Families Upon Thames magazine, January/February 2010, Issue 68

®

issue 68January/February 2010

The FREE magazine for families with young children living in the boroughs of Richmond, Kingston, Elmbridge, Hounslow and Spelthorne

uponThames

FREE

NEW - visit us online at www.familiesuponthames.co.uk

We provide the best in children’sparty fun and entertainmentRecommended by The Observer & Tatler

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Watch your child’s self-esteem soar with Perform’s unique drama, dance and singingclasses. Our weekly workshops will work wonders for their confidence, concentration and social skills as well as giving them the best fun they’ll have all week. Book your child’s FREE class today. Call 0845 400 4021 or visit perform.org.uk

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B U I L D C O N F I D E N C E • B O O S T C O N C E N T R A T I O N • M A K E N E W F R I E N D S • H A V E F U N

FREE Drama Class

Fun Dance ClassesHounslow Isleworth Teddington

Popstar Parties High School Musical,Mamma Mia-ABBA, Hannah Montana & Grease

E: [email protected]: 020 8568 6886 www.PopstarsAcademy.com

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 20102 FAMILIES UPON THAMES

Finding the rightsecondaryschoolneed not be difficult

For more information, enrolment and fee details call 020 7228 3933 or visit

www.thameschristiancollege.org.ukThames Christian College, Wye Street, London SW11 2HB

Where learning’s a ball

Approved football training for kids aged 18 months to 7 years

Kingston020 8286 6038

Richmond020 3092 1313

Weybridge01932 847439www.littlekickers.co.uk

activities

4 – 28 March 2010

Exciting events in Libraries across

Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne:

Author talks, Manga workshops,

Storytellers, Live music, Films,

Wii competitions... and much more

www.surreycc.gov.uk

Making Surrey a better place

For details go to

www.surreycc.gov.uk/childrensbookfestival

call 01483 543599 or visit your local library

stories

events

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Surrey Libraries - inspiring a lifelong love of reading

Our March/ April issue will contain features on Baby naming ceremonies, Home-based childcareand How to manage change in your life.Please get in touch with any local news or events forfamilies this spring. [email protected]

NEXT ISSUE

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010 3FAMILIES UPON THAMES

Most of us take them and what theyoffer us for granted but when youthink about it, family-friendlycommunities are really important forall of us. In this issue we'reespecially grateful for the work ofone local church and a group ofsports-loving individuals and howthey spread their values andenthusiasm to a wider audience.See pages 6 and 7 for our featureson Duke Street Church in Richmondand Kew Park Rangers Football Club.

We're also wildly excited by theprospects of the Families uponThames online community now that our new websitewww.familiesuponthames.co.ukis up and running. From advertisingto contributing, from now on itshould be your first port of call ifyou want to know anything aboutthe magazine. There will be more onthe site than we can possibly fit onour pages so let us know what youthink (more about this on page 4).

This issue contains our annualnurseries feature and all aboutchoosing the place your child willhopefully have a formative andnurturing early experience of a minicommunity. For the lowdown andhow to choose the best for youchild, see pages 8 to 10.

As ever, so much more besides!

welcome to families upon thames

FRANCES LOATES editorFAMILIES UPON THAMES PO Box 425 Walton on Thames KT12 5AG

t: 01932 254584 e: [email protected]

contents

Clothes by Monsoon www.monsoon.co.uk

4 News and views

6 Duke Street Church

7 Kew Park Rangers FC

8 Nurseries Feature

11 10 tips for toddler teeth

12 Gymnastics - the perfect sport?

14 Mums mean business

15 Manage your money

16 Support when a child dies

17 What’s your parenting style?

18 Travel treats 2010

20 Celebrate Surrey libraries

21 Out and about this Januaryand February

23 Together in 2010


newsandviews...Get the X Factor at Popstars Academy

With X Factor and StrictlyCome Dancing having leftour screens, you may be inneed of some Popstar funthis January and February.This New Year the PopstarsAcademy are off to a veryexciting start as theywelcome their newchoreographer, RuthKestenbaum to the team.Ruth has produced somegreat routines for thestudents using her flair forhip-hop and street dance.

This term students willenjoy routines fromAlexandra Burke, BlackEyed Peas, N Dubz andLady Gaga for the olderclass, while the youngerstudents will be dancing toHannah Montana, Alvin &The Chipmunks, Mamma

Hat trick of football, fun and fitness withKiddikicks

Kiddikicks Teddington is launchingSaturday classes at St Mary's Parish Hallin Langham Road. Kiddikicks specifical-ly caters for little footballers aged from18 months up to age 7. Their sessionsare about fun and real football skills,encouraging children to be physicallyconfident via positive coaching andplay. You can check out their testimo-nials page at www.kiddikicks.co.uk

Kiddikicks is offering all FamiliesUpon Thames readers who are new toKiddikicks a FREE TRIAL at this venue.To register your player, please go towww.kiddikicks.co.uk Don't forget toquote Families Upon Thames!

Free trials are only available to newplayers at this venue only. All playersmust be pre-registered.

Contact Kiddikicks by [email protected] or calling 020 7937 7965 during office hours.

Mia and more! There willbe a cheerleading sectionfor both classeschoreographed by UKcheerleading championAmy Bailey and all

students each week willcontinue to use the arrayof popstar dance propssuch as pom poms, glittermicrophones, danceribbons and canes.

Popstars offer a FREE trial class to all Families upon Thames readers. Please contact Lindsay orLee to register your child's place on 020 8568 6886 email [email protected]

Find us online 'About time too!' we hear yousay, Families upon Thamesfinally has a great newwebsite. It's the place to goto check out our directories,read the magazine onlineand connect with us. Wehope you'll find it appealing,fun and useful to use.

Take a look atwww.familiesuponthames.co.ukand tell us what you think!

Disco Ducklings waddleinto Twickenham

Already hugely successful in Surrey,Disco Ducklings is a fun-filled danceparty for little groovers aged 1 to 5years. Based around popular, upbeatrock-and-roll songs the sessions feature lots of interaction with props,ribbons, instruments and bubbles, alongwith simple dance routines. It's a high-energy session with a focus on havinglots of fun, learning everything from theclassic Twist to pom-pom routines toaccompany 'Hey Mickey'. If your kidslove to boogie then they would loveDisco Ducklings.

The classes start on Tuesday 5thJanuary and run between 2.15 to2.45pm during term times. Charges are£5 per class on a drop-in basis with adiscount for parents booking a term inadvance. The first class is always free.For more information, call 07913 871728 or email [email protected]

Playtime Nursery Playtime Nursery in Govett Road,Shepperton has been open for a year andduring that time there have been lots offun and celebrations.

Playtime believes it is a unique, one-of-a kind, fun-filled nursery. They have a fullsoft play centre on site which the childrenuse daily to ensure lots of physical playand confidence building. There are fourrooms which provide for the differentages, ensuring lots of fun, stimulation andlearning in a safe and loving environment.Playtime prides itself on creating a home-from-home environment, to help eachchild find their feet and discover thewonders of nursery life. Contact them on01932 246747.For more on nurseries, a lowdown on allthe various types and how to choose theright one for your family needs, see pages8 to 10.

Kids go disco Set up by two mums from Teddington,Kids Go Disco is an event by parents forparents and their children, who want tospend some quality time together andmaybe catch up with some mates…

Sessions are aimed at mums and dadswith their 4 to 10 year old kids, (butobviously younger and older siblings arealways welcome!) Join in the fun onSaturday 6th February, 2pm to 5pm atOceana, 154 Clarence Street, Kingston.www.kidsgodisco.comFor more family events and activities locally,see pages 20 to 22.


AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR 2010

SPLISH SPLASH

SWIM SCHOOLSwimming lessons for babies from 4 months

Fun, informative lessons with qualified instructors

Chessington, Berrylands, Old [email protected] 07974 752442

Local business celebrates with celebrity lunchCobham-based coaching and recruitment agency,Back2workmum, is celebrating its first successfulyear in business with a pink champagnereception lunch and celebrity guest speaker.

Saira Khan, star of the BBC Apprenticeprogramme and founder of the natural babyskincare range Miamoo, will share with theaudience of like-minded mums her experiences,advice and tips on starting a business.

Naz Lewis, founder of Back2workmum, says, 'When I returnedto work after having my second child, I discovered that finding arewarding and flexible part-time job was a difficult andfrustrating process. I soon discovered this was a commonproblem and that many women who had been out of the workenvironment, regardless of the time not only lacked confidencebut found they had to re-evaluate their skills.'

Naz began to organise informal coaching and trainingworkshops on themes like CV writing to interview techniqueswhich evolved into helping them with their recruitment process.

The Back2workmum 1st birthday celebration lunch is £25 perhead, on Wednesday 27th January from 11.30am to 2pm atThe Talbot Inn, Ripley. Places are limited so book early to avoiddisappointment.

A Bridge forcommunication If you have a child with aspeech and language or asensory integration problem(such as Autism, ADHD, andDyspraxia) you will be awarethat they are at high risk ofbullying, exclusion andisolation. Their relationshipsand wellbeing suffer fromthe pressure theirdevelopmental difficultiesput on them and problems,in turn, feed back into thefamily with potentiallyserious consequences.

The Bridge for SocialCommunication was set upas a charity by a group ofRichmond parents hoping toaddress some of these issuesand provide practicalsolutions. They organiseactivities (such as drama andsport) to bring their childrentogether to have fun,develop friendships andsocial skills and where theyas parents can relax. As aresult of taking part inactivities at The Bridge theyfound that many of thechildren were able to makethe transition and accessmainstream activities likesports clubs for the firsttime.

Uniquely in this field theyare a parent-ledorganisation. Combining fun with social skillsdevelopment and workingclosely with parents, is atthe heart of what the charitydoes. They aim to provide arange of activities wherechildren can developfriendships and social skillsin a safe environment andparents can support eachother.

To find out more checkwww.thebridgecharity.org.ukor call 020 8392 9946.

For more on communityorganisations for families,see pages 6 and 7.

Do you have loads ofenthusiasm, confidence anddrive to succeed in business? If so you may be interested inrunning a local branch of a new sports club called LittleSuperstars. You do not evenhave to possess a greatknowledge of sport as atraining course is provided.

