Families Surrey East Jan-Feb 2014

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Local News

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January-February 2014

familiessurreyeast.co.uk

Nursery Education Special February Half Term

WHAT’S ON for 0-12 year olds in January and February!

Covering Reigate, Redhill, Dorking, Leatherhead, Caterham, Godstone, Warlingham, Horley, Oxted and Lingfield

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Confidence Building Fun Try a Free Drama Class

Watch your child’s self-esteem soar with our weekly classes for 4–12s Child development is at the heart of everything we do. So our drama, dance and singing sessions will boost your child’s confidence, improve their concentration and give them an outlet to have fun.

Call 0845 400 1279 or visit perform.org.uk for a free class at your nearest venue.

ISSUE 38 JAN-FEB 2014 ÂŽ

Happy New Year! And welcome to the longer days!

Our Nurseries Feature on pages 8-11 helps all those parents on the look out for nursery care. And, for those who are wondering how best to support their child’s learning – we have a great solution! See page 9.

Our children love their weekly clubs and classes. On pages 16-17 the focus is on winter activities that families can take part in together, which we think makes a lovely antidote to children-only activities.

And on pages 18-19 some warming ideas for activities indoors. ‘Staying Warm Inside’ looks at the range of activities on offer at our local Leisure Centres.

Our Walks, Nature and Local Conservation feature is bigger than usual this time – we wanted to bring you a deeper understanding of the importance of Nature and what can be learned from local projects and places. See page 21.

IN THIS ISSUE 2 6 8

12 13 14 15 16 18 20 21 22 24

NEWS Babies and Toddlers NURSERY EDUCATION How to Choose Your Child’s Nursery, Supporting Nursery Learning, Hand Washing and Hygiene Education – Independent School Open days Town & Community Education - News Club News Winter Activities with the Family Indoor Activities – Staying Warm Inside Theatre Walks, Nature and Local Conservation Events Calendar Holiday Camps and Courses

Eleanor Lines, Editor, Families Surrey East

Let’s get sewing!

ts dul ! ra Fo d kids an

Learn a new skill and make something lovely! fun sewing parties and bespoke get-­togethers informal workshops kids holiday workshops 1-­2-­1 tuition in and around Reigate Like to know more? Please contact Nicole at info@cloudcraft.co.uk or 07806 798238

www.cloudcraft.co.uk

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Web mag: Familiessurreyeast.co.uk Families Surrey East is part of the national network of Families magazines. See familiesonline.co.uk for more features and competitions.

NEXT ISSUE – MARCH-APRIL, out on 27 FEBRUARY 2014. Send your news and upcoming events by 24 January for FREE INCLUSION. PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS and reach families throughout East Surrey with DISPLAY ADS or ask about our CLASSIFIED LISTINGS – perfect for small businesses and web sales.

AD BOOKING AND COPY DEADLINE FOR MARCHAPRIL is 24th January 2014. Please send ad artwork by 28th January. For advertising and editorial enquiries, call the Editor on 020 8948 6895 or email: editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk

Cover image courtesy of www.sportsfocusuk.com Providers of term-time and holiday activities 23,000 copies of FAMILIES SURREY EAST are distributed free of charge to schools, nurseries, playgroups, clubs & classes, NCT groups, baby clinics, good children’s shops, libraries, theatres & sports centres.

Distributed to venues in Leatherhead and Dorking, Reigate and Redhill, Godstone, Oxted and Lingfield, Warlingham and Caterham and down to Horley and the Surrey/Sussex border in the south. To obtain copies for your venue call 0208 948 6895 or email distribution@familiessurreyeast.co.uk Families Surrey East, Spire Court, Onslow Rd, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6QG Telephone: 0208 948 6895 Web: familiessurreyeast.co.uk Email: editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk Design: Andrews Design & Marketing, The Studio, 29A Bell St, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7AD Tel: 01737 224340 Email: phil.andrews1@btinternet.com Print: Warwick Printing Company Limited, Leamington Spa, Warks CV31 1QD Tel: 01926 883355 FamiliesÂŽ Surrey East is part of the FamiliesÂŽ group, established in 1990 and headed

by FamiliesÂŽ SW London. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor any consequence.

Tea and cake at Dorking Museum Dorking’s refurbished local museum is going from strength to strength. In addition to its family activities days on the 3rd Saturday of every month, it is currently planning how to keep up with changes to the school history curriculum. Schools, teachers and interested parents are invited to Tea and Cake after school on Tuesday, 4th March to tell the Museum how it can best help match the new history curriculum and support teaching at local schools.

West Street, Dorking RH4 1BS. Tel: 01306 876591. www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk

Westcott’s new playground Improvements to the Cradhurst Recreation Ground started last November and should be finished for the new year. Children will be able to enjoy new swings, roundabouts, climbing frames and even a zip wire for older children.

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) is organizing a volunteer planting day in spring to brighten up the park with trees, shrubs and wildflowers. New seats, picnic tables and bins will also be installed at this time.

To find out more about Cradhurst and the spring volunteer day, see the Council’s website, www.molevalley.gov.uk

Caterham bike marking event Just turn up with your bike at The Arc, Weston Drive in Caterham on Saturday, 11 January from 12 noon to 3pm and the local Surrey Police team will protect the bike with security marking – free of charge! Mobility vehicles can also be marked at no cost.

2 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

Local News

Petite École de Reigate French speaking parents living abroad often struggle with the frustrations of bringing up bilingual children.

Whilst verbal communication is easy to establish in the early years, once children start primary education in English they quickly find themselves falling behind on French reading and writing and less confident in expressing themselves.

Pascale Sidall and Manal Leach are bilingual mums who have combined their resources to create La Petite École to help other local families in a similar position.

The school will open in April 2014 on Saturday afternoons at Holmesdale School, Alma Road, Reigate, offering formal and structured French lessons led by experienced teachers and based on the French curriculum.

For more information and to contact Manal and Pascale, go to www.petite-ecole-reigate.co.uk. An Early Bird discount applies for registrations before 31 January 2014.

Log on to the Hawthorns Weather Station The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley has started to monitor local weather and anyone can log on to the website to check current weather details.

The Geography Department purchased the new Davis Wireless Weather Station with the help of the Friends of The Hawthorns School. Hi-tech recording instruments supply data wirelessly to a hub at the school.

As well as being a valuable educational resource for pupils, the weather station is providing data to the Meteorological Office, the NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association) and has a live link to the Hawthorns School web site. Live weather updates can be downloaded from www.weatherlink.com/user/hawthorns

Holmwood Marketplace For new year de-cluttering, Holmwood Marketplace is offering the chance to fix an old bike or recycle clothes at North Holmwood Village Hall, Spook Hill RH5 4JP at the regular monthly Saturday markets, 25th January, 22nd February and 22nd March, 12.30 to 4pm.

The monthly indoor community market, which promotes local crafts and farm-produced food, is broadening its activities from January to March to help local residents find a new lease of life for ‘once loved’ possessions.

Merstham based social enterprise ‘Bikes Revived’ www. bikesrevived.org.uk/ restores donated bikes or dismantles them to re-use parts. ‘Dr Bike’ will be offering minor adjustments to visiting bikes.

With taster sessions in wood and stone carving, soapstone kits to introduce children to a new creative hobby plus ‘up-cycled’ bags and tool holders, there are plenty of reasons to visit the Holmwood’s market. While you are there don’t miss Lucia Bezova’s tempting Slovakian cakes at the ‘Seasonal Nutrition’ café.

For market information, contact marketplace@ communityrealm.org.uk or call Jacqui on 01306 741545.

Cookies Kitchen – Correction

Reading Champion

In our Parties Directory we listed Cookies Kitchen Cooking Parties on page 12 of the November-December issue. Maxine has sent a corrected contact telephone number – apologies for getting this wrong. The entry should have read:-

We rarely review apps here but were impressed with Texthelp’s idea to support young readers with an app available from the iTunes store for £1.99.

“Kids cook at home or at your chosen venue. Ingredients, equipment and aprons provided. Optional party bags. 5-16 yrs.

From £160 for 10 children. Tel: Maxine on 07749 927 783." www.cookieskitchen.co.uk

Texthelp is a company that began in 1996 to support those with dyslexia, literacy difficulties in learning to read, write, study and communicate and, more recently, supporting those learning English as a Second Language (ESL). ‘Reading Champion’ is their 2nd in the iTunes Store and follows iReadWrite.

The app helps young readers but is also focused towards older children who come to reading later and need age-appropriate texts. By entering your age, specific texts are selected; by choosing also by level of difficulty (clicking ‘easier’ or ‘harder’), everyone can start at the best level for making progress.

With plenty of features to encourage kids’ progress, Reading Champion began life as a US product but has now been released as an adapted version for the UK.

“Add a touch of sweetness to your perfect moment” Why not supply a different type of buffet to your event, with our bespoke candy buffets, your guests can help themselves to a bag of sweet treats.

E: lennie@yourperfectmoments.co.uk W: www.yourperfectmoments.co.uk

Link to video: www.texthelp.com/uk/reading-champion

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 3

Local News

Caring for exotic pets

Come to the Dorking Orchard Wassail!

Boxhill Bedlam Morris and Dorking Community Orchard are hosting a Wassail at the orchard on Saturday, 11 January, 4.45-6.30pm with music, dancing and a bonfire. The Wassail is an ancient rite to encourage tree fertility. It's a lot of fun and everyone is welcome.

The Morris Men will start a procession from the nearby Pilgrim pub soon after 4.30pm. The community orchard is found off Ranmore Road. Follow the track between St Martin’s School and Dorking West Station then walk up to the orchard by following the track to the left hand side of the allotments.

Following a bumper harvest of apples in 2013 and three apple juicing days in October, the Dorking Community Orchard group now invites everyone to come and help create another great harvest this year!

More details soon at www.dorkingcommunityorchard.wordpress.com

Winston’s Wish Great British Brekkie Winston’s Wish, the leading charity for bereaved children, is asking everyone to help them raise £30,000 by hosting a charity breakfast during the week of 10-16 February.

You could host a brekkie at home, work, school, village hall, local pub - with something as simple as toast and a cuppa to freshly squeezed orange juice, salmon bagels, pancakes and maple syrup, fresh coffee or a bacon sandwich – or go glam with a champagne breakfast! Guests just donate what ever they can.

Many families love their pets and cats, dogs and rabbits become great friends and companions to children and adults.

However, many animals, especially exotic types, commonly languish in poor conditions and die prematurely.

The Animal Protection Agency (APA) is the UK organisation committed to ceasing the trade in wildlife for pets. The majority of wild-trapped animals die from the stress and disease that is associated with every stage of their harrowing journey. Next to habitat destruction, collection of animals for the pet trade is the main reason for the decline in many species. Many exotic pets are dumped at rescue centres or released into the environment, potentially resulting in welfare concerns, damage to ecosystems and the spread of disease.

The Animal Protection Agency (www.apa.org.uk) is promoting a new user-friendly assessment ‘tool’, EMODE, which classifies animals as Easy, Moderate, Difficult or Extreme in terms of how challenging they are to keep. It is designed for use at government level, by pet shops and by anyone thinking of acquiring a pet.

Even outdoor pond fishes require great care to prevent such problems as freezing in winter and parasite infestations. The categories are based on the biological needs of animals and health and safety issues in the home.

A ‘ready-to-use’ brochure pdf on EMODE: ‘Pets - easy or difficult to keep?’ can be found at: http://emergentdisease.org/publications/edf-publications

Redhill Memorial Park refit Work on Redhill’s Memorial Park begins in March and should be completed by autumn, bringing a much underused park into use by the wider community, with a new café as part of the development. Other new features will include: a children's play area next to the café, new toilets, a multi-use games area and an extra tennis court, a trim trail around the park, community orchard, improved cycle route, paths and entrance and a new performance space for special events.

