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ISSUE 85: March/April 2013 www.familieswest.co.uk The very useful FREE magazine for families in West London including Kensington, Notting Hill, Maida Vale, Paddington, Hammersmith, Chiswick and Ealing

Changes to Childcare Classes for Under 5's Easter actvities What's on …and much much more!

Picture courtesy of Ocean Eyes Images www.oceaneyes.co.uk

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Families West • PO Box 32231 • London W5 1JR • Tel: 020 8930 4707 • Fax: 0208 930 7704 • E-mail: familieswest@yahoo.co.uk

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

March/April 2013

Cover picture Ocean Eyes Images at www.oceaneyes.co.uk, Tel: 01527 962022

News & Views

The days are getting warmer and West Londoners are emerging from their cocooning habits. What a difference the sunshine makes in this city. It makes me feel like getting out and exploring, and at this time of year there is so much to explore. Our What's on pages are packed this issue and there's even more on our website www.familieswest.co.uk (Do make time for an Easter egg hunt – there are plenty that are going on at various West London venues.)

Enjoy the warmer weather. We are back in May with our feature on parties galore.

Contents News & Views 3-4 6 8

Childcare: How childcare is changing How to stop your child waking at night

Kids’ labelling specialist Labels4Kids is launching their new look website for March 2013. The new website makes ordering so much easier and you can even try designing your labels on the site prior to ordering. The site covers labelling for your children, your sport requirements, camping, corporate and even care home items for grandparents. In addition they have a full personalised clothing site with a separate checkout to produce high quality clothing in both climacool and normal ranges. See the full range by ordering at www.labels4kids.com/fam today.

Club Petit Pierrot Club Petit Pierrot is offering a free trial lesson in all their many venues across London, including Notting Hill and St John's Wood/ Maida Vale. They offer fun and stimulating Parent and Toddler groups as well as classes for older children. They also have new creative classes (all in French!) with activities such as as theatre, art, dance, arts and crafts, sports games, singing, music etc… all great fun! Allez-y et amusez-vous !!

If you are having time off with your little one, check out the first part of our feature on the huge variety of classes out there to enjoy with your pre-schooler. If you are back at work, you will want to know about the proposed changes in childcare outlined in our article.

Education: Education News Is Gove getting it right?

Labels4Kids launches new website

10 12

Clubs and Classes for Under 5's

13-14

Easter: Easter Holiday Workshops

16-18 17

What's On in West London

19-24

Health: Nutrition tips to boost the immune system

25-26

Call the office to book your lesson on 020 7385 5565 or e-mail admincpp@btconnect.com For more information visit: www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

Amanda’s Action Club’s new party formats for 6-12 year olds Amanda’s Action Club has been wowing pre-school children for years with it’s famous, high-energy, interactive party format. Now she’s come up with several new party formats for older kids (6-12 year olds) who want something exciting, current and cool. These are the Breakdance Party, the Strike a Pose Party and the Gangnam Style Party! The Breakdance Party is hosted by professional b-boys, top level performers who have danced in the Olympic Ceremony and on music videos for top recording artists. Children looking for the hottest, street-inspired parties will love this. They will get to learn dance moves and practise them to perfect in time for an end-of-party show for the parents. The Strike a Pose party is all about fashion and beauty, empowering young girls with age appropriate beauty products and advice. The party builds up to a grand fashion show at the end, watched by the parents. The Gangnam Style Party does what it says on the tin. It’s all about that most infectious and popular craze of the moment, the Gangnam Style song. In this party the dance instructor will teach the kids all the moves of the song and then they’ll get to perform at the end of the party for the parents. Book a party by calling 01895 623999 or e: info@amandasactionclub.co.uk www.amandasactionclub.co.uk

Classifieds 27

www.FamiliesWest.co.uk Families West is designed by Natalie Schmidt of www.matobodesign.com and printed by Ridgeway Press, 12 Campbell Court, Bramley, Tadley, Hampshire RG26 5EG. Tel: 01252 885837. Copyright Families West Magazine 2013. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s risk and while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families West is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of the advertisers nor the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

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News & Views Franchise for sale Tigerlily Middlesex and North West London is an established Nanny Agency which has been running for over 3 years. This is an exciting opportunity to be able to acquire a highly sought after area. The business has to date mainly concentrated around providing permanent nanny placements in these specific locations but there is plenty of scope and potential for new owners to expand the services which they offer into the providing of permanent and temporary staff to Children's day nurseries as well. This busy franchise has been trading for over 3 years and has firmly established itself and has shown a healthy growth in turnover since it began trading in December 2009. New owners will be well supported by the Franchisor who provides constant support and backup if required and new owners are provided with software package which enables easy management of the day to day running of the business. In total the franchise has a specific database of 2,500 candidates on register which have been placed with a family or are currently looking to be placed. The Tigerlily website is very impressive and provides a healthy flow of potential clients for all its area franchise. This is the perfect opportunity for enthusiastic new owners to be able to build on what this business has achieved. The business is particularly suitable to working mums trying to achieve a healthy work/family life balance. Other useful skills are recruitment or Sales experience.The business is currently trades as a limited company. The business is currently on sale – POA. Please contact Shama Jaswal on 07983 707 910 or email shamajaswal@googlemail.com

Real Nappies… Real Change This year’s Real Nappy Week takes place 15 to 21 April, with the theme of 'Real Nappies... Real Change!' to inspire a new generation of parents to make the change. The week is shaping up to be very exciting, with each day allocated a theme such as Real Choice, Real Easy and Real £change looking at the benefits of Real Nappies. This year you can get stuck in by taking part in The Great Cloth Diaper Change. On 20 April at 11am local time, be part of a world record breaking attempt for the most Real Nappies changed simultaneously. On 21 April join in Real Clean and hang a chain of washing, up in your garden, as others will do up and down the land. There are loads of events taking place across the country during Real Nappy Week, where you can meet people who use Real Nappies, get great advice as well as get your hands on nappies to see how they work. Find out about the latest events in your area at www.goreal.org.uk/real-nappy-week. Or you can hold your own event – it can be as simple as inviting friends around for a quick demo, or organising a fashion show to show off the latest Real Nappy trends. Email info@goreal.org.uk for support packs and advice. Don’t forget to check out the website for details of the new Chooser Tool to help you choose which nappy is right for you, plus you can watch online fashion shows where you can see a range of show-stopping nappies! You can also apply for trial kits online, speak to advisors and take advantage of the special offers and prizes during Real Nappy Week. And don’t miss the online webinars for demonstrations of how to use Real Nappies. Plus, if you have never used them before, don’t miss The Great Real Nappy Giveaway. Check www.goreal.org.uk/real-nappy-week for details of how to enter. Families West would like to apologize for the inconvenience we may have caused to Soraya Emment who wrote a piece in our Jan/Feb issue, page 7, about fitness in the New Year. We printed her contact details incorrectly. Please see here her correct email address: soraya0204@hotmail.com. We also printed incorrectly details the locations of her classes. Her group fitness classes in Ealing: Zumba (Fridays - 8pm), Pilates (Saturdays - 11am), and Zumba Toning (Saturdays 12.10pm) take place at All Saints Hall in Ealing W5 3JH. Call Soraya on 07961 190911 for further information. 4

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St Augustine’s Priory receive “Outstanding” Independent School Inspectorate report for Nursery and Reception St Augustine’s Priory’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, Nursery and Reception) provision is outstanding and highly skilled staff work closely with pupils and parents to deliver outstanding personal development and outstanding progress in all areas of learning, according to independent school inspectors in a report released on Friday. The report observe that the staff’s deep knowledge of individuals, their outstanding partnership with parents and the highly stimulating indoor areas, wide range of equipment and broad educational programme mean that most pupils leave Reception having exceeded the early learning goals. Mrs Raffray, Headteacher of St Augustine’s Priory since September 2012, commented “I am delighted that the outstanding provision, staff and leadership of the Early Years Foundation Stage has been given this recognition by the Independent School Inspectorate. Our aim is to provide educational and pastoral building blocks of the highest quality, so that our girls can flourish and excel as they move up the school, and the report notes that the children are extremely well prepared for the next stage of their education. ” The report also covers findings for the Junior and Senior sections of St Augustine’s Priory. The Inspectors found that the overall achievement of pupils throughout the school is good and made a particular point of noting that the pupil’s moral, spiritual, social and cultural development is excellent. The Chair of Governors, Mrs Anne Hemingway, said “The Governing Body and I are delighted to see that the leadership appointments we have made and the management structures we have overseen are reported by the ISI as “providing an excellent foundation for future development alongside existing excellent structures for pastoral care. As expected, given all the initiatives we have collectively driven forward, the Inspectors found that we have successfully delivered against all the recommendations raised in the 2010 Inspection in particular with regard to safeguarding and compliance with all regulatory requirements.” St Augustine’s Priory is a Catholic, Independent day school for girls aged 3-18 and they also welcome boys in the nursery. They welcome girls of all faiths. St Augustine’s is a unique London school set in 13 acres of beautiful grounds. Email AClarke@saintaugustinespriory.org or phone 02089917519 March/April 2013

March/April 2013

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Education

EDUCATION NEWS Reading out loud in class 'does children no good' Well-loved children’s author Julia Donaldson has said that reading aloud in class is too “wooden” to interest children in books, and instead they should be taught how to read by acting out plays. The Children's Laureate has suggested that reading aloud makes children feel like they are being tested, rather than inspiring them. The author of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom said that when she visits a classroom she takes small groups of students aside and works on the play with them, before reading it to the rest of the class. “It can develop children's reading as well as build confidence”, she said. The author launches a new series of short plays written for especially schools this winter, including plays by authors such as Vivian French, Alison Hawes and Steve Barlow.

