families-lsb issue 37 march-april 2011

Mar-Apr 2011Issue 37

www.families-LSB.co.uk

Including our popular local 'What's On' for families with children aged 0 - 12 in Epsom, Sutton, Croydon and surrounding areas

Mar-Apr 2011Mar-Apr 2011Mar-Apr 2011Issue 37Issue 37

www.families-LSB.co.ukwww.families-LSB.co.ukwww.families-LSB.co.uk

Including our popular local 'What's On' for families with children aged 0 - 12 in Epsom, Sutton, Croydon and surrounding areas

In this issue

Childcare

Martial Arts

Easter camps and courses

2Families London-Surrey Borders 020 8669 5187 www.Families-LSB.co.uk March-April 2011

Please mention Families magazine if you contact these companies

news & views

ContentsNews & Views ............................................. 2 - 5Activities — martial arts .......................... 6 - 7Environment - Solar power ............................8 Work-life - is paid work worth it? ................9 Planning for childcare ............................10 - 11Education - starting school ..................12 - 13Education - open days and childcare ..........14Babies & toddlers ............................................16Days out - further afield ...............................17Easter Holiday workshops and camps . 18,19Local theatres ..................................................20What’s on for families ..............................21-23Classified ...........................................................24

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‘Families London-Surrey Borders’ is part of a group of magazines headed by ‘Families South West’ established in 1990. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and its agents cannot be held responsible for loss or damage, or for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted are sent at owners risk and, whilst every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for any loss or damage.

Editor: Izabella Shaw 0208 669 [email protected] www.families-LSB.co.ukPO Box 299, Wallington, SM6 6AW

Printed by Visa Press Limited 01256 885837, Bramley, Hampshire. © 2010 Families London-Surrey Borders.

Jenny Lockyer holds 30 charity comedy gigs in MarchA singing comedienne from Tattenham Corner, is performing 30 gigs in 30 days this March. She began on 1 March, in aid of The Children’s Trust, Tadworth and will continue every night until the end of the month.

Jenny will be performing her own material in her comedy set with stories and songs to audiences of all ages and at a variety of different venues in Surrey and the south. Performances will be held at acoustic, comedy and open mic nights during the evening and at schools during the day, with the final gig being held at The Children’s Trust on Wednesday 30th March – Jenny’s 30th birthday.

Jenny, who provides arts and drama workshops for children of all abilities through her company, Funsense, said:, “I wanted to celebrate my 30th birthday by doing something special that would also help The Children’s Trust. I really enjoy raising awareness of how The Children’s Trust work with disabled children and their families.”

www.reverbnation.com/jennylockyer www.justgiving.com/1month30gigs

Local fi rm runs workshops for Young fi lm makersIf you have a child who would love to learn about film making, 4jtv runs numerous workshops where young people write, direct and film their own stories. The company also operates a home study programme for students who have their own ideas and want to create it, film it and edit it. Home study students also receive a free brand new camcorder at the end.

Locally, there is a one-day editors’ course in Croydon on 12 March, a four week afterschool class in Sydenham for six -13 year-olds. Check the website for additional courses arranged after Families went to press.

[email protected], 07985 717 933 www.4jtv.co.uk.

Tom N

icholls Photography

Epsom book fair is now 10 years old

Epsom’s Annual Charity Book Fair will take place from Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 April from 10am to 8pm each day (to 4pm on Saturday).

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event, which features a huge selection of quality children’s books at bargain prices (20p upwards) plus delicious refreshments and lunches, so with entrance at just 50p (children free), the Fair, at Epsom Methodist Church, Ashley Road, Epsom KT18 5AQ, would make a great Easter holiday outing for all the family.

For adults, the vast range includes antiquarian, out-of-print, fiction and non-fiction, plus CDs, DVDs, records and sheet music.

The Fair is held in aid of the Epsom Methodist Church Development Appeal, part of which will help provide a new youth hall, desperately needed by the church’s thriving 7th Epsom Scout Group. The Fair also supports the work of Action for Children. For general enquiries please ring 01372 726738 or email [email protected].

Fashion-related franchise opportunity for mumsBuckinghamshire-based iFashionDesign is looking for people to work with them on a franchise basis. The company aims to build confidence and inspire creativity through fashion design workshops for young people.

Managing Director Claire Gray set up the company after a career developing positive projects for children and families in local authorities. She realised how much fashion designing appealed to youngsters and could be used as an activity to foster their potential.

Those interested in this opportunity do not need a background in fashion or business as the company offers comprehensive training, materials and the support to set up and run your own business.

www.ifashiondesign.co.uk/franchising

3March-April 2011 020 8669 5187 www.Families-LSB.co.uk Families London-Surrey Borders


local news

Online boutique offers discount to our ReadersMonica & Joe is a new contemporary online boutique. The founders are husband and wife team Joe and Monica Wahla, who before deciding to launch their own company, had twenty years’ experience working in the fashion industry with some of the best luxury and high street retailers.

Monica & Joe’s philosophy is based on discovering collections that reflect cool, feminine elegance influenced by their own personal taste and individuality. Designers include Cacharel, By Malene Birger and Designers Remix.

Families readers can get a 15% discount by entering the code MJ15SWST on the website. In addition, readers can win a £50 voucher towards clothing bought at the online store by answering this question: In which designer collection is the Varie studded Leather Jacket?

Visit www.monicaandjoe.co.uk for the answer.

To win, go to www.families-LSB.co.uk and click the competitions tab at the top of the page.

Monica & Joe is a new contemporary online

working in the fashion industry with some of the best luxury and high street retailers.

discovering collections that reflect cool, feminine elegance influenced by their own personal

Designers Remix.

Families readers can get a 15% discount by entering the code MJ15SWST on the website. In addition, readers can win a £50 voucher towards clothing bought at the online store

In which designer collection is the Varie studded Leather Jacket?

and

Mayor hosts Magic Theo presentationMayor Councillor Margaret Court hosted a reception and presentation evening for Theo’s Magic Sunflower Competition in February.

Last year Sutton residents and surrounding areas took part in trying to grow the tallest and widest sunflower. All the magic seeds were provided by organiser Theo Theodoris. The event raised over £2000 for two charities: The Neonatal Unit at St Helier Hospital, Carshalton and The Royal Marsden, Carshalton, where good friends of Theo were cared for so well although they are sadly no longer with us.

The money raised from the Sunflower Competition will go to buy a “SimBaby” which can provide intensive and practical education for both staff and parents. The appeal is now only about £5,000 short of the £17,000 purchase price.

If you are interested in sponsoring or supporting this year’s Sunflower Competition, or can help with a donation to help purchase the “SimBaby”, please contact Theo The Magician at [email protected]

Sutton marks Black History MonthCapitalising on the success of last year’s Black History Month celebrations, preparations are now underway for this year’s activities and need your help.

Do you have experience in media and communications, fundraisng, training and/or secretarial/admin skills and loads of enthusiasm?

If so, volunteers from Sutton are needed for the local committee group that meets monthly in the Civic Centre.

Also if you have a skill or talent you’d like to showcase, or any ideas on what you’d like to see in the 2011 programme, please get in touch.

Email [email protected]

Labels4kids keeps on growingLabels4kids is capitalising on a the award of Internet Retailer of the Year in 2010. This year the company redesigned its website, adding a Spanish online store and improving the check-out process for all languages, including English.

“Here at Labels4kids we like to think about the customer first and make their shopping experience an enjoyable one,” said Ann-Maree Morrison, Company Director and a devoted fan of Families magazines in the UK.

“Labels4kids is not just about selling name labels and ID products. We actively encourage a ‘labels4kids community’ to help each other and talk about children related issues on our blog and forum,” she added.

www.labels4kids.com/fam

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Dramabuds open new classesDramabuds is opening two new classes this Spring at Kidspace Adventures, Purley Way Croydon There are now three classes on Thursdays: at 9.45am, 1.30pm and 4pm.

At the Growing Buds class for two- to four-year olds a new story is brought to life each week by a talented drama teacher/actor who gets all the children involved in storytelling, drama, movement and song.

Once the children turn four they can join the Full Blooms classes especially for four- to seven-year-olds the children in this class learn new songs, dance routines, and build their confidence through drama ready to perform to family and friends on the last day of term.

Classes are held weekly in Carshalton, Carshalton Beeches, Cheam and Worcester Park.

See www.dramabuds.co.uk, or call Dramabuds on 020 8669 23 55

clubs and classesCheerleaders seek recruits for free training

SportEngland has awarded Carshalton Cheerleaders a grant of £1500. The club aims to spend the money to provide training for up to 50 young people in all age groups until the end of March.

As well as attending competitions, the Carshalton Cheerleaders appear in many local events in Wallington, Banstead, Cheam Village and elsewhere, and participate in the parade and arena performances for Carshalton Carnival.

They are currently looking for more recruits.

Call Jean on 020 8669-0380. Or visit: www.carshaltoncheerleaders.org.uk

Super Camps to run across regionSuper Camps have been running Multi-Activity Camps for children aged from four up to 14 years. Their Easter holiday classes all run 11 – 21 April and take place at Sutton High School, Aberdour School, Royal Russell School, Whitgift School, and Wimbledon High School.

This year, Super Camps is expanding its specialised camps and courses during the Easter and Summer holidays. These are geared towards children aged six to 16 (age ranges vary depending on the camp or course) who prefer to focus on a particular activity.

Those on offer this Easter are:

RAW Adventure Camps at Aberdour School: 18 – 21 April. Ages 8-14.

RAW Adventure Camps at Royal Russell School: 11 – 15 April. Ages 8-14.

Mad About Football at Royal Russell School: 11 – 15 April. Ages 8-14.

Mad About Swimming at Whitgift School: 11 – 15 April. Ages 8-14.

Prices range between £139 and £174 per week (course prices vary) but there are discounts available for booking early – details on their website.

www.supercamps.co.uk

Mad About Football at Royal Russell School: 11 – 15 April. Ages 8-14.

Mad About Swimming at Whitgift School: 11 – 15 April. Ages 8-14.

Prices range between £139 and £174 per week (course prices vary) but there are discounts available for booking early – details on their website.

EK sports offers discounts to mark 21 yearsEK Sports & Leisure runs sports based multi activity courses for boys and girls aged four to 15 years during Easter and Summer holidays. The courses take place at the safe, pleasant and secure site at Greenacre School in Banstead. See website (below) for full details.

To mark 21 years of local courses, the family-run business is offering extra discounts to students who enrol on their courses, including the popular Art and Drama Workshops as well as their Football Academy.

