families chiltern issue 78 march - april 2016
DESCRIPTION
The really useful FREE local magazine for families with children aged 0 to 12 years in the ChilternsTRANSCRIPT
Fam
ilies
Ch
ilter
n, T
el: 0
12
96
58
65
86
, Em
ail:
edit
or@
fam
ilies
chilt
ern
.co.
uk
Issue 78 : March/April 2016
The free useful magazine for families with young children
FREE!
FOR A FREE TRIAL, VISIT
ACT, DANCE& sING!
Celebrating LAMDA examsuccess year on year
PERFORMING ARTSC
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
TD AD September 2015 with bleed.pdf 1 27-Jul-15 7:30:26 PM
What’s On, News, Education, Parenting, Competitions and much more…
thorpehousesch
Achieving academic, sporting and creative goals.Much more than a school; Thorpe House is a home from home
where boys aged 3-16 feel confident, valued and empowered
to achieve beyond their potential.
Whole school open mornings:Tuesday 8th March 2016, 09.30 – 12.00Friday 6th May 2016, 09.30 – 12.00
thorpehouse.co.uk01753 88 24 74
THS Chiltern Families, Dhub Rev E.indd 1 26/11/2015 11:38
Nurseries & ChildcareEaster Holiday FunEducation
2 FAMILIES March/April 2016
- Oxbridge tutors.- One-to-one or small groups.- Key Stages 1-3, GCSE and A Level.- All exam boards. “My tutor had a very engaging style.
I enjoyed the lessons very much and got an A* in GCSE Maths and A** in IGCSE Further Maths. Fantastic!“ Student.
- Award winning multisensory maths, fitness and fun for 3-14 years olds.- Boosting attainment, engagement and problem solving.- Tracks EYFS and National Curriculum.
- Empowering parents to be their child’s first engaging maths teacher.- Tracks EYFS and National Curriculum.
Open Jumping 4+Kids PartiesDodgeball CourtsAfter School ClubsToddler Open JumpToddler Mayhem ClassesCafeCafe& so much more ...
@rushukfacebook.com/rushuktrampolinepark
#RushUK
Trampoline Park, High Wycombe
01494 412731
FAMILIES 3
Con
grat
ulat
ion
s to
our
com
pet
itio
n w
inn
ers:
Zin
c Fl
yte
Cas
e Sc
oo
ter:
Ella
An
thon
y, C
hes
ham
; Tra
cey
Port
er, B
erkh
amst
ed.
Perf
ectl
y Pe
arl J
ewel
lery
Par
ty: L
uci
nd
a W
illia
mso
n, A
mer
sham
. 3 m
on
ths
of J
azze
rcis
e cl
asse
s: S
usa
n L
loyd
, Lit
tle
Kin
gsh
ill.
News from around the Chilterns
Want to reach over 40,000 readers an issue? Advertise in Families Chiltern
inthisissueISSUE 78 Mar/Apr 2016
Visit us now at www.familieschiltern.co.uk
Free self-defence trainingDo you and your children know how to defend yourselves in dangerous situations? Self-Protection Ltd are running a series of courses for all the family, offering practical and life-enhancing training, so you can improve self-confidence and protect yourselves and the people around you when it really matters.
Run by two martial arts experts, the course covers positive body language, threat awareness and avoidance, techniques to de-escalate aggression, our biological and cognitive response to fear and self-defence and escape techniques.
The courses are being run at Gerrards Cross Community Association on Sunday March 13th and Sunday May 8th and are free to attend. Classes are being targeted at specific age groups, with ages 4 to 6 running from 9–10am; ages 7 to 11 from 10–11.15am, ages 12 to 16 from 11.15am–1.30pm and ages 17–64 years from 5–8.15pm. All the instructors are qualified, first-aid trained, DBS checked and fully insured. Register for your free place at www.selfprotectionltd.com, email [email protected] or call Malcolm Jones on 07469 920 507.
Get your hat on!Don’t forget to don your silliest headgear for this year’s ‘Wear a Hat Day’ on March 24th. This fun event is to raise money for the charity Brain Tumour Research. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease. By taking part in ‘Wear a Hat Day’ you can make a difference and help fund a network of seven research centres that are undertaking brain tumour research.
To find out more, go to www.wearahatday.org or search for #hattastic on facebook and twitter.
UPCOMING ISSUE:May/June, Parties specialDue out: Late AprilAdvertising deadline: 1 April
Follow us:@Familieschilter
Find us on Facebook:FamiliesChiltern
Tel: 01296 586586email: [email protected]
Editor: Chrissie Wilson Design: Graphic Resolutions
Published six times a year.
Publishers hunt for next JK RowlingHave you ever wondered whether you could be the next JK Rowling or Julia Donaldson? Aspiring authors of children’s fiction are being invited to attend a course that could put them on the road to literary success, run by Princes Risborough mum-of-two Sara O’Connor and three other children’s authors. The annual Book Bound Retreat in Kent, which takes place from June 17th
to 19th, comprises of workshops, one-to-one assessments, professional guidance and development tips and culminates in the opportunity to meet influential children’s literary agents. For more details, see bookboundretreat.wordpress.com or email bookboundretreat.com
3 News 6 Under 5s special 7 Choosing the right nursery 8 What’s new in childcare 9 Building your child’s vocabulary 12–13 Pre-school clubs and classes
14 School matters20 Easter holiday fun 20-21 Holiday camps 22-24 Easter days out
25 Competitions26 What’s On
Har
ry B
all-W
eber
News & views
4 FAMILIES March/April 2016
BRING SOME SPRING TO YOUR SOFA...!
Our Sofa Toppers are durable, comfortable and stylish.Available in a range of gorgeous colours and fabrics.
Designed to protect your sofa and enhance your home.
Order now for a 25% Discount (Code: FAMILIES)www.thelounginghound.com
Contact Claire on 07976 447130 or [email protected] w ww . o g l e e p o g l e e . c o . u k
Choose one of our great themes and Oglee Poglee wil l organise a hassle-free hour of innovative arty activities, tailored to capture the imagination of your little one.
Each child leaves the party with a big smile on their face, hands clasping something they have made.
Free invitations included and craft party bags available on request.
Parties suitable for 2-8 year olds.
Contact Claire on 07976 447130 or [email protected]
Free invitations included and craft party bags
Richard Backhouse is new Principal of Berkhamsted SchoolRichard Backhouse, former Principal of Monkton Combe School, takes on the leadership of Berkhamsted School and the broader Berkhamsted Schools Group (including Heatherton House School in Amersham) in the year in which the School celebrates the 475th anniversary of its foundation.
An Economics graduate of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Mr Backhouse sees Berkhamsted as a school of growing significance with a track record of innovation and sector leadership. He said: “The recent introduction of the Berkhamsted Mini-MBA in partnership with Ashridge Executive Education as part of the Sixth Form curriculum is one example. Another is the annual Teaching, Learning and Assessment at Berkhamsted (TLAB) conference; inspiring teaching excellence and organised by teachers for teachers in both the state and independent sectors.
“I recognise so many qualities that make this family of schools exceptional, and I aim to work with staff, pupils, parents and other friends of the schools in allowing these characteristics to thrive within a vibrant, happy community.”
Berkhamsted School’s upcoming open morning for the Day Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep is being held on Friday 4th March, 9am–noon. If you would like to book a place, please call Admissions on 01442 358001.
Get active for charity...Runners get ready for the Chiltern Warrior raceIf you love running in the wild outdoors or simply want to get more active, why not take part in the Chiltern Open Air Museum’s Chiltern Warrior run on Sunday March 13th. Natural obstacles are staggered throughout the site of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the adjoining Woodland Trust property. Suitable for experienced runners and beginners alike, you can decide to run 5K or 10K and each participant receives a free medal. Runners are encouraged to wear fancy dress and entry fees help to raise funds for the museum with its 33 rescued historic buildings, living history events and working farm. For more details, see www.chilternwarrior.com
Fun run through bubblesEnjoy a fun run with a difference by taking part in the only Bubble Rush event on Sunday April 17th. Raising money for the Hospice of St Francis, the event at Gadebridge Park in Hemel Hempstead sees participants run, walk or dance along the 5K route whilst they are covered in frothy foam from cannons blowing out coloured bubbles along the way. Suitable for the whole family, the event also includes live entertainment, children’s rides and refreshments. Sign up at www.stfrancis.org.uk/bubblerush
News & views
5FAMILIESAdvertising deadline for the May/June party issue, 1 April
Butlers Court celebrate their 50th anniversary Are you a former pupil of Butlers Court School in Beaconsfield? The school is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with a series of special events and are hoping to include as many alumni as possible to inspire and help their current students achieve their dreams and career goals. If you went to the school, or one of your children attended, they would love to hear from you. They are also looking for old photographs, newspaper clippings and memories of the school. To get in touch, please contact [email protected]
Government to introduce parenting classesDavid Cameron has announced that the Government are pledging an extra £70milion to tackle family issues, including offering families vouchers for free parenting classes. His aim is to make it normal for parents to seek help raising their children and says that parenting classes should be accessible to all families, not just those at greatest risk. He said: “We’ve got to start talking about parenting and taking action to get it right.”
Creative kids company Oglee Poglee are expandingImaginative crafts company Oglee Poglee are looking for new party entertainers to host fun parties for 2 year olds upwards, across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Each party features art and crafts activities, games and creative challenges. If you live near Berkhamsted and are creative, calm and enjoy working with children, please contact: [email protected]
THAME01865 [email protected]/thame
HENLEY AND MARLOW01494 [email protected]/marlowandhenley
BERKHAMSTED AND HEMEL HEMPSTEAD01442 [email protected]/berkhamstedhemel
HIGH WYCOMBE01494 [email protected]/highwycombe
BEACONSFIELD07795 [email protected]/beaconsfield
AYLESBURY01296 [email protected]/aylesbury
AMERSHAM01494 [email protected]/amersham
EMBRACECREATIVITYActing, singing and dance classes for 4 - 18 year olds.Find out more and start your child’s journey today
Get your dancing shoes onSessions UK are launching new dance and fitness classes in Amersham this March. Children can enjoy DanceMix, a fun and engaging class where they learn a new dance routine each week. It will be offered to two age groups, 5–9 and 10–14 years with street classes also available for all ages. Adults can enjoy DanceFit and they plan to introduce more classes soon such as spinning in candlelit studios and yoga. Classes cost from £5 and will be held every Tuesday from March 15th at Woodrow High House. To find out more, visit www.sessions5678.co.uk
Get reading with World Book Day
World Book Day is the biggest annual celebration of books and reading in the UK and this year takes place on Thursday 3rd March. Encouraging children to explore the
pleasures of books and reading, the event is marked in 100 countries all over the world. Now in its 19th year, schools and nurseries have been sent resource packs and tokens, packed full of activities, ideas and display material. For more information, see www.worldbookday.com
Under 5s special
FAMILIES6 March/April 2016
A member of the Berkhamsted
Schools Group
Heatherton House SchoolAmersham’s Independent School For Girls Aged 3–11
(Co-educational Nursery)
OPEN MORNINGFRIDAY 4TH MARCH 2016
10am-12noonHeadteacher’s Welcome Speech at 10.15am
Crèche and car parking available
Call 01494 726433 to register your interest or email: [email protected]
Registered Charity No. 310630 Registered Company No. 622349
Come and see us in action!Heatherton House: No.3 in The Sunday Times
Top 100 Independent Prep Schools 2015
A TERMLY NURSERY FOR BOYS & GIRLS AGED 3 TO 4www.godstowe.org
Open Day Saturday 7th May 2016, 10am - 1pm
If you would like to visit our nursery, please contact the Registrar, Cathy Gainer, by telephoning 01494 429006 or emailing [email protected]. Godstowe Preparatory School, Shrubbery Road, High Wycombe, HP13 6PR
We invite you to visit our
Pre-Prep Department to
discover for yourself why
it could provide the perfect
introduction to school life
for you daughter.
