Families Cheshire Issue 22 Mar-Apr 2013

Edition 22 • Mar/Apr 2013

The local magazine for families with children 0-12 years www.familiescheshire.co.uk

@FamCheshMag facebook.com/familiescheshire

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In this issue > Easter fun > What to do if your child is “different” > Perfectly pregnant Covering: Poynton, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Knutsford, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Northwich, Winsford, Crewe, Nantwich, Tarporley, Waverton, Chester and surrounding areas

Welcome In this issue 02: Welcome 03: Clubs & classes news 04: Clubs & classes directory 06: Pregnancy 08: Childcare & parenting 14: Education news 16: Parents’ place 20: What’s on

Baby Ballet and Tap at Bollington Health & Leisure

Hello!

The problem with working on an Easter issue is that the thought of chocolate is uppermost in your mind. Having stupidly stocked up on eggs early this year, we’ve had to raid the cupboard during late night working sessions, which means that either the kids’ stash will be a little lean, or we’re going to have to fork out for some more – and develop a bit of willpower. Our money’s on the lean stash.

And with the celebration of Mothering Sunday in March, we got to thinking. Why should mums only be shown formal appreciation on one day of the year? It’s a tough job, and surely deserving of a little chocolate giftie on a weekly basis? All in favour, say “yum”!

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter (Happy Pesach to our Jewish readers), and this Mother’s Day, for those of us whose mums are either no longer with us, or who are far away, just remember: A mum’s hug lasts long after she lets go.

Till next time

Caryl Hall

Jayne Keep

Next issue: May/June 2013

Design: Paul Wilson Graphic Design, Congleton.

Tel: 07743 111 694, www.withpaul.co.uk

Circulation: 25,000 copies of Families Cheshire are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Cheshire. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Contact details: Families Cheshire, PO Box 581, Macclesfield, SK10 9FN Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiescheshire.co.uk Editorial: editor@familiescheshire.co.uk Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiescheshire.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on: events@familiescheshire.co.uk Cover photograph by: Paul Moffat Photography, Bollington Tel: 01625 576 586, www.moff.co.uk

Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk Families Cheshire is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.

We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributors can’t be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences. @FamCheshMag facebook.com/familiescheshire

2 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Baby Ballet and Tap is designed to encourage young children to enjoy the benefits of dance from an early age and to express themselves in a fun and caring environment.

The teacher at Bollington H&L is fully qualified and experienced in working with young children and classes take place in a a mirrored dance studio so the budding Darcey Bussell’s can admire their moves!

If your child has the bug for ballet and wants to learn to dance, join the fun on Tuesday afternoons. Please call to book as numbers are limited. There are 3 age groups: 2 – 3 years Ballet at 1.15pm, 3 – 4 years Ballet and Tap at 2pm and 4 – 5 years Ballet and Tap at 4.15pm.

01625 574774 / www.bollingtonleisure.co.uk

New coach for Tennis Tykes

Tennis Tykes, the fun and educational tennis play and coaching programme for children aged from 2 years old has been operating its classes for almost two years now across South Manchester and Cheshire.

Local LTA qualified coach, Jonny Healey, has recently come on board to teach the successful preschool classes.

Owner, Caroline Buncall says, “We are delighted to have Jonny on board. He has a strong playing background having

himself being a Cheshire mini tennis champion and representing Cheshire as a junior. He has a wealth of coaching experience; also teaching young children at West Heaton and Handforth Hall Tennis Clubs. Jonny is very pleased to be on board with the popular Tennis Tykes programme. He says, “It’s a great way for young children to get into the sport. I love to see children develop their skills as they begin to learn the tennis basics. I also believe it’s a great way for them to socialise with other children and a fun activity for them to enjoy with their parents.”

Why not try a FREE TASTER LESSON at one of the classes? For further information on all the class times and venues please contact Caroline on 07843 342662/ caroline.buncall@tennistykes.co.uk or log onto www.tennistykes.co.uk.

Clubs & classes news Puddle Ducks Mid Cheshire teacher awarded ‘Teacher of the Term’ Puddle Ducks Mid Cheshire were thrilled that their Senior teacher Susan Hands won ‘Teacher of the Term, Autumn 2012’ and 3 more of their teachers were nominated for this Puddle Ducks national award.

Puddle Ducks are extremely proud of their teachers and to receive 90 nominations for 31 different teachers nationwide is proof that the baby led approach to swimming is very special.

Every term customers are given the chance to vote for a teacher in a competition run through the Puddle Ducks customer newsletter and Facebook page. This is the winning quote: “Susan has taught both our children to swim but in the last few months we have experienced the importance of this skill on another level. Susan teaches with a perfect mixture of patience, firm encouragement and enthusiasm and obviously enjoys her job. Our 4 year old daughter, Elin, was very unwell this summer with a condition called transverse myelitis. It affects the spinal cord and left her with partial paralysis from which she is continuing to recover. After a period of investigations, treatment and not being able to move effectively she was becoming a bit withdrawn. The day she was well enough to go in the hydrotherapy pool was a massive turning point for her and us. The staff were amazed that she took off head

down and with one working arm and leg swam as best she could with a massive smile on her face! This has continued to be her main form of therapy and allowed her freedom of movement when she was struggling out of the water. There is no doubt her pre-existing ability to swim has contributed to her on-going recovery both physically and psychologically.

A massive thank you Susan and thank you Puddle Ducks from Elin and all her family.”

The competition was judged by Katie Roberts of The Children’s Trust.

This is what Katie had to say about the winner: “We shortlisted, and then shortlisted the shortlist and then went to a staff vote and the winner was Elin’s teacher. We felt that Elin’s teacher had gone to great lengths to support and encourage Elin to continue to take part in the lessons following her illness. It struck a chord with us and the work that our therapists do at the Trust and Elin’s teacher was the overall winner.

Congratulations to her!”

To see all Mid Cheshire’s teacher nominations go to www.puddleducks. com/midcheshire and click News.

To enjoy baby and pre-school swimming classes with the most caring and highly-trained teachers, call 01477 410080 or email midcheshire@puddleducks.com

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Clubs & classes BABIES

Baby Massage Time Group or 1:1 courses in your own home or venues in and around Cheadle and Poynton. 07738 564666 / www.babymassagetime.com Baby Massage Works Course in Knutsford.

1:1 sessions available: Katie: 07973 540072 / www.babymassageworks.co.uk Baby Sensory Sensory development activities for babies. Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Marple & Bramhall – Tina: 07877 458602 Knutsford & Lymm – Laura 07946 672035 Congleton – Vicky/Jane: 07974 359980 Chester & The Wirral – Steph: 07814 941 048 Middlewich & Nantwich: Samantha 07527 741530 www.babysensory.co.uk Hullabaloo Kids Baby Signing Classes in mid Cheshire. Sharon: 07973 479471 / www.hullabalookids.net Mo Ferrie Baby Massage Classes in Chester & Wrexham. 07765 905389 / www.moferrie.co.uk My Babytime A range of classes for babies, developmental play sessions and parties in mid Cheshire. Charlotte: 07590 025253 / www.mybabytime.co.uk Rosie Health Baby Massage & Signing classes in Wilmslow, Poynton & Bollington 07961 614882 / www.rosiehealth.com Saffrons Yoga Macclesfield Pregnancy and Baby Yoga – classes and 1:1 sessions available. 01625 432997 / www.saffronsyoga.co.uk Sing and Sign Baby Signing Classes in Chester. Rachel: 01244 372970 / www.singandsign.com TinyTalk Baby signing and singing classes (0-18 months) - see listing under LANGUAGE. Yogababy Mum and Baby Yoga, Kids Yoga and Yoga for the Special Child in mid Cheshire. Jo: 07850 580855 / www.yogababycheshire.co.uk

COOKING

Cookie Tots & Kiddy Cook Hale & Altrincham – Nikki: 07976 619648 Stockport/East Cheshire – Mandy: 07411 560011. www.kiddycook.co.uk Speckled Hen Cookery School Child and parent/child cooking classes in Holmes Chapel.

01477 537583 / www.speckled-hen.co.uk

DANCE Baby Ballet Ballet and Tap for ages 2 - 4 on Tuesdays in Bollington.

01625 574774 / www.bollingtonleisure.co.uk Dancingkidz School of Dance Dancingtots, Ballet, Streetdance, Musical Theatre and Zumbatomic classes in Northwich. Sharon: 07834 612303 / www.dancingtots.co.uk Diddi Dance Funky dance classes for 2-4 year olds.

Chester, Ellesmere Port, Kelsall – Danielle: 07870 664734 Nantwich – Emma 07792 500981 www.diddidance.com

If you would like to be included in this directory, or if your details have changed, please let us know.

Footloose Dance Academy Ballet, Tap & Freestyle dance classes in Bollington & Macclesfield. 07951 054547 / www.footloosedanceacademy.co.uk Hullabaloo Kids Tippy Toes Toddler Dance for walking to 3 years (boys and girls) in mid Cheshire. Sharon: 07973 479471 / www.hullabalookids.net Northwich Dance Company Classes for adults and children, from beginners to advanced, at various venues across Northwich, covering a variety of dance styles, including Ballroom & Latin, Salsa, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Latin Line dancing. 01606 49050 / www.northwichdancecompany.co.uk Starlight Theatre School Bramhall Anna: 0161 747 4074 / www.starlightschool.co.uk

Topsy Tumbles, Cheshire West Indoor playground fun for the under 5’s at EPIC Leisure Centre (Ellesmere Port), Frodsham Leisure Centre, Neston Civic Hall, Northgate Arena (Chester), Winsford Lifestyle Centre and Woodford Lodge Sports Centre (Winsford).

Operating all year round with plenty of toys, bikes, push-a-rounds and slides as well as a supervised bouncy castle. Open to all pre-school children accompanied by an adult.

01244 377086 ex 201 / www.brioleisure.org Wacky Warehouse Soft play and activity centre in Congleton. Arts & Crafts sessions and parties available.

01260 273575 / www.wackywarehouse.co.uk

INDOOR ACTIVITY CENTRES

Funky Monkey Cafe Pre-school French with La Jolie Ronde. See listing under Music & Social Talking Tots Fun, interactive classes that help pre-school children communicate with confidence. Classes in Cheadle, Wilmslow, Hale and surrounding areas. Debbie: 07899 801186 / www.talkingtots.info

Barnaby’s Playbarn Northwich A stimulating environment where children can burn off all that energy. Activities for all ages and a special area for under 3’s. A range of party options available too. 01606 301321 / www.barnabys-playbarn.com Fun4All, Chester & Macclesfield A safe and secure environment for ages 0 – 11. Main and toddler/pre-school climbing frames, baby play pen and free–play sports zone. Café for snacks and meals and comfy sofas or tables for grown-ups. Parties also available. www.fun4all.co.uk Funky Town Play Centre, Chester Run, play, and slide on a huge climbing frame filled with ball pits, slides, roller squeezes, rope bridges as well as toddler, disco and sensory zones.

Fully stocked cafe and restaurant facilities.

01244 377229 / www.funkytownplay.co.uk Funsters Safe, indoor play centre in Crewe for children up to age 12. Cafe and comfy seating.

01270 500525 / www.funstersplaycentres.co.uk JJs Sensory Play Centre Multi-sensory play centre in Macclesfield for babies and young children as well as young people and adults with special needs.

01625 667872 / www.jjsplaycentre.co.uk Legoland® Discovery Centre Manchester Over 2 million LEGO bricks under one roof – share the LEGO world of colour, creativity and family entertainment. Indoor rides, miniland, climbing frame, 4D cinema. 0844 844 8181 / www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk Pirates Paradise, Holmes Chapel Sports areas, swing ropes, climbing frames and a toddler area. Good food and comfortable seating for adults and children. Parties available.

01477 549008 / www.piratesplaycentre.co.uk Polar Palace, Winsford Dedicated areas for babies and ages 1 to 5, as well as trikes to ride.

Activity sessions every weekday (term time only).

01606 863623 / www.polarpalace.co.uk The 2 Gyms Playbarn, Winsford Catering for all ages of children and boasting over 3,000 sq feet of play area. 01606 558600 / www.the2gyms-cheshire.co.uk Playfactore, Trafford State of the art giant play frame, interactive toddler play area, Laser Tag arena, electric go karts. 0844 824 6030 / www.playfactore.com

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LANGUAGE

TinyTalk Baby signing and singing classes (0-18 months). Your baby has so much to say, so help them tell you! Learn baby signing the fun way with the award winning TinyTalk team through singing nursery rhymes, action songs, storytime AND the all-important extra 30 mins social time. Now TinyTalk Toddler classes (18 months +) continue the fun developing confidence with speech and communication skills through action songs, games and even a parachute! Northwich & Knutsford – Jenny: 07968 110670 Frodsham, Macclesfield, Runcorn – Claire: 07771 747755 Disley, Hazel Grove – Anita: 07914 088845 www.tinytalk.co.uk The Cheshire Mandarin Academy Mandarin classes across Cheshire. 07833 712878 / www.cheshiremandarin.co.uk

MUSIC & SOCIAL

Caterpillar Music Activity sessions for 0 - 4 year olds to encourage learning through music in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Caterpillar Music parties and nursery sessions also for children from 0 - 4 years. Classes in Wilmslow, Bowdon, Appleton, Lymm, Grappenhall, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach. Free trial class.

