Families Cambridgeshire Jan-Feb 2011

F R E E ® www.familiescambridgeshire.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Issue 8 • January/February 2011

! Nursery Special !Mums in Business !Happy Mums Part Two

Lessons at

DW Sports Fitness, Unit 2a (near ASDA), Beehive Centre Cambridge, CB1 3ER

It’s a refreshing change: to have a choice of hundreds of holidays that are recommended by other families who have been there and experienced them

www.RecommendedFamilyHolidays.com

We cater for 2-5 year olds in a fun, stimulating and multicultural environment.

Excellent Ofsted Reports Committed & Professional Established over 45 years

All Staff Fully Qualified Safe and secure Good outdoor facilities

Come and see for yourself Make an appointment Please telephone Principal: 01223 356565 4a Millington Road, Newnham, Cambridge www.millingtonroadnursery.co.uk

The Useful magazine for families with children from birth to teenage

Editor’s Welcome !

Welcome

to the eighth issue of Families Cambridgeshire - the really useful magazine for parents and children!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and Happy New Year. It always seems to go too quickly.......Never mind, back to school and time to fulfill those New Year’s resolutions. If you need inspiration, look no further than our Happy Mums feature where this issue we will be focusing on dance anything from ballroom to Zumba. Or if you want to be slightly more adventurous check out our Mums in Business article to gather inspiration from Mums who have set up their own businesses.....what are you waiting for?

My personal revelation this issue is our article on page 8 regarding the dangers of mobile phones. I know I use mine far too much and have made a point of switching off all mobiles and wifi in the house when not necessary, it really is quite worrying.

Well, it will soon be half term so do look at our ‘Out and About’ pages for local activities, or if you’re planning a trip further afield our travel page might inspire you.

As always, I do hope you enjoy this issue of Families and feel free to contact me with any news or events that you would like to see featured in future issues. Please mention Families whenever you contact one of our advertisers.

Best wishes

Sara

A big thank you to The Corn Exchange for the ticket giveaways for Snow White on Ice. Our winners were Rebbekah Sekyi and Marilyn Wright.

Cover picture courtesy of Marzanna Syncerz, Dreamstime.com

In this issue 02 Welcome and News 03 News 04 Baby Page 05 Travel 06 Nursery 08 Mobile Phones

09 Education 10 Happy Mums 12 Mums in Business 14 Sleep Solutions 15 Out and About 16 Out and About

Contact Sara Carr, editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk tel: 01223 319437 mobile: 07748 183700

Design: Louis T Koehorst tel: 01223 576688 ted@happyted.co.uk

Calling all young poets Could you write a prize-winning poem? Would you like to be published online, for free? Then the Firebird Children’s Prize for Poetry is for you. As the world’s newest poetry prize for a single poem, the Firebird Prize invites all poets under the age of eighteen to submit works for the competition, and there is no fee to have your work posted on the Firebird Poetry website. All poems that are posted will automatically be entered into the competition.

Submissions are invited prior to midnight on the 21st March 2011 and the winners will be announced at the Guardian Hay Festival 2011.

“Poetry was my first literary love,” says Louis de Bernières, author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and a member of the judging panel. “My father used to recite it at the dinner table and I was made to memorise a poem a week at school. There is no better way of saying things that have to be said.” So get scribbling! Go to www.firebirdpoetry.com for more information.

Watch those birds

Yes, it’s that time of year again. It's the Big Garden Birdwatch, and the RSPB are once again inviting us to get involved. This year the survey takes place over the weekend of 29 and 30 January 2011, when hundreds of thousands of people can be found with pen and paper in hand, checking out the birds visiting their gardens. Why not take the time to record all of the birds that visit your garden that weekend and join in the world's biggest wildlife survey, while having fun with your family without leaving the comfort of your own home. You could even help smash the RSPB’s record of half a million participants - after all, the more results they receive, the clearer the picture they’ll get of what's happening to our garden birds in the UK. Find out more at www.rspb.org.uk.

Help them to save

Circulation 12,000 copies of Families Cambridgeshire available through schools, nurseries, libraries, selected shops and restaurants.

If you would like copies for your establishment please let me know.

Print: Bishops Printers Limited, Portsmouth tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk.

News - January/February 2011

Families Cambridgeshire 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 for the magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences.

Recent research undertaken by Asda has shown that a surprising 81% of parents in the UK think children should receive lessons on how to save their pocket money. In response to this finding the supermarket giant has launched its first ever pocket money savings card, the Monkey Bank. Designed in association with parents, the Monkey Bank works in a similar way to a gift card where money is loaded on to the card either in store or online and then your child can log in to play Monkey Paradise. Every penny saved on the card is turned into virtual ‘monkey nuts’ which they can use online to buy things for their island paradise like flowers or buildings. Amanda Farrell from Asda says, “We realise it can be hard for parents to teach young children to save up their pocket money and we're hoping that Asda's Monkey Bank will help to show children that if you save your money you can see it grow to buy the things you really want. Parents can apply for the Monkey Bank online at www.asdamonkeybank.co.uk.

Purple Fitness tel: 07545 284 928 www.purplefitness.co.uk ® Mention when calling to receive a free taster Boot Camp! ®

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By Joanna Parry and Sara Carr

" News

Soothe their skin

years but one that changes weekly to offer members exciting new brands and clothes perfect for the coming seasons." Log on now to register for free at www.halfpintchic.com and you’ll receive an email letting you know when each sale is about to go online. Then all you have to do is sit back and look forward to sales from brands including Poppy & Ned, Baby Graziella, No Added Sugar, Their Nibs and many more.

A new campaign has been launched across the country by the National Eczema Society to help the 1 in 5 children in the UK who suffer from eczema. Soak and Smooth is aimed at the 39% of mums who admit that they do their best to control their child’s eczema but wish they could do better. The campaign deals primarily with emollients and how to use them, and is supported by a step by step video tutorial to teach parents how to use emollient treatments effectively. The video, plus details about the campaign and more information on dealing with excema can be viewed at http://www.eczema.org/emollients___how_to_apply_them.html

Handy App

Annabel Karmel, the leading expert in feeding babies and toddlers, has launched her first iPhone App aimed at parents with babies from six months through to toddlers. In addition to offering nutritious and easy recipe ideas and tips, videos will illustrate a ‘how to’ guide for cooking techniques as well as guidance on baby’s first foods, with voice activated page turning and an interactive meal planner. “This App will be bringing my recipes to life,” says Annabel. “Not only will it offer parents 70 of my favourite new recipes but also advice and guidance on simple cooking techniques to help make their lives easier and provide good, nutritious food for babies and toddlers.” No need for bulky recipe books any more – get the App from the App Store for £4.99.