Protect from rotavirus and colds this winter 75% of parents say their children have had a cold in the past year and 59% have suffered from vomiting or diarrhoea.

£30,000 will help Winston’s Wish support 250 bereaved children, helping them face the future with confidence, providing specialist therapeutic and practical support.

With the ‘winter vomiting bug’ season upon us, a survey of 1,000 UK parents by Cuticura looked at UK hygiene habits in the home.

According to the findings, 50% of parents admit their child doesn’t wash their hands every time they have used to the toilet and a third of parents admit not educating their children how to wash hands properly.

For more information and to register, just go to www.greatbritishbrekkie. org.uk Winston’s Wish Helpline: 0845 20 30 405. www.winstonswish.org.uk

Parents are being warned to teach children the importance of hand hygiene or face another potential winter vomiting bug epidemic, after a new report highlighted that a child can accidentally spread germs across as many as 240 surfaces in just two hours – or nearly 1,000 in an eight hour day. See page 11.

4 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

Local News

Helping parents back to work

Go Scrub Bashing at Polesden!

Two shows for parents are coming up – one at the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill and the other at London’s Excel, alongside The Baby Show. Both are dedicated to providing practical advice for parents who want to return to work after a career break, while keeping a healthy work-life balance.

The first is the Redhill Recruitment Event for parents wanting to find work and support a family or change career is taking place at The Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, on Friday, 17th January, 10am3pm. Organised by community-orientated events specialist Package of Sunshine Ltd and offering support, guidance and job possibilities, admission is free. Find more information at www.themedpartiesuk.co.uk The Work and Family Show takes place on 21st and 22nd February, 9/10am5pm at London’s Excel, with employers looking for motivated staff; advice and free interactive workshops to discuss franchises and starting your own business, getting back into the workforce, flexible working and childcare options. Tickets are available from www.theworkandfamilyshow.co.uk or on the door at £18.

Start enjoying the longer days and some outdoors activity at Polesden Lacey’s Family Volunteering weekend, January 18th-19th, 11am–4pm. Polesden Ranger Andy Goodwin will be giving families a chance to get involved in ‘scrub bashing’ to help clear overgrown scrub in Freehold Wood and make way for new plants and wildlife.

All ages welcome.

The house at Polesden will be open weekends in January and February for ‘Glorious Glimpse’ guided tours, including family tours at 11.40am, 1.20pm and 2.20pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey

Mole Valley invests in its community Mole Valley District Council is awarding £311,770 in Community Grant Awards for 2014/2015 to Community groups and the voluntary sector. Grants awarded last year included environmental groups, Parish Councils, the East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service and the Dorking and Leatherhead Citizens Advice Bureaux. www.molevalley.gov.uk

FREE TICKETS for the Work and Family Show Families Surrey East has THREE PAIRS of tickets to give away for the Work and Family Show.

Just email editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk by 1st February, writing Work and Family Show in the subject line.

The three winners will be picked at random and contacted by 3rd February. Tickets will be sent electronically.

Ask about our holiday workshops

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 5

Babies and Toddlers

Splash About Nappies

New natural style feeder brings a range of benefits

Wrap your baby up in the pool this winter!

Short, cold days don’t entice the best-intentioned parent into a chilly swimming pool for a splash session with their little one, even though the benefits of baby swimming are well documented; from fun to fitness, to parent-child bonding and the promotion of sound sleep.

The recently launched Suckle Feeder is a revolutionary new feeder that allows the baby to feed from a closed teat, resulting in a more natural suckling that mimics breastfeeding. The baby can feed in a more upright position and milk is delivered by suckling on the teat, rather than flowing under gravity.

Babies, who naturally won’t be as active in the pool as children, will feel cold quicker in water but Splash About’s WarmInOne fleece-lined baby wetsuit is designed specifically to maintain a baby’s temperature. It keeps them warmer and therefore happier in the water.

This leads to improved speech development, reduces colic, overfeeding, guzzling and the risk of feed entering the middle ear or respiratory tract. Helping to avoid over-feeding is important: published medical research has shown that rapid weight gain in the first few months significantly increases the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes in later life.

The Suckle Feeder is easy to assemble and answers the needs of many mums who are no longer breastfeeding or who are combining breastfeeding and bottle feeds. It gives dads a better chance to experience the closeness of feeding, too. Haberman’s Suckle Feeder is endorsed by a wide range of health professionals. habermanbaby.com/suckle-feeder

Other baby wetsuits include an award-winning BabyWrap which opens out flat, making it easier to dress and hold a wriggling wet baby and a BabySnug, made from fine, supple neoprene and incorporating the UK’s best-selling reusable swim nappy - no leaks, just parental peace of mind!

In trials, babies wearing a Splash About wetsuit stayed in water 100% longer than they could without it – making it a swimming essential this winter! www.splashabout.com

Music, dance and singing for boys and girls from 6 months Reigate, Redhill, Dorking & Epsom

Miss Ayse 01737 227039

email: reigate@babyballet.co.uk Warlingham & Caterham

Miss Katie 07590 313011

email: caterham@babyballet.co.uk

www.babyballet.co.uk Nursery visits & parties also available

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For classes of pure MADness, join MAD Academy Classes in Dorking, Reigate & Redhill Call Maggie on 01483 202299 or email: maggie.duerden@madacademy.com Classes in Ashtead, Tadworth, Effingham & Epsom Call Karen on 01372 210378 or email: karen.morgan@madacademy.com

madacademy.com Music And Dance and a whole lot of fun!

6 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

Birthday parties too!

Babies and Toddlers

Shared Parental Leave starts April 2015 The government has now committed to introducing a year of shared leave for new parents by April 2015.

TinyTalk Baby Signing Classes Introducing NEW interactive sensory activities to help babies to talk.

Under the proposed new arrangement, first trialled last year, the 52 weeks of maternity leave other than the first fortnight for a new mother's recovery can be shared between the parents. Anyone taking total leave of six months or less over the period will be legally entitled to return to the same job. Maximum leave will remain 12 months, nine of them on guaranteed pay.

To allay fears of the impact on smaller firms, bosses will have to agree any proposed pattern of time off and will retain the right to insist it be confined to a continuous block.

BBC News www.bbc.co.uk

Babylab Recruits Babylab is part of Birkbeck College, London and has, for the past 15 years, been working on why some babies and children struggle with reaching walking and talking milestones.

In the New Year, the Babylab will be studying Autism and ADHD Risk in Siblings (STAARS) and is looking for new recruits. Families who have an older child with autism and/ or ADHD and a new baby are welcome to join this study at any point between finding out they are pregnant and until their baby is 14 months of age. The babies will visit the Babylab a few times until their 3rd birthday.

The Babylab reimburses all travel costs.

Tel: 0207 079 0761. www.staars.org

The Salvation Army Church in Lower Bridge Road, Redhill RH1 1HJ has re-opened their "Tall and Small" Mother and Toddler Group using its Church Hall.

There are various Church Toddler Groups open every day in Redhill. The Salvation Army Mother and Toddler group will meet on Fridays, 9.30 am to 11.30 am. For further information, call Lesley on 01737 766547.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the rights would allow men to become more ‘hands-on’ fathers and stop women feeling they have to choose between a career or a baby.

Since April 2011, fathers and mothers have been able to share some of the 52 weeks existing leave, with the father able to take up to six months beginning after the baby is 20 weeks old.

New Redhill M&T Group

Book your FREE trial today!

Now in its 12th year, TinyTalk is taking its classes to the next level in January, with new hands-on, sensory activities and a range of bright sensory toys.

As well as teaching baby signing using BSL signs, classes will help babies develop their fine motor skills and hand co-ordination skills needed to make signs, develop babbling skills needed to make spoken words and help them to focus their visual skills, needed for watching someone speaking to them.

Funky pre-school dance classes for girls & boys Classes in Reigate, Bletchingley, Oxted, Coulsdon and Banstead

Diddi Dance parties also available

Call Jo 07873 634292

www.diddidance.com

Tiny Talk teacher Katherine Preston took her own babies to Tiny Talk classes before training to run classes over two years ago. The new training brings an even wider range of activities to Tiny Talk classes.

“We’re all happier when we understand each other!”

Katherine Preston Next trial class: Thursday, 9th January at Reigate Park Church in Park Lane East.

Classes in Dorking, Reigate & Bookham. Find your nearest class at www.tinytalk.co.uk or call Katherine on 07599 551882.

Specialist Baby and Toddler Swimming Classes and Aqua-Natal Yoga Classes

Come out of your shell and learn to swim the Turtle Tots Way!

Tel: 07920 854714 www.turtletots.com Email: charlotte.hollands@turtletots.com

Baby Signing

in Dorking, Reigate and Bookham z ½ hour baby signing & singing z ½ hour playtime & social time z Structured/educational approach z Fun & friendly atmosphere

Contact Katherine katherinep@tinytalk.co.uk

Surrey Childcare Specialist Maternity services, Nanny, Early years tutoring, First Aid training, Babysitting Tel: 07884 487203

www.lisacaley.co.uk Families Surrey East January-February 2014 7

Nursery Education

How to choose your child’s nursery It’s one of the most important decisions you’ve made for your child in his or her life so far. So which nursery is the right one – and how do you know? Joanna Moorhead shares some tips.

Nurseries come in all shapes and sizes. Big ones, small ones; some are run by the local council, others by independent companies. There are nurseries attached to schools, and there are stand-alone nurseries. The choice can feel daunting.

But here’s the first, the most important, and possibly even the only thing you need to know about how to make your choice. Listen to the voice inside your head; heed your instinct about what’s right for your child, and you’ll almost certainly make the best choice.

The truth is that there isn’t a ‘right’ nursery or a ‘wrong’ one. There is, however, a nursery that will suit your child best, because it will reflect your own and your partner’s ideas about how to raise a child, and what matters most in his or her life.

Looking round First, put together a list of nurseries in your area or where you work.

The Families Surrey East website Familiessurreyeast.co.uk offers a list of full-day care nurseries and Surrey County Council maintains a list online. Check the Ofsted reports for any you think sound promising and make appointments to look around those that might have vacancies.

What’s on at Dovers Green Winter 2014

Monday

Weigh, Stay & Play 9am - 11.15am Courses for Mums & Dads - Sandcross School 12.30pm - 2.30pm Stay & Play 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Tuesday

Stay & Play 9.30am - 11.30am Baby Massage 12.30pm - 1.15pm Baby Signing 2pm - 2.30pm

Wednesday

‘Let’s Get Moving’ 10am - 10.45am ‘Let’s Get Messy’ drop in session 10.45am - 11.30am Post Natal Course 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Thursday

Toddler Group - Sandcross School 9am - 10.30am Weaning Class (Monthly 12 - 2pm) Breastfeeding Session 12.30pm - 2.30pm

To book any of our activities call the centre on 01737 223621 We are now taking bookings for APRIL’S NURTURING PROGRAMME (Parenting Puzzle).

10 week courses available during evenings and mornings.

We do ask for a donation for some of our activities. Please call or see our website for more information and to view our full programme: doversgreenchildrenscentre.co.uk

Need some help and support?

Open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm for advice and information.

Friday

Under 1’s Baby Group 10am - 11.30am Baby Basics Ante-Natal 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Saturday

Dads Inc. (Play Session) 10am - 12.00pm First Saturday of the month Paediatric First Aid 10am - 12.00pm Parent Craft Ante-Natal Session 10am 3pm Contact your Mid-Wife to book a place

Let’s Get Messy and Let’s Get Moving are term time activities only.