Little Superstars teacheschildren about 14 differentsports and develops theirfundamental skills, ie hand andeye coordination, foot and eyecoordination, ball skills, balance

and flexibility. Some of thetechniques are totally unique toLittle Superstars. Children try adifferent sport each week,giving them a wide variety ofskills and games to learn, alongwith the excitement ofanticipating which sport is next.

Louise Nicholson set up thecompany in 2006 realisingthere was a lack of multi sportsactivities available for children.She told us, 'All the childrenwant is a fun and active basedactivity where they can fullyinteract with both the coaches

and parents/carers attending'.Developing a child's sportsfundamentals also helps themin other areas, such as handand eye coordination whichdevelops writing and drawing.

A franchise costs £9000 andincludes all the equipment(worth over £5500), websitespace, uniforms and leaflets.It's ideal for parents as you canwork term-time only and it’seasily run around parentingresponsibilities. Within the LittleSuperstars franchise packagethe company provides the toolsto organise the business andmake it work in your life.Check www.littlesuperstars.co.uk email [email protected]

Pregnancy Pilates retreatPregnant? How about a weekend getaway which will leave youfeeling energised, positive and prepared for the birth of yourbaby?

The Guesthouse in Eastbourne is a contemporary chic B&Bwhich runs pregnancy retreats combining Pilates and pampering.Each retreat includes two Pilates sessions, two nights' B&B and achoice of mini facial, manicure, pedicure or half-hour pregnancymassage. To find out more call 01323 722774 or checkwww.theguesthouseeast.co.uk

To book your place, contact Naz Lewis on 01932 589943, 07970561399, email: [email protected]

On a tight budget? As of our March / Aprilissue we will be offering alow-cost way to advertisein Families upon Thamesmagazine. Lineage advertising in ourClassified section willstart from as little as£4.50 a month. Find out more atwww.familiesuponthames.co.uk

25% OFF POTTERY TO DECORATE WEEKDAYS IN JANUARY

JOIN US FOR FEBRUARY HALF-TERM ACTIVITY WEEK


community

FunWith Music!In Central Richmond

Music Classes for1-5 Year Olds

For more information, call:

020-8332-2275

Join Back2work Mum EntrepreneurLunch - Wed 27th January withSaira Khan, star of The Apprentice.email [email protected] or Tel 01932 589943Mob 07970 561 399

Duke Street Church- a community hub

Richmond holds many hidden gems in itsback streets and narrow alleys. But perhapsone less well known is Duke Street Church,where numerous activities for families takeplace every week.

Duke Street Church's history in Richmondbegan in 1879 and it has a reputation forproviding facilities for children, as well asbeing renown for Bible teaching.

In March 2009, a major redevelopmentproject was completed at the church and thenew buildings opened to the public, offeringso much more to the community.

Spacious and comfortable, Café on DukeStreet is ideal for those with children. Adultscan read the paper over a cappuccino and apanini, whilst children play. With excellentbaby change facilities, plentiful highchairsand a good value children's menu, the caféis the perfect place to meet the needs ofgrown-ups and children.

On Saturday mornings, Play Lounge offersadditional space for children to play.Adjacent to the café, the lounge has toys forchildren and tables and chairs where adultscan sit and relax.

The church provides a busy programme forchildren. As well as having a spectrum ofgroups for babies to teenagers held duringSunday morning services, the churchresponds to children's needs throughout theweek:

MOPS (Mums Of Pre-Schoolers) is a groupwith a difference. Mums get some wellneeded time out, whilst children enjoyMOPPETS, which is a crèche and nursery.The weekly Friday morning session is anopportunity for mums to build friendships

CATHERINE BARKER tells us about a Christian community in centralRichmond offering a wealth of activities, facilities and support forlocal families throughout the week, not just in Church on Sundays.

over coffee and homemade cake. The children have a fun-packed time

with free play, Bible stories, crafts,singing, healthy snack time and play inthe garden. Many mums use the groupas a way to introduce their toddler to'time without mummy' beforeembarking on preschools and nurseries.In an era of expensive childcare, this freeresource is a very popular facility.

Duke Street Church is also home toLittle Laughs, a free playgroup open toparents and carers with babies and pre-schoolers. Held on Wednesdaymornings, children can use a vast array of toys, tricycles, train track, play tents, aplaydough table and craft station.

Mums interested in learning more aboutthe Bible attend the fortnightly group,Mum's the Word. Assisted by a wellmanaged crèche, this study group benefitsfrom stimulating discussion of the Bible asthey share their perspective as mothers.

On Thursdays, ASK (After School Kids)offers children some downtime after theschool day. With games, crafts, snacks andsome light Bible teaching, children are welllooked after and entertained and parents areprovided with the convenience of qualityafter-school care.

DSY (Duke Street Youth), on Fridayevenings, caters for teenagers looking for aplace to hang out and make friends. Run byyoung leaders, DSY provides a welcomingand informal environment.

Across the year, other special events areheld for primary school age children, withpopular Dress-up Parties marking the major

festive highlights of the year and a week-longSummer Holiday Bible Club in August.

As well as activities for children, the churchoffers many events for adults too. Café onDuke Street holds a Late Night Café onregular Friday evenings, with a light supperand live music.

The church's main auditorium is an idealvenue for live music and hosts concerts bylocal orchestras and choirs.

Other events include Quiz Night, wherethose with brains for trivia can display theirskill, and Believe dinners, where a talk aboutChristianity is given over a candlelight dinner.

The redevelopment project has considerablyexpanded the capacity of Duke Street Church.Increasingly, local businesses are choosing touse the premises thanks to its location incentral Richmond.

Christina Northcott runs Fun with Music -group sessions for preschoolers to build and

expand their enjoyment of music. Other new additions include

Twinkle Toes Ballet and exhibitions bylocal artists and craft makers, includinga monthly Designer Crafts Fair onSaturday mornings.

People come to Richmond from awide area but, at Duke Street Church,find a chance to build friendships andhave a meaningful part in thecommunity.

Is there a special place near you which goes the extra mile to support local families? Contact Frances on 01932 254584 or email [email protected] about it and your community hub could be included in a future issue.

Duke Street Church is situated on Duke Street,which links George St /The Square to The Green,close to Richmond Theatre.

Visit dukestreetchurch.com for more informationabout Duke Street Church's activities, or contactthe office by phone 020 8940 1551 or [email protected]

Café on Duke Street 10am to 4pm Monday toSaturdayPlay Lounge 10.30am to 12.30pm, SaturdayMum's the Word 10 to 11.30am, Monday(fortnightly)Little Laughs 9.45 to 1.15am, WednesdayMOPS 10 to11.30am, FridayASK 4 to 5.30pm, ThursdayDSY 7 to 9.30pm, Friday (fortnightly)

7FAMILIES UPON THAMESJANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010

The adventure started in 1997 in WesterlyWare, a small park by Kew Bridge. Wordquickly spread at the local school that therewas a kick-about on Saturday mornings andmore children arrived until there wereregularly about 10 to 12 children.

The following September (1998), thechildren could not wait to resume theirSaturday morning football, especially afterthe long summer break. More and morechildren began to turn up and their parentswere asked to take small groups of 5 and 6year olds and show them verysimple skills, like dribbling,passing and shooting. And asthe group grew, the cluboutgrew the site.

That same summer a smallgroup of children went toplay in a seven-a-side summertournament. The unnamedteam from Kew played theirtournament games in anassortment of football shirts and shorts. Bycontrast the other teams looked resplendentin their team colours of black and whitestripes, reds, greens and yellows and evenpurple.

Everyone came away from that daywanting to play in more tournaments andconcluded that the only way forward for thechildren was to form a 'proper' football club.At the same time the new club needed aname. The choice of Kew Park Rangers, aplay on Queens Park Rangers (aka QPR), asthey all lived in Kew, and they did play in thepark, seemed to fit the bill perfectly for thenew club.

The next problem to resolve was whatcolours to play in. The children were askedto come up with a team strip; a playground

Football's

...so Happy 10th Birthdayto Kew Park Rangers - anacclaimed local club runby local people meetingthe needs of childrenaged from 4 to 18 yearsin the area.

compromise was reached, the choice wasblue and red stripes. Richmond Councilcame up with a team pitch and a move toNorth Sheen Recreational Park in NorthRoad was secured. And so Kew ParkRangers Football Club was born in theseason of 1999/ 2000.

But the story only starts there. Thefootball club now helps train over 500 boysand girls from the ages of 4 to 18 who takepart in coaching sessions as well ascompetitive Sunday league matches.

Kew Park Rangers was the first Club inSurrey to hold the FA Charter StandardCommunity Club status. This is thehighest award given by the FootballAssociation, in recognition of the quality ofcoaching, management, administration ofthe club and the wellbeing of its members.

Kew Park Rangers have always believed inrecognising the unsung heroes as much asthe goalscorers. At the end of the seasonyou will find a variety of awards distributed,such as a goalkeeper of the year award, thereferee of the year award, and also awardsrecognising continued or exceptionalinstances of fair play, which may go to anindividual or to a whole team. Because, asmany Premier Team Managers and playersare wont to forget, it's not just aboutwinning! www.kewparkrangers.co.uk

community

kiddikicks.co.uk 0845 602 8276

Football training for under 7s who are nutsabout football

Get your midfield dynamo enjoying super-skills,fun and exercise

CRB checked and FA qualified coaches

Training sessions, courses and partiesacross London

FOOTIE TOTSAn introduction to the world of

fitness and football for children ages

2 1/2 to 5 years

FOOTIE WIZARDSFor children ages 5 to 8 years

ALL CLASSES HELD INDOORS - FOOTBALL PARTIES

AVAILABLE

Call Andy for info and bookings on

07931 707720 or 020 8287 [email protected]

for us

The main ethos of the club is centred on fun,enjoyment and development of football skills and not a win-at-all-costs mentality. The club isgoverned by all of those involved. This openness and welcoming environment hasencouraged a huge involvement from the localcommunity.

They have come a long way since theirbeginnings with impromptu kick-abouts

in a small park...