Jan: 01925 860459 / www.caterpillarmusic.com Funky Monkey Cafe Child friendly cafe in Nantwich. Home made food, toys, indoor and outdoor play areas and weekly classes/activities - all for a small charge: Tues: 9.30 Jabberjacks Wed: 10.30 Pre-school French, 4pm Arts & Crafts for school age children Thurs: 10am Messy Monkeys 07846 296882 / www.funkymonkeycafe.co.uk Jabberjacks A learning and fun activity pre-school class which helps develop social and physical skills for children aged between 6 months* and 4 years old. *Please check age range of class Wilmslow, Macclesfield & Knutsford – Sue: 01625 540999 Chester, Northwich & Winsford – Wendy: 07519 238263

Nantwich, Crewe & Sandbach – Rachel: 07501 365537 South Manchester – Clare: 07587 186284 www.jabberjacks.co.uk Jo Jingles Music, singing and movement classes for babies and young children.

North East Cheshire – Laura – 0161 431 0674 South Manchester: Jacqui 01925 269136 Mid Cheshire – Eve: 01928 739966 www.jojingles.com MAD Academy High energy, free spirited Music and Dance classes to babies and children aged 3 months to 5 years. Classes in Alsager, Congleton, Holmes Chapel & Sandbach. Free taster session.

Kathryn: 01270 876628 / www.madacademy.com Rhythm Time Early learning through music – for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Chester & surrounds – Julia: 07789 867 589 Mid/ East Cheshire – Francis: 01270 884583 North Cheshire – Jane: 01270 529224 South Manchester – Kimberley: 01625 533510 www.rhythmtime.net

PERFORMING ARTS

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy Stockport & E Cheshire – Kalini: 01625 261000 South & Mid Cheshire – Brian: 01270 765586 www.helenogrady.co.uk Pyjama Drama Drama, movement, music and play for children up to 7 years.

Stockport & Cheshire East – Alison: 0844 504 5119 Mid Cheshire – Julie-Anne: 0844 272 6590 www.pyjamadrama.com Razzamataz Affordable performing arts training in Chester which combines Musical Theatre styles with fast and funky Commercial styles.

For ages 4 to 18.

01244 470104 / www.razzamataz.co.uk Rokit Performing Arts Professional training in acting, dancing and singing for young people aged 4 to 18. Based in Knutsford.

01565 654 482 / www.rokitperformingarts.co.uk Stagecoach Theatre Arts School Performing arts for ages 4 – 18.

Altrincham – Marion: 01925 222445 Chester – Karen/Lindsay: 01244 316187 Congleton & Macclesfield – Julie: 01782 777 345 Didsbury – Anne: 0161 789 1349 Northwich – Susan: 01606 45132 Nantwich – Adele: 01782 397866 Stockport – Cathy: 0161 864 3974 Wilmslow – Laura: 01606 782502 www.stagecoach.co.uk Star Tuition/SOS (Star on Sunday) Acting, singing & dancing workshop for ages 5 – 17 every Sunday (term time) in Knutsford, Toby: 07780 850 357 / www.star-tuition.co.uk Upstage UK Drama, singing & dance for ages 5 – 17 in Macclesfield.

Chris: 07887 766033 / www.upstageuk.com

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

A-Star Sports A fun-filled multi-sports experience for children aged 2-10 years offering inclusive, developmental coaching in a positive environment. Parties, holiday clubs and events also available. Contact Sharon or Gary Bassett via T: 07932 182148 / 07796 190169

Clubs & classes E: sharon.bassett@a-starsports.co.uk.

W: www.a-starsports.co.uk/local-classes/ chester-surrounding-area F: www.facebook.com/AStarSports.Chester Beavers, Cubs & Scouts 01925 750 223 / www.cheshirescouts.org.uk Gymbabes/Tumble Tots/Gymbobs Classes to develop children’s physical skills of agility, balance, co-ordination and climbing.

Wilmslow & Macclesfield – Nicky: 07814 020 095 Alsager, Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Crewe & Northwich – Ann: 07810 513 845.

Sale, Knutsford, Didsbury, Hale & Lymm – Jane: 07812 144450 Chester – Jackie: 01244 303127 www.tumbletots.com Little Superstars Multi sports sessions in West & South Manchester / Cheshire Louise: 07904 344552 / www.littlesuperstars.co.uk Pixies Cheerleading Squad Allstar Cheerleading Team in Poynton. Kelli: 07852 903909 / www.pixiescheer.co.uk Playmakers Ball skills, agility and co-ordination for 16 months – 5 years.

Macclesfield/Wilmslow 01625 415151 / www.premierfc.com Rainbows, Brownies & Guides 0800 1 69 59 01 / www.girlguiding.org.uk Tennis Tykes An educational tennis play and skills programme for children aged 2-5 years old. All classes are run by qualified and trained staff, use specially adapted equipment with personal achievement charts for every child. Classes across South Manchester and Cheshire. Caroline: 07843 342662 / www.tennistykes.co.uk

Football

Footytotz Early years play programme for ages 2 – 5 in Macclesfield, Bollington & Marple.

Nigel: 0845 539 0409 / www.footytotz.co.uk Premier Football Coaching After school clubs across Cheshire East. 01625 415151 / www.premierfc.com The Football Academy Football courses and academies in Mid/East Cheshire.

07738 239287 / www.tfa-thefootballacademy.co.uk

Little Kickers At Little Kickers, the focus is on fun, as football is used as a forum to instil a little extra confidence, co-ordination, control and sense of camaraderie. Classes run in four distinct age groups, to maximise involvement and development. Age groups range from just 18 months to 7 years. Classes in Alderley Edge, Poynton, Knutsford & Macclesfield.

Fiona: 01625 326177 / www.littlekickers.co.uk

Horseriding My Little Pony Parties Private lessons and pony trekking for small children aged 3+ on American Miniature Horses. Pony Petting, Activity fun and parties also available.

07832 127433 / www.mylittleponyparties.com Bank Farm Riding School Private, shared, or group lessons for children and adults in Poynton. Parties also available.

01625 872656/ www.bankfarmridingschool.co.uk Mobberley Riding School Lessons for all levels and ages (5+). Group lessons for children on the weekend. 01565 873123 / www.mobberleyridingschool.co.uk Redwood Riding School Riding lessons in Chester for children and adults, pony days and parties. 01244 851692 / www.redwoodridingschool.co.uk

Swimming

Brio Swim Swimming classes at Leisure Centres in Chester, Northwich, Winsford, Neston & Ellesmere Port.

01244 377086 ex 201 / www.brioleisure.org Macclesfield Satellites Learn to swim with Satellites swimming lessons! Based at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, we offer swimming lessons on Saturday & Sunday mornings. 10% 2nd child discount available. Emma: 07749 546307 / swimclass@swimsatellite.co.uk / www.swimsatellite.co.uk

Kinder Swim Academy Fun and stimulating lessons for birth – 15 years, giving both children and their parents confidence in the water. Kath / Sharon: 07907 263423 / www.kinderswim.co.uk Puddle Ducks Fun and friendly swimming classes for babies, toddlers and primary school age children across Cheshire. Join small, structured swimming classes (up to 8 children), at any age from birth to ten, no matter what your child’s experience or ability.

Children develop from splashing and kicking into graceful, efficient swimmers and learn lifesaving and underwater skills.

Mid Cheshire – Jo / Jess: 01477 410080 South Cheshire – Jessica / Emma: 01260 281131 Chester – Kerry: 01829 739073 www.puddleducks.com Swimabout Swim school for ages 3+ (adults too) in Handforth. Small class sizes.

Simon: 07515 252708 / www.swimabout.net Turtle Tots You are welcome to join a Turtle Tots baby swimming class at any time from when your baby is newborn, until they are 18 months old. At our classes you will learn how to swim with your baby above and below the water and how to teach your baby water confidence and key lifesaving skills. Equally importantly, the baby swimming classes provide the most overwhelming bonding experience! Classes are held on Wednesdays and Sundays in Chester and Whitchurch. Contact Kim on 0779374367 or kim.wood@turtletots.com / www.turtletots.com Water Babies Specialised swimming courses for babies 0 – 2 years. Mid & East Cheshire – Anna: 01270 611111. Chester & Liverpool – Alison: 01925 243643 / www.waterbabies.co.uk

Skating

Rollers Club For all levels of skaters – beginners to intermediate. Bring your own skates or hire a pair of rollerblades for just £1.

Sessions on weekends at Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Poynton, Knutsford and Frodsham Leisure Centres. Aimed at families and children 4 to 16, but no age limits and no pre-booking required. www.rollersclub.co.uk Flowskate 1:1 tutorials or group roller skating tuition. Recreational or extreme skating options available. Leo: 07772448653 / www.flowskate.co.uk

SUPPORT

MOSAIC Children’s Therapy Centre Independent occupational, speech-language, social / emotional / behavioural and play therapy services for children and young people with additional needs. 01606 40195 / www.mosaicchildrenstherapy.co.uk Explore Learning Maths & English tuition centres for 5-14 year olds. Children become members and attend once or twice a week for sessions that last approximately 1¼ hours. Every centre is open 7 days a week, no advance booking necessary.

Altrincham: 0161 2410006 Cheadle Hulme: 0161 6698140 Chester: 01244 343433 Heaton Park: 0161 6694839 www.explorelearning.co.uk Kumon Kumon’s unique programmes complement the school curriculum and provide far more than just maths or English tuition. They cater for your child’s individual needs, allowing them to study at a rate that is just right for them and eventually to take responsibility for their own learning.

Congleton – Claire: 01625 262176 Knutsford – Sue: 01565 621142 Nantwich – Sarah: 01270 780810 Northwich – Liz: 01928 735927 Sandbach - Roy 01606 891350 Wilmslow – Ian: 01625 532529 www.kumon.co.uk

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 5

Pregnancy Safe exercise during pregnancy

Image: Arkansas ShutterBug (Flickr.com)

Infertility and Egg Donation Today, couples push baby-making out for economic, social or career reasons, and often choose to start a family just when female fertility rates plummet. Other than adoption, many find that IVF with Egg Donation may end up being their only choice.

The number of IVF cycles performed each year in the UK has increased steadily since 1991, and in 2011 was over 60,000.

Over 5,000 women in the North West received fertility treatment in 2011, according to the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (www.HFEA.gov.uk), which sets the framework within which all Fertility Clinics operate.

Following an extensive public consultation, ‘Donating sperm and eggs: have your say’, which ran from January to April 2011, the HFEA set a level of compensation to egg donors of £750 per cycle of donation. The donation itself is anonymous, although – since April 2005 – donors must complete identifying information (available to people conceived in this way, once they reach 18 years of age and if they so wish).

The NHS may assist in funding an Egg Donor cycle (depending on local area policies), but – typically – they don’t assist in finding a donor or otherwise co-ordinate a cycle, which places quite a burden on government treatment facilities.

There are many good private Fertility Clinics throughout the UK, but the high cost of treatments and general shortage of Egg Donors remains problematical.

(Un)surprisingly, many women choose fertility treatments abroad. Spain and Israel are popular, as is India. South Africa, too, boasts first-world standards, immediately-available Egg Donors and a strong regulatory framework.

ababySA (www.ababysa.com) is a leading South African Egg Donor Program. “It’s a fantastic, rewarding experience for a special woman,” says business owner Lara. “40% of our Recipient couples are from another country; it’s amazing to be able to offer hope, quickly and efficiently – often at a surprisingly good price. All-in, including travel and accommodation, you should be able to complete a cycle for somewhere around £9,000. That’s not small money, we agree, but you do have three weeks in a beautiful country, with immediate private medical attention.”

In SA, Egg Donor programs are tightly regulated by the Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG) (www.fertilitysa.org.za). “This is not a bad thing,” says Lara. “We are all for peace of mind: so, payments to Donors are set at £430 per donation. And total anonymity underlies everything, from the databases of Donors, through the retrievals and documentation to the Fertility Clinics.”

The procedure typically works first time, in 60-70% of IVFs with Egg Donation. It’s a real prospect for women who are struggling with infertility. After three cycles using donated eggs, success reaches into the 90%s.

Infertility Network UK (www.infertilitynetworkuk.com) is a leading national charity offering practical and emotional support to all those suffering from infertility. Their recently launched Talking about Trying campaign (www.talkingabouttrying.co.uk) is designed to get everyone talking about infertility, and to give sufferers a much louder voice.

