Toddle About Northamptonshire Jan - Mar 2012

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Hello

welcome

to the New Year issue of Toddle About!

Once again, you have been sending in your recommendations of things to do and places to go with little ones in Northamptonshire (page 16) - please keep them coming! And of course, we have listed the hundreds of groups and classes that are running for under 5s in the Daily Activity Planner so you can try out something new this year. And don’t forget! Many of the classes have free trial offer vouchers in our centre pages.

Scattered throughout the magazine you will also find some funny looking bar codes. These are called QR codes and are just fantastic. You can use your smart phone to scan these codes (download a free app from your app store, or from getreader.com), and they will take you straight to further information, offers, videos and more on the web. We think they’re loads of fun - try them out! Use your scanner on the code below and see where it takes you!

Loving life with little ones,

Tim & Ruth

Contents What’s New?

4

Toddle About Online

7

Winter Activity Ideas

11

Shop About

13

Reader Recommendations 16 Toddle Models

19

Baby & Toddler Reviews

22

The Back to Work Debate

25

Special Offer Pages

27-29

Pregnancy Pages

30

New Year, New You

31

New Year, New Career

32-35

Daily Activity Planner

37-53

Toddle About Directory

54

Contact us on 0845 643 2483 or info@toddleabout.co.uk PS. Don’t forget! You can subscribe to Toddle About for FREE at www.toddleabout.co.uk/subscribe and we’ll post a copy to your door every quarter.

A special thank you goes out this edition to Fisher Creative Photography (p.18) for our beautiful cover photo of Toddle Models winner Matilda Devenish.

Congratulations Tilly! Win your child on our front cover - find out how to enter on p. 20.

This furry little fella is Charlie!

He’s hiding all over the magazine - why not see if your little one can find him while you read?

8,000 copies of Toddle About are distributed every quarter around Northampton, Daventry, Towcester & Brackley areas.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information in Toddle About is accurate and correct, we cannot guarantee that this is so and neither Toddle About nor Tim Freed can accept any liability for loss, damage or problems arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in content, nor from actions taken by readers based on information or opinions presented in advertisements or throughout the magazine. Images and information supplied by 3rd parties have been accepted in good faith and all liability for any legal transgression including breach of copyright remains with the supplying parties.

Toddle About, PO Box 1010, Bugbrooke, NN7 3WD

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Family picture courtesy of PixiFoto

As it’s the New Year, we have some special features to help you with those resolutions of yours. If you’re looking to lose a couple of Christmas pounds, check out New Year, New You on page 31. Or perhaps you’re thinking that this year will be the one where you find the new job that lets you spend more time with your children - if so, check out our New Year, New Career section on pages 32-35, full of useful tips and ideas to help you get started.

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What’s

?

New and exciting products, services and classes in the Northamptonshire area

New

Key to each area:

Towcester

iner Lovely - Magical Children’s Enterta

lar party One of Northamptonshire’s most popu ever! Lovely than fun more and back is ers entertain – offering rence diffe a with is a children’s entertainer e fun, chut para t gian s, trick ic mag ding spell-bin g ellin mod on ballo party games and the best thing some into party a turns she , seen ever you’ve at nearly truly spectacular! Lovely has performed years and n seve last the over es parti sand two thou child’s s ling’ Row J.K. at was asked to entertain r caree t shor a After y. part birthday break, she is back and ready to entertain at your child’s party.

Contact: 01327 360909 or 07772 542966 P.40

New Hartbeeps Class at Hullab

aloo

Every Thursday afternoon you can now take part in a Hartbeeps Happyhouse music session, and then have a half price play. Happyhou se sessions are for walking toddlers to 4 (younger siblings are welcome). Hartbeeps classes are unlik e traditional music classes where children are expe cted to sit on parents’ laps. Instead, evoked by our original soundtracks, soundscapes and song s, we build a magical setting where children are free to explore and learn through play.

For more information or to book cont act: eilidh@hartbeeps.com or 07854295 972 P.41

op in Towcester New Children’s Sh

a little different?

Wanting something king for a baby loo are Whether you nt or outfit for gift, birthday prese will discover psy & Peanut you Po at e, your little on and gifts of clothing, toys a delightful range ll as useful we as 8 e ugh to ag for newborns thro ref ca ully selected ts. All have been products for paren in mind and also lity ca ty and practi with design, quali Come and visit d fair trade ranges. include organic an ter es wc To e, ping Centr us in Sponne Shop 5 anut.co.uk P.1 www.popsyandpe

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Daventry

Northampton

GymBugs Parties!

Take the stress and stra in out of holding a child’s party by organising one in the Gym Bugs gymnastics club.

From just £7.50 per chi ld you can have up to 1½ hours play in the gym using all the pre-school equipment, then it’s off to the party room for tea and cake! Price includes 2 hou rs hire of facilities, plus half hour setting up and clea ring away time.

Please note food is not provided. Min 12 childre n. www.ncaacgymnastics. com or 01604 859412 P.39

rsery in Hedgehog Hill Day Nu Greens Norton

year With the start of a new to we are looking forward the t tha s nce the experie l next twelve months wil planned to make full use are ies ivit act bring. New and garden, providing es of our spacious premis ld to play, learn and chi r you for opportunities s ld is in our Cuddly Cub chi explore. Whether your ky Fun or m roo r toddle baby suite, Happy Hippos ry child will be loved and Monkeys pre-school, eve nced team. nurtured by our experie or 01327 323012 P.47 rg ll.o ghi eho edg www.h

New Dance Classes from LoveBallet Dance Company

Modern Jazz and Theatre Craft dance classes are now running on Wednesday evenings in Upper Boddington Village Hall, NN11 6DH. *Starting 11th Jan* 5.15pm – 6.00pm – Modern Jazz & Theatre Craft (4–7yrs) 6.00pm – 7.00pm – Modern Jazz & Theatre Craft (8yrs+) For more info or to register your child, please contact Miss Claire/Miss Lorraine. www.loveballet.co.uk 07711 010404 P.51

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èche Danes Camp Opens Cr

community use - drop Now open to short term and rs) off for up to 2 hours your child (birth to 5 yea e a fitness tak or r doo t nex cos Tes go shopping at Mon ial - available from 9am class. Booking is essent er cov k bac 272 Inside to Fri. Contact: 01604 837

New Treatment for Asthma & Eczema The Salt Cave is a drug-free clinic for adults and children with respiratory illnesses, allergies and skin conditions to help alleviate symptoms. The Salt Cave opened in September 2011 in Stony Stratford - see our review on P.23 www.saltcave.co.uk or 01908 888480 P.23

t ventry East & Wes Re-register with Da FT GI EE FR a s and get Children’s Centre between

p in to the centres Families can just po January and ring any session in 8.30am-3pm or du m and collect for ion new registrat February, fill out a a free gift!

701604 P.8 61 & West: 01327 East: 01327 3138

Ultrasound Hair Removal Available for the First Time in Northampton Rituals Face and Body Care opens its doors in Northamptonshire with ground-breaking hair removal treatment.

Ultrasound Hair Removal APPLISONIX is a clinically proven treatment for all hair colours. It is completely safe with no pain and no side effects.

Also available...

Spa Fabulous Facial Skin Care using plant-based, naturally-derived ingredients, free from artificial fragrances and colours. Threading – Shape & Define Brows-Artistically! Waxing, Manicures, Pedicures, Massage and Eyelash/brow Tints www.ritualsfaceandbodycare.com P.31

ss New HypnoBirthing Cla

in Brackley

prepare for a safer, calm HypnoBirthing helps you h. PlaYoga will be birt e abl fort and more com 14th & 21st January in on running a two day course . Spaces are limited.

Brackley, from 10 - 5pm k. di@playoga.co.uk to boo Call 07789 910694 or hei P.30 . www.playoga.co.uk

New at Mounts Ba ths Leisure

Centre After a successful trial in November and positive customer feedbac k a qualified instru ctor will take classes in both Ba

by Yoga and Baby Massage.

Aimed at 3 months to 11 months (Pr e-crawling) Coming Soon at Mo unts Baths Leisure Centre...

Baby Yoga (Drop in session) and Ba

by Massage (course) - phone 01 604 837400 for de tails.

Pink and Blue Baby World Moves to Banbury Drop in and visit the new shop for everything you require for all stages from maternity to toddler.

7 Parson Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5LW www.pinkandbluebabyworld.co.uk P.10

Tatty Bumpkin Yoga - New Class

Tatty Bumpkin yoga is coming to Chaplin’s stage school in Northampton in the New Year. Classes will be held on Saturdays from 9.00am -9.45am for ages 4-9 years and 9.45am10.30am for ages 2-5 years. Siblings welcome.

Classes take a multi-sensory appr oach and combine music, storytelling and yoga . This helps to maintain children’s innate flexibility and develop muscular strength and endurance as well as being great fun with lots of music and prop s.

Contact Reanne on 0845 6804981/ 07580 131842 www.miltonkeynes.tattybumpkin .com P.49

Fun Postnatal Yoga Classes for Mum and Baby Led by experienced yoga teacher Lizzy Giles these classes are designed to provide a warm and supportive environment for you to spend quality time with your baby while aiding recovery of your postnatal body.

Entertaining and beneficial practices help you and your baby learn to relax in each other’s company and meet other mothers and young babies. These classes are for all mothers with babies up to crawling. Classes are held in Long Buckby. www.yogawalks.co.uk or 07950 573719 P.30

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Children’s shops, nurseries, party entertainers, children’s centres, cleaners, doulas, photographers ... you’ll find them all listed by distance from your house.

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Filter search results by day, time, cost, child’s age and category and our directory will tell you how far the groups are from your home. Perfect!

Special Offers Like the offers in our centre pages? Then have a look at our offers section online - find special offers and discounts from both our regions and online exclusives.

Competitions You can also see the competitions we are running, and events listings for family days out on the Toddle About website. Pay us a visit today!

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Come and join in the fun!

Daventry Cluster Sure Start Children’s Centres are for parents-to-be, and parents and carers with children five and under who live in the Daventry, Long Buckby, Brixworth, Moulton and Guilsborough areas.

We run all sorts of sessions, groups and courses to support the families in our areas. You can see our current timetable below.

How much does it cost?

NOTHING! The crèche and all sessions are free and are available for any families who are expecting a baby or have at least one child aged five or under.

It’s all FREE

Come and visit one of our sessions today!

Come in and re-register or register with the centres and receive a FREE GIFT between Jan and March! Pop down to your local centre today!

Daventry East Children’s Centre 14 Benbow Close Daventry NN11 4JP 01327 313861

Long Buckby Children’s Centre 41 Station Road Long Buckby NN6 7QB 01327 701604

Daventry West Children’s Centre The Abbey, Market Square Daventry NN11 4XG 01327 701604

Brixworth Children’s Centre Church Street Brixworth NN6 9BZ 01604 521180

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Sat

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Monday

Activity & Address

Dates

Times

Drop in/ Book

Parent Core Group Forum Meetings

Set dates

Times Vary

Book

Meet a Mum & Breastfeeding Support: Methodist Church

Weekly, on-going

1.00 - 2:30pm

Drop in

Health Visitor Clinic Danetre Hospital, Daventry

On-going

1.00 - 3.30pm

Drop in

Parenting Course

10 weeks course.

Date to be confirmed

9:30 - 11:30am

Book

NCA Childminder Drop In Adventure world

First Tuesday of the month

9:15 - 1:15am

Drop in

Stay n Play

Weekly, on-going

12:30 - 2:30pm

Drop in

Antenatal Programme

5 week course, ongoing

3.00 - 4:30pm

Book

Dads Parenting Course The Abbey Centre, Daventry

8 week. Starts 21st Feb

7:30 - 9.00pm

Book

SPARKLES (For children with additional needs) Long Buckby Children’s Centre

Fortnightly.

Please call for more details.

9.00 - 11.00am

MEND The Family Centre

Starts in January. Please call

1.00 - 2.30pm

Book

Breastfeeding Counsellor Training

Starting Feb. Please call.

9.30 - 11.30am

Book

Back to Work Workshops

Please call for info.

12.45 - 2.45pm

Book

Stay n Play: Southbrook Junior

4 weeks. Starting 18th Jan

9.15 - 10.15am

Drop in

Tatty Bumpkin

6 weeks. Starts 18th Jan

1.00 - 2:30pm

Book

Young Parents Group (under 25’s) The Abbey Centre

Weekly, on-going

1:30 - 3.30pm

Drop in

Music Time The Abbey

Starts in January. Please call

9.30 - 11.30am

Book

ADHD & ASD Support Group Rainbow Playworld, Daventry

Monthly Wednesday evenings Please phone for more details

5.00 - 7.00pm

Drop in

Tiny Cooks (2-5years)

6 week course. Starts 19th Jan

10.00-11:30am

Book

Be Healthy Sessions

Starts 12th Jan. On-going

Breastfeeding and Biscuits

Monthly. Ring for more info

7.00 - 8:30pm

Stay n Play The Family Centre

On-going

9.30 - 11.00am & 11.30 - 1pm

Bromford, Community Law & Job Centre Plus

Please ask for dates and details

11.30 - 1.00pm

Weaning Party: The Family Centre

Alternate months

Freedom Programme

Starts 20th Jan. Term time

10.00 - 12noon

Book

Health Visitor Drop In

Weekly, on-going

12noon - 1:30pm

Drop in

Triple P Parenting Long Buckby

Starts 13th Jan

12:30 - 2:30pm

Book

Weaning and Baby Massage

Monthly. Ring for more info

Times Vary

Book

Come & Play: Braunston School

Monthly. Please call for dates

1.00 - 2.30pm

Drop in

Dads Sessions

Every 6 weeks. Ring for dates

10am - 12noon

Drop in

Drop in Book

Drop in Book

KEY:

Daventry East Children’s Centre

Daventry West Children’s Centre

KEY:

Daventry West & East Children’s Centre

Long Buckby Children’s Centre

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.co.uk Long Buckby & Brixworth Sure Start Children’s Centres run all sorts of sessions, groups and courses to support the families in our areas. You can see our current timetable below

KEY

Sat

Fri

Thurs

Weds

Tue

Mon

Activity, Address & Dates Stay and Play – Dress for Mess! | for parents, carers and under 5s Dad’s Parenting Programme | night course, (January) limited spaces Guilsborough Health Visitor Clinic | ask the HV any questions you may have Sparkles | for children with additional needs. 1st & 3rd Tues of month Moulton Health Visitor Clinic | the HV can offer you advice and support Baby Buddies | baby group for parents with 0-12mth. From 24th Jan. 2nd & 4th Long Buckby Baby Clinic | HV can help with any concerns Bromford Housing Support | advice with housing, debts & benefits. 1st Tue of month Kilsby Health Visitor Clinic | first Wednesday of the month Breastfeeding Support Group | fortnightly at both centres. Ring for info Baby Buddies | baby group for parents with 0-12 mth olds.Fortnightly ring for info Moulton Library Play Session | includes a Messy Play activity!

Bromford Housing Support | advice with housing, debts, and benefits Brixworth Tinies & Tots | meet up with the Health Visitor Story Time at Long Buckby Library | fun, stories, rhymes & actions!

Sparkles | for children with additional needs. 2nd & 4th Tues of month Community Law Drop In | fortnightly at both centres. Ring for info Stay and Play | at Brixworth Community Centre Parenting Course | limited spaces, please call to book (January Only) Baby Days | infant developmental course. Phone to book (January Only) First Aid Course | booking essential, limited spaces (January Only) Story Time at Long Buckby Library | bring along Dad! 1st Sat of month Dad’s Fun Session | prepare to get messy! Once monthly – call for details

Times 2.00-3.30pm 7.30-9.00pm 9.30-11.30am 9.30-11.30am 2.00-3.30pm 2.00-3.30pm 2.00-3.30pm 2.00-4.00pm 9.30-11.30am 10.00-12noon 10.00-12noon 2.00-3.00pm 2.30-4.30pm 9.30-11.30am 10.30-11.15am 1.30-3.00pm 9.30-12.30pm 10.30-12noon 12.30-2.30pm 1.30-3pm 10.00-12noon 11.15am 10.30-12noon

Drop in/Book Drop In Book Drop In Call Drop In Drop in Drop In Drop In Drop In Drop In Drop In Drop In Drop In Drop In Drop In Call Drop In Drop In Book Book Book Drop In Call

Long Buckby Children’s Centre, Community Centre, 41 Station Road, Long Buckby, NN6 7QB Tel: 01327 842037 Brixworth Children’s Centre, The Old School, Church Street, Brixworth, NN6 9BZ Tel: 01604 880246

Pink and Blue Baby World Fashion and design for parents and babies

Everything you need from maternity to toddling...

Pushchairs  Car Seats  Gifts Room Sets  Changing Bags Designer maternity clothes Baby Clothing  Highchairs Now in Banbury!

www.pinkandbluebabyworld.co.uk

Tel: 01327 705900 7 Parson Street, Banbury, OX16 5LW

stockists of iCandy Maclaren Recaro Quinny Mamas & Papas Mutsy Boori Kub Emile et Rose Grobag Brother Max Natalia Crave Maternity Wear and many more

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Fun activity ideas

for little ones

Activity ideas

kindly written by staff at Akeley Wood School, Wicken, Nr Deanshanger

By Hannah Rowles, Caterpillar’s Room Manager for Akeley Wood School and Nursery.

The excitement of Christmas has passed, the festive lunch has been devoured and the decorations are now safely back in their boxes, packed away in our attics for another year!

We now start to focus on what fun and exciting activities we can do to help while away the long dark days of winter. So we have put together a couple of ideas to help you keep the ‘cabin fever’ at bay.

