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Issue 273 January/February 2018 familiesonline.co.uk

Contents

4-5 Local news

6 Families Top Five activities this month

07 New Year New You Start 2018 healthy and in a good job!

8 Mindful yoga at Battersea Yoga

9-21 NURSERY FEATURE •Your local nursery news •The benefits of starting a Bilingual Education at an early age •Outdoor nursery receives huge support from parents •Tips to prepare your child successfully for their

The LIttle Forest Folk transition into Reception •Preschools – your ‘need to know’ guide •Teaching emotional intelligence with the Ruler programme

Nursery feature pages 9-21 22-29 EDUCATION •Your local schools open days •Explore Learning gets behind “more maths Families®SW|Issue 273 for everyone!” •Developing creativity and artistic Jan/Feb 2018 development in primary schools TEL: 020 8696 9680 30-32 Travelling with children EDITORIAL: [email protected] Family fun under the Tuscan sun NEWS: [email protected] ADVERTS/ARTWORK: [email protected] A day in the life of Esprit Ski EVENTS, DIARY DATES, WHAT’S ON: Top recommendations for an Easter ski break [email protected] NEXT ISSUE: March 2018 33- 37 February Half term Activities DEADLINE: 1st Feburary 2018 Sport, arts & craft, music & drama, dance and ISSN 1354-9553 much more. All content ©Families SW 2018 39-45 Clubs & Classes • Families London SW is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise Your local clubs news: From cricket to French, company. All franchised magazines in the group are Swimming, Football to arts and craft. independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. 47 FREE activities • The contents of Families SW are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in 49 Health & Welbeing any form without the prior consent of Families SW. Set your child free from screens • Printed by Ridgeway Press, Wilts • Designed by Shirley Trimmer 50-55 What’s On • Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families SW, our distributors, the franchise company Families Diary dates Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for Babies and toddlers the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or Theatre, any consequence thereof. Drama • Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources. Museums & Exhibitions Art activities

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Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 3 NEWS

JOIN THE WI TO MAKE FRIENDS AND LEARN SKILLS We are delighted to learn that Battersea WI will be opening this New Year. Open to all women, it is a great opportunity to make friends and to enjoy monthly meetings with inspiring speakers and events with activities such as crafts, book groups, walking, visiting exhibitions/theatres. Check them out on social media (Twitter and Instagram: @Battersea_WI; or Facebook: @BatterseaWI). Part of the WI, the largest voluntary women’s organisations in the UK, you’ll gain educational opportunities SPIN A TALE DURING and the chance to learn new skills, take part in a wide variety of activities and campaign on issues that matter to you and your community. NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK There are also WI’s in Balham, Barnes, Clapham, Fulham & Chelsea, Kew, Putney, Streatham, Tooting, Wandsworth Common and Wimbledon. For more information contact Surrey The first week of February marks National Federation on [email protected] Storytelling Week, a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world. We are all immersed in stories — from conversations retelling events in our lives, to watching our LACK OF SLEEP DAMAGING FOR CHILDREN favourite television shows. More than a third of primary school children are failing Speech and language therapists believe that to get sufficient sleep, according to new research. The storytelling is vital for children’s academic study has linked poor sleep with difficulties in paying success as it promotes narrative skills and attention in class, keeping up with school work, strengthens the ability of children to correctly forgetfulness and absenteeism. sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs to be a good speaker and The research, carried out by the University of Leeds listener first. But above all, storytelling is fun. has shown that despite the NHS recommendation of Whether we are listening to someone else’s 10 hours, 36 per cent of primary age children get eight story or telling our own, inventing and adapting hours of sleep or less per night. Even more narratives can open doors to exciting new worryingly, 15 per cent get less than seven hours. worlds — both real and imaginary. The researchers found links between poor sleep and children having access to mobile phones or To find a local event or to look through its computer devices in their bedrooms. Other factors contributing to poor sleep were poor extensive archive visit www.sfs.org.uk parental sleep patterns and lack of routine. More information on the study can be found at www.leeds.ac.uk

EASY AND HEALTHY LOCAL NURSERY OWNER PUBLISHES HER VEGETARIAN RECIPES MEMOIRS Eating less meat often means being more creative in the kitchen, and that is good thing! Learn to be Lima Nunes’s interest in Early Years began more inventive, have fun and enjoy a healthy early when reading books by Dr Maria relationship with what Montessori. She attended St Nicholas you eat with this great Montessori College in Princes Gate, London, book. Whether and amazingly was trained by teachers, who you’re looking for were actually trained by Maria Montessori tasty brunch ideas or herself! delicious dinners, After working for ILEA in London for 9 years, energizing snacks or she became a nursery manager, then a mouthwatering sweet Registered Person, remaining in the private treats, the author sector. Over the past 30 years, she has been shows you how to managing/owning nurseries for as many as make simple, 120 children and received a very ‘GOOD’ nutritious vegetarian Ofsted rating. One area of expertise included meals suitable for all managing various teams of staff, promoting that are easy for anyone to rustle up with the ‘Positive Parent Partnership’ and strong community spirit and being able to lead a team to minimum of fuss. Some recipes also include confidently care and educate the children for whom they are responsible. suggestions for vegan alternatives, while others are free from gluten, dairy and sugar – the most Educare Nursery, 27 Aldrington Road SW16 1TU. To read her memoir please contact Lima common intolerances. on 020 8677 9675 www.educarenurseryukltd.com Published by Eddison books, £13.99, available from Amazon

4 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk NEWS

MUMS WANT MORE FLEXIBLE WORKING JANUARY IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TIME TO VOLUNTEER According to a survey by Workingmums.co.uk, almost three quarters of working mums identify If you have a bit of free time and skills to share flexible work as being crucial to getting more women into senior roles. The survey shows that why not volunteer? Link UP recruits volunteers mums feel flexible working is vital for them to manage work and family life and that 60% of those and works with charities throughout the borough who work flexibly would like even more flexibility. of Wandsworth bringing together individuals who are willing to share their professional skills with How can you persuade your employers to agree to working flexibly? local charities, community groups and social • Think through what the job requires and whether the tasks enterprises that need these skills to make a real you have to perform can be done at a different location ie difference in the Wandsworth community. All of from home, or at times outside of the standard working the volunteers are professionals and whilst some day. Take account of any additional costs or challenges this are in work others are retired, semi-retired or not might involve and discuss them honestly. currently working. • Give examples of the ways in which your work can be The charitable organisations projects are successfully carried out under any new working pattern you structured, have clear start and end dates, are are proposing, and show that it will not harm the business. flexible to fit in with busy lives and are designed to Point out any business advantages. make a difference. Link UP ensures that projects are a good fit for both the organisations and the • Research some case studies, ideally in your sector that volunteers. shows how the work pattern you are suggesting can be mutually beneficial to you and your employer. Link UP has been working on projects including IT, marketing, human resources, research, writing, If managers are dubious, suggest a trial period. Have a strategy development, and web design. compromise solution as a back-up. If you are interested in volunteering, or you are a For more information and flexible work opportunities, visit www.workingmums.co.uk charitable organisation in Wandsworth with a Enrol your project that needs children to a a skilled volunteer, MATHS TOPS POPULARITY POLL FOR FREE Explore please contact CHILDREN Learning trial! info@linkup- New research has shown that when battersea.org it comes to children’s favourite www.linkup-battersea.org subject it’s a numbers game as maths comes out on top. A survey carried by the extra tuition provider, Explore Learning has found that maths was the most enjoyed subject of four to 14 year olds (26%) followed by PE (20%) and art (16%). This was despite the fact that maths is also the subject that children admit to finding the most challenging, followed by English and geography.

More highlights of the survey include: • The next generation may signal the end of the gender divide as seven in ten (69%) of children think boys and girls are equally good at maths • Nearly two thirds (61%) think a job in maths would be exciting! • 90% think being good at maths will help you get a better paid job in the future To inspire your aspiring mathematician there are great ideas on how to make maths fun and engage young maths minds at www.murderousmaths.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 5 FAMILIES TOP FIVE...

Panto season may be over but there are still loads of fantastic shows to see throughout the capital this winter. Here are our top picks of the best theatre for the whole family this January and February…

ANNIE THE MUSICAL Piccadilly Theatre 16 Denman Street W1D 7DY www.anniewestend.com Throughout January and February Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she's chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil HARE AND TORTOISE Annie’s search for her true family… Now starring actor and comedian Lyric Hammersmith Meera Syal in the lead role. This has to end in March – don’t miss out! One Lyric Square W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 13-17 February Who’s the fastest; who’s the best? Who will finally win the race? Younger, MATTHEW fitter Hare – tearing around, unable to wait – or slow and steady Tortoise – taking the time to look at the stars? Find out in this funny, tender, BOURNE’S award-winning adaptation of the well-loved story as you journey through CINDERELLA the seasons from bud-bursting spring to snow-falling winter in a Sadler’s Wells production brimming with music, movement and colour. Age 3-7, Rosebery Avenue EC1R tickets £10. www.sadlerswells.com To 27 January Following the sold-out and critical success of The Red Shoes, New Adventures return to Sadler's Wells this Christmas with one of our most popular and beloved productions, Matthew Bourne's Cinderella – a thrilling and evocative love story set in London during the Second World War, which forms part of the company's 30th anniversary celebrations. Matthew Bourne at his very best.

SEESAW The Unicorn Theatre 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com THE SNOW QUEEN 26 January – 11 March Polka Theatre Being little can be hard work. 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB There are holes to dig, sand www.polkatheatre.com castles to make, treasures to To 4 February find, adventures to be had. It's Kai and Gerda are best friends. Not brother and sister but as close as if much easier when you have a they were. Together, with their friends, they reimagine the thrilling friend to help. But what if adventure of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic winter fairy-tale. Let your making friends is hard work too? imagination soar as a dusty attic is transformed into the Snow Queen’s icy Seesaw explores the push and palace, and follow their epic journey of self-discovery, as they try to save pull of friendship, and the ups Kai from the icy spell of the Snow Queen’s cold kiss. Can Gerda melt his and downs of being very young. heart before he forgets her forever? We love this simple, moving offering Age 3-6, the perfect first theatre from family-favourite Polka Theatre. show for tiny ones.

6 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk NEW YEAR NEW YOU

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They specialise in treating children from birth to 18 years presenting Do you assume finding work that is challenging, interesting with a whole range of conditions, as well as women in the perinatal and that pays well is too good to be true? Think again! period, and will always work alongside traditional medicine where appropriate. Mothers & Careers offers you access to wonderful employers in the UK with the most flexible, family-friendly working policies. They OCC parent, Georgia said, ‘What I like about the consultants at the provide information about flexible jobs, returner programmes, career OCC is that they don’t give me a hard time if we do decide to go down resources and advice. Full-time, part-time, home-working or evening- the [NHS drug-treatment] route but support my family in what we do hours. Their current job opportunities are from companies like next. Having seen the effect of the osteopathic treatment on my family, Deloitte, Ferrum, The Bridge, UnderTheDoormat and more. the OCC will always be my first port of call for my children’s health. We think it is absolutely brilliant.’ What are you waiting for?

To receive their careers newsletter, email [email protected] Book an appointment today on 020 8875 5290 www.occ.uk.com To search and apply for jobs, please go to the job board Registered charity number 1003934 on www.mothersandcareers.com

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Familiesonline.co.uk Sponsored content Families South West 7 Coming back to your senses

Mindfulness has been hitting the media headlines for years; the NHS encourages it, Royals promote it, Corporations crow about it—and now, even the Government has a mindfulness All-party group. No corner of British society it seems, is exempt from the clamour for mindfulness.

FREE mindful “Battersea Yoga has been an absolute lifeline yoga session to me, my essential weekly re-set for what for the first 100 readers can often feel like a frantic mind and exhausted body. I came across Battersea Yoga after spotting an ad for a free class... struggling with the juggles of life and new motherhood I had just been prescribed antidepressants and was about to take my prescription to the chemist that day; something made me decide to give the class a go first.

Four years on and I've learnt how to look after and nurture my mind and body, access deep peace and reduce stress through life- changing meditation, yoga and self- reflection—all of which allow me to parent and function with far deeper awareness... I never did make it to the chemist!”

Jo C, ‘Busy London Mum’ Finding Battersea Yoga Studio for the first time is a bit like stumbling across a secret “With repeated practice, mindfulness students do find there is an OFF button after all.”

