Familes Mag Issue 9 Low Res (1)

8/2/2019 Familes Mag Issue 9 Low Res (1)

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www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk [email protected] 079302 64979

Central Scotlands really useful magazine for busy families of children age 0-12 FREEIssue 9

Mar/Apr 2012

In This Issue Nursery feature Sleep solutions Win a pair of tickets to the Baby

and Toddler Show at the SECC Ideas for the Easter holidays

The Jack &

Jill Market40+ stalls bursting withquality nearly-new baby &kids clothes, toys, buggies,cots, car seats, and all therest (0-9 yrs). Indoormarkets. Entry 1 adults.

Livingston West Lothian College Sun 11 Mar

Dunfermline Vine Venue Sat 17 Mar

Livingston West Lothian College Sun 22 Apr

Dunfermline Vine Venue Sat 28 Apr

All markets 10.30 am 1.30 pm

0 - 9 y e a r s

Where Smart Mums Sell & Save

www.JackandJillMarket.co.uk

Unique &Bespoke Events Affordable Style With Priceless Memories

is a Guarantee

Unique balloons for every occassionfrom newborn to 100

For Enquiries Please ContactAmber Rennie

Email:[email protected]

Tel: 07706155578

Events, Parties and Wedding Planning

Tailored Packages to suit everyindividuals needs and budgets


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Hi and welcome to issue 9 of FamiliesCentral Scotland Magazine. This issue hasan informative and local nursery guide for

that all important decision when you return to work after maternity leave. We alsohave articles on sleep and re ux, issuesaffecting many parents and as always wehave our useful out and about guide tofamily friendly events going on in the localarea. Look out on page 14 for some greatsuggestions of activities and events in theEaster holidays.

We have 5 pairs of tickets to give away for the Baby and Toddlershow at the SECC on 27th to 29th April. For details on how toenter our prize draw see page 7

Check out our website on www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk where you will nd more articles and information.

Follow and like us on face book by clicking onwww.facebook.com/FamCS where you willget regular updates of local events for you andyour kids.

If you are interested in advertising with us we are now takingbookings for our May/June issue which will be our summer clubsand classes feature. Deadline for copy and adverts is 1st April soemail us at [email protected] for our mediapack.

Fiona & Louise the editors

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C ent ral Sc ot land s really usefulm agaz ine for busy f am ilies of childr en age 0 -12 F R EEIssue 9

Mar /Apr 2012

In T his Issue Nu r se r y f e a t u r e Slee p so lut io n s W i n a t i c k e t t o t h e Ba b y an d T o d d ler Sh o w a t t he SE C C Id e a s fo r t h e E as te r h o li da y s

T h e J a c k & J i l l M a r k e t

40+st alls bur st ing w ith qua lity nearly-new baby &kids clot hes , toy s, bug g ies,cot s, ca r sea ts , and all the r est (0-9 y r s). Indoor mar ket s. Ent ry 1 adult s. Liv ing st o n We stL othi anC ollege Sun1 1M ar Dunf e rmline V ine Ven ue Sa t1 7 Ma r Livingst on W est Loth ian College Sun 22 Apr Dunf er mlin e VineVe nue Sat 28Apr All ma r kets 10 .30 am 1 .30 pm

0 - 9 y e a r s

W h er e S ma rt M u m s Se ll & S av e

w w w .Jac k andJillMark e t.co.uk

U ni q u e &B e s p o ke E ve n t s A ff or d ab l eSt yle Wit hPr icel ess Memori es isa Gua ran tee

Uni qu e balloonsf or ev ery occassion fr om new bo r n to 100

For Enquir iesP leas e Contact Amber RennieEmai l:uniqueand bespokeevent s@g mai l.comTel: 0 7 706155578

Ev ents , P art ies an d W ed d ing P lann i ng

Tailor e d Packag es to sui t ev ery ind iv id uals needs and bud g e ts

contents Welcome and contents ....................................................................3

News and local reviews ................................................................4-5

Nursery feature ..............................................................................6-11

Parent to parent article ...................................................................12

Baby page ................................................................................................13

Out and about .............................................................................14-15

contact usFiona Logan and Louise Boyle

Joint EditorsFamilies Central [email protected] tel no 079302 64979

Visit us on www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk

Circulation 12 000 copies delivered directly to nurseries, playgroups, healthcentres, libraries, leisure facilities as well as selected shops, cafes and schools.Please contact us if you wish to receive our media pack, detailing costs and sizesof adverts.

Design Gillian Lamb of Lamb DesignsPrinters J Thomson Colour PrintersCover Photograph Jacqueline Bradley, [email protected]

Families Central Scotland is part of a larger group of magazines headedby Families SW London who are celebrating 20 years of publishing. AllFranchised magazines are operated under licence. We take every carepreparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot beheld responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of thecontents nor for any consequences. Any original materials are sent at theowners own risk and while every care is taken neither families nor itsagents accept liability for loss or damage.

The Foster Care Co-operative is a not for prot agency providing quality care with integrity.

We are registered and established in Glasgowand actively seeking foster carers throughout

Central Scotland.

www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk The Foster Care Co-operative (Scotland), 4 Blair Court,

North Avenue, Clydebank Business Park, Glasgow G81 2LA

Could you be a

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The Foster Care Co-operative (FCC) isa not-for-distributed-profit independentfostering agency actively recruiting carersin Central Scotland. Withan office now established inGlasgow, the FCC (Scotland)hopes to attract new people

to foster care in the centralbelt area. Carers from theagency (already operatingin England and Wales for more than 12 years) havehelped hundreds of children andyoung people, offering homes for childrenfor perhaps a weekend or for many years.

Anyone can foster and carers come fromall walks of life. Carers need to have acan do approach to life, to offer patience,a stable home environment, lots of timeand commitment and a sense of humour!Any children placed with carers will need

to have their own room. The agency offersfull and diverse training, excellent support

from qualified social workers and a feewhich recognises a professional caring role.Anyone who is interested in being a foster

carer will find comprehensive informationabout fostering for the FCC on www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk The site sets

out the background to the agency and information about theethical not-for-distributedprofit status. A simple quizillustrates the qualities whichare needed to become afoster carer and pages on thesite offer detailed informationabout fostering as well aslinks to other national bodies

and organisations who are involved in thefostering task.

The Foster Care Co-operative is partof a very small number of Foster CareAgencies that work on a Not For Profitbasis. Contact FCC If you are interestedin fostering for an agency providing quality care with integrity. The Foster Care Co-operative(Scotland), 4 Blair Cour t, NorthAvenue, Clydebank Business Park, Glasgow,

G81 2LA . For more information call0800 633 5509www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk

Could you be a foster carer?

