Families London SW issue 226 May 2013

May 2013 Iss

ISSN ue 22 6 135 4-95 Est 53 19

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SouthWest

Families SW – useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London find us online: FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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SouthWest

May 2013

Contents 04-05

Local news & info

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Personal development Is life complicated?

Cover picture credit: M&CO

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How to get kids growing things

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All content ©Families 2013 www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Editorial: editor@familiesmagazine.co.uk News: news@familiesmagazine.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiesmagazine.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on info: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk Next issue: June 2013 Deadline: early May •“Families® South West” heads a group of magazines. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. There are around 40 UK local editions with a print run of more than 700,000 copies in all, in which you can advertise too. Oh, and we have a very useful website… familiesonline.co.uk • MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise information on the website or call.

• Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Basingstoke, Hants.

• We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

• Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources — meaning trees which are felled are continuously replaced. Inks are soya-based, which can be re-cycled.

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May 2013

HOW TO... our tips

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Babies health • • • •

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NCT’S Top Ten Tips Over use of antibiotics Mum and baby breaks Choking: what to do

Health

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Nutrition tips for immunity

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Education • • • •

Finton House Fleet Tutors Sinclair House School White House School 13-16

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Half-term activities

26-27

A “different” child

30-31

Days Out

32-38

What’s On • Drama • Events • Exhibitions & Museums • Diary dates

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News

Award Winner Local Mumpreneur Sarah Kohn picked up Brand Amplifier’s Platinum award for her company, Early Bird First Aid, an innovative training company that teaches parents essential skills that could save their child’s life. The company has been recognised as having the ‘Best Business Vision’, and Sarah offers courses covering essential first aid skills including how to perform CPR on an infant. Classes are informal, hands on and completely flexible – they can arrange classes in your own home or you can attend a course at a venue nearby. www.earlybirdfirstaid.com

Maternity retreat

Tennis on the Riviera As the Championships draw closer and anticipation builds, you can now indulge your passion for all things tennis with the arrival of Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum’s latest exhibition ‘Tennis On The Riviera’. The exhibition features fascinating French memorabilia, dating from the early 1890s to the late 1930s, treating visitors to a visual insight into the rich history of tennis culture. Enjoy artefacts including a vibrant collection of posters, photographs and graphics from the era. More exciting news from the Museum is the re-opening of the upgraded Wimbledon Museum Shop. www.wimbledon.com/museum

Great news for Balham!

No. 9 an Antiques and Interiors shop has opened in Hildreth Street, SW12. Tel 020 8616 9686

Mermaid Maternity Retreat, a new concept in private maternity, launches in London this summer.

Offering non-medical support services plus state-of-the-art accommodation, education and wellbeing, it will help women prepare for birth, recover afterwards and give their baby the best possible start in life. Run under the guidance of senior health professionals, Mermaid ensures that new mothers and their babies are in the best possible hands from conception to delivery and beyond, offering birth preparation workshops, antenatal yoga, Pilates and exercise classes, plus soundproofed bedrooms in which to recover after the birth and bond with your baby. There is also a 24-hour supervised Baby Zone where baby will be looked after while mum catches up on sleep or enjoys a treatment! “We aim to bridge the gap between hospital and home,” says Nick Balfour, founder of Mermaid, “by giving you the skills and nurturing that will help you embrace your new responsibility with confidence.” Mermaid Maternity Retreat, 234a Kings Road SW3 5UA, www.mermaid.co.uk

Yummy yummy Hail a new family-run online sweet shop with a difference. Goodness Goodies is all about making life sweeter for children and adults with allergies, vegetarians and vegans, stocking a range of allergy friendly treats, dairy free chocolate and gelatine free sweets together with healthy and gluten-free snacks. “Life is challenging enough for children with allergies,” says Goodness Goodies founder, Mandy Chowdhary. “Our aim is to ensure that children with food allergies can enjoy delicious treats and celebrate special occasions such as Easter and birthday parties, alongside their family and friends.” www.goodnessgoodies.co.uk

Get walking Yes, it’s that time of year again. 2013’s Walk To School Week runs from 20 - 24 May, bringing together nearly one million schoolchildren, teachers and parents and promising to be the biggest and best yet! As part of National Walking Month, the campaign aims to teach children about the benefits of walking, with each day focussing on a different aspect of walking including safety, discovery, healthy, eco-friendly and social time. Take part in Strider’s 5-Day Walking Challenge and reinforce the benefits of walking, plus download puzzles, pledges and challenges at www.livingstreets.org.uk/walkwith-us/walk-to-school/walk-to-school-week

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News

Inclusion in these pages is always FREE: send to news@familiesmagazine.co.uk

Bop ‘til you drop

Social media and marketing

Two Barnes mums have set up an exciting new music class for 2 to 4 year-olds.

Letterbop helps children learn letter sounds phonetically through music and dance, introducing them to the phonic system and the fundamentals of reading by drawing on visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning techniques in a fun and funky way.

The music has been composed specifically for Letterbop by a top stand-up comedian and children join in with actions, pompoms and props. Times and venues across SW London at letterbop.com

Putney-based marketing and training company, Mumpreneur Marketing, has a range of new social media and marketing courses for small business running in May and June. Learn more about Twitter, blogging for business and the most cost-effective ways to market your business. The courses are great for meeting and connecting with other business mums.

“Great marketing course with a relaxed feel. I found the course content on low cost marketing, online and offline marketing, and blogging very useful.” Cathy Lang, The Tinker’s Tailor.

• All welcome. Courses on 14 & 21 May, 5 & 10 June. (Also see diary dates page 38) Visit mumpreneurmarketing.com or Kate Miranda 020 8789 1829 kate@mumpreneurmarketing.com • Do look at Families SW Facebook to see how great it looks now! www.facebook.com/FamiliesSW

Scholarship success Year 6 pupils at Hornsby House School in SW12 have achieved a record number of scholarships to senior schools this year. Year 6 children were awarded a total of 32 academic, sport, drama and art scholarships and most children are in the happy position of having a choice of offers from different senior schools. The Year 6 children are now following a new timetable in preparation for their move to senior school in September, including Spanish, Latin, Debating, Touch Typing and Practical Maths. "The Year 6 children worked very hard for their senior school entrance exams,” said Headmaster Edward Rees. “We are extremely proud of their efforts and achievements.” www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

New range for kids Local cookery school Cookie Crumbles launches kids baking mixes to introduce children to the joys of home cooking, including Sunny Oat & Raison Cookie Mix, Awesome Wholesome Brownie Mix, Granola Energy Bar Mix, and Blueberry & Vanilla Muffin Mix. “The flavours and quality of these baking mixes captures the taste of home baking,” says Carola Weymouth. “There is no need to buy ten different ingredients or follow complex recipes and they are ideal for busy mums who want fun, fuss-free and failsafe baking with the kids. Keep a spare mix in the cupboard and be prepared for the next school bake sale!”

Available online and in a number of delis and cafés in SW London. www.cookiecrumbles.net

Furniture to impress Local Wandsworth mum launches Lovestruck Interiors, offering a bespoke consultancy service finding and creating the perfect hand-painted furniture for your home. They source and revamp vintage pieces and update existing pieces of furniture, transforming a room at a fraction of the cost of buying something new. Check out their bespoke, stunning handpainted furniture.

And what better present for mum or dad than a fantastic Kids Rule – just fix to a wall and mark the growth of your clan, from babe to adult. We love them! www.lovestruckinteriors.com

Young writers comp

Get sporty Local organisation Rugbytots gets your little ones excited by sport while having fun at the same time.

With Government guidelines recommending that children of preschool age be physically active for at least three hours per day, classes like Rugbytots encourage children to participate in sport in a fun, active and safe environment. “Rugbytots helps develop children's physical, physiological and social attributes,” says Lorna Belchambers of Rugbytots SW London. “The classes are great for parent and child to spend time together and learn valuable skills.” If your child would like to give rugby a try, contact Lorna on 0845 481 6444 or lorna@rugbytots.co.uk. www.rugbytots.co.uk

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Budding young writers get their pens at the ready as this year's National Young Writers' Award returns. The competition will be judged by bestselling author Cressida Cowell, and children 5 to 14 are invited to write a 500 word short story on this year's theme, "Around the World". The competition is organised by tuition provider Explore Learning and is open for entries until 3 June, with a prize of a trip to Disneyland Paris for the whole family and £500 of books for the winner’s school. “Many children have a gift for writing,” says Heather Garrick from Explore Learning, “and it's so important to nurture this from an early age to build up confidence and, most importantly, have fun and develop their imagination."

Enter at www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngwriters

Children’s competition Award winning actress Gillian Anderson launches a national school’s competition to raise money for Children with Tumours. The Christmas Card Challenge is open to children of primary school age, with schools encouraged to hold an internal competition and then submit their winners to the national competition. All six winning designs will be available to buy from the charity’s website.

Children with Tumours is the UK’s first “no frills” charity to help raise funds to provide holiday camps for children affected by Neurofibromatosis and to contribute towards vital research. More than 25,000 people in the UK are affected by NF and every day a baby is born with the condition.

As yet there is no cure. Closing date 31st May 13 www.childrenwithtumours.org/Pages/Christm asCardChallenge

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Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools WWW.DAWMOUSE.COM There are now two established Montessori Nursery schools in Fulham bearing the Dawmouse name. The original Dawmouse Brunswick in Haldane Road, SW6 7EU and Dawmouse St Peter’s at St Peter’s Terrace, SW6 7JS. Both schools offer a wide range of Montessori equipment and have outdoor play areas. They will offer a safe, stimulating and active environment in which children can have fun and achieve.

The broad curriculum covers all areas of the Early Learning Goals and includes science, drama, cookery and music lessons.

Project work will give the children scope for creative development as well as an increased understanding of their world.

We insist on our staff being Montessori trained teachers.

For a prospectus and a visit to view the schools please contact : www.dawmouse.com or speak with Miss Emma 020 7381 9385

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

THE WILLOW NURSERY 823-825 Wandsworth Road, Clapham, SW8 3JL Tel: 020 7498 0319 Est.1981 E-mail: admin@thewillownursery.co.uk Joint Heads: Caroline Henson & Virginia Bisset.

Opening hours: 8.15am to 12.15pm Sessions: Mornings only Weeks open a year: Termtime Ages: Two and half to 5 years Max no. of pupils: 40. Pupil/teacher ratio: Under 3yrs: 4:1, 3-5yrs 8:1 Curriculum: Montessori and traditional methods.

Activities: Art, craft, cooking, Spanish, gardening, home corner, ICT, messy play, computer club.

Four specialist teachers for singing, dance, gym and cooking.

Facilities: Large, bright, spacious hall and a smaller reception room.

Contact: Please contact Amanda for Prospectus and to arrange a visit.

The Willow is renowned for its creativity. Our aim is to create a stimulating, happy and fun environment so that the children love coming to school. We develop confidence and a keen interest to learn both independently and with individual attention.

www.thewillownursery.co.uk May 2013

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It’s about love actually

Life doesn’t have to be complicated Life is very full for us, parents: holding a job, running a house, making sure the kids are ok, while also fostering a great relationship with our spouse. Amanda is a psychotherapist and founder of Inspired Living, which provides motivational and life-changing advice for people of all ages and gender who want to let go of the shadows of their past and gain new direction in their lives. We asked her to reveal the most common problems she comes across...

Q: My husband has not been really fully present in our relationship since our little girl was born.

A: A new arrival in the house can create major upheaval in a relationship and that can be a huge shock for both partners as it is usually not expected. It sounds from your letter as though you have both shut down from each other. So my advice would be to start to re-open the communication channels because the changes your little girl has brought to your household will need a lot of discussing before readjustments are made.

If you are able to, then organise for your little one to be looked after for a few hours once a week for the next few weeks and then go out the two of you. Before going, both of you write down what you would like to discuss and then decide between you which topics are to be covered that evening.

Stick to the chosen topic(s), do not bring in other problems, give yourself a time frame to discuss them in and find a resolution and then spend the rest of the evening re-bonding, no more shop talk.

Communication an issue?

Try this Download a tried and tested pre-prepared list of 13 questions and spend 30 minutes with your husband to exchange and communicate. This is a multi-step process, created by Dr Demartini, in which you keep refining your answers until your hierarchy of values finally emerges with crystal clarity.

We’ve tried it, it‘s an amazing process!

© StepStock - Fotolia.com

I find myself having to deal with everything to do with our baby and he hardly even looks at her. He is cold and distant to me as well. I am exhausted and would love to be able to share some of the responsibilities and just get him back to how he was before.

Q: How much space do you occupy?

A: As full-on parents, we often put ourselves last because we don't seem to have time to fit everything in, especially not space for ourselves.

When was the last time you have you ever stopped to think about that?

We all go rushing about in our daily lives, getting on with work, kids, the weekly shop. Often we think we don't have time to take the time for ourselves. We don't fill up some of the space we should take up. So, how many times in the day do you not acknowledge how much space you should actually use up? If you're not able to be conscious of that then who else is going to be? If you minimise the space that you're meant to fill that's when you invite in events and treatment that you don't want in your life. If you're being smaller, then your boss might feel he can have a go at you for nothing, or your partner might ignore your perfectly reasonable request, or you wind up feeling ill-treated,..

Occupy that space! When you feel yourself sliding down that slippery slope of not filling up your space properly, do the exercise, hold your head up high and grow bigger. It will change your life!

Try this Ten-second exercise Stand up, plant your feet firmly on the ground and then just feel how much space you physically fill up. Feel how dense you are, how much room your arms take up in the space around you, the solidity of your legs... anyway, you get the general idea. If you're not considerate to yourself and aware of just how important your well-being, feelings and respect for yourself is, then you can't be surprised when others aren't either. And you won't get there if you make yourself small by lowering your expectations and minimising your needs. If you do that you are contributing to reducing yourself.