But what is mindfulness mindfulness students eventually discover the Battersea Park’s Sun Gate, tucked away off same thing: that with repeated practice, there is Cambridge Road, there’s a long pretty and where can you learn an OFF button after all. driveway. On entering the tranquil studio, you it? soon forget that you’re in London, the place has Let’s be clear. Mindfulness is a skill everyone With the stress of modern a magical air about it, as if you have arrived ‘at can learn; it’s a way of calming the endlessly your own door’… active mind by shifting your awareness; you let life, mindfulness is not a go of the chatter in your head and instead, luxury but a necessity To get you started, come back to your senses. Isn’t mindfulness a new and trendy practice? here’s a simple mindfulness Nope. It’s as old as the hills and has been exercise It’s not a quick fix—it takes a great deal of taught for thousands of years in every corner of practice—but the rewards can be truly life- Next time you are waiting for the kettle to boil, the planet. It’s just that the demand for walking in the park or sitting at your desk, simply changing. mindfulness is now so huge, thanks to our stop, breathe and become aware of all five of stressed-out, over-digitalised lives, that it is your senses. Check them off: sound, sight, It’s useful to know that mindfulness is a state of appearing constantly on everyone’s radar. taste, smell and touch: What can I see, hear, awareness, an attitude, an approach to life—it’s taste, smell, touch in this moment? You must be not a technique as such. That said, there are Battersea Yoga is a studio dedicated to aware of your breath as you let the sense limitless practices through which you can mindfulness practices; for nearly 20 years they experiences come to you. This exercise cultivate mindfulness. Most of these take only have supported students to stay mindful both on requires no effort. The sounds are there. The minutes to learn—but a lifetime to perfect. and off the mat. colours are there. Just notice them. When you engage the senses, the thinking mind stops. In Whatever practices you employ—sitting, Finding Battersea Yoga studio for the first time is the moment of simply noticing, you are aware, walking, breathing, yoga, mantras and more— a bit like stumbling across a secret; not far from but not thinking.

Battersea Yoga’s ‘Foundations of Mindfulness’ Course is taught as a 12-week course on Thursday evenings. The studio also offers small private group classes by arrangement and specialist mindfulness courses on www.batterseayoga.com

From January 2018, they are offering 100 new students A FREE CLASS TO EXPERIENCE MINDFUL YOGA. Claim your class at www.batterseayoga.com/magic100

8 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk

10 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk NURSERY FEATURE

PEREGRINES: A NEW PREP-SCHOOL Peregrines is a new co-ed Pre-Preparatory School opening in September 2018. Peregrines is a family school set in stunning surroundings where boys and girls aged 3 to 8 are cherished and encouraged to flourish and thrive. Enjoying a convenient location within a conservation area in Putney, Peregrines has spacious green play areas, superb facilities and dedicated teachers. Peregrines will inspire and challenge your child to foster a curiosity and interest ECOLE DU PARC in the world around them and to develop a lifelong love of learning. NURSERY IS TOP OF THE CLASS After Peregrines, Falcons School for Girls and Falcons Staff and families at L’Ecole du Parc in School for Boys offer places to pupils at Year 4. Clapham are celebrating after receiving an Outstanding grade in all four areas in its They welcome and encourage everyone to visit the school for a tour and to meet the recent OFTED inspection. The inspector found Headmistress. To arrange your visit please contact the Registrar, Harriet Stokes at that the quality of teaching was "exceptional" [email protected] and that children "became highly confident bilingual communicators”. She also praised No.11 Woodborough Road, Putney, London SW15 6PY Contact: Harriet Stokes, Registrar children as "extremely confident and very highly 020 8992 5189 www.peregrinespreprep.co.uk motivated to learn". Eva and Elisa, co-Heads, said: “we are delighted PLAYTIME NURSERY that our staff's dedication and talent have been recognised.” Children at Playtime Nursery Wandsworth have been L’Ecole du Parc provides high quality education creating some incredible and exciting art work. For Diwali in a French-immersion or bilingual French- they turned milk bottles into colourful elephants, the children English environment. They welcome children were able to dress up in traditional clothes and explore new aged between 2 and 5 years old and some textures and learning through their senses creating Rangoli families can now benefit from the new 30-hour patterns with coloured rice. The children created tea light funding. holders with clay and decorated them in sequins and glitter. Finding new and creative ways to celebrate and explore 020 7993 6460 www.ecoleduparc.co.uk festivals and holidays is a great strength at playtime Wandsworth. All artwork was put up on display to showcase the children’s exceptional artwork!! Twice awarded the title of "Best Day Nursery in the South East of England 2015 – 2016. Top 10 in London 2017" and voted “Number one for best group of companies in 2016”. www.playtimenurseries.com

ROCHE NURSERY SCHOOL Children and staff at The Roche Nursery School, Keswick House, in East Putney are delighted with their grand new extension. The newly built hall boasts fine period features including large French windows and chandeliers and is brimming with creative play equipment to suit the children’s particular enthusiasms and interests. All classrooms, including a light and spacious garden room, open on to a wide, leafy garden with its many opportunities for THE PLAYROOM children to explore and profit from their play. LONDON The Playroom is a privately owned home The children greatly from home-style nursery specialising in enjoy the Forest School childcare for up to 3 years old. It provides a educational programme stimulating and exciting environment for both on site and during children to explore and play. Children learn visits to Wimbledon through planned activities based on their Common, and fondly individual needs and interests. They also offer call the sessions ‘Fresh a bilingual learning programme (Spanish). Air Friday!’ Modern, glassfronted building 5 minutes from Please ring for an Earlsfield station with a large and secure appointment on outdoor play area. 0203 016 3438 020 8704 4857. Grand new extension of the Roche Nursery school www.theplayroomlondon.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 11 THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

THE MONTESSORI TEA TIME FOR CHILDREN TODDLERS We provide a delightful This session takes place environment for children from from 3:30pm to 4:30pm 2yrs of age. Offering the full for children from Montessori curriculum with approximately 2yrs of age visiting teachers for Music, to attend with an adult. Dancing, Yoga, French, Drama, Sports & Gymnastics. BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE We offer a drop-off and CALL US TO BOOK A pick-up service to and from VISIT TO THE NURSERY local schools, with 0208 673 8037 breakfast club, help with homework and supper. 102 Chestnut Grove Balham, Holiday school also London, SW12 8JJ offered. www.themontessorischool.co.uk

12 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 13 NURSERY FEATURE

Butterfly Preschool Preschools – your ‘need Teaching emotional to know’ guide intelligence with the By Liat Hughes-Joshi Ruler programme More parents than ever send their children to preschool or nursery, thanks in part to free places now offered. The Ruler programme is a brilliant and very successful Preschools are about learning through play and their method that helps to develop the emotional intelligence benefits can be significant, although there’s no obligation and well-being of everyone associated within the to sign up if you don’t think it will be right for your child. nursery. It is followed by the Willow Nursery in Clapham Old Town, which has a strong moral ethos, to SO WHAT ARE THE UPSIDES? help the children understand their emotions and Beyond the obvious – a few hours of childcare – preschool is a great way translate them into actions, for example caring for each to get your little one used to being separated from you or other carers. It other and being kind to each other. could also help them become familiar with an environment that’s more like school and some of the routines and behaviours expected there, such RULER has been created by The Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence in as sharing, listening and taking turns. the US and has been built on decades of evidence-based research.

HOW MUCH FREE CHILDCARE AM I RULER is an acronym and stands for: ENTITLED TO? • Recognising emotions in yourself and others • Understanding the causes and consequences of emotions All three and four-year-olds in England receive 570 hours per year of free • Labelling emotions accurately—if you can name it you can tame it childcare. This can be in a preschool, nursery or with a registered • Expressing emotions appropriately childminder and is normally taken as 15 hours weekly over 38 weeks, but • Regulating emotions effectively there’s often flexibility on this. You may be eligible to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year), ask your childcare provider or local The first anchor tool for the early years is called the ‘Mood Meter’. This council. helps the children think of emotions in terms of energy and pleasantness. The second anchor tool is ‘The Charter’—the children describe the way HOW CAN I CHOOSE THE RIGHT they would like to feel when they’re at The Willow and what they can do PRESCHOOL FOR MY CHILD? to help themselves and their friends feel this way. Speak to other local parents about their experiences and read Ofsted reports for the nurseries/ preschools you’re considering. Really though, Every two weeks a new “feeling word” is introduced, they talk about how there’s no substitute for taking a proper look around, meeting staff and that word feels, how to recognise it in ourselves and others and if it is a seeing what your own impressions are. red or blue feeling how to manage our emotions to get to the right place.

Lulu Luckock, RULER-trained teacher says, “Having introduced this HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK? programme to The Willow and a couple of other schools in London, I am You don’t have to use up the full entitlement of 570 hours and could send amazed that is not something that all schools undertake. It is incredibly your child for fewer if you think 15 hours a week is too much for them simple to put in place and use, even for the very young, and it is proving initially. Some parents find it works well to start off with just a couple of to be hugely beneficial for all involved. It is very sweet and gratifying to mornings weekly and build up to more (you will often be able to pay for hear a child come in and explain to a teacher that they are feeling ‘yellow’ further hours beyond the entitlement). today”.

HOW CAN I GET MY CHILD All the staff are trained by a qualified teacher in the RULER method and SETTLED IN? parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to help them ‘talk to their children in colour!’ Staff will be very aware that young children may need help getting used to a new place and people and so should have some sort of settling in http://ei.yale.edu/ruler/ruler-overview/ procedure. If you’re especially concerned, speak to them and see what their advice is – you may even be able to stay with your child during the www.thewillownursery.co.uk first few visits.

14 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk NURSERY FEATURE

Tips to prepare your child for their transition into Reception successfully By Bronwyn Kidd, Headmistress of the Early Years at The Hampshire School, Chelsea

What skills, other than fine motor skills, will truly support your child having a seamless and positive start to their Reception year?

“In my experience, the children who have adapted and thrived the Give your child age appropriate experiences quickest already have the following embedded skills: self-manager, Whilst it may seem boring to stand by and watch your child dig with the effective communicator, creative, reflective, can explore independently same stick in the mud for what seems like endless hours, it is all part of and safely and know how to be a team member. their experience and supports integral development. Your child will not be able to sit at a table and write about seasonal changes if they have Support your child to self-manage never experienced an opportunity to kick autumn leaves. Then give them Whilst this may add half an hour to your morning routine, a child who is time to reflect on their experiences and talk them through, use as many able to dress themselves, put on their own shoes and perhaps even pack vocabulary building words as you can to help build that word bank for an item in their bag, is on the way to becoming an independent learner. future oral and written tasks. Develop their communication skills Reassure any worries with positivity and understanding Setting aside vocabulary and sentence structure, is your child able to be Do not dwell on the negatives. Children are resilient little beings who are effective in their communication and work with a friend, team member or adaptable, eager to learn and be part of a community. The start of their known adult to achieve a common goal? Can they communicate that schooling is an exciting time and their progress through the stages will they would like to share a toy or are they able to independently thank astound you. Enjoy their journey alongside them.” someone, whilst maintaining eye contact? Help your child to make eye contact with known adults, use simple manners to converse when If you would like to find out more about their SECRET to learning, or greeting or thanking someone and keep reinforcing positive behaviours their nursery school programme, visit The Hampshire School, Chelsea. and clear communication until it becomes a natural act. This will stand www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk them in good stead to be able to effectively and politely converse with peers and adults at school, when the need arises.

Play performed in thirteen languages at Parkgate! This year Parkgate marked the European Day of Languages with a very special retelling of the story The Three Little Pigs. Children from Prep who have a European mother tongue performed this famous story in thirteen different languages representing and celebrating the diverse culture and linguistic talent at Parkgate House School. Children have also dipped their toes into Mandarin and Spanish this term. There are many more exciting language events coming up including a Language Day and a play performed by Prep 6 entirely in French and Spanish!

80 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 9SD www.parkgate-school.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 15 OAK TREE DAY NURSERY 3 months to 5 years 8 am to 6 pm (Mon to Fri) Excellent facilities * Newly renovated premises * Stimulating, caring and homely environment * Qualified and experienced staff * Outside garden * Good OFSTED report * French * Music & movement * Early years foundation stage curriculum * Baby unit * Close to public transport * Sensory room

56-58 Blairderry Road, Streatham Hill, London SW2 4SB 020 8674 4844 www.oaktreedaynursery.com

Christ Church Street French Nursery

We are a bilingual nursery and all parents are welcome whether or not they are French. All the staff are qualified and 70% of the staff speak French; children learn French every day. The nursery is a warm and happy place for any child to be part of our family. Children from 1 year old are welcome.

3 Caversham Street, SW3 4AF 020 7351 9648 and 07530 825528 [email protected] www.frenchnursery.co.uk

16 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk Our skilled staff prepare children aged 2­5 years for their next school and start them on a journey of life­long learning.

Incorporating art, cooking, music, sport, languages, drama, yoga and all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum. Please arrange a visit to see the learning and excitement in action. www.oaktreenurseryschool.co.uk Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, Balham, SW12 8QX Tel: 020 8166 5932

LITTLE ANGELS NURSERY SCHOOL A Traditional Teaching Nursery - Learning through Play We are an Ofsted rated 'Good' day care nursery school. We lay the foundation of learning where your child's interests form the base to develop their full potential. Our nursery is very homely and friendly, and staff are fully qualified with many years' experience in Early Years. Open all year round 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday except bank holidays and four weeks in a year. 15/30 hours weekly free sessions available for 2-4yrs. Please contact our office on 020 7274 8333. [email protected] www.littleangelsbrixton.co.uk 50 Gresham Road, Brixton, SW9 7NL "Overall, staff provide a stimulating learning environment where children are motivated and eager to learn" OFSTED

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 17

EDUCATION

The benefits of starting a Bilingual Education at an early age

By Nicholas Otten, co-Founder L’Ecole des Petits & L’Ecole de Battersea

Parlez-vous Français? Do you speak English? Hablas Español?

Choosing where to send your child to school is a big decision, one of the most important things that you will ever have to consider.