We are an independentchildrens shoe shop, with afocus on high quality, well fittedshoes for boys and girls. We

specialise in Start Rite and many other leading and well known

European and American brands. Our staff are fully trained and committed to ensuring

that every one of our customers leavesconfident in the knowledge that their childhas shoes which not only look great butare the best fit possible! It is important tocheck the fit of your childs shoes regularly and we are always happy to do this and toanswer any queries you might have wewill always be completely honest aboutwhether new shoes are needed or not. It isour aim to make shopping for your childsshoes as stress free and relaxed as possiblefor both of you in fact it should be fun!

We hope to see yousoon! Clever Clogs 19 Bank Street, Falkirk,FK1 1NB www.cleverclogs-online.co.uk/ 01324 633090

Waste watchersOver 1,500 Falkirk householders and schoolpupils have signed up to the Waste WatchersChallenge aimed at helping everyone savemoney on food shopping bills by reducingfood waste. At the heart of the Challenge isa simple, fun food waste diary and informationpack teeming with hints to make it easier than

you might think to save cash by cutting out food thrown in the bin. And for those who complete the food diary, useful goodies such as cool totebags, tea towels, garden seeds, and shopping listsare offered as incentives. All goody bag winnersare automatically put forward to monthly prizedraws to win rewards including grow your ownfruit & veg classes, cookery sessions, and iTunes,Love Eco and HMV vouchers to motivatehouseholders in every part of the District to

take part.

Decembers lucky prize draw winners werecooks keen to get busy in Camelon EducationCentres training kitchen where a Ready Steady Cooking for Waste Watchers class wasarranged to inspire them to get creative withleftover food and ingredients past their best.The NHS experts leading the class encouragedeven those who didnt think they wasted muchfood or knew nothing about cooking to eat well,

trim waste, save on shopping, and have some

fun with store cupboard basics into the bargain.The winners rustled up healthy, low cost snacksand meals like butternut squash soup, vegetablepizza, stuffed mushrooms, potato & sweetpotato wedges, stuffed vegetable tortilla wrapswith salsa, pasta Bolognese bake, and potatoscones all from scratch. No mean feat for some of the cooks who would normally buy inready meals!

Banter amongst the group included tradingfavourite cooking tips such as: freezing freshcream on its use by date to save it from goingoff for use later for thickening soups, saucesand stews; adding beans and other pulses richin protein to make plain vegetable soup moresubstantial, and cutting off the green skin of potatoes to use them up instead of throwing

them out.

To pocket savings in your own household, visitwww.falkirk.gov.uk/wastewatchers and join

the Challenge!

The Clothes Tree When Mhairi Clarkegave up a high-flyingcareer and becamea mum, she wasdetermined to makesure it wasnt the

end of her business career. That desire tosucceed, allied to her new role as a mum,helped her gain a postgraduate diploma,start a communications firm and inspiredher to launch a brand new childrens

designer e-boutique.

Based on the principles of simplicity and purity, TheClothes Tree auctionsnew and nearly newdesigner clothes for 0 to14 years of age, providingfashion conscious parentswith an affordable way

to buy and sell high-end clothing whilst alsooffering an easy way tomake money sellingdesigner ware that nolonger fits their offspring.

The first Clothes Tree shop will open in Springin the Central Scotland area. The Clothes Treestocks all major childrens designer labels,including: Armani, Dior, Chloe, Burberr y, Kenzo,Ralph Lauren, Mini Boden, Joules and Juicy Couture.

The Clothes Tree can be found atwww.theclothestree.co.uk


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Happy birthday toThe Hub!Spring is on its way and werebusy preparing all our birthday celebrations at The Hub (can youbelieve we turn 2 in April). Wepride ourselves on knowing justwhat the latest trend is for kids at

The Hub, and offer a fantastic array of toys and gifts, whether for pocket money treats, party gifts or special birthday surprises. Well be springing into spring with thenewest toys on offer from your favourite brands, including LEGO,TOP Model & YooHoo & Friends. Were organising lots of specialcustomer events, including LEGO special previews, birthday competitions and much, much more. Well also be keepingon top of all the latest collectable crazes including Skylanders,Monsumo, Bungees, Moshi Monsters, Pokemon & Club Penguin.

In fact weve got so much going on at The Hub over the nextfew months that its really hard to tell you all about it here. If you want to keep up to date with whats happening at The Hubas it happens you can follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/thehubdirect or contact us via our online shop at www.thehubdirect.co.uk to be added to our monthly newsletter. The

Hub, 7 High Street, Dunblane 01786 825933

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Are you nuts about nature? Wildlife Watch is the junior branchof the WildlifeTrusts and theUKs leadingenvironmentalaction club for kids. If your childis nuts aboutnature and

cares about theenvironment, this is theclub for them!There are over 25 local Wildlife Watch clubs in Scotland including the groupbased at Scottish Wildlife Trusts Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centrein Grangemouth. Taking part in the Jupiter Wildlife Watch Clubis an exciting way to explore your surroundings and find outmore about the wildlife that we share it with. Recent activitieshave included creating a wildlife garden, wildlife photography,woodland shelter building and a star gazing evening. Our programme for 2012 is as full of exciting wild days as ever.The Jupiter Wildlife Watch Club is for children aged 8-12 yearsold. The group meets once a month, normally on a Saturday morning, and sessions cost 1 per child. For more information,please contact the Jupiter Ranger on 01324 486475 or email

[email protected]

Physiofocus has been providing physiotherapy in Stirling for over twelve years. Our team of seven Chartered Physiotherapists are all highly quali ed and dedicated and

we treat a wide variety of conditions. Supported by our superb reception staff wepride ourselves in delivering an exceptional level of patient care.

Talk to us! 01786 [email protected]

Bruce elds Golf Centre, Pirnhall Road, Stirling FK78EH

Registered with all major health insurance companies

Take life on, one step at a timeIf prizing the joypad out of your childrens handsand getting them moving more is easier said thandone, then weve put together a few tips for coaxing the kids to get off the couch. Childrenneed at least 60 minutes physical activity every day to help prevent the risk of heart disease,

type 2 diabetes and cancer later in life, so makingsure theyre getting their share is vital. It doesnt

just prevent the risk of serious conditions, regular exercise and running around helps build stronger bones and develops childrens co-ordination,concentration levels and confidence. Even busy families can build some activity into their everyday lives and take life on.

Here are some ideas to cut down on couch timeand get minis moving:

You could break down the 60 minutes into bite-sized chunks of 10 to15 minutes throughout the day

Children should have no more than two hours in front of the TV a day. Buy some skipping ropes, a frisbee and a ball, theyre all cheap, easy to

use and you can set challenges to keep them motivated Kids who have a short attention span wont spend long on solitary

games. The more excitement the better, so introduce them to team

games and big sporting events as early as possible The local park is great for letting off steam, playing tig with pals or working up a sweat on the swings or climbing frame.

If you live in a flat or a house with no outside space, it can be difficult to think of activities in winter. But a bit of research into whatshappening locally can solve the problem.

Recent research by NHS Health Scotland found 55% of parents felt they could make their childrens lives healthier. Ensuring your child gets their 60minutes of activity a day will help you instil good habits in their lives for thefuture. For more ideas on getting your children active visitwww.takelifeon.co.uk Your kids and their bodies will thank you for it in later life!