Introducing children to a variety of ball and movement skills

With fun games and activities designed to improve co-ordination, balance and

physical confidence, Catch-a-balls is for children who have mastered walking up to

the age of 5 years

A fantastic start for many sports including:

netball, rugby, tennis and basketball

��

020 8398 3034 or visit www.catch-a-balls.co.uk

FREETRIAL

NEW CLASSES OPENING

NEAR YOU

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nurseries

Nurseries inBrentford • Clapham • Hammersmith • Kentish Town • Wembley

Limited places available • Corporate discountsweb • www.bringingupbaby.co.uk

e-mail • [email protected] 7622 5552

We offer your child the best start in life

Homebased Childcare Courses from September 2009

Richmond Childminding Association Richmond Childminding Association

Richmond Childminding Association

can offer Parents and Nannies the 12 hour Ofsted

recognised Paediatric First Aid Course and

The Introduction to Childcare Practice

providing the Common Core Skills and Knowledge

for Nannies to register with Ofsted.

Parents wishing to gain a Paediatric First Aid

Certificate also welcome.

Contact Linda on 020 8891 6090 or email [email protected]

ROBINA COWAN helps you make the right choice for your child.

Which nursery?

FINDING A NURSERYNurseries come in all shapes and sizes. You'll findthem attached to schools, in church halls, pavilionsand community centres, in purpose-built buildingsor in converted houses.They offer everything from acosy home-like environment to more leg-stretchingpossibilities for the more boisterous.

If you've not found a nursery yet, try ouradvertisers - they're here because they want you toknow about them. Asking around is a good way toget feedback on positive (or not) experiences. Ifyour local community has a website, post amessage to ask which places other parentsrecommend. See 'More Information' opposite forother useful contacts.

10 THINGS NURSERIES WANT FROM PARENTS1. To allow the child at least 2 to 3 weeks to settle in2. To receive feedback and thanks from the parents for the care theygive3. Not to prolong leaving if their child is upset, so that staff cansettle the child quickly4. To understand that nursery rules and procedures exist to protect the children, notinconvenience parents5. To keep staff updated with changes in personal circumstances which may affect the child6. To provide staff with up-to-date emergency contact numbers7. To attach name labels to all belongings which are taken to nursery8. To teach them to use a lavatory/ blow their nose/ put on their coat (if they are old enough)9. To discuss problems with staff rather than gossip about it to other parents10. To pick up their child on time at the end of the day!

Not so long ago your baby was a tiny bundle of joy that you took everywhere with you - ah,where did the time go? When you start thinking about nurseries, it's likely to be because: 1. You are returning to work and need childcare2. You feel that your toddler would benefit from mixing in a group with their peers, at least part time, to prepare them for school, or3. You want to take up the free morning or afternoon place that is available for your three orfour year-old.

THE COST OF CHILDCARE Nursery charges vary greatly, depending on the location,demand, and what is offered. The 2009 Daycare Trust costssurvey shows fees ranging from around £150 to £200+ for 50hours a week, with longer hours and London nurseriescosting more to cover the higher overheads. Here are some ways to help with the costs:� Children are currently entitled to 121/2 hours' free nurserycare a week once they turn three. In some areas, theentitlement is being extended to 15 hours a week in a bid toencourage parents to work

� You may be able to recoup some of your childcarecosts through the tax credit scheme, depending on thenumber of hours you work, and your household income. Tofind out if you are eligible and how much you could claim,use the tax credit checker at www.payingforchildcare.org.ukor call the government tax credit helpline on 0845 300 3900between 8am and 8pm.� Your employer may provide subsidised on-site childcare oroffer Childcare Vouchers as a portion of your salary.Download a free parent’s guide fromwww.childcarevouchers.co.uk

'I have to commute to work every day so I needed a day nursery that's openuntil 6.30 every evening, and is close to the station.'

'We chose our nursery because Lisa, who runs it, is the friendliest and mostcaring person you could hope for - Carly has really taken to her!'

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nurseries

Chessington – 020 8391 4447Bridge Road, Chessington KT9 2ET

Ealing – 020 8571 6867Comer Crescent, Windmill Avenue, Ealing UB2 4XD

Shepperton – 01932 592525Shepperton Film Studios, Studios Road, Shepperton TW17 0QD

Nurseries also in:Walton on Thames – 01932 226975 or 252858

Ottershaw – 01932 874286, Ripley – 01483 222020

• Safe, secure and loving environment

• Preschool education curriculum approved by Ofsted

• French lessons and additional sports programmes

• Qualified, skilled and caring staff

• Full and part time care for children from birth – 5 years

• Large outside gardens

To give your child a helping hand in the early years please contact the numbers listed below for more

information or to book a visit

Providers of qualitychildcare

and education

Open from8.00am to6.00pm

51 weeks ofthe year

www.toadhall-nursery.co.uk

WHAT'S IN A NAME?Day Nurseries: As the nameimplies, these are open allday, offering childcare andeducation from breakfast timeto early evening. Many takebabies from three or fourmonths with the childrenlooked after in their own agegroup. The day usually followsstructured activitiesinterspersed with nap times,meals and outdoor play. Babyplaces are in real demand -it's worth researching localavailability during pregnancy if you are planning to returnto work. Nursery Schools and Classes:Nursery classes are the firststep in 'real' school life -although a school nurseryplace does not automaticallyguarantee a place inReception. Sessions tend tobe just 21/2 hours in themorning or afternoon, whichis not practical as childcare,but the option is convenient ifyou have older siblings at thesame school. Nursery classesare available both in stateschools and independentschools, which often offer fullschool-day sessions. Pre-school Learning AllianceNurseries: PLA nurseries aremanaged by experienced andqualified managers who leadteams of nursery workers,support staff and committeevolunteers. Parents areencouraged to be activemembers of the nurseries,making them a popularchoice for those who want tobe more involved with theirchildren's activities. Offeringeducational play to three andfour year-olds, most offerhalf-day sessions but someprovide longer hours.Montessori Nurseries:Montessori teaching is basedon a method devised by DrMaria Montessori, whichfosters and guides children'sinbuilt curiosity for learning.Children choose from a rangeof activities which use sensorymaterials to provide stimuli. Montessori is just onephilosophy found in this field,others include High-Scopeand Rudolf Steiner.Workplace Nurseries: Muchsought-after, workplacenurseries provide full- or part-time childcare for the childrenof company staff or collegestudents.SureStart Children's Centres:Some centres offer affordable,flexible childcare for up to 10hours a day during weekdays,alongside a whole host ofhelp, services and informationto parents and under fives ona drop-in basis, from a rangeof professionals.

MORE INFORMATION� Our website has a Directoryof local nurseries which we are intouch with.www.familiesuponthames.co.uk � Three to five year-olds aretaught according to a frameworkset out in the Government'sEarly Years Foundation Stage.Read about it by typing 'EYFS'into the search box atwww.direct.gov.uk � Find My School showsnurseries by postcode, provides astar rating based on their lastOfsted inspection report, andpinpoints them on a map - usefulif you're looking for a place that'sclose to home. It works forprimary and senior schools too,www.findmyschool.co.uk� Best Bear explains thedifferences between daynurseries, nursery classes inschools, workplace nurseries andpre-school playgroups. There isalso a postcode search for localnursery contacts,www.bestbear.co.uk� SureStart has clearexplanations about the differentchildcare options, how tax creditsand free nursery places work, andan online link to the Children'sInformation Service, which listsregistered childcare providers,www.surestart.gov.uk� Childcare Link has contactdetails for local registeredchildcare providers. Call free on0800 2346346,www.childcarelink.gov.uk� Ofsted regulates theregistration and inspection ofdaycare settings. All their reportsare online, www.ofsted.gov.uk� The Pre-School LearningAlliance is an authority onplaygroups and pre-schools, withcontacts for local networks. 020 7697 2500, www.pre-school.org.uk� The National Day NurseriesAssociation is involved inchildren's early development andeducation, with information forparents, childcare workers andthose looking to set up a nursery.They produce a factsheet forparents looking to choose anursery, and you can search forNDNA member nurseries bypostcode. 01484 407070,www.ndna.org.uk

' We wanted Will to go to private school so looked for a

nursery that would get him up andrunning with his shapes and

numbers as soon as possible. Oneof the schools we were thinking ofhas a nursery department - that's

where we sent him and it'sworked, as he moved into

Reception last September withready-made friends.'


Step by stepto the rightnursery

nurseries

You may still have fresh in your mind the birth of your child or could stillbe pregnant but if you are planning to go back to work within the firstyear of your child's life, it is important to reserve a place in a good localnursery as soon as you can. Baby nursery places are in high demand.You are therefore not only facing the challenge of having to entrustyour child to someone else's care but also of having to plan well inadvance to ensure you have the chance of reserving a place at your firstchoice nursery.

GRAZYNA SUTHERLANDhelps you find the rightnursery.

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First of all, you needto be mentally readyfor the very big step ofleaving your child at anursery. Most goodnurseries will be happyto offer a week or so ofsettling to help you andyour child get used to anew environment androutine. If you are veryanxious aboutseparation and aregoing to find it difficultto trust others to lookafter your baby, yourchild is bound to pickup on those vibes andthe whole process maybecome rather stressfulfor all concerned. It istherefore important tomake a very informeddecision about yournursery choice and toget to know as muchas possible about yourselected nursery well inadvance. The moretime you have to make

your decision, the easier thetransition will be.

It is a good idea to make ashortlist of nurseries whichmeets some of your basiccriteria in respect of distance,opening hours, fees, facilities,Ofsted report, etc and then visitthem. It is vital for you to get afeel for the place, meet thepeople who will potentially havethe ultimate responsibility foryour child and ensure that youare happy with what you see andhear. You may have to be readyto wait a few days before anappointment can be offered asusually nurseries have no morethan 2 to 3 viewing slots per dayto minimise the disruption to thecurrent children and to plan visitsaround sleep/meal times. Youmay sometimes face a difficultchoice of having to put yourchild's name on a waiting list orgoing for your second choice.

The National Day NurseriesAssociation (NDNA)recommends considering thefollowing criteria beforeregistering your child at a nursery:seal of approval, environment,child ratios, standards ofchildcare.

Every nursery should have itsOfsted registration certificatepublicly displayed together with acurrent certificate ofinsurance. You are entitled torequest a copy of the most recentOfsted report certifying thequality of nursery education andcare, the suitability of staff andmanagement, and theappropriateness of equipmentand facilities. You may wish toenquire whether a nursery isaccredited or working towards anaward of excellence, egNDNA's Quality Counts or QUILTrun by The Royal Borough ofKingston upon Thames.

