Nurseries Feature • Winter Holidays • New Year, New You Health • Half Term Ideas

FREE

January - February 2016 familiessurreyeast.co.uk

• Nurseries Feature • Winter Holidays • New Year, New You Health • Half Term Ideas

Quote FAMILIES for 10% Off What’s on for 0-12 year olds in January & February 08450 504 509 Covering Reigate, Redhill, Dorking, Leatherhead, Caterham, Godstone, Warlingham, Tadworth, Horley, Oxted and Lingfield TIME TO TAKE THE STAGE Acting, singing and dance classes for 4 to 18 year olds. Find out more and start your child’s journey today at Stagecoach Coulsdon, Leatherhead, Redhill, Dorking & Reigate

stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon stagecoach.co.uk/leatherhead 0345 078 0805 020 8394 2244 [email protected] [email protected] stagecoach.co.uk/redhill stagecoach.co.uk/dorking 020 8686 0141 0800 007 5482 [email protected] [email protected] stagecoach.co.uk/reigate 0800 007 5482 [email protected] Web mag: www.Familiessurreyeast. ISSUE 50 JAn-FEB 2016 co.uk Families Surrey East is part of the national network of Families IN THIS ISSUE magazines. Page See www. familiesonline.co.uk for more features and competitions. Welcome to the Christmas issue of Families Surrey 2 News East. We enjoyed a trip to Tilgate Park last weekend, NEXT ISSUE – January-February 2016, and it was such a gorgeous day. The autumnal 6 Babies and Toddlers out 5th January. Send your news and colours were blazing, the sun was shining and there 7 Apps Review upcoming events by 3rd December 2015 for FREE INCLUSION. was a bit of a nip in the air – and I started to feel very 8 Santa and Christmas festive. I’m looking forward to warm fires, fireworks PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS and reach and the exciting run-up to Christmas. Hope this Markets families throughout East Surrey issue makes you feel that way too! with DISPLAY ADS or ask about our 10 Gift Reviews CLASSIFIED LISTINGS – perfect for The following 24 pages are packed full of festive 12 Parties Directory small businesses and web sales. inspiration and ideas for a wonderful family AD BOOKING AND COPY DEADLINE Christmas - you’ll find the best places to visit Santa 16 Education pages FOR JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 is (p.8), great markets to kick off your Christmas 18 Theatre listings 3rd December 2015. Please send ad shopping (p.9), unusual gift ideas (p.10), best Pantos artwork by 10th December 2015. (p.19) and a useful review of the best kids apps 20 Nature Notes (to put on those new tablets – p.7). There’s also a 21 What’s On listings For advertising and editorial enquiries, 4-page Parties Directory for those planning ahead call the Editor on 07769 222347 or for birthdays in 2016. The What’s On is bursting with 24 Competitions email: editor@ familiessurreyeast.co.uk great days out, including winter walks, craft sessions and ideas for travelling further afield to see Santa. 22,500 copies of FAMILIES SURREY EAST are distributed free of charge to schools, nurseries, playgroups, clubs & classes, NCT groups, baby Finally – we’re running four fantastic competitions clinics, good children’s shops, libraries, theatres & sports centres. Distributed to venues in Leatherhead and Dorking, Reigate and Redhill, Godstone, Oxted and Lingfield, Warlingham and Caterham and down on the back page, with some superb family prizes. to Horley and the Surrey/Sussex border in the south. To obtain copies for your venue call 07769 222347 or email editor@familiessurreyeast. Do enter - you’ve got to be in it to win it! co.uk. Families Surrey East, 37 Springcopse Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7HH Tel: 07769 222347 Web: familiessurreyeast.co.uk I wish you all a very Happy Christmas, and look Design: Andrews Design & Marketing, The Studio, 29A Bell St, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7AD Tel: 01737 224340 Email: [email protected] forward to our first issue of 2016 in January. Print: Warwick Printing Company Limited, Leamington Spa, Warks CV31 1QD Tel: 01926 883355 Families® Surrey East is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of Hannah Grogan, Editor [email protected] advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor any consequence.

I do it in the living room

You can recycle from every room in the home

Find out how at recycleforsurrey.org.uk

2 FamiliesFamily magazine add Surrey 180x130.indd 1 East January-February 2016 11/12/2015 10:11 News Transforming Make a Difference St Catherine’s Leatherhead to Local Families Five-0 Challenge Mole Valley DC is currently in the second Oakwood School in Horley is one of stage of a public consultation about the local school’s involved in this year’s the future plans for developing and enterprise challenge to raise funds for rejuvenating Leatherhead town centre. St Catherine’s Hospice. Supported by Natwest bank, the participating schools The first stage, conducted last year, has are targeted to turn £50 into £1500 over resulted in lots of suggestions for areas for the course of 11 weeks. Five-0 team improvement including the development leaders will work with Natwest advisers to of the Swan shopping centre to offer a put their entrepreneurial skills to the test greater range of retailers, cinema and to raise the most money. Previous money- improved parking; creating a Riverside spinners have included talent shows, Park by the river Mole, offering a café and Welcare is a family-focused charity dedicated product sales and sporting events. Teams outdoor family space; residential and retail to helping children and families overcome will meet to present their activities at an space a Bull Hill, and a simplified road challenges and build towards a better future. award evening at the end of the project. system. Over 3000 local residents have Their Children’s Centre in Redhill delivers a This is a great way to encourage children already taken part, but if you’d like your range of groups and parent support sessions. to use business skills and initiative to raise say on proposed plans, visit their excellent Activities are delivered by highly-skilled and money for St Catherine’s –which costs website for full details at experienced staff, supported by a dedicated more than £15k a day to run. Winners will molevalley.gov.uk/transformleatherhead team of volunteers. East Surrey Welcare is be listed in the April issue of Families. currently recruiting Crèche Helpers and Group Kip McGrath Assistants. The roles would suit anyone who Remember to enjoys working with children and families. Proving Popular Volunteers would help deliver crèches and/ Recycle or support groups by preparing and joining Make it one of your New Year’s resolutions The Kip McGrath Education Centre, Reigate, in activities and playing with children. Helpers to help the environment by reducing the has had a busy first couple of months and would encourage parents and children to amount of rubbish you bin every week. feedback from parents and children has interact through joint activities such as art, Surrey County Council is having a big push been extremely positive. Sharon Richardson, cooking, eating and singing. Prior experience on their recycling campaign, encouraging Centre Director said, “We are delighted that is not necessary as all volunteers will receive householders to recycle from every room in children are enjoying coming to the centre; training and travel expenses. the house. they and their parents can see the benefit it has on their confidence and their learning. If you would like to volunteer to support the Here’s a list of things you perhaps haven’t We are anticipating a growing demand in work of Welcare in East Surrey please call considered: the New Year, as more parents in the local 01737 780884 or email • Bleach bottles, shampoo bottles and area become aware of the tuition services [email protected] toilet roll tubes from the bathroom. we offer.” • Moisturiser pots, shoe boxes and They have also been busy with local magazines from the bedroom. community events, such as Reigate • Food tins, glass jars and plastic yoghurt Street Eats Hallowmas where they had a pots, margarine tubs and fruit and veg wonderful time running the Apple Bobbing trays from the kitchen. stand, and meeting parents and children • Drinks cans and bottles, newspapers and at the Belfry in Redhill. Come along to the tissue boxes from the living room. Kip McGrath info stand outside the Market Better still – why not use them for kids Stores in Reigate on Saturday January 9th crafting before recycling? Super eco-friendly! and find out how your child could benefit For a full list of what you can recycle where from some extra help in their Maths or you live, visit your local district or borough English. Call Sharon on 01737 479055. The Kip McGrath Education Centre, Reigate council website or recycleforsurrey.org.uk.