EK are Ofsted registered and inspected by Surrey’s Early Years & Childcare Services. www.eksports.co.uk 01372 210807


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Parentingclubs and classes

Sutton Tennis for Dance, Karate and GymnasticsSutton Tennis Academy has launched its own-brand clubs for youngsters in dance, karate and gymnastics. The new courses are proving popular, but there were just a few places left as Families went to press in early March.

On Thursdays at 4pm the Dance Academy offers baby ballet for children over the age of three. That session is followed by ballet and tap classes for slightly older children. On Fridays the club has classes for ballroom and Latin dance for children from four years upwards.

Also on Friday afternoon, the club offers its Li’l Street classes in street dance for pre-schoolers as well as street dance and break dancing for older children.

Another new session is gymnastics, which has attracted world-class coach and international judge, Lia Borrotzu. Those classes also run the full range, from parent and toddler classes all the way through to elite classes for aspiring competitors.

STA has also started karate lessons Tuesday evenings (see separate article on pages 6 - 7).

www.SuttonDanceAcademy.com ; www.SuttonMartialArts.com

Sutton girl, 6, appears on West End stage Amelia Crouch has made her West End Debut in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Palladium Theatre London at age six. Amelia trains at Stagecoach in Sutton.

This was Amelia’s first West End audition and she was up against hundreds of experienced performers. Amelia said, “I was so excited when I went to my audition and even more excited when I made the final five, when Mummy got the call to offer me the job I nearly burst with excitement.” “Rehearsals are so much fun, it’s like doing Stagecoach every day.”

Stagecoach Sutton offers down-to-earth quality training for four to 18 year-olds in the disciplines of drama, singing and dance, providing a very safe and happy environment where all students are given the opportunity to shine. Jennifer Jones, Principal, strives to meet the needs of every individual student whether they attend for confidence and fun or to pursue a career in the Performing Arts.

The skills learnt by our Stagecoach students don’t disappear when the curtain falls, they are skills for life.

For more information on the Sutton schools please call Jennifer on 0208 660 7753 or visit the website www.stagecoach.co.uk/sutton.

Sutton MAD Academy nominated for National AwardMAD Academy Sutton has been nominated for a national award from ‘What’s on 4 Little Ones’ The awards recognise the best activities for children across the UK.

MAD Academy’s free spirited approach to fun and learning has captured the imagination of the families of Sutton. For a local group to be short-listed is an outstanding achievement.

The music and dance classes run by Pauline Llewellyn are lively, imaginative and most of all fun for both adult and child. “It’s fantastic, the babies and children amaze me every week. They love it and now being nominated shows the adults love it too..”

The results will be announced in June. For more information about MAD Academy visit www.madacademy.com or call Pauline on 01372 372942


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martial arts

A good martial arts class aims to develop respect, focus and discipline among its pupils. Not only that, but it is a great way of releasing pent-up energy and having fun.

This is the so-called black belt ethos, which is taught in every reputable martial arts school. Furthermore, whatever attitude the teachers take in with them, that is the attitude their students will take out. The teachers Families spoke to, said the attitude of the teacher is more important than the particular art they teach. So choose your teacher carefully.

The black belt ethos, according to, Saffron Power at the GBMAA, based in Chessington, “is generalised across the martial arts world, and stands for respect, focus and discipline.”

This is echoed by Alan Paterson, head of the Wing Chun school of Kung Fu in Croydon and Sutton, who said, “A black belt shows respect, courtesy, indomitable spirit, focus, concentration, perseverance and they are meant to be humble.”

Colin Groome, who runs Karate classes in the Croydon, Sutton and Beddington areas said, “The main thing is to teach good technique, ethics, self-control respect for self and others and to give self-confidence.”

While Alan was passionate about his own Kung Fu discipline, he explained, “every martial art

does the same.” The difference between one school and another, he said, is the approach adopted by the teachers.

Andrew Michaelides founder of the United martial arts Academy said many who come into the sport find it difficult to tell a good class from a bad one. He advised people to take advantage of free lessons at two or three different classes to see how well they get on with the teaching. Above all, he said, newcomers should not sign up for a long-term contract, nor should they have to pay a joining fee.

Curbing over-confi denceA good teacher will quickly see which of the students are already good at kicking and punching, and use the lessons to help those children to exercise self-control over their natural instincts.

A few students are always good fighters and have masses of confidence. Many in the middle are average and can have a good time during the classes, but some at the lower ability end need to have their confidence boosted and be supported when they try a move, and it often seems to go wrong.

Wing Chun School of Kung FuWing Chun is aimed at real world situations. It has three schools in the area, the biggest – with 600 students spread over five nights – is in Croydon with the main school in Crawley and a smaller school in Sutton.

The school splits its classes into four- to seven-year-olds; seven to 12 ages and 13+, who train with the adults.

Alan Paterson, head of the local schools, said, “If the instructors start out with a bad projection, that will come across.”

His advice to potential students and their parents was to go along to the school and see how the students carry themselves and how they treat newcomers and strangers. www.kungfuschools.co.uk/

Fighting for the Black Belt ethosA supportive environment where fellow students actively help the less able ones, demonstrating how they learned to do a move, is vital for good support, said Saffron.

Help with disabilitiesMost of the teachers Families spoke to said their classes include children diagnosed with autism, dyspraxia, and other special needs as well as those who have suffered from bullying at school.

Martial arts help these children, but not through enhanced fighting techniques. That is almost the opposite of how the schools promote themselves.

Instead, the schools aim to build self confidence and to give the children techniques for dealing with difficult situations or confrontations, which often happen in real life.

All the teachers Families spoke to in the local area said it is not about using fighting

techniques in the real world – except for self-defence.

For example Saffron (at the GBMAA) said, “Unfortunately, on the TV and in movies, it is a lot about the violence, We do not promote violence. Every single person is told, that if they do it outside the club, they are not welcome back.”

In classes aimed at children below about seven years old, all the good classes spend time with anti-bullying agencies, such as Kidscape or internally-designed programmes to teach children about dangerous situations and discussing how bullies operate. Critically, they discuss how to recognise when something is potentially dangerous, and then how to deal with that situation, perhaps through the Kidscape’s “Yell, Run, Tell” approach.

All the teachers said their classes are split more or less equally between females and males, throughout the age range.

Colin Groome Karate classesColin runs Karate classes in Esporta in Croydon, Beddington Village Hall and has just begun teaching a new class at Sutton Tennis Academy. He also teaches some private courses in schools such as Laleham Lea and Glenthorne High.

He teaches a more traditional form of karate, called Shotokan Karate, which emphasises the spiritual approach, placing a high value on good technique, control, perseverance and respect for self and for others.

Colin said, “You can be very talented and fit and strong, and do everything right, but you will only get so far without determination.” A less talented person who is determined, dedicated and has the correct attitude will get further through effort and commitment.

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martial arts

Competitions, exercise and real-world situationsMartial arts started out as a way of life, in which the martial side of it was a part of the long-term training to follow the right path.

There are now three branches of the martial arts tree. The self-defence aspect; the fitness and exercise aspect and the sport aspect.

Many people who join a martial arts club, said Andrew, are usually interested in either self-defence or exercise. As they learn more, some move into the sports side while others continue along their own path.

When starting out on a martial arts class, it can help to ask about how many competitions the students are likely to attend. For some, competitions help, as they provide a very clear measure of progress. However, losing a competitive bout can damage fragile self-confidence.

United Martial Arts Academy for KarateUMAA, run by Andrew Michaelides offers classes in Wallington, Sanderstead, Purley, Caterham and Bromley. His team of instructors specialise in karate, offering sport karate, Shito Ryu karate as well as other arts to more advanced students.

Instead of simply dividing students up into three main age ranges, UMAA offers a seven tier class system: Little Dragons; Beginners; Intermediates; Advanced; Elite; Advanced Elite and Adults. Andrew is supported by a team of full-time instructors.

The school aims to help students to identify and avoid dangerous situations and how to protect and defend themselves. Above all, said Andrew, the classes offer something for everyone. For every age, gender and build there is always something to enjoy at a UMAA class. www.unitedmartialartsacademy.co.uk - 020 8777 4875

Full contact fi ghtingNo reputable school would ask a five-year-old to fight another five-year-old. Few children of that age are in control of their arms and legs, and all the teachers Families spoke to agreed that such young children should not be fighting each other in class, or outside.

An essential part of a reputable school is insurance in case of accidental injury. Part of that is student-on-student insurance which comes in the form of an annual licence fee of around £25 - £30 which every student has to pay after a few weeks of class.

Saffron said, “In some schools you start fighting immediately. We think that is quite dangerous.”

Alan said, “The four- to seven-year-olds or junior beginners make no physical contact to start with until their feet and hands are right, and they have discipline, focus and concentration. We have a rubber dummy and the younger ones can kick it, punch it, pull its ears and it is not going to complain.”

Colin said, “I have no contact whatsoever during sparring. I do not allow it, for adults or for children.” He said there are various points around the body which, if struck with reasonable force, can lead to serious injury. The school has bags where students can regularly practice strikes and kicks to develop technique, power and control.

Where schools do permit contact fighting, said UMAA’s Andrew, it is vital that this is adequately supervised and that students have appropriate padding to protect them if their opponent accidentally hits them too hard or in the wrong place.

If in any doubt, consult a doctor.

GB Martial Arts Academy for kick boxingThe GBMAA is a relatively new operation which has schools in Epsom, Croydon, Leatherhead, Guildford and Cobham. It focuses on kick-boxing. The Academies grew out of the GBMA Association, based in Chessington, founded by Master Curtis Page.

Saffron said, “Each academy is headed by a world champion.” Each school in the GBMAA runs the same programme as the other schools each week and the respective teachers all meet up every week to train and to discuss the next week’s programme.

GBMAA is the only group in the UK to have a BTEC Level 3 qualification for their Certified Instructors Training Course. This provides students with the skills to open up their own schools, teach other students potentially during their time at university or college or become fully qualified instructors.

GBMAA also runs a martial gymnastics programme in which those who prefer to demonstrate their skills without fighting an opponent can perform routines of kick-boxing moves combined with jumps, kicks and gymnastic moves, all set to their choice of music.

www.gbmaa.com [email protected] 0208 393 3668


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From the Head Teacher’s studyenvironment

Remember to say you saw companies mentioned on this page in

Families London-Surrey Borders.

The sun can pay your electricity billsSince April 2010 a government scheme to encourage solar panel installation means that families can make money by producing electricity from solar panels.

Solar panels have been popping up on UK roofs for the last 30 years. Environmentally conscious people, aware of the need to stop using fossil fuels, have been keen to use this free, alternative source of electricity. There have even been grants to cover some of the installation costs.

The phrase ‘microgeneration of electricity’ refers to electricity produced by small-scale systems, such as solar panels on your roof. The good news is that for every unit of electricity you make from your solar panels, the government will currently pay you 41.3p. This rate is paid even when you use the electricity in your own home. You probably pay your electricity provider around 13p for the same amount of electricity.

