Families Cambridgeshire

FRE E H

TAKE ME

Issue 62 January/February 2021

OME

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MARCH 2021

Contents & Competition

Dear Reader,

New Year – new diary! My plans and goals are outlined for next year and I feel more organised simply by writing them down.

Once all birthdays, sports days, holidays, bank holidays, term dates and parents’ evenings are noted down I feel,on paper at least, that I can balance my work and home life and head into the New Year more organised than the year I am leaving behind.

Hopefully this issue will help you to become more organised with this month’s socially distanced ‘what’s on’ pages. If you are looking for a nursery or pre-school for your little one, we have updated our listings for you with the latest OFSTED ratings and included lots of advice on what to look for when finding the right place.

Happy New Year!

What's in this issue?

FR E HO E

TAK E ME

ME

Issue 62 January

/February 2021

familiesonline.co.uk

4.

News & Views

6.

Early years at Wisbech Grammar School

7. Baby News WISE WORDS: Dr Seuss: "You’ll never get bored when you try something new.

There’s really no limit to what you can do." @familiesCambMag

11. Choose your child’s nursery

www.facebook.com/FamCambsMag

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8. What’s On

12. Help! My child wants social media 13. The importance of play 14. Nursery or Pre-school?

15. Homework your questions answered

WIN

A FAMILY TICKET TO SEE THE ADVENTURES OF DOCTOR DOLITTLE

at The New Theatre, Peterborough at 1pm on Saturday 20th February When Doctor John Dolittle is taught by his wise old parrot Polynesia how to talk to animals, news of his skills spreads far and wide. Soon animals across the world send messages asking for his help and so the adventure begins. A funny, much-loved and exciting adventure, with a strong message about responsibility towards animals. Recommended for children aged 5+ and their families To enter, please visit our Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/FamCambsMag' and like & share our competition post.

Families Cambridgeshire is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Cambridgeshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Cambridgeshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Cambridgeshire its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

Families Cambridgeshire 3

News & Views

New Preschool to give girls an education with no limits St Mary’s School, Cambridge is opening a Preschool in September 2021, which will extend their provision for girls to 3-18 years of age.

The Preschool will inspire the girls from day one, nurturing the girls’ curiosity, creativity and confidence. In St Mary’s purpose-built early years setting, set in the Junior School’s leafy and spacious grounds, pupils will be nurtured, inspired, and cared for by St Mary’s Preschool team. They will benefit from St Mary’s specialised experience of teaching and empowering girls. St Mary’s Preschool will offer every opportunity to shine, supporting and engaging the girls at this key stage of their development.

In St Mary’s Preschool,girls will learn free from gender stereotypes in an educational environment rich in experiential opportunities.

They will develop their independence, initiative, creativity and problem-solving skills in a supportive, safe and strong pastoral and

academic framework.

Superb facilities support innovative, engaging learning experiences. The girls will create in St Mary’s art room, splash in the water play park, enjoy Woodland Explorers and perform in the outdoor theatre. They will also have access to all the usual Junior School facilities, including a library, gym and dance facilities. Taught in small classes, each girl is valued, supported and inspired, as they experience an education tailored to meet their needs.

The Preschool will follow an individualised learning programme that is tailored to each child's own developmental needs and will be based on a new St Mary’s Early Years Curriculum, written specifically for their pupils.

Learning in the Preschool class will be mainly based on experiential play, with support and challenge provided by the teacher and Early Years Assistant. Some direct teaching will take place, usually in small groups, with a focus on

Home from Home with Chilly Powder

New Dyslexia Support Boost Your Child's App Launched Confidence in 2021 GoLexic is the first ever UK remediation with a FREE Perform programme for children with reading and writing difficulties that focusses on parents Class and children working together to improve

Do you prefer winter or summer in the Alps… or both?

Francesca, Paul and their three children live in Morzine in France all year round and have a good knowledge of Alpine traditions and the Morzine people. Having adapted their chalet holiday style over the years to suit the tastes of their regular guests, they offer the perfect ski and summer holidays for either families, couples or mixed groups in relaxing luxury, with fantastic food and outstanding facilities, with unrivalled in-house childcare facilities. For many returning guests Chilly Powder is considered a real home from home.

For more about Chilly Powder chalets for summer and winter visit www.chillypowder. com

skills; it is also the first programme to offer advanced speech recognition technology and use it to understand individual difficulties and determine training level and support required.

With specialist tuition largely unavailable in the state school system, the GoLexic app claims to offer parents affordable home tutoring with customised exercises to be completed in 15 minutes or less.

The app’s reading and writing exercises are structured so that children from age 6 can improve reading and spelling skills at home.

Each day, it delivers a personalised 15 minute session which they can do by themselves or with their parents.

GoLexic can be downloaded via Apple iPad. More info:www.golexic.com

Save the date – Wear A Hat Day is back!

early phonics skills and mathematics.

If you would like to find out more about the new St Mary’s Preschool Class, or to apply for a place, please contact Debbie Hodson in St Mary’s Admissions Team at: admissions@ stmaryscambridge.co.uk or on +44 (0)1223 224 177.

After such a disrupted and unsettling year, Perform is looking forward to getting 2021 off to a brilliant start with weekly classes packed with high energy confidence-boosting fun.