Please book online at www.piperscorner.co.uk
Open MorningWednesday 27 April 0930 – 1130 hours
Day School for girls aged 4–18
@PipersCornerSch
www.facebook.com/PipersCornerSchool
Great Kingshill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP15 6LP
• E: [email protected]
• T: 01494 718 255 • www.piperscorner.co.uk
Reg Charity No. 310635
Place yourchild’s care inthe hands of atrusted namein education
An idyllic nursery environment on the Berkhamsted Pre-Prep School site surrounded by woodland and gardens. Close to the A41,
and Berkhamsted town station providing easy access to London.
www.berkhamsteddaynurser y.orgBerkhamsted Day Nursery is part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Company No. 07610890
Places available for Extended Day (Minimum of 3) orSchool Day (Minimum of 4) from September 2016
Please call to discuss your requirements01442 358276
FAMILIES MAGAZINE 2016.qxp_BDN Quarter 03/02/2016 12:23 Page 1
Under 5s special
7FAMILIESAdvertising deadline for the May/June party issue, 1 April
Independent education for boys and girls aged 3 to 13Chesham Preparatory School
Tel 01494 782619 | www.cheshamprep.co.uk | Email [email protected]
Wednesday May 4th 2016, 9.00am to 11.00amSaturday May 7th 2016, 9.30am to 12 Midday
OPEN MORNINGS
23087_CPS_OpenDay_Ad_May16_85x87mm_Families_Chiltern_AW.indd 1 09/02/2016 17:30
Or viewings by appointment with Registrar
“A happier School you will not find”Good Schools Guide
See the School at WorkWednesday 9 March, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Prep Open AfternoonFriday 6 May, 1.30pm to 3pm
Gerrards CrossIndependent Day School for Girls, Early Years to A level
St Mary’s School
R59652 St Marys Advert 87x85.indd 1 05/12/2013 11:34
Creative School of the Year 201585% 11+ Pass Rate
Wrap-around Care 7.45am to 5.30pm01753 883370 www.stmarysschool.co.uk
By Hannah Hunter
Choosing the right nurseryTaking your child to nursery for the first time can be nerve wracking. It’s often the first time you will have left your precious offspring in someone else’s care for the day, so you want to feel sure that they’re getting the best care.
Here we look at the different types of nursery that are available, and how to find the right one for you.
Types of NurseryDay Nurseries – great for working parents as they are usually open from 8am-6pm. Nursery Schools – for older toddlers (usually about 2 and a half years and up) these nurseries offer a more structured preparation for school.Nursery classes in school – usually run for the year before reception, though sometimes taking younger children, they have a similar structure to nursery schools, though often only run half-day sessions.Montessori and Steiner nurseries – Montessori (montessori.org.uk) is the original child-centred learning, developing the individual child’s independence and skills. Focusing on creative play, Steiner schools (steinerwaldorf.org) provide a creative
environment to foster joy in learning through play, rather than a structured curriculum.
Finding your local nurserySome nurseries are so popular that parents have their child’s name down practically from birth – so you need to get researching as early as possible.
Look at bucksfamilyinfo.org to find a list of local childcare providers.
We also have a great directory of local nurseries on our website, familieschiltern.co.uk/nurseries
Your first visitMake time to look around potential nurseries, well before you are going to need to use them. Read the Ofsted report (ofsted.gov.uk) and make a list
of your priorities before you go. See if you can find out any first hand information from friends (though bear in mind what’s good for one family might not work for another).
Things to consider: Staff and ethosSee what the turnover of staff is (always a good indicator of happiness) and check their qualifications. The presence of older staff members brings added life experience and suggests that the nursery values its staff enough to pay for this. Check out the routines, such as what food they offer and when it’s served, or when and where the children can nap.Cost Be realistic in how much you can pay. Most nurseries have
funded places for 3 to 5 year olds and some 2 year olds are also eligible. Your workplace may offer childcare vouchers, a tax-free way to pay. You may also be entitled to childcare tax credits, to find out more go to www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costsThe ‘feel’ of the placeGoing by gut instinct alone isn’t advisable, but if you don’t get a good feeling, it might not be the place for your child. Happy staff and children can make up for a lack of perfection in other areas. Look out for children’s work on the walls, and staff who actually play with the kids rather than standing around chatting.Your child’s personalityIs your child quiet and shy, or loud and outgoing? Do they love playing outdoors, or prefer indoor games? It seems obvious, but try to match the nursery to your child’s interests. Your own needs!There might be a wonderful nursery a half hour drive away from you, but consider how will both of your tiredness levels be after this daily journey – would you be better to find somewhere closer that is a good fit? Equally the most convenient, say a work-place nursery, may not be the best for your child.
Go to www.familieschiltern.co.uk/nurseries to see our directory of nurseries.
FAMILIES8 March/April 2016
Under 5s special By Maxine Henderson
There are a number of changes proposed by government which should supposedly make the cost of childcare cheaper in the near future. Here’s what you need to know about these changes and how they will work.Free childcare for children aged 3 and 4As you will probably now be aware, the government has offered 30 hours of free childcare a week for children aged 3 and 4 from September 2016. But is it really that straightforward?
When does the scheme start?In September 2016, but the scheme is not launching everywhere at this time. Instead, it will be piloted in some areas, and these are still to be determined. There is currently still no indication as to when the scheme will be available nationally.
Which parents will be entitled to the 30 hours? Unlike the current scheme, under which all parents of 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for 15 hours of free childcare a week, the additional 15 hours will only be available to working parents. A statement on the government website says it will support up to 600,000 working families, but it is not clear at this stage how many hours parents should be working to qualify as “working parents.”
Which children will be eligible?Children aged 3 or 4 in September 2016 living in the pilot areas with working parents (as stated above, the definition of
‘working parents’ remains unclear) who have an annual household income of less than £150,000.
Nurseries have already raised concerns about their ability to offer 30 hours of free, flexible childcare. There is concern within the nursery industry that the money they receive from government to run the current grant scheme of 15 hours does not cover the costs they incur in providing these hours, meaning that an increase in free hours is simply not sustainable. The Employment Minister, Priti Patel, has been tasked with launching a policy that will actually work in practice – no mean feat!
Replacement of childcare vouchers with tax-free childcare schemeLast year, the government’s proposals for delivering Tax-Free Childcare were found to be lawful by the Supreme Court and the changes should come into force early in 2017.
The Tax-Free Childcare
scheme will replace the current Childcare Vouchers system, although, parents who are currently signed up to the Childcare Vouchers scheme will be able to continue using it.
The key differences between the two schemes are as follows:The current Childcare Vouchers scheme is a tax and National Insurance saving scheme, offered as a benefit from the employer of a parent, but only where the employer chooses to offer the scheme. The good news is that the new policy is expected to be open to all working parents who meet the set criteria.
Where both parents work, families can save around £1,800 a year under the Childcare Vouchers scheme, but will save £2,000 per year under the new scheme.
Self-employed parents will also be eligible for support under the Tax-
Free Childcare scheme.It appears that under
the new proposals, the Tax-Free Childcare scheme will only be available to one earner in a family where both parents are working. Families with a single earner will be excluded.
Maxine Henderson is Operations Manager at Tinies Childcare, a leading childcare specialist which
helps families, nurseries and other childcare
settings find the right childcare professionals to suit their needs. For
more information, visit www.tinies.com
What’s new in childcare?
9FAMILIES Would you like free copies of Families Chiltern to give to parents? Call 01296 586586
Are you looking for a nanny to work within your homeor qualified staff to work within your nursery setting?
First Steps Childcare Solutions provide specialist childcare recruitment with a personal service.
Call us on 07903 741336Visit our website www.firststepschildcaresolutions.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
First StepsChildcare Solutions
Under 5s special
‘Get yourself a good night’s sleep’Does your baby need feeding at night?
Has your child got sleep problems?Do you need help with breast-feeding?
Or are you just longing for a lie-in?
Tel: 07947 885887, www.night-nannies.com
Alison Holmes, Year 1 teacher at Heatherton House School in Amersham, gives her top language–building tips.
As a teacher I can understand that some parents may worry how to help their child to learn at home simply because we teach differently now to the way they remember from their own school days. While I may be a child’s teacher for a year, you will be their teacher for life.
Here are some simple and fun ways to help your child widen their vocabulary at home:Be a language model: The language your child will use in everyday life and mimic in role play games will be based on whatever they hear at home. It’s often worth taking a look at the words you use around the home and trying, wherever possible, to limit slang or ‘dumbed down’ words. As long as a word is explained correctly, with an example given, there is no reason why your child can’t use the correct word to communicate. You can even make a game of it. Have a list of ‘wow’ words at home and reward your child for using them correctly in a sentence. Put them on the fridge or on a white board in your kitchen and have fun playing games with them over meal times.
Read, read, read: It should never be under-estimated how important it is to regularly share books with children. To foster a love of words and stories is essential in building a child’s confidence to try different vocabulary. It is important for Dads to be involved in this activity as well, as research shows that in most families it’s mum who does the majority of the reading. The Book Trust (www.booktrust.org.uk) have a fantastic webpage called ‘Get Dad Reading’ which even recommends some great books for dads to share with their children.
The Yes/No Challenge: To play the yes/no game, you must not answer a question with
the word yes or no! At first this seems easy, but as your child starts to play along and the questions become faster, it can be very tricky! “Do you like chocolate?”, “Mostly”. “Are cats fluffy?”, “Definitely”, and so on. You may end up sounding like a Magic 8 ball - “The outcome is probable,” but you will also notice a marked difference in your child’s vocabulary skills.
Alphabet Games: Whenever you have some down time, such as a long car journey, why not play the alphabet game? Starting with A, you work your way through the alphabet spotting things outside that start with that letter. For a child who is still not totally aware of the names for things around them, it can be a brilliant learning experience. Go further by drawing the letters of the alphabet on the back of old Christmas cards and challenging your child to think of an animal, toy or country for each letter.
Story Land: One of my favourite games to play with a child is Story Land. Ask your child to collect four toys from their room. Explain that you are going to use these things to tell a story – it can be as simple as “One day Teddy went to the shops and bought two bananas…” Move the toys, and give them voices. Then, once the story is finished, ask your child to tell you
a story. For the first few times your child will probably tell you exactly what they have heard. But what is the harm in that? They will be using new vocabulary and expressions and playing with the language you have just taught them. After a few days let your child take the lead and make up a new story with new toys. That is when the magic really happens and their new vocab skills can come to life.
But perhaps the most important points to remember when helping your child to learn is to keep it fun and relevant to their likes and dislikes (for example, can you think of 10 words to describe Olaf the snowman) and to keep it going – repeat, repeat, repeat!
Useful websites for parentswww.theimaginationtree.com www.ABCdoes.com www.bookstart.org.uk www.booktrust.org.uk
Heatherton House, an independent school in Amersham for girls 3-11 (co-educational nursery) has an Open Day on Friday 4th March, (10am to noon). Call 01494 726433 to register your interest or email: [email protected]. For more information on the school, please visit www.heathertonhouse.co.uk
Building your child’s vocabulary at home
FAMILIES10 March/April 2016
Under 5s special
We run classes to help answer the questions you have when expecting your second baby. Bringing you together with other mums in Bucks and surrounding areas,
Bucks Babies provides invaluable advice, experience and support as you prepare for baby number two.
www.bucksbabies.co.ukcontact Emma Boyle on 07939 447 909
Wharf Road, Wendover HP22 6HF Tel: 01296 625787Email: [email protected]: www.littleacornswendover.org
For many children, starting pre-school is the first big step towards independence. By choosing ‘Little Acorns’, you can be assured of a
happy, stimulating and safe environment for your child. Our children are offered a wide range of experiences, skills and
interests and we aim to provide a curriculum that will extend their skills, develop their confidence and build on what they already know.
‘Little Acorns’ is registered with Ofsted and we were last inspected in December 2010 when we were given a ‘Good’ overall judgement.
Check out our informative website for more information. Please contact us if you would like to visit or register your child.
PRE-SCHOOL (Lt Chalfont) Ofsted ‘Good’ Setting for 2-5yr olds
Some places still available for Mornings and Afternoons. Funding available up to 15hrs.
TUESDAY TODDLER GROUP 9.45 – 11.15am drop in, no pre-booking
£3 for first child, £1 extra children 01494 722318 [email protected]
www.busy-living.co.uk
HOLIDAY CLUBS Ofsted Good Clubs in school holidays
Flexible bookings between 8am - 6pm at Amersham, Chalfont St Peter, Aylesbury
Range of activities for 4 - 12 year olds Sibling/full day bookings discounts
01494 722318 [email protected] www.busy-living.co.uk
HYDE HEATH PRE-SCHOOLHave fun and learn!
Tel: 01494 [email protected]
www.hydeheathpreschool.org.ukMonday – Friday
Morning Session 9am – 12pm,Afternoon Session 12pm – 3pm
Or bring a packed lunch – and stay all day!