After many years of educating children, there is no doubt in my mind that • Consequentially children who are educated bilingually often perform starting them off at an early nursery age with a bilingual education has better on tasks that require multi-tasking, decision making and problem enormous benefits to their development. At this age, a child’s mind is like solving, even though the particular situation may have nothing to do with a sponge, it can more easily absorb new information presented to it than language. an older child’s in assimilating a second language, as it is not yet conditioned by previous learning. The younger the child, the easier it is. • And for sure a second language learnt at an early age is one that will be useful throughout a child’s education and remain for life. The beauty of starting early (age three) is that you have pretty much a blank sheet of paper, so whatever your nationality is, or whichever • This will allow you and your child more choices when choosing further language you speak at home, it is easier. If your child only speaks one education, be it secondary school, university or abroad (A Levels, BAC or IB) language with you and you give them a bilingual education this can help them to acquire an additional language as part of a natural process. • Being fluent in an extra language can make a candidate stand out from other prospective employees. It can open doors to extra opportunities By immersing your child in a second language at an early age, this not only that others without these skills may miss out on. In today’s growing global helps the child to become proficient in this second language but also economy those with a bilingual education have the advantage. opens up other opportunities. And if you are already a bilingual family, learning in a bilingual school can only reinforce these languages. AND WITHOUT DOUBT THIS CHILDREN WITH A BILINGUAL BILINGUAL EDUCATION IS BEST EDUCATION ARE MORE ADAPTABLE STARTED AT AN EARLY AGE Some Tips • Language is not just about learning sets of words and grammar, it is • Enrol early, availability is limited and demand high. also learning about another culture. • Visit schools to see if you like the culture. • Do not worry if you are of a different nationality. • The advantage of a bilingual education gives children a broader • You do not have to speak a second language yourself, but it helps if outlook and greater awareness of different races and nationalities. They you do, so use it at home. become more understanding of others, tolerant and aware of the world • Try to have a nanny at home who speaks the second language. in general, whilst also gaining self confidence and a sense of responsibility • Use books and TV to reinforce the second language at home. to themselves and to others. • Take holidays in the country in question. • Early assimilation of two languages is slower, but do not worry, they • In a world that is constantly changing, communication is becoming soon catch up in both languages. increasingly important. Children who are able to communicate with a variety of cultures are the ones who will have more advantages in life.

PRACTICAL & COGNITIVE BENEFITS International & Bilingual Schools ages 3 -11 years 020 7371 8350 OF A BILINGUAL EDUCATION L’Ecole des Petits, 2 Hazlebury Road Fulham SW6 2NB • An early years bilingual education helps to develop the brain. Children www.lecoledespetits.co.uk become able to use two languages at the same time, switching constantly, developing skills in overcoming inhibitions, increasing concentration skills L’Ecole de Battersea, Trott Street Battersea SW11 3DS and working memory. www.lecoledebattersea.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 19 NURSERY FEATURE Outdoor nursery receives huge support from parents

Who would have thought that the concept of an Giving young children freedom of time and space within nature, in a outdoor nursery, yes outdoor, would catch on in world where they self-direct their own learning in mixed-age groups allows for awe and wonder to be experienced on a daily basis. London? Through sheer joy and fascination with their environment, our children When I first visited the Little Folk nursery on Wimbledon Common develop wonderful personal, social and emotional skills. They are in 2015, I was deeply touched to see those little children learning to confident, independent, self-motivated and resilient little learners. draw, play and learn with nature. I was struck by the simplicity of the concept. However I had no idea that only a year later, due to We firmly believe that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad overwhelming popular demand, the Little Forest Folk would have clothing. We provide all families with a seasonally changing kit list of opened four new sites in under a year. (There are nurseries in appropriate layers for the children to be wearing to ensure they are Wimbledon, Chiswick, Fulham, Wandsworth and now Barnes.) Since suitably attired. We source fantastic outer waterproof layers from launching their first forest school branch, Little Forest Folk have acquired Scandinavia, which we provide to ensure our children are always warm an immense amount of support and interest and an Ofsted rating of and dry. Outstanding, which they received earlier this year at their first Wimbledon location. Q: We believe there are no or very few toys available in your nurseries: can you explain why and how children learn Their latest nursery, in Barnes, sees the 2-5 year olds all meeting for a outdoors hearty breakfast in Rocks Lane Tennis Pavilion before donning waterproofs to walk to the surrounding magical forest setting. The fields Many toys are quite closed-ended, aiming to entertain. We want our and forest of Barnes are the setting for a host of forest activities for the children to be creators, not consumers. We provide minimal toys for children from creating mud pies, treasure hunts, bark rubbing, mini children, all extremely open-ended to enhance or stimulate creative beast exploration, experimenting with science, dressing up and creative play. We aren’t trying to fill children’s heads with knowledge, we are role play to reading stories, mark making and mathematics in the forest. there as facilitators to assist children to develop their own skills around Always on the move, balancing, running, climbing, coordinating, the critical thinking, problem solving and their general personal, social and children of Little Forest Folk are always learning more about our world, emotional strength and resilience. all in the heart of London. Families asked Founder Leanna Barrett, a few questions: If we give them the space to do so, children will learn constantly. When our children are building a den they are learning how to communicate Q: Why are parents so enthusiastic about being sending their with each other, how to issue instructions and how to collaborate. children outdoors so much? Isn't it too cold in winter? They use maths to work out the structure that will best allow their den to take shape. They develop their physicality by carrying sticks across It is now universally acknowledged that the benefits of children spending the forest and balancing them. Their creativity flourishes. As they take time outdoors, engrossed in nature are incredible. In a world where life turns to speak, to consider all opinions, they are learning kindness, is ever increasingly sedentary, where childhood obesity and diabetes are patience and empathy. on the rise along with a significant increase in mental health challenges for children, days spent outdoors offer an alternative, healthier lifestyle. We give our children more credit than most. They may be small, but Our children are physically active all day long, running, jumping, climbing they are still people. We see ourselves as creators of curiosity – our and balancing. Their fitness and stamina levels are astonishing, as are role is to light the spark of curiosity then we can stand back and watch their coordination, balance and general dexterity. the fireworks go off.

www.littleforestfolk.com

20 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk Make a splash! ... at Dawmouse Montessori School Come and see how we teach with passion in our two Montessori Schools in Fulham.

Fully qualified staff, small class ratios, established for over 20 years, modern in our approach.

Call Miss Emma on 020 8398 9294 or visit our website www.dawmouse.co.uk

Est 1976 Ofsted registered and MEAB Accredited An independent nursery school for children 2 to 5 years

• EYFS and Montessori Method of teaching • MEAB inspected and accredited Montessori nurseries (the only ones in SW12) • Ballet, Drama, Football, French and Music classes • Morning, afternoon and full day sessions (term time only) • Summer Clubs Nightingale 1 Montessori: St Luke's Church Hall, 194 Ramsden Rd, SW12 8RQ. 07958 567210 Nightingale 2 Montessori: St Stephen's Church Hall, 35 Weir Rd, SW12 0NU. 07930 401769 Contact: [email protected] www.nightingalemontessori.co.uk Register early to avoid disappointment.

345 Nursery School provides an outstanding start to a child's educational journey. We ensure that our pupils have gained a sense of independence, self­confidence and a desire to learn. Our independent nursery is situated close to Wandsworth Common and has a very large outdoor space. The curriculum includes Sport, Spanish, Music, Ballet and Tennis.

Contact Jill Pearce [email protected] www.345nurseryschool.com 345 Nursery School, Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road London SW18 3SA Tel: 020 3633 4185

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 21 Call to book your SCHOOL OPEN DAYS place NOW

Compiled by Joanna Parry SW1 FRANCISCAN PRIMARY SCHOOL SW16 4-11 Co-Ed Reception and Nursery Schools ST MATTHEW’S SCHOOL STREATHAM AND CLAPHAM HIGH Tours throughout January and February 9.15am 3-11 Co-Ed Visits by arrangement throughout 11-18 Girls Open Morning 9/3 9.15-10.45am 020 8672 3048 franciscan.wandsworth.sch.uk January 020 7504 0500 register online 8677 8400 www.schs.gdst.net www.stmwschool.org.uk SW10 EATON HOUSE BELGRAVIA PRE-PREP SW18 REDCLIFFE SCHOOL 3-8 Boys Open Evening 28/2 7-9pm 020 7924 THE ROCHE SCHOOL 3-11 Girls 3-8 Boys Open Day 2/2 9am, plus 6000 www.eatonhouseschools.com 2.5-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 17/1 and 2/3 tours Tuesdays and Thursdays during term time 9.15-11.15am call to make an appointment on MORE HOUSE SCHOOL 9.30am booking required 020 7352 9247 020 8877 0823 www.therocheschool.co.uk 11-18 Girls Visits by arrangement in January www.redcliffeschool.com 020 7235 2855 www.morehouse.org.uk ST MICHAEL’S CE PRIMARY SCHOOL ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SW11 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 8/1 by Co-ed. Nursery open day 15/3 2-3pm. appointment only 020 8874 7786 THE DOMINIE 020 7589 2438. www.stmichaelswandsworth.sch.uk 6-11 Co-Ed Tours by appointment Please PARK HOUSE SCHOOL / TRAM contact the school to find out more about their SW4 HOUSE SCHOOL specialist teaching for dyslexic children 4-19 Co-Ed Open days 25/1, 22/2, 22/3 and EATON HOUSE THE MANOR 020 7720 8783 www.thedominie.co.uk 19/4 1-3pm 020 3031 9707 / 9700 8-13 Boys Open Mornings 17/1, 24/1, 31/1, THAMES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE www.beyondautismschools.org.uk 21/2, 28/2 and 7/3 9-10.30am 020 7924 6000 11-16 Co-Ed Open Mornings 27/2, 8/3 and www.eatonhouseschools.com 25/4 11am-1pm 020 7228 3933 SW19 PARKGATE HOUSE SCHOOL www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk 2.5-11 Co-Ed Open Day 24/2 9.30am-12pm CHRIST CHURCH CofE PRIMARY THE STUDY PREP SCHOOL 020 7350 2461 www.parkgate-school.co.uk 4-11 Co-Ed Open Day 8/1 10.30am-12pm by 4-11 Girls Tours on Tuesdays in January and ALLEN EDWARDS PRIMARY appointment only 020 7228 2812 February 9.20-10.30am 020 8947 6969 4-11 Co-Ed Open Days TBC in January, www.christchurchbattersea.co.uk www.thestudyprep.co.uk booking required or call school to arrange L’ECOLE DE BATTERSEA WILLINGTON INDEPENDENT alternative date 020 7622 3985 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 12/1, 19/1, 26/1 4-13 Boys Tours of the school by appointment www.allenedwards.co.uk and 2/2 020 7371 8350 020 8944 7020 www.willingtonschool.co.uk www.lecoledespetits.co.uk WIMBLEDON COMMON PREP SW6 (also known as Squirrels) 4-7 Boys Open FULHAM PREP SCHOOL SW12 Morning 24/1 9.15-11am, go to website to make a booking. Plus tours of the school by 4-13 Co-Ed Pre-Prep Open Mornings 6/2 and LONDON STEINER SCHOOL appointment 020 8946 1001 13/3 9.15am, 10.15am and 11.15am, call to 4-11 Co-Ed Weekly school tours by www.wimbledoncommonprep.co.uk book a place and time slot 020 7471 4217, appointment every Wednesday at 9am 020 WIMBLEDON HIGH SCHOOL Prep School tours by appointment only 020 8772 3504 www.waldorflondon.co.uk 11-18 Girls 11+ Open Mornings 21/3 and 28/3 7386 2444 www.fulhamprep.co.uk RAVENSTONE SCHOOL time TBC 020 8971 0900 PARSONS GREEN PREP 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 9/1 9am 020 8673 www.wimbledonhigh.gdst.net 4-11 Co-Ed Midweek tours on Thursdays at 0594 www.ravenstoneschool.co.uk 9am by appointment only 020 7371 9009 www.parsonsgreenprep.co.uk SW13 SW20 SINCLAIR HOUSE THE NORWEGIAN SCHOOL THE HARRODIAN SCHOOL 2-13 Co-Ed Prep School Open Morning 15/3 Co-Ed 3-16 Open afternoon 21/4 12-2pm, 4-18 Co-Ed 11+ Open Morning 10-11.30am, Montessori Nursery Open plus tours of the school can be booked any time January/February TBC, plus regular tours during Morning 16/3 9.30-11am 020 7736 9182 020 8947 6617 www.norwegianschool.org.uk term time 020 8762 6321 www.harrodian.com www.sinclairhouseschool.co.uk L’ECOLE DES PETITS SW15 W6 3-6yrs. Co-Ed Open Mornings 11/1, 18/1, RAVENSCOURT PARK PREP SCHOOL IBSTOCK PLACE SCHOOL 25/1, 1/2, and 8/2 020 7371 8350 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 1/2 and 6/3 9am, 3-18 Co-Ed The Prep School Open Morning www.lecoledespetits.co.uk booking nec. 020 8846 9153 www.rpps.co.uk 31/1 9.30am booking required 020 8876 9991 SW7 / 020 8392 5803 SE26 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk THE HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL GRANARD PRIMARY SCHOOL SYDENHAM HIGH SCHOOL 3-13 Co-Ed Tours of main school on 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning Tour 10/1 at 4-18 Girls. Senior + 6th: 13/3 9.30-11.30. Wednesdays at 9am and of Early Years School 9.30am call to book a place 020 8788 3606 Junior 21/3 9.30-11.00 on Mondays and Thursdays at 1.30pm 020 www.granardprimary.co.uk sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net 7352 7077 PUTNEY HIGH SCHOOL www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk WEST SUSSEX 4-18 Girls 11+ Open Day 9/3 9am ST NICHOLAS PREPARATORY SCHOOL 020 8788 4886 www.putneyhigh.gdst.net WINDLESHAM HOUSE RH20 2-10 Co-Ed Open Morning 18/1 9.30-11am PEREGRINES PRE-PREP SCHOOL 4-13 Co-Ed Day and Boarding Open Morning plus Open House every Wednesday and Co-Ed 3-8 Open Day 3/2 10.30am-12pm, 20/1 9.30am-12.30pm 01903 874700 Thursday during term time 9.30-10.30am book register in advance 020 8992 5189 www.windlesham.com in advance 020 7225 1277 www.peregrinespreprep.co.uk www.stnicholasprep.co.uk WILTS FALCONS SCHOOL FOR GIRLS EATON HOUSE BELGRAVIA PREP Girls 7-11 Scholarship Day 17/3 9am, register KING EDWARD’S SCHOOL BATH 8-13 Boys Open Morning 28/2 9-10.30am, in advance 020 8892 5180 Pre-Prep & Nursery 7/3; Junior 8/3 Open Evening 14/3 6-8pm 020 7924 6000 www.falconsgirls.co.uk kesbath.com 01225 820399 www.eatonhouseschools.com We take every care preparing this info, but things can change, so do please check with schools or websites before setting out.