Classes are designed around developing the 4Cs - confidence, communication, coordination and concentration - and use a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child's potential.

The curriculum ensures plenty of fun, with drama games, catchy songs and funky dances.

All class materials are written by Perform, with apps, downloads and videos for the children to play at home. Their small class sizes - run by two professional actors – ensure plenty of individual attention, plus each child receives a progress report every 10 weeks. Classes are available for ages 4-7 and 7-12 with a new creative theme each term.

To book a no-obligation FREE trial at venues across Cambridge visit www.perform.org. uk/try T: 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk

Calling all families across the country: join us on Friday 26th March to take part in entertaining, hat-themed fundraising events to help find a cure for brain tumours.

After the very challenging year, we know that Wear A Hat Day 2021 is perfectly timed to become a huge event, bringing hope and inspiring the nation like never before!

Thanks to the brilliant charity partnership with Venture Studios, we’ve been gifted with inspirational and uplifting portraits of key worker families who, despite having their own devastating brain tumour stories, are determined to show the joy and positivity that is being involved in Wear A Hat Day. Register to take part at www.wearahatday.org.

4 Families Cambridgeshire

familiesonline.co.uk

News & Views ‘Express Yourself’ with Children’s Mental Health Week

From 1 to 7 February children and families across the UK will be urged to take part in Children’s Mental Health Week with the theme ‘Express Yourself’.

Run by the children’s mental heath charity Place2Be, children will be encouraged to explore the different ways they can express themselves and to find creative ways to share their feelings, thoughts and ideas. This could be through art, music, writing and poetry, dance and drama, photography and film, and doing activities that make you feel good.

According to Place2Be, around three children in every primary school class has a mental health problem, and many more struggle with challenges from bullying to bereavement - not to mention the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A range of resources to help families to take part can be found at www.childrensmentalhealthweek.

The Big Garden Birdwatch

Get your family involved in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch from 29 to 31 January and help monitor bird life in the UK. To take part,you just need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three day period and report your results to the RSPB. Challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds.

Take a bike ride to a local park, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.

You can register now and request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart, tips for birdwatching, RSPB shop voucher and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden. To request a guide text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Bookshop.org Supports Local Bookshops A new online bookshop has recently launched to support and boost sales at local, independent bookshops.

Visitors to the site can search for their preferred local bookshop and buy from there, in which case the bookshop gets 30% of the cover price, but doesn’t have to package or post out the books that have been purchased.

Alternatively, buyers can purchase a book without going through a specific bookshop, with 10% of the profit going to a central pot to be distributed among all affiliated bookshops.

Books are offered to consumers at a small discount and delivered within two to three days.

With many local bookshops closing during lockdowns, bookshop.org is providing a much needed life opportunity for those remaining to sustain a viable community presence.

More info: www.bookshop.org

Dogs May Be Good for Children’s Psychological Development

Living in a home with a dog may be linked to healthier psychological development in young children, researchers report.

The finding published in the journal Pediatric Research comes from a three-year study of 1,646 families with children ages 2 to 5.

The researchers found that, compared to children without dogs, those who had them were about 30% less likely to have conduct problems, 40% less likely to have difficulty relating to peers, and 34% more likely to show positive social behaviour.

The more time they spent playing with their dog, the more a child was likely to be considerate — those who had three or more play sessions with their dog each week were 74% more likely to be consistently considerate compared with those who played less often.

More info: www.nature.com/pr/

When replying to adverts or listings, please mention Families Cambridgeshire familiesonline.co.uk

Free Online Social and Emotional Learning Course

A new online course has been launched which enables parents to provide playful and engaging social emotional learning (SEL) support to children affected by Covid-19 disruption.

This disruption is expected to impact children’s academic outcomes as well as challenge their mental health and socioemotional wellbeing, which forms the basis of their ability to learn.

Called ‘Coping with Changes: SocialEmotional Learning Through Play,’ the free course has been developed by the LEGO Foundation with a team of experts in child development and education. It aims to provide parents, caregivers and teachers with the tools to practice learning through play to help children and young people learn how to cope with the changes delivered by the pandemic. More info:www.futurelearn.com/ courses/coping-with-changes

GREEN PLAY AREAS BOOST IMMUNITY

Children whose outdoor play areas were transformed into greener environments showed improved immune systems within a month, research has shown.

The scientists believe this is because the children had developed significantly more diverse microbes on their skin and in their guts than the children whose playgrounds were not upgraded.

During the study by the Natural Resources Institute Finland, forest undergrowth, lawn turf and planter boxes were added to play areas at daycare centres.

According to the researchers,the experiment shows it may be possible to improve the development of the immune system with relatively simple changes to the environments of urban children.

More info: www.luke.fi/en/

Music Lessons Improve Concentration and Memory

A study shows young musicians who play an instrument, practise frequently and regularly perform have increased memory and attention skills.

The findings come from a recent study, which showed how musically trained children performed better at attention and memory recall exercises. They also had greater activation in brain regions related to attention control and auditory encoding.