Nurseries are given 'scores ondoors' following anenvironmental healthinspection. Look out for '5 star'rated nursery as then you can besure that its hygiene andcleanliness will be of a highquality and the nursery will haveunderlying systems supporting it.It is helpful to ask the staff abouttheir health and safety policy andsimply to have a look around inorder to check whether thenursery has a safe and clean play

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area outside and a bright, warm,clean and well decorated indoorenvironment. The equipmentshould be spotless, safe and ofgood quality.

It is very important to ask aboutfood preparation. Meals shouldbe freshly prepared, with menusoffering a good source of vitaminsand minerals and accommodatespecial diets. Good nurseries willhave a sample weekly menu toshow you. You may even find acurrent menu displayed.

Ask about the staff-to-children ratios and the level ofqualifications staff hold. TheOfsted guidelines state: 1:3 (0 to2 years), 1:4 (2 to 3 years,) 1:8 (3to 5 years). A minimum of halfthe staff must hold relevantchildcare qualifications (NVQChildcare or equivalent). Onemember of staff should have aFirst Aid certificate and allsupervisors are required to havean NVQ Childcare Level 3 orequivalent.

You will be advised to find outabout the ongoing support andcommunication within thenursery.

Will your child be allocated akey person? Who will be yourmain contact? Who will keep youinformed about the latestdevelopments in the nursery? Isthere a regular newsletter? Whatis the record-keeping system inthe nursery? Are there daily sheetsdiscussed at the handover time?How does the nursery monitor achild's development? How dothey assess progress? Thesequestions are all very important.

Finally, your intuition andfirst impressions count! Doother children look happy andrelaxed? Are the staff welcoming,calm, knowledgeable andconfident? How is your childinteracting with the staff andother children during your visit?

The author is the director ofSutherland Day Nursery, 384-386Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 7BB,www.sutherlandnursery.co.uk020 8399 8999 [email protected]

Check out our new directory atwww.familiesuponthames.co.uk tofind a nursery near you.

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10 tips for toddler teeth

11FAMILIES UPON THAMESJANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010

LESLEY TURNER passes on her top tips for looking after their pearly whites.

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3 Get into a routine, but don't expect yourchild to cooperate all the time. They will needgentle but persistent reminders that oralhygiene is not negotiable. Over time, however,your child will associate the daily routine withthe sensation of clean teeth. Indeed, researchhas shown that if you start methodical andconsistent tooth brushing from early on, youwill face fewer problems during your child'spre-teen and adolescent years.

4 Once the first tooth erupts, start using achildren's toothpaste with fluoride.

5 Remind yourself that you are in charge andavoid power struggles. Try to overcome themby positive enforcement, for example, tell yourchild that he/she is doing a super job and thatyou 'only' want to polish up afterwards toensure that all teeth sparkle equally.

6 Always supervise the brushing habits untilyour child is about 7 years old. No child under5 should ever brush alone as a toothbrush cancause harm.

7 White and shiny teeth may also harbourhidden issues that can only be spotted by adental professional with experience inchildren's oral health.

8 Decay always needs to be treated. Yellow-white areas on the upper front teeth are thefirst signs of decay.

9 A common cause of dental decay is thefrequent intake of sugar-rich and acidic foodand drink as found in juices or sweet drinks(especially when taken in a bottle). Remember:water is the best thirst quencher.

10 Prevention is the key to a healthy smileand it is never too early for expert advice.

Lesley is from Toothbeary in Richmond, the local specialist children's dentistwww.toothbeary.co.uk

1 All children are born with minimal levelsof cariogenic bacteria in the mouth. Thebacteria are typically passed on from parentsor carers. The transfer of caries-causingbacteria can be minimised by checking (andfixing) your own dental health and bestrefrain from sharing spoons, cups, dummies, etc.

2 It is never too early. Even before the firsttooth erupts, gums should be cleaned with aclean wet flannel, special finger toothbrushesor infant toothbrushes. At this early stagetoothpaste is not necessary.


get moving

STARTING YOUNG When to start? It's never too early to beginworking on these life skills, apparently, withsome local baby classes starting thefundamentals from birth. There are severallocal specialist groups which focus primarilyon the pre-school age group and operateeither from their own premises or hired-outvenues such as local church halls, using theirown specialist equipment.

Voted Best National Pre-schoolerDevelopment Activity in 2009, Gymboreeclasses use a combination of music,movement, props, imaginary play andcustom-designed and patented apparatus tocreate a world for children to learn, thriveand have fun. Gymboree have groups

Gymnastics

Whatever your child's age or ability, if you have decided that 2010 is theyear you encourage them to get moving, your local gym club is a greatplace to start - you will discover some additional benefits come too.Why gymnastics? Well, according to Richard Dwyer, director of local club Flair, it's thefoundation of all sports. A former competitor on a national level himself, Richard tells usthat 'Gymnastics promotes strength, discipline, coordination and confidence'. The foundation of his club stems from his passion to inspire the younger generation to gain vital confidence and life skills using gymnastics as the tool. It's an irresistiblerationale you come across repeatedly as you investigate how gymnastics helps develop young minds and bodies.

specifically designed for pre-mobile babies. Inthese classes babies encounter new sensoryexperiences through new sights and soundsand parents get an entire repertoire of songsand age-appropriate activities to take home.

Once mobile, children a can join asuccession of classes starting with GymCrawlers (about 6 to 10 months) and endingwith Gym Players (ages 3 to 5 years).Gymboree also run a multi-age family classwhere families with two or more childrenplay movement games and have parachuteactivities together.

Tumble tots classes come to a hall nearyou, which they set up with speciallydesigned equipment. They divide theirclasses into five categories which takeparticipants just beyond school age.

Within the Little Gym premises atHampton Hill there are classes for babiesfrom 4 months to 3 years which they attendwith parents and carers. Promoted as 'oneclass that helps with all sports', they developa range of cognitive and motor skills. Theprogrammes were founded on strictly non-competitive principles with the idea of givingchildren positive experiences through havinglots of fun. As a result of the confidence theyare equipped with as a result, The LittleGym's hope is that youngsters are able toachieve 'a lifetime of success'.SCHOOL AGE For when you want to take the sport moreseriously and move it up a notch, localparents are incredibly fortunate to have agood choice of top clubs with specialistcoaches in a range of gymnastic disciplines.

For floor-based programmes led by five-times British Aerobics Gymnastics ChampionKatie Cannon, try out BackFlip Performers ather all-new centre in Petersham. Her threespecial programmes start for pre-school (age2 to 4 - Little Flippers) then onto 4 to 6(Flippers) and 7 to 11 years (Back Flippers).

Inclusivity is the theme at RichmondGymnastics Association. They stress theirmission of opportunity for all abilities as wellas the full range of age groups from pre-school to competitive squads. This club isvery popular and waiting lists are in place, sopatience may be required.

Heathrow Gymnastics Club says it is 'themost successful British club' and with theUK's only British Olympic AssociationAccredited Gymnastics Training Facility aswell as a history of 12 times British Women'sTeam Champions, who can argue? Theycater for toddlers and beginners through tointernational performers and believe that'gymnastics participation teaches children thequalities of hard work, concentration,sportsmanship and dedication'.

Starting up in Sunbury 11 years ago, Flairis a relative newcomer to gymnastics classesbut its popularity among local parents andchildren has led to it already being one ofthe biggest clubs in the country. Every yearthey organise a themed spectacularcompetition event full of razzmatazz andshowbiz, which is great fun for Flair'sgymnasts as well as those from othercompeting clubs who travel from all over thecountry. Flair's classes include Micro Gym(ages 2 to 3 years), Gymnastics for ages 4 to18 years, Trampolining for ages 5 years toadult and Team Gym for 7 years upwards.They have a club at Bishop Wand SportsCollege, Sunbury but also at Bisley, Wokingand (new for 2010) Guildford Spectrumwhere they offer a class for special needs forages 5 to 16 years (see below).

Spelthorne Gymnastics’s strongestdiscipline is acrobatic gymnastics and it isrecognised as one of the best and mostsuccessful clubs in the world because of thenumber of champions it has produced. It hasa large purpose built gymnasium, a dancestudio, a preparation gymnasium, cafe andchanging rooms with showers. The clubcurrently embraces a range of gymnasticdisciplines and has consistently producedWorld, European and British Champions in

Image from Flair

?JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010 13FAMILIES UPON THAMES

get moving

forall Acrobatic Gymnastics at Senior and Juniorlevel, as well as numerous International andNational Champions in the other disciplines.The focus of most classes which run everyday of the week is on school age andbeyond. Spelthorne Gymnastics do,however, have pre-school classes for ages21/2 to 5 years as well as a playtime classwhere parents also attend with their childrenfrom newborn to 5 years.SPECIAL NEEDSFinally, if gymnastics for you implies a sportonly for high-flying, super-coordinated,athletic children, think again. Both Flair andRichmond Gymnastics Association runprogrammes for children with disabilities. AtRichmond, there are specialist classes forchildren with physical disabilities and totswith learning disabilities are included in age-appropriate classes. Flair offers dedicatedone-to-one coaching for children with arange of learning difficulties. Richard Dwyertold us, 'Each programme at Flair will bespecific to the individual's requirements andlearning needs. Benefits include improvingcoordination, development of fundamentaland fine motor skills, body awareness,increasing muscle strength, increasing heartand lung functions, better social interaction,improving communication throughdemonstration and rewards, concentration,self esteem and confidence'.

Local classesBackFlip Performers run sessions in Barnes,Wimbledon and Richmond - 020 89407998 www.backflipperformers.com

Flair UK - 0845 346700 or checkwww.ukflair.com

The Little Gym's - 92 to 102 High Street,Hampton Hill. Call them for a freeintroductory class on 020 88977 0099 orcheck www.littlegym.co.uk Other branches of The Little Gym at Westfield,Wandsworth and Chiswick.