Long division rules From now on, children are to be awarded extra marks for using long division in maths, as long division and multiplication make a return to maths exams. As part of a Government incentive to increase standards in primary schools, 11 year olds will receive extra marks for using traditional methods of calculation in their Sats tests. Even if they end up with the wrong answer, the workings-out of sums will receive additional marks. The changes are due to be introduced from 2016 and coincide with the introduction of a new primary maths curriculum which places greater strength on times tables and mental arithmetic, plus calculators will be banned in maths tests sat by 11-year-olds at the end of primary school. The draft national curriculum for primary maths says that children should learn “efficient calculation methods”, such as short and long multiplication and division, and that nine-yearolds should know all their times tables up to 12x12 and confidently work with numbers up to 10 million by the end of primary school.

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Ofsted focuses on 'uninspiring' teaching Ofsted inspectors are to target standards at private schools as they claim that pupils are being let down by ‘uninspiring’ teaching. The school inspection body plans to introduce a new system for inspecting over 1000 independent schools in England, focusing “more sharply” on the classroom as they warn that the level and quality of teaching is one of the key failures of many private schools. From this month onwards, schools will undergo reviews concentrating on the standard of lessons, the achievement of students, the behaviour of students and the quality of leadership provided by head teachers. On top of this, schools will only be given a half-day’s notice before a visit, which will surely keep them on their toes. The new guidelines will affect most private schools that are not represented by the Independent Schools Council, and includes many small, non-selective schools, profit-making schools and non-Christian faith schools. “The quality of teaching is a key driver of school improvement,” said Susan Gregory, an Ofsted director. “One of the main findings from Ofsted inspection last year was that the quality of teaching in non-association independent schools tended to be competent but seldom inspiring. It is vital that our inspection is incisive and rigorous, and that judgments are fair, clear and helpful to a school’s further development. With this new framework we will focus more sharply on what makes teaching truly effective.” The changes come alongside a range of new independent school regulations that come into force this winter and follow the introduction of a new system of inspection for state schools that came into practise last autumn.

It’s true – phonics works! English schools climb the international league table in reading thanks to phonics. PIRLS, the international comparison of reading teaching achievement, has published results which show that figures for reading in England have improved significantly, with the country moving up 8 places to number 11th. “It’s incredibly good news to see England rising up the table,” said Chris Jolly, Publisher of Jolly Learning, the synthetic phonics programme of choice for many primary schools. “There is still work to be done though; we need to work harder in reducing the widespread range of achievement in England, and the huge difference between girls and boys which is unreasonably high. Synthetic phonics has shown over the years what a fantastic difference it makes for helping children to learn to read and write. I see no reason why we shouldn’t be challenging for the number 1 position currently held by Hong Kong and Russia.”

March/April 2013

Education

March/April 2013

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

Education

Is Gove getting it right?

February 7 that plans to scrap GCSE were abandoned, but pass marks are being raised and pupils will have to take extension papers to get the best grades particularly in Maths and Science. Fewer re-sits will be allowed and there will be a restriction on texts in exams. Schools will now be judged on the percentage of pupils passing English and Maths and a points system for pupils best 8 results which must include at least 3 core subjects such as science, history geography and languages.*) Nearly everything will depend upon long exam papers. There was no consultation before this move which gives subjects such as art, music, drama, design and technology, IT, PE and religious education less importance.

Unemployment looms

The school leaving age was raised from 16 to 18, but what future awaits youngsters at 18 in a country that does not seem to value apprenticeship schemes? Our Government’s vocational education schemes are short and feeble compared to those elsewhere. In Germany there are 342 trades where an apprenticeship can be completed and two-thirds of young people start on this route.

Children are over-tested, year after year

ducation Secretary Michael Gove is making waves in schools. Many applaud his emphasis on raising standards and ‘rigour’ in education, but others argue that a return to a traditional curriculum is a retrograde step. Here Michael Bassey, emeritus professor of education of Nottingham Trent University and former president of the British Educational Research Association, warns that parents need to wake up to the danger. Schools are very different from thirty years ago, teachers and children work much harder and the expectations on them are high. Government has put more money into education and schools are better equipped. But the price is that politicians, not teachers, control schools. Michael Gove came into office in 2010 and as well as cutting budgets his aim was to raise standards. To this end he is taking schools away from the local authorities, calling them academies and giving them monies that the councils would have used for support of schools. How renaming schools will improve education is not clear. Mr Gove has also introduced another national curriculum for primary schools in order ‘to restore rigour’. Three of four academic advisers resigned when it was published, one saying it ‘is too narrowly prescriptive for the real world of classrooms’. Now he is reforming GCSEs and introducing a National Curriculum for pupils at 16. I want to alert parents to some of the dangers that lie ahead for their children. I believe passionately that school education should be funded by the state and that decisions about how it is conducted should be in the hands of teachers. Teachers are the professionals who by experience, commitment and training understand best the educational needs of children.

The goalposts have been moved Without warning, in July 2012 the boundary between C and D in English GCSE was raised. As a result thousands of candidates had their hopes for higher education dashed. The move was a reaction to fears that standards were slipping as too many people were gaining good grades.

Because of published league tables there is great pressure on schools to achieve resulting in ‘teaching to the test’. The Independent in January 2012 reported former director for the national curriculum Mick Waters saying: “One of my main worries is that many youngsters aren’t experiencing the richness, depth and joy of learning because schools feel they need to achieve some imposed and questionable targets.”

School sports fields are being sold Last summer, 30 playing fields were approved for sale. This seems incredible at a time when Olympic successes inspired many young athletes. In the Daily Mail, novelist JoJo Moyes said: “There is no policy that more defies common sense than the sale of school playing fields. Because with each playing field sold, it’s not just potential sporting prowess we lose, but children’s mental and physical health itself.”

Too many children are weak readers Mr Gove’s insisting on young children learning to ‘decode’ writing by synthetic phonics is utterly misguided, say many teachers. Experts say it should be one of several methods used in a balanced approach to reading. In July the Guardian’s arts correspondent Mark Brown said: “More than 90 of Britain’s best-known children’s authors and illustrators have called on the Government to abandon its plans to introduce early-year reading tests, warning that they pose a threat to reading for pleasure in primary schools.”

‘Raising standards’ weakens all-round education The major political parties claim they want to ‘raise standards’, but only in terms of examination results. Yes, good results are important, but they are not everything. All-round education is about learning cognitive skills, developing worthwhile values, learning how to relate emotionally, learning how to communicate effectively, creative talents, experiencing our heritage, and ultimately, learning how to make a living.

Joan McVittie, president of the Association of School and College Leaders said: “The whole thing is so unfair on pupils whose lives will be affected by these results.”

All-round education embraces every aspect of learning how to lead worthwhile lives. Most of this cannot be tested in examinations.

GCSE is to be reformed

If you find yourself worried about these issues then exercise your democratic right to contact your MP. Go to www.writetothem.com and send a message.

On 17 September 2012 Mr Gove told Parliament that GCSEs would be replaced in 2017 by examinations leading to English Baccalaureate Certificates in English, mathematics and science and, in 2019, geography, history and a language. (An announcement was made on 8

Some children take exams in their stride but others find them very stressful. Examinations start at six with a test on phonics. At seven and 11 there are key stage tests in literacy and numeracy, at 15 GCSEs.

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What can be done?

* This article was written before the Feb 7 announcement and the words in brackets are not part of the original article. March/April 2013

Education

March/April 2013

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Childcare

Marg Randles, managing director of Busy Bees, the UK’s largest childcare provider with 213 nurseries across the country, says “This flexibility already exists within settings for 3-5 year olds where providers can choose to adopt a 1:13 ratio where there is a qualified teacher or EYP working directly with the children.”

How childcare is changing Fotolia.com

By Joanna Moorhead

hildcare in Britain costs more than childcare almost anywhere else in the world – according to recent figures, 27% of the income of families with young children is spent on the costs of a nanny, a childminder or a nursery. Everyone agrees it would be better if childcare was more affordable – especially for parents with two or more children, many of whom say it doesn’t make financial sense for them both to be at work. But how can childcare be made cheaper without compromising on quality? That’s the question everyone, from government ministers to childcare providers, is grappling with at the moment.

What the government is saying In late January the government announced a new plan to change child:staff ratios for childminders and nurseries, in a move it says will cut costs for parents and raise pre-school standards. Early years minister Elizabeth Truss is proposing that: n Childminders, who are currently restricted to looking after three children aged one to five, should in future be able to look after four n They would also be allowed to look after two children aged under one, instead of being restricted to one child under one n Nurseries will be allowed to increase their staff-to-child ratio from the current 1:4 to 1:6 n For under-ones, the ratio will rise from 1:3 to 1:4 n Qualifications would be raised for new nursery staff – they’ll be required to have a GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths Other changes include the introduction of a new graduate-level early years teaching qualification Truss says the proposals won’t lead to children being neglected: she points out that the changes she is suggesting will still leave England with higher staff:child ratios than those for childcarers in France, Denmark and Germany, three countries that are often cited as providing high-quality care for pre-school children. Her basic argument is that the current relatively tight ratios have two main effects: they mean higher costs for parents, and lower pay for staff. The changes she’d like to see would, she believes, lead to lower fees for parents and higher pay for staff, and this in turn would improve the quality of childcare workers over time. But Labour’s shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg says he believes the plans would undermine the quality of the UK’s childcare. “I think this is one area where we’ve got something to teach other countries,” he says. “If you look at France, there’s quite a big public debate about whether they’ve got this right.” 10

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

What about tax breaks? Childcare vouchers are one form of tax breaks for parents paying for childcare. However, before the recent Truss announcement it had been hoped that the scheme would be reformed and extended, allowing more parents to benefit from the scheme, and those already using it to save more. Unfortunately these hopes haven’t come to fruition: Ms Truss has said changes are in the pipeline, but that they’re “going to be slightly longer in the gestation than would be ideal”. So the details of the scheme are still being worked out, and it’s been widely reported in the press that there are ideological differences within the Coalition. Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat deputy prime minister, has suggested that changes should be for those on lower incomes, while the Conservatives are believed to want the breaks to be universal. While we wait for another announcement, it’s being reported that the scheme under consideration could be worth thousands of pounds – sources close to the government have said working women with children aged under five could become entitled to claim a flat rate tax allowance of £2,000 a year to pay someone to look after their children. But if that’s the good news, the bad news – sadly – is that with all the political wrangling going on behind the scenes, the plan could take some time... though some experts still believe it could be introduced before the next General Election.