“Of course, I would recommend parents sign their children up for music classes,” said paper author, violinist and neuroscientist Dr Leonie Kausel, “However, I think parents should not only enrol their children because they expect that this will help them boost their cognitive functions, but because it is also an activity that will provide them with joy and the possibility to learn a universal language.” More info: www.frontiersin.org Families Cambridgeshire 5

Families Education

Early Years at Wisbech Grammar School Early Years at Wisbech Grammar School has been extended to include two new Reception classes and a newly extended Kindergarten space. Our philosophy is to develop happy confident and highly motivated young individuals who have a genuine love for lifelong learning. The extra magic we provide is through our enriched curriculum, small class sizes, as well as following an Early Years Curriculum we are focused on enabling children to DISCOVER. CREATE, LEARN AND GROW, with our specialist teachers and our exciting programme of • Music • Forest School • Modern Foreign languages • Sport • Science Our Early Years offers children the very best possible start to their educational journey.

Children benefit from a bespoke setting as well as the fantastic facilities of our Prep and Senior schools. By embedding Kindergarten and Reception class within our Prep School, we provide children with the opportunity of experiencing all that Wisbech Grammar School has to offer, that little bit sooner.

Children thrive when they feel secure and valued and we make this our priority, this is achieved through our strong relationship between teaching staff key workers, children, and their families.

Forest School

With sensory walks, foraging, nature art, shelter building, and hunting for mini-beasts, children at Wisbech Grammar School benefit greatly from taking part in our Forest School activities.

We pride ourselves on ensuring children • Discover their uniqueness, happiness, and the world around them.

• Create inclusivity, imaginations, and memories • Grow confidence, potential, and their young minds.

• Learn creativity, Inclusivity and learn to learn

Discover who you are...

Early Years at Wisbech Grammar Prep School offers children the best opportunity to Discover, Create, Grow and Learn.

Visit wisbechgrammar.com to find out more about joining our Reception or Kindergarten setting.

Families Baby News

Leaving Babies to Cry Does No Harm, Study Finds

Band of mothers: Childbirth as a female bonding experience – Oxford research Camaraderie and social bonds among mothers are strengthened by common experiences of a difficult childbirth, according to a new study from the University of Oxford.

Researchers found that the bonds between mothers, who had shared traumatic birth experiences, resembled those of soldiers who had fought together on the front lines.

According to the study, ‘among postpartum mothers, those who thought that their childbirth was more painful than a typical childbirth experience reported greater identity fusion with [other] mothers who reported having had a very difficult birth.’

Identity fusion is a particularly strong form of social glue in which one’s personal and group identities become ‘fused’ together. Oxford researcher, Dr Tara Tasuji, who spearheaded the study, explains that ruminating on the birthing experience played an important role in bonding postpartum mothers. She says, ‘Our study compared levels of fusion among mothers before and after childbirth. Eightynine mothers in the sample were pregnant with their firstborn, and 75 mothers had given birth to their firstborn up to six months prior to the time of data collection.’ familiesonline.co.uk

A new study suggests that leaving babies to "cry it out" occasionally does not have negative effects.

Researchers from the University of Warwick followed 178 babies and their mothers in the UK from birth to 18 months and found attachment between mother and baby and the baby's behavioural development at 18 months were not linked to how often mothers had let babies cry it out.

Babies who had been left to cry it out a few times or often when a newborn were found to cry for shorter periods at age 18 months but only a few mothers reported leaving a baby to cry it out often when they were newborn, but use of this technique increased as the child got older.

The researchers say their findings do not support either the advice to leave babies to cry or to respond quickly. Instead, they say parents should be intuitive and adapt their style as their baby grows.

More info: www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancyand-child

Senior author on the study, Professor Harvey Whitehouse, concludes, ‘Here in Oxford’s Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, we have been studying how bands of brothers unite through defeat on battlegrounds and playing fields, but this is the first time we have shown that the same psychological processes can create a band of mothers.

‘Our hope is that this will lead to a cascade of practical benefits, from developing strategies for preventing or managing postnatal depression to harnessing the cohesion of mothers to challenge the roots of prejudice and violence in family life and childrearing practices.’

Janod | Magnetic Rocket

The charming wooden rocket is made of 5 parts, ready for take-off using magnets for easy construction and play. It promises hours of fun building ready for blast off, whilst its sturdy wooden parts guarantee it will be treasured for years to come! www.retrokids.com RRP: £15 Families Cambridgeshire 7

W hat’s On

Peter Rabbit™ Winter Activity Trail

WHERE: Wicken Fen Nature Reserve (10am – 3pm) and Anglesey

Abbey (9.30am – 2pm)

places to Things to do, be had go and fun to ages in for kids of all

WHEN: Until 10th January

Peter Rabbit’s friends need some help finding items to see them through the winter months. Fun for all the family, this trail is suitable for children aged 3-9 (and big children, of course!). Find each of the well-loved characters and have a go at nature-themed activities along the way. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the Peter Rabbit selfie station at the end of the trail where everyone can take a picture with their favourite storybook rabbit.

Trail packs cost £2 per pack, plus normal admission (from £2.50) and can be picked up on arrival at Visitor Reception. Trail packs include an activity sheet, pencil with eraser, certificate, badge and play pack. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

e Cambridgeshir

Snowdrop Trail

WHERE: Cambridge Botanic

Garden

WHEN: 18th January -

28th February Stroll around the garden, following their snowdrop trail and discover snowdrop facts along the way.