Gymboree UK - local branches in Surbiton(020 8398 9360), St Margarets (020 86079995) and Cobham (07824 645046). See www.gymboree-uk.com

Richmond Gymnastics Association, 020 8878 8682www.richmondgymnastics.co.uk

Heathrow Gymnastics Club - Green Lane,Hounslow, contact them through thewebsite atwww.heathrowgymnastics.org.uk

Tumble Tots - local classes running inRichmond (01932 865100), Staines (01483851035), Weybridge (01932 564512) andEsher (01932 848119) or checkwww.tumbletots.com

Spelthorne Gymnastics Club - High Street,Ashford. Call 01784 880474 or checkwww.spelthornegymnastics.com

My son has been doingFlair's Sunbury gym club orabout a year. He enjoys itand the coaching seems tobe pretty good. I like the factthat the emphasis is onenjoying it.Kate W, Walton

“The Little Gym

Visit us online atwww.familiesuponthames.co.uk

“


mums mean business

With her husband'swork frequently movingthe family from country

to country, businessschool graduate

MARION COUFFON hasfinally found work for

herself in a beautybusiness which she can

pack with her as shemoves home.

Have job, will travel

Travelling broadens the mind, as they say,but it also has its downsides, according toMarion Couffon, especially if you are not theprimary earner. Every time her family packedup the household, she found herself in theposition of having to 'reinvent herself', offinding a job that she would start to enjoy,only to find by then that they were movingon again. Marion says, 'When we startedhaving a family, I had the extra need to findan interesting occupation where I would stillhave time to be with the kids'.

Highly qualified in business and withexperience in marketing, event managementand business development, Marion hadplenty of skills to bring to a new venture.She was certain she could find a work-lifebalance outside the corporate world doingsomething she enjoyed but finding one thatshe could pack up and take with her was anadditional challenge.

A transfer to the US gave Marion theopportunity she had been looking for, 'Whenwe were living near Chicago, theheadmistress of my children's school told meabout a company that was expanding in theUS and in Europe. I started looking at whatthey had to offer and quickly realised theywere different to what was already outthere. At that point I decided to partner withthe US company to help expand theirdistribution channel in Europe.'

Marion has achieved this despite a moveto Chiswick where she now lives with herhusband and three children. She runs thebusiness successfully even though she spendsfive weeks of every summer in France. As shesays, 'I can work anywhere now, as long as Ihave computer access and a phone!'

Fortunately for her, the job involves a lotof talking, '… which is something I lovedoing! As you only really need to open yourmouth to succeed in this business you cando it from anywhere!' Her role is to offerrapid skin solutions, either to professionals inthe beauty industry or to those interested inlooking better and less tired in 10 minutes.

Whatever business you are in, having apassion for the product gives you a massiveadvantage and Marion has that aplenty, 'Thefun thing is when you use these technologiesand products yourself, your friends andfamily notice you look better. It takes only 10minutes for them to test it and then they cansee the difference on their own skin. You

don't need to be a sales expert, the productssell with their quick results!'

It's a massive help to Marion that sheunderstands the target market so wellbecause it is made up of people like her -mums and dads who are tired and have notime to look after themselves and absolutelyno desire to go under the surgeon's knife.

What's more, Marion has a great salesdevice, ' At nearly 45 I could see the effectsof age on my skin. Yet I would never havetried Botox or surgical treatment. I firstbought the products for myself. I thoughtthat if I couldn’t find 10 minutes each weekto give my skin a home spa, something wasgoing wrong in my life. I used them firstreligiously for 10 minutes each week andafter 8 weeks, my friends asked me if I haddone a peel or micro-dermabrasion.'

Marion's best advice to local parentslooking to start up in business in 2010 is,'You need to make sacrifices, avoid somecoffee mornings and indulge in fewershopping sprees or museum visits …. at leastfor the short term as you build it up - butisn't it worth that for a couple of years?'

'With commitment and a will to succeedyou can really make it work', Marion believesand asked what she has learnt along theway, she is unhesitant, 'If there is a will thereis a way! I also learnt that you can find abalance between an exciting career and havesome quality time to enjoy your kids. Mostimportantly, however, it is crucial to find aserious company to back you up with anexemplary track record and a series ofinnovative product launches. Be differentfrom what is already on the market as mostpeople are open to innovation as soon asthey see quick results.'

As for what she would have donedifferently in the quest to find her ideal job?'Stop procrastinating and trying to reinventthe wheel for each different market I workedwith. When you look at the success of thefranchise businesses, duplication is the key.'

To find out about the possibility of joiningMarion's team and getting a portable careerfor yourself, contact her [email protected]

For more about her beauty business, checkwww.2010.lookyoungersecrets.com ?

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family finance

?

Easy does itThe new year is beginningwith a few early signs ofeconomic recovery, so it maybe tempting to let down ourguard when it comes to ourfamily finances. However,family finance is the one areawhere vigilance is the nameof the game. Sound moneymanagement principles areuniversal and timeless, theyapply no matter whateconomic climate we findourselves in and they remainthe only key to financialsecurity. That said, therecession has been useful forone thing, and one thingonly, it has reminded us ofthe importance and the needfor us to follow sound moneymanagement principles inour family finances. To helpyou keep focussed in 2010,I'd like to set out the threemost important principles for you:

PROACTIVELY PLAN FOR THEFUTUREHaving children can placetremendous strain on our familyfinances. But let's face it,they're worth it! From workingday one though, we should beplanning for financialemergencies, a family home, ourchildren's education and last butnot least, our retirement.Assuming we start saving whenwe start working, we should beputting away about 10% amonth. Unfortunately we findourselves in a time where thesavings rates on offer leave a lotto be desired. This just meanswe need to be more proactiveabout the following:4 Shopping around for thebest savings deal. Maximisingour money requires dedicationand effort; we cannot assumethat because we had the bestsavings deal last year that itremains the best deal this year. 4 Taking advantage of tax-efficient savings vehicles, egISAs. We should ensure that wemake use of our annual ISAallowance. We should ensuretoo that we understand therules of the ISAs on offer withregards to accessibility,penalties, etc and make ourchoice based on our financialpriorities.4 For those of us fortunateenough to be benefiting fromthe low base rate on trackermortgage deals, aggressivelypaying off our mortgages. We'll

As we emerge from the recession, financial consultant and trainerLIZ LUGT has a plan to keep you in the black.

save ourselves a small fortunateif we do this. We may not seemto make much of a dent in ourmortgage initially, but the effectbecomes exponential if we justkeep chipping away at it.

WISE DEBT MANAGEMENT If we're really honest withourselves, we'd say that thecause for the recession wasdown to irresponsible borrowingon our part and irresponsiblelending on the banks’ parts.While the banks most certainlyneed better regulation, I thinkthat we, the general public,have certainly begun to changeour ways for the better when itcomes to debt management. In fact recently, personal savingsexceeded personal borrowingsfor the first time in recordedhistory. However, we need totake our belts in a notch andthe only wise debt managementstrategy is to stay out of anynon-asset backed debt entirely,ie we should not be going intodebt for anything other thannon-depreciating assets likeproperty. And the only way todo this is to live within ourmeans and to save up for anyother spending or purchases, egthe annual family holiday, theplasma screen tv, etc. Albeitthat the banks are able toborrow at record low rates,personal borrowing rates remainextremely expensive. Once wetake on personal loans, creditcard or store card debt, it canbe very hard to get back on topof things. Let's look at anexample, say we were in creditcard debt to the tune £1500. Itwould not be unreasonable toexpect the APR on this to be17.5% pa and the minimumpayment to be 2% of the debtor a minimum of £5 per month.If we only paid off the minimumamount every month, it will takeabout 30 years to pay this offwith interest totalling £2800(this is on top of the original£1500). £2800 of after-taxmoney is a lot of money tothrow away on interest. Toavoid this, stick to the rule, iestay out of non-asset backeddebt.

LIVE BY A BUDGET The only way to achieve points1 and 2 above, is to have abudget. One that is realistic,flexible, simple and easy to use.There is one fundamentalunchanging rule to financial

Liz Lugt offers various courses and one-to-one sessions onpersonal finance with the aim of equipping individuals tomaximise their money and achieve their financial goals, eg earlyretirement, owning a home, leaving a dead-end job to pursue a lifelong dream, etc. For more information visitwww.m3e.uk.com or contact Liz on [email protected] 07739 533794.

Imag

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m a

sos.

com

success and that is to spend lessthan we earn and to invest thesurplus. And the most effectiveway of ensuring that we spendless than we earn is to have abudget. A good budget willalso help us enjoy our moneywithin the constraints of points1 and 2 above, it keeps usfocussed and, most importantly,it prevents us from wasting cash.Every family should have aworkable budget.

If we live by these threeprinciples and teach our childrento do the same, we can beassured of financial security.

Job opportunitiesFull & part-time | Short & long-termFrom £5.80 per hour | Chessington, SurreyOur guests know they’re in for Britain’s wildest day outwhen they visit Chessington World of Adventures. But it’snot just the rides and animal encounters that make it suchan exciting journey of discovery. From Admissions to Food& Beverage and Ride Operators to Park Cleaners, our staffbring the experience to life for all our adventurers.

Right now, we’re looking for more pioneering people tojoin us in all these areas and make 2010 our best year ever.So whether you’re looking for a customer-facing or behindthe scenes role, we’re sure to have something for you.

We don’t care how old you are, just how young you feel.Because alongside bags of energy and enthusiasm, themost important thing you’ll need to bring is the spirit ofadventure that we all share. Find out more and apply at

www.ChessingtonJobs.com

Serious about fun

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Work onthe wild

side

Work onthe wild

side

1

2

3

?Kevin Ryan is a trainedbereavementcounsellor withthe counsellingcharity CruseBereavementCare. He can bereached on 0208400 9045 forany advice orCruse can becalled directly on0345 585565.


parenting

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When theunthinkable

happens

The grief that comes from thedeath of a child is like noother. A child carries itsparent's emotions, fears,joys and hopes for thefuture. It is part of theparent and once a childis gone, that part of theparent is also goneforever. This loss can beaccompanied byoverwhelming feelings ofdread and disbelief, and aparent can take a long time toaccept it.

Grief is universal, yet ultimately verypersonal. Everyone grieves differently; some may wish to push theirfeelings back, while others will cope by talking about their child allthe time. Just be there for them; follow whichever path they takeand let them heal at their own pace. Even if you have gone throughloss yourself, it is your loss, not theirs. You can empathise andsupport, but do not impose your solutions on them as you cannotfully understand another's grief.

