Families Oxfordshire January February 2020

Issue 95 January/February 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families Oxfordshire 1

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Contents & Competitions

Dear Reader,

Wise words

Welcome to the first edition of 2020!

Families are the compass that gu ides us.

They are the inspir ation to reach gr eat heights, and our comfort when we occasionally fal ter.

- Brad Henry

A New Year, new things, new skills, new places, new plans, new experiences and for some a new baby! We had an early Christmas present last year and welcomed our little girl into the world in December. I know many of you will feel like hibernating for most of January after overindulging and over-spending during the festive season but we have other ideas. We have managed to find lots of things going on in Cambridgeshire to get you out and about this month and many of them are FREE. Please do mention

PICTURE CROSSWORD

Can you solve the picture clues and put them in the crossword?

Families when visiting any of our events.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

@familiesCambMag

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EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336, editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

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SOCIAL MEDIA: Rebecca, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk

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Families Oxfordshire 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 Oxfordshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Oxfordshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Oxfordshire 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.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer

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TUMOUR

BY A BRAIN D E T TA S A V DE SHOULD BE NO FAMILY

Just

1%

Sign up today for your

of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease

FREE

FUNDRAISING PACK

www.wearahatday.org Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland). Company limited by guarantee number 08570737. familiesonline.co.uk

Families Oxfordshire 3

News & views

CALLING ALL FAMILIES - WEAR A HAT DAY NEEDS YOU! The annual fundraising extravaganza Wear A Hat Day is coming back in 2020 – Families Magazine and Brain Tumour Research are calling on you to get involved!

Wear A Hat Day 2020 takes place on Friday 27th March, at the end of Brain Tumour Awareness Month.

Over the last decade, this hat tastic event has raised more than £1million in support of the charity Brain Tumour Research. It has become a must-do event for many children and parents and their communities.

Taking part is really easy and the charity has some great ideas on their website to help you plan and host wonderful hat-themed fundraising events. Register today to ensure you get your FREE fundraising pack in time: www.wearahatday.org Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

No family should be devasted by a brain tumour. Wear A Hat Day is a really important campaign to be involved with – not only is it great fun but with your participation, it becomes a powerful symbol of hope for all affected by this disease.

Funds raised will continue to help the charity build a network of experts in sustainable research at dedicated Centres of Excellence whilst influencing the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more nationally. TOGETHER WE WILL FIND A CURE.

HEART SPEAKS TO HEART CAMPAIGN The Oratory School, Woodcote, South Oxfordshire, today launched their first fundraising campaign in recent years - Heart Speaks to Heart to raise funds for bursaries, and in particular transformational bursaries.

This ambitious campaign aims to increase the school’s financial commitment to bursaries by 75% in five years.

Transformational bursaries (at least 75% of the annual fees) offer lifechanging opportunities to pupils who would thrive at The Oratory but whose parents do not have the financial means to enable them to do so.

These bursaries raise aspirations and attainment, transforming the lives of young people.

This campaign launches at a very exciting time for the school as it celebrates 160 years since its founding, prepare to welcome girls in 2020 and rejoice at the news of the school’s founder, John Henry Newman, being declared a Saint by Pope Francis.

In fact the campaign name Heart Speaks to Heart comes from Newman himself and is a translation of the school motto: Cor ad cor loquitur. This is central to the school’s ethos, ensuring that every pupil is nurtured and valued as an individual. The school passionately believes that increasing their bursary provision is the right thing to do, fully in the spirit of St John Henry Newman’s vision for the school.

Joe Smith, The Oratory School Head Master comments: “With growing pupil numbers, academic and sporting success and a continued reputation for excellence, we launch the Heart Speaks to Heart

The Oratory Preparatory School joins Bellevue Education

Bellevue Education announces a new school to the group. This now takes the group to 19 schools within the UK in addition to the 2 in Continental Europe. The Oratory Preparatory School (OPS) is a Catholic independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2 to 13 in Goring Heath, South Oxfordshire, England and formed part of The Oratory Schools Association which was made up of The Oratory School in Woodcote and The Oratory Preparatory School. The Oratory School was founded in 1859 with nine boys of prep school age by John Henry Newman. In 1922 The Oratory School moved from Birmingham to Caversham Park and to its current site in 1942. In 1925 Prep schoolage children were educated separately at the newly formed Oratory Preparatory School. The Oratory Preparatory School moved to its current site in Goring Heath in 1968. Girls were welcomed to The Oratory Preparatory School in 1970.

To find out more about The Oratory Preparatory School, please visit oratoryprep.co.uk 4 Families Oxfordshire

Campaign from a position of strength. We recognise and embrace the changing world around us and look forward to continuing to enrich the lives of current and future pupils. With the support of the Oratory family, we can ensure that The Oratory remains a beacon for truly outstanding education for generations to come.”

‘To challenge, cherish and inspire’

Situated in Abingdon,The Manor Preparatory School is an outstanding independent co-educational preparatory day school for children aged 2-11.

The Manor will be holding two Open Mornings during January, an Early Years event on Saturday 11 January between 10:00am and 12:00pm and a whole school event on Wednesday 22 January between 9:30am and 11:30am.

The Manor has a wonderfully happy, creative atmosphere where each individual is valued and nurtured to reach their potential. Every child is encouraged to push themselves to new challenges, resulting in outstanding results academically, on the sports field, and in creative and performing arts.

Headmaster, Alastair Thomas, says “Our job is to prepare children for life, not only for senior school. Please come and see for yourself, talk to our exceptional teachers and even more exceptional children. We would love to share with you what we do.”