Pine Cone Winter Decorations

Winter Wonderland Play Activity

You will need: Glitter – placed in a bowl Glue – placed in a bowl 30cm stick, strong enough to take the weight of 5 cones 5 clean pine cones Pieces of string

You will need: Ice blocks (water in a tub overnight) Food colouring Polar animals A large tray Glitter and tinsel

The children in our nursery made these simple but lovely decorations which now have pride of place hanging from our nursery windows.

This is a wonderful activity, which keeps the children entertained for ages. The contrast between the warm animals and the ice will have their senses buzzing.

Attach the string to the pine cones at the base of each cone. Let your child dip the pine cones into the bowl of glue. Talk about the texture of the glue and how it sticks to the cone. Once the tips have been covered liberally in glue, take the cone out and dip it straight into the bowl of glitter.

Attach each of the cones to the 30cm stick, cut to different lengths. This makes a wonderful mobile that you can now hang at your window and together with your child you can enjoy the sparkly light as the sun catches the glitter on the cones.

Make the ice blocks the night before by mixing water with a few drops of food colouring and pour into tubs to leave overnight. Tip the ice blocks out onto a large tray (you may need to run some warm water around the tub to soften the ice to come out).

Add the glitter, tinsel and the polar animals. Talk about how they live in cold conditions.

We tried to make houses for our animals out of the ice blocks - white Duplo bricks make a good substitute though!

Learning intentions Personal, social and emotional development children learn to feel proud of their achievements.

Communication, language and literacy - by using simple statements and questions often linked to our gestures. Talk about the different textures of the glue, glitter and pine cones.

Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy - by counting the number of cones you have placed on your mobiles, talking about the number of bowls and the numbers of pieces of string that you used to make your mobiles.

For more info on their nursery call 01908 555803 or email: joanne.crosse@akeleywoodschool.co.uk

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SHOW HOW THEY GROW Personalised Height Charts for Children

At Unique Heights we create colourful height charts using Alpha-doodle-bet letters. These make perfect gifts for those celebrating christenings, birthdays and new arrivals. We use PVC material, which makes them durable and allows you to record your child’s height through the early years with ease.

T: 07734 496 572 | E: uniqueheights@ymail.com

www.uniqueheights.co.uk

Shirelings toyshop

Unique, Customised Height Charts Do you find it difficult thinking of a unique gift idea, especially for childr arrival to celebrate, a christening, birthday, or do you need an idea for gift? At Unique Heights we create height charts that are personalised names using “Alpha-Doodle-Bet” letters, which are packed full of colou characters.

Not only can the child’s height be recorded over the years, the chart ca stored, what a great keepsake!

Visit us at www.uniqueheights.co.uk or email us at uniqueheights@ out more and to order a unique height chart for only £19.99 (FREE P&

Wooden Toys for Preschool & Toddler Visit us and browse our wide selection of imaginative and traditional toys, books, puppets and much more.

Heart of the Shires Shopping Village, Watling St, Nr. Weedon, NN7 4LB

Tel: 01327 342263 www.goawayandplay.co.uk

JANUARY SALE : BIG DISCOUNTS!

Brio Train Sets, Dolls Prams, Pull Along Toys and Le Toy Van 12 The

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Shop

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!

The newest, coolest, and most fun products that you’ll just love.

Look out for our discount vouchers in the centre pages to use on some of the selected products

Bright Bots Trainer Pant

Price: £4.99 each

This comfortable ’pull-on’ training pant is designed to minimise little accidents.

A ‘value buy’ & ‘best buy’ in Practical Parenting Magazine product reviews and voted a ‘best buy’ 2011 on mumsnet.

Colours: Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Purple.

Sizes: S(18m), M(2yrs), L(2 1/2 yrs), XL(3yrs).

Buy from Lullabies Children’s Boutique and get 10% off with the voucher in the centre pages.

To purchase contact: Helen 07906 055591 or email: bbandb@hotmail.co.uk www.bumpbabyandbeyond.co.uk

Skip Hop Duo Change Bag Price: £59.99

Skip Hop create unique, innovative and highly functional products that help parents with busy lives.

The DUO change bag has a multitude of pockets and compartments as well as patented Shuttle Clips which allow it to be quickly converted from a shoulder bag to a stroller bag.

Other Skip Hop products also available at Popsy & Peanut, Sponne Shopping Centre, Towcester.

Get 10% OFF with the voucher in the centre pages. www.popsyandpeanut.co.uk

Reflective Bobble Hat

Price: £13.95

These unique knitted bobble hats are ideal for the winter months

The seahorse emblem and bobble both reflect light and show up brilliantly in the dark. They are fun and practical, with the added safety advantage of making children more easily seen. Great for trips to and from school or nursery and for playing out in the snow! Available for age 3-5 in blue, pink and navy. www.toddleoff.co.uk

AppleCheeks™ Cloth Nappy

Price: £23.99 until 28.02.12

New advances in textile technology allow for amazingly trim fitting washable nappies that unstuff by themselves in the wash!

AppleCheeks™ cloth nappy brings you the ultimate in form and function, combining effective leak control with attractive styling. Imagine a dry bottom that actually looks good! Who knew?

Size 1 fits from 7 - 20lbs, and Size 2 fits from 18 - 40lbs (approximately). Buy from Lullabies Children’s Boutique and get 10% off with the voucher in the centre pages.

To purchase contact: Helen 07906 055591 or email: bbandb@hotmail.co.uk www.bumpbabyandbeyond.co.uk

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Skip Hop Bento Mealtime Kit Price: £17.99

The fantastic Bento mealtime kit contains an insulated cooler bag, freezer pack and 6 lidded containers.

Perfect for meals on the go! Other Skip Hop products also available at Popsy & Peanut, Sponne Shopping Centre, Towcester. Get 10% OFF with the voucher in the centre pages. www.popsyandpeanut.co.uk

The Joolz Day Complete

accessories are extra Price: £649.00 inc. raincover. Other

The all new Joolz Day is designed with the practical comfort of both parent and child in mind.

For instance, a high seat and cot position relieves the parent’s back when lifting a child in and out and also makes the Joolz an instant highchair. In other words, the Joolz Day will adjust to you and not the other way around! Available from Bumpstart Baby Shop in silver or black frame and 6 great colours of fabric.

Get 10% off with the voucher in the centre pages.

Bumpstart Baby Shop, Coddimoor Farm, Whaddon, MK17 0LR. Tel: 0800 5943052 www.bumpstartbabyshop.co.uk

Mamas & Papas Products Pink and Blue Baby World are now the only main stockist of Mamas & Papas products within 15 miles of Banbury. Available to purchase online or instore.

Come and visit our show room today! www.pinkandbluebabyworld.co.uk

Phil & Teds Explorer Buggy

Price: £369.00

The all new explorer delivers parent & child a proven inline™ formula plus terrific new features: One hand fast fold, new car seat and second seat mode, a large follow-thesun sunhood, a double kit (2nd seat) sunhood, new Seat Performance System™, interchangeable colours, and an easy-to-use pedal brake.

Come and visit our show room today!

7 Parson Street, Banbury, OX16 5LW www.pinkandbluebabyworld.co.uk

Babymule Backpack Price: £84.00

Babymule is a truly interchangeable baby changing bag It changes with your needs from a messenger bag to a rucksack and can even clip onto your pushchair.

It is the perfect day bag, ideal for short trips out, great for rambles in the outdoors and fantastic for long haul flights. It comes with a nappy changing bag, change pouch for nappies and wipes, a neoprene bottle holder and a handy bag for dirty clothes.

Available in red or black. www.toddloff.co.uk

All prices shown are accurate at time of going to print, but are subject to change.

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A beautiful range of quality Children’s Clothing From Birth t & Accessories o 4 year s

Perfect for Home parties, Baby Showers, Mum’s & Tot’s groups and Events.

For more information or to book an appointment to view the range: Call Helen on: 07906 055591 Email me: bbandb@hotmail.co.uk

Visit the online shop: www.bumpbabyandbeyond.co.uk

A new children’s store located in Towcester town centre offering a wide range of high quality products for babies, children and parents.

Little Joules Frugi Green Baby Emile et Rose Melissa & Doug Djeco We look forward to welcoming you at Unit 10a, Sponne Shopping Centre, Towcester, NN12 6BY (open Mon to Sat) www.popsyandpeanut.co.uk find us on Facebook

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Reader Recommendations Thank you to all of you who sent us your recommendations of the bump, baby and toddler things that you love and think everyone should know about! As before, our ‘Editor’s Choice’ recommendations have won a prize - this edition was a letter from Santa for your little ones that arrived in time for Christmas.

Editor’s Choice

Editor’s Choice

Harlestone Firs & Wyevale Garden Centre I recently spent a lovely afternoon with two friends walking and eating! We parked at the Wyevale garden centre at Harlestone and went for an hour-long walk with our pushchairs in the forest. It was great to go for a walk on lovely wide forest paths and not have to worry about traffic. The mums were then rewarded with a lovely cup of tea and cake in the garden centre cafe. They have a big spacious cafe and baby changing facilities so all round a great afternoon that I would thoroughly recommend!

Laura from Northampton

Editor’s Choice

Musical Minis.

At Musical Minis we sing nursery rhymes and play with instruments – sometimes we even dance in bubbles! Leah has been going since she was a couple of months old & seems to get a lot out of it. We go to Grange Park but there are other locations. It’s a great way to meet other Mums too.

Tanya and Leah Isabelle (5 months) from Northampton

Buggy Active in Brackley Buggy Active classes offer the chance to meet new mums and to move around a bit. They are a great way to shed a few of those extra baby pounds! I especially like this class due to being able Water Babies Swimming Classes to get some fresh air, and take the little one with me. Benjamin Water Babies has been great so loves being outside, regardless of far. It’s a bit on the expensive side, the weather, so it’s a really easy but a truly enjoyable class. We have only had 2 lessons so far, and way to exercise, chat with others, Benjamin has already gotten more and keep the baby entertained. It hardly feels like exercise. We stop comfortable in the water. They in different parks around Brackley teach the parents how to teach the babies (or children of whatever to work different muscle groups age) how to swim, while of course using an elastic band, so it really is a full body workout. I’ve also also teaching the baby/toddler. It is a great way to meet other babies seen parts of Brackley that I never knew existed, which is a definite and mums, while learning a really side perk. important skill.

Yael and baby Benjamin from Yael and baby Benjamin from Adderbury, nr Banbury Adderbury, nr Banbury

16 The

Hartbeeps Classes I would like to recommend the Hartbeeps class that runs at Grange Park Sports Pavilion in Northampton on Thursdays. It is a multisensory class and my 6 month old son Robert loves it. He enjoys puppets, lights and songs with actions.

Sarah from Northampton Harlestone Tiny Tots Group This group meets on a Monday 10am-11.30am at Harlestone Village Institute and is the ideal activity to have planned after a hectic weekend with my three small children! They have lots of toys, craft activities, song time plus friendly adult company. I’ve been going on and off for the past 5 years which I think speaks volumes!

I thoroughly recommend it for 0 - 5s. Caroline from Duston

Editor’s Choice

Hug-a-Bub Sling I can’t recommend my hug-abub sling highly enough. It is a soft fabric sling that holds babies nice and close and warm to your chest.

My son loves it and is instantly soothed being in it plus it means my hands are free for getting on with stuff-brilliant.

Amy Burt and Arthur (9 weeks)

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Win Children’s Books!

If you’ve found something or somewhere that you and your little one love, we want to help spread the word! Please send us your recommendations and we will publish them so everyone can benefit. It can be anything at all - a place, a product, a class... as long as it’s relevant to bumps, babies and toddlers.

Our Editor’s Choice recommendations will win one of these Priddy Books titles - Hello Bear baby book (RRP £7.99) or Boys on Safari preschooler book (RRP £4.99).

Please email your recommendations to rec@toddleabout.co.uk by 29th February 2012 with your name, address and the prize you would prefer.

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12/12/11 20:43:15

Make us smile Once again you have proven that Northamptonshire is packed full of cute babies and toddlers! Thank you for all your wonderful entries - we hope you enjoy them as much as we have. You can see the full size images on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/toddleaboutmagazine.

Congratulations to this issue’s winners - twins TomiHarukani & Annika-Haruko Umamoto-Rixon. So cute!

Thanks to local photographer Mango Pictures, you will see this adorable duo on the cover of the next edition of Toddle About. We also had the pleasure of choosing 10 more runners up (the first pictures shown below in the pink boxes) who will all get a free photo shoot and print from Mango Pictures as well.

Visit www.mango-pictures.co.uk for more info on our sponsors. Use the voucher in our centre pages to get a free photo shoot and a 10% discount on prints.

Dea Agastra, 3 years

Emily, 2yrs 10mths

Kai Campbell,

Lachlan Maskell, 20m

3 yrs

Aiden Strehl, 3 yrs

Amber N

orton, 3

yrs

Tomi-Harukani & An nika-Haruko Umamoto-Rixon, 2 yrs 5 mths

Sponsored by:

omas, 3m

Benjamin Th

Leah Copping,

13 wks

Ariah Morgan, 9 mths

Holly Grace Barke

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Xander Polhill, 18 mths

Arthur B

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eks

1

Humairah Khatun, 7m

Henry Engl

and, 13 mth

Charlie

Scan these QR codes with your smart phone to see a couple of the videos we received from Toddle About readers recently - they’re brilliant! Send us your videos too - Email us at info@toddleabout.co.uk with a funny video of your little one (or a link to it on YouTube) and you may see it featured in our next edition.

s

ths Hill, 8 m

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David Cro

fts, 2 yrs

Flynn Warfield, 6 weeks

Izabelle Locke,

Ethan Hughes, 3 yrs

Emily Johnston, 2 yrs

Fred Walters ,

17 mths

3 yrs

Harper Hamilton 19m

a, 2 yrs lia Trzask

Ruby, 2 years

la 3 yrs

Imogen McNee

Ewan Crofts, 11 mths

Isabel Rose, 3 yrs

Ju

Kalyani Rajaram 15m

Jessica, 12 weeks

Kierra-Des tinee Wadeson 11 m

Evelyn Barford, 8 mths

itz, 2 Lucy Segn

yrs

Seren O’Neill, 16 mths

Phoenix Levi Hamilton, 3 yrs

Taylor McNelis, 15m

Raife Lachla nn O’Neill, 3 yr s

Taylor Victoria Justice 2 yrs

Keiran 2 yrs

Tygon Rocco Hancock 4 m

Enter the next Toddle Models Competition and

Win your Child on our front cover!

The next Toddle Models competition will have 21 winners!

Courtesy of Mark Betts Photography (markbettsphotography.co.uk), the 1st place winner of the next Toddle Models competition will win a professional photo shoot for their child to be the front cover model for Toddle About, and a 12” x 8” print. PLUS mum will receive a Makeover Shoot (inc. a professional makeover and photo shoot) and a framed 18”x12” portrait worth £295.00.

20 Runners Up will win a Makeover Experience Shoot and a 7”x5” print from the shoot.

To enter the next Toddle Models competition, please email your favourite pic of your little one (along with their name, age and your phone number) to toddlemodels@ toddleabout.co.uk by midnight on Friday 17th February. The winners will be decided by public vote and as usual we will print as many entries as possible in our next issue.

,7m

lingham

il Reece D

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Local Business Reviews So what are they really like? Bump, baby and toddler businesses reviewed by local parents

PixiFoto Baby, Child & Family Photographers

Getting in Shape with Natural Bootcamp

As a fellow parent, chances are you know just how hard it can be to get a lovely, smiley photo of a child when they are in a new environment, with new people and under pressure to perform. And if you have more than one child, then you will definitely know how hard it is to get a photo of everyone smiling at the same time. So you will understand when I say that, with 3 children under 5 years, we were apprehensive when we went along to the photo shoot with PixiFoto.

Hopefully, we said as we left, the photographer will be a woman. The girls are much better with women.

Our photographer for the day was Dale. Most definitely a man. And at first glance he looked quite serious. My heart sank – and then he opened his mouth. Amazingly, the children warmed to him instantly! Blowing raspberries and pulling silly faces, he quickly built rapport with the children.

PixiFoto’s Friends and Family package gives you a lot of pictures, so we had a lot of poses to run through and we were worried the children would get bored and tired before we were done. We needn’t have worried though - as soon as he’d taken a picture he was happy with, he moved on and sped through the different shots at a good pace.

After about an hour, we were done. The children were tired and hungry so we arranged to return the next morning to pick the shots we wanted. Dale had captured some lovely images and it was a lot of fun choosing the ones we wanted as well as how we wanted them displayed. We’re looking forward to hanging them on our walls and giving them to family as presents! Would I recommend them? Absolutely.

Whilst the photo session wasn’t as personal as other shoots we have had with independent photographers, PixiFoto are professional, quick and excellent value for money. Written by Tim Freed

Since giving birth to my daughter in July 2010 I’ve been on a never-ending quest to regain my figure. Yet despite my best efforts, I would still describe myself as a bit squidgy around the edges.

In desperation of a quick fix I’ve tried most things; radical diets, pills, creams, massage and even surgery, yet looking in the mirror I am still somewhat dismayed.

So it was with some trepidation that I agreed to try out a session of Natural Bootcamp; after a brief conversation with Scott, the owner about what to expect, I set out one Saturday morning to the beautiful setting of Harlestone Firs. I turn up slightly early to fill out paperwork and wait at the allotted meeting place, scanning the horizon for signs of people who look like Olympiads or SAS soldiers, so I’m pleasantly surprised when Scott arrives dressed in training gear and not looking like the incredible hulk, with some fellow bootcampers in tow, who are reassuringly a variety of shapes and sizes.

