Parent Talk March 2019

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Clubs & Classes Schools Events Reviews Essential reading for parents and grandparents in Somerset

March 2019 Volume 26 Issue 3

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The working parent life: how to strike the balance p10 Spring clean and burn calories p13 Facebook “f ” Logo

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ADULT

£20 29 MAY - 1 JUNE 2019

A CELEBRATION OF GREAT BRITISH AGRICULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD & DRINK

s e i r o m e M g n i k a #M

t u O y a D n u F y l i m a F

4 DAYS OF ACTION PACKED EVENTS FOR ALL THE FAMILY EXTREME BIKE BATTLE | LIVE MUSIC | SPORTS ZONE | FUN FAIR | THE IMAGINEERING FAIR EDUCATIONAL FARMING | TRACTOR TED | BATH & WEST RAILWAY | 4 X 4 OFF-ROAD COURSE | ROAMING PERFORMERS BRITISH LIVESTOCK | HORSES | BRITISH CHEESE AWARDS | BRITISH CIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE…

OVER 50 HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT EVERY DAY!

TRACTOR TED LIVE | TRACTOR TED BOUNCY CASTLE | DIGGER DEN EVENT SHOP | TRACTOR TED DRIVING TRACK | WELLY WANGING | ACTIVITY TRAIL

KIDS GO FREE!

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AT

WWW.BATHANDWEST.COM *£20 Super Saver Rate available online only until 19th April 2019. Children 15 years & under are FREE with a paying adult.

FAMILY PAGES

Parent talk Kids go free at Royal contents Bath & West Show Family pages

p2-5

Events

p6

Out & About

p6-7

Book Bag

p8-9

Education, information

p10-13

Book Review

p14-15

Classified

p15

competition A tonies® starter set

p9

Dear Readers...

Welcome back and wasn’t that beautiful weather a wonderful treat for us all! It really feels as if spring is with us now and with the lighter evenings, more time outdoors is always good news. In case it’s not already marked firmly in your diary, Mother’s Day falls right at the end of the month. Time enough to drop several hints to all concerned and plenty of places to visit including discounted travel on trips to London as well as tempting cafes for delicious cream teas.

Once again our book selection is full of some excellent titles including ones to tie in with British Science Week and International Women’s Day later this month.

Happy reading!

Tickets are now on sale for the Royal Bath & West Show, and children - for the first time - can go free during the May half term, with a £5 discount on early adult bookings.

The Show, which will be held from 29 May to 1 June near Shepton Mallet, Somerset, offers a thrilling day out for all the family, with a packed schedule including exciting main ring attractions, live music, off-road driving, livestock and equine competitions, and plenty of local food and drink.

This year’s main ring superstars are Extreme Bike Battle FMX, a team of incredible stunt riders performing spectacular tricks and defying gravity to pull off jumps, flips and somersaults. Visitors can also meet television presenter and Cotswold Farm Park owner Adam Henson, have a go on the 4x4 off-road course, witness the daring antics of the Dorset

Special offer for mothers with Berrys coaches the 77 and 78 seat executive double deck coaches, operating independently from the new purpose built depot in Taunton.

Our popular London SUPERFAST started back in 1981 and now includes three routes and up to six services daily, operating from pick-up points throughout the West Country – Tiverton, Wellington, Taunton, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Ilminster, South Petherton,

© Shannon D'Arcy

agriculture, entertainment, food and drink, and we look forward

to welcoming all of our visitors and exhibitors later this year.”

● The Royal Bath & West Show will be held on 29 May – 1 June.

Tickets are available from the website: www.bathandwest.com or by calling 0844 776 6777. For further information or media enquiries contact Olivia Cooper on 01392 840009 135x95mm bleed.pdf 1 or 07/12/2017 14:24 e-mail olivia@agri-hub.co.uk

#SuperFast #SuperValue #SuperEasy

Tamsin, Editor

Berrys Coaches is a family run business currently operating a fleet of over 60 coaches, providing school services, private hire, excursions and the famous London SUPERFAST service, linking London and the West Country.

The company has a range of standard and executive vehicles, varying in size from a 16 seat executive minibus to

Axemen and take a ride on the enchanting miniature railway.

For younger visitors, the Tractor Ted farm fun zone offers hours of entertainment, with a bouncy castle, ball pit, cinema and tractor driving school.

After that, head to the popular Farming for the Family area to see chicks hatching, make mozzarella cheese, pet goats and learn how to milk a cow.

Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis will be introducing live music in the Pilton Tent – with the music continuing well into the evening, why not book into the Show’s campsite and enjoy a mini festival on your doorstep?

In addition, visitors can enjoy food and drink from some of the best producers in the West Country, and taste awardwinning cider and cheese, says head of show's Alan Lyons. “The Royal Bath & West Show is a Berrys ad full page true celebration of Great British

Yeovil, Ilchester, Wincanton, Street, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Frome, Warminster and Codford Village.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, Berrys Coaches wants families to enjoy a comfortable journey from the West Country to London at the most affordable price. Our passengers visit London for all kinds of reasons and we want your next journey with your family to be a memorable one.

The ‘ILOVEMUM’ discount code means that now mums can travel for free when they are accompanied by their family.

Our iconic SUPERFAST coaches are equipped with toilets on-board, free wi-fi, hot and cold refreshments as well as guaranteed seat selection at no extra cost!

We wish a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there and look forward to serving you.

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

ThisSUPERFAST Mother’s Day,3we are making it extra special for all SERVING TAUNTON, STREET, you mums out there.SHEPTON Use code ‘ILOVEMUM’ while GLASTONBURY, MALLET, FROME, * for travel from buying a SUPERFAST

by Berrys WARMINSTER AND ticket CODFORD 18th March to 31st March andand getthe the other ticket FREE! • Directly linking London West Country • Host and Hostess Service • Free Seat Allocation • No Amendment Fees • Free WIFI and USB Charging* £20.00 (Adult) Single • £25.00 (Adult) Day Return £29.00 (Adult) Period Return • £32.00 Open Return Please enquire for senior and child prices

Special Offer for Mothers

SUPERFAST 1: Tiverton - Wellington - Taunton North Petherton - Bridgwater - London SUPERFAST 2: Taunton - Ilminster - South Petherton Yeovil - Ilchester - RNAS - Wincanton - London SUPERFAST 3: Taunton - Street - Glastonbury Shepton Mallet - Frome - Warminster - Codford - London Book Book direct Directon on01823 01823331356 331356 book online oror book online at www.berryscoaches.co.uk www.berryscoaches.co.uk Berrys Coaches, Peter Clifford House, Great Western Way Taunton, Somerset TA2 6BX

Berrys Coaches, Peter Clifford House, Great Western Way, *On most services Taunton, Somerset. TA2 6BX *Offer valid for two tickets on the same day/coach. Terms and conditions apply.

Parent Talk March 2019 3

FAMILY PAGES

Move into your family's dream UK is a nation of neglect as research reveals we put homes home at Crest Nicholson's Langford Fields development in danger

Langford Fields is a collection of traditional three, four and five bedroom homes in a semirural location on the fringe of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

With excellent school options, commuter links to Bristol and the M5, and a thriving village nearby, Langford Fields offers the perfect family lifestyle.

The village of Langford offers quintessential country pubs, a 24-hour supermarket, cafe, hairdressers and services.

Although Langford Fields is only 12 miles from the vibrant city of Bristol and 15 minutes from Bristol International Airport, the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge – two of the UK’s most inspiring landscapes

– are both a short drive away, providing the perfect activity for adventurous families.

Langford is home to Langford Day Nursery and Preschool, while nearby Churchill has Churchill C of E Primary School and the ‘Outstanding’ rated Churchill Academy and Sixth Form – one of the most desirable schools in the area.

Each home at Langford Fields boasts a spacious layout that is tailor-made for family life, with room for entertaining downstairs and luxurious bedrooms upstairs

for unwinding. The modern features throughout the homes include Bosch integrated appliances in the Moores kitchen and contemporary white Roca Gap sanitaryware in the cloakroom, en-suite and bathroom.

Three bedroom homes at Langford Fields start at £325,000, with four and five bedroom homes from £410,000 and £575,000 respectively. Part exchange and the Governmentbacked Help to Buy schemes are available on a selection of homes at Langford Fields.

For more information about Langford Fields please call 01934 252009 or visit https://www.crestnicholson.com/developments/langford-fields/

Designed for families

With large living rooms, open plan kitchen diners and plenty of space and light, Bovis Homes are designed around modern family life.

What’s more, with a number of 4 Parent Talk March 2019

purchase assistance schemes available including Help to Buy and Home Exchange plus free independent mortgage advice,

When it comes to basic home safety, Brits are falling short and leaving their families open to potential dangers, with a lack of basic action putting their homes in peril.

According to new research by the Consumer Protection Alliance - a group made up of Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, Gas Safe Register, NICEIC and Which?