The introduction of the ‘feed-in tariff ’ in April 2010 has made this green technology a profitable investment. This unit rate of 41.3p will be paid for a guaranteed period of twenty-five years from installation and is index-linked to inflation. But these rates won’t last for ever: they are due to fall for installations completed after March 2012.

The feed-in tariff is a tax-free payment.

What happens next?An initial meeting normally takes about one hour to discuss all the homeowner’s queries and to measure and assess the intended location for the panels. Moving from quotation to installation can take as little as three weeks. The installation process is relatively simple, with the majority of the work being done on the roof and in the loft space. A team of specialist engineers can complete a typical installation in one day. One cable is run from the ‘inverter’ (which converts the electricity to the normal domestic supply of

230V) in the loft to the main consumer unit (fuse box) within the property.

If you are considering the installation of solar panels, it would be wise to look for a company that is registered on the MCS scheme and with REAL (for added customer support). These registers have been set up to maintain consistency and quality in this growing industry.

Costs and benefi tsAn average household typically uses about 3,300 kWh (units) a year. At 13p per unit this costs £429. A typical installation for a family house costs around £9,000 and will provide approximately 2,000 units of

electricity each year, giving you an income of over £800 plus about £200 savings on your electricity bill. Larger systems provide even greater returns due to the efficiencies of scale.

Finding a reputable supplierThe best way to find a reliable company to install your panels is by visiting the website of the organisation that certifies microgeneration suppliers at www.microgenerationcertification.org and click on the ‘Consumer’ button. Put in your postcode to find your local companies. All these certified companies can use the initials MCS after their name.

Thanks to Kieran Pye of Fusion Green Energy in Croydon, CR2 8EL for contributing this article. Fusion Green Energy has been trading for five years and is a NICEIC MCS and REAL accredited installer of photovoltaic systems for domestic and commercial

properties. The company only uses MCS accredited products and can provide information and advice on the suitability of your property for solar power. They also provide insurance-backed warranties for all installations.

www.solar-panels4u.co.uk or call 0800 158 8181.

Solar Myth Busters Solar panels do not require a due south facing roof to generate power. A west-facing roof can generate 80% of the power of a due south-facing roof.The panels will generate power all year-round, including overcast winter days. Obviously the system will be most productive during periods of bright sunshine.The installation of a roof-mounted photovoltaic system does not normally require planning permission for domestic properties. The exceptions to this are for listed properties, national parks, etc.Landlords can receive the feed-in tariff from installations on rental properties.



EducationFrom the Head Teacher’s study childcare

Paid work: is it worth it?Having a job when your children are young just got more expensive. Joanna Moorhead explains why.

We’re all in this together – we’ve all heard that, many times, from our politicians about our country’s financial problems.

But from April, if you’re a working parent you could be forgiven for thinking you were maybe taking more than your fair share of the hit.

That’s when cuts to state-funded help with childcare announced in last year’s comprehensive spending review start to kick in. They’ll mean a cut in income of up to £1300 a year to some families in London, according to the thinktank Resolution Foundation.

Chancellor George Osborne announced last year that the percentage of childcare costs recoverable through the working tax credit system would be reduced from 80% to 70% this month. But the Resolution Foundation said many families are still unaware of the changes – and its chief executive Gavin Kelly added that those on middle- to low-incomes are the ones likely to find the losses hardest to bear.

“Many parents find support with childcare costs absolutely essential to staying in work, and the big worry is that some will now find that work doesn’t pay,” he said. Furthermore, coming after recent rises in travel costs, higher food bills and higher VAT, families are feeling the pinch.

To be totally fair about it, of course, a two-parent family should view the costs of childcare as a proportion of their joint income. But in practice, most couples see it as a proportion of the second wage.

If the costs associated with childcare to make that second income possible are too high, then many mothers start to think: what’s the point of carrying on working?

You might as well quit work to reduce the stress in your own life and increase the amount of time you spend with your child or children.

The problem in the UK, as compared with many other countries in Europe, is that childcare costs already eat up a huge proportion of a family’s income – 33%, according to recent figures from the OECD, compared with 4% in Belgium, 11% in France, and 19% in the US.

And many campaigners argue that failing to invest in childcare, and so reducing the

proportion of a family’s income spent on childcare, is failing the long-term economic future of the country.

Working mothers are valuable to the economy: they’re paying into pensions, they’re learning new skills, and keeping

their confidence up. Even if they only tread water while their children are young, they’re keeping connected with the world of work and can move up a gear when their children start school.

Part of a package of cutsFrom the government’s point of view, of course, the changes to working tax credit are all part of a cuts package that has to affect everyone in the land. This month’s changes to the childcare element of the credit will save £270m next year, rising to £385m by 2014-15. The policy is one of several deficit reduction measures which will hit

families. Others include an end to the £250 child trust fund for new babies, and the cutting of child benefit from 2013 to families where one parent is a higher-rate taxpayer.

What’s especially unfair is that, if women leave the workplace when their children are tiny, they often find their working choices hugely

reduced when they try to return to work three, or five, or even ten years down the line.

And given that we’re being encouraged to anticipate living longer, and working for longer, that makes no sense.

The cost of childcare: what mums say I’ve got two children aged two and three, and to be honest I reckon it costs me to work. Around 70% of my income goes on childcare, and the rest is eaten up in travel, lunches and clothes to wear for work. The truth is that it’s a real slog, working so hard when you’ve got small children...somewhere in your mind you know they’re happiest when they’re with you, and you know you’re happiest when you’re with them, and if you’re not even making money out of it, there comes a point when you think: why bother. (Julie, 37, works in marketing)

I’ve worked out that unless I can earn at least £35,000 a year, it’s simply not worth going back – so, for the moment, I’ve decided to stay at home. What worries me is how I’ll get back into the job market – I feel that while I’m at home I’m not getting the kind of experience employers are interested in, and that my confidence will be much diminished by the time I’m ready to put in job applications again. What I need is a system under which my children could get good, affordable childcare so that I could at least keep my toe in the water with my job, for the long-term. (Suzy, 34, former curator)

Unless I can earn at least £35,000 a year, it’s simply not worth going back

There comes a point when you think: why bother?

www.surreycc.gov.uk/fiswww.croydon.gov.uk/cypdwww.suttonfamilyinfo.org.ukwww.familiesonline.co.ukwww.daycaretrust.org.uk

www.direct.gov.ukwww.workingfamilies.org.uk

www.merton.gov.uk/familyinfo



childcareOptions for the school holidays

When considering child care options over the holidays something that should be considered is not simply occupying a child but broadening his or her horizons.

Many holiday camps now run during school holiday offering extra curricular activities such as sport, music and education. Stagecoach has successfully run holiday workshops for many years and feel the secret to their success is that they offer skills complementary to those in mainstream education.

Learning to perform in front of an audience grows confidence and speech skills while script work helps with reading. Dance helps co-ordination and posture and singing gives a feeling of well-being and improves self-esteem.

Older students and those wishing to pursue a career in the expressive arts are also challenged as they are working with industry professionals who run rehearsals as they would experience them in the professional theatre industry.

To see if your local Stagecoach is running a holiday workshop please refer to listings or see www.stagecoach.co.uk

Childcare tax breaks for higher rate taxpayers — but hurry!New parents who pay higher-rate tax are being urged to ensure they join their employer’s nursery voucher scheme before 6 April otherwise they could lose more than £1,000 tax relief, says financial advisor Baker Tilly.

Under measures announced in the June Budget, employees taxed at either 40% or 50% who join a scheme after 6 April will have their weekly allowable reliefs reduced from £55 to £28 and £22 respectively, as the maximum relief for all taxpayers will be equalised to approximately £11 per week. Employees already part of a scheme will not see their relief affected by the changes.

Mark Collins, Head of the Employers Consulting Group at Baker Tilly, urges employers and employees to act now or they will lose their entitlement before the 6 April. “Employers who are considering setting up a new scheme or changing the terms of an existing scheme would

be well advised to do so in time to enable all eligible employees to join in time. It will not be enough for the scheme to be in place: the employees must also have joined before 6 April.”

www.bakertilly.co.uk

Childcare you can trust This spring let Best Bear take the fear and hassle out of finding your childcare solution. Operating nationwide, Bestbear can help you find a nanny, au pair, baby sitter or even a nursery. They have vetted all of the nanny agencies on their site. Alternatively, find a nanny directly by advertising for childcare quickly and easily on Best Bear’s website – browse CVs from hundreds of childcarers looking for work, and then use the site’s Reference Checking Service. This spring, Best Bear is offering a 10% discount to Families readers who take advantage of their reference checking service – call 08707 201277 to speak to an advisor and quote ‘Families’

www.bestbear.co.uk or email [email protected]

Fostering the future – at-risk young people need places to liveSocial services in local authorities nationwide work with vulnerable families to ensure that the children caught up in the neglect and chaos are safe. Sometimes it is not possible to keep these families together. Social workers, police and family courts intervene and take appropriate measures to remove those children. Some of them come into care and live with foster carers who, by providing a safe and nurturing place to live, can go some way to repairing the emotional damage caused by neglect and loss in their earlier lives.

If you are interested in fostering it is good to go to your own local authority. They desperately need more local foster carers who can manage the school run, professional appointments, after school clubs and contact with birth families.

If you are interested in fostering it is good to go to your own local

desperately need more local foster carers who can

www.suttonfostering.org.uk



parenting

Quality time with the children this Easter By Joanna Parry

With a bit of planning and a few inspired ideas, you can avoid the tantrums and arguments and tear your darlings away from the TV and their games consoles to enjoy the Easter break, rather than finding yourself counting down the days until school starts again.

Plan the day The holidays are a great time to bring back some of the old fashioned games and spend real time with your kids. It can be hard at first, throwing yourself into games and activities, but this is the stuff that childhood memories are made of. It is important to plan your day: write out a holiday timetable of activities such as painting and board games for the morning and playing in the garden and a small amount of TV in the afternoon. If you let them drift from one cartoon to the next they’ll quickly get frustrated.

Invite their friends over When you’ve run out of ideas, invite your children’s friends over to play. You may think double the children means double trouble, but it’s often easier for them to have playmates around to entertain each other. It also means they will get invited back, giving you a much-needed break.

Give them a treat Take them on a trip to a theme park, swimming pool or cinema as a special treat. Make full use of local resources to find out what’s going on in your area - there are always free activities and events going on during school holidays. Visit your local council’s website and or parenting sites such as www.families-LSB.co.uk for ideas.

Activities at home You can come up with dozens of fun things to do at home, from building castles out of rubbish

to dens in the garden, but when you run out of ideas, here are a few more.