For further information and details of our Open days: www.manorprep.org 01235 858462 admissions@manorprep.org. familiesonline.co.uk

News & views THE BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from 25 to 27 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world.

The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children.

To take part, you need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. You can request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden.

To make it fun, challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park to look for birds, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place. More info atwww.rspb.org.uk

Ofsted Ratings Driving Up House Prices

Families in England are paying a house price premium of as much as £100,000 to make sure their children live within the catchment of schools rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, new analysis suggests.

Researchers analysed the Ofsted ratings of 20,545 secondary and primary schools in England and found that average house prices often reflect the quality of the local school.

The average price of a house in England with top-rated schools nearby stands at £331,605, according to research by comparison website Confused.com. This is about £38,600 more than the average price of homes with schools rated ‘good’ by Ofsted nearby, about £78,000 more than in areas with schools that ‘require improvement’ and nearly £100,000 more than in postcodes with schools rated ‘inadequate’.

A similar study by the Department of Education found that house prices are 8% higher near the best performing primary schools.

To view the report, visit www.confused.com

Sleep Lessons for School Children

Schoolchildren across Britain may be offered sleep lessons to help tackle the problem of insomnia in young people.

Children and young people’s sleep is being seen as an increasingly important issue.

According to the British Medical Journal, there is increasing evidence emerging that lack of sleep has a major impact on children’s mental and physical health, as well as learning. A recent study by the BMJ suggests that sleep has a greater impact on an adolescent’s mental wellbeing than bullying, physical activity and screen time.

The sleep lessons are aimed at children ages 7 to 16 years and are available as part of the PSHE curriculum. The lessons focus on giving children strategies for falling asleep and raising awareness of how sleep needs change in adolescence.

Experts say the increase in sleep problems is down to a combination of higher obesity levels, excessive use of social media before bedtime and a mental health crisis among young people More info: www.pshe-association.org. uk www.thechildrenssleepcharity.org. uk/

PERFORM is celebrating its 20th anniversary!

Families chatted to founder, Lucy Quick.

HOW DID PERFORM START? I was a musical theatre actress in Oliver! at the London Palladium and I loved working with children. I had a vision for a drama school that wasn’t about talent or auditions; where performing arts would be used to develop what we now call the 4 Cs: confidence, communication, coordination and concentration.

WHERE IS PERFORM AT NOW? Starting with two classes in 2000, we now run 472 schools across the South East and West, employ over 250 teachers and have almost 8000 children attending weekly.

What’s the secret of Perform’s success?

We put child development at the heart of everything we do.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? Opening more Perform schools across the country – we’re just launching in Nottingham - and continuing our confidence crusade to help children fulfil their potential through drama, dance and singing.

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST OF? My teachers. They are the most inspirational bunch of talented and enthusiastic people you’ll ever meet.

Try a FREE no-obligation dance or drama class in Oxford. Visit www.perform.org.uk/ try to book.

National Storytelling Week

National Storytelling Week takes place from 1 to 8 February and is a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world. We are all immersed in stories — from conversations during which we re-tell events in our lives, to watching our favourite television shows.

Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs firstly to be a good speaker and listener.

Above all though, storytelling is fun. Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting narratives can open doors to exciting new worlds — both real and imaginary.

National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes.

To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive,visit www.sfs.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Families Oxfordshire 5

Baby News

Designing and Furnishing your Baby’s Nursery

by Christabel Majendie The process of designing and furnishing the nursery for your new arrival is important.

The colours and furniture you choose not only need to be practical and aesthetically pleasing but should ideally also enhance your baby’s alertness and sensitivity. Here are seven tips to help you create the perfect, happy place for your little one.

The Cot

The cot is the focal point of the room and probably the most important piece of furniture you will buy, so ensure you take your time and choose wisely. Try to avoid cots with drop down sides which may act as a safety risk for infants. If you can, buy a model which has at least two mattress heights. When at its highest position, it’s easier to lay a sleeping baby down in this type of cot, without hurting your back or even worse waking up your baby!

The Kidsmill Fyn crib (www.kidsmill.co.uk) is a beautiful contemporary cot – it is white with wooden legs, perfect for a neutral look and easy to access for putting your child down for the night.

Textiles before Paint

If you paint the nursery first and then choose your textiles, you run the risk of discovering that the colours clash with the paint you’ve already splashed on the walls. Instead, choose your textiles first as paint colour technology will ensure you can match the walls to the colour of your textiles later on.

Decorate your Ceiling

As babies spend much of their time on their backs, it is important to give them something transfixing to look at. Shapes, colours and animals can work well on the nursery ceiling.

As a baby’s sight improves, they will be able to see consistently more of the ceiling, allowing them to continually discover new things. Choosing bright colours with powerful contrasts will help the development of your baby’s brain and vision. Large simple shapes such as stars encourage memory development.

Create a Sanitation Station

A germ-free nursery is a must! On your changing table, set up a tray equipped with antibacterial gel and tissues to prevent any contamination of surfaces. This will enable you to give the hotspot areas a good clean with anti-bacterial gel every day. For best hygiene, invest in a nappy disposal system or at least a separate hamper or bin for nappies which is emptied regularly.

Pick the Right Colour for the Room

When it comes to choosing your paint palette, it is important to take pointers from the space you are working with. Even if you like rich colours, dark hues can be too overwhelming for a small room, whereas light colours make a room appear bigger and brighter. Consider adding a bold accent wall. This can add depth to the room and make the space appear larger.