6 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

FitBack and Bumps is an exciting, educational and fun way to exercise safely in pregnancy. Run by Chartered physiotherapists, this educational exercise programme teaches you to work the core stability muscles for improved posture and management of mild back and pelvic pain.

FitBack and Bumps consists of four one hour sessions run weekly. Each week includes an educational discussion topic covering the changing body during pregnancy, safe exercise during pregnancy, the role of the pelvic floor and positions for labour. Each discussion is interactive and responds to group need,

so that any concerns are addressed.

Everyone receives an information pack with the weekly discussion topics and exercise cards for continuation at home.

The sessions are run in very small groups in a safe and friendly environment in Alsager and Crewe. Anyone interested should be between 12 and 30 weeks pregnant and will be asked to complete a screening questionnaire prior to joining the programme. They’d love to welcome you to the fantastic new FitBack and Bumps programme at iQ Therapies – call 0845 544 2588, email info@iqtherapies.com or go to www.iqtherapies.com.

Turtle Tums Aqua-Yoga Classes have launched in Chester!

Turtle Tums is an aqua-natal yoga course that provides mums-to-be with a great way of exercising within the controlled and supportive environment of water.

Aqua-Yoga has numerous physical and emotional benefits. You will learn water adapted yoga moves and breathing that will help you throughout your pregnancy, during labour and beyond, promoting flexibility and relaxation. During the course,

techniques are taught to use with your baby once they are born, ensuring you are confident in the water with your baby once they have entered the world!

Once you have enjoyed the benefits of Turtle Tums you and your baby will be able to continue your journey with Turtle Tots baby swimming classes!

For more information contact kim.wood@turtletots.com or call 07793743678. www.turtletots.com

Pregnancy Yoga Saffron Harrison is a yoga teacher based in Macclesfield offering Dru Prenatal Yoga classes, preparing your body and mind for the changes it will go through during pregnancy, labour and beyond.

Safe for any stage of pregnancy, classes stretch and strengthen muscles throughout the body including your core muscles and pelvic floor, enhancing the optimal foetal position which can lead to a shorter labour. In addition, they

help with common problems during pregnancy such as back ache, and the yoga postures help to balance hormones and emotions, which help you stay calm and in control. Relaxation and breathing techniques will help you and your body through labour.

Saffron also holds Baby Yoga and Toddler Yoga classes in the Macclesfield area, and one-to-one sessions are available on request. 01625 432997 / www.saffronsyoga.co.uk

Pregnancy HypnoBirthing

by Ashley Parker Pregnancy can be a pretty up and down experience for women and their partners. With all sorts of unexpected changes occurring and the anticipation of labour and birth, fear and anxiety is often evoked.

Ideally women would be able to approach their labour and birth with excitement and optimism and the experience would not include the discomfort and pain that some experience, however this is often not quite the case. Images of women laying on their backs with feet in stirrups, screaming and panting and pushing until they have nothing left to give, is often what is portrayed through media and even through stories from family and friends. With increasing choices for where and how a woman chooses to give birth, this doesn’t have to be everyone’s experience.

HypnoBirthing is an approach to antenatal education, based on logic which aims to give couples all of the information and tools to approach the birth of their baby with confidence and empowerment and the ability to achieve a calm, natural and comfortable birth experience.

HypnoBirthing isn’t just for first time Mums, it works for women who have varying experiences in the past, such as trauma or simply wanting to be more in control of their experience. There is occasional scepticism and worries about what hypnosis is and the simple answer is it is simply a way of releasing some of the un-helpful and debilitating beliefs and assumptions that we acquire on our journey through life. It can actually control pain and there is no magic to achieving success with self-hypnosis; almost anyone who chooses to, can reach deep relaxation and redirected focus. Hypnotherapy is simply words, used in a positive and focused way, to help release worries and concerns about giving birth which is useful for first time Mums and those who have maybe not enjoyed the experience in the past.

Women’s bodies are designed to birth their babies naturally and statistics support this, as the majority of women can and do. In HypnoBirthing we talk about how the uterine muscles work and why when relaxed and free of tension, the birthing muscles work efficiently and in harmony. Dr Dick-Read, the author of Childbirth without Fear postulated that the fear experienced by women in childbirth caused the blood to be diverted away from her uterus, in order to be used by other muscles to enable her to escape

from danger. The result of this was to starve the uterus of oxygen, therefore preventing it from carrying out its intended function without pain. This phenomenon he called “the fear-tension-pain syndrome of childbirth”. Dr Dick-Read believed that if a woman was able to eliminate the fear, her uterus would return to its normal function, thus eliminating the pain. He concluded that fear and tension was responsible for 95 percent of labour pain, which could be eliminated through relaxation techniques. By learning specific breathing techniques, visualisation and self hypnosis, it is possible to reach a deep state of relaxation, giving the body the best chance to do as nature intended.

The NHS is currently running a trial about hypnobirthing (the SHIP trial), with the aim of demonstrating its effectiveness and how the unnecessary medicalisation of normal births can be avoided. HypnoBirthing is regularly being offered now within maternity units and hospitals across the UK. Hypnosis is recognised in the UK by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and has been approved by the British Medical Association (BMA) for over 40 years.

HypnoBirthing classes can be held in small groups or privately within your own home. You will learn all about the physiological side of childbirth, relaxation techniques, including breathing techniques, visualisation, self hypnosis and light touch massage which is used by your partner to deepen your relaxation.

HypnoBirthing is not a magic solution, nor is it a guarantee for the ‘perfect birth’, but it is a collection of uncomplicated tools that with practice and dedication work and even when special medical circumstances may arise, hypnobirthing helps mothers feel more calm and in control over treatment options. Most importantly, if the birth is calm, gentle and drug free for you, it’s also calm, gentle and drug free for your baby, so this little person arrives in the world alert, and with a mother who is alert and ready to receive it lovingly and attentively. Hypnobabies are often described as calm and serene and adjust well to sleeping and eating patterns.

For more information about Ashley Parker visit www.miracleinthemakinghypnobirthingyork.co.uk. For further general information about HypnoBirthing visit www.thehypnobirthingassociation.com

Photography for that extra special occasion The Photo Boutique is a mobile photography business based in Lymm, Cheshire that specialises in Bump, Baby & Children’s photography, although they also offer Wedding & General Portrait Services.

Fully qualified and creative staff use modern, up-to-date equipment and shoots are arranged in the comfort of your own home or in a preferred location, such as your garden, local park or woodlands. Shoots last at least 2 – 3 hours or longer, depending on feeds,

sleeps & nappy changes. The Photo Boutique covers areas including Warrington, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Mobberley, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Northwich, Stockport, Salford & Manchester.

For more information, contact Annie on 07830 353061. www.thephotoboutique.bksites.net

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 7

Childcare & parenting

Image: Alliance (Fotolia.com)

How childcare is changing

By Joanna Moorhead

Childcare in Britain costs more than childcare almost anywhere else in the world – according to recent figures, 27% of the income of families with young children is spent on the costs of a nanny, a childminder or a nursery. Everyone agrees it would be better if childcare was more affordable – especially for parents with two or more children, many of whom say it doesn’t make financial sense for them both to be at work.

But how can childcare be made cheaper without compromising on quality? That’s the question everyone, from government ministers to childcare providers, is grappling with at the moment.

What the government is saying In late January, the government announced a new plan to change child: staff ratios for childminders and nurseries, in a move it says will cut costs for parents and raise pre-school standards.

Early years minister Elizabeth Truss is proposing that: • Childminders, who are currently restricted to looking after three children aged one to five, should in future be able to look after four • They would also be allowed to look after two children aged under one, instead of being restricted to one child under one • Nurseries will be allowed to increase their staff-to-child ratio from the current 1:4 to 1:6 • For under-ones, the ratio will rise from 1:3 to 1:4

• Qualifications would be raised for new nursery staff – they’ll be required to have a GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths Other changes include the introduction of a new graduate-level early years teaching qualification.

Truss says the proposals won’t lead to children being neglected: she points out that the changes she is suggesting will still leave England with higher staff:child ratios than those for childcarers in France, Denmark and Germany, three countries that are often cited as providing high-quality care for pre-school children.

Her basic argument is that the current relatively tight ratios have two main effects: they mean higher costs for parents, and lower pay for staff. The changes she’d like to see would, she believes, lead to lower fees for parents and higher pay for staff, and this in turn would improve the quality of childcare workers over time.

But Labour’s shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg says he believes the plans would undermine the quality of the UK’s childcare. “I think this is one area where we’ve got something to teach other countries,” he says. “If you look at France, there’s quite a big public debate about whether they’ve got this right.”

Marg Randles, managing director of Busy Bees, the UK’s largest childcare provider with 213 nurseries across the country, says this flexibility already exists within settings for 3-5 year olds where providers can choose to adopt a

8 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

1:13 ratio where there is a qualified teacher or EYP working directly with the children.

She believes Busy Bees baby ratios of 3:9 and toddler (2-3’s) ratios of 3:12 works best across its 213 settings, but others may find they can work within the new ratio guidelines. She welcomes changes that puts the decisions in the hands of individual childcare experts and trusts they will make the right choice for their children, parents and business. But the important issue for Busy Bees is childcare vouchers; currently, employers are allowed to give employees up to £55 a week in tax-free vouchers to pay for childcare; raising this to £75 a week would make a real difference to parents, the chain argues. In comparison, the saving to families if the Truss proposals go through would amount, says Busy Bees, to less than £3.00 per week.

What about tax breaks?

Childcare vouchers are one form of tax breaks for parents paying for childcare.

However, before the recent Truss announcement it had been hoped that the scheme would be reformed and extended, allowing more parents to benefit from the scheme, and those already using it to save more.

Unfortunately these hopes haven’t come to fruition: Ms Truss has said changes are in the pipeline, but that they’re “going to be slightly longer in the gestation than would be ideal”.

So the details of the scheme are still being worked out, and it’s been widely

reported in the press that there are ideological differences within the Coalition. Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat deputy prime minister, has suggested that changes should be for those on lower incomes, while the Conservatives are believed to want the breaks to be universal.

While we wait for another announcement, it’s being reported that the scheme under consideration could be worth thousands of pounds – sources close to the government have said working women with children aged under five could become entitled to claim a flat rate tax allowance of £2,000 a year to pay someone to look after their children.

But if that’s the good news, the bad news – sadly – is that with all the political wrangling going on behind the scenes, the plan could take some time...though some experts still believe it could be introduced before the next General Election.

How to cut your childcare costs in the short term The bottom line is that there’s not a huge amount happening at government level to cut your childcare costs right now – so if you need to get them down, it’s up to you to find a way. Here are a few ideas we’ve come up with at Families: • Change your working hours: as a parent with a child under 16, you’re entitled to request flexible working hours from your employer, provided you’ve worked there for more than six months. You could ask to fit your work into fewer days that are longer – then your partner could collect your child or children from your carer on the days you’re working, and you can cut childcare bills.

• If you work part-time and use a nursery, check out whether the fees are lower on certain days of the week (they sometimes are) and see if you can switch the days you work.

• Team up with a friend who’s also working part-time and has a child of a similar age. So you look after her child with yours while she’s working, and vice versa.

• When you’re choosing a childminder, check whether she can access the free 15 hours’ childcare a week that all three and four-year-olds are entitled to – not all childminders can do this, and it can be worth up to £180 for 38 weeks of the year.

For more on childcare go to www.familiesonline.co.uk

Childcare & parenting Babysitting decisions

By Di Williams, Nannyplus Childcare

Many parents will be looking to use a babysitter for their children when going out, but making sure your child is safe, well cared for and happy is one of the biggest concerns of any parent.

It can be very stressful leaving your child in someone else’s care and this is an extremely important decision you will have to make. There are no legal requirements on a person applying to work as a child carer (please visit www.ofsted.gov.uk), so it is up to you, as parent and employer, to ensure that you are employing a person who will look after your children well.

It’s a little known fact, but there is no set age when it’s ok to leave children home alone. It very much depends on whether the child is mature enough to be left and could cope with an emergency situation. According to the NSPCC: ‘The law does not set a minimum age at which children can be left alone. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts him or her at risk.’ They go on to recommend that no one under the age of 16 should be left to care for an infant.

A babysitter is usually a person who will look after the children in your own home, on an informal basis, usually for a few hours in the evening, when the children are asleep for most of the time. Whilst it might be tempting to just use your neighbour’s teenage daughter, we wouldn’t recommend it unless your children are a bit older and they just need ‘supervising’ and not baby-sitting as such.