Trusted Traders, with the aim of promoting consumer safety and protection in the UK – over half of Brits (55%) do not unplug electric appliances that are not designed to be left on, whilst some 52% do not know how to test their smoke alarm for functionality. Shockingly, 22% don’t check that the front door is locked before turning in, leaving them open to potential disaster - yet over half of the nation (51%) would check that the curtains are closed at bedtime. A staggering 62% of Brits admit to not checking the hob is turned off before going to bed; risking appliance damage, or worse.

Despite the importance, 44% of Brits admit that they do not carry out annual safety checks on the electrical appliances in the home. Of those, 42% don’t know how to check them, over a third (34%) are not aware of which appliances need checking and almost a quarter (23%) ‘can’t be bothered’ to organise the check.

Aligned to this, 28% would wait until an appliance had completely broken down before being prompted to get it assessed, meaning what could have been a simple check develops into a major issue. More than a quarter (26%) would only organise a safety check-up when they heard about a friend’s misfortune, such as a boiler breaking down or the hob conking out.

Cheryl Cox, Public Affairs Manager at NICEIC and member of the Consumer Protection Alliance, comments: “It’s worrying that the nation is turning their attention away from safety in the home, and that some wouldn’t even consider using the professionals in times of need.

“Gas and electrical safety

is important year-round, but especially during the winter months when an extra strain is placed on our appliances in the home. We tend to forget that our appliances such as the boiler, gas hob and hot water cylinder are used so frequently that they need extra maintenance. Everyone needs to be aware of the dangers and we believe that safety is paramount, and education is key.”

Worryingly, the survey of 2,000 British adults also reveals a lack of knowledge and understanding when it comes to home safety: - 64% have ended up paying a professional to fix a botched job that was carried out by a ‘cowboy’ tradesman, which has resulted in spending up to an extra £500 on average - 26% were unaware that a boiler requires an annual safety check - 17% believe they could carry out a check on gas appliances themselves, with over three in five (63%) taking instructions and guidance from online resources such as Google, YouTube or social media - 22% don’t know how, or simply wouldn’t bother, to check if their chosen tradesperson is registered in their profession In response, the Consumer Protection Alliance has launched a national consumer safety campaign warning homeowners and landlords about the dangers lurking in the home. Brits are advised to

think safety first with these five top tips to ensuring your home is safe: 1. Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors where appropriate and test them on a regular basis.

2. Arrange for an annual safety check on the following gas appliances: ● Boiler ● Gas fires ● Gas cooking hob ● Hot water cylinder 3. Carry out your own annual visual checks on plugs, sockets, cables, leads and light fittings and seek help from a registered electrician if you find any issues.

4. Arrange for an inspection and test of electrical installations every five years, regardless of whether the property is owned or rented.

5. When having a gas or electrical safety check carried out, always hire a registered, professional tradesperson such as those on the Gas Safe Register or those registered with NICEIC. Each year, 350,000 serious injuries are caused by electrical faults. There are as many as 250,000 illegal gas jobs carried out each year and 40 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning annually.

The Consumer Protection Alliance was founded by Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, Gas Safe Register, NICEIC and Which? Trusted Traders with the aim of promoting consumer safety and protection in the UK.

For further information about the Consumer Protection Alliance, please visit http://consumerprotectionalliance.org/

it couldn’t be simpler! Check out the fantastic range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes available across Somerset.

Register your interest online at www.bovishomes.co.uk

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Dream family homes across Somerset

We have a fantastic range of new 2, 3, 4 and 5 BRISTOL Bristol

bedroom homes available across Somerset, with

BATH

International Airport

Wells Priory Fields BARNSTAPLE

SOMERSET TAUNTON

WILTSHIRE Paulton High View

M5

Somerton Northfields

Milborne Port

With large living rooms, open plan kitchen diners and plenty of space and light, our DORSET

EXETER

Wells and coming soon to Milborne Port!

Coming soon

DEVON

A30

exciting developments in Somerton, Paulton,

Exeter

International Airport

homes are designed around modern family life. What’s more, we offer a number of purchase assistance schemes including Help to Buy and Home Exchange, and with free independent mortgage advice available it couldn’t be simpler!

A38

A38

TORQUAY

Find your dream family home with Bovis Homes

PLYMOUTH

Plymouth to Roscoff & Santander

Northfields Somerton - 01458 748013 High View Paulton - 01761 841014 Priory Fields Wells - 01749 578003

bovishomes.co.uk

Photograph depicts a typical Bovis Home interior. Elevations may differ to those shown. Purchase assistance schemes are subject to terms, conditions and eligibility. Please see a sales advisor for more details.

6 Parent Talk December 2012 6 Parent Talk December 2012

Parent talk events

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. M A R K E T S . T H E AT R E S . FA I R S . F E T E S . S H O W S . E X H I B I T I O N S .

8th-11th March: Little Gift. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. A friendship waiting to grow. An old soul lives alone.

He likes it that way. It’s quieter and safer. One day, a surprise visitor plants a little seed of hope and turns this lonely life upside down. Told with exquisite puppetry, original music and a whole lot of heart. Fri 10am & 1pm, Sat 11.30am & 3pm, Sun 11.30am & 3pm, Mon 10am & 1pm. Age: 3-7.

01225 823409 9th-10th March: Dunster Castle Uncovered. Dunster Castle, TAT24 6SL. Event is free but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Take a peek behind closed doors and discover parts of the Castle you won’t have seen before on this 45 minute tour. Tours run throughout the day and are not pre-bookable. 01643 821314 14th-15th March: Chef Gherkin. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. A French chef and his magic mixing machine – a culinary match made in Heaven. But what delectable delight will he create when he is visited by the fussiest of eaters…

Princess Pompusknickers! 10am & 11.15am. Age: 6mths – 4yrs.

01225 823409 16th-17th March: Dunster Castle Uncovered. Dunster Castle, TAT24 6SL. Event is free but normal admission charges apply for the venue. Take a

Discover over 2,0 00 an

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peek behind closed doors and discover parts of the Castle you won’t have seen before on this 45 minute tour. Tours run throughout the day and are not pre-bookable. 23rd-24th March & 30th-31st March 01643 821314 16th-24th March: How to Catch a Star. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. Once there was a boy who was always looking up. He dreamt of having a star as a friend. Based on the beloved book by award-winning Irish author Oliver Jeffers, this non-verbal adaptation combines puppetry and a magical score.

A show that reminds us all to follow our dreams. Wed-Fri 10am, 1pm. Sat & Sun 11.30 & 3pm. No performances Mon or Tues. Age: 4+. 01225 823409 19th-23rd March: Annie. The Bristol Hippodrome, BS1 4UZ. The smash-hit of Annie comes to the Bristol Hippodrome Theatre for one week only direct from London’s West End. 7.30pm daily with matinées on Wed, Thurs and Sat. 0844 871 3012 23rd March: Swan Lake: Ballet Theatre UK. Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, BA20 1UX. Swan Lake remains as one of the most enduring, moving and irreplaceable classical ballets due to its fantastical plot filled with romance, sorcery, and betrayal. Join Ballet Theatre UK with their spectacular new production of this timeless

classic. This immortal tale tells of a princess held captive as a swan by the spell of an evil magician, a spell that can only be broken if a prince swears true love to her. 7.30pm.

01935 422884 28th-29th March: The Tiger who Came to Tea. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare, BS23 1HP. Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award nominated smash hit show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns on tour, celebrating over 10 years on stage! The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem... expect to be surprised!

Thurs-Fri: 1.30pm & 4.30pm 01934 645544 29th March: Swan Lake: Ballet Theatre UK. Regal Theatre, Minehead, TA24 5AY. Join Ballet Theatre UK with their spectacular new production of this timeless classic. This immortal tale tells of a princess held captive as a swan by the spell of an evil magician, a spell that can only

be broken if a prince swears true love to her. 7.30pm.

01643 706430.

28th-31st March: Kaleidoscope. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. Blink. Blink again. What do you see? Day by day your world is filling up with colour, little one. Reds and blues, yellows and greens. Twinkling lights that glisten and gleam. Your reflection is staring back at you. Wide-eyed and full of hope. Mirrors, lights, colours and sounds. The world is your Kaleidoscope. Using a unique blend of gentle, playful performance, sound and lighting, babies and their grown ups are invited to discover the magic of a multicoloured world. 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm.

Age: 6-18mths. 01225 823409 30th March: The Amazing Adventures of Pinocchio.

Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton, TA2 8PD. Immersion Theatre present a brand new, larger than life musical adaptation of the much-loved classic, Pinocchio! 1.30-3.30pm.

01823 414141 30th March: Farmers Market.

Montacute House, Montacute, TA15 6XP. Great local produce and crafts at this awardwinning maket. 10am-2pm.

Event is free but normal admission charges apply for the venue. 01935 823289

Play Top Trumps at Paignton Zoo

History brought to life on Titanic day trip

Pupils from Fairfield School in Backwell, North Somerset had an appointment with history when they flew from Bristol Airport on an early morning flight to Belfast to see the Titanic Exhibition.