Rocking RascalsRocking Rascals deliver dazzling, fun-filled par ties uniquely tailored for you. Our fully-trained team of highly energetic and lively entertainersmanage a whirlwind of games, party-tunes anddances, ensuring even

the quietest childrenhave the best of times.Our service includes invitations, colourful table settings, premiumparty favours and engaging activities, which sets us apart from theaverage childrens event.

The party begins with a mini makeover just to get us all in the party mood, and then we will groove away on the dance floor and play some fun games also. When we need a break we will move to thebirthday buffet table and get our energy back for the big finale the

fashion parade/dance show.For more details, or to book your party, call Emma on 07818 687066or email [email protected] www.rockingrascals.co.uk


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Nu se y Feature

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Whats in a nursery?So, your little ones growing up and its

time to start thinking about nurseries. Day nurseries, nursery schools, pre-schools nurseries come in all shapes and sizes and

navigating your way through them can bedaunting. Whether youre going back towork or just wantyour child to bene tfrom all that nursery has to offer, here isour guide to nding

the best, and right,nursery for you.

Studies have shown that children whoattend nurseries can be more con dentand often go on to do better at school. Agood nursery will prepare your child for

those rst few nerve-wracking weeks atschool, plus most children thrive on thestimulation at nursery.

Private Day NurseriesOpen usually 8am-6pm, day nurseriesare a good option for working parents asmany will take babies from as early as 6weeks. Another advantage is the year-round care they offer, and you know your child is being looked after by quali ed

staff who wont become ill and need timeoff work at least not all at the same time! The day follows structured activitiesinterspersed with naps, meals and outdoor play. Day nurseries offer continuity of careand your child doesnt have to stay all day

many day nurseries will do half days or you can collect ear ly.

School NurseryState nursery classes are often moreformal in the way they structure sessions.They usually take children from 3 yearsand provide a grounding for startingschool, teaching letters, shapes, numbersand sometimes even early-stage reading.Nursery schools givechildren theopportunity tomake friends of

the same ageas most requirechildren

to do either 5 morning or 5 afternoonsessions, so the same children will be thereeveryday. You can split these 5 sessionsbetween private and state nursery if youwant to. They are often smaller scale witha personal touch, too, but perhaps are notso convenient for working families, unlessgrandparents are able to help with pick up.

PlaygroupsPlaygroups usually take children from2.5yrs, offering shor t sessions to ease your child out of the home and into a moresociable learning environment where they can play, learn and have fun. Parents areencouraged to be active members of theplaygroup therefore playgroups tend to

be more suited to parents who are homebased and who are perhaps just lookingfor social interaction and extra supportwith daily childcare. They are also excellentvalue for money as they tend to be not-for-pro t .

Paying for Pre-SchoolEducationNursery fees vary greatly, depending onlocation, demand and what is offered. They start at around 150 - 200 a week, but

there are ways to get help with the costs:

All children in Scotland are entitled tofree pre-school education from the ageof three. This usually starts the termafter their third birthday and quali es

them to 12.5 hours of school a week until they start school more or less

two and a half hours a day. This can beprovided in a local authority nursery school, a nursery within a primary school, a partnership private nursery,an independent nursery, a playgroup or with a childminder. The 2.5 hours a day state provision can go towards your private nurser y/childminder costs.

Your employer may provide subsidisedChildcare Vouchers as a portion of your salary. Download a guide at www.childcarevouchers.co.uk or nd outmore about Childcare Vouchers atwww.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/ccin.htm.Check if your nursery will acceptChildcare Vouchers

You may be able to recoup someof your childcare costs through

the tax credit scheme, depending

on the number of hours youwork and your household income.To nd out if you are eligible go

to www.payingforchildcare.org.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBene ts/TaxCredits

Nursery ChecklistOnce youve found a nursery, go andhave a look. Go back again if youre stillnot sure. A good nursery will welcomea visit and might even let your child joinin. By watching the other children youllget a good idea of whether its the rightenvironment for your child.

Start early it is ne to sign your bump up for nursery if you feel its

the right one! Near or far? Some people prefer

a nursery around the corner fromhome, others like one near work.

Consider your childs routine. What does the nursery offer? Do

they provide food? Do they pick upfrom school? How exible will the nursery be if

you need to swap a day or add anafternoon? Youll soon discover howuseful this can be

Does the nursery have a welcoming,happy, cheerful atmoshphere? Look at whether the children are relaxed,happy, stimulated and engaged. Thebest way to choose a nursery is gutinstinct!

See what the of cials have to say.Perhaps the ndings of a report will

help you make a decision. Childcareis regulated by two organisations inScotland Education Scotland and

the Care Inspectorate. EducationScotlands Inspections provide anoverall evaluation of the quality of a pre-schools provision. They seek

to answer the following questions:How well do the children learnand achieve? How well does theestablishment support children

to develop and learn? Howdoes it improve the quality of its work? The Care Inspectorateis the independent scrutiny andimprovement body for care andchildrens services. Their primar y concern is child protection andsafety.


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Nu se y Feature

Arnhall Nursery is a private day nurserythat provides high quality childcare from

birth up to 5 years.

We have pre-school grant funded places availableand have been graded Excellent & Very Good by

SCSWIS in our recent report; the Nursery is set in thebeautiful rural surroundings of the Keir Estate on the

outskirts of Dunblane with ample car parking.

Open all year round from 7.30am to 6.00pm All meals included home cooked by our in-house chef

Fully qualifed & trained staff.

For further details or to arrange a visitplease contact the Nursery direct

on 01786 822 391Keir Estate, Dunblane FK15 9NU

www.arnhallnursery.co.uk

More Information Find out about the Early Years and

Family Support at www.scotland.gov.uk or on www.scottishchildcare.gov.uk where you can download a list of registered childcarers in your area

For local nurseries Education Scotlandreports and Care Inspectorate reportsgo to www.hmie.gov.uk and www.scswis.com

The National Day NurseriesAssociation provides information for parents. Search for NDNA member nurseries at www.ndna.org.uk/parents

Scottish Childcare has informationabout childcare options, tax credits andfree nursery places, plus contact detailsfor registered childcare providers

Go to www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk and nd out more about localnursery providers in our directory.

The Scottish baby and toddler show is back Scotlands biggest baby & toddler event, The Scottish Baby & Toddler Show is back at the SECC, Glasgow from 27-29 April 2012. For thesecond year Mothercare and Early Learning Centre are back on board asheadline sponsor.

As well as seeing the latest products and services for parents, babies and

toddlers, visitors can make huge savings, obtain expert pregnancy and parenting advice, withfeatures including:

Free crche by Bertram Free nappies, wipes and nappy sacks at the Boots Changing Area Free facilities at The Baby & Toddler Feeding Area Baby Play Area and new to the show this year, our Toddler Activity Area, both

sponsored by Early Learning Centre - packed with games and toys

The popular Expert Advice and Information Area will be back with free seminars from expertspeakers including Annabel Karmel, Jo Tantum, Road Safety Scotland, British Red Cross, Dr Titzer and more!