The best way is to use a trustworthy, experienced and qualified childcarer with a proven track record. The most reliable source is a nanny agency; you would have to pay a membership or a booking fee each time, but the babysitters they provide are of the highest calibre. The agency would have interviewed them, checked their ID, references and qualifications and made sure they have a current Criminal

Teaching Kids To Be Good People

By Annie Fox, M.Ed

Records Bureau check and a valid First Aid certificate. As a member of the Association of Nanny Agencies (www.anauk.org), Nannyplus Childcare Ltd has to follow strict rules and guidelines when recruiting and placing childcarers and babysitters.

Should you decide to source a babysitter yourself, please make sure you perform some basic checks such as proof of ID, child care qualifications, a valid First Aid certificate and even ask to see a recent CRB check, which most people working in child care should already be required to have in their day job. You are inviting a complete stranger into your home to care for your children, so follow your instincts and if it doesn’t feel right, then don’t use them.

Once you decide on the right person, book them to come half an hour early the first time you use them; this should allow enough time for the children to feel relaxed with the babysitter and will give you some time to see how the children interact with her, as well as show her around and make her aware of bedtime routines etc. Always make sure you leave a contact telephone number and tell her how far you’ll be, should you need to be called back home in an emergency. Also, provide details of another person who could be contacted such a next door neighbour, grandparents or family doctor.

Let the babysitter know an approximate time for your return. If you are going to be home later than anticipated, try to let her know as soon as you can.

Di Williams launched Nannyplus in 2001 to provide a truly different and personal child care service for clients throughout Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Wirral and Greater Manchester. For further details call her on 01925 768 188 or visit www.nannyplus.co.uk.

Twitter @nannyplusdi. Facebook: Nannyplus Childcare

Published by Electric Eggplant, RRP £9.95 Paperback ISBN 9781480083936 Annie Fox evidently has lots of experience in helping young people and is passionate about her work.

This comes across strongly in her book which I found to be an exceptionally good read. Her definition of a ‘good’ person comprises many qualities – all teachable rather than innate. Each section of the book is illustrated with real life scenarios, plenty

of learning and self-evaluation opportunities, quizzes and empowerment tools. The book is full of insight, wisdom and sensible, practical advice. It would be easy for such a parenting guide to be condescending, but Annie writes with such genuine warmheartedness, humour and self-deprecating humility that she takes you with her all the way. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rosie Elphinstone

Parenting Without Tears: Living with Teenagers

By Anne Coates

Published by Endeavour Press, RRP £2.99 eBook ASIN B0098WD75G This concise book by parenting expert Anne Coates was a welcome introduction to the teenager.

First analysing your parenting style – authoritarian, permissive or authoritative – it suggests each approach is useful in different situations. I found the overview of teenage development particularly enlightening; discovering they are

incapable of the longer term view (studying now leading to better job later). The book also considers the challenges the teen will encounter and how to support them: everything from bullying through drinking to talking with you. Recommended to parents approaching the teen years with trepidation!

Reviewed by Jan Deykin

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 9

Childcare & parenting Real Nappies…Real Change!

Go Real, The Real Nappy Information Service is working with both Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Councils to offer parents the opportunity to try out Real Nappies for FREE. Real Nappies are not only up to 40% better for the environment than disposables, but parents can also save at least £500 per child by using them.

Modern designs and fabrics ensure that Real Nappies are now a fashion favourite and parents will be able to find out that they are really easy to use too.

Sasha Forsyth from Go Real says, “Gone are the days when you needed to wrestle with safety pins on wriggling babies – Real Nappies now come shaped to fit with easy Velcro or popper fastenings. Good product design, modern fabrics and helpful accessories make Real Nappies much more user friendly in today’s busy lifestyle.”

Cheshire East: For residents of Cheshire East, the new initiative is a loan of a Nappy Trial pack from Cottontails Nappy Laundry offering the chance to try 21 nappies and 7 wraps over a 2-week period.

Cheshire East Council is also offering a financial incentive of either £25 cashback (on real nappy purchases over £50) or a month’s free nappy laundry trial (worth £55).

Cheshire West and Chester: The Trial kit scheme being launched by Cheshire West and Chester gives parents the chance to test a large range of types and styles of Real Nappies and make a decision on which are best for them and their baby. The kit contains everything parents will need to road test Real Nappies and can be kept for up to three weeks to give them chance to discover which nappies they prefer.

Switching from disposables to Real Nappies dramatically reduces waste going to landfill, and for this reason both Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Councils are keen to encourage parents to switch to Real Nappies, to save waste and taxpayers’ money.

For more information on the scheme visit www.goreal.org.uk/eastcheshire or www.goreal.org.uk/westcheshire, email advice@goreal.org.uk or call 0800 328 8175.

Real Nappy Week 2013 This year’s Real Nappy Week takes place 15 to 21 April, with the theme of ‘Real Nappies...Real Change!’ to inspire a new generation of parents to make the change.

Keep an eye on the Go Real website for information about this busy week with plenty of activities and promotions; especially the Great Cloth Diaper Change which is a global attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most amount of Real Nappies changed simultaneously around the world! Check out the new Chooser Tool to help you choose which nappy is right for you, plus you can watch online fashion shows where you can see a range of show-stopping nappies! And don’t miss the online webinars for demonstrations of how to use Real Nappies. www.goreal.org.uk/real-nappy-week.

10 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY? Win the potty training breakthrough that’s winning awards Dry Like Me potty training pads are a real break-through in the challenge to get children out of nappies and into their own pants. They have won lots of awards and are endorsed by child toilet training charity, ERIC. The handy little potty training pads turn all pants into potty training pants by adding an absorbent layer. They give your little one extra confidence and ease the pressures on you.

Dry Like Me pads help your child to recognise their body’s cues for the loo, a key part of potty training. While they are learning, they capture small accidents and so reduce the mess and stress. They are soft, comfortable and suitable for children of all ages with one size fitting all. In research they reduced accidents after only one week.

Dry Like Me are giving away ‘Smarter Way to Potty Train Packs’ worth £15 to five lucky readers. Each pack contains four boxes of Dry Like Me pads and a lovely reward chart and stickers – all the tools you need to help your little one achieve potty training success!

To enter the competition, just go to www.familiescheshire.co.uk.

Closing date for entries: Tuesday 30 April.

For more information, practical advice and special offers go to www.drylikeme.com.

And share your experiences at facebook.com/DryLikeMeUK. Dry Like Me are available from Tesco Extra, Asda, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Superdrug, Wilkinsons, Ocado and Amazon and cost around £3.49 for a pack of 18.

Childcare & parenting Choosing a nanny

By Jemma Moran, Cheshire Nannies A new baby turns your world around in the most wonderful way as your new bundle becomes the centre of your world. But it’s important for your child’s development to get used to being apart from you for short periods of time as it will add to their confidence & understanding of the world.

If you decide to employ the services of a nanny, finding the perfect person becomes one of your most important decisions. After all you will be entrusting the most precious thing in your life to someone else.

It may be stating the obvious, but it is essential to ensure that the person you choose is honest, trustworthy and reliable. It is also extremely important that their approach matches what you want and fits in with the culture and standards of your own family.

Carry out background and Criminal Records Bureau checks and take up references to make sure that your nanny is properly qualified and experienced. A good

nanny recruitment service will do these things as a matter of course.

Interview the prospective nanny and her references, and cover areas such as any religious or cultural preferences you might have, discipline levels and routines.

Here at Cheshire Nannies we take both the prospective nanny and the employer through a series of interviews to make sure the relationship will be based on solid ground. In addition, we follow up with both the employer and nanny to check the relationship is bedding down as it should be, and we are always available to discuss any issues that might arise.

Get it right and your nanny will be a good friend to you and your child, and will become someone you will both remember fondly for a long time to come.

Jemma can be contacted on 07934 644751. www.cheshirenannies.co.uk

What should I look for when visiting a nursery?

Supplied by kidsunlimited nurseries

You’ve short listed the childcare providers in your area and booked visits to them, but what should you be looking for during these visits?

First, it’s important that you write a list of questions you’d like to ask. It’s a little like going to the doctors or attending an interview in as much as it can feel very overwhelming and it’s only after you’ve left that you remember the all-important questions you didn’t ask.

These could be anything from ‘How is sleep time arranged’ to ‘How will potty training be managed’ or ‘What does the Early Years Foundation Stage mean for my child’?

Take notice of how you are greeted – is the door held wide open or does the person ask who you are before inviting you in? Security is a very important aspect of any setting and while it’s good to be greeted warmly, it’s essential that unfamiliar people are not given free access to the building.

Are you asked to sign a visitor’s book?

The manager or deputy should greet you even if they don’t personally show you round the nursery. Tell the staff member who is leading the visit about those areas you particularly want to see.

This is important – if you have a baby you will not want to see Pre School first, or vice versa. If you feel as if you might be given the generic tour, let them know where your particular interests lie.

As you walk round the various rooms, are children happy and engaged in what they are doing, and are staff involved with them? Nursery rooms should look busy but not chaotic! Do staff look up and acknowledge your presence by a smile or ‘hello’? Are children clean and does the room smell pleasant? Look at the display boards, are they up-to-date and look as if work has been done by the children? Do they demonstrate that the staff has an understanding of child development?

Are you allowed to just stand and watch the room in action or are you hurried in and out of rooms? Is the garden or outdoor area set up ready for children’s play and if there is no outdoor area, how do staff manage this aspect of the day?

The latest version of the Ofsted report should also be displayed. This offers a snapshot of the setting and will detail any complaints that may have been received.

However, if the Ofsted report is over a year old it is unlikely to provide a true picture of how the setting is 12 months or more down the line. This could be due to changes in staffing, room layout or the development of day-to-day practice following training.

Remember, you can also arrange for another visit without any obligation to make a booking. Brochures and websites offer useful information but it is how you feel about the setting and the care offered that actually counts.

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 11

Childcare & parenting What to do if your child is “different”

by Gabrielle Starkey

My top tips:

When I became pregnant, I felt like I’d stepped through the looking glass. I’d been focusing on my career and never paid too much attention to family life, but suddenly it was everywhere, and I’d unwittingly joined a new club.

There were new rules, and I was playing catch-up, but I soon began to feel at home in this warm, welcoming world of bumps and babies. But when my child’s behaviour started to go off the rails, at just 18 months, it stretched the welcome of my new world to the limit. I was forced, eventually, to step through another looking glass – into

the world of Special Educational Needs (SEN).

I decided to write this article to help other parents to access the services they may need right at the start of their SEN journey. Every child is different and will need their own, personal help, so one solution doesn’t fit all. But the SEN system can be a maze, and finding the right people and organisations to help you through it is all-important. I hope that if you’re struggling with the fact that your child seems different from his or her peers, you’ll find something on these pages that will help.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Netbuddy: An award winning site for swapping practical tips and information on all aspects of supporting people with learning disabilities. www.netbuddy.org.uk Children’s Therapy Team: Providing private Occupational Therapy services to children aged 0-16 years.

01625 266409 / www.ctteam.co.uk Autism Networks Resource Centre: Provides leisure and social activities for people affected by autism spectrum disorder. 01270 580444 / www.autismnetworks.org.uk

Cheshire West & Chester PPS: 01829 742 997 / www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ parentpartnership Cheshire East PPS: 01625 374 278 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ parentpartnership The National Parent Partnership Network: For useful links and info. www.parentpartnership.org.uk National Autistic Society Cheshire East & Chester: 01244 315651 / www.nas-cheshire.org.uk

12 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

See your doctor Your first port of call is your GP. If you feel something is wrong, you don’t need to wait for the nursery or school to tell you (although they will, if they feel your child is struggling). Depending on your child’s symptoms, your GP can refer you to CAMHS (the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service – the county’s child psychologists), a Speech and Language therapist or a paediatrician. If you’re referred to CAMHS, ask as soon as possible about the length of the waiting list, as it can be very long (my son was waiting 16 months to be assessed).

Don’t be ashamed Your child’s disability is not your fault, you didn’t ask for it and beating yourself up about it won’t help anyone.

It’s natural to feel sad that your high-flying dreams for your child might not now come true, but he/she is still your child and needs you.

Think positive.

Keep talking to your child’s school/nursery If your child is at nursery or school, liaise with the nursery manager or head teacher about your child’s progress and behaviour, and keep them informed of any changes outside school/nursery. This can help to build up a full picture of the child’s environment, which might shed some light on the problem.

Don’t get defensive – they will be trying to help you and your child, not judging you.

Time: A specialist babysitting agency finding suitably experienced and qualified babysitters to look after autistic children. 07942 815845 / www.time-specialist-support.com Contact a Family North West: Provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability. Services are carried out through a team of home-based workers and volunteers. www.cafamily.org.uk/advice-and-support

Get reading Once you have received a diagnosis – or even before – read up on the problem, or what you think it is. I have amassed quite a library on Attachment Disorder, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, inflexible children and special diets! Be aware, though, that it’s all too easy to misdiagnose your child from a book or the internet – many symptoms overlap different diagnoses, and some behavioural problems actually have their roots in physical or emotional difficulties.