Protect your kids

‘Safe’, the new social networking safety programme for primary schools, is launched this winter by DigitalME. Backed by Childnet International, ‘Safe’ is designed to support primary school pupils in learning the essential skills to enjoy social networking, whilst remaining safe online. With children sharing content online and joining social networks at an increasingly younger age, there is a greater need to ensure primary aged pupils are equipped with the knowledge to understand potential risks and the skills to manage their digital footprint. DigitalME recognises that whilst the Internet is an infinitely powerful tool, it also presents risks. Lucinda Fell, Childnet International Policy and Communications Manager, says, "'Safe' embraces the positive opportunities afforded by the Internet, encouraging young people when sharing on the web to ask Who? What? Where? These are important messages for primary pupils to consider." The programme is free to schools and optional, paid for training, certificates, badges and other resources support the programme further. To find out more visit www.digitalme.co.uk/safe

Shop til you drop

We could all do with a few more pounds in our pockets and a few more minutes in the day – looking after the kids, working and dealing with daily chores doesn't leave a lot of time, or patience, for buying your little ones a new wardrobe. This February sees the launch of Half-Pint Chic - the new online members club offering parents the chance to purchase beautiful designer childrenswear at up to 70% discount. Nicole Frost, Founder of Half-Pint Chic and proud mummy to two year old twins found it tough shopping and decided that it was time to offer all mummies an alternative. "I am a busy working mother and not only did I find it a stressful experience to take both the girls shopping, I also found that it was so expensive, especially when I had to buy two of everything. It was this that made me realise there was a gap in the market for a designer childrenswear discount site - not one where the stock sits on the site for Janu a ry /Fe bruar y 2 0 11

BPAs banished from baby bottles

The European Commission has just announced a ban on the use of bisphenol-A (BPA) plastics in baby bottles, which will come into effect during 2011. The controversial chemical is still currently used in some baby bottles sold in the UK, although many brands have stopped using it, and there is evidence to suggest it can interfere with healthy growth and body functions, mimicking the effect of the hormone oestrogen in the body, to which babies are particularly vulnerable. “We have been calling for a UK ban on selling baby bottles containing bisphenol-A plastics for several years,” says Belinda Phipps of the NCT, “and are thrilled their import and sale will soon be outlawed across the EU. When you put hot liquids into a bottle containing BPA, particularly as the bottle gets older and more scratched, the chemical can leach out of the plastic and be absorbed into the baby’s body. However, now there are viable alternatives and so there is no reason to continue using this chemical when there is concern about potential risks to young babies.” She adds, “we would now like to see BPA plastics banned in other products, as the chemical is also used in the linings of some formula tins and baby food containers.”Watch this space…www.nct.org.uk.

Splish Splosh

Kate Haywood has become the new face of Splish Splosh Swimming School. As part of her involvement the Commonwealth champion paid a visit to Cambridge to offer top tips to its young swimmers.

Participating in a questions and answers session the record-holding swimmer gave the students registered with Splish Splosh at DW Sports Fitness the opportunity to wear her Olympic medals and even joined them in the pool.

With Kate set to jet of to Australia soon for extensive training for the 2012 games, Splish Splosh promise to keep their students up to date with Kate’s progress, including a video blog via their website. www.splishsploshswimmingschool.net ® ®

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Baby Care g Are you green enough for your baby? Part 2 by Joanna Parry ! Cleaning: it doesn’t

cost any more to buy cleaning products made from natural plant and mineral ingredients than conventional ones. And don’t always reach for the bleach - the risk of contamination to your baby is very low from floors, walls and other surfaces. Use a steam cleaner to clean carpets instead of toxic carpet cleaners, and wash rugs regularly. Avoid air fresheners, scented nappy bins or anything else with a fragrance in it.

Safer laundry detergents are becoming popular too, and try to avoid fragrant fabric softeners that can release harmful chemicals.

! Bathing: choose baby

Many of us try to be as green as possible when it comes to our babies – we know that raising an eco-friendly baby is not only safer for baby but also reduces the impact on the environment.We recycle, we try to reduce our carbon impact and are aware of wasteful packaging. We buy bamboo or organic cotton clothing, fair trade baby products and organic, locally grown vegetables.

But how green really are we? Last month we looked at the terrifying number of toxins that can be present in nursery furnishings, carpeting and furniture, and ways to reduce them. But, as with most things, creating an eco nursery can be expensive. So what about ways to go green without breaking the bank?

Save money

“I was shocked to hear about all these potential toxins in my child’s nursery,” says Emma, mum of three. “But isn’t it going to cost a fortune to remove it all?” The answer is, possibly, yes. But ideas such as removing wireless equipment, installing plants and airing the room are free. And there are plenty more things you can do to ensure your baby’s safety that don’t cost much.

Take the Great Nappy Debate. The jury still seems to be out as to whether cloth nappies have a lower ecological footprint than disposables according to research a baby will get through about 6,000 nappies before being toilet trained, each taking 200-500 years to decompose, but on the other hand, cloth nappies require water and energy for washing.Whichever you choose, you can still go greener. With cloth nappies, hang them out to dry instead of using a dryer, or use a nappy service which has a lower environmental impact because of the efficiency of washing large quantities at one time. Look for cloth nappies made from eco-friendly material such as hemp, bamboo or organic cotton. If disposables are more your cup of tea, try eco-disposable nappies, which only take about 100 days to biodegrade. A good example are Tushies eco disposable nappies from www.greenbaby.com.

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washes free of artificial fragrances, food-grade preservatives and harsh detergent ingredients, and look for gentle, non-drying cleansers derived from olive oil and oats, organic ingredients and essential oils. Even stretchmark cream and nappy balm can be organic. www.greenbaby.co.uk do a great range that contains organic beeswax, so it helps save the bees too! Alternatively, avoid bath products altogether.Water does the trick even for the muddiest of toddlers and not using soaps can help prevent over-dry baby skin.

Finally, our Top Tips ! Don’t buy anything new! The most sustainable baby clothes your child can wear are handme-downs from friends, family or older siblings. Alternatively, shop at charity stores.

You’ll save a fortune!

! Just like with baby clothes, second-hand

furniture and family heirlooms are the lowestimpact way to furnish your baby's nursery, as long as they don't contain lead paint or other unsafe components.

! Babies smell sweet and fresh anyway, so why cover them up with fragranced powders and lotions? Use olive oil for baby lotion and calendula salve for nappy rash.

! Buy less stuff! New baby products appear on

the market all the time, from gadgets to home accessories and everything in between. Many of them are not recyclable and some give off nasty chemicals. Be more discerning - buy only what you need and what you really, really want.

! Feeding: Breastfeeding

is free and green, yet there is still a thought that breast milk can contain harmful chemicals. Some persistant organic pollutiants (POPs) don’t break down quickly in the environment or in our bodies – they accumulate in the fat of the fish and meat we eat, and then in our own fat until they turn up in breast milk. Many POPs have now been banned in the UK so levels are gradually declining but if you are concerned about them there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your baby’s exposure. Don’t smoke and stay away from smokers, avoid unnecessary medications and alcohol, try to avoid inhalation or skin contact with solvents and avoid using pesticies in your home and garden and on your pet. Eat organic food and include more fruit and veg and less high fat dairy and meat products in your diet.

! Invest ethically: when

you choose a savings account for your little one, choose a bank or building society that specifically avoids those businesses that may damage the environment or are involved in activities such as tobacco production, animal testing, oppressive regimes or armaments. Instead go for those that seek to encourage companies that have a positive environmental impact and support Fair Trade.

Helpful websites www.nrdc.org - for information on how to protect your home, health and the planet www.simplesteps.org www.theecologist.org www.projectnesting.org/start http://www.naturalnurseryblog.co.uk/ http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_2050064_desig n-functional-baby-nursery.html - for how to design a functional green nursery http://www.ecohouseagent.com/greennursery.html

Suppliers Flooring – www.healthyflooring.org Walls - www.earthbornpaints.co.uk, www.MyLittleEco.co.uk/ecopaint Furniture – www.thegreenfamilia.co.uk, www.kiddisave.co.uk Mattresses - www.abacaorganic.co.uk, www.greenbaby.com Bathing products – www.greenbaby.com Eco-nursery products www.hellobabydirect.co.uk

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b Travel How to do it for free, for less and (if you’re one of the lucky few who have some cash...) for more

By Joanna Moorhead

with older children, to spend time together as a family...you’ll be involved in ‘team activities’ and you’ll be helping to improve the environment. Children must be at least eight years old. For more information, see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/wvolunteering/w-workingholidays.htm

Holiday for less In general, you get what you pay for with holiday spending.

But it is possible to make your money go further – you just have to work out a strategy, and stick to it.