Co-ordinator: Anna Durbridge Tel: 01737 223621

doversgreenchildrenscentre.co.uk Rushetts Rd, Reigate RH2 7RF 8 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

Active Learning, Dorking

When you look round, take in how the nursery feels. Does it feel friendly and welcoming, a fun place to be? Do staff treat you warmly and are you convinced by what they’re telling you? In a nutshell, would you feel confident about leaving your child in the care of the people you’ve met?

Listen to your doubts. But if you feel good about the nursery, here are a few useful questions to ask to help you decide:-

YOUR NURSERY CHECKLIST Food: Do you like the idea of nursery children eating alongside staff – ie, the family model – which some nurseries practise? Is it important to you whether the food is organic or freshly prepared at the nursery?

Are children encouraged to each fresh fruit and drink water?

Outdoor play space: this varies hugely from nursery to nursery.

Think about how important outdoor play is to your child, and decide how much importance you’re going to attach to whether the nursery has a garden, how big it is, and how many activities take place in it.

Wifi: do you have worries about wifi and its potential impact on young children? If so, make sure you ask about whether there’s a wifi network at the nursery, and how extensive it is. For more information go to www.familiesonline.co.uk/radiation

One million families using children’s centres A national annual survey of Children’s Centre activities reveals that for the first time over a million families are benefitting from Children’s Centre services. However, this valuable progress will be put at risk if local authority predictions of cuts to Children’s Centres are realised.

In London and the South East 79% of Children’s Centres report an increase in the number of families using their services over the past 12 months.

Budgets, on the other hand, have been cut to more than half the Childrens Centres, putting services at risk.

National charity 4Children, which published the Children’s Centre Census 2013 has set out a series of recommendations designed to strengthen the connection between Children’s Centres and a wide range of local children’s services. It also recommends that Children’s Centres should be a hub for provision for the whole 0-19 years age range. They suggest, too, that birth registration should take place at Children’s Centres so all families are aware of the service they offer. www.4Children.org.uk

Nursery Education

Home School Connect

Children who achieve a good start in the first few years of reading are very likely to have accelerated progress in their attainment throughout school. This is why Home School Connect helps parents to achieve a head start for their children, beginning in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

More about Home School Connect

Supporting nursery learning The Early Learning Curriculum provides a sound basis for your child’s first learning. But how easy is it for parents to find out how to support their child’s learning at home?

Dr Sangeeta Silva, Educational and Child Psychologist, looked for appropriate home learning support when her children were at nursery. Not being able to find what she needed, she developed packs of reading and maths materials and wrote a guide to help parents work with their children.

Developed by founder, Dr. Sangeeta Silva, Home School Connect’s Home Reading Packs are perfect for families with children aged 3-5 years old. Most parents want to champion their child’s learning, but often struggle to know what to do and what resources to use. Home School Connect bridges the divide between home and school and brings classroom teaching know-how into the home.

If you are a parent, the Nursery Reading Pack, suitable for children aged 3-4 yrs, (but accessible to some children from 2.5 yrs +), is a great way to prepare your child to read. Before children can access phonics (and the Reception Reading Pack), children really benefit from learning specific pre-reading skills. These include learning about sound discrimination, exploring rhythm & rhyme, understanding alliteration, making voice sounds, developing awareness of oral phonemes and getting familiar with the alphabet.

Home School Connect now provides Nursery Reading Packs as well as Maths and Reading packs for receptionDr Silva has offered Families age schoolchildren. Dr Silva works with Surrey East readers £5 OFF schools and individual parents to support YOUR ONLINE ORDER of the school learning programmes, making the Nursery Reading Pack, use the products available via the Home School voucher code FAMSURENRP5.

Connect website.

Parents make a huge difference! Visit them online to learn more.

You can contact Dr. Silva on 0208 813 2260 or 07973 562382 Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hschoolconnect Follow them on Twitter: @hschoolconnect www.homeschoolconnect.co.uk

Enhancing our children’s skills Parents and nursery teachers alike provide variety, stimulation and encouragement and help children develop the best range of skills possible. All sorts of physical activities enrich the child’s experience and back up the learning they need.

These recommendations come from (TK NAME), a Head of Early Years Unit and founder of Bizzy Bitz, designed to help children acquire the skills they need.

PHYSICAL MOVEMENTS Outdoor areas offer excellent opportunities for physical activity, which helps brain development. For a child who omitted the crawling stage, the alternating movement of the hands and legs on a climbing frame will give the child the vital benefits that crawling achieves. It is also good to encourage movement that will make the child cross the mid-line, for example touching the left side of the body with the right hand and vice versa.

DEXTERITY AND IMAGINATION Problem-solving skills , shape and number recognition can all be developed by using toys such as the recently launched Bizzy Bitz – with brightly coloured pieces and lots of interlocking shapes that can build almost anything and develop creative talent. www.bizzy-bitz.com

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 9

Winter Wonderlands

Could you make a difference?

Then why not think about fostering.

If you’ve got a spare room and want to help change a child’s life, then fostering could be for you!

What’s a typical day?

No day is like any other. Some days are manic with doing the school run, organising social activities, preparing food or clothes washing. Some days are quiet and relaxing with lots of laughter and fun. At the moment, with a teenager, there is lots of homework and preparing for school deadlines.

What’s the support like?

Our social worker Sue, is fantastic, and has helped us so much. Surrey County Council provide workshops, training, support groups and fun days – we’re part of a professional team.

Tom and Annie - what’s it like having a new sibling in the family?

It’s been lovely having John here – he’s got a great sense of humour and we have a good laugh. As we’re nearly the same age, we’ve got lots in common.

Having another member of the family has made things more fun.

Fostering is something that can be really positive not only to the child you are caring for, but also your own children.

Mel and Dave have fostered for Surrey County Council for six years. Married with two children – Annie, 21, and Tom, 17, the couple are currently fostering John*, who is a similar age to their son.

What do you enjoy most about fostering?

Do you have any advice to other families wanting to foster?

I really recommend it – the love which can be returned to you is incredibly rewarding, though it’s not easy 100% of the time. Seeing young people develop a sense of purpose as they start to fulfil their potential is great. We can’t make the world a perfect place, but we can provide a safe, non-judgemental space where they can learn to deal with life, face challenges and create a good future. We can arm them with new skills and a positive view of family life. Why not try it!

It’s our chance to give back. It allows us to use our experience and parenting skills right now, rather than waiting for grandchildren. The smiles and the hugs are *name has been changed. istock photo. exceptionally rewarding. We enjoy being able to give someone transferable skills, make them laugh, and Could you become a foster carer? have a place to feel safe.

For more information on fostering, visit: www.surreycc.gov.uk/fostering It feels as though John has always been part of the call: 08000 96 96 26 family. We share hugs, jokes, laughs, and heart to hearts - it’s given our family a new dimension and an enriched life experience.

10 Families Surrey East January-February 2014 www.surreycc.gov.uk

Nursery Education

This is the way we wash our hands Half of parents admit that their kids don’t wash their hands every time they go to the loo, risking the spread of unwanted bugs. Walls, blankets and toys are among the ‘contamination hot spots’ that are frequently touched and therefore most likely to be the route for germ transmission. Video footage shows that children can touch as many as 240 surfaces in just two hours!

The importance of basic hygiene increases during the winter, when kids play indoors more often and colds, flu and vomiting bugs such as Norovirus and Rotavirus threaten. What’s more, viral respiratory diseases (colds and flu) can be transferred after sneezing if a child isn’t washing his/her hands afterwards.

Caring Daycare "In our nursery with the under 3’s it is our policy that a staff member is with the children at all times ..to‌ ensure children wash their hands after they have been to the toilet. Our over 3’s are kept a close eye on also, however to develop their independence they have a hand-washing routine stuck up on the wall which they can follow to ensure they are doing it correctly. Words and pictures help them understand.

We always explain to children why we wash our hands and believe in the importance of good role modelling with staff washing their hands themselves with the children before meals and after wiping noses etc‌.the babies also sing “this is the way we wash our hands‌.â€? before their meal times.

We read lots of stories with the older children such as “Wash your handsâ€? by Tony Ross and in our pre-school room we have a golden rule book which includes a page with a picture saying “We wash our hands to keep them healthyâ€? when the book is read we always have a small discussion on why it is so important (to keep germs away so we do not get poorly etc‌) we do this to help develop their understanding further." Major Minors Dorking www.caringdaycare.co.uk

In a survey carried out by Cuticura, a third of parents admitted that they hadn’t spent time teaching their kids to wash their hands properly.

With 75% of parents saying their kids have had a cold in the past year and nearly two thirds (59%) having had vomiting or diarrhoea, it would certainly be an ‘easy win’ this winter to improve our children’s hygiene habits!

Cuticura’s research has given rise to industry speculation that nursery schools need to make greater efforts to teach good habits and ensure hygienic practices.

Families Surrey East asked local nurseries about their hygiene routines and we have been impressed by the response and the quality of hygiene teaching. Here is an account from two local nurseries:-

Hygiene at Warlingham Park School Nursery "Personal hygiene and cleanliness should be important components of the education of all nursery-age children. It is essential to instil in young children the correct ideas about keeping clean and reducing the risk of spreading illnesses.

Although the Early Years’ guidelines place little or no emphasis on the need for two-year olds to learn such skills, it should be part of the induction of any new child that time is invested in establishing a routine of regularly washing hands to maintain a high standard of cleanliness. This is time well spent as, once established, children are less likely to become ill, attendance is improved and learning opportunities increased.

The provision of adequate washing facilities, to include appropriate height wash basins, must be a priority for all nursery settings and should be high on the list of expectations of parents.

At Warlingham Park School Nursery, we have always placed a strong emphasis on personal hygiene education right from the children’s first days." www.warlinghamparkschool.com

" " “Outstanding behaviour... pupils are confident, articulate & self-assured�

Ofsted 2012

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Come and see us for yourself!

Caring and friendly nursery with experienced staff.

Rural location with spacious facilities.

Option to continue to Pre-School.

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Chelsham Common, Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9PB Tel: 01883 626844 Email: wpssurrey@aol.com www.warlinghamparkschool.com

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 11

Education INDEPENDENT SCHOOL Open Mornings Spring 2014 Call the school for details of start time. Many open events require advance booking. Senior School Open Days are available at

Familiessurreyeast.co.uk/ seniorschoolopendays

Aberdour School, Burgh Heath KT20 6AJ Boys & girls, 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01737 354119 aberdourschool.co.uk Wednesday, 19 March Belmont School, Holmbury St Mary RH5 6LQ Boys & girls, 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01306 730852 belmont-school.org Friday, 7 March Bramley School, Walton on the Hill KT20 7ST Girls, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 812004 bramleyschool.co.uk Saturday 1 March ‘Discover Bramley’ Morning: Wednesday, 22 January Caterham Preparatory School,Harestone Valley Rd, CR3 6YB Boys & girls, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01883 342097 caterhamprepschool.co.uk Visits by appointment Chinthurst School, Tadworth KT20 5AP Boys & girls 2.5-13 yrs. Tel: 01737 812011 chinthurst.surrey.sch.uk Next open event: spring term 2014 City of London Freemen’s School Ashtead, KT21 1ET Tel: 01372 822423 Co-ed, day and boarding, 7-18 yrs. clfs.surrey.sch.uk Saturday, 1 March Copthorne Prep School, Copthorne, W. Sussex RH10 3HR Tel: 01342 712311 copthorneprep.co.uk Co-ed, day & boarding (from Y3), 2.5-13yrs Saturday, 1 February

Cranmore School, Epsom Rd, W. Horsley, KT24 6AT Boys 2.5 -13 yrs. Tel: 01483 280340 cranmoreprep.co.uk Friday, 28 February & Saturday, 1 March Downsend School Pre-Preps, Leatherhead, Ashtead & Epsom. Boys and girls, 2-6 yrs. Tel: 01372 372311 downsend.co.uk Saturdays, 8 February and 10 May Downsend School, Leatherhead KT22 8TJ Boys and girls, 6-13 yrs. Tel: 01372 372311 downsend.co.uk Fridays, 7 February and 9 May Essendene Lodge School, Caterham CR3 5PB Girls & boys, 2.5-11 yrs. Tel: 01883 348349 eessendenelodge.co.uk Thursday, 13 February Farlington School, Strood Park, Horsham West Sussex RH12 3PN Girls 3-18yrs.