Opening hours are 10am 5pm daily. *Advance tickets are 6. On the door tickets are10/38 for a group of 4. All tickets include brochure RRP 2. Free entry for under 16s. Further information and tickets are available through 0844 395 4000 or by visitingwww.thescottishbabyandtoddlershow.com. You can also follow the show on Facebook thescottishbabyshow and Twitter@Babyshowsecc

*Advance tickets available until 25 April 2012 and subject to booking fee

Stirling baby cafeNCT Central Scotland is pleased toannounce the arrival of Britains newestBaby Caf to Stirling. It is currently the only

one in Scotland. Baby Caf offers invaluablesupport to parents with young families, particularly specialising inBreastfeeding support and advice. The Caf is open on Fridaysbetween 1030 and 1200 in the May eld centre lounge. Detailsfor the caf and its phone line can be found on our Baby CafStirling Facebook page. Although we opened our doors at theMay eld Centre on Friday the 13th of January we will host our formal launch on the 9th of March. We are looking forward toseeing our regulars and lots of new Mums at the new location.Being a new Mum can be isolating, why not drop in for a cuppaand a chat.

We ha ve 5 pairs o f t ick e ts f or The Bab y

and Toddler Sho w to gi ve a wa y to our

readers.To en ter the pri ze dra w simpl y

email us a t

edi tor@ f amiliescen tralsco tland.co.uk


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Nu se y FeatureArnhall Day Nursery,Dunblane

We have been established in thebeautiful rural surroundings of the Keir Estate, on the outskirts of Dunblane,for over 20 years. We operate inpartnership with Stirling Council

enabling pre-school grant funding tobe used with us. Curriculum for Excellence and Pre-Bir th toThree planning documents are followed and children frombirth up to 5 years receive high quality childcare by quali edand fully trained staff, who work closely with parents toensure an excellent service is provided at all times.

Nutritional lunches and healthy snacks are provided by our in-house chef enabling your child to experience a variety of homemade foods.

We work alongside local outside agencies such as Fitkids,LazyTown, Jo Jingles and Little Kicks to ensure tness is partof your childs routine. Visits to the MacRobert Centre andlocal attractions are arranged for all age groups throughout

the year.

Open all year round between 7.30am and 6pm we haveample car parking facilities for drop-off and picking up.Children who come to Arnhall will experience playtimein our fabulous gardens and outdoor classroom and enjoy walks through the woodland on the Estate. Arnhall DayNursery, Keir Estate, Dunblane, FK15 9NU. For furtherdetails or to arrange a visit please contact the Nurserydirect on 01786 822391 www.arnhallnursery.co.uk

Bertram Nursery Group, Falkirk and StirlingCommitted to think about tomorrow today..

Following the success of their Bright Beginnings Nursery inFalkirk achieving the covetedECO schools Green FlagAward, the Bertram Nursery group is making a rmcommitment to ensure all itsnurseries will be ying the

ag within the next year. TheFalkirk Nursery who achievedthe award last year haveworked hard to ensure thatall the children are involvedin the recycling process andhave a strong environmentalawareness. Manager, AlisonFrampton, said The energy and enthusiasm of thestaff and children has beenwonderful to see. We haverecycled ink car tridges, paper,card and cartons, we collectclothing for rag bags, arebuilding a plastic bottle greenhouse and are even growingour own fruit and vegetables.Participating in this scheme has brought huge bene ts to the nursery,strengthening bonds between staff, service users and the wider community,inspiring creative ideas for our gardens and giving us all a fantastic sense of achievement.

This success has spurred all the nurseries in the group to dig deeper andare green with envy that Alison and her team beat them to the post.Both the Bright Beginnings Nursery in Stirling and Bridge of Allan are alsoregistered ECO School Centres and are making great progress towardsgaining the Green Flag. Set in the idyllic grounds of Stirling University theBridge of Allan Nursery has secure access to the fabulous nursery groundsand the acres of space provide a fantastic opportunity for the children tolearn more about the environment. The nurser y hopes to operate its ownforest school and the caring ambience is carried right through the nursery which has a homely, cosy and welcoming feel which values each individual.Bright Beginnings, Stirling also has access to fabulous green space and takesadvantage of being located in the Kings Park area of the city with easy access to the park. Heather, the nursery manager and her team supportand encourage the children and their families to embrace the recycling of all waste materials both at home and at the nursery and have developedgrowing areas within the nursery garden.

Hummingbird House Nursery in Dunblane, also part of the BertramNursery Group, are the proud holders of the Silver ECO Schools Awardand with large and spacious outdoor facilities have encompassed ECOawareness into their living values approach to support the childrenslearning. Each quarter the nursery focus on a different set of living valueswhich are embedded and reinforced through all aspects of nursery life. Atpresent they are focussing on peace, love, joy, honesty, respect and co-operation and the staff team are working hard to provide quality learning

experiences which support and encourage the children.The Bertram Nursery Group have nurseries throughout Scotland and theNorth of England and if you would like any information about any of thenurseries please call their head of ce on 0131 662 2270 or visit www.bertramnurserygroup.com

Kidz World Nursery,Alloa

We are the only nursery inClackmannanshire to includeeverything in your fees (except baby milk) we include breakfast, snacks,fresh prepared, home cooked lunch,drinks, nappies, wipes and cream. Andif your child attends more than 2sessions per week you also receive afree membership to Kidz World Soft Play our 4000 sq ft play facility is joined to the nursery and open 7 days per week. Allyou need to bring to nursery is your child! And with a securenursery cam covering all our play rooms you can leave your childknowing that you can log in during the day from your phone or laptop to check how they are doing. As well as highly quali edstaff, warm & welcoming rooms and a 10,000 upgrade to our


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Nu se y Feature

Acrewood Nursery,StirlingAcrewood Nursery Complexis one of the largest in Scotlandcurrently registered for 176Children. Formed in Jan 1991Acrewood has been tradingfor 21 years and provides a day care service, before & after school

care, softplay facility and caf all under the one roof. We work inpartnership with parents so that all children are exposed to a loving,caring, enriching and happy environment while they are in our care.

In carrying out all aspects of work, we: Ensure that the children inour care receive the best early years education we can provide,

We value diversity, promoting social inclusion in an environmentwhere everyone is welcome; and Seek progress through partnership,working closely with people with whom we share a commonpurpose.

The Holly room 0-2yrs is a large, bright, open plan room wherechildren are encouraged to safely explore their surroundings. Staff areaware that children of this age are usually in a routine at home and

will do their upmost to follow this routine in nursery.The Rowan Room 2-3yrs is a large open plan room with plenty of opportunities for play and learning. Children will be able to take partin physical play, art and music activities as well as imaginative play.Observations of the children are used to plan next steps for learning.Early numeracy and literacy is introduced to this age group in theform of puzzles, games, stories and art. Children aged 3 to 5 have thebene t of two playrooms the Beech & Maple Room. Our planningfollows the Curriculum for Excellence and our main objective is toensure that we help develop and educate our young people andinvest in them to become: Successful Learners, Con dent Individuals,Responsible Citizens, Effective Contributors.