Free trail with garden entry (Adults £6.00 Children Free) www.botanic.cam.ac.uk 01223 336265

Clip’n Climb, Cambridge WHEN: January and February

Clip ‘n Climb is suitable for everyone from 4 years upwards and is the ultimate fun and healthy activity for you to enjoy with your friends and family. Pre-booking essential. Prices start at £10.00 www.clipnclimbcambridge.co.uk

Crazy Cone Caper Public Open Evenings

WHERE: Institute of Astronomy,

University of Cambridge

WHEN: January and February

For the foreseeable future, weekly Wednesday open evenings will be happening online only. You will be able to join the events -- consisting of a 30 minute public talk and stargazing -- at their Cambridge University Astronomy YouTube channel. FREE www.ast.cam.ac.uk/public/ public_observing

WHERE: Cambridge University

Botanic Garden

WHEN: Until 31 Jan 2020

Something mysterious has been happening to the pine cones at the Botanic Garden – they’ve been nibbled and the seeds are missing! Take part in their family trail to work out which animal has been taking the seeds. You’ll also find out about the coolest cones in the world and how to make a pine cone owl at home.

Adults from £6.00. Children under 16 years free. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/

Paxton Pits Winter Family Story Trail

WHERE: Paxton Pits, St Neots

WHEN: Until 31st January Get

your wellies on (needed) and wrap up warm, pack a flask, snacks and the family! Follow the map, with listening points marked with spots, to hear each short video clip all about Wiffle the Wigeons journey from Lapland to Paxton Pits! From £2.99 www.wildlifebcn.org 07734 478475

Family Orienteering

WHERE: Wandlebury Country Park (Jan) and Therfield Heath (Feb) WHEN: 16 January and 27 February– 1-3pm An easy, fun way for juniors and families to try orienteering. Three different courses and friendly advice to get you started. Preregistration essential - no entries accepted on the day.

Family groups £5; Child £2 www.waoc.org.uk

Nature Tots

WHERE: Ferry Meadows

WHEN: 11 January, 8 February and 8 March or 25 January,

22 February, 22 March A fun monthly outdoor parent and toddler group with a nature theme. Each session will include a messy craft activity, time to explore the beautiful outdoors, story and song time.

You will be required to book on 3 sessions as a block booking: Please only book onto one group. 2+ years. £10.50 for 3 sessions www.nenepark.org.uk/ferry-meadows 01733 234193

LITTLE BUGS CLUB – GREAT FEN WHERE: Countryside Centre, Ramsey Heights

WHEN: January/February – Fridays (Term-time): 10.30 – 12.00

A fantastic introduction to the natural world for pre-school children.

Each weekly session is packed with activities, walks and games… be prepared to get mucky. £4 per child. www.wildlifebcn.org 01487 710420

8 Families Cambridgeshire

familiesonline.co.uk

Families What’s on SNOWDROPS

Big Garden Birdwatch

WHERE: Green space near you

WHEN: 13-21 February: 11.00 –

Take part in the nation’s biggest bird watch exercise. Register with the RSPB online for your pack and further details.

Check last year’s results too. FREE ww2.rspb.org.uk/getinvolved/activities/ birdwatch

WHERE: Chippenham Park

Gardens

WHEN: Everyday from 23rd

January until 28th February, 10.00 – 16.00 Over 40 acres of spectacular widely renowned snowdrops and aconites. Delicious home-made cakes, scones, coffee, tea and barbecued sausages and other refreshments in the licensed Potting Shed Cafe.

Adult £5; Children FREE (Cash only) www.chippenhamparkgardens. info/opening-dates

Messy Church

WHERE: Queen Mary Centre,

Wisbech

WHEN: 16 Jan & 13 Feb: 15.30-

16.00 This February Half Term, join them for a family fun trail around the gardens of Audley End House.

Will you find the clues and solve the puzzles to emerge victorious in this quest? It's time to venture outside and start exploring.

From £12.60 www.english-heritage.org.uk/ visit/whats-on

Snowdrops: The Tour WHERE: Angelsey Abbey

Winter Tree Walk

Tue 19 Jan, 10am – 12noon WHERE: Wandlebury Country Park Learn how to identify our native trees using bark, buds, shape and form (& leaves / seeds when available!). Guided walk around Wandlebury with one of our Wardens.

Meet at the noticeboard in the car park. Parking charge for non members £3.00 per person, please book limited to 8 people. www.cambridgeppf.org

MAKE A BIRD BOX WHERE: Visitor Centre, Ferry

WHEN: 30 January and onwards

Snowdrops are one of the first signs that spring is on its way and Anglesey Abbey is famous for them. Fun day for the entirely family to be had. www.nationaltrust.org.uk 01223 810086

THE ADVENTURES OF DR DOLITTLE WHERE: New Theatre, Peterborough

When Doctor John

WHEN: 20th and 21st February

Dolittle is taught by his wise old parrot Polynesia how to talk to animals, news of his skills spreads far and wide. Soon animals across the world send messages asking for his help and so the adventure begins. A funny, much-loved and exciting adventure, with a strong message about responsibility towards animals. £14.00 www.newtheatre-peterborough.com

Meadows

WHEN: 14 – 21 February: 10.00

– 17.00 We can't get together to build homes for nature but you can still make a difference for the wildlife close to your home.