• Safe secure environment • Independently managed• Set within Hyde Heath
Infant School
Hyde Heath Pre-school, Weedon Hill, Hyde Heath,Amersham HP6 5RW. Registered Charity 1020591
• Outdoor play area• Govt funding available• Childcare vouchers accepted• Ofsted rated ‘GOOD’
Westbrook Hay open a £3m Performing Arts Centre Westbrook Hay School, an independent preparatory school in Hertfordshire opened its new Performing Arts Centre in January. The auditorium has 300 seats and is a wonderful new venue for school performances. The Centre was officially opened by Mr Michael Woolf, former parent and Deputy Chairman of Governors.
To find out more about Westbrook Hay School, visit their Open Days on Saturday 5th March, 9.30am to 12.30pm or Friday 13th May, 10am to noon.
Open Morning fun at Thorpe HouseThorpe House Pre-Prep are holding an open morning with a difference. Parents and their sons are invited to a morning of crafts and activities including a petting zoo, bouncy castle, bug hunt and much more. Parents will have the opportunity to meet the Pre-Prep staff, Headmaster, Mr Ayres and current parents. The event is on Saturday 23rd April, 10am to 1pm at the Pre-Prep site on Oval Way, Gerrards Cross. For more information, visit www.thorpehouse.co.uk/funmorning or call 01753 882 474.
Beaconsfield ChildcareIn January 2016, sister nurseries ‘Brindley House Childcare Centre’ and ‘Northgate House Childcare Centre’ were renamed under the same brand as ‘Beaconsfield Childcare’. Sarah Fahey, Director of Beaconsfield Childcare said, “We are very excited about this new change andwill continue to provide highquality childcare withflexible hours”. Their newwebsite will belaunched soon.
Busy Living Pre-School celebrate multiculturalismChildren at Busy Living Pre-School in Little Chalfont recently enjoyed multicultural celebrations including Spanish songs and music, Australian art, Indian food and dressing up in local costumes. Planning is under way for further explorations into Russian, French, Italian and Polish cultures. Whilst British values are promoted at the setting, they feel it’s important for children to explore different cultures, whilst having fun of course. To find out more, more visit www.busy-living.co.uk
Nursery News
FAMILIES 11Would you like free copies of Families Chiltern to give to parents? Call 01296 586586
Under 5s special
An outstanding Independent Prep School for boys and girls aged 3-13 years
Contact: 01442 256143
www.westbrookhay.co.ukLondon Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RF
The pupils’ overall achievement isexcellent, well supported by a broad andvery well planned curriculum.
Independent Schools Inspectorate
Happiness, Confidence, Success
OPEN MORNINGSaturday, 5th March 2016
9.30am –12.30pm
Friday,13th May 201610.00am –12.00pm
‘A small and perfectly formed school’ Good Schools Guide
www.lockerspark.herts.sch.uk T: 01442 251712
LOCKERS PARKPreparatory School, Day & Boarding for Boys (7-13 Years)
Pre-Preparatory School, Co-Educational (4-7 Years)
Open Morning - Saturday 12th March
NEW
PRE-
PREP
NOW
OPE
N
Berkhamsted Schools Group Open Morning and entry criteria for early years Berkhamsted Day Nursery (5 months – rising 3) has places available from September 2016 offering families a minimum of 3 extended days or 4 school days. To find out more call 01442 358276.
Children attending the Berkhamsted Day Nursery are offered priority entry to Berkhamsted Pre-Prep which is now taking registrations for Stepping Stones Nursery Class (age 3+) for 2017 and 2018. With high demand for places, early registration at the Pre-Prep is recommended.
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep has non-selective entry at age 3+, however, there is age appropriate testing for any child entering the school at Year 2 (age 6+). This is to ensure that any pupil entering at the top of the Pre-Prep will be able to cope with the pace of the Key Stage Two curriculum as they transfer to the Prep school at Year 3 (age 7+). Pre-Prep pupils moving up to the Prep school are not assessed, however, external applicants entering at Years 3 and 5 will need to meet the entry criteria to gain a place.
The next Open Morning for the Day Nursery, Pre-Prep or Prep is on Friday 4th March 9am-12noon. To book a place call 01442 358001. www.berkhamsteddaynursery.org and www.berkhamstedschool.org
Open Days at Little Acorns KindergartenLittle Acorns Kindergarten in Wendover are holding an Open Evening on Tuesday 12th April, 6pm to 8pm and an Open Morning on Saturday 23rd April, 9am to 11am. Parents are welcome to drop-in, meet the staff and enjoy a tea or coffee. To find out more, visit www.littleacornswendover.org or call 01296 625787.
New Pre-Prep at Lockers ParkLockers Park offers an education that fuses traditional values with modern practice and a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Unique to Lockers Park is an emphasis on nurturing each and every child.
The school’s new co-ed Pre-Prep for children aged four to 7 years encourages a love of learning with expressly small class sizes. A carefully designed curriculum blends the structured environment of the classroom with outdoor activities, making full use of the school’s beautiful 23 acre setting. Call 01442 251712 or visit www.lockerspark.herts.sch.uk
12 FAMILIES March/April 2016
Pre-school clubs & classesHere’s our round up of the best baby and toddler classes in the Chilterns to keep your little ones amused.
Under 5s special
MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN!
TRY RUGBYTOTSOur dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment.
For more details, just call or email:
0345 313 3259 [email protected]
The world’s favourite rugby play programmerugbytots.co.uk
AS SEEN ON
The world’s favourite rugby play programme
Music and MovementFunky MonkeyA merry mix of music, movement, imagination and more for under 5s in Amersham and Penn. Classes also run in most school holidays, older siblings are welcome. For more information, call 07866 510289 or visit www.whosafunkymonkey.co.uk
HartbeepsAward winning magical, musical, multi-sensory classes. Original music, exciting props & whacky puppets. Classes from newborn to 4yrs. For classes in Amersham, Chesham, Wendover, Berkhamsted & Tring, call Caroline on 07970719803. For classes in Penn & Beaconsfield contact Janice on 07971608642. For Aylesbury, call Stacey on 07708392039. Visit www.hartbeeps.com for more information.
Jacqu’in the boxDrop-in music and drama sessions for babies and children from birth. Classes in Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Berkhamsted, Chesham, Great Missenden and Aston Clinton. Call Jacqui on 01296 589335, 07948371615, email [email protected] or visit www.jacqinthebox.com
Jo Jingles Themed music classes with singing, movement and instruments for ages 3 mths–5 yrs. For Beaconsfield, High Wycombe and Marlow call Val 01494 814174 and for Aylesbury, Stoke Mandeville and Wendover call Debbie on 01296 625599.
Sign and RhymeTeaching babies and their carers, simple signs in a musical context to enable them to communicate before they learn to speak. Classes in Beaconsfield and Penn. Contact Kate on 07866 510289 or [email protected] for more information.
Sing and SignHelp your baby to communicate before speech with music-based baby signing classes. Age specific classes run: Monday mornings in Beaconsfield; Monday afternoons, Naphill; Tuesday mornings, Princes Risborough; Wednesday mornings, Cressex and Thame; Thursday mornings, Downley and Friday mornings in Hazlemere. Call Maria Webster on 07885944904, email [email protected] or visit www.singandsign.co.uk
Gym and SportsJWT CoachingTots tennis from 3 years in Aylesbury, holiday courses also available. Contact James 07834 826130 or www.jwtcoaching.com
Little Kickers Football training for children from 18 months. For information or a free trial class (subject to availability) in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Chorleywood, High Wycombe and Seer Green call 01442 506371, email [email protected] or visit www.littlekickers.co.uk
Lynx Gymnastics CentreStay and play gym sessions for 0–5 years and teacher led gymnastics for 3 and 4 year olds in Aylesbury. Contact 01296 488888 or www.lynxgym.com
Peter Lavery TennisTennis coaching for children from 2.5 yrs at Chesham Bois Tennis Club. Call 07885 206587 or visit www.peterlaverytennis.com
PFO Tots & FutsalFootball coaching on Saturday mornings in Chalfont St Peter for children aged 3 years and older. Call 07805955305, email [email protected] or visit www.pfoltd.co.uk
Monkey Music Nurturing a lifetime of music– fun, award-winning, age-specific music classes for little ones aged 3mths–4 years. Come and join Monkey to encourage physical, creative, language and social development through songs, musical games and movement. For a free trial at one of their classes in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross or High Wycombe, please contact Elen on 01494 716861, email: [email protected] or visit www.monkeymusic.co.uk
Kiddikicks Midbucks Kiddikicks Midbucks provide fun football coaching for children aged 18mths to 7yrs. They offer a positive introduction to sport by using a constantly evolving syllabus of super-fun sessions, developing real football and life skills in a creative environment. Classes held at Aston Clinton Park, Aylesbury. Free trial session available. Call 01296 290204, email [email protected] or visit www.kiddikicks.co.uk/midbucks
13There are so many classes we couldn’t fit them all in, to read our full guide,visit www.familieschiltern.co.uk/baby-toddler-classes FAMILIES
RugbytotsTeach your children rugby-specific skills such as running with the ball, finding space, kicking, catching, scoring a try and more. Classes are split into 2–3.5 years and 3.5–5 years and are popular with both girls and boys. They can be found in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Hazlemere, Gerrards Cross, High Wycombe, Marlow, Maidenhead, Seer Green & Farnham Common. Call Maria on 0345 313 3259, email [email protected] or visit www.rugbytots.co.uk
Rush Trampoline ParkDedicated toddler area in this amazing trampoline world offers parent–supervised open jump sessions for children from walking to 4 years. Parents can also chill out while their children take part in an instructor led session. Full details at www.rushuk.com
Sportspace Berkhamsted and TringBoth centres offer adult and child swimming lessons from 4 months in a carefully tailored programme to ensure your baby develops at an appropriate rate for their age before heading off to specially designed under 5 classes from the age of 3. Call 01442 507100 or visit www.sportspace.co.uk
TennaceTerm-time courses teaching mini and junior tennis for all abilities from 3yrs. Sessions run on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays at Bull Lane Tennis Club, Gerrards Cross. Call Andy 07791 912490, email [email protected] or visit www.tennace.com
TumbletotsClasses for 8 months–4 years that are run in 8 locations between Missenden and Maidenhead. Visit www.tumbletots.com or call 07789884679 for more information.
Swimming
Puddle DucksCarefully structured swimming lessons from birth to ten years in High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Wendover and across Oxfordshire. Teaching your child water confidence and safety skills. For full details contact Beccy on 01666 577377, email: [email protected] or visit www.puddleducks.com/oxfordshire
Seriously FUN Swimming SchoolsSwimming lessons for 3–12 years at Maplewood High School, High Wycombe and Teikyo Japanese School, Wexham. Only six children per class and a water safety lesson each term. Call 01753 364 364 or book online at www.seriouslyfun.com
Story, Arts & CraftsBrindles Children’s CaféWeekly make and bake classes for kids aged 20 months to 4 years, and then you can have a cup of tea while the children play on the soft play frame. Contact [email protected] or call 01494 677061.
Bucks County MuseumAylesbury Ducklings run every Tuesday during term time and offer stories, crafts and songs. Call 01296 331441 or visit www.buckscountymuseum
Natural History Museum- TringToddler Tuesdays – borrow something special and help your toddler explore the museum. For more information visit www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring
Oglee Poglee Creative workshops in Berkhamsted for 2–7yrs. A magical hour of discovery, creativity and make-believe. Call 07976 447130 or visit www.ogleepoglee.co.uk
Dance and DramaBucks School of DanceFirst steps in ballet and teenie tap classes from age 3 and 4 respectively at venues across South Bucks. Call Candy Barker on 01494 673919 or visit www.bucksschoolofdance.co.uk
Claire Andrews Dance AcademyThe Beaconsfield Academy offers children’s dance classes in ballet, tap and modern. The classes are fun, creative and exciting – perfect for children that love dancing or can’t stop wriggling around! To book a free trial class, email: [email protected] or visit www.claireandrewsdanceacademy.co.uk
Dinky DancersAward-winning pre-school movement classes for children from 2 years. Fun-packed classes in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Wendover, Aston ClintonBerkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Tring, and more. Call 01442 874154, email [email protected] or visit www.dinkydancers.com
Noizee ProductionsNoizee Parka brings music into your baby’s life from 6 months upwards while Fairytale Academy takes children aged 2 years and over on a magical journey through music and dance. Classes in Hazlemere and Holmer Green. Call 07717 879903, email [email protected] or visit www.noizeeproductions.co.uk
Under 5s special
Your local Buggyfit trainers are: Emma – Waddesdon & Thame
Kelly – Aylesbury, Wendover & Aston Clinton Kate – North Aylesbury Giselle – High Wycombe
Your local Buggyfit trainers are: Emma – Waddesdon & Thame
Kelly – Aylesbury, Wendover & Aston Clinton Kate – North Aylesbury Giselle – High Wycombe
Your local Buggyfit trainers are: Emma – Waddesdon & Thame
Kelly – Aylesbury, Wendover & Aston Clinton Kate – North Aylesbury Giselle – High Wycombe
01442 874154
“Outstanding”… say OFSTED!