At Acrewood, we have a large fully equipped garden and outdoor space; we view the garden as an extension of the nursery, which iswhy you just may nd us outside regardless of the weather!

Contact Carol Wass, 35 Colquhoun Street, Braehead, Stirling FK77PX 01786 462621 [email protected]

Lecropt Nursery, Bridge of Allan andOld Doune Road Nursery, DunblaneLecropt Nursery in Bridgeof Allan was establishedin 2003 by Lorna Jack, aworking mum, looking toprovide more choice in thearea for other parents. Shestarted the nursery usingwhat she calls the mum approach combining this with that of theprofessionals in childcare. This approach, together with a dedicatedand caring team, helped the nursery become very popular in thearea. Any new children starting with them is now due to their existing reputation.

In 2006, as her own children were progressing through primary school, Lorna quickly realised there was insuf cient after schoolcare in Bridge of Allan. In August 2006, Bridge of Allan After School Club was established. This club is dedicated to childrenwho attend Bridge of Allan primary and is provided on schoolpremises, after school. The club allows children to be cared for

after school and socialise with children from P1 to Primary 7 whilstparticipating in activities.

Also in 2006, Lorna took over another nursery in Dunblane, OldDoune Road Nursery. Again applying the same approach thenursery has gone from strength to strength and has gained asimilar reputation as Lecropt and Bridge of Allan After School Care.Lecropt Nursery, The Old School House, Henderson Street,Bridge of Allan 01786 834596 Old Doune Road Nursery, 4AOld Doune Road, Dunblane 01786 822854

Little Stars Nursery,StirlingI can smell the rain on the leaves, Ican hear the birds singing, I can see

the sun hiding behind the clouds.So begins our morning sensor y minute; huddled together on our rubber tyres, re ecting on the changes to our nursery garden since our last visit.

Here at Little Stars Nursery, Stirling, our staff have been busy workingalongside our children and families to develop the outdoor learningexperiences for all. As a group, we are very fortunate to be situatedin front of a large woodland area; where rabbits and deer are oftenspotted, so nature is quite literally on our doorstep. This removes any extra planning and anxiety in terms of travel and means we can comeand go if the weather is extra chilly!

We feel passionate that our children are entitled to the freedomand rich play opportunities that exist in the outdoor environment.Whether it is a large forest or a small patch of wild owers; the inner wellbeing achieved through being outside, touching, exploring, sharing,enjoying, is endless. All areas and outcomes within the Scottish Early Years curriculum can be carefully and creatively planned for usingoutdoor space. We have found that our children that struggle to calmtheir behaviour in the classroom blossom when they are outside; the

vulnerability of the naturalworld encouraging care,

thoughtfulness andpatience. It tends to be

these children that arerst to pick up the slimy

snail to show their friendsand soon learn to begentle when placing itback where it was found.

Our staff work closely with our older children;supporting them in establishing safety rules and learning to formpersonal limits...how high is too high?, do you still feel safe? Not only are our children building in con dence, they are becoming resilientand equipped with self help skills; skills that you would nd dif cult

to develop in the indoor classroom environment. Parents have givenwonderful feedback to staff, emphasising how they feel their child isbene ting from the experience; physically, socially and emotionally.

Our children are so energised and excited in their learning; making upstories and singing songs always seems so much more enjoyable whenyou are in a den built from sticks! Little Stars Nursery, Prudential,Craigforth, Stirling, FK9 4UE to nd out more call 01786 445552www.littlestarsnurseries.co.uk

garden underway we also provide you with 4 weeks free per year, upto 20% discount for 3-5 year olds and a pickup service from St Johnsand Claremont. We believe we offer something unique here at KidzWorld Nursery. So if you require childcare for a 6 week old or 12year old we have something to offer and will be happy to show youround. Kidz World Nursery, Medway House, Kelliebank, Alloa, Clacks,FK10 1NU. For more information call 01259 928007 www.kidz-world.co.uk


10/16families central scotland / i u 4 10 families central scotland / i u 9 10

Nu se y Feature


11/161111

Whats Included in Our Fees 4 weeks free All nappies wipes & creams Breakfast, Snacks, drinks & lunch Free membership to kidz world soft play

(min 2 sessions) Secure nursery webcam for viewing your

children from your phone/computer Pick up service from St Johns & Claremont Up to 20% discount for 3-5 year olds 10,000 upgrade to garden for Summer 2012

Kidz World NurseryMedway House,Kelliebank, Alloa, Clacks, FK10 1NU

01259 928007, [email protected], www.kidz-world.co.uk

Kidz Worldin Alloa is anall inclusivenursery

Nu se y Feature


12/16

Hi I am Lynne Kelso, mum to Lucy 10, Cameron 6 and Amelia 20months. We live in Redding and I teach TinyTalk baby signing

classes in Falkirk which will be coming toStirling in April. Visit www.tinytalk.co.uk/lynnek for more details. I am also a real

nappy advocate and can be contacted on07557904865.

Why you like living where you do? We live in Redding near Polmont. Its alovely community with lots of groups for young families. There are lots of parks andwalks and fantastic schools in the area.

Favourite shop Jolly Tots on Bank Street for young

childrens clothes, and LittleMonster Toys in Callander Squareshopping centre, as they have ahuge range of toys for babies rightup to adults and a good range of educational ones too.

Favourite park Park House Park in Polmont,as its a huge open green spacesurrounded by trees, lovely for walks, with an enclosed childrensplay park.

Favourite childrens club/classApart from my own TinyTalk

classes which I teach baby signing usingBSL, for my older 2, it has to be the NRGPerformers dance classes where they go

to learn various dance styles from street to lyrical.

Favourite day out

We love to travel about but our favourites have to be Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston where weget to feed animals and play in the park,and Callander as its a lovely village withlong walks along the riverside. Also WeeBoppers Discos are fantastic with thechildren when they are in the area, www.weeboppersdiscos.com

Favourite child friendly restaurantBehind the Wall, asalthough they coulddo with a changingarea for babies, they cater well for childrenwith a decent andhealthy childrensmenu and colouringactivities.

Proudest eco-friendlymomentI am an advocate for

real nappies and hireout nappies to parentslooking to use real

nappies but unsureof spending money buying them - in case

they arent suitable.

Phone me on 07557904865 for moredetails.

No parent should be withoutPaper and colouring pencils as they canconsume endless amounts of time whenboredom seeps in.

Parenting pet hates Wrongly tted car seats, having worked ina shop as a quali ed installer I hate seeingcar seats poorly tted. Favourite family holiday spotInverness as there are a few lovely spots to stop off at on the way up likeAviemore and Landmark Adventure Park,plus lots of lovely tourist attractions.