Bird box kits will be available to purchase from the Visitor Centre while stocks last. Follow the instructions to build your bird box and then put it up at home!

Cost: £7.50 per kit www.nenepark.org.uk/Event/ make-a-bird-box

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Cambridgeshire 9

All events are subject to change and cancellation in view of any future COVID-19 legislations.

All details are correct at the point of writing this article in December 2020.

When replying to adverts or listings, please mention Families

WHERE: Audley End House and

Gardens

WHEN: 29th – 31st January

17.30 Have fun making crafts, hearing bible stories and doing church in a creative way.

All finished off with a homecooked meal! FREE - donations welcome www.messywisbech.org.uk

Half Term Explorer Quest

The new Preschool at St Mary’s

OPENING SEPTEMBER 2021 Preschool stmaryscambridge.co.uk/preschool

START AS THEY MEAN TO GO ON

Families Education

How to choose your child’s nursery

It’s one of the most important decisions you’ve made for your child in his or her life so far. So which nursery is the right one – and how do you know?

Joanna Moorhead shares some tips There are all sorts of different nurseries out there. Big ones, small ones; ones run by the local council, and ones run by independent companies. There are nurseries attached to primary schools, and there are stand-alone nurseries. When you start out looking for one, the plethora of what’s out there can make it all seem very daunting.

But here’s the first, the most important, and possibly even the only thing you need to know about how to make your choice.

Listen to the voice inside your head, heed your instinct about what’s right for your child, and you’ll almost certainly make the ‘correct’ choice.

Because the truth, of course, is that there isn’t a ‘right’ nursery or a ‘wrong’ one; there is, however, a nursery that will suit your child best, because it will mesh in with your own and your partner’s ideas about how to raise a child, and what matters most in his or her life. All of which is why what you feel inside you about a nursery will give you the biggest guide as to what to go on.

Looking round To kick the process off, you’ll need to put together a list of nurseries in your area (or perhaps in the area where you work, if you’re thinking your child can be cared for at nursery while you work nearby). Comb through the nurseries in your area online; look at the Ofsted reports for any you think sound promising. Think about what factors matter most to you in a nursery (see our checklist) and then make appointments to look around a selection of those that have, or might have, vacancies.

When you look round, don’t be too anxious about all the questions you need to ask or whether you’re going to miss something vital.

Instead, switch on all your ‘vibes’ and take in the holistic sense of the place. Does it feel friendly, and welcoming, and a fun place to be, from what you can see of it? Do staff treat you warmly – are you convinced by what they’re telling you? Do you, in a nutshell, feel a sense of confidence about the place; would you feel confident about leaving the most important person in your life, your child, here in the care of the people you’ve met? If the answer is yes, the nursery you’ve just seen is a possible one for you; if you have any doubts whatsoever about this most crucial thing, whether you’re confident about leaving your baby there, cross it off your list at once.

Your nursery checklist

What are the most important things you’re looking for in a nursery?

Here are some things you need to think about: • Food: how important is it to you that food is organic? Do you like the idea of nursery children eating alongside staff – ie, the family model –which some nurseries practice?

• Outdoor play space: this varies hugely from nursery to nursery. Think about how important outdoor play is to your child, and decide how much importance you’re going to attach to whether the nursery has a garden, how big it is, and how many activities take place in it • Wifi: do you have worries about wifi and its potential impact on young children? If so, make sure you ask about whether there’s a wifi network at the nursery, and how extensive it is.

Cambridgeshire Nurseries Listings 2021 Helping you find the right place for your little ones - our 2021 guide to some of the nurseries local to Cambridgeshire with the latest Ofsted ratings, correct at the time we went to press.

ACE NURSERY SCHOOL, Cambridge. www.ace-nurseryschool.org.uk 01223 357181 (Ofsted Outstanding 2013) ALL SAINTS INTERCHURCH PRESCHOOL, March. www.allsaints. cambs.sch.uk 01354 659000 (Ofsted Good 2019) BLACKBERRY HOUSE DAY NURSERY, Wisbech. www. blackberryhousedaynursery.co.uk 01945 428747 (Ofsted Good 2020) BRIGHT HORIZONS CAMBRIDGE SCIENCE PARK - Science Park. www.brighthorizons.co.uk 0330 057 4064 (Ofsted Good 2017) BRIGHT HORIZONS Wolfson Court, Madingley Road. www. brighthorizons.co.uk 0330 057 4727 (Ofsted Outstanding 2018) BRIGHT HORIZONS Ely Cambridgeshire Business Park. www.brighthorizons.co.uk 0330 057 3559 (Ofsted Outstanding 2017)

familiesonline.co.uk

BRIGHT HORIZONS Fulbourn, Cambridge, Capital Park, Cambridge. www.brighthorizons. co.uk 0333 920 3166 (Ofsted Outstanding 2020) BUNNYBROOKES DAY NURSERY - Addenbrooke’s. www. brighthorizons.co.uk 0333 363 4489 (Ofsted Good 2020) BUTTERFLY DAY NURSERY, Cambridge. www. butterflydaynursery.co.uk 01223 353164 (Ofsted Good 2017)