We often don't listen to ourselves because we're so used to not taking our feelings and needs into account. It's often very hard to take a step back and realise that it's actually really important for our welfare and health to honour ourselves. If we're depleted and not existing fully then how can we possibly keep it all together and be properly available to others and be happy.

For more answers to your questions: www.familiesonline.co.uk/loveactually If you would like to have your questions answered for free (in full confidence), then please write to Amanda at: Amanda@familiesmagazine.co.uk For more on this article and others on personal development: www.familiesonline.co.uk/loveactually

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The Families HOW TO series

How to get the kids to grow things

By Elisabeth Dolton

Involving children in gardening can be a great and fun experience for everyone regardless of age. How do you encourage your children to discover the world of gardening?

Children can really get engrossed in planting and caring for flowers – even those with shorter attention spans! Most kids can’t get enough of the anticipation and excitement of waiting for a seed to sprout or a plant to grow, even making mud pies, as all children find pleasure in a patch of soil they can call their own. Imagine sparking the green fingers of little children, as you point out the wonder of the natural environment around them. And what better way to learn about photosynthesis, by watching it happen in front of your eyes! Show your child the magic of Mother Nature.

Getting Started Gardening doesn’t require a huge garden or allotment; in fact, it can actually be beneficial to start out with smaller spaces such as a window box or a restricted area. Just ensure that the allocated area gets enough sunlight and start with a small, manageable project. It needn’t cost a lot of money either – you don’t need to buy anything special or fancy, and if you grow your own fruit and veg then you’ll ultimately be making a saving!

Inspirational ideas that will make gardeners out of kids  Sunflowers – tiny seed with a big impact.

See who grows the tallest?  Potatoes in a bucket – eat your own hard work  Cress egg heads – damp cotton wool with cress seeds, in an eggshell  Quick, edible lettuce – Let kids plant their own small lettuce garden. Let them choose which types and plant them in different shapes  Fun with Peas – they don't need a lot of space, and once they start growing, grow voraciously. Kids can lead the peas to grow up the netting.  Create a theme – grow a tomato, courgette, basil and oregano plant, everything to top your pizza!

Start with margarine tubs, yoghurt pots, and any other small containers you might find lying around the house. Instead of fancy trays with separate sections, you’ll find just as much use in empty egg cartons. A lollypop stick can make a great plant label and can be used when dipping out seedlings.

And what about a water pistol instead of a watering can. Who would have thought watering the plants could be so much fun. (hum good idea this?)

Inspire their senses

Opportunity to learn

Plants attract wildlife, which can be hugely exciting.

Wildflowers attract bees and butterflies, and watch out for the insects. All of them have a purpose in the garden, for example hedgehogs and toads eat the slugs and snails, and worms create holes in the soil.

Kids will eat anything they have grown themselves, just try with peas, cabbage and lettuce. Sheer pride will lend a flavour never to be forgotten. They will realise that whenever they eat yummy fruit and vegetables that someone had to grow them and that we can all grow our own fresh foods. Prepare for mess! Gardening isn’t a clean business but its lots of fun and easy enough for children to get to grips with. So peel your children away from the TV and explore the garden - touch the flowers, feel the leaves, and look for bugs. Once they get in the garden and explore, in time they will want to take care of the plants they have learned to love and really gain pleasure along the way.

Enjoy!

There is so much for children to learn. Explain to younger children that the seeds have popped underground and covered up to sleep, helping them understand that they need to be gentle with them and treat them with care. Make sure they know to water regularly and then sit back and watch it grow.

You don’t have to be green fingered yourself, gardening opens up a whole host of great experiments and different ways of looking at things, almost like having your own laboratory in your kitchen. A good idea to show how plants need time to grow, lots of sunshine and water is to grow three separate pots of cress. Place one in sunlight with plenty of water, one in a dark cupboard with plenty of water, and one in sunlight with no water.

The difference will be there to see.

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How to plan a fun and relaxing garden that works for the whole family When it comes to planning your outdoor space, approach it in exactly the same way that you might plan a room indoors. For a growing family, top of the list of things to consider are stimulus and colour, play areas (for children and adults) and, of course, storage. Add to this mix a sense of exploration and fun and you have a design recipe that will keep the kids busy.

There are lots of clever ways to keep the children happy in the garden without turning it into an adventure playground. Green Dot has been designing family gardens for over 10 years and they’ve created individual solutions that work for grown ups and kids in gardens of all different sizes. Crafty problem solving can make the most of the available space. By day sand pits or trampolines emerge from decking trap doors, and benches double up as storage chests so toys can be tidied away. At the end of a day your garden can be swiftly transformed into an adult space.

If you do have more space, you can create a great environment for more adventurous play.

You might choose a custom-designed pergola that doubles up as a climbing frame with detachable nets, monkey grips and slides. Or you can create a wonderful environment with child-friendly planting that encourages kids to learn about nature.

•Contact Green Dot Gardens on 020 7062 0384 or info@greendotgardens.co.uk. www.greendotgardens.co.uk

We all have a particular fondness for plants which stimulate our senses and children are no different; point out plants with soft leaves and bright flowers, aromatic herbs, scented flowers, grasses and leaves that rustle when blown, etc. These can be particularly beneficial for children with special needs and requirements.

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What's On Calendar no w LIVE!

is delighted to announce the launch of our searchable online

What’s On calendar Visit FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Do you love taking the children to activities, shows and events but are frustrated by the amount of time spent googling?

The frustration is over!

For example you can search for: • A show suitable for a 4 year old on Saturday • A holiday workshop for your 3 year old and your 8 year old within SW postcodes • What event or museum can I take my baby to?

• What’s happening in half term—and see the results on a map

Our new calendar lets you search our comprehensive listings by category, age group, date or location.

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Babies’ Health

NCT’s top ten tips for a healthy pregnancy Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be nervewracking as mums-to-be, like the Duchess of Cambridge, are overloaded with guidance on what they should or shouldn’t do. To help expectant mothers make sense of all the information, here are NCT’s top ten tips for a smooth and healthy pregnancy.  Vitamins and Supplements Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid each day before you become pregnant and in the first three months can help prevent birth defects. It is recommended that you also take 10 micrograms of Vitamin D each day throughout pregnancy.

© Alena Ozerova - Fotolia.com

 Pregnancy nutrition Many women start pregnancy with low iron stores or slightly anaemic. Your blood will be tested at your first appointment, and you will be advised to take iron supplements if you need them. Good sources of iron include red meat, kidneys, fortified breakfast cereals, bread, pulses such as baked beans and kidney beans, eggs and green vegetables. Extra Vitamin C will help absorb iron from food.  Exercise Exercise during pregnancy helps keep you and your baby healthy, and prepares your body for labour. Avoid contact sports like horse riding, skating, skiing, and cycling which are not recommended after the first three months due to the risk of falling. There are many home based and external exercise classes for pregnant women. (See our Clubs and Classes Directory)  Pelvic floor exercises During pregnancy, increasing pressure is put on the muscles of your pelvic floor. The effects of the hormone relaxin encourage these muscles to relax in preparation for labour. It’s therefore important to exercise your pelvic floor muscles regularly. Continuing these exercises after pregnancy can help prevent long-term problems such as involuntary urination and postnatal stress incontinence.  Drugs and prescriptions Avoid taking over-the-counter medicines for yourself such as paracetamol or ibuprofen with codeine without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Always tell your doctor, pharmacist, dentist, or anybody else advising you on your health, that you are pregnant and check with them before using any homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy preparations or herbal oils.  Antenatal depression If you feel that you are tired all the time, have lost interest in yourself or your pregnancy, always feel down or anxious or angry, or can’t sleep, then you may have antenatal depression. It is important to talk to either your midwife or GP if you feel depressed, so that they can help you.  Travelling/flying while pregnant It is recommended that you avoid flying to an area which will require you to have a vaccination. Most airlines will require a certificate or letter from your GP if you plan to travel 28 weeks and onwards in your pregnancy. Be sure to drink lots of water and pack a supply of vitamin-rich fresh fruit to snack on throughout the journey. If you are close to your due date and you are travelling within the UK, go to http://www. nhs.uk/service-search to find your nearest hospital, should you need it.

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 Getting ill during pregnancy Your immune system is suppressed during pregnancy in order to protect your foetus from being rejected by your body. This unfortunately means you are more susceptible to every bug in the book. If you are ill, contact your GP and drink plenty of fluids and eat foods rich in Vitamin C which helps to fight infections. Rest when you need to and keep your stress levels to a minimum.  Drinking and smoking during pregnancy Current government guidelines advise that women should stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy altogether. If you don’t want to do this, it is recommended that to protect your baby you should not drink more than 1 or 2 units of alcohol once or twice a week and shouldn’t get drunk. It’s common knowledge that smoking is bad for health, and smoking while pregnant can harm a woman’s unborn baby. If you are unable to give up completely, cutting down the amount you smoke during pregnancy will help to reduce the risk to your baby.  Bodily discomforts Back pain is incredibly common in pregnant women. Keep an eye on your posture: straighten your lower back and gently draw your bump in. Wear flat or low-heeled shoes and try to sit up straight with your lower back supported.

Many women also suffer from heartburn, indigestion or constipation. Drink plenty of water and include plenty of fibre in your diet to prevent constipation.

To avoid the symptoms of indigestion, try eating smaller meals more often.

Heartburn is often caused by lying flat so sleeping propped up can help.

For these and more tips for a healthy pregnancy, visit www.nct.org.uk

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Babies’ Health Clapham Family Osteopath Cranial specialist Julia Finlay B.Ost M.Sc (Paed Ost), Registered Osteopath

Babies Children (inc special needs) Mothers pre and post natal All the family

Online counselling helps children learn to eat!

Contact: juliafinlayosteopath@gmail.com Tel: 07779 017965 www.claphamfamilyosteopath.co.uk

Find events near you! search our comprehensive

What’s On listings by date, venue, age group or location.

Many children suffer from a variety of different problems concerning the process of learning to eat or the daily activity of eating and drinking routines.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk One child might be too bright and get involved into exhausting power struggles about what to eat; another one might have been premature born and show various sensory issues leaving it to be very picky and choosy. Others have no problems as long as bottle-fed but start refusing any attempt to transit onto solids, and others again will only live on crackers and cookies and refuse to eat any food which is considered healthy, and age appropriate. The last group of infants and toddlers have actually never learnt to eat or swallow at all because – due to prior severe and complex medical conditions and intensive care – they have

been fed artificially by a feeding tube and remain tube dependent and unable to make the transition to oral intake. Since these problems demand a medically highly experienced and intensive interdisciplinary approach, many children remain unsupported with families desperate and in extreme impairment of their quality of life.

A team of highly specialized paediatricians, therapists and developmental psychologists offers a modern and effective solution: intensive online coaching and guidance of the parents and any professional wishing to be part of the process.

This is how it works: 1. Enrolment and registration at www.notube.com — describe your problem, receive a professional assessment and recommendation about what can or should be done.

2. After this you decide which “product” your child needs and might profit from: Whilst NET coaching is the program designed especially for medically fragile infants and young children with feeding tubes, the LTE (Learn to eat)- program will help all parents to solve the feeding or eating problem of their child gently, effectively and at home! The clue is not magic, no tricks, no medication and no solution or recipe which will solve all problems.

Find out more at NoTube’s London Play Picnics, where NoTube’s experts will help your child learn to eat or prepare them for tube weaning. The Play Picnic is a 60-minute group therapy specific to children who suffer from early eating behaviour disorders, picky eaters and tube dependent children, where parents can ask questions regarding the feeding situation of their child. The next Play Picnic takes place on 1 June 2013, contact Eva for more details eva.kerschischnik@notube.com

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Babies’ Health Over use of antibiotics The Chief Medical Officer has called for urgent action to reduce antibiotic resistance to stop a global disaster in 20 years' time. She describes it as a 'ticking time bomb' which could plunge us back into the bad old days.

We are all to blame. Colds and many other upper respiratory infections, as well as some ear infections, are caused by viruses, not bacteria. If antibiotics are used too often for things they can't treat (like colds or other viral infections), they can stop working effectively against bacteria when you or your child really needs them. Antibiotic resistance (when antibiotics can no longer cure bacterial infections) has been a concern for years and is considered one of the world's most critical public health threats.

Bacteria is a survivor, it’s very clever and adapts with astonishing speed. Humans reproduce every 20-30 years. Bacteria can every 10 minutes.

When antibiotics were first mass-produced in the early 1940s, 95% of infections were sensitive to penicillin. Within four years the first penicillin-resistant strains started emerging, and today we have regular health scares due to MRSA. Infections with other bacteria, such as E. coli and klebsiella, have increased faster still and now account for 44% of cases of the infection of the bloodstream.

Many antibiotics are prescribed and used for mild infections when they don’t need to be. There are very few new antibiotics in development, only 3 in the last 20 years, one was developed specifically to treat an infection caused by taking antibiotics. So it is important to use our existing antibiotics wisely and make sure these lifesaving medicines continue to stay effective.

The dos and don’ts:

Mum and baby breaks in Tuscany The ‘Mum and Baby experience’ is fast becoming the ultimate must try out feel good break for mums on maternity leave

• Do remember that antibiotics are important medicines and should only be taken when prescribed • Do complete the prescribed course even if you feel better, because not taking the full course encourages the emergence of resistance.