If you want to create a look that lasts, you may want to think about using traditional pastel shades like a cool minty green. This can outlast your child as they get older.

Go Green

You can design an eco-friendly nursery that is not only beneficial for the planet but for your baby too! A good way to begin is to purchase 6 Families Oxfordshire

as many organic items as possible. You may want to choose naturally hypoallergenic, organic bedding and even an organic mattress which will be preferable should your baby happen to suffer from allergies. The materials used at Natural Mat (www.naturalmat.co.uk) are 100% natural and from sustainable FairTrade sources. The Quilted Coco Mat is made with organic materials which are naturally breathable, helping to regulate air flow and body temperature whilst being hypoallergenic and anti-microbial.

Dim the Lights

It is a good idea to install a dimmer on any overhead lighting fixtures, especially if they hang directly over the cot. This way the light won’t be intense during night time wakings or when you are preparing your baby for sleep.

It’s always handy to purchase a small night light or lamp for a cosy atmosphere as soft lighting can reduce the contrast between light and dark, prevent over-stimulation and give your baby’s undeveloped eyes a much-needed rest.

For more from sleep expert and therapist Christabel Majende, visit www.naturalmat.co.uk/blog/category/babyand-child/

familiesonline.co.uk

Baby News Major Study Shows Folic Acid Improves Children’s Cognitive Development If Taken THROUGHOUT Pregnancy

The results of a follow up study from a randomised controlled clinical trial (FASSTT Offspring Trial) published in BMC Medicine (31st October 2019) show that children of mothers taking folic acid throughout pregnancy scored significantly higher in terms of cognitive development at age 7 years compared to those when folic acid supplementation was replaced with a placebo after the first trimester. This study is the first to demonstrate that there are benefits for infant neurodevelopment from continued maternal folic acid supplementation beyond the first trimester.

70 children completed the assessment at age 7 years, and 39 at age 3 years. ‘At both time points, great proportions of children from folic acid supplemented mothers compared with placebo had cognitive scores above the median values.[i].

It is well known that folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects and although some women know it’s important to take folic acid in early pregnancy, few realise that it is essential for maternal tissue development throughout pregnancy. Furthermore, the results of this recent study concludes that continued folic acid supplementation throughout the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can influence the cognitive performance of their children up to 7 years of age which challenges the advice that women planning a baby should take a supplement containing 400mcg of folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy.

All Pregnacare supplements have always contained the exact 400mcg of folic acid as it contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy which can be crucial in later pregnancy (24 – 42 gestational weeks), where it is recognized to be an important period for foetal brain growth.

BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini

Baby Carrier Mini and Baby Carrier One Air are two soft, airy and ergonomic baby carriers that make it easy for parents to give their baby the important closeness they need, and strengthens the parent-child bond from day one. The flexible mesh fabric allows the babywearer to both see and feel that they’re carrying their newborn in a natural position. The fabric gently hugs the baby’s back, legs and hips, and provides good support so that they sit in a comfy, ergonomic position.

Baby Carrier Mini is a small, snug and simple baby carrier that mum or dad can put on quickly for frequent short baby wearing sessions.

It’s easy for the parent to unfasten the entire front section of the baby carrier to lift out their sleeping baby. It’s perfect for the first months when the baby needs a lot of closeness around the clock.

With Baby Carrier One Air, no help is needed to easily and safely switch between carrying their baby facing in and – once the child is ready – facing out, or on their back from one year old. The baby carrier’s fully adjustable size, seat area and head support means that it can be adapted as a newborn baby grows and their needs change. Baby Carrier One Air has a sturdy waist belt and padded shoulder straps that relieve pressure on the wearer’s back and shoulders, and make it comfortable to carry a child up to the age of three years.

Baby Carrier Mini, Black/Midnight florals, Mesh (RRP: £84.99) Baby Carrier One Air, Black/ Midnight florals, Mesh (RRP: £163.99) familiesonline.co.uk

GREEN LIGHT GIVEN TO LANDMARK GROUP B STREP TRIAL

A major new trial to prevent a potentially fatal infection being passed on to newborn babies has been granted ethical approval.

The multi-million pound trial, which will involve 80 hospitals in England, Wales and Scotland, received the go-ahead from the Health Research Authority in England and Health and Care Research in Wales. The trial will involve at least 320,000 women, with recruitment beginning in Spring 2020.

Group B Strep is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies, causing a range of serious infections including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. The results of this ground-breaking trial will be used to inform the future of pregnancy care across the United Kingdom and could help save babies lives every year.

Health Minister, Nadine Dorries said: “Every baby deserves the best start to life, so I’m thrilled this hugely important trial has been given the green light”.

The £2.8 million trial, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), will look at the effectiveness of two different tests compared with standard care – a lab-based test, the Enriched Culture Medium (ECM) test at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy, and a ‘bedside test’ at the start of labour. The ECM test is currently recommended for use on high-risk groups in late pregnancy by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ clinical guidelines.

Group B Strep infections in newborn babies can usually be prevented by giving antibiotics through a vein to women during labour, which reduces the risk by up to 90%.

The UK currently does not routinely test pregnant women for Group B Strep, and instead identifies pregnant women with ‘risk factors’ for their newborn developing the infection.

Jane Plumb MBE, Chief Executive of Group B Strep Support, said: “We are delighted that the GBS3 trial is progressing and has the support of the Government.

“After routine testing was introduced in the United States, the rate of early-onset GBS infection dropped by over 80 per cent and is now less than half that of the UK. Were the same to happen in the UK, approximately 350 babies every year would be protected from group B Strep infections, saving 15 babies’ lives and preventing another 15 from developing life-changing disability.”