HARVEY ROAD DAY NURSERY, Cambridge. www. harveyroaddaynursery.org.uk 01223 363860 (Ofsted Good 2019) HISTON EARLY YEARS CENTRE. www.histon.cambs.sch.uk 01223 712075 (Ofsted Good 2019) HOMERTON EARLY YEARS CENTRE, Cambridge. http://homerton.cambs.sch.uk 01223 508766 (Ofsted Outstanding 2016)

CHESTNUT NURSERY SCHOOLS Chesterton. www.chestnut-nursery. co.uk/nurseries/chesterton/ 01223 728390 (Ofsted Good 2019)

HUMPTY DUMPTY PRE-SCHOOL, Oakington. www.humptydumptyoakington. co.uk 01223 237504 (Ofsted Good 2017)

CLARENCE HOUSE, Cambridge. www.chdn.co.uk 01223 778383 (Ofsted Good 2018)

LADYBIRDS DAY NURSERY, Wisbech. 01945 466667 (Ofsted Good 2017)

EMNETH NURSERY SCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S CENTRE www.emneth-nur.norfolk.sch.uk 01945 582401 (Ofsted Outstanding 2019)

LITTLE TED’S DAY NURSERY, Haddenham. 01353 741765 (Ofsted Good 2017)

FLUTTERBIES CHILDCARE, Benwick, March. www. flutterbieschildcare.com 01354 677733 (Ofsted Outstanding 2016)

PATACAKE NURSERY, Cambridge (Sedley Court). www.pata-cake. co.uk 01223 411636 PERSE PELICAN NURSERY SCHOOL, Cambridge. www.perse. co.uk/pelican 01223 403940 SCALLYWAGS DAY NURSERY, Westwick Hall Farm. www. scallywagsdaynursery.com 01223 232400 (Ofsted Outstanding 2017) SNAP4KIDS, Cambridge www. snap4kids.co.uk 01223 477413 (Ofsted Good 2016) ST. MARYS PRE-SCHOOL, Cambridge. www. stmaryscambridge.co.uk 01223 311666 OPENING SEPTEMBER 2021 THE MALTINGS DAY NURSERY, Ely. www.themaltingsdaynursery. co.uk 01353 661442 (Ofsted Outstanding 2015)

MAGDALENE HOUSE SCHOOL, Wisbech. www.wisbechgrammar. com/Prep-School 01945 583631

THE WILLOWS DAY NURSERY, Chatteris. www. thewillowschatteris.co.uk 01354 461232 (Ofsted Good 2017)

OAKS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, Cambridge. www. oaksinternationalschool.co.uk 01223 416938 (Ofsted Good 2019)

WISBECH DAY NURSERY, Wisbech. www.wisbechdaynursery. co.uk 01945 586966 (Ofsted Outstanding 2015) Families Cambridgeshire 11

Families Education

Help! My Child Wants to Use Social Media by Andrew Campbell Social media plays a huge role in the lives of young people. They can use it to have fun, make and maintain friendships, connect with family members, express creativity, share interests and develop skills.

However, social media also comes with undeniable risks, including exposure to upsetting or inappropriate content, cyberbullying, grooming and even FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).

No wonder many parents are confused as to when the right time is to allow their child access to it. Whilst it can be overwhelming, before you say ‘no’ to everything social, or worse, turn a blind eye to what your child is doing, take time to make an informed decision that is appropriate for your child.

CONSIDER YOUR CHILD’S AGE AND MATURITY Try to wait until they are at least 13 Most popular social media platforms don’t allow anyone under 13 to join without parental consent. The reason for this is that much of the critical thinking required to deal with the content on these platforms may not be possible for developing brains. Even when your child turns 13, it doesn’t mean they suddenly acquire the necessary maturity for social media, especially given this is a time when they are undergoing significant developmental changes. On the other hand, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that your 11 year old may be sufficiently responsible, sensible

12 Families Cambridgeshire

and trustworthy enough to handle the online world. Regardless of your child’s age, you should carefully consider their actual emotional maturity before allowing them access to social media.

USE YOUR JUDGEMENT Deciding if your child is ready for social media is a very personal parental decision, much like determining when your child can cross the road or walk to school alone. Perhaps better questions are how much supervision will you provide if you permit your child on social media, and how will you protect them?

WILL YOUR CHILD BE HONEST ABOUT ONLINE INTERACTIONS? If your child comes to you with problems such as trouble at school, poor test results or friendship issues, then you most likely have a comfortable and healthy line of communication.

DO THEY FOLLOW OTHER ESTABLISHED RULES? An emotionally mature child will be respectful of other rules in the house, like doing chores or completing their homework. This may indicate they are mature enough to have social media accounts.

SETTING RULES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USE If you decide your child is ready for social media, agree some basic rules.

Set up profiles with your child so you have all the logins and passwords; Keep privacy settings on. When possible, set everything to ‘private;’

Keep devices out of the bedroom.

Children who get in trouble online often do so when devices are located in the bedroom; Agree time limits but don’t forget it’s more important to understand what they’re doing online; Make sure you can friend and follow. You can then monitor what they post; Posting appropriate content and images.