Day & boarding. Tel: 01403 254967 farlingtonschool.net ‘Farlington in Action’: Wednesday, 15 January; Tuesday, 11 February; Thursday, 20 March Glenesk School, East Horsley KT24 6NS Girls & boys, 2-7yrs. Tel: 01483 282329 gleneskschool.co.uk Thursday, 13 February

Greenacre School, Banstead SM7 3RA Girls, 3-18 yrs. Tel: 01737 352114 greenacre.surrey.sch.uk Wednesdays, 26 February, 7 May and 25 June The Hawthorns School, Bletchingley RH1 4QJ Boys & girls, 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01883 743048 hawthorns.com Thursday, 27 February Hazelwood School, Limpsfield, Oxted RH8 OQH Boys and girls, 4-13 yrs. Tel: 01883 712194 hazelwoodschool.co.uk (also Hazelwood’s Nursery, The Larks, Oxted) Friday, 31 January Lingfield Notre Dame School, Lingfield RH7 6PH. Co-educational Inter-denominational, 2½ -18 years.

Tel: 01342 838153 lingfieldnd.co.uk Saturday, 29 March Manor House School & Nursery Bookham KT23 4EN Girls 2-16 yrs. Tel: Mrs Fowell 01372 457077 manorhouseschool.org Tuesday, 11 February Micklefield School, Reigate RH2 9DU Boys & girls, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 224212 micklefieldschool.co.uk Saturday, 15 March Moon Hall College & Bury’s Court Leigh, Reigate RH2 8RE Boys & girls, 2.5-16 yrs.

Tel: 01306 611372 moonhallcollege.co.uk Next open event: spring term Oakhyrst Grange School, Caterham CR3 6AF Boys & girls, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01883 343344 oakhyrstgrangeschool.co.uk Post-natal coffee morning: Friday, 31 January. Next open morning in May

Pennthorpe School, Rudgwick , W. Sussex RH12 3HJ Co-ed, 2-13 yrs.

Tel: Fiona Long: 01403 822391 pennthorpe.com Saturday, 8 March & Tuesday, 11 March Priory Prep School, Banstead SM7 2AJ Boys 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01737 366942 prioryprep.co.uk Saturdays, 22 March and 10 May. Pop in Mornings: Wednesdays, 12 Feb, 30 April, 18 June Redehall Preparatory School, Smallfield, Horley RH6 9QA Boys and girls, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01342 842987 redehall.surrey.sch.uk Saturday, 26 April and Wednesday, 29 April Reigate St Mary’s, Chart Lane, Reigate RH2 7RN Girls and boys, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 244880 reigatestmarys.org Tuesdays, 28 January and 25 March Royal Alexandra & Albert School, Reigate RH2 0TD Boys & girls, 7-18 yrs.

Tel: 01737 649000 raa-school.co.uk Saturday, 15 March St Teresa’s Nursery & Prep School, Effingham RH5 6ST Girls, 2-18 yrs. Call Annabel Charles on 01372 750 204 or visit st-teresas.com Friday, 2 May Warlingham Park School, Nursery, Pre-school and Prep Chelsham Common, Warlingham CR6 9PB Boys and girls, 2-11 yrs. Tel: 01883 626844 warlinghamparkschool.com Please call to arrange a visit

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Open Morning

Come and look around Manor House School, meet the pupils and staff and discover what makes our girls happy, successful and conf ident.

Tuesday 11 February | 9.30–11.00am Head’s welcome talk at 9.30am

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12 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

To register or for further information call 01372 457077 or email marketing @ manorhouseschool.org www.manorhouseschool.org

Education TOWN & COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD NCT – supporting the National Childbirth Trust.

NCT NEARLY NEW SALES

Centre, High Street, Reigate. ÂŁ25 pp or ÂŁ45 per couple. www.nct.org.uk/branches/redhill-reigate-horley/ baby-first-aid-courses

REIGATE, REDHILL & HORLEY Saturday, 1 February 2-4pm (1.45pm members) ÂŁ1.

NEW VENUE! St Joseph’s Church, Ladbroke Road, Redhill RH1 1LF. Tel: 0844 243 6249. www.nct.org.uk/branches/redhill-reigate-horley

Also: Nappy Library meetings – Nappucinos – meet on the 2nd Friday of each month at The Venue, Weldon Way, 1011.30am and, NEW! from January will also meet at Reigate Community Centre, High Street, Reigate, on the 4th Friday of each month, with the Sling Library, 10-11.30am.

DORKING Saturday, 8 February 10.15am-12noon (10am members). ÂŁ1.

NCT Caterham & Oxted – Baby First Aid Saturday, 1 February Booking via the website. £25.

For children’s and maternity clothing, toys, equipment, books and anything child related.

North Holmwood Village Hall, Spook Hill RH5 4JP. Tel: 0844 243 6107. nct.org.uk/branches/dorking

CATERHAM & OXTED Saturday, 8 March 10.45am-12.30pm (10.15 for NCT

members). ÂŁ1.50. Oxted School, Bluehouse Lane, RH8 0AB. Tel: 0844 243 6076 www.nct.org.uk/branches/caterham-oxted

OTHER NEARLY NEW SALES Bumps2Babies 25 January 11am-2pm at Oxted

OTHER NCT EVENTS NCT Redhill, Reigate & Horley – Baby First Aid Monday, 27 January 7-9.30pm at Reigate Community

Community Hall. Monthly children’s nearly new sales in Oxted and Caterham. Entrance £1.Children free. Contact Lisa Arnold 07983 86 42 02 or email: bumps2babiessales@gmail.com

Cheeky Monkey Nearly New Sales Baby and Children’s Sales Baby equipment, toys and clothes.

Refreshments. Admission ÂŁ1. Contact: 07949 44 26 27.

Email: cheekymonkeysales@virginmedia.com Reigate: Saturday, 1 February 9 - 11am and Saturday, 1 March 9 - 11am. Reigate Park Church, Park Lane East, off Cockshot Hill, Reigate RH2 8BD.

OTHER SALES Saturdays, 25 January and 22 February

Branch Tel: 0844 243 6107, option 1. www.nct.org.uk/branches/caterham-oxted/events/ baby-first-aid-course-feb-2014-am

12.30 – 4pm. Shop local at Holmwood Marketplace, North Holmwood Village Hall, Spook Hill RH5 4JP. Crafts and local produce. Light lunches and afternoon teas until 3.30pm.

Contact: jacqui@communityrealm.org.uk.

NEW! Coffee groups restart in January for parents with new babies. More details at www.nct.org.uk/branches/ caterham-oxted/social-groups

Friday 31st January 2014, 10.00am - 12.00noon

T: F: E: office@oakhyrstgrangeschool.co.uk W: www.oakhyrstgrangeschool.co.uk

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T:01372 372311

www.downsend.co.uk

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 13

Education News Priory Prep opens new Pre-Prep building

Music as Therapy Twenty-five-year old Tim Twomey joined the music therapy team at The Children’s Trust in 2012, combining his training with his passion for music.

Priory Prep School in Banstead is opening a brand new Pre-Prep building in January with state-of-the-art classrooms that will make space for a two-class entry and expanded Nursery facilities for boys from two years.

There is also a new Breakfast and After School Club room with kitchen facilities and morning and evening care as required, with a packed tea available.

See pages 12-13 for the next and Open Days. www.prioryprep.co.uk

All-weather hockey pitch at Greenacres No-one could have predicted that the introduction of hockey at Greenacre School for Girls, Banstead, in 2010 would generate such enthusiasm and commitment. Today though the game, initially introduced for Years 7 and 8, is played competitively throughout the Senior school. The allweather hockey pitch currently under construction on the school’s Smallshaws site is eagerly anticipated. Training opportunities will be improved and plans are already underway to extend the game to both the Sixth Form and Years 5 and 6. www.greenacre.surrey.sch.uk

Language Teaching Changes are taking place in England! From September 2014, the curriculum will include compulsory foreign language lessons for pupils aged 7 to 11yrs (key stage 2). Pupils will be required to ‘make substantial progress’ in one of seven languages: French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin or Greek.

Almost all primaries (97%) currently provide language teaching in class time to some of their 7 to 11 year olds, but the quality and quantity of the provision varies widely.

Having obtained a music degree, Tim worked for a charity in York, helping children with additional and complex needs through the use of music. A two-year masters degree in music therapy followed and now each week he runs up to five sessions a day for the children at The Children’s Trust based in Tadworth, a national charity providing specialist care, therapy and education for some of the UK’s most severely disabled children.

Tim said: “My role here is very rewarding as I get to see on a daily basis how important music is to children with disabilities. Music is an effective means to help with communication and self-expression as well as the child just having fun. For children with complex needs their lives can be focused internally where visual, hearing and physical impairments limit their ability to interact with their environment. Music helps to draw them out of this internal world and give them freedom to express themselves and have an independent effect on the outside world, outside their disabilities.

We have a wide variety of instruments – from saxophone, viola, piano, guitar and drums as well as chimes and a gong. As well as being a tool for supporting the children’s learning aims, music therapy also helps to support other therapies the children receive at the Trust, including speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

The Children’s Trust provides expert rehabilitation, education, therapy and care to support children and families from across the UK. www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Tips for Parents’ Evenings If your mind goes blank when you sit down with your child’s teachers, here are some simple tips to make this important part of home-school communications more productive.

1 Ask your child if there is anything they are concerned about or want to say to the teacher.

Communication is two way, and it helps the teacher to know how children are feeling.

2 Make some notes and take them! What is the key thing you want to find out? e.g. How can I help at home? What is my child’s attitude to learning? What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?

3 Talk about the child rather than the school. If you feel the school is doing something wrong or you don’t like a certain policy e.g. re: homework or behaviour, take it up with the headteacher.

4 Don’t store up big issues: make an appointment with the teacher if there is a big issue to discuss. Don’t be surprised if 10 minutes is not enough. In most cases teachers are happy to talk more at a convenient time.

New Head at Downsend School

The new statutory curriculum leaves out language provision for younger children.

Adopting a second language at an early age gives a child added advantage in fluency.

Mr Ian Thorpe, one of Surrey’s leading Heads, has completed his first term as Headmaster of Downsend School in Leatherhead.

Mr Thorpe joined Downsend from nearby Chinthurst, where he had been Headmaster since 2009.

We’ll be adding language classes for young children to our Web Directory for the new year – so keep a look out for ‘Language Learning’ in our Activities, Clubs and Classes Directory at www.familiessurreyeast.co.uk

Progress this school year at Downsend includes the creation of a new Music Suite, with four sound-proof practice rooms, some of which were generously supported by local senior schools in a partnership that Mr Thorpe helped establish.