! Bargain-hunt: There are bargains around on the holiday front this year...and as usual, the trick is either to book well ahead, or to wait until the very last minute (and if your income is looking dodgy at the moment, the late-booking option could be the best).

Standfirst: We all need a holiday, but how are we going to manage it in the harsh new economics of the year into which we’re headed? Joanna Moorhead shares some ideas on how to do make it work – whatever your budget (and even if you’ve no budget whatsoever!)

It’s that time of the year when our thoughts invariably turn, as we shiver in grey, cold Britain, to warmer climes and sun-kissed beaches. The kind of places we hope to end up in a few months’ time, when it’s summer once again, and we’re getting away from it all for those magical two weeks we call our annual holiday.

Of course holidays with kids are always tricky...and one of the trickiest aspects of all is always financing them. And this year more than usual, finding the money to pay for a holiday is, for thousands of families, going to be harder than ever. But chins up – we’re not giving up! There are still ways to do it...and for those who do have some money to spend, the bargains are likely to be hotter than ever.

Holiday for free!

Yes, you really can go on holiday without spending any money at all. Even if you manage not to pay for your accommodation, you’ll still be making a huge saving. Here are just some of the ways of achieving a cost-free break.

! Houseswap: The world falls into two camps on houseswapping. There are

those who swear by it, who’ve stayed in the best villas around the world because of it; and there are those who can’t think of anything worse than having to leave their house pristine for another family when they go away, and who fear being palmed off with some tenement hovel while its owners live it up in their luxury pad.

The truth about houseswapping is that it IS hard work...you might not be paying for your accommodation, but you need to go to a lot of trouble beforehand to make sure you a) have the perfect swap and b) that your own house is properly organised for the incoming family. Top tips from seasoned swappers are to find a family that’s as much like you as possible, and to ask lots of questions and look at lots of photos of the place you’re going to.Also, don’t rule out swaps with friends or relatives – these can be easier to organise, and you can top and tail them with some together-time with your mates as you overlap at one or both homes.

! Wildcamping: it ain’t for everyone, but those who love ‘real’ camping say

they really, really adore it.What it means is camping in the remote wilds – not on campsites (where you have to pay), but in the absolute back of beyond, where there’s no infrastructure at all. The downside, of course, is that it’s usually illegal (unless you have the landowner’s permission) but if you’re headed to Scotland you’re in luck since the right to camp on hill land is now enshrined in public-access law. For more information, see www.outdooraccess-scotland.com.

! Work for your keep! Working holidays, in fact, aren’t usually free – but they

are very, very cheap.The National Trust, for example, has holidays from £90 a week including food and hostel-type accommodation. No previous experience is necessary, as you’ll be led by trained volunteer leaders and staff. The trust says it’s a great opportunity for families, especially those

Janu a r y/ Fe brua r y 2 0 1 1

Uncertainty is tricky when you’ve got kids, but try to keep them happy by promising that you will go somewhere, you’re just not entirely sure exactly where...but work out a few basics, so you can tell them it will definitely involve a beach, a flight (if it’s abroad) and the chance to play with other kids (if you’re going somewhere where there’ll be other families).

! Holiday with another family. This can make your outlay a lot cheaper, because the costs will be divided in two. If you’re holidaying with another family, the cheapest thing to do is either to stay in the UK or to go to France or somewhere else by ferry, since that’s the cheapest way to travel.

Look for bargains like La Blanchere in the Vendee region of France – it’s a fourbed farmhouse set in a two-acre garden with a games barn and an aboveground swimming pool. It’s available for just £700 a week in high season – so for two families sharing, that’s quite a bargain.

For more information, see http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/top25places.shtml

Holiday for more If you’re going to spend a bit of money this year, you’re in luck because there will be plenty of choice – and you should be able to get somewhere that gives you excellent value for money, given that many families will be looking for a cheaper option.

! Shop around: so, you definitely need to shop around. Tell travel companies

about deals you’ve been offered by competitors – and see whether they’re prepared to throw more into your deal, or to cut the cost. Make clear from the start that you’re looking for a holiday that’s pricy but also offers great value. For example,Aztec Villas has wonderful villas in Cyprus that give you everything you’re ever going to need on a family holiday. The resort of Penera has everything on your doorstep – cafes, restaurants, beach, water park – so although they’re not a cheap option, you won’t necessarily need to hire a car. Plus, the company makes sure the villas are stocked with all the clobber families with young kids need but don’t want to have to lug around...pushchairs, DVDs, toys, balls, inflatables, Wii games. Prices around £1,100 (not including flights) for a villa sleeping eight in August. For more information, see www.aztecvillas.com

! Go somewhere unfashionable. For 2011, for example, Mexico isn’t looking

like the hottest holiday destination – but I was there last summer with my family for a fortnight, and though Mexico is a country with problems, those problems are light years away from your all-inclusive hotel on the Yucatan peninsula. We stayed at Club Med in Cancun, which was superlative – it’s got the best position on the Cancun holiday strip, it’s well away from the business of the town, the food is delicious and even our older children enjoyed the teen hangout called, oddly, Carwash. Plus watersports, children’s clubs and childcare, pretty views, a great beach. For us, Mexico was a family holiday of a lifetime and it wasn’t a let-down – and given that the Yucatan is packed with allinclusive hotels, and that it’s not had a great press of late, it should be a great place to get a lot more for your (considerable) outlay in summer 2011.

For more information, see www.clubmed.co.uk ® ®

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Childcare n Choosing a Nursery – Childcare and Early Learning By Robina Cowan Childcare comes in a range of shapes and sizes, including willing relatives, nurseries, childminders, nannies and au pairs.

Apart from you of course, do nurseries offer the best childcare?

That depends on what would suit your child – and finding a good nursery. If your child would thrive on the constant stimulation of other Patacake Day Nursery children and adults they trust, using a wide range of toys and outdoor facilities then the answer is probably yes. Other advantages include year-round care and the experience of qualified staff, which can be particularly reassuring for first-time parents.

However, if your child is timid, doesn’t like competing for attention, prefers peace and quiet or isn’t ready for such a structured day, then don’t miss our next issue which will focus on nannies, childminders and other childcare options. For now, let’s look at nurseries.

When and where to start Nurseries with the best reputations tend to be hot property, and baby units are more scarce than places for 2-5 year-olds, so start looking well ahead of the time you’ll need a place, and join a waiting list if necessary. Some mothers start while they are still pregnant; others wait until their child is a babe in arms and they have a better idea of what they need.

Sophie Livesey, Manager of Patacake Day Nursery in Cambridge suggests “ it's worth researching local availability during pregnancy if you are planning to return to work. Our waiting list is currently 18 months long and this can lead to real disappointment for parents who left their search too late.”.

If you don’t know of any local nurseries, try some listed below.

Otherwise, the Families Information Service can supply a list of registered childcarers in your area by phone on 0800 2346 346 and online at www.direct.gov.uk/childcare

Your child’s needs Once you’ve drawn up a shortlist of the nurseries you are considering, go and look around and ask lots of questions to see

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if they would suit your child. Although all nurseries follow Ofsted government guidelines, there is room for interpretation in the way the childcare and learning are delivered. For example, private nurseries might serve organic, freshly cooked meals or include additional activities such as dancing, French and outings.

Consider issues such as your child’s daily routine (nap times, type of food provided etc), staff qualifications and experience, staff to child ratios and what the staff turnover is like. Check that you are happy with the range of toys and equipment available, cleanliness of the premises, security, the policy on discipline and late collections. Ask to see the latest Ofsted report or read it online.

Sophie Livesey from Patacake Day Nursery in Cambridge, who have been recently awardred Outstanding by Ofsted, suggests “a good starting point for selecting a Nursery is to look at the Ofsted website (see details below). The report will reflect not only the inspectors views but also that of the staff and families using the provision”.