For instance, a child who is dyslexic might act badly through frustration, or a child with hearing problems might switch off in class because they can’t hear the teacher. It’s important to see the professionals to get a proper diagnosis.

Reach out and make connections Join a support group, even before diagnosis.

This might be controversial, but having a child with an SEN can be isolating, and meeting others in a similar situation – whatever their children’s difficulties – can help you feel less alone. It’s also true that there is help out there that can’t normally be accessed before diagnosis, and you can find out about it at these groups.

Become a “Velvet Bulldozer” Sandy Row, a mother of four adopted children with autism, has written a book called The Velvet Bulldozer about her determined battle with the authorities to get her children properly diagnosed and supported.

If you feel you’re not getting appropriate support, don’t just give up – sometimes you have to fight for the best for your child.

Mosaic Children’s Therapy Centre: Occupational, speech-language, social/ emotional/behavioural and play therapy services for children and young people with additional needs. 01606 40195 / www.mosaicchildrenstherapy.co.uk Special People North: Work with children who need specialist help, who present with challenging behaviours, who require specific input such as physiotherapy or speech and language therapy or who are merely in need of stimulation. 01625 583957 / www.specialpeoplenorth.org.uk

Childcare & parenting

Image: Tatyana Gladskih (Fotolia.com)

Special Educational Needs: A bit of a maze?

Parents sometimes find it hard to get appropriate help for their children.

Whilst most schools and Local Authorities (LAs) are helpful, parents sometimes have to “fight their corner” to get proper additional help.

This may include having to appeal to the SEN and Disability Tribunal.

School have a duty to identify and make additional provision for a child’s special needs. When schools feel they need additional resources to do this, an application can be made to the Local Authority in which the parents live for a statutory assessment and a Statement of SEN. Parents have rights of appeal at all stages of this process.

The process of getting the right help for your child is complex and parents acting alone can sometimes feel isolated and confused. SEN Voice is a Cheshire based Consultancy set up to help parents get the right provision that will ensure that children achieve their full potential and

feel happy, relaxed and included at school.

The Director of SEN Voice has over 40 years’ experience in special needs as an Adviser, Headteacher and teacher. This includes over 10 years of SEN Tribunal work.

“Where parents feel that they are not getting the right SEN provision we are ideally placed to give advice or provide advocacy on parent’s behalf. We can advise parents as to what additional help their children should receive and act on their behalf to help them get it. We can help arrange specialist assessments and gather evidence to show a child has needs that are not being addressed. SEN Voice prepares cases for SEN and Disability Tribunals and can represent parents at Tribunal hearings.”

A welcome pack is available from hello@sen-voice.co.uk and a free initial telephone consultation is also offered.

Please feel free to contact them on 0161 928 9581 to discuss any concerns over SEN provision.

Documentary series about ADHD, Autism, ASD & other developmental disorders ‘betty tv’ is developing a sensitive and in-depth documentary, raising awareness about developmental conditions that affect family life and exploring treatments/therapies that could help. If your child has ADHD, ASD or a developmental disorder and you’d be happy to talk about your experiences, please contact Saskia on 0771 5111997 or saskia.wilson@betty.co.uk betty is an independent TV company with a track record in making sensitive and critically acclaimed films about modern life. These include BAFTA nominated Breaking Up With The

Joneses for Channel 4, a powerful, sensitive film following one family as they go through divorce; Find Me a Family, a critically acclaimed Channel 4 series about a pioneering project which tries to find homes for the children who no-one else has come forward to adopt; and The Undateables, a returning series for Channel 4 which follows the journeys of several extraordinary singletons and offers greater insight into the issues, barriers and prejudices faced by people living with challenging conditions.

For more info about betty please see www.betty.co.uk

FREE Special Needs Awareness Calendar Want to know when Carers’ week is this year ... or World Health Day? There are lots of important dates in the special needs world, so Netbuddy has created a Special Needs Awareness Calendar, full of handy reminders, covering as many conditions and syndromes as possible. You can download the calendar FREE from the Netbuddy website – www.netbuddy.org.uk

Love Bombing – Reset Your Child’s Emotional Thermostat

By Oliver James

Published by Karnac Books, RRP £9.99 Paperback ISBN 9781780491370 Love Bombing is an interesting and innovative way of addressing a wide range of emotionally challenging behaviour with the aim of getting the parent-child relationship back on track.

It is a very accessible self-help book. Oliver James starts by explaining what Love Bombing is and how and why it works. Each chapter looks at the

types of behaviour that cause the relationship problems and then documents relevant case studies of Love Bombing being applied, the outcomes and longer term behavioural change. I found it both an intriguing and inspiring read and would recommend it to any parent seeking to improve their relationship with their child.

Reviewed by Rosie Elphinstone

Show me a Story

By Emily K Neuburger

Published by Storey Publishing , RRP £11.99 Paperback ISBN 9781603429887 A wonderful book to help you inspire children’s imaginations. Specifically written to develop children’s storytelling skills, it has 40 projects and activities for a single child or big group.

The idea is that children make props then use them as prompts to kick-start and develop stories. Paint characters

on stones; invent the history of an everyday object; pass on a plot with Story Ping Pong!

It also guides adults on encouraging storytelling and how to structure stories.

Perfect at home, outside or traveling, this is a fabulous, fun resource full of colourful photographs.

Reviewed by Jan Deykin

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 13

Education news Lostock Hall Open Day

Lostock Hall’s reading buddies programme trains Year 4 children to encourage and enrich the school life of younger children.

On Tuesday 12 March Lostock Hall Primary School and Pre-school Nursery in Poynton are throwing open the doors and warmly invite you to their open day.

Jolly Phonics Extra Leading synthetic phonics publisher Jolly Learning has released an innovative kit designed to help struggling readers to learn to read and write fluently.

All current and prospective parents are most welcome to come and see Lostock’s children in their Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ learning environment.

This will be an opportunity to • Sample school meals; • See the school uniform display; • Watch the children engaged in their learning; • Take part in fun and engaging activities in the on-site nursery with your children; • Witness ‘outstanding’ teaching in all the classrooms – including the new Key Stage 2 building.

The open day will run from 9am 5pm, and all staff will be present to meet and talk to any visitors.

Ideal for small groups or individual use, with SENCOs, teachers or TAs, the Jolly Phonics Extra enables children to learn whether they are struggling with blending, have poor attention, or have English as a second language.

The TalkingPEN gives them a variety of different ways to access the texts and improve their skills, allowing children to work alone, or in small groups in order to check their own progress without pressure. The extra letters give the children subtle clues for the correct pronunciation of alternative letter sounds, enabling them to build their confidence and abilities until they can read fluently.

Just by touching the page the TalkingPEN: • speaks the letter sound • sings the Jolly Song • models blending • reads a story • asks a question… from 4,000 sound files! www.jollylearning.co.uk

Reading out loud in class ‘does children no good’ Well-loved children’s author Julia Donaldson has said that reading aloud in class is too “wooden” to interest children in books, and instead they should be taught how to read by acting out plays.

The Children’s Laureate has suggested that reading aloud makes children feel like they are being tested, rather than inspiring them. The author of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom said that when she visits a classroom she takes small groups of students aside and works on the play with them, before reading it to the rest of the class. “It can develop children’s reading” as well as build confidence, she said.

The author launches a new series of short plays written for especially schools this winter, including plays by authors such as Vivian French, Alison Hawes and Steve Barlow.

14 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Education news Junior hockey girls picked for Greater Manchester

Three of Stockport Grammar Junior School’s best Year 6 hockey players; Pippa Brown of Glossop, and Francessca Cooke & Sophie Douglas both of Stockport, have been selected for the prestigious Greater Manchester Under-12s Development Squad.

Speaking about the girls’ achievements, Junior School PE and Games teacher Mrs Claire Nicholls said: “We congratulate the girls for their success in being selected. The process is a rigorous one consisting of a series of coaching sessions followed by two selection weekends, and it’s a great achievement to have gained a place on the Greater Manchester squad.”

Long division rules

It’s true – phonics works!

From now on, children are to be awarded extra marks for using long division in maths, as long division and multiplication make a return to maths exams.

As part of a Government incentive to increase standards in primary schools, 11 year olds will receive extra marks for using traditional methods of calculation in their Sats tests. Even if they end up with the wrong answer, the workings-out of sums will receive additional marks.

The changes are due to be introduced from 2016 and coincide with the introduction of a new primary maths curriculum which places greater strength on times tables and mental arithmetic, plus calculators will be banned in maths tests sat by 11-year-olds at the end of primary school.

The draft national curriculum for primary maths says that children should learn “efficient calculation methods”, such as short and long multiplication and division, and that nine-year-olds should know all their times tables up to 12x12 and confidently work with numbers up to 10 million by the end of primary school.

English schools climb the international league table in reading thanks to phonics.

PIRLS, the international comparison of reading teaching achievement, has published results which show that figures for reading in England have improved significantly, with the country moving up 8 places to number 11th. “Synthetic phonics

has shown over the years what a fantastic difference it makes for helping children to learn to read and write. I see no reason why we shouldn’t be challenging for the number 1 position currently held by Hong Kong and Russia.” said Chris Jolly, Publisher of Jolly Learning, the synthetic phonics programme of choice for many primary schools.

New Adventure Playground for King’s Juniors Parent power has helped The King’s School open a new adventure playground for its juniors, as well as new sports facilities designed to help the netball, tennis and cricket stars of the future.

Thanks to fundraising efforts spearheaded

by King’s parents, the school has unveiled a fantastic new adventure playground, four new netball and tennis courts and cricket training facilities which are already

being put to good use by the children.

King’s Headmaster Dr. Simon Hyde said: “One of the characteristics of a good school is the strong bond between home and school and King’s is very lucky to have such a supportive and constructive parent body. Together with our parents, we have realised a long-held ambition of improving our playground and all-weather sports facilities.”

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Parents’ place Mother’s Day Treats Gift company Say it Personally has a great solution for unique, quality Mother’s Day gifts with a difference.

The “Deluxe Sock Bouquet” looks like a stunning bouquet of flowers, but unwraps to reveal five pairs of ladies’ ankle socks featuring hearts and polka dot designs in pretty shades of maroon, pale pink and cream together with silk flowers, foliage and even a butterfly! If you’re on a smaller budget they also have cute “Choc & Sock Bouquets” and “Fizzing Feet Bouquets” in various designs.

For more mature Mums, their “Thinking of You Bouquet” is full of practical goodies to aid relaxation including an eye mask, fragrance sachet and soap and snuggle socks.

Their new range for 2013 also includes unusual gift sets such as Deluxe ChilliChocolate, Mum’s Coffee Time, and the tongue-in-cheek “Hiccupping Housework”.

If you know an expectant mum, why not make her first “Mother’s Day” with something from their range of baby gifts and bouquets like their Sunshine Bouquet – finalist in the Gift of the Year 2013?

Priding themselves on a fantastic customer service and attention to detail, Say It Personally has a great range for any occasion – all hand finished and beautifully presented for that extra special touch.

01482 638355 / www.sayitpersonally.co.uk

Gummy goodness If vegetables and vitamins get the thumbs down from your children, try Holland & Barrett’s new range of Disney themed children’s vitamins.

These chewable and fun multivitamin supplements help keep your little one’s engine running, and ensure fussy eaters are topping up their diet to get the essential vitamins they need to stay healthy.

Suitable for children aged 3 and over, they are designed to work as a supplementary source of vitamins and minerals for the

little fussy eaters in your family.

Jayne Keep tried them out on her brood and reports back: “These chewy gums have proved popular with my gang; they now ask for their morning vitamins! The youngest two love the fun car shape, whilst my eldest is swayed most by the fruity taste. Each tub contains three different flavours, cherry seems to be the favourite here. These will be a regular buy for me now, an easy way to keep my busy bunch healthy.”

Flexible Hours Business Opportunity Bumps and Bashes started in 2009 after Kate experienced an incident where first aid was required and there was no one around with experience that could help and when the ambulance arrived it was too late.

After putting herself through training Kate found that there were no First Aid courses specifically for parents with young children, so she created Bumps and Bashes, a company that specialises in delivering quality First Aid Classes specially designed for parents of Babies and Children, delivered at times to fit in with the busy lives of families today.

Bumps and Bashes teach the essentials of First Aid from birth upwards.

The classes are professional yet informal, interactive and include practical experience using manikins. The feedback from attendees is very positive, they like the unique format and leave feeling confident and better equipped to deal

with an emergency. The classes have proved to be very popular and the business has grown and grown with over 85% of the business coming from word of mouth recommendations.

In November 2012 Bumps and Bashes launched the first two franchises and are now looking to roll the model out further.

Kate said “This is an opportunity for someone to develop their own business, in their own area, work the hours they want to work building it around their family and become a First Aid Instructor delivering a life skill to parents, grandparents and people working with babies and young children. It is rewarding on many levels”.