Work on a new sports pavilion at the school is planned for next summer. & ' ! ! ! *(!" " ( ! !

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14 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

See pages 12-13 for the dates of the next Open Days at Downsend and page 24 for holiday camps run by the school. www.downsend.co.uk

CLUB NEWS

Diddi Dance comes to New Little Oxted Community Hall Group The popular Diddi Dance pre-school classes have arrived in Oxted town centre. Classes are held weekly on Tuesdays for boys and girls from 18 months. Help your little one develop not only their dance moves but also their coordination, confidence and social skills in a fun-filled, energetic dance class.

Places are limited but Jo offers all Diddi dancers a FREE trial class. You can contact Jo on 07873 63 42 92. www.diddidance.com

Youth Gymnastics arrives in Horley All 10-17 yr olds are welcome to the new Springfit gymnastics classes at Oakwood School on Wednesdays, 6.30-7.30pm. ‘Youth’ gymnastics will cater for all abilities, with equipment set up to suit participants.

On the same evening, two new coaches, Chris and Nick are building on the success of the ‘open’ freestyle gymnastics at St Bede’s School in Redhill on Monday nights.

Freestyle coaches Chris and Nick will offer Parkour and Free-running to enthusiasts 4+ yrs on Wednesdays after the Youth Gymnastics classes, from 7.30-8.30pm at Oakwood.

in Orbit

Local theatre group Orbit Shed has just appointed a new Artistic and Development Director, Jess Scotton. And on 14th January Orbit Shed launches a new group called Little Theatre for 4-7 year olds (Reception to Year 2).

The group will meet at St Luke's Church, South Park, Reigate RH2 8HY on Tuesdays during term time, 4.15- 5.15pm. The cost is just ÂŁ25 per member per term and ÂŁ15 for each additional sibling. Little Theatre will give young children the opportunity to express their creativity in fun, inclusive, relaxed, play-based drama workshops.

Little Theatre will run on the same day as Orbit Shed’s Children's Theatre workshops for 7-11 year olds, Tuesdays 5.30-6.45pm and the Youth Theatre workshops for 11-17yr olds on Tuesdays 7.30-8.45pm.

Orbit Shed's next performance will be in April – watch this space! www.orbitshed.com

Principals: Miss C Walford CDE - AISTD (Dip) Miss C Taylor (Dip Dance Performers Course) Accredited by Council for Dance Education & Training in UK

Telephone: Free Trial Class!

01737 763391 Email:

misswalford@aol.com

Ballet, Modern, Street & Funky Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Mother & Toddler, Mini Movers, Drama, Tread the Boards (Drama, Singing and Dancing)

Additional trampoline classes are also being added at 6.30pm and 7.30pm at Oakwood School.

& Adult classes.

Classes held in Nutfield, near Redhill.

www.candcdanceschool.co.uk

Redhill & Reigate Artistic Roller Skating Club

With classes only costing ÂŁ5.50 for the hour, these popular activities represent good value. You can contact Adam and book a class on 0203 478 0203. www.springfit.org

SKATING PARTIES / FUN SESSIONS Sundays 11.30am-1.25pm at Reigate College Sports Hall, Rushworth Road

LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH:

ROLLER DISCOS 6-8pm for all ages

at Hawthorns School, Bletchingley For more details please call Barry on

01293 776266 bbridger@lineone.net

Creating the Dancers of the Future

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joanna.swidzinska@googlemail.com ALL enquiries and abilities welcome!

Offering Royal Academy of Dance Ballet classes Principal`: Joanna Swidzinska BA (Hons) RAD RTS

Classes in Bletchingley and Charlwood

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 15

Family

Winter activities with the family Winter can be a great time for families, with time spent together indoors when the weather is cold and the days are short. However, we’d like to suggest there are different ways to experience winter and enjoy time together as a family, where parents and children alike will be stretched physically and mentally and come home exhausted and happy.

Activities available at High Ashurst include: Archery; mountain biking; climbing & abseiling; high ropes; orienteering; challenge course; team games; adventure walk; and woodland skills.

The activities can be adapted for disabled groups and there is an off-road wheel chair trail and orienteering course.

The majority of the sessions available require no previous experience, mountain biking level 2 is the only exception. The courses are delivered by Surrey County Council, so the quality is assured.

We are lucky to have many opportunities for family activities close to home, yet feeling a world away. A session of roller skating on a Sunday at Reigate College www.rrarsc.co.uk or a visit to The British Wildlife Centre www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk offers as much for adults and children to learn. A family trip to start mountain boarding in Nutfield, nr Redhill www.ridethehill.com or skiing and snowboarding near Tunbridge Wells www.bowles.ac is a great opportunity to learn the same skill together.

Want to do something active and challenging but not sure what this might be? A novel experience for families, newly launched near Dorking, offers great fun for winter weekends and a real treat for families wanting to take part in activities together.

TAZ Family TAZ stands for ‘The Adventure Zone’ – and that is what it is! TAZ Family is a great opportunity to spend quality time together taking part in some exciting adventurous outdoor activities. You can join other like-minded families for some action-packed programmes in a half-day or full-day activity session, or make a weekend of it with a log cabin short break stay! All activity sessions are led by TAZ’s experienced and fully qualified staff offering each family member to achieve at their own level.

Half-and full-day activities take place in High Ashurst, Dorking and three other centres: Henley Fort (Guildford), Thames Young Mariners (near Richmond) and Angel Blue (Guildford). One adult per three children is the minimum and the youngest age allowed is eight.

1257+3$5.)$50 &2 8.

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Try before you buy $ Nationwide delivery $ Assembly service www.northparkfarm.co.uk Tel: 01273 833643 North Park Farm, Church Lane, Albourne, West Sussex BN6 9BY

16 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

TAZ Family log cabin short breaks Weekend breaks are available throughout January and February, from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, with an activity package that might include climbing, mountain biking, high ropes, challenge course, archery and a night walk.

The break includes accommodation in new Log Cabins nestled in the beautiful Surrey Hills area at High Ashurst Outdoor Centre. All food is provided and meals are served in the Grand Hall. The log cabins sleep up to 20 people in six bedrooms with wooden-framed bunk beds. All rooms have en-suites. The cost per adult is £220 and per child (<18yrs) is £180.

Please note: TAZ Family adventures can only be booked online.

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Tap Ballet Modern Street Dance Contemporary Musical Theatre Birthday Parties Adult Classes

07783 138 348 www.inspireacademyofdance.co.uk

High Ashurst Outdoor Education Centre

is set in 56 acres of woodland on Boxhill, near Dorking, in the tranquil Surrey Hills â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Area of Outstanding Natural Beautyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The centre offers a wide range of activities, including high ropes and a new state of the art climbing tower. The adjacent heathland is ideal for mountain biking and orienteering. www.surreycc.gov.uk/learning/surrey-outdoor-learning-anddevelopment/taz-the-adventure-zone/taz-family or google â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TAZ Adventureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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Experience the Difference and Train with Champions lose weight, make new friends!

0800 849 6334 / 07584 473784 www.gbacademies.co.uk

Association  of  Gymnastic  and  Trampolining  Clubs Caterham - The Rebound Hall: 01883 620971 anti-gravity@saturnv.co.uk t Trampolining (Monday through to Saturday) t Adult Trampolining (Mondays & Thursdays) t Kindergym QSF TDIPPM HZNOBTUJDT USBNQPMJOJOH t Funfit (4-7yrs gymnastics & trampolining) t Special Needs Trampolining (for siblings as well) Caterham - De Stafford: 07737 306316 pointers@saturnv.co.uk t 5SBNQPMJOJOH BOE (ZNOBTUJDT (Mondays & Wednesdays) Warlingham School t 5SBNQPMJOF (Thursdays) Horley - Oakwood & Redhill - St Bedes: 07932 752081 springfit@saturnv.co.uk t 5SBNQPMJOJOH (ZNOBTUJDT including boys squad & adults (Wednesday through to Sunday) t 'VOĂśU (Combined gymnastics & trampolining) Oriel, Crawley t 5SBNQPMJOJOH (ZNOBTUJDT (Fridays) Manorfield Infant school, Horley t ,JOEFSHZN (Pre-school gymnastics for toddlers, Mondays 1.45pm) Saturn V are approved & accredited to Gold Standard by Surrey Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Active Surreyâ&#x20AC;? Sports Development Unit

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 17

Indoor Activities

STAYING WARM INSIDE – Indoor Activities this Winter We all know that we need to stay active all year and that winter poses special challenges for getting out and staying fit.

Our clubs and classes (see web directory at www.familiessurreyeast.co.uk) and our holiday camps and courses (see p.24 in this issue) demonstrate the enormous variety of ways in which our children can set up good habits and keep fit.

Indoor activities have a special appeal in winter. Soft play centres, schools and community halls all host multiple activities. Our local Leisure Centres also provide a haven of warmth and space all year round – which is particularly welcome in winter.

Here’s a round up of what’s on offer:

Tandridge Leisure Centre

Hoskins Road, Oxted RH8 9HT. Tel: 01883 716 717. tandridgetrust.co.uk Tandridge Leisure Centre, Oxted and de Stafford in Caterham are run by Tandridge Trust and offer children’s activities in term time including Swimming, Soccer (3-5yrs), Little Dance (3-6yrs) and Trampolining (3-14yrs).

There is lots to do in February Half Term!

Monday, 17 – Friday, 21 February 5-day Swimming Courses.10-10.30am/10.3011am. Beginners (4+yrs) and Improvers (5+yrs) £24/£28 Tuesday, 18 February, 10am – 12pm. £11/£12. Art and craft workshop, 5-8 yrs Plant and decorate fabulous flowerpots!

Tuesday, 18 February, 2-4pm. Pottery: Woodland Creatures workshop for families.

Crafting from clay. £11.50/£13 Wednesday, 19 February, 1.30-3pm. £8.50/£9.50. Interactive Storytelling and Movement Workshop, 3-6 yrs - Egg v The Fox. Drama games and dressing up.

Thursday, 20 February, 1-3pm. £15/ £17 Drama Workshop, 7-11 yrs - Fantastic Mr Fox. Recreate characters and scenes.

Friday, 21 February, 2-4pm. Baking and Soft Play, 4-7 yrs. £9/£10.50

De Stafford Sports Centre

Burntwood Lane, Caterham CR3 5YX. Tel: 01883 344 355. tandridgetrust.co.uk Monday, 17 – Friday 21 February 5-day Swimming Courses. 10-10.30am/10.3011am. Beginners (4+yrs) and Improvers (5+yrs) £24/£28

18 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

Monday, 17 February, 3.30-4.30pm Tag Rugby, 5 -8 yrs. £3/£3.50.

Wednesday, 19 February, 2-4pm. Cycling for Disabilities, 5-16 yrs. £2/£2.50. Book in advance.

Thursday & Friday, 20&21 February, 10am–3pm Crystal Palace Training Days for 6-10 yrs. Indoor football training. £15/£17 per session.

Leatherhead Leisure Centre

Tel: 01372 377 674. fusionlifestyle.com Softplayfor the <8s, swimming, Short Tennis, football, trampolining and gym, netball plus a wide range of holiday activities including swimming, KiddiKarts, parkour and Soccer

Dorking Sports Centre

Reigate Road, Dorking RH4 1SG. Tel: 01306 870180. dcleisurecentres.co.uk/centres/ dorking-sports-centre Dorking Sports Centre is home to many children’s activities, including swimming – with pool inflatables on Saturdays 5-6pm, Rugby Tots, Children’s Kung Fu, Children’s Judo, Little Kickers football, Children’s tennis, Gatwick Flyers’ Trampolining, ABC Gymnastics, Children’s DMVAC Athletics & Street Dance.