Research has shown that: A 31% rise in the prevalence of Group B Strep infections in babies under three months old since 2000 in the UK and Ireland with 65% of the mothers of affected babies showing no risk factors.

The bacteria are present in approximately 1-in-5 pregnant women, usually causing no harm to the carrier, but may be passed unknowingly from a mother to her baby around birth.

1-in-1,750 newborn babies will develop a Group B Strep infection.

1-in-19 of these babies will die and 1-in-14 survivors will be left with long-term disability.

Families Oxfordshire 7

W hat’s Onto

PERFORM

WHEN: January & February

WHERE: Across Oxfordshire

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

From weekly drama and dance classes, to that unique “Holiday Club”, Perform has everything to offer to your child from ages 4 and up.

Book now for a free trial or look at their February Half Term Holiday Club,Trial FREE www.perform.org.uk

Oxfordshire

Little Ashmoles – Money, Money, Money WHERE: Ashmolean Museum WHEN: 9, 16, 23 & 30 January:

WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse WHEN: Every Monday in

MONKEY MUSIC

WHERE: Oxfordshire – various

locations WHEN: January & February Why not introduce your child to music and movement from an early age. It is a fun and musical class with the only twist that it is educational too.

First Class – Free www.monkeymusic.co.uk

January/February Have you discovered the perfect fun, friendly and musical way to start the week for you and your child? Hey Diddle Diddle is a sing-a-long and play sessions held every Monday for pre-school children and their grown-ups. £6 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305

Whizz Kidz

WHERE: Thame

WHEN: January & February

Why not head to Whizz Kidz for a fun hour or two, or more should you little one not yet be tired. Large indoor softplay/ entertainment centre which has everything you could want.

Prices from £7.95 www.whizzkidz-thame.co.uk/

10.30 – 11.15 Explore, play and learn together with a different theme each month. All welcome but particularly suitable for 3–5 year olds. Booking Essential £1 donation www.ashmolean.org/events

Baby Ashmoles – Pre-Raphaelite Art

WHERE: Ashmolean Museum WHEN: 10, 17, 24& 31 January:

10.30 – 11.30 Singing and sensory play for babies. This session is for parents/ caregivers of babies under 1 who are not yet walking.Booking is advised, email: families@ashmus. ox.ac.uk. £1 donation www.ashmolean.org/events

WHEN: January & February:

10.00 – 17.00 Wonderful animals and seasonal events complemented by daily activities: penguin feeding, adventure playground, farm yard fun and single-gauge railway! Adult £16; Child £10.50; Under 3s FREE www. cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 8 Families Oxfordshire

WHERE: Nature Discovery Centre,

Thatcham WHEN: 18 January: 10.00-12.00 Let your child explore nature every third Saturday of every month with a hands on wildlife club for 5-8 year olds at the Nature Discovery Centre. £5 per child. bbowt.org.uk

All Wrapped Up

WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse WHEN: 11-12 January: 11am &

ABC Story

WHERE: The Story Museum

WHEN: January & February:

10.30-11.30 Explore a different story every Tuesday and Friday. Each session includes a welcome, a story, a stay-and-play time and an activity – messy play, movement or creative play. 0-3s. £5 per child www.storymuseum.org.uk

2pm Unwrap a world of imagination with Oily Cart’s mischievous, wintery show for under fives.

Magical characters, hilarious creatures and hidden lands are brought to life through light, shadow and music. £8 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305

COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK WHERE: Burford

Natures Explorers Club

IGLOO

WHERE: Cornerstone Art Centre,

Didcot

WHEN: 24 & 25 January

Anticipation is building for Ira and Sadie. How can they build an igloo if there isn’t any snow?

They need it to snow, so they wait, and wait, and wait. Suitable for pre-schoolers. £9 www.cornerstone-arts.org

Nick Cope The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse

WHERE: The North Wall Arts

Centre

WHEN: 17-18 January

You are in for a treat with this stage adaptation of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s brilliantly subversive picture book, which finds joy and friendship in the darkest and most unusual of places. £8 www.thenorthwall.com

WHERE: The North Wall

Arts Centre WHEN: 25 January, 11 am and 2 PM Monkeys, bears, socks and mud – this man sings about everything children are really interested in! Book now to avoid disappointment. £10

www.thenorthwall.com familiesonline.co.uk

Families What’s on

The Slightly Annoying Elephant

Create your own Bird Table

WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse

MACBETH

WHERE: Cornerstone Arts

Centre, Didcot WHEN: 6 February Returning home from battle, the brave Macbeth meets three hideous figures who offer him a vision of his future, a vision that will lead to bloody murder and horrors beyond the imagination…Age +5 £12.50 www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144

WHEN: 19 - 23 February

Based on the book by David Walliams, watch this hilarious comedy about a slightly annoying elephant. 3+ £14.00/£10.00 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305

Vole in a Hole

WHERE: River and Rowing

FAMILY COOKERY SCHOOL

WHERE: Waddesdon Manor,

CHLOE AND THE COLOUR CATCHER WHERE: The North Wall

Arts Centre WHEN: 15 February, 11am & 2pm Chloe lives in a world with only one colour, a world that is completely grey. But at night, when she’s wrapped up tight, her dreams are colourful and bright.