Find out if there are any extra charges for nappies, meals, certain activities and the cost of the deposit to go on the waiting list. Factor in the time it will take you to travel to and from the nursery, probably during rush hour.After all this, the most important thing is to absorb the atmosphere and look at whether the children are relaxed and happy, and members of staff are responsive and caring.

Nurseries in a nutshell Daycare nurseries

useful option for working parents, day nurseries are cAtypically open from 8am to early evening and children can stay for all or part of the day

c

Some parents feel uneasy about leaving their baby in sole care, no matter how well-qualified that person is. It’s reassuring to know that nursery staff can safely take breaks, and that you are covered if a member of staff is off sick

- your child can stay in the same environment cConsistency from the day you go back to work until they start school environment - children who attend nursery find it cSocial easier to settle into school routines when they join reception classes.

The cons: Some parents feel uncomfortable because playtime, naps and meals are at more or less set times. Also you’ll need backup care when your child is unwell or if you’re late to collect.

Nursery classes in schools

step into school, although a school nursery place does cAnotfirstautomatically guarantee a place in reception Convenient if you are already dropping siblings at the school c - some children are ready for school earlier than cStimulation others and readily take to structured, educational play activities are geared to the school children they cAge-specific are becoming rather than the babies they used to be.

The cons: Sessions tend to be just three hours which is not practical for many families. Fulltime places are few and far between.

Ja nua ry/ Febru ary 2 011

n Pre-schools and playgroups

Childcare

What parents say about nurseries

Preschool Learning Alliance is one of the largest providers cHands-on owners: ‘I would always go for an owner-run cThe of quality childcare in England, offering a wide choice of nursery. These people are not ‘in it for the money’. They are settings from pre-schools and baby and toddler groups to full daycare places in nurseries and children’s centres

settings are managed by experienced and qualified cPLA managers who lead teams of nursery workers and support staff, training them to meet children’s individual needs

are encouraged to be active members, so you can be cParents more involved in your child’s care cSmall scale settings are less daunting for shy children The cons: Tend to be community operations so don’t expect glamorous premises. You may need additional care if you work fulltime although wrap around hours are available in some settings.

doing the job because they genuinely like and understand children. It’s a vocational thing.’ Mary, mother of three under six.

aren’t everything: ‘When you’re looking around, don’t cLooks be fooled by appearances. Some of the shabbiest

establishments are far superior to some upmarket nurseries in terms of quality of care. The best childcare we’ve ever found was in state-run nurseries and playgroups.’ Eliza, mother of four children aged three to eleven.

‘Although I’m not at work, from the age of two cSocialisation: I felt it was important for my son to start learning to get on with a range of other children and adults, to help him when he started school.’ Matt, father of Ollie, three.

staff: ‘Look at the ages of the staff. Youngsters cExperienced fresh out of college may have more energy and I’m sure they

know all the latest thinking on childcare but in my opinion that’s no substitute for experience. I would always go for a nursery with mature staff, every time. They have more patience and you know they have to be doing this because they want to, they really love the children.’ Clara, mother of three under seven.

all options: ‘Go and see as many different nurseries cExplore as you can. Don’t get tied up in the Ofsted and what other Genesis Centre

Private nursery schools

people think. You know your child better than anyone.’

Ramona, mother of Klaus, five.

More information

- by two and a half most children benefit from cRead more local childcare articles on our website cStimulation www.familiescambridgeshire.co.uk some kind of pre-school environment. They learn without knowing it while using letters, shapes and numbers, looking at cFor local nurseries and links to their Ofsted reports, go to books and expressing themselves through making things, www.findmyschool.co.uk drawing and singing The National Day Nurseries Association provides a lot of cPeer group - the opportunity to make friends of the same age cuseful information including a free checklist to take on your visit, and contact details for NDNA member nurseries, be more flexible on the availability of hours or days cMight www.ndna.org.uk/parents, 01484 40 70 40 you need to fit in with your work schedule Preschool Alliance website has useful sections for parents cOften smaller scale with a personal touch, and the nursery cThe and practitioners, including links to find local PLA childcare, head is usually involved in the running of the school.

The cons: Some offer wrap-around care but are generally open only for school hours so you will need someone to pick up and collect if you are at work.

Help with the costs Nursery fees very greatly, depending on location, demand and what is offered, but can be from around £100 to over £200 a week.

1. Local authorities receive government funding so they can offer 15 hours a week of early years education to all three and four year-olds from the term after their third birthday. If you choose a nursery which costs more than the funding or need more hours, you top up the difference.

2. Child tax credits and working tax credits are available to help with childcare costs. From April 2011, the ‘child’ element of the child tax credit will be increased for families earning up to £16,190 a year with an above-inflation increase.At the same time though, families earning over £41,400 will no longer be eligible for the full tax credit.

3. Some employers offer childcare vouchers which staff can opt to receive instead of part of their salary. Parents can save up to £1000 a year by reducing their income tax and national insurance contributions.

Janu a ry /Fe bruar y 2 0 11

www.pre-school.org.uk.

Some local nurseries:-

Millington Road Nursery School 4a Millington Road, Newnham, Cambridge www.millingtonroadnursery.co.uk 01223 365 565 Patacake Day Nursery - Cockcroft Hall, Cockcroft Place, Clarkson Road, Cambridge, CB3 OHF info@pata-cake.co.uk 01223 315815 Patacake Day Nursery - Sedley Court, Malta Road, Cambridge CB1 3LW info@pata-cake.co.uk 01223 411636 Cambridge Day Nursery 01223 566 323 Ace Day Nursery 01223 366 355 Harvey Road 01223 363 860 Rainbow Day Nursery 01223 847 444 Butterfly Day Nursery 01223 358 117 Baby Unicorns 01223 359 488 Kidsunlimited Nurseries 0845 365 2955 ® ®

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Education B Our enterprising children Many of you will have heard that mobile phones may carry health risks.You probably also know that children are at an even greater risk than adults.

You may wonder why, if that is the case, they do not come with a health warning, like cigarettes?

Dr Devra Davis, environmental and public health specialist, research scientist and grandmother, did not want to believe this either, so she looked at the research for herself, and what she found out alarmed her so much that she wrote a book, Disconnect:TheTruth About Cell Phone radiation,What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your family, 2010. She writes that, “Contrary to the firmly held beliefs of many respected authorities, invisible radio frequency radiation can alter living cells and create the same types of damage that we know increase the risk of cancer and neurological disease. [... ] children are growing up in a sea of radio frequency radiation that did not exist even five years ago.”

My own concerns about cell phone radiation and other forms of digital pulsed microwave radiation had been aroused a few years ago when I began seeing an increasing number of children showing symptoms after exposure to mobile phones, mast radiation or wireless radiation.

These included hyperactive behaviour which reverted to normal when the children were away from the irradiated environment, skin rashes and eczemas that did not improve with treatment, night terrors and mood swings, lowered immunity in previously healthy children, and sudden nose-bleeds. At the same time, concerns were being raised about some cordless baby-monitors which used wireless technology, and advice was given not to site them close to the baby’s head, as some babies were showing symptoms of pain and distress (http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1616128) A major concern about mobile phones has always been that the nearfield plume of radiation can penetrate deep into a child’s skull because it is so much thinner and smaller than an adult’s. Standards for phones are set for a large man talking for half-an hour, although half of the world’s four billion cell phones are used by people under twenty. The SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) printed on the mobile box relates simply to the phone’s capacity to heat tissue, as manufacturers and standard setters initially refused to believe that there could be any other detrimental effect from radio frequency radiation. This is strange as our bodies run on electrical currents, many of which have been observed and measured in medical tests, and which are easily disrupted by pulsed frequencies, as has been demonstrated in a study by Dr Magda Havas and colleagues, showing heart arrhythmias triggered by DECT (cordless)phones. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EI9fZX4iww).