• Do remember that antibiotics cannot help you recover from infections caused by viruses, such as common colds or flu • Don’t share your antibiotics with anyone else • Don’t keep left over antibiotics for next time, they expire and incomplete courses cause more resistance • Don’t forget that resistant bacteria don’t just infect you; they spread to other people in close contact with you.

• Don’t forget that antibiotics can upset the natural balance of bacteria in your body. This allows other organisms to increase and can result in diarrhoea and thrush.

Villa Radicata, a beautiful villa in the heart of the Tuscan hills, close to Michelangelo's birthplace, is the setting for mum and baby/toddler breaks.

So what is on offer: After a breakfast of homemade muesli and fresh smoothies you can enjoy morning (and evening) yoga classes by the pool overlooking Lake Montedoglio.

Your little ones are happily entertained by their trained babysitters in the garden below. The children fall in love with Fernanda and she has been nicknamed the "baby whisperer" by one of their guests.

This article was written by an A&E nurse trainer on behalf of R.E.D.I. Training Ltd. If you would like more information about our First Aid courses please call us on 020 7348 7117 or contact office@reditraining.co.uk. All trainers are experienced nurses with that can come to your house at a time that suits you and your family.

In the medieval town of Anghiari you can stock up from market stalls packed with pancetta, aged parmesan and truffle oils. This is followed by a gastronomical feast at the Ravagni family olive mill where you will taste their home made oils and wines .. they always make a big fuss of your children!

DISCLAIMER: This article is written as general information and does not substitute medical advice. R.E.D.I. Training Ltd is not responsible or liable for diagnosis or actions taken based on this article.

After lunch on the terrace, relax by the pool and enjoy cooking sessions, making home made pasta, authentic pizza in their wood oven and other Italian dishes. Toddlers love to join in and the atmosphere is always laid back and homely. Take advantage of the beauty therapist who can give you a massage or facial in the comfort of your own room.

As well as the yoga/cooking breaks they also run fitness breaks where the emphasis is on healthy eating (sorry no tiramisu there!) with four exercise classes per day, including zumba.

This is what some of their guests say: “Fantastic location, amazing food, the best break I have had since becoming a mum" “To Rita and all other warm and generous Italians who have made our stay in Tuscany a delight. It almost made it so easy with a 3 month baby. The combination of baby play and mummy activities worked so well" "Thank you for an amazing week at villa Radicata. Your hospitality has been overwhelming and your house is so beautiful. I adored the views and the fresh air. It was a real home from home and we hope to return."

For more info see www.mum-and-baby-experience.co.uk or phone 0778 557 1292.

Villa Radicata (www.holiday-villa-in-tuscany.com) with its stunning lake and mountain views is also available for self catering stays (sleeps up to 12).

Family friendly rentals also on Lake Como, Liguria, Florence, Naples and Amalfi coast (www.my-italian-holiday-home.com)

May 2013

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Babies’ Health

What to do if your baby is choking One of the most frequent concerns for parents is what to do if their baby chokes. Choking is frightening, but rarely fatal.

Clearing a blockage - babies under 1 year Calmly look in the baby’s mouth and if there is something obvious, remove it with finger tips. Never finger sweep or put your fingers down a baby’s throat as this can cause serious damage.

Massage is a form of communication Northcote Baby Massage is a Clapham based mother and baby group run by Sandra Ferriter. Sandra has been teaching baby massage for eight years and also teaches baby yoga. She realised that by combining the benefits of baby massage with baby yoga that it greatly enhanced the benefits for both baby and parent so she has developed her own ‘signature’ course combining these techniques.

“Baby Massage is a wonderful technique to learn for any parent/carer and can help strengthen that all important bond between mother/father and baby. It relieves the symptoms of colic and wind, calms and relaxes baby and for new mums/dads in particular, it helps to build confidence in handling a new baby,” she explained.

Sandra has fantastic results from working with women who may have difficulty bonding with their babies due to post natal depression. She says “Massage is a form of communication with your baby and it really helps women to connect with their baby during difficult times. The power of loving touch cannot be underestimated.”

Sandra holds her groups at The Plough Bar and Restaurant on St John’s hill in Clapham and also does private sessions.

Contact Sandra at sandra@northcotebabymassage.co.uk or tel 07890 100 261. www.northcotebabymasage.co.uk

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Lay the baby downwards on your forearm or across your legs, supporting them under their chin and using the flat of your hand, give up to five firm back blow between the shoulder blades checking between each blow to see if the blockage has cleared.

If the blockage hasn’t cleared, lay the baby on their back, place two fingers in the centre of the chest just below the nipple line and give up to five chest thrusts.

If baby is still choking, call 999/112 and continue alternate five back blows and five chest thrusts until emergency help arrives.

If at any point baby becomes unconscious, commence CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) immediately.

Written by Emma Hammett for First Aid for Life It is strongly advised that you attend a Practical First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit www.firstaidforlife.org.uk emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk or tel 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses. First Aid for life provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. First Aid for Life is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Babies’ Health How to make your home safe before your baby is mobile

By Baby Safe Homes John and Lisa Humphrey live in a terraced house in Holland Park, which needed to be made safe for baby Dylan, 9 months. Lisa comments, ‘Our house is a typical three storey Victorian terrace and we’ve got three flights of narrow stairs, which we knew would be a safety issue. Lots of our friends have very active babies and having seen what they get up to, we thought it best to make the house safe before Dylan started crawling. Several of our friends recommended Baby Safe Homes to do the work.’

Baby Safe Homes visited John and Lisa and during an initial consultation they went through each room assessing possible dangers. They suggested a list of tasks necessary to make the house safe and the couple chose what they wanted to action. John says, ‘We were most worried about the stairs and we were given a choice of three different stair gates at different price points. The most basic was a pressure gate, but we actually chose a roller blind model we hadn’t seen before, which is phenomenal.

It’s made of opaque sunshield material and rolls left to right like a window blind. It’s clean looking and very discreet when you aren’t using it, plus there’s no bar across the bottom to step over.’

There were several issues the couple hadn’t thought of.

‘We had a cylindrical door stop in the bathroom with a plastic cap at the end,’ says John, ‘Chris from Baby Safe Homes pointed out that the plastic cap could easily be pulled off , becoming a choke hazard, so this was replaced with a safer door stop.’

Benefits of hypnotherapy to baby are clear Sandra Bush, Natal Hypnotherapy Practitioner and NCT Antenatal Teacher and Tutor explains: “The use of hypnosis for birth is widely recognised.

Natal Hypnotherapy™ does not promise a pain-free experience but gives women techniques to deal with whatever direction labour takes. What is not always considered however are the benefits to the baby.

A mother’s emotional state can have a great impact on her child. Babies born to women who undergo serious stress in pregnancy can be affected emotionally as exposure to high levels of cortisol can lead to anxiety and risks of ADHD. Whilst day-today stresses, worries about money and or career etc. do not in any way equate, it can only be a good thing for the baby if stress levels are reduced.

Studies have shown that babies born to mothers using hypnosis have higher APGAR scores and breathe more easily and readily at birth. Women who practice relaxation, an essential element of any hypnosis session, have decreased heart rates and better blood flow, increasing oxygen levels to the baby. A calm birth experience sets a woman up to be a calm, confident mother which has to be in her baby’s best interest.“ •For more on the benefits of Natal Hypnotherapy™ and the workshops she runs, visit www.birthconfidence.com or call Sandra on 07718 629445.

May 2013

The company also pointed out which safety gadgets weren’t advisable: ‘We thought all our plug sockets would need plastic covers, but Chris pointed out we have modern sockets with a safety catch, so even if you poke a finger or object into the socket, the power is cut off. However, if a plug cover was slightly pulled out the socket would be live, so we were advised not to use them,’ says John.

Other safety measures were cupboard latches, securing of shelf units and a heavy changing table so they couldn’t be pulled over, and most importantly securing of all blind cords, as these are notoriously dangerous.

The couple are delighted with the results, John says, ‘Baby Safe Homes took just half a day to make our home safe for Dylan and they were very efficient and tidied up before they left. We were delighted with the standard of work, the reasonable price we paid and we now have the peace of mind that the work was a professional job, rather than a hodge podge one by me!’

About Baby Safe Homes Baby Safe Homes has made thousands of homes safe for babies in the US and UK. The company carries out an initial safety consultation and home survey for a £25 fee. If same day installation service is chosen, this consultation will be free. Call 0207 559 1491, or visit www.babysafehomes.co.uk

Reader feedback Letter received from a new mum, who asked to keep her anonymity.

“Your article on orgasmic birth, in the April issue, made me smile. (Search for it on Familiesonline. Ed) I wanted to say how much I felt moved by reading it. I have never written to a magazine before but I wanted to share my experience.

The birth of my first child was such a shock. By the second, I was prepared, I used all my knowledge to make it a better experience. Because I was able to relax and enjoy the experience I was able to turn the experience into something very removed from fear and pain. Yes, I was feeling the pain but I was in control.

Every birth has been a deeply moving experience for me. I get taken to a different place, it will seem weird to some, but when I give birth I am at one with mother nature, with evolution, with womanhood, it’s difficult to explain. I feel the connection with every woman who has ever given birth. I sort of feel like I play my part of eternity. I feel eternity, I feel the connection with everything. In my last birth I also felt the strong presence of Mother Mary, the Divine Mother at my side, it was extraordinary while completely ‘normal’. She was simply there, it was really powerful. My soul, mind and body all connect at the moment of giving birth, in that precise moment of birth.”

Wow! I never got one of those moments, did you?

As this lady says, it is all about trusting ourselves and relaxing, feeling confident and believing in ourselves.

It is important to trust in our ability. It is important to lose the fear. Birth CAN be a different type of experience. It is about the woman taking control… and we can empower ourselves.

How do you do that?

• Speak with women, learn from each other, share your experiences, join discussion groups, etc.

• Watch ‘Birth as we know it’ on You Tube.

• Visit orgasmic birth.com, sheilakitzinger.com, birthintobeing.com or freedomforbirth.com • Explore natural pain relief and birth support like: doulas, hypnobirthing, acupuncture, home births, water birth etc.

• We’ve opened a discussion on Facebook.com/FamiliesSW for sharing our experiences.

How was it for you? We always hear of pain and screams but let’s hear of the good stories.

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Health

Nutrition tips for boosting the immune system

By Nutritionist Penny Crowther

What are the 3 most important nutrients for a strong immune system? Because average diets are often lacking in them, you need to know how to obtain them through foods and/or supplements.

Boosting the immune system

Make sure that reserves of these three key immune nutrients, which are not found abundantly in the average diet, are well topped up in your own and your family's diet. This will give the immune system a fighting chance.

Zinc is absolutely vital for a healthy immune system.

The production and function of immune cells and immune related hormones are all dependent on adequate zinc levels. Zinc is not found widely in foods apart from meat such as lamb and seafood.

The best vegetarian sources are pecan nuts, pine nuts, oats, rye, dried split peas & ground pumpkin seeds. A poor sense of taste or smell, reduced appetite, frequent infections and white spots on the nails may be signs of zinc deficiency. Stress, alcohol and pollution deplete zinc levels. A very high fibre diet is likely to interfere with zinc absorption. A supplement should contain 15-20mg zinc for adults.

Vitamin D deficiency is now known to be common amongst the general population. Vital not only for strong bones and preventing osteoporosis, this vitamin

© Africa Studio - Fotolia.com

At this time of year, resistance can be lowered, increasing susceptibility to colds and infections.

Even Louis Pasteur, father of the germ theory of illness, recognised that a strong immune system is key. Otherwise how can we explain the fact that out of three people exposed to a respiratory germ, only one will get pneumonia, the second person will get minor cold symptoms whilst the third person remains unaffected?

has recently been found to play an important role in immune health. Vitamin D is made by the body in the presence of sunlight but with the increased use of high SPF factors, advice to cover up and the fact that we are not overwhelmed with sunshine in the UK, mean we are generally not obtaining adequate vitamin D by this means. The principle food sources are oily fish and dairy foods.

However is quite a challenge to obtain enough vitamin D without supplementing 800-1000iu daily for adults.

Vitamin A (Retinol) is not a vitamin that currently gets much publicity. This is because deficiency in developed countries is considered rare. The same thinking used to apply to Vitamin D and hopefully the same change of attitude will soon be applied to vitamin A. Vitamin A has a special relationship to healthy immunity. First, it enhances the action of the immune cells, shortening the duration of illness. A deficiency of Vitamin A increases the risk of infection.

Second, it strengthens the delicate outer membranes of the nose, throat, digestive tract and lungs. These membranes are the first line of defence against attack from the outside. It’s also needed for the healthy membranes of the eyes, ears and reproductive organs. Healthy skin, gums and prevention of recurrent infections (including thrush and cystitis) are dependent on adequate Retinol levels.

Another very important role for Vitamin A is the part it plays in maintaining a healthy gut lining. The lining of the intestine in its healthy state consists of densely packed cells like bricks in a wall. “Sheets” of bricks are joined together at tight junctions. If the lining becomes damaged (e.g. by toxins, drugs, food intolerances or parasites), it becomes too permeable allowing substances to pass through the junctions in the gut wall into the blood. This then triggers an immune response. Gut permeability is a new research area. There are significant recent

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studies which suggest that gut permeability is a major factor in auto immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Here are some common signs and symptoms to look out for, relating to vitamin A deficiency (they can also relate to other conditions which is why it’s advisable to consult a practitioner before self diagnosing): •Dry flaky skin •cracked dry skin on heels •acne • brown pigmentation spots on the skin • mouth ulcers • poor vision especially at night • frequent colds, viruses or infections • dandruff • thrush • cystitis • diarrhoea • anaemia that persists despite taking iron supplements • psoriasis • atopic dermatitis • thyroid disorders • ear infections • dry eyes • vaginitis • cystitis • arthritis • hyperkeratosis (thickening of the skin e.g. on elbows, upper arms and heels) • diabetes • cervical dysplasia (abnormal) • Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohns, colitis) & diseases affecting the intestines such as Coeliac disease, gluten sensitivity, giardia (parasite) infection.