Year 5 and 6 pupils, who studied 20th Century history in the Autumn are enjoying this term’s topic of ice and fire, with the visit to Belfast combining both topics in a truly memorable day.

Headmistress, Mrs Lesley Barton, said: “A very early start saw some sleepy children arriving at Bristol Airport at 5am to take the 7am Easyjet flight to Belfast. Once there they had a guided tour of the Titanic Exhibition and went aboard the ss Nomadic, which was the tender for the Titanic.

“They saw the slipway where the famous ship was launched

and loved the interactive galleries, special effects and fullscale reconstructions and we had some really excited children on the return journey having seen something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

“The children's enthusiasm, curiosity, interest and exemplary behaviour drew compliments and lovely comments from all the people they came across during the day, from the Easyjet crew, who gave them a special mention over their announcement system, to the staff at the Exhibition, who overran with the guided tour because they were having such a good time with the children!”

Fairfield PNEU School provides an outstanding day school and nursery for boys and girls aged from 2 to 11 years of age.

www.hiddenneedstrust.org Supporting Special Educational Needs Children in Dorset & Somerset

time s

COMING SOON paigntonzoo.org.uk 01803 697500 Registered Charity No. 300923

6 Parent Talk March 2019

You can find a new version of an old favourite at Paignton Zoo this year. In this special Top Trumps, guests can pit Zoo animals against each other – learning and discovering as they go.

The trail, launched at Easter, is fun, interactive and has a conservation learning element.

Guests buy a Super Top Trumps Card when they arrive at the Zoo; each card comes with a trail activity sheet with instructions on how to play and space to record results. There are twelve giant cards around the Zoo for guests to discover.

There are six Super Top Trumps Cards to collect. Each card contains amazing facts and figures about that animal, such as height, weight and strength.

You compare the stats on your Super Top Trumps Card to the giant trail cards and whoever has the highest rating wins. For example, if you compare the strength on a rhino card with a trail card featuring a tortoise, then you will win, as the rating on your card will be higher.

Guests can hand in their trail sheets; there’s an online table of top scores and everyone who returns a trail sheet will be entered into a monthly prize draw.

Packs of special Paignton Zoo Top Trump cards are on sale in the Zoo shop. Top Trumps has been around since the 1970s and remains very popular today.

Top Trumps cards are collector items, with limited and special edition packs on offer.

J U S T

T R I B U T E

T A K E

B A N D

T H A T

7:30pm Tickets £20 Book online: www.octagon-theatre.co.uk/ Or Box Office: 01935 422884

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OUT & ABOUT

Mangroves and stingrays at Mother's Day at Monkton Elm Living Coasts Europe’s only

Coastal Zoo

Fun above an d below the

Walk am ongst ou r

waves

penguin s

Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium is a gem of a place, full of surprises and wonder.

It’s a wild oasis in the middle of the bustling waterfront area. Beneath the vast net canopy, you will find penguins of different species plus fur seals, puffins, wading birds and sea ducks. The site is easy to get around with prams and wheelchairs and there’s a full programme of animal feeds and keeper talks.

A large part of Living Coasts is below ground, making it a true all-weather attraction. Here you’ll find underwater viewing areas, a mangrove forest and stingrays, as well as indoor play areas for toddlers and hi-tech games for older children.

This Easter, you can become a Wild Coastal Explorer at Living Coasts. This fun event will take you on a coastal adventure to spot special hidden animals.

Grab a pair of our binoculars (for

a deposit and a small charge) and start searching. From penguins to seals, seagrass to crustaceans, you’ll discover them all – and you’ll find out how you can help them at home, too. Hand your binoculars back in at the gift shop when you’ve finished and receive a fantastic prize!

After all that, head to the Living Coasts café for lunch, a snack or a coffee – and time to sit down and admire the amazing panoramic views of the Bay from the terrace. Then it’s downstairs to browse the shop, with its selection of gifts and toys, before you head home with your memories and your inspiration.

Mother’s Day falls on the final day of March this year, and children across the country will be thinking of how to make it extra special for their mums on that Sunday by making a thoughtful homemade gift or finding something special in the shops.

‘Mothering Sunday’ was started in the UK a couple of centuries ago as a day where youngsters in service could go home to their mum and families for the day. Of course, this is no longer necessary but the tradition of celebrating the role mothers play in our lives survives.

Monkton Elm Garden Centre holds a popular children’s planting workshop over Mother’s day weekend where young ones can get help from our experts to fill a pretty container with plants.

Children will choose some colourful bedding plants such as primroses and pansies then plant them into the container,

finishing it off with a ribbon and gift card. Treating mum to a unique and personal gift that lasts weeks rather than days is sure to bring a smile to her face.

Check our website for details.

There will also be additional gift ideas available throughout the garden centre – we have houseplants, tasty treats and hardy plants along with an extensive gift shop to browse, or bring mum to our Elm Tree restaurant for Sunday lunch – she deserves to be spoilt rotten!

Spring into the garden with Willowbrook Spring is just around the corner - so now is the time to get gardening! We still have lots of varieties of seed potatoes, onions and shallots and we have the Summer flowering bulbs now in. The range of bare-root hedging is an ideal way to create both a native or formal screen and now is the best time to plant – you can even make a green screen to

hold the football back!

The aquatic shop has lots of tropical fish and accessories along with treatments and food. We have lots of different size tanks from the starter range that looks like a shark to the new, larger Biorb sleek designs.

If you follow our Willowbrook Aquatics Facebook page it tells you all about the new products as they come in. Our new look pet shop stocks Natural Instinct frozen dog food along with all the bedding toys and treats for domestic pets whether large or small. We have a wide range of nest boxes which can be put in various parts of the garden at this time of year and not forgetting wild bird food for when it's colder.

Our special Mother’s Day menu can be viewed on the Willowbrook café Facebook page and it’s not too late to book a table in the café whether for a small or large group.

Find Willowbrook situated between Taunton and Wellington on the A38 or at www.willowbrooknurseryandgardencentre.co.uk

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Parent Talk March 2019 7

welcome to your NEWS n EWS sectio Nbringing you competitions, job tasters, boredom busters, interesting facts and everything topical...

Book Bag

JOURNEYS ON EA RTH AND

Headline figures

8 -17 March 2019 The theme for this year’s British Science Week is ‘journeys’, encouraging young people to think about the different scientific journeys that happen everyday and how they can discover science ACTIVITY EET SHEET through their own experiences.

SHand ITY ACTIVlives It is also a chance for young diary Nature walkpeople to consider how journeys can help us experience more of the world around us.

Date

Y R A CE R U O K Y R A

About this activity There are big numbers in the building and running of the Eurotunnel, some of them record breaking.

Big numbers can be tricky to picture. Can you transform some of these facts into infographics using familiar examples to help visualise them?

Nature walk diary

me Na Name

The weather is:

ACTIVITY SHEET

The weather is:

Insects I saw:

Kit list Date

Insects I saw:

Nature walk diary Date

M I R Peek OURCE S E nce WR 19 0 2 h rgCK c o . k e e A ncew P Insects I saw:

Other animals I sa

w:

Choose a fascinati ng fact from this page. Think of an equivalent number, size, weight, distan ce or length of tim e which makes it ea sier for people to

Over 2 million dogs and cats have travelled with Eurotunnel since it opened, representing 80% of all pets crossing the Channel.

Leaves I found:

Week e c n Scie 2019 h s i t i rch eek.org Br a M 7 8 – 1 hsciencew britis

11 boring machines were used to make the Tunnel. In total they weighed 12,000 tonnes.

.

Europe Ltd ery Education

© Discov

Supported by

© Discovery Education Europe Ltd.

22

185 million passengers have travelled through the Tunnel since 1994.

22

© Discovery EducatioManaged n Europe Ltd.by

Supported by

understand. Use loc al and personal examples that me an something to yo u.

For example, how many times bigge r than your school is that? How many times further than your journey to school is that? Ho w many times big ger than your favourit e sports pitch is it?

37.9km (23.5miles): it’s the longest under-sea tunnel in the world.

380,000,000 tonnes of freight have been transported via the Tunnel since it opened.

Leaves I found:

Other animals I saw:

Create an infograp hic to communica te the Eurotunnel sta ts in a visual and engaging way.

Dinosaurs were wandering the Earth when the chalk layer that the Tunnel cuts through was deposited during the Cretacious period, 66 million years ago.

Leaves I found:

Other animals I saw:

Paper Pens Other creative materials

Instructions:

Eurotunnel has carried more than 26 million trucks since it opened in 1994.

Name

The weather is:

BEYOND

4

22

www.britishscienceweek.org

4.9 million cubic metres of Chalk Marl were excavated during construction and used to create Samphire Hoe in Kent and a hill at Le Fond Pignon in France.

13,000 engineers, technicians and workers helped construct the Tunnel.

