Families Thames Valley West January/February 2024 PRINT

EEHome FTRake Me

Thames Valley West

IN THIS ISSUE

Health special Spotlight on Newbury What’s On

Issue 128 January/February 2024

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Hear from the #CrosfieldsCommunity I have had the opportunity to go on the school ski trip to Italy and perform in the school production. I have also enjoyed being part of the choir and playing in the guitar ensemble at the Woodley Festival.’’

Ace, Year 6

I love it here, which is why I stayed at Crosfields School since Reception.

The teachers are supportive.’’

Zara, Year 11

I love Forest School the most. We get to climb trees and make toast on a fire. I enjoy my toast with jam!’’

Riaan, Year 1

Crosfields has taught me many things: Maths English, Science and so on. But more importantly, how to persevere, to reflect and despite making many mistakes, improve.’’

Ameya, Year 11

Visit us at our next open event at www.crosfields.com/events

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CONTENTS

Editor’s Welcome Happy New Year! I hope 2024 has started well for you and is full of happiness.

This is a time of year when people often focus on health and starting new healthy habits. We have therefore provided twelve manageable ideas to improve your family’s health, broken down into a different goal for each month.

The Team: EDITOR: Lesley Chambers 07863 790592 editor@familiestvw.co.uk

We Meet the Head this issue at Eagle House School and also have a good selection of news stories from other schools in our education section.

SALES SUPPORT: Claire Clarricoates 07812 218331 claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk DESIGN: Rebecca Carr rebecca@familiesmagazine.co.uk NEXT ISSUE: MARCH/APRIL 2024 Booking deadline: 31 January Features: Easter holidays activities & spotlight on Bracknell

Over the next few issues we will be choosing a different local town to focus on, including information about activities and local businesses there.

This time we go to Newbury. As usual, we also have some great reviews of places to visit and loads to do locally indoors and outdoors.

Have fun!

This product is made of material from well-managed, FSC®-certified forests and other controlled sources.

Competition winner

IN THIS ISSUE: 4: 5-9: 10-11: 12: 13: 14-15: 16: 17-19:

Congratulations to Franky Yu, who won My First Space Atlas and My First Dinosaur Atlas in our giveaway in the November/December 2023 issue.

News Education Health Early years Work Out and about Clubs and classes What’s on

Exciting Adventures at...

Where is Families Thames Valley West?

Half-Term Holiday Clubs

HENLEYON-THAMES

READING BRACKNELL NEWBURY THATCHAM

WOKINGHAM

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12-16 February 2024

Drama Workshop Bubble Entertainer Sublime Science Show* Valentine’s Crafts Face Painting Reptile Handling ...and much more!

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Open to all children aged 3-11 years

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NEWS

School Open Days: January/February 2024 Open days may need pre-booking. Please check before visiting.

FREE Perform Classes Boost your child’s confidence in 2024 with a FREE Perform class.

The new year is a great time to start something new and Perform is offering every child a free trial class to help them shine this spring. With two brilliant new themes incorporating confidence-building fun, classes for 4-7 year olds will join a high-energy adventure to the Wild West while 7-12 year olds enjoy a dancefloor-filling adaptation of Snow White, in Killa Queen.

Classes are packed with confidence-boosting games which focus on developing the 4 Cs - confidence, communication, coordination and concentration - using drama, dance and singing. At the end of each term, the children will take part in a show-stopping final performance for family and friends so you can see the progress they’ve made!

Classes are for all abilities with no previous experience required and children are welcome to join at any point in the term.

Local venues include Crowthorne, Goring, Henley, Newbury, Reading, Twyford and Wokingham.

Book a no-obligation FREE trial at www.perform.org.uk/try

All-girls’ nursery in the centre of Reading Fully-funded nursery places for eligible 3-year-old girls, at Berkshire’s leading independent school, have attracted lots of happy families starting out on their educational journey.

The Little Knellies ‘It starts here’ campaign, with an attractive new fee structure, is continuing to attract new families to its unique all-girls’ nursery in the centre of Reading.

Nisha Kaura, Head of The Abbey Junior School commented, “We are delighted to welcome so many new children into Little Knellies. Our large outdoor space is the perfect location for them to explore, and tap into their sense of curiosity and fun.

“The ‘It starts here’ campaign is our commitment to giving girls in the Reading area the very best start in terms of their learning and development. And we know it works… as many then continue on to our reception class and on into Juniors.”

For more information, go to nursery.theabbey.co.uk

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Crosfields School, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG2 9BL 0118 987 1810 crosfields.com Wednesday 17 January, 9:30am: Nursery stay and play Friday 19 January, 9:30am: Reception taster session Wednesday 7 February, 9:30am: Nursery stay and play Thursday 22 February, 9:15am: Senior school open morning Dolphin School, Waltham Road, Hurst, RG10 0FR 0118 934 1277 dolphinschool.com Wednesday 31 January: Stay and play session Tuesday 27 February: Stay and play session Eagle House School, Sandhurst, GU47 8PH 01344 772134 eaglehouseschool.com Friday 2 February, 12:15pm Saturday 24 February, 10am Horris Hill School, Newtown, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 9DJ 01635 40594 horrishill.com Wednesday 17 January, 9:30am: Reception discovery day: Superheroes Friday 2 February, 9:30am: Lower school open morning Friday 23 February, 9:30am: Coffee with the Heads

Kidmore End Primary School, Chalkhouse Green Road, Reading, RG4 9AU 0118 357 3149 kidmore-end.co.uk Thursday 11 January, 9:30am: Open morning St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5JT 0118 966 1000 sjcr.org.uk Thursday 1 February, 9:30am: Prep school open morning Wednesday 7 February, 9:30am: Senior school open morning Friday 9 February, 9:30am: Stay and play for pre-school children The Abbey School, Kendrick Road, Reading, RG1 5DZ 0118 987 2256 theabbey.co.uk Friday 23 February, slots available for booking between 9am and 2:30pm: Senior school and sixth form open event Wellington College, Crowthorne, RG45 7PU 01344 444000 wellingtoncollege.org.uk Saturday 20 January, 10:30am Don’t forget to say you saw these listed in Families Thames Valley West Magazine

A Roar-some game for the whole family!

WIN!

Are you looking for a fun game for the whole family in 2024? Weldon Owen Children’s Books has the solution!

Wake Up The Beast! is a new card game which challenges the whole family to test their dinosaur knowledge against one another! Can you walk like T-Rex? Do you know how many teeth a Nigersaurus had? Do you know where a Ankylosaurus’s weak spot is?