A warm up jog interspersed with 3 minute intervals of squats and stretches gets us started until we reach a clearing in the forest. Scott then has us side-stepping, running on the spot and doing press-ups. It’s hard work. I haven’t pushed myself this hard in years but I’m motivated to keep going by the encouragement of the rest of the group. Team activities follow and I can’t help but find it fun. Before I know it, it’s time for a jog/walk to a cool down finish.

I return home head pounding, but buzzing and slightly concerned for my sanity after finding exercise enjoyable.

Would I do it again? Definitely! And it takes a lot to move me from the comfort of the sofa, especially in winter. Combined with a healthy eating plan, I can see how Natural Bootcamp could help you achieve your weight loss goals and improve your fitness levels, and seeing as they guarantee results I guess there’s nothing to lose … except a few pounds of course!

Written by Saffron Small

To find your local PixiFoto studio, visit www.pixifoto.co.uk. See advert on back cover for details on their £5 offer for Toddle About readers.

Natural Bootcamp sessions run through the week across Northampton & surrounding areas. For more info, visit www.naturalcoaching.co.uk. See page 24

22 The

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The Salt Cave - Miracle Healing?

If you or your child ever suffer from asthma, eczema, coughs or even colds then this review is for you. In Sept 2011, The Salt Cave opened in Old Stratford and it could be exactly the remedy you’ve been looking for.

Why Salt?

The healing properties of salt have been acknowledged for centuries and it is widely known to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

The antiseptic quality is the reason that doctors use salt solution (i.e. saline solution) for cleaning wounds and abrasions. The anti-inflammatory properties make salt fantastic for inflamed skin conditions such as Eczema, and also for inflammations under the skin such as asthma and coughs (inflammation in the lungs) or Sinusitis and blocked noses (inflammation of the tissues surrounding the nose).

How It Works Well, for starters, you don’t eat it! The Salt Cave creates an environment suffused with salt – the walls, floor and ceiling are covered with over two tonnes of salt, and the air is injected with micro particles of salt as well. When you sit in The Salt Cave, the salt particles are inhaled deeply into the lungs and settle on exposed skin thereby treating respiratory and skin conditions. All you need do is stay in the cave for an

hour. You can wear your usual clothes, though skin needs to be exposed to be healed. Salt Therapy is nonintrusive and has no known side effects so it can be used safely for children as young as 6 months as well as pregnant women.

I tried out a treatment in The Salt Cave to see if it had any effect on my lingering symptoms of childhood asthma and I have to say I really think it works.

My breathing felt easier after the session and I felt invigorated and full of energy. More regular sessions will be required for a lasting effect, though 20 sessions will apparently last for up to a year.

As well as an adult room, The Salt Cave in Old Stratford has a dedicated room for children containing toys, games, a television and a cot for babies. Written by Tim Freed First sessions are free. After that you and two of your friends can book a ‘mums & tots’ session on Tuesday mornings and get 3 for the price of 2 with your Toddle About voucher. You only pay for the children – one parents/guardian joins them in the cave for free. www.saltcave.co.uk 01908 888 480

The Salt Cave...a breath of fresh air! aSThma, eCzema, Cough , ear infeCTion, SinuSiTiS, bronChiTiS Salt is an ancient remedy and well known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effect. our treatment rooms are covered in salt and a dry sodium aerosol is released into the salt rooms.

Salt therapy is suitable for everyone, including babies, children and pregnant women.

Benefits of salt therapy include: breathe easier, alleviate sneezing, coughing and shortness of breath, improve ability to cope with triggers that provoke respiratory illness.

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The back to work debate

Con

tro Cor versy ner

Going back to work after maternity leave can be a source of incredible anxiety. For many, there is simply no choice in the matter, which can be stressful enough in itself, and for those who are able to choose, it can seem like a lose-lose situation. Stay at home mums often miss the adult interactions of the workplace and feel looked down upon by their working friends, whilst many who go back to work feel riddled with guilt that they are being bad mothers by doing so. It’s hard to know what to do for the best, so we decided to explore this controversial issue...

For Going Back...

Going back to work increases household income Right now, fewer parents than ever have the choice to stay at home with their children because of their financial situation. And even when money isn’t forcing mothers back to work, it can be a good reason to do so anyway. When parents work, disposable income increases which relieves financial pressures and makes for a more harmonious home-life. The extra income also allows parents to choose better childcare for their children, which has been shown to have a marked impact on children’s well-being.

Working mums are more sensitive A study carried out by New York’s Columbia University in 2010 concluded that mothers who work show a greater responsiveness towards their children – what they called ‘maternal sensitivity’. It could be that the time away from their children gives working mothers greater patience and an increased desire to be there for their children.

Work gives women their identity back When baby arrives, many mothers feel that their identity becomes inextricably linked to their baby, and they lose the sense of self that they had before.

Returning to work can restore that sense of identity.

Relationships with other adults at work, along with the confidence and independence that comes from achieving something non child-related makes women happier in themselves and this in turn can make them better mothers to their children.

Nurseries develop social skills At nursery, children have the chance to play and learn in a group and meet lots of other children. This interaction helps them to learn vital social skills such as sharing and taking turns, and develops the first sparks of empathy in a child’s understanding.

Nurseries build independence Children learn to look after themselves at nursery and not to be totally dependent on their parents. The realisation that they can look after themselves leads to increased self-esteem and confidence.

...and Against

Why have a baby to put it in someone else’s care?

Children can be so demanding it’s hard sometimes to remember that they are only young for such a short time, and that this time needs to be cherished before it is gone for good. Putting children into childcare means missing a lot of their lives, including so many of their ‘firsts’. It’s not uncommon for ‘absent parents’ in later life to regret their decision to work rather than raise their children.

Going back slows down child’s learning Research by the Institute for Social and Economic Research in 2003 found that children of mothers who went back to work before they reached school-age had poorer emotional development and performed worse academically. This impact ran from reading and maths tests in primary school right the way up to A-Levels, with the chances of a child taking their A-Levels reducing from 60% to 50% if their mothers returned to work early. The study did say that this negative impact was less pronounced for well-educated mothers. A 2008 Unicef study recommended that mothers stay at home for the first 12 months or “gamble” with their children’s development.

Children want more time with their parents A 2011 Unicef study into the well-being of children in the UK found that “children in the UK feel trapped in a “materialistic culture” and don’t spend enough time with their families”. It suggested that parents in Britain work too many hours and try to make up for not seeing their children by buying them toys and games. Children in the survey clearly stated that what they really wanted was to spend more time with their parents.

Nursery turns children into trouble makers A government-backed study in 2007 carried out by Oxford University concluded that whilst children who attended nursery for more than 30 hours a week were more confident, they were also more likely to demonstrate anti-social behaviour such as bullying, teasing, bossiness and needing to have their own way.

As a general rule, it said that the longer a child spent in nursery, the more anti-social they became.

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ve tro er n o n C Cor

.co.uk

The back to work debate continued...

For...

Nurseries provide a stimulating environment Day nurseries follow the early years foundation stage (EYFS). This provides a structure of learning and care for young children and staff are trained to create a safe and stimulating environment for children to enjoy and develop in. Activities in nursery are carefully planned with lots of variety. It can be very hard for home mums to find the time, creativity or patience to give their children these learning opportunities.

Staying at home ruins your career prospects With the job market tighter than ever, a career break of any kind can have a dramatic impact on your employment prospects. If you do take a sizable break to raise your family, you can expect a step down the career ladder when you return, with lower job satisfaction and income.

Working parents set a good example Children who grow up with unemployed parents on benefits are far more likely to become dependent on benefits themselves. The converse is also true – having parents who work sets a level of expectation for children that they too will work when they grow up, and it also gives them an understanding of the value of money.

Mixing with older children is good for them Researchers at Oxford University have found that children under three and a half who attend nursery benefit from quicker mental development by mixing with older children. It did also find however that children who mixed with older peers were less emotionally secure.

The benefits neutralise the drawbacks The 2010 study from University of Columbia concluded that whilst there are downsides to mothers going back to work, the advantages are significant enough to cancel them out, making one choice no better than the other. The study noted that there was a significant improvement in a child’s well-being when mum worked part-time (up to 30 hours a week) rather than full time. ‘Our results point to some clear advantages for children whose mothers worked part-time rather than full-time in the first year of their life,’ the research said.

What do you think? Share your thoughts online at www.toddleabout.co.uk/articles/cc/back-to-work.php

26 The

...and Against

It’s cheaper to stay at home Mothers often go back to work because they need the money, however the cost of childcare can quite easily eat up the majority of a salary. Childcare for under 2s costs an average of £177 per week, or £9,204 per year. With an average post tax income of roughly £20,000, working mums will work nearly half the year simply to pay for childcare. With two children in childcare, the financial benefits can be completely lost.

Staying at home makes children more secure Psychologist John Bowlby and other Attachment theorists believe that the bond formed between parent and child, in particular between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, has a dramatic impact on the child right through to adult life. Research suggests that children who do not form secure attachments early on in life tend to have more behavioural problems, whilst those that do form strong bonds with their mother during childhood tend to have good self-esteem and stronger relationships. The concern is that this parent-child bond may be weaker in children whose parents return to work early.

More time to relax After a hard day at work, all we want to do is get home and relax, however for most working mothers, their real work is about to begin. Washing, ironing, cleaning, cooking and bed time routines still need to be done, leaving little time or energy to properly interact with the children before bedtime. When you stay at home, it can still be hard to fit all these things in, but you definitely have more time and energy to devote to your children.

Children at home are less sickly At nursery there are a lot of germs and bugs flying around. Children who are cared for at home are far less likely to catch colds and other illnesses than if they went to nursery.

It’s hard to find quality childcare Nurseries, childminders and nannies all vary in competence from amazing to very poor. The care your child receives is only as good as the person that is looking after them, and they may be very new to the job with varying levels of training and experience. Put simply, leaving your children with someone you don’t know is taking a gamble with the welfare of your child.

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Pregnancy: What’s Good & Bad

Image courtesy of Bump N Born Photography

We all know that there are a lot things that have the potential to affect an unborn baby during pregnancy – smoking, alcohol, shell fish and the like.

But did you know about these things?

Chocolate is Good

Inconsistent Mood is Bad

A study in 2004 showed that eating chocolate during pregnancy might have beneficial effects for a baby. The babies in the study had their behaviour ranked 6 months after birth, looking at things such as fear, smiling and laughter. What they found was that the babies whose mothers had eaten chocolate daily were more active, and smiled and laughed more. Where the mothers had been stressed during pregnancy, those who had eaten chocolate regularly had babies that showed less fear of new situations. A link between chocolate and baby behaviour was not established by the study, however the researchers speculated that the chemicals in chocolate that are associated with positive mood may have been passed on to the baby through the placenta.

Study by Katri Raikkonen at the University of Helsinki

A study carried out earlier this year made an interesting discovery – that a mother’s mood during pregnancy can affect the development of their baby after birth. The study tested pregnant women for signs of depression before and after birth and also tested their babies’ postnatal development.

They found that what mattered to the babies was the consistency of their environment before and after birth. That is, the babies who did best were those who either had mothers who were healthy both before and after birth, and those whose mothers were depressed before birth and stayed depressed afterward. What slowed the babies’ development was changing conditions—a mother who went from depressed before birth to healthy after or healthy before birth to depressed after. “We must admit, the strength of this finding surprised us,” Sandman says. He went on to suggest that the study emphasises the need to screen mothers for depression whilst pregnant so that they can be treated before the birth, rather than waiting till afterwards.

From the Association for Psychological Science, Nov 2011. Study by Sandman, Davis and Glynn of the University of California-Irvine.

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New Year

!

New You

3. Wrap up and get outside

From Advanced Personal Trainer and Life Coach Scott O’Callaghan from Natural Coaching

With the weather getting colder and the days shorter, it is tempting to give in and stay inside. Well, Vitamin D is essential to our wellbeing. Try to catch some natural light, especially on clear days. Wrap up, get out and accept the changeable weather as your challenge.

1. Short sharp bursts of exercise

4. Work with your network of friends

Here are 5 top tips to keep your mind and body in shape this winter.

We know that mums’ lives are hectic! Fitting in an hour at the gym might be unrealistic, so my advice is to grab 15 minutes a day for yourself and work at a high intensity. 1 to 3 minute intervals with a 30 second rest in-between will do wonders for your metabolism and your energy levels. Concentrate on getting the heart racing and working on the areas of your body you want to change. For videos with exercise ideas, visit naturalcoaching.co.uk/mums

2. Snack on fruit & vegetables Yes, I know chocolate may be more of a temptation, but if you consider that it takes only 21 days to form a habit, then before you know it, you will start to miss that afternoon apple as much as you would miss the chocolate. It’s true!

Getting fit with friends is for most people more fun and motivating. Join clubs together. We run a Mums circuit class, and although it’s hard work, the togetherness and friendships make it much more enjoyable (and the pain more bearable!) With your network you may be able to share babysitting duties for one another and cover each others classes too.

5. Make a daily list Write a list every day and prioritise what’s really important to you. Put yourself (and your resolutions) high on that list, after all, your happiness reflects on everyone else. It sounds simple, but there is a real satisfaction in completing a list!

More information on your Health & Wellbeing is available at www.naturalcoaching.co.uk

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Spa Fabulous Organic Facials & other beauty treatments

The Maple Tree Clinic, 1 Overslade Close, East Hunsbury, Northants, NN4 0RZ. www.ritualsfaceandbodycare.com 07921 437171

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New Year

New Career

!

Going it alone... your options

As the New Year marks another invisible line in the sand for us, a lot of people will be re-assessing their priorities in life, especially in the arena of work. Do you live to work, or work to live? How can we get a better work/life balance?

As these questions arise, many people will consider the idea of working for themselves, though very few will take the plunge. And for many, that is exactly the right decision. But for others, they are being held back – by lack of confidence, lack of knowledge, money concerns … the list is endless!

When it comes to working for yourself, there are actually a few different ways to do it that will suit people with different levels of confidence or business experience. And believe it or not, there are also ways to get a better work/life balance whilst working for someone else.

1. Start Your Own Business

2. Buy a Franchise

In reality, starting your own business is a lot easier than it may seem at first and there is a lot of support from the government at the moment to help new businesses get going. This option does carry the highest risk of all the options available, but the size of the risk is proportionate to the size of the potential reward. The sky truly is the limit when you set up your own business!

Your own business could make and/or sell products, or may simply be you offering your professional services on a freelance basis, rather than as an employee.

Starting your own business is perfect if you want to have complete control - from branding to growth strategies, it’s down to you. After a few years, you will have a business to sell, which is the way a lot self-made millionaires make their first million. The main downsides are that it is high risk and you will have a very steep learning curve with little guidance.

Start up costs can be high and it is hard work, so not a great option for someone looking for part-time work.

Most of the big business names you know such as Richard Branson and Alan Sugar made their millions by setting up and growing their own businesses.

A franchise is still your own business, with the same financial risks as a new start up, except you have a lot more support and guidance. When you buy a franchise, you buy the right to start up a business under the branding of an existing ‘parent’ company.

The parent company will typically provide you with a blueprint of how to set up the business, training, on-going support and of course the use of their brand. In return, you will be required to pay the parent company a licence fee to buy the franchise (which may buy you a set period of time only) and typically an on-going percentage of your revenue.

This is a great option for someone who wants to set up their own business but doesn’t know where to start. Buying a franchise will allow you to get off to a quicker and more confident start than going it alone, and you always have a mentor to call on who knows your business and how to help it succeed. Choose carefully though - the level of support you get from franchisors varies greatly and licence fees can stunt your growth if they are too large. Always ask an accountant who specialises in franchises to look over a proposition before committing to anything.

Famous franchises include McDonalds, KFC, Mamas & Papas, Domino’s Pizza, Blockbuster Video and many more, and there are hundred of smaller franchises available as well.

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3. Network Marketing Network marketing roles go by different names – Independent Consultant, Representative, Party Planner and more. In essence, these roles allow you to sell the products produced by a parent company after buying them at wholesale prices (sometimes on a credit deal, sometimes not). The models for selling differ, and include catalogue drop offs, door-to-door sales, party plans, online selling and others.

Yet you are more than just a sales person in these roles. Usually, you will have the chance to recruit other people to the business, and receive a commission payment on their sales as well as your own. In this way you can become a manager and a mentor, helping others to realise their own financial independence.

Network Marketing roles are great because they require very little in start up costs, they can be run part-time around your family, they typically have fantastic support and training and often offer incentives such as fancy holidays for top sales people.

The main downside is that whilst you are building a business (i.e. your network), you rarely own it – so if you move on, you won’t have a business to sell at the end. Earnings can range from pocket money to six figure sums and are totally dependent on the amount of time and effort you put in.

Examples of Network Marketing Businesses include Phoenix Trading, Forever Living Products, Usborne Books, Avon and The Pampered Chef (see ads p.34-35).

4. Flexible Work If none of the above options sound right for you, then you should know that you can still work as an employee AND enjoy a better work/life balance. All companies are obliged by law to consider requests for flexible working from their employees, so if you really want to work part-time (especially after maternity leave) don’t be afraid to ask your employer. If you think your employer would never go for this, consider asking to trial a part-time or home-working arrangement for a couple of weeks. Employers will often agree to a trial first, as they are not committing themselves. Show them how much more effective it makes you and they may just agree to extending the trial indefinitely.