Amersham, Aston Clinton, Beaconsfield, Berkhamsted,
Great Missenden, Hemel Hempstead, Wendover and more!
BOOK FOR A FREE ‘TRIAL’ TODAY!
Aqua VieSwimming based on effortless swimming and true water confidence. Fun classes for babies & children from 6wks+ to all ages including adults. New baby beginner classes Sunday morning 9.15am to 10.45am. Mixed siblings limited places available in Chesham, HP5 3BP. Call 01923 245 772 or txt 07525 657 987, www.aqua-vie.com or email [email protected]
School matters
14 March/April 2016
This summer term, children in year 2 and year 6 will be the first to take the new SATs papers. The tests in English and maths will be based on the new national curriculum, and are supposed to be more rigorous. There is also a new marking scheme to replace the existing national curriculum levels.
Year 6 children will sit tests in reading, maths, spelling, punctuation and grammar. The tests will be set externally but marked internally and the results will be used to measure the school’s performance (Ofsted and published league tables). Your child’s results will be used alongside a teacher assessment to give an appraisal of their progress.
Here’s our SATs survival guide:
Parents can do much to alleviate the pressure:* Don’t let your child pick up on any anxieties you might have
about the tests* Don’t abandon all their usual after school activities in test week* Don’t try last minute cramming or overdo the practice papers at home.
On the other hand:* Do make sure they get to bed on time and are fully rested (not
always easy with lighter evenings)* Send them off to school with a decent breakfast * Do reassure them you will be happy as long as they try their best.
SATs survival guide for year 6 pupils* Your child will perform better if they are relaxed, and they will
only relax if you do* Secondary schools nearly always retest children in September
and often again at the end of year 7, so SATs are not the be all and end all of their education
* If your child copes well with SATs, they will find it easier to stay calm when the pressure ratchets up to GCSEs and A-levels.
In the run up to SATs, what can you do?* Remind them to read the whole question. Many pupils get caught
out by not reading a question in full. A good way of doing this is to underline the key words
* Advise them to skip difficult questions and go back later if they have time. Even a confident child can get thrown if they get stuck on an unfamiliar problem. Moving on to questions they can do will stop the panic setting in, and they won’t waste time and forfeit easy marks elsewhere
* Reinforce the fact that they should show all workings out in maths because they can pick up marks for method, even if a
calculation error means they get the wrong answer* In reading comprehension, remind them that three mark
questions will mean they should give broader answers than one mark questions. This seems obvious to an adult used to sitting exams, but it’s not always to a child.
* Tell them if they finish before time’s up, to use the extra minutes to check their work. It gives them a chance to correct any silly mistakes and can mean additional marks.
Finally, but most importantly, reassure them that you don’t mind what result they get as long as they have tried.
Testing Times
PRE-SCHOOL (Lt Chalfont) Ofsted ‘Good’ Setting for 2-5yr olds
Some places still available for Mornings and Afternoons. Funding available up to 15hrs.
TUESDAY TODDLER GROUP 9.45 – 11.15am drop in, no pre-booking
£3 for first child, £1 extra children 01494 722318 [email protected]
www.busy-living.co.uk
HOLIDAY CLUBS Ofsted Good Clubs in school holidays
Flexible bookings between 8am - 6pm at Amersham, Chalfont St Peter, Aylesbury
Range of activities for 4 - 12 year olds Sibling/full day bookings discounts
01494 722318 [email protected] www.busy-living.co.uk
By Robina Cowen
School matters
15Reach over 40,000 readers in Buckinghamshire, call 01296 586586 to advertise
GROUP TUITION AND MOCK EXAMS 2016 Written by published author, Philip McMahon• Year 5 and Year 4 - small group courses (supported by 1 to 1 tuition)• Our own high quality resources for tuition and homework• Sunday courses available• Proven results• Programme of Mock Exams available
CEM STYLE TEST PAPERS FOR 2016 11+ EXAMOrder our new test papers in conjunction with LettsLetts, the expert in revision and 11+ Tutoring Academy, have teamed up to provide pupils with resources for CEM• Completely new and up to date content• CEM style in their format and question types• Designed for practice at homeOrder our new test papers at collins.co.uk/letts11plusPRIVATE TUTORING COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2015 - FINALIST
www.11plustutoringacademy.co.uk01242 221271 Twitter @11plustutoring
BuckinghamshireCEM 11+ EXAM
Co-ed Independent Secondary SchoolChalfont St Giles
OpenMornings11th & 12th March 2016
Our International Baccalaureate Programme motivates students to become lifelong
learners, developing them academically, intellectually and socially.
01494 875502www.newlandcollege.co.uk
NC Chiltern Families March 2016.qxp_Layout 1 02/02/2016 09:28 Page 1
Open Mornings Wednesday 9th March, 10am
Thursday 5th May, 10am
BoldImaginativeReflectiveThree words to define your daughter’s future. Add three more:
Telephone: 01234 361918 | www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk Bedford Girls’ School is part of The Harpur Trust
School matters
FAMILIES16 March/April 2016
How much technology is used in schools?According to technology analysts Gartner, schools in the UK currently spend around £900m on technology. The British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) says schools have £619m in budgets for ICT, with £95m spent on software and digital content.
The UK-based Tablets for Schools study found that 70 per cent of primary and secondary schools are using tablet computers, and in nine per cent of these schools, there was an individual tablet for every pupil.
Are pupils doing better with the use of technology?When it comes to how useful technology is in schools and its impact on performance, opinions are divided. The study mentioned above found no clear evidence of academic
improvement for pupils using tablet devices. Researchers said it was not possible to isolate the impact of technology as the specific cause of an improvement in performance. However, they did point out that there appeared to have been an overall positive impact and there was some
Technology inthe classroomWalk into your child’s classroom today and you’re likely to find at least some evidence of the use of technology – ranging from interactive whiteboards, laptops, tablets and e-books, to online courses and apps. There is no denying that technology is increasingly becoming part of our children’s school lives.
Sian Goodspeed, founder of Flying Start Tuition and former teacher looks at the pros and cons of technology in the classroom.
By Sian Goodspeed
School matters
Advertising deadline for the May/June issue, 1 April 17FAMILIES
At Flying Start Tuition, we firmly believe that education should be fun and that children achieve more when they are confident and self-motivated.
We deliver high quality tuition, combining an innovative mix of technology, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques and traditional teaching methods. Our aim is to instil in all our pupils self-belief and independent thinking - we don’t just teach our pupils subject matter; we teach them how to learn and how to be more confident beings. These are skills they will have for life.
Come and talk to us to see how we can help. Book a FREE trial lesson!
t: 01494 772 898e: [email protected]: www.flyingstarttuition.co.uk
Flying Start Tuition
Maths, English, Eleven Plus...Learning made easy
NEED A LITTLE HELP?
evidence that the devices could help to motivate children who may not otherwise have been interested in learning.
Advocates for the use of classroom technology say that digitalisation allows learning to be personalised making it more vivid, active and challenging for young people. Electronic textbooks can be updated more easily and cost effectively than hard copies.
Another study* suggested that touch-screen computers were particularly useful in helping boys and poorer pupils to learn to read. It showed that children in lower socio-economic households were more likely to read on touch-screen computers than from printed books.
The ability to confidently use technology in the 21st century is also a necessary skill in most workplaces. One local mum, Caroline from Gerrards Cross, who has a five-year-old son argues, “I think technology in the classroom is a vital part of our children’s learning. As they grow and eventually enter the workplace they will be surrounded by technology and the more my son understands it, feels confident around it and can operate it, the better.”
What are the downsides?On the negative side, parents and teachers point out the prohibitive cost of technology versus traditional teaching materials. They are also worried about shortening attention spans, distraction in class and laziness.
There have also been studies showing that technology use does not improve
academic performance. One international study** looked at the impact of school technology on international test results and found no noticeable improvement in results for reading, mathematics or science.
Surprisingly, high achieving school systems such as in South Korea and Shanghai in China have lower levels of computer use in school. Singapore, with only a moderate use of technology in schools, is top for digital skills.
Susie from High Wycombe says, “There is so much technology in our children’s lives as it is, so at school I think it is important to be taught in more traditional ways. I worry our children are losing the art of face to face interaction and social skills.”
So, what lessons are there to learn? Studies such as the ones quoted above have led to a questioning of the value of classroom technology, however the truth is that UK schools continue to increase the amount of teaching time using ICT.
Pupils in UK state schools were exposed to ICT for 53 per cent of teaching time in 2014 and this is expected to grow to 58 per cent by 2017 according to annual research into the use of ICT in UK state schools by BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association.
What is clear is that we can’t turn our backs on the future. Technology is here to stay and is developing all the time. Most children will be exposed to technology in their daily
lives at home and a lack of digital skills and awareness could very well leave them ill-prepared for the realities of working life.
A study by the House of Lords digital skills committee in February last year called for digital skills to be treated as a third core subject, along with maths and literacy. They said no child should leave school without basic digital literacy.
The reasons for this, they said, was because an estimated 9.5 million people currently lack a minimum level of digital skills – which could mean that the UK risks becoming less competitive due to a lack of digital skills. What’s more, 35 per cent of UK jobs are likely to be automated over the next 20 years.
Mix good teaching with technology for better resultsGood teaching is the key to good learning and it is important teachers have the correct training. The answer, it appears, is not for schools to turn their backs on technology, but to follow the example of some outstanding schools, which are already effectively mixing good traditional teaching practice with the innovative use of technology.
Sian Goodspeed is the founder of Flying Start Tuition – giving children a flying start with expert primary and secondary school tuition.
For more information, call: 01494 772898 or email: [email protected]: www.flyingstarttuition.co.uk
* St
udy
from
the
Nat
iona
l Lite
racy
Tru
st a
nd P
ears
on, p
ublis
hed
in 2
014
** S
tudy
by
the
Org
anis
atio
n fo
r Eco
nom
ic C
oope
ratio
n an
d D
evel
opm
ent (
OEC
D) i
n 20
15
Beyond the classroom
FAMILIES18 March/April 2016
We’ve all been there – it’s bedtime, everybody is tired and a little grumpy because homework, bath-time and tooth-brushing all have to happen when both the grown-ups and the children are at their weariest. So perhaps the best answer to create a calm environment after the mayhem is a good bedtime story.
It’s never to early to start a bedtime story routine. Babies are soothed by the sound of your voice, so make sure you have a comfy chair in the nursery to settle down in. Soon, your baby will learn to recognise this as their bedtime story moment.
When they are a bit older, reading together is not just an opportunity to bond with your child but also to help establish and maintain a good bedtime routine, which is vital in getting the kids off to sleep at a sensible hour. For older children, this is a time to explore your child’s imagination, as story time becomes a shared time of fantasy.
Consistency is good and a regular treat at bedtime gives your child something to look forward to. It also does no harm at all to enforce the idea of reading as a positive thing for your child.
There’s no harm in choosing your child’s favorite book for their first story time. However, ensure the end of the story is calm and soothing to help your little one drift off.
As your child grows you’ll find story-time becomes longer. This is a great opportunity to encourage your child to listen for longer periods of time without interrupting.
Soon you will be able to choose long stories and break them up into manageable pieces or chapters and leave another exciting instalment for the next night. As they grow older and can read by themselves, you can encourage their interest in a story by reading the first part to them at bedtime, then allow them to continue the story by themselves the next day. Try to find time to discuss the plot and the characters to ensure they
understand what’s going on and to explain any ‘big’ words they may not have come across before; this is a great way to improve vocabulary.
As the books become more difficult, you’ll find the number of illustrations also decrease. However, it’s important to recognise that images are still important to your child’s understanding and imagination.