The game has 80 cards and a mini book with extra facts about the dinosaurs.

We have a free copy of Wake Up The Beast to give away!

If you would like to chance to win it, please e-mail editor@familiestvw.co.uk by 31st January 2024. A winner will be chosen at random.

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EDUCATION NEWS

Sporting Success

Delicious Donation

There’s never a day without sporting success at Crosfields, and the Autumn Term is no exception!

Horris Hill School’s Kitchen Garden has gone above and beyond with its 2023 harvest, providing for both the school’s student population and the local community.

In hockey, ISA U9A Girls hockey team were undefeated and won their group with a very good record. The U13A and U11A girls hockey teams both won their respective ISA Plate Competition, a fantastic achievement for them all after all their hard work this season to improve their skills and tactics.

There has also been much success in football as Crosfields teams continue to excel in their competitions. The U13A girls football won the ISA Cup at LVS whilst the U15A girls football won the ISA Plate. The boys have also had a wealth of success with the U13A boys football reaching the last 16 of the ISFA cup and the last 16 of the ISFA Shield competitions. The U11A boys are off to the IAPS National Finals after winning the IAPS regional qualifier at Ashford Prep School.

To view Crosfield’s sporting facilities, and find out more about what sports at Crosfields can do for your child, book a personal tour at crosfields.com

Situated just outside Newbury, the independent prep school is proud to have its own kitchen garden on site, with a thriving apple orchard. Regular class sessions help the children learn more about where their food comes from, and teaches them how to care for different types of plants.

This year, a bumper apple crop has led to the school purchasing its own apple press and pasteuriser, and the pupils have been getting stuck in testing out the new gadgets!

Half of the delicious juice produced has been enjoyed by the school, while the other half has been donated to West Berks Foodbank. An additional 18.7kgs of food was also delivered to the foodbank from the Lower School’s Harvest Festival celebration, aiding local residents in crisis.

For more information, go to www.horrishill.com

An Independent Prep School for Boys & Girls aged 3-13

Dolphin School is unique It is a school where their core values of Freedom, Discovery, Challenge, Confidence and Kindness are lived out each and every day.

Whether it is through their extensive and varied trips programme, subject specialist teaching from nursery upwards, the lack of uniform, or the first name terms between students and teachers, Dolphin is a school that is different and proudly so.

If you would like to learn more about Dolphin please contact Kate Spooner at admissions@dolphinschool.com or call 0118 934 1277.

Parents and their young children are welcome at Stay & Play sessions on Wednesday 31 January and Tuesday 27 February; simply get in touch if you would like to attend.

More info: www.bit.ly/BabyReading

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Dolphin School inspires a love of learning that lasts a lifetime

Please visit our website to learn more, or contact Kate Spooner admissions@dolphinschool.com www.dolphinschool.com 0118 934 1277 Waltham Road, Hurst, Berkshire, RG10 0FR Families Thames Valley West

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Ages 8+ National Geographic Science Kit Bundles Giveaway

T&Cs apply

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Geodes Kit Glow in the Dark Science Kit Gemstone Dig Kit 3 bundles available

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Learning EVERYDAY

FOR LIFE

Open Day Saturday 24th February 2024 10am To book your place please use the QR code

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EDUCATION

Meet the Head: Eagle House School This issue we had the pleasure of catching up with Mr Ed Venables, who became the Head at Eagle House School in Sandhurst in September 2023. Having also been an Eagle House School parent, he has a unique perspective.

On the school website it says that you initially had a career in finance. What made you decide to then pursue a career in education?

Our biennial Literature festival springs to mind. We have marquees around the school and we invite parents and local schools to listen to a series of fantastic children’s authors who are experts at engaging with their audiences. There is a proper festival feel and the buzz it creates around choosing books and reading is infectious.

Can you tell us a little about your different roles at the school before becoming Head?

What attracted you to Eagle House School as a parent?

I went to a prep in London with no grass or playing fields and, much as I really loved my years there, I wanted my children to grow up somewhere where they wouldn’t need to get on a bus to play sport. I wanted them having woods to play in and space to run around with their friends. I also loved the delicate balance between academic rigour and all the crucial co-curricular activities.

What are the advantages of a school that takes children up to year 8 rather than year 6?

As a Deputy DSL at Wellington, I had been noticing for some years teenagers really struggling with their mental health.

Special feature

Are there any unique events in the Eagle School calendar?

I am not a huge fan of cities and I had said to myself that I would only work in London for 10 years. I did a little longer, and then the debt crisis of 2008 started and it was a natural time to move. I wanted to do something more directly ‘real’ with people.

I worked at Wellington College (the senior school that owns Eagle House) for 15 years. I was a Head of the Economics and Business department, a Housemaster to 65 boys for six years and Director of Admissions for 5 years. During my time I was also involved with scuba diving, sailing, rugby coaching and refereeing and developing a link with an amazing Special school in Frimley called Carwarden House.

Meet the Head

We also have a MAD day (make a difference day) where we mix all the year groups up to engage in themed activities connected with a cause looking beyond ourselves. The children love working closely with different year groups.

How do you involve parents and carers in children’s education?

Much research suggests that many of the issues that exhibit in Years 10 and 11 have their origin, but are not addressed, in Years 6, 7 and 8. A prep school with Years 7 and 8 allows the children to remain children for longer while learning more about themselves and the strategies required to look after their mental health at senior school.

What is your favourite place in the school?

I have two favourite places! When I need proper cheering up I go to visit the Year 1 and 2 classrooms to be greeted by joyful children loving being at school.

I also love our school dining room where children sit wherever the next space is without the pressure to find a friend to sit next to that is often the case in senior schools. Teachers sit at the ends of tables and just have wonderful conversations about all sorts of things with the children.

I am really keen that there is a close dialogue between parents and the school.

This happens, for the most part, via tutors (responsible for about 10 children each) who have regular catch ups with parents.

We provide information regularly on effort, attainment relative to ability, and pastoral growth. But we have even bigger plans in this area going forward.

We also work hard to guide parents on the best choice of senior school for their children and we seek to do our best to remove the stress from the process.

Do you have a favourite book or film?

My favourite book is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern because of its magical imagery. I gather there is a film in the works, and I am very excited by that.

What would you like to achieve over the next couple of years and beyond?

I would like to have fully embedded our wellbeing hub to be the true heart of the school. This, a new Learning for Life (PSHE) curriculum, and additional reflective input from tutors will enable every Eagle House student to really know (and be able to articulate) what their strengths are and what they are actively working on.