Families Surrey East January-February 20163 News CowParade comes to Surrey Tell us a story… CowParade, the world’s largest public art event, is coming to the It is National Storytelling Week Surrey Hills area, to raise from 30th January – 6th February, money for local community a wonderful festival encouraging projects and enterprise the art of storytelling. It’s a great excuse for sitting schemes. This means that down with your kids and reading your favourite books, or making between May-Sept, dozens up stories of your own. Try The Book With No Pictures by BJ of brightly coloured, life- Novak - guaranteed hilarity and brilliant for encouraging great sized cows will be on display imagination. See website for local events throughout the entire county. sfs.org.uk/national-storytelling-week The event is open to everyone, from schoolchildren (who can paint mini moos) to Raise a Grand for Brain sportsmen, artists to businesses, who are in the ‘moood’ for taking part in this fun fundraising event. The cows will finally be herded Tumour Research to the inaugural Surrey Hills Food, Drink and Music Festival Did you know that brain in the summer where they will be auctioned off. Cow owners tumours kill more children and can choose their own charity and the auction proceeds will be adults under the age of 40 than split between that and The Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Surrey Hills any other cancer? Yet brain Partnership has already unveiled their chrome cow, nicknamed tumour research receives just Mirror Moo! More more info visit cowparadesurreyhills.com 1% of the national spend on cancer research. Out of Africa, into your The blood-brain barrier stops most standard cancer drugs bathroom! from treating brain tumours, making them more difficult to combat. Surrey-based mum of two Research into the blood-brain barrier is being lead by Professor Geoff Marili Aitken has launched a Pilkington, lead scientist at one of Brain Tumour Research’s centres of range of scrummy bathtime excellence. He is an expert on brain tumours and a pioneer in blood- goodies for kids, free from brain barrier research, having created the world's first 'all-human' parabens, petrochemicals blood-brain barrier model, which is being used for live cell imaging and other nasties. and investigation into the features of invading tumour cells. To fund this essential work, BTR has launched the Grand Challenge, a unique Inspired by the search to fundraising partnership with the Dr Hadwen Trust. The aim is to find natural products for jointly raise £180,000 to fund a three-year research project into the her son, Marili decided blood brain barrier. to combined her own background in wellness with the love of her native Zimbabwe to You can help by Pledging to Raise a Grand (£1000) in whatever create a range of gorgeous smelling, animal themed products. way you like, to help fund blood-brain barrier research. For further The range includes honey & strawberry hair and body wash, information, visit www.drhadwentrust.org/grandchallenge papaya foaming face wash and caramel lip balm. Kids will love the animal-print packaging and range of jungle characters that adorn the bottles – from Tatti the leopard to Nina the giraffe. Products, all 70-99% organic. are available from mariliskincare. com, priced from £2.99-6.99. Comprenant l’étude de la langue écrite et orale. Programme pédagogique français. Membre de l’association Parapluie FLAM Le samedi après-midi à Building confidence Wray Common School, Reigate RH2 0LR STAGE KINGS to make the world THEATRE AND DRAMA SCHOOL Contactez-nous 07913 811345 your stage! Join us for these fun filled [email protected] | www.petite-ecole-reigate.co.uk sessions at Chinthurst School, Tadworth Stage Kings Theatre and Drama School provides fun-filled training Reigate Dorking Horsham Copthorne Horley East Grinstead in theatre and performing arts for children aged 3-12yrs. Our aim is to stretch young imaginations, build their confidence, nurture and develop young potential, and most of all, to have lots of fun! Every Saturday during term time: 5-12 yrs, fun-filled 2 hour session with drama, dance & singing. Stage King ‘Minis’ 3-4 yrs olds, 90 minutes of theatre fun with drama, dance & singing. Contact us now! % 07513 95 63 73 FREE TRIAL CLASS [email protected] 07783138348 [email protected] www.stage-kings.co.uk

4 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 News

Hever

LIVING WITH BIRDS 13–21 FEBRUARY How to read with your child – and really enjoy it By Justine Crow Chaffinch Blue Tit Song Thrush Canada Goose “Not now, darling...” is the plaintive refrain from parents when you’ve just put your feet up and your child demands you read with them. How can we be fresh and eager each time our loved one wants to share their reading? It’s vital for children’s intellectual development Goldfinch Green Tit Kingfisher Cuckoo and also benefits our own inner lives. Here are ten ways to truly enjoy reading with your little one. ENJOY SOME FAMILY FUN 1. Celebrate the knowledge that reading with your child is part of your THIS HALF TERM job description as a parent. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. WITH A BIRD SPOTTING TRAIL, 2. For babies, choose books you like. They are too small to understand BIRD BOX BUILDING* AND A CRAFT WORKSHOP much but the cadence of your voice gives them comfort. *£6 charge applies 3. For toddlers, reading together can act as an incentive: ‘if you stay in your bed all night, you can get into my bed in the morning for a story.’ FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT 4. Use the time you have. Choose books to keep a little one on the hevercastle.co.uk/whatson potty or distracted during nit-checks! Or call – 01732 865224 5. Keep books for daytime reading on the lowest shelf and allow them to select the book they want, no matter how many times it has been shared. 6. Books without text are brilliant for sharing – encourage your toddler to tell you what is happening. Living With Birds-Families Magazine-87x130.indd 1 07/12/2015 11:23 7. At the library, suggest that each of you choose a title. Your special task is to discover one they’ve never seen before. 8. When shopping together, don’t expect a young child to choose the ‘right’ book. You decide. Once they can actually read, allow them to choose their own books. 9. Books for bedtime should be chosen by you and kept higher up on CHILDREN’S EVENTS the shelves. Make this a time for your child to listen and be calm and contented. Hobgoblin monFebruaryDay 15 – Fri HalfDay 19 FTerebruary m THeaTre 10. As they grow older, introduce to them the novels you loved as a Craft Activities available throughout the day Company Wednesday 17 child. They will always remember the sense of an experienced shared. from 11am until 3pm, ranging from £1.50 February 11am & 2pm. £7.50 lego & VinTage per child - See Jacqueline Wilson at Toy exHibiTion accompanying with daily charity LEGO adults free. builds (pre-booking ReadingZone Festival! essential). Popular kid’s author and creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather, will be appearing at ReadingZone Surrey’s HenFolD birDS festival at Epsom Playhouse on oF prey monday 15 February Saturday 6th February, from 2-3pm. 11am until 3pm with Jacqueline Wilson will be reading main display at 12.30pm - free of from her latest books and taking CreaTion STaTion charge. questions from the audience. WorkSHopS TropiCal Tickets cost £5 each. The event is a Tuesday 16 Creepy CraWly culmination of a week of reading February Fabulously roaDSHoW fun activities for all Thursday 18 promotion in local schools, with ages! 11am & 2pm. £7.50 February 11am & authors visiting Dorking, Reigate per child - accompanying 2pm. £7.50 per child and Leatherhead to encourage adults free. - accompanying adults free. children to pick up a book. There are also activity sessions for pre- DenbieS Wine eSTaTe lonDon rD Dorking Surrey rH5 6aa school children at Bourne Hall and a Beast Quest event at the T: 01306 876616 I reSerVaTionS online at: www.denbies.co.uk Playhouse from 4pm. www.readingzone.com Families Surrey East January-February 20165 Babies & Toddlers Baby’s Development Milestones