By the time your child is able to read lots of text without any help from you, it’s time to step back and allow them to read what they choose for themselves before going to sleep. Be prepared for the fact that they may have different tastes to you and their siblings. It’s still a good idea to set a time limit before lights out even now, as otherwise you might find your child still gripped by their book at midnight! Don’t abandon the idea of reading together completely; every so often, you could offer to finish a chapter for them to save their tired eyes; they’ll use that time for their own thoughts and fantasies.
Bedtime stories are also great for educating your child or sharing news with them. For example, a good story can encourage them to learn to swim or potty train and to even welcome a new sibling.
Many books on subjects such as these have been used by parents to get over tricky stages. Local bookshops and libraries can advise you on the best titles to choose depending on the event or situation and many online book companies categorise books by subject, so it should be quite easy to find what you need. Have a quick read through the book yourself before sharing it with your child to make sure it says what you want it to.
Having time to ourselves with a great book is something that adults really appreciate and once they’ve got the hang of it, children also benefit from winding down with something to read. In the words of Dr Suess, “Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”
Enjoy bedtime readingBy Justine Crow
Book reviews
19FAMILIESTo advertise in our May/June party special, email [email protected]
Black and WhiteBy Jane Foster(Templar, £6.99)This top designer’s fresh, attractive sequence of board books are in black and white, which newborns respond to better than pastels in their earliest days. With ‘Colours’ and ‘First Words’ also included in the series, they will take your baby up to toddler years.
OutfoxedBy Claudia Boldt (Tate, £9.99)This author and illustrator has an eye for the absurd and it is shown in this story about a fox called Harold who choses not to eat chickens. Harold’s preference is for detective novels as he fancies himself as a bit of a sleuth. When he is accused of stealing chickens, he must use all his ingenuity to save himself and his friends. This busy, arty adventure book is ideal for the older pre-schooler.
6-8 years
Zoo BoyBy Sophie Thompson(Faber, £5.99)Vince is just an average lad whose dad just happens to own a zoo. But Vince doesn’t like animals at all and when he discovers that he can speak to the animals, he is decidedly unimpressed. Worse, it seems that everybody has forgotten it is his birthday.
Best New ReleasesBaby & Toddler
3-5 years 9+
The Astounding Broccoli Boy By Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan, £6.99)In this book we have a superhero of sorts, Rory, who doesn’t realise he has extraordinary powers until he turns green on a school trip. Unfortunately, so does his worst enemy, the bully Tommy-Lee. The pair get into several scrapes that night and commandeer a milk float as their getaway car.
Hello Nature, by Nina Chakrabarti, is a new nature activity book, exploring the natural world around us. It’s packed with fascinating facts, fun activities and lovely illustrations. Doodle, draw and colour in leaves, butterflies, frogs and much more. Find out how to make your own leaf prints, twig sculpture, bird restaurants and enjoy hours of outdoor spring fun! Published by Laurence King, £12.99.
Justine Crow is the author of The Little Book of Nits published by Bloomsbury. Parent of three, she owns her own bookshop with her partner, The Bookseller Crow on Hill, and is a qualified swimming teacher. And in what little spare time she has, she also runs gastronomic writing retreat courses in France and is the food critic of The Transmitter.
ERS works on the basis that each child in the school is an individual – which is why our emphasis is on
supporting children with individual, additional needs. To do this we have specialist trained teachers, in-house
therapists and an integrated mainstream curriculum.
We were highly rated at our last Inspection and our parents tell us that ERS makes a real difference.
So, if your child has Speech and Language difficulties, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, or has an Autistic Spectrum Condition, we might be the school to help them.
If you think ERS sounds as if it might be right for your child, please visit our website, come and see the school
or book for one of our next Open Days.
16th MARCH 5th MAY
Contact our Registrar Liz Martin 01442 877060 : [email protected]
www.eger-roth.co.uk
Each child is an individual
Egerton Rothesay School, Durrants Lane, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 3UJ
12 to teen
Rebel of the SandsBy Alwyn Hamilton(Faber, £7.99)This trilogy of books creates a science fiction fantasy with more than a touch of the gunslinger Western about it. The sharpshooting protagonist is no cowboy; little Amani wants to escape from the bleak town of Dustwalk, but does not expect the wonderful adventures that lay ahead when a mythical horse appears.
Spring fun
FAMILIES20 March/April 2016
Easter Holiday Camps
Make Berkhamsted your BASECAMP this Easter
BASECAMP at Berkhamsted School offers activity day camps for children aged three to 16 years and aims to make every school holiday fun. Various camps are available, from a multi-activity camp to a selection of sporting camps, including tennis with Langley Tennis Club. Popular courses are returning this Easter: IT Computing Skills, Netball Roadshow in association with Activate
Sport and Beverley Glock’s cookery school Easter Baking. Plus there’s Mini-BASECAMP for children from three to five years old, with specific activities suited to little ones. BASECAMP is available every school holiday and offers a wrap-around care option from 7.30am until 6.30pm. To find out more, visit www.berkhamstedbasecamp.co.uk
Make sure your children have an eggcellent Easter holiday by trying out one of these great camps, most of which will be running during the summer holidays too.
MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM TO 6PM WITH ACTIVITIES FOR
AGES 4 - 14
01235 467300 • WWW.SUPERCAMPS.CO.UK
HOLIDAY FUN!
THE UK’S NO.1
FROM £30 PER DAY
Based at CSEC
Chesham Bucks.
HP53BP
01442 [email protected] www.bit.ly/edgegain16
These camps and after school courses cater for all standardsand we welcome players as young as 2 yrs old.
Come and have some fun at Chesham Bois Tennis Club. Apply early to avoid disappointment.
Visit www.peterlaverytennis.com for an application form or call Peter on 07885 206587
Easter and summer tennis campsand term-time coaching atChesham Bois Tennis Club
West End Musical Madness with Stagecoach AmershamLearn and perform songs, dances and drama from all your favourite West End musicals including: Matilda, Hairspray, Wicked and Mary Poppins. Classes will be led by professional performers including musical director Colin Zammit fresh from ‘Phantom of the Opera’. The workshops will be held from the 29th March to the 1st of April, 10am to 4pm for children aged six to 16 years. The 4-day course costs £120, siblings £95 or £35 for the day. For more info, visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/amersham or call 01494 565402.
Busy days for all at Busy Living Holiday ClubAction-packed days are in store at the Busy Living Holiday Club, running over Easter at Bearbrook School in Aylesbury, Elangeni School in Amersham and St Joseph’s in Chalfont St Peter. Activities will include cinema trips, bushcraft workshops, trips to local parks, cooking, sports, craft activities, den building, water fights and lots more so your children will have the chance to make friends and learn a new skill at the same time. The holiday club is open to all children between four and 12 years, from 8am to 6pm, with flexible online bookings: perfect for last-minute planning. To find out more, call 01494 722318, email [email protected] or visit www.busy-living.co.uk.
Have a cracking time learning tennisJWT are running a week-long Easter tennis camp suitable for all children aged 2.5 years to 18 years from the 4th to 8th of April. There are toddler camps from 9am to 9.45am with minis and juniors from 10am to 3pm. There will be fun games throughout the day while they teach your children all about tennis. At the end of the week there is a fun ceremony with plenty of prizes up for grabs. If your child would like to try tennis for the first time, or if they play already and want to keep their eye on the ball, get in touch with James on 07834 826130 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit www.jwtcoaching.com
Spring fun
21FAMILIESFor lots more ideas for Easter activities, visit www.familieschiltern.co.uk
ACTIVITY DAY CAMPS FOR CHILDRENEVERY SCHOOL HOLIDAY
www.berkhamstedbasecamp.co.ukTel: 01442 358115
ADDITIONALHOURS 7.30AM -6.30PM
at Berkhamsted School
FAMILIES MAGAZINE 2016.qxp_BASECAMP 1/4 03/02/2016 11:01 Page 1
NO CONTRACT
NO JOINING
FEE
GYM l SWIMMING POOL l BADMINTON l TENNIS lFITNESS CLASSES l NETBALL l BASKETBALL AND MORE!
KNOX-JOHNSTON SPORTS CENTREKINGS ROAD, BERKHAMSTED, HERTS, HP4 3BG
TO JOIN CALL 01442 358224
AFFORDABLE FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS
FAMILIES MAGAZINE 2016.qxp_KJSC 1/4 03/02/2016 11:07 Page 1
Serve up an ace this EasterPeter Lavery Tennis are running Easter tennis camps from the 4th to 15th of April at Chesham Bois Tennis Club. They have an experienced team of coaches whose aim is to make sure your children have fun while learning tennis – from the basics at tots and mini red level, to fine-tuning their technique as they get older and more confident. To find out more call Peter on 07885 206587.
Putting the magic back into the Easter holidays
Looking for something for your children to do this Easter? Then SuperCamps daily activity camps are the perfect way to put the magic back into the school holidays. The programme is jam-packed with fun activities that will keep your children entertained for
hours, and their ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating gives you the peace of mind that your children are in the best possible care. Camps include a variety of sports, games and arts and crafts. No two days are the same and the price includes all activities.
SuperCamps will be running courses on the following dates and locations:
29th March to 8th April – Thorpe House School, Gerrards Cross; Griffin House, Little Kimble; Swanbourne House School, nr Winslow and The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe.
4th to 15th April – The Beacon, Chesham Bois and Akeley Wood Junior School, Wicken Park.
For more info, visit www.supercamps.co.uk or call 01235 467300.
Millbrook Holiday ClubMillbrook Holiday Club in High Wycombe will be held from the 29th of March to the 8th of April, 8am to 6pm and run by qualified friendly staff. They are Ofsted registered and provide fun and educational activities for children aged three to 11 years. Full and part days are available and the price includes a light snack in the morning and afternoon. Prices from £25, with a 10% sibling discount. To find out more, call Gemma on 07903583954 or email [email protected]
Get wild in the holidaysLearn some new skills and have fun at the Wildchild activity days in St. Albans and Amersham during the Easter holidays. There’s lots to choose from including Wild Animation (7th & 14th April, 10am to 3pm), a hands-on workshop where you can learn how to bring animations to life and produce your own film; Wild Archery (11th April, 10am to noon) with lots of fun competitions and games; a Wild Survivor Bushcraft Day (12th April, 10am to 3pm) where kids can learn practical outdoor survival skills like den-building, fire-lighting, tracking and navigating; and Wild Wheels Skateboard sessions (13th April, 10am to noon), where you can learn skateboarding basics and improve your skills. For more information, visit www.wildchildactivities.com or call 0845 3717099.
Digital Design CampNew this year is a Digital Design Camp held from the 4th to the 8th of April and run by Edge Gain Ltd. The course will be full of high voltage digital creativity and offers young people aged ten to 17 years the chance to learn digital skills. Uniquely tailored to those with a thirst for all things tech related, this is a camp delivered by expert teachers and industry professionals.
The course will be held at CSEC in Chesham, a recently opened purpose built state of the art school. Sign up for a day or the week, 9.30am to 4pm with flexible drop-off and collection if required. They have limited numbers and a discounted introductory weekly rate of £350, or £85 per day. For more info, visit http://bit.ly/edgegain16 or call 01442823308.
FAMILIES22 March/April 2016
Spring into action By Hannah Hunter
Amersham AdventuresFun holiday activities in the outdoors, based in the woodlands and grasslands at Mop EndShelter building, bush craft, bug hunting, crafts and themed adventure days.Friendly and experienced staff.
Day activities for 8-11 year oldsHalf day activities for 5-7 year oldsFebruary Half term – 16th-18th FebruaryEaster holidays – 30th-31st March & 4th-5th April£24 per day, £12 per half day10% sibling discount
Amersham Field Centre at Mop EndTel: 01494 721054email: enquiries.am@field-studies-council.orgwww.field-studies-council.org/amersham
Extended hours now available
Eggsplore National Trust grounds to find chocolate treats!Hunt around the grounds of your favourite local National Trust properties to find some Cadbury Easter treats this holiday. Search for clues, woodland animals and even Sleeping Beauty. Every child will be rewarded with a special chocolate treat on completing each hunt.
Awaken Sleeping Beauty at Stowe in Buckingham. Take up the quest to find the princess in the enchanted woods and receive a chocolate reward. Visit 25th–29th March, 10am–4.30pm, the trail is £2.50 per child.
Bunny has been spotted at Cliveden hopping around the trail to find the chocolate treats. The trail is open from 25th–28th March, 11am–4pm, costing £3 (plus normal entry fee).