Perfect family show. £8 www.thenorthwall.com

February Half Term, Orienteering

WHERE: Waddesdon Manor,

Near Aylesbury WHEN: 15 – 23 February: 10am-3pm Are you an astronaut in the making? Join Captain Mimi in an adventure across the skys with the Thames Valley Orienteering Club £3 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ waddesdon-manor 01296 820414

familiesonline.co.uk

Near Aylesbury WHEN: 15 – 23 February: 11.30-15.30 Have fun with the kids by whipping up tasty creations this half term. Booking essential. Call to book. £25 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ waddesdon-manor 01296 820414

The Elves and the Shoemakers

WHERE: Cornerstone Arts Centre,

Didcot

WHEN: 16 February

A fun play to watch as you follow Sam Lacey who makes shoes that are out of this world. His imagination is huge but his shoemaking business is a disaster!

Laughter for all. Age +3 £9.50 www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144

Museum WHEN: 18 February: 10.30-12.30 One minute it’s there the next it’s gone! Make a fabric screen for your puppet vole to poke in and out. For ages 4-7, booking essential. £8.00 www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415600

Wild Printing

WHERE: Sutton Courtenay

Environmental Education Centre, nr Didcot WHEN: 21 February: 10.00-12.00 Make a bird table and keep the birds in your garden well fed this winter. Booking essential.

Strictly 8+. £10 per child.

01235 862024 bbowt.org.uk

Yana and Yeti

WHERE: Cornerstone Arts Centre,

Didcot

WHEN: 23 February

Make the most of half term, with this beautiful written show. Follow Yana’s journey in this story, a story about finding friends in the most unlikely shapes. +5 years. £9.50 www.cornerstone-arts.org 01235 515144

WHERE: River and

Rowing Museum WHEN: 19 February: 10.30-12.30 Create bold and colourful collagraph prints full of texture inspired the natural world. For ages 7-11 booking essential. £8.50 www.rrm.co.uk 01491 415600

When replying to adverts or listings, please mention Families Oxfordshire

Chinese New Year Festival Show WHERE: Oxford

Playhouse WHEN: 18 February: 19.00 From the daring stunts of Chinese acrobatics to the magnificent 18-metre long Dragon Dance, this is a colourful party of Chinese cultural tradition. £10 to £20 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305

Monkey Music Oxford E: oxford@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01235 519806

Families Oxfordshire 9

Families Nursery Listings Helping you find the right place for your little ones - our 2020 guide to some of the nurseries local to Oxfordshire with the latest Ofsted ratings, correct at the time we went to press.

ABC NURSERY AND PRE-SCHOOL Headington

www.abcnurseryoxford.co.uk 01865 439051 (Ofsted Good) BEAR NECESSITIES DAY NURSERY

CHILDREY LITTLE DUCKS PRE-SCHOOL

BLEWBURY PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP Didcot

CRANFORD HOUSE NURSERY SCHOOL

www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk 01869 321 522 (Ofsted Good) BRIGHT HORIZONS MILTON PARK DAY NURSERY & PRE-SCHOOL, Abingdon

www.brighthorizons.co.uk 0330 057 8988 (Ofsted Good) BRIGHT HORIZONS MONGEWELL PARK DAY NURSERY AND PRE-SCHOOL Wallingford

0333 920 4333 (Ofsted Outstanding)

BRIGHT HORIZONS LITTLE STARS NURSERY

Didcot 0333 122 3156 (Ofsted Outstanding) CHANDLINGS NURSERY Oxford

www.chandlings.org.uk/nursery 01865 730771 CHARLBURY PRE-SCHOOL Chipping Norton

www.charlburypreschool.org.uk 01608 811200 (Ofsted Good) CHILD FIRST BANBURY www.childfirst.co.uk

01295 273743 (Ofsted Good)

SANDFIELD DAY NURSERY AND PRE-SCHOOL

www.childreylittleducks.org (Ofsted Good) CORNFLOWER NURSERY Headington School

BUSY BEES DAY NURSERY Bicester

www.puddleduck-oxfordshire.co.uk 01491 521 217 (Ofsted Good)

01869 323730 (Ofsted Good)

Weston-on-the-Green www.bearnecessitiesnursery.co.uk 01869 351118. (Ofsted Good)

www.blewbury.oxon.sch.uk 01235 851786 (Ofsted Good)

PUDDLEDUCK NURSERY Wallingford

CHILD FIRST BICESTER. www.childfirst.co.uk

Headington. www.childbasepartnership.com/ sandfield-day-nursery 01865 744200 (Ofsted Outstanding)

www.headington.org/nursery/nursery-day 01865 759113

SMART TOTS DAY NURSERY Banbury

www.completechildcare.co.uk 01295 259393 (Ofsted Good)

Cholsey www.cranfordhouse.net 01491 651218

SUMMERTOWN MONTESSORI NURSERY

DAFFODIL DAY NURSEY LTD Witney

www.montessorinorthoxford.org 01865 311364 / 554954 (Ofsted Good)

www.daffodil-nursery.co.uk 01993 883451 (Ofsted Good)

THE AUNTIES’ OLD SCHOOL NURSERY

Stanton-St-John & Wheatly www.theoldschoolnursery.co.uk 01865 351215 (Ofsted (both) Outstanding)

LITTLE BEARS PRE-SCHOOL, Stadhampton

www.little-bears.com 01865 400 033 (Ofsted Good)

THE CO-OPERATIVE CHILDCARE DAY NURSERY OXFORD www.thecooperativechildcare.coop

LORD WILLIAMS’S SCHOOL DAY NURSERY

Thame. www.lwsdaynursery.co.uk 01844 260231 (Ofsted Good)

0800 954 0669 (Ofsted Good)