A Bumps and Bashes franchise can be a part time or full-time business that grows as your family grows and is ideal for Mums, First Aiders, and Nurses.

Full Training is provided.

For further information visit www.bumpsandbashes.com

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY? Five Families readers will each win a pair of tickets worth £24 to The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show taking place at the NEC, Birmingham from 21-24 March 2013.

The show will feature seminars, master classes and advice for potential homebuilders and renovators. Whether you’re looking to build your own property, extending or remodelling there will definitely be something for everyone. The Self- Build Theatre, Landscaping zone, and Interiors pavilion will provide visitors with inspiration and The Eco Home Show will feature everything you need to build a sustainable home. Visitors can drop in at the Advice Centre and Planning Clinic to get their questions answered.

To enter the competition, simply go to www.familiescheshire.co.uk.

Closing date for entries is Monday 18 March. Winners will be sent a link for an e-ticket that can be printed out at home immediately.

16 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Parents’ place 10 best pieces of advice you’ve ever been given To celebrate Mothering Sunday, we’ve asked Families friends near and far to tell us the best pieces of advice they’ve been given when it comes to being a Mum. Take one a day as needed.

For babies: throw away the baby books, trust your instincts and understand your own baby, it’s a journey that will be more enjoyable when you are not comparing and worrying.

For toddlers: don’t worry about mess and a tidy house, get right in their amazing new world with them - jump in puddles, make mess and let them set the play rules. They will all too soon be at school and there’ll be plenty of time to clean then!

- Eve Bell, Baba + Boo Make the most of every opportunity to play with and listen to your children. Give them your full attention and show genuine interest.

The time when they want to tell you everything is so short - before you know it they are teenagers and everything is a secret. You become the most embarrassing person on the planet!

- Helli Roberts, Families Head Office

Happy mum = Happy kids. Simple!

- Allison Thomas, Editor Families Chiltern The best advice I’ve ever been given is that everything is a phase, good or bad.

It’s made me stop and appreciate the wonderful moments, but I’ve also been known to chant it in my head whilst my child has a full blown, floor rolling tantrum in Tesco.

- Rebecca Wakefield, Families reader, Tytherington Pick your battles. I think this is a piece of advice that gets more valuable the older my children get, although was given to me when my eldest was reaching the terrible twos. Then it was about nap times and refusing meals. Now it’s about what to wear to a party and homework. By picking your battles you let your children know that there are some things that aren’t up for debate. If you nag about everything, the important things get lost among the things that really don’t matter.

- Sarah Butters, Editor Families Leeds

Smile graciously while being given someone else’s opinion, take a deep breath and then do it your way anyway. They may mean well, but your circumstances could be completely different.

- Heather Rowley, Families reader, Macclesfield Take help when it is offered - even if you might not be able to repay the favour. You will get the chance later to help someone else and a beautiful chain of helping hands will be created. I was given this advice when my son was born and both he and I had fairly bad time . I stoically carried on because I thought if someone did me a favour I would be expected to repay it and I did not have the energy. Another mum sat me down told me to take her help and from that was born a friendship of 10 years.

- Rachel Bentley, Editor Families Pennines

My eldest son was born without a left hand.

After the initial shock had worn off, all I could think about was, how will he crawl, how will he develop, how will he cope? After meeting with a specialist surgeon he gave us the best advice ever – Don’t mollycoddle him.

So from the earliest age, we encouraged him to get out there and have a “can do” attitude. It paid off – he was (and still is) a lot more capable physically than a lot of his peers, much to everyone’s amazement. So instead of being pitied, he found he was admired instead.

- Caryl Hall, Editor Families Cheshire I wish mummy and daddy would work longer hours and see me less so we could have more money and nicer things.

- No child. Ever.

Slow down. Don’t rush everywhere. Stop and appreciate the precious time that can be spent with your children. It might be walking at their pace and chatting, or allowing them to tie their own shoes without diving in first. Time is precious, but time with your kids is even more precious.

- Vicki Hoarty, Editor Families Sussex Coast

Spread your wings…

me&i are launching their spring collection, full of frogs, flowers, wings (!) and lots of other fantastic prints. It’s been hailed as the best ever, and with demand for everything Scandi at an all-time high, they are

expecting a record season. Their new complete line of stylish ladies wear, means we mums can look as good as our children!

They are now also strengthening their Cheshire team and are looking for mums who would like an extra income and a little me time join their sales team.

All me&i clothes are made in European factories that care for their workers and the environment. The baby range uses organic cotton and the whole range is Öko-tex labelled, guaranteeing the clothes are free from harmful chemicals.

For more information – on selling or indeed buying – or to send in your application visit www.meandi.eu or contact Pernilla Kemp on 07725 030821.

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 17

Image: Robinson (Fotolia.com)

Parents’ place

Fat is good for you!

By Penny Crowther, Nutrional Therapist Spring is a time of year when we often feel motivated to get healthy. Thoughts of fitting into holiday swimwear may loom large and for many this means dieting. Unfortunately weight loss still tends to be associated with going low or no fat and this misguided notion can lead to issues such as low mood, poor memory, dry skin and hormonal problems to name but a few.

Whilst everyone knows that cutting down on saturated fat (found mainly in, for example, fatty meats, fried food, pies, cakes and biscuits, cheese and cream), the fats we need more of are the omega 3 and 6 fats. These polyunsaturated fats (PUFAS), unlike saturated fats, are termed “essential” because they must be obtained through the diet and inadequate intake results in chronic symptoms.

Lack of PUFAs is a common problem as they don’t naturally appear in abundance in a “normal” diet. Read on for how to get enough in your diet.

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What essential fats will do for you Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are required for producing prostaglandins, hormonelike substances which are present in all tissues and cells and which influence a whole range of body functions. They are needed for the metabolism to function efficiently. Therefore they are more likely to help rather than hinder weight loss.

EFAs positively influence the following: • Immunity • Brain and nervous system (remember the brain is 60% fat!)

• Mood (In 2005 a review in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry concluded that the omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA were of significant benefit in the treatment of mood disorders. Those suffering from depression have been found to have lower levels of omega-3 in their blood than non-depressed individuals).

• Blood pressure control & healthy cholesterol management • Protective mucus of stomach • Hormone production • Management of inflammation • Healthy skin and hair • Cell membrane structure – this must be exactly the right flexibility and strength in order to let nutrients into the cell and keep harmful toxins and bacteria out.

The role of EFAs in brain function is no surprise since the brain contains such a high proportion of fat. Essential fatty acids pull oxygen into the body. This is important for all body tissue but particularly for the extra active brain and nervous system tissue in which a high level of chemical reactivity takes place and a lot of oxygen is used up. EFAs also form electric charges which when activated produce tiny electrical currents that enable nerve cells to communicate with each other.

How to get enough daily EFAs in your diet 1. One tablespoon seeds (e.g. mix of pumpkin, sesame and sunflower). Raw seeds are ideal (with salads, muesli or porridge for example), but the ready-made seed mixes are also fine.

Provides omega 3 & 6 oils.

2. One tablespoon Walnut oil or Hemp seed oil (either on its own after a meal or with a salad or yoghurt smoothie). Provides omega 6 oil.

Must not be heated.

3. At least 1000mg pure, contaminant free fish oil Flax, walnut & pumpkin oil are alternative omega 3 sources to fish oil. But remember that, unlike fish oil, these vegetable oils do not directly contain the

important DHA/EPA fats. The body has to make the DHA/EPA from the oil and depending on factors such as excess sugar, alcohol or a lack of vitamin B6, B3, zinc or magnesium, the conversion may not happen very efficiently. People with conditions involving high insulin e.g. diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure or cholesterol may also have poor conversion.

The conversion problem also applies to making the omega 6 fat, GLA which is why evening primrose oil is sometimes needed.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON FOOD LABELS When looking at food labels, look out for the saturated (bad) fat content. A food containing 20g or more of fat per 100g is high in fat but it may be unsaturated (good) fat. The average total daily fat intake in the UK is around 140g and it should be half this (around 70g).

Fat Saturates Total Sugars Salt

Low Medium High g/100g g/100g g/100g 0-3g 3-20g 20g or more 0-1.5g 1.5-5g 5g or more 0-5g 5-15g 15g or more

0-0.3g 0.3-1.5g 1.5g or more

Source: Food Standards Agency

Penny Crowther DN Med MBANT CNHC has a nutritional therapy practice in Putney, London. Call 07761 768 754 or see www. nutritionistlondon.co.uk for more information. Please note the information in this article is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have a medical condition and/or are taking medication, check with your health practitioner.

Perfect parties for your princess Petite pamper parties create a truly magical birthday for your little princess’s special day.

Each princess/fairy themed party is bespoke to your individual requirements – Amy and her team arrive with sparkle and glitter wands at the ready!

Each little girl is made up with flowery face paints or subtle sparkly makeup and their hair put up into pretty styles with bows or curls with tiaras – finished off with glitter fairy dust. Try a Cinderella foot spa and glass slipper nail varnish (silver polish with crystal gems) or the sparkle nail bar!

Crafts and disco ball dancing games are provided, as well as beautiful dress-up costumes with feather boas and tiaras to take part in the pink carpet fashion show.

For fairy themed parties, the team hide fairy wings at the bottom of the garden for the little fairy guests to find - perfect for a summer garden party.

The birthday girl gets her own tiara and special pink sash, and each guest has an adorable party bag to take home.

Find Petite Pamper Parties on Facebook, or contact Amy: 07980 284411 / amy@petitepamperparties.co.uk

Contact: Ranger Dan Coates | 07765 890385 info@rangerdan.co.uk | www.rangerdan.co.uk

What’s on Did you know?

• Easter was originally a pagan festival – the ancient Saxons celebrated spring with a party in honour of its goddess, Eastre.

•The date of Easter changes every year because of Roman emperor Constantine’s Easter rule, which stated that it should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. This was because it was a day of maximum light (12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of moonlight).

• The Easter bunny also originated with the pagan festival of Eastre, as she was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit.

• The first documented use of the bunny as a symbol of Easter appears in Germany in the 1500s, and it was the Germans who made the first edible Easter bunnies in the 1800s.

• Some believe hot cross buns predate Christianity, as buns decorated with a cross were eaten by Saxons in honour of the goddess Eastre, with the cross symbolizing the four quarters of the moon.

• According to English folklore, buns can be kept for medicinal purposes – if you give a piece to someone ill, it will help them get better.

• Eggs are a symbol of rebirth in most cultures and had already been given as springtime gifts before Easter was first celebrated by Christians.

• Eggs are coloured brightly to symbolise the sunlight of spring.

• Medieval records note that eggs were often given as Easter gifts to servants by their masters.

• The most ornate Easter eggs are probably the jewelled and enamelled eggs that Fabergé made for the Russian tsars.

• Egg rolling, which symbolises the rolling away of the rock in front of Jesus’s tomb, was traditionally played with hard-boiled eggs being rolled down a hill.

• The first Cadbury’s Easter egg was made in 1875, in dark chocolate; milk chocolate didn’t arrive until 1905 with the launch of Dairy Milk.

• About 10% of Britain’s annual spending on chocolate is on Easter eggs.

• The average time for children to start tucking into their first chocolate Easter egg is 11am on Easter Sunday, with 30% of children eating their chocolate egg instead of breakfast!

Easter Egg Fun Thurs 7 - Wed 13 Mar

Exchange Square, Manchester The Big Egg Hunt One hundred and one giant Easter eggs will be hidden in Manchester as part of The Lindt Big Egg Hunt, supporting leading children’s charity Action for Children. This year, the iconic Gold Bunny from LINDT will be joining the hunt and dishing out an amazing 100 years’ worth of chocolate to lucky winners, as well as giving out thousands of Lindt Gold Bunnies and Lindor truffles to busy hunters - delicious reasons to join in the egg hunting fun! www.thebigegghunt.co.uk

Fri 22 Mar – Wed 3 Apr

Alderley Edge Easter Egg Hunt Free egg hunt fun for all the family with fabulous prizes. www.mrsimmsalderleyedge.com

Sat 23 Mar

Aldford School, Aldford nr Chester Easter Egg Hunt 2 – 4pm, suitable for under 7s. Follow the map to discover hidden eggs along the trail. Free event. Refreshments available. All welcome.

01244 620280 / www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk

Sun 24 Mar

Destination 49, Sandiway to Tarporley Easter Egg Hunt: Take part in the longest egg hunt in Cheshire! Attractions and businesses along the A49 have joined together to provide a full day of fun. www.destination49.co.uk Blakemere Craft Centre, Sandiway, Northwich Easter Egg Frenzie 10.30am. Collect as many coloured balls as you can in the time available. The winners of each age category (under 4; 5 – 7; 8 – 10) receive a large Easter Egg. Easter Fun 10am – 5pm (Fountain area) Children’s entertainer, balloon modelling, games, and more 01606 883261 / www.visitblakemere.co.uk Paupers Wood, West Didsbury Easter Egg Hunt 11am – 3pm. Friday 29th March - Easter egg hunt, Paupers Wood, Nell Lane, West Didsbury.