80 million vehicles have boarded the Shuttle since it opened.

26 million roses are delivered through the Tunnel each day.

1 million express delivery parcels travel through the Tunnel each day.

Book Bag NEWS 31st March

H a p py

y a D s ' r Mothe

How do you keep little cows quiet so their mummy can sleep late on Mother’s Day? Use the moooooote button.

What did the kittens give their mum for Mother’s Day? A subscription to Good Mousekeeping.

What do young computers do on Mother’s Day? Give memory cards to their motherboards.

How did the alien boy write his Mother’s Day poem?

In uni-verses.

What did the Egyptian family do on Mother’s Day? Brought their mummy breakfast in bed.

What did the lazy boy say to his mum on Mother’s Day when she was about to do the dishes?

Relax mum… you can just do them in the morning.

What kind of sweets do astronaut mums like for Mother’s Day? Mars bars.

N WI

S ET R E T R ® A A TONIEs ST Smash hit audio system tonies® adds more magical characters to its range - ready to bring even more adventures to story time!

After its successful UK launch last year, tonies® - the innovative audio system for kids - is pleased to announce the expansion of its range, so children can delve into even more magical stories and songs in 2019. The newest additions to the tonies® family include the loveable Zog, The Highway Rat, who is ready to take on a bold new adventure, and the friendly witch Room on the Broom, who is sure to cast a spell over any playtime.

What’s more, a new Valentine Creative-Tonie is ready to wave cupid’s wand and spread the love for story telling far and wide.

Whether you record a sweet bedtime lullaby or a special story, there are plenty of ways to let little imaginations bloom.

The intuitive design and combination of figurines, known as Tonies, and a speaker, known as a Toniebox, makes tonies® a unique interactive audio system for children. Available in several stylish colours, the eye-catching and easily operated cube allows children to take control of their audio adventures.

They simply place their chosen Tonie on top of the Toniebox and the content will start playing; remove the Tonie and it will stop. The playful ears on top of the Toniebox can be used to turn the volume up and down.

There are two types of Tonies available: ✱ Pre-recorded Tonies can play treasured tales such as The Gruffalo and Rapunzel, popular bedtime songs and lullabies such as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Rock-a-bye Baby, as well as playtime songs like Old MacDonald Had a Farm and Ring a Ring o’ Roses. ‘How and Why’ Tonies also allow children to bring the magic of learning to life, with educational audio content exploring the world of horses, dinosaurs and more. ✱ Creative-Tonies allow you to upload your own unique content on to them via the Toniecloud or record your own audio with the free Tonie-App. Perfect for when you want your kids to listen to something a little bit more personal.

The Tonies and Tonieboxes operate through a wireless digital system which connects to an NFC chip within each Tonie using Wi-Fi.

Tonies and Tonieboxes are available from Amazon, selected toy retailers, bookshops and via the tonies® website www.tonies.com Tonieboxes RRP £79.95, Tonies RRP £14.99, Creative-Tonies RRP £11.99 Product details: ✱ Suitable for children 3+ ✱ Sewn from sustainable, quality fabric ✱ Portable (seven-hour battery life) ✱ Can be used with headphones ✱ Available in multiple colours ✱ Re-chargeable ✱ Robust

Parent Talk has a tonies® prize package to give away worth over £100, including a Starter Set (with Toniebox and Creative-Tonie) and the Bedtime Songs and Lullabies Tonie.

NTISEO

For your chance to win, rearrange the word left and visit www.parenttalk.org.uk to enter by the closing date of 1pm on 20 March 2019.

If you win this competition, we will contact you for permission to pass on your contact details to the PR company concerned. We will never pass on your details without your consent.

All other entries will be deleted after the competition closes and will not be passed on to any third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.

10 Parent Talk December 2012

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

School for mothers™ podcast For grown up ambitious mothers hell bent on doing it their way Newly launched, the School for Mothers™ podcast introduces a carousel of dynamic mothers as they share a slice of their lives.

These are the women who are raising their families while fiercely building business + corporate careers, and refuse to apologise for either. Sometimes taboo, often seemingly ordinary, always honest – this series offers smart listening for savvy mothers who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage.

Hosted by Danusia MalinaDerben, mother of 10 and professional business woman, each episode promises to bring fresh unfiltered conversations

on motherhood. Danusia deep dives into the questions and dilemmas all mothers share, but don’t always feel comfortable talking about.

Each episode features women quite different from one another, yet all (in their own ways) seek versions of freedom, as ambitious modern mothers.

Danusia Malina-Derben comments, “In a nutshell, the School for Mothers™ podcast aims to change and disrupt narrative about motherhood.

It’s time for new conversations about what it takes to be fulfilled as WOMEN, once we become mothers. School For Mothers is all about the woman

behind the mother and each podcast episode reflects this blindingly obvious radical notion.”

Podcast episodes are based around a one-word theme and to date they have included Jess Butcher MBE Co-Founder of Blippar & Tick (DISRUPT), Miisa Mink Founder of Driven Woman (DRIVE), Vicki Psarias of Honest Mum.com and best selling author of “MUMBOSS” (BOSS), Jessica Huie MBE Founder of Colour Blind cards and author of “Purpose”: (PURPOSE), Christine Armstrong author of “The Mother of All Jobs” (SANE), Marisa Peer celebrity hypnotherapist, Founder of The

Marisa Peer Method a n d bestselling author (ENOUGH) and Hannah Martin Founder of Talented Ladies Club (ALIEN).

“Women (who happen to have children) are defining & redefining themselves — instead of letting our noisy culture define their identity for them.

Yeah, it’s pretty #revolutionary,” Danusia concludes.

For more information visit the School for Mothers™ podcast website or to get involved in the podcast email: podcast@ schoolformothers.com

Wilfully wasteful nation: Brits bin 15% of their weekly food shop

A new study of more than 3,000 people by www.sellmymobile.com has revealed the most common ways that Britons are willingly wasteful.

The average weekly food shop in the UK was revealed to be £64.76, but 15% of that food ends up in the bin each week; over £500 in a year. Those in the South East throw more of their weekly shop away than any other region (25%), whilst those in the West Midlands are more likely to use what they have, with just 5% of their weekly shop going to waste.

The top 10 wilfully wasteful behaviours the UK is guilty of are: 1. Throwing recyclable items into the dustbin - 54% 2. Showering for longer than I need to - 50% 3. Overusing the central heating/having the thermostat set too high - 48% 4. Driving to places I could easily walk/cycle to - 45% 5. Buying bags for life and not taking them shopping then using single use carriers - 45% 6. Spending money on clothes that I never wear - 43% 7. Allowing food to go off because I don’t fancy eating it - 41% 8. Leaving lights on in rooms I’m not using - 41% 9. Using the dishwasher for a couple of items - 40% 10. Leaving the water running whilst brushing my teeth - 38% The wilful waste hotspots for the biggest offenders are: ● London – Open full size bottles of wine/prosecco and drink only a glass (89%) ● North East – Buy bags for life and don’t take them shopping 10 Parent Talk March 2019

and end up using single use carriers (84%) ● North West – Throw recyclable items into the dustbin (83%) ● East of England – Drive to places they could easily walk/ cycle to (82%) ● Scotland – Shower for longer than they need to (80%) ● Wales – Overuse central heating and have the thermostat set too high (79%) ● West Midlands – Hoard items they could make money from (e.g. old tech/gadgets, collectibles, etc.) (76%) ● East Midlands – Allow food to go off because they don’t fancy eating it (73%) ● South East – Physically throwing money in the bin (coppers, other coins, etc.)

(73%) ● South West – Leave lights on in rooms they are not using (72%) ● Northern Ireland – Spend most money on clothes they never wear (71%) ● Yorkshire & Humberside – Use the dishwasher for a couple of items (70%) 43% of people in the UK admitted that they consider themselves to be wasteful, but a total of 64% said that they would be taking steps to be less wasteful in 2019, with some of the top strategies including not holding on to old items that could make them some money, like old gadgets (55%) - arguably the Marie Kondo effect - refusing single use plastic (51%) and learning

how to make more things from leftovers (48%).

More people in the East of England than anywhere else confessed to being wasteful (61%), with Londoners considering themselves the most waste aware, with just 24% admitting to wasteful behaviour.

However, the key driver for efficiency is more selfish than altruistic. The poll found that people care more about the money-saving aspect of being less wasteful (41%) than the positive impact it would have on the environment (just 34%).

Jack Webster, spokesperson for www.sellmymobile.com, commented: “There has never been a wider awareness of our impact on the environment yet this poll suggests we’re also guiltily aware that in some scenarios we’re not even doing the bare minimum to try harder.

It’s easy to think that your individual actions won’t make much difference but the huge environmental success that forced charges for single use carriers shows that we all have the power to make a difference.

“If the environmental impact isn’t enough of an incentive, reducing waste - as 41% of Brits have already identified - is a good way to help your budget. Gadgets lying around gathering dust aren’t just a nightmare for Marie Kondo, they’re full of precious metals and recycling them can make you, on average, £141, as well as

freeing up drawer space.