Try finding the Easter eggs at Waddesdon Manor from 25th–28th March, 10am-4pm. £3 per child plus gardens admission on arrival.
Follow bunny’s trail of giant eggs all around the gardens at Hughenden. Find them all to spell out the secret word and claim your Cadbury choccy prize. Trail runs from 25th–28th March, 10am–3pm and costs £3 per trail (normal admission applies).
Some properties such as Waddesdon and Hugenden have other holiday activities, see What’s On for full details, (pages 26–29). To find a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt near you, visit http://easter.cadbury.co.uk
Looking for something to do with the family this Easter? Here are some ideas for fun days out for all ages:
Easter Holiday FunTake a trip to the museumThere are plenty of local museums with fabulous holiday activities for kids, from Easter crafts to storytelling.
Chiltern Open Air Museum opens its doors on the 25th March, with a four day event. They will be running craft activities, treat making, and have created an Easter trail around their 45-acre site. Children will learn about Easter traditions from costumed re-enactors in the Museum’s historic buildings.
Events in April and May include Lambing, Suffragettes, Elizabethans, ‘Enchanted Museum’ (part of the national ‘Museums at Night’ campaign) and Roman Gladiators. Full event details can be found at www.coam.org.uk
There are different activities every day this Easter at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden. You can decorate ‘whipple-scrumptious’ eggs on Good Friday, design your own Wonka factory and listen to stories by Roald Dahl and storyteller in residence, Sandra Agard. See our What’s On guide, (pages 26–29) for more details.
For the train-obsessed, visit The Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Quainton. Ride on Thomas the Tank Engine this Easter weekend, meet the Fat Controller and join in with Thomas themed activities (25th to 28th March). Take unlimited rides on a full sized Steam Engine on their Easter holiday Steaming Days on March 30th, April 3rd, 6th and 10th. The Steaming days will then run every Sunday until the end of October. To book tickets or for more information, visit www.bucksrailcentre.org
23FAMILIES
Spring into action
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre,Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY
Tel: 01296 655720 www.bucksrailcentre.org
Follow us on Facebook
Visit your local heritage railway this Spring! Easter Bank Holiday: Day Out with �omas™ Friday 25th-Monday 28th March Easter Holidays: Steaming daysWednesday 30th MarchSunday 3rd AprilWednesday 6th AprilSunday 10th AprilAnd every Sunday until the end of October!
Take a trip on a steam train, visit our magni�cent museum, spend some time in our beautiful glass-roofed visitor centre and go for a ride on our miniature railways.
© 2016 Gullane (Thomas) Limited © 2016 HIT Entertainment Limited
C.O.A.M. is a registered charity (no. 272381) and all proceeds go towards our valuable conservation work.
A great family fun day out - come and explore today!
www.coam.org.ukChalfont St Giles M25 Junction 17
Open 25 March - 28 October
CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM
Call 01442 507100www.sportspace.co.uk / www.thexc.co.uk
with us
Pool
Roller Disco
Bouncy Castle
Go Karts
Football
Trampoline
Climbing
Skatepark
Caving
And many more!
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
SS - Families Chiltern magazine (98mm x 130mm)eps.pdf 1 28/01/2016 13:25
FAMILIES24
Spring into action
There’s lots more inspiration for ideas to keep the kids busy at www.familieschiltern.co.uk
MeetEasterLambs &Chicks!• Explore Hoppy‛s wonderful Easter Garden• Do the Easter trail & claim a treat• Meet the Easter Bunny• Visit the Lamb Nursery• And see all our baby animals!Plus, run wild in Shaggy’s huge PlayWorld, and loads more fun!
25 March - 10 AprilEaster Bunny Bonanza!
Near Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9JH01525 852954
MOF-AM-16-002-EasterAds-118x70.indd 1 10/01/2016 19:07
Have a day out in LondonThere’s lots to do with the kids this Easter in London. Why not visit the new Land of the Lions at London Zoo opening March 25th.The huge new enclosure is home to a pride of Asiatic Lions. The zoo brings a slice of Gujurat life to London, bringing elements of the lion’s habitat in the Gir Forest in India, including a ruined temple and train station complete with tracks. The fine wires that protect the zoo’s visitors give a ‘windowless view’ of the big cat’s enclosure, and the high walkway gives visitors a great vantage point from which to see the lions, (www.zsl.org/lions).
Slide down the enormous new slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond created the sculptural looping structure for the 2012 Olympic Games. Planned to open in March, the slide, created by Belgian artist Carsten Höller, will take you down 178m, making it the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide. For more details and booking visit www.arcelormittalorbit.com
For an immersive experience that the children will love, try The Railway Children at the Kings Cross Theatre. In the purpose
built venue, the stage is built around a real train track to allow a vintage locomotive to steam into the theatre as part of the show. Visit www.railwaychildrenlondon.com for information and tickets.
Commemorating 25 years of Disney tales, Disney on Ice presents Silver Anniversary Celebration takes audiences on a fun filled tour of Disney favourites at Wembley Arena. The shows on 13th to 17th April takes Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the timeless worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and Frozen. For more info, visit www.disneyonice.co.uk or for tickets go to www.ssearena.co.uk/events.
Get down on the Farm!There’s plenty of family fun to be had at Odds Farm this Easter. Bottle feed goats, jump on-board the daily tractor & trailer rides for a fun tour of the farm (weather permitting) and from 25th March until 12th April solve the Spring Trail to earn a yummy treat. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to see the Easter lambs; you may be lucky enough to watch one
being born.The outdoor
play includes an Adventure Maze, Go-Karts, Log Play Areas, Sand & Water Play and Crazy Golf. For full details, call 01628 520188 or visit oddsfarm.co.uk.
Meet the newborns and feed the older lambs at Mead Open Farm in Billington from March 1st–April 30th. Hoppy the Bunny will be at the farm this Easter, with an Easter trail and real Easter chicks, and you can pet rabbits and guinea pigs in the Bunny Hop. There’s a lot of fun to be had in their indoor and outdoor play areas too. Visit www.meadopenfarm.co.uk or call 01525 852954.
Immerse yourself in the ‘Gruffalo Experience’This Easter, centre:MK will host the world’s only ‘Gruffalo Experience’ from 19th March until 10th April. The interactive 45-minute experience will encourage children to interact with the characters from the story of the much-loved book.
The attraction will take children through the deep dark wood, as if they’ve walked onto the pages of the Gruffalo, with trees, bright red and white toad stools, grass, boulders, logs and the occasional fox hole. Tickets cost £7.95 per person, (under 2s are free) and are available to book online at www.thecentremk.com
25FAMILIES
Great competitions from
HOW TO ENTER: Enter all of our competitions online at www.familieschiltern.co.uk/competitions. Our competitions close on Friday 1st April. Only winning entrants will be contacted.
The Abingdon Air and Country Show on Sunday
1st May, held in support of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, has something for everyone – a full afternoon air display, static aircraft, falconry, countryside demonstrations, vintage vehicles including ex-military, steam engines, re-enactment
groups, music, dance, children’s amusements, tank rides, craft and trade stalls and much more!
We have a family ticket worth £32 to give away to one lucky reader. For more information including discounted ticket prices, visit www.abingdonairandcountry.co.uk
EASTER TENNISCAMP 2016Monday April 4th - Friday April 8thFor Tots to Teens (3-18 years)A typical day at camp includes:• 45 min sessions for tots, 10am - 3pm for mini’s and juniors• Lots of fun, racket skills, games, practice drills & competitive matches
For an application form please contact:James Woodwards TennisMobile: 07834 826130Email: [email protected]: www.jwtcoaching.comVenue: Aylesbury Tennis Club, HP21 9NJ
Register online at www.familieschiltern.co.uk for our monthly e-newsletter with exclusive web-only competitions
Tired of your old sofa but don’t want to splash out
on a new one? Now you can update your sofa for a fraction of the cost with a revolutionary Sofa Topper by The Lounging Hound, a recently launched Buckinghamshire business.
Available in a range of contemporary colours and fabrics and with a waterproof microsuede base, Sofa Toppers are both stylish and practical. A Sofa Topper will transform the look and feel of your
home, revitalising your sofa whilst protecting it from pets, children and general living. We have one Sofa Topper* to give away to a lucky reader valued at £120. To find out more visit www.thelounginghound.com
* dimensions: 135cm L x 65cm W x 8cm D
There’s loads of Easter fun planned at Mead Open Farm’s
Easter Bunny Bonanza from 25th March–10th April. They’re celebrating springtime all around the Farm – meet Hoppy the Easter Bunny and earn a chocolate treat by finding all the clues on the Easter Trail!
Every day, groom Peaches the pony, hand-feed the chickens in Chicken Chat
twice daily and stroke the rabbits and guinea pigs in Bunny Hop. There are also Easter chicks, baby bunnies, calves, baby goats and the Lamb Nursery will be full of adorable newborn lambs. You can bottle feed the older lambs and you may even see a lamb being born if you’re lucky and all the ‘eggs-tra’ Easter fun is included in admission.
We have three sets of family tickets (each
admitting 2 adults and 2 children) to give away to our lucky readers.
Mead Open Farm is just south of Leighton Buzzard. For further information and prices visit www.meadopenfarm.co.uk
WIN a fun family day out at the Abingdon Air and Country Show
WIN a fabulous Sofa Topper from The Lounging Hound
WIN Tickets to Mead Open Farm this Easter
LOGO:
What’s on Compiled by Zoe Miller
2626 FAMILIES March/April 2016
MarchTuesday 1st
AYLESBURY DUCKLINGS–SPARKLY TREASURES Bucks County Museum & Roald Dahl Children’s Library, Aylesbury. 11am, under 5s, booking required, £3.www.buckscc.gov.uk/museumCHIDDLERS HOURRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden. 10am–11am, 0–3yrs, booking required, £3.www.roalddahl.com/museumLAMBING IS BACK!Mead Open Farm, Billington. 10am–6.30pm.www.meadopenfarm.co.ukSTICK MAN TRAILWendover Woods. Activity pack £3.www.forestry.gov.uk/stickmanTODDLER TUESDAY – SIGNS OF SPRINGStowe Landscape Gardens, Buckingham. 10.30am–noon. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
Thursday 3rd
WORLD BOOK DAY PARTYRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.3–5pm, drop–in, free.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Saturday 5th
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIESWaddesdon Manor, Aylesbury.10am–4pm, drop-in, £2.www.waddesdon.org.ukFLORICIOUS CHOCOLATE FLOWERSRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.11.30am, 12.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm, 4+yrs, booking required, £4. www.roalddahl.com/museumROLLER DISCOWycombe Swan, Old Town Hall.2–3.30pm, booking required, £4.50.www.wycombeswan.co.ukSONG OF THE SEA (PG)Great Missenden Memorial Centre.3pm, booking required, adult £6.50, child £3.50www.bluedoorcinema.orgTHE STORY OF TURTLEOld Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead.11am, 5+yrs, story with puppets, £5.50.www.toth.dacorum.gov.uk
Saturday 5th to Sunday 27th
CRAZY ENTERTAINERS Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common.11am–4pm, free with entry, adult £12.95, child £11.95.www.oddsfarm.co.uk
Sunday 6th
2GETHER SERVICE St. Michael & All Angels Church, Amersham. 10am.www.stmichaelsamersham.org.uk
INSPIRING A LIFETIME OF ADVENTURE“
“
A Birthday party like no other...
WILD& AWESOMEBIRTHDAY
PARTIES
Whether it’s Archery, Skateboarding, Climbing, Dinosaur Hunting, braving a Top-Secret Spy Mission, thwarting Pirates, Den Building or a thrilling Zip wire through the woods – we have the perfect Wildchild Adventure to help your child Get Wild!