Indoor Activities During all school holidays Fit For Sport Holiday Camps provide all-day activities for children 5-12yrs.

DC Leisure took over the management of Dorking Sports Centre on 26 November 2013. They are offering free swimming for <8s accompanied by a paying adult. The café will be closed most of the time until 24 January for refurbishment.

Donyngs Leisure Centre Linkfield Lane, Redhill RH1 1DP. Tel: 01737 764 732. better.org.uk

Donyngs hosts many clubs and classes for children, including Taekwan-do, Little Kickers and junior football, Reigate School of Ballet, basketball, trampolining and gymnastics including Junior Fitness for 11-15yr olds. Swimming pool plus smaller learner pool with toddler classes. For school holidays: a range of children’s classes and swimming courses.

Banstead Leisure Centre

Merland Rise, Tadworth KT20 5JG Tel: 01737 361933. gll.org/centre/ banstead-sports-centre

Swimming pools with courses and activities for children. CADA Dance Academy and Junior Fitness (11-15yrs).

Horley Leisure Centre Anderson Way, off Court Lodge Road, Horley RH6 8RG Tel: 01293 784 075. gll.org/centre/horleyanderson-centre.asp Lots of toddler activities including swimming from 4mths, Toddlers World (6mths to 5yrs), basketball, Surrey School of Ballet, Rugby Tots, Junior Fitness (11-15yrs), gymnastics and trampolining including special needs.

Oakwood Sports Centre

Balcombe Road, Horley RH6 9AE Tel: 01293 822238. blueleisure.com click on Oakwood Sports Centre.

The Arc Arts Centre

Caterham CR3 5XY. Tel: 01883 759418. the-arc-caterham.co.uk Soft play, creative classes – drama, dance, art and Monkey Music classes.

Guildford Spectrum

Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP Ice Skating on Olympic-sized rink – discos, coaching and special events. Bowling - shoes from kids size 6. Swimming. Tel: 01483 443322. guildfordspectrum.co.uk

Regular activities include Street Dance (512yrs), Zumbatonic Little Stars (5-7yrs) and Big Stars (8-12yrs), Soccer (5-12yrs); ArtBlast (5-12yrs), Saturday Soccer and Saturday Skate (5-12yrs), Springfit Trampolining and Gymnastics; Peak Performance Choi Kwang Do (PPCKD). Plus holiday club, roller discos.

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 19

Out and About THEATRES

How to Catch a Star at The Harlequin Theatre

Shows for families & children. Please check ticket prices & times with the theatres.

EAST GRINSTEAD Chequer Mead Community Arts Centre De la Warr Road, East Grinstead RH19 3LT Tel: 01342 302000 chequermead.org.uk Alice in Wonderland 7+yrs. Ardingly College Prep School. Fri-Sat, 7-8 February. 7pm Friday; 2.30pm Saturday. £8; Concessions £5.

Theo the Mouse in Magical Mayhem 3+yrs.

Tuesday, 18 February, 2pm. £8.50.

Our House 7+yrs. Act One Beginners.

Thurs-Sat, 20-22 Feb, 2.30 & 7.30pm. £14; Concessiions £11.

LEATHERHEAD The Leatherhead Theatre

7, Church St, Leatherhead KT22 8DN Tel: 01372 365141. Cinema screenings for mums and babes occasional Friday mornings – check the website for films & dates. theleatherheadtheatre.org Teddy Bears Picnic <5s. Saturday, 15 February, 3pm. Bring teddies! £9.50; Concessions £7.50

REDHILL

CHIPSTEAD

WIMBLEDON

DORKING

The Harlequin Theatre Warwick

Chipstead Players Courtyard Theatre Hazelwood Lane, Chipstead

Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB Box Office: 020 8543 4888 polkatheatre.com Gorilla Until 15 February 2014 1-5yrs.

Daytime. £8-£10.

Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland 22 November-15 February 2014 (Main Theatre) 6-11yrs. Daytime. £10-£16

Dorking Halls Reigate Road, Dorking RH4 1SG Tel: 01306 881717 dorkinghalls.co.uk Friends of Dorking Halls receive discounted ticket prices. Check the website for Saturday morning family cinema.

Carmen Russian State Ballet and Opera House 5+yrs. Wednesday, 26 February, 7.30pm. From £29.

Carmen

Quadrant, Redhill, RH1 1NN Tel: 01737 276 500 harlequintheatre.co.uk Saturday morning cinema for children. Check the website for films and dates. £3.50 for adult and child.

Starts 11.30am. See website also for Baby Club screenings for parents/ carers with baby (up to 12 mths) How to Catch a Star 3-7yrs. Saturday, 15 February, 2.30pm.

Music, puppetry and storytelling. £8.50; Family £32.

CR5 3QU. Tel: 01737 555680 on Sat mornings. chipsteadplayers.org Oliver! Music & Lyrics by Lionel Bart.

Wed-Sun, 8-12 January and Wed-Sat, 18 January. From £8.

OXTED The Barn Theatre 25 Bluehouse

Lane, Oxted RH8 0AA Tel: 01959 561811 barntheatreoxted.co.uk PANTO! Ali Baba - The Oxted Players 4+yrs. Fri-Sun, 10-12 January + WedSat, 15-18 January, 1.30/5.30/7.30pm.

From £8. Tel: 01883 724852.

Sweeney Todd 12+yrs Scaena Theatre Company. Fri, 31 January & Sat, 1 February, 7.30pm + 2.30pm Saturday. £10-£15. Tel: 07454 530876

CATERHAM THE ARC 39 Weston Drive, Caterham, CR3 5XY. Tel: 01883 330 380 the-arc-caterham.co.uk PANTO! The Wizard of Oz 14 December– 5 January. £9.50; Child £6.50; Family £27.50.

CRAWLEY The Hawth Theatre

Hawth Avenue, Crawley RH10 6YZ Tel: Mon-Sat 10am–8.15pm 01293 553636 hawth.co.uk

GUILDFORD Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UX Tel: 01483 440000 yvonne-arnaud.co.uk Carmen and La Traviata - Russian State Ballet & Opera House Friday, 21 February (Carmen) and Saturday, 22 February (La Traviata). Book via opera-tickets.co.uk Children’s Shows in The Mill Saturdays at The Mill Studio, usually £8. Daytime performances – call for times, usually 11am & 2pm.

PANTO! Cinderella until Sunday, 12 January. From £15.50 - £24; Child: £5 off adult price.

Guildford Shakespeare Company

Holy Trinity Church, Guildford High Street, GU1 3RR Tel: 01483 304384.

Othello 8+yrs. 5-22 February, 7.30pm (Sat mats 2.30pm). £12-£22 Shakespeare with the audience is right in the heart of the action. guildford-shakespeare-company. co.uk

CROYDON Fairfield Halls

Care of Henry by Anne Fine 4-8yrs.

Studio. Fri-Sat 24-25 January, daytime performances. £8; Family £28.

Dinosaur Zoo 3+yrs. Theatre. Fri-Sat 14-15 February, daytime performances.

From £13.50 (Family: £25)

20 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG. Box Office 020 8688 9291 or online at fairfield.co.uk PANTO! Peter Pan at The Ashcroft Theatre. Friday, 6 December – Sunday, 5 January daytime. £17 - £28.

Shakespeare 4 Kidz: Macbeth Tues-Wed, 14-15 January, Tues -7.30pm, Wed - 10am & 1.30pm. £20; Child £12 Kidnapped Thursday, 30 January – Saturday, 1 February. Thurs, Fri & Sat 7.30pm, Fri 2.30pm. £16; Child £12.

April’s Nurturing programme

Out and About Going Down to the Woods…

WALKS NATURE AND LOCAL CONSERVATION British Wildlife Centre Eastbourne Road, Newchapel, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF. Tel 01342 834658 From January 2014 it opens every weekend and public holiday (except Christmas & Boxing Day) www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk Experts are on hand at The British Wildlife Centre and Keepers Talks take place half hourly through the day. The talks are free and are a great way to see animals up close and make the most of being at the Centre.

Just pick up a list of times at the admission desk or check them online.

Keeper Talk – Otters The otter is a member of the weasel family (mustelids). In the wild they are secretive animals and rarely seen. These playful mammals are one of the most popular species at the British Wildlife Centre.

Habitat: They live in undisturbed rivers, streams and estuaries. A ‘holt’ is an otter’s resting place and a nest for the cubs. Holts are often a cavity among tree roots in the bank of a river.

Diet: Fish, molluscs and crustaceans, and also rabbits, frogs, ducks, moorhens and snakes.

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest Park

Population: In the 1960s otters were on the verge of extinction. Now, with legal protection, cleaner rivers and managed habitat the otter is returning to former haunts and can be found in every English county.

Special skills: Otters are amphibious and can stay under water for 4 minutes, often swimming 400 metres before resurfacing.

They can reach 7 miles per hour under water and can outrun man on land.

Did you know? Otter cubs are scared of the water but at 2 - 3 months old are encouraged into the water by the mother who teaches them to swim.

You can see the otters and over 40 other native species at the British Wildlife Centre.

Scrub bashing at Polesden Lacey

Lane, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 2SL The Forestry Commission has launched Stick Man trails in Bedgebury Forest, running until Thursday, 30 January, with trail packs costing £1. The trail takes families on an adventure around the Pinetum, where children can hunt for clues, write poems, build dens, draw pictures and create their own Stick Man character.

Find out more about the trail and download free online activity sheets from www.forestry.gov.uk/stickman.

Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest provides a beautiful and tranquil setting with Seasonal Trails through the year. A network of paths provides easy access for all abilities.

With walking, family cycling, mountain biking, an adventure play area, Go Ape and horse riding on offer, find out more at www.forestry.gov.uk/bedgebury or call 01580 879820.

Outdoor and conservation events

Look out for the following events on pages 22-23:Saturday & Sunday, 18-19 January, 11am4pm Scrub bashing at Polesden Lacey NT Saturday & Sunday, 25-26 January 10am-3pm Join in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch weekend.

Saturday, 1 February 10.30-12noon.

Winter Warmers 6+yrs, walks at Alice Holt Forest, also Den Building and Bushcraft on 18 & 19 February.

Friday, 21 February 10am-1pm. Make your own bird box. Surrey Hills NT. £15.

Booking: 01372 220644

Young pupils at The Hawthorns School, Bletchingley recently went out exploring their school grounds, digging holes, planting saplings, bug hunting and learning about insect identification.

The expedition was overseen by Lizzie Bruce, the school’s new Head of Conservation.

Surrey Wildlife Trust

Managing woodland for diversity Surrey is the most wooded county in England and a stronghold for ancient woodland. But a lack of woodland management over the years has had an impact on wildlife, with a 74% decline in the numbers of woodland butterflies such as the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, a 70% decline in woodland birds and reduced plant diversity. This allows woodland to be invaded by newer, dominant species.

Surrey Wildlife Trust is actively managing their own woodlands and sharing good practice with local landowners to increase species numbers and diversity. Find out more at www.surreywildlifetrust.org

Exchanging screen time for Wild Time A new movement – The Wild Network – made of more than 300 organisations, including The National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts, as well as thousands of people, is creating a pioneering collaboration to let kids get back their ‘wild time’ and reverse the trend of children losing touch with the natural world and playing outdoors.

An inspiring new documentary film, ‘Project Wild Thing’, has been released to show what parents can do to help reconnect their kids to nature. www.projectwildthing.com

Blackland Farm Activity Centre, West Sussex

Kayaking

Rock climbing

Archery

Zip wire ...and much more.