Why is Vitamin A deficiency more common than previously thought?

It is commonly believed that vitamin A is easy to obtain in a balanced diet. However this is not necessarily the case. In theory, if we eat fruit and vegetables which contain beta carotene we should be getting a plentiful supply of vitamin A. Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A by the body when needed. However, the truth is somewhat different. Whilst plenty of people do manage this conversion efficiently, there are many who don’t or who have poor absorption, leading to inadequate vitamin A levels. Low fat diets are still fashionable for weight loss and this will lead to low vitamin A status as this vitamin can only be absorbed in the presence of fat since it is fat soluble. Vegetarians and vegans who are relying on Carotenoids in green leafy vegetables, orange and yellow fruit and

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Health Visit 345 Nursery where “The Nursery offers an exceptionally welcoming and inclusive environment” (Ofsted November 2011).

© Africa Studio - Fotolia.com

Children become independent inquisitive and motivated in this rich and vibrant learning environment.

Great outdoor space!

Options include Afternoon School, Lunch Club and Early Bird Club. www.345nurseryschool.co.uk

vegetables should serve vegetables with fat to ensure absorption of the carotenoids. The healthiest way to do this is to add a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil, flax oil or hemp oil onto vegetables that are lukewarm rather than hot so as not to change the beneficial fats in the oil into toxic compounds.

The important fact to remember is that “vitamin A proper” which is pre-formed vitamin A and known as retinol is only found in animal derived food sources (cheese, egg yolk, oily fish and liver are the richest sources – yoghurt also contains some). Its cousin, beta carotene is found in plant foods, particularly orange and yellow fruits and vegetables and green vegetables.

People with underactive thyroid glands tend to accumulate beta carotene, an indication of poor conversion to vitamin A. This leads to patches of yellow skin particularly on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands and in the creases of the nose.

Anorexics and diabetics also have impaired vitamin A conversion. High alcohol consumption also blocks conversion. Vegetarians with an underactive thyroid are at particular risk of low vitamin A. Finally, low zinc levels will predispose to low vitamin A since these two nutrients work together.

How much do I need?

The UK recommended daily intake for adults is approximately 600mcg (2,300iu ).

However it is going to depend very much on the individual, taking into account the factors above

Please contact us on 020-8870-8441 or dixonannab@aol.com Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3SA

relating to vulnerability to deficiency. In many cases a higher intake will be required and therefore a supplement.

As an unfortunate result of scare stories and misinterpretation of the research concerning vitamin A, many UK supplement companies now use beta carotene and not preformed vitamin A. This means you have to look carefully at the labels on multivitamins to check for pre formed vitamin A (this might appear as retinyl palmitate or acetate on the label).

Testing Vitamin A levels The normal range for retinol in the blood is 28 to 86 g/dL. However, testing for vitamin A is not particularly useful because deficiency will only show up when it is advanced and severe. This is because the liver stores large quantities of vitamin A.

Caution Women trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding should not take vitamin A supplements without the advice of a practitioner.

•Penny Crowther DN Med MBANT CNHC Nutritional Therapy. One to one nutrition consultations for children and adults in Putney. Appointments 01202 296 763 www.nutritionistlondon.co.uk 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.

Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QX

‘The unique needs of the children are promoted exceptionally well and staff are committed to meeting children’s learning and welfare needs' (Ofsted Outstanding – December 2011) Please come and see us in action and capture the excitement of learning at Oaktree Nursery School Incorporating art, music, yoga, sport, cooking and drama and all aspects of the Early Curriculum.

Contact: Annabel Dixon Phone: 020 8870 8441 email: dixonannab@aol.com www.oaktreenurseryschool.co.uk

Focused, intelligent, consistent childcare for children on the pre-school journey with affordable, practical in-house ‘Training for Nannies’ from child development to nutrition and cookery.

We encourage our families to nurture and grow their nanny to meet their child’s needs at every stage.

0-5 Nannies—with you, with your children, with your nanny— every step of the way.

0208 871 2211 0-5@afterschoolnannies.com afterschoolnannies.com

May 2013

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Education

Living with Disability Finton House School: A 2013 Special Needs Forum Thursday 23rd May at 4.30pm

Sinclair House School news We are pleased to be able to announce that Sinclair House School will be moving their Upper School to new premises on Fulham High Street. This will enable them to expand the intake and prepare children for the 11+ and 13+ entrance examination. In addition they will be expanding their current Montessori Nursery on Munster Road.

Sinclair House School opened in the heart of Fulham in 1989 as a co-educational little school with a Montessori Nursery that provides a strong all-round education that is based on academic excellence. They have been regular advertisers in Families South West ever since. (We looked back and spotted their advert in our issue one, in Nov/Dec 1990!)

The school prides itself on a high teacher-pupil ratio and a warm, caring, secure environment where the emphasis is on treating each child as an individual and nurturing their personal talents and capabilities. These aspects make Sinclair House School ideal for a variety of children. “Sinclair House School is a special place because of its size, happy atmosphere and stimulating environment, in which children can learn with enjoyment,” said principal Mrs Carlotta TM O'Sullivan. www.sinclairhouseschool.co.uk 020 7736 9182

This event is open to anyone interested from a personal or professional point of view and is free of charge. Two outstanding speakers will enlighten you with their past and present experiences of living with different kinds of disability.

John Simpson had polio as a child and at 14 had a couple of operations which went wrong, leaving him with only one good leg. This left him physically disabled but not without ambition.

He discovered that golf was the only game he could play on a level playing field and he went on to forge a successful career within the golf industry. Now running his own sporting events company, for twenty years he worked with Mark McCormack at IMG managing the world's top golfers.

In 2010, John set up the “The On Course Foundation”, a charity that supports the recovery of injured Servicemen, women and veterans through golf.

Ros Blackburn still finds the world logically illogical as she is autistic. She is still challenged by reading and writing but as a speaker can communicate to others and help us understand what it means to have autism.

Come and listen to the highs and lows of these two inspirational speakers.

Contact Hedi Radford on 020 8682 0921 for details.

HAPKIDO SELF DEFENCE classes available for children, teenagers and adults.

Dan Jun breathing, Kicks, punches, throws, joint-locks, tumbles, jumps and breakfalls.

NEW: Learn the way of the Samurai sword, children ages 9yrs and over Hapkido teaches: •Respect •Fitness •Discipline •Confidence •Control & sensitivity •Inner calm & peace •Defence •Strength & agility Instructor: Jon Bailie, 2nd Dan Qualified Hapkido Instructor and fully insured Classes available @ St Luke's Community Hall SW12, Broomwood Hall SW11, The Contact Centre SW4 and other venues

For all enquiries/bookings, please call on

07932 667 336 Private tuition/home visits also available

www.semokwan-hapkido.co.uk

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Education

How do you identify learning difficulties?

Currently 10% of the British population is dyslexic, but too often this is not identified at school. Many dyslexic children are very bright, but struggle to fulfil their potential in the classroom if dyslexia or other learning difficulties are not properly identified.

For many children, however, despite the best efforts of our over-burdened schools, many are unable to achieve their full potential due to a lack of resources, or more worryingly, through a lack of understanding. A growing number of parents do not trust our schools when it comes to recommending strategies to help a child progress with their education once learning difficulties are identified.

Due to growing demand from parents, Fleet Tutors, a supplementary education service provider, has now extended its range of services beyond tutoring to include independent educational psychologist assessments to identify dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning difficulties.

These assessments will help parents and pupils address their difficulties within the school environment and before the child loses confidence.

Assessments are conducted by a fully qualified member of the British Psychological Society, with over twenty-five years’ experience and a comprehensive understanding of various learning difficulties. Appointments are available now at Fleet Tutor’s West London and Farnborough offices.

White House successes!

A raft of fantastic successes at The White House School! Led by the Head of Girls' sports, Tilly Metcalfe, the girls sports teams had a very successful year, with the Netball teams unbeaten this academic year. The girls are looking forward to participating in Cricket and Rounders tournaments. Jamie Martin also continues to lead the boys' teams from success to success.

The pupils across the school are also busy preparing for the annual end of year play, which this year will be The Lion King. Every year the Drama and Music departments work tirelessly to produce an excellent whole school production and the children thoroughly enjoy learning the songs, dressing up in the costumes and performing to family and friends.

With thirty-five years’ experience helping students of all ages achieve their goals, Fleet Tutors operates a network of over 5000 qualified, experienced tutors across the country.

The White House, 24 Thornton Road, London SW12 0LF 020 8674 9514 and email office@whitehouseschool.com

For more information on Fleet Tutors’ services, visit www.fleet-tutors.co.uk or call 0845 644 5452

NEXT OPEN DAY: Saturday May 18th.

Every Accomplishment Starts With The Decision To Try

Tuesday Tutors • We coach children for state and independent school and entry tests: VR, NVR, English, Maths and interview preparation.

Professional Coach Individuals - Executives - Businesses • Are all the pieces of life in the right place?

• Would one change, change everything?

• Struggling to make decisions & take action?

• Striving for happiness, success & fulfilment?

Coaching is life-changing.

Are you ready for change?

Farzana Velji - Barrister, Mediator, Executive Coach, Myers Briggs Type Indicator and FIRO-B psychometrics Contact Tel: 07805 803 233 Email: Farzana@i-mediatecoach.com www.i-mediatecoach.com

May 2013

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• We are also happy to offer Maths and English support for children in school, and Home Education.

• NEW- a dedicated Maths tutor up to A Level available for home-visits in central London Tuesday Tutors has placed many children in top state and private schools. It is advisable to contact us early, as high demand may mean that your child will be placed on our waiting list.

Experienced tutors welcome Tel: 020 7735 8268

07906 312541

tuesdaytutors@hotmail.co.uk tuesdaytutors.com

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Half-term holiday activity listings Programme Fun coaching sessions for all levels, ages 4-15, 11.30am-4pm, £27 per day or £120 for the week.

Wimbledon Park Tennis Courts SW19 7HR tennis4you.co.uk

Arts and Crafts Eddie Catz Putney SW15 1SF 0845 201 1268 eddiecatz.com/putney 28 May Puppetry Workshop Join the puppet fun and learn how to make finger and hand puppets.

10am-1pm £22 28-29 May Roald Dahl-inspired Cooking Extravaganza with Cookie Crumbles 2 days of Roald Dahl cookery fun!10am-1pm £45 Eddie Catz Wimbledon SW19 2LP 0845 201 1268 eddiecatz.com 30 May Arty Fun with Creation Station Arts & Crafts fun. 10.30-11.40am £8, £5 sibling Fun with Fimo Clay W3 6SB 020 8992 3767 funwithfimoclay.co.uk 30 May Craft Activity Sessions Fun creative session, fully supervised and non-messy!

10.15am-4.15pm £50 Little Hands Design NW3 5AU 020 7431 0573 littlehandsdesign.co.uk 28-31 May Spring Fashion Bonanza Design and create your own outfits and accessories. 9-4pm (full or half days) £180 full days/£96 half-day week incl. fabrics.

Artyard Handmade SW14 7JN 020 8878 1336 artyard.co.uk 28-31 May Half Term Workshops Art and Craft Workshops 10am-3pm £36

Music and Drama

The Artpeggios Music and Art school Academy SW5 9QF 020 7244 45 70 artpeggios.com 27-31 May Half Term Holiday Camps Courses in rock band playing and recording, DJ-ing, art, Manga, making music on Garage band and percussion course. 9am-12pm £300 members, £350 non-members Kensington Imaging Lancaster Gate, near Kensington Gardens 17, 18 and 19 May. Half Term Young Film Makers Club Hands-on club for 7-14 years.

Discover the world of film making, handling professional equipment, editing DVD cover as well as script writing, acting, filming and set setting.

020 7993 6527, info@kensingtonimaging.co.uk www.kensingtonimaging.co.uk

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Tennis 4 You

Artpeggios Music The Polka Theatre SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 polkatheatre.com 28 May Four Seasons Mobile Morning with Charlie and Lola Create decorative mobiles inspired by the four seasons in Charlie and Lola’s Extremely New Play. 3-4 years 10-11.15am, 4-5 years, 11.30am12.45pm £18 30 May Pirate Squidbone’s Super Duper Pirate Party with Charlie and Lola Come dressed up as a pirate and ready for adventure and explore pirate stories and go searching for hidden treasure in this swashbuckling workshop. 3-4 years 10-11.15am, 45 years 11.45am-1pm £18

31 May Behind The Scenes Designer for a Day Create your very own set model and costume designs for a Polka show.

10.30am-3.30pm (7-11 years) £30 The Music House for Children W12 7LJ 020 8932 2652 musichouseforchildren.co.uk 28 May All About the Seaside Unexpected adventures with sun, sea, sand and ice-cream 10am £10 The Exhibit SW12 9SG 020 8772 6556 theexhibit.co.uk 28-30 May May Half Term Kid’s Clubs The Exhibit Cinema partners up with Funky Moves to bring you a packed afternoon of fantastic entertainment.