Let your hair down and release your inner child. Roll around in the garden with your kids, make mud pies, dig for worms and make dens out of sheets and washing lines.

Invest in some Play-Doh, art supplies and face paints and get creative

Hardboil some eggs and paint with food colouring. When they are dry they are great for egg rolling – if there’s no hill, a slide will do.

Get a clean paintbrush and a pot of water and go outside, to ‘paint’ on walls, paving slabs, fences. It’s effective and the sun – or the rain – removes all the evidence.

Put a cloth on floor as a picnic rug and serve lunch on living room floor. Or in the garden.

Home camping – hang a tablecloth over furniture, add a torch and a sleeping bag.

Decorate biscuits by mixing icing sugar and water in a bowl to make runny icing and decorate with sprinkles or smarties.

Pass the parcel. Why save it for parties? Your kids can do the wrapping, using old newspaper, with prizes as simple as a sticker or packet of raisins.

Make pasta jewellery.

Roll a newspaper into a ball and play volleyball over a washing line.

Make salt dough with three cups of plain flour, one cup salt and one cup water. Model it like Play-Doh and dry out finished models in a cool oven. Then paint and varnish.

Treasure hunt - hide toys or sweets around the home and give your kids clues to find them. Kids like setting the hunts too. Alternatively, devise a nature trail where they have to find a series of items such as different coloured leaves.

Set up a home cinema in your living room: close the curtains, rearrange the furniture, make tickets and prepare snacks before putting on your favourite DVD.

The holidays are the perfect time to clear out old toys or games and replace them with new finds from the charity shop or swap with friends. Take the chance to reintroduce some traditional board games and toys into the mix.

Encourage your children to dig a vegetable patch of their own in your garden. If you don’t have any outside space, make a mini-garden by filling a plant tray with earth and arranging small sprigs of leaves, daisies and grass over the soil. Try small pebbles for paths and foil for a pond.

Websites www.rspb.org.uk/youth/makeanddo/index.asp

www.allfreecrafts.com

familyfun.go.com/

golondon.about.com/od/aprilannualevents/tp/east-ertop10.htm

www.kidsturncentral.com/links/esitelinks.htm

www.timeout.com/london/kids/ www.A-LittleBird.com

For more ideas on things to do over the Easter holidays look on www.Families-LSB.co.uk


website



New school? Preparing an ASD childThe move to a new school is all about change and children with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) certainly don’t like change explains Julia Pithouse, mother of two children with autism and manager at Eagle House Group, a specialist school group for children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

Starting ‘big school’, whether it is your first day at primary school or at secondary school, is a memory we all share. We all remember the mass of new faces, the different sounds, the smells and the itchiness of the stiff new uniform. It was daunting for us but it can be a truly terrifying experience for children with autism.

What is an autistic spectrum disorder? The word ‘autism’ is derived from the Greek word ‘autos’ which means self. A child with an autistic spectrum disorder often appears to exist in a world of their own, unable to join in the play and social activities of the other children. This neurological condition has no known cause but affects around one in every 100 children in the UK. Symptoms include difficulties in their ability to communicate, to socially interact and to be flexible and cope with change; all the things a child needs in readiness for the move to a new school.

How can parents prepare a child? There is no simple solution and my children always find change difficult. However, I believe preparation goes a long way and having a Starting School Plan really can help.

This can start with a simple ‘who’s who’ prepared by the school. We know that children

with autism respond well to pictures, so you can ask the school to produce a list of key people in your child’s school day, with photos.

For mums, having contact numbers and knowing the best time to talk to staff would make a big difference. We will need more than the average amount of reassurance, particularly in the first few weeks and parents need to know when it is convenient to call. We hate being made to feel a nuisance or over anxious — but anxiety about your child with autism is inevitable.

In return, parents can help staff by preparing a written ‘portrait’ of their child. This would have your child’s photo plus a concise list of the things they like and actively dislike. Five key things would be really helpful.

For example, my daughter loved playing for hours with Play-Doh but hated noisy places due to her sensory problems. I therefore knew the noisy playground was going to be a challenge. The school listened and were great, letting her play with her beloved Play-Doh on the edge of the playground so she could be happily distracted from the noise that could cause her

so much distress.

I also suggest taking pictures of the school, the playground, classroom and even the toilets. Popping them into an album gives your child time to familiarise before term starts.

I would also practise those things that other children just seem to learn naturally from each other. Things like lining up in the playground. We had fun practising this as a family, often involving the neighbours and any visitor who showed up. Children with autism don’t always get this ‘waiting in line’ concept, but practice certainly helps.

Think ‘pictures’ and you are on the right track. A highly visual timetable for your child which shows the important things in their day (not just their lessons) is essential. It should show things like lunchtime, break time, time for their favourite toy or computer time. All this reduces anxiety. It could be put by your child’s peg, in their book bag and for older children maybe on their laptop. If your child can regularly check their own timetable and know what is happening, their anxiety is lowered and possible behavioural issues avoided.

Picture sequences can help your child see how to get dressed for PE and these can also help with the routine at home in the morning. Getting out of the door by 8am with our children can be a real challenge, all the negotiating and cajoling in the world doesn’t work but a simple sequence of pictures to follow can.

Julia Pithouse, Group Development Manager Eagle House Group. Tel 0845 0742972

www.eaglehousegroup.co.uk

education



education

Starting school – not too early to plan By Joanna Parry

Whether your little one is starting a new school or nursery this Autumn or just returning after the long summer break, the first days back can be difficult. Starting school is a major milestone for you and your child and whilst some kids rush into their new classroom, unfazed by new faces, for others it’s stressful and scary and in the end, the tears flow. “I’m dreading Daniel starting school,” says Maria. “If it’s anything like when he started nursery he’ll be crying for weeks.”

And it’s not just the kids battling mixed emotions - we parents can suffer too. We’re reluctant to accept that our little ones are going ‘out into the world’ – they still look so tiny and their new uniforms dwarf them. It can be difficult to predict how you and your child will react to the first days of school or nursery but with some preparation in the months prior to their starting you can make this time enjoyable and fun.

Be positive – your child will know if you are dreading it. Talk to them about starting school and tell them what you remember from your

school days

Make a countdown calendar and count down until the big day. My little one loved making a paper chain and tearing off one link each day

Make the school familiar by walking past, find

out the names of the teachers and even pop in and look at the classroom together

Some nurseries and schools arrange a play-session in advance to meet fellow parents and children. Get those dates in your diary.

Avoid separation anxiety by encouraging your child to be independent. Help them

be comfortable spending time with other people, and if you’re worried that your child

might find it difficult to leave you, let staff know in advance

Let your child wear their uniform as a treat beforehand – they’ll feel very smart and grown-up.

Shop together for school supplies – a new backpack and lunchbox is exciting.

Towards the end of the holidays ease into a school bed-time schedule. Don’t let it be a shock when you suddenly ask them to go to bed an hour earlier.

It may sound obvious — but you’ll avoid a chaotic first morning by packing bookbags and laying out uniforms the night before.

Starting school – not too early to Whether your little one is starting a new school or nursery this Autumn or just returning after the long summer break, the first days back can be difficult. Starting school is a major milestone

rush into their new classroom, unfazed by new faces, for others it’s stressful and scary and in

starting school,” says Maria. “If it’s anything like

reluctant to accept that our little ones are going ‘out into the world’ – they still look so tiny and

difficult to predict how you and your child will react to the first days of school or nursery but

out the names of the teachers and even pop in and look at the classroom together

Some nurseries and schools arrange a play-session in advance to meet fellow parents and children. Get those dates in your diary.

Avoid separation anxiety by encouraging your child to be independent. Help them

be comfortable spending time with other people, and if you’re worried that your child

might find it difficult to leave you, let staff know in advance

Let your child wear their uniform as a treat beforehand – they’ll feel very smart and grown-up.

Shop together for school supplies – a new backpack and lunchbox is exciting.

Towards the end of the holidays ease into a school bed-time schedule. Don’t let it be a



education

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OPEN DAYSCroydon High 020 8260 7500 Fri 1 Apr: Junior School taster day 1.30 – 3.00pm; Wed 18 May: Junior School open afternoon 1.30 – 3.00pm

Cumnor House: Boys (S. Croydon) 020 8660 3445 Sat 5 Mar: Prep, Pre-Prep and Nursery open morning 9.30 – 11.00am

Cumnor House: Girls (Purley) 020 8660 3445 Fri 11 Mar: Prep, Pre-Prep and Nursery open morning 9.00 – 11.30am

Downsend (Epsom) 01372 372311 Sat 12 Mar: The Lodges – meet the Head 9.30am; Fri 13 May: Main school - Headmaster’s talk 9.30am

Eagle House (Mitcham) 0845 074 2972 Mon 7 Mar, Mon 4 Apr, Mon 9 May: open mornings 10.30 – 12.30pm

Eagle House (Sutton) 0845 074 2972 Thu 24 Mar, Thu 19 May: open mornings 10.00 – 12.00pm

Ewell Castle (Ewell) 020 8393 1413 Wed 9 Mar, Wed 4 May, Wed 8 Jun: Junior & Senior schools open morning 9.00–10.30am

Greenacre (Banstead) 01737 352114 Mon 7 Mar, Tue 10 May, Wed 15 Jun: prospective parents’ morning 10.30 - 12.30pm

Homefield (Sutton) 020 8661 8039 Contact the school to arrange a visit

Kingswood House (Epsom) 01372 723590 Thu 12 & Sat 14 May: open morning 9.30am – 12.00pm

Laleham Lea (Purley) 0208 660 3351 Thu 12 & Sat 14 May: : open morning 10.00am – 12.00pm

Priory Prep (Banstead) 01737 366920 Wed 23 Mar, Wed 6 Apr: pop-in mornings 9.00 – 11.00am; Sat 21 May: open morning 10.00 – 12.00pm

Royal Russell (S. Croydon) 020 8651 5884 Thu 17 Mar: Junior School open day 9.30 – 2.30pm

St Christopher’s (Epsom) 01372 721807 Contact school for details 01372 721807 or email [email protected]

Seaton House (Sutton) 020 8642 2332 Sat 7 May: Reception & Yr. 1 open morning 10.00 – 1.00pm

Sutton High 020 8225 3001 Thu 10 Mar: Special 11+ open morning - 9.45am; Wed 23 Mar: whole school open morning 9.45am

Thames Christian College (SW11) 020 7228 3933 Wed 4 May: open morning 10.15 – 12.15pm

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OFFERING CARE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL HOURSCollingwood School, Springfield Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 0BD 020 8647 4607 www.collingwoodschool.org.ukPre-school Care Club 7.30 – 8.30am; After School Care available until 6.30pm.