Learn how your baby will grow are the early stages of crawling. Although and change in her first year she won't be going anywhere yet, she'll keep practising until she is able to move As your newborn 'uncurls' from the foetal herself, probably at around 7-8 months. By position she will stretch out her body and the end of her first year she'll probably be During these early months your baby her muscles will begin to strengthen. At on her feet, 'cruising' round the furniture. will also begin to develop hand-eye first she will have no control over her head, Once she can stand it won't be long before co-ordination and manipulative skills. but as her muscles become stronger she she begins to walk. She will be attracted to bright primary will start to lift her head for a few seconds colours and the sharp contrast of black at a time. You can help to encourage this Sitting up and white patterns. A mobile hung over by giving her short periods of time on her This requires a different set of movements the cot, a baby gym with toys that she can tummy. and it'll probably be around 8 months reach out for and a safety mirror placed before your baby can sit unaided and can where she can see herself, will give hours Rolling around reach out for things. Before this, once she of entertainment. Any toys your baby Next, she will begin to move her body - first has neck control, you can prop her up has should always be appropriate to her from side to side and then from back to front, surrounded by cushions. This way, if she age. Toys for older children will be too or front to back. At first these movements are topples over she doesn't hurt herself. complicated and may have small parts accidental, but your baby will soon realise Developing other senses which could be dangerous to a young that they allow her a different view of the baby, while toys that are too young will world and she will practise them over and Your baby needs plenty of sensory quickly become boring. experiences, such as touch and sound, in over again. Emma’s Diary is the UK’s most trusted and order to develop her senses. Playing sound- influential pregnancy and baby channel. Getting ready to crawl tracking games, and using rattles and toys, Visit www.emmasdiary.co.uk By the time she's 4-5 months old your baby will help her to learn how to locate different will be able to lift her head, shoulders, sounds. 'Feely' toys that your baby can arms and legs off the floor when you put press, stroke and crinkle, as well as those The Baby Show is Back her down on her front. These movements with different textured surfaces, will help her find out about touch. The Baby Show is returning to the ExCeL London for the 14th year running from Friday 19th-Sunday 21st February. If you’re expecting the patter of tiny feet, this is the place to bag a bargain. Home to over 200 exhibitors, the event showcases the very best baby and infant essentials, featuring well-known brands including iCandy, Stokke, Philips Avent and Chicco. Also visit the Family Experts Village where you can get all your baby questions Local 2-hour First Aid Classes answered, including financial, legal, career for babies and children covering: and childcare matters, and see talks from • Choking • Burns • Febrile seizures experts such as child nutritionist Annabel • Bumps and Breaks Karmel. www.thebabyshow.co.uk • Meningitis Awareness Private classes also available Call Sian on 07984 810 847 Postnatal depression – where to get help 55x70_laura_Layout 9 27/05/2015 10:03 Page 1 www.earlyfirstaid.com A recent study for The Baby Show has revealed that 60% of mothers say they had the ‘baby blues’ with 23% of mums saying that they suffered from Postnatal Depression. There are many reasons for this, but the most common included isolation, lack of support, and the loss of identity after becoming a parent. If you feel isolated and feel like you need support after having your baby, there For classes of pure MADness, are lots of places to seek help. Visit your local join MAD Academy children’s centre for support from fellow Babies from 3 months action songs and sensory stimulation Walkers to 2 years music, movement and motor development mums and advice from the great staff there. 2 to 4 years dance, musicality and beat competency Visit your GP or one of the support charities Classes in Dorking Reigate Birthday Parties that can also help you, such as Pandas & Redhill Too! Foundation, Tommys.org and mind.org. Call Laura on 01293 200707 or uk. Families is full of ideas and activities for email: [email protected] getting together with groups of like-minded madacademy.com mums, from NCT coffee mornings, to local Music And Dance and a whole lot of fun! toddler groups, so make the most of the info in these pages – you’re not alone. 6 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 Babies & Toddlers

__Time For Mums __ Post-Natal Exercise Classes & Pampering

Busy Lizzy, Reigate – Range of classes for mums and babies including music & dance, baby signing, yoga and buggy fitness. Celebrating 1st anniversary in Jan! Tel: 01737 887227 POSTNATAL FITNESS Fit Mummies Club, Reigate – Post natal, small group training, Foo Foo Fun Club, personal training and buggy fit classes. Tel: 07780 600005. The Fitness Room, Reigate – Yummy Mummy pre and post-natal classes, Ladies Boot Camp and personal training. Tel: 07961 335881 Legs Bums and Mums, Reigate, Redhill & Caterham – Small group training with babies & buggies, personal training. www.legsbumsandmums.com Buggy Fit, Dorking & Fetcham – Post-natal outdoor fitness classes. Tel: 07790 772431 Bubbles Fitness, Reigate – Mum and Babies exercise classes including spin, pilates and circuits. Tel: 07870 207 779 Muma Power – a 12-week downloadable healthy lifestyle programme, to fit into the lives of busy ladies (esp mums!). Tel: Reigate Joggers, Reigate & Redhill – Ladies jogging club for all abilities. www.reigateladiesjoggers.co.uk Body Torque Pilates, Reigate, Dorking & Betchworth – Ante and post-natal classes, 1-to-1 tuition. Tel: 01737 765335 includes Go Figure, Oxted & Woldingham personal – Zumba and pilates, drop-in classes available. Tel: 07974 374321 training PenRobYoga, Oxted & Hurst Green – Baby yoga, Pre-natal yoga and relaxation. Tel: 01883 723227 Yogamoo, Reigate – Pregnancy yoga and Mother & Baby yoga sessions. Tel: 01737 224158 Yoga Ananda, Reigate – Range of yoga styles available. Tel: 01737 222 400 Feel Good Yoga, Caterham & Warlingham call now to claim a – Yoga for New Mums and Pregnancy yoga. Tel: 07798 501844 Inches of Oxted, Oxted complimentary guest pass - Pampering New Mum Treatments. Tel: 01883 722555 for a mummy fitness class Organic Treats, Merstham – Holistic treatments and therapies using organic products. Tel: 01737 643715. Nail Boutique, Reigate – Nails & Cocktails evenings on Tuesdays and call us on: 01737 887227 Thursdays. Get your nails done with your friends. Tel: 01737 242663 Beauty by Lucie Jurado – Pamper parties in your own home, babies welcome – no need to book childcare. Tel: 07880 584625 Please tell advertisers you ® Boppers at Tandridge saw them in Tandridge Leisure Centre has launched a new course for pre-schoolers aged 2-4 yrs, focussing on developing imagination and improving confidence, as well as expelling some vital energy! Boppers is a fun, structured class starting with a story-based theme, and leading where ever your child’s imagination takes it! From desert island pirates one week, to dinosaurs or space travel the next. Each session will have music to move to, songs to sing and props to incorporate as the story progresses, and features 45-mins of activity and 15-mins of play and social interaction. You can book as a seven-week course, or pay weekly as a drop-in. Call 01883 716717 or visit www.tandridgetrust.co.uk Families Surrey East January-February 2016 7 Nurseries