Most loved childrens book We are fans of the Narnia series by C SLewis.

Most played with toysLittle Tykes Cosy Coupe for the youngestbut the older two love their bikes.

Biggest waste of moneyMy kids trampoline, it was a hit the rstyear it was bought but we took it downduring the winter to save it from blowingaway and the kids havent bothered with itsince the year it was bought.

12 families central scotland / i u 9

p e t to parent

Lynns recommendations

Jolly Tots, Kids Clothing store in Bank Street, Falkirk

Little Monster Toy Shop, Callendar Square Shopping Centre, Falkirk

NRG dance classes in Falkirk Call 07939265344 or 07970063641

Almond Valley Heritage Centrewww.almondvalley.co.uk/

Wee Boppers Discowww.weeboppersdiscos.com

Behind The WallMelville Street Falkirk 01324 633338

Tiny Talk - www.tinytalk.co.uk/lynnek or phone 07557904865

2/3 OF THE FOOD WE THROW AWAY COULD HAVE BEEN EATEN AN

A VE RA GE S C OTTI S HH O U S E H OL DTHR O W S A WAY 4 3 0 W ORTH OF F O ODE A CHYE AR O NE I N

S E V E N I T E M S W A S T E D I S S T I L L I N I T S P A C K A G I N G T H E T O P 5 F O O D S W A S T

E D A R E M I L K ,

B R E A D ,

F I Z Z Y D R I N K S , P O T A T O E S & R E A D Y M E A L S A N D S N A C K S

Take part in the Waste WatchersChallenge to save you money,

council resources and theenvironment.

Register for the Challenge, complete the 2 week wastediary, claim your goody bag and automatically enter ourmonthly prize draws to win: cooking classes grow your own fruit & veg sessions gift vouchers from www.love-eco.co.uk, iTunes & HMV quality eco products

H e l p

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i

m H

e l p

k e e p

W h e e l i e n i c e a n d s l

i

m

M o

r e

R e c y c l i n g - L e s s

W a s t

eM o

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R e c y c l i n g - L e s s

W a s t

e

For more information visit www.falkirk.gov.uk/wastewatchers

or call 01324 504444

G O O D Y B A G

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The UKs rst rugby specic playprogramme for young children

Rugbytots is a weekly play sessionfor children between the ages oftwo and seven.

Separated into three age groups,Rugbytots combines the multipleskills used in rugby with a fun,energetic and structured playprogramme designed to enhanceyour childs social and physical skills.

Whether the next step for your childis mini-rugby or ballet, Rugbytots aims to provide the foundationswhich will enable them to progresswith condence.

All Rugbytots classes are fully insuredand will be run by an RFU qualiedlead coach who is trained in paediatricrst aid and has been CRB checked.

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For further information please call

N o w i

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i n g


13/16

Its the rst questions new mums ask how can I get my baby to sleep? Themoment I put him down, he just howls!We have all, at some time or other, rocked our baby to sleep, pushed them up and down the hall, put them in the pram and pounded the pavements to get them to

sleep. But it doesnt have to be like this.Here are our top tips to encourage your baby to sleep.

How can I get my baby to sleepthrough the night?Every baby is different. Some sleep

through from the start, others wont sleepmore than an hour or two at a time.Although theres no way to force a baby

to sleep through the night, there are stepsyou can take that can help baby not only sleep through sooner, but also establishhealthy sleep habits for life.

Establishing a bedtime routine. Aroutine provides babies with security and comfort and can encourage

them to sleep for longer spells.Before bedtime let your baby get any pent-up energy out of their systemwith tummy time or a kickabout, thenfollow it up with a bath and lullaby.Dim the light when your feeding.

Whatever you do, do the same thingevery night

Learn the signs that your baby is tired. Teach the difference between day

and night. In the daytime, play withyour baby. Chat and sing to them,keep their room light and bright.Dont try to cut out the radio or washing machine. At night, stay quietwhen you feed, keep lights andnoise low and hopefully your baby will work out that night-time is for sleeping!

Give your baby a security object Put your baby down awake. If theyve

become sleepy on the breast or bottle, rouse them slightly beforeputting them in their cot.

Teach your baby to settle itself. If your baby cries, allow them to cry for 3 minutes, then comfort thembut dont pick them up. Let them cry

for 5 more minutes and returnagain. Extend the time you waitbefore returning each time andyour baby will learn to soothe

itself and fall asleep withoutassistance. The settle-and-leave method.

If you dont want to leave your baby to cry, pick them up and

talk to them until they stopscreaming (or try to settle themwithout picking them up, which iseven better). If they cry again pick

them up again. It might take 100 goes,but youll get there!

Stay by the cot. Some parents choose to stay with their child as they fallasleep but unless you want to do thisforever gradually move fur ther away.After a week youre sitting by thedoor and, nally, you need no longer stay. If your baby is upset, go to themand say night, night, then go back toyour place in the room

Be consistent. Youre not just doing it for you.

Training your baby to self-settle atnight will have positive effects on

their general outlook during wakinghours.

Remember the advice on cot death.SIDS is rare and the exact cause isntknown, but researchers think thereare likely to be a number of factors

that can affect a baby at a vulnerablestage of development. http://fsid.org.uk advises placing baby on their back

to sleep (not on the front or side).Dont let your baby get too hot, andkeep their head uncovered. Placeyour baby with their feet to the footof the cot or use a baby sleeping bag.Dont use a duvet or pillow until baby is over one year old. Never sleepwith your baby on a sofa or armchair and dont let anyone smoke in your home

Remember, a happy mother equals ahappy baby. Learning good sleep habits

early on will stand both of you in goodstead for the future, and your baby will appreciate the consistency andpredictability. Dont expect miracles r ightaway, but persevere and be consistent.Good luck!

Visit our website www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk for the fullBaby go to sleep, please article includinginfo on how to keep them asleep andwhat to do if it all goes wrong!

Helpful websitesFor support call the Cry-sis helpline on08451 228669 (9am to 10pm, seven daysa week).

www.nhs.uk www.contentedbaby.comwww.4little1.comwww.babycentre.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/health

Top Tips make the last feed of the day a big

one dont rush to baby at every whimper

- many of their noises are attempts to fall asleep

incorporate baby massage into your bedtime routine

make sure babys room isnt too hot place a warm towel on the sheets

to warm babys bed, remove it justbefore putting baby down

tank up your baby during the day feed them at least every 3 hours

learn a few re exology points tomassage

B by PageBaby go to sleep , please!!!!

By Jo n a P ry

New mothers assume that feeding their newborn will be a positiveexperience, explains Alison Scott-Wright, author of The SensationalBaby Sleep Plan and expert in infant re ux www.alisonscott-wright.com Sadly this isnt true for those whose babies suffer fromre ux. Re ux cant be cured, but it can be controlled.

We have to crack the re ux code for each baby to nd out whathelps relieve the individual symptoms. Babies cry to communicate.If they are crying for long periods of time, then theres somethingwrong and, in my experience, its usually a digestive issue.

