone Close, Frampton Cotterell 01454 777900

Woodlands House Nursery, Clifton, Bristol - 0117 9467145

cotham

Zion Community Pre-school, Woodend Rd, Frampton Cotterell - 01454 858822

Archfield House Nursery, Cotham 0117 9422120

frenchay

downend

Squirrel Tree Nursery, Frenchay Hospital, Frenchay - 01179 753862

Badminton Road Pre-School, Badminton Road - 0117 9562347

hambrook

Great Expectations Day Nursery, Baugh Road - 0117 9561632

Tiggers Tree House - Hambrook 0117 9572171

Great Expectations (Baby Unit), Baugh Road - 07853824121

hanham

St Augustines Pre-School, Boscombe Crescent - 0117 9561166 Stanbridge Pre-School, Stanbridge Road 0117 9575152 Sunbeams Day Nursery, Dibden Road 0117 9566060

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Christchurch Pre-School, Christ Church Hall, Church Rd, Hanham 07752 918789 Hanham Toddlers Pre-School, Hanham Methodist Church, Lower Chapel Rd, Hanham - 01179082406

Horfield Bluebells Pre-School, Shield Rd Primary School, Shields Ave, Northville, Bristol, BS70RR - 01454 867189 Honey Tree Day Nursery, C/O Monks Park School, Filton Rd, Horfield 0117 9314650 Horfield Welly Pre-School, Parish Hall, Wellington Hill, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 8ST - 07837 133925 Upper Horfield Childrens Centre & Community School 0-11yrs, Sheridan Road, Horfield - 0117 9031281

kingswood Apple Tree Pre-School, Deers Lodge, Deerhurst, Kingswood - 07765 436634 Baby Sensory - KCA, High Street, Kingswood - 0117 9674120 Courtney Ladybirds Pre-school, Courtney Rd Primary school, Kingswood 0117 3308049 Hillside Day Nursery - Potters Wood, Britannia Rd, Kingswood - 0117 9604330 Hokey Cokey Group - KCA, High Street, Kingswood - 0117 9674120 KCA Pre-school Alliance - High Street, Kingswood - 0117 9674120 Little Acorns Day Nursey, 55 New Cheltenham Rd, Kingswood 0117 9606537 Little Donkey Day Care - Bridge Rd, Kingswood - 0117 9575900 Magic Rocket Nursery - 43 Britannia Rd, Kingswood - 0117 9352222 Orchard Lea Nursery - 156a Burchells Green Rd, Kingswood - 0117 9353863 Our Lady of Lourdes Pre-School - 2 Court Rd, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 9QB 0117 9872027

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