Croydon High School, Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, S. Croydon CR2 8YB 020 8260 7500 [email protected] www.croydonhigh.gdst.netThe Ivy Club, after school care available at a charge from 3.30 – 6.00pm.

Cumnor House School: Boys, 168 Pampisford Road South, Croydon, CR2 6DA 020 8660 3445 [email protected] www.cumnorhouse.com/after-school-clubs.htmlFree drop off from 7.45am. After School Club operates until 5.30pm at an additional charge.

Cumnor House: Treetops Nursery (Croydon), 91 Pampisford Road South, Croydon, Surrey, CR2 6DH; 020 8660 3445 [email protected] www.cumnorhouse.com/the-nursery-day.htmlDrop off from 8.00am, with a Teatime Club at an additional charge until 5.30 pm.

Cumnor House: Treetops Nursery (Purley) 13 Woodcote Lane, Purley, Surrey, CR8 3HB020 8660 3445 [email protected] www.cumnorhouse.com/the-nursery-day.htmlDrop off from 8.00am, with a Teatime Club at an additional charge until 5.30 pm.

Cumnor House School: Girls, 1 Woodcote Lane, Purley, Surrey, CR8 3HB020 8660 3445 [email protected] www.cumnorhouse.com/after-school-clubs-1.htmlFree drop off from 8.00am. After School Club operates until 6.00pm at an additional charge.

Greenacre School for Girls, Sutton Lane, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 3RA 01737 352114 [email protected] www.greenacre.surrey.sch.uk/s.asp?c=1032Free supervised early morning facility from 8.00am. After School Care available at a charge until 5.30pm

Laleham Lea School, 29 Peaks Hill, Purley, Surrey, CR8 3JJ 020 8660 3351 [email protected] www.lalehamlea.co.uk/Early Bird Club from 8.00am and Late Leaver Club until 6.00pm for which additional fees available.

Old Palace of John Whitgift Old Palace Road Croydon CR0 1AX020 8688 2027 [email protected] Palace Nursery - Day Nursery open 7.30 – 6.00pm all year round except for Bank holidays, Christmas week and staff training day.

Royal Russell Junior School, Coombe Lane, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 5BX020 8651 5884 [email protected] www.royalrussell.co.uk/EYFS/Creche_EYFS.phpLower Junior Crèche for Nursery to Year two available from 3.15 - 5:30pm at an additional charge

St.Christopher’s School, 6 Downs Road, Epsom, KT18 5HE01372 721807 www.st-christophers.surrey.sch.ukFree drop off facility from 8.20am. Breakfast club from 8.00am and After school club available from 3.00 – 6.00pm at an additional charge

Seaton House, 67 Banstead Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5LH 020 8642 2332 www.seatonhouse.sutton.sch.uk/index.htmEarly Birds available free from 8.00am; After School Club runs from 3.45 - 5.30pm for which there is an additional charge

Royal Russell to hold first-ever open day in school hoursRoyal Russell Junior School is holding a working open day on Thursday 17 March. The open day offers a chance for families to see the excellent facilities and extensive grounds in use.

Why not go along and talk to the pupils and staff and get a real feel for the warm, friendly and vibrant atmosphere? The aim is to offer parents firsthand experience of how the school works to provide an all round education for its pupils, whilst retaining a focus on each and every individual.

www.royalrussell.co.uk/Juniorindex.php

Southern Tutors expandsSouthern Tutors has expanded by over 600 per cent in 2010. The company provides qualified teachers for all subjects and all ages covering all of Surrey and London.

The group’s intensive 11 plus holiday courses are also popular and early booking is essential. One child gained 272/280 in the Nonsuch entrance exam this year. The group has been going a long time. One of its earlier students is now a qualified doctor in a London hospital. The company said it gets a lot of new students from recommendations.

www.southerntutors.co.uk. / 44 (0) 1372 72 39 47

Kumon centre opens in SelsdonA new Kumon study centre has opened in Selsdon. More than 60,000 children learn with the Kumon programmes at over 600 study centres UK-wide.

At the new Selsdon study centre, your child will start at a level they are comfortable with, consolidating familiar topics before moving on to something new.

The Selsdon Kumon centre is held at St John the Divine Community Hall, Upper Selsdon Road on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Call Ade Adeyemo on 020 7993 8698 or email [email protected]


website


website



education



Plhone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline...end info to our listings editor to be considered: [email protected] & toddlers

Help Sophie celebrate her 50th birthdaySophie the Giraffe is 50 years old this year and to mark the

occasion, she is holding a competition open to fans of all ages. The closing date is 20 April 2011 and the one entry that gets Sophie’s

extra special squeak of approval will win the ultimate Sophie gift box including many goodies from all her friends in the

nursery industry.

Another 49 entries will be exhibited exclusively at Battersea Park Zoo during the month of May.

All entries will be featured online on the website (below)

To enter, design a 50th birthday card. There is no age limit and no holds barred on your creativity.

Enter online at www.sophielagirafe.co.uk/, or by post, to Happy Birthday Sophie la Girafe, 1 Noel Street, London, W1F 8GA

babies & toddlersHelp Sophie celebrate her 50th birthday

Sophie the Giraffe is 50 years old this year and to mark the occasion, she is holding a competition open to fans of all ages. The closing date is 20 April 2011 and the one entry that gets Sophie’s

extra special squeak of approval will win the ultimate Sophie gift box including many goodies from all her friends in the

nursery industry.

Another 49 entries will be exhibited exclusively at Battersea Park Zoo during the month of May.

All entries will be featured online on the website (below)

To enter, design a 50th birthday card. There

Baby-Sitters teach French tooFounded by a native French speaker, Little French Bears offers baby-sitting services with a twist. All her baby sitters speak French as well as English and expect to begin teaching the French language when they babysit.

The service caters to families in London and the surrounding southern areas of Croydon, Bromley and Beckenham, reaching out into Surrey and Kent. They offer evening care as well as daytime care.

She said prices are no more expensive than other baby-sitting agencies, and all the charges are on the website.

Little French Bears also offers to find au pairs from France.

All Little French Bears representatives are fully police Criminal Records Bureau checked (CRB checked) and reference checked.

www.littlefrenchbears.co.uk 07804 892 922

Census will record new babiesBabies born this March will be among the youngest people added to the 2011 Census.

Local authorities receive money for services like schools, health and transport, based on the number of people living in an area. So census statistics could help plan the hospitals babies are born in and the roads they travel home on. It’s important to make sure all babies and preschool children are included on your questionnaire, so that they’re counted and can benefit from the services that are built to help them.

The census is a once-a-decade event, run by the Office for National Statistics, that affects everyone in England and Wales. In March 2011 a white envelope with a purple C emblazoned on it will drop through your letterbox. Inside will be a questionnaire which can be completed securely online (through the census website www.census.gov.uk) or on paper. It takes about ten minutes per adult to complete, much less for children. www.census.gov.uk

Osteopathic clinic moves to WandsworthThe Osteopathic Centre for Children (OCC) has moved to new premises at Wandsworth riverside in order to expand its service which currently offers 30,000 osteopathic treatments a year to babies, children, pregnant women and post-partum mothers.

As a charity, the OCC relies on public donations to maintain its brief of providing osteopathic treatment to ante and post-natal

mothers and children regardless of their ability to pay.

The new Centre has 12 treatment tables in a friendly, easy to use, open-plan layout with a private treatment room. The move will improve access and costs in order to preserve and grow its service to all families who are in need of it.

www.fpo.org.uk or call 020 8875 5290

NCT offers postnatal helpline for all parentsWhile becoming a parent for the first (or second.) time can be very exciting, many of us also find it an immense challenge. With concerns over everything from breastfeeding to broken sleep, parents often need somebody to talk to, and this spring the NCT has set up a new Postnatal Line for all parents.

“New parents often feel they are getting everything wrong, while everyone else has the right answer,” says Juliet Pollard, NCT Postnatal Leader. “At NCT, we think there is no right answer.” Staffed by qualified NCT advisors, the Postnatal Line offers support and information to new parents on everything from sleeping to feeding, establishing baby routines and body image after birth. The helpline number is 0300 330 0772 and is open 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday, with calls charged at local rates.

“Remember, you are not alone,” adds Juliet. “Many new parents feel overwhelmed, and the NCT’s recent postnatal care survey of first time mums found that emotional support, physical care and information provided to mums was sadly lacking, leaving many of them feeling abandoned and uncertain.” For more information go to www.nct.org.uk.



ideas for days outSpend an eggs-cellent day out with the ducklings

London Wetland Centre in Barnes is holding meet-the-ducklings sessions from Saturday 9 – Monday 25 April, 2011.

Visitors will be able to meet ducklings as they take their first swim; see chicks developing inside their shells; take part in an Easter egg trail; go pond-dipping and indulge in holiday activities.

Join the wardens for Egg Watch to see ducklings developing inside their shells, a technique known as ‘candling’. The technique is called candling (although candles are no longer used) because it involves shining a bright light onto the egg so you can see through the shell to discover how the duckling is developing.

During April this 105 acre wildlife reserve is home to wild ducklings chasing their mothers across the Centre’s lakes and ponds. The Centre is the one of the best places in London to watch and learn about ducks, eggs and ducklings. The Centre’s experts care for many types of ducks, geese and swans and will be on hand to tell you all about them.

For more information please contact Jamie Wyver on 0208 409 4412 or email [email protected]

WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, London SW13 9WT

Spend a night at the Museum 2011We can’t promise dinosaurs that chase bones, but if your children want to spend a night in a museum, aim to register at the website (below). Museums across the UK open their doors for night-time events on the weekend of 13-15 May.

The closest event to Sutton is the Whitehall in Cheam which is planning a night walk on the evening of 14 May to see bats. The walk will start at Whitehall where our expert will explain where to look for bats around your own home. The walk will then go onto Cheam park in search of our nocturnal friends.

Some of the big museums in London are taking part. The Bank of England museum is holding a free event called Banknotes and Bullion starting from 5.30 pm. The Old operating theatre near London Bridge is open from 6pm, with an event titled Surgery by Gaslight & Other Medical Tales.

www.culture24.org.uk/places+to+go/museums+at+night

Go for a walk in the bluebell woodsApril is bluebell time in the local woods. Springtime walks in the bluebells can be amazing, with that carpet of lilac and the heavy scent of Springtime.