Come and join us for fun-filled activity days.

Protecting the underground work of fungi

01342 810493 blackland@girlguiding.org.uk www.blacklandfarm.org.uk

The increase in foraging, especially for mushrooms for selling on to restaurants, is putting our underground woodland ecosystems at risk. Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) is now protecting fungi by expressly forbidding the collection of mushrooms unless for an authorized scientific or educational survey or event.

We do birthday parties too!

Blacklan d Farm

Fungi play a vital role in the ecology of SWT reserves, breaking down dead wood and other organic material and returning nutrients to the soil. Notices are now displayed at all relevant sites and commercial pickers can be reported to the SWT. www.surreywildlifetrust.org.

Registered charity number 306016.

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 21

Out and About

Clandon Park

FEBRUARY

EVENTS CALENDAR

Saturday, 1 February 10.30-12noon. Winter Warmers 6+yrs, walks at Alice Holt Forest, Bucks

See page 21 for more outdoor activities and walks

JANUARY Happy New Year!

Every Sat & Sun in Jan & Feb 11am-3.30pm.

Glorious glimpse house tours at Polesden Lacey NT, Great Bookham, Dorking. Tel: 01372

Every Sun, 19 January – 16 February, 11am3pm. Family Fun Sunday at Clandon Park NT,

Wednesday-Thursday, 8&9 January Toddler Days at The Look Out Discovery Centre,

Thursday, 23 January, 6.30-8.30pm.

Fostering Recruitment Event at Oakwood Secondary School, Balcombe Road, Horley RH6

452048. Special family tours at 11.40am, 1.20pm and 2.20pm.

Bracknell Tel: 01344 354400. Trains, boats and planes art and craft theme. Plus 90 hands-on science activities from 10am-4pm. bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be

West Clandon, Guildford GU4 7RQ. Indoor and outdoor activities. Tel: 01483 222482. nationaltrust.org.uk/clandon-park

9AE. surreycc.gov.uk/fostering Holmwood Marketplace

Horn Oak, Farnham GU10 4LS. Active ranger-led family walk with games for children. Plus camp fire! £8 per family. Also Wed, 19 Feb. Bookings: 01420 23666. forestry.gov.uk

Sunday, 2 February, 1-5pm Gardens & Park Open at Gatton Park, Reigate RH2 0TD. Bird hide, free guided tours and free activities for children. £4. Children free. gattonpark.com

Sunday, 2 February, 11am-3pm. Dig it! at Morden Hall Park NT, Morden SM4 5JD. Interactive

exhibition of the archaeology of Morden Hall Park.

Free. Tel: 020 8545 6850. nationaltrust.org.uk/morden-hall-park

Sunday, 9 February 12noon-4pm. Snowdrop Day at Gatton Park, Reigate RH2 0TD. Light refreshments available. £4. Children free. gattonpark.com

21 & 22 February. The Work and Family Show at London’s Excel. See page 5 for free Dorking Community Orchard

Saturday, 11 January, 4.30-6.30pm.

Wassail at Dorking Community Orchard with Boxhill Bedlam Morris. Music, dancing and a bonfire. dorkingcommunityorchard.wordpress.com

Saturday, 11 January Bike Marking at The Arc, Caterham – see page 2.

Friday, 17 January 10am-3pm.

Redhill Recruitment Event at The Harlequin Theatre, Redhill. See p 5.

Friday, 17 January, 11am-11.45am.

Painting for the under 5s at The Lightbox, Chobham Road, Woking GU21

Saturday, 25 January – Holmwood Marketplace, North Holmwood Village Hall. Local

crafts and farm food. 12.30-4pm. See page 3.

Sat & Sun, 25-26 January 10am-3pm Join in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch weekend at

Claremont Landscape Garden NT, Esher KT10 9JG. Tel: 01372 467806. nationaltrust.org.uk/claremontlandscape-garden

4AA. £3. Tel: 01483 737837

Saturday, 18 January – 9 March Butterflies in the Glasshouse,

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB. Tropical paradise, full of exotic butterflies.

Children can help create a giant butterfly willow sculpture on Sat, 18 and Sun, 19 January. Normal entry applies. Tel: 01483 479798. rhs.org.uk/wisley From 18 January - 5 May, The

Boggling Brain Show at The Look Out Discovery Centre, Bracknell,

weekends and school holidays. 11am, 12 noon, 2 & 3.15pm. 3+yrs. Entrance + £1.85.

Tel: 01344 354400. bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be Polesden Lacey

Sat & Sun, 18-19 January, 11am4pm Scrub bashing at Polesden Lacey NT. All ages welcome. See page 5.

22 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

tickets offer. theworkandfamilyshow.co.uk.

22 February, 12.30-4pm. Holmwood Marketplace at NorthHolmwood Village Hall.

COMING SOON: Drusilla’s Park in Alfriston

welcomes Hello Kitty from Spring 2014, with three new rides, a hello Kitty bedroom and beauty parlour in the Hello Kitty Secret Garden. drusillas.co.uk

FEBRUARY HALF TERM: SATURDAY, 15 – SUNDAY, 23 FEBRUARY Denbies Wine Estate, London Road,

Dorking RH5 4DR.Sunday, 16 – Friday, 21 February, 11am-3pm. Lego exhibition hosted by Craig Stevens, Lego artist. Free admission.

Mon, Wed & Friday, 17, 19 & 21 February, 11.30am & 2pm, Lego build sessions (charity donation – optional) Mon, 17 February, 10am-2pm Birds of Prey, display 12noon. Free admission.

Tues, 18 February, 11am & 2pm, Tropical Rainforest Road Show See, handle and learn about creatures from all over the globe! Children £6.75.

Wed, 19 February, 11am & 2pm.

Hobgoblin children’s theatre ‘The Unusual Adventures of Robin Hood’. £7.50 per child.

Thurs, 20 February 11am & 2pm.

Fancy dress disco. £7.

Fri, 21 February 10.30am, 12 noon & 2pm. Punch & Judy - Traditional family fun. Free admission. Tel: 01306 876616. denbies.co.uk

Out and About

Lambs at Bocketts Farm

earth for over 65 million years. Follow the footprints, feel their colossal claws and dare to pose for a photo with your head inside the jaws of the terrifying T-Rex! www.godstonefarm.co.uk Gatton Park, Reigate RH2 0TD. Bookings: 01737 649065.

Monday, 17 February, 10am-12noon or 1.30-3.30pm. Rockets, Stars & Planets (4-7 yrs) Crafts and activities to learn more about space. £6 per child Wednesday, 19 February, 10am3pm. Animation workshop (8-12 yrs) Make your own story, create artwork and bring it to life using animation. £10 per child (incl. DVD) Bring a packed lunch!

Friday, 21 February, 10-11.30am or 1.303pm. Toddler Trails and Tales (2-4 yrs) Enjoy the story of The Gingerbread Man and go for a walk around the park to bring it to life. £6 per child.

Mon-Fri, 17-21 February and Sunday, 23 Feb Snowdrop Week Daily 12noon – 4pm. £4. Children free. gattonpark.com Polesden Lacey NT, Great Bookham, Dorking RH5 6BD. Match the Polesden pairs 15-23 February, 11am-3.30pm.

Fun trail - £1 per trail.

Tel: 01372 452048. nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey

Bocketts Farm, Young Street, Leatherhead KT22 9BS. 15-23 February, 10am-5.30pm. 0-8yrs.

See the spring lambs - 90 due from 12 February! Also: Mon-Fri -Birds of Prey, flying demonstrations twice daily; Pony Parlour with grooming sessions all day, plus pony rides, animal handling, tractor rides and pig racing. Giant heated playbarn, trampolines, ride-on tractors and a coffee shop - a great day out whatever the weather!

Tel: 01372 363764 bockettsfarm.co.uk British Wildlife Centre Eastbourne Road, Newchapel, Lingfield RH7 6LF. From January 2014, BWC is open every weekend and pubic holiday; daily in school holidays. See page 21. Tel 01342 834658. britishwildlifecentre.co.uk Godstone Farm, Tilburstow Hill

Road, Godstone RH9 8LX. 15-23 February, 10am - 6pm. The Dino Trail opens at Godstone Farm on the 15th February! Up to 9yrs. Normal admission. See the mighty Mammoth, super Stegosaurus and fearsome Pterodactyl that haven’t walked the

Chartwell NT, Mapleton Rd, Westerham, Kent TN16 1PS. Mon-Fri, 17-21 Feb, 11am-1pm & 2-4pm. Paint and play workshops: £5 per child. Thurs-Fri 20-21 Feb, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm. Birds and beasts roadshow. Limited places - £3 pp. Tel: 01732 868381. nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell Clandon Park NT Guildford GU4 7RQ Tue 18 – Fri 21 & Sun 23 Feb 11am4pm Family activities including children’s arts and crafts. Child £2.

Tel: 01483 222482 Claremont Landscape Garden

Esher KT10 9JG. 15-23 February, 10am-4pm. Children’s half term trail. 50p for trail. Tel: 01372 467806. nationaltrust.org.uk/claremontlandscape-garden/ Surrey Hills NT. Estate office, Dorking. Fri 21 Feb 10am-1pm. Make your own bird box. Encourage birds to your garden with a handmade house for them to nest in. £15. Bookings: 01372 220644.

Horniman Museum 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ Mon-Fri, 17-21 Feb. Family activities all week. ‘Extreme Challenge’ for adventurous explorers or arts, crafts and storytelling. See website for updates. Adult £4, Child £6.

Also - Family Art Fun, Mon-Fri, 17-21 Feb, 11am-2.45pm Tel: 020 8699 1872. horniman.ac.uk Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham GU10 4LS. Tuesday, 18 February, 1-3pm. Den Building 8+yrs.

First den building session of the year. £8 per child. Bookings: 01420 23666. forestry.gov.uk Wednesday, 19 February, 11am2pm. Brilliant Bushcraft 8+yrs. £12 per child. Bookings: 01420 476808 / 07989 652757. wildernesswatch.co Leeds Castle Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL. 15-23 February, 10am-5pm.

Just Jesting at Half Term for children and families. Acrobatics, stilts, daily fire breathing shows and Fool School.

Suitable for all ages. Normal admission (annual pass £21.50; child £13.50).

British Wildlife Centre Over 40 different native wild animal species Open every weekend and daily during state school hols

Godstone Farm

Spring Half Term open: Sat 15 Feb - Sun 23 Feb

1 child FREE with this advert - save £7.60!

Valid to Sunday 23 February 2014 with one full paying adult - No cash alternative One voucher per party - No photocopies - Not to be used with other offers (FSE 01-14)

We’re on the A22, Newchapel, nr Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF

01342 834658 www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk

Travel back 65 million years and follow the trail of discovery into the world of Dinosaurs!

Bocketts Farm Park 15th - 23rd Feb 2014

FEBRUARY

HALF TERM FUN ENJOY FREE RANGE FAMILY FUN THIS FEBRUARY HALF TERM!

Trails, Facts and Fun! Sounds, Bubbling and Mist!

‘Live Creature Caves’ teeming with lizards, snakes, spiders and more…

/ŶĐůƵĚĞĚ ŝŶ LJŽƵƌ ĞŶƚƌLJ ƚŝĐŬĞƚ͊

Go on… Hear them ROAR!!!

PLUS

K@IDIB -1OC @= -0 www.godstonefarm.co.uk

NE BS DUE LAM

NEWLY HEATED PLAYBARN & SEATING AREA!

› Daily birds of prey flying demonstrations! (Mon-Fri) › Plenty of indoor play & activities! › Early Spring lambing starts!