Academic success will flow from this but new Year 7 and 8 classrooms, an increased use of AI software and a stronger focus on academic skills and academic curiosity will, I hope, lead to Eagle House students moving on to senior schools with everything they need to flourish throughout those challenging years.

To find out more about Eagle House School, please visit eaglehouseschool. com or call 01344 772134.

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EDUCATION

Beyond the school system

By Ana Fábrega It’s a fact that the traditional school system doesn’t suit everyone, yet many parents aren’t in a position to take their children out of school. The good news is that there are some fabulous learning opportunities available outside of the school system, which can be used to complement school learning. Consider these: Self-directed learning communities. Programmes like Kubrio (www.kubrio.com) bring kids together to share interests and design their own curriculums. Over one hundred classes cover coding, game design, art, writing and entrepreneurship.

Academy (www.khanacademy.org) offer amazing courses.

Forest Schools. Forest School programmes (www.forestschoolassociation.org) put kids at the centre of learning, connect them with each other and nature and challenge them to take responsibility and make meaning for themselves.

Foster a love of reading. Let kids read freely and widely. Let them skim through books and dive deep into what interests them: poems, comic books, non-fiction, magazines, cookbooks or even the same book over and over. Choice is the secret recipe for fostering a love of reading. Once they develop this, they will be able to teach themselves anything.

Team problem-solving. Synthesis School (www.synthesis. com) empowers kids to solve the world’s hardest problems.

They compete in teams, debating ideas, testing tactics, communicating decisions, taking ownership and drawing out the best in each other.

Alternative schools. If you are thinking of a different school, consider alternatives such as Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia. For specific alternative schools, research Sora Schools (www.soraschools.com), Higher Ground (www.higherground. com) and Acton Academy (www.actonacademy.org).

Project-based learning. Programmes like Arduino (www.arduino.cc) cover chemistry, physics, electronics, coding and more. They ship all the components to your door, with online training and support to allow kids to learn by doing.

Microschools. Microschools are also wonderful options, like those available through Prenda (www.prenda.com) and other networks. To find a good one, look for mixed age groups, a childcentred curriculum and project-based learning.

Online STEAM classes. Many schools struggle to provide enough opportunity to explore science, tech, engineering, art and maths (STEAM subjects). Platforms like Brilliant (www.brilliant.org), Skillshare (www.skillshare.com) and Khan

Ana Lorena Fábrega is a teacher, turned edupreneur and author of The Learning Game: Teaching Kids to Think for Themselves, Embrace Challenge, and Love Learning, available from www.bookshop.org

The Lindy Effect

Lindy ideas in education

Lindy ideas refer to concepts or principles that have demonstrated resilience and longevity over time. The term ‘Lindy’ comes from the Lindy Effect, a concept introduced

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book Antifragile. In essence, it says that ideas age differently from people. The longer ideas have been around, the longer they’re likely to last.

Play. Free play is our natural method of learning about the world. Since ancient times, we’ve used it to explore, experiment and build new knowledge by venturing into the unknown.

Each of the learning options explored above share common traits. Although each is unique, they all take Lindy ideas from the past and apply them to today in various ways. Lindy ideas stick around for a reason: they often work quite well and have proven themselves across generations. We should leverage wisdom from the past and adapt it for today.

The teacher as facilitator. Throughout history, the best educators acted as wise guides. Rather than conveying knowledge, they facilitated questions and dialogue until students arrived at their own understanding. It was a collaborative model of truth-seeking.

Although most traditional schools today do not follow Lindy ideas, there are an increasing number of alternative schools and educational programmes that do things differently. These can help parents of children for whom traditional education is not working to replace or supplement it with learning experiences that are grounded in Lindy ideas and updated for today.

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Learning by doing. Hunter-gatherers of the past let kids learn survival skills through practice. They played with bows, spears and cooking tools and participated in the work of the tribe.

The Socratic method. For hundreds of years, teachers used the method of the Greek philosopher Socrates. Instead of lecturing, they asked penetrating questions to help students use reasoning to develop their own beliefs.

One-room schoolhouses. Historically, kids attended one-room schoolhouses (or ‘microschools’ today) where they learned in small, mixed aged groups. Older kids taught younger kids, younger kids learned from older ones.

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

Twelve months to It’s the New Year! This is the perfect time for a reboot designed for the whole family. Get started February Grow more veg & herbs

January Eat less meat Veganuary takes place every January. Having started in the UK in 2014, it now has global traction. If going vegan is a step too far for your family, how about Meatless Mondays? Even reducing red meat by a small amount can improve heart health. Try a half-and-half approach; instead of using just minced beef in recipes, replace half with beans, lentils or mushrooms. It increases the amount of fibre in your diet.

It might be looking a little bare out there but the frostbitten days of winter are coming to an end. What better time to visit the garden centre, shake out the gardening gloves and push some seeds into the soil. Assigning individual pots to the kids might encourage them to get more involved in growing their own veggies and herbs - and eating them!

March Bake healthier snacks

April Take up a sport together Biscuits and cakes are often the easiest snacks to reach for after school. With forward planning though, we can all do a little better.

Homemade snacks don’t have to look or taste too different from shop-bought ones; by just by adding less refined white flour and more fibre you can improve gut health over the course of a year.

For biscuits, try a bit less flour and a few more oats. With cakes and traybakes, using wholewheat flour is a great way to introduce more fibre, antioxidants and protein, along with tonnes of important nutrients like B vitamins, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Finding an active challenge you can enjoy as a family, can be loads of fun and healthy. But finding something that works for every age is tricky. Ice skating and golf can be good levellers and appealing to older children. If nothing else comes to mind, swimming or cycling usually work for most; it’s all-round physical exercise and always seems to have an immediate and positive effect on appetite and sleep.

June Go dancing!

May Tackle anxiety At this time of year, school tests and exams can pile on extra pressure. Meditating regularly, even for a few minutes a day, can make a difference and there are lots of meditation apps designed for children, as well as adults. More effective than yoga, meditation is proven to reduce the reactivity of the brain in response to stress and a Harvard-based study in 2011 demonstrated that you can even reduce the size of the amygdala (the bit of the brain associated with the stress response) when you meditate for a longer period of time.

10 Families Thames Valley West

The days are long and the sunset casts a rosy glow… well hopefully!