“Life is unpredictable so some waste is unavoidable, but throwing away a quarter of your food shop speaks more to bad planning and adds up to £500 a year.”

Sellmymobile.com gives their top tips for reducing your wilful waste ● Turn out your old tech drawers and recycle them using a website like www.sellmymobile.com , old gadgets can be a surprisingly lucrative money maker, and putting them back in circulation has great environmental benefits so that is two boxes ticked. ● Turn off your taps! Whether you’ve left them dripping, running while you brush your teeth or put on the shower before you’re ready to step in. Be aware of the water you’re using and you’ll be surprised how much you’re wasting on a daily basis. ● One glass and done? White AND Red will keep for a good few days after opening if you keep them in the fridge. And if the flavour is past its best then consider using it for cooking to add body to a sauce. ● From making pesto from leftover bag salads and veg peelings into crisps, to turning small amounts of leftovers quickly into soup or toasties, it’s all about thinking of things in a different way. Websites like Jack Monroe’s www.cookingonabootstrap.com are full of amazing ideas to make what’s in your fridge last a lot longer without compromising on having delicious meals.

The working parent life: how to strike the balance

From time to time, the challenges of balancing home and a busy work life can start to have an impact on your overall health and wellbeing.

This presents a problem, not just for you and your team, but for the productivity of your business.

Making sure you’re able to find the right balance between competing demands of home and work, and supporting your team to do the same, can often be tricky to achieve. Below are some suggestions to help you and your team achieve a better work-life balance and help maintain your resilience.

Understand your current position Work-life balance means different things to different people at different stages of their lives. Jobs and careers, children and other dependents, leisure pursuits and impending retirement will each assume a different level of importance as you move through your working life. Understanding your own needs and priorities is the first step to improving the balance.

What needs to change? ● What are the three most important things in your life at the moment? ● To what extent does the time you spend on them reflect their importance? ● What types of tasks are on your ‘To Do’ list? Are they your priorities or someone else's? ● What wastes your time?

Could you do anything to stop it happening? ● What pressures are you under at the moment? Can you prioritise them? ● Could anyone help you with

any of these tasks? ● What would you rather be doing? ● What can you change to help you achieve what you'd rather be doing?

Top ten work-life balance tips for employees 1. Schedule your work into time slots, as you would with meeting appointments and work to that time.

2. Take regular breaks, get up every hour – even if it’s just a walk to get a drink of water.

3. Have a proper lunch break of at least 30 minutes away from your desk where you can switch off from work for a while.

4. Take all of your annual leave each year, with a least one full week.

5. Use an out of office message and delegate work when you’re away, so that you don’t have to check emails until you return.

6. Turn off email notification and check mail at scheduled times in the working day – not in the evening and never before going to sleep.

7. Don’t be afraid to say no to taking on more work if you don’t think you’ll achieve it. If something’s a must, chat to your manager about delaying something else.

8. Look after yourself. Get a good night’s sleep, eat healthily, exercise; it will help keep you focussed.

9. If you feel work is taking over then talk to your manager.

10. Focus on the quality of your work, rather than quantity.

Most importantly, own your work and your time – don’t let it own you!

For more information on worklife balance, please visit the work and wellbeing hub at www.axappphealthcare.co.uk

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Why children love to perform Do you ever question why you would send your children to singing, dancing and acting classes? Is it for fun, confidence building, to make new friends or a combination of all three?

Regardless of if they want to be a professional performer, having the chance to be on stage is something that can positively shape a child’s life, a benefit that some parents don’t initially consider.

Over the last eight years at Razzamataz Yeovil, I’ve proudly watched our students blossom every time we’ve put on a show.

As I pack away the costumes I feel incredibly proud of all the hard work that our students and teachers put in to make it happen.

Each show, each class and each child presents a different challenge, but the best part for me as the Principal is putting

on a show where each and every child gets a starring role.

From the shyest to the most outgoing, there is a place in Razzamataz and on the stage for each and every student.

The process of creating a show is also something that children can learn from.

Through working together, children learn a mutual respect for their classmates and teachers and seeing the positive reaction from the audience brings home why hard work achieves something special.

Learning skills in a class environment is one thing but getting to showcase those skills

FROM SUPERHEROES TO SUPERSTARS!

FREE

Taster Session Book your place today!

#BeSuperAtRazz

To book your place or for more information contact Claire on 01935 411128 or yeovil@razzamataz.co.uk

on a stage is something that our young people will take with them to boost their confidence whatever they do in later years.

Start your child on their performing arts adventure with a free taster session on 9th March.

MILLFIELD

HOLIDAY COURSES

Places are limited and must be booked in advance. Contact Claire on 01935 411128 or email yeovil@razzamataz.co.uk

Millfield Holiday Courses Making Holidays Fun!

We know it’s hard to keep the kids entertained in the school holidays, so why not take a load off of your mind by booking them onto the Millfield Holiday Courses?

With a variety of courses to choose from this Easter including Football, Cricket, Mini-Multis and Multi-Activity, there really is something for everyone. New for this Easter, we have also added a Tennis course to the line-up!

It’s easy to book the courses online on our website. We offer a 10% discount for siblings or

for any child who is booked onto two or more courses at the same time (discount does not apply to daily rates).

Easter Courses and Age Ranges: Cricket (7-14), Football (5-14), Mini-Multis (2-4), MultiActivity (5-12), Tennis (4-14) Summer Courses and Age Ranges: Athletics (7-16), Badminton (8-16), Cricket (714), Football (5-14), Golf (1014), Hockey (5-17), Mini-Multis (2-4), Multi-Activity (5-12), Netball (7-16), Rugby (4-14), Squash (8-17), Tennis (4-14).

EASTER COURSES Cricket, Football, Mini-Multis, Multi-Activity, Tennis BOOK ONLINE NOW millfieldenterprises.com/courses

Visit millfieldenterprises.com/courses for more details and to book or call 01458 444 320 to request a brochure.

Summer camps at Mill on the Brue, Somerset's favourite Outdoor Centre The holidays might seem far off but it won’t be long before parents, particularly if both working, start thinking about the long summer ones. This is where Mill on the Brue can definitely help. We are a family run Centre, based just outside Bruton, South Somerset, and have been offering residential activity holidays for over 35 years to children from 8 – 15 or Adventure day camps for 7- 12 year olds - we really think we know what they like!

The days are packed with fun, exciting and challenging activities; have a look at www. millonthebrue.co.uk to see the wide range, all set in our beautiful 25 acres of river, woodland and fields. It’s a place of freedom, discovery and learning more about

the environment, guided by fun, friendly and experienced instructors. And the meals!

Delicious, homecooked, using many of our own organically grown vegetables and fruit.

Plenty of seconds too!

Children staying for a week or more arrive on a Sunday afternoon and depart after a special prizegiving on Saturday afternoon. Camps start Sunday 7th July until Saturday 17th August.

Day camps are Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30am until 5.30pm. They begin on Monday 22nd July until Friday 16th August, lunch included.

We also offer Mini Mobster mornings for 5 & 6 years and the popular Dangerous Days for Dads (+ kids) – see our website or email info@millonthebrue.co.uk 01749 812307.

Mill on the Brue, Trendle Farm, Bruton, BA10 0BA

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Yes I can!

Bruton, Somerset BA10 0BA 01749 812 307 www.millonthebrue.co.uk

Parent Talk March 2019 11

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

The Power of Touch

By Dr Lin Day, Childhood Development Expert and Founder of Toddler Sense (www.toddlersense.com) Toddlers and young children have a biological need for close physical affection.

Nothing is more important to a child’s emotional, physical and intellectual development than a comforting cuddle or a loving touch and this important physical affection also supports children as they grow up to become well-rounded, loving social beings. The power of touch also helps children to gain independence and confidence and interestingly, this leads on to an important developmental milestone by the end of their first year and as they progress as toddlers: the ability to play alone.

The importance of touch starts from very early on, in fact babies who are regularly held and cuddled often gain weight faster, develop stronger immune systems, crawl and walk sooner, sleep more soundly and cry less than those deprived of close physical contact. Children who are given plenty of physical affection also show more task-orientated behaviour as they develop, less solitary play and less aggression at school. Many experts also believe they achieve higher levels of educational qualifications in later life as a result.

Sense of touch In utero, touch is the first sense to develop. Within three weeks of conception, the foetus develops a primitive nervous system, which links skin receptors to tube-like cells at the tip of the embryo, which then expand and mature to form the spinal cord, and then the brain cells. By the 16th week, the foetus shows sensitivity to touch in all parts of the body and around the 25th week of gestation, virtually all the nerve pathways designed to carry pain signals are in place. At full term, the sense of touch is highly developed. So it’s no wonder it plays such a critical role in the development of the parent and child bond.