8

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By Patty Hemingway

As far as we know, there is no problem with the radio frequencies used to send out analogue radio signals, but more and more research is showing that pulsed digital frequencies can have non-thermal effects on living organisms. In the digital age this poses new health risks depending on a person’s susceptibility, the density and intensity of the radiation, and the length of time they are exposed to it.

Children are certainly more susceptible because they are still growing and their neural circuitry will not be fully formed until they reach their early twenties. Until then, they need protection from anything that could interfere with their brain’s development. In France, this research has led to the decision to ban children in primary school from using mobile phones, and discouraging mobile phone advertising aimed at children. They are also removing wireless communication systems from public places such as libraries, and hospitals, after workers complained of feeling ill at work.

Most of the research into the health effects of mobile phones and phone masts, which is sponsored by the telecoms industry has found no effect on human health, but studies carried out by independent scientists almost always find a physiological effect. However, few researchers look specifically at the effects of mobile phone radiation on children and young people, even when there is evidence that exposure to carcinogens in young people come with more serious risks than for adults. Significantly, every study which has looked at brain tumour risks over ten years of use, or longer, has found an increased risk of cancer.

a Keep calls on cordless or mobile phones short a Text rather than call a Replace wireless equipment with non-wireless a Change to a low-radiation or analogue baby monitor a Turn all wireless equipment off at night, in the car, and when pregnant women, babies or children are nearby Patty Hemingway (RMANM) is a family homeopath, with a special interest in electromagnetic radiation sickness www.pattyhemingway.com www.environmentalhealthtrust.org - for more on how to use phones safely (includes a page for skeptics!) www.wiredchild.org - news and research into mobile phones usage for children and their parents. www.bioinitiative.org – for Bioinitiative Report www.powerwatch.org.uk - the latest research, clearly explained www.es-uk.info – charity that supports people with symptoms of electrosensitivity Books Radiation Rescue: 4 steps to safeguard your family from the other inconvenient truth – the health hazards of wireless technology. Kerry Crofton, 2009 Disconnect:The Truth about Cell Phone Radiation,What the Industry Has Done to Hide it, and How to Protect Your Family.

Dr Devra Davis, 2010

Ja nua ry/ Febru ary 2 011

B Education Boost your future earnings By Joanna Parry A new report claims that having a good nursery teacher can increase your earning capacity in later years by as much as £10,000. Researchers have found that pupils with an excellent nursery education went on to earn more than their peers from similar backgrounds whose early-years teaching was less effective. The Harvard-based researchers examined the long-term effect of a standout early-years teacher working with pupils aged 3-5, looking at factors including the impact these teachers had on the eventual earnings of their former pupils. The research found that adults who received better early-years education were likely to have significantly higher salaries than their poorly educated peers. In fact, 5-year-olds who made the typical improvements to be expected following a good early-years education would earn an additional £600-700 a year by their late 20s, an amount that could be expected to increase proportionately throughout their working lives. The study also showed that pupils who learnt more at this early stage were more likely to go on to university than their peers, and less likely to become single parents. Chris Davis, of the National Primary Headteachers’Association, added, “The influence of early years on a child’s long-term education is crucial. The better the experience of the child pre-five, the better value you will get from them post- five.”

animals which provide a unique and fun bouncing experience for young children and they have ears or horns to grip on to and big feet to keep them steady. Not to mention that they are one of the hottest, most sought-after toys this year!

Cordelia says ”It’s really fun! I made up a game with my brother where you tug it off each other and get to bounce until they catch you!”

Mummy says “I wish they made adult sizes!”

Louis says “get off Abigail... it’s mine! whaaaa!”

FAMILIES MAGAZINE SPECIAL OFFER: In addition to the current online offer ‘Buy more than one Happy Hopperz and save £5.00 on each extra one purchased’ we are also offering readers of Families Magazine an extra 5% discount on all orders placed before 31st January 2011 when they quote the code FAMREADERSOFFER at the checkout.

Pauline Quirke Academy

World Maths Day 1 March 2011 With World Maths Day just ahead of us, pupils from hundreds of UK schools are preparing to go head-to-head against students from across the globe in a huge international maths competition. This year, more than 2 million pupils from 37,000 schools across 200 countries will take part, answering over 500,000,000 questions in an attempt to push their classes to the top of the international league tables. There are three age categories – 5-8, 9-13 and 14-18, and you can practice and play on your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. Pre-register now at www.worldmathsday.com. But while the thrill of competition helps to sharpen some students’ maths skills (and prove that the subject is far from boring!), British children still have some work to do if they want to achieve the incredible consistency shown among the Malaysian, Thai and Hong Kong students who dominate year on year.World Maths Day aims to motivate parents into having a positive attitude to numeracy and to try to use it more readily in everyday situations with children. As part of this, the website www.zoobookoo.com has devised Ten Top Tips for Numeracy, with pointers on how to help your child learn. Take a look and maybe your child can take part in this truly unique world event.

Happy Hopperz® Happy Hopperz® are now available for Adoption from www.productswelove.co.uk at £26.95 The first batch of our bright & bouncy animals have arrived at the ProductsWeLove Farm and are now looking for children to take them home to play.

So what is a Happy Hopper?

Think... ‘rocking horse’ meets ‘space hopper’ and you’re nearly there. They are bright inflatable Janu a ry /Fe bruar y 2 0 11

Since its launch the Pauline Quirke Academy for Performing Arts has gone from strength to strength with over 24 Academies around the country, including Cambridge, and 1,000 students.

PQA provides performing arts training for children aged four to 18 in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Students learn how film and television productions are created and take part in specialist Masterclasses, including Stage Combat, Physical Comedy, Street Dance and Circus Skills.

To find out more and find your nearest Academy please visit www.pqacademy.com or call PQA on 08456 732022.

The Ring of the Nibelung.

An English Pocket Opera production company in association with Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

From Tuesday 18th Saturday 22nd January 2011. Cochrane Theatre, Southampton Row, London,WC1B 4AP If you want to take the children for a New Year’s treat to London, why not check this out!

One evening, four operas, one ring, nine owners, four schools and 120 children! An operatic adventure based on Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung, with Gods, Dragons, Giants, Dwarves,Valkyries and a castle!

The English Pocket Opera Company works with schools and makes a special effort to target its efforts towards those who are denied full access to the most universal and binding of all languages - music!

For more information, or to support EPOC visit www.epoc.co For tickets visit www.cochranetheatre.co.uk ® ®

9

Mum's Time !

Whatever makes you happy dear pt 2

By Kate Birch Dance can lift you emotionally and spiritually as much as physically. You can dance your way through disappointment or revitalise your routine. Dance can help take you through a process of healing. Dance can make you happy.

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Do you think you can’t dance? In fact, everyone can dance and there is a dance for everyone. Don’t worry if you have two left feet and the ungainliness of a wildebeest.

Dancing to ease the troubled spirit

Emma Leech understands about dance being so much more than a few well-placed steps. Twenty years ago she lost a partner to heroin addiction and subsequently found that 5 Rhythms dance was the “only spiritual path that had any kind of reality to it.” She now teaches and gives back by taking it to “marginalized and diverse communities”, working in prisons and with others crippled by addiction. “People have come into class and it has completely changed their lives.”

Biodanza is such a special form of free dance, it really allows you to explore your emotions and creativity, in a very nurturing space. In our daily lives we are often very restricted, but in the class I feel I can let go and embrace myself, which is so liberating. Carolyn

1

Biodanza fills me with warmth and the passion to feel gratitude for the life I am experiencing.I enjoy going in to the class, completely switching off my mind and expressing whatever emotion revels itself moment to moment. Viva Biodanza offers me the space and time each week to take a breath, relax and lose my worries for an hour and a half, reminding me what I love about life. It works as both a mental and physical release and as a result I leave feeling lighter, with a sense of freedom, and more accepting of myself and of others.