To find out more visit www.wildchildactivities.com or call 0845 3717099
BATTLE OF BERKHAMSTED COMMONAshridge Estate, Berkhamsted.4–6pm, booking required, adult £15, child £10.www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridgeMOTHER’S DAY AT CLIVEDENNoon–3pm, free entry for mums plus wine tasting. www.nationaltrust.org.ukMOTHER’S DAYThe Home Of Rest For Horses, Speen.Decorate a wooden horse for mum. 2–4pm.www.horsetrust.org.ukMOTHERING SUNDAYChinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Oxon. 10.15am, 11.45am, 1.30, 3 & 4.30pm. Mums free, booking required, adult £11, child £6. www.chinnorrailway.co.ukMOTHER’S DAY ALPACA WALKAbbotts View Farm, Aylesbury.Noon & 2pm, over 6yrs, booking required, afternoon tea, £15.95. www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/eventsNEVERLAND & LET’S DANCEWycombe Swan, St Mary Street.4.30pm, booking required, £12www.wycombeswan.co.uk
Tuesday 8th
AYLESBURY DUCKLINGS – THE HUNGRY CATERPILLARAs Tuesday 1st March. www.buckscc.gov.uk/museum
Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th
HORRIBLE HISTORIESWycombe Swan, St Mary Street.Booking required.www.wycombeswan.co.uk
Saturday 12th
COMMUNITY CRAFT MARKETBourne End Library, Wakeman Road. 10am–1pm, free.www.beccmark.co.ukFAMILY FUN – MYSTERIOUS MAMMALSCollege Lake Nature Reserve, nr Tring.10am–1pm, all ages, booking required. £4.www.bbowt.org.ukSWISHWIFFLING SIGNED STORIESRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.Signed talks at 11.00am, noon & 1pm, signed storytelling at 11.30am, 12.30 & 1.30pm, free.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Saturday 12th to Sunday 13th
INVENTIONS TRAILRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden. 11am–5pm, free with admission. www.roalddahl.com/museum
Sunday 13th
CHILTERN WARRIOR OBSTACLE RUN Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.5km or 10km run or walk. www.coam.org.ukMARVELLOUS MEDICINE MAGICRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.11.30am, 1 & 3pm, 8+yrs, booking required, £4.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Tuesday 15th
AYLESBURY DUCKLINGS–VICTORIAN PLAY TIMEAs Tuesday 1st Marchwww.buckscc.gov.uk/museum
Saturday 19th
INVENTIONS TRAILRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.As Saturday 12th March.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Saturday 19th to 10th April
THE GRUFFALO EXPERIENCE centre:MK, Middleton Hall.10am–6pm, booking required, £7.95 (under 2s, free).www.thecentremk.com
Sunday 20th
GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS EXPERIMENTSRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.Noon & 2pm, 8+yrs, booking required, £4.www.roalddahl.com/museumSAINSBURY’S SPORTS RELIEF MILEWaddesdon Manor, Aylesbury. 10am–5pm, 1, 3 or 6 miles. www.sportrelief.comSPRING ALPACA WALKAbbotts View Farm, Aylesbury.1pm, 6+yrs, booking required, adult £18, child 6+ £12.www.abbottsviewalpacas.co.uk
Tuesday 22nd
AYLESBURY DUCKLINGS–EASTER EGGSAs Tuesday 1st March. www.buckscc.gov.uk/museum
Tuesday 22nd and Thursday 24th
NATURE TOTSCollege Lake Nature Reserve, nr Tring.Tues: 10–11.30am, Thurs: 10 –11.30am & 1–2.30pm, under 5s, booking essential, £4.www.bbowt.org.uk
Friday 25th
WHIPPLE SCRUMPTIOUS EASTER EGG DECORATINGRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.11.30am, 1pm, 2.30 & 3.45pm 4+yrs, booking required, £12. www.roalddahl.com/museum
Friday 25th to Monday 28th
CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNTSEgg hunt with chocolate prize, 3+yrs, drop-in.Venue, times & egg hunt price:Ashridge Estate, Berkhamsted, 10am–4pm, £3.Boarstall Duck Decoy, nr Bicester, 11am–5pm,£1.50.Cliveden, Taplow, 10am–4pm, £3.Stowe Landscape Gardens, Buckingham, 10am–4.30pm, £2.50.Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, 10am–4pm, £3.www.nationaltrust.org.ukDAY OUT WITH THOMAS Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton.10.30am–4.30pm, adult £15, child £11.www.bucksrailcentre.orgEASTER SPECIALSChinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Oxon.www.chinnorrailway.co.ukFOOD FESTIVALGreat Missenden, High Street. 10am–5pm, drop-in, adult £4.50, child £1. www.doyoulovefood.co.ukTRADITIONAL EASTERChiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.Craft, activities, & games. 10am–5pm, adult £10, child 4+ £6.50.www.coam.org.uk
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EVERYTUES
DAILY–20 APR
DAILY
NEXT 3 WKNDS
& NEXTSAT
MOTHER’S DAY
MOTHER’S DAY
MOTHER’S DAY
MOTHER’S DAY
What’s on
27FAMILIESThere’s so much going on, we can’t fit it all in! Visit www.familieschiltern.co.uk for lots more
Friday 25th to 10th April
EASTER FAMILY FUNOdds Farm Park, Wooburn Common. 10am–5.30pm, all ages, adult £12.95, child £11.95.www.oddsfarm.co.uk
Saturday 26th
EASTER EGG HUNTThe Home Of Rest For Horses, Princes Risborough. 2–4pm.www.horsetrust.org.ukPURPLE EASTER EGG HUNTBuckingham Lodge Care Home, Aylesbury. Charity egg hunt for The Epilepsy Society, 2pm, £2 donation.www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.ukWONKA PAINTING EGG CUPSRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden. Noon, 1.30 & 3pm, 6+yrs, booking required, £2.50.www.roalddahl.com/museumGOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARSElgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way.2.30pm, booking required, adult £11, child £9.www.elgiva.com
Sunday 27th
CRODSCOLLOPING CHOCOLATE DECORATINGRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.11.30am, 1pm, 2.30 & 3.45pm, 4+yrs, booking required, £4.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Sunday 27th to 15th April
EASTER CRAFTSAshridge Estate, Berkhamsted.10am–4pm, all ages, drop-in, £2www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridgeEASTER ALPACA WALKAbbotts View Farm, Aylesbury.2pm, 6+yrs, booking required, adult £18, child £12.www.abbottsviewalpacas.co.uk
Monday 28th
EASTER EGG FESTIVALChenies Manor House, Nr Chenies.2–5pm, adult £8, child £4.50 (house & gardens)www.cheniesmanorhouse.co.ukFANTABULOUS FACTORY FUNRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden. 10.30am, noon, 2 & 3.30pm, 5+yrs, booking required, £2.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Tuesday 29th
FAMILY DAY Thomley, Worminghall.For children with a disability, 10am–3.30pm, booking required. www.thomley.org.ukLOVE MONSTER & THE LAST CHOCOLATERoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.11am, 1 & 2.30pm, all ages, booking required, £3.www.roalddahl.com/museumMAP MAKING OR TRAIL TRACKERSHughenden Manor, High Wycombe.11am–12.30pm, £4.www.nationaltrust.org.ukMINI TERRIFIC TUESDAYChiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.11am–4pm, adult £10, child £6.50.www.coam.org.uk
STATIC VIEWING DAY Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton’Adult £6, child, £4.www.bucksrailcentre.org
Tuesday 29th to 1st April
EASTER CRAFTSBucks County Museum & Roald Dahl Children’s Library, Aylesbury. 10am–noon & 1–3pm, drop-in, £3 + £1 egg hunt. www.buckscc.gov.uk/museum
Wednesday 30th
EASTER BAKING WORKSHOPBeverley Glock Cookery School,Princes Risborough.10am–1pm, 5–12yrs, booking required, £37.50.www.beverleyglock.comEASTER EGGSPLORERAmersham Field Centre, Mop End. 9.30–11.30am, 5–7yrs, booking essential, £12.www.field-studies-council.orgEASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZAAmersham Field Centre, Mop End.9.30am–3pm, 8–11yrs, booking essential, £24.www.field-studies-council.orgSTEAMING DAYBuckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Aylesbury.Free steam train rides with admission, adults £11, child £8.www.bucksrailcentre.orgTELLING TALES WITH SANDRA AGARDRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.11am, 1 & 3pm, 5+yrs, booking required, £3.www.roalddahl.com/museumWILD WEDNESDAYCliveden, Taplow.11am–3pm, 4–11yrs, drop-in, £2.www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Thursday 31st
EASTER BUNNY & THE MAD MARCH HAREAmersham Field Centre, Mop End.9.30–11.30am, 5–7yrs, booking essential, £12.www.field-studies-council.orgNATURAL ARTAmersham Field Centre, Mop End. 9.30am–3pm, 8–11yrs, booking essential, £24.www.field-studies-council.orgOOMPA LOOMPA PARTYRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.10.30am, noon, 2 & 3pm, 4+yrs, booking required, £2.www.roalddahl.com/museumTREE CLIMBINGCliveden, Taplow.10.30am– 5.15pm, 6+yrs, booking essential, £18.50.www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Thursday 31st to 3rd April
GADGET SHOW LIVENEC Birmingham.9am-6pm, all ages, booking required, adult £17, child £12.www.gadgetshowlive.net• Win a family pass to Gadget Show Live by entering our online competition, www.familieschiltern.co.uk/competitions
Great Missenden Buckinghamshire HP16 0AL | 01494 892192
roalddahl.com/museum | roalddahl.com/shop
Visit us this Easter for chocolate decorating, Wonka crafts and more..
...and join us to celebrate Roald Dahl 100 throughout 2016.
New Dance & Fitness Classes Coming this March Woodrow High House, Amersham! • Classes to suit all ages & levels • Pay as you go
DanceMix | Street | DanceFit For more information visit www.sessions5678.co.uk or call 01494 416446
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
SessionsAdvertFeb2016.pdf 1 04/02/2016 14:52
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
WIN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
Claire AndrewsDance Academyin Beaconsfield offers Ballet, Tap and Modern dance classes forchildren aged3 and upwards.Contact Claire: claireandrewsdanceacademy.co.ukWebsite: www.claireandrewsdanceacademy.co.uk
What’s on
28 FAMILIES March/April 2016
AprilFriday 1st
DIDDLY DOOR HANGERS Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.10.30am, noon, 2 & 3.30pm, 5+yrs, booking required, £2.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Saturday 2nd
GOLDEN TICKET TRAILRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.11am–5pm, all ages, free with admission. www.roalddahl.com/museumKING ARTHUR & THE INGLEWOODOld Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead. 11am & 2.30pm, (11am performance is adapted for special educational needs & autism), 5+yrs, £5.50.www.toth.dacorum.gov.ukTHE RAILWAY CHILDRENElgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way.3pm, booking required, adult £15, child £12.www.elgiva.com
Sunday 3rd
GLUMPTIOUS TREAT BAGSRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.Noon, 1.30 & 3pm, 5+yrs, booking required, £3.www.roalddahl.com/museumFAMILY GUIDED WOODLAND WALKHodgemoor Woods, Chalfont St Giles.Booking required.www.davidwillis.info
HALF TERMFUN
Play Area
Child Safe
Chalk Walls & Tables
Art Activities
Full Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Brindles Children’s CaféBrindley House Childcare Centre, 4 Burkes Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 1PB
Tel: 01494 677061 Email: [email protected] us on Facebook ‘Brindles Children’s Café’
Fresh Cakes & Bakes
Children’s Menu
Cooking & Baking Classes
Holiday Programmes
Birthday Parties
www.singandsign.co.uk
Baby Signing Classes in Beaconsfield, Wycombe & Risborough
Contact Maria Webster: 07885 944904 [email protected]
The Original British Baby Signing Programme
Help your baby to communicate before
speech with our award winning music
programme!