THE FARMHOUSE NURSERY SCHOOL Witney

MAGPIES PRESCHOOL KIDLINGTON

www.thefarmhousenurseryschool.co.uk 01993 700797. (Ofsted Outstanding)

www.magpies.info/magpies-preschool 01865 842724 (Ofsted Good)

THE MANOR PREPARATORY SCHOOL PRE-NURSERY & NURSERY Abingdon

OUR LADY’S ABINGDON NURSERY

www.olab.org.uk/Nursery 01235 524658 PEAPODS NURSERY SCHOOL Henley-on-Thames

www.peapodsnurseryschool.com 01491 628 395 (Ofsted Good) PIPPINS DAY NURSERY & NURSERY SCHOOL

Headington. www.aurorachildcare.co.uk 01865 227872 (Ofsted Good)

www.manorprep.org/Early-Years-FoundationStage01235 858462 THE WANTAGE NURSERY AND PRE-SCHOOL

www.wantagenursery.co.uk 01235 760213 (Ofsted Good) THE WILLOW ON THE FARM Banbury

www.willowonthefarm.co.uk 01608 730143 (Ofsted Oustanding)

The Willow On The Farm The Willow On The Farm Nill Farm, Hook Norton, Banbury, Oxon OX15 5DQ Nill Farm, Hook Norton, Banbury, Oxon OX15 5DQ 01608 730143 alice@willowonthefarm.co.uk The Willow The Farm 01608 730143 On alice@willowonthefarm.co.uk

www.willowonthefarm.co.uk Nill Farm, Hook Norton,www.willowonthefarm.co.uk Banbury, Oxon OX15 5DQ 01608 730143 alice@willowonthefarm.co.uk www.willowonthefarm.co.uk

Independent Catholic day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2 to 13

A place with a palpable buzz and vibrancy that gets the balance between giving children the freedom to be themselves, whilst maintaining a focus on traditional values excellent manners and respect, absolutely spot on.

The Good Schools Guide Review 2019

Indoor and Outdoor Learning with Highly Qualified Teachers Forest School * Tractor & Trailer Adventures * Farmyard Animals

OPEN MORNINGS 5 FEBRUARY • 6 FEBRUARY 29 FEBRUARY Indoor and Outdoor Learning with Highly Qualified Teachers RULER Programme: Building emotional intelligence & resilience Indoor and Outdoor Learning with Highly Qualified Teachers - 4 year& olds.

Term time only.

Morning, Animals For 2*1/2Tractor Forest School Trailer Adventures * Farmyard afternoon or full emotional day sessions available.& resilience RULER Programme: Building intelligence 1

For 2 /2 - 4 year olds. Term time only. Morning, Forest School * Tractor & Trailer Adventures * Farmyard Animals ANGELS & URCHINS FINAL.indd 1

afternoon or full day sessions available.

25/01/2018 12:58

Goring Heath, near Reading RG8 7QA (SatNav)

01189 844 511 • c.atkinson@oratoryprep.co.uk • oratoryprep.co.uk

RULER Programme: Building emotional intelligence & resilience ANGELS & URCHINS FINAL.indd 1

1 10 Families Oxfordshire 2

25/01/2018 12:58

For 2 / - 4 year olds. Term time only. Morning, afternoon or full day sessions available.

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Families Education

THE IMPORTANCE OF IMAGINATION

By Dr Neel Burton Einstein held that imagination is more important than knowledge: “I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” It’s hard to disagree. Imagination is the highest form of thought, and almost divine in its reach.

With enough imagination, we could identify and solve all of our problems. With enough imagination, we would never have to work again— or, at least, not for money. With enough imagination, we could win over, or defeat, anyone we wanted to. But our imagination is so poor that we haven’t even imagined what it would be like to have that kind of imagination.

Most children begin to develop pretend play at around 15 months of age. What are children doing when they pretend play? And why are they so absorbed in works of imagination?

When I was 7 years old, I would devour book after book and plead with my parents for those not already in the bookcase. By playing out scenarios and extending themselves beyond their limited experience, children seek to make sense of the world and find their place within it. This meaning-making is full of emotion—joy, excitement, awe—and finds an echo in every subsequent act of creation.

Think back to your favourite teacher at school: for me, a French teacher who wept silently as he read to the class from a novel by Marguerite Duras. The teachers whom we hold dear to our hearts, who changed the course of our lives, are not those who assiduously taught us the most facts, or fastidiously covered every bulleted point on the syllabus, but those who moved and inspired us, those who fired up our imagination and opened us up to ourselves and to the world.

Despite its importance to the individual

and society, our system of education leaves very little place for imagination. Our schools and universities and wider society are often forced to prioritise knowing over thinking, and equate thinking with reasoning, and reasoning with logic. This has done, and continues to do, untold harm. Instead of digging ourselves in deeper, we need to make more time and space for thinking, and we need to rehabilitate alternative forms of cognition such as imagination, inspiration, and emotion that can support, supplement, or supplant reason and return us to wholeness.

In recent years, I’ve been trying to recover the bright and vivid imagination that I left behind in primary school. For that, I’ve been doing just three things, all of them very simple to explain: • Being aware of the importance of imagination.

• Making time for sleep and idleness.

• Taking inspiration from the natural world.

How might that translate to you and your children? Don’t skimp on sleep. Don’t fill every

hour of the day with scheduled activities. Make time for idleness, for daydreaming, and long walks in nature. Above all, don’t worry about ‘wasting time.’ While we are idling, in bed, in the bath, on the bus, our unconscious mind is busy assimilating and processing disparate pieces of information, and making all sorts of novel connections and projections. Time is a very strange thing, and not at all linear: sometimes, the best way of using it is to ‘waste’ it.