22 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 23 24 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk Great ways to learn to be good about money

FREE TRIAL Call 033 0124 3802 to book Help you help your children have a good understanding of budgets:

1) Get them involved with shopping Give them a budget to spend for the week and get them to meal plan. Encourage them to shop around different brands or supermarkets to see if they can get more for their money.

2) Teach them about interest rates Does your child turn to the bank of Mum and Dad to borrow money? Give them some options: 1) They can either save up their pocket money or do jobs to earn the money. 2) You will give them the money upfront, but Explore Learning gets behind “more maths for everyone!” they then have to pay you back with interest. So, if they want £50 In November 2017, the government released their budget which stated they have to give you £55 back over a set period of time. This they were committed to investing more money for maths teaching in way they will start to understand about the debt they could create schools. Whatever your political belief and aside from the debate, we can by using loans. all get behind the chancellor’s sentiment of “more maths for everyone”. 3) Learn about pay A great activity we do with our older Charlotte Gater, Head of Education at Explore Learning added "This way members at Explore Learning is to get them to research how we can help children to develop the skills needed, not only in so many much they would get paid for their ideal job. They then have to jobs, but also to be financially healthy. Whilst listening to the budget speech, and the chancellor’s comments on how much the country spends see how far their monthly wages would go. Looking at tax, rent, on debt, it is clear that we need to teach children the importance of good bills etc gets them to see how much disposable income they financial management. would have!

Explore Learning is award-winning maths and English tuition for children aged four to 14, voted number one private tuition centre in the UK! We’re confident you’ll love it so why not call to book your free trial with your nearest centre today on 033 0124 3802.

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 25 26 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk EDUCATION

Why we should develop creativity and artistic development in primary schools

By Emily Gopaul Why do year 7 students arrive fresh from primary schools with such competent and confident year 6 artists because skills were broken down disparity in interest, skills and knowledge, in relation to art? While most for them, they had time to practice and implement those skills and the adults agree that a balanced curriculum is best for our children, in my skills were progressively built on over a period of time; in much the same experience, many primary schools have an insufficient provision for art. way as we learn in any subject area. Equally though, time in ‘creative With a nation-wide focus on literacy and numeracy, art can often find itself play’ or exploring the potential of materials and techniques, allows dropped out of the weekly class timetable as busy teachers try their best children the opportunity make exciting discoveries for themselves. to fit everything in. Limited resources and lack of teacher confidence can also be detrimental to a well-rounded arts education. There are things ALLOW TIME FOR FREE-FLOWING parents and teachers can be aware of to ensure a richer art experience for children: CREATIVITY Structure, lesson content and a sense of direction are all important within school art lessons, but we must also safeguard art-time as a space for DIVERSIFY THE ART YOU SHOW genuine creative and inventive thought. Children benefit from an CHILDREN environment where they can process the world in a way that makes I believe we have a duty to deliberately expose children to a broad range sense to them as individuals, and then represent it in whichever way they of art and artists. I have seen many schools fall into the trap of routinely choose. When my students and I discuss what I call the ‘big questions’ teaching art lessons inspired by the same dead, 20th century, male, white around art, they express that art makes them feel ‘free’ and that it’s a time artists or teaching art lessons tenuously linked to class topics. I love a Van when ‘no one can tell me my work is wrong’, they say that they feel Gogh and Egyptian art as much as the next person, but it is important the ‘relaxed, creative and calm making art’. As adults, these are things we children feel represented by the art they see and that they are made crave: a sense of freedom, respite from the everyday, a sense of calm and aware of the enthralling range of art out there to consume, including from trust in our inner world. diverse ethnic backgrounds and created from different ideas and materials. Where possible, I make a point of showing the children photographs of TALK ABOUT ART artists and talking with them about the context of those individuals and the As well as making their own art, it is also enriching for children to have the art they make/made. chance to debate and discuss artworks, to decide for themselves what is, or is not art and to develop their own preferences and opinions. In GET TO KNOW THE POTENTIAL OF school, I place equal importance on time spent looking at and discussing DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND art. In an increasingly visual world, being able to infer meaning from images and to critically consider them is a valuable asset. You can use TECHNIQUES images from books, postcards or a screen but it is also great to make the There is a misconception that skills in art cannot be taught, that we either most of the free galleries in London. Don’t feel you have to see all the art have a natural propensity for making art or we are doomed to life of in one gallery visit. It is fine to sit yourselves in front of one artwork and drawing stickmen. While I have certainly seen some children with take it in for as long as you like. impressive natural gifts in art, I have also seen year 1 children develop into

Emily Gopaul has worked in a range of primary settings, as an art education consultant in various London primaries and held regular posts at private schools and academy chains. She currently teaches art part-time at Earlsfield Primary.  Her book ‘Teaching Primary Art & Design’ is published by Bloomsbury. www.theprimaryartclass.com

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 27 Children Learning to Succeed... First Class Learning Putney Maths, English, 11+ Preparation Vicky Barnett BA, MSc, PGCE 020 8876 2553 www.firstclasslearning.co.uk

28 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk WOULD YOU LIKE TO EARN EXTRA MONEY?

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Register now to earn extra money, by calling Liz on 07761128059 or [email protected]

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 29 TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

FAMILY FUN UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN Villa Radicata is in a stunning, undiscovered part of Tuscany and can be rented on a self-catering basis or they have tailor made family breaks with babysitting provided and all food/wine/activities included (Yoga and various fitness classes, cooking for mums, art, pizza/pasta making, mini yoga and baby Italian for toddlers and older children). A well deserved massage for mum is included plus an excursion to the medieval town of Anghiari. At Villa Radicata you will find true Italian hospitality along with great food so you can spend quality time with your children plus “mummy time” (with no cooking or washing up!) knowing your children are happy with their Italian “nonna”.

Villa Radicata at a glance: •Stunning lake and mountain views •Sleeps up to 12 •Fenced pool and garden, stair gates •Highchairs, cots, sterilizer, baby equipment, plenty of toys, •Activities: Yoga, fitness classes, cooking lessons, art, baby Italian, baby massage, mums massage, shopping •Free pick up from local airport

Contact Rita on 0039 349 5018679, 0778 557 1292 www.mum-and-baby-experience.co.uk www.holiday-villa-in-tuscany.com

30 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ESPRIT SKI Esprit Ski looks after the childcare with flexible or seamless all day options, so you can enjoy your skiing – but what does that mean?!

Esprit Childcare gives you the ability to spend as much time on the slopes as you desire, with all and part-day care available. Babies and toddlers go to the exclusive Esprit Nursery, whilst older children are taken to ski school… just part of their super-convenient ‘Seamless Service’ that helps you maximise your time on the mountain.

Let’s follow an Esprit Sprite (aged 6) to see exactly what happens on a typical day….

8.30am Esprit Snow Rangers escort all the excited children to ski school, who follow behind chanting ‘repeat after me’ songs. Then it’s time to clip on the skis and spend the next few hours with the ski instructors, learning to zip down the mountain. Meanwhile mum and dad get to head for first lifts. Esprit Sprite lessons (ages 5-12) run for all abilities with a 1:8 ratio. Our younger guests aged 3-4 have Spritelet lessons in the afternoons, when it’s generally warmer and snow is softer.

11.30am Skis off, and it’s back for a supervised lunch whilst parents can lunch up on the mountain.

2.00pm Snow Club– Now it’s time for fun afternoon of games, treasure hunts, igloo and snowman building, arts and crafts, bum boarding and more!

5.30pm High Tea– fully supervised by the childcare team, with lots of yummy healthy food to fill those tummies. Mum and dad can come and join too and catch up on their children’s day.

7.30pm Cocoa Club starts whilst parents enjoy Adult Dining. Esprit Ski offers catered chalets and Chalet Hotels in top resorts in The Every night has a different theme and involves games, Alps. Packages include flights, transfers and chalet board. Esprit’s story-telling or quiz nights. FREE Baby/Child-Listening is youngest guests can enjoy Nursery from 17 weeks - 40 months. also available every night in all Esprit Chalet Hotels, Xtra Nurseries are run by qualified Nannies or Nursery Nurses, and have Chalets and larger chalets, and in all properties on staff strict ratios. night off.

Call the Esprit team on 01483 345 194 or visit www.espritski.com for more details.

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 31 TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

TOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN EASTER SKIING ESCAPE A ski trip at Easter offers a host of benefits: longer, warmer and sunnier days, quieter slopes and great value for money. You can enjoy the slopes in the glorious sunshine with no need to be totally bundled up, which is especially practical for those travelling with children, who tend to feel the cold so much more than adults do. The warmer weather does make choosing the right resort so important to ensure the snow quality is still great. Powder Byrne have given us their top recommendations for an Easter ski trip to remember.

HEAD TO ZERMATT: For older families who are keen skiers looking to cover great distances and perhaps more adventurous expeditions on powder, it doesn’t get any better than Zermatt. With numerous incredible restaurants to treat your taste buds and plenty of lively après-ski opportunities, this resort offers the GET THE MOST FROM YOUR EASTER ESCAPE: complete package. A ski trip is about so much more than just the skiing, it’s about experiencing all the little things that make a ski holiday so unique and AMAZING AROSA: Powder Byrne is so good an ensuring their clients experience all the best Perfect for families with novices and younger children thanks to the very of their resort. Their ski guides use local knowledge to find the very best easy access to the slopes, meaning there’s absolutely no hassle. There’s runs, their Client Concierge team advises and makes bookings at the also a large, sunny restaurant terrace that overlooks the nursery slopes so finest spas and restaurants, and they go out of their way to make sure that you can enjoy coffee or lunch while you watch your little ones conquer everything’s possible. There’s even a Mountain Host programme to look the slopes. Arosa is also great for skiers who want to put miles on their after the needs of non-skiers, from snow-shoeing to cookery classes and skis and who are looking for a variety of skiing thanks to its links with ice-skating! Lenzerheide which mean there’s a huge ski area to enjoy. A little less lively than Zermatt, evenings in Arosa are all about the food so there are To find out more about an Easter escape with Powder Byrne, call 020 loads of exceptional restaurants to choose from. 8246 5300 or visit powderbyrne.com

32 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk HALF TERM HOLIDAY LISTINGS