If they still say ‘no’, there are some companies out there who have made flexible working a central part of their employment philosophy, so you can always apply for a job with one of them. Northampton is lucky enough to be home to one of these companies: Virtual Sales Team.

In October this year, VST won the Top Employer Award for Talent Attraction because of their outstanding commitment to flexible working for all employees.

The

Work/Life Balance Company Virtual Sales Team offers part-time, flexible hours, which fit around personal commitments and modern day family life, like school runs and after school clubs.

Located near the Britannia Inn on the Bedford Road, Northampton. The roles are office based, in a friendly and professional team orientated environment.

If you fancy spending some time back in the business world with likeminded individuals, who benefit from competitive rates of pay and a true work/life balance, give us a call. www.virtualsalesteam.co.uk

Call or email Laura on 01604 60 99 44 info@virtualsalesteam.co.uk quoting TA W11

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Mums

!

Making it

Lessons in Business Don’t fall in love with your plans

The Kids Kitchen opened its doors in July 2011 - and I held my breath wondering if anyone would come. Had all my planning and hard work been in vain?

To my gleeful surprise, not only did people come, but the summer saw me adding classes to fit the demand. People went crazy for baking fun over the holidays, and I met some really wonderful mums and tots – even some dads and grandparents too!

Setting up my own business was a real leap of faith and totally out of character for me, so the learning curve has been steep and I am still learning as I go. One of the things that I have learned is that as important as it is to have a business plan, it is just as important to not fall in love with it. Things change, and the ability to be flexible is crucial to the survival of a business.

My original plan was to offer just children’s cookery classes, but it soon became apparent that there was a demand for adult classes as well. Mums were

talking about how stuck they were for lunch box ideas or things to cook for family dinners. So I listened and have now expanded The Kids Kitchen’s classes to include adult classes from home and at two Sure Start Centres.

I have also launched a range of products, including ‘Baking Gift Bags’ and ‘Design Your Own Apron’ gift sets - another addition to the original plan that came from listening to what my customers wanted.

“I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable”. President Eisenhower The current economic climate is tough for starting a new business, and being self-employed is still scary for me, especially during quiet periods. Still, I feel confident that I will make a success of The Kids Kitchen and I am always encouraging other mums to take the plunge into self-employment as well. And when you do jump in, make sure you plan thoroughly but then take action! Once you’ve started on your path, listen to your customers and be flexible, they will tell you which way to go.

Written by By Catherine MacFarland To find out more about child and adult cookery classes with The Kids Kitchen, call 01604 710102 or visit www.the-kids-kitchen.co.uk. See advert on p. 44

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Lessons in Business Expect the best and prepare for the worst Lynne James started working for herself in 1996.

Today she has the 7th most successful business within Forever Living Products in the UK, earning a six figure income, whilst working part time and flexibly around her twin sons. ‘There is nothing special about me’, she says and in fact, over the past 15 years she has helped many other people to realise their own success. Here, she shares some of her secrets of success that she usually reserves for her team.

During my career with Forever, I have learnt that being a realistic optimist pays dividends. But what does that mean?

What has worked for me and the people I have mentored over the last 15 years is to optimistically plan goals and business activities for growth and success and to believe in those goals – ‘expect the best’. However, I highly recommend, from experience, that you have a ‘Plan B’ in place in case some of the planned goals and activities go pear shaped – ‘prepare for the worst’!

Always plan with enthusiasm and build in a little bit of ‘stretch’ to your goals – to develop and be successful,

it is important to be prepared to do a little more and work a little harder than is comfortable. Have this as your focus, but also build in a fallback position to ensure that, even if you don’t meet your desired target, your business will be maintained or your goal will still be achievable, even if the time frame has to be altered slightly.

When setting goals, it is also important, whilst building in a little bit of ‘stretch’, to be realistic. In my experience, if you are too ambitious and set goals that are unattainable and then you don’t achieve them, it can cause serious de-motivation, a sense of extreme failure and lack of confidence.

Although I cannot give any guarantees, by ‘expecting the best and preparing for the worst’ you may just start to see your business goals, personal goals or family goals coming to fruition.

To find out more about the unique career opportunities that Forever Living Products offers and how you could work with Lynne James, call 01295 722525. See Business Mums advert, p. 34

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Your local ‘What’s on Guide’ in your area for bumps - 5s and parents

Monday Abington

Abington/Kingsthorpe NCT Meet Up

10:00 -12:00; Members’ houses; 50p donation Rachel: 01604 403766 or 07867 521411 For bump - 4. Everyone welcome!

Breastfeeding Support Group

13:30-14:30. Abington Avenue United Reform Church, NN1 4QA. 07964 971200; Free

Grange Park

Natural Bootcamp

19:00 at Harlestone Institute, Upper Harlestone (2 mins from the Firs) Scott: 07812 973562; £5 first session Natural fitness sessions - guaranteed results!

Musical Minis

The Pavilion, Foxfield Way, NN4 5BE 10:00 - 10:45; £4.25 (book termly) Amanda Perkins: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages

Headlands

Grange Park Tots Group

Grange Park Community Centre, School Lane 9:30- 11:30; £2.00. Angie - 07816 484851.

Free 1st session. Runs all yr.

Headlands Children’s Centre

Breastfeeding Group: 13:00 - 15:00 Bushland Road, NN3 2NS; 01604 411440

Hunsbury

Baby Weighing Clinic

Water Play Session: 9:00 10:30

Cliftonville

Northampton Multiples

Danes Camp Leisure Ctr, Clannell Rd, NN4 0RX. 01604 837200; Term timeTots go free; Maximum of two children <8 yrs. £3.00 (£2.50 with leisure card); 6 mths to 4 yrs.

Abington Children’s Centre, United Reform Church, NN3 4QA; 13:30 - 15:00: 01604 750233; Free Health Visitor baby weighing and advice

14:00 - 16:00; Camp Hill Comm Centre, Dayrell Rd, Camp Hill, NN4 9RR Claire: 07587 154104; £5 p/m + £1 per session

Active Baby Company Swimming

Cripps Recreation Centre, NN1 5BD 9:30 - 11:30 ; prebook 6-wk term Denise - 01604 826066 Swimming classes for 18 mths - 4yrs.

Kings Heath

Stay and Play Drop in

Collingtree

Camrose CC, 16 Park Sqre, NN5 7LQ 9:30-11:30 & 13:00 - 15:00; 01604 757694

Water Babies Swimming Classes

Esporta, 91 Windingbrook Lane, NN4 0EB 14:00 - 15:30; Tamsin: 01295 709221 Fun, action-packed, progressive classes

Kingsthorpe

Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre

9:15-11:00: Messy Play 12:30-14:30: Health Visitor

Drop In

Duston

St.Davids Road, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537

Duston & Villages NCT Group

Various members’ houses for bump - toddler. 10:00 - 11:30; 50p; Lucy 07940 368828

Tots Session

Penfold Children’s Centre at Whitehills Nursery School, Acre Lane, NN2 8DF. 9:00 - 11:00 (term time); 01604 750233 Fun session with toys and resources for 0 – 5s

Duston Mums & Tots

Duston Village Hall, Sycamore Rd 9:30 - 11:30; Termtime only

Kidz ‘n’ Co Mums and Tots Group

Little Billing

13:30 - 15:00; Term time only.

Harpole Baptist Chapel, nr Turnpike Pub NN7 4DD. Rosemary: 01604 588116; £1 per family. Everyone welcome!

Active Baby Company Swimming

‘The Venue’, Billing Aquadrome, NN3 9DA 10:00 - 18:30 (all ages) Denise: 01604 826066; £48 per 6-wk term 30-min swimming classes. Booking essential.

Duston Rhymetime: 10.30 - 11.00

Duston Library Children’s Centre, Pendle Road, NN5 6DT; 01604 752891

Northampton Centre

Far Cotton

Northampton Baby Cafe

GymBugs

56 - 58 Rothersthorpe Crescent, NN4 0RY. 10:00: 2-3yrs; 11:00: <2s; 13:00 & 14:00: 3-4yrs. Tracey: 01604 859412 Enjoy ladders, beams & climbing apparatus.

St Marys Tiddlywinks Group

St Mary’s Church, Abbey Road, NN4 8EY 9:15 - 11:00. For 0 - 5s. Termtime only

In the Water

Cheeky Monkeys

10:00 - 12:00; Friends Meeting House, Wellington St, NN1 3AS; Free; 07780 672939 Breastfeeding support + drink & biscuit!

Harlestone

Springs Family Ctr, Spring Boroughs, NN1 2SN. 10:00 - 12:00; Free; Robyn - 01604 630457

Hardingstone

Hardingstone Village Hall, High St, NN4 6DA 9:30 - 11:30; £2; Gwen - 01604 762954; 0-4s

Harlestone Tiny Tots

10:00 - 11:30; Harlestone Village Hall £1.50 + 50p p/c 1yr+; Janet - 01604 843991.

For 0 – 4s. Term time & holidays.

Singing & Signing

Physical Fun

Mini Springers Parent & Toddler

Chatterbox

9:30 - 11:15; Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 147-155 Kettering Road, NN1 4BS For 0 - 5s. Termtime only.

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy 37

Daily Activity Planner

Daily Activity Planner: Northampton Area

Daily Activity Planner

Northampton Area Toy Library

Amy: 07540 373357; £1.00 Toys, crafts & themes with sing-song at end.

Semilong

Natural Bootcamp (Urban)

United Ref. Church, Abington Ave, NN1 4QA 13:30 - 15:00. Toys available for 6 m-5 years.

Bangladeshi Mums and Tots

Gateway Centre, Mill Rd, NN2 6AX 13:00 - 15:00 ; Free; Kulsuma - 01604 624930

Ducklings Baby Weighing Clinic

10:00 - 11:30: Run by Spring Lane Children’s Centre at Alliston Gardens; 01604 620484

Duston

Meeting at 19:00 on the corner of Quarry Rd & Harlestone Rd; Scott: 07812 973562; £5 first session.

Outdoor fitness sessions - guaranteed results

Far Cotton

Gloucester Parent and Tots Group

Spencer

Gloucester Nursery, Camborne Cl, NN4 8PH 9:00 - 11:00; Rachael - 01604 762251

Camrose Sure Start, Streatfield Rd, NN5 7DF 9:00 - 12:00 ; Free; 01604 585219

GymBugs

Bumps, New Babies & Breastfeeding

St James

St James Parent and Toddler

St. James Com. Centre, St.James Rd, NN5 5LQ 10:00 -12:00 ; £1; Sarah - 01604 456231

The Mounts

Mounts Baths Water Playgroup

The Mounts Baths, Upper Mounts 14:00 - 15:30 ; Tots are free; 01604 837400.

Max of two children under 8.

Thorplands

Breakfast Club: 8:00 - 9:00 Doodle Dots (childminders): 9:15 11:15 Cygnets (0-walking): 13:00 – 14:30 Male “Whole You”: 13:00 - 14:30 Dads Football: 19:00 - 20:30 Thorplands Children’s Centre, Farm Field Court, NN3 8AQ; 01604 741131

Whitehills

St. Mark’s Parent & Tots Group

10:00 - 11:15, St Marks Church Hall, St, Mark’s Crescent, NN2 8EG; £1.50 + 20p p/c. For 0-4s Sue - 01604 715342. Term time only.

Wootton

Yoga Tigers

9:30 at Yeoman of England, NN4 6LP (not bank holidays); £4 per family Sam: 07875 024 301 - Please book A fun introduction to yoga for 2 - 5 yr-olds.

Tuesday Abington

The Kids Kitchen Classes

10:00 at 44 Beech Avenue, NN3 2HE Catherine: 01604 710102 Book in 3 week blocks.

Natural Bootcamp (Outdoor)

10:30, Abington Park, opposite Christchurch Rd. Scott: 07812 973562; £5 first session Outdoor fitness sessions - guaranteed results.

Childminder Support Zone

Abington Children’s Centre at Christchurch Church Hall, Christchurch Rd, NN1 5LL 9:30 - 11:30 (monthly); 01604 750233; Childcare advice For childminders and parents

56 - 58 Rothersthorpe Crescent, NN4 0RY 10:00: 2-3yrs; 11:00, 13:00 & 14:00: 3-4yrs Tracey: 01604 859412 Enjoy ladders, beams, & climbing apparatus

Goldings

Rainbows Childminding Group

9:00 - 11:00; Old Barns, The Obelisk Centre

Grange Park Baby Ballet

14:00 - 14:30: Grange Park Community Centre, School Lane, NN4 5FZ Krystle Jayne’s Dance Academy: 07791 852891 Baby Ballet for 2.5 years+

Stepping Stones

Northampton Centre

St Giles Toddle In

10:00-12:00; St Giles Church Centre, NN1 2BN; 50p/family; Sue - 01604 230360 Termtime only - crafts, play and singing

Northampton Central Rhymetime

10:30 - 11:00; Central Library, Abington Street, NN1 2BA. Free; 01604 4620403

Young Parents Lunch Club

Spencer

Hardingstone

Camrose CC, Tenby Rd, NN5 7DF 01604 585219; Family Health runs fortnightly

9:00 - 11:00, 1st Tues every month; Grange Park Community Centre, School Ln, NN4 5FZ Health Visitors - 01604 742420

Music Bugs

Hardingstone Village Hall, High St, NN4 6DA 10:00 - 10:30 & 11:00 - 11:30 Fiona - 0844 5781017 to book Fun music sessions: Book a taster session!

Headlands

Health Visitor Drop In

10:00 - 11:30; Headlands Children’s Centre, Bushland Rd, NN3 2NS; Free; 01604 411440

Hunsbury

Aqualight Baby Yoga

The Maple Tree Clinic, Overslade Cl, NN4 0RZ 9:45 & 10:40. Emie - 01604 83 04 05 45 min yoga sessions for parent and baby

Hunsbury Rhymetime

Hunsbury Library, Overslade Close, NN4 0RZ 10:30 - 11:00 & 14:00 - 14:30; 01604 702830

Jumping Jacks

Upton Meadows Children’s Centre at Hunsbury Park Primary School 13:30 - 14:30 (starts 31st Jan - term time only); 01604 750233; Free Physical activities for 18mths - 5 yrs

Kingsley

Mums & Tots

Kingsthorpe

The Bramptons Parent & Tots Group

Little Billing

Active Baby Company Swimming

‘The Venue’, Billing Aquadrome, NN3 9DA 10:00 - 13:00 (10 wks to school age) Denise: 01604 826066; £48 per 6-wk term 30-min swimming classes, Booking essential.

Child Health Clinic

Upton Children’s Centre at Briar Hill Community Centre, The Springs, NN4 9SX 10:00 - 11:30: 01604 750233; For 0 - 12 mths.

10:00 - 11:30 (term time); The Bramptons Primary School, Harlestone Road, NN6 8AW

Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre Drop Ins

9:00 - 11:00: Voice 4 Autism Group (referral) 16:00 - 17:30: Twice as Nice Twins Group 15:00 - 16:30: Story Play 19:00 - 20:30: Dads’ Football St.Davids Road, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537

11:30-14:00, Alliston Gardens Youth and Community Centre, Semilong. 01604 633894 For under 19s, free lunch included

13:30 - 15:00; Kingsley Park Meth. Church, Milton St, NN2 7JF

Chapel Brampton

Health Visitor Drop In

Wallace Road Nursery School, NN2 7EE 9:30-10:30; 1st Tues of mth. 01604 713422

9:15 - 11:00, every 2nd & 4th wk, Grange Park Comm Centre, School Ln, NN4 5FZ Charlotte: 01604 875188.

For 0 - 4s Includes breakfast!

Briar Hill

Your Baby & You

Tuesday Tots - Mums and Tots Group

All Saints School, Boughton Green Rd 10:00 - 11:30; £1 + 50p p/c (<9mths free).

Stacey: 07917 205544. Term time only.

Aqualight Swimming

Fairfields School, Trinity Avenue, NN2 6JN 15:00 - 17:30; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim sessions for 0-5s. Prebook!

Stay & Play: 9:30 - 11:30 Stay & Play Family Health: 13:00-15:00 Toy Library: 9:30 - 13:00

St James

St. James Rhymetime

St James Library, 138 St James Rd, NN5 5LQ 10:00-11:00 (term time); 01604 751037

Thorplands

Breastfeeding Group: 12:30 - 13:30 Health Visitor Drop In: 14:00 - 15:30 Clothing Bank: 9:30 - 11:00 Music Go Round (free): 14:00 - 15:00

Thorplands Children’s Centre, Farm Field Court, NN3 8AQ; Free; 01604 741131

Messy Play: 13:00 - 15:00

Thorplands Children’s Centre at Lumbertubs School, Tonmead Rd, NN3 8HZ; 01604 741131

Toy Library

Thorplands Children’s Centre at Thorplands Community Shop. 14:00 - 16:00; 01604 741131; Hire toys, games & dressing up clothes.

Upton

Childminders Support Group

Upton Meadows Children’s Centre, Barring St, NN5 4DD; 9:30 - 11:00 (4th Tues of mth, starting 24th Jan); 01604 750233; Free Monthly support group for local childminders

Wootton

Little Acorns Toddler Group

Wootton Trinity Church, High Street 9:30 - 11:30; £2; For 0-5s, term time only Mandy: 01604 764605

Little Stars Group

St George the Martyr Church, Church Hill 14:00 - 15:00; Free; Toddler praise service.