The festival season has arrived and it’s time to embrace the midsummer madness and go dancing. The health benefits of dance are impressive; cardio, weight-loss, strength, agility and balance are just the start. To top it all off, dancing brings joy and is a natural form of stress relief. Throw in some choreography and you’ve even got a workout for your memory too.

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

a healthier family with our step-by-step guide and let every month take you closer to a happier, healthier, family life.

August Drink more water

July Tech-free weekends Or, more realistically, just one day! As it gets brighter and sunnier, it’s much easier to come up with tempting outdoor alternatives and any reduction in screentime is likely to improve sleep and mental health.

Consider device-free times or designated tech-free zones at home.

Are you keeping to your own weekly or daily limits? Revisit the rules, especially with older kids and discuss what a healthy balance looks like. Visual timers help some children keep screentime under control.

Yawn, we know this, yet we are probably still not drinking enough.

Let’s just recap how essential it is for our health. The blood is ninety percent water so good hydration basically effects every single organ and cell in the body, from heart to brain to skin. How about trying a different strategy for each family member? For one child, a new water bottle. For another…. deploying the dark art of parental bribery. For yourself, water infused with lemon instead of a coffee.

September Enrol in a new class

October The vitamin refresh It’s a new academic year and there is no need to limit the anticipation and thrill of a new start to just the children in the family!

There’s also no need to spend a penny. Start by visiting your local council website to find out about free short adult education courses.

Or you could check out the online learning platform backed by The Open University called Future Learn (www.futurelearn.com). Most of their courses are also free.

Perhaps you’ve dished out vitamin C to head off colds, tried some probiotics for gut health or have been taking Omega 3 to improve focus? The chances are you probably have some unfinished bottles lying around in a cupboard somewhere. October is a good time to sort through what you already have and set your priorities for the winter ahead. The NHS recommends all children under age 6 (who are not being fed formula) should have vitamins A, C and D as daily supplements. Vitamin D is particularly important as winter approaches, as we get less sunshine.

November Switch to sugar alternatives

December Family cooking day Adding more spices to our diets benefits us by replacing sweetness with flavour. Other sugar alternatives, like agave or stevia, convert to glucose more slowly, helping improve our energy and health over time. Date sugar is made from dehydrated dates, retaining more of the fibre and vitamins than standard refined sugar. Monk fruit is a natural sweetener made from a south east asian fruit.

It’s increasingly available in health food shops and is many times sweeter than sugar, yet it has no calories or effect on blood sugar.

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Help! It’s nearly Christmas again! This year, it might be a good idea to get some meals in the freezer before the holidays start and relatives descend. Dedicate a day to cooking as a family and let each member choose a healthy recipe. It’s great for teamwork and even better if you discover some new family favourites. Younger members can get to work on healthier versions of seasonal staples like mince pies or gingerbread men.

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EARLY YEARS

What makes a good pre-school or nursery?

By Justina Gapper and what is happening more generally at the nursery.

Look out for nurseries and pre-schools that help parents understand and support at home what their children have been learning at the setting. For instance, use of Home-Link Books which suggest small, achievable, fun activities that parents can do with their children at home.

Structure, routine and safety To feel safe, children need routine, so it is important that staff are able to maintain this. Parents also need complete peace of mind that their child is safe at the setting and may want to check whether the nursery has installed CCTV and telecoms on its entrances to ensure secure access.

When choosing a nursery or pre-school, most parents base their decision on a combination of personal recommendation, the vibe of the setting, how much they like the staff and the setting’s Ofsted report and rating.

But what are the other features that contribute to the success of a nursery or pre-school setting? What really makes the difference between your child having a great experience, rather than just an acceptable one? Here are some things to take note of when you are visiting potential nurseries for your child.

Staff team Recruiting the right staff and ensuring they work closely as a team is crucial to the success of a nursery setting. Look out for the way staff interact with each other. Are they supporting each other, anticipating issues and problems and each other’s needs, as well as those of the children? Look out for nursery managers who are present in the main part of the nursery, as opposed to spending all their time sitting in an office. When they are working alongside their staff, they can steer the ship and also offer support at particularly busy times of the day.

Communication Communication between nursery key workers and parents is a number one priority. Can you see evidence of nursery staff working closely with parents to help new children settle?

Settling a child into nursery or pre-school can be a stressful and anxious experience for both parent and child. Not all children are the same, so settings should, where possible, be flexible enough to adjust their procedures to suit each child.

Good nurseries provide daily feedback to parents, send weekly emails and use social media to show the nursery in action.

Parents should expect to receive regular updates from their child’s key worker and be kept informed of their child’s progress

Waterproof and Wellies The Outdoor Guide Foundation was set up with the simple aim of making the outdoors accessible to all - and that starts with children.

Nearly one third of primary school children in the UK come from families that are living below the poverty line. This means there is little money for household essentials, let alone for buying suitable clothing for outdoor play. That’s where The Waterproof and Wellies Project comes in. Over the next five years, it aims to donate at least ten waterproof suits and wellies to every state primary school in the country - all twenty thousand of them.

Why? Because time outside is vital and there’s a startling statistic that suggests prisoners get more time outside in an average week than a child of primary school age. Waterproof and Wellies has already donated kits to more than three hundred schools. With the support of local families and businesses, the project can do much more.

To find out more and support the project, visit www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org

PLACES AVAILABLE

For 3-4 year olds Flexible year-round care from £60.10* a day Visit www.sjcr.org.uk/acorn for more information

* cost breakdown on our website

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WORK

Work and the single parent

By Rebecca Cox Are you a single parent? How do you make working ‘work’ for you?

Being the solo head of a family household is no easy task. Yet roughly one in four families in the UK is headed by a single parent.

Whether you’re entering solo parenthood through conscious decision, following an unexpected loss, a relationship breakdown or a change in circumstances, the roadblocks to success (and happiness) remain the same.

Being the carer and the provider, embodying both parents at once, means you have a lot of plates to juggle and little support to keep them in the air.

The main things to get sorted early are co-parenting plans (if relevant), childcare, legal considerations, finances and work. But how do you navigate a successful career as a single parent?

Working hours

Working Families charity says: ‘Any employee with twenty six weeks’ service can make a statutory flexible working request.

Flexible working means changing the way you work and can include working fewer hours, working compressed hours, working from home, changing your start and finish times or entering into a job share. You should state in your request if you are making the request due to childcare or in relation to the Equality Act (e.g. disability) if you are asking for flexible working to care for a child or disabled person. You should also include details about the impact on family life if it is turned down.’

The first consideration is to be practical about the times you will physically be able to work, with childcare top of your agenda. If you have school-age children, the hours they are at school will likely be free for work (unless you have other caring commitments).