Choosing a Do the children look excited and 7 interested in the toys available? nursery Does the climbing equipment look well- 8 maintained and is there a soft landing What you need to know area? when choosing a nursery What about the staff? Are they listening or playgroup 9 and talking to the children? Are they calmly in control? Do they seem to be caring with the children? Do they notice aggressive or painfully shy children and get them to join in constructively? Do they spend more time chatting with each any mums return to work after their maternity leave finishes other than with the children? and choose to leave their baby in a nursery. Even if you are Ma stay-at-home mum or dad, it’s likely that when your child Talk to the staff to find out their views on discipline, dealing is between the ages of two and three years old you will want her 10 with anxious children and free and structured play to see if to start at a playgroup or nursery school – for both her benefit and their ideas are the same as yours. yours. But how do you choose the right nursery for your baby? The ideal atmosphere at a nursery group should be busy and You can usually get a list of local nurseries and playgroups from buzzing, but never out of control. Noisy children racing around your local council, from your health visitor, local library, GP surgery or charging up and down on bikes and cars shows a clear lack of or on the internet. organisation. Speak with other mums about the nursery or playgroup you are Another point to consider is whether boys and girls at the nursery most interested in, and go along and spend a morning at each are treated equally. Do boys get encouraged to do quiet, creative group, together with your child. Gut instinct can be invaluable in activities or do they run about in gangs and spend a lot of time on these situations. sit-on cars and toys? Are girls encouraged to do physical play and large toy activities? Do boys and girls play together? Both boys 10 things to consider when choosing a nursery: and girls need physical, energetic play, construction play and quite creative periods with adult attention. Are you and your child made to feel welcome and introduced 1 to the nursery staff, helpers and perhaps to other children? Are Try to visit a group while a singing or story time session is going you allowed to stay and watch at a time to suit you – not them? on. Singing sessions should always be varied and fun with lots of action rhymes and percussion and have all the children Check out the space itself. The room may be a bleak church hall enthusiastically joining in. Story time should also be something 2 but have the staff made it look lively and interesting? the children particularly enjoy. The story teller should be able to Does the nursery seem too crowded? Numbers are controlled hold the children’s attention. Story time should not be used as an 3 by local authority regulations, and insurance policies, but some opportunity for helpers to take the children to the toilet or tidy up. playgroups squeeze in extra children If you like a particular nursery or playgroup, but feel they fall down Is there somewhere for outdoors play on fine days? Are there in one or two areas, then speak with the supervisor. They may 4 books in a quiet corner where children can go and sit? Is there welcome your suggestions and be able to make changes to suit an interactive area, such as a nature table? you and your child. If they don’t, then move on and find one that’s more in line with your requirements. Check out the toys, equipment and art materials on offer. Are 5 the same toys put out in the same area every day? (this is why Emma’s Diary is the UK’s most trusted and influential pregnancy it’s a good idea to visit more than once on random, different days) and baby channel. Working in partnership with The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) for more than 23 years. Are there varied activities on offer (painting, sandpits, water Visit www.emmasdiary.co.uk 6 play areas, Wendy house, play dough, building bricks, puzzles, a dressing up box). Are these accessible all the time? It’s a bit of a daunting task looking for the best nursery for your child, and your choice will be dictated as much by circumstance as design – especially if you’re a working parent. Here is a run-down of the types of nursery care available, and the types of facilities, educational philosophies and costs to consider. You’ll find a few reviews for each type of nursery, to give you a ‘behind the scenes’ insight into what they offer.

Private Day Nurseries There are dozens of private day nurseries in the East Surrey area, many of which are run by groups, such Bright Horizons and Asquith, and some excellent independents. One of the benefits of using a private nursery is the extended hours and holiday cover they provide. This is essential for many working parents, especially commuters who find it hard to BOCKETTS FARM PARK, LEATHERHEAD AND DORKING AREAS pick up by 5.30pm. Many nurseries often include milk and nappies in T: 020 8432 0811 E: [email protected] their fees, which is one last thing to remember when you’re rushing out SOUTH CROYDON AND CATERHAM AREAS of the door! They also take babies from birth, if you’re planning to take T: 0203 251 1061 E: [email protected] a short break from your career. Most also accept Free Early Education sessions – often as part of wrap around care – so you can still use those free government-funded hours. 8 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 Nurseries