Explain that their posts could be available to anyone, anywhere and forever; Keep private information private. Phone numbers, addresses and other personal information should never be given out; Ensure other interests are maintained including friends/pastimes that don’t involve a device; Don't "friend" strangers. "If you don't know them, don't friend them."

Prepare for consequences when rules are broken. This may mean losing their device or access to social media.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Education

The Importance of Toddler Play

By Dr Sarah Mundy

“One of the biggest complaints from adults about their own childhood is the lack of play with their parents”(Margot Sutherland, Child Psychotherapist, The Science of Parenting) Play is an enjoyable part of childhood, but also an important one for the developing brain.

Through play, children develop physically, emotionally, cognitively and creatively. It allows them to engage in the world in a way that feels safe, explore different roles, address fears, and develop confidence.

Children who have parents who actively play with them, learn about sharing, problem solving and decision-making more quickly than those who don’t. Playing with your child also helps you understand their world and shows them you are interested in them, both important aspects of a secure attachment relationship, which is seen as the cornerstone of a child’s development.

It’s therefore very important to make time for play with our children, even though prioritising this can sometimes be difficult. So, how do we initiate play? And what do we do?

A good environment is key Without overloading your child, provide toys and varied activities (which stimulate different senses) without too many distractions.Children need to engage in both calming as well as stimulating activities, so they can differentiate between the two and learn to regulate their feelings.

You’ve made the time and created the environment. Now what?

You may feel out of your comfort zone. As adults, our play-seeking systems sometimes need a little encouragement. Make play a joint venture but be led by your child. To enhance connection, Dan Hughes, clinical psychologist, refers to the process of ‘follow, lead, follow’ – let your child explore; show enjoyment, mirror what they are doing and build upon it for them (known as scaffolding), so that they can expand their repertoire of play. Try to stick to their agenda, not yours.

Repetition is an important part of learning and completely normal – even if dull for you!

Make playtime count Attachment play makes the most of playtime as it focuses on connection. It is characterised by shared activities involving eye contact and mirroring – peek-a-boo, drumming together and messy play are all great. Letting them take the lead and being accepting, not critical, will help them learn and strengthen your connection. To maximise play time, try turning housework into a game. Incorporating play and physical activity is also great – time spent in natural spaces outdoors is also good for both your wellbeing.

The Importance of Playfulness Playing is the act of doing; playfulness is a way of BEING! Both are hugely important. Playfulness keeps communication positive, light and fun. Children are more likely to feel that they are enjoyable to be around, giving them a positive sense of who they are.

Being playful can help resolve conflicts and defuse difficult situations.

When parents are rushed and tired, we tend to focus on getting quick results. Instead, try taking a deep breath and getting creative; the reward will be the chance to connect with your child, whilst also achieving the result that you wanted.

Eg: Reframe “You need to get dressed” as “Can you hop into your trousers like a frog?” familiesonline.co.uk

Adopt playfulness as a helpful attitude - make up rhymes and do silly dances. Laughter stimulates the release of feel-good chemicals, aids relaxation, increases positive feelings and improves relationships.

When you can’t be playful,don’t worry. Some of us find it easier than others and it’s hard to be light-hearted when life feels overwhelming.

But practice DOES help!

Dr Sarah Mundy is Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Author of Parenting Through Stories.

More info at www.parentingthroughstories.com

My Toddler is on Screens More – Is this Okay?

In the throes of the current pandemic,many parents are struggling to prioritise traditional play and are allowing their children more screen time. The effect that touchscreens have on children (particularly toddlers) remain unclear, although research is underway at the University of Bristol.

There is some evidence that screentime can disrupt babies and toddlers sleep (Smith, 2017). However, other researchers report that touchscreens provide rewarding interaction with varied sensory and cognitive stimulation and that this may have positive impacts upon attention, fine motor control and other developmental areas.

The impact of touchscreens seems to depend upon the usage.

If the content is developmentally and educationally appropriate then it is far more likely to have a positive impact upon children’s development than more passive watching of screens.* So before you beat yourself up about not playing with your children as much as you’d like, remember that some active engagement in educational games on screens may actually be a positive thing. *Source: www.psychologicalscience.org/publications/observer/ obsonline/toddlers-and-touchscreens-a-science-in-development.

Families Cambridgeshire 13

It’s Time for Nursery or Pre-School!

Many children are left at nursery as babies, around the time when separation anxiety kicks in and both parents and children feel bereft. However, a few weeks on, the tears turn to smiles and both parties relax into their new routine.

But what happens if you have chosen alternative childcare or stayed at home with your little one? At the age of two or three, depending on your circumstances, your child will be entitled to some free hours of childcare each week. Who wouldn’t want to make use of this?

As with babies, starting a new nursery or pre-school can be unsettling for both child and parent, but with good transition plans, you will both adjust more quickly than you expect.

Choosing the Right Environment By now you will probably have an idea of what kind of child you have. Are they aged two and already counting to one hundred or are they happier covering themselves in mud and running amok in the garden? There will be a setting just right for their style of learning through play. Because this is what it is…their first official step into education and learning.

Some pre-schools are academic-focussed, and the room settings will reflect this, while others will look very much like a playgroup.