Know your rights

Beyond the school day, think about your extra childcare needs and possibilities for meeting them, to give you the best idea of how your working days could look. If your children are preschoolers, childcare costs will need to be weighed against potential earnings. Unfortunately, the numbers don’t always add up.

Working single parents should understand their right to parental leave, time off for dependants, protection from discrimination in the workplace and part-time workers’ regulations. Sometimes it is impossible to make the numbers add up, so understand your right to financial aid too. Use the online benefits calculator at www.gov.uk.

Flexible working

And finally, don’t forget: parenting IS work. Unpaid work, yes, but it is one of the most important jobs on the planet and if your single parent status means that you have to deprioritise your career for a short period, there is no failing in that.

Once you know the hours available to you, with and without childcare costs attached, you’ll be in a better position to navigate how you’ll manage work within those hours.

If you’ve gone from a two-parent household to going it alone or you’re a solo parent by choice, you may have a pressing need for more flexibility from your employer.

Manage your money

Beyond flexible working requests, it’s important to be aware not only of your working rights but of your right to support if you need it.

Rebecca Cox is co-author with Zoë Desmond of a new book How To Be A Happy Single Parent (Little Brown Book Group) which offers advice to new single parents trying to navigate the working world as the solo head of a family. It is available from www.bookshop.org If your school or family-friendly venue would like to receive FREE copies of Families Thames Valley West magazine, contact us at editor@familiestvw.co.uk

The less you spend, the less you’ll need to earn. Creating a comprehensive budget is one of the first and most important tasks for any single parent. ‘Most people’s financial problems are due to spending, not income’ says Financial Freedom Coach, Natalye-Marrie Boyce.

When you’re tracking outgoings, prioritise housing, energy bills and household essentials; revisit flexible contracts and subscriptions that you could save on, plus luxuries like streaming services, memberships and holidays. Don’t cut luxuries altogether but be realistic about what you can afford.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Families Thames Valley West 13

CLUBS & CLASSES

Clubs & Classes Directory

Please get in touch if you would like to be included in our directory: editor@familiestvw.co.uk DEVELOPMENTAL CLASSES

DANCE & DRAMA

BilinguaSing French, Spanish and Italian classes from age 0-11. Fun sensory music classes with the added bonus of a second language! Trial slots available, as well as sibling discounts. Classes in Wokingham, Bracknell, Theale, Caversham and other Berkshire locations Monday-Friday.

Contact Cari Weston at cari@bilinguasing. com or call 07729261018 for more information.

Alison-Jayne School of Dance The Alison-Jayne School of Dance is a small dance school offering ISTD Ballet, Tap and Modern lessons from age 3 to 18 years at the Christ Church Centre, Henley and Sonning Common School. For further information/ free Introductory lesson, Call 0118 979 0683 /07968 592812 or e-mail ajdance.uk@gmail. com, www.alison-jaynedance

Master Builders Club Brick Building Workshops for Children Master Builders Club is a LEGO® & DUPLO® lovers paradise! Our weekend and holiday workshops, after school clubs, birthday parties and nursery/primary school events are designed to provide children with an exciting and captivating experience.

We provide 1000’s of LEGO® or DUPLO® bricks in a calm and supportive environment along with the imaginative stimulus to transform a room into a world of creativity.

If you are passionate about providing engaging and stimulating play opportunities that nurture your child’s mind, then Master Builders Club is for you! To book your brick building fan a place or to find out more about our events, visit the webite. www.masterbuildersclub.co.uk

Perform Confidence-building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. A unique mix of fun drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. To book a FREE class visit www.perform.org.uk/try

GYMNASTICS, SPORT AND SWIMMING Bulmershe Gymnastics Club Based at a purpose-built gym in Woodley.

Gymnastics classes for all ages including Leap Frogs for walkers to five years lead by qualified coaches. www.bulmershegymnastics.co.uk GR Swimming Schools Bronze Award Swim England Swim School of the Year 2023! Uniquely structured, safe, FUN, children’s swimming lessons from 3 years old.

Lessons include continual assessment and lane progression. Maximum of 6 children per class. Aquaphobia lessons, Adults Beginners, Improvers and Advanced. Shy, nervous and anxious children welcome. Call 07853194327 jo@swimlessons.co.uk, swimlessons.co.uk St Joseph’s Swim School Fun and engaging swimming lessons, small class sizes in private learning pool following Swim England programme for 4+. FREE onsite parking. Register your interest now! For more information contact us on swimschool@sjcr. org.uk, www.sjcr.org.uk/swimschool

Starting your own club Progress Youth Theatre Workshops for ages 7-18 involving theatre games, improvisation and skills development, leading to a stage production every year. We are an Arts Award Supporter and also offer LAMDA courses. Classes held at Progress Theatre, Reading.

Email us to book a FREE taster session. youthgroup@progresstheatre.co.uk progresstheatre.co.uk/youth-theatre

To include your business in our directory call Lesley on 07863 790592 or email: editor@familiestvw.co.uk

By Olivia age 10

I believe kids should have a chance to express themselves in school and extra things they enjoy. I believe clubs are a good way to do this.

How to start your own club: Put posters up around the school Plan ahead Check clubs popularity Make sure the club is doable in the space you’re given What your club is going to be about How many people are in it?

When will you do it?

My club: I run a drama club at my school with 9 people in. I found it tricky to handle it at first but then I set some rules and found it way easier to run. It certainly made it less overwhelming for the other members as well. We started taking it in turns to come to the club and it made it less crowded and easier to run.

Sessions taught by our friendly SEQ/ASA level 2 swimming teachers with a maximum class size of 6

OPEN TO ALL SWIMMING LESSONS FOR CHILDREN AGE 4+, WOMEN ONLY AND W

EN

O N LY L E

SS

N

S

&

M

A D U LT

O

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ADULT BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE

sjcr.org.uk/swimschool 14 Families Thames Valley West

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OUT & ABOUT

Child’s review Greys Court

Rotherfield Greys, Henley-onThames, Oxfordshire, RG9 4PG, nationaltrust.org.uk/greyscourt

Basildon Park

Review ed by Dora Gomb os

Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 9NR, nationaltrust.org.uk/basildonpark We visited Basildon Park on a wet autumn afternoon; on a day when it was hard to get the kids outside. However, as soon as we drove through the National Trust gates, the children got very excited and couldn’t wait to get out of the car.