Shapes, Reigate Tel: 01737 221441 www.shapesdaynursery.co.uk Shapes is an independent day nursery that has been open for 4.5 years. It is in a former church in Woodhatch, with a bright, open-plan layout. Toddlers and nursery rooms are located on the ground floor, with a large dedicated Downsend Pre-Prep, Leatherhead pre-school area upstairs and two baby rooms in the adjoining house. Tel: 01372 385437 They also have a large, well-equipped garden. Currently rated as Good by www.downsend.co.uk OFSTED, Shapes can take up to 104 children per day. The benefit of this Downsend Prep has 3 pre-prep sites in Leatherhead, Ashtead nursery is that owner and deputy are on site every day, with an open door and Epsom. Leatherhead has extensive grounds for the 2-6 policy that welcomes parents’ questions and feedback. Sue has over 30 year olds, and is located near to the main prep school. They years experience in childcare and previously ran the outstanding nursery have covered play areas, a soft surface area and a large grassed at NESCOT. Shapes follows the EYFS framework of learning, focussing on area, where the children have the freedom to climb, run and Social & Emotional development, as well as Literacy, Mathematics and investigate nature in a safe environment. Classes are small and Expressive Arts & Design. Children learn through play and exploration, at taught by a teacher and teaching assistant, with 95% of children their own pace pace. Shapes will be opening a second branch in Epsom in reading by the end of their first term at reception at each March 2016, taking up to 100 children. Only 5 mins walk to the station, so Pre-Prep. excellent for commuters. At Reception age, there is a choice of extra curricular activities • Daily rate: Under 2s: £70.85; over 2s: £65.40 to enjoy, including sport and Spanish classes. Children can • Fees include: breakfast, lunch, tea, snacks (cooked fresh on site) attend from 7.30am-6pm, with an additional fee for breakfast and formula milks. Parents provide nappies and wipes. club and the late pick-up. Downsend also holds a Totastic • Accept childcare vouchers and FEET, and funding for 3 & 4 yr olds. toddler group during term time, with a new term-time group The Laurels, Caterham called Mini Make-Believe starting mid-January. Tel: 01884 212061 www.brighthorizons.co.uk Children at the Leatherhead site also enjoy a Forest School, whilst the Epsom site have a Woodland and Nature school as The Laurels is one of the nurseries in the Bright Horizons group, which part of their curriculum from age 2. also owns Kids Unlimited in Reigate. Conveniently situated about 15 mins walk from Caterham station, it is a perfect location for commuters. The next open days for the pre-prep are on Sat 6th Feb, 9.30- The interior is very simple and spacious, with low-rise wooden furniture 11.30am and Sat 7th May, 2-4 pm. and toys, and an emphasis on natural materials. The baby room has a · Fees from £900 per term for 2 sessions a week (2 year olds). black & white quiet corner for stimulating those tiny minds. The Laurels · Fees include lunch (except for morning only sessions) has ‘Growing Programmes’ that fit the EYFS framework, to help children develop the confidence, skills and abilities to succeed at school. • Daily rate: Under 2s: £; over 2s: £ • Fees include: Meals & snacks; formula milk and nappies. • Accept childcare vouchers and FEET, and funding for 3 & 4 yr olds. NORTHPARKFARM.CO.UK Pre-Prep Nurseries activity toys for all your outdoor fun Many private prep schools now have their own feeder nurseries for children aged 2+. Because these nurseries are usually linked to the main school, they TOP BRAND NAMES ON DISPLAY AND IN STOCK have access to all of the great facilities that private schools enjoy, such as sports fields, IT equipment and swimming pools. Class sizes will be smaller and reflective of the personal tuition that you’d expect from a prep school Climbing Frames • Swings • Slides • Trampolines Table Tennis • Playhouses • Ride-on Cars environment. Many children will enter the school system ahead of average Tractors • Go-Karts • Sandpits in terms of reading and writing ability. Surprisingly, termly fees for nursery Paddling Pools • Sledges • Goals pre-preps are on a par with full-time day nursery charges, so may be more Basketball • Netball affordable than you think – but once you’ve got used to this standard of Try before you buy • Nationwide delivery • Assembly service education, you might have to be prepared to pay for it for the next 15 years! www.northparkfarm.co.uk Tel: 01273 833643 Priory Pre-Prep, Banstead (Boys school) North Park Farm, Church Lane, Albourne, West Sussex BN6 9BY Tel: 01737 366920 www.priory-banstead.surrey.sch.uk Priory pre-prep nursery is rated Outstanding by OFSTED and welcomes boys from the age of two, giving them the perfect introduction to the To find your nearest main school. Priory’s outstanding staff create a sensitive and happy NORTHPARKFARM.CO.UK nursery please environment, in which boys thrive and gain confidence. The nursery has its activity toys for all your outdoor fun TOP BRAND NAMES ON DISPLAY contactAND IN STOCK us! own well-resourced and colourful classrooms and a bespoke outdoor play Climbing Frames • Swings • Slides • Trampolines Table Tennis • Playhouses • Ride-on Cars area. Being very much a part of the whole school, they also have access Tractors • Go-Karts • Sandpits • Paddling Pools Sledges • Goals • Basketball • Netball to a range of facilities such as the Sports Fields and Computer Room and Try before you buy • Nationwide delivery • Assembly service Throughout Surreywww.northparkfarm.co.uk East Tel: 01273 833643 specialist teaching staff for music. At certain times of the year, the boys North Park Farm, Church Lane, Albourne, West Sussex BN6 9BY visit the Woodland School where they take part in a variety of activities, rom 3 months to 5 years for children f designed to enhance their learning and build up their skills and confidence. Care and preschools Dressed in their waterproofs and wellies, the boys enjoy the experience of Our nurseries milies in raising happy, collecting leaves and splashing in puddles! Sessions are 8.30am-12.30pm, support fa ildren that are making or 3pm, depending on the age of the child, and wrap-around care is onf dent ch c nd being inspired on available. progress a ey of lifelong learning. The next open mornings are on Fri 5th February 9-11am and Sat 5th March their journ 10am-12pm. 0370 218 6440 • Fees from £2025 per term for 5 half-day sessions. • Accept childcare brighthorizons.co.uk [email protected] vouchers and government funding for 3 & 4 yr olds. Contact: Sussex House, 23 Cuckfield Rd, Hurspierpoint BN6 9RW Tel: 01273 833353 Contact: Sussex House, 23 Cuckfield Rd, Hurspierpoint BN6 9RW Tel: 01273 833353 Contact: Sussex House, 23 Cuckfield Rd, Hurspierpoint BN6 9RW Tel: 01273 833353 Families SurreyJob No/Name: East A6January-February postcard + advert Date: 07/10/2011 20169 Job No/Name: Date: Job No/Name: Date: Client: North Park Farm Designer: Matt J Client: Designer: Client: Designer:

Size: A6 (148x105mm) + 95x40mm No of pages: 1pp Size: No of pages: Size: No of pages:

Colours: 4 Spot: N/A Proof number: v3.2 Colours: Spot: Proof number: Colours: Spot: Proof number:

Client signature: Client signature: Client signature: Nurseries

YMCA Sovereign Centre, Reigate Pre-school Nurseries/ Tel: 01737 222859 www.ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk Playgroups YMCA East Surrey is opening a brand new pre-school at the YMCA Sovereign Centre in Reigate on 11th April. The Pre-School Government run nurseries and playgroups are usually sessional – will offer high quality and affordable childcare for children aged running for a few hours in the morning and afternoon. These are 2-4, including free Early Years entitlement places. The centre has usually over-subscribed, so it’s a good idea to get your child’s name on purpose-built indoor and outdoor play areas including sensory the waiting list as early as possible. You can use your FEET allocations room, soft play room and a large outside playground. YMCA to pay for your place, so it is often a cheaper option for stay-at-home East Surrey is a leading provider of under 5’s activities and out of parents, or those with flexible working. Bear in mind that these school childcare, recognised with a recent Outstanding OFESTED nurseries operate on a term-time basis, so you’d have to make other report. New manager Katie Dudley has spent 13 years at Willow’s arrangements for holiday cover, and they cater for age 2+yrs only. Day Nursery at Sutton Hospital overseeing the over 2’s unit. The pre-school will be open term-time Panda Nursery, Limpsfield Panda Nursery from 8.45am-2.45pm (Fridays finish Tel: 07812 522492 www.panda-nursery.co.uk at 11.45am). Open days on 25th Jan, Panda has been running for over 55 years and is 22nd Feb, 14th March at 9.30am- based on family values. June Thompson ran Panda 12.30pm and 28th Jan, 25th Feb, 17th for 19 years and daughter-in-law Ali Thompson March at 1-4pm. is now the Director. Panda can take 40 children and is currently full - but you can now register for September 2016 intake. The nursery has a Good Montessori OFSTED rating and provides outstanding care and support to encourage confident, independent, lifelong learners. Favourite activities include Write Nurseries Dance where children listen to a story which involves The Montessori method focuses dance and music, then convert their movements on a child-centred education. The into mark-making on a table, using shaving foam, paint and crayons philosophy is that children are natural learners and should be – strengthening their gross and fine motor skills to support future guided rather than controlled. Montessori education focuses on writing. The nursery has a great outdoor area with a pirate ship, sand order and structure, learning through using their senses and letting pit, mud kitchen, bug house and even a fairy garden! Children often the child absorb the social culture around them. It is focussed on take walks on the field behind the nursery and have regular trips to processes, not results. If you’d prefer your child to have a less formal children’s church services, local schools and attractions. start to their school career, then Montessori might be a good option. • Sessional rate (3 hour session) is £18.50 for all children. • Accept childcare vouchers, FEET and funding for 3 & 4 yr olds. Brambly House, Merstham Tel: 01737 644466 www.montessori.org.uk Brambly House Montessori School was established 15-years ago by High quality care and Tamsyn Kendry and Andrea Thornton, and many of the core staff have been with them from the beginning. education for children Brambly House is a small 23-place nursery school offering sessional aged 3 months to 5 years as well as full day care, working alongside the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Brambly pupils have many opportunities to explore letters and numbers using the Montessori materials, which offer a very hands-on and practical approach, encouraging a positive learning disposition. They also have lots of opportunities to explore reading, writing and numbers through role-play and imaginative play. Food is also an important part of the day, with children collecting eggs from the chickens that live in the grounds and vegetables from the garden. Children are involved in meal preparation to help them understand about healthy choices and where their food comes from. sdgsdfgsdg Everything you‘d expect in a nursery, and more Forest School Nurseries Places AA Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor now Come and visit our fabulous Dorking nursery play and learning, with a philosophy of encouraging and inspiring Active Learning House, Moores Road, children through positive outdoor experiences. Children participate available Dorking, RH4 2BG in activities in a woodland environment, helping to develop their call: 0333 920 6592 emotional and social skills. They learn to handle risks and to use their email: [email protected] initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Learning is through play and the understanding of boundaries and behaviour Inspiring Healthy Innovative to help children grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self Unique programme Specialist sports Purpose designed motivated. If you think your child would benefit from an outdoor of art, drama, music, coaching, organic activity studios, education, rather than a classroom environment, then the Forest science, literacy and cafe, adventure sensory room, baby School approach is for you. IT with dedicated playgrounds, holistic sleep room secure teaching specialists education webcams The only Forest School nursery in East Surrey is in Nutfield – and it is extremely busy! They have some availability for babies from A fresh approach to nursery education September 2016, but older children will have to pin their hopes on an oversubscribed waiting list. Visit their website at nutfieldnursery.co.uk www.activelearningchildcare.co.uk

10 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 Nurseries

One thing is for sure; parents can’t give up their plans or skip going to work because of their Separation child’s tears. Separation is something children have to learn to cope with. It’s all part of their anxiety emotional journey. How to help your child (and There are some practical things you can do to help if your child is showing signs of separation you!) cope with being apart anxiety: ■ Your baby may be comforted by a soft toy t can be very upsetting for a parent when their or blanket which they associate with you child screams and cries as they try to leave them ■ Try to time your leaving spells when your Iwith someone else, whether it is at a nursery, baby is awake and alert. If she is tired, hungry with a child minder or relative. This distress at leaving a parent is called or grouchy then her tears could get out of hand separation anxiety and it is more extreme than just being clingy. ■ Practice leaving your child for short spells (15 minutes at a time All babies, at some point or other in their development, are likely to start with) with a friend or relative to experience separation anxiety in some format. It is very common ■ Try to leave your baby with only a small number of regular and completely normal. It can happen in phases (sometimes very people and keep her surroundings as familiar as possible short ones) and will not last forever. ■ If you know in advance which child minder you will be using, Babies have to learn the ability to trust so when a parent 'disappears' invite her over a couple of times to meet your baby with you if they haven’t yet learned to trust, they take it as a fearful or around or if your baby will be going to a nursery, pay a few short threatening situation. Child psychologists liken it to babies using visits there with her before she starts there their Stone Age instincts. Little ones don’t instinctively know they are safe at nursery school or with Aunty Jane. To them, when mum walks ■ Have a 'bye bye' routine so saying or waving bye bye to you is a fun out of the door, they could be eaten by tigers! thing Of course we know their tears and tantrums are misplaced, but that’s ■ Never sneak away when she is not looking not to say that it isn’t a difficult thing for a parent to witness and cope ■ Always reassure her you will be returning with. Nobody wants to think that their child is panicking and upset ■ when they are being left with someone different or somewhere new. If she is old enough to understand explain you will return “after her nap” or “after her teatime”. Give her a time frame to recognise. At what age does separation anxiety affect children? BUT only if you are sure you can stick to it! ■ Separation anxiety often starts at around the age of eight months When you’ve said goodbye, GO. Don’t nip back or lurk around and usually improves around the one year mark when children are watching her unless you are absolutely certain you won’t be spotted. starting to toddle around more actively and have lots on their mind Emma’s Diary is the UK’s most trusted and influential pregnancy to keep them distracted and entertained. and baby channel. Visit www.emmasdiary.co.uk However, the anxiety sometimes returns at around the age of two, when children become more aware of their own independence, the world around them and their feelings. How to cope with separation anxiety A baby who has separation anxiety needs to be constantly and convincingly reassured that your absence does not mean you have gone forever. The only way to prove this is to leave her and come back again. There is one school of thought that playing the age-old game of peek-a-boo developed from a need to prove to babies that mum can disappear…and come back again.

Open Mornings Friday 5th February 9am-11am FridaySaturday 2nd 5th MarchOctober 10am-12noon 9am -11am Nursery Friday 18th March 9am-11am Saturday 3rd October 10am -12noon Our incredible nursery welcomes boys from the age of two and gives Fridaythem the 20th perfect November introduction to our 9am school. -11am Come Year and see3 what makes our nursery and school so special.