How to cut your childcare costs in the short term So the bottom line is that there’s not a huge amount happening at government level to cut your childcare costs right now – so if you need to get them down, it’s up to you to find a way. Here are a few ideas we’ve come up with at Families: n Change your working hours: as a parent with a child under 16, you’re entitled to request flexible working hours from your employer, provided you’ve worked there for more than six months. You could ask to fit your work into fewer days that are longer – then your partner could collect your child or children from your carer on the days you’re working, and you can cut childcare bills. n If you work part-time and use a nursery, check out whether the fees are lower on certain days of the week (they sometimes are) and see if you can switch the days you work. n Team up with a friend who’s also working part-time and has a child of a similar age. So you look after her child with yours while she’s working, and vice versa. n When you’re choosing a childminder, check whether she can access the free 15 hours’ childcare a week that all three and four-year-olds are entitled to – not all childminders can do this, and it can be worth up to £180 for 38 weeks of the year. For more on childcare go to www.familiesonline.co.uk March/April 2013

Childcare For children aged from 2 to 5 years. The nursery follows the Montessori method. We also offer, French, Ballet, Music, IT, Art and Drama. Full and part time sessions are available. Qualified and experienced teachers maintain a high standard of learning and care. * Excellent academic record * Caring and nurturing environment * Happy, considerate and confident children

Tel no: 0208 579 2304 Mobile no: 07956 228 959 Email: info@stmatthewsmontessori.com Website: www.stmatthewsmontessori.com

March/April 2013

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Childcare How to stop your child waking in the night By Kathryn Mewes

o you walk around in a daze, feeling you are in a permanent cloud? Rest assured you are not alone. Deprivation of sleep is something that every parent experiences, but when it starts to become part of your everyday life then it is time to stop and ask “Is this how I want it to stay?” First of all, it is important to understand children’s sleep cycles. Children tend to be awake for a 12–13 hour day before they reach their ‘window of tiredness’. If a child wakes at 6-7am they will need to be in their nursery by 6.50pm with lights out by 7pm if they’re to get to sleep easily. If you miss this window of tiredness your child will get their ‘second wind’, lasting for one sleep cycle (90 minutes). This means that they will not settle again until 8.30pm. Secondly, it is good to remember that all of us, even adults, wake on average 6 times a night. The difference is we know how to settle ourselves and return to sleep. Babies are not born with this skill of self-settling and need to be taught. You can’t make your baby sleep, but you can teach them how to put themselves to sleep. A top tip to help your baby settle themselves is to keep their room dark. If your child comes into a light sleep and can see things around them they won’t be encouraged to go back to sleep. Sprinkle water over the window panes in the nursery and press sheets of foil to the windows. Cut the foil close to the frame and this will block out 100% of the light.

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Samantha’s story: Enough is enough – I need someone to help me!

I called on Kathryn Mewes, author of The 3 Day Nanny, to help with my 5 year old’s sleep problems. We had got ourselves into a situation where we sat with him for up to 45 minutes each night until he fell asleep. It didn’t stop there. If he woke in the night he would come into our bed, and I would be breastfeeding my daughter while losing precious sleep space to my son. I had got to a stage of thinking my son would never sleep in his own bed. Kathryn claimed that she could solve any challenge in 3 days, but she hadn’t met my son! However, Kathryn soon devised a reward system, giving my son incentives.

Night 1: When it came to bedtime the message was simple. A relaxing routine followed by saying ‘Goodnight. I’ll see you at breakfast time.’ Kathryn walked out of the bedroom with ease and confidence… only to be followed by my son! She returned him to his room with an air of calm even though he was protesting, and every step of the way she explained what she was doing. After 30 minutes my son realised that this was the way it was going to be. This may sound a long time but it was taking longer when sitting on his carpet waiting for him to fall asleep. He did wake that night, but instead of allowing him into my room Kathryn guided him back to bed. In the morning I found Kathryn and my son working on their reward system. I could see a change in him instantly – he had someone believing in him. He could sleep through the night. Night 2: As you can imagine, my son gave me a quite a run for my money, but the most important thing Kathryn taught me was how a child can sense your emotions. If I wanted to get him to stay in his bed he had to believe that I was serious and that I was not going to back down. I had to remain calm yet in control, and 20 minutes later he stayed in his bed. That night he slept through until morning. Night 3: By night 3 my son knew the routine. He let me put him to bed and leave the room. It was all so straightforward. Why hadn’t I done this sooner?

Kathryn’s Top Tips for Solid Sleep • Remain consistent with the 3 B’s – Bath, Book/Bottle, Bed • Get your children to bed at the right time – aim to be leaving their bedroom at 7pm • Have your own little routine in the bedroom that should last no longer than 20 minutes. The longer you stay the harder it is to leave • Ensure the room is dark when you leave • Have the door closed or pulled to. The door only opens when it is breakfast time • Don’t react to your child’s requests. No more talking after ‘See you at breakfast time’ • Create a reward system for an older child to encourage them to remain in their bed A silent night can be achieved. Believe in yourself and your child, remain consistent and it only need take 3 nights. I promise! By Kathryn Mewes, author of ‘The 3 Day Nanny’ published by Vermillion, £12.99. Kathryn also provides a bespoke service. Call 07787 821525 or go to www.bespokenanny.com

March/April 2013

Under 5's

Kiddikicks

Do children under five really need to go to any classes? Classes for such young children were practically unheard of twenty years ago. Now it seems there are new classes starting everywhere offering to teach all sorts of new skills and talents to toddlers. But do you need to join in? We take a look at the advantages of taking your under-fives along to a local class and also list a few good ones in West London.

Friendships

Clubs and Classes for Under 5's in West London (Part One) © Kiddikicks

Living in cities

Early Parenting skills

Living in a big city most probably means that you don’t have a family network around the corner. I remember feeling really quite lost and alone with my first child. There was so much time to fill and nothing but piles of laundry to fill it up with. Going along to a class with my daughter became a lifeline to get us out of the house and meeting up with other parents in the same situation. I learned such a lot. Not just from the class but also from other parents. It was a winwin situation. She loved it and I loved being with her and other people.

We did all kinds of classes. The thing about being a parent for the first time is that there is so much to learn. One of the things I really appreciated from those early classes was learning the kinds of things that babies and toddlers like, which I could then repeat at home. Those early songs with the hand movements (she loved the “bang” at the end of “5 Fat Sausages” which we learned at music), those energetic games that we played at gym, her beautiful pink tutu at her first ballet class, – and she still remembers the French nursery rhymes!

Gym

ce n a D and We welcome children of all abilities

I met so many people at those classes. Some people who I would have never had the opportunity to meet in the normal course of my life. But those classes threw us together and a few of those early friendships have grown really strong over the years. But of course, it wasn’t just about me! My little girl learned so much. She made her baby steps towards her first friendships and learned how to cope in a slightly bigger world.

Balance The important thing is about keeping a balance. Neither you nor your child needs or wants to be overdoing it. Just go along to one or two things and every so often, try something new. Here’s a list of some really good classes for under 5’s in your local area.

Baby and Toddler groups These are also a great informal way to introduce your little one to others and meet local parents. We will be compiling a list of them on our website www.familieswest.co.uk. Please do send us information about groups that you know of that are not listed.

Twisters Ealing St. John’s Church, Mattock Lane, Ealing London W13 9LA

Twisters Acton & Chiswick Acton Baptist Church, Church Road, Acton, London W3 8PP

Gymnastics, Ballet, Dance Drama, Street Jazz/Tap and Boys Street Dance. For Adults: Stretch Workout and Body Blitz.

Twisters

classes are stimulating and fun. We are well known for our patience and understanding.

Photography by melaniemoss.com

From Toddlers to Teenagers:

For more information call: Hermione on 0208 933 9997 or Louise on 0208 840 4452 Email: twisters@btinternet.com

www.twisters.org.uk March/April 2013

Ealing and Uxbridge 0203 092 1313 or gware@littlekickers.co.uk Chiswick and Hammersmith 07792503571 or bbrownlie@littlekickers.co.uk www.littlekickers.co.uk

Where learning’s a ball Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

Under 5's Part 2 of the Under 5's clubs and classes will be featured in our next issue in May/June…

Jumping Jellybeans Music classes for babies and toddlers in Ealing. www.jumpingjellybeans.co.uk

Music and singing Lots of music classes for little ones combine songs, rhymes, instruments, energetic games and lots of fun! Try… Blueberry Playsongs Young children from ages 6 months to 3 years learn to have fun with live music. Guitar accompanied nursery rhymes, action songs, instruments games and dancing- lots of fun for little ones! West London venues include Hammersmith, Notting Hill, Queens Park and Chelsea. 020 8677 6871 e: info@blueberryplaysongs.co.uk www.blueberryplaysongs.co.uk The Little Music Factory, Notting Hill offers fun and interactive drop-in classes for pre-schoolers of all ages run by actress and teacher Cate Debenham-Taylor. Venue: 59a Portabello Road, London W11 3DD 07887 608299 e: cdebenhamtaylor@yahoo.co.uk The Music House for Children runs Music & Movement for 0-3yrs, Creative Dance for 2-3yrs and Music Appreciation for 3–5yrs. 4-5 year olds can also go along to piano appreciation which is a good introduction to piano learning. Venue: Shepherd’s Bush W12 www.musichouseforchildren.co.uk

Cadenza Singing with instruments and puppets in Chiswick and Ealing. www.cadenzaclasses.com