You can check whether the bluebells are out or not on the web. They usually last two to three weeks, with the peak in the middle week

Banstead Woods, Banstead

Woodland Trust woods www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Chiphouse Wood, Chiphouse Bottom Edolphs Copse, Charlwood Ricketts Wood, Charlwood Glover’s Wood, Charlwood Great Earls Wood, Limpsfield Staffhurst Wood, Limpsfield Little Earls Wood, Oxted

National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Leith Hill, Holmbury St Mary

Further Afield

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, nr. Sevenoaks TN15 0RR 01732 459777 www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

Woo

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ust

Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline... Please send info to our listings editor to be considered: [email protected]



11+ PASS CLUB07814 349868

www.11pluspassclub.com

11+ Pass Club will be running a 2 day Creative Writing course in April at a school in Wallington.

THE ANCHOR SCHOOL, ROSEHILL, SUTTON020 8286 3069 www.anchorschool.co.uk

Mon 11- Fri 15 Apr 10.00 - 12.30

Expert tuition for 4-11 year olds in reading, writing and spelling. Specialist dyslexia tuition available for those who need it. For further details of the school contact Wendy Holmes. £30.00 per morning or £140.00 for all 5 mornings. Stay for lunch and afternoon play activities with Michelle at Holiday Day Camps on 020 8254 2118.

ADVENTURE CAMPS AT ROYAL RUSSELL SCHOOLCoombe Lane, Croydon, CR9 5BX

01235 832222 www.rawadventurecamps.co.uk

11-15 Apr 9.20 - 4.30pm (can drop off early and pick up later)

Five day outdoor adventure camp for 8 -14 yr olds. £159 per week

AQUA SPORTS COMPANYMercers Park Nutfield Marsh Road, Merstham, Nr Redhill RH1 4EU

01737 644 288 www.aquasports.co.uk

Mon – Thu, 11-14 April & 18-21 April 9.30-11.30am; 12.00-2.00pm; 2.00-4.00pm depending on course.

Junior courses in Windsurfing, Dinghy Sailing and Paddlesports from beginner to intermediate. For ages: 8-13. £114 per course - includes all equipment, RYA or BCU log book and certificates.

CROYDON HIGH SPORTS CLUB ACTIVITY CAMPSCroydon High Sports Club Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, South Croydon CR2 8YB

020 8657 9313 www.croydonsportsclub.co.uk

11-15 Apr, 18-21 Apr, 26 &27 Apr 8.30 - 5.30pm Multi-Activity Camp.

Sports, arts & crafts for 5-14 yr olds.

£25/day; £100/ week (£80/ week for w/c 18 Apr). Morning Only Sessions: £15/day or £60/ week (£48 / week for w/c 18th April)

DANCE FOCUS HOLIDAY CAMPSRedhill & Reigate venues 01737 213 281 [email protected] www.football-focus.co.uk 9.00-12.00pm (half day); 9.00-3.30pm (full day)Dance camp. Street dance, cheerleading & musical production. Perform in an end of camp show for mum & dad. For 4-5, 6-8 & 9-11 yr olds. From £15.00. Call or email for further details

DOWNSEND+Downsend School, 1 Leatherhead Road, Leatherhead KT22 8TJ

01372 385403/07909 861280 www.downsend.co.uk

Thu 7 Apr - Thu 21 Apr 8.00 - 5.30

Holiday care provision with a wide range of courses and daily activities for 5- 13 yr olds.

DOWNSEND LODGES+Downsend School, Leatherhead Lodge, 13 Epsom Road, Leatherhead KT22 8ST

07899 011275 www.downsend.co.uk

Thu 7 Apr - Thu 21 Apr 8.00 - 5.30

A fun programme of daily activities, with an Easter theme for 2 – 5 yr olds.

EK SPORTS AND LEISUREGreenacre School, Sutton Lane, Banstead, Surrey SM7 3RA

01372 210807 www.eksports.co.uk

11 -15 Apr See our story on p.4. Visit their website for further details and to see the special offers available

FOOTBALL FOCUS HOLIDAY CAMPSRedhill & Reigate venues 01737 213 281 info@football-focus.

co.uk www.football-focus.co.uk 9.00-12.00pm (half day); 9.00-3.30pm (full day)Football camp, take part in FUTSAL training, skills school, shooting, matches, inflatable football & more. For 4-5, 6-8 & 9-11 yr olds. From £15.00. Call or email for further details

GYMBOREE CROYDON

42 Capital Business Centre, 22 Carlton Road, S. Croydon CR2 0BS

07906 431 701 www.gymboree-uk.com

Mon - Sat, classes between 10.30- 3.30pm. Developmental sessions for 0-5 yr olds

MAD ABOUT FOOTBALL AT ROYAL RUSSELL SCHOOLCoombe Lane, Croydon, CR9 5BX

01235 832222 www.madaboutsports.co.uk

11 - 15 Apr 9.20am – 4.30pm (options available to drop off early and pick up later)

Five day progressive football coaching course. For 8-14 yr olds. £139 per week.

MAD ABOUT SWIMMING AT WHITGIFT SCHOOLHaling Park, South Croydon, CR2 6YT

01235 832222 www.madaboutsports.co.uk

11-15 Apr 8.15 - 9.15am (drop off at 8.00am, pick up at 9.30am) Five day progressive swimming coaching course. For 8-14 yr olds. £54 per week.

PERFORMMansel Road Centre, Trinity United Reform Church, Mansel Road, London, SW19 4AA

0845 400 1273 www.perform.org.uk

13 - 15 Apr 2.30pm - 4.30pm

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

camps & classesHOLIDAY CAMPS AND CLASSES

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Spring holiday fun for 4-8 yr olds. Performance with colourful costumes for family and friends. £90 (with a 25% discount for siblings and reductions for groups). Please note that non-Perform children will require a Perform T-shirt at an additional cost of £7.50.

RAW ADVENTURE CAMPS AT ABERDOUR SCHOOL

Brighton Road, Burgh Heath, Tadworth, KT20 6AJ

01235 832222 www.rawadventurecamps.co.uk

18-21 Apr 9.20 - 4.30pm (options available to drop off early and pick up later)

Five day outdoor adventure camp for 8 -14 yr olds. £159 per week.

STAGECOACH COULSDON

Woodcote High School, Meadow Rise, Coulsdon, CR5 2EH

0845 078 0805 www.stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon

Mon 11 – Fri 15 April

GOLD RUSH

Put on a show in just five days. Calling all lawmen, Apache Indians, saloon entertainers and wild west wanabees. 6 - 18 (Juniors 4 - 6). Please call for further details& prices

Mon – Thu 9.30 - 3.30pm, Fri 11.00 - 6.30pm (Performance at 5.30pm) for 6 – 18yr olds.

Mon - Fri 10.00 -1.00pm Junior Holiday workshop for 4 - 6 yr olds

STAGECOACH EPSOM Blenheim High School, Longmead Road, Epsom

01932 784 001 www.stagecoach.co.uk/epsom

Mon 11- Fri 15 April

ANNIE 9.30 - 12.30pm daily for ages 4 - 6 yr olds, with final performance 12.30 to 1.00pm

10.00 – 4.00pm daily for ages 7 - 18 yrs, with final performance 5.00 – 6.00 For further details contact Ellie Scott

SOUTHERN TUTORSHeld at Rosebery School, Epsom

01372723947 / 07986564651 [email protected] .southerntutors.co.uk

11, 12 and 13 April

INTENSIVE 11 PLUS COURSES

Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, Maths and English classes for 9 & 10 yr olds. Fees vary according to number of days attended. Contact the tutors (not the school) for further details.

STAR STEPPERS PERFORMING ARTSCheam Parochial Rooms, 42 The Broadway, Cheam, Surrey, SM3 8BL

07810 808 228 (Anna) [email protected] www.star-steppers.com

18 Apr 2.00 – 5.00pm THRILLER WORKSHOP. Come along and dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller. For ages 7+. £20 pp (£35 for two siblings)

19 Apr 2.00 – 5.00pm THE ROYAL WEDDING TEA DANCE PARTY. Make wedding invites, re-enact the wedding day, dine regal ly and take part in traditional court dancing with party games to finish. This workshop must be pre-booked for catering purposes. For ages 4+. £25 pp (£45 for two siblings)

On each day at 1.45pm friends and family are invited to watch the children.

SUPER CAMPS AT ABERDOUR SCHOOLBrighton Road, Burgh Heath, Tadworth, KT20 6AJ

01235 832222 www.supercamps.co.uk

11-21 Apr 9.20 - 4.30pm with FREE extended hours (8.00- 6.00pm)

Multi-Activity Camp. 40+ sports, arts & crafts. For 4-14 yr olds. £36 per day, £164 per week.

SUPER CAMPS AT ROYAL RUSSELL SCHOOLCoombe Lane, Croydon, CR9 5BX



Multi-Activity Camp. 40+ sports, arts & crafts. For 4-14 yr olds. £36 per day,

£164 per week.

SUPER CAMPS AT SUTTON HIGH SCHOOL55 Cheam Road, Sutton, SM1 2AX


11-21 Apr 9.20 - 4.30pm with FREE extended hours (8.00- 6.00)


SUPER CAMPS AT WHITGIFT SCHOOLHaling Park, South Croydon, CR2 6YT




SUPER CAMPS AT WIMBLEDON HIGH SCHOOLMansel Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4AB


11-21 Apr 9.20 - 4.30pm with FREE extended hours (8.30- 5.30)

Multi-Activity Camp. 40+ sports, arts & crafts. For 4-11 yr olds. £36 per day, £164 per week. Discounts available for booking early

SUTTON TENNIS ACADEMYRose Hill Park, Rose Hill, Sutton, SM1 3HH

0208 641 6611 [email protected] www.suttonholidaycamps.com

11- 22 April (Excluding weekends)

CLUB TENNIS. For beginners and club players aged 3 – 16 yrs; MINI-ACADEMY RED, ORANGE AND GREEN. For those aged 5 – 10 yrs already playing Mini-Tennis in term time; PERFORMANCE TENNIS. For advanced players aged 10 – 16 yrs

MULTI-SPORTS. For 4-16yr olds; BALLROOM AND LATIN, JAZZ AND STREET DANCE. For 4 – 16 yr olds

GYMNASTICS. For 4 – 16 yr olds. Full and half day options available. Contact them for further details of prices and times.

Special offer :

Go to www.Families-LSB.co.uk to download a discount voucher.

camps & classes

We try our best to make sure the information listed is correct, but please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline.....

For more a more comprehensive list of events visit our website

at www.families-LSB.co.uk





Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline...Please send info to our listings editor to be considered: [email protected]’s on

EPSOM PLAYHOUSEAshley Avenue, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5AL

01372 742555 www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk

Fri 15 Apr 1.30pm ANDY & MIKE’S BIG BOX OF BANANAS

CBeebies Presenter Andy Day and long-term comedy partner Mike James brings his much loved humour to this high energy, fast-paced children’s comedy. For ages 3+ Tickets: £10.50

FAIRFIELD HALLSPark Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG

020 8688 9291 [email protected] www.fairfield.co.uk

14 Mar & Tue 15 Mar

1.30pm & 7.00pm

SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE ON TOUR

Experience spectacular science, dangerous demonstrations and extraordinary experiments as London’s world-famous Science Museum takes to the stage for the first time ever with a spectacular live show to blow your mind and challenge your brain. Ages 7+. £12.50, families £45.