We took every care in www.clgc.co.uk preparing these entries but 12-16 February sometimes events are cancelled Junior Golf Holiday Camps or times changed. Please Searching for activities for your kids double check event with the to do during February Half Term? organiser to avoid Central London Golf Centre offers disappointment. the perfect sporting option with these junior golf half-term camps. Compiled by Joanna Parry The camps for 7-14 year olds are tailored to children of all levels, whether they just want to try golf or have been playing for some SPORT time. Morning only camp 9am- SWIMWAY 12pm, £30, whole day camp 9am- 3pm, £45. Bring a packed lunch. Balham, East Sheen, Putney, Kensington, Kew Gardens and FULHAM FC Learn a variety of ball skills with Playball this half term Wimbledon FOUNDATION 020 8871 3972, these ever popular camps at their Half Term Camps Playball holiday Venues in Fulham [email protected] Wandsworth gym. These 3-hour camps are tailored to meet the 0870 442 5432, www.swimway.co.uk camps (OFSTED approved) for needs of younger children and are [email protected] 12-16 February over 3s build new skills and based on the fundamental sport www.fulhamfc.com Swimming Courses Intensive develop confidence while the kids skills for tennis, hockey, cricket, Throughout February Half courses to improve your child’s have loads of fun. Call the team for golf, football, rugby, basketball, Term swimming technique, on a private specific timings. football and volleyball. Add in Holiday Courses Holiday courses or semi-private basis. Courses run bouncy castles, slides and treasure for all abilities in a fun and for half an hour each day, book hunts and you have an amazing fun challenging environment. 3-5yrs, 9- LITTLE KICKERS early to avoid disappointment. Age filled day of entertainment. Age 3- 11am, 6-14 yrs, 9am-3pm, from Venues across SW London 3-9, dates and times dependent on 8, 10am-1pm. £15 per day. www.littlekickers.co.uk venue. Throughout February Half Te r m SW SWIMMING SCHOOL YOUNGSTARS MULTI- CHELSEA FC SOCCER SCHOOL Classes and Workshops A positive Emanuel School SW11 1HS SPORTS AND ACTIVITY introduction to sport by teaching 0208 767 2723, Venues across SW London CAMP high quality football skills in a [email protected] 020 7957 8220 Balham, Clapham, Parsons Green, friendly, pressure-free www.swswimschool.co.uk [email protected] Putney and Wimbledon environment. There are four 12-16 February www.chelseasoccerschools.co.uk 07749 343116, info@young- different classes tailored specifically Intensive Swimming Courses Throughout February Half stars.co.uk to the needs of children between A 5-day intensive splash courses Term www.young-stars.co.uk 18 months and 7 years. where children swim everyday with London Soccer School For boys 12-16 February same instructor. All lessons are 30 and girls aged 4-13. Times vary Half Term Holiday Camps Plenty minutes each day, running between according to course, from £30. PLAYBALL of fun, games and excitement Latchmere Leisure Centre Sports Hall 9am-12pm Monday to Friday. whilst kids are introduced to all LITTLE GYM 020 8123 2217 www.playball- aspects of sports in an all inclusive london.com Smugglers Way SW18 1DB and non-competitive environment. 12-15 February 3-10 years, times and prices vary. 020 8874 6567, [email protected] CENTRAL LONDON www.wandsworthfulham.thelittlegym.eu GOLF CENTRE Throughout February Half Burntwood Lane SW17 0AT Term 020 8871 2468 Holiday Fun Don’t miss out on

Try FREE classes at the Little Gym, Wandsworth

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 33 HALF TERM HOLIDAY LISTINGS SUCH A BRILLIANT ARTS AND MUSEUM OF LONDON IDEA! EC2Y 5HN CRAFTS www.museumoflondon.org.uk 13 February EDDIE CATZ London Nature Reserves Learn •Putney, Wimbledon and Earlsfield about hidden treasures nestled First Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street amongst London’s urban SW15 1SF environment in this recreation of •42 Station Road SW19 2LP the Camley Street nature reserve •279 Magdalen Road SW18 3NZ hiding behind Kings Cross station. 0203 4755268 www.eddiecatz.com Explore re-creations of Throughout February Half wildflowers and learn about pond Term life, reeds, bugs and bees. Take Holiday Activities across the three part in nature rubbings, identify branches in SW London – Putney, animal footprints and learn about Earlsfield and Wimbledon Colliers reducing our plastic waste. Wood – there will be plenty of Learn French while skiing with Alpine French School holiday camps, creative workshops THE WALLACE and parties to choose from, for 4-8 COLLECTION ALPINE FRENCH FUNKY MONKEY years as well as toddler classes. Hertford House, Manchester Square, SCHOOL KEYBOARD CLASSES See www.eddiecatz.com for more Marylebone W1U 3BN French Alps Streatham, Balham, Herne Hill, information and to book online. www.wallacecollection.org +33 4 50 79 08 38 Beckenham Prices usually include lunch and a 13 February www.alpinefrenchschool.com 01732 457100, free play at the venue, plus Eddie In the Buff: Life Drawing 12-16 February [email protected] Catz appears in all venues twice a An intensive one day course French Camps (Morning, Day and www.funkymonkey.info day to meet and greet the children. particularly relevant for students Residential) GCSE French Lessons Dates in February TBC studying art. Work with artist in the French Alps. Combine a Funky ‘One Hit Wonder’ Taster HORNIMAN MUSEUM Alison Kusner to explore the family skiing holiday with French Days Leave your little ones in AND GARDENS history of the female nude in art tuition! 12-15 years, private and these very creative hands for fun- 100 London Road SE23 3PQ before drawing directly from a live group tuition, from €225, see filled music workshops for 4-8 year www.horniman.ac.uk model. Free, but booking essential, website for more information. old beginner musicians, introducing 15 and 16 February 11am-4pm, 16-18 years. them to the electronic keyboard, Carnival Dance Workshop Learn how it works, and how to start to dance like you’re partying reading and writing music too. through the streets of Brazil with MUSIC AND 10am-2pm, £40/£35 sibling Gandaia Arts. Energetic rhythms, LANGUAGES DRAMA discount. flowing dance and hoop skirts will ET PATATI PATATA get you into the mood of this DANTASTIC POLKA THEATRE Thomas’ Academy, Parsons Green family-friendly workshop of the PRODUCTIONS 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW7 Maracatu performance from North Venues across SW London SW19 1SB 07966 893674, East Brazil. Age 4+, £5. 07460 222003 020 8543 4888 [email protected] www.dantasticproductions.com/classes www.polkatheatre.com www.etpatatipatata.com LITTLE HOUSE OF Throughout February Half Term 14-16 February 12-16 February SCIENCE Baby and Toddler Classes Action Half Term Holiday Workshops Fun French Day Camp Imperial College, Kensington packed, interactive musical A range of exciting holiday Join the award winning French SW7 2AZ adventure classes aimed to inspire, workshops for budding actors, immersion programme and learn 0800 092 1062, educate, build confidence and directors, designers and costume French without leaving London. [email protected] makers, including Behind the www.littlehouseofscience.com Scenes: Model Box Making, Behind 13-15 February the Scenes: Actors Bootcamp and Who wants to be a biologist? 3-day Play In A Day workshops. Ages, hands-on, project based fun and times, dates and prices vary, see educational holiday camps for ages website for details. 4-11, 10am-3pm, £240 per child, sibling discounts available. THE STRINGS CLUB Workshops can also be booked for London Steiner School 9 Weir Road separate days. Book early to avoid Balham London, SW12 0LT disappointment. 0121 296 9204 improve fitness. Expecting plenty of [email protected] DOVE STUDIOS singing, dancing, puppets, Easy booking system on Chelsea, SW3 6JZ instruments and sensory activities. www.thestringsclub.org 07775 682 094 | 020 7352 6668 Drop in classes, no need to book, 12-16 February www.dove-studios.com dates vary depending on venue. Packed full of fun-filled music Brilliant craft & creativity Fun activities including French games and activities, this is an ideal sessions. Painting, drawing, clay, music, French art, patisserie, introduction for those new to paper-crafts & more. A great way French coding, French musical, playing an instrument. Invaluable to enhance your child’s creative sport…and it’s all 100% French for those budding players in skills. 10am-6pm. fun! Age 4-13, 9am-3pm. enhancing ensemble performance

34 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk HALF TERM HOLIDAY LISTINGS skills and ensuring regular practice SPARK4KIDS CODING during the school holidays. Free WORKSHOPS instrument to take home 020 8090 1444 www.spark4kids.com 9:30am–4pm Holiday coding workshops 10th February Award-winning Discovery Day the perfect way to ignite your child’s love of music. Packed full of high- quality, unmissable musical activities, we promise to inspire your child from the offset, taking them on a memorable musical adventure! 10:30am Ages 4-11 FREE Spark4Kids run holiday workshops Spring lambing at Bocketts Farm Park to introduce children to Computer Coding, Minecraft Modding, see one being born! Birds of Prey FREE. The programme focuses on DAY CAMPS Robotics, Games Design, Python, will also be at the farm Monday- building new skills and developing HTML/CSS and JavaScript in a fun, Friday where you can meet them confidence while the kids have THE BUTTERFLY engaging environment. Ages 5-7 up close and watch the flying loads of fun. PRESCHOOL HOLIDAY years, and 8+. Visit the website demonstrations twice daily. Plus a CAMPS for more details. full programme of fun farm 32b Webbs Road SW11 6SF activities including pony rides, 020 7738 0019 tractor rides, animal handling and www.thebutterflypreschool.co.uk HOLIDAY FUN pig racing. Outdoors, enjoy the Dates in February TBC jumping pillows, treehouse towers, Fun Holiday Camps Craft activities, WILD CHILD pedal go karts and play trails. baking and Forest School. 9am- www.paradisecooperative.org/wildchild Large indoor area with a giant 3.30pm, half day and full day Wild Child is an exciting club for heated playbarn, trampolines, ride- options, from £12 per hour. children aged 8-11 run in on tractors and more. partnership with Paradise Co- Don't miss the Spectacular Butterflies opertaive. It allows children to try BATTERSEA SPORTS exhibit at RHS Garden Wisley new things, excite the imagination CENTRE DEVELOPING and learn the way of nature. SW11 2DA SPECTACULAR SKILLS Through this they are hoping to 020 8871 8529 ‘BUTTERFLIES IN THE help raise a generation that is www.enablelc.org.bsc GLASSHOUSE’ EXHIBIT NAOMI MARTIN TOUCH aware of who they are, mindful of 12-16 February RHS Garden Wisley TYPING nature and has the capacity to Get active with a range of leisure Woking, Surrey Sinclair House School, 59 Fulham imagine and think creatively. The activities. Age 6-13, see website www.rhs.org.uk/wisley High Street SW6 3JJ clubs are held in a beautiful for details. 13 January-4 March 07949 204553, community garden, just next to More than 50 species of exotic www.nmtouchtyping.co.uk Wandsworth Common. For camp LITTLE GYM free-flying butterflies will inhabit 12-16 February information go to the website. Smugglers Way SW18 1DB the Tropical Zone of the cathedral- Touch Typing Courses 020 8874 6567, like Glasshouse for this eye- Touch typing courses for children BOCKETTS FARM PARK [email protected] catching exhibit. The special aged 7+, classes are 90 minutes Leatherhead, Surrey www.wandsworthfulham.thelittlegym.eu guests will showcase their long, £250 for the week. Classes www.bockettsfarm.co.uk Throughout February & Half magnificent colours, patterns and are mixed age and ability. Sibling 10-18 February Term form amongst lush-tropical discounts available. Enjoy a great day out on the farm Serious Fun Don’t miss out on the plantings, such as palm trees, with the start of the Spring opportunity to try one of these bananas, bromeliads and climbers, lambing. There are up to 70 lambs popular classes for children of all as well as aquatic plants that thrive due from Feb 10th—you may even ages at this Wandsworth gym for in the warm jungle pool. Brilliant!

Wild Child - This is FUN!

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 35 36 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 37 38 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk PROMOTION New mini cricket coaching academy for 2-5 year olds

Very exciting news: The AJ U5’s mini cricket coaching programme has just been launched by AJ Coaching Cricket Academy. AJ mini cricket is aimed at giving both boys and girls between 2-5yrs an introduction to cricket, with an emphasis on enjoyment and participation.

Get ready to ignite your child’s passion for cricket

AJ Coaching Cricket Academy want their mini cricketers to develop fundamental motor skills that will aid their lifelong involvement in physical activity as well as important social skills including teamwork and being a good sport! Using specially adapted cricket equipment, sessions include a series of activities and games that focus on three key areas of skill development: ball skills (improving hand / eye coordination), movement skills and batting skills.

Each week your child will play game based activities that will keep them active, whilst having fun and making new friends.

Venue: Wimbledon College School, Please contact Ali Jaffer on [email protected] Edge Hill, SW19 4NS or on 0779 0935 428 or log onto www.ajcoaching.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 39 CLUBS AND CLASSES Time to book new classes, learn new skills and above all have fun! These local classes are all brilliant! SWIMWAY Spring Term 2018 general bookings are now open, do book quickly as it is always IRISH DANCING It’s time to dance! The KOS Academy very popular! SwimWay operates in a of Irish Dancing is running classes for number of exclusive venues in London. children 3yrs plus at St Simon Stock The majority of the locations are private Church Hall, Hazlewell Road, Putney houses with beautiful swimming pools SW15 6LU every Wednesday from 5.30 perfect for swimmers of all ages and skill to 6.30pm. Classes are run by champion levels. From small group parent and baby dancer Katie O'Sullivan. First class free. lessons for ages 6-36 months to 1 : 1 and 1 Adult classes also available. : 2 children’s lessons for ages 2-9 years, SwimWay can cater to all your swimming Please email for more details and to book needs. Health and Safety is a major priority [email protected] for Swimway—they run a first aid course at the beginning of every term, rather than the required every two years. See the Holiday listings page 33 for their February half term courses.

Balham, East Sheen, Putney, Kensington, Kew Gardens and Wimbledon. 020 8871 3972, LE “FRENCH” CLUB [email protected] www.swimway.co.uk Le French clubs for under 5 years olds is a great way for the children to absorb and learn French effortlessly while having fun. Children BATTERSEA YOGA will explore French through a variety of If you know that early morning is the methods including games, songs and rhymes, best time for your yoga practice, join arts and crafts activities. the new Express Hatha class at At The Living Room, Furzedown SW16. 6am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Contact Sophie 07946196012 or by email Thursdays. This new class will give [email protected] you energy, clarity, focus and drive for the rest of the day.