Touch is also the last sensory system to fade as we grow older. However, the elderly still need touch as much as they did when they were younger. Without it, a person may feel disconnected, isolated, lonely and unfulfilled - the same applies for children.

Touch stimulation is vital for communication, for healthy functioning of the brain and hormonal balance of the body and for physical and emotional wellbeing.

12 Parent Talk March 2019

Touch therapies Many of the touch therapies that have been practised for thousands of years in cultures across the world are now gaining acceptance as intervention or therapeutic therapies. Skin-to-skin and massage for example, can produce positive benefits for babies with colic and toddlers with constipation, respiratory and sleep problems. They also stimulate nerves in the brain that aid digestion and are particularly beneficial for young children with health problems.

The positive effects of massage have also been noted in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, Down syndrome, dermatitis, stress and immune function disorders and in adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Parkinson's disease and osteoarthritis. Indeed, children with behavioural problems who receive massage show more task orientated behaviour, less solitary play and less aggression. Children with Down syndrome have improved muscle tone and show a better performance on motor tasks following regular massage. Children with autism also benefit from massage, probably because it is predictable.

Positive influences Probably most important of all, physical contact positively influences the development of the brain and deepens the special relationship between parent and child. It also signifies love, involvement, care, security and protection.

However, timing is crucial.

Warm and responsive care in the first year of a child’s life cannot be underestimated and has a long-lasting effect on how they learn and develop through their later preschool years. It may also have an impact on how they cope with stress later in life and how they regulate their own emotions and behaviour when they finally head out on their own.

About Dr Lin Day Founder and director of the multiaward winning national and international baby and toddler activities, Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense (part of the WOW World Group) www.toddlersense. com, Dr Lin Day (PhD, M. Phil, PGCE, FETC, BSc, Dip Ed), is one of the UK’s leading parenting experts and a renowned author within the field of childcare and education.

NURSERYdirectory All Hallows Preparatory School Nursery Class Give your 3 year old the best possible start within the environs of this renowned Prep School. Fantastic facilities and activities including Forest School, LTA Tennis Academy and Swimming Pool and access to specialist teaching staff for languages, Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Sport set this facility apart from other nurseries.

Visit at any time: 01749 881600 admissions@allhallowsschool.co.uk Busy Bees Nursery, Portishead Fantastic setting near the marina, providing good childcare, large carpark with easy access for drop off and pick up and easy access to M5.

Large and exciting outdoor area for all children to enjoy.

From 3 months. We accept childcare vouchers. www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk 01275 847275 Hazlegrove Nursery and Pre-Prep, Sparkford.

Our Nursery is a lovely first step into the Hazlegrove community.

Children learn that the school is somewhere they can have fun, and they start to build relationships with staff, and friendships with each other.

The winning combination of experienced committed staff and small class sizes, creates a friendly, stimulating and secure environment for the children. The Nursery provides a vibrant and engaging space for pre-school children and is the ideal start to their school life.

For more information, please contact Victoria Dando on 01963 442 606 admissions@hazlegrove.co.uk King’s Hall Nursery King’s Hall is a wonderfully traditional yet progressive school set in the rolling Somerset countryside just outside Taunton. Although the

Nursery shares the Preparatory school’s superb facilities, it is self contained and operates in a secure and peaceful environment. Log cabin classrooms, vast on-site Forest School and highly experienced, dedicated staff make King’s Hall Nursery the natural choice for children 2 to 5 years.

01823 285921 www.kingshalltaunton.co.uk Millfield Pre-Prep School (Ages 2-7), situated in the beautiful Prep campus in Glastonbury. Our aim is to encourage a love of learning through a combination of classroom and outdoor activities, using a child-led curriculum, small class sizes and excellent facilities, including our on-site Forest School and indoor swimming pool. Over 20 free after-school activities as well as an Early Birds and Late Club, and a daily toddler group during term time for ages 1-3.

To arrange a visit please contact: Hannah Cox in Admissions on 01458 837524 Perrott Hill Montessori Nursery and Pre-Prep.

Given ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, the Nursery is situated in the attractive, safe courtyard of the manor house. The Nursery children, aged 3-4 years, have the use of the extensive grounds and facilities of the school (age range 3-13) as well as having their own outdoor adventure play area. The staff are warm and friendly. Free after school care is available.

01460 72051 www.perrotthill.com Queen’s College Highgrove Nursery, Nursery School, Pre-Prep and Reception 0-5 years.

Queen’s Pre Prep and Junior School is renowned for excellence in infant and junior education and care. The team at Queen’s Highgrove Nursery embrace such standards of

education and development offering year round care 0-3 years. Queen’s Nursery School is situated in the Pre-Prep Department and it is here that the stepping stones to a formal education are laid. Highly qualified and experienced Nursery School staff work in close liaison with parents and the Highgrove Nursery team, ensuring a smooth and personalised transition. Queen’s Pre-Prep takes pride in providing a rich, stimulating and diverse education within a nurturing and caring environment. www.queenscollege.org.uk 01823 278928, junioradmissions@queenscollege. org.uk Sunny Hill Pre-School and Pre-Prep Sunny Hill welcomes pre-school and primary school aged children, taking girls from 3-11 years old and boys aged 3-7. Situated in the beautiful market town of Bruton and sharing the same 40 acre campus of ‘big sister’ school, Bruton School for Girls, children have space and freedom to learn, have fun, take on new challenges and make friends.

Our small classes mean that every child receives high quality, individual attention.

All pupils enjoy either Forest School or John Muir outdoor education, and there is a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs and activities. Full wrap-around care is available to suit the needs of busy families, including breakfast and supper club options and free after school care until 5.30pm every day.

To arrange a visit please contact: Mrs Carrie Crook in Admissions on: 01749 814401 or email: admissions@brutonschool.co.uk Taunton Nursery School for children from 0 years. Flexible Nursery Education, 7.30am- 5.45pm.

Highly qualified teachers.

Spectacular grounds and facilities used by all.

Children can attend a combination of morning, afternoon and late club sessions.

01823 703300 www.tauntonschool.co.uk Wellington Prep School Nursery Attractive, well-designed buildings. Talented teachers.

Cheerful children. Proud parents. All this can be yours at Wellington Prep School Nursery and Pre-Nursery. EYFS can be redeemed against our fees. We would love to have your children from 3 years upwards.

Open 50 weeks per year.

Please enjoy our website www.wellington-school.org.uk or call Rachel Debenham to arrange a visit.

01823 668700 Little Wellies Term time Toddler group.

Open to all pre-school children every Thursday morning 9.15-11.15am, Wellington Prep School Hall. £3 per child and £1 per additional child weekly charge.

Contact Marian Bassindale for more details 01823 668700 prep@wellington-school.org.uk Wyvern Nursery Ltd Nurseries across Somerset Fun learning environment is created and encouraged to ensure your child thrives as an individual.

Bishops Hull Taunton 01823 327429 The Hollies Children Centre Taunton 01823 330554 Wellsprings Leisure Centre Taunton 01823 289997 Levels Children Centre Langport 01458 250003 Victoria Park Bridgwater 01278 422409 Frome Community College Frome 01373 453838 www.wyvernnursery.co.uk

To book our Nursery Directory, please call 01458 250461 follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Passionate about pastoral care at Queen's College Pre-Prep At Queen’s College Pre-Prep, we appreciate that a priority for parents is their child’s happiness at school and we recognise that children will only make progress and learn effectively if they are happy and feel safe, secure and cared-for.

We are passionate about supporting our pupils’ personal and emotional well-being, as well as their academic development, and we pride ourselves on our outstanding pastoral care.

We aim to build strong relationships with both the pupils and their parents and focus on getting to know each individual child to help develop their self-esteem, confidence and independence.

In this ever-changing and increasingly demanding world,

the importance of developing a young person’s resilience cannot be overstated.

Building physical resilience is generally quite straightforward, through Forest School activities and outdoor learning. These provide the children with opportunities for physical challenge – whether it’s throwing themselves down a mud slide, building a fire or using saws and other tools with confidence.

Developing emotional resilience is the greater challenge and our aim at Queen’s College Pre-Prep is to encourage all children to ‘have a go’ and to learn that failure should not be feared – rather that it is simply a first attempt at learning something new.

We encourage our pupils

to be open about and discuss their emotions or any concerns they may have. From the start of their educational journey and throughout these crucial formative years, we ensure the children receive the very best emotional support through a team of highly experienced teachers and teaching assistants.

We attach great importance to promoting our pupils’ mental health and emotional wellbeing and have several levels of provision throughout Queen’s College to ensure we meet the needs of all our children. Within our small

Find out more about Queen’s College – and book a personal visit – by emailing junioradmissions@queenscollege.org.uk or calling 01823 278928

Spring clean and burn calories

Spring cleaning could burn hundreds of calories and save hours in the gym according to fitness experts.

Online health and fitness site Vivotion.com has researched just how many calories can be burned by doing regular household chores.