Whippersnappers were established in 1994. We provide zany and zestful inter-active music classes for babies, toddlers and 3-4 year olds. We use African drums, puppets, original Pickny Beat songs, dressing up, props, bubbles and lots of theatricality. Come and visit us at The Youth Hostel in Holland Park on Tuesdays at 9.30am or 10.30am or join our Wednesday 9.45am class at The Life Centre in Notting Hill Gate. Classes are booked by the term or you can arrange to drop in. Siblings over 6 months only pay an additional £2. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our action-packed Whippersnapper experience! For more information call us on 0207 738 66 33 or email cburghard@whippersnappers.org www.whippersnappers.org West London YMCA runs singing classes and Action, Songs and Rhymes sessions for under 3’s in Ealing. 020 8832 1576 E:activityclasses@londonYMCA.org Full timetable: www.WestLondonYMCA.org

Baby & Toddler Music with Sound Generation Singing, dancing and rhymes in Ealing. Call Sofia on 07789 710607

MINI MOZART Sandwiching Puccini with a parachute and Beethoven with bubbles, Mini Mozart music classes for babies and toddlers have a piano accompanist and an orchestral musician to introduce your child to pitch, percussion and pulse. Venues all over North & West London. www.minimozart.com

Cooking Parties! • Fun, cooking parties • For boys and girls aged 5-16 years • Cooking classes

Give your child the best party ever! whisking, baking, giggling, rolling, making, laughing, turning, licking, joking

A great way to learn while having fun! Call for details:

0208 876 9912 email: info@cookiecrumbles.co.uk www.cookiecrumbles.co.uk 14

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

March/April 2013

Under 5's

Twisters

Activity classes Get your little ones moving right from the word go. Keeping them active leads to all kinds of positive outcomes for both you and them – healthy bodies, better sleeping patterns, and developing coordination, balance and skills that will can only benefit them later on. Try… The Little Gym Gymnastic classes for children from 4 months focusing on motor skill development in areas such as coordination and balance as well as increasing confidence, listening and social skills. Parents/Carers and children attend together for children under 3 years. Free trial class available. Venues in West London include Chiswick (020 8994 3729), Westfield (020 8735 0817), Hampton & Teddington (020 8977 0099) and Wandsworth & Fulham (020 8874 6567) www.thelittlegym.co.uk TWISTERS run gymnastics classes in Ealing Acton and Chiswick for children from 6 months + Teachers at Twisters are well known for their patience and understanding and children of all abilities are welcome. Call Hermione on 020 8933 9997 or Louise on 020 8840 4452 E:twisters@btinternet.com www.twisters.org.uk

Kiddikicks Football for kids aged 18 months upwards in Brentford, Chiswick, Kensington, Hyde Park, Richmond. 020 7937 7965 www.kiddikicks.co.uk

Little Kickers uses football as a fun way to get boys and girls (18 months +) engaged in physical activity. Their FA qualified coaches aim to give children the best introduction possible to football. All Families West readers can have a free trial class. For classes in Chiswick and Hammersmith contact Bernadette on 07792 503571 and for classes in Richmond and Ealing, contact Graham on 0203 092 1313 www.littlekickers.co.uk

March/April 2013

Photography by melaniemoss.com

Amanda's Action Club provides interactive classes for young children (0-5 years) in West London including classes Chiswick and Ealing. It's all about fun, fitness and funky music a workout that kids just love. e:info@ amandasactionclub.co.uk 01895 623999 www.amandasactionclub.co.uk

West London YMCA runs Tinies Tumbles and Tumble & Stretch classes as well as soft play sessions for under 3’s in Ealing. 020 8832 1576 E:activityclasses@londonYMCA.org Full timetable: www.WestLondonYMCA.org

Dance We all have a lovely picture in our heads of beautiful little girls skipping along in their pink tutus but things are a bit different now. Boys are very welcome at most classes and while they are little, they are less likely to have the preconceived notions of ballet just being for girls. (Ballet gives everyone a great workout and does wonders for footballing skills later in life.). Try… The London Dance School Dance classes for children from age 2 and a half in Chiswick, Brook Green and the Riverside Health Club. Pre-school lessons provide an imaginative, fun and structured approach to ballet while classes for older children follow the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. Venues: Chiswick Town Hall, The Addison Youth Club, Brook Green and the Riverside Health Club.020 8940 3793 e:sarah@londondanceschool.com

Diddi Dance are funky pre-school dance classes for boys and girls aged between 18 months and 4 years. Classes held in, Willesden Green, Kensal Rise, Queens Park, West Ken & Notting Hill. Contact Gina to book your free trial. Parties and nursery sessions also available. 07426 009 179 e: gina.field@diddidance.com www.diddidance.com

Kensington Ballet run weekly classical ballet lessons in term-time for children aged 18 months+, as well as a summer school in the holidays for children aged 3 years + in Kensington and Notting Hill. 07957 650042 e:kensingtonballet@tiscali.co.uk www.kensingtonballet.com West London Dance Academy An IDTA accredited school, offers classes in Ballet, Boys' Ballet, Musical Theatre and Tap Dance to children. Classes are taught by qualified teachers in Chiswick, Ealing, Fulham & Wimbledon. 07771 984590 e:info@westlondondanceacademy.com www.westlondondanceacademy.com

Caroline Lester School of Dance offers ballet lasses for girls & boys from 3+ in Chiswick. She offers a first free trial class. New starters are accepted throughout the school year. Call 0207 385 6139 or 07961 375 606 www.carolinelesterschoolofdance.co.uk

Visit us at our website for loads more variety of Clubs and Classes for all ages in our West London directory www.familieswest.co.uk If you would like to advertise in Families West please email adverts@ familieswest.co.uk or phone 020 8930 4707

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Easter Top 5 Easter Egg hunts Lots of exciting egg hunts happening in the capital. Here are a few we thought looked great fun. Don’t forget to check our What’s On listings for more egg hunts at museums, galleries and gardens of stately homes.

THE BIG EGG HUNT The Hunt will be coming (back) to Covent Garden for the Big Hunt finale from 22 Mar-1 Apr. Go along and collect your own Hunt Book from one of the many “Eggsperts” who can point you in the right direction of eggs you can’t find! You can download a Covent Garden Hunt map from the website. www.thebigegghunt.co.uk

KEW GARDENS Springtime in Kew is always lovely with all the bulbs in bloom but the kids get an extra big treat at Easter when there will be chocolate workshops and the traditional Easter Egg Hunt on 31 Mar. Collect tokens from around the gardens to pick up your prize – a chocolate treat from the Easter bunny. www.kew.org/events

DUKE OF YORK SQUARE A free event on 30 Mar – Kids must try and unscramble all the clues and find the hidden riddles dotted around the Square in the race to reach Golden Ticket and win the amazing prize. Each clue leads to the next and will be displayed in shop windows and on features in the Square. Once all the clues are solved, families will discover a unique Duke of York Square web page which they will need to visit to get a key word. Once this word is whispered in Mr Bunny’s ear, all are invited to pluck a egg from his lucky basket. One lucky egg will contain the Golden Ticket which will win an iPad Mini, as well as a £200 shopping spree in Duke of York Square for Mum and Dad! www.thebigegghunt.co.uk

FORTNUM AND MASON’S Combine a hunt with a lovely shopping trip! In the week before Easter (23 and 24 Mar), the Easter Bunny secrets eggs throughout the store, ready for customers to squirrel out. Note the numbers on the eggs you unearth and their location, for entry into a draw. The winner will receive a giant chocolate bunny. If you can’t get to the Piccadilly store, don’t despair – the bunny is a bit of a technophile, and has hidden eggs throughout their website, too. www.fortnumandmason.com

OSTERLEY PARK (NATIONAL TRUST) An Easter eggstravaganza from 29 Mar-1 Apr from 11am-4pm. A Follow the clues, answer the questions and complete the challenges provided by the staff to find your way to a chocolate prize. On Sunday and Monday there is also a mini-farm visiting! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

Did you know? • Eggs are a symbol of rebirth in most cultures and had already been given as springtime gifts before Easter was first celebrated by Christians. • Eggs are coloured brightly to symbolise the sunlight of spring. • The first Cadbury’s Easter egg was made in 1875, in dark chocolate; milk chocolate didn’t arrive until 1905 with the launch of Dairy Milk. • A new Guinness World Record for the most entrants in an egg hunt was set in London last Easter after 12,773 entrants took part in The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt. • The charity event also broke another World Record when a giant chocolate egg created for the competition became the most expensive nonjewelled chocolate egg ever, selling at auction for £7000. • Egg rolling, which symbolises the rolling away of the rock in front of Jesus’s tomb, was traditionally played with hard-boiled eggs being rolled down a hill. • About 10% of Britain’s annual spending on chocolate is on Easter eggs. • The average time for children to start tucking into their first chocolate Easter egg is 11am on Easter Sunday, with 30% of children eating their chocolate egg instead of breakfast!

Happy Easter! March/April 2013

ACTIVITY CAMPS LITTLE GYM EASTER CAMPS 2-11 Apr For ages 3-8, A combination of physical activity and games with arts, crafts and special events. Each camp offers an interactive learning theme and each day brings a different, creative lesson plan. (Pls note that the Hampton and Teddington Camp runs from 2-4 Apr with sessions for ages 3-12. Contact them for details) Westfield 020 8735 0817 e: westfield@thelittlegym.co.uk Chiswick 020 8994 3729 e: Chiswick@thelittlegym.co.uk Wandsworth and Fulham 020 8874 6567 e: wandsworth_fulham@thelittlegym.co.uk Hampton and Teddington 020 8977 0099 e: hampton_teddington@thelittlegym.co.uk FIT FOR SPORT 2-12 Apr Sports and Activity Camp for children ages 3-12, in Chiswick at Belmont Primary School, W4, in Ealing at Brentham Club, W5 and at Trailfinders Sports Club W13.