Tilburstow Hill Road, Godstone, Surrey, RH9 8LX 01883 742546 havefun@godstonefarm.co.uk

70

US GORWGBEOORN

Animal handling, goat milking, tractor rides, pig racing and pony rides daily!

www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

SPECIAL

OFFER

D AR AW WI NN ING !

£2 OFF full price farm entry per person

(max 5 people) valid any day from 2nd January - 14th February 2014. Only with this voucher.

Families Surrey East January-February 2014 23

Out and About HOLIDAY CAMPS & COURSES FEBRUARY HALF TERM ALL DAY CAMPS Sports Focus UK Holiday Activity Camps Reigate School: - Futsal, Sports,

Gymnastics, Dance, Arts & Crafts Chinthurst School, Tadworth: - Futsal, Sports, Arts & Crafts.

Daily, 17-21 February, Half Day, Full Day or 8am-5pm Extended Day. Boys & Girls, Beginners to Advanced. 4-12 yrs. Members and sibling discounts. Tel: 0844 318 1700. sportsfocusuk.com

Supercamps

Multi Activities, Raw Adventure and “A Passion For..” at Royal Russell School, Coombe Lane, Croydon CR9 5BX, Whitgift School South Croydon, Homefield Prep School, Western Road, Sutton SM1 2TE and Tiffin School, Kingston. Multi-Activities 4-14yrs 17-21 February, 8am-6pm or 9am-5pm.

Tel: 01235 832222 supercamps.co.uk

Downsend Pre-Prep+ and Downsend+ at Downsend School,

Leatherhead KT22 8TJ. Activities for 2-13 yr olds. 8am-5.30pm. Tel: 07899 01 12 75 (Pre-Prep, 2-5yrs). Tel: 01372 385403 (6-13yrs). downsend.co.uk

Action House St Paul's School, Dorking.

Arts, crafts, sports and themed days.

17-21 February, 9am to 5.30pm. 4-11yrs. £22.50 per day; sibling discounts and half days. Bookings: 07984 405474. action-house.co.uk

Mega Days at The Hawthorns Sports Centre, Pendell Court, Bletching-

ley RH1 4QJ. 4-12 yrs. Extended day: 8am – 6pm, £42. Flexihours. Call Phil Jones: 01883 743377 (ext 2087). hawthorns.com/sports-centre

Camp Beaumont Day Camps -

Claremont Fan Court School, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9LY. Mulit-activities and sports. 17-21 February, 8.30am to 5.30pm or 8am to 6pm. 4-16yrs. From £47 per day Tel: 01263 823000. campbeaumont.co.uk

‘Fit For Sport’ at Dorking Sports Centre, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SW. Activity Camps – sports, games, arts & crafts. 5-12 yrs. 8.30am-5.30pm. £38/day £182/week.

0845 456 3233. fitforsport.co.uk

Sports Focus UK Camps – Arts and

Reigate & Redhill YMCA Playscheme, Princes Road, Redhill RH1 6JJ.

Crafts. Reigate School and Chinthurst School, Tadworth. Daily, 17-21 February, 9am-12pm Half Day; 9am-3pm Full Day; 8am-5pm Extended Day. 4-12 yrs. Members and sibling discounts. Tel: 0844 318 1700. sportsfocusuk.com

YMCA Yippee Playscheme, Sovereign

CLIMBING High Sports Indoor Climbing Centre, now in Crawley at K2 Leisure

10am-4pm or 8.45am-6pm. 5-12yrs.

From £15.30/ £22.95. Tel: 01737 779979 ymcaredhill.com

Centre, Woodhatch, Reigate. For children with disability. 10am-4pm. 5-12 yrs. £16 per day. Tayla Askew, Tel: 01737 222859. ymcaredhill.com

Kestrels Children’s Centre, Croydon Road, Caterham CR3 6QH 7.30am-6pm.

3-11 yrs. Tel: 01883 348641. kestrelschildrenscentre.co.uk Cranbrook Adventurers School Holiday Club, Coppingham Cottage,

Horley RH6 9EF. 4-11 yrs. 8am-6pm. Tel: 01293 823163. cranbrooknursery.co.uk

CAMPS – OUTDOORS AND ACTIVE Wild Learning Holiday Camp

Polesden Lacey Estate, Great Bookham nr Dorking. Also at Godalming, Esher and Farnham. February half term. 10.15am4pm. 5-12yrs. Have fun and explore the woods. £37.50/day. Tel: 01483 424 400. wild-learning.net

Wild Woodland Camp at Painshill Park, Cobham KT11 1JE. 17-21 February.

9am-4.30pm. 8-13yrs. £35 a day or £150 for 5 days. Book online or call 01932 868113. painshill.co.uk

TAZ Families – The Adventure Zone

at High Ashurst, Mickleham, Dorking RH5 6DQ. Adventurous half-day and day sessions for families. 8+yrs. Family days: £15 <18s, £25 per adult. Tel: 01372 378901. surreycc.gov.uk/outdoorlearning

AIKIDO Kids Aikido at Yoga Ananda Centre, 46 Albert Road North, Reigate RH2 9EL. Wednesday, 19 February, 10.30am.

Tel: 01737 222400. yogaananda.co.uk

ARTS AND CRAFTS Cloud Craft Sewing Workshops,

Reigate. Kids sewing machine workshops (beginners and intermediates). Wednesday, 19 February. 10-14yrs. Make a skirt or some pj bottoms! cloudcraft.co.uk

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS? For more information on venues and courses visit our website

WWW.SUPERCAMPS.CO.UK or call 01235 467300

OVER 80 OFSTED REGISTERED VENUES WITH DBS/CRB CLEARED STAFF

40+ ACTIVITIES: SPORTS, ARTS AND CRAFTS

OPEN 8AM - 6PM MON-FRI

WE ACCEPT CHILDCARE VOUCHERS AS PAYMENT

24 Families Surrey East January-February 2014

Centre, Pease Pottage Hill, Crawley RH11 9BQ. Holiday Tasters (4+yrs) from £12.25 and Half-day fun days 7-16yrs. Tel: 0845 363 1177. high-sports.co.uk

DANCE Sports Focus UK Camps Reigate

School: Dance & Gymnastics Daily, 17-21 February, 9am-12pm Half Day; 9am-3pm Full Day; 8am-5pm Extended Day. Boys & Girls, Beginners to Advanced. 4-12 yrs.

Members and sibling discounts. Tel: 0844 318 1700. sportsfocusuk.com

DRAMA Perform Drama, Dance and Singing

workshop and performance “Narnia” at King George’s Hall, Elmbridge Road, Esher KT10 9SD. 4-8yrs. 17-19 February, 2-4pm. Tel: 0845 400 1279. perform.org.uk

Dandelion Theatre Arts, Epsom Langley Vale KT18 6HP. Jungle Book workshop and performance. 17-22 February, 10am3pm. 4-6yrs and 7-11yrs. £50 for two days (4-6yrs) £125 for five days (7-11yrs).

FOOTBALL & FUTSAL Futsal Focus Academy (FFA) at Reigate

School and Chinthurst School, Tadworth.

Futsal skills, drills & tournaments. 17-21 February, 9am-12pm (Half Day), 9am-3pm (Full Day), 8am - 5pm (Extended Day). 4-12 years, Boys & Girls, Beginners to Advanced. 20% FFA member discount & sibling discount. Tel: 0844 318 1700. sportsfocusuk.com

GYMNASTICS – see TRAMPOLINING KARTING Junior Karting – Race School, Daytona

Sandown Park, Esher KT10 8AN. Tuition for 8-15yrs and Bambinos 5-7yrs.. Booking essential. Tel: 0845 644 5502. daytona.co.uk

ROLLER SKATING Sunday family roller skating,

Reigate College Sports Hall, Rushworth Road, Reigate RH2 0QF. Sundays, 11.3012.30pm fun skating. 12.30-1.25pm Lessons, Grades 1-9, 3+yrs. Skate hire, Fun skate & Lesson £8. Tel: 01293 776266. rrarsc.co.uk

SKIING Bowles Outdoor Centre, Sandhill

Lane, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9LW. Half-day skiing taster sessions most days in half term, plus snowboarding on Friday, 21 February 9.30am-12.30pm. 8-14yrs. £25 per session. Also: ski and snowboard courses, 6-8 & 8-14yrs. Private lessons available. Tel: 01892 665 665. bowles.ac

SPORTS - MIXED Sports Focus UK Holiday Camps

Reigate School: Futsal, Sports, Gymnastics, Dance, Arts & Crafts. Chinthurst School, Tadworth: Futsal, Sports, Arts & Crafts.

Daily, 17-21 February, flexible hours. Boys & Girls, all levels. 4-12 yrs. Members and sibling discounts. Tel: 0844 318 1700. sportsfocusuk.com

Reigate and Banstead taster sessions – including Parkour and Show in a

Day. 7-15yrs. £6-£10 per session.

Call Sue Sergeant to check: 01737 276700. reigate-banstead.gov.uk

TENNIS & RACKET SPORTS Tennis Camp, Redhill Lawn Tennis Club, Linkfield Lane, Redhill RH1 1JW. 5-14yrs. 9.30am-12.30pm. Contact Tim: 07956 38 35 35. redhilltennisclub.co.uk

Junior Tennis Camp at Limpsfield LTC,

Detillens Lane Limpsfield, RH8 0DH. Tel: Derek 01883 714079. limpsfieldtennis.co.uk

Matchpoint Tennis Courses at Hurst Green RH8 9BQ. 5+yrs. Call: 01883 717161. matchpointtennis.co.uk TRAMPOLINING AND GYMNASTICS Springfit Gymnastics & Trampoline Club at Oakwood Sports Centre, Balcombe

Road, Horley RH6 9AB. Youth Gymnastics class. All levels, 10-17yrs. Wed, 19 February, 6.30-7.30pm. 10-17yrs. £5.50.

MOUNTAIN BOARDING Ride the Hill Open for February half

Springfit Gymnastics and Trampoline Club at St Bede's School, Carlton

NETBALL Girls Attack! Netball Workshops at Oxted

Trampolining Mega Session, Cater-

term. Group & private lessons. Priory Farm, Nutfield RH1 4EJ. 8+yrs.

Tel: 01737 8224458. ridethehill.com

School Sports Hall & Courts, Bluehouse Lane, Oxted RH8 0AB. Beginners to advanced. Tues & Wed, 18-19 February, 10am-12.30pm. Girls 6+yrs. Contact Lynn & Maggie on 07896 90 23 71.

RIDING Orchard Cottage Riding Stables,

Babylon Lane, Lower Kingswood KT20 6XA. Pony Days - suitable for total beginners.

5+yrs. February half term. 9am-3.30pm. £55. Tel Claire: 01737 241311. ocrs.co.uk

Road, Redhill, RH1 2LQ. Drop-in "Open" Freestyle gymnastics (parkour) class.

All ages and abilities. Wed, 19 February, 4.30-6pm. 5-17 yrs. £7.50. Contact: Adam Reynolds. Tel: 0203 478 0203. springfit.org

ham on the Hill. Anti-Gravity trampolining, fun and games. 4+yrs. Wednesday, 19 February 12.45-2.45pm. Tel: Marie Clark 01883 620971. ag-tc.co.uk

Acrobounce with Pointers Gymnastics

and Trampoline Club at Warlingham School, Tithepit Shaw Lane. 4+yrs.

Tel: 07737 30 63 16. pointersclub.co.uk

DK Gymnastics 14-16yrs, 17-21 February, 9am - 3pm. Aberdour Sports Hall.

Tel: 07709 413854. dkgymnastics.co.uk