38 We update these listings every issue, but recommend you call before attending - just in case.

Northampton Area

Daily Activity Planner

In the Water

Singing & Signing

Physical Fun

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy â&#x20AC;&#x201A;39

Daily Activity Planner

Northampton Area

Wednesday Camp Hill

Young Parents

Upton Meadows Children’s Centre at Camphill Community Centre, Dayrell Rd, NN4 9RR 13:00 - 15:00 (starts 18th Jan); 01604 750233; For parents 24 yrs and under. Creche provided.

Collingtree

Water Babies Swimming Classes

Esporta, 91 Windingbrook Lane, NN4 0EB 14:00 - 15:30; Tamsin: 01295 709221 Fun, action packed, progressive classes

Water Play Session: 13:15 - 14:45; Tots are free. Max two children under 8.

Chatterbox

£5.50 (£4.95 with leisure card); For 3 - 5s Soft Play & Bouncy Castle: 9:15 & 10:00 £3.00 (£2.50 with leisure card); 6 m to 4 yrs Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Clannell Rd, NN4 01604 837 200; Term time only.

Aqualight Swimming

Pre School Gymnastics: 11:00 - 11:45

Kings Heath

Stay and Play Drop in

Camrose Sure Start, 16 Park Sqre, NN5 7LQ 13:00 - 15:00; 01604 757694

Park Inn, Northampton 10:00 - 12:30; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim sessions for 0-5s. Prebook

Breastfeeding Support

14:00 - 15:00; Vernon Terrace Children’s Ctre, NN1 5HE; 01604 633894

Toy Library

United Reformed Church, Abington Ave, Northampton, NN1 4QA; 10:00 - 11:30 Range of toys available for 6 mths-5 years

Earls Barton

Earls Barton Rhymetime

Spencer

Earls Barton Library, Broad Street, NN6 0ND 14:30– 5:00; Free; 01604 810726; Term time

Bumps & Breastfeeding: 9:00-12:00 Stay & Play: 9:30 - 11:30 Toy Library: 9:30 - 11:30 Baby Massage: 9:30 - 11:30 Peek-a-Boo (Childminders): 9:30 - 11:30

Far Cotton

Far Cotton Rhymetime

Far Cotton Library, Towcester Rd, NN4 8LG 10:30 - 11:00; Free; 01604 762192

Camrose Sure Start, Tenby Rd, NN5 7DF Free; 01604 585219

St James

GymBugs

56 - 58 Rothersthorpe Crescent, NN4 0RY 10:00: 2-3 yrs; 11:00: 3-4 yrs Tracey: 01604 859412; Enjoy ladders, beams, & climbing apparatus.

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Kettering Rd. 9:30 - 11:15; For 0 - 5s. Termtime only.

Mums ‘n’ Tots

Kingsthorpe

Community Stay & Play

Gospel Hall, Spencer Bridge Road, NN5 7DP 9:30 - 11:00: donations; Gill: 07749 520588 Wide range of toys & singing session at end

Grange Park

St David’s Church Rooms, Eastern Ave S, NN2 7QB; 9:30 - 11:00; 01604 791537

The Mounts

14:00 - 15:00 (term time); at Kairos Centre Angie: 07816 484851; Free; Stories, songs, craft

Baby Weighing

The Mounts Baths, Upper Mounts, NN1 3DN 14:00 - 15:30; Tots are free; 01604 837400 Maximum of two children under 8.

Seedlings

Dance Classes for Preschool to Adult

Grange Park Community Centre, NN4 5FZ 16:00 - 20:30: Baby Ballet, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Cheerleading & Street Dance classes Krystle Jayne’s Dance Academy: 07791 852891 Dance classes for ages 2.5 yrs to adult

Tumble Tots

Community Centre, School Lane, NN4 5FZ Gymbabes: 9:30: Toddlers; 10:30; 2-3yrs; 11:30; 3yrs+: 13:00 Naomi - 07779 785166 Structured Play for 6m to 5 yrs all year. Book!

Music Bugs

Kairos Centre 10 - 10:40; Fiona Bayliss: 0844 5781017 Music session for 0-5s. Book a taster session!

Harlestone

Natural Bootcamp

19:00 at Harlestone Institute, Upper Harlestone (2 mins from the Firs) Scott: 07812 973562; £5 first session Natural fitness sessions - guaranteed results!

Headlands

Come & Play at the Arbours

The Arbours Primary School, St Gregory’s Rd, NN3 3QF; 13:30 - 14:30; 01604 411440; Drop in play session for children aged 0-5 years.

Hunsbury

The Abbey Centre Toddler Group

The Abbey Centre, Overslade Close, NN4 0RZ. 9:30 - 11:30 (Not on 2nd Wed of the month); Vanessa: 07740 283905. £2 per family.

Includes homemade cakes for mummies

9:15 - 10:15: Penfold Children’s Centre, Penfold Close, NN2 8AP; 01604 750233; Baby weighing and advice from Health Visitor

Explorer Tots

Penfold Children’s Centre at Whitehills Nursery School, Acre Lane, NN2 8DF 9:15 - 10:45: 01604 750233; A focused play session for 0 - 5s.

Holy Trinity Church Mums & Tots

10:00 - 11:45; Church Hall, Edinburgh Road

Tiny Time

15:00 - 16:30: Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre, St.Davids Road, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537 Free drop in play session for babies

Stay & Play

9:15 - 10:30: Green Oaks Primary School, Whiston Rd, NN2 7RR; 01604 791537

Little Billing

Mounts Baths Water Playgroup

Thorplands

Breakfast Club

Thorplands Children’s Centre at Thorplands Community Shop, NN3 8:00 - 9:00; 01604 741131 Come and enjoy a free breakfast. For 0-5s.

Stay & Play

Thorplands Children’s Centre, Farm Field Court, NN3 8AQ 13:15 – 15:00; 01604 741131; Free

Little Chatterboxes

Thorplands Children’s Centre at Woodvale Primary School, Crestwood Rd, NN3 8JJ 14:00 - 15:00; 01604 741131; A speech and language support group with a qualified therapist.

Stay and Play (Outreach)

Active Baby Company Swimming

Thorplands Children’s Centre at The Barn, Lodge Farm Community Centre, NN3 8JJ 9:30 - 11:30; 01604 741131

Lodge Farm

16 Mill Pond Drive, Upton, NN5 4EW 10:00 - 12:00; Free; Marilyn: 01604 454243 Bump - 8 mths. Meet other new mums!

‘The Venue’, Billing Aquadrome, NN3 9DA 10:00 - 12:30 (10 weeks - school age) Denise: 01604 826066; £48 per 6-wk term 30-min swimming classes. Booking essential.

Play Sessions for 0-5s

The Barn, Community Ctr, Crestwood Rd 9:30 - 11:30; Free; 01604 785969

Northampton Centre

Early Learning Centre Playtime

ELC, 14 Market Walk, Abington St, NN1 2DP 9:30 - 11:30; Free; Sharon - 01604 626256 Drop in to play with ELC toys!

Spring Lane Baby Cafe: 9:30 - 11:30

Spring Lane Sure Start, Spring Lane, NN1 2JW. 01604 620484 or 07795 110109 Free Breastfeeding support drop In group

Upton

Talking Point

Wiggles & Giggles

9:15 - 9:45; Upton Children’s Centre at The Elgar Centre, High Street, NN5 4EN. 01604 750233 Nursery rhymes, action songs & instruments

Books and Fun: 9:45 - 10:15 Health Visitor Drop In: 10:15 - 11:15

Upton Children’s Centre at The Elgar Centre, High Street, NN5 4EN; 01604 750233 Both on 1st & 3rd Wed of mth, start 18th Jan

40 We update these listings every issue, but recommend you call before attending - just in case.

Northampton Area

Tiny Horizons prides itself on making your child feel welcome and happy, whilst offering a fun and friendly safe learning environment.

We have fully qualified staff that are all fun, friendly and provide excellent care for your children! We also have Wispa the Shetland Pony, 3 ducks, 2 goats a rabbit called Alfie and a guinea pig.

BenefitS include: • Flexible sessions

• Holiday club

• No minimum sessions

• Healthy home-made food cooked fresh everyday.

• Pre-school • Before and after school clubs

www.tinyhorizons.co.uk

In the Water

Singing & Signing

01604 642 705

Physical Fun

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy 41

Daily Activity Planner

For more information please contact Leanne or Emma.

3 Park View, Moulton, Northampton, NN3 7TP Email: leanne@tinyhorizons.co.uk

Daily Activity Planner

Northampton Area Weston Favell

Headlands

Gym Tots

Parents’ Coffee Morning

Moulton Park

Pregnancy Yoga Class

Lings Forum Leisure Centre, Billing Brook Road, NN3 8JR; 01604 837 300; 10:00 (1-2 yrs) & 11:00 (2-3 yrs) Fun-based gymnastics, soft play, action songs.

Eastfield Primary School, St Alban’s Close, NN3 2RJ; 9:00 - 10:00 (1st Thurs of month; 01604 411440; Family worker in attendance

Emmanuel Family Tots

Music Bugs

Hardingstone Village Hall, High St, NN4 6DA Sessions at 9:30 - 10:00 & 10:00 - 10:30 Fiona - 0844 5781017 Music for 0 - 5s. Book a taster session!

Hullabaloo, Gladstone Road, NN5 7QA 13:30 - Happyhouse (walking - 4 yrs) Eilidh: 07854 295972; Explore Live Music and Songs with your little one! Get half price play at Hullabaloo!

Hunsbury

Aqualight Aqua-Natal Courses

Emmanuel Church, Weston Favell Centre.

10:00 - 11:30; £1; Maureen - 01604 402150 Relaxed atmosphere & safe playtime

Tots Group

The Salvation Army, Penistone Road 10:00 - 11:30; Mrs Pitt - 01604 404891

Weston Favell Rhymetime

Weston Favell Library, Shop Centre, NN3 8JZ 10:15-10:45 & 11:15-11:45; (10:3011:00 in hols) Free group; 01604 403100

Thursday Abington

Museum Toddler Craft Session

Abington/Northampton Museum (alternates) 13:00 - 15:00, twice monthly; Free Liz or Lucy - 01604 838111

Hardingstone

Yoga Tigers (yoga for 2-5 year olds)

Northampton Centre Hartbeeps Music Class

Barry Road Pool, Covington Street, NN1 5JU 20:00 - 20:45.

Emie Kitson: 01604 830405; Fitness classes for pregnant & postbirth mums

Yeoman of England, Northampton, NN4 6LP. £4 per family - Call Sam on 07875 024 301 sam@yogatigers.co.uk - www.yogatigers.co.uk Because making shapes with your body is fun!

Ecton Acorns Pre-School (for 2-4 years)

Open: Mon - Friday, 9:15 - 12:15 at Ecton Village Primary School, West Street, Ecton, NN6 0QF 01604 409213 | www.ecton-pri.northants.sch.uk Proviiding a high level of care and education.

Proud Young Families

Abington Avenue United Reformed Church, Abington Ave, NN1 4QA; Time TBC (from Jan 19th). Abington Children’s Centre: 01604 750233; Free Drop in to meet other parents aged 25 & under

Boothville

Well Woman Yoga: 16:30 - 18:00 Pregnancy Yoga: 11:30 - 13:00

Mummies Birth Buddy, Boothville, NN3 6PA Claire: 07966 288236. Booking essential Well Woman - Postnatal course with yoga Pregnancy yoga - from 14 weeks onwards

Cliftonville Active Baby Company Swimming

Cripps Recreation Centre, Hospital, NN1 5BD 9:30 - 12:00 ; Book as 6-week term Denise - 01604 826066. Booking essential.

30 min swim sessions for 10 wks - 5 years.

Duston

St Luke’s Mums & Tots

St Luke’s CEVA School, NN5 4BL 14:00 - 15:15 ; 01604 592008

East Hunsbury

East Hunsbury Toddlers

9:30 - 11:00; East Hunsbury Primary School £2 per family; For 0 - 4s. Term time only

Grange Park

Hartbeeps Music Class

Grange Park Pavilion, Foxfield Way, NN4 5BE 9:45: Babybeeps (sitting to walking); 10:45: Babybells (birth to sitting) Eilidh: 07854 295972; Explore Live Music & Songs with your little one!

Talking Point

19:15 - 21:00; Mummies Birth Buddy: 07966 288236; Booking essential.

10:00 - 12:00; 10 Foxglove Close; Charlotte-01604875188 or H/V-01604 742420 Bump - 8 mths. Free. Meet other new mums!

Northampton Central Rhymetime

10:30 - 11:00; Central Library, Abington Street, NN1 2BA. Free; 01604 4620403

Rectory Farm

Rectory Farm Toddler Group

9:30: Rectory Farm School, NN3 5DD

Spencer

Camrose Stay and Play: 13:00 15:00 Toy Library: 13:00 - 16:30

Children’s Centre, Tenby Rd, NN5 7DF 01604 585219. Drop in session.

Under 8s Water Play Session

Spinney Hill

Kings Heath

13:15-14:45; Community Centre, Devon Way, NN3 6DX; £2; emma.kippen@googlemail.com.

Snacks, different activity each week & a raffle!

Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Clannell Rd 9:00 - 10:30; Tots are free; 01604 837200 Maximum of two children under 8 years.

Health Drop In

Camrose at Kings Heath, 16 Park Square, NN5 7LQ; 9:30 - 11:30; 01604 757694 Health programme to inc. Baby Massage, Development Checks & Advice

Kingsthorpe

Northampton Homebirth Group

Parklands Mums & Tots Group

St Crispin

Little Bundles Group

10:00; 22 Berrywood Drive, NN5 6GB Rev Andrew: 01604 948255; Free; Coffee, cake, chat & advice for new mums

St James

Stay & Play Drop in

Whitehills Nursery School, Acre Ln, NN2 8DF 19:30 - 21:30, 1st Thur of mth; Free Kelly - 07716 017366 Discuss home birth options with midwives.

St James Health Clinic, St James 10:00 - 11:00 (baby massage) & 13:30 - 15:30 Free Drop in; 0-5s; 01604 620484

Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre 13:00 - 14:45: Stay & Play Drop-in 15:30 - 17:30: Breastfeeding Drop In 19:00 - 20:30: Dads’ Football

Lyncrest Primary School, NN5 5PE 9:30 - 11:30; £1 per family; 01604 751336 0- 5s, inc. snack & drink. Termtime only.

Kingsthorpe Children’s Centre, St David’s Road, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537

Time 2 Play Messy Play Baby Group

Wallace Road Nursery, Wallace Rd, NN2 7EE 9:15 - 11:00; £1.00; 01604 713422

Little Billing

Lyncrest Primary Parent & Toddler

The Mounts

Mounts Baths Water Playgroup

The Mounts Baths, Upper Mounts 11:00 - 13:00 ; Tots are free; 01604 837400.

Max of two children under 8.

Thorplands

Les Canetons French Singing Group

Active Baby Company Swimming

Lodge Farm Barn, Crestwood Rd, NN3 8JJ 15:30–16:30; £3.70 entry or £18 for 6 weeks 07985 712339; www.speaktheirlanguage.co.uk French for Little People – booking essential.

Moulton

Child & Parent Ctr (NSPCC), 48 Waterpump Ct 10:00 - 12:00; Free; 01604 493336 For 0 - 4s. Toys, arts & crafts, music, etc.

‘The Venue’, Billing Aquadrome, NN3 9DA 12:00 - 18:00 (10 weeks - school age) Denise: 01604 826066; £48 per 6-wk term 30-min swimming classes. Booking essential.

Toddle Inn

Carey Baptist Church, 34 West St, NN3 7SB 10:30 - 12:00 and 13:30 - 15:00. For 0 - 4s.

Boothville & Moulton NCT Group

Various parents’ houses - call for location!

10:00 - 12:00; Free; Carolyn - 01604 790496

Drop-in Sessions

Proud Young Parents

Thorplands Children’s Centre, Farm Field Court, NN3 8AQ; 11:30 - 13:00; 01604 741131 For under 25s expecting or with a child <5 yrs.

42 We update these listings every issue, but recommend you call before attending - just in case.

Northampton Area

Daily Activity Planner

Stay & Play ...All Day! Our Tots sessions run from 9.30am - 2.30pm Tuesday to Friday during school term times.

Children: 12 months—4 years £2.75 includes a cup of squash and a biscuit.

Babies: 12 months and under £1 or FREE if accompanied by an older sibling.

• FREE ample parking • Seating area • Baby facilities • Restaurant Talk to us about our Tots Loyalty card Visit Berzerk at weekends and school holidays and pay the Tots price!

4 Clayfield Close, Moulton Park, Northants, NN3 6QF Tel: 01604 647213

www.berzerkleisure.co.uk In the Water

Singing & Signing

Physical Fun

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy 43

Daily Activity Planner

Northampton Area Weston Favell

Tumble Tots

Hardingstone

N H S Toddlers Group

St. Peters, Church Hall, High Street, NN3 3JX Babes: 9:30; Toddlers: 10:30; 2-3 yrs: 11:30 Naomi - 07779 785 166 Structured Play for 6m-5yrs all year. Book!

13:30 - 15:00: Northampton High School, Newport Pagnell Rd; 01604 667979 £1.50 per session; For 2 - 3 yrs. Termtime only

Wootton Fields

Aqualight Swimming

Wootton Fields Rhymetime

Wootton Fields Library, Wooldale Rd, NN4 6TP 10:15 - 10:45; Free; 01604 669213; Term time

Friday Abington

Headlands

Headlands Primary School, Northampton 11:30-12:00; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0-4yrs. Prebook!

Headlands Parent and Tots Group

Headlands School, Bushland Rd, NN3 2NS 9:00 - 11:00; £1; Julie - 01604 413462 Activities for 0 - 4s. Term-time only.