Restorative & Yoga Nidra is the perfect end to the week, Friday 6.30pm and 8pm. Relax into the weekend with Laurent Roure, with his effortless expertise in guiding you through postures with the sole aim of allowing gravity to take the reigns and do the work for you. Yoga Nidra is the practice of Yoga Sleep—fully surrender as you allow thoughts to float away and your mind to be still.

020 7978 7995 [email protected] www.batterseayoga.com

CHELSEA YOUNG WRITERS CLUBS FOR DYSLEXIC LES PETITS CHOUX Chelseayoungwriters.co.uk CHILDREN Les Petits Choux runs French classes on [email protected] Unlock Learning run individually tailored, Wednesdays at St Michael’s Church in 020 3773 5381 supportive and fun clubs that bring children Southfields, from 4pm. They offer classes •Spring Term 2018 struggling in the classroom together. for beginners and for bilingual children. 13 January - 24 March Tech+ Clubs build core literacy skills enabling They use songs and games as well as stories •After-School & Saturday clubs children to access the wider curriculum and craft activities to help with speaking, •Half Term Holiday Programme: These 10-week courses, with a max of 12 in reading and writing the language. The 12-16 February each class, include online accounts children also have the opportunity to take Creative writing, editing , 11+ courses. (encouraging practice at home) for phonics, part in various French drama workshops to Reading-comprehension club. Story critique. working memory and processing speed. encourage their speaking and to bring the Skype individual coaching by children’s authors Helping children read, write, spell and type. language to life. & writing practitioners.

Visit the website for times, dates and locations For more details visit Venues: Chelsea, Notting Hill/Holland Park, of the clubs for their February half-term www.lespetitschoux.org.uk or follow them South Kensington, Marylebone, workshops or call Sophie on on Facebook @lespetitschouxsouthfields Swiss Cottage/Hampstead, 07970 212727. www.unlocklearning.org.uk Richmond.

40 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk CLUBS AND CLASSES

TALKING TOTS BOYS DANCE CLASSES Did you know that the crucial time to help Garner Boys’ Academy of Dance is rapidly gaining a your child learn to talk and communicate is up reputation as South West London’s only school dedicated to the age of three? At Talking Tots, they to boys’ dance training. Dance Attack and Boys Ballet help develop these important skills through classes are held on Saturday mornings in Southfields. fun, interactive classes designed by experts for Dance Attack is a high energy mixed styles class and Boys babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Support Ballet is a unique ballet training programme developed by your child’s development and secure a place principal – Ben Garner. Ben said “the boys learn so much for the new term today! from each other and really appreciate the opportunity to dance with other boys.” Ages 6 – 11. Email [email protected] or visit www.talkingtots.info/swlondon 07884 187913 www.garneracademydance.com

NEW CLUB PETIT PIERROT IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE This January 2018 Club Petit Pierrot is opening another one of their ever-popular fun French Parent & Toddler groups "Les ateliers des petits". This is a weekly 45 minute multi-sensory session for 1-3 year olds, with a wide variety of fun activities such as stories, music, movement and arts & crafts…all in French! It will take place at The Library at St Columba's Church in Pont Street, on Tuesdays from 10am to 10.45am. Highly recommended. Book early to avoid disappointment!

www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk 020 7385 5565 [email protected] Club Petit Pierrot also have clubs in Chelsea, Fulham, Putney, Earlsfield, Notting Hill, Hampstead and St John's Wood/Maida Vale.

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 41 CLUBS AND CLASSES

UNLOCK YOUR CHILD’S POTENTIAL Performance is so much more than learning how to sing, dance and act, it takes character, discipline, concentration and commitment. Through learning the performing arts, Stagecoach students become more self-assured, expressive, sociable and imaginative—so they can tackle any new situation with resilience, creativity and courage. These are the life skills that help young people to succeed on any stage.

Early Stages (4-6yrs) LONDON BABY SWIM Learn the foundations of performance. 90-minute classes are split into three sections: singing, dancing At London Baby Swim, they offer Baby and and acting. This is a fun and fabulous introduction to AMAZING TWO WEEK TRIAL Toddler Swimming classes at dedicated Baby performing arts for younger children who want to explore AVAILABLE Swimming Centres in London. They provide a their creativity and imagination. gentle introduction to baby swimming in a playful, fun and safe environment with a Main Stages (6-18yrs, split in groups) progression that will develop natural Learn the core skills of singing, dancing and acting in their fun and engaging classes, children are swimming skills. Courses last 10 weeks with 4 given both structure and freedom to express themselves and have the opportunity to perform in terms per year following the seasons front of friends and family. Winter/Spring/Summer/Autumn.

Stagecoach weekly classes help enhance life skills such as confidence, teamwork, coordination and www.londonbabyswim.co.uk communication. Inspirational teachers with performing arts experience. www.stagecoach.co.uk

MAKING ART FUN FOR ALL AGES Dove Studios offer brilliant craft and creativity sessions: painting, drawing, clay, paper-crafts and more. A great way to enhance your creative skills whether you are a beginner or advanced. Adults, children, groups and 1:1 classes. Mon-Fri during Term Time and Holiday Camps. Open 10am-6pm in Chelsea, SW3 6JZ.

07775 682 094 020 7352 6668 www.dove-studios.com

ET PATATI PATATA PAINT WRITE NOW The dynamic team at Et Patati Patata have www.paintwritenow.co.uk expanded their school again: after the success Darby English aged 10mths taken by Ian-Taylor for 07779 100 659 of their Award-winning Saturday French school, Water Babies Et Patati Patata opens in West Kensington every Spring Term Creative Classes with Thursday at 4pm in January 2018. For all levels WATER BABIES Katherine Smith from 3-14-year olds, this is a FLAM school Water Babies runs fun, innovative baby Creative Writing Saturdays, (certified from the French government). It is swimming classes across South West London. Wimbledon: 9am-9.45am, 6-7 year olds; led by an experienced, certified native French Lo Winchurch says: “Our fully qualified 10am-11am, 7-8 year olds; 11.45am- speaking primary teacher (école française teachers are world class and could have 12.45pm, 9-11 year olds; Sundays, Académie de Paris), the intensive classes follow trained as private pilots five times over, in the Raynes Park: 9am-10am, Years 3-4 the French curriculum. They already have a time it takes them to fully qualify with us. French Saturday school in Fulham. With a multi-award winning programme, Art Saturdays, Wimbledon: 2pm- which teaches vital water confidence and 3pm; Sundays, Raynes Park: They won a host of awards including the safety skills from birth, our overall aim is to 10.15am-11.15am Supplementary School.Gov.Uk Silver Award teach you to teach your baby to swim. So £240 per term, small classes, Health Safety Security Outstanding Teaching for we’ll always explain why we’re doing children! everything, as well as carefully demonstrate 15% discount if you sign up to exactly what to do.” both courses Check out their February French camps page 34. 07966 893674, [email protected] 020 7585 1510 www.waterbabies.co.uk Inspire your children; sign up today! www.etpatatipatata.com

42 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 43 44 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk GREAT SWIM LESSONS available for children and adults

FREE SWIM Lessons available for all ASSESSMENTS ability levels at Linden Lodge School, 0845 644 8216 Princes Way, SW19 6JB www.theswimschool.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 45 46 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk FREE ACTIVITIES There’s plenty to do in London for FREE! Compiled by Joanna Parry

MUDCHUTE FARM DRAGON BABIES Pier Street E14 3HP Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road www.mudchute.org SE1 8XX These 32 acres on the Isle of Dogs www.southbankcentre.co.uk make up one of London’s biggest 15, 22, 29 January and 5, 12, farms. The main attraction is the 14,1 6, 19 and 26 February Equestrian Centre, a riding school Toddlers aged 3-5 can experience with an all-weather arena and the sounds of Southbank Centre's show jumps, but it also has plenty gamelan (Javanese orchestra) of animals wandering about in the through singing, movement and fields, plus a petting zoo and duck play. 11am. pond. NATURAL HISTORY FLEDGLINGS ON THE MUSEUM COMMON Cromwell Road SW7 5BD Bolingbroke Early Years Centre, www.nhm.ac.uk Four floors of interactive fun, a full size tank to climb on and more at The National Chivalry Road, Wandsworth Common Dates throughout January and Army Museum SW11 1HT February 20 January Investigate for Families NATIONAL ARMY BROMPTON LIBRARY Stay and play sessions aim to help Get a feel for how scientists work MUSEUM Brompton Road SW5 0BS parents/carers learn how to by having a go yourself. Explore Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea First Saturday of every month include play in every day routines hundreds of real nature specimens SW3 4HT Saturday Storyland 10-10.40am, vnes with their children. 9.30- that form the evidence museum www.nam.ac.uk plus story and craft 10.30- 11.30am, age up to 8. scientists use in their work. Age 3- Four floors of interactive fun, 11.30am. 11, 11am-5pm. telling the story of the British Army BRITISH LIBRARY and asking questions about its role THE NATIONAL 96 Euston Road NW1 2DB V&A MUSEUM OF and purpose with a total 2,500 GALLERY ww.bl.uk/events CHILDHOOD objects and interactives to explore. Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN 28 January Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA What it’s like to serve as a soldier, www.nationalgallery.org.uk Travelling Stories www.vam.ac.uk/moc 'Why do we have an army?'. Every Sunday in January and Jump aboard and hear tales that 10 February Exploring the army as a cultural February have sailed the seven seas with Chinese New Year and military force in our everyday Magic Carpet Storytelling storyteller Olivia Armstrong. Find Join them to celebrate Chinese lives. Examining the countries and Fly away on a magic carpet, which out if you’re taller than the Klencke New Year of the Dog with cultures the British Army has comes to land in front of a Atlas, one of the largest in the instrumental song and dance encountered and interacted with. different painting each week, and world, become a storyteller performances, Chinese opera There is even a chance to climb join Paul Rubinstein for a musical yourself and discover how to tell mask making, martial arts into an interactive life-size tank. magic carpet storytelling. Age 2+, your own travelling tale. Free, demonstrations and tea Play Base for 0-8yrs olds, an 10.30–11am and 11.30am-12pm. drop in, age 5-11. ceremonies. Drop in, all ages. educational soft play area styled as 13 February 10-16 February an army base camp. GOD’S OWN JUNK YARD Chinese Tales and Ribbon Off the Page, Onto the Stage Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Dance Join artist and performer Celebrating the final weeks of the BATTERSEA ARTS Estate, Walthamstow E17 9HQ Jih Wen Yeh as she weaves Michael Morpurgo: A Life Time in CENTRE www.godsownjunkyard.co.uk fascinating stories and performs a Stories exhibition, be inspired by Lavender Hill SW11 5TN Fridays and Saturdays in beautiful ribbon dance. Then take his stories, and work with set www.bac.org.uk This is January and February Final Saturday of the month HUGE We love this wonderland of part in a ribbon dance workshop designers and puppeteers to bring fun! for all the family. Free, drop in, age stories to life. Enjoy live Family Saturdays Fun, free creativity - it's a great place 5-11. performances and puppet activities for ages 0-11, including for the kids to explore unusual art, demonstrations. Drop in, all ages. face painting, music, toy and old movie props and even signs CASS ARTS clothes swaps, plus older children from Charlie and the Chocolate WORKSHOPS MORDEN HALL PARK and young people can get involved Factory. Artist Chris Bracey 66-67 Colebrooke Row N1 8AB Morden SM4 5JD in their Homegrown programme. created incredible works for art www.cassart.co.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden- Includes The Bee’s Knees, a projects and movie sets for nearly Saturdays in January and hall-park magical indoor play space for ages 40 years until his death late last February Throughout January and 0-5. 10am-1.30pm, free, (The year. His God’s Own Junk Yard These sessions are a great way to February Bee’s Knees is £3 per child). space in Walthamstow is a studio inspire ideas and nurture budding Join a nature trail around the park where you can see his work – a artists. A free activity table is set and make some delightful crafts to FOREST SCHOOL combination of recycled urban out with a range of materials, take home. £4 per child, entry to Lollard Street Adventure Playground, debris and electric light in a gallery inviting kids to let their Morden Hall is free. 11am-4pm. 102 Kennington Road SE11 6PX of wonderful colour. Still a working imaginations run wild. Drop-in, all naturevibezzz.wordpress.com neon sign business, it’s open to the materials supplied, 10am-12pm. 14 February public Friday to Sunday, and its Free forest school activities for Rolling Scones Café is open all pre-school aged children. week. 10am-12pm

Familiesonline.co.uk Families South West 47 BLOSSOM TREE CHILDCARE Affordable Childcare

Long and short term affordable, Au pairs and Nannies We are a family-based Agency offering advice and assistance to families thinking about childcare options. We shall support you before, after and during all placements. Look forward to hearing from you.