We joined the children’s trail that is based around the book, The Wind in the Willows. As we left the Visitor centre, we found ourselves in the enchanting woods lit with fairy lights - truly magical! The bitter cold and grey skies were forgotten immediately!

We all enjoyed the challenge of finding the clues. The trail led us to the thatched Umbrello seat where the view is absolutely beautiful.

Despite being busy, the garden was really peaceful. We treated ourselves to hot drinks for a little break. The cafe had a nice selection of sandwiches, drinks and treats. Before leaving, our children collected their prizes.

On the way home they were already talking about going back soon!

I had a great day out with my family at Greys Court National Trust.

There is a really fun walled garden, like the one in the secret garden story, where you walk through lots of different secret areas. I made a wish at the wishing fountain and looked for frogs in the pond.

The National Trust house is quite small but it looked like a nice place to live. You can go and explore inside if you like to look at posh old things.

By Arabe lla age 9

We had a hot chocolate in the cafe and explored the horse wheel by the shop. In the olden days horses would have walked around it all day to pull water from a well deep below. I would have felt very sorry for the horses when I had a bath.

Close to the shop is a small play area which I remember having lots of fun on when I was little. If you are too big for the park then you can build a den.

I’ve also been in spring time when the whole woodland behind the house is full of bluebells. They look like a purple carpet and they smell lovely.

Mad Hatters Pottery Painting Café 114 School Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5AX, madhatterspottery.co.uk I recently met a friend for a coffee at this lovely venue. As the name suggests, it specialises in pottery painting, and part of the space is dedicated to this activity. There is also a distinctly artistic feel to the rest of the room, with bright colours and cheerful nicknacks on shelves.

I love independent cafés and taking time out from a busy lifestyle, and it was a real pleasure to sit there for a few minutes, looking around and waiting for my friend to arrive with my mobile phone banished to my bag.

The café was busy and friendly while we were there, and the crowd included several parents with babies and young children: a great find when you have a little one in tow. There is also parking behind the building, which removes the stress of figuring out where to park.

We all need time now and again to unwind, and this was a very pleasant place in which to do just that!

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY FUN AT THE MERL

THIS HALF TERM Activity packs, make-and-takes, free trails and more!

merl.reading.ac.uk/half-term Families Thames Valley West 15

WHAT’S ON

Local climbing walls

Spotlight on Newbury

Climbing is becoming increasingly popular and it seemed only natural for us to investigate places where families can climb locally and pass on what we found out. It is impressive how many venues there are for this exciting activity – maybe you could try them all!

Newbury is easily reachable by road or rail, and its town centre is compact and pleasant to explore on foot. The Kennet and Avon Canal runs through the centre of Newbury with an easy access tow path. Some of our favourite places and activities for families in Newbury include:

Adventure Dolphin The Dolphin Centre, Pangbourne, Reading, RG8 7DA, 0118 321 7206/ adventuredolphin.co.uk Standing at 8 metres tall, the indoor climbing wall boasts an impressive variety of over 20 different routes, suitable for climbers of all levels, from beginners to those at an intermediate stage.

Clip ‘n Climb Reading The Grain Store Bridge Farm Reading RG2 9HT, 0118 3388067/ reading.clipnclimb.co.uk Climbing experiences, from toddlers to school groups, from kids to adults, including special needs.

(Check out our Children’s Review of this venue in the Sep/Oct 2023 issue.)

Dinton Activity Centre Davis Street, Hurst, RG10 0TH, wokinghamcountryside.co.uk/ welcome-dinton-activity-centre Climb up to 7 meters high and explore a variety of challenges on this unique wall painted with a woodland and water scene (see picture above).

Northway Climbing Centre Northway House, Newbury, RG14 7NF, 01635 31636/ northwayclimbing.com This is a family-friendly centre with a minimum age of 4 years old.

Oakwood Climbing Centre Wokingham, RG40 3DA, 0118 979 2246/oakwoodclimbingcentre. com The facility is built for purpose, offering as much space as possible with careful thought about training areas and a competition wall.

Donnington Castle, RG14 2LE These spooky ruins stand on the top of a hill with vast views of the surrounding countryside.

Parthian Climbing Reading Reading, RG2 0AU, 0118 975 6298 parthianclimbing.com/reading With ample parking, or a 30-minute walk from Reading Station, this centre caters for climbers from all over Berkshire.

Kennet and Avon Canal Boat Trips, Newbury Wharf, RG14 5AS Take a trip on the Jubilee or wander along the tow path to soak up the history of Newbury.

Ranger Station at Prospect Park Reading, RG30 2ND, reading.gov. uk/leisure/active-reading/rangerstation-at-prospect-park Public sessions open from March 2024 and private party packages are available.

The Climbing Hangar Reading Unit 8 Stadium Way, RG30 6BX, 0118 907 4251/theclimbinghangar. com/locations/reading TCH specialises in bouldering. The café serves fresh coffee and hot food made right on-site.

Waterside Centre Waldegrave Place, Newbury, RG14 1DS, 01635 018500/ watersidecentre.co.uk The climbing wall is available for use as part of Berkshire Youth’s activity programme, as well as being available for group hire and birthday parties.

High Score Newbury, RG14 5DB Enjoy arcade games with or without the children.

Kennet Shopping, Market Street, RG14 5EN Shop ‘til you drop or enjoy a film at the cinema!

Newbury Central Library, The Wharf, RG14 5AU Get lost in a book or enjoy an activity with the children.

Newbury Racecourse, Racecourse Road, RG14 7NZ There is a regular programme of races, including some events geared towards families.

Parkway Shopping, RG14 1AY There are lots of seasonal family events as well as a good variety of retail outlets here.

Shaw House, Church Road, RG14 2DR This elegant mansion hosts family-friendly activities

throughout the year.

The Base Greenham, RG19 6HN There are some great exhibitions and workshops going on at this out-of-town venue.

The Corn Exchange, Market Place, RG14 5BD There’s always loads going on here: shows, workshops and a welcoming café-bar.

The Ugly Duckling Pottery Painting Café, 2-3 Bartholomew Street, RG14 5LL Create beautiful designs with cake and a drink for refreshment.

The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, RG20 8AE This former watermill now hosts family performances and workshops for children throughout the year.

Victoria Park, 6 Park Way, RG14 1EE Right in the heart of Newbury, Victoria Park has a mini golf course, play areas and a splash park in the summer.

West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, RG14 5AS Find out more about the history of West Berkshire in this free museum.