Natural Bootcamp (Outdoor)

Hunsbury

St Gregory’s Toddler Group

The Abbey Centre, Overslade Close, NN4 0RZ 10:00 - 10:45: Junior Kickers (2-3.5 yrs); Lynne: 01327 310373;

10:30; Abington Park, opposite Christchurch Rd; Scott: 07812 973562; £5 first session Outdoor fitness sessions - guaranteed results.

9:30 - 11:30; St Gregory’s Church, Birchfield Rd East; Term time; 50p; Activities every week

Little Kickers

Abington Library Rhymetime

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 147-155 Kettering Road, NN1 4BS 9:30 - 11:15am; For 0 - 5s. Termtime only

Spencer

Bumps, New Babies & Breastfeeding

Camrose Sure Start, Tenby Road, NN5 7DF 9:00 - 12:00; Free; 01604 585219 Discuss the bible in a baby-friendly environment

Stay & Play Drop-In

9:30-11:30; St James Clinic; 01604 620484

Abington Parish Rooms, Ashburnham Road 10:00 - 10:40; Fiona Bayliss - 0844 5781017 Music sessions for 0-5s. Book a Trial!

Elim Mums and Tots Group

Football classes for 18 months to 2 yrs 3mths

Elim Christian Centre, Gladstone Rd, NN5 7EG 10:00 - 11:30; £1 per family + 50p per sibling Michelle: 07799 314241. Term time only.

Crafts, food and fun in happy, safe environment

Abbey Centre Baby & Toddler Group

The Mounts

Kings Heath

The Mounts Baths, NN1 3DN 14:00 - 15:30; Tots are free; 01604 837400 Maximum of two children under 8 years.

Mummies Birth Buddy, Boothville, NN3 6PA. Claire: 07966 288236; £36 for 6 weeks Pregnancy yoga from 14 weeks onwards.

Abbey Centre, Overslade Close, East Hunsbury 12:30 - 14:30; Becky: 01604 701980; £1.50

Cliftonville

Stay and Play Drop in: 9:30 - 11:30

Collingtree

Chatterbox

St James

Music Bugs

9:00 - 12:00, Cripps Recreation Centre, Northampton Hospital, NN1 5BD Denise - 01604 826066; Book 6-week term 30min swim classes for 10wks-4yrs. Pre-book

Northampton Centre

Northampton Baby Cafe

10:30 - 12:30; Friends Meeting House, Wellington St, NN1 3AS; Free; 07780 672939 Breastfeeding support + drink & biscuit!

10:00-12:00; 22 Berrywood Drive, NN5 6GB. Rev Andrew: 01604 948255; Free; Coffee, cake, chat & advice for new mums

The Kids Kitchen Classes

Active Baby Company Swimming

Fairfields School, Trinity Avenue, NN2 6JN 12:30 -15:00; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0 - 3s. Prebook!

Bible Discussion Parent & Toddler Fun

10:00 at 44 Beech Avenue, NN3 2HE. Catherine: 01604 710102 Book in 3 week blocks.

Boothville

Aqualight Swimming

St Crispin

14:15 - 14:45; Lindsay Ave, NN3 2SJ Free; 01604 401402; Termtime only

Pregnancy Yoga: 11:30-13:00; 18:00-19:30 Postnatal Yoga: 13:30 - 15:00

Kingsthorpe Rhymetime

Kingsthorpe Library, Welford Road, NN2 6AG 10:30 - 11:00; Free; 01604 714021; 0-5s

Mounts Baths Water Playgroup

Camrose CC, 16 Park Sqre, NN5 7LQ; 01604 757694

Thorplands

Kingsthorpe

Thorplands Children’s Centre at Thorplands Community Shop, NN3 8:00 - 9:00; 01604 741131 Come and enjoy a free breakfast. For 0-5s.

Musical Minis

10:00 - 10:45; Kingsthorpe Amanda: 01908 259914; £4.25 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages

Breakfast Club

Marriott Hotel, Eagle Drive, NN4 7HW 10:00 - 13:30; Tamsin: 01295 709221 Fun, action packed, progressive classes

Wiggles & Giggles: 9:15 - 10:30

Health Visitor Clinic: 9:00 - 10:30 Music Go Round (free): 9:15 - 10:00 Toddle Tots (walking-3yrs): 13:00 - 14:30, fortnightly Little Stars (additional needs): 13:00 - 14:30, fortnightly

Penfold Children’s Centre at Sunnyside Primary School, Reynard Way, NN2 8QS; 01604 750233.

Starts again from January 20th

Thorplands Children’s Centre, Farm Field Court, NN3 8AQ; 01604 741131

Earls Barton

Swap Shop

Tumble Tots

Active Baby Company

13:15 - 14:45; Hilton Hotel, Collingtree Denise Wesson: 01604 826066 30-min swim classes. Book per 6-week term.

Delapre

Water Babies Swimming Classes

Tots Session

Penfold Children’s Centre at Whitehills Nursery School, NN2 8DF; 13:00 - 15:00; 01604 750233; Fun session with toys and resources for 0 – 5s

Earls Barton Rhymetime

Penfold Children’s Centre, Penfold Close, NN2 8AP; 11:00 - 13:00; 01604 750233; Free Swap your unwanted items for free

Grange Park

Fun and Fitness Soft Play: 9:30 - 10:30 Young Parents: 13:00 - 15:00. Under 25s Footprints: 13:00 - 15:00

Earls Barton Library, Broad Street, NN6 0ND 14:30 – 15:00; Free; 01604 810726; Term time

Hartbeeps Music Class

Grange Park Pavilion, Foxfield Way, NN4 5BE 10:45: Happyhouse (walking to 4 yrs) Eilidh: 07854 295972; Live Music & Songs foryou and your little one!

Kingsthorpe Children’s Ctre, St David Rd, NN2 6NS; 01604 791537

Weston Favell

St Peter’s Church Hall, High St, NN3 3JX 9:30: Gymbabes; 10:30: Toddlers; 11:30: 2-3yrs; 13:00: 3yrs+. Naomi - 07779 785166 Structured Play from 6m to 5 yrs. Book!

Wootton

Wootton Trinity Toddler Group

9.30 - 11.30; Wootton Trinity Church, High St. £2/family; Mandy: 01604 764605; 0-5s. Term.

44 We update these listings every issue, but recommend you call before attending - just in case.

Northampton Area

Daily Activity Planner

Perfect Start in Life Good Schools Guide June 2011 “ It combines first rate delivery of the curriculum with a nurturing environment where girls feel safe and secure.” “ Fizzes with energy and enthusiasm.”

ISI Inspection Report April 2011 Highest grade awarded across all areas.

Come and see for yourself.

Junior School Nursery to year 6 (3 - 11 years)

Open Day Friday 3 February 2012 9.30am - 12noon Please Call 01604

765765 www.gdst.net/northamptonhigh

In the Water

Singing & Signing

Physical Fun

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy 45

Daily Activity Planner

Northampton Area Preston Hedgehogs

Wootton Community Centre, Curtlee Hill 9:30 - 11:30; £2.50/family; Nicky-07854 441062 Play time & songs. Term time only.

Saturday Abington

10:00 at 44 Beech Avenue, NN3 2HE Catherine: 01604 710102 Book in 3 week blocks.

11:30; Abington Park, opposite Christchurch Rd; Scott: 07812 973562; £5 first session Outdoor fitness sessions guaranteed results

Harlestone

Tatty Bumpkin (Music & Yoga)

Chaplin’s Stage School, 105 St. Michaels Rd, NN1 3JT; 9:00 - 9:45 (4-9 yrs); 9:45 - 10:30 (2-5 yrs); Reanne: 0845 6804981 or 07580 131842 Yoga-inspired sessions for babies and children

Wootton

Tumble Tots

Wootton Community Centre, Curtlee Hill.

Gymbabes: 9:30; Toddlers: 10:30; 2 - 3 yrs: 11:30; 3yrs - school: 12:45 Naomi - 07779 785 166 Structured play for 6m-5yrs. Book a trial.

Move, Make & Do

Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Rd, NN1 1DP 14:00 - 15:00. 01604 624811; £5 per child Drop in for stories, drama, dancing and music

The Kids Kitchen Classes

Natural Bootcamp (Outdoor)

Northampton Centre

Sunday Duston

Miss Tickle Magic Children’s Entertainer

Alison Williams, 43 Oaklands, Bugbrooke, NN7 3QU Tel: 01604 831483 / 07915 699322 Website: www.missticklemagic.co.uk Children’s Parties Silly Magic, Balloons and lots of fun!

Natural Bootcamp

10:00 at Harlestone Firs, Harlestone Rd Scott: 07812 973562; £5 first session Natural fitness sessions - guaranteed results!

Kings Heath

Dad’s Stay & Play

10:00 - 12:00, last Sat of Month: Camrose Children’s Centre, 16 Park Square, NN5 7LQ. 01604 757694

Kingsthorpe

Aqualight Swimming

Fairfields School, Trinity Avenue, NN2 6JN 8:30 - 12:30; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0 - 3s. Prebook!

Aqualight Swimming

Little Kickers

The Duston School, Berrywood Rd, NN5 6XA 9.30 - 10:15: 2 - 3½ yrs & 3½ - 5th b’day 10.30 - 11:15: 2 - 3½ yrs & 1½ - 2yrs 3mth 11.30 - 12:15: 2-3½yrs & 5-6 yrs Lynne: 01327 310373 Football classes for 18 months to 6 years

Northampton Centre

Aqualight Swimming

Barry Road School Baths. Barry Road, NN1 5JS 14:00 -18:00; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0 - 7yrs. Prebook.

Barry Road School Baths. Barry Road, NN1 5JS 15:00 -17:00; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 0 - 4s. Prebook.

The Mounts, Northampton

The Mounts

The Mounts Baths, NN1 3DN 14:00 - 17:00; Tots are free; 01604 837400 Maximum of two children under 8 years.

The Mounts Baths, NN1 3DN 8:00 - 15:45; Tots are free; 01604 837400 Maximum of two children under 8 years.

Mounts Baths Family Swimming

Mounts Baths Family Swimming

Messy Church

11:00 - 13:00; Duke Street Evangelical Church, 4-8 Duke Street, The Mounts, NN1 3BA Moyra: 01604 635535; Free Next dates: 17th Sept & 3rd Dec 2011

Search online!

Daily Activity Planner: South Northants Area Your local ‘What’s on Guide’ in your area for bumps - 5s and parents

Monday Bicester

Sing & Sign

Salvation Army building, Hart Place, Bicester 10:00 (advanced), 11:00 (beginners & imprvers) £66.00 per 11 wk term. Corma: 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props

Brackley

Buggy Active

National trust park on Brackley High Street.

Meet at 9:30 & 11:00 Becky: 07881 805500; £3.50 A brisk walk & light exercises for mums with buggies

Preschool Gymnastics Club

Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields 13:45 - 14:45; Booking essential: 01280 701789 For 3 - 5 years. Term time only.

Noah’s Ark

Methodist Church, High St, NN13 9:30 - 11:30 Parent & Toddler group for 0 -5s

Tiddlers Stay & Play: 10:00 - 11:30 (1-2 yrs) Book Club: 19:00 - 20:00 (monthly)

Brackley Children’s Centre, Manor Rd Free Drop ins groups; 01280 841674

Childminder Support Group

Run by Brackley Children’s Centre, at Women’s Institute Hall, Manor Rd, Brackley; 9:30 - 11:30, monthly. 01280 841674 Free Drop in session for childminders

Buckingham

Musical Minis

Well St. Centre, Well St, MK18 1EN 10:00 - 10:45 & 11:00 - 11:45; £4.25; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in offers

Cosgrove

‘Out and About’ Playtime

Deanshanger Children’s Centre at Cosgrove Village Hall; 10:00 - 12:00: 01327 350272

Greens Norton

Tots Own Toddler Group

13:45 - 15:15; Greens Norton Village Hall, Towcester Rd; £1 p/c; Sacha - 01327 351864; For 0-5s. Story, crafts & sing-song. Term time.

Middleton Cheney

Stay & Play

Middleton Cheney Children’s Centre, Library.

10:00 - 11:30; 01295 714143; Free.

Drop in; Crafts, games & toys.

Silverstone

Silverstone Stay & Play

St Michael’s Church, Silverstone 10:30 - 11:30: 01327 350272; Not on 10th & 24th October. Run by Towcester CC. A play session for 0 - 3 years.

Towcester

Little Turtle Swim Company

9:30 – 12:00; Gateway School, Tiffield Zara - 01908 543384; £54 for 6 weeks 30-min swim sessions for 2mths–5 yrs.

Baby Bumpkin (music & yoga)

10:00 - 10:45; Brook Health Centre, Swinneyford Road, NN12 6HD Reanne: 0845 6804981 or 07580 131842; £5. 6 weeks - crawling Yoga-inspired classes for babies

46 We update these listings every issue, but recommend you call before attending - just in case.

South Northants Area 9:30 - 11:00 (fortnightly) Towcester Children’s Centre, Islington Road, NN12 6AU; 01327 350272

Breastfeeding Group

Brook Health Ctre, Swinneyford Rd 11:00 - 12:30; Free; 01327 323900 Very informal and open to all mums

Mighty Atoms Soft Play Sessions

Towcester Centre for Leisure 14:00 – 15:00; £2.90 per child; 01327 322480

ASA Swimming Lessons

Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields.

16:00 - 18:00; 6-week course; 01327 322480; Swimming lessons for children aged 3 yrs+.

Bugbrooke

Banbury

Swim and Sing Swimming Lessons

Brackley Pool, Manor Rd, NN13 6EE 16:00 - 16:30; 01280 704906 call to book course; 30 min swim and sing swimming lessons

Denton

Bugbrooke Children’s Centre, Primary School, High Street, NN7 3PA; Free. 01604 831575

Village Tots

Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Denton, NN7 1DL 14:00 - 16:00; Lucy: 07919 185149 £1.50; 2nd Tues of mth =baby weighing.

Hedgehog Hill Day Nursery High Street, Greens Norton

Come and visit our: • ‘Cuddly Cubs’ baby suite • Spacious ‘Happy Hippos’ toddler room • Stimulating ‘Funky Monkeys’ pre-school

Litchborough

Litchborough Play Time

Village Hall, Northampton Rd, NN12 8JA; 13:45 - 15:30; £1.50 per family Vanessa - 01327 830823; For 0 - 5s Crafts & singing, term time and hols

Middleton Cheney

012 www.hedgehoghill.org 01327 323

Health Visitor Drop In: 10:00 11:30 (1st & 3rd Tues of mth) Creative Play: 10:00 - 11:00 (2nd & 4th Tues) Middleton Cheney Children’s Centre, Library. 01295 714143

Potterspury

Potterspury Under Fives

Village Hall, Church End, NN12 7PX 13:00 - 15:00 (Term time only) Cathryn: 07961 587236; £2 per family Family stay and play for 0-5

Krystle Jayne’s Dance Academy

St Mary’s Church Hall, Butlins Lane, NN7 2PU 16:00 -20:30: Ballet, Tap, Modern & Salsa classes for 2.5 yrs to adults.

Krystle Jayne’s Dance Academy: 07791 852891;

Twins and Multiples Group

Hanwell fields Community Centre, Rotary Way, OX16 1ER; Fortnightly meeting - in hols too 10:00-13:00; £4/family; Simone: 07921 460086

Roade

Brackley

Roade Stay & Play: 10:00 - 11:00 Multiple Births Group: 14:00 - 16:00

Musical Minis

Bumblebees Playhouse, Oxford Rd, NN13 7DY 10:30-11:15; £4.25; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages

Roade Children’s Centre, Stratford Rd, NN7 2LP; 01604 863319; Free drop in Activities include crafts, games & toys.

Towcester

Mighty Atoms Soft Play Sessions

Water Babies Swimming Classes

The Gateway School, Tiffield, NN12 8AA 11:00 - 13:00; Tamsin: 01295 709221; Fun, action packed, progressive classes

Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way. 9:30 - 11:30; £3.20 per child 01280 701787

Little Fishes

Sing & Sign Baby Signing

Baptist Church, Waynflete Close, NN13 6AE. 9:15 - 10:30 or 10:45 12:00; For 0 - 5s

Brackley Children’s Centre 9:30-10:00: Baby Rhymetime (0-6m) 10:00-10:45: BABS Breastfeeding Group 10:45-11:15: Baby Rhymetime (6-12m) 13:30 - 15:00: Chill & Chat (for under 23 yrs)

Brackley Library, Manor Road; 01280 841674

13:30 - 14:45; Run by Children’s Centre at Brackley Baptist Church.

For 2-5yrs, please book your place

In the Water

Deanshanger Holy Trinity Church 10:30 - 11:45; 01327 811426; Free For 0-6 months, 4th Jan to 22nd Feb

‘Nurturing happy, confident children’

Tuesday

Crafty Play

Tiny Treasures Baby Group

Bugbrooke Stay & Play: 9:30 - 11:00 Story Explorers: 14:00 - 15:00 (10th Jan – 8th Feb) Musical Movers: 14:00 - 15:00 (21st Feb – 27th Mar)

Brook Health Centre, Swinneyford Rd 9:45 - 11:00: Beginners + Improvers Booking essential. Corma: 01280 704705 Fun baby Signing classes with music & props

ASA Swimming Lessons

Tiny Tots Service

14.30pm - 15:15; Bugbrooke Church Singing & story service then toy-time

Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields.

16:00 - 18:00; 6-week course; 01327 322480; Swimming lessons for children aged 3 yrs+.

