Children First - May 2015

Westminster

Issue 24, May 2015

Children first

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Win a family ticket to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Free parenting courses Summer activities and offers

Dear parent or carer Having won the Westminster Youth Elections in March – on the back of thousands of votes – I’m excited to now represent the young people of Westminster.

I’m sure I speak for lots of them when I say Westminster is a fantastic place to grow up, especially in the summer.

There’s something happening every day of the week, from free performances from some of the biggest stars of the West End in Trafalgar Square on 20th – 21st June at West End LIVE, to riding your bike along the traffic-free streets of central London with Prudential RideLondon’s FreeCycle on 1st August. Plus loads of fun summer activities in Westminster libraries, sports clubs and leisure centres and, of course, all the great museums and parks right on our doorstep.

Westminster also offers support for parents juggling work and family responsibilities.

Children’s Centres can be an option for parents looking for more support, and free parenting courses are a great way to build stronger family relationships. There’s information on both in this edition of Children First.

Contents help with 5 Get childcare costs the family 6 Keep healthy this summer more 8 Learn about fostering free 9 Find parenting courses what’s on 10 Discover in Westminster great 11 Enjoy family discounts

Swim for free Page 7

I hope the hundreds of activities available in Westminster, plus the support on offer from the council, means you and your family have your best summer yet.

Aby Murray Youth MP Westminster Contact Aby at westminsteryouthmp@ westminster.gov.uk Cover photo: Toddler Football at Paddington Recreation Ground.

Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

Win a et family tick ’s y le ip to R or Not! Believe It Page 11 3

The latest news from around Westminster

NEWS

A new sports centre for Queen’s Park Moberly Sports Centre is being redeveloped to provide state-of-the-art sporting facilities including a 25 metre swimming pool and eight-court sports hall. Work is due to begin this year and you can use the nearby Jubilee Sports Centre whilst the centre is closed for redevelopment.

Visit westminster.gov.uk/activequeenspark

Summer in the City Keep the kids entertained this summer with Summer in the City – a roundup of free and low-cost activities for all ages.

This year’s guide will be available from July.

Visit westminster.gov. uk/summer-activities

Get reading this summer Keep your children reading this summer with the Summer Reading Challenge at your local library. The challenge is open to all children and invites them to read six books over the summer holiday, collecting stickers and rewards as they go. There will be a packed schedule of free events across all libraries this summer. Visit westminster.gov.uk/library-events

Healthy school meals We are working with schools in Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Kensington and Chelsea to select our school meals service. The new service will continue to provide the highest quality meals and allow money to be put back into classrooms and teaching as we work together to get value for money from the service.

Visit westminster.gov.uk/school-meals

Apply for primary and secondary school places in 2016 If your child is due to start secondary school in September 2016, the deadline to apply for a school place is 31st October 2015. If your child is due to start primary school in September 2016, the deadline to apply for a school place is 15th January 2016.

Applications open on 1st September 2015. Visit westminster.gov.uk/school-admissions Follow @ CityWestminster or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/WestminsterParents 4

Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

Give your family the best start at a Children’s Centre

Ch a rm ai n e

Charmaine Stoukas found the free early education sessions at her local Children’s Centre for her two-year-old daughter Kayla gave her the support she needed to make big changes to her life.

“When my daughter started attending the free sessions it gave me the chance to start thinking about myself. I was having health problems at the time and it gave me the breathing space that I needed.

“I found out about an NVQ in Childcare course that I could study through the Children’s Centre which I really wanted to take up. The early education sessions at the Children’s Centre meant I had the time to study and do the homework. It also gave my daughter an opportunity to grow and be away from mummy. It really helped her socially and calmed her down quite a bit.

She listens more now and is able to follow a routine.

“Knowing that my daughter was with people I trusted and was safe was a huge relief. It really did change my life. There was no other way I would have been able to do the course at that time.”

To find out if you are eligible for free early education for your two-year-old visit westminster.gov.uk/childcare To find out what support is available at your local Children’s Centre visit westminster.gov.uk/childrens-centres

& Ka yl a

Changes to some services for children and young people We need to ensure that our services are focused on the children and young people most in need of suppor t as the money we receive from the government is reducing significantly. To do this we need to make changes to some of our services for children and young people and have been working with parents, young people and our par tners to shape what they will look like. To find out more about the changes visit westminster.gov.uk/ early-help

All three and four-year-olds can receive up to 15 hours of funded term-time early education.

Visit westminster.gov.uk/childcare

Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

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Keep the family

this summer

ping your family e e k r fo s p ti p to r u O is summer. th e v ti c a d n a y h lt hea

Keep the kids cool this summer and protect their teeth.

Swap sugary and fizzy drinks for water.

Stick to child-size portions It’s important to think about how much food you’re giving kids at mealtimes so they eat the right amount of food for their age and size.