Sat 16 & Sun 17 April

1.30pm & 4.30pm. Extra performance Sun 10.30am

THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD

The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood … One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist ... does he? Ages 3+. £10, Groups of 10+ £8.50 and 11th ticket free

Tue 19 - Sat 23 April

7.30pm, Wed, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm

ANNIE

The rags to riches story of Annie’s adventures with a memorable score, fantastic visual choreography and a side-splittingly funny script. A treat for all the family. £10.50 - £26.50.

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATREThe Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1QG

0870 060 6646 www.newwimbledontheatre.co.uk

Tue 15 Mar -26 Mar

HAIRSPRAY

Follow the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big

girl with big hair and an even bigger heart as she sets out to follow her extraordinary dreams, inspire her mum and win the boy she loves. Check website for times and prices. £18.50 -£43.50

Wed 13 Apr

2.30pm

THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS BARRY POTTY AND HIS FULL BLOOD BROTHER

Barry Potty and his brother Paul accidentally arrive at Pigsnorts School of Magic. They actually took a wrong turn on the motorway as they had bought a second hand sat-nav at a car boot sale and it’s in German. Strange things start to happen with magical illusions and a story that could be an episode of Chuckle Vision.

£14.50

POLKA THEATRE240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB

020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com

Check website for latest times and prices

To Sat 9 Apr

THE MACHINE GUNNERS

It’s 1940, and Britain is at war. Young Chas McGill has the second best collection of war souvenirs in town but desperately wants it to be the best. One day, he stumbles across a shot-down German bomber and snatches the ultimate souvenir to add to his collection: a machine gun. This moving and touching story vividly re-creates life in Britain during World War II, and is guaranteed to resonate with children and adults today. 9-13 yrs. £6/£12

Sat 9 Apr

11.00am and 2.05pm

TALES FROM OLD JAPAN

Traditional Japanese tales brought to life through inventive storytelling, puppetry and music. For ages 5-8

Tue 12 – Sat 23 Apr

ON-OFF

A story with music, rhythm, movement and dance, to help young children overcome fear of the dark. Performed in English, with some Italian. For ages 2-4

Wed 13 - 23 Apr

LITTLE ELEPHANT

Inspired by Ruyard Kipling’s tale, this is the story of how the curious little elephant with a very small nose became the first elephant ever to have a trunk. Performed in English, with some Italian. For ages 4-7. £7-£9

26 Apr – 7 May

SCARECROW

A scarecrow is meant to scare crows. But these cheeky, chattering birds just won’t go away. What is a poor old Scarecrow to do? Confused and fed up, all he wants is to be left alone but slowly and grudgingly, something begins to develop between these two natural enemies. Could they be friends? A story full of music, movement, puppetry and

fun. For ages 5-9. £7-£9

SECOMBE THEATRE42 Cheam Road, Sutton, SM1 2SS 020 8770 6990 www.suttontheatres.co.uk (online booking now available)

Wed 30 Mar

7.45pm

BOMBAY BELLYWOOD

Where the mystic beats of Bombay meet the shaking hips of Cairo…

The Bellydance Superstars have taken an ancient art form and turned it into a show to compete with the likes of Riverdance and Stomp. A wealth of costume changes, great music and a fast pace with lots of variety has always been a hallmark of BDSS shows and this new show will follow and add to this tradition. £16/£10 concs

5 – 9 April

7.30pm , 2.30pm (Sat Matinee)

THE LIKES OF US

Sutton Theatre Company performs the first musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice which tells the story of the life of Dr Thomas Barnardo and his crusades to rescue children living on the streets.

Tue eve & Sat mat £11/£10, senior citizens & children Wed £11, Thur £12 Fri & Sat eve £13

The rags to riches story of Annie’s adventures with a memorable score, fantastic visual choreography

splittingly funny script. A treat

Sat 9 Apr

11.00am and 2.05pm

TALES FROM OLD JAPAN

Traditional Japanese tales brought to life through inventive storytelling, puppetry and music. For ages 5-8

Tue 12 – Sat 23 Apr

ON-OFF

A story with music, rhythm, movement and dance, to help young children overcome fear of the dark. Performed in English, with some Italian. For ages 2-4

LOCAL THEATRES AND CONCERTSWe try our best to make sure the information listed is correct, but please always phone before setting out in case details have changed.



THE ARC, CATERHAM39 Weston Drive, Caterham, CR3 5XY

01883 330 380 [email protected] www.the-arc-caterham.co.uk

Sat 26 Mar 11.00am & 2.00pm

ROBIN HOOD RESCUES THE FOREST

In his bid to finally rid Sherwood Forest of outlaws, the evil Prince John has decided to burn it down. However, our eponymous hero has other ideas. An interactive production filled with music and humour that combines “myths and legends” with an important study of ecology and the environment. For ages 5+. £7/ £5 for Members or Friends of The Arc.

CHARLES CRYER STUDIO THEATRE, CARSHALTON39 High Street, Carshalton, SM5 3BB 0208 770 6990 www.suttontheatres.co.uk

(online booking now available)

Wed 23 – Sat 26 March

7.30pm, 2.30pm (Sat Mat)

SHOWSTOPPERS

The Christopher Singers present an evening of popular songs from hit musicals. The Christopher Singers Younger Generation and children from local schools will also be taking part. Eves Wed Eve & Sat Mat £10/£8 concs Thur, Sat Eve £10

THE COLOUR HOUSE THEATREMerton Abbey Mills, Watermill Way, London SW19 2RD

020 8542 5511 [email protected] www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk

To 17 April (Sats & Suns only) 2.00pm & 4.00pm

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Kind Prince David has been changed into a Beast by an evil witch. The spell can only be broken if someone falls in love with him by the time he is 21. When fate leads Beauty to the Beast’s castle will their friendship turn to love and break that evil spell? Adult: £9, Child: £7







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DIARY DATES FOR FAMILIES

Weekend 12/13 March

Bourne Hall Museum Children’s ClubSpring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF

020 8394 1734 [email protected]

Sat 12 Mar 1.00-2.30pm

THE REAL ROMANS

Join a Roman housewife in her villa and explore what homelife was like 2,000 years ago. Learn what Roman children had for their dinner. Discover what you would use a feather for at mealtimes. See the clothes that were considered fashionable in Roman times.

£4 per child on the door

Chauffeur’s Flat Garden, TandridgeTandridge, Surrey RH8 9NJ

www.ngs.org.uk

Sat 12 & Sun 13 Mar 10.30 - 4.30

The garden will be open to the public as part of The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) for charity. Sure-footed visitors will enter a 1-acre magical garden with magnificent views. Spring bulbs, structures, textures and imaginative use of recycled materials create an inspired variety of ideas. Light refreshments will be available.

Visit the website (above) for more details.

Entry: Adults £3.00; children free.

Weekend 26/27 March

Fairfield HallsPark Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG

020 8688 9291 [email protected] www.fairfield.co.uk

ARTHUR DAVISON FAMILY CONCERT: TUBBY THE TUBA & THE 1812 OVERTURE!

Sat 26 Mar 11.00am

Tubby the Tuba takes you on a voyage around the orchestra with the help of a bullfrog. Travel around the world in 80 minutes to locations including a Javanese Temple, a Brazilian Samba, a New York Jazz Club and a Russian Iron factory. The concert ends with the 1812 Overture featuring a Napoleonic style cannon.

All tickets £7.50, groups of 4+ £6.50, NBF

Weekend 2/3 April

Ebbisham Centre6–7 Derby Square, Epsom KT19 8AG

01483 450000, option 3 www.sja.org.uk/surrey

Sat 2 Apr 10.00-3.00pm

BREATH OF LIFE 2011 FIRST AID TRAINING DAY

St John Ambulance free first training day for the public. For further details ring or go to website (above).

Morden Hall ParkThe Snuff Mill, Morden Hall Road, Morden, SM4 5JD

020 8545 6850 (general enquiries) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-mordenhallpark-2

Sat 2 & Sun 3 Apr 12.00 – 4.00pm

FOCUS ON SPRING

Step in to Spring at Morden Hall Park and explore the transformation of the Park from Winter to Spring with exciting themed crafts, a guided walk around the Park and an interactive display. Free.

Pistachios In The ParkLady Neville Recreation Ground, Banstead 01737 370666

Sun 3 Apr

For Mother’s Day, treat mum to afternoon tea, feed the children and have the clearing and washing-up done for you.

Riverhill Himalayan GardensRiverhill, Sevenoaks TN15 0RR

01732 459777 www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

Sat 2 & Sun 3 Apr

FLOWER CRAFTS FOR MUM

Create a bouquet of flowers for your Mum using tissue paper and straws. For 3 - 12yr olds. Free pot of tea/coffee for mums.

WWT Wetland CentreQueen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT

020 8409 4400 www.wwt.org.uk

Sat 2 - Mon 25 Apr 9.30 – 5.00pm

EASTER DUCKLINGS

Follow the progress of real-life Easter eggs to see chicks growing inside their shells and, when they’ve hatched, watch them taking their first swim in their very own pool. Wardens will be on hand to explain how the ducklings have developed. Entrance for under fours FREE; children: £4.95 adults: £8.95 ;families: £25





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Weekend 9/10 April

Bocketts Farm Park

Young Street, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 9BS

01372 363764 www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Sat 9 - Mon 25 Apr

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

There’s lot’s of fun to be had at Bocketts Farm this Easter with plenty to see and do. Lambing is the main highlight for most, with over 300 newborn lambs due. There will be cute chicks and cuddly bunnies too in the animal handling sessions. Children can take part in the Easter Egg Hunt trail, with a chocolate treat for everyone. With indoor and outdoor play plus pony rides, tractor rides, pig racing, gold panning and more.

Adult / child (three - 17yrs): £8.50, two yrs: £6.95, under twos FREE

Tulleys FarmTurners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 4PE

01342 718472 www.tulleysfarm.com

Sat 9 Apr - Mon 25 Apr 10.00-4.30

Daily Easter events. Easter Egg & Bunny Hunt. Meet the Easter Bunny... As he takes up residence in his secret burrow, waiting to greet children and hand out small Easter gifts. There will be lots of different activities daily.

For details and prices see website.