Here are 12 tips for nurturing imagination in your children:

1. Allow for unscheduled down-time, even for ‘boredom.’

2. Discourage passive TVs, tablets, and other electronics.

3. Encourage reading, make sure there are plenty of age-appropriate books around.

4. Encourage story-telling and writing.

5. Encourage pretend play, even if it gets messy!

6. Spend time in botanical gardens, zoos, art museums, science museums, natural history museums.

7. Spend a lot of time outdoors.

8. Travel to different places: forest, beach, mountains, abroad.

9. Encourage contact with different people and cultures.

10. Encourage thought-provoking questions, and ask some yourself.

11. Try not to impose pre-conceived notions, especially pre-conceived notions of what it means to be successful.

12. Allow your children to follow their enthusiasms, however eccentric, impractical, or disruptive they may seem. You never know where they may lead!

Dr Neel Burton is a leading psychiatrist and author of Hypersanity: Thinking Beyond

Thinking, out now, priced £12.99. To find out more, visit www.neelburton.com familiesonline.co.uk

Families Oxfordshire 11

Families Fun

FREEDOM AWAITS

Get back to nature with the family for a short break or for your annual holiday this year with Forest Holidays, offering idyllic locations for a relaxing cabin break in the UK’s most beautiful forests. You can stay deep in the woods, on the edge of a loch, or even in a bright forest meadow. Whether you choose to unwind in the tranquillity of your own private outdoor hot tub, take part in the variety of outdoor pursuits or explore the nearby villages and countryside, where you can enjoy the freedom to connect with nature and make precious memories , the options are plentiful and entirely yours..

Forest Holidays offers the freedom to focus on what really matters, a place to escape and unwind from the daily chores of family life, work, screen time and a hectic lifestyle. Boasting an award winning team and Trip advisor Excellence awards across nine of their locations, what’s not to love.

Each location has a resident Forest Ranger, an expert in the local wildlife who is ready and eager to share their woodland skills and the secrets of the forest with you. Stalking through the night time forest spotting animals, showing where the wild garlic grows or teaching you how to brew a pine needle tea, the Forest Rangers bring the forest alive for children and adults alike.

Whether holidaying with little ones who want to splash in puddles and spot squirrels, older children itching to explore the forest and build dens, or teenagers in search of Wi-Fi, pizzas and movies, a Forest Holiday brings the whole family together with time and space for everyone to enjoy the little pleasures.

After a long family walk or forest adventure you can call at the Forest Retreat: where families can enjoy meals, drinks and snacks that are served all day. From sausage and bacon sandwiches or a full British 12 Families Oxfordshire

breakfast in the morning, to delicious lunch-time meals and tea and cakes in the afternoon, you can enjoy a relaxed and friendly service with a view of the forest.

The forest and surrounding landscapes are a playground for adventure-seekers, wildlife lovers and even those just seeking some rest and relaxation, and we offer a wealth of activities for everyone to enjoy. Some of the adventures take place in the forest and some are off-location with their 3rd party partners. Some of the activities you can expect to find include:

• • • • •

Forest Survival Canoeing and Paddle boarding Archery and shooting Horse Riding and Pony Trekking Adventure (microlight, caving, rock climbing, etc) Go Ape

To book a stay with Forest Holidays visit www.forestholidays.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Families Health

Mindful Parenting: How to Respond Rather Than React Parenting can be a minefield. For most people, the joy of bringing up a child is tinged with frustration and disappointment when things go wrong. Losing the ability to think straight in the middle of a toddler tantrum or when your school age child refuses to eat the meal you’ve cooked is an all-too-familiar occurrence. So is it possible to approach parenting more mindfully and if so, what difference could it make? Here are my tips for practicing mindfulness in turbulent times.

What is Mindful Parenting?

At its core, mindful parenting takes the principles of mindfulness and applies them to how you parent. The concept of mindfulness is about purposefully, curiously and openly paying attention to moments of everyday life. It involves dropping into your present moment experience and being aware of what you’re doing, while you’re doing it, with a nonjudgemental attitude. It sounds easy, but increasingly it’s hard to find time to pause and take stock – especially as a parent.

So How Do You Practise Mindfulness?

One way to learn mindfulness is through meditation, by using a point of focus, such as the passage of the breath. When your mind gets distracted and wanders off into thinking, worrying, or planning, simply notice where it has wandered to and gently guide it back to following the physical sensation of the in-breath and the out-breath. Do this every time the mind wanders - with kindness to yourself. In time, you start to recognise that thoughts will come and go of their own accord, if you allow them to do so.

Another way is to use ‘daily mindfulness practices’ - times during the day where you pause, breathe and bring moment-to-moment awareness to something simple like the brewing of your tea. By pausing and staying present in the moment, you might notice the aroma of your drink, as you take in your experience fully. So often, the uniqueness of the moment is lost as the focus shifts to getting through the day.

What Difference Does it Make?

Mindful parenting invites you to think about how to become more responsive and thoughtful in the way you parent. It encourages you to pause, and experience the ‘here and now,’ rather than hankering after

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By Gillian Higgins

how you would like life to be. It’s about witnessing the essence of the moment, just as it is, so you don’t miss out on what’s going on, right now. So how does mindful parenting look and feel in practice?

• It encourages you to engage, actively listen and talk things through with your child, no matter how difficult the situation. It encourages open communication as an alternative to emotionally charged reactions.

• When you feel better able to cope, you’re more able to care for and feel affectionate towards your children, which in turn improves the wellbeing of you all.