The loss of one child can alter the relationship with other childrenin the family. For some parents it can bring them closer to theremaining children, for others it can make them more distant. Theycan become anxious and overprotective, fearing another loss. If thechild was an only child, the loss can be even more unbearable,bringing with it a feeling that they have lost everything.

The other children may feel lost and confused, not knowing howto react to this unknowable situation. They may feel excluded as allthe energy of the grown ups is directed towards their bereavement.They might think they are to blame for what has happened, or maynot be able to put the whirlpool of emotions they are experiencinginto words. They can be ignored in the torrent of grief as being tooyoung to understand what is happening. They may be too young,but they understand that something ishappening. Offer help to them, even ifit is only listening to them as they try tounderstand what is happening. Justtaking them out for a while can givespace to both parents and child.

The best help you can give is to bethere and help the parents sharememories of their child's life. This cangive great fortitude and comfort tothem. Offer practical help but becareful not to intrude. Remember thatit is not just in the early days that theparents need you. Grief can last for along time, sometimes many years, sooffer your care and support without atime limit.

KEVIN RYAN offers help in understanding andsupporting another parent's grief at the loss of a child.

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parenting

Have you ever wondered whether you'remuch stricter than other parents? Or perhaps ifyou're more laid back than most? Or even tooindulgent with your children? Many parentswatch how other parents respond to theirchildren and wonder whether they would havereacted in the same way in that situation.

I was in great admiration of a motherwith a very chatty and enthusiastic 3 year-old

in the supermarket recently; she was talkingthrough the items on her shopping list andencouraging her son to find them and putthem in the trolley - I would have struggledwith the temptation to race round quicklyand get the job done. And then you see thefamiliar scenario of a parent giving in to thewails for sweets at the checkout. Is the firstparent more child-centred and the othermore permissive? Most parents have a

sense of what sort of parent they are, be itstrict, laid back or somewhere in between,yet it can be interesting to see how our'parenting styles' compare with others andto get a clearer idea of what sort of parentwe really are.

All parents have their own unique blendof 'parenting styles', which simply meanswe have a preferred pattern of responseswhen with our children. For example we alllie on a spectrum between 'being engaged'and 'being uninvolved' or between 'beingstrict' and 'being relaxed'. Although this willvary according to the age and personality oftheir child, we each have a particularapproach which tends to become the'automatic' or 'default' style, especiallywhen under pressure. The approach you fallback on is often determined by how youwere brought up, your own personality,culture or simply what you have picked upfrom those around you.

Authoritarian-strict. Here there's a stronger emphasis on control and clear

limits above warmth and involvement. Theymay not let their child out of the trolley andwould stick firmly to what's on the list.

These different styles have been found tohave an impact on how children respondand develop. Although most parents have anatural or automatic parenting style, thisisn't set in stone. Understanding our'automatic' tendencies may be the first steptowards change.

The recent DEMOS Report, 'BuildingCharacter', following research into 9000families showed the lifelong benefits of a'Tough love' or 'Balanced-authoritative'parenting style, combining warmth withconsistency. These children were more likelyto develop the character qualities needed formodern life - empathy, application and self-control.

According to Iain Wright, Minster forChildren, Schools and Families, 'This report is

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Parenting expert and mum of four DR CLARE BAILEY explores the full range.

1

2

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do you recognise yourself?

Do you run your family like an army general? Or are you so relaxed that teatime's more like achimp's tea party?

?

right that parenting ability outstrips everysingle other factor in increasing socialmobility and attainment - more than class,ethnicity or disability'.

With better strategies under their beltsparents find they naturally move towardsusing the more effective 'Balanced-authoritative' parenting style with theirchildren. This can reduce conflict, helpimprove relationships and produce happier,more confident and capable children.

If you'd like to find out more about yourparenting style, check out the online quiz atwww.parentingmatters.co.uk Based onextensive research, this quiz will give youdetailed feedback on your type of parentingstyle and what it means for you and yourfamily. Parenting Matters run parentcoaching courses locally in Egham andThames Ditton. Contact them via thewebsite or on 01494 677575.

Balanced-authoritative. This is in someways the ideal parenting style, balancing

clear limits and appropriate expectations withwarmth and involvement (as with the muminvolving her son with shopping and making itfun). However she would probably not allow himto add a bumper bag of Mars Bars to the trolley,and would explain why.

Permissive-indulgent. These parents arewarm and engaged with their children but

with fewer or inconsistent limits and expectations.They would be more inclined to give in at thecheckout as they hate to see their child upset,despite explaining how sweets will rot teeth.

Hands-off. These parents tend to belaissez-faire, less involved and with fewer

boundaries. They probably won't notice theadditions to the trolley or mind very muchanyway.


travel

Thanks to LUCILLA PAULL, there's a new way to plan your 2010 family break.

As we all know, holidays with the familycan be a bit of a 'hit or miss' experience.When my husband and I first had children,we tried to continue holidaying in hotelsbut found that it just didn't work with thechildren. We even tried 'child-friendly'hotels but perhaps we tried the wrongones as it still felt like a chore rather than aholiday. So we quickly headed down theroute of independent self-catering holidaysso that we could accommodate thechildren's needs just when they wantedthem - if they were happy, then we werehappy. But here is the dilemma, we (read,me) still wanted a holiday away from thedaily grind of cooking, cleaning, washingup, childcare - so how did we also achievehaving a holiday as well as the kids?

Well we came up with a list of criteria:/ Dishwasher./ Self-catering property that providedbaby equipment such as cots, highchairs,stair gates if necessary so that we didn't

have to pack that 'kitchen sink'./ Catering options - many propertiesunderstand that you don't always want tocook so you can get meals brought to yourcottage or homemade from the freezer tothe oven./ Childcare so that my husband and I couldhave some time together - we even foundsomewhere that has a kids club as well asbabysitting./ If you are going somewhere hot - a poolis a massive bonus for the children as itkeeps them occupied for hours, whereas incolder climates, many properties also haveindoor play rooms to help keep the kidsoccupied./ Other people/children - for us, we like togo self-catering at a place where there ismore than one property and often ask ifthere are other children around the same ageas ours staying when we want to book - itgives them someone else to play with andsomeone for you to hold an 'adult'conversation with.

/ Tv/dvd for that 'quiet time' when theywon't go to sleep but are happy to sit andrelax./ Washing machine - essential.

So the next problem is how to find suchholidays. Well, I trawled the internet overand over and over again until finally I gotso fed up of not finding enough choice forwhat I wanted out of a holiday, I set upwww.RecommendedFamilyHolidays.com Thiswebsite, although relatively new, alreadylists over 500 independent self-cateringproperties in France, UK and Ireland andwhat's more, you can search by the criteriaabove. The website focuses onrecommendations from like-minded mumsand dads as we found the best holidayswere those ‘tried and tested’ by fellowparents. So if you want a holiday as well asthe children, why not give the website a tryand let us know if you have any other toptips on finding a holiday that is a hit withall the family?

Breaks for mums and dads

This year why not book a break with adifference, doing something that you'vealways fancied - maybe a walking weekendin the country, learning to cook Italian-styleor sampling wines from around the world ona wine tasting weekend? Many hotelsthroughout Britain now offer special interestbreaks and we have selected three of thebest below, all offering luxuriousaccommodation, the finest food and experttuition.

For keen walkers, Three Ways House Hotelin the Cotswold village of Mickleton offerswalking breaks throughout 2010, suitable forthe moderately fit and led by experiencedCotswold Wardens, with a wealth of localknowledge. Walks on Saturday and Sundaytake in some of the Cotswolds' finestcountryside and picturesque villages. Dinneris included on both evenings with a PuddingClub meeting on the Friday evening, givingyou the opportunity to sample a range oftraditional puddings before voting for yourfavourite. Prices start from £230 per personincluding two nights' accommodation,dinner, breakfast, packed lunches, guidesand VAT at 17.5%.

Enthusiastic cooks may like to spend acouple of days brushing up their culinaryskills with a professional chef. Swinton Park,a luxury four-star castle hotel set in 200 acres

Parents need a break from time to time to indulgethemselves and their interests. BETTINA RIX hassome suggestions for a few days away forValentine's or to do something completely different.

of parkland in the YorkshireDales, offers residentialcourses throughout the year attheir Rosemary Shrager Cookery School. The hotel's four acre walled garden isplanted with fruit, vegetables and herbs,providing a ready source of delicious freshingredients for both the hotel and schoolkitchens. Each course is themed on variousstyles of cooking, such as French and Italian,Mediterranean Food, Fish and Seafood andModern British and begins either on aSunday or a Wednesday afternoon at4.30pm. In addition to four cookery sessions,guests will have free time to relax and enjoythe hotel's facilities - perhaps a pamperingtreatment in the spa or a stroll around thebeautiful gardens and grounds? TheResidential Courses include afternoon tea onarrival, bed and breakfast in the hotel on twonights, two days of tuition (spread over threedays), with dinner and lunch each day servedin the Cookery School Dining Room, andwine served at all meals. Refreshments areserved during the cooking sessions. Pricesstart from £560 per person.

Temple Sowerby House, a charming,country house hotel situated in the EdenValley, an area of outstanding natural beautybetween the Lake District and the Pennines,is the place to go for a great-value wine-

tasting weekend. Each wine weekend isthemed around a particular country or regionwith wines carefully chosen to reflect theregion itself, with a balance of red and whitewines served with specially created menus foreach evening. The break includes a two-night stay with full breakfast each morning, areception with canapés each evening, three-course dinner with selected wines on Fridayevening, a fully tutored afternoon winetasting on Saturday followed by a four-coursegourmet dinner on Saturday, complete withwines of course! Prices start at just £305 perperson in a superior room. The next wineweekend will be held on 19th/20th March.

Family holidays made easier

?ContactsThree Ways House Hotel 01386 438429Swinton Park 01765 680900Temple Sowerby House 01768 361578

For further details of the above special interestbreaks, and a selection of others at Britain's besthotels, ranging from Chocoholic weekends toPhotography breaks, please go to:www.breakswithtradition.com

Traditional stone cottages in Cotswold village. Credits: ©Britainonview / Tony Pleavin


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travel

Rekindle the romance in yourlife with a special treat for youand your partner thisValentine's Day. Book aromantic break at one ofBritain's best hotels and enjoychilled Champagne in front ofa roaring log fire, thedecadence of a four-poster bedand a delicious three-coursedinner with fine wines bycandlelight.