Lan Anh Try:-www.meetup.com/Biodanza-East-Anglia-VitalDevelopment-to-Music/

I´ll have what

These 5 Rhythms are the different energies of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical and Stillness with Emma working around a simple movement quality to each rhythm rather than specific steps.

For details of 5 Rhythms teachers in Cambridgeshire go to www.gabrielleroth.com and enter United Kingdom in the Find A Teacher section.

Dancing as a release Biodanza also has a spiritual almost transcendental element to it.

Classes begin with selfexercises, move through pairs work and end with a group dance in which the dancers feel “connected with everyone else, with nature and the universe.” Intriguingly, all is done in silence. Talking brings you back into consciousness and removes the “instinctive element.” You work with your partners or the group through body language to achieve what is called rhythmic synchronicity.

Although the class is structured, almost allowing for greater freedom, there are no steps to learn.

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Dancing because you always wanted to Of course for many of us with daughters, our first brush with formal dance classes is the local ballet school. Who can resist the gauzy skirts and delightful absurdity of the first show? And here I put my hands up. My daughter took ballet as soon as she was old enough, partly because of my frustrated ambitions.

(Happily, she loved it.)

And I am not the only frustrated ballerina. More and more dance schools are offering ballet for adults. It is sogood it is for flexibility and posture, particularly for those of us who have spent years carrying children around on one hip. But there is also a “meditative” aspect of the dance.

Bodyworks 01223 314 461 Maple Academy of Performing Arts 01353 740 267 Jill Bridger School of Dance 01480 469 711 King Slocombe School of Dance 01223 356 023

8 Ja nua ry/ Febru ary 2 011

! Mum's Time

she´s having...

Dancing for the fun of it You could try the cardio dance craze that is Zumba. These classes of this energetic combination of Latin rhythms and easy moves and there is a real demand for it.

Katie Granger runs classes throughout Cambridge and is starting an aqua zumba class at Abbey Pools in January. Contact Katie on katiegranger.zumba@googlemail.com

2

Natalia Bull also runs Zumbatomic (a programme specially designed for kids), and will be holding a masterclass in Haverhill sports centre to raise money for a children’s Gym club. Find out more natalia.bull@zen.co.uk Registered Zumba instructors can be found at www.zumba.com.

Going all Strictly

But for those inconsolable with the end of the recent Strictly Come Dancing series, the only choice is ballroo m and there are classes acrossthe county. Try Ceroc, a modern jive fusion of salsa, ballroom, hip-hop, tango and jive or go for the more traditional forms of ballroom and Latin.

Find local ballroom classes at www.uk-ballroom.co.uk Go to www.ceroc.uk.com for details of these classes.

In the end, however, dancing does not have to be about fake tan and sparkly make-up. It doesn’t even have to be something you do in a class or have any talent at. So kick off your shoes (or strap on your heels), put the music on and dance. Dance with your partner, dance with your friends, dance with your kids.

Janu a ry /Fe bruar y 2 0 11

Just dance!

Those with medical concerns should always check with their GP before attempting any kind of dance class.

Zumba with Katie Granger

Classes in Impington, Fulbourn, Girton, Histon and Neterhall.

Aqua Zumba starting in January at The Abbey Pool! katiegranger.z umba@googlemail.com tel: 07980429730 ® ®

11

Family !

Mums in Business...

Sophie Livesey, “I have n Patacak ever bee e Nurse pros or c n able t ries o decide o ns t o w orkin on w

hether t g for yo Initially urself. here are I more passion wanted to have ately ab c o ntrol ov out the run. I ha e r m yc kin d busines the time and d d of childcare p areer and also fe s and th edicatio rovision lt e n as finan I cially. W rewards were fa to give to an ex wanted to h ntastic panding f lexibilit en my d y e a but this to plan my wo ughters came a motionally as w rk re lo e Have you ever thought about setting up your own could tru lied entirely on schedule aroun ng, I then had ll t he d my fam working st when w I needed il business? Are you worried about juggling time For me, to take ith good people y’s needs, the dow a who I s t e p c n back. omprom side has setting up your business and looking after your family a ise. I have two always been th fu n e children? Don’t know where to start? people. d my business w ll time commit feeling of ments in Neither ith the re It can be a daunting time, but if you decide not to odpeserve. When yocuan have 100% of smponsibility of emmpy life. My run you tion to s loying 5 y time w r ay 'this return to work after having your baby or when is not m own business, hich they both 0 H owe v th y your children return to school, this could be one a n d D a de r, t h is d il e m m a problem', becauseereit is never the always is s .” a p p l ie s ! t o m os of the best decisions you ever make. www.p t w o r k in g at Mums 01223 3 a-cake.co.uk 1 I asked a few mums who decided to start 01223 4 5 815 11 636 their own businesses for their opinion....

ed ue ck Stock Boutiq e children days, I LOVED my job. I weasgupriltomseott in... I had a class of 30 Lo , k c Lo a m m E hool her, th hool. Pr to be taken to sc becoming a mot r in a primary sc

a teache desperate ning, After “I used to work as y evenings resourcing and plan me I had 2 of my own who were ol Club. I hated tm to the After Scho but at ho go n io to g nt their trip. te vin at quickly and spen ha ed of d be the helper on m instea or 3p ed my undivid al at ed iv st ne up fe ho ed st w ck ve n pi ar re H child minder, ’t make it to the craving for. stead of the child hear that I couldn ildren had been ’d ch y by their mum in ey m th r n he he ot w m e e that ere at an all time s crumpl y stress levels w ar off and becam seeing their face m ye , a tip ok a to as I w h, e oa us ,N y ho of my third child t wasn’t in it. M After the arrival I realised my hear k, or w to ed rn tu When I finally re le to sleep. attered but unab sh as w I d Lock Stock an gh hi that the idea of ts gh ni ss le ep e of my sle It was during on rn. bo that I had as w Boutique college the year l ca lo y m at se to a textiles cour hold my hand up I had enrolled on ing machine and k Boutique prides w se a d ne ow r Noah. I had neve er’s Brownie badges. Lock Stoc iles for the home. I ught ably priced text gluing on my da gh quality, reason s can be personalised. hi g in uc od pr itself on any item ul fabrics and m me. Their only use beautif lar source of inco gu re a ith e.g. w e m rds provide be personalised My handmade ca is the extent to which they can int ses added etc. unique selling po ur changed, phra lo of co ir ha d, de rrently run most names ad a website but cu up g r in fo tt se ol to of es tic as stag had been a fant I am in the early h Facebook which ug ro th s es sin bu my s. showcasing item e have had to networking and ly challenging. W how al ci an fin en be ow have These early days for an extension and we don’t kn ange things for s ch an t pl n’ r ld ou ou w ne I t done bu postpo be to g get all my orders month is goin time, can I manage to ... on successful each k ... or rm w fo to nt t re ound to ge on a diffe ar n ke ng ta ci ra ve ha ss no ys d, bo the world. n diesel require being my ow my stressful da fabric? etc...... no d's house! I LOVE ck Stock Boutique !

Since opening Lo deadlines, have I ordered enough from after school clubs or a frien d the company of Phil and Holly an al up a n on te re rs of ild pe p y ch cu m e ly within to pick th home with a love ember whether mfort of my own co e no trying to rem th in l al it ct I can do and I love the fa go for it!!” ing a change...... ak m g in er id ns for If you're co Facebook. Look can be found on ue iq ut Bo k oc Lock St ique Fan Page’ ‘Lock Stock Bout kboutique.com www.lockstoc ck@ymail.com email : emma.lo

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! Family

Kasia Findlater, Pompila Kasia Findlater, mother of four, started her business when her children developed excema When I asked Kasia on the telephone how she had started out, she answered “I don’t really know - get your foot out of the cheese!” ( I don’t think the last comment was meant for me though!)