Bumps & Babies: 10:30 - 11:45 Creative Play: 14:00 - 15:00

Deanshanger

Towcester Children’s Centre, Islington Road Term time only: 01327 350272; Free

Deanshanger Children’s Centre, Community Centre, Little London, MK19 6HT 10:00 - 11:30; 01327 350272 Drop in play session inc crafts & singing

9:30 - 11:30; Towcester Centre for Leisure, Springfields; £3.20 per child; 01327 322480

Deanshanger Stay & Play

Singing & Signing

Physical Fun

Mighty Atoms Soft Play Sessions

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy 47

Daily Activity Planner

Childminder’s Drop In

Daily Activity Planner

South Northants Area

Wednesday

Brackley

Preschool Football Sessions

Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way 16:00 – 17:00; Booking #: 01280 701790 Termly football course for 4 yr-olds.

Brackley Story Time

11:30-12:00, Brackley Library, NN13 6AJ Free Storytime sessions open to all

Brackley Children’s Centre Drop Ins

Baby Massage: 13:30 - 14:30 (monthly) Outside Fun: 10:00 - 11:30 (2nd & 4th Wed) Job Centre Plus: 14:30 - 16:00 (2nd Wed) Brackley Library, Manor Road; 01280 841674

Bugbrooke

Bumps & Babies: 11:00 - 12:00

Bugbrooke Children’s Centre, High St, NN7 3PA; 01604 831575; Term time only

Deanshanger

Musical Movers: 4th Jan – 8th Feb Story Explorers: 22nd Feb – 28th Mar

10:00 -11:00 at Deanshanger Children’s Centre, Little London, MK19 6HT; Term time only; 01327 350272

Deanshanger Toddler Group

Holy Trinity Church, Deanshanger 13:30 – 15:00; Free; Jennie - 01908 564725

Childminder Support Group

Deanshanger Community Centre; 9:30 - 11:30; £2 per childminder; Rachel: 01908 261864

Middleton Cheney

Love Ballet Dance Company

Scout Hut, Midway, OX17 2QW 15.50 (4-6yrs); 16:20 (7-10yrs); 16:50 (11yrs+) Miss Lorraine: 07711 010404 Street Dance classes for children 4 years+

Middleton Cheney Rhymetime

Middleton Cheney Library, Main Road, OX17 10:00 - 10:30, 1st & 3rd Wed of the mth; Free

Creative Play: 10:00 - 11:00 Bumps & Babies: 10:30 - 11:45 Growing Days: 13:30 - 15:00 (3rd Wed) Baby Massage: 9:30 - 10:30 (22nd Feb - 21st Mar) Middleton Cheney Children’s Centre,Main Rd, OX17 2PD; : 01295 714143

Pattishall

Pattishall Mums & Tots

Pattishall Parish Hall, School Lane 13:30 – 15:00; £1.50; Term time only.

Roade

Roade Storytime

Roade Library, High Street, NN7 16:00 - 16:30; Free; For 4 - 8s. Free

Bumps & Babies

Roade Children’s Centre, Stratford Rd, NN7 2LP; 10:30 - 11:45 (term time): 01604 863319

Towcester

ASA Swimming Lessons

Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields.

9:30 - 11:00 (6-24 mths); 16:00 - 18:00 (3 yrs+); 6-week course. 01327 322480

Action Kids (with Children’s Centre)

Young Parents (<21yrs): 10:30 - 12:00 Musical Movers: 14:15 - 15:00

Women’s Institute Hall, Manor Road 10:15 - 11:00 Free; 01280 841674 For children from toddlers to 5 yrs

Wednesday Tots Group

Bugbrooke Parent & Tots

Towcester Children’s Centre, Islington Road, NN12 6AU; Term time only; 01327 350272 St John’s Ambulance Hall, Islington Rd, NN12 9.30 – 11:00; £1.40; Jane - 01327 352321 For 0 – 5s Inc. sing-song. Termtime only

Turweston

Pregnancy PlaYoga

18:00 - 19:15; Turweston Village Hall Heidi: 07789 910694; £10.00. Please book.

Weston

Weston Tiny Tots

Weston Baptist Chapel, High St, NN12 8PU 10:00 - 11:30; £2; Rosemary: 01295 760720 Term time only

Winslow

Musical Minis

Winslow Public Hall, Elmsfield Gate, Bucks 9:45 & 10:45; £4.25; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages

Thursday Ashton

Ashton Parent & Toddler Group

Ashton CE School, Roade Hill, NN7 2JH 13:30 - 15:00; £1; Laura - 07825 371624

Banbury

Sing & Sign

Rugrats and Halfpints, Beaumont Road.

13:30 - 14:30 (beginners + improvers) £66 per 11 wk term; Corma : 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props

Brackley

Buggy Active

National trust park on Brackley High Street.

Meet at 9:30 & 11:00; Becky: 07881 805500; £3.50; A brisk walk & light exercises for mums with buggies

Mighty Atoms Soft Play Sessions

Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way 9:30 - 11:30; £3.20 per child. 01280 701787

Swim and Sing Swimming Lessons

Brackley Pool, Manor Rd, NN13 6EE 16:00 - 16:30; 01280 704906 call to book 30 min swim and sing swimming lessons

First Steps

St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Rd, NN13 7BZ 9:15 - 11:30 (10:00 -12:00 in holidays) Val: 01280 701864; £1.50 per family Breakfast, chat, songs, bible stories, crafts.

Sparrows Toddler Group

Stony Stratford

9:30am - 11:30; St Peters Church, Church Rd

Whitespace Yoga, High St, MK11 1LJ 10:30-11:15 (6 wks-crawling) plus time for drink & chat afterwards. £5 Book: Reanne: 0845 6804981/07580 131842 Yoga-inspired sessions for babies.

Brackley Library, Manor Road, NN13 6AJ 14:15 - 14:45; Free; Cathy - 01280 703455 Free singing sessions open to all

Baby Bumpkin (music & yoga)

month - book via midwife) Brackley Library, Manor Road. 01280 841674 New Baby & You runs weekly. Free drop-in.

Fit to be Mum = post natal fitness class

Brackley Rhymetime

Brackley Children’s Centre

New Baby & You: 10:00 - 11:30 (6-12m) Fit to be Mum: 13:30 - 14:30 (book)

Bugbrooke

9:00 - 11:00; Sunday School, Church Lane Free; 0 – 4s; Toys , painting & crafts activities.

Bugbrooke Stay & Play: 15:00-16:15 Creative Play: 9:30 - 10:30 (term time) Health Visitor Drop In: 13:30 - 14:15 (1st

Thurs of Mth) Bugbrooke Children’s Centre, High Street, NN7 3PA; Term time; Free. 01604 831575

Deanshanger

Bumps & Babies: 11:15-12:15

Deanshanger Children’s Centre, Little London, MK19 6HT; Term time only; 01327 350272

Evenley

Sing & Sign

Evenley Village Hall, Broad Ln, NN13 5SD 9:45 - 11:00 (adv), 11:00 - 12:00 (beginners) £66 per 11 wk term; Corma: 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props

Kislingbury Kizzle Tots

Kislingbury Baptist Church, Mill Rd, NN7 4BB 9:30 - 11:30; £1 per family; For 0 – 4s.

Heather - 07962 157669; Term time only.

Middleton Cheney

Musical Movers: 14:00 - 15:00 (4th Jan – 8th Feb) Story Explorers: 14:00 - 15:00 (22nd Feb - 28th Mar)

Middleton Cheney Children’s Centre, Main Road, OX17 2PD; Term time; 01295 714143

Roade

Roade Stay & Play: 10:00 - 11:00

Roade Children’s Centre, Stratford Rd, NN7 2LP; 01604 863319; Free drop in Activities include crafts, games & toys.

Dance Classes

St Mary’s Church Hall, Butlins Lane, NN7 2PU 16:00 - 17:00: Ballet, tap and modern dance classes for 2.5 yrs+ Krystle Jayne’s Dance Academy: 07791 852891

Silverstone

Musical Monkeys

Silverstone Pavillion, Church St, NN12 8XA 10:30 - 11:30; £3.50 (£4 for family).

Vanessa - 07917 683330 Drop in for music, parachute and cake!

Silverstone Tiny Tots

9:15am; St Michael’s Church; Open to all.

Silverstone Tiggers

Methodist Church Rooms 13:30 – 15:00: £1.50; Catherine: 07854 309241 Puzzles, books, toys & trampoline.

Stony Stratford Musical Minis

York House, London Road, Stony Stratford.

9:30 - 10:15; £4.25; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages

Parent Craft: 18:00 - 20:00 (every other

48 We update these listings every issue, but recommend you call before attending - just in case.

South Northants Area

Daily Activity Planner

®

Yoga inspired classes/parties to aid creativity and development in your baby and child from 6 weeks to 9 years

www.miltonkeynes.tattybumpkin.com classes@miltonkeynes.tattybumpkin.com 0845 6804981• 07580131842 In the Water

Singing & Signing

Physical Fun

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy 49

Daily Activity Planner

South Northants Area Water Babies Swimming Classes

Watling Way Centre, Galley Hill, MK11 1PA 14:30 - 17:00; Tamsin: 01295 709221 Fun, action packed, progressive classes

Stony Stratford Storytime

Stony Stratford Library, 5-7 Church Street; 14:00 - 14:30; Free; 01908 562562

Towcester

ASA Swimming Lessons

Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields.

16:00 - 18:00; 6-week course; 01327 322480 Swimming lessons for children aged 3 yrs+.

Preschool Gymnastics

Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields 13:45 - 14:45; 01327 322480; £5.80 per session payable by term

Towcester Toy Library

Towcester Community Centre, Islington Road 9:30 - 11:30; £1.50 per family. 01327 860437 Toy hire 50p or £1 for 2 weeks.

Friday Banbury

Sing & Sign

Grimsbury Community Hall, Burchester Pl. OX16 3JT. 9:4511:00 (advanced); 11:00-12:00 (beginners & improvers) £66 per 11 wk term; Corma : 01280 704705 Baby signing with music, instruments & props

Blakesley

Saturday

Nether Heyford

Nether Heyford Little Fishes Group

Church rooms, The Green, NN7 3LE 11:00 - 13:00; £1 (free first session) Lia: 07709 020378; Bring sandwiches for lunch.

Potterspury

Musical Movers: 6th Jan – 10th Feb Story Explorers: 24th Feb – 30th Mar Creative Play: 20th Apr – 25th May 10:00 - 11:00 at Deanshanger Children’s Centre at Potterspury Village hall; 01327 350272

Roade

Musical Movers: 6th Jan – 10th Feb Creative Play: 20th Apr – 25th May Story Explorers: 24th Feb – 30 Mar

10:00 - 11:00 at Roade Children’s Centre, Stratford Rd, NN7 2LP; 01604 863319

Musical Monkeys -

Brackley

Kids & Co. for Dads: 10:00-11:30 Runs monthly - free for male carers & kids.

Brackley Children’s Centre, Manor Road Please call for info & to book: 01280 841674 Mighty Atoms

Brackley Leisure Centre, Springfields Way, 9:15 - 10:15; £2.90 per child; 01280 701787 Drop in soft play sessions for 0-5s

Swim and Sing Swimming Lessons

Brackley Pool, Manor Rd, NN13 6EE 8:00 - 9:30; 01280 704906 call to book course; 30 min swim and sing swimming lessons

First Aid Class: 10:00 - 12:00 (quarterly) Baby Led Weaning: 10:00 - 12:00 (quarterly)

Entertainment & refreshments

Silverstone Pavilion, Church St., Silverstone, NN12 8XA Thursdays, 10:30-11:30. www.musical-monkeys.com Tel: 07917 683330 e: ness@musical-monkeys.com Music, parachute, bubbles, stickers, drinks & cakes!

Towcester Scout Hall Preschool

Blakesley Village Hall; 10:00 - 11:30; £1.50 For 0 – 5s. Includes drinks and biscuit

Stony Stratford

Tadpoles Toddler Group

Brackley

York House Centre, London Rd, MK11 1JQ 10:00 - 11:00; £3.50 (£4 for family).

Vanessa - 07917 683330 Drop in for music, parachute and cake!

New Baby & You: 10:00 - 11:30 Job Centre Plus: 10:00 - 12:00

Towcester

10:00-11:30, St Peters Church, Church Rd

Brackley Children’s Centre, Manor Road, NN13 6AJ; Free; 01280 841674 Advice and support for babies 0 - 6 mths

Bugbrooke

Childminding Group

Bugbrooke Children’s Centre, High Street, NN7 3PA; 9:30 - 11:15; 01604 831575

Croughton

Croughton Mother & Tots Group

Musical Monkeys

Roade

Roade Rhymetime

Roade Library, High Street, NN7 Free singing sessions open to all Call for details

Stony Stratford

Open: Mon - Friday, Mornings and Lunch clubs too Add: Baden Powell Crescent, Towcester, NN12 6DS 07890 525116 | contact@towcesterscouthallpreschool.co.uk Established, friendly preschool in the heart of Towcester

Blakesley Mums & Tots

Brackley Children’s Centre, Manor Road, NN13 6AJ; 01280 841674; Free classes – please book

Musical Minis

St. Mary and St. Giles Church Hall, High Street 10:30 - 11:15am (3rd Sat of Month) Amanda: 01908 259914; £4.25 (£3 for siblings) Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages

Tatty Bumpkin (Music & Yoga)

11:30 - 12:15 at Whitespace Yoga Reanne: 0845 6804981 or 07580 131842; Yoga-inspired sessions for babies and children

Towcester

Mighty Atoms

Towcester Twins Group

Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields, NN12 9:00 - 10:15; £3.20 per child; 01327 322480 Soft play drop in sessions for 0 – 5s

ASA Swimming Lessons

10:45–16:15; Gateway School, St. Johns Rd, Tiffield; Zara: 01908 543384; £54 for 6wks 30-minute swim sessions for 2 mths - 8 yrs

Brook Health Centre, Swinneyford Rd 14:00 - 15.30 fortnightly; Free Melanie - 01327 351097; Ring for dates Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields.

10:30 - 11:00 (12-24 mths); 16:00 - 18:00 (3yrs+); 6-week course; 01327 322480 Swimming lessons for children from 12 mths.

Towcester Rhymetime

Little Turtle Swim Company

ASA Swimming Lessons

Towcester Leisure Centre, Springfields.

8:00 - 10:00 (6 mths - 3 yrs+); 6-week course; 01327 322480 Swimming lessons for children from 12 mths.

Croughton Village Hall 10:00 – 12:00; £2; Beckie – 01869 819734 From birth - school. Term-time only.

Towcester Library, Richmond Road, 10:00 , 10:45 & 11:30, 2nd & 4th wks of mth Free 30-min singing sessions for 0-5s

Deanshanger

Stay & Play: 10:00 - 11:30 (term time) Musical Movers: 14:15 - 15:00 Story Explorers: 14:15 - 15:00 (24th Feb - 30th Mar)

Stony Stratford

Wicken

Watling Way Centre, Galley Hill, MK11 1PA 10:30 - 16:45; Tamsin: 01295 709221 Fun, action packed, progressive classes

Deanie Tots

9:30 - 11:30; Community Centre, Deanshanger Rachel: 07710845865; £2 per family.

Toys and crafts/activities

Deanshanger Rhymetime

Deanshanger Library, Little London, MK19 14:00 - 14:30, 4th Friday of mth Free singing sessions open to all

Greens Norton Music Bugs

Greens Norton Community Centre, NN12 8BL 10:00 (6-18 mths) & 11:00 (18 mths- 4 yrs) Michelle Dixon: 0844 822 1158 Fun music sessions for 6 mths to 4 years

Towcester Children’s Centre, Islington Road, NN12 6AU; Term time only; 01327 350272 Activities include crafts, games & toys.

Akeley Wood Baby & Toddler

Akeley Wood Nursery, MK19 6DA 10:00 - 11:30; Free; Hannah: 01908 571231 For 0 - 3s. Free play with lots of activities.

Sunday Water Babies Swimming Classes

Towcester

Active Baby Company Swimming

Gateway School, St. Johns Rd, Tiffield, NN12 8:30 – 13:00; Book as 5-week term Denise - 01604 826066 30-min swim classes for 10wks–7y. Book.

50 We update these listings every issue, but recommend you call before attending - just in case.

Your local ‘What’s on Guide’ in your area for bumps - 5s and parents

Monday Braunston

Little Fishes Toddler Group

All Saints Church, High Street. 14:00 – 15:00; Sarah: 01788 890298; 0–5s; Term time; Free

Upper Boddington

Upper Boddington Village Hall, Warwick Rd 9:30 (Nursery Ballet) & 10:20 (Adult Ballet) Lorraine: 07711 010404; Ballet for 2 - 5yrs & adults (no exp. necessary)

Tuesday

Catthorpe, Leicestershire Music Bugs

Manor Farm Cafe, Catthorpe, LE17 6DB 10:00-10:40; Fiona Bayliss - 0844 5781017 Fun music sessions for 0 - 5s. Book a Taster!

Crick

Middlemore Mums & Tots (NCT)

Love Ballet Dance Company

9:45-11:15; Middlemore Farm Pub, NN11 5JZ; £1 donation; Kiran: 07714 767867 For bump - 3 yrs. Hot drink, biscuit & crafts.

Toddlers Group

Holy Cross Church, Church Walk 13:30-14:45, 2nd Tues of mth; Free Paula: 01327 877979 Termtime only. Fun find teddy game!