Tips to keep portion sizes healthy: s erve smaller portions to start with - kids can always have seconds if they are still hungry

Sign up for FREE and low-cost activities Westminster has eight leisure centres and lots of sports clubs which makes getting active this summer easy. There are free activities every week such as hula hooping, boxing and street dance. Every Saturday Park Maker volunteers hold free Active Family sessions at Westbourne Green open space from 10.30am – 12 midday. Just turn up and join in.

Visit westminster.gov.uk/active

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uy child-sized plates to avoid b giving out adult portions s wap the TV for the table, as television can distract kids from noticing the signals from their tummies that they are full i f your kids are picky eaters, encourage them to try a mouthful of everything that’s on their plate lot of pre-packaged portions a come in adult sizes so get your kids to share.

For more healthy food tips visit nhs.uk/Change4Life

Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

Swim for free As London heats up over the summer, cool down in one of Westminster’s five swimming pools. Under 19s swim for free and you may be entitled to free or discounted swimming if you have a: estminster City Save card (60% off, open to all residents over 16). To sign up visit W westminster.gov.uk/citysave ctiveWestminster card (free swimming, restrictions apply). Visit your local A leisure centre to sign up.

Enjoy a great family day out

Check your child’s vaccinations

On Sunday 24th May thousands of families, runners and elite athletes will run the most famous mile in the world – starting on The Mall, racing through St. James’s Park and finishing outside Buckingham Palace. Come along to the Bupa Westminster Mile and cheer on everyone participating. There’ll be free entertainment and activities in Green Park throughout the day.

Before your children go back to school you should check that their vaccinations are up-to-date.

Visit bupawestminstermile.co.uk

Pre-school booster The pre-school booster vaccine is provided to three-year-old children to boost their protection against. diphtheria tetanus whooping cough polio.

Get pedalling Cycling is a great way to get the kids active. The council runs free one-to-one City Cycling courses for Westminster residents aged 16 and over, as well as free bike MOTs. Find out more at westminster.gov.uk/cycling London’s streets will be traffic-free on Saturday 1st August as part of Prudential RideLondon’s FreeCycle.

The eight mile loop passes landmarks including Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, so take the family along and get cycling. All ages and abilities welcome.

Register at prudentialridelondon. co.uk/freecycle

Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

Children are vaccinated against these illnesses as babies and this booster will increase their immunity even further.

MMR vaccination Children of any age up to 18 who missed, or only partially completed, their earlier MMR vaccination, can have a free ‘catch-up’ MMR vaccination.

Get more advice about immunising your children by speaking to your health visitor or GP, or visit nhs.uk/ conditions/vaccinations

You can get free health advice and checks at your local library. Visit westminster.gov. uk/libraries-health 7

The foster carer diaries We need more people to come forward to be foster carers to give children a loving and supportive home.

Cathy, a foster carer for the council, talks about fostering as a single parent.

“As a single parent I was worried that I wouldn’t be eligible to foster. I thought maybe my own children were too young and the council might think I wouldn’t be able to cope. But as it was something I’d been thinking about for a while and I was really excited about, I didn’t think it would hurt to find out more.

“I gave the council a call and was really pleased when I found out that I could foster. Whether you’re single, in a same sex couple or don’t own your own home, you’re still eligible to foster. There are a lot less restrictions than you think, so I’m glad I decided to look into it.”

Foster Care Fortnight runs from 1st – 14th June. Find out more about becoming a foster carer, the council tax allowance and other support at westminster.gov.uk/fostering

Most people are eligible to foster, so if you’ve been thinking about it take the first step and find out more.

Call 0800 169 3497, email fostering@rbkc.gov.uk or sign up for a fostering information event: 20th May, 6-8pm 4th June, 10am-12 midday and 6-8pm 25th June, 10am-12 midday and 6-8pm Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QP

Council tax support for foster carers As well as a weekly allowance of up to £446, foster carers in Westminster are now eligible for a full council tax allowance, saving up to £755.48 a year.

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a foster carer, or are already a foster carer, this allowance provides extra financial support and recognises the vital contribution foster carers make to supporting children and young people in our community.

Find out more at westminster.gov.uk/ fostering-allowance

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Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

Strengthening your relationship with your child Parenting is hugely rewarding but it has its challenges. To support parents the council runs free courses that can help you build positive relationships with your child, from young children to teenagers.

Alan, 47, from Maida Vale, attended a fathers group run by the council’s Triple P Positive Parenting Programme, an eight-week programme with other dads.

Alan has two daughters, Abi aged 16 and Jessica aged 19.*

Al an

“ T h e cou rs e h ams o re a ll owe d us to boen e s t o p e n a n d h s h ip a n d ou r re la tioenr.” is m uc h b e tt *Children’s names have been changed Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

“Last year Abi began to miss a lot of school and we noticed her confidence and self-esteem wer e low. Jessica has always been ver y confident and there was a mix ture of admiration and env y from Abi .