[email protected] blossomtreechi3 0844 879 7189 www.likeminders.co.uk 020 3302 7197 www.blossomtreechildcare.co.uk

Calling all baby Scientists! Help us discover how babies learn! Calling all infants from birth to 18 months to take part in fun studies at the Birkbeck Babylab in central London. We provide a black cab if you live within 5 miles of Birkbeck, or we refund any travel expenses. 020 7631 6258 [email protected] www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk

PUBLIC SPEAKING Individual Tuition: Verse & Prose, Reading, Acting, Interview Technique, Confidence. LAMDA/Trinity exams taken. C. Price. 0207 735 3156 / 07721 762351 [email protected] A. Wieland. [email protected]

48 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk Disconnect to connect. You have the power to set your child free from screens

By RTT Hypnotherapist and Life Coach Lucia Mizzoni

The explosion of digital technology has made parenting much more challenging. Digital technology has taken over our lives. Our addiction to screens is having severe consequences on our genuine connections in real life, starting with our own families.

The research is clear: All screen activities are linked to less CONTROL SCREEN USAGE IN 2018: happiness. • Take a digital inventory: make a list of all the devices, apps and social networks you use regularly. Decide which ones you need and jettison the rest. You don’t need to be on every social media platform, make smart choices. • Stop the push-up notifications to alert you of new messages, tweets, likes etc. Check emails and social channels in scheduled and limited times during the day. • Use tech to limit tech – install any app designed to keep track of your device usage (QualityTime, RescueTime). The Hawthorne Effect will kick in: simply being aware you are measuring the usage time will prompt you to cut back. • Figure out your values. What is it that you actually want to be doing with your time? WE ARE ADDICTED • Put the iPad away: The best thing you can do is explained by a Technology has powerfully improved our lives, but we no longer have psychological principle called Propinquity—things closer to you in control over it. The impact of our addiction is immense: our attention space will always have a bigger effect on you than things that are span is crippled, our ability to connect with ourselves, our children and further away. From 5:30pm to 8:00pm every night I put my iPhone the world at large is compromised. This behavioural addiction cuts across away in my office. Once out of sight, eventually out of mind. I spend demographics: the executive constantly checking his emails, the teen those hours, talking to my kids, reading or having dinner together. worrying about her Instagram Likes, the mum lost in reading online posts. • Children must play outside more. Don’t skip going to the park These devices meet a chronic social need. They don’t demand much of because it’s cold or wet. Connecting with nature has a profoundly you but they have a big impact. beneficial effect.

It is very revealing that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs limited home technology usage for their kids on the very products they helped GET THEM INTERESTED IN BOOKS create. They already knew the addictive power of digital technology! INSTEAD! Would you like your child to read for pleasure? The secret is simple and THE INTERNET IS LIKE JUNK FOOD – works every time: you need to read with them. Whilst your child is CREATED TO HOOK US young establish a routine of reading to them every night, this forges bonds Just as unhealthy snacks play on a biological need for sugar and fat, and prepares your child for sleep. When older your child must see you research at an American university has shown that Facebook, Instagram, read: read magazines (Families of course) and books. Try the Book Club and Twitter hook us by delivering ‘variable rewards.’ As messages, Boys, a book club for boys, except there’s no reading required and no photos, and ‘Likes’ appear randomly, we compulsively check for them, need to sit in a chair. The book club leader is dynamic. He might get up, craving that dopamine-activating prize. expostulate or whisper. By whatever means he will excite, awaken and So, advice for a happy childhood and subsequently adolescence seems enthrall your young boy with the heady joys of literature. Boys will listen straightforward: Get your kids to put down their phone, turn off to an age appropriate and ambitious chapter book read aloud and then be their laptops, and do something that does not involve a screen. asked to feed back their emotional and intellectual responses to what they have heard. SLEEP AND EYESIGHT ARE ACT NOW AFFECTED TOO Don’t be complacent. Our ability to reach personal fulfilment and to Parents are now warned peering at phones indoors and not playing succeed in the future workplace depends on our ability to regain control outside is fuelling short-sightedness. Screen time is also cutting into of technology and of meaningful interactions now. children’ sleep. Sleep experts classify a teen getting less than seven hours a night as significantly sleep deprived. However, teens who read books Lucia offers free consultation on www.luciamizzoni.com and magazines more often than the average, are actually less likely to be sleep deprived. The correlation between depression and screen use is www.Bookclubboys.com : a ten week club starting on 18/1/18, strong enough to suggest that more parents should be telling their designed specifically for boys to enjoy reading, analytical thinking and kids to pick up a book to feel better. creative imagining. Book Club Boys uses movement, sound and drama.

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We take much care in preparing these What’s On pages, but please do double IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING THIS MONTH check with organiser before DON’T MISS IMAGINE CHILDREN’S setting out as things change. FESTIVAL LONDON Southbank Centre, SE1 PHILHARMONIC www.southbankcentre.co.uk ORCHESTRA 7-18 February This February, don’t miss out on Southbank Centre’s annual FUNHARMONICS FAMILY multi-arts Imagine Children’s Festival. It returns for its CONCERT seventeenth year with 12 days of jam-packed fun over half- Southbank Centre SE1 term week for kids and their families, including the best www.southbankcentre.co.uk children's theatre, activities to get stuck into and events by 25 February inspirational authors. Be tickled by Roald Dahl's Revolting This event marks the 30th Rhymes, wriggle along to dance-theatre Tidy Up and join anniversary year of the LPO’s radio personalities and debut authors, Greg James and Chris Education and Community Smith, for an action-packed Kid Normal event. Firm programme. Joining the Orchestra favourites such as Bedtime Stories and Fun DMC also return, are brilliant young instrumentalists along with plenty of new activities. Plus, over 50 per cent of and singers from London Music © Courtesy of Magic Light Pictures workshops and activities are completely FREE! Masters, Junior Trinity. 12pm, f Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes rom £12 workshops KIDS CLUB FILM PAEDIATRIC CHELSEA PHYSIC FIRST AID 20 January GARDEN Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn Street Take robots apart to learn how they 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 SW4 0AT London First Aid Training work. They build your own! These 4HS www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Claph Venues in Battersea SW11 carefully crafted workshops are full www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk am_Picturehouse www.firstaidtraininglondon.co.uk of hands-on, fun activities. 11am- 13 February Saturdays in January and 13 January 1pm and 2-4pm Chocolate Tuesday. Join them to February Course includes resuscitation look into the history, geography and Movies exclusively for children and procedures, drowning, choking, MUM2MUM MARKET science of chocolate and celebrate their parents and carers Includes shock, spinal injury, burns and scalds. Ricards Lodge High School this very special substance. The day My Little Pony and Shaun the Sheep. DROP-IN CHOCOLATE www.mum2mummarket.co.uk will include craft activities, a Garden 3 February and 17 March THE BRIGHT EMPORIUM MAKING tour, chocolate tasting and the The Chocolate Museum, 187 Ferndale Come along and buy all kinds of chance to create your own mixtures 103 -105 St John’s Hill SW11 1SY nearly new toys, clothes, books, to take away. There’ll be a gourmet www.thebrightemporium.com Road SW9 8BA www.thechocolatemuseum.co.uk strollers, car seats, feeding tasting session with staff from Every Wednesday in January and accessories, baby equipment and so Rococo Chocolates. Age 7+ February 20 January Pop in for a creative and fun activity, much more. Or if you fancy a quick 14 February Messy Toddlers All the mess, all clear out, why not book a stall? Lotions & Potions - an the fun but none of the tidying up. and take your yummy chocolate home with you. From £9.50 Admission £2 on the door, children introduction to herbal medicine. For mini artists in the making. 10am, FREE. Visit the Mum2mum Market Can a food be a medicine? Can a age 1-4 ROBOTICS WORKSHOP website to get 2 for 1 admission. 2- poison be a medicine? Find out 4pm Imperial College, Exhibition Road something of the history of medicine LITTLE SCIENCE and the amazing power of plants to Imperial College, Exhibition Road SW7 SW7 2AZ www.inspiredmindstutors.com/ heal and soothe as you make some 2AZ of your own natural and low-cost www.littlehouseofscience.com remedies to take away as well as a Saturdays in January and mini medicinal garden. Age 7+, £15 February Fantastic science workhops, helping CARNIVAL DANCE lay the foundation for your child’s WORKSHOP future academic progress. 10am, Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 age 5-8 London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk TCH KIDS CLUB 15 and 16 February The Climbing Hangar, 33-35 Parsons Learn to dance like you’re partying Green Lane SW6 through the streets of Brazil with www.theclimbinghangar.com/london Gandaia Arts. Energetic rhythms, Saturdays in January and flowing dance and hoop skirts will February get you into the mood of this Sports Club. Climbing session led by family-friendly workshop of the experienced instructors and open to Maracatu performance from North all abilities. Age 7-9, 9.30am Some great events at the lovely Chelsea Physic Garden East Brazil. Age 4+, £5

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Play Tuesdays Embark on a Storytelling and Music Sessions A museum adventure that includes series of sessions for babies and trails, arty workshops, songs and toddlers to encourage interaction stories. 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm using musical instruments, singing, and 2pm movement and stories. 10am and 11.30am, £5 MUSEUM OF LONDON www.museumoflondon.org.uk FULHAM PALACE Wednesdays in January and Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA February www.fulhampalace.org Little Moles Toddlers Group Mondays and Tuesdays in and Mini Moles Babies Group January and February Fun, hands-on, creative sessions for The Palace Explorers Weekly toddlers, parents and carers. 3.30- parent/carer and toddler sessions 4.30pm, book in advance. Plus for children aged 2-4. £4 per child, MIni Moles babies Group at the Museum of London sensory, hands-on, play-based which includes a drink and healthy activities for you and your baby, snack, booking essential. 9.30am- 11am-12pm 10.30am SOUTHBANK CENTRE www.byobcomedy.com www.southbankcentre.co.uk Dates in January and February DO-RE-MI BABIES BACH TO BABY 12, 19 and 26 January Bring Your Own Baby Comedy CONCERTS Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Rug Rhymes A short session of A funny, friendly afternoon of top Barnes, Chelsea, Fulham, Square WC1N 1AZ nursery rhymes, poems and comedy and you get to bring your Wandsworth foundlingmuseum.org.uk rhyming stories. Times vary. own baby! They provide toys, baby www.doremibabies.co.uk 22 February changing, buggy parking, bottle Dates throughout January and Discover the award-winning THE GRAVENEY AND warmers and more, so that baby is February classical concert series for babies, MEADOW happy and you can relax and enjoy Inspirational and fun classical toddlers and parents. Themed 40 Mitcham Road SW17 9NA top comedy stars from the circuit concerts Babies can crawl, dance, concerts are performed by pianist www.graveneyandmeadow.com and TV. sing, cry, nappy change and more, Miaomiao Yu along with other Wednesdays in January and so you can relax and enjoy the internationally renowned February UNICORN THEATRE music. £10 per adult, children musicians. 10.30am, £12 adults, Kids’ and toddlers’ arts and craft 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ FREE, tickets online or on the door. children FREE classes. See website for details. www.unicorntheatre.com Dates vary depending on venue. Thursdays in January and February Saturdays in January and KENSINGTON PALACE Pram Chorus Child friendly February MORDEN HALL PARK hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace daytime choir, 10am, £7 per adult, Up Club Join the Unicorn Play Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD Selected Wednesdays and see website for times. Club most Saturdays for FREE www.nationaltrust.org.uk Saturdays in January and Fridays in January and February drop-in activities from portrait Every Monday in January and February Rhythm n’ Babies Music classes for painting and potato printing to giant February Tiny Explorers Discover the babies and their carers with rocket making and more. 12noon - Little Explorers Enjoy crafts, stories of Kensington Palace instruments. 9.30am, £5 2pm outdoor activities, songs and through music, movement, messy stories. Ages 2-5, 10am, £2 per play and more. £6 per child, price THE BEDFORD PUB SINGING MAMAS CHOIR child, £1 siblings. includes up to two adults. 10.30am 77 Bedford Hill SW12 9HD South London Liberal Synagogue, – babies, 1pm – walkers, 2.30pm – www.thebedford.com Streatham / The Half Moon THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL walkers. Tuesdays and Fridays in January (Workshop Room), Herne Hill www.royalalberthall.com and February 07947 609780. Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Baby Sensory classes and Pram [email protected] January and February Chorus. See website for details. www.singingmamaschoir.com Last Wednesday of every month Tuesdays or Wednesdays in Screaming With Laughter. London’s January and February, original afternoon comedy club, depending on venue designed for parents with babies A Community of Choirs for under 1 year. See the best acts Women, with or without children. from TV and the comedy circuit Sing world songs, folk songs, gospel without having to book a and more. A warm welcome awaits babysitter. Buy tickets at all singing abilities. www.wegottickets.com/Screaming WithLaughter NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM BYOB COMEDY Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF Clapham, East Dulwich, Teddington, www.rmg.co.uk © Pete Woodhead © Pete Putney, Tooting Tuesdays in January and February Rug Rhymes South Bank Centre