The looked at tasks like vacuuming, washing the dishes and ironing as well as more strenuous jobs like scrubbing the bath and cleaning the windows.

The findings also look at which chores are the best for working out certain areas of your body.

Scrubbing the bath is best for toning arms and shoulder muscles whereas as ironing can strengthen your abs.

A spokesperson from Vivotion.com said: “Who would have thought giving the house a spring clean could help shed weight and tone up?

“Housework is one of those things we do without giving much thought to just how good it is for us. Take for example cleaning the bath – a fifteenminute scrub and you can burn up to 50 calories and tone your arm and shoulder muscles.

“Cleaning the windows is a great one too – and one of those jobs we all love to hate.

Spend an hour around the house cleaning them and you’ll have sparkling windows and will have burned 136 calories.”

Here’s the list in full of how many calories are burned doing the housework 1. Scrubbing the bath Removing soap scum from your tub with a bit of added elbow grease for 15 minutes can burn up to 50 calories, which is the same as 250 jumping jacks. This chore is great for toning arms and shoulder muscles.

2. Laundry Factoring in loading and unloading the washing machine, hanging up the clothes and putting them away, doing the laundry can burn around 70 calories in an hour, which many will be pleased to hear is the same as doing 70 sit ups.

3. Cleaning windows If your windows have seen better days, spend an hour giving them a good clean and burn 136 calories while you’re at it. That’s the same as jogging for 15 minutes.

4. Washing up Scrubbing away at the dishes can burn an impressive 180 calories over a week if you spend 15 minutes doing it every day. This equates to swimming for just under 30 minutes.

5. Vacuuming Giving your carpets a good clean can burn 90 calories

classes, we deliver PSHME lessons specific to the current needs of the pupils. We also build strong relationships with parents and foster robust home-school links. Focused interventions to promote self-esteem, self-confidence and social skills are offered to individuals and small groups of children through a variety of support programmes.

All of these initiatives provide opportunities for pupils to express their emotions and to develop strategies so they are happy and willing to ‘give things a go’ and reflect on their learning.

in half an hour, which is the same as 15 minutes of kickboxing. Depending on size of your house, vacuuming can get you nearer to the daily recommendation 10,000 steps 6. Dusting Something as easy as doing the dusting can burn 25 calories in 15 minutes, the same as two minutes of planking.

7. Ironing If you spend three hours over a week getting the creases out of your clothes you can burn 264 calories, the same as a Zumba class. Standing still for long periods of time burns calories and works your core muscles too. Make sure to press down evenly and switch arms so both get an even work out.

8. Making beds Changing the linen of a family of four’s beds can burn 52 calories in 30 minutes, the same as a mile walk.

9. Mopping and sweeping Cleaning the floors for 30 minutes can burn 96 calories, which is equivalent to 15 minutes on the treadmill.

10. Mowing Cutting the grass with a regular push mower can burn 150 calories per hour, or if you prefer you can do 10 minutes of HIIT. 11. Gardening 30 minutes of pottering in the garden can burn around 200 calories, which is same as cycling steadily for four miles.

Digging works your shoulder and abdominals so it’s great for an all round work out.

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The hidden health crisis: What does it really mean for today’s children?

2018 was the year that experts pronounced Children’s lack of sleep as a ‘hidden health crisis’, after NHS England statistics revealed thousands of children are facing a sleeplessness crisis, leading to the admission of almost 10,000 under 16’s to hospital, with a sleep disorder.

Year on year admissions rose by 30% in 2018 and experts are putting this down to a combination of excessive screen time and or use of social media before bed, soaring obesity levels and a mental health crisis affecting under 16’s.

The statistics are worrying; not only can health problems be among the contributing factors to a lack of sleep, but, can also be outcomes.

Although there is no hard and fast rule, The Sleep Council advise that 3-6-year olds need between 10 and 12 hours sleep a night and for 7-12-year olds that dips to 10-11 hours.

A lack of sleep in children can have serious consequences on: Mood It’s well known that children can wake up feeling grumpy and groggy following a poor night’s sleep; jokes can often be made, but it’s no laughing matter. Sleep deprivation can lead to more serious consequences than just a short-tempered child. Studies funded by the National Institute of Mental Health have shown that children who experience inadequate sleep are more vulnerable to developing depression and anxiety disorders in later life.

School Performance It makes sense that if a child misses lessons due to absence from school, they’re likely to reach lower levels of attainment than their peers, right? Well, it’s not any different for a child who’s present in class but unable to concentrate and remember what they’ve learnt.

The Sleep Council previously surveyed teachers and were shocked to find out that 24% of those questioned admitted they had resorted to letting very tired children nap in a corner of the class room! Not only do teachers believe that how sleep deprived a child is can affect their performance, scientific studies have widely shown that inadequate sleep may disrupt the ability to concentrate.

Children with reduced sleep are also more likely to struggle with verbal creativity, problem solving, and they generally score lower on IQ tests.

Obesity Although obesity has been reported as a possible influencing factor for ‘the hidden health crisis’, it’s also been reported as one of the negative physical outcomes of a lack of sleep. Specifically, inadequate or intermittent sleep can have longer-term consequences for children. Children aged between three and five, who aren’t meeting the recommended 1012 hours’ sleep per night are at an increased risk of becoming overweight at age seven, according to New Zealand researchers, who followed 244 children between the ages of three and seven. It is thought this could be due to having

more time to eat and changes to hormones affecting appetite.

The hidden health crisis may be a consequence of modern life. But it’s not good enough.

Healthy sleep is critical for children’s psychological and physical wellbeing and it is therefore vital to place an emphasis on good bedtime habits at home, in the communities and in schools.

While trouble sleeping can be a genuine problem for children of all ages, parents can encourage better sleep, in line with recommended durations, through having a good and consistent lead-up and routine around children’s bedtime; this can also be known as ‘sleep hygiene’.

Sleep experts at Room to Grow advise ‘Your child’s sleep environment is incredibly important. Their bedroom should be a space that relaxes them and makes them feel safe and comfortable, in order to promote a restful night’s sleep. It may only take a few tweaks here and there to boost their quality of sleep. Here are a few tips to try and optimise your child’s sleep environment: Firstly, clutter can be an unnecessary distraction, so make sure toys are cleared away in advance of bedtime. Secondly, check if they still find their mattress comfortable; did you know it’s advisable to replace mattresses every 7-10 years? Finally, invest in quality bed linen with moisture-wicking properties such as cotton, silk or linen as these will absorb excess moisture, keeping your child comfortable through the night.’

Parent Talk March 2019 13

BOOK REVIEW

Editor’s choice

WREN

By Katrina Lehman, illustrated by Sophie Beer Published by Scribe Publications.

Age: 0-5 Wren just wants a bit of peace and quiet. What he gets is the noisiest baby sister you could ever imagine! But when Wren runs away to the country, he discovers that maybe peace and quiet isn’t all he needs…

The Dinosaur Department Store

By Lily Murray, illustrated by Richard Merritt Published by Buster Books.

Age: 0-5 Instead of a fluffy bunny, Eliza Jane has her heart firmly set on a prehistoric pet. Join her and her family on a marvellous magical tour of their local dinosaur department store.

From huge, stomping sauropods stretching their necks to a pair of loved-up Ankylosaurs called Maud and Frank, there are plenty of amazing dinosaurs for Eliza Jane to choose from. But this wild child is hatching a mischievous plan of her own…

What’s Next?

By Timothy Knapman, illustrated by Jane McGuiness Published by Walker Books.

Age: 3+ Baby Badger loves exploring and is eager to see and know more about the world beyond his den. So, one night his daddy takes him on a moonlit wander through the forest up above their underground home. Once they return, Baby Badger can’t stop his imagination soaring!

What’s daytime like? He wonders. Deciding to be brave, he ventures out alone but has Baby Badger gone too far from home?

Little Miss Inventor’s Experiments: Sticker Activity Book

By Roger Hargreaves.

Published by Egmont. Age: 3+ This colourful activity book sees the Mr Men and Little Miss bring science to life for younger children with a fun mix of simple experiments and sticker activities. The perfect first science book for children aged 3 and up.

Amazing Women: Sticker Scenes Illustrated by Isabel Munoz Published by Egmont. Age: 5+ Add stickers to each scene to discover the inspirational stories behind these incredible women. Each scene celebrates a remarkable woman, with fascinating facts about her achievements and a sticker scene to help young children learn all about them.

14 Parent Talk March 2019

Plant, Sow, Make & Grow

By Esther Coombs Published by Button Books.

Age: 4-11 Full of down-to-earth realistic activities with tips, tricks and short cuts to make sure all the projects are doable for all ages.

It’s cheap to garden and this book tries to be as cheap as chips, with tools made from recycled rubbish and lots of other innovative ideas.

Get little gardeners growing with this low-stress approach to producing yummy fruit, veggies and bug-friendly flowers. There’s plenty of handy gardening information to get you started plus tips about what wildlife you may see, raiding your recycling box to make some useful gardening accessories and other craft activities. So grab your seeds and have a go!