Stalls doing a variety of workshops as well as the legendary egg hunt! A day of fun in the wood.

Fri 29 Mar – Mon 1 Apr

Biddulph Grange Garden Easter Egg trail 11am – 5pm, £1.80. Run around the garden, hunting high and low, under rocks and in trees for the hidden eggs! Find them all and break the code to get your delicious Cadbury Egghead!

01782 517999 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ biddulph-grange-garden Dunham Massey, Altrincham Easter Eggstravaganza 11am – 4pm, Free (normal admission applies) Cadbury fun days for all the family. Follow the Easter trail in the garden and receive a Cadbury’s chocolate egg as a reward.

0161 941 1025 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunham-massey

20 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton Easter Egg Trails 11am – 3pm, £1 per trail. Follow the Easter trail around the hall and garden and take home a chocolate prize.

01260 272018 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/little-moreton-hall Lyme Park, Disley Easter Eggstravaganza 11am – 4pm, £1 per trail, normal admission applies. Fabulous family trails, with a special Easter prize. Outdoor games, face painting and fun.

01663 762023 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme-park Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Easter Weekend Eggstravaganza 12 – 4pm, £1 per trail. Hunt the clues to earn your egg with the special Cadburys trail over Easter weekend plus games and activities on the Mill Meadow.

01625 445 845 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank-mill

Sat 30 Mar – Sun 14 Apr

Blakemere Craft Centre, Sandiway, Northwich Easter Egg Trail Pick up a Trail Form and follow the Trail.

Discover a variety of fun ‘Countries of the World’ themed eggs and fill in your form as you go, then vote for your favourite one and you could win some great prizes.

01606 883261 / www.visitblakemere.co.uk

Sun 31 Mar

Wacky Woods, Macclesfield Easter Scavenger Hunt 2 – 4pm. £10 per child including Easter Basket and goodies, with hot chocolate and marshmallows. £2 for adults including hot drink and chocolates. Make an Easter basket from natural materials found in the wood. Then, follow the clues around the woods to fill your

The Dun Cow, Knutsford Easter Egg Hunt 11am, Booking essential. Join our Easter egg hunt on Sunday morning – loads of eggs of all shapes and sizes are hidden in our fields and trees. Find one of the five Golden eggs, and Mummy eats free!

01565 633093 / www.duncowknutsford.co.uk Cholmondeley Castle Gardens Family Easter Egg Hunt 11am – 3pm Come and find the bunnies and win an Easter treat.

01829 720383 / www.cholmondeleycastle.com

Tues 2 April

Delamere Forest Easter Hunt 10am – 4pm, £4 per child, Drop in The Easter Bunny has left clues around the forest, can you solve the hunt and receive your Easter egg prize? Walk is 1.7 miles on forest paths, very muddy in areas. Suitable footwear is essential.

07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

Sat 13 April

Sandbach Market Square Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Egg Decorating 9am – 1.30pm www.sandbach.gov.uk

Image: aschaeffer

Ashton Village, Chester Easter Egg Hunt 2 – 4pm, £2 per child. A lovely family event organised by Ashton Hayes Primary School that takes you around Ashton Village on the search for your eggs. End up back at school for children’s activities, tea and cake.

This is a bargain at £2.00 per child.

01244 981418 / www.ashtonhayes.cheshire.sch.uk

Fri 29 Mar

basket up with goodies. Enjoy Easter Egg rolling, Easter Egg and spoon racing, play on the play trail and join us round the campfire for hot drinks and toasted marshmallows.

01625 573 086 / www.wackywoods.co.uk alex@wackywoods.co.uk

What’s on Justin & Friends comes to town!

For the first time ever fans will be able to see Justin Fletcher’s favourite characters brought together on stage as Justin & Friends prepares to rock the Manchester Arena on 1 April.

Gigglebiz favourites including Nana Knickerbocker; Lost Pirate; Arthur Sleep and Keith Fit will be joining the fun alongside a host of Tumbles from Something Special. Lord Tumble, Grandad Tumble and Cliff Tumble will star alongside Mr Tumble in a spectacular show presented by CBeebies Live!

Joining Justin on his adventures will be his friends Robert the Robot and Little Monster from Justin’s House, as Justin prepares to put on a spectacular rock and roly-poly show for a very special visitor!

Justin is on the lookout to find everyone’s special talents and needs you!

He will be joined on tour by Nina from Nina and the Neurons, to make sure everything goes according to plan; the adventurous Andy Day who will leave no stone unturned and Katy Ashworth who will cook up a storm. As Robert’s enthusiasm for tidying up threatens Justin’s plans to stage the most amazing show ever, he’ll need your help to keep things on track.

Prepare to be thrilled, excited and spectacularly entertained.

You too will discover your special talents, as you dance and sing along with Justin Fletcher and all his friends!

Tickets are available now and are priced from £13.00 for children, with family tickets from £52.00 (for four people and subject to booking fee).

For tickets and the most up to date tour information please visit: www.bbcliveshows.com.

Holiday Club fun from Tennis Tykes

HANDFORTH

Tennis Tykes is running fun classes incorporating lots of Easter themed games and activities at the following venues during the Easter holidays:

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY? Win a VIP family ticket to Southport Pleasureland worth up to £400!

One of the North West’s best attractions opens for the 2013 season on 23 March. With free entry to the park, loads to see and do, and rides to suit everyone, it’s guaranteed to be a fabulous day out.

We’ve got a VIP family ticket up for grabs – which is worth up to £400 in thrilling rides! The ticket is valid for a family of 4, riding on one day (not valid on Bank Holidays).

The 32 acre park is home to 100 rides, cafés, an indoor play area, amusements and bars, an arcade, performance areas and Southport’s premier F1 go-kart track!

Last year it was the most visited attraction on Southport’s tourism website, and this year one of the world’s top illusionists, Guy Barrett, and award-winning magician Russ Brown are to bring their acclaimed shows to a FREE show at Pleasureland’s family show-bar (inside the Casablanca complex) at Easter. They’ll be in action on stage every afternoon, with rolling entertainment from 12 noon to 5pm, during the Easter break Saturday 30 March to Sunday 7 April.

To enter, just go to www.familiescheshire.co.uk.

Entries close Thursday 28 March.

Handforth Hall Tennis Club Thurs 11 April 10-10.45am (2-4 year olds); 10.45-11.30am (5-6 year olds) Fri 12 April 10-10.45am (2-4 year olds); 10.45-11.30am (5-6 year olds)

All classes cost £6 per class. If you book more than one class per child you get a 10% Bramhall Lane Tennis Club (sports hall), on discount off the total cost of your booking.

Wed 3 April 9.15-10am (2-4 year olds) For further information, please contact Thurs 4 April 9.15-10am (2- 4 year olds) Caroline Buncall on 07843 342662, For school age classes, please contact email caroline.buncall@tennistykes.co.uk Caroline Buncall on 07843 342662. or log onto www.tennistykes.co.uk

BRAMHALL

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 21

What’s on Quack away at the fourth annual Manchester Duck Race

Manchester’s annual Duck Race at Spinningfields is set to go quackers for its fourth consecutive year this Easter.

Costing just £1 for a racing duck, it is anticipated thousands will descend upon the banks of the River Irwell on Good Friday (29 March) to watch their ducks race down the river and raise money for local children’s charity Brainwave.

There’ll be lots of great family activities on the day for all to enjoy, including giant tea cup rides, slides and a bouncy castle.

To enter the race, simply visit www.spinningfieldsonline.com where ducks are available for purchase.

Alternatively family ducks will be available to buy on the day, however families are being encouraged to purchase prior to the event to avoid large queues.

There will be a number of fantastic prizes available for the winning participants to get their hands on including gifts from The Avenue (the North West’s newest luxury retail and leisure destination), Sale Sharks and more.

Trentham Monkey Forest – a truly unique adventure!

Take a walk on the wild side and visit Trentham Monkey Forest – the only place in the UK where you can actually walk amongst 140 Barbary macaques roaming free in 60 acres of beautiful English forest! You’ll be mesmerised as you watch the monkeys playing in the trees, on the ground and strolling on the path straight in front of you.

The fantastic setting allows the macaques to display natural behaviours as they would in the wild.

Guides are always at hand to explain their antics as they take place before your very eyes, and make sure you catch the hourly feeding talks happening in the forest. Situated just 5 minutes’ drive from Junction 15 of the M6, Monkey Forest is a truly memorable experience. Remember to take your cameras to capture those special moments as you immerse yourself in the monkeys’ lives.

Monkey Forest, Banana café and the Jungle shop are open every day from 10.00 am* with last entry 1 hour before closing. Tickets cost £7.50 for Adults and £5.50 for children (aged 3 – 14). Under 3s go free. *Please see website for seasonal variations.

01782 659 845 / www.monkey-forest.com

22 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

NCT nearly new sales

Trafford Sat 16 Mar, 10.30am, Sale Grammar School M33 3NH £1 entrance. Baby and children clothes, toys, equipment and pushchairs. Raffle, private feeding room, homemade cakes on sale. Buggies only after 11am. trafford.nns@gmail.com Chester Sat 16 Mar, 12 – 2pm, Blacon High School CH1 5JH £1 entrance. Equipment, toys, clothes and books. nctchesternearlynewsale@yahoo.co.uk Warrington Sun 24 Mar, 12 – 2pm, Thelwall Parish Hall WA4 2SX 0844 243 6221 / northcheshirenct@yahoo.co.uk

Stockport Sat 20 Apr, 10.30am – 12pm, Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church SK8 7AL £1 entrance. Sellers registration opens 21 March. Baby and kids clothes, toys, books, nursery goods, maternity wear. Parking and refreshments available.No pushchairs or shopping bags. stockportnctnearlynewsale@gmail.com Glossop Sat 4 May, 11am – 12.30pm, Central Methodist Church SK13 8AT Seller registration from 4 Mar. £1.50 entrance 08442436137 / nctglossop@gmail.com Wilmslow Sat 18 May, 11am – 1pm, Wilmslow United Reformed Church SK9 1PR Entrance £1. Clothes, toys, books and nursery equipment, refreshments with hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes.

No shopping bags, prams or buggies.

0844 2436115 / events@eastcheshire-nct.org.uk Northwich & District Sun 19 May, 1.30 – 3pm, Winnington Park Recreation Club CW8 4EB Please note due to fire regulations push-chairs are not allowed into the sale.

0844 243 6207 / northwichNCT@yahoo.co.uk

Runway on the Runway charity event Get on board for one of the most exciting and glamorous charity fashion events of 2013! Runway on the Runway is taking place at the Concorde Conference Centre at Manchester Airport’s Visitor Park on Thurs 21 March 2013.

The theme of the evening will be PROM and the latest stunning prom fashions from designers such as Sherri Hill, Forever Unique and Manchester’s own Vicky Martin will be showcased, modelled by pupils from ten local schools. The purpose built catwalk will run underneath this iconic aircraft making this quite literally the Concorde Catwalk!

ALL the money raised will go to the three chosen charities: Teenage Cancer Trust, Make A Wish Foundation UK and Medcare, the designated charity for Manchester Airport. The aim is to make as much money as possible and to raise awareness of the issues surrounding teenage cancer and the effect this life-threatening illness can have on the sufferer and their family.

Hear a very personal account by a courageous young lady who has survived cancer by visiting the website, where tickets priced between £22 and £102 are also available to purchase. www.runwayontherunway.co.uk.

What’s on Fri 15 Mar

Blakemere Craft Centre, Sandiway, Northwich St Luke’s Hospice Fashion Bus St Luke’s double Decker fashion bus arrives featuring designer ladies fashion. The London route master was donated and restored by Bentley and affectionately goes by the name of Luke. Also appears every Friday thereafter.

01606 883261 / www.visitblakemere.co.uk

Sat 16 Mar

Manchester Museum Big Saturday: The Body Experience 11am – 4pm, Free, drop in Explore the human body with scientists from Life Sciences and Human and Medical Sciences at The University of Manchester.

Collect your ‘passport’ and travel around the human body from top to toe. Part of National Science and Engineering Week.

0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk

Sat 16 & Sun 17 Mar

Biddulph Grange Garden Mathmagical!

11am – 3.30pm, Free (normal admission applies). See what fun can be made through maths! Count and find plants and features in the garden to follow the trail and break the mathematical code!

01782 517999 / www.nationaltrust.org. uk/biddulph-grange-garden

Tues 19 Mar

Manchester Museum Baby Explorers 10.30-11.15am, 12.30-1.15pm, 1.30-2.15pm, Free. Sensory play and interactive story sessions for babies who aren’t walking yet.