1pm-4pm £15

Sports

Kensington Imaging

Telford Park Tennis Club SW2 4NX 020 8674 5979 telfordparkt ennisclub.co.uk /holiday-camps 27-31 May Hotshots Holiday Tennis Camps

28-31 May Tennis4you Half Term Holiday Camp Ideal holiday fun for kids 10am-12pm £80 for four days The Spencer Club SW18 3HF 020 8874 2717 spencerclub.org 28-31 May Half Term Tennis Drop-in tennis camp 9.30am12.30pm £10 members, £15 nonmembers, £12 siblings attending together 28-30 May Half Term Cricket 10am-4pm Tues to Thurs, £105 members, £125 non-members for U7s to U13s 10am-4pm £105 members, £125 non-members for U7s to U13s Clapham Common Tennis Centre SW4 9AN tennis-teaching.com 28-31 May SW Sports Camp May Half Term Camp Sports camp including football, tennis and mini-volleyball 10am-3pm £35 per day Kensington Prep School SW6 5PA 020 7731 9300 kensingtonprep.gdst.net 28-31 May Henry Lamb Tennis Half Term Camps Tennis camps for children 5-15 years 9am-1pm, age 5-8 £152 Putney High School SW15 6BH 020 8788 4886 putneyhigh.gdst.net 28-31 May Henry Lamb Tennis Half Term Camps Tennis camps for children 5-15 years 10am-4pm, age 8-15 £228 Ridgway Stables SW19 4SU 020 8946 7400 ridgwaystables.co.uk, merton.gov.uk/activeplus 28-31 May Half Term Holiday Courses Learn to ride and care for a pony during May half term. 10am-12pm or 2-4pm £120

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

These are great listings, don’t you agree? Please make sure you tell them where you saw them—in Families.

All Activities can now be searched in our brand new searchable What’s On – see FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Furzedown Recreation Centre SW17 9BP 020 8871 7171 wandsworth.gov.uk 28-31 May Half Term Soccer School Aimed at all abilities improving ball work, skills and techniques 10am3pm £40.00 per week 28-31 May Half Term Tennis Camp Fun-filled courses for all abilities, based on the LTA mini tennis scheme. Times vary £26-£39 All Star Coaching SW18 3RT 020 8871 4706 allstarcoaching.co.uk 28-31 May All Star Coaching Tennis Camps Popular All Star Tennis camps for all abilities. Times vary Prices vary Central London Golf Centre SW17 0AT 020 8871 2468 clgc.co.uk 28 May Half Term Golf Activities Golf tuition followed by fun and informal competitions. 10am-2pm £35 Chelsea FC Soccer School • Battersea Park, Prince of Wales Drive SW11 4NU • Chestnut Grove School, Chestnut Grove, Balham SW12 9JZ 28-31 May. London Soccer School For boys and girls aged 3-13. Times vary, from £28. Call 020 7957 8220, londondevelopment@chelseafc.com or soccerschools@chelseafc.com. www.chelseafc.com/soccerschools Fulham FC Foundation Venues in Fulham 28-31 May. Half Term Holiday Courses Holiday courses for all abilities in a fun and challenging environment. 35yrs - 9-11am, 6-14 yrs - 9am-3pm, from £12. 0870 442 5432, holidaycourses@fulhamfc.com http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013 /february/05/holiday-courses-return Inspire Life and Leisure SW18 07977 311478 inspirelifeandleisure.com 28-31 May May Half Term Football and Multi Sports Fun Join the Inspire Team for lots of fun and action to keep your little ones busy. 10am-2pm £20 per day

London Transport Museum foreshore of the River Thames and see what exciting archaeological finds you discover. 10.20am FREE 30-31 May Palaces by the Thames This art workshop explores the former homes of kings and queens dotted along the Thames. 12.30pm and 2.30pm FREE The London Transport Museum WC2E 7BB 020 7379 6344 ltmuseum.co.uk Monday 27 May – Sunday 2 June Poster People Storytime Time: 11.00 and 14.00 Open to all families but most suitable for those with children aged 3 to 7 years Cedric Shopping bags is on a trip around London but he can’t find any peace and quiet! Come and meet Cedric and the poster people he encounters on his journey. Find out about the stop that was missed, an adventure on the escalator – and see if Cedric will ever find somewhere to escape from the hustle and bustle.

Make and Take Time: 11.30 and 14.30 Open to all families but most suitable for those with children aged 4 to 12 years Work with air-hardening clay to create your own tiny Poster Person and bring it to life. Make it walk, dance, clap or wave and use it to tell your own stories, before taking it home to dry off.

Museums and Galleries The Museum Of London EC2Y 5HN 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk 27-28 May Let's have a Frost Fair!

Imagine a cold London, so cold that the Thames freezes. 12.30pm and 2.30pm FREE 28-29 May Finds from the River Join the Museum for a walk along the

May 2013

The National Portrait Gallery WC2H 0HE 020 7306 0055 npg.org.uk 27-31 May Workshop: Portraits in Sculpture Build, shape, construct and create during a week of activities inspired by sculpture in the Collection.

11.30am-4pm FREE The Geffrye Museum E2 8EA 020 7739 9893 geffryemuseum.org.uk 28-31 May High-Rise Living Join the museum for some high-rise fun. 10.30am 2pm FREE Sir John Soane's Museum WC2A 3BP 020 7405 2107 soane.org 30 May Fantastically Fashionable Creatures Print your own designs on to T-Shirts in time for summer, inspired by the fantastical creatures in the Museum. £20 The Wallace Collection W1U 3BN 0207 563 9500 wallacecollection.org 29 May Good Gods!

Go on a quest around the Museum to find out about different gods, heroes and monsters from Greek Mythology. 10.30am and 2pm FREE

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Entrance to the Museum is free for children under 16. Adult admission is £15.00 (£11.50 concessions) and tickets allow unlimited entry for a whole year.

The Museum of London Docklands E14 4AL 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands 29 May John Taylor and the Boat of Paper John Taylor was a poet and a waterman on the Thames who became an adventurer. 12.30, 2.30 and 3.30pm FREE 30 May Explore the Estuary Create your own digital images using inspiration from the Thames Estuary.

12.30 and 2.30pm FREE Wandsworth Museum SW18 1RX 020 8870 6060 wandsworthmuseum.co.uk 31 May Wandsworth, A Treasure Trove of History!

To celebrate this year’s Wandsworth Heritage Festival and the Wandle Weekends, get to know the treasures of Wandsworth. 1.30pm £3 Horniman Museum SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 horniman.ac.uk 27-31 May Froglife: Life Under the Surface Make giant British pond animals at the Horniman Museum for a craft display, on show 1 June. 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm FREE

Wild Learning

All-day Camps Wild Learning SW19 4UW 28-31 May Woodland Holiday Camp Play, learn, get muddy and have an adventure. 10.15am-4pm £40 per day

Find events near you! search our comprehensive

What’s On listings by date, venue, age group or location.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

May 2013

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SEN support

What to do if your child is “different”

by Gabrielle Starkey, editor Families Warwickshire

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.

My top tips: See your doctor

Get reading

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).

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.

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.

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.

Useful contacts •British Dyslexia Association: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/ •Special People: Autism support group that puts on talks by inspirational people in the Autism field. Run by Kenilworth parents Julie and Neil Thomas, whose son Jack is on the autistic spectrum. www.facebook.com/specialpeopleuk/ •CYPS (Children and Young People’s Service) Service provides specialist emotional and mental health care for young people up to the age of 18. Tel: 01452 894000 or visit www.2gether.nhs.uk/cyps

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•The Key Information, advice on transitions, funding and benefit entitlements, leisure activities and equipment. For more information visitwww.keywords.org.uk/ •Family Information Services (FIS) Very helpful impartial service. Call 0800 5420202 or 01452 427362

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Savings accounts for children Most banks and building societies offer special savings accounts for children. These often pay better rates of interest than standard savings accounts and are designed specifically for children with free gifts, magazines and birthday cards.

The one that’s right for your child will depend on whether: • you want to save on a regular basis or have a lump sum to put away • you can afford to tie-up your money for a set period of time • you want your child to have access to the cash

Savings Accounts Regular savings accounts often pay higher rates of interest. For example, Halifax is offering an impressive 6% on its regular savings account. But if you don’t want to save on a regular basis then opt for the best paying account you can find. For example, Virgin Money’s Young Saver account pays 3%. It’s also worth looking at standard savings accounts and if they offer better rates, you may want to opt for one of them.

Some children’s accounts, such as Lloyds TSB’s children account which pays 3%, are only available if a parent has an account with the savings institution. Other things to watch out for are minimum investment levels, how many withdrawals you can make each year and if you need to give notice before withdrawing your money. As with any account, you need to regularly check the interest rates being paid to make sure you’re getting a good deal. You can do

May 2013

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this at MoneyVista’s Savings Watch [link to http://www.moneyvista.com/savings-watch/]

Tax and savings Interest earned on savings is taxable. But as you need to earn more than the personal tax allowance (£8,105 in 2012/2013) to be a taxpayer, few children pay tax. To ensure they get interest tax-free fill in form R85. If they’ve already paid tax you can reclaim this by completing form R40.

There are special rules if a parent gives savings to their child. If these savings earn gross interest of £100 or more a year (£200 if both parents contribute), then all the interest is taxed as if it belongs to the parent.

If you don’t want your child to be able to withdraw the cash you’ve saved for them, look for an account where you can name yourself as trustee.

You can still register for tax-free interest by completing form R85.

Junior ISAs There are two types of Junior ISAs (JISAs) - cash JISAs and stocks and shares JISAs. Cash JISAs are just like savings accounts except all the interest earned is tax-free. Parents can invest up to £3,600 in the current tax year in JISAs and this money is

then locked away until the child reaches 18. Cash JISAs are offered by a number of banks and building societies and rates of interest are typically 2% to 3% at present. The advantage of a JISA is that once a child reaches 18 this money is automatically tipped into an adult ISA which means the money remains in a tax-free savings account.

The potential disadvantage with JISAs is that you cannot get at the money before your child is 18 and when the account matures, it’s your child and not you who has access to the cash. Any child under 18 is eligible for a JISA providing they don't have a Child Trust Fund which was the predecessor to JISAs.

NS&I Children’s Bonds These are 5-year lump-sum investments for children under 16. You can invest between £25 and £3,000 in each issue of the bonds. They earn a guaranteed rate of interest (2.5% for the latest issue) and interest is tax-free.

• MoneyVista is a free personal finance website.

Full of guides, budgeting tips and expert help, it aims to help you take control of your money and plan for your family’s future. To find out more visit www.moneyvista.com/families

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days out

Queen Elizabeth's Walk Barnes, London SW13 9WT 020 8409 4400 www.wwt.org.uk/visit/London

Escape the daily grind for a day. Pack a picnic, take a few extra little friends and go! It’s easy to find a day out that includes the heady combination of fun, excitement and fresh air! Below is a selection of our favourites, don’t forget to go to www.familiessouthwest.co.uk for more ideas!

Join the Bluebell Steam Railway East Grinstead 01825 720800 Bluebell railway steaming through Sussex

Jae Jae Male Sumatran Tiger (c) ZSL

Spring

See real life chicks at the London Wetland Centre

inspired habitat, designed to meet every sensory need of the endangered animals.

18 and 19 May ZSL SPECIAL CHILDREN'S DAY ZSL welcomes children with special needs and their families and friends on this day to meet zoo characters, dance to the Dixie Swing Band with extra staff and volunteers on hand for assistance.

Plenty of hands-on activities including an art and craft zone, sensory storytelling, Makaton signed events, and a chill out zone, a chance to meet live animals and discover all about the natural world.

Adult £23, child £17, child under 3, free. Online Family Offer: Buy a minimum of 2 adult and 2 child tickets or 1 adult and 3 child tickets and save 10% on standard ticket prices.

Rediscover Kew Gardens www.kew.org

Malard Duckling Over 200 species of birds have been spotted at the WWT London Wetland Centre, which has also been voted the UK's Favourite Nature Reserve by Countryfile magazine in 2012. You can roam the beautiful walkways amongst the lakes and pools of this 105 acre wildlife haven. The centre is home to rare birds from around the globe plus a family of otters, you can also or watch birds from their numerous hides or from the comfort of their heated Observatory. You can also join one of their free daily walks led by an expert guides.

Have a coffee in the Water's Edge Cafe - or let the kids run free in their own adventure areas, both indoor and out. Plus it’s just a ten minute walk from Hammersmith tube.

Open 9.30am to 5pm. Adult £11.65, child £6.50, family £32.50, child under 4 years Free.

Leeds Castle Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL, 01622 765400, www.leeds-castle.co.uk The Bluebell Railway has been extended to East Grinstead. The new line opened to the public on 23 March 2013. Families will now be able to travel by train from East Croydon, Sanderstead, Riddlesdown or Upper Warlingham directly to East Grinstead. Connect with the volunteer-run Bluebell Railway on the brand-new platform by simply walking across to Platform 3.

For more details, prices and to book tickets www.bluebell-railway.com

Learn all about animals at London Zoo Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY 020 7722 3333.

Beat the queues and book tickets online now at www.zsl.org There are over 750 different species of animal at ZSL London Zoo. Check out Seahorses, which opened during February half- term and home to 172 long and short-snouted seahorses. And of course you must visit Tiger Territory, a brand-new £3.6m flagship exhibit now home to the Zoo’s latest arrivals, Jae Jae and Melati. See these Sumatran tigers in their stunning Indonesian-

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Spring is a lovely time to visit Kew with over five million bulbs coming in to bloom, and there are plenty of family-friendly activities on offer. Younger children will love Climbers and Creepers, a unique indoor play zone for 3-9 year olds and, for outdoor fun, Treehouse Towers has giant swings, zip wires, scramble nets and slides to help burn off some more energy. If you’ve got a head for heights, enjoy an exciting birds-eye view over the Gardens along the Xstrata Treetop Walkway, an 18 metre-high circular walkway through the treetops. For rainier days there are the Glasshouse galleries to explore.