Sea-ing is Believing

By Steven Butler, illustrated by Steven Lenton Published by Simon & Schuster.

Age: 5+ Frankie Bannister and his family are preparing to celebrate Grandad Abraham’s 175th birthday – an occasion that’s going to be even more HONKHUMPTIOUS now that Abe’s ghost has shown up! When the unexpected spook reveals a secret underwater wing of the hotel that’s been hidden away for years, the Banisters decide there’s only one thing for it…a whopping welcome home bash in the spectacular briny ballroom. But memories aren’t the only things waiting at the bottom of the ocean. Secrets and sea monsters are lurking in the shadows, and is everything as it seems with Grandad Abraham’s ghost? Or is there something fishy going on?

Fantastic Faces Compiled by National Theatre Published by Walker Books. Age: 5+ Follow the simple step-by-step instructions in this new book from the National Theatre, and transform yourself into twelve dramatic characters, including a phoenix, pirate, and sea monster!

Created by the experts of stage make-up, this book contains original top tips and tricks, such as techniques for scars, bruises and even wrinkles. With lots of photographs throughout, the looks are all easy to create using face paints, and will inspire children to use the skills they’ve used to develop new looks.

Mummy Fairy and Me: Unicorn Wishes

By Sophie Kinsella, illustrated by Marta Kissi Published by Puffin. Age: 6+ Mummy Fairy began as a bedtime story for Sophie’s own children and the special relationship between mums and daughters is at the heart of the story. The stories cover many early stages learning and development themes, such as making friends and learning to work together.

Malala’s Magic Pencil

By Malala Yousafzai, illustrated by Kerascoët Published by Penguin Random House. Age: 6+ As a child, Malala used to dream about a magic pencil she could use to solve problems like the smell of the rubbish dump near her home and to make her family happy. But as she grew older, she saw a world that needed fixing – and as Malala began to wish for a better world she realised that even if she never found a magic pencil, she could still work every day to make her wishes come true.

Science is Magic

By Steve Mould Published by DK. Age: 7+ Packed with tricks, optical illusions and fascinating facts, Science is Magic is a must-have for budding scientists and magicians alike. With 28 fun science experiments kids will love learning how to perform each illusion and trick, whilst learning about the science that makes them possible.

I Heart Narwhals

By Jessie Eckel Published by Buster Books.

Age: 7-9 Children and adults alike can float away in an ocean of pure imagination and dive into the magical underwater world to discover narwhals, the unicorn of the sea. This pocket-sized book is brimming with narwhals and their underwater companions just waiting to be brought to life with colour.

So, prepare to have a whale-y good time and get lost in this magical colouring adventure!

To Night Owl from DogFish

By Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer Published by Egmont. Age: 9+ Avery (Night Owl) is bookish, intense, likes to plan ahead, and is afraid of many things. Bett (Dogfish) is fearless, outgoing, and lives in the moment. What they have in common is that they are both twelve years old, and their dads are dating each other.

Bett and Avery are sent, against their will, to the same camp for the summer vacation.

Their dads hope that they will find common ground and become friends – and possibly, one day, even sisters. Against all odds, the girls soon can’t imagine a life without each other. But when the worse happens, and their dads break up, Avery and Bett must figure out a way to get them to fall in love again. Is keeping a family together as easy as they think it is?

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

CLASSIFIED FAMILY Potkin and Stubbs

By Sophie Green, illustrated by Karl Mountford Published by Piccadilly Press.

Age: 9+ A brilliant new trilogy bursts onto the scene, filled with ghostly goings-on and an unusual investigative duo. Lil Potkin lives in bleak Peligan City. Her mum works in City Hall and is rarely at home, so aspiring journalist Lil has all the time she needs to explore the city in her bright yellow raincoat, investigating unsolved stories.

How High the Moon?

By Karyn Parsons Published by Puffin. Age: 9+ How High the Moon takes place in 1943, in the small, southern, segregated town of Alcolu, South Carolina. It tells the story of eleven year old Ella, who spends her days fishing and running wild with her cousins, Henry and Myrna – but life is not always so sunny for them. Ella’s mother lives far away in Boston, dreaming of being a jazz singer, and the simmering tension of a town divided by race is everpresent. Ella is therefore ecstatic when her mother invites her to visit Boston, and while there Ella searches for evidence of the father she has never known and also has her eyes opened to a life where African Americans can hold more opportunities then she’d ever dreamed possible.

Joe Quinn’s Poltergeist

By David Almond, illustrated by Dave McKean Published by Walker Books.

Age: 9+ Joe Quinn tells everyone about the poltergeist in his house, but no one believes him. No one that is, except for Davie. He’s felt the inexplicable presence in the rooms, he’s seen random objects fly through the air. And there’s something else… a memory of his beloved sister, and a feeling deep down that somehow it might be possible for ghosts to exist…

Scavengers

By Darren Simpson Published by Usborne. Age: 11+ A unique coming-of-age story with an unforgettable secret at its heart, Scavengers is a debut novel tackling big questions for smart young readers: Who do you believe? What happens when you break the rules?

How do you find out who you really are? Landfull has lived his whole life as a scavenger, with Old Babagoo to look after him.

But this safety comes with one condition – follow his rules.

Never come looking outside, never rise above the wall. But despite the dangers, Landfull longs to see Outside. And some rules are made to be broken…

Breaking Mum and Dad The Insider’s Guide to Parenting Anxiety

By Anna Williamson Published by Bloomsbury With more than 1 in 10 new parents experiencing post-natal depression and anxiety, and after suffering the traumatic birth of her son, and herself being diagnosed with postnatal anxiety, and birth trauma, Anna Williamson uncovers the real thoughts, feelings and behaviours that many of us experience in those first few weeks and months after becoming a parent.

Quantock Baby Sitting Agency Ltd Linking families to professional Babysitters since 2010.

Evening, weekend and school holidays.

Simple online registration.

Now recruiting across Somerset.

Visit www.quantockbabysitting.co.uk

Ofsted Registered Childminder in idyllic rural location 5 minutes from A303

Melanie Tuffill 01460 234325/07876481027 melanie@oliveronline.co.uk

The Second Baby Book

By Sarah Ockwell-Smith Published by Piatkus Having a second baby is a very different experience from having your first, yet there is little recognition of the wide range of issues that need to be considered when bringing a second child into the family. In this incredibly helpful book, Sarah Ockwell-Smith helps parents feel more positive and prepared for life with two children.

Playgroups and Prosecco

By Jo Middleton Published by Penguin Random House Single mum Frankie’s whole life revolves around her kids. But when your toddler has a more active social life, something has to change. Forget ‘me-time’, Frankie would settle for some adult conversation, and watching something other than the Disney channel. The local playgroup may be ruled by Instagram mums with perfect husbands but Frankie accidentally forms a splinter group of single parents.

After all, Mummy really needs a playdate of her own. (Now pass the prosecco).

Days Out Underground

By Peter Naldrett Published by Bloomsbury Beneath our feet is a secret world – and you can visit it.

This unique guide explores 50 underground attractions, from caves to nuclear bunkers, abandoned mines to secret railways, labyrinthine tunnels to ancient crypts, all brilliantly described and portrayed with incredible colour photography throughout. The adventures featured are not just for intrepid potholers and other daredevils. Hidden beneath Britain are plenty of attractions open to everyone.

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KEITH’S MAGICAL ENTERTAINMENT Children’s parties a speciality.

Magic, Puppets, Comedy.

Terrific entertainment.

Police checked and insured.

01935 822135 www.keithsmagic.co.uk

FUN PLAY FACILITATOR!!

Interactive Story Workshops for Kids.

Lisa Bolitho 07766 296497 energisingspaces@ yahoo.co.uk

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Newtons, Churchstanton, Taunton TA3 7QF T: 01823 601086 E: sales@parenttalk.org.uk Disclaimer: The editorial and advertising content of this publication does not imply endorsement of them by Parent Talk.

Nor can Parent Talk be held responsible for any actions or consequences arising from contact between reader and advertiser. Readers are therefore advised to check carefully, any references, professional qualifications and stated membership of professional bodies before entering into contracts or making arrangements to use a service featured herein.

Editor Tamsin Humphreys Advertising Juliet Barber Production Sarah Harmer April issue deadline: 20th March 2019 To guarantee receiving your copy of Parent Talk every month why not take out a subscription for just £17 a year and it will be sent to your door?

ompetition winners The Nutcracker Gary Chapman, Chard Mrs Ruth Newport, Winscombe Emma Reardon, Weston super Mare Parent Talk March 2019 15

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Terms and conditions apply. Please speak to a sales advisor for further details on Help to Buy. Show home photography taken from a similar Crest Nicholson development. Imagery includes optional upgrades at additional cost. Pricing correct on 14.02.19.

Crest Nicholson Operations Limited, Crest House, Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey, KT16 9GN. Registered Company Number: 1168311 YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

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