Re ux is the contents of the stomach coming back up into thegullet. The acid causes a burning sensation which can make baby vomit, arch their back and cr y inconsolably. Its thought about half of

all babies have re ux in the rst 3 monthsof their lives to some degree, with mostdeveloping it at about 2 months. That

gure reduces to 5% by the time babiesare 10 months old.

Babies get re ux because the stomachvalve hasnt developed properly.Symptoms vary dependent on the childand the severity of the case.

To nd out more about re ux visit our website www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk and read our article Living with Re ux

Does your baby have Re ux?

Good websites- www.livingwithre ux.org or www.littlere uxers.co.uk


14/16

out & aboutMonday 27th February to Sunday 11th March

Fairtrade FortnightThis year were asking everyone

to take a step for Fair Trade,starting in Fairtrade Fortnight. Itcan be a s imple step, like swappingyour tea to Fairtrade, or a bigger step, like asking everyone in your of ce to do it too. Youll be joining

thousands of others all over the UK. Every step counts for millions of farmers, workers and

their communities in developingcountries who urgently need abetter deal from trade. To nd outmore visit www.fairtrade.org.uk

Friday 2nd March

Falkirk Farmers Market11-4pm High Street

Saturday 3rd March

The Goonies (PG)Boness Hippodrome 11am

Yogi Bear (U)11.00am Macrobert (also onSunday 4th)

Jupiter Urban Wildlife CentreWatch Club in Grangemouth10.30-12.30 Suitable for childrenage 8-12 the club will be workingin the garden to build a giganticbug hotel to help as many creepy crawlies as possible. For

information email Stephen on [email protected] orphone 01324 486475 cost 1

Sunday 4th March

Little Seedlings Clubat Dobbies Grow a Sweet PeaTeepee Spring is the busiest timeof year for young gardeners, thegarden needs lots of TLC and its

time to start planting. Everyonewill get to plant a sweet pea

teepee to take home. ContactDobbies on 01786 458860 for

details. FREEChildren must beaccompanied by an adult.

Monday 5th to Saturday 10th March

Bridge of Allan Operatic Societypresent The Sound of Music at

the Macrobert A great night outfor all ages! For information and

tickets visit www.sabos.co.uk or phone the Macrobert on 01786466666

Saturday 10th March

Mother and Daughter PamperEvening at the Dunblane Centre 7pm There will be a fashion showand local beauty and relaxation

therapists on hand to give you a taster session of many different therapies from massage tomanicures. For tickets and detailsphone 01786 824224

Sunday 11th March

The Jack & Jill Market Livingston10.30am-1.30pm 40 stalls burstingwith quality nearly-new baby &kids clothes, cots, toys, buggys,bikes and all the rest. 1 Adults.

West Lothian College, AlmondvaleCrescent, Livingston EH54 7EP.To book a stall visit:www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk

Saturday 10th andSunday 11th March

Rio (U) 11.00am Macrobert

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island(PG) 2.00pm Macrobert

Wednesday 14th Marchto Saturday 17th March

Stirling Gang Show 2012 Stirling

Scouts and Guides return toMacrobert for their 19th annualGang Show. A great night of entertainment for the whole family with music, dance and comedy.Various times. Phone 01786466666 for tickets.

Thursday 15th March

The Attic presented byStarcatchers at the Falkirk TownHall. 11-12 noon and 2-3pmSuitable for children age 3+Grandma and Lucy are up in the

attic where all the memories arestored. Hidden in dusty containersat the top of the house, they havebeen waiting a long time to comeout and play. Come up the stairs,blow away the cobwebs and peepinto the boxes. Who knows what

Whilst every care has been taken to compile the Out and About section please remember that this magazine is printed weeks in advance of the event.Please call and check events with the venue to avoid any disappointment before setting out.

families central scotland / i u 9 14

Ideas for the Easter Holidays inCentral Scotland.Outdoor activitiesMany of you have recommended Briarlands Farm, which aims to

pen on Saturday 31st March complete with new visitor centre.Please check before going out at www.briarlandsfarm.co.uk. TheBoness Steam Railway reopens on the 31st March and there is

great museum round the back where children can go on theootplate of some of the old trains. www.srps.org.uk/railway Alsoheck out the Falkirk Wheel which is a great day out both for trips onhe boat but also has a great park and water park.

www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk

History in ActionThe central belt is full of historic buildings. Why not visit Stirling Castle,Linlithgow Palace, Doune Castle, Blackness Castle, Bannockburn HeritageCentre, the Wallace Monument, the Old Town jail in Stir ling and Callendar House in Falkirk. Check out the following website for details of times andny activities that might be going on. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk www.

nts.org.uk www.nationalwallacemonument.com Stirling Castle has apecial event on during the holidays- Enchanted Easter on 7th and 8th April.

Visit www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/ for details. Callendar House have somegreat activites from Monday 2nd to Sunday 15th April Celebrate Easter n the Georgian Kitchen (sample popular dishes of the season) and Joinhe Easter Hunt at Callendar House ( nd missing eggs hidden around thehouse) FREEdrop in events, no booking required, enquire at Callendar House shop.

Free ActivitiesThere are many free activities going on if you know where to look. Check

ut your local library that often has a range of Easter activities for all ages.Remember that the Smith Gallery in Stirling is free, as is Callendar House inFalkirk. Both have kids corners with activities or dressing up as well as thell-important caf. The Smith has a fantastic garden and the Calendar House

has a great park. Visit www.smithartgallery.demon.co.uk and www.falkirk.gov.uk. There are loads of great parks in the area and miles of cycle pathsuitable for kids. Our favourites include cycling along the canals (particularly rom Polmont to Linlithgow) and from Dunblane to Doune on the cycleath. There will also be a special holiday parade in Falkirk town centren Saturday 14th April see www.falkirkdelivers.com for details. Geo-

ashing is a great activity to get out and about but makes it fun by having areasure hunt. Check out our article on http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/LOCATIONS/Central-Scotland/Articles/Geo-cashing-with-the-Park-Family-in-Falkirk-Central-Scotland-free-acticvity-that-all-the-family-can-njoy for details on how to get going. Check www.hamleys.com/ for freectivities in the Glasgow store. Click on the link Whats on Glasgow downhe bottom of the page.