SCIENCE MN SCIENCE CAMPS: Rockin’ Robots 2-5 Apr and 8-11 Apr Hands-on exciting and fun science activities and experiments you can take home in this four-day camp. Content includes: gearwheel mechanisms, pneumatics, robotic claws, electronic motors, solar powered grasshoppers, 6in1 solar robots, plasma balls, an Eco-Robot design competition and more. For ages 5-12, 9am-3.30pm in Ealing, Maida Vale, Swiss Cottage, Brent, Hillingdon and many other locations. Multi-booking discount available. 020 8863 8832 e:info@mnature.co.uk www.mnature.co.uk

ART

…is creative, non-messy and fully supervised. For children 6 years and over. Clare McKnight, has been running holiday workshops and birthday parties for the last ten years and is fully CRB checked. Fimo clay is available in many beautiful colours, and is baked in the oven at home. The children are taught step by step to make jewellery, picture frames, cute animals and cartoon characters. Easter Holiday Workshops Thursday 4th April 10.15am-4.15pm £50. Floppy Bunny and Candy Crocodile. Wednesday 10th April 10.15am-4.15pm £50. Earth, Fire or Water Dragons. Monday 15th April 10.15am-4.15pm £50. The Chocolate Box. Or why not consider having a Fun with Fimo Birthday Party. www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk 020 8992 3767 or 07970793401. E mail fimofun@tiscali.co.uk KITE STUDIOS ART WORKSHOPS 1-5 and 8-12 Apr For ages 5-15 at 2b Bassein Park Rd, W12 e:info@kitestudios.org March/April 2013

DRAMA

Easter Holiday Workshops MUSIC

YOURSPACE 2-5 April HOLIDAY DRAMA COURSE, ages 6-16, at St Augustine’s school, Hillcrest Rd, Ealing W5 • Acting • Dancing • Singing • Crafts • Friends • Professional direction. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm for four fun-filled days. Our Easter Yourspace project is Heroes and Heroines, for boys and girls. See leaflet in this magazine or go to www.yourspacedrama.com/ call 07580 474638/ e:info@yourspacedrama.com We have summer courses, too, for 3-18 years, 12-16 August 2013. THEATREBUGS DRAMA, MUSIC AND DANCE WORKSHOP 10-12 Apr 3 days of acting, singing, dancing, arts and crafts and dressing up ending with a show on the last day. For ages 3 and a half to 6, Venue: St Michaels and All Angels Parish Hall, Chiswick W4 1TX e: enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk 0800 9755290 www.theatrebugs.co.uk/londonandhomecounties.html PERFORM DRAMA COURSES “Hansel and Gretal” 3-10 Apr A 3 day experience with all the excitement of the original fairytale, with a hazardous journey, and eventual triumph with unique games, specially written music, energetic dance and colourful improvisation. Call 0845 400 1285 www.perform.org.uk 3-5 Apr at St Barnabas Millennium Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, London, W5 1QG 10am-12noon. 8 – 10 Apr in Kew Community Centre, St Luke's in the Avenue, Kew, Kew, TW9 2AJ 10am-12noon. 8-10 Apr at St Michael's Hall, Elmwood Road, Chiswick, London, W4 3DY 10am-12 noon. 8-10 Apr St Peter's Hall, 59A Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 3DB 2.30-4.30pm. STAGECOACH KENSINGTON & CHISWICK DRAMA WORKSHOPS 8-11 Apr for ages 4-6 (Early Years) and 7-18 (Main School). Venue – Addison Primary School, Addison Gardens, London, W14 0DT. A fun packed week of dance, drama and sining culminating in a show for family and friends. 020 8398 4709 or 020 8398 8106 info@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk

Say that you saw it mentioned in Families West Magazine

MUSIC HOUSE FOR CHILDREN 8 Apr Music & movement All about Hop Along. 10am 10:45am for children up to 5yrs. 8 Apr Singing & recording workshop Easter Themed Pop Songs Workshop for ages 5+ 11.30 am-1.30pm. Venue: W12 www.musichouseforchildren.co.uk

COOKERY CREATIVE COOKING 10 and 11 Apr Edible Easter delights Cooking classes for children in Ealing. For ages 5-7, 9.30am-12noon and for ages 8-12 1.30-4.30pm. www.creativecooking.co.uk

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

8-11 April Inspirational courses to stimulate your child’s creativity. Creative Writing, Film Making, Robots with Lego, Cool Science, Inventors’ Workshop, Cookery and Craft, Entrepreneur Workshop, Mosaic, Fashion, Pottery, Art, Drama, Street Dance and Gardening are amongst the exciting courses we have on offer this Easter and Summer. Students work on ambitious projects with specialist high quality tutors in a happy and safe environment. Small groups ensure some individual attention. Ages: 5-16 years. Venue: The Ellen Wilkinson School, Queens Drive, London W3 OHW. Contact: Annette or Linda on 020 8742 3936 for a brochure. www.chiswickcourses.co.uk

Make your listing ‘stand out from the crowd’ with an enhanced listing – approx 100 words boxed or colour-backed, plus a graphic in our feature. For more information, please email adverts@familieswest.co.uk or phone 020 8930 4707 Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

Easter

Get the children to try this Easter activityâ€Ś

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March/April 2013

Diary Dates

Dusty does disco 3 Mar/ 28 Apr A disco for all the family in West Ealing, 2-4pm. www.dustydoesdisco.co.uk

What's On

Kensington Mums Mother’s Day Workshop. 4 Mar 7.30-9.30pm. Make a scented candle in a vintage teacup and card to take home using simple sewing techniques and gorgeous liberty print fabrics. Great opportunity to meet other local mums and learn a new skill. www.kensingtonmums.co.uk or e: info@kensingtonmums.co.uk Mother’s Day 10 Mar Make sure the mum in your house is thoroughly spoilt! REDI TRAINING PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID COURSES 13 March, 17 April Covers all essential topics on first aid for babies & children, with paediatric A&E nurses. At Maggie and Rose W8, 7-10pm. see website for details. 020 7348 7117 www.redi-training.co.uk Maslenitsa Russian Festival in Trafalgar Square

16 Mar 1.30-6.30pm. Festival Maslenitsa is the largest Russian celebration of culture, art, music and food outside of Russia. A free entry, family-oriented day of fun featuring a special children’s marquee, bazaar filled with Russian culinary delicacies and traditional arts and crafts. www.maslenitsa.co.uk Earth Hour 23 Mar Turn off your lights at exactly 8.30pm to signal your concern about the future of our life on this earth. Get involved and sign up now! www.earthhour.org NCT Nearly New Sale Chiswick And Hammersmith 27 Apr 10am-12 noon, Venue: Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, London, W4 4JN. New and nearly new babies' and children's equipment, toys and clothes. www.nct.org.uk Boat Race 31 Mar The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames is one of the world's longest running sports events. In 2012, Cambridge won the 158th Boat Race, taking their overall tally to 81 races won against Oxford's 76. Join the fun on the banks of the Thames between Mortlake and Putney and cheer on the rowers. Best places to watch are on Putney Bridge at the start, Hammersmith and Barnes (half-way) or at the finish on Duke’s Meadow and Chiswick Bridge. Race starts at 2.15pm, events on the riverbank start at 12 noon. www.theboatrace.org London Marathon 21 Apr Every year, approximately 30,000 people run the 26.2 mile marathon through the streets of London. Cheer on the runners along the route- it runs along the south of the Thames and then the north side after crossing the river on Tower Bridge. From Greenwich and Blackheath to Buckingham Palace, runners pass some of the capital's famous landmarks, including the London Eye and the Tower of London. www.virginlondonmarathon.com

March/April 2013

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

What's On DAYS OUT BATTERSEA PARK CHILDREN’S ZOO SW11 4NJ batterseaparkzoo.co.uk 29 Mar – 1 Apr EASTER EGG HUNT Solve the quiz to find out which of the animals are guarding Easter Eggs. £1.50 plus entry fee 2-14 Apr COUNT THE GOLDEN RABBITS As you go around the zoo keep your eye out for golden rabbits. £1 2 and 4 Apr RABBIT DAYS Help the keeper feed the rabbits, plus rabbit story time, 11.45am and 2.45pm, free. Rabbit badge making, 11am and 1.30pm, £1 9 and 11 Apr GUINEA PIG DAYS Help the keeper feed the guinea pigs, plus guinea pig story time, 11.45am and 2.45pm, free. Guinea pig picture making, 11am and 1.30pm, £1

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN SW3 4HS chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk FAMILY ACTIVITY DAYS Pre-booking and pre-payment essential. Call 020 7349 6453 or e:education@chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 3 Apr CREEPY CRAWLING WORKSHOP For age 4+, 10.30 and 1.30pm. £6 4 Apr GARDEN SAFARI AND MICROSCOPIC MARVELS For age 7+ 10.30am-2.30pm. £8 9 Apr GARDEN SAFARI For age 4+ 10.30 and 1.30pm. £6 10 Apr GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY For age 8+ 10.30am-2.30pm £8

3, 9 Apr RACING PUPPETS Make racing puppets to re-tell the Cutty Sark unique story. 11.30am and 2pm, for all ages. 6, 7 Apr FANTASY FIGUREHEADS Create your own figurehead character to guide you safely across the seas. . 11.30am and 2pm, for all ages. 10, 11 Apr STORY SHIP Tell a story to add to the sails of the story ship. . 11.30am and 2pm, for all ages.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE KT8 9AU hrp.org.uk 1, 3, 8, 10 Mar GHOST TOURS Hear spine chilling stories of residents past and visit the spot where two bodies were discovered in shallow graves in the 1870's. Experience the atmosphere of the palace at night, if you dare! Over 12’s, £25 2-3 Mar, 29 Mar – 1 Apr TUDOR COOKERY The historic cooks are toiling in the kitchens of King Henry VIII, preparing exotic dishes for his majesty 8-10 Mar FLORIMANIA: FLORAL JEWEL Marvel at the beautiful flower arrangements celebrating the re-creation of Henry VIII’s crown. A perfect Mothering Sunday weekend treat From 27 Mar SECRETS OF THE ROYAL BEDCHAMBER A new exhibition exploring the bedchambers of the 17th and 18th century royal court. These are beds but not as you know them!