Monday, 11 April

The Arc, Caterham39 Weston Drive, Caterham CR3 5XY

01883 330 380 [email protected] www.the-arc-caterham.co.uk

11.00 - 11.45am: Make Easter Bunny

Ears and get your face painted. Art for four to seven year olds.

12.30-1.30pm: Make Easter decorations for your Easter Tree. Decorate eggs and flowers. Art for eight -12yr olds.

Bank Of England MuseumThreadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH

020 7601 5545 [email protected] www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

11 – 15 & 18 – 21 April

10.00 - 4.30pm

Put all your eggs in one basket. Follow the treasure trail to find eggs hidden in the Museum then create and decorate your own Easter basket to take home. There is a chocolate egg for every child and prizes to be won.

Tuesday, 12 April

Sutton Ecology Centre020 8770 5820 (enquiries); [email protected] or 020 8770 5822 (bookings) www.sutton.gov.uk, go to E for Ecology Centre

10.00 – 2.00pm

ANTON CRESCENT PONDS & WETLANDS OPEN DAY

Come along and discover the creatures from the depths of the pond and find out about making mini ponds at home. Pond dipping, nature trail, information and more. No need to book, drop in any time. £2 per person.

Wednesday, 13 April

The Arc, Caterham39 Weston Drive, Caterham CR3 5XY 01883 330 380 [email protected] www.the-arc-caterham.co.uk

11.00-12.00pm. Come dressed as your favourite Easter animal. Animals creative movement for four- to seven-year-olds.

1.00 - 2.00pm. Junior Street Dance. Learn how to choreograph your own routine. Eight – 12yr olds.

5.00-6.00pm. Street Dance Taster. Let Susy put you through your paces in this lively and energetic class. 13-18yr olds.

Thursday, 14 April

EPSOM BOOK FAIREpsom Methodist Church, Ashley Road, Epsom KT18 5AQ

01372 726738 [email protected] www.emc.org.uk

Thu 14 - Sat 16 Apr 10.00 – 8.00pm (ends 4.00pm Saturday)

See story on page 2. Adults: 50p at the door; children/students: Free.



11.00 – 3.00pm

DAFT DUCKS

Discover more about ducks and their strange behaviour at this time of year with hands on exhibits. Discover snuff and the fashion of snuff taking. Experience how the mill worked and who was involved in the running of the Morden Mills. £4.00 per family.

Friday, 15 April

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Riverhill, Sevenoaks TN15 0RR


15 - 17 Apr

SPRING ART

Get ready for Easter by decorating and planting up flower pots. Activities led by experienced local artist. For 3 - 12 yrs.

Weekend 16/17 April

Bourne Hall MuseumBourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, Surrey, KT17 1UF

020 8394 1734 [email protected]

Sat 16 Apr 10.00 – 5.00pm

WW1 GOING UP THE LINE

The museum and the 10th Essex Regiment military display group present a living history event, suitable for all ages, dedicated to exploring the experiences of World War 1. Re-enactment; Trace your WW1 ancestors; identify memorabilia; demonstrations, talks, displays, local history. Adult: £4, Child: £2, Family of Four: £10, under fives: free.

Epsom & Ewell Model Railway ClubNescot, Reigate Road, Ewell KT17 3DS

01483 576274 [email protected]

THE EPSOM MODEL RAILWAY SHOW 2011

Sat 16 Apr & Sun 17 Apr

A large model railway exhibition featuring some of the country’s finest working layouts, many being exhibited at Ewell for the first time. Includes general and specialist trade stands, modelling demonstrations and refreshment lounge. Free parking for 600 cars, or a 10 minute walk from Ewell East Station (direct footpath). Adults: £5; under 16s: free



Sat 16 & Sun 17 Apr 12.00 – 4.00pm

SNUFF MILL STORY

Explore the fascinating history of the Snuff Mill through stories, images and hands-on exhibits. Discover snuff and the fashion of snuff-taking. Experience how the mill worked and who was involved in the running of the Morden Mills. Free.

Tuesday, 19 April

Sutton Ecology CentreFestival Walk, Carshalton

SM5 3NY

020 8770 5820 (enquiries); [email protected] or 020 8770 5822 (bookings) www.sutton.gov.uk, go to E for Ecology Centre

10.30 -12.00pm & 1.30 – 3.00pm

HUMPTY DUMPTY EGG HUNT

Can you find all the pieces of Humpty Dumpty and put him back together again? Follow the nature trail, fix old Humpty and find the eggs. For children aged 3+. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing. Booking necessary. £3.50 per child

Wednesday, 20 April

Riverhill Himalayan GardensRiverhill, Sevenoaks TN15 0RR


20 – 25 April

EASTER BUNNY HUNT

Find the hidden wooden bunnies in the garden. Mini egg for each correct answer. For all ages.



We try our best to make sure the information listed is correct, but please always phone before setting out in case details have changed.



SAVE with ad on page

19

Can you find all the pieces of Humpty

See our constantly-updated See our constantly-updated See our constantly-updated lists of Easter Egg huntslists of Easter Egg huntslists of Easter Egg hunts

at www.families-LSB.co.ukat www.families-LSB.co.ukat www.families-LSB.co.uk



what’s onPlease always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline... Please send info to our listings editor to be considered: [email protected]

Sutton Ecology CentreFestival Walk, Carshalton SM5 3NY

020 8770 5820 (enquiries); [email protected] or 020 8770 5822 (bookings) www.sutton.gov.uk, go to E for Ecology Centre

10.00 – 12.00pm

MINIBEAST MANIA

If you love bugs, then don’t miss this. Minibeast hunting, minibeast craft, minibeast fun and games. For ages 7+ (younger siblings welcome). Please wear suitable outdoor clothing. Advanced booking necessary. £4 per child

Thursday, 21 April



11.00 - 3.00pm

EASTER EGGS-TRAVAGANZA

Join in the annual Easter Egg Trail around Morden Hall Park and earn a Cadburys chocolate Egghead. £4 per child.

Easter weekend 22 – 25 April

British Wildlife CentreEastbourne Road (A22), Newchapel, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF 01342 834658 www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk

Sun 24 Apr

Children’s Easter Egg Trail. Find the locations of all the Easter eggs hidden throughout the Centre and win a small chocolate treat.

The Children’s TrustTadworth Court, Tadworth KT20 5RU

www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/springfair

Sat 23 Apr 12.00 – 4.00pm

SPRING FAIR

Fairground rides, a ‘pets corner’, an Easter egg hunt, face-painting, a bouncy castle and lots of stalls selling a wide variety of merchandise a mascot egg and spoon race. Children can enter the Easter Bonnet Competition by either bringing

their home-made creations, or making hats at the Fair. Pre-book and reserve places for the Easter egg hunt on-line.

Adults: £2.50; children: FREE.

Pistachios In The ParkLady Neville Recreation Ground, Banstead

01737 370666

Sun 24 April

EASTER MADNESS

Come as a family and there will be a range of Easter activities, Easter Egg hunt, Egg and Spoon Race, Face painting and more......

Weekend 7/8 May

Gymboree Croydon Family Fun Day 07906 431 703 [email protected]

Sat 7 May 12.00 – 5.00pm All funds raised will go to charity. Soft Play for 0-5 year olds (donation of £5 per family), Raffle (with fab prizes), Tomobola, Family Photographer, Pheonix Cards, Small Prints and much more. please e-mail /call for further details or to book a space with the photographer or Small Prints.

NCT Croydon Nearly New Sale, SandersteadAll Saints Church, Onslow Gardens, Sanderstead, Surrey

CR2 9AB

0844 2436100 [email protected] www.nct.org.uk/croydon

Sat 7 May 10.00 - 12.00pm

Come and grab yourself a bargain. For further details contact Lesley.

Entry by donation (£1 per adult suggested amount)

Friday, 13 May

Bank Of England MuseumThreadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH

020 7601 5545 [email protected] www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

5.30 – 9.00pm

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT

A rare opportunity for an evening visit. As well as all the usual displays, there will be presentations on banknotes in the Museum cinema. Bank staff will also be on hand to answer questions about gold.





classifi eds

Southern Tutors. 01372723947. [email protected]. 11+ tuition. Holiday courses. GCSE and ‘A’ level.

Competition Terms and Conditions1. Only one entrant from same e-mail address or household will be accepted.2. Under 16s must obtain parental consent before entering.3. Entries must be received by the closing date and proof of sending cannot be taken as proof

of receipt.4. Winning entries will be randomly drawn from all correct entries.5. All decisions of Families magazine are final and no correspondence will be entered into.6. No prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.7. Winners’ details will be supplied to the Promoter of the competition.8. Families magazine is not liable for any delay or failure by the Promoter to deliver any prize

or for the quality of the prize or for any loss or damage arising in connection with the competition.

9. By entering the competition, entrants will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to these terms and conditions.

10. The winner is selected via a random process from all correct entries and contacted via the email address provided by the entrant. If the promoter does not obtain a response from the winner within 21 days, we reserve the right to select another winner at random.

Tuition

Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Keyboard/Piano Tuition

Families London-Surrey Borders

Has a really useful website.

www.Families-LSB.co.ukWe’re getting thousands of page

impressions every month.

Join other local parents who visit to see the articles, listings, offers and

competitions we run every month.

There’s also a wealth of articles on parenting, childcare and family matters, contributed by our professional editors,

spread around the country.

We’re actively updating our list of Easter egg hunts as we go.

Cooking Classes and Parties for childrenAges 2-16. Croydon and Bromley areas.www.kitchenstars.co.uk 07904238748

Flossie 020 8647 9967 The fun and laughter never stops.1 or 2 hr parties with magic, music, balloons, puppets, games, dancing.

Parties

Classes

11+ TUITIONNow enrolling Years 3, 4 and 5

Independently run at the grammar school

Wallington High School for GirlsMaths, English, Verbal Reasoning and

Non Verbal Reasoning by specialist 11+ Tutors

Saturdays 9.30am-12.30pmBOOK NOW only £12.50 per hour

also book now for the

Creative Writing course in April 2011.0845 056 8889 / 07814 349868www.11plusPassClub.com

Cleaners

Advertise with Families London-Surrey Borders21 000 magazines printed and distributed to families

who live in Epsom, Ashtead, Ewell, Cheam, North Cheam, Worcester Park, Old Malden, Stoneleigh,

Belmont, Sutton, Morden, Mitcham, Banstead, Carshalton, Carshalton Beeches, Wallington,

Coulsdon, Kenley, Purley, Shirley, Selsdon, Sanderstead, Croydon, Thornton Heath, and all the places in

between.

Call Izabella or David on 020 8669 5187 or email [email protected]

www.Families-LSB.co.uk

families-lsb issue 37 march-april 2011

Documents

families magazine

copy of families

families south west

popular local whats

education open days

charity comedy gigs

wallington sm6

comedy set