Climb up high inside the Palm House or the Temperate House to tower above the palms and plants and experience the huge scale of these historic glasshouses. As well as incredible plants, the Palm House and the Princess of Wales Conservatory also feature aquatic displays where you can see piranha, enormous catfish, freshwater stingrays and water dragons. Adult entry to Kew Gardens costs £14.50 but children under 17 are free.

Built in 1119 and set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland, Leeds Castle houses sumptuous interiors and family treasures. Six medieval queens have lived at the castle, and it was regularly visited by Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon and King Edward VI. The castle has been used as a garrison, a prison, convalescent home, and home to the Culpeper, Fairfax and Wykeham Martin families, whose legacy can be seen in the furnished rooms.

Take a springtime walk around the grounds in search of clues and answers to win chocolate prizes, and sample Spring arts and crafts in the events marquee.

Open daily from 10am, admission £12.50 children, £19.75 adults, Easter activities £2.50 per child.

All our listing can be seen on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Days Out Bodiam Castle Near Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5UA, 01580 830 196, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle

Osterley Park and House

Eltham Palace and Gardens

Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB, 020 8232 5050, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park

Chiddingston Castle Hill Hoath Road, near Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AD, 01892 870347, www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

Surrounded by a moat and beautiful Sussex countryside, Bodiam Castle is the perfect example of a 14th Century castle.

18 May: Bodiam Military. Learn about medieval armour and fighting techniques. 11am-4pm Admissions fees apply 25 May: IWA Boat Rally. See the boats as they moor beside the Wharf Tearoom on the River Rother. 11am-4pm Admissions fees apply Open 10.30am-5pm daily, admission £3.50 children, £7 adults, £18.60 families, Easter trail £2.

One of the last surviving country estates in London, Osterley’s spacious grounds are perfect for a day outdoors, with gardens, lakes and woods to explore. Pick up an audio-visual digital guide for an insight into the realities of life above and below stairs. Admission £4.50 children, £9 adults, £22.50 families for house and garden.

26 and 27 May FAMILY DISCOVERY DAYS Creative fun days for families and MINI FARM Meet rabbits, lambs, pygmy goats, piglets and chickens. 12-4pm. 29 May Outdoor themed activities for families 30 May Craft activities for children. 12-3pm for ages 3-12.

Down House

Dover Castle Castle Hill Road, Dover, Kent CT16 1HU, 0870 333 1181, www.english-heritage.org.uk

Luxted Road, Downe, Kent BR6 7JT, 07689 859119, www.english-heritage.org

Chiddingstone is a unique and unspoilt castle which houses outstanding collections of Egyptian and Buddhist artefacts, Japanese armour and beautiful Jacobean paintings.

The 25 acre grounds include a lake, a magnificent woodland and pretty gardens with nature trails to follow.

Open 11am-5pm, Sundays to Wednesdays and bank holidays. Admission free for under 5s, £4 for 5-13 year-olds, £8 adults, £21.50 families.

Hever Castle and Gardens The Grade 1 listed Down House was Charles Darwin’s home from 1842 until his death in 1882.

Visitors can see the study where he worked, the rooms where he ate and slept, and explore the extensive gardens which inspired his travels and discoveries into the natural world.

Open 10am-5pm Wednesdays to Sundays, admission £5.90 children, £9.90 adults, £25.70 families, English Heritage members free.

Explore the castle’s Great Tower and immerse yourselves in the medieval world and royal court of King Henry II. Richly furnished chambers are adorned with vibrant wall hangings and stunning furniture, while at certain times, costumed characters re-enact famous historical figures such as the King, Prince John and the King’s court jester.

Beneath your feet are the atmospheric defensive medieval tunnels and secret wartime tunnels which housed a WW2 military command centre and underground hospital.

Open 10am-6pm daily from 29 March, admission £9.90 children, £16.50 adults, family tickets £42.90, English Heritage members free.

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Hever, near Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG, 01732 865224, www.hevercastle.co.uk

Eltham Palace and Gardens Court Yard, Eltham SE9 5QE, 020 8294 2548, www.english-heritage.org.uk Originally the childhood home of Henry VIII, Eltham Palace is now one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in England. Step into the stunning entrance hall and explore the marvellous panelled dining room, magnificent medieval Great Hall and beautiful gardens.

Open 10am-5pm Sundays to Wednesdays, admission to house and gardens free for under 5s, £5.90 children, £9.90 adults, £25.70 families, English Heritage members free.

With a double moat and drawbridge, the 13th century castle houses fascinating collections of Tudor treasures, from portraits and paintings to furniture and tapestries. Within the grounds is a recreation of a Tudor Village, a yew maze and splashing water maze; beautiful gardens, and rowing boats for hire.

Gardens open 10.30am-5pm, castle opens 12noon.

Admission £8.50 children, £15 adults, £33 families for castle and garden.

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What’s On Compiled by Joanna Parry

The Lyric Hammersmith

Regents Park Open Air Theatre

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

W6 0QL 020 8741 6850 lyric.co.uk/ Egg and Spoon 04 May In this highly interactive adventure, make friends while you play peek-a-boo in puddles and dance at the butterfly party. 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm & 2.30pm £8.00 Misunderstood Monsters 11 May Georgie and Squeezy are on a dangerous mission to capture monsters and overcome their fear of spiders, crocodiles and aliens. 11.00am & 1.00pm £8.00 My Brother the Robot 17 May All Bobbie wants is a little brother to play with. But when Bobbie gets into danger, will her robot little brother come to her rescue? Fri 1.30pm/Sat 11.00am & 1.00pm £8.00

NW1 4NU 0844 826 4242 openairtheatre.com/ To Kill a Mockingbird Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in May Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel sees racial injustice envelop a small-town community.

2.15pm, 7.45pm £20-£53

Theatre Ambassadors Theatre WC2H 9ND 08488 112334 theambassadorstheatre.co.uk Stomp Every day in May Celebrating its 10th sensational year in London, Stomp is now fresher, faster and funnier than before. 3pm and 8pm £26-£52.50

The Chickenshed Theatre N14 4PE 020 8292 9222 chickenshed.org.uk/ All I've Known Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Tuesday to 18 May Inspired by her own childhood growing up in a family that fostered children, writer and director Rachel Yates has interviewed people with their own stories to share. 1pm, 3.30pm, 7.30pm £10.00 Tales from the Shed Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May Tales from the Shed is a highly entertaining, interactive theatre show perfect for young children. Fri 11.30am/Sat 10.00am & 11.30am £6.00 Tales Big Day Out 25 May A perfect opportunity to enjoy a family day out, this mini festival has routines from Tales from the Shed, plus stalls with fun and creative activities. 2.30pm £8.00

The London Palladium W1F 7TF 0844 412 4648 reallyuseful.com/theatres/london-palladium/ A Chorus Line Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday in May The new production at The Palladium Theatre. 3pm and 7.45pm, £20.50-£87.50

The Polka Theatre SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 polkatheatre.com Lullaby 3-25 May Cocooned within a charming setting and layered with musical and visual surprises, this playful experience takes you on a gentle journey of discovery. Times vary £10-£15 Charlie and Lola's Extremely New Play Every Saturday in May Don't miss everyone's favourite brother and sister back onstage with their new show. 10.30am & 2.00pm £16.00/£11.00

Puppet Theatre Barge

N12 0GA 020 8369 5455 artsdepot.co.uk/ Star 05 May Join the green-fingered Gardener and the tidy Tailor who live at opposite ends of the world.

10am, 12pm, 3pm £7.00 The Three Billy Pigs 12 May Once upon a time there were three little pigs... 12pm & 3pm £7.00 Aston's Stones 19 May Aston is a little dog who wants to take care of stones. Some are big, some are small, one is sad, another is cold. 12pm & 3pm £7.00 Woodland - Craft Workshops 30 May Meet the people who take care of Woodland and help them build a safe and cost home for one of their furry guests. 12pm & 3pm £5.00 The Gruffalo's Child 25 May Just how brave is she? Find out for yourselves. 12.00pm & 3.00pm £10.50 Woodland 28 May Woodland is a safe place for rare creatures, some so rare that you may never have heard of them. 11am £8.00

The Putney Arts Theatre

The Lilian Bayliss Studio

The Little Angel Theatre

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Theatre Royal Drury Lane WC2B 5JF 020 7850 8790 reallyuseful.com/theatres/theatre-royal-drury-lane Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The Arts Depot

SW19 2RD 020 8542 5511 colourhousetheatre.co.uk/ Hansel and Gretel Every Saturday and Sunday in May Poor Hansel and Gretel are lost in the forest. 2.00pm & 4.00pm £10.00/£8.00

EC1R 4TN 0844 412 4300 sadlerswells.com/ Varmints 17 May A brand new children’s dance theatre show, which tells the poignant tale of one small creature’s struggle to preserve a world in danger of being lost forever. Fri 10.30am/Sat 2.30 & 7.00pm £12.00/£7.00

WC2A 2HT 020 7863 8198 sadlerswells.com/page/peacock-theatre Northern Ballet—Ugly Duckling 17 May Northern Ballet’s first production especially for children. 11am and 1pm £6

W9 2PF 07836 202 745 puppetbarge.com The Hare and the Tortoise and Other Tales from Aesop 4-6, 11, 12, 18, 19 May Get ready for a collection of marionettes that tell a selection of tales from Aesop. 11am, 3pm, £10/£8.50 Fowl Play 25-26 May In this farmyard adventure the arrival of a foal causes excitement among the animals. 11am & 3pm, £10/£8.50

SW15 6AW 0208 7886943 putneyartstheatre.org.uk/ The Witches of Eastwick 08-11 May PLOS is back celebrating its 65th Anniversary show. 7.45pm £10/£7 One Minute 21-25 May A child goes missing on the streets of London. 7.45pm £10/£7

The Colour House Theatre

The Peacock Theatre

N1 2DN 020 7226 1787 littleangeltheatre.com We're Going on a Bear Hunt Every Saturday, Sunday, Thursday and Friday in May We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. £12/£10

From 18 May Roald Dahl's deliciously dark tale of young Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectioner Willy Wonka in a brand new musical directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes. 2.30pm and 7.30pm, from £16.50

Broadway Theatre SE6 4RU 020 8690 0002 broadwaytheatre.org.uk Chris & Pui 19 May See Chris and Pui from ‘Show Me Show Me’ live on stage! 1 and 4pm £10-£12

The Royal Albert Hall SW7 2AP 0845 401 5045 royalalberthall.com Family Ignite - Princes and Princesses 28 May A fun packed family concert performed by the Hall's very own Albert's Band. Children are encouraged to come in their favourite regal outfits!

12.00pm and 2.30pm £3-5

The Southbank Centre SE1 8PX 020 7960 4200 / 0844 847 9944 southbankcentre.co.uk Lea Cornthwaite and Suzi Zumpe: Cries of London 06 May Using the early 'cries' of the London street traders as a starting point, join this family workshop to learn songs from neighbourhoods far and wide. 11am & 2pm £6/£3 Spin 25 May Join Apples & Snakes' word-wizards as they cook up wonderful ways to play with words.

11am FREE Hook, Line and Singer: A Family SingAlong with Cerys Matthews 25 May Everyone can sing and Cerys Matthews wants people to stop feeling so shy about it. 3pm FREE Southbank Centre's Fairy Tale Walk for Children 25 May Rachel Rose Reid leads a magical mystery tour of Southbank Centre, allowing the audience

Please say you booked as you saw them in Families! Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s On

There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk NEW!

to experience the building in a way they’ve never seen it before. 1pm £5 Dog's Don't Do Ballet 27 May The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this story of a small dog named Biff, who thinks that he is a ballerina. 11am and 2pm £8/£4 My Father and Other Superheroes 31 May Nick Makoha’s moving and powerful oneman show about his journey from childhood to fatherhood. 6pm £8

Richmond Theatre TW9 1QJ 0844 871 7651 atgtickets.com/richmond Dance into the Fairytale Workshop 26 May Step into your glass slippers and Dance into the Fairytale for your first ballet class on stage with English National Ballet. 1pm £20 My First Cinderella 25 May Everyone’s favourite rags-to-riches story in a beautifully adapted version for young audiences. Sat 11am, 2pm & 5pm, Sun 11am & 3pm £11 – £26, Child £9 - £21

Museums & Galleries The Museum Of London EC2Y 5HN 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk Museum Explored Sunday every other week starting 5 May Join one of the Museum's Hosts and explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities. 11am & 2pm FREE Archeology Up Close 17 May Drop in on monthly object-handling sessions with members of the Museum of London's Archaeological Collections department. 12pm to 2pm FREE Roman Fort Visit 17 May Tour the remains of the western gate of London's Roman military fort, located beneath the streets next to the Museum. 2pm & 3pm FREE Storytelling: The Start of a Cultural Evening 05 May Can an instrument change a life? Join us to hear the inspiring story of a man and his steel pan.

1pm, 2pm & 3pm FREE Storytelling: Fire! Fire!