HMS BELFAST SE1 2JH iwm.org.uk FAMILY ACTIVITIES:

11 Apr LOTIONS AND POTIONS For age 7+ 10.30am-2.30pm, £8

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS

29 Mar – 1 Apr FAMILY FUN Enjoy live performance and storytelling and explore the beautiful gardens with Peter the Wild Boy’s Easter Egg Hunt 29 Mar – 1 Apr EASTER BONNET MAKING COMPETITION Make your own Easter bonnet or hat inspired by costumes at the Palace 1-7 Apr SPRING PALACE TAPESTRY 11am-4pm, Come and help make a big felt and textile spring tapestry for Kensington Palace inspired by the collection and palace gardens.

KEW BRIDGE STEAM MUSEUM TW8 0EN www.kbsm.org 29, 30, 31 Mar and 1 Apr EASTER FAMILY FUN Ride the steam locomotive on the Waterworks Railway. Make Victorian Easter bonnets and follow the clues in an Easter egg hunt. 11am-4pm. Family tickets £24

KEW GARDENS TW9 3AB kew.org 29 Mar - 14 Apr Get stuck into chocolate workshops with arts and crafts activities, or join the traditional Easter Egg Hunt on 31 March and collect tokens from around the Gardens to pick up a chocolate treat from the Easter Bunny!

ODDS FARM PARK HP10 0LX oddsfarm.co.uk 29 Mar-14 Apr EASTER FAMILY FUN AT ODDS FARM PARK Children can follow the Chick Trail around the farm, bottle feed lambs and board the daily tractor and trailer rides for a fun tour of the farm. Meet the farmers, get close to the animals in the hands-on area-Stroke bunnies, hand feed goats and sheep, meet cheeky pigs and more.

iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms Located in the heart of Westminster, visitors to the Churchill War rooms can view this complex of historic rooms left exactly as they were in 1945. ONGOING IN 2013: UNDERCOVER – LIFE IN CHURCHILL'S BUNKER Visitors can hear the first-hand personal accounts of those who worked in the Cabinet War Rooms during the war. Learn what life and conditions were like underground and experience the authenticity and emotional resonance of walking through the corridors where Churchill made history.

CUTTY SARK SE10 9NF rmg.co.uk/cuttysark 2-3 Mar FAMILY FUN WEEKEND: NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK Discover weird and wonderful scientific secrets. All ages, free with entry 29 Mar – 1 Apr FAMILY FUN WEEKEND Come on an epic Easter egg hunt around Cutty Sark and see if you can find all the eggs. All ages, free 1 – 11 Apr ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 1, 7 Apr AHOY CAPTAIN! Meet Captain Woodget, Cutty Sark’s most daring master, and learn about life on board the fastest clipper ship. 11am, 12 noon, 1.30 and 2.30pm. All ages, free entry. 2, 4 Apr CUTTY SARK COMICS Cartoon fun for ages 7+. 11.30am and 2pm. Drop-in workshop, free. 20

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

HMS Belfast

9-10 Mar and 20-21 Apr HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS 11am and 2pm. Explore the lives of the men who lived and worked on board when an Arctic wave overwhelmed the ship. 16-17 Mar 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF HMS BELFAST Meet some of HMS Belfast’s veterans and hear first-hand tales of life on the open seas, see simulated guns being fired, make medals and find out how sailors communicated in live radio demos. 23-24 Mar SIGNALS AT SEA 11am and 2pm. Send and decode secret messages like the navy does, and experience what it would have been like to navigate in war-torn waters. 29-31 Mar and 1-7 Apr DARNING AND YARNING AT SEA 11am and 2pm. Get crafty and learn how sailors repaired their clothes at sea – uncover the difference between a cross stitch and a running stitch in this communal sewing activity.

KENSINGTON PALACE W6 4PX hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace 9-10 Mar MOTHERING SUNDAY WEEKEND Exciting craft activities and special History Bite talks about the royal families who have lived at Kensington Palace

Odds Farm Park

Also, there is a Giant Indoor Playbarn, with a massive adventure play area including a 4 lane Astra Slide, 2 large drop slides, a netted area with zig zag chicanes and tunnels, swinging ropes and a special Toddler and Under 5’s area. Outdoors, there is an Adventure Maze, Go-Karts, Log Play Areas and Crazy Golf.

OSTERLEY PARK AND HOUSE TW7 4RB nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park 24 Mar and 28 Apr FAMILY DISCOVERY DAYS Creative fun days for families. 29 Mar – 1 Apr EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Easter trail with a chocolate prize, plus take part in the great egg and spoon race. Also mini-farm with animals on Sun and Mon. 11am-4pm. £3 per trail, plus entrance fee 3 and 10 Apr OUTDOOR EXPLORER 12-3pm Outdoor themed activities for families March/April 2013

What's On FOUNDLING MUSEUM WC1N 1AZ foundlingmuseum.org.uk To 19 May. FATE, HOPE AND CHARITY Discover the untold stories of the Foundling Hospital tokens left by mothers with their babies at the Hospital between c.1741-1760. Workshops for children: 9 Mar BADGES AND BUTTONS 10.30am-4.30pm. Drop-in activities creating a special memento for Mother’s Day. 6 Apr POCKET PIECES - Storytelling. Drop-in activity connected to the Fate, Hope and Charity exhibition.

Royal Observatory Greenwich

ROYAL OBSERVATORY GREENWICH SE10 9NF rmg.co.uk 1 Mar-30 Aug ALIEN REVOLUTION A new exhibition which takes an intimate look at the history of our relationship with extra-terrestrial life through science and culture. ONGOING EVENTS: THE UNIVERSE EXPOSED: PHOTOGRAPHING THE COSMOS Showcasing how anyone with a digital camera can capture spectacular images of the night-sky. 5yrs+, £6.50/£4.50. Every day. MEET THE NEIGHBOURS Meet our neighbours in space in this entertaining interactive show, where you decide which planets to visit. 5yrs+, £6.50/£4.50. Mons and Weds in term-time and everyday in the school holidays. SOLAR SYSTEM, GALAXY, UNIVERSE Exploring the scale of the Solar System, Galaxy and Universe and how we measure it. 5yrs+, £6.50/£4.50. Every Tues and Weds in term-time. SPACE SAFARI 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, £6.50/£4.50. Tues in term time and every day in the weekends and holidays. SKY TONIGHT LIVE A live show presented by a Royal Observatory Astronomer takes visitors on a tour of what can be seen in the night sky. 12.30, 2 and 3.30pm, 5yrs+, £6.50/£4.50 WE ARE ALIENS Explore how our understanding of life on Earth guides the hunt for alien life elsewhere in the Universe, in this exciting new planetarium show. Every day. 18 Mar MAKE A PLANET FINDER 4-8pm, drop-in, free event for children aged 7+ Come and make a planet finder, allowing you find out when the planets are up in the night sky on the night of your visit and the years ahead. Discover the secrets of Saturn, which will be up in the night sky for Museums at Night; and about the possibility for finding life on its curious moons. 27 Apr SATURDAY SPACE EXPLORERS 2-4.30pm, drop-in, free event for ages 7+ An introduction to space and astronomy to younger visitors. Participants build simple instruments from cardboard kits, such as planet finders and moon dials, which they can take away and use at home.

SYON HOUSE AND GARDENS TW8 8JG syonpark.co.uk 29 March – 1 April. EASTER TRAIL Look for the clues inside Syon House and outside in the gardens to win a prize. Children go free all weekend March/April 2013

TOWER OF LONDON EC3 hrp.org.uk 6, 13, 20, 27 Mar TOWER TWILIGHT TOURS Dare to take an evening tour of the Tower, taking in gruesome sights and spooky stories. 12yrs+, £25 29 Mar – 7 Apr Join the dastardly Colonel Blood and his gang of desperados in the greatest heist of all time – stealing the new Crown Jewels from the heart of the greatest fortress in the realm!

There are lots more things to do in the 'What's On' section of our website. www.familieswest.co.uk

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES BRITISH MUSEUM WC1B 3DG britishmuseum.org 28 Mar – 29 Sept. LIFE AND DEATH IN POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM The life and times of the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum - from the bustling street to the intimate spaces of a Roman home, the exhibition will look at daily life prior to the devastating volcanic eruption of nearly 2000 years ago. The focus will be on the ordinary Roman and the realities of home-life and, uniquely, will include material from both Pompeii and Herculaneum To 26 May. ICE AGE ART: ARRIVAL OF THE MODERN MIND Masterpieces of Ice Age sculpture, ceramics, drawing and personal ornament from across Europe.

DESIGN MUSEUM SE1 2YD designmuseum.org EXTRAORDINARY STORIES ABOUT ORDINARY THINGS Six design stories offering a diverse look at design 20 Mar - 7 Jul. DESIGNS OF THE YEAR 2013 Showcasing the most innovative and imaginative designs from around the world, spanning seven categories: Architecture, Digital, Fashion, Furniture, Graphics, Transport and Product.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM SE1 7EW florence-nightingale.co.uk 7 Mar. GHOST STORIES Lower the lights and gather together to hear a winter ghost story, guaranteed to chill your blood. What is the mysterious music echoing around the deserted house? Who is the spectral child that leaves no footprints in the snow? Find out if you dare... 6.30pm, £10 Every Weds in Mar and Apr. MISS NIGHTINGALE SAID... An illustrated talk examining the incredible life and achievements of Florence Nightingale. 3pm. Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

What's On GEFFRYE MUSEUM

MUSEUM OF LONDON

E2 8EA geffrye-museum.org.uk

EC2Y 5HN museumoflondon.org.uk

2 Mar. THANKS MUM! Create a special card and gift for Mother’s Day, 10.30am-12.30pm, 2-4pm 2 Mar. SECRET GARDENS Create a miniature herb garden to grow on your windowsill, 2-4pm 6 Apr EASTER TREASURE HUNT 12.30 4.30pm. Explore the gardens, answer clever clues and collect your treasure from the Quiz Desk.