For further details please contact sbrailey@priory prep.co.uk or Tel: 01737 366 942 Bolters Lane, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 2AJ www.prioryprep.co.uk Families Surrey East January-February 2016 11 Health and Fitness

Complementary therapy for children M a s s ag e By Sally J. Hall This can be done at home though it’s worth going to a Many of us try various few classes first to learn the complementary therapies techniques. It’s a great way to bond with your baby or child to help with aches and can help with trapped and pains or a medical wind, sleep and other problems condition but they can such as anxiety. It has been be just as effective for shown to be calming and children, too. Which are reassuring for children with best for your little ones? special needs, too. Note: Please ensure that all essentials oils and carrier oils are kept out of the reach of C r a n i a l children. s t e o pat h y O A c u p u n c t u r e Osteopaths believe that because babies are put into such stressful positions during labour and birth, there has been a lot of pressure Many people think acupuncture is just for adults, but there is a long on the head. They claim that this can be healed with osteopathy. history in China of treating children of all ages, including tiny babies, It can, they say, help with feeding problems, colic, reflux and with this ancient healing art. Here in the West acupuncture for children plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome. Never attempt this yourself and babies is gaining more popularity. Parents are attracted to the and only ever use a qualified osteopath. gentle, drug free nature of this medicine and children tend to respond very quickly to treatment. The needles used are teeny-tiny and in A r om at h e r a p y many cases they are in and out in a flash and are hardly noticed by the young patients. Reigate Though you should be careful about using certain essential oils, as acupuncturist, Samantha they can be very powerful, you can use aromatherapy with your Hamilton-Stent sees baby or child (use just 5 drops of essential oil to 30ml carrier oil). children of all ages for Chamomile in the bath (2-3 drops) helps promote sleep, lavender many conditions such calms and cleanses and eucalyptus can help with a stuffed-up nose. as reflux in babies, colic, Roman chamomile can help stop the itching of chicken pox with a sleep problems across all couple of drops in the bath and dill is used for digestive problems. ages, stress, bed wetting, Read a good book about this first or consult an aromatherapist. ADHD, recurrent infections (like ear infections and R e f l e xo lo g y tonsillitis), skin conditions Especially good for babies and toddlers but just as good with older such as eczema and chest complaints like asthma. Samantha says children, reflexology uses gentle pressure on the foot using your ‘there genuinely is a lot that acupuncture can help with and it’s well thumbs and fingers. It has been shown to calm babies and help worth giving it a try. Almost all children really enjoy the experience them sleep. Contact the Association of Aromatherapists to find a of coming to clinic and the amount of time spent with needles in is practitioner near you (aor.org.uk). generally less than a minute – especially in very young children” Note: Make sure your acupuncturist is a member of the British Acupuncture Council so you can be assured of a highly qualified practitioner. 30-minutes to a fit you! Think you haven’t got time to fit an exercise routine into your busy work and family life? Think again! Curves women’s gym is a fitness centre designed specifically with women in mind. Your workout is based around a 30-minute routine that includes warm up, cardio, strengthening, cool down and stretch. Research proves that 30- mins exercise 3 times a week can help to reduce risk of heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure and osteoporosis. Curves machines adjust to suit your fitness levels and all machines are set-up in a circle, to encourage interaction between members. There are Curves gyms in Redhill and Leatherhead – go and check them out and make just 90-minutes a week for a fit new you. curves.eu/uk 12 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 Health and Fitness

Post Xmas

SKINN IP E Detox HIIT P R After the excesses of PERSONAL TRAINING

SMALL GROUP TRAINING RE TE Christmas, many choose IGA TUMMY GAP PROGRAMME to have a dry January and avoid alcohol – well for part of the month at least. There www.pipskinner.co.uk are many who believe that detoxing is a waste of time, thinking that as the body detoxes naturally every day, Redhill & Reigate why spend time, effort and By feeding your body lots of nutrient rich food and money on detoxing products? avoiding the challenging foods mentioned above, it Artistic Roller Skating Club Nutritionist Jackie Perez shares means your body can more easily remove unwanted SKATING PARTIES her thoughts on the matter… toxins from the body. My clients who have followed these principles whilst doing / FUN SESSIONS Our bodies are incredible! the detox have felt lighter Sundays They are equipped with and brighter after just a week 11.30am-1.25pm a multitude of biological with improved energy, better at Reigate College processes that help digestion, clearer skin and Sports Hall, Rushworth Road break down and excrete often losing a few pounds in LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH: toxins every minute of weight also. every day of your life. ROLLER DISCOS 6-8pm for all ages For more details on Jackie’s However, our bodies are at Hawthorns School, Bletchingley Vitality Detox Plan contact very complex and can For more details please call Barry on her on 07976 707882 or visit perfectbalancehealth. become overburdened when faced 01293 776266 [email protected] co.uk or via Facebook on: www.Facebook.com/ with stress, pollution, toxic load and PerfectBalanceHealthNutrition fatigue and in these cases do not detox so efficiently. Consider this: think about our Juggling sick evolution over thousands of years and how slowly things have moved days and 2 hours FOR YOUR on in that time. Now consider the childcare FAMILY SHOPPING last 50 years, with the growth of the technical era, farming, pesticides, A recent study by PushDoctor. 30 minutes how we grow and process our food co.uk has found that 3m working FOR etc. A lot has changed in a very short days are lost caring for sick YOURBODY time in evolutionary terms. Have our children every year. 67% parents bodies had enough time to adjust have taken a day off work in the to this? I don’t think so, and feel that last 12 months, with the average detoxing should be something we 3 hours a month spent taking 30-minute full body seriously consider to help our bodies children to medial workout cope with the additional stress we appointments, or in sick care. Strength put upon it. Training We all know the pressures of trying and cardio Signs you might need to to find last-minute childcare in detox are feeling tired this situation, with 36% having to One-on-one and sluggish, digestive rope in family or friends to help coaching discomfort, joint pain, out. Sadly, many parents surveyed (28%) said they felt uncomfortable Designed insomnia and headaches. taking time off work, and for women A detox can be as simple as taking all predictably, 72% of the care falls to the challenges out of your diet for a the female in the family! short period of time. I have devised PushDoctor is an NHS- 2 for a detox, which involves just this. If Join together 1 commissioned online service you take sugar, alcohol, caffeine, SPLIT connecting patients with skilled, processed food, wheat and dairy the service GMC-registered UK GPs, via fee out of your diet and eat a diet rich secure video consultations, Located above The Belfry Shopping Centre in vegetables, fruits, lean meat and (Access via Car Park Level 1), 2nd Floor wherever you are. Sounds like a fish and stay hydrated with lots of Tower House, 3 Cromwell Road great idea to us, and cuts down Redhill RH1 1RT Tel: 01737 769555 water and herbal tea you will feel the *Offer based on first visit enrolment, minimum 12 month membership. the amount of time to-ig and fro- New members only. Not valid with any other offer. Valid only at participating benefit after just a week. locations from 1st January 2016. © 2015 Curves International, Inc. curves.eu/uk ing to the doctors. Families Surrey East January-February 2016 13 Holidays