06 May Travel back in time to 1666 with a magical storyteller and find out about the Great Fire of London. 1pm, 2pm & 3pm FREE Archaeological Archive by Twilight 17 May The Museum of London holds the largest archaeological archive in the world. Discover some rarely seen finds after dark alongside curator-led tours, object handling, performances and workshops. 6.30pm to 9.00pm £7.00/£6.00 Animated Animals 19 May Join the Museum of London digital learning team and bring some of the animals in the galleries to life. 12.30pm, 2.00pm & 3.30pm FREE

ROBIN FARQUHAR-THOMSON Wonderful Pictures of Children

robinft.co.uk 020 7350 0312 info@robinft.co.uk

The London Transport Museum

Shaolin Warriors – Return Of The Master 27 May The internationally acclaimed Shaolin Warriors return to the UK with a brand new show, Return Of The Master. 7.30pm £15-£25, Family Ticket £75

The Tara Arts Theatre SW18 4ES 020 8333 4457 tara-arts.com Liang and the Magic Paintbrush 01 Jun Liang dreams of being a painter but is too poor to buy a paintbrush. 10.30am £10/£8

WC2E 7BB 020 7379 6344 ltmuseum.co.uk Friday Late - Brightest London 17 May Celebrate their Poster Art 150 exhibition and Kew Gardens edible festival as you party Museums At Night style. 6.45pm-10pm £8/£6

Bank of England Museum EC2R 8AH 020 7601 5545 bankofengland.co.uk The Huguenot Legacy Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday to 10 May The first Governor of the Bank of England, Sir John Houblon, was the grandson of a Huguenot refugee. This exhibition

Unicorn Theatre SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0500 unicorntheatre.com Something Very Far Away Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to 02 Jun Kepler is an ordinary man who loves two things beyond all others: the cosmos and his wife Tomasina. After a sudden loss he journeys deep into space to keep the thing most precious to him alive. 2pm & 7pm £16/£10 You're Not My Friend Anymore 28 May–2 June What do you do when your friend who makes you happy also makes you sad?

11.45am & 1.45pm £16/£10

PERFECT PARTIES THEMED ACTIVITY PARTIES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, ENTERTAINERS, FACE PAINTING & BALLOON MODELLING, BALLOONS & BALLOON DECORATING, CAKES & CATERING, MASCOTS, PARTY BAGS celebrates the achievements of the Huguenots and their early connection with the Bank. 10am-4pm 8 page 30

May 2013

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CONTACT JUDE - fancydress@pantaloons.co.uk 020 7630 8330 or 07501 221 903 www.pantaloons.co.uk 119 Lupus St, Pimlico, London. SW1V 3EN

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What’s on

FREE Museums at Night 17 May A rare opportunity for an evening visit as part of the nationwide Museums at Night campaign. 5.30pm-9pm FREE

The Florence Nightingale Museum

Tuition Study Centres Contact Vicky Barnett BA, MSc, PGCE Tel: 020 8876 2553 barnes@firstclasslearning.co.uk putney@firstclasslearning.co.uk www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

NOW OPEN! New nursery in SW19 (3 months to 5 years) CONTACT: 07415 894 289 www.work-n-play.co.uk Warm loving environment for 2+ to 5 year olds Montessori-qualified staff International atmosphere Light and airy premises Private sunny patio

Fulham /Hammersmith border Please ring— Morning sessions plus Tuesdays 1-3pm

020 7381 3511 020 7736 8729

Green Shoots Day Nursery, SW8 1AR Open for 0 to 5yr olds 8am to 6pm 0207 582 3133 www.greenshootsday nursery.coop

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Natural History Museum Sensational Butterflies Exhibition

Maths, English and 11+

SE1 7EW 020 7620 0374 florence-nightingale.co.uk Workhouse - Segregated Lives Every day The Florence Nightingale Museum will host an exhibition that explores the experience of the unfortunate inmates of the workhouse in nineteenth century Britain. 10.00am to 5.00pm Miss Nightingale Said Wednesday May to 15 May An illustrated talk given by one of the museum’s curatorial team examining the incredible life and achievements of Florence Nightingale. 3.30pm £5.80/£4.80

Horniman Museum SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 horniman.ac.uk Amazon Adventure Every day Take a trip to the Amazon and discover a diverse landscape of exotic plants, unusual animals and fascinating cultures. 10.30am to 5.30pm £6/£3

The British Museum

FREE

WC1B 3DG 020 7323 8299 britishmuseum.org Ice Age Art: Arrival of the Modern Mind Every day to 19 May Created between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago by artists with modern minds, this is a unique opportunity to see the world's oldest known sculptures, drawings and portraits. 10.00am to 17.30pm £10.00/£8.00 Life and Death: Pompeii and Herculaneum Every day Preserved under ash, the cities lay buried for just over 1,600 years, their rediscovery providing an unparalleled glimpse into the daily life of the Roman Empire. 10.00am to 5.30pm £15.00/£12.50 Half-term Activity: Villas, vines and volcanoes 27 May Come to the Museum for a week of family activities inspired by Pompeii and Herculaneum.

11am to 5.00pm FREE

The Foundling Museum

Whitechapel Gallery

WC1N 1AZ 020 7841 3600 foundlingmuseum.org.uk Fate, Hope & Charity Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday to 18 May Tokens, small everyday objects, were left by mothers with their babies at the Foundling Hospital between c.1741-1760. 10.00am to 5.00pm Free with Museum Admission Flourish Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May Painting, sculpture and photography by artists up to the age of 25, each of whom has experienced the challenges of growing up being looked after by someone other than their parents.

10am-5pm FREE

E1 7QX 020 7522 7888 whitechapelgallery.org The Children’s Art Commission Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday in May Simon and Tom Bloor: Loose Parts. Each year the Whitechapel Gallery invites a contemporary artist to create new work for Children’s Art Commission. 10am-4pm FREE

The Victoria And Albert Museum

The Natural History Museum

The Orleans House Gallery

SW7 5BD 020 7942 5011 nhm.ac.uk Sensational Butterflies Exhibition Every day From chomping caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, the Museum comes alive. 10.00am to 5.30pm £4.50/Family (of 4) £16.00 Dino Snores 17 May Ever wondered what goes on at the Natural History Museum at night? 7 - 11 years. 7.00pm £49.00 Marvellous Moths 26 May What's the difference between a moth and a butterfly? 12.30 and 2.30pm FREE A Night in the Jungle 29 May Sleepless nights are an occupational hazard when your job is collecting moths. 12.30 and 2.30pm FREE Earth's Biggest Mass Extinction 23 May Join the Natural History Museum as it discusses mass extinction events. 2.30pm to 3.00pm

TW1 3DJ 020 8831 6000 richmond.gov.uk/orleans_house_gallery See Saw Sessions Every Friday in May Learn, play and explore together; 10.30am-12.30pm, drop-in, £4 children, £1 carers Saturday Social Family Art Sessions 04 May Get creative and meet other parents; 10am-12pm FREE Sunday Family Art Activities 05 May Drop-in art sessions on Sunday afternoons; 2-3.30pm FREE

SW7 2RL 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk Treasures of the Royal Courts Every day The majesty of the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to Ivan the Terrible and the early Romanovs in a major exhibition celebrating 500 years of exchange between Britain and Russia.

Wandsworth Museum SW18 1RX 020 8870 6060 wandsworthmuseum.co.uk Sculptacular!

11 May Wandsworth Museum offers you a chance to try a range of drawing, printing and sculpting

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

techniques. 1.30pm £3

and 2pm FREE

The Museum of London Docklands

V&A Museum of Childhood

E14 4AL 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands How to be a Pirate 04 May Join in with the fun and games in this drama performance to help the bungling buccaneer learn how to become a proper pirate; 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm FREE May Day on the Docks 06 May Celebrate May Day in traditional style with craft, dancing, storytelling and object handling.

11am FREE Folk Dancing 06 May Join the Belles of London City for this display of traditional Morris dancing. 1pm and 3pm FREE Make a Jack in the Green 06 May Help make a 'Jack in the Green', a traditional May Day custom. 11.30am and 1pm FREE May Day Procession 06 May Celebrate May Day with a procession involving music, dancing and more! 3pm FREE

E2 9PA 020 8983 5200 museumofchildhood.org.uk/ Romp and Roll Every Saturday to 25 May Bust a move in this fun, playful dance session for toddlers with Adrenaline Dance. 10.15am £3 Children's Dance Every Saturday to 25 May Enjoy a new dance class exploring rhythm and creativity with Adrenaline Dance. 11.15am £3 Spy Kids 27 May Disguise! Decode! Detect! Listen to Story Spinner deliver a re-telling of Michael Foreman’s children’s book, A Child’s Garden. 10.30am-4pm FREE Eye Spy Art Workshop 27 May An intensive Eye Spy Art Workshop led by Artbash. 10.30am, 12.45pm, 2.45pm £5 Introduction to Chess Basics 28 May Chess coach Richard Weekes will lead families through the basic principles of a chess game. 10.30am, 2pm £3

National Maritime Museum

The Wallace Collection

SE10 9NF 020 8858 4422 rmg.co.uk/ Explore Saturdays Every Saturday to 25 May Meet a character from the past and take part in a performance bringing maritime history to life. 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm FREE Discover Sundays Every Sunday to 26 May Be inspired by our maritime past and explore your personal connections to the sea. 11.30am and 2pm FREE Play Tuesdays Every Tuesday to 21 May Explore the Museum through making, music, dance and drama. 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm £3 Stitch up 27 May Contribute to a giant textiles installation.

11.30am and 2pm FREE Weave Together 27 May Create a giant alternative tapestry full of words, colours and patterns to say why you love your favourite clothes. 11.30am and 2pm FREE John Morgan: Voice of a Lascar 27 May Go on a journey with South Asian lascar John Morgan, as he tells you about working for the British East India Company bringing fabrics, spices and tea to Britain. 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm FREE Creative Cargo: Ideas Trolley 28 May How did people in Britain first get a choice of fabrics and patterns to wear? 11.30am

W1U 3BN 0207 563 9500 wallacecollection.org Drop-In Art Workshop: The Little Draw 05 May Free drop-in workshop for all ages and abilities 1.30-4.30pm FREE

May 2013

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What’s on Find events near you! search our comprehensive

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THE SOUTHFIELDS SCHOOL OF BALLET We offer imaginative Ballet and Jazz classes for children (boys & girls) from 21/2 years. The emphasis of the school is on fun, musicality and fitness, with the option to take Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations.

020 8683 0222 classes held in Southfields and Wimbledon

Sibling Discount Join anytime Principal: Mrs. Eliane Gerhard, BA (Hons), LRAD

Dulwich Picture Gallery SE21 7AD 020 8693 5254 dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk May Bank Holiday Family Drop-In - The Magic Maypole 06 May Help to create a giant maypole installation in the Linbury Room. 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm £3 Art Play 05 May Make everything from bunting to block prints and all things in between. 2-4pm FREE

The Geffrye Museum E2 8EA 020 7739 9893 geffrye-museum.org.uk/ May Workshop Lotions and Potions 11 May Create pampering products using herbs, flowers and plants from the garden. 10.30am 12.30pm and 2-4pm FREE

The National Army Museum SW3 4HT 020 7730 0717 nam.ac.uk Museums at Night 18 May Celebrating Museums at Night, the 8 Museum opens its doors after hours. 6-9pm FREE page 36

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What’s on The National Gallery WC2N 5DN 020 7747 2894 nationalgallery.org.uk Family Sundays Every Sunday in May Activities for families to enjoy and learn together. 11am and 3pm FREE Magic Carpet Storytelling Every Sunday in May Fly away on the magic carpet, coming to land in front of a different painting each day. Ages 2-5 10.30-11am and 11.30am–12pm FREE Gold, Bones and Mementos 26 May Relic means “something left behind.”

11am and 2pm FREE

The Design Museum SE1 2YD 020 7403 6933 designmuseum.org/ Design and Make Workshops: Champion Chairs 19 May Explore the museum’s range of innovative chairs and then create your own miniature chair.

2-4.30pm £5

Days Out Battersea Park Children’s Zoo SW11 4NJ batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Throughout May - With a zoo, animal encounters, play area and café, a visit to the world famous Battersea Park Children's Zoo is a must.

The Chelsea Physic Garden SW3 4HS 020 7349 6453 chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk A Passion for Plants- Gardening for Beginners 29 May Come along to learn some gardening tips.

10.30am, 1pm Children: £6 half-day, £8 full-day.

Adults: £9 half-day, £11 full-day The Lost Art of Nature Printing 30 May Come along to learn some gardening tips.

10.30am-2.30pm Children £6/£8, adults £9/£11

The Royal Observatory SE10 9NF 020 8858 4422 rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory/ Alien Revolution Every day Are we alone in this Universe?

This exhibition takes a look at the history of our relationship with extraterrestrial life.

10.00-16.30 FREE Sky Tonight Live Every day in May A live show taking visitors on a tour of what can be seen in the night sky on the day

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There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk NEW! of their visit and the months ahead. 5yrs+, Weekends/holidays: 12.30, 14.00, 15.30 | Weekdays: 15.30 £6.50/£4.50 Meet The Neighbours Throughout May Meet our neighbours in space in this entertaining interactive show, where you decide which planets to visit. 5yrs+, 12.45, 13.45 £6.50/£4.50 Solar System, Galaxy, Universe Throughout May Exploring the scale of the Solar System, Galaxy and Universe and how we measure it. 5yrs+, 12.45, 13.45 £6.50/£4.50 Space Safari Throughout May Join Ted the teddy bear for live music and rhyme as he journeys throughout the solar system looking for the Great Bear in the sky.

Age 7 and under Weekends 11.00 | Tuesdays 12.45, 13.45 £6.50/£4.50 SciFi Movie Night 16 May As part of Alien Season the Royal Observatory Greenwich will be screening classic early science fiction movies featuring aliens from May until August. 6.45pm £7.00 adults, £5.00 child/concession We Are Aliens 18 May Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame narrates this exciting planetarium show exploring how our understanding of life on Earth guides our hunt for alien life. 4.15pm, 5pm, 5.45pm, 6.30pm, 7.15pm, £6.50/£4.50

The Tower Of London EC3N 4AB 0844 482 7799 hrp.org.uk Restoration and Rebellion Every day to 24 May After the Civil War, the Tower of London saw some bloody events – religious extremists, pretenders to the throne, hated judges. 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm Admission fees apply Silver for the Sovereign!