Grant Museum of Zoology WC1E 6DE ucl.ac.uk/museums/whats-on/grant_listings 16 and 23 Mar FOSSIL FORAGE 1-5pm, free. As part of National Science and Engineering Week, take home your very own bit of prehistory. But be warned you will have to work for it. Get stuck in at this free hands-on activity by sieving through sediment that dates from a time over 50 million years ago, a time when London was underwater and patrolled by sharks and rays. 8-13 Apr EASTER EGG-LAYING ANIMALS 1-5pm, free. From penguins to platypuses, sharks to snails, and bullfrogs to butterflies, these fantastic specimen-based activities will investigate the best shells and spawn.

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM WC2E 7BB ltmuseum.co.uk From 15 Feb. POSTER ART 150 – LONDON UNDERGROUND’S GREATEST DESIGNS Since its first graphic poster commission in 1908, London Underground has developed a reputation for commissioning outstanding poster designs 1-12 Apr Easter Family Fun: STORY TIME 11am and 2pm, Open to all ages but most suitable for age 3-7 years. Find out about London’s Underground stations and meet the imaginary characters who live there. Listen to tales of adventures as they reveal the secrets of what life is like on the Underground. MAKE AND TAKE CRAFT WORKSHOP 11.30am and 2.30pm, open to all ages but most suitable for age 4 to 12 years. Add your contribution to a model tube station, before becoming a junior architect and designing your own fantastical station.

Every Weds MINI MOLES BABIES GROUP 11am-2pm, for babies aged 6-18 months and parents. Sensory, hands-on play activities. Messy babies every third Weds of the month. Every Weds LITTLE MOLES TODDLERS GROUP 3.30-4.30pm, for toddlers from 18 months-5yrs. Hands-on creative sessions. Messy Moles on last Weds of the month. 10 Mar CHARACTERS FROM HISTORY – RESURRECTION MEN 19th century body snatchers stole bodies from graveyards and sold them for research. Why did they do it and who were these men? Age 5+, 11.30am and 2pm 24 Mar GET STUFFED Dress up in period costume and turn your picture into an historical doll in this digital workshop. Age 5+, 12.30, 2 and 3.30pm. 29 Mar-13 Apr EASTER HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS Daily workshops for children aged 5+

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS E14 4AL museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands Every Mon MINI MUDLARKS BABIES GROUP 12.45-1.45pm, for babies aged 6-18 months and parents. Sensory, hands-on play activities. Musical Mondays every third Weds of the month. Every Mon LITTLE MUDLARKS TODDLERS GROUP 10 and 11am. Hand-on and creative sessions for children aged 18months to 5 years. Messy Mondays on first Monday of the month. Every Thurs UNDER 5’s STORYTIME Stories, music and fun. 3pm. 23 Apr MUSIC AND MOVEMENT For toddlers at 10am. 2 Mar HOW TO BE A PIRATE Join in with the fun and games to help the bungling buccaneer learn how to become a proper pirate. Age 5+ 9 Mar ARP WARDEN Meet an Air Raid Precaution Warden and hear about her work and efforts to keep people safe during World War II. Age 6+ 16 Mar BECOME AN INVENTOR Join us to look at some weird and wonderful inventions and develop ideas for your own. 5+ 30 Mar BILLY JENKINS: A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME Join us to look at some weird and wonderful inventions and develop ideas for your own. 6+ 14 Apr TALES FROM THE THAMES FAMILY DAY 10.30am and 12 and 2pm. Find out about who lives, works and travels on the Thames from the tiny fish swimming in the river to the dockers and sailors working on mighty ships. 27 Mar-12 Apr EASTER HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS For ages 5+

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM SW3 4HT nam.ac.uk

London Transport Museum

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

Until 31 Mar. WAR HORSE: FACT AND FICTION Exploring the true history behind the popular War Horse novel – exciting interactive displays, exclusive costumes and props from the Spielberg-directed film, and material from War Horse author, Michael Morpurgo and the National Theatre

BRITAIN’S GREATEST GENERALS What was Britain's Greatest Battle? You decide! Exploring over 400 years of Britain’s battles, from Culloden to Rorke’s Drift, this exhibition examines the key facts, impact and legacies of the 20 top British battles chosen by their curators VICTORIAN SOLDIERS ACTION ZONE Quizzes, games and hands-on activities help you learn about life as a Victorian Soldier and the part they played in the shaping of Britain’s Empire KID’S ZONE A new children’s play area exploring aspects of army life from camping to clothing, with soft play, art and crafts and dressing-up costumes. 6-7 Apr PICK-A-FIGHT! Recreate some of Britain's greatest battles on the tabletop battlefield. Let soldiers from the past advise you and help you win the day. Suitable for ages 7+ 20 and 27 Apr A SOLDIER'S LIFE IN... Drop in, one-hour Saturday workshops to learn about the life of a soldier. Workshops run every Saturday afternoon. 2 and 3.30pm. Each week will explore a different theme. Children will get the chance to handle objects from the collection, listen to a storyteller and get creative with craft activities. For ages 5-11.

NATIONAL GALLERY WC2N 5DN nationalgallery.org.uk 3, 10, 17, 24 Mar and 7, 14, 21 and 28 Apr. FAMILY SUNDAYS Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm MAGIC CARPET STORYTELLING for children aged 2-5. Sundays 10.30-11am and 11.30am-12pm. Fly away on the magic carpet, coming to land in front of a different painting each day DRAWING SUNDAY for ages 5-11. Sundays 11am and 2pm.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY WC2H 0HE npg.org.uk 16 Mar and 20 Apr STORYTELLING FOR FAMILIES 10.30am and 1.30pm for ages 3+ Storytelling followed by a fun art activity. 16 Mar and 20 Apr FAMILY ART WORKSHOP 11.30am and 2.30pm for ages 5+ Explore portraits in the Collection, followed by an art activity. 1-5 Apr CASTING SHADOWS 11.30am-4pm. A week of family activities exploring light, sound and photography inspired by the Man Ray Portraits exhibition and the Collection.

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM SE10 9NF rmg.co.uk Every Sat in Mar and 27 Apr. EXPLORE SATURDAYS Meet a character from the past and take part in a performance bringing maritime history to life. 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, 6yrs+, free Every Sun in Mar and Apr DISCOVER SUNDAYS Be inspired by our maritime past and explore your personal connections to the sea. 11.30-1.30pm and 2-4pm, free Every Tues in Mar and 16, 23 and 30 Apr. PLAY TUESDAYS Make music, dance and drama. Under 5s, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm, free To 28 Apr ANSEL ADAMS: PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA Explore the exhibition with a free activity trail to find out more about Ansel Adams and landscape photography. March/April 2013

What's On From 1 Mar ALIEN REVOLUTION A new exhibition which takes an intimate look at the history of our relationship with extraterrestrial life through science and culture.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM SW7 5BD nhm.ac.uk

VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM

WC2N 4ES ballet.org.uk

To 7 Apr. LIGHT FROM THE MIDDLE EAST: NEW PHOTOGRAPHY The first major museum exhibition of contemporary photography from and about the Middle East.

20-24 Mar. BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET – ALADDIN David Bintley’s magical tale of love, trickery and triumph. A run-in with Palace guards leads young tearaway Aladdin into a whirlwind of adventure and romance, involving unbelievable riches, love at first sight, treachery, and of course a magic lamp, and all that it contains. Children go free. Call the Box Office for details.

29 Mar – 15 Sept. SENSATIONAL BUTTERFLIES Dive into the tropical butterfly house to take on butterfly challenges, try out fun games and exciting activities as you discover one of the planet’s most amazing life cycles. £4-£16

23 Mar-28 Jul DAVID BOWIE IS Handwritten lyrics, original costumes. Photography. Set designs, album artwork and rare performance material from the past five decades. Advanced booking advised.

Until 8 Sep. EXTINCTION: NOT THE END OF THE WORLD? Giant deer, bizarre insects and super-sized birds – millions of species that once roamed the planet are no longer around.

30 Mar-14 Apr THE IMAGINATION STATION An opportunity for children to create their own coat of arms, flag or shield using a variety of materials. 10.30am-5pm. Free, drop-in. Ages 3-5.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD E2 9PA museumofchildhood.org.uk 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Mar. WONDERTOTS: CIRCUS 90 minutes of art, storytelling, movement, and drama. Explore circus toys to make your own fairground amusement. 10.30am and 1pm, under 5s, free To 14 Apr. MODERN BRITISH CHILDHOOD An exhibition exploring how childhood has been transformed in Britain during the period between the London Olympic Games of 1948 and 2012. 2 Mar VI-FRIENDLY ART WORKSHOP: MAKING SENSE 1pm, Explore different materials used in toy making like wood, paper, textile, metal and plastic. A family art workshop for people with visual impairment. Siblings welcome. Free, Age5+, booking required.

30 Mar-14 Apr TUDOR TALES: POP-UP PERFORMANCES. Every weekend at 11am, 1 and 3pm. Hear tales of Kings, Queens, and overseas adventures amongst the V&A Collection. Free, drop-in. Suitable for early years.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION W1U 3BN wallacecollection.org 3 Mar THE LITTLE DRAW Free drop-in drawing workshop for all ages, taking inspiration from some of the fantastic beasts and monsters in the Collection, 1.30-4.30pm. Find out more at www.drawingpower.org.uk 16 Mar FAMILY PUBLIC TOUR Explore the collection through new eyes and handle objects as you are guided through the intriguing corridors and magnificent rooms, 2.30pm

29 Mar-1 Apr EGG-TASTIC EASTER FUN 11am-4pm. Bunny stories, games and an Easter egg hunt. Also make an Easter basket and other crafts. All ages, drop-in.