Age specific classes for babies from birth
to 24 months
STEAMING DAYBuckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton.As Wednesday 30th March.www.bucksrailcentre.org
Monday 4th to Friday 8th
EASTER CRAFTSBucks County Museum & Roald Dahl Children’s Library, Aylesbury.10am–noon & 1 to 3pm, drop-in, £3.www.buckscc.gov.uk/museum
Monday 4th
FAMILY DAYThomley, Worminghall.As Thursday 29th March.www.thomley.org.ukPOTTERY SPRING SHEEP & LAMBSQueens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury.10am–3pm, 7+yrs, booking required, £20.www.qpc.org
Tuesday 5th
BRILLIANT BUCKETSRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.10.30am, noon, 2pm & 3.30pm, 5+yrs, booking required, £3.www.roalddahl.com/museumBUNNIES ON A BRANCHQueens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury.10am–3pm, 7+yrs, booking required, £20.www.qpc.orgMAP MAKINGHughenden Manor, High Wycombe.11am–12.30pm, £4.www.nationaltrust.org.ukMIGHTY MICEAmersham Field Centre, Mop End. 9.30 to 11.30am, 5–7yrs, booking required, £12.www.field-studies-council.org
PRE–SCHOOL DAYThomley, Worminghall.10am–3.30pm, 0–5yrs, with or without a disability, booking required.www.thomley.org.ukTERRIFIC TUESDAYChiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.11am–4pm, adult £10, child £6.50.www.coam.org.ukTRAIL TRACKERSHughenden Manor, High Wycombe.11am–12.30pm, booking required, £4.www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Wednesday 6th
EASTER COMMUNITY DAYAmersham Field Centre, Mop End.Easter trail & crafts, 10am–3pm, drop-in, free.www.field-studies-council.orgMAKE A WILD ANIMAL HOMEStowe Landscape Gardens, Buckingham.10.30am–noon, 5–12yrs, booking required. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowePOTTERY OWL IN A TREEQueens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury. 10am–3pm, 7+yrs, booking required, £20.www.qpc.orgSTEAMING DAYBuckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton. Free steam train rides with admission, adult £11, child £8.www.bucksrailcentre.orgTELLING TALES WITH SANDRA AGARDRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.11am, 1 & 3pm, 5+yrs, booking required, £3.www.roalddahl.com/museumWILD WEDNESDAYCliveden, Taplow.11am–3pm, 4–11yrs, drop–in, £2.www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Thursday 7th
OOMPA LOOMPA PARTYRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.10.30am, noon, 2pm & 3.30pm, 4+yrs, booking required, £2.www.roalddahl.com/museumPROSPERO & THE ISLAND OF MAGICQueens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury.10am–3pm, 7+yrs, booking required, £20.www.qpc.org
Friday 8th
TIPTOPPLING WONKA HATSRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.10.30am, noon, 2pm & 3.30pm, 6+yrs, booking required, £3.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Saturday 9th
COMMUNITY CRAFT MARKETBourne End Library, Wakeman Road. 10am–1pm, free.www.beccmark.co.ukNCT SPRING NEARLY NEW SALEThe Curzon Centre, Beaconsfield.1.15–2.30pm, (1pm with valid NCT card) £1.www.nct.org.ukSCRUMPTIOUS SECRET BOOK BOXRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.noon, 1.30 & 3pm, 6+yrs, booking required, £2.50.www.roalddahl.com/museum
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
EASTERFUN
Disney on Ice, see 13-17 April
NEXT SUN TOO
& NEXTMON
NEXT TUES TOO
What’s on
To advertise, call 01296 586586 or email [email protected] 29FAMILIES
Sunday 10th
NAUGHTY CHILD PUPPETSRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.Noon, 1.30 & 3pm, 5+yrs, booking required, £2.50.www.roalddahl.com/museumSTEAMING DAYBuckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton.As Wednesday 30th March.www.bucksrailcentre.org
Tuesday 12th
CHIDDLERS HOURRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden. 10–11am, 0–3yrs, booking required, £3. www.roalddahl.com/museum
Wednesday 13th to Sunday 17th
DISNEY ON ICEWembley Arena. 7pm Mon–Fri, 11am, 3pm or 7pm on Sat, 11am or 3pm on Sun, booking required. www.ssearena.co.uk
Saturday 16th
HISTORY & NATURE RIDEChinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Oxon.10.30am, noon,1.30 & 3pm, booking required, adults £11, child £1.www.chinnorrailway.co.uk
Sunday 17th
VERUCA SALT’S SQUIRREL HUNTRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden. 11am–5pm, trail is free with admission.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTARElgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way, Chesham.7.45pm, booking required.www.elgiva.com
Saturday 23rd
A MISSENDEN NIGHT’S DREAMRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden.Drama workshop, noon–2pm, 8+yrs, booking required, £6.www.roalddahl.com/museum
THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICEOld Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead. Story with puppets, 11am & 2.30pm, 3–7yrs, £5.50.www.toth.dacorum.gov.ukST GEORGE’S DAY STEAM & DIESEL GALAChinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, Oxon.www.chinnorrailway.co.uk
Saturday 23rd to Sunday 24th
FUN ON THE FARM: MEET THE LAMBSChiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.10am–5pm, adult £10, child £6.50, under 4s free.www.coam.org.uk
Sunday 24th
CHILTERN YOUTH CHAMBER ORCHESTRAElgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way, Chesham.7pm, booking required.www.elgiva.com
RIDGE OFF-ROADERBledlow Ridge School, Church Lane, Bledlow Ridge.10km, 6.5km, 2km & 1km runs.www.ridgeoffroader.co.ukST GEORGE’S CELEBRATION & SCOUT PARADEMarket Square, Town Centre, Aylesbury. 11am–4pm, parade 2.45pmwww.aylesburytowncouncil.gov.ukSTAGE & SCREEN TRAILRoald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden. 11am–5pm, free with admission.www.roalddahl.com/museum
Sunday 1st May
ABINGDON AIR AND COUNTRY SHOWAbingdon Airfield, Dalton Barracks.10am–5.30pm, adults £12, child £4.www.abingdonairandcountry.co.uk
Rule no. 1
bpcollins.co.uk | 01753 889995
Do interesting things and interestingthings will happen to you.
Aiming for Excellence - Learning for Life
Please Note Sibling discounts are available.
Prices are subject to review on a regular basis. Other sessions are available for Holiday Club
Please contact Gemma on 07903583954 Or email us via [email protected]
Millbrook Activity Club (MAC) is an established, self-sufficient provision which provides childcare services as part of Millbrook Combined School. Millbrook Combined School is proud that we offer a full programme for children aged 3-11 years to working parents. Many parents/ carers also decide to use the Club as a social experience for their children, appreci-ating the benefits of the camaraderie and caring relationships that exist
between the children.
Breakfast Club
8.00am.-8.45am
£2
Nursery Plus 11.45am-3.15pm
£10
Holiday Club 8.00am-6.00pm
£25
After School Club
3.15pm-6.00pm £7
Aiming for Excellence - Learning for Life
Please Note Sibling discounts are available.
Prices are subject to review on a regular basis. Other sessions are available for Holiday Club
Please contact Gemma on 07903583954 Or email us via [email protected]
Millbrook Activity Club (MAC) is an established, self-sufficient provision which provides childcare services as part of Millbrook Combined School. Millbrook Combined School is proud that we offer a full programme for children aged 3-11 years to working parents. Many parents/ carers also decide to use the Club as a social experience for their children, appreci-ating the benefits of the camaraderie and caring relationships that exist
between the children.
Breakfast Club
8.00am.-8.45am
£2
Nursery Plus 11.45am-3.15pm
£10
Holiday Club 8.00am-6.00pm
£25
After School Club
3.15pm-6.00pm £7
EASTERFUN
Phot
o co
pyrig
ht N
eil P
orte
r
Abingdon Air and Country Show, see 1st May
EVERYTUES
30 FAMILIES March/April 2016
Mums in Business
What inspired you to set up the business?Rush is the culmination of a ten year ambition to start my own business. I was considering how to incorporate my passions – fitness, family and fun into my business idea. Two years ago whilst living in Paris, I stumbled across the concept of an indoor trampoline park whilst watching American TV and from that moment an idea was born. Rush UK’s first trampoline park has recently opened in High Wycombe and is going from strength to strength.
What did you do before you set up your business?I graduated from Oxford University and spent nine years working in the City as a derivatives trader and marketer. I took a career break after I had my children and wanted to use my interest in sport and fitness and qualifications as a personal trainer to find a new career that would fit around my family.
What are your plans for the future?Trampolining is truly an activity that the whole family can enjoy and I want to make Rush the
best experience of its kind in the UK. I plan to open further Rush Trampoline Parks in other areas within the next few years.
Please share your best health and fitness secrets:My best advice is to make exercise part of your daily routine and find something that you enjoy. If exercise is fun and not a chore you are more likely to do it.
What are your tips for working mums?Separate your work from your personal life so they don’t overlap. It helps to try not to allow yourself to get bogged down with work and be prepared to be flexible and juggle. Most importantly, don’t miss out on doing the things that are important to your children as you’ll never get that time back.
Sam Williams is the founder of Rush UK Trampoline Park in High Wycombe
Denham mum Sophia Douglas runs Little Treasures, a mobile crèche service in Bucks, Berks and LondonWhat inspired you to set up the business? It actually happened by accident! As a fully qualified childminder, when a friend asked me to help look after some young children at her wedding so their parents could enjoy the wedding speeches, I was happy to help. Afterwards I had several requests from people who were attending other events and looking for a similar service – and Little Treasures was born! We provide crèches at weddings and family events. It has been a pleasure to have been part of so many people’s special days, especially as we are helping their day to run smoothly by enabling parents and hosts to relax as the children are in good hands and fully occupied.
What do you enjoy the most about running your own business? The best part about running Little Treasures is that I can be there for my own children. Having my own business gives me flexibility and being able to work around the needs of my family is a bonus.
What’s your best advice for working mums? I think it’s always worth keeping an eye on your work and home balance. My business certainly keeps me busy but I always try to make sure I enjoy every minute of my children as they grow up so quickly.
What are you plans for the future? My long term goal for Little Treasures is to expand the areas we cover and to eventually franchise the business. We would also like to offer our services at new types of events, conferences and parties - any event where parents can attend with their children.
Are you planning a wedding or an event? Go to www.littletreasurescreche.co.uk to find out more.
Get crafty
31FAMILIES
www.candlebyparties.co.ukFab Candle-Making Parties
for Girls!Find out more and receive a FREE
candle-making kit by visiting:
bit.ly/candle-making-partyOr call us on: 01628 947224
CLASSIFIEDS
Authorised Dealer
Call us or Visit us at:
01753 531985www.loveyourwater.co.uk
#1 Home Water Systems Dealer
in Bucks & Berks
Better Water Starts Here!
Block, Tablet, Granular SaltBest prices guaranteed!
Water SoftenersInstallation, Service & RepairDrinking Water Systems
Chilled, Boiling, SparklingInstant Hot Water Taps
Installation & ServicingReplacement Cartridges
Water filters, RO, Fridge
To advertise, call 01296 586586 or email [email protected]
Easter Egg BunnyYou’ll need:1 hard-boiled eggYellow and white feltPVA glueFelt tips pens in yellow,
orange and black
Method: • Take a freshly cooked
and cooled hard-boiled egg.
• Cut shapes for the bunny’s feet and hands out of the yellow felt; then cut larger ears shapes out of yellow felt and smaller ones from the white.
• Stick the feet on the base of the egg, making sure the egg can stand upright on them.
• Stick the white ears onto the yellow and when they have dried a little, stick them on to the rear of where the face will be.
• Finally, draw a rabbit’s face on the front of the egg with the pens and decorate with patterns as your child likes.
Egg BuntingYou’ll need:Plain white paperPoster paints StickersGlitterGlue Scraps of paper,
fabric and woolMini pegsString
Method:• Cut out lots
of Easter egg shapes from the paper
• Get the kids to use paint to create patterns on the eggs; stripes and circles work well.
• Next, use the scraps of craft fabrics and stickers to make the eggs even more decorative.
• Use some glue to create lines or shapes and scatter the glitter for the final touch.
• When the egg shapes are dry, hang them on a piece of string with the colourful pegs. If you can’t find pegs, use coloured paper clips or simply thread the string through a hole in the top of each egg.
SimpleEaster Crafts
Advertising deadlinefor the May/June issue, 1 April
32 FAMILIES November/December 2015
www.familieschiltern.co.uk, and find us on Facebook and Twitter
Designed by Graphic Resolutions: tel 01438 871600. Printed by Warners Midlands PLC. Copyright © Families Chiltern Limited 2016. Any original materials submitted for publication are sent at the owner’s own risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families Chiltern Ltd is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines
in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks, SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Chiltern Ltd are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher.
We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.
FREE! Four weeks Beginners CourseEvery Monday at 5pmChalfont Leisure Centre, Nicol Road, Chalfont St. Peter SL9 9LR
Every Saturday at 2pm (Main Hall) andEvery Sunday at 11.15am (Theatre)The Beacon Centre, Holtspur Way, Beaconsfield HP9 1RJ
· Self Protection and Anti-Bullying · Safe, Disciplined and Fun
Special rates for familiesMinimum age 4 years. All our instructors have Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Certificates.
th Dan Black Belt International InstructorTel: 07709-327274 or 01753-882012www.tiska.com email: [email protected]
Free trial session - book today!
www.explorelearning.co.uk
ages 5 -14
Award-winning
Maths & English tuition
New skillsConfidence
Enthusiasm
Beaconsfield 01494 677 488
High Wycombe 01494 411 147