25 May Revolutionary monarch William III is keen to set his finances in order.

Cutty Sark SE10 9HT 020 8858 442 rmg.co.uk/cuttysark/ Family fun Weekend: Imaginary Journeys…

04 May Help create a giant map of journeys across the sea. 11.30am and 2pm Admission fee applies Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum Pirate Party 05 May The annual Pirate Party is back, and now for the first time will take place aboard Cutty Sark as well as at the National Maritime Museum.

11am-4pm Sea Chests 27 May What would you take on a long sea voyage? 11.30am and 2pm Ahoy Captain!

29 May Join Captain Woodget, Cutty Sark’s longest serving master, and hear tales of his voyages around the world. 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm I Spy… 29-31 May Create a colourful telescope to take on an adventure. 11.30am and 2pm

Golden Hinde SE1 9DG 020 7403 0123 goldenhinde.com Drake Fun Days 04, 25 and 31 May Just who was Sir Francis Drake? 11am and 2pm £7/£5 Pirate Fun Day 11 May Your little pirates will join the crew, raise the anchor and fire the cannons before trying to find the hidden treasure. 11am and 2pm £7/£5 Tudor Fun Day 18 and 27 May Step back in time and learn the history of the House of Tudor. 11am and 2pm £7/£5

Hampton Court Palace KT8 9AU 0870 758 8080 hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/ Tudor Cookery 04 May Historic cooks are toiling in the Kitchens of King Henry VIII, preparing the exotic dishes for his majesty as well as the plainer yet still lavish food for the court.

Bank Holiday Weekend at 25-27 May The big picnic with music, entertainment, cinema and fairground rides at the Foodies Festival in the grounds.

Osterley Park And House TW7 4RB 020 8232 5050 nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park Birds & Beasts Roadshow 5-6 May Make this Bank holiday unforgettable with a close encounter of birds and beasties including tarantula, snake, giant millipede.

11am-4pm Museums at Night – Twilight Tours 17 May Join the collections manager on a exclusive tour of the Georgian mansion house. 69pm £9.95/£5 Family Discovery Day 26-27 May Creative fun days for families. 12-3pm

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s on

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk

Eltham Palace

Syon House and Gardens

SE9 5QE +44 (0) 870 333 1181 elthampalace.org.uk/ Art Deco Fair 11 May Buy original 1930s objects in magnificent Art Deco surroundings. 11am-4pm £5.90-£9.90

TW8 8JG www.syonpark.co.uk 5 and 6 May Children Go Free! - On Sunday 5th May and Bank Holiday Monday 6th May children (up to and including 16yrs) have free admission to

HMS Belfast SE1 2JH 020 7940 6300 iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast Points on a Compass 11 May From bananas in Borneo to a 21-gun salute in San Francisco harbour, explore the many countries and cultures that HMS Belfast encountered as she sailed 500,000 nautical miles in her 30-year career. 11am –12.30pm and 2pm–4pm Sailor Tales 25 May Join storytellers as they spin a ditty about life on board HMS Belfast. 11am–12.30pm and 2pm–4pm

Kensington Palace W8 4PX 0844 482 7777 hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace Museums at Night: Kids Kensington Sleepover!

16 May Have a fun filled evening for children and families at the Wild Boy’s Sleepover.

Classical Music ‘Festival’: a celebration of Victoria and Albert’s music 24-27 May Enjoy events and activities to celebrate the musical partnerships between Victoria, Albert and their close friends Mendelssohn and Wagner.

Modern Royals: School Holiday Activities 24 May–2 June Visit Kensington Palace and join in fun family activities, including craft and storytelling based around the modern royals.

The London Wetlands Centre SW13 9WT 020 8409 4400 wwt.org.uk/visitus/london Half Term Family Activities 25 May–2 June June is the best time to spot fluffy ducklings and WWT London Wetland Centre is a great place to find them. Times vary Perfect pond season 15 June onwards Take part in a series of activities including wildlife surveys, experiments and shows. Storytelling sessions will focus on particular underwater animals and after each story you’ll be able to have a go at creating the animal using recycled materials.

Diary dates & events First Aid for Life SW12 8QZ 0208 675 4036 firstaidforlife.org.uk/ The Emergency Course 07 May A 3-hour course covering care of the unconscious baby and child as well as most commonly occurring injuries and illnesses such as choking, bleeding, breaks, bleeds, burns, head injury and febrile convulsions. 9.30am-12.30pm £60/£65

The Parent Practice

the gardens or House and gardens. Maximum 2 free child tickets per paying adult. For more information please contact The Estate Office on 020 8560 0882 or info@syonpark.co.uk.

Out of Town Audley End House and Gardens CB11 4JF 01799 522842 or 0870 333 1181 english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/audleyend-house-and-gardens/house-and-gardens Grand Victorian Fayre 04 May Roll up, roll up and see May Day fun as it used to be! 11am-5pm Admission fees apply Audley End Through the Ages 26 May Monks, Monarchs and Munitions!

Discover the history of Audley End House and Gardens. 11am-5pm Admission fees apply Victorian Fun and Games 28 May 11am-4pm Admission fees apply

Kent & East Sussex Railway TN30 6HE 01580 765155 http:/kesr.org.uk Steam Up 4-6 May Enjoy a good old “Steam Up”. £10/£15

Painshill Park KT11 1JE 01932 868 113 painshill.co.uk/ Family Fun: Bushcraft 11 May Explore the wild woods and discover the art of bushcraft. 10am-1pm, £12/£8

SW12 8UD 0208 673 3444 theparentpractice.com The Teenage Years: For Tweens and Teens 08 May All workshops at 68 Thurleigh Road, SW12 8UD, £50pp, 7.30pm The Teenage Year: Setting up for Success 08 May Raising Girls 16 May

Change of Signature 9 - 12th May, 12 - 7pm Something a bit different: Change of Signature: Eléonore Pironneau, a painter, invited ten musicians, composers and sound designers to transpose her paintings into their own musical language, creating an original and unique joint work, signed and submitted by the artists. This should be interesting!

At TESTBED1, 33, Parkgate Road, Battersea, London, SW11 4NP http://changeofsignature.wordpress.com/

L'Institut Francais SW7 2DT 020 7871 3515 institut-francais.org.uk/ Baby and Kids Tales Every Saturday to 18 May Fly to Fort-de-France for an incredible trip to Martinique. Become friends with turtles and go for walks in exotic and unforgettable landscapes. 11am £5/£7 Cine Kids - Splot and Splodge 18 May One is covered with tiny dots, the other with great big splodges but these cute rabbits are both full of surprises! 11am £5

The Papered Parlour SW4 6BS 020 7627 8703 thepaperedparlour.co.uk/ DIY Screenprinting 12 May Immerse yourself in the world of contemporary printmaking. £77.50

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May 2013

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Diary dates and events Dressmaking: Make Me a Domestic Sewing Goddess 19 May Want to become a domestic sewing goddess but not sure where to start? £77.50

Redi Training Paediatric First Aid Courses 15 May and 12 June, 7pm. Covers all essential topics on first aid for babies and children with paediatric A&E nurses. Takes place at The Maggie & Rose Club W8 6NX. 020 7348 7117 www.redi-training.co.uk

11 May Featuring the wonderful world of creatures great and small. £14/£9.50

Kensington Town Hall W8 7NX Summer Dollshouse Festival 11 May The UK’s largest Festival of miniature dolls houses. 11am-6pm £4-£11

Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN The Second BMW LSO Open Air Classics 27 May The London Symphony Orchestra in partnership with BMW and the Mayor of London returns to Trafalgar Square. 6.30pm FREE

Imperial College London

WC2N 5BY timetour.co.uk Magnificent Time Tour Every Saturday and Sunday in May Combing theatre and technical trickery with an insightful look at London's rich past, aboard the Professor's 'Incredible Time Bus'. 2.45pm £14/£20

The Southbank Centre SE1 8PX 020 7960 4200 / 0844 847 9944 southbankcentre.co.uk Real Food Market 24-27 May The famous Real Food Market offers a range of fresh produce as well as delicious street food from all around the world. 12pm-8pm FREE

London Philharmonic Orchestra Funharmonics Peter and the Wolf 11 May Join Bird, Duck, Cat and Peter as they outwit the snarling Wolf in Prokofiev's timeless classic. 12pm £10-£18

Earls Court Two SW5 9TA London Pet Show

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SW11 5AP Pop-Up-Emporium 18 May 40 stalls of fabulousness! 11.30am-4.30pm FREE

SW3 4SL RHS Chelsea Flower Show 21 May Celebrating its centenary year, nowhere makes gardening more fashionable. 8am-8pm

SW18 1GG NCT Putney and Fulham Toddler Group Every Thursday in May Bring your toddler for a morning of safe play in Maloca's dedicated child room packed with books, toys and a ball pool 10am FREE

Professor Quantum's Magnificent Time Tour

Battersea Park School

Royal Hospital

Maloca

SW7 2AZ 020 7589 5111 www3.imperial.ac.uk/festival Imperial Festival 03 May For all those who’ve ever wondered what life’s like on the surface of Mars, why babies kick in the womb or how your brain understands and reacts to music. FREE

28 May Benjamin Franklin House was built circa 1730. How are our homes different today? 11am, children £5, adults free

Finton House

Stafford Gallery SW19 5DQ 07939 048 436 staffordgallery.co.uk Jack Morrocco - an Exhibition of New Paintings 13-26 May In collaboration with Wimbledon Fine Art, 10.30-6pm FREE

5k RBC Race for the Kids Battersea Park, www.raceforthekids.co.uk 9 June. Ideal for families, the race is suitable for all ages and participants can run, walk or jog individually or in teams. Help raise vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Finton House School, 171 Trinity Road SW17 7HL www.fintonhouse.org.uk 2013 SEN Forum – Living With Disability 23 May 4.30pm-6pm. Two experienced speakers discuss the highs and lows of living with their disabilities. FREE

Social media and marketing workshops for business mums Putney, 020 8789 1829 kate@mumpreneurmarketing.com, www.mumpreneurmarketing.com Social media & marketing on a shoestring, 21st May, 9:30am-4:30pm, £80.

Alexandra Palace N22 7AY Mums Show Live 16 May The UK's first consumer exhibition targeting parents of 4-12 year olds. 9am-5pm £10£15

Benjamin Franklin House WC2N 5NG 020 839 2006 benjaminfranklinhouse.org/ Late Night Historical Experience 18 May Live interpretation, sound and visual projection reveal the uncertainty and excitement of Franklin’s London years. 6-8pm £10/£8 National Family Week: Georgian Homes

Twitter for business, 14th May & 5th June, 9:45am-1:15pm, £45.

Twitter and blogging for business, 10th June, 9:30am-4:30pm, £80.

Tel: 020 8696 9680 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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AMITY COMPUTER SERVICES

07794 084671

Home and business computers repaired & managed.

Consultancy and tuition also available.

Phone Danny on

8944 0681 or 07961 428 596 E-mail: acs@amitygrove.com

Reliable Handyman

SERVICES Professional Painting & Decorating Interior & Exterior Redecorating Full Refurbishment Kitchens & Bathrooms Refurbishment www.solodecorating.co.uk solodecorating@yahoo.co.uk 07763 690805

THEO THE MAGICIAN “The Magic Circle, Equity & CRB” Fun Magic for Children & Adults Free Magic Wand & Certificate for Birthday Child 07711 724129

www.magictheo.com

PAINTING & DECORATING Interior / Exterior Experienced, Reliable, Clean Fully Guaranteed / Insured FREE ADVICE & QUOTE John:- James & Lamont

• Garden maintenance and building work (fences, patios, sheds, etc..)

• Jobs around the house (carpentry, painting, fitting furniture, etc…)

• Computer maintenance (repair, teaching) £20/hour or packages possible.

Call Brian: 0774 513 6424

MUSIC PIANO TUITION

Friendly, experienced and qualified teacher of children 6+ and adults.

Take exams or learn purely for pleasure.

Different styles covered.

Home visits possible.

Mark Lester MA, CT ABRSM

020 8870 7830 www.marklester.biz

TUITION HEALTH Learn to massage your child

Massage is relaxing and brings loving closeness.

Learn simple techniques in your own home or your friend's.

Hands-on parent and child workshop by qualified massage therapist and aromatherapist.

Call Lorraine on 079101 14153

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

Silly Millie the Clown Parties for 3-9 year olds Funny Magic Show, Puppet’s, Party Games, Silly Songs and Balloon Animals Call 020 7823 8329 - 07939 239397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

Individual Tuition Public Speaking, Elocution, Comprehension, Drama Confidence Building, Speech & Interview Technique

www.charlietheclown.co.uk

Clare Price. LGSM, ALAM, SRD.

07808 732 390

VACANCY

(020) 7735 3156

clown pirate story-teller wizard

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Earn Extra Money?

Capital Focus Groups are looking for people to take part in Market Research and give their opinion on a variety of subjects.

If you would like to earn extra cash please call Liz on 07761 128059 or e-mail e.dahlgren@btinternet.com

Ly d i e C h i l d r e n’ s Pa r t i e s 0207 622 2540

The Unique Birthday Experience The theatre of Peter Pan, Superheroes, Fairies,Arabian Nights and more...

In your home! Unforgettable Bilingual English/French www.lydieparties.com

CHILDCARE Larah Au Pairs 01932 341704

Au pairs, mother’s helps and couples with refs and police checked.

Discount for Personal, friendly service. Families readers All areas. www.larahaupairs.co.uk

May 2013

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