24 Mar DESIGN YOUR OWN PASSOVER PLATE Hear the Passover story of Moses, munch some matza and decorate your own miniature Passover plates, 2-4pm, £7, age 6+

30 Mar AUTISM-FRIENDLY FAMILY WORKSHOPS Art workshops and live storytelling from 10.30am-2pm. Free, booking required.

To Mar 31 MAKING THE RENAISSANCE SWORD Featuring stages in the construction of a rapier, this display reveals that the Renaissance swordsmith relied on a unique tradition of craftsmanship dating back to the early Middle Ages.

1-7 Apr ORANGES AND LEMONS Stories, art workshops, maypole dancing and live music. Free, all ages.

5 Apr EASTER EGG TREASURES 10.30am and 2pm, for age 7+ Create your own beautiful, painted Easter egg with a secret compartment for hidden treasures. Booking essential. £7.

Theatre and Ballet listings CHELSEA THEATRE SW10 0DR chelseatheatre.org.uk 10 Mar. THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK Plop is exactly the same as every barn owl that has ever been, except for one thing. Plop is afraid of the dark. Age 7 and under, 11.30am and 3pm

St Georges Day Celebrations

20 Apr ST GEORGES DAY CELEBRATIONS A day of English merriment in celebration of St George’s Day. Enjoy live music and dance, storytelling, traditional games and arts & crafts activities. 11.30am-4pm. March/April 2013

LONDON COLISEUM

SW7 2RL vam.ac.uk

16-17 Mar. MY BROTHER THE ROBOT Once upon a time in the future there will be a little girl called Bobbie.. Bobbie and her dad will have everything they need, until one day Bobbie announces that she’s lonely and wishes she had a little brother. Age 7 and under, times vary

Say that you saw it mentioned in Families West Magazine

LONDON PALLADIUM W1F 7TF reallyuseful.com From 13 Feb. A CHORUS LINE A new production from the London Palladium. For age 10+

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH W6 0QL lyric.co.uk 11am and 1pm. 2 Mar The Nightingale A little King, who has everything he could possibly want but still feels sad, suddenly finds friendship in the most unexpected of places. For ages 4-8. 9 Mar Nobody Rides the Unicorn Zoe knows she must set the Unicorn free but will she be putting herself in terrible danger if she does? For ages 4-7. 15 & 16 Mar Wolf Tales The big bad wolf from your favourite fairy tales reveals the secrets behind stories such as Little Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs. For ages 5-10. 23 & 24 Mar Landscapes Come and explore the four corners of the world: the desert, the ocean, the rainforest and the South Pole, with the help of puppets and beautiful visual projections. For ages 4-9. 6 April Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Keep an eye on a very cheeky pigeon in this adventure full of fun and feathers. Just make sure he doesn’t drive that bus. For ages 3-7. 13 Apr Pied Piper A family favourite is brilliantly brought to life as the rats run and the children dance when the Pied Piper plays his flute. For ages 3-7. 20 Apr The Tinderbox As he sets off on an epic adventure, find out if the brave soldier will manage to save the beautiful princess. For ages 4-10. 27 & 28 Apr The Hare and the Tortoise The race is on and it’s slow, steady tortoise versus speedy, greedy hare. But who will triumph? For ages 3-7. Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

What's On LYRIC THEATRE

ST JOHN’S NOTTING HILL

W1D 7ES nimaxtheatres.com/lyric-theatre

W11 2NN nctpeterandthewolf.eventbrite.co.uk

Until 15 Sept THRILLER – LIVE a spectacular, high octane show celebrating the career of Michael Jackson, and the Jackson 5.

NATIONAL THEATRE SE1 9PX nationaltheatre.org.uk From 16 Apr Othello Othello, newly married to Desdemona who is half his age, is appointed leader of a military operation to defend Cyprus from the Turks. Iago, his ensign, passed over for promotion in favour of young Cassio, persuades Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair.

9 Mar PETER AND THE WOLF: INTERACTIVE PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP NCT Kensington and Chelsea, together with the national music charity Making Music, is running an interactive performance workshop of Prokofiev’s musical story for children aged two to five years. An hour of fun and interactive learning about the world of classical music and orchestral instruments based on this favourite children’s story. Facilitated by a storyteller, the children and adults will fully participate in the action. Each child will also get his/her own maraca as a gift to rattle and shake.

PEACOCK THEATRE

SOHO THEATRE

WC2A 2HT sadlerswells.com/page/peacock-theatre

W1D 3NE sohotheatre.com 9 and 23 Mar and 20 Apr. COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS Family-friendly comedy club that promises no clowns, just a great line-up of proper comedians. Age 6+ 29-30 Mar. DOCTOR BROWN BROWN BROWN BROWN BROWN AND HIS SINGING TIGER Join Doctor Brown and his Singing Tiger on a madcap adventure from breakfast to bedtime with a ski race, tennis match and spectacular BMX finale. Physical comedy at its best. 1pm.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE 27 March – 6 April. MY FIRST BALLET: CINDERELLA Introduce your little ones to the magic of classical ballet with this performance of the well-known fairy story. Age 3+

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE W9 2PF puppetbarge.com Until 17 March. JOEY’S FIREWORKS A marionette spectacle celebrating the arrival of the New Year and featuring traditional characters such as Burglar Bill, Dog Toby, Joey the Clown and Mr Punch, with the Beadle keeping an eye on the goings on. 3yrs+ From 23 March. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE And other tales from Aesop…3yrs+

SE1 8PX southbankcentre.co.uk 29 Mar-1 Apr HELP! MY SUPPLY TEACHER IS MAGIC Based on the TV show and featuring some of your favourite magicians from the series, this is a jaw-dropping magic spectacular for all the family. For ages 7+ 21 Apr-14 Jul THE SHOWSTOPPERS: IMPROVISED MUSICAL Part of Udderbelly Festival . A brilliant comedy troupe create a brand new musical comedy from scratch at each performance. Audience suggestions spontaneously become an all-singing, all-dancing show, with unpredictable and hilarious results. For age 12+

UNICORN THEATRE SE1 2HZ unicorntheatre.com To 6 Mar. LIAR LIAR Acclaimed writer E V Crowe’s latest play is a contemporary tale about Grace, a young girl who knows the truth can be dangerous. Age 13-16

To 17 Mar. 1001 NIGHTS Using everyday objects you might find in your bedroom, the bookish Shahrazad transports her friend and father to an imagined world of kings, viziers, and jinns. Age 6-9 24 Mar – 28 Apr. MISTER HOLGADO When Conrad’s parents suddenly welcome a mysterious stranger, Mister Holgado, into their home, Conrad suspects he’s more of a threat than any tiger ever could be. Age 8+ Mister Holgado

9-28 Apr. CARNIVAL Created through a series of workshops with school children in Southwark, Carnival is about the power of imagination, the madness of art and the endless possibilities of paper mache.

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE WC2R 0NH nimaxtheatres.com/vaudeville-theatre Until 1 June GREAT EXPECTATIONS Graham McLaren's 'outstanding', 'haunting' and 'utterly brilliant' production brings some of the most memorable characters ever created to life. The beautiful, chilling Estella, the terrifying convict Magwitch, the manipulative Jaggers, the tragic and mysterious Miss Havisham and Pip looking back on his young self - a boy with 'great expectations'.

RICHMOND THEATRE TW9 1QJ atgtickets.com/Richmond 2-3 March. BEN AND HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM The BAFTA Award-winning television show comes to the stage for the first time. With actors, masks and colourful costumes, this story of elves and princesses will delight. Times vary. 24

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

Great Expectations

March/April 2013

Health

Nutrition tips to boost the immune system

Bournemouth nutritionist Penny Crowther discusses the 3 most important nutrients for a strong immune system and how average diets are often lacking in them. Discover how to obtain them through foods and/or supplements and how much you need of each.

Boosting the Immune System

t 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? Make sure that reserves of these 3 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 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. Itâ€™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. â€œSheetsâ€? 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 studies which suggest that gut permeability is a major factor in auto immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. March/April 2013

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

Health Why is Vitamin A deficiency more common than previously thought?

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. 26

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

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 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 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 μg/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 London (Putney) & Bournemouth. Appointments 01202 296 763 and more information www.nutritionistbournemouth.co.uk or 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.

March/April 2013

Classifieds Tuition

Chiswick & Hammersmith Saturday, 27 April 10am – 12noon Main Sale: Chiswick Town Hall Large Equipment Sale, Bake Sale & Cafe, Bouncy Castle and Children's Photographer: Christ Church Turnham Green Entry: 2 pounds For more details contact: chiswicknns@yahoo.co.uk NCT Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, London W3 6NH. NCT is a registered charity in England and Wales no. (801395) and in Scotland no. (SC041592).

Competition WIN a Family ticket to Odds Farm Park this Easter Parties

Farm Park, voted “Farm Park Of The Year 2013”!

From 29 March to 14 April, children can follow the Chick Trail around the farm and get a Yummy Treat, Bottle Feed Lambs and, back for 2013, board the daily Tractor & Trailer Rides for a fun tour of the farm.

To be in with a chance of winning go to familieswest.co.uk

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For £20.00 we will send the next 10 issues straight to your door. Please complete the form below and return it to us with your cheque made payable to: Families West. Blueberry Playsongs Parties! Wonderful musical parties for 1-6 year olds. Contact us on

020 8677 6871

SUBSCRIPTION Name................................................................................................................................. Address............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................... Postcode.......................................................................................................................... Email address................................................................................................................ Phone.................................................................................................................................

Please send your cheque and completed coupon to: Families West Subscriptions, P.O. Box 32231, London, W5 1JR

March/April 2013

Families West PO Box 32231 London W5 1JR

March/April 2013