GR SWIMMING SCHOOLS ■ CHILDREN FROM 3 YEARS (TEACHERS IN THE WATER)

■ MAXIMUM 6 CHILDREN PER CLASS ■ FUN! UNIQUELY STRUCTURED LESSONS! ■ CONTINUAL ASSESSMENT & LANE PROGRESSION

■ SHY, NERVOUS & ANXIOUS CHILDREN WELCOME ■ AQUAPHOBIA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ■ ROOKIE LIFEGUARD PROGRAMME (SUPPORTS DOFE)

■ ADULTS: BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED LEVELS ■ STROKE TECHNIQUE ■ GO WITH THE FLOW FOR A WATER BIRTH

Multi Award Winning Swim School 16 Families Thames Valley West

After school, evening and weekend classes...

Brockhurst School, RG18 9UL St Andrews School, RG8 8QA The Downs School, RG20 6AD Contact us: 07853 194327 Jo@swimlessons.co.uk swimlessons.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON

What’s on

The Bubble Show

January & February 2024

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

JANUARY 3–6 Jan Beauty and the Beast Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk The Henley Children’s Theatre proudly present their annual Pantomime. 1pm/6pm 7 Jan Reading Children’s Book Group Fourbears Books, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG, fourbearsbooks.co.uk This event will be looking into fictional and real mysteries to start the year off. Ages 5-8. 10am–11am 10–13 Jan A Christmas Carol Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk Immerse yourself in the Victorian Christmas tale of Ebenezer Scrooge by travelling in time with the ghosts of past, present and future.

12–14 Jan Treasure Island Loddon Hall, Twyford, Reading, RG10 9JA, twyforddrama.co.uk Twyford Drama would like you all to jump aboard with them and dare to join the villainous Long John Silver on the high seas.

12–14 Jan and 19–21 Jan Rapunzel: Pantomime Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9DF, shinfieldplayers.org.uk The famous story about a girl with beautiful long golden hair who was locked up in a tower by an evil witch.

14 Jan Kidical Mass Bike Ride Reading University, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AH, kidicalmassreading.co.uk Ride from the campus of Reading University. 2pm 18 and 19 Jan Space-Themed Day The Look Out Discovery Centre, Bracknell, RG12 7QW, bracknellforest.gov.uk/leisure-services/ look-out-discovery-centre Extra special activities for children up to age 5.

21 Jan Reading Children’s Book Group Fourbears Books, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG, fourbearsbooks.co.uk Join guest author Susan Martineau to look at some real life mysteries.

Ages 9-11. 10am–11am 27 Jan–19 Feb Zero Degrees Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Winchester, SO21 1HZ, winchestersciencecentre.org In The Hibernation Station families will learn all about what native species are up to during winter. Den building and seasonal activities, plus lots more. All ages. 9:30am–5pm Familiesonline.co.uk

28 Jan Family Tai Chi Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Join Mark Jones for this morning Family Tai Chi session. 10:30am

FEBRUARY 3 Feb Ancient Egypt Family Fun Day West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson Do you know what a shabti is? Find out by dropping in to the Museum to meet members of the Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society. 10am–3pm 3 Feb Museum Guided Tours West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson A free guided tour of the special exhibition From the Nile to Newbury.

10:30am: families, 2pm: neurodiverse families.

3 Feb Top Secret: Magic of Science Pre-show Workshop Corn Exchange, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Artist Gemma Kirby will show you how to decorate a magical pair of goggles so you are ready for the science lab! 1pm

use of mild adult language and is recommended for age 7+.

for LEGO Fans. Suitable for little ‘Brickies’ aged 5+. 9:30–11:30am

11 Feb The Sooty Show The Hexagon, Reading, RG1 7QF, whatsonreading.com Celebrating 75 amazing years in show business, Sooty, Sweep and Soo are planning a very special birthday party and you’re all invited!

2:30pm

12 Feb Snug and Grub Catch a Bug Shaw House, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org A wonderfully wiggly adventure about Snug and Grub who live safely underground in their earthy heap.

11am/1pm

11 Feb The Bubble Show Corn Exchange, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Join Mr Bubbles with his extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes! 2pm 12 Feb Master Builders Club Workshop Badgemore Primary School, Hop Gardens, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2HL, masterbuildersclub.co.uk Immersive brick building experience

12 Feb Master Builders Club Workshop The Heights Primary School, 129 Upper Woodcote Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7LB, masterbuildersclub.co.uk Come and play at Master Builders Club and let your imagination run wild with 1000’s of LEGO bricks, components and Minifigures.

2:30pm–4:30pm

3 Feb Top Secret – The Magic of Science Corn Exchange, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Hang on to your seats as the Corn Exchange is transformed into a reallife science laboratory. 2pm 4 Feb Reading Children’s Book Group Fourbears Books, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG, fourbearsbooks.co.uk Join in at the start of the Chinese Year of the Dragon to celebrate these mythical beasts in books. Ages 5-8. 10am–11am 4 Feb Kidical Mass Bike Ride Thames Lido, Napier Road, Reading, RG1 8FR, kidicalmassreading.co.uk Circular ride. 2pm 7 and 8 Feb Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out Corn Exchange, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Peppa Pig is back in her oinktastic brand new live show! 10am/1pm/ 4pm 7-9 Feb Les Misérables Wellington College Crowthorne Berkshire RG45 7PU, wellingtoncollege.co.uk/boxoffice An epic and uplifting musical, from the talented Wellington Theatre Collective. It contains themes of war and death, as well as the infrequent

Just imagine – a school that combines the best academic progress in Berkshire, with award-winning personal development and sector-leading pastoral care

Weekday Open Morning Friday 15th March, 9-11am Find out more at www.leightonpark.com/imagine-better

Families Thames Valley West 17

WHAT’S ON

14 Feb The Bubble Show South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU, whatsonreading.com The Bubble Show is a unique blend of magic, storytelling, science and bubble art!

16 Feb Choogh Choogh South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU, whatsonreading.com Experience the sights, sounds and smells evoked through South Asian dance, music and theatre; and meet some amazing characters along the way.

16 Feb Drawing Portraits The Base, 1 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk Get creative and learn to make a realistic portrait. 1pm

13 Feb First Piano on the Moon Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk Mozart, via the blues, tango and rock’n’roll. 1pm/3pm

15 Feb Master Builders Club Workshop The Story Museum, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP, masterbuildersclub.co.uk Come and play at Master Builders Club and let your imagination run wild with 1000’s of LEGO bricks, components and Minifigures. 11am– 1pm and 2:30pm–4:30pm

17 Feb Alice in Wonderland Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk Multi award-nominated Immersion Theatre bring their trademark energy to their biggest, funniest, and most spectacular family musical to date!