Booking essential (a week before).

0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk

Sun 24 Mar

Chester Racecourse Spring Charity Walk in association with Chester Rotary Clubs Registration 10.30am – 12pm. Adults: £5, Children: £1, proceeds to Save the Family .

Choose from 3½, 4½, 5½ or 7 mile walks around the beautiful city of Chester, all starting and finishing at the Racecourse. Family friendly and disabled options too.

01244 33826 / www.savethefamily.org.uk Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Cheshire Tegg’s Nose Rocks!

11am – 2pm. Age 7+, Free, but booking essential A guided family walk – see if you can spot evidence of recent Ice Ages or ripples from a river flowing some 325 million years ago! It’s easy walking, with lots of interesting geology to explore.

01625 374833 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Mon 25 Mar – Sun 7 April

Whitegate, Vale Royal Daffodil Walks in Cheshire 10am – 4pm, min £2 donation (all proceeds to Macmillan) Stroll around at your leisure with the aid of a Guide map and marker points of interest.

Refreshments and daffodils available to purchase (subject to volunteers availability). £5 for a guided walk at 10.30 (booking essential), including tea/coffee and cakes.

01606 889380 / www.daffodilwalks.com

Thurs 28 Mar – Mon 1 Apr

Chester Racecourse The Giant Chester Food, Drink & Lifestyle Festival Adults £6 in advance (£8 on the day), Children under 12 FREE. Chef demonstrations, kids cooking workshops every 15 mins, CamperFest (separate tickets available), children’s rides area. and over 120 exhibitors. ‘Twice the size’ Lifestyle section, competitions, events throughout the city and the annual cheese rolling event. www.chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk

Fri 29 Mar

Manchester Museum Magic Carpet: Head, shoulders, knees & toes 10.30-11.30am & 11.30am-12.30pm, Free Storytelling and activity session for under 5s and their families/carers. Booking essential (a week before).

0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk

Sat 30 Mar

Haydock Park Racecourse Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Family Fun Raceday An action-packed fun day with fantastic racing and loads of FREE children’s activities. Kids 17 & under go free.

01942 402624 / www.haydock-park.co.uk

Sat 30 Mar – Mon 1 Apr

Tatton Park A Beatrix Potter Easter An enchanting Beatrix Potter event with activities taking place across the Park. Story telling in the library and down at the farm.

Meet the spring lambs and enjoy magic shows and Punch and Judy fun. Pop in to the Easter crafts and country shopping fair – full of home décor and furnishing ideas, arts, crafts and gifts for the family. Normal entry charges and times apply.

01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sun 31 Mar – Mon 1 April

Blakemere Craft Centre, Sandiway, Northwich Easter Food and Craft Fair 10am – 5pm, free admission and parking Food and craft stalls offering a great selection of local produce and handcrafted items.

Circus Workshop available in the courtyard on both days – have a go at juggling, diablo, plate spinning and more with assistance from our hands on workshop team.

01606 883261 / www.visitblakemere.co.uk

Tues 2 Apr

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Dane Valley and Swettenham Walk 10.30am – 1pm. A 9km (5.5 mile) long walk suitable for age 8+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

01477 534115 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Tues 2 – Fri 12 Apr

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Get outdoors in springtime!

12 – 4pm, 50p per trail (normal admission applies) Try our springtime trail or join our hands on activity to make a nature memo-holder. You could also explore the estate by finding a geocache! Excludes Sun 7 Apr 01625 445 845 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank-mill Tatton Park Lambing Fortnight at the Farm 12 – 5pm. Informative talks and live viewing via the webcam. Sheepy quiz and collage.

Closed Mon. Normal entry charges apply.

01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Tues 2 & Mon 8 Apr

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Dunham Detectives 12 – 4pm, Free (normal admission applies) Something’s up at Dunham. Quiz the Edwardian servants in the house to solve the mystery.

0161 941 1025 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

Wed 3 Apr

Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Galleries) Discover the Victorians 11am – 4pm, Free drop in. Using real and replica objects and costumes, discover what life might have been like in the Victorian age. www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Riverside Park Ranger Centre, Macclesfield Easter Crafts Join the Bollin Valley Rangers on an afternoon of Eastery fun. Will you be able to find the Easter bunnies on a scavenger hunt down the Park? Try your hand at nest building and make natural crowns from treasures we find along the way. Suitable for under 10s. Booking essential.

01625 374790 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Wed 3 & Fri 5 Apr

Delamere Forest Teddy Bears Picnic 10am – 12pm or 1pm – 3pm . Ages 2 – 5, £5 per child, Booking essential. Bring your favourite teddy to the forest for a picnic and a special bear Easter hunt! Can you build a home for your teddy? We will finish with a fire toasting marshmallows.

07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

Wed 3 & Wed 10 Apr

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Storytelling 12 – 3.30pm, Free (normal admission applies) Join Helen Stewart in the dairy for tales and stories for all the family.

0161 941 1025 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Wild Wednesday Workshop 12.30 – 1.30pm & 1.30 – 2.30pm, £3, Booking essential (50p booking fee). Normal admission applies. Wild Wednesday outdoor activities - you can achieve some of your ‘50 Things to Do before you’re 11¾ ‘.

01625 445 845 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank-mill

Sat 30 Mar – Sun 14 Apr

The Potter’s Barn, Hassall Green Easter Play with Clay 10am – 4pm (from 1.30pm on Sun). Paint Pottery including Easter Bunnies, Make Clay Animals, Try the Potter’s Wheel. Everything you make is taken away on the day. Fun for all the Family. Discounts when two or more do all three activities.

01270 884080 / www.thepottersbarn.f2s.com

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 23

What’s on Thurs 4 Apr

Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Newstead Gallery) Print!

2 – 4pm, Free drop in. See the different types of printing on display and turn your own line drawing into a print. Wear old clothes. www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Thurs 4 & Fri 5 Apr & Thurs 11 & Fri 12 Apr

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Art in the Garden 12 – 4pm, Free (normal admission applies) Get arty in the garden and make something to take home. Our Easter crafts are all about brilliant bugs!

0161 941 1025 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

Fri 5 & Sat 6 April

Little Fun Fest Red House Farm, Dunham Massey, Altrincham.

11am – 5pm. £15 (under 2s go free), Family and Group Tickets available. A fabulous family day out with lots of magical entertainment for all. All entertainment and rides are included in the ticket price. Activities include the barrel train ride, digging for precious stones in the gem mine; bouncy castle; balloon typhoon; trampolines, and a big inflatable slide as well as entertainment from some of the biggest stars in Children’s TV. www.littlefunfest.co.uk

Tues 9 Apr

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Dunham Detectives 12 – 4pm, Free (normal admission applies) Come and do some detective work in the outdoors.

0161 941 1025 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Family Wildlife Walk 11am – 1pm, Free (normal admission applies) Bring all the family to discover Dunham’s deer and other wildlife on a guided walk around the park.

0161 941 1025 / www.nationaltrust.org. uk/dunham-massey

Sun 7 April

Kingsway School (lower site), Cheadle SK8 1NP Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12pm, Pitch costs £15 www.kidscarbootandswapshop.co.uk

Mon 8 – Wed 10 Apr

Delamere Forest Forest Holiday Club 10am – 3pm, Ages 7 – 12, £25 per child, per day. Booking essential. An opportunity to learn more about the forest, develop bush craft skills, have fun doing forest art, games and much, much more. Refreshments and snacks provided, please bring a packed lunch. Full waterproofs and suitable footwear essential.

07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

Fri 12 Apr

Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Newstead Gallery) Make a Mosaic 2 – 4pm, Free drop in Make a Roman-style flying dragon standard. www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Delamere Forest Den Building 10.30am – 12pm or 1.30pm – 3pm Age 5+, £4 per child, Booking essential Can you survive in the forest? Take part in our ever popular session creating natural dens.

07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

Wed 10 Apr

Sat 13 Apr

Dunham Massey Family Spring Walk 11am – 3pm, Free, (normal admission applies) Join us for a spring stroll to find out how the season changes the park. Walks at 11am, 1pm & 3pm.

0161 941 1025 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Galleries) Discover the Romans 11am – 4pm, Free drop in See the transformation of the galleries and learn something new. www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Macclesfield Tree Decorating at Tegg’s Nose 1 – 3pm, £5. A chance to learn how to make fantastic tree decorations using woven willow.

Children must be accompanied. Booking essential.

01625 265093 / www.rangerdan.co.uk

Wed 10 & Thurs 11 Apr

Sat 6 Apr

Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Newstead Gallery) Mythical Creature Masks 2 – 4pm, Free drop in. Create your own mask to take home with you. www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Macclesfield Silk Museum Children’s Craft Club: ‘Happy Hens and Eggs’ 10am – 12pm, Ages 6 – 11, £6. Join Art teacher Julie at the Silk Museum in a two part craft club. In the first half design and make your very own chickens and cockerels! In the second half children have the chance to decorate eggs with paint and foam. Booking essential.

01625 612045 / www.silkmacclesfield.org.uk

Thurs 11 Apr

Macclesfield Silk Museum Teenage Art Workshop: ‘Printing Workshop and Creative Weaving’ 12.30am – 3.30pm, Ages 12 – 16, £6 Teenagers get the chance to try their hand at printing using various materials and objects and in the second half of the class will try creative weaving. Using various pieces of recycled materials participants can create a selection of objects. Booking essential.

01625 612045 / www.silkmacclesfield.org.uk Delamere Forest Bush Craft 10am – 12pm or 1.30pm – 3.30pm. Age 6+, £6 per child, Booking essential. Learn the ways of the forest. Make survival shelters, whittle a stick and try your hand at fire lighting.

Finish off by toasting marshmallows.

07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

24 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Tegg’s Nose Visitor Centre, Macclesfield Explore Nature at Tegg’s Nose with OPAL 10.30am – 2pm. Tegg’s Nose is becoming an Open Air Laboratory (OPAL) for the day!

During this family event you’ll get a chance to take part in Climate and the Soil and Earthworm surveys. Help with this with valuable research, learn new skills, have fun!

Ideal for families and accompanied children.

01625 374833 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Sat 20 Apr

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Wobbly wire workshops!

12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm. Age 8+, £5, Booking essential (50p booking fee). Normal admission applies. Join artist Johnny for a fully hands-on monster making workshop as part of the new Beastly Machines exhibition!

01625 445 845 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank-mill

Sat 20 & Sun 21 Apr

Biddulph Grange Garden Bookworm Weekend 11.30am – 5.30pm, Free, normal admission applies. A weekend of story telling and story making! Sit and listen to the tale of Fred the frog and his adventure at Biddulph Grange.

Hear about other fairy tales and maybe even make your own?!

01782 517999 / www.nationaltrust.org. uk/biddulph-grange-garden Sandbach Town Centre Sandbach Transport Festival Weekend Family fun day on Saturday followed by the Festival of Transport on Sunday. www.sandbachtransportfestival.co.uk

Thurs 25 Apr

Tegg’s Nose Visitor Centre, Macclesfield Orienteering for All 5.30 – 7.15pm, Adults £4, Children £2 An evening event held by Manchester and District Orienteering Club. Courses suitable for beginners and experienced orienteers. Families and groups welcome. Instruction available.

0161 445 0902 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Sat 27 Apr

Macclesfield Heritage Centre ‘Makers Macc Craft Day’ 10am – 3pm, £1 donation to the Museum Grab your knitting needles, dust off your crochet hooks and dig out your button box! Try weaving, spinning, felting, knitting, embroidery, button making, jewellery making, mosaic making, printing and much more!

Suitable for curious children and crafty adults!

01625 612045 / www.silkmacclesfield.org.uk

Sat 27 & Sun 28 Apr

Stretton Watermill, Farndon A Wartime Mill 12 noon – 5pm. Discover how Stretton Watermill played an important role in the war effort and helped keep people fed during the years of rationing. Try some 1940s games, work a stirrup pump and ‘Dig for Victory’ as the working mill is brought to life with wartime memorabilia. www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Sun 28 Apr

Ashton Hayes Primary School, Chester Car Boot Sale 9am – 1pm. A chance for you to have a good clear out and Spring clean. Bring your car on the school field and/or set up a table top sale on the playground. Set up from 8am with bacon butties and other refreshments available throughout the morning.

01244 981418 / www.ashtonhayes.cheshire.sch.uk Abbeywood Gardens, Delamere National Garden Scheme Day 11am – 4pm, Adults £5, children free See the spring delights including Tulips, Erythroniums and Hellebores.

01606 301374 / www.abbeywoodgardenscheshire.co.uk

Sun 5 May

Kingsway School (lower site), Cheadle SK8 1NP Kids Car Boot & Swap Shop 10am – 12pm, Pitch costs £15 www.kidscarbootandswapshop.co.uk