We were not communicating wel l as a family and I wanted to bridge the gap that had appeared bet wee n me and my children.

“The first par t of the course involved having to understand our selves, how our messages may be coming across and discuss ing our anxieties as dads. The cou rse reassured me that there are other people in my situation and hav ing those guys listening was really useful. It can be difficult rais ing a teenager but the course tau ght us to see the wor ld through our child’s eyes. Children are exp osed to so much and while they see m like they are independent, the y still need reassurance, securit y and comfort from parents.

“I don’t want my children missing out on being a family, and the cou rse has allowed us to be more ope n and honest. My relationship with Abi is much better. She is now much more confident, her attendance at sch ool is improving and she knows she has a voice in our family.”

For more details on free parent ing courses visit westminster.gov.u k/ parenting or call 020 7641 734 6.

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There are lots of fun things to do in Westminster this half-term Tuesday 26th – Friday 29th May Basketball, cricket, football and tennis sports camp Time: 10am-3pm Age: 5-15 Venue: Paddington Recreation Ground, Randolph Avenue, W9 1PD Cost: £55.96 or £29.28 with a Westminster City Save card.

Booking required.

020 7641 3642

Tuesday 26th May Half-term activities camp Time: 10am-3pm Age: 5-12 Venue: The Beethoven Centre, Third Avenue, W10 4JL Cost: Free (booking required) 020 8825 1067

Tuesday 26th May Tiny Time: Messy play, songs and rhymes Time: 9.30-11am Age: 9 months - 2 years Venue: Marsham Street Children’s Centre, 121 Marsham Street, SW1P 4LX Cost: Free (booking required) 020 7828 4083 10

Dates for your diary this summer SouthWestFest When: 19th - 28th June Where: SW1

A jam-packed festival including a Festival Gala Day in St. George’s Square, Pimlico, on 20th June, a carnival parade and the Pimlico Proms.

There’s also exciting taster sessions and classes, an art exhibition, portrait photography workshops, live music events, historical tours, boat trips and more. Visit southwestfest.org.uk

The best of the West End – for free When: 20th - 21st June Where: Trafalgar Square

Expect an exciting two days of live entertainment for all the family, showcasing the very best

West End musicals and theatre, at this year’s West End LIVE. Don’t miss out on the biggest free event for your family this summer. westendlive.co.uk @WestEndLIVE facebook.com/ WestEndLive

Paddington Festival When: July - August Where: Across Paddington

Paddington Festival is returning for its third year, celebrating all that is unique about the local area, with a packed programme of events throughout the summer including flagship festival days, a film festival and a ‘Paddington’s Got Talent’ showcase. Visit paddingtonfestival.co.uk

vities Find lots more exciting summer acti t Visi e. guid in our Summer in the City s itie westminster.gov.uk/summer-activ Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

offers and discounts for westminster residents

90% off membership fees to Monkey Music

WIN Win a family ticket for four to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, a 2015 Ripley’s book and a goodie bag Take a voyage of discovery through the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! See over 700 unique exhibits, from art made of toast to Henry VIII’s actual shoe. Visit before 31st May and your ticket will include entry to SpiceWorld: The Exhibition.

How to enter: For a chance to win, email childrenfirst@westminster.gov.uk and let us know your perfect family day out in Westminster. Competition closes on 22nd May 2015.

Terms and conditions: Prize is valid for a family ticket of four, with a minimum of one adult and one child. SpiceWorld: The Exhibition will run until 31st May. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged. Subject to availability. The winner will be notified via email when the competition closes on Friday 22nd May. Westminster Children First, Issue 24, May 2015

Offer: Pre-school music classes using puppets, props, dancing and movement to help with your little one’s development.

How to claim: Claim your membership offer and book classes on 020 8767 9827 or email chelsea.westminster@monkeymusic.co.uk quoting Westminster City Save.

Venue: The Holy Apostles Church, 47 Cumberland Street, SW1V 4LY

70% off top West End Theatre Offer: Choose from all the family favourites including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Gruffalo, and save up to 70% on selected shows.

How to claim: Tickets must be booked via the Westminster City Save website to receive the full discount. An additional 10% will be taken off ticket prices at the checkout.

40% off adult tickets to the Puppet Theatre Barge Offer: A unique theatre on a barge in Little Venice. Save 40% on Saturday performances at 11am and 20% on all other performances.

How to claim: Quote Westminster City Save upon booking and bring your card to the performance.

Venue: The Puppet Theatre Barge, opposite 35 Blomfield Road, W9 2PF Apply for your free Westminster City Save card at westminster.gov.uk/citysave or call 020 7641 6000 (Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm).

Terms and conditions apply.

Visit westminster. gov.uk/citysave for all offers and more details.

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