Adventure World Soft Play

Boddington

Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 9:30 - 17:30; £1.75 <5s, £2.20 5yrs+. 01327 871144. Soft play area for up to 8 yrs

Boddington Toddler Group

9:30 - 11:30; Boddington Village Hall, CV47

Stay n Play (inc Messy Play): 12.30 -

Crick Tots

14.30

10:30 - 12:00; Crick Village Hall £2/family; Cath: 01788 824344 Includes fun activities, snack and drink

Antenatal Programme: 15.00-16.30 Daventry Children’s Centre, 14 Benbow Close, NN11 4JP; Free; 01327 313861

Dads Parenting Course

Daventry

Daventry West Children’s Centre at The Abbey, Market Sq 19.30-21.00; 01327 313861

Love Ballet Dance Company

Nene Hall, Tamar Square, NN11 4RB. 16:00 & 16:30: 3-5yrs; 17:00: 5-6yrs Lorraine: 07711 010404 Dance classes for children 3 years - adults.

Health Visitor Clinic

Danetre Hospital; 13:30-15:00: 01327701604 Baby weighing and advice

Acorn Parent & Toddler Group

Daventry Rhymetime

10:00 & 10:30, fortnightly; Daventry Library, North Street; 01327 703130 Free singing & music sessions open to all

United Ref. Church, Foundry Place 9.30 – 11:00; £1; Rosemary - 01327 872650 0-5s. Story time 10.30 & singing 10.45.

Guilsborough

Guilsborough Health Visitor Clinic

Adventure World Soft Play

Run by Long Buckby Children’s Centre 9:00 - 11:00; 01327 842037; Ask the HV any questions you may have

Kilsby

Baptist Church, on Market Place 10.30 – 12:00; Free; Jane - 01327 843453 For 0 - 4 years. In school holidays too!

Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 9:30 – 17:30; £1.75 <5s, £2.20 5yrs+; 01327 871144. Indoor soft play area For up to 8 yrs

Long Buckby

Long Buckby Mums and Babies

Kilsby Playtime

9:45 - 11:45; Kilsby Village Hall, Rugby Road £1.50 + 50p p/c; Term time; All welcome Susan: 07845 751449 or 01788 823079

Sparkles (additional needs): 9:30 - 11:30

Long Buckby

Braunston

Yoga for Pregnancy

Long Buckby Community Centre, NN6 7WB 18:15 - 19:45; £42 for 6-week course Lizzy Giles: 07950 573719 Physical & emotional pregnancy support

Long Buckby Mums & Tots

Community Centre, 41 Station Rd, NN6 7QB 9.30 – 11:30

Stay and Play

Long Buckby Children’s Centre, 41 Station Rd 14:00 - 15:30. 01327 842037; Free Drop in

Scaldwell

Scaldwell Mums & Tots

Scaldwell Village Hall, School Lane, NN6 9LD 10:00 - 12:00; £1.50; Kathryn - 01604 882786 Friendly group. Termtime only.

In the Water

Long Buckby Baby Clinic: 14:00 15:30 Long Buckby Children’s Centre, 41 Station Rd, NN6 7QB. Sparkles runs 1st & 3rd Tues of mth. Please call 01327 842037 for info.

Braunston Toddler Group

Moulton

13:30 - 15:00; Braunston Village Hall, NN11

Moulton Rhymetime

Daventry

Moulton Library, Doves Lane, NN3 14:30-15:00; Free; 01604 646796

Tumble Tots

The Saxon Suite, Leisure Centre, Lodge Rd. 9:30: Gymbabes; 10:30: Toddlers; 11:30: 2-3yrs; 12:45: 3yrs - school Call Naomi to book - 07779 785166 Structured Play for 6m to 5 yrs. Runs all year.

Love Ballet Dance Company

Moulton Health Visitor Clinic

Run by Brixworth Children’s Centre in Moulton 14:00 - 15:30. 01604 880246 Ask the HV any questions you may have

Naseby

Nene Hall, Tamar Sqre, The Grange.

Acting, Performance & Singing: 16:00 (3-5 yrs), 16:45 (6-8yrs) & 17:45 (9-12yrs) Tap Dance: 17:15 (3-5yrs), 17:45 (5-8yrs), 18:15 (8-10yrs).

Adults: 18:15-Tap; 19:00-Tap; 8pm:ZUMBA Miss Lorraine: 07711 010404

Singing & Signing

Physical Fun

Brixworth & Villages NCT Group

10:00 - 12:00; Naseby Methodist Church £1.50 per family; Katie: 07973 884717 or 01604 743536. Non-members welcome

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy 51

Daily Activity Planner

Daily Activity Planner: Daventry Area

Daily Activity Planner

Daventry Area Rugby

Music Bugs

Bilton Church, Main St, Bilton, CV22 7NB 9:30 & 10:30; Fiona Bayliss - 0844 5781017 Music sessions for 0 - 5s. Book trial!

Weedon

Goslings Stay & Play

Weedon Village Hall, West St, NN7 4QU 13:00 – 15:30 (term time); For 0-5s Woodford Halse CC: 01327 264809 Toys, crafts, song time + outside play.

Fun with Music: 10:00 - 10:45 Massage to Music: 11:00 - 11:45

Weedon Chapel Rooms; Free; 01327 264809

Woodford Halse

New Babes Group: 10:30 - 12:30 Toddles Group: 14:00 – 16:00

Woodford Halse Children’s Centre, Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU; 01327 264809; Free New babes 0 - 12 mths & Toddles 12 mths+

Woodford Halse Rhymetime

Woodford Halse Library 14:30 - 15:00 (term time); Free drop in

Wednesday Badby

Badby Mums & Tots

9:30 - 11:30 Badby Village Hall, The Green

Barby

Chatterbox Baby & Toddler Group Barby Village Hall, Barby, Rugby, 9:30 - 11:30; £1.50; Inc drink & biscuit

Brixworth

Breastfeeding Support Group

Brixworth Children’s Centre, The Old School, Church Lane, NN6 9BZ 10:00 - 12:00: 01604 880246

Adventure World Soft Play

Woodford Halse

Active Baby Company Swimming

9:00-16:00 at Woodford Halse Children’s Centre, Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU; 01327 264809; Drop in. With trained staff

Guilsborough

Brixworth

Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11.

9:30 - 17:30; £1.75 <5s, £2.20 5yrs+.

01327 871144

Barcélo Hotel, Sedgemoor Way, NN11 0SG 9:45 - 12:15; Book as 6-week term Denise - 01604 826066. Booking essential.

30 min swim class for 10wks - school age.

Breastfeeding Drop In

Guilsborough Surgery, High Street, NN6 8QE 11:00 - 13:00; 01604 740210

Hellidon

Hellidon Baby & Toddler Group

Afternoon, various houses. Call for location!

Angela - 07973 659092.

Kilsby

Kilsby Health Visitor Clinic

Run by Long Buckby Children’s Centre in Kilsby; 9:30 - 11:30 (1st Wed of month); 01327 842037; Drop in

Long Buckby

Breastfeeding Group: 10:00 - 12:00 Baby Buddies: 10:00 - 12:00

Daventry

Brixworth Tinies & Tots

Brixworth Children’s Centre, The Old School, Church Lane, NN6 9BZ 9:30 - 11:30; 01604 880246 Drop in to meet up with the Health Visitor

Byfield

Byfield Toddler Group

Daventry

Long Buckby Baptist Church, Market Pl., NN6 Street Kidz: 17:15 (5-10yrs); Gymnastics: 17:45 (all ages); Lorraine: 07711 010404

Post Natal Yoga Classes (Mum & Baby) 10:00 - 11:00; Long Buckby Lizzy: 07950 573719; £30 for 5-week course For all mothers and babies up to crawling

Moulton

Messy Play

Byfield

Byfield School Hall, Bell Lane, NN11 6US; 10:45-11:45; Free; 01327 264809; Pre-book

Sparkles

Brixworth Children’s Centre, The Old School, Church Lane, NN6 9BZ 13:30 - 15:00 (2nd & 4th Tues of month); 01604 880246; For children with additional needs.

10:00 - 11:30; Byfield Village Hall

Pitsford Village Hall. 9:30 - 11:30, term time £2 per family. Great selection of toys!

Mini Music Beats

Olive Shoots Tots Group

10:00 - 11:30, Brixworth Library, Spratton Rd £1 per family; 0-3 yrs; Term only Margaret & John - 01604 646300

Love Ballet Dance Company

Nature Tots at Brixworth Country Park

10:00-11:30 (3 Wed of mth); Northampton Rd, NN6 9DG; 01604 883920; £3 - bookl A parents and tots group with a difference!

Thursday

Long Buckby Children’s Centre, 41 Station Road, NN6 7QB; 01327 842037

Brixworth Children’s Centre at Moulton Library, Doves Lane, Moulton, NN3 7TA 14:15 - 15:15: 01327 701604; Free

rd

Breastfeeding Support

Pitsford

Pitsford Toddler Group

Priors Marston

Priors Marston Toddlers

9:30 - 11:30; The Priors Hall, CV47

Hot Tots Soft Play: 9:30 - 13:00 Adventure World Soft Play: 13:00-17:30

Daventry Leisure Ctre, Lodge Road, NN11 4FP. 01327 871144 AW: £1.75 <5s, £2.20 5yrs+; HT: 6-18 mths: £1.45, 18 mths+: £2.90 Soft play fun! Inflatables and frame equip.

Stay n Play

9:30 - 11:00 & 11:30 - 13:00: Daventry Family Centre. 01327 701604; Free drop in

Tiny Cooks (2-5yrs)

Daventry East Children’s Centre, 14 Benbow Close, Daventry, NN11 4JP 10.00-11.30; 01327 313861

East Haddon

East Haddon Toddler Group

10:00 - 11.30; The Pavilion, East Haddon Playing Fields, (turning opp. Red Lion Pub) £1.50 per family; Melissa - 01604 770024

Flore

Flore Little Stars Stay n Play

Upper Boddington

Flore Millennium Hall; 14:00 - 15:30: 01327 264809

Great Brington

Daventry West Children’s Centre, Abbey Centre, Market Square, NN11 4BH Free; 01327 313861

Boogie & Bounce Classes: 13:30-14:30 Modern Jazz & Theatre Craft: 17:15 & 18:00 Village Hall, Warwick Road, NN11 6DH Lorraine: 07711 010404 Boogie & Bounce for children from 18mths.

Theatre Craft for 4 yrs+.

Tatty Bumpkin

Weedon

Daventry Story Time

10:15 - 10:35 (fortnightly); Daventry Library, North Street; 01327 703130; Free drop in

Younger Parents Group: 13:30 - 15:00 Music Time: 9:30 - 11:30

Daventry East Sure Start Children’s Centre, 14 Benbow Close, Daventry, NN11 4JP 13.00-14.30: 01327 313861; Starts 18th Jan

Toddler Time

10:00–12:00; Methodist Church, Golding Close

ADHD Support Sessions

Run by Daventry West Children’s Centre at Rainbow Playworld; 17:00 - 19:00 01327 701604; Drop in session

Love Ballet Dance Company

Musical Minis

Weedon Village Hall, West Street, NN7 4PQ 9:45 - 10:30; £4.25; Amanda: 01908 259914 Free Trial Offer Voucher in Centre Pages

West Haddon

Caterpillar Club

9:15 - 11:15: West Haddon Village Hall, The Green, NN6 7AN; £1.50; Sarah: 01788 510760; Term time. Craft corner and singing

Brington Mums & tots

The Reading Rooms, Great Brington, NN7 4JB 10:00 - 11:30; £2; Chrissie – 07984 444556 For 0 – 4s. Friendly group, open all year.

Kelmarsh

Parent & Tots Group

Nagarjuna Centre Cafe, Kelmarsh, NN6 9LZ 12:00 - 14:00; Sarah - 01604 686778 Free drink with every panini order!

Long Buckby

Story & Rhyme Time

10:30 - 11:00, Long Buckby Library 01327 842037; Free drop in music session.

52 We update these listings every issue, but recommend you call before attending - just in case.

Daventry Area The Old Cart Barn, NN6 9BB 18:30 - 20:00; £48 for 6-week course Lizzy Giles: 07950 573719 Physical & emotional pregnancy support

Overstone

Aqualight Swimming

Overstone Park, Northampton 9:45 - 10:45; Book as 11-wk term Emmaline Kitson - 01604 830405 30-min swim classes for 6m-3yrs. Book!

Street Dance: 18:30 (8yrs+); ZUMBA: 19:15 Miss Lorraine: 07711 010404 Dance and Gymnastics classes for 3yrs+

Timken Tots (NCT)

10:00 - 12:00; Mayfield Park Sports Club, Royal Star Drive, NN11 9FZ. Pippa: 07715 558185; £1 per family donation Inc. drink, biscuits and arts and crafts

Weaning & Baby Massage: Monthly Freedom Programme: 10:00 - 12:00

£2 + 50p p/sibling. Open all year. Warm welcome. 1st Session Free

Woodford Halse

Woodford Halse Children’s Centre

Family Morning with H/V: 9:00 - 11:30

Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU; 01327 264809 Free drop in group

Saturday

Daventry Sure Start Centre, 14 Benbow Close 01327 313861: Free

Brixworth

Ravensthorpe

Dads Fun Session

Natural Bootcamp (Floodlit)

Brixworth Children’s Centre, The Old School, Church Lane, NN6 9BZ 10:30 - 12:00 (monthly); 01604 880246 Prepare to get messy! Please book.

19:00 at Ravensthorpe Playing Field, Teeton Road, NN6 8EJ; Scott: 07812 973562; £5 first session. Outdoor fitness sessions - guaranteed results or your money back

Staverton

Daventry

10:30 - 12:00; Village Hall, Croft Ln, NN11 6JE

Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Rd, NN11 4FP 9:15: 2-3½ yrs; 10:15: 3½-4yrs; 11:10: 5-6yrs Lynne: 01327 310373 Football classes for 18 months to 6 years

Little Kickers

Staverton Mums & Tots

Weedon

Breastfeeding Baby Cafe

The Village Hall, West Street, NN7 4PQ 9:30 - 12:00; 01327 264809; Free Breastfeeding Support Drop In Group

Dads’ Messy Play

Daventry West Children’s Centre, The Abbey, Market Square, NN11 4XG: please call for info 01327 313861.

Welton

Welton Parent & Toddler Group

Adventure World Soft Play

Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11 9:00 - 17:30; £1.75 <5s, £2.20 5yrs+.

01327 871144. Please call to check on weekends

9:45 - 11:15, Welton Village Hall Lee: 07977 191054. £1.50 With road safety themed ride on area!

Woodford Halse

Long Buckby

Adoption Support: 15:30-17:00

Story & Rhyme Time

(1st Thurs of mth) Woodford Halse Children’s Centre, Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU; 01327 264809

11:15 - 11:45, Long Buckby Library 01327 842037. Free drop in.

Upper Boddington

Love Ballet Dance Company

Friday Brixworth

Hunny Bees

Brixworth Rhymetime

Brixworth Library, Spratton Road 9.45-10.20 & 10:30-11:00; Free; Term time Jill - 01604 882153. Free singing session.

10:00 - 12:00; The Family Centre, Staverton Rd; Free; Sally (H/V) - 01327 708819 Group for under 5s with special needs

Stay and Play

Adventure World: 9:00 - 17:30

10:30 - 12:00, Brixworth Community Centre 01604 880246; Drop in

Daventry

Daventry Breastfeeding Group

Foundry Place, 45 Sheaf Street, NN11 4AA 12:00 - 14:00: 01327 313861; free Breast Feeding Support Drop In Group

Come and Play

Daventry West Children’s Centre at Braunston School; 13:00 - 14:30 (monthly); 01327 701604; Drop in - please call for dates

Daventry Leisure Ctre, Lodge Road, NN11 4FP. 01327 871144. £1.75 <5s, £2.20 5yrs+.

Soft play fun! Inflatables & frame equipment

Long Buckby

Long Buckby Rhymetime

Long Buckby Library, Station Road, NN6 7QB 14:30-15:00, 2nd & 4th Fri of mth; Free singing sessions. Termtime only.

Love Ballet Dance Company

Welford

In the Water

Dads/Grandads/Uncles Morning

Woodford Halse Children’s Centre, Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU 10:00 - 12:00; Free; Plse Book: 01327 264809 One Saturday p/month - please call for details

Sunday

Stay ‘n’ Play

Health Visitor Clinic

Nene Hall, Tamar Square, NN11 4RB Funky Dance: 17:00 (4-7yrs) Gymnastics: 17:30 (3-6yrs) & 18:00 (7yrs+)

Woodford Halse

Weedon

13:30 - 15:00 (1st Fri of Mth); Piglets of Weedon, Bridge Street, NN7 4PN Woodford Halse CC: 01327 264809; Free

Danetre Hospital; 12:00-13:30; 01327313861

Upper Boddington Village Hall, Warwick Road Ballet: 9:00 (3-5yrs), 10:15 (5-7yrs), 11:30 (7-9yrs), 12:45 (9-10yrs), 13:15 (9-11yrs), 14:00 (10-11yrs), 15:00 (11-12yrs), 15:30 (12 yrs+) Gymnastics: 9:45 (4-6yrs); 11.00 (6-8 yrs) Street Dance: 12:15 (6-8yrs), 14:30 (9yrs+) Lorraine: 07711 010404

Welford Babes & Tots Group

Adventure World Soft Play

Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, NN11.

9:00 - 17:30; £1.75 <5s, £2.20 5yrs+. 01327 871144. Please call to check on weekends

Welford Community Centre, West St, NN6 9:30 - 11:00; 07981 197855;

Singing & Signing

Physical Fun

Arts & Crafts

For Pregnancy 53

Daily Activity Planner

Moulton

Yoga for Pregnancy

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