The Swan at Lavenham, adelightful four-star hotel datingfrom the 15th century set inthe picturesque medieval townof Lavenham in Suffolk, offersall this and more on a specialValentine's break, with pricesfrom just £210 per couple.Fresh flowers, chocolates andchampagne can be placed inyour room at a supplement.

Each of the hotel's 45bedrooms is individuallydesigned and offers plenty ofperiod charm and character,such as old oak beams, aninglenook fireplace or luxuriouscanopied bed, while theaddition of beautiful fabricsand furnishings, plasma tv andstylish bathrooms ensure acomfortable stay. The award-winning restaurant, featuring aminstrels' gallery, provides aromantic setting for dinnerwith menus specialising in thefinest, locally sourced produce,complemented by an appealingchoice of wines.

Valentine’streats

The Swan at Lavenham

It's worth making time toexplore the local area; inparticular the historic town ofLavenham itself, home to aunique collection of wellpreserved medieval timber-framed buildings, built on theriches of the flourishing wooltrade from the 14th to the 16thcenturies. The narrow windingstreets hide a selection ofboutique shops, galleries andtea-rooms, while thesurrounding area offers tranquil,rolling countryside dotted withquaint villages and traditionalinns, perfect for a peaceful strolland pub lunch.

The Valentine's Break is pricedfrom £210 per couple, based ontwo sharing a classic doubleroom, including dinner and fullSuffolk breakfast, valid Sunday14th February 2010.Champagne and room upgradesare available at a supplement.

For further information on

this Valentine's break and a

selection of others at Britain's

best hotels, please go to

www.breakswithtradition.com

or contact The Swan at

Lavenham on 01787 247477,

www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk


reading matters

The creative writing competition

To add to the fun, children from the ages of 6 to12 can also enter the Children's Book Awardcreative writing competition. Not only will thewinners receive a signed set of the six short listedbooks, they will also get the chance for themselves,a parent and a friend to meet the authors at theBook Award ceremony.

Their stories should be no more than 500 words and basedon characters from at least two of the short listed books.Children can enter as many stories as they like by 31st January.

Entries together with your child's name, age and parent's contactdetails can be emailed to [email protected] or postedto CYP Team, Chertsey Library, Guildford Street, Chertsey KT16 9BE.

Details on the Book Award, how to vote, the competition and BookFestival can be found on the Surrey County Council libraries websitewww.surreycc.gov.uk/kidstuff so be sure to check them out forregular updates!

The firstSurreyLibraries'Children's BookAward is currentlyunderway as you may havenoticed? Run by Surrey CountyCouncil library service children's teamand sponsored by the University of Surrey's English Department, the scheme is aimed at inspiring your 7 to 9 year olds to read six short listed books and then vote for their favourite.

Children can vote by visitingwww.surreycc.gov.uk/kidstuff or at anySurrey library. Every child who votes willbe entered into a prize draw to winsigned copies of the books. (All votesmust be in by 28th February.)

The author of the book with the mostvotes will be announced at a prize-givingceremony during the Children's BookFestival in March.

Love thoselibraries

It's all happening in Surrey libraries at themoment with a new Children's Book Award

and the launch of an exciting Books Festival.

events and activities that will be held inlibraries across Elmbridge, Spelthorne andRunnymede.

These events will encourage groups ofchildren, young people, parents, carers,teachers and the wider community to gettogether to share and enjoy children's books.They will all be able to experience at firsthand the joy and pleasure that readingbrings.

Justin Somper is one of the muchacclaimed and popular authors who havebeen invited to take part in the fun. He willlaunch the festival both in celebration ofWorld Book Day and the release of the latestbook in his Vampirates series, 'Empire of theNight'. His bloodthirsty talk will have theaudience on the edge of their seats.

Famous illustrators will also behelping libraries to make the

festival a memorable month.Tony De Saulles is the

much loved illustrator ofthe Horrible Scienceseries of books and hisHorrible cartoondrawing workshopswill 'draw you in'.Tony will be showingthat any child canlearn to draw andwill be highlightingthe value and power

of illustration inchildren's literature. Magicians will also be

spellbinding andstorytellers enchanting.

Manga drawing, live music andfilms will be inspirational, and Wii

and Knex competitions will beirresistible to all.

Elmer the Elephant is just one famouscharacter who will also be there to meet you.But where will Wally be? Wally will becelebrating his 10th anniversary by visitingseveral libraries throughout the festival. Notonly will you get the chance to have yourphoto taken with him, you will also be ableto get copies of his books both to buy andto borrow, and also take part in somefantastic Wally themed activities.

For more information and to book, go towww.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries, call 01483543599 or visit a library in Elmbridge orSpelthorne.

THE FESTIVALThe first Surrey Libraries Children's BookFestival will launch on 4th March inElmbridge, and Spelthorne (as well asRunnymede) and run for four weeks.

Run by Surrey County Council libraryservice and sponsored by the University ofSurrey English Department, the Book Festivalwill be the largest run by one localauthority in the UK and willappeal to children of allages.

The festival will becelebrated with avariety of exciting

© 2008, Martin Handford. Where's Wally? books.

Published by WalkerBooks Ltd

?


outandabout...Please check all events before you leave home as details may have changed.

For a perfect winter weekendactivity for the family thisJanuary and February you canstar in your own episode ofMost Haunted by going on aghost tour. With the area sorich in historic events anddeadly deeds, it's no wonderthere is an abundance of unex-plained and strange activityreported at two local locations,Hampton Court Palace andHam House.

Most famous of HamptonCourt's ghosts is CatherineHoward, Henry VIII's fifth wife.Charged with adultery in 1541and confined to her rooms, onone occasion she managed tobreak free of her guards toplead with Henry to spare herlife. Since then a lady dressedin white has been seen floatingdown the (now named)Haunted Gallery towards thechapel where the king was andto hurry back in a dishevelledstate, screaming in despair.

Other ghosts at the Palace

Photograph taken by Richard Lee-Hard

www.littlesuperstars.co.uk SPORTS CLUB

Do you enjoy sports and understand how children benefitfrom participation? Are you self-confident with goodcommunication skills and self-motivated to run yourown business?

If you would like to be part of the UK’s fastest growingsports & fitness business enterprise, then LittleSuperstars Sports Club would like to hear from you.

Tel: 07904 311552

are Henry's wife number three,Jane Seymour (who died therein 1537), Sibell Penn (PrinceEdward's nurse) and a mysteri-ous dog.

Ham House lays a claim to agrand tally of 16 ghosts (threeof them dogs). The first accountof a haunting at Ham is fromAugustus Hare (1834-1903)who visited in 1879, and in TheStory of my Life recorded thatthe butler's 6 year-old daughterhad seen the ghost of an oldwoman in one of the rooms.Visitors and staff have noticedmany mysterious phenomenaover the years, most frequentlyunexplained footprints on thenewly polished floors.

Don't forget to report anyghostly sightings back to us [email protected] please do not take youngerchildren on your tours. HamHouse has a minimum age of 5years and Hampton Court speci-fy 8 to 12 years - their tours areunaccompanied.

Sundays until 7th MARCH, KidsGhost Tours at Hampton CourtPalace, tours start at 5pm. Forages 8 to 12 years. Tickets£12.50 which includes a freeghost investigator's booklet.Advance booking essential on0844 482 7795 (£2 transactionfee applies) or online atwww.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/WhatsOn/KidsGhostTours.aspx

15th and 16th FEBRUARY,Family Ghost Tours at HamHouse, 11.30am to 12.30pm.Discover the residents of HamHouse who have never left.Not suitable for children under5. Cost £8 for adults and £6for children. Wrap up warm asthe house is cold and the tourincludes part of the garden.Book on 0844 249 1895.

GHOSTLY GOINGS ON

FUN INDOORS

Throughout JANUARY andFEBRUARY, Illustrations from theChildren’s Books of Nina Bawdenat Chertsey Museum, 33 WindsorStreet. 01932 565764www.chertseymuseum.org.uk

16th JANUARY, An Evening ofMagic at The Rose Theatre, 24 to26 High Street, Kingston, 7.30pm.Celebrate The Rose's secondbirthday with magic from theSurrey Society of Magicians. Ashow for all the family, this is afundraising evening. Tickets £10,book on 0871 230 1552www.rosetheatrekingston.org

27th to 31st JANUARY, TallStories presents Room on theBroom at The Rose Theatre, 24 to 26 High Street, Kingston,performances at various times. Anew adventure from the creatorsof the international hit stageshow The Gruffalo.

How the cat purred and howthe witch grinned, as they sat ontheir broomstick and flewthrough the wind... The witchand her cat are flying happilyalong on their broomstick - untila mighty wind blasts her hat,bow and wand away into thenight!

All is not lost, however, as theymeet some fun new friends whohelp retrieve the witch's lost

things. A daft dog, a bizarre birdand a friendly frog; one after theother, they all hop on the broomfor a ride...but it's not meant forfive and - CRACK - the broomsnaps in two!

When a hungry dragonappears, who will save the poorwitch? And will there be roomon the broom for everyone?Tickets £11. Groups of 10+ £8.50, book on 0871 230 1552www.rosetheatrekingston.org

31st JANUARY, RichmondOrchestra with Primary SchoolsChildren's Concert at the GermanSchool, Petersham at 3pm. Avaried programme on an animal

theme, including a newly writtenpiece by Peter Lawrence aboutPuss in Boots, with children'sparticipation. Also anintroduction to the instrumentsof the orchestra. Refreshmentsafter the concert. Adults £7,children (under16) £3, call 0208547 2695 for more details.

3rd to 6th FEBRUARY, Ballet atRichmond Theatre. Two shows tochoose from as the touringMoscow City Ballet presentsSleeping Beauty (3rd and 4th)and The Nutcracker (5th and6th). Book on 0844 871 7651www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond-theatre

Please send me the next 6/12 copies of Families upon Thames. I enclose a cheque for £9.30/£18 made out to Families upon Thames.