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Matilda The Musical Inspired by camping trip to the woods with the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, her friends Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep DRAMA Matilda revels in the anarchy of and Gerald Giraffe. With lunch- BATTERSEA ARTS childhood, the power of boxes packed and Daddy Pig CENTRE imagination and the inspiring story driving the bus, Peppa is excited Lavender Hill SW11 5TN of a girl who dares to change her about her outdoor adventure full www.bac.org.uk destiny. of games, laughter and live music. 15 - 17 February Kid Carpet & The Noisy COLOUR HOUSE OMNIBUS CLAPHAM Animals After a long, exhausting THEATRE 1 Clapham Common Northside music tour, Kid Carpet is going on Watermill Way SW19 2RD SW4 0QW a nice relaxing holiday. But this www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk www.omnibus-clapham.org might not be the soothing holiday Saturdays and Sundays to 21 18 February January Once Upon a City Join in this he had expected as the Noisy Colour House Theatre Animals takeover his break with Snow White and the Seven interactive storytelling session as big beat songs, wonky donkeys, Dwarves Poor Snow White is 8 April you follow the journey of a brilliant special effects, puppetry and banished to the forest where she Pinocchio. Craftsman Geppetto princess from the North to the animation. 11am and 2pm, from stumbles upon and befriends seven has made an incredible wooden South of the City to meet another, £8, ages 3-8 dwarves. However, with the evil puppet, however one magical night equally brilliant princess. 11am and Queen in hot pursuit it’s not long his creation transforms into a real 2pm, age 4-7, from £7 CAMBRIDGE THEATRE before she tricks Snow White into boy. Pinocchio’s adventure has just Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street eating a deadly apple. Will the begun… 12pm, from £10 PEACOCK THEATRE WC2H 9HU dwarves be able to save the day WC2A 2HT uk.matildathemusical.com and find a handsome Prince to NATIONAL THEATRE www.sadlerswells.com Throughout January and wake Snow White with his kiss? Upper Ground SE1 9PX 5-17 February February Saturdays and Sundays 3 February www.nationaltheatre.org.uk Zippos Cirque Beserk! A jaw- Throughout January and dropping spectacular that February combines contemporary cirque- Pinocchio On a quest to be truly style artistry with adrenaline- alive, Pinocchio leaves Geppetto’s fuelled stunt action. This talented workshop with Jiminy Cricket in troupe includes over thirty tow. Their electrifying adventure jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, takes them from alpine forests to daredevil stuntmen and the world’s Pleasure Island to the bottom of most hair-raising circus act, the the ocean. This spectacular new motorcycle Globe of Death. production is brought to the stage by a team including the director of POLKA THEATRE Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon and the writer of Matilda the SW19 1SB Musical. www.polkatheatre.com To 11 February NEW WIMBLEDON My Brother, My Sister and Me THEATRE With a new baby in the family, a The Broadway, Wimbledon little sister has to move in with her SW19 1QG big brother. She’s got used to the atgtickets.com/venues/new- idea but her brother and Gecko, wimbledon-theatre his constant companion, are really 21-22 February not keen. Especially when she Peppa Pig’s Adventure Join starts to unpack her very large Peppa as she goes on an exciting collection of hats!

52 Families South West • January/February 2018 Familiesonline.co.uk SEE MORE EVENTS IN OUR ONLINE WHAT’S ON CALENDAR I WHAT’S ON ART ACTIVITIES V&A MUSEUM OF HORNIMAN MUSEUM CHILDHOOD AND GARDENS Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA 100 London Road SE23 3PQ www.museumofchildhood.org.uk www.horniman.ac.uk 24 February and 24 March Every Saturday in January and Toddler Art Class Join artists February Albert Potrony and Aya Kobayashi Art Makers Have fun with for an exciting morning of art. different art techniques to create 10.30am-1pm something inspired by the Horniman’s collections or seasonal LANDMARK ARTS celebrations. 1.30pm and 2.45pm, CENTRE £3, age 3+ Ferry Road, Teddington TW11 9NN www.landmarkartscentre.org V&A MUSEUM 21 January, 24 February and 24 Cromwell Road SW7 2RL March www.vam.ac.uk/families Throughout January and February Family Activities Explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation. There are also exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out, plus activities and workshops for ages 7-12 FREE

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin's Place WC2H 0HE www.npg.org.uk Kids’ ART Club Fun workshops Every third Sunday of the including drawing, painting, relief month Did you know the Wallace Collection has lots to offer for children? making, printing and collage. 10am- Drop In Family Sundays Drop- 12pm, age 5-11, £13 in with children aged 3+ to take a retelling of this ancient myth, DULWICH PICTURE 12 February part in portrait-related events. then make your own animal mask GALLERY Art Workshop with Ace Art FREE inspired by the Chinese zodiac. Gallery Road, Dulwich Village A workshop inspired by Damien Age 4+, 11am–12.30pm, FREE SE21 7AD Hirst’s Abstract Spinner Canvases, THE WALLACE www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk using painting, colour mixing, COLLECTION SIR JOHN SOANE’S First and last Sunday of each design and construction. 10.30am- Hertford House, Manchester Square MUSEUM month 12.30pm, £13, age 8-14 W1U 3BN 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields WC2A 3PB Art Play Creative drop-in www.wallacecollection.org www.soane.org workshops for adults and children, FOUNDLING MUSEUM 4 February Third Saturday of the month with a different activity each session. 40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town The Little Draw Use specialist FREE drop-in art activities for all Make anything and everything from WC1N 1AZ drawing, handling and surface ages. 1.30-4.40pm bunting to block printing and all www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk design techniques to respond to things in between. 2-3.45pm 15 February stimulating forms and colour THE NATIONAL Animal Dramatics Animate the palettes. All ages, 1.30pm–4.30pm, GALLERY FULHAM PALACE creatures found in exhibition The FREE Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA Lost Words in this drama and art 14 and 15 February www.nationalgallery.org.uk www.fulhampalace.org workshop. Make a mask and bring Animal Portraits Explore how Every Sunday in January and 14 February your chosen animal to life. animals have been portrayed in art February Family Activity Day: Building The 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm, age 7+, over the centuries from family pets Family Sundays Art activities for Palace. Open the door to the FREE to cheeky monkeys and ferocious families, 11am and 2pm, age 5-11, Palace’s awesome architects and lions, then learn how to draw and FREE baffling buildings at this fun filled day TATE BRITAIN paint your own animal portrait. £20, of hands on activities: help build a Millbank SW1P 4RG age 8-11 (Wednesday 14) and 12-15 TATE MODERN Palace made of paper, try your hand www.tate.org.uk (Thursday 15), 10.30am-3.30pm Bankside, SE1 9TG at brick rubbing, make a Tudor arch Dates in January and February 16 February www.tate.org.uk or create a 3D diorama. 11am– Under Fives Explore the Gallery The Dragon’s Pearl Cutting Throughout January and 3pm, £2 Experiment with a range of grass in the hills one day, Tchang February materials while discovering exciting makes a wonderful discovery Family Friendly Art Activities A •If you have any events for routes and journeys through the which will change his life forever. range of FREE arty and crafty inclusion, please send to galleries alongside other families. Celebrate Chinese New Year with workshops, see website for details. [email protected]

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in the show. 10.30am, 1pm and Colour: The Rainbow Revealed. LOOK OUT for the 3pm, age 5+, FREE From 16 February NUMEROUS 14 February Colour: The Rainbow Revealed The Lucky Button Orchestra Be dazzled by prisms showing how FREE Inspired by Michael Morpurgo’s colours are made, peer through a ACTIVITIES new book, explore the musical giant human eyeball to find out legacy of the Foundling Hospital. how we see colour and discover Make your own musical instrument how animals use colour to attract to take home and play. 10.30am, and hide. FREE 1pm and 3pm, age 5-10, FREE 16 February The Lost Gardens Make a KENSINGTON PALACE dream garden for the foundlings at © The Foundling Museum © The Foundling W8 4PX the hospital. 11am and 2pm, age hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace Family workshop at the Foundling Museum 5+, FREE 25 February and 25 March BANK OF ENGLAND Funtastic Sundays Fun-filled MUSEUM FOUNDLING MUSEUM HAMPTON COURT activity days with the chance to try PALACE Threadneedle Street EC2R 8AH 40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town out the palace’s trails, enjoy Story www.bankofengland.co.uk WC1N 1AZ East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU Time or take part in special To 2 March www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace creative workshops. Till Time's Last Sand - A history 13 February Throughout January and of the Bank of England Delve Mobile Poetry Discover the February LONDON TRANSPORT into the variety of documents in natural world depicted in The Lost The Magic Garden Discover MUSEUM the Archive collection, including Words with artist Anne Harild. something new around every twist Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB correspondence, architectural Using collage, cut-out letters and and turn in an immersive world www.ltmuseum.co.uk plans, Court of Directors’ minutes card, create your own poem populated by mythical beasts, Throughout January and and forgery papers. mobile featuring animals and plants including a 25m dragon! Take the February family to become Tudor Knights, Poster Girls. Girl power comes to besiege the battlements, storm the Covent Garden when Poster Girls - Tiltyard Towers and explore a a major new exhibition about 20th mysterious secret grotto. Included and 21st century female graphic in palace admission. artists opens at the Museum. 7, 14 and 21 January Family Ghost Tours Take in the MUSEUM OF LONDON palace’s ghoulish locations with EC2Y 5HN spine-tingling commentary. Hear www.museumoflondon.org.uk from 500 years of chilling tales, Sundays in January and such as the Tudor royal nurse February whose spirit is said to stalk her Museum Explored Explore the former apartments and the galleries through fun, hands-on mysterious figure ‘Skeletor’ caught activities. 11am and 2pm. Plus, join on CCTV in the palace in the dead a fun and engaging tour of the of night. From £7 museum’s galleries, especially for families. Age 5+, 2-2.30pm HORNIMAN MUSEUM Sundays in January and February AND GARDENS Hands-on history Hear incredible 100 London Road SE23 3PQ London stories as you touch and www.horniman.ac.uk hold real museum objects. To 14 January Age 5+, 2-4pm British Wildlife Photography 3-4 February Awards 2017 An exhibition of Votes for Women Weekend over 100 photographs that Create banners inspired by the showcase the beauty and diversity iconic designs of the Suffragettes. of wildlife in Britain. The Discover the hidden stories of the extraordinary images were all women and men behind the taken by talented photographers Suffragette movement through working in the UK ranging from performances, digital workshops established professionals to under- and poetry. Age 10+, FREE 12s. FREE 4 and 14 Feb, 3 March 12-16 February Roman London Family Walk Family Art Fun Join FREE craft Travel back 2000 years and walk activities inspired by the the streets of Roman Londinium. Horniman’s new family exhibition Imagine you are a Roman soldier at

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the fort gate into the city or a Weekend Space Cadets Family gladiator as you enter the remains workshops related to space of the city’s amphitheatre. 11am, science and exploration, from the age 5+, £5/£7.50, book in advance. International Space Station to the latest discoveries about the Solar NATIONAL MARITIME System. 12.45pm, from 5+, FREE MUSEUM Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF SCIENCE MUSEUM www.rmg.co.uk Exhibition Road, South Kensington Saturdays in January and SW7 2DD February Sciencemuseum.org.uk Character Encounters Join an Throughout January and exciting performance and journey February bringing maritime history to life. Wonderlab: The Statoil Gallery 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, age 6+ Don’t miss out on this fantastic new interactive gallery with live Museum of London Roman London Family Walk NATURAL HISTORY demonstrations and an Explainer- MUSEUM led experience revealing the world of chivalrous knights and V&A MUSEUM OF Cromwell Road SW7 5BD beauty and wonder in the science ladies, troublesome lords and royal CHILDHOOD www.nhm.ac.uk and mathematics that shape our prisoners. 11am and 2.30pm, Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA Throughout January and lives. Truly fascinating! £8/£6 included in admission. www.museumofchildhood.org.uk February Selected Sundays to 2 April 10-11 February Whales Beneath the Surface TOWER OF LONDON Twilight Tours Take in world- Creative Writing Workshop A major new exhibition exploring St Katharine's & Wapping, London famous sights such as Traitor’s Acclaimed children's author Ross the extraordinary life of whales. EC3N 4AB Gate, the scaffold site and the Montgomery leads a creative www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Bloody Tower, and be amazed by writing session. 2-4pm, age 8+, £10 ROYAL OBSERVATORY Throughout January and tales of prisoners and past 12-16 February GREENWICH February residents. Age 12+, 6.45pm, from World of Set Design Workshop Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ Armoury in Action A family £25 Experience the design process and www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory friendly exhibition revealing the Selected dates in February building fun together. 10.30am and 12, 13, 26 and 27 January fascinating story of arms and the Nightwatchers Enter the 2pm, age 8+, £10 An Evening with the Stars armoury at the Tower. From shadowy world of state 13 and 15 February The popular after dark experience shooting arrows and assembling surveillance where messages and Children’s Literature Film includes the chance to look through firearms to brandishing swords, a phone calls lead participants Screenings Screenings of the gigantic Great Equatorial thousand years of history at the around one of history’s most adaptations based on children's Telescope at the night sky. 5.25pm Tower is brought to life in this notorious prisons. From £18, 6pm, classic stories, Private Peaceful and and 6.45pm, from £14, age 7+ exciting, hands-on experience. 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.25pm and 7.50pm Fantastic Mr Fox. £4 (under 3s 16 January To 9 February FREE, but booking required), 4pm Think Space Lecture Find out Life in the Medieval Palace about the latest research and Travel back to 1299 and enter the developments in astrophysics. Medieval palace of King Edward I, 5.15pm, age 11+, from £7 Hammer of the Scots, in this live Weekends in January and February performance drama. Discover a

Museum of London London Nature Reserve

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