1pm/5pm

13 Feb Master Builders Club Workshop Sonning Common Village Hall, Wood Lane, Sonning Common, RG4 9SL, masterbuildersclub.co.uk Immersive brick building experience for LEGO Fans. Suitable for little ‘Brickies’ aged 5+. 2:30pm–4:30pm

15–17 Feb School of Rock: The Musical South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on School of Rock is a two-hour, twoact musical (plus interval), based on the hit movie. 2pm/7pm

17 Feb Kidical Mass Bike Ride Elms Field Playground, Elms Road, Wokingham, RG40 1BN, kidicalmassreading.co.uk Circular ride. 2pm

14 Feb Family Activity Day Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson Art From the Heart – In celebration of Valentine’s Day, decorate a wooden heart with paint pens.

10am–3pm

16 Feb Messy Museum Day West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson Curious Cats – Make a cat out of air-drying clay and paint black, including lots of gold details.

10am–3pm

13 Feb Family Art Workshop: Heroes and Villains of the Ages West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson Join Armadillo Art Experience to learn how to draw caricature portraits of heroes and villains from across the ages. 10am–12:30pm 13 Feb Movie in the Hall: Secret Life of Pets Shaw House, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/whatson Max, a pet dog, is not very pleased when his master brings home another dog named Duke. 10:30am

14 Feb Neverland Family Fun Day The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE, watermill. org.uk Follow an activity trail around The Watermill gardens, listen to themed stories and take part in craft activities. 10:45am/1:15pm

17 and 18 Feb Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7QF, whatsonreading.com Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and also the beach for a special partyit’s going to be an exciting and fun packed day.

20 Feb Museum on Wheels Whitley Library, 252 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7QA, whatsonreading.com You can take part in free, familyfriendly activities to discover and celebrate natural heritage and add your voice to a consultation on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 9:30–11:30am

22 and 23 Feb Fairytales-themed Day The Look Out Discovery Centre, Bracknell, RG12 7QW, bracknellforest.gov.uk/leisure-services/ look-out-discovery-centre Extra special activities for children up to age 5.

24 Feb Museum on Wheels Southcote Library, Southcote Community Hub, Coronation Square, Southcote, Reading, RG30 3QP, whatsonreading.com Our Green Stories is a creative campaign that explores stories of the changing environment through museum collections in Reading and highlights ways of building a sustainable future both locally and beyond. 10:30am–12:30pm 24 and 25 Feb Annie Jnr South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on Performed by the wonderful and ambitious young performers from Bracknell’s Artemis Studios Performing Arts Schools, with Junior Theatre Company, Little Actors and members of Medusa, the cast is aged 4-18.

25 Feb Family Yoga Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Come along with your family for a calming yoga session. 10:30am

Would you like to advertise your business in our next issue?

BOOK TODAY Call 07863 790592 or email us at editor@familiestvw.co.uk

The Beehive Holidays Clubs Love lambing this February at Odds Farm Park Love is in the air down at Odds Farm Park this February half term as the leading Buckinghamshire leisure attraction gears up for its annual lambing event.

The 35 acre rare breeds farm, near Beaconsfield, has more than 25 ewes ready to give birth during the school holiday period.

And there is plenty of love to go round at Odds this February with Love & Lambs-themed craft activities, a scavenger trail and live entertainment shows every day during the half term holiday.

Love and Lambs at Odds Farm Park takes place from 10th – 18th February 2024 and online pre-booked tickets are £14.95.

Children under 2 years old are free of charge.

For more information, call 01628 520188, visit www. oddsfarm.co.uk, or like and follow @OddsFarmPark on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest news and updates.

18 Families Thames Valley West

The Beehive Holiday Clubs return to Crown Wood, Nine Mile Ride and Hatch Ride Primary Schools for the February half term!

Join them for lots of exciting adventures with…

• • • • • •

Drama Workshops Bubble Entertainer Sublime Science Show* Valentine’s Crafts Face Painting Reptile Handing AND MORE

Exciting Adventures at...

The Beehive 12-16 February 2024 Half-Term Holiday Clubs

www.beehiveclub.co.uk

Daily activities include arts & crafts, games, baking and lots of playtime!

Days are 8am-6pm with morning sessions from 8am-1pm (£22) and all day between 8am and 6pm (£38). Activities marked with * incur an additional £5.

The Beehive Holiday Clubs are open to all children aged between 3-11 years. Online registration is easy; booking and payment with childcare vouchers is accepted, and a 10% sibling discount is applied.

For a February half term holiday of fun, creativity and adventures, book The Beehive Holiday Clubs at Crown Wood Primary School, Nine Mile Ride Primary School, or Hatch Ride Primary School, 12-16 February 2024. www.beehiveclub.co.uk or www.facebook.com/thebeehivekidsclub

Familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

Performing Arts

What’s On Jan – May 2024

7 – 9 Feb 6 Mar 8 Mar 15 Mar 2 – 3 May

All events are open to the general public.

Proceeds go to the Wellington College Arts Fund to support local schools’ arts projects.

Les Misérables

The Schools Edition of this epic and uplifting musical, from the talented Wellington Theatre Collective

Dance Showcase

Spotlight on the dancers of the future

Spring Concert

This event brings together outstanding young players from across Wellington College

Concert Band and Jazz Orchestra

A stellar suite of orchestral music including Jazz, Funk, Pop, Latin and Rock

Lionboy

Based on the novels by Zizou Cord, this theatrical adaptation is a magical treat for all the family

Book now: wellingtoncollege.co.uk/boxoffice

1888

HORRIS HILL SCHOOL

Independent Day and Boarding Preparatory School FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 2 – 13 FAMILY - FREEDOM - FLAIR Offering excellence in private education.

Horris Hill children have successfully gone on to some of the top schools in the country, including Winchester, Eton, Harrow and Marlborough.

The school is set in 65 acres of beautiful countryside, just 10 minutes from Newbury.

Visit us at one of our open mornings: www.horrishill.com/events Newtown, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 9DJ | www.horrishill.com | 01635 40594

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Families Thames Valley West 19

Kind Hearts. Fierce Minds. Strong Spirits.

Discover academic excellence at Queen Anne’s.

JOIN US FOR OPEN MORNING | Friday 1 March 2024 www.qas.org.uk/visit An independent day and boarding school in Reading for girls aged 11-18 20 Families Thames Valley West

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