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WEDNESDAYS during Januaryand February, Painshill Park,Cobham. FREE entry to thepark, www.painshill.co.uk

16th JANUARY to 28thFEBRUARY, Butterflies in theGlasshouse at Wisley RHSGardens. See over 1000colourful, exotic butterflies asthey settle in amongst thebeauty of the tropical plantcollection. rhs.org.uk

16th to 17th JANUARY, 13th to14th and 20th to 21stFEBRUARY, Butterfly FamilyActivities at the Clore LearningCentre, Wisley,10am to 3.30pm.Have a go at planting a verbena,make your own grassheadbutterfly or create a caterpillarpuppet. FREE activity. rhs.org.uk

17th JANUARY, Bird Walk atBedfont Lakes Country Park,Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, 9am.Look for some wintering birdspecies from the various duckson North Lake. You will possiblysee Bittern and Water Railaround the reedbeds fringingthe lakes. £2 for adults, £1 forchildren. All children must beaccompanied by a responsibleadult 0845 456 2796.

31st JANUARY, Winter Walk atBedfont Lakes Country Park,Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, 9am.Look at the wildlife that is outand about braving the coldweather. £2 for adults, £1 forchildren. All children must beaccompanied by a responsibleadult. Call 0845 456 2796 formore details.

30th and 31st JANUARY, BigGarden Birdwatch at ClaremontLandscape Gardens, Esher, 10am to 3pm. Count the differentbirds you see over the course of

an hour. No booking required,normal admission applies. For more details contact 01372 467806,[email protected]

From 7th FEBRUARY to 8thMARCH, Kew's TropicalExtravaganza. The Princess ofWales Conservatory will bebrimming with colourful, exoticplants such as orchids,bromeliads and anthuriums.www.kew.org

12th FEBRUARY, Moth Night atBedfont Lakes Country Park,Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont,7pm. Join the Rangers to findout what species are bravingthe cold winter nights atBedfont Lakes. Wrap up warmand take a thermos of tea orcoffee. £2 for adults, £1 forchildren. All children must beaccompanied by a responsibleadult. Call 0845 456 2796 formore details.

26th FEBRUARY, Star Walk atBedfont Lakes Country Park,Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont,7pm. Discover constellations,meteors, planets, and satellites.£2 for adults, £1 for children.All children must beaccompanied by a responsibleadult. Call 0845 456 2796 formore details.

16th JANUARY, YoungArchaeology Club at ChertseyMuseum, The Cedars, 33Windsor Road, Chertsey, 11amto 12:30pm and 2 to 3:30pm.Meet the ancestors workshopfor 8 to 16 year olds. Must bebooked in advanced on 01932565764. Cost £4.40 per child.

23rd JANUARY and 13thFEBRUARY, Saturday Kids' ArtClub at Landmark Arts Centre,Ferry Road, Teddington,10amto noon. £12 per session andper child including materials.Call 020 8977 7558www.landmarkartscentre.org

15th to 19th FEBRUARY, TheWicked Wizard of WinterStorytelling and Craft Workshopat Painshill Park, Cobham. Craft

workshop from 12 noon to 3pm,storytelling 11.30am, 1.30 and2.30pm. Dress up and make amagical wand, a royal crown or afierce dragon mask to takehome. Indoor activity, suitable forchildren aged up to 10 years old.No advance booking is required.Maximum 4 children per adult.www.painshill.co.uk 01932 868113

15th to 19th FEBRUARY, Fit ForSport Kids Camp at RussellSchool, Petersham Road,Richmond. Cost £23 to £30depending on times booked. FitFor Sport Kids Camps aredesigned to educate children inthe benefits of leading a healthylifestyle, whilst encouraging themto try their best and have fun. Atypical day includes multi-sportsessions and an optionalswimming session. Chill outsessions are arts and craftsbased. Book on 0845 456 3233or visit www.fitforsport.co.ukEarly bird 10% booking discountif you book before 22nd Januaryand quote 'STRAWBERRY'.

15th to 19th FEBRUARY, Fit ForSport Kids Camp at WaldegraveSchool, Fifth Cross Road,Twickenham. Cost £23 to £30depending on times booked.Book on 0845 456 3233 or visitwww.fitforsport.co.uk Early bird10% booking discount if youbook before 22nd January andquote 'STRAWBERRY'.

16th FEBRUARY, Secret SpiesWorkshop at Chertsey Museum,The Cedars, 33 Windsor Road,Chertsey, 11am to 12.30pm or 2to 3.30pm. An activity for ages 5to 12 years. Book in advance on01932 565764. Cost £4.40.

17th FEBRUARY, Spiky Spearsand Safe Shields Workshop atChertsey Museum, The Cedars, 33 Windsor Road, Chertsey,11am to 12.30pm and 2 to3.30pm. An activity for ages 5 to12 years. Book in advance on01932 565764. Cost £4.40.

18th FEBRUARY, BrilliantBracelets Workshop at ChertseyMuseum, The Cedars, 33 WindsorRoad, Chertsey, 11am to12.30pm and 2 to 3.30pm. Anactivity for ages 5 to 12 years.Book in advance on 01932565764. Cost £4.40.

20th FEBRUARY, YoungArchaeology Club at ChertseyMuseum, The Cedars, 33 WindsorRoad, Chertsey, 11am to12.30pm and 2 to 3.30pm.Museum Detectives workshop for 8 to 16 year olds. Must bebooked in advanced on 01932565764. Cost £4.40 per child.

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32 Years Experience

EXPLORE ITALIAN FOOD TOGETHER The Silver Spoon for Children waspublished late last year and we now thinkno family kitchen should be without acopy!

It showcases 40 simple Italian recipesfor children aged 10 and up. The bookfeatures favourites such as Margheritapizza, Tomato bruschetta, Linguine withpesto, Lasagne and Fruits of the Forest icecream. Each recipe has simple step-by-step instructions and is illustrated withspecially commissioned drawings andphotographs.

...and finally

Together in


2010

Congratulations to Lucy Kirkham from Waltonwho was has become the highest fundraiser from

this year's Tommy's splashathon, raising morethan £3,000 which will help fund Tommy's The

Baby Charity. Picture fromwww.waterbabies.co.uk

As a new decade begins here are two family ideas to try out in 2010.

SWIM TOGETHER Having fun in the water together may not beas easy as it sounds so if you're looking forthe confidence and inspiration to have fun

together, consider a baby swimming class. New club Splish Splash Swim School runs

swimming lessons for parents and babies,and young children locally. Lessons take placein local school pools in Chessington,Berrylands, Morden and Old Malden. Otherpools are being sought as numbers increase.

Teacher Andy uses bright toys, music andnursery rhymes, and a variety of teachingstyles to ensure that children are given everyopportunity to feel comfortable in whatcould be a new or frightening environment.'Many babies will not have been in the poolhall environment and they are experiencingnew things which can produce differentresponses. But with repetition, other babiesto watch and supportive parents to reinforcetheir efforts, the results can be quitespectacular', he told us.

With an enthusiasm and passion forteaching swimming the teaching style is a

1 Chop leeks, carrot, celery, courgette into small pieces2 Snip parsley into small pieces3 Put oil, carrot and parsley into saucepan and cook over a very low heat for 10 minutes, stirringevery now and then4 Add courgette, leek and tomatoes and cook for a further 10 minutes over a low heat5 Pick leaves off the rosemary and add to the soup with the beans and stock, bring to the boil6 Add the rice and cook for a further 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is cooked.7 Put half of soup into a food processor and blend until smooth. Return to pan and stir.8 Grate the Parmesan and sprinkle over top. Drizzle olive oil on top and serve!

The Silver Spoon for Children is published by Phaidon and priced at £12.99.

combination of fun and education. Andysays, 'It is as important to give the parentssome skills and tips that they can take withthem as it is to introduce the babies to newwater skills. That way there is supportoutside of the lessons which will ensure thatthe baby is given the best opportunity tomake this a lifelong skill'.

Groups are ideally up to 8 babies andtheir parents, which is perfect for groupinteraction, but still enables personal tuitionto address particular needs. 'It is great whenthe parents get to know each other in thepool, and the relationships build up. If theyare happy to sing and play around theyenjoy it more, and the babies develop theirskills faster. Different groups need to focuson different skills, so it is important tounderstand that and give each familyactivities at their particular level.'Contact Splish Splash on 07974 752442.

INGREDIENTS

2 leeks, 1 carrot, 1 celery stick, 1 courgette2 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley2 tbs of olive oil plus a little extra to drizzle over soup400g tin chopped tomatoes1 sprig fresh rosemary400g tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed1 litre vegetable stock or water80g long-grain rice25g Parmesan cheese

surrey childcarenanny agency

Surrey’s childcare recruitmentspecialists

25 years childcare experienceAll nannies personally interviewed

Live in or dailyFull or part time

Permanent or temporaryOnline babysitting service

www.surreychildcare.co.uk

020 8399 4199

Tuscan Minestrone Soup

is the perfect winter

warmer, here's how!‘‘’’

Families upon Thames is designed by Sarah Harmer and printed by Warners, in Lincolnshire. Copyright, Families upon Thames Magazine 2010. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families uponThames is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under

license. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

Stretch your child’s imaginationin three directions at once

Friday 15th January at Hinchley Woodor Saturday 16th January in Weybridge.

Please call Sian or Sarah on: 01932 254 333 for further information or to enrol.

Have a Go DayHere’s a way to spend weekends that’ll have 4-18 year olds buzzing. Enrol them in your local Stagecoach Theatre Arts school where they learn to act, sing and dance. The skills they learn aren’t just for the Stage. Our students grow in confidence and self-esteem …..Skills for Life! There’s no audition – all they need is enthusiasm.

Richmond 0208 948 9288Twickenham 0208 224 6905Cheam/Worcester Park 0208 398 8106Surbiton/Kingston 0208 873 7140Isleworth 01932 886 413

New Malden 0208 540 7791Weybridge 01932 254 333Walton on Thames 01932 254 333Hinchley Wood 01932 254 333

Call your local Stagecoach to enrol now!

JULY-AUGUST 2009 17FAMILIES UPON THAMES

Documents

Families Upon Thames magazine, January/February 2010, Issue 68