However, Kasia’s clothes are fantastic and looks to be a very promising develpment for children with excema.

“Pompila seemed to just create itself. All my babies suffered from severe eczema. I noticed very early on that jersey fabric irritated their skin, especially in the summer. I searched everywhere for an alternative.

I could find shirts made of a suitable cotton but still none designed to work as a baby body i.e. that did up under the bottom. Then I had the idea to commission some 'shirt bodies'. I mentioned my design idea to a friend, who makes very beautiful underwear. She thought it was a great idea, so very generously she made some up. www.pompila.com 07771646798

le 4 Kids ature in Vogue y t S l a n fe o os, Seas business by readtinhge afounder of Neyt sa m a S a s y i , da L m assenet mer holi to start

atalie M spired he sum “I was in r 2010 about N ebsite during t ight…sourcing, t and w e n h in summ hen created my ment, day and utside in daylig o d o t a I s m h e r. s h re e t t a id r Po d a sp the clo gs after the k a ll h a I r g e in v whene d photograph evenin n in the n m styling a the informatio ted it, I a g ave crea n speed. h I uploadin ed. e s u b t my ow ent beca gone to chievem can work on it a a e g u h ke a nd I nt!

It feels li ponsible for it a and happy clie doing s w re a chore six e n h ly c a u g s sole in ’s v It us is ha s says, “ r again in The bon an River to do it all ove icient cleaning Jo e n n ie e u hav er y eff omed As the c k…and then yo e without my v or ag e housew I couldn’t man art of m .” s h t ich is a p recreating n h w mo y it tiv nd my crea e lothes a lady. utlet for yling vintage c s and homemad o n a is t e s n it s w e n b o R o e My w press. d-me-d rift store finds cycle nnot sup om han that I ca fit for a child fr h junk-shop/th we should all re it e ut a new o d mixing it up w e days. I believ stwood, who I s e n e a h W t s e e n le c n ib ie s ie p s sen er Viv m n e ig e s s e d ls d trave shion pre-love d the fa vintage, seasons. l u if more an inks so too. t u a e th n for all ource b admire, r Kids I s thing for childre t together to fo le y t S pu na l with ’s clo At Seaso worn children nt condition are nd pressed and ly e a t ll h d e g e c li x n and Clea s in e l outfit. e worn al piece Individu tyled functiona ch piece is to b a s e a create ttons in place, ” u all the b d on…and on… e k s s a p ids.co.u a nd lstyle4k a n o s a www.se @gmail.com p ss4ksho

Janu a ry /Fe bruar y 2 0 11

Five tips to help you become a ‘Mumpreneur’ by Helen Lindrop, Founder of BusinessPlusBaby.com When you became a mum, you may have found your old job no longer fitted your new life. Do you want to spend more time with your children? Do you struggle to find affordable childcare? Are school holidays a headache for you?

Then why not start your own family-friendly business? Here are five things you’ll need to think about: 1. Decide what you want from a business. If you want the equivalent of a full time income you need to approach it differently from if you just need a hundred quid a month to top up the family budget. Using party plan as an example, you may be able to supplement the family income with a few parties a month, but in order to earn a full time income you might need to recruit and lead a team.

2. Look at your skills and experience and see if you can use them.

I've spoken to several mums lately who went into direct selling or bought a franchise because they assumed they had to do something completely different from what they'd done before. In fact, using your existing skills can be the fastest way to start generating an income.

3. Develop a Niche - be unique and different. Look at competing businesses and be clear about how your business is different. It might simply be that you are bringing something new and different to your area, or it may be the way in which you offer a service.

4. Look at the times you have available to work, your childcare and family situation. I considered running children's parties, but realised that in the time I'd kept my kitchen clean enough to satisfy the local council's environmental health team, I could have done a lot of work on an online business instead!

5. Look at your business model – does it just depend on trading time for money. This can be a problem if you are a time-poor mum! If you have a skill that people will pay you for, that’s great, but look at ways of making it available that doesn’t just depend on you putting the hours in – think e-books, online courses, tip sheets, group teleclasses.

There are lots more tips on finding the right business idea for you in the Start a Family Friendly Business book which is available now from Amazon.co.uk.

Helen Lindop is the founder of BusinessPlusBaby.com, a website dedicated to helping mums of young children start their own businesses.

She is also co-author of Start a Family Friendly Business: 129 Brilliant Business Ideas for Mums.

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13

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Baby sleep i

Sleep Solutions

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p eep e x l s y b a b g a din di s cu ss es a e m L nt u a n y n e w p a re n t s J o Ta m Z Z Z z z zz m l e b o z z t pr i w fa c ed a re

Tips from the experts at Greatvine: Linda Russell

JStart a simple bedtime routine as soon as possible. A bath, massage and feed in the

h.

bedroom will help relax your baby.

JUnless they had a low birth weight, don’t wake your baby up in the night to feed. Let

them sleep – and you can too. Instead, give them a dream feed at 11pm. That means they’ll have a long sleep in the middle of the night, when you have yours.

JDon’t change nappies in the night after 11pm unless dirty. It’ll wake them up and

Isn’t life hard enough without having to live on very little sleep? Sleep deprivation has been named as a torture technique because that is exactly what it is. If your child doesn’t sleep, you become a living zombie; you are probably sleeping in different beds, snapping at everyone, getting over emotional at everything.You start looking at the floor in the supermarket and think if I can just find a quiet corner, I’ll have a quick nap... There are parents everywhere reading this and thinking yes that’s me HELP! Well, don’t worry, help has arrived, and whatever problem you may be having and however you got there, it can be fixed.

make it harder to resettle.

JTry not to rock your baby or feed them to sleep. Cuddle them until they’re calm, then

h

put them in the cot while they’re awake, but drowsy. Jo Tantum

JAlways carry out the same familiar routine at bedtime with your baby. Babies are very ritualistic and like to know their routine is the same.

JDon’t make the cot a stimulating environment with musical toys or lights. It does not send out the right signal.

JYour baby should always be awake when put in the cot so they know what is happening.

JThe room should be very dark for all sleeps but not pitch black. Brenda Hart JRemember you only have a sleep issue if you are not getting enough sleep. Don’t compare yourself to all your friends.

JWhen planning to put a sleep routine in place always start your day and end your day

Many parents start off one of two ways with their delicious newborn; they will either have an angelic baby who sleeps all the time, anywhere, or a baby who is very alert and doesn’t seem to want to sleep.

Most babies, including the seemingly angelic ones, may well become the baby that doesn’t want to sleep.

at the same time.

JBe reasonable with your expectations, you are not going to turn a bad sleeping habit round in a night!

JBe prepared to persevere, allow yourself four nights of the same routine and approach and then reassess.

JFrom the age of six weeks, have the same bedtime routine every night, so your baby begins to pick up bedtime cues.

JDo not let your baby or child become overtired, they will be even harder to settle.

The reasons this happens, so that you can be forewarned, is in the first two weeks your baby is sleepy and after this they will wake up and will be hungry. Most parents are told to feed on demand and so by the time your baby is able to sleep for 12 hours through the night (yes it is possible!) he or she will be used to being fed to sleep and that is what they will continue to do.

to sleep every hour and a 6 month-old every 2 hours. Overtiredness is one of the main reasons that your baby finds it difficult to go into a deep sleep. You need to be consistent with whichever routine you choose, and also realise that it took time for this to become a habit so it may take time for it to work, but be strong, encourage your baby and it will work.