• Mindfulness grows your self-awareness so you become more alert to negative emotions arising. You can then pause before you respond, rather than move straight into anger or frustration mode.

• It helps you to move on more quickly from your own disappointment at your handling of a situation. It helps you be non-judgemental and let go of negative feelings before they drag you into further conflict or despair.

• Mindfulness helps you to repair difficult situations more quickly as you become more willing and able to accept the challenges you face – rather than resisting or denying them.

• Mindful parenting puts compassion for yourself and your child at the centre. Compassion helps you to be more forgiving of yourself and more aware of your child’s needs.

• A parent’s ability to be present ‘no matter what’ is capable of revolutionising how you deal with and emerge from conflict.

• Focusing on your present moment experience, without judging your parenting skills or worrying about the future boosts wellbeing – for you and your child.

So the next time you’re feeling overwrought or overwhelmed, see if you can consciously take a moment to pause and breathe to create the space you need to decide how to respond – rather than knee jerk react.

Gillian Higgins is the author of Mindfulness at Work and Home, published in September 2019

by RedDoor Press and available from www. practicalmeditation.co.uk, Amazon and all good book stores.

Families Oxfordshire 13

Families Activities

Activities Away from School Activities that take place completely away from the school environment don’t just keep restless children busy or entertained and help working parents manage their child’s spare time, they can also offer great developmental benefits that will help them academically, physically and socially.

New Friendships

Outside of the school environment, your child is likely to make friendships with children that don’t go to their school and get used to socialising with children of all ages outside the structure of the formal school day.

Improving Life and Social Skills

Outside school activities provide an ideal environment in which to nurture social skills and confidence. Many extracurricular activities work to teach children the value of working as a team to achieve a mutual goal — a skill that will benefit them in their future endeavours.

Boosting Academic Performance

Discovering that they have a talent can give a child a new source of confidence or a passion that translates into their engagement and behaviour at school. For example, performing in drama club can improve confidence in speaking up in class and inspire creative writing. Playing an instrument will help children understand music lessons.

Building Self-Esteem ABINGDON & DIDCOT

In a busy classroom it can sometimes be hard for a child to make themselves heard. Outside of school activities will give your child the chance to build their self-esteem. Most groups or teams are more intimate than the typical classroom environment, making them less intimidating for children. Children may also be more interested than they are in their lessons and will engage more easily with the activities involved.

Positive Role Models

Sports coaches, group leaders and other responsible adults who are sharing their skills provide role models and a valuable new take on the world for children.

Happier Children

Outside of school activities promote emotional well-being by allowing children to work off excess energy, relax their minds, and overcome the stress associated with school life.

14 Families Oxfordshire

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Families Activities Chance to Shine

Outside of school activities offer your child the chance to be themselves away from the influence of their school friends. Without being judged by their peers as “not cool” or “geeky” your child may thrive in developing new outlet for creative, sporting or intellectual pursuits.

Promoting Healthy Hobbies

Children with a regular activity are likely to spend less static time glued to a smartphone or screen and the interests that they develop during outside of school activities are likely to mean they spend more time practicing skills and pursuing their passions.

Explore Interests and Create Broader Perspectives When children participate in multiple different activities, they get the opportunity to explore a range of interests which subsequently broaden their world view.

to leadership skills, good time-management, and better social or academic performance have plenty of advantages to offer.

Don’t Push Them

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t push children to over-do it when it comes to extra activities. It’s better for your child to choose something that they really enjoy doing and stick to it, rather than attempt numerous different activities that quickly become overwhelming, and may detract from their ability to concentrate on school work. Of course, you may also have the type of child that just wants to try everything, in which case, it may be best to let them do so and try to narrow down their commitments when you see which activities they particularly favour.

More info: www.nuffieldfoundation.org/out-school-activities-andeducation-gap

Time Management

As children get older and move on to secondary school, being able to juggle different aspects of their lives becomes increasingly important.

By attending classes, clubs or activities outside of school, your child will be taking on more responsibility for managing their schedule effectively.

Sense of Commitment

Students who participate in outside of school activities develop a sense of commitment to whatever they are involved in. This is because they have to commit to them and give them their all, and this commitment starts to extend to other areas of their lives.

A Brighter Future

The skills and habits a child learns during his or her school years help to shape the kind of future they will lead as an adult. As a result, outside of school activities that promote everything from healthy-living habits,

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Families Oxfordshire 15

ABINGDON PREP SCHOOL

OPEN MORNING Tuesday 28 January

abingdon.org.uk/prep

G TARTIN

S S PLACE FINAL EPTION EC FOR R 0

02 SEP 2

EXCELLENCE IN INDEPENDENT EDUCATION FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGED 2-18

BOYS WILL BE...active

at Moulsford Prep day and boarding school of 360 boys aged 4 – 13 years

OPEN DAY

FRIDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2020 To attend please email admissions@moulsford.com or call 01491 651438 or visit our website Moulsford Prep School, Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX10 9HR

W WW. MO ULS FO R D . CO M

Their future

Starts in Reception September 2020

Specialist teaching starting in Reception Small class sizes with superb facilities Excellent pastoral care Rated “Excellent” in all categories* Over 100 extra curricular clubs on offer Oxfordshire/Berkshire minibus service

Join us at Reception Open Morning, Friday 24 January Cranford House School, Moulsford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 9HT www.cranfordhouse.net *Latest inspection Nov 2014

Families_CranfordHouse_87x130mm_JAN 2020_AW.indd 1

18/12/2019 09:52