Wet weather activitiesUnfortunately it sometimes rains in the holidays! Check out the MacrobertArts Centre in Stirling www.macrobert.org the Boness Hippodromend Falkirk Town Hall. www.falkirk.gov.uk Dont forget the soft plays at

Sprinkerse View www.springkerseview.co.uk and Bearheart Castle www.bearheartcastle.co.uk in Stirling, Monster Mania www.monstersoftplay.o.uk and Cadwinkles in Falkirk www.playhousefun.co.uk and Kids Worldn Alloa. www.kidz-world.co.uk There is also the Boness Motor Museum

which has some great exhibits and a small soft play. www.motor-museum.bo-ness.org.uk

Get ActiveMany of the clubs and classes run holiday camps but also check out your ocal leisure centre for swimming and classes. Falkirk and Clacks offer ree activities to children living in their areas and Active Stirling have a

number of activities for children at The Peak. Check out their website for details. www.the-peak-stirling.org.uk www.

activeschoolsfalkirk.co.uk and www.clacksweb.co.uk Check out our directory of local clubs and classes on

www.familiesonline.co.uk/LOCATIONS/Central-Scotland/Local-Directory/Stirling-Falkirk-and-Clacks-Clubs-and-Classes

Check out our website www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk for ideasof more events, activities, arts and

crafts over the Easter holidays.


15/16

might happen when the sleepy attic comes to life . Tickets availableat The Steeple Box Of ce, phone01324 506850 or visit www.starcatchers.org.uk

Saturday 17th March

The Legend of the Green Man atHopetoun House10.30-12pm suitable for primary age children. Learn all about thelegendary Green Man and ndhim in Hopetouns buildings andwoods. You will enjoy a craftssession where you will make your own Green Man to take home.Booking essential. For ticketscontact the Ranger on 0131 3193956 or [email protected]


Kung Fu Panda 2 (U)11.00am Macrobert

Saturday 24th March

Fair Trade Ceilidh Come and join the fun with thefabulous Riverside Ceilidh Bandfrom 7.30pm in the Bridge of Allan Parish Church Hall. For

tickets and details visit www.fairtradestirling.org or phone01786 473750

Tryst Craft FairDobbie Hall Larbert. For moreinformation, please contact Eileenon 01324 556532

Stagecoach Discovery Session12-1pm at St Columbas Church.Park Terrace, Stir ling. Come along

to learn more about Stagecoachwhich aims to nurture talent for 4-18 year olds through dance,drama and singing. To reser ve your FREEsession phone 0131 3377774 or email [email protected]


Ice Age 3 (U)11.00am Macrobert

Monday 26th andWednesday 28th March

Falkirk Senior Schools Concertat the Falkirk Town Hall. Joinpupils from across all eightlocal secondary schools withperformances from regionalensembles, soloists and specialistsprojects as they showcase thecream of Falkirks young musical

talent. For tickets visit the SteepleBox Of ce or phone 01324506850.

Wednesday 28th March

NCT Easter Egg Hunt10-12noon Kings Park Stirling.Contact Margo on0844 2436079 for details.

Saturday 31st March toSunday 1st April

Catherine Wheel presents Whiteat the Macrobert11.30am and 2.30pm A playful,highly visual show for youngchildren and a perfect rst time

theatre experience. Suitablefor ages 2-4. For tickets andinformation phone the Macroberton 01786 466666

Up (U) 11.00 am Macrobert

Big Miracle (PG) 2.00pmMacrobert

Sunday 1st AprilFamily Fun day at the MacrobertStirling There will be a whole host of exciting events for the wholefamily with activities for bothunder 5s and over 5s whichinclude storytelling, taster workshops, creative quizzes, facepainting, magical performancesand family lms. For details visitwww.macrobert.org/fundays

Little Seedlings Club at DobbiesSuper Heroes and Super FruitsLearn about different super fruits that are easy and fun togrow, these are the types of fruit

that Super Heroes eat to growbig and strong! Children candress up for the event as their favourite superhero and willgrow a strawberry plant. ContactDobbies on 01786 458860 for details. FREEChildren must beaccompanied by an adult.

Wednesday 4th April

Hairy Maclary at the Falkirk TownHall 2.15pm Hairy Maclary andhis friends are back at the FTHwith new adventures springing off

the page and onto the stage. For tickets visit the Steeple Box Of ceor phone 01324 506850. Suitablefor ages 3+

Thursday 5th and 12thApril

A History of Chocolate in theGeorgian Kitchen CallendarHouse 2.00 and 2.30pm Assistand taste the chocolate makingprocess. FREEbut bookingessential and children must beaccompanied by an adult. Contact

the box of ce on 01324 506850 for tickets.

Friday 6th April to

Monday 9th April

Boness Steam Railway EasterEgg SpecialsA free tasty Easter

treat for every child and a chance to win a prize in our Easter EggHunt. Wear your Easter Bonnet!Standard timetable & fares apply.Visit www.srps.org.uk/railway orphone 01506 825855

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April

Enchanted Easter at StirlingCastle For a magical day out atEaster in the castle , meet a wizard,watch spectacular jugglers, jocular

jesters and nd out all about James Vs personal alchemist who tried to y from the castle wallsIncluded in admission price. Seewww.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/ for details.

Sunday 8th April

Easter Eggstravaganza atHopetoun House. 10.30-12pmBooking essential For ticketscontact the Ranger on 0131319 3956 or email [email protected]

Wednesday 11th April

Childrens Clay Workshopsat Callendar House 10.30am-12noon Up to 8 yrs1.30pm-3.30pm 9 to 12 yrsTickets 15 to book phone TheSteeple Box Of ce on 01324506850

Saturday 14th April

Central Scotland NCT NearlyNew Sale Bridge of Allan ParishChurch 1-3pm

Jupiter Urban Wildlife CentreWatch Club in Grangemouth10.30-12.30 Celebrating Jupiters20th anniversar y. Come alongand get creative by making somewildlife inspired ceramic tiles todecorate Jupiter as part of thecelebration. The club is suitable for children age 8-12. 1 For detailsemail jupiterranger@:swt.org.uk or phone 01324 486475

Pirates and Princess Parade inFalkirk Town Centre. With theQ20 Theatre group and a hugepirate ship parade through theHigh Street. Free hat making andface painting at 1.30 and theparade starts at 3.30pm. FREEfunfor all the family.

Saturday 21st April

21 Gun Salute at Stirling castle at12 noon Come along to celebrate

the Queens birthday with a 21Gun salute. An enjoyable andmemorable experience. Normaladmissions prices apply.www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk

Sunday 22nd April

The Jack & Jill Market Livingston10.30am-1.30pm 40 stalls burstingwith quality nearly-new baby &kids clothes, cots, toys, buggys,bikes and all the rest. 1 Adults.

West Lothian College, AlmondvaleCrescent, Livingston EH54 7EP Tobook a stall visit:www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk

Saturday 28th April

Falkirk and West Lothian NCTNearly New Sale LinlithgowAcademy1.00-3.30pm

Tryst Craft fair Dobbie HallLarbert For more information,please contact Eileen on 01324556532

Friday 4th May

Jupiter Urban Wildlife CentreWatch Club in Grangemouth 6-8pm Spring Evening camp recooks out. Come along andpractise your camp re lightingskills and cooking food on the

re. Baked potatoes and toastedmarshmallows. For details email

[email protected] orphone 01324 486475

out & about

Families Central Scotland Magazinenow on facebook. Visit us forregular whats on updates.www.facebook.com/FamCS


16/16

Documents

Familes Mag Issue 9 Low Res (1)