When you aren’t getting any sleep, you will do anything to get some. So out of desperation your baby will be picking up bad habits on how to get to sleep. Rocking your baby and using a dummy all contribute to your baby’s inability to go to sleep by themselves.

Your baby craves some sleep as much as you do and what better lesson for them to learn, and for you to teach them… how to go to sleep!

Firstly, don’t panic. There is always a way to re-teach them. It’s certainly harder as your baby gets older, especially after a year, but it’s still achievable. Setting up a good bedtime routine will reassure your baby, and for younger babies, a dream feed before you go to bed also helps them to sleep longer in the night. Making sure your baby has lots of daytime naps will stop your baby becoming overtired. For example, a newborn will need

Pralina Cashmere Comfort Blanket from www.stellinababy.com Christine Kitching and Tash Fulljames of John Lewis Cambridge

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® ®

Jo Tantum is a leading baby sleep expert and author of ‘Baby Secrets’. Her unique, gentle methods help ensure a great night’s sleep for any baby.

You can get individual baby sleep advice from Jo Tantum by visiting www.greatvine.com/jo-tantum or calling 0906 400 6222 (£1.50/min from a BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary.)

Ja nua ry/ Febru ary 2 011

" What’s on/Events Saturday 1st January 2011

Friday 14th January - Saturday 15th January 2011

Fitzwilliam Museum

Elysian Winter Beer Festival,

Saturday First Fun 14.00 - 16.00 01223 332 900 www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Ely www.elycamra.org.uk

Friday 14th January Sunday 16th January 2011

New Year´s Treasure Hunt, Haverhill 10:30 - 15:00 Walk off the Xmas excesses by following a quiz trail around the East Town Park. Collect a quiz sheet from the Visitors Centre. Suitable for all the family, no need to book. £2 Phone: 01284 757088

Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival

New Year´s Day Treasure Hunt 11:00 - 14:00 Nowton Park,Nowton, Bury St Edmunds Test the mind with the first quiz of the year! Suitable for all the family and accompanied children. Please wear warm clothes and sensible footwear. Start at the Nowton Park Rangers Centre. £3 per family. Phone: 01284 757088

Cromer New Year’s Day Firework Display, Norfolk 01263 512 254 www.northnorfolk.org/cromer

Saturday 1st - Sunday 2nd January A Toymaker’s Christmas The Junction Cambridge Leisure Park Following A Merry Little Christmas in 2009, The Junction's Associate Artists Gomito return with another magical Christmas story.

When a chestnut seller arrives in a small town, all the residents are happy to befriend him. All but a mysterious toymaker, hidden away in his workshop.

Original music, shadow puppets and presents galore tell a story of fun, friends and Christmas.

01223 511 511 www.junction.co.uk

Procession on the 15th 01733 208 245 www.strawbear.org.uk

Thursday 20th January 2011 Detox at Dragonfly - Burwash Manor 17.00 - 20.00 Evening with goody bag and mini treatment. £10.00 with proceeds going to Wallace Cancer Care www.burwashmanor.com 01223 263 469

Thursday 20th January - Saturday 22nd January Cambridge Winter Ale Festival www.cambridgebeerfestival.com

Sunday 23rd January 2011 Bird Cakes 11.00 - 15.00 Ferry Meadows, Ham Farm House, Ham Lane, Peterborough 01733 234 193

Monday 24th January 2011 Saturday 1st January - Sunday March Snowdrop Season begins. Anglesey Abbey.

13th 2011 Winter Swan Feeds - Welney Wetland Centre 01353 860 711 www.wwt.org.uk/welney

Saturday 1st January - 16th January Aladdin. Cambridge Arts Theatre Traditional family pantomime, Starring Brad Fitt, Julie Buckfield, Matt Crosby and James Hirst. Show times vary, see website for details. £30-£10 Phone: 01223 503333

Lode nr. Cambridge 01223 810 080 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/angleseyabbey

Friday 28th January 2011 Katharine of Aragon Commemorative Day (including service) Peterborough Cathedral 01733 343 342 www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

Sunday 2nd January - Tuesday 4th January 2011 Christmas at Cromwell’s House Also featuring a range of fun ‘hands on’ activities for the whole family.

Normal admission prices.

29 St Mary’s Street, Ely, Cambs 01353 662 062

Sunday 2nd January Ely Guided Riverside Walk 11.00 - 12.30 01353 662 062

Saturday 8th January 2011 Botanic Gardens, Cambridge Making Calendars.

11.00 - 15.00

Saturday 29 January 2011 The Nutcracker www.cornex.co.uk 01223 357 851 Performed by The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia

Sunday 30th January 2011

£2.00 per child www.botanic.cam.ac.uk 01223 331 875

Romeo and Juliet The Corn Exchange

Tuesday 11th January 2011

www.cornex.co.uk 01223 357 851 Performed by The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia

Ickworth House Woodland Ramble 10 am

Swan Lake The Corn Exchange

Adults £12 Members and Children £8 Booking essential 01284 769 505 The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk IP29 5QE

Janu a ry /Fe bruar y 2 0 11

www.cornex.co.uk 01223 357 851 Performed by The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia ® ®

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" Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on/Events Thursday 3rd February - Sunday 6th February

Saturday 19th - Sunday 27th February 2011

Holiday on Ice, East of England Showground. Peterborough

Scavenger Hunt 11.00 - 15.00 Ferry Meadows, Ham Farm House, Ham Lane, Peterborough

01392 278 801 www.holidayonice.co.uk

12th/13th, 19th/20th and 26th/27th February

01733 452 336

Peckover House and Garden

Monday 21st - Friday 25th February 2011

Snowdrops and Oranges 12.00 - 15.30 Normal admission prices A rare opportunity to see the spring flower display in the garden and the orange trees in the Orangery. Please note that the house is not open.

01945 583463

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Language Workshop Alliance Francaise, Hills Road, Cambridge

Sunday 13th February - Tuesday 15th February Moscow State Circus Cambridge Corn Exchange, Wheeler Street, Cambridge Phone: 01223 357851 A 35-strong cast of Russia´s greatest, most flexible, award-winning circus performers push the boundaries of physical ingenuity to the limit! The Moscow State Circus returns with an award winning show, Legenda, which combines the legendary Russian folklore figure Rasputin with contemporary and classical circus to make a sensational show.

01223 561 854

Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline or we got it wrong.

CLA SS I FIE D A D S Do you have unwanted items to sell? Place an advert in our classified section for as little as ÂŁ30.00 to reach 25,000 readers in Cambridgeshire. Contact editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk for more information.

AllianceFrançaise

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Come along to our special childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshops during school holidays!

Interactive French workshop for children from 5 to 11 years old: games, fun activities, crafts and moreâ&#x20AC;Ś Including a special group for bilinguals.

Monday 21st to Friday 25th February 2011 9 to 12 am at the Alliance Française, 60 Hills Road. £20 per day Places are limited. Enrolments will close on 14th February.

For more information, please visit our website www.alliance-cam.co.uk or contact us.

Tel: 01223 561854

Enrol now for Spring term!

Saturday workshops for children & Saturday classes for teenagers 8th January â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2nd April 2011

(No classes during half-term from 19th to 26th February)

Saturday workshops for children

9.30 to 11am. Learn French in a relaxed and playful atmosphere. Small classes for ages 5-7 and 8-12. 3 different levels

Saturday classes for teenagers

11.30am to 1pm An interactive way to learn about French language and culture, GCSE and A-level support.

Small classes at 2 levels: Pre-GCSE and pre AS/A levels

ÂŁ154 for the term (11 weeks) visit our website www.alliance-cam.co.uk or contact us.

Tel: 01223 561854

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