Visit and choose the one in which you both feel most comfortable. Remember, your child will be restricted to a classroom environment from age 4 to 18, so it is okay to think play rather than lessons!

Get Them a Place In pockets of the UK,supply for funded 14 Families Cambridgeshire

childcare is outweighed by demand and waiting lists can be long. Apply and secure your place as soon as you can.

How Will your Child Transition?

Who knows?!

Many of our top tips are the same for a toddler/ pre-schooler as they are for babies.

Use your Settling-In Days Make sure you negotiate settling-in sessions.

You won’t be a highmaintenance parent for requesting as many sessions as you need. The setting staff would much rather have a happy child on day one than one who is unsettled and not having fun.

The Importance of Goodbyes This is one of our key pieces of advice. It may feel easier to sneak away while your child is distracted but imagine how they feel when they turn around to show you what they are doing, and you aren’t there. If they haven’t been left before they may feel abandoned and worry that you aren’t coming back. So, actively say goodbye. Give cuddles and kisses and let them know when you will return.

There may still be tears while you make your guilt-ridden escape, but when they see you come to collect them, they quickly learn that you always come back.

Involve Them in the Preparation Let them choose new shoes and bag. If they need a uniform, get them to try it on. This

helps them feel excited. Buy a new lunchbox together if they need one. Chat about what you will put in it and choose some snacks.

Play Dates Are there friends who will be going to the same nursery?

Invite them over for a play or meet in the park so your children can get to know each other.

Playdates are also a great time for parents to share worries. You will find you aren’t the only one dreading the first drop off morning. Why not arrange a coffee or chat on that first day?

Live It at Home Make sure you talk to your child about their day. Look for positives when there are tears or make them laugh by asking silly questions.

Display their artwork so they develop a sense of pride in what they are achieving.

Some kids run into nursery without looking back, while other parents feel like a tree trunk with a little person attached. Whichever way it is for you, there is no right or wrong.

Every child is a small human reacting to a new environment and experience and we need to respect their feelings.

One thing is for sure though, they will definitely have a blast!

Parental Choice are childcare experts with a team that can help you find your ideal nursery setting locally to you. For more information, visit www.parentalchoice.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Families Education

HOMEWORK – your questions answered

Homework can be a great source of conflict at home, but love it or loathe it, your children will be tasked with it. So here we answer some of your questions.

Why does my child get homework?

Homework encourages independent learning skills and backs up what has been learnt in the classroom. It shows both teachers and parents what a child is capable of and can also highlight what they haven’t understood during the school day.

Should I be helping my child with their homework?

It’s really important that parents take an interest in the work their children bring home, but you shouldn’t take over. Giving too much help will speed up the time your child is spending on their homework and it will also help to keep arguments to a minimum, but it’s actually detrimental to their learning.

Your child’s teacher isn’t interested that you are able to complete a fractions worksheet or design a poster on electricity. You should be able to do it. You’re a grown up! However if your child can’t, their teacher needs to know so they can offer support in the classroom to make sure the topic is fully understood. This is your child’s homework not a joint effort.

Your job is direction and encouragement to find the answers themselves.

TOP TIPS FOR HELPING WITH HOMEWORK

• Make sure your child is eating well, getting enough sleep and getting enough exercise. All this helps concentration both in the classroom and at home after school.

• Create a homework routine for your child to stick to. Identify a regular place and a regular time, making sure it’s quiet and free from distractions. Discuss the expectations you have and the consequences if the homework isn’t completed well. This will, hopefully, encourage good homework habits.

• Show your child you care about the homework they have been set.

Try not to let your own dislike for a particular topic affect the way you work with your child.

• Direct your child to focus their mind. Before they launch into the task, encourage a ‘think through’. Ask them to tell you what needs doing and ask them questions about the task set. How long does it need to be? Does it need doing on the computer or by hand? What ideas have they had since the homework was set? This direction helps them focus their ideas and work productively.

• Reflect on the task once it’s done. Was it easier than they thought?

What was good about the work they produced? What do they need to work on?

• Think carefully before introducing a reward system. This can lead to rushed results and the necessity to offer a ‘treat’ for every piece completed. Better to let them know from the start that homework is something that needs to be done, and done well.

• Set a time limit on homework. This gives less enthusiastic children an end point they can see. Talk to your child’s teacher about how long particular tasks should be taking and bring the homework to an end at that point. The teacher can see how quickly, or slowly, their independent work is being completed and both you and your child know that there is an end to the homework – even if it isn’t completed.

Homework - Do YOU help?

“Homework is an important part of the learning process at St Mary’s, as it helps to embed everything that the students have learnt during their lessons, or enables pupils to extend their thinking by reading around a topic or reading something to introduce a new topic to prepare in advance; any of which ensures that students learn the key skill of being able to work independently. We also believe that parents are vital partners in educating their children, and we promote a collaborative approach with our parents; for example, we encourage our Junior School girls to read aloud to their parent to enhance their reading and speaking skills. Reading is extremely important; we want all of our students to love reading, and we encourage all of our students to follow their passions when reading around subjects.”

Charlotte Avery, Headmistress, St Mary’s School, Cambridge

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Cambridgeshire 15

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