Ski School In The Family Winter Breaks French Alps Best for: 4 years + Now that everyone is back at school, Chilly nursery or work, and the decorations Make New Friends Powder have returned to their corner of the In India Best for: 8 years + loft, what better time to turn your thoughts towards this year’s winter break? We’ve compiled five ideas for 2016/2017, which we hope you’ll find inspiring, whatever your favourite family activities, be they indoors or outdoors, adventurous or traditional. Proper family holidays should mean a combination of fun and relaxation for parents as well as children, and wouldn’t Maybe you’re seasoned skiers who’ve it be exciting to have something to look been waiting for the kids to reach the forward to at the end of the year? Let Intrepid right age, or perhaps you’re novices and the countdown begin! just as nervous as your children: whatever If – like many - you find the thought of your experience, a family skiing holiday taking the family to India a little daunting, – done right – is surely the ultimate The Land Of Fire & Ice then joining a group tour on an itinerary crowd-pleaser for all ages. Early starts (no Best for: 5 years + led by a knowledgeable guide is the stranger to those), exhilarating days in Geography grades need a boost? Keen way forward. On this 10-day trip around glorious surroundings, and plentiful food to get your kids out and about and northern India, you and your family will and hot chocolate galore… With Chilly away from screens? Try tempting them spend Christmas in Rajasthan, having Powder, who own three luxury catered outdoors with a short break to Iceland. rattled around Old Delhi in a rickshaw, chalets in the French Alps, you can ski up One of the most geologically active visited the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and been to your door, therefore avoiding queues places on the planet, Iceland guarantees on a tiger safari in Ranthambore National for ski buses and meaning that you to blow their minds and blow away those Park. A game of cricket with local choose exactly when you start and when cobwebs – and they’ve even got an excuse children, a visit to a Maharaja’s palace, a you finish your day’s skiing, according to to stay up late! Fly into Reyjkavik, pick up Friday mosque or Gandhi’s house in New everyone’s mood! Chilly Powder – created your hire car, and get straight out into Delhi; there are so many unforgettable specifically for family ski holidays – the dramatic Icelandic countryside for experiences to be had. This is the winter provides a crèche and kids club, and their three days’ worth of gigantic waterfalls, season in India, making it ideal for families ski school takes children from 4 years old. explosive geysers and – chances are – the as the temperatures – particularly in the Instructors and nannies are hand-picked extraordinary sight of the northern lights north of the country – aren’t too high, and English speakers. In the afternoons, the overhead. There is minimal light pollution night times are pleasantly cool. Designed kids are kept happily occupied on sledge out here in the so-called Golden Circle with “spirited” families in mind, this trip rides, baking cakes, building snowmen or region of Iceland, so sightings of the won’t appeal to everyone, so you can be playing on the merry-go-round while you aurora are common at this time of year, sure that you’ll be sharing your holiday return to the slopes or put your sunglasses although not guaranteed. Mums and with like-minded parents and children, on and take in the views from whichever dads will love the cosy creature comforts leading to great friendships and a really bar, restaurant or café in the pretty Alpine at Hotel Grimsborgir, whose self-catering fun and successful holiday for all. town of Morzine suits you best. apartments make it ideal for families. Cost: From £1,289 per adult and £1,160 Cost: A week’s half board stay in Au Coin At nearby Thingvellir, you can walk in a per child, including flights from London, all du Feu chalet starts at £1,835 for two adults gap in the earth’s crust between North accommodation, selected meals, transport and two children. Wine is included with America and Eurasia at the meeting point and a local guide. evening meal. Ski school costs £190 a week, of these two tectonic plates: talk about Travel time: Overnight flight from child care prices start at bringing the classroom alive! Heathrow to Delhi takes around 8 £235 per week. Flights Cost: Ground arrangements (excluding hours. Time difference: India is 5 hours plus car hire on top. Travel flights) from £824 per adult, kids go 30 minutes ahead of the UK. Departs: time: Flight from Gatwick to free. 3 nights’ B&B accommodation in a Saturday 17, Monday 19, Monday 26 Geneva with EasyJet takes 1hr 2-bed apartment (with small self-catering December 2016 for 10 nights. Other dates 30 minutes, after which you kitchen) at Hotel Grimsborgir, car rental are available. have a drive of approximately and use of Discover the World’s iDiscover Contact: The Family Adventure Company 1hr 20 minutes to Morzine. digital travel guide. Based on a family of www.familyadventurecompany.com two adults and two children. Airfares start 0808 250 7524 from £212 per adult (including tax) with WOW or Icelandair, when booked through Time difference: France is an hour Discover the World. Travel: Fly from ahead of the UK. Gatwick to Reykjavik in just over three Contact: Chilly Powder hours. Time difference: None www.chillypowder.com Contact: Discover the World 020 7289 6958 www.discover-the-world.co.uk 01737 214291

14 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 Iceland northern lights © RTH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com Holidays

window shop along Multrees Walk and Cologne At Christmas Head For Edinburgh George Street. Wind chill a factor? Head Best for: 4 years + Best for: all ages indoors to see the T-Rex in the National Cologne Tourist Board Museum of Scotland, or take a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle. In Leith, admire the spectacular Christmas decorations aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, and then choose from one of the area’s trendy restaurants afterwards. Cost: At time of writing, a 2 bed apartment within walking distance of central Edinburgh starts from around £120 a night on Airbnb. Alternatively, use the Accommodation search on the Visit Scotland website to find hotels. visitscotland Virgin Trains usually release tickets Straddling the Rhine in the west of twelve weeks before departure, and state Germany, the city of Cologne really, really If your children haven’t yet hit school that this is when they’re cheapest, so goes to town in the month leading up to age, the world is your oyster and set yourself a reminder for September. Christmas. You come here to eat a lot, naturally you’ll be taking your winter Advance tickets can start from around mostly while wandering around stalls idly break before term ends and the chaos £55 per adult - children under 5 are free. looking for presents, but actually planning begins. How about a pre-Christmas Travel time: Take the train from London where next to stop for some spicy mulled city break with your pre-schoolers in Kings Cross or Euston and in less then wine, some gingerbread, or yet another Edinburgh? Scotland’s beautiful capital five hours you’ll be in Waverley station, sausage. You also come here to see the puts on a good show at this time of year, which is very central. You can also fly sheer delight and astonishment on the with a Christmas market in Princes Street from Gatwick in 90 mins. faces of your children as they take in the Gardens which includes Santa Land, with Time difference: None twinkling lights, sparkling decorations, rides, Santa’s Grotto and a Christmas and an atmosphere so festive it would Tree Maze. Edinburgh is ideally explored Contact: have Scrooge jumping for joy. Cologne on foot: push the buggy across the www.airbnb.co.uk has seven Christmas markets, all different cobbled squares and walk the Royal www.visitscotland.com in character and appeal, and we think you Mile until the baby is asleep and then www.virgintrainseastcoast.com need at least two nights and preferably three to make the most of it. Children will particularly enjoy the “Home of the Gnomes”, with a spectacular ice rink at its heart, the delicately beautiful “Market of the Angels”, and of course the “Santa Claus Village”, with its huge advent calendar and carousel. Cobbled squares, narrow lanes and traditional huts, houses and stalls – it’s gorgeous by day and even better by night when the fairy lights are lit and live music accompanies the chatter and the clinking of gluhwein mugs: prost! Cost: With EasyJet Holidays, return flights and three nights in two standard rooms at the NH Koln Mediapark (breakfast included) costs a total of £1,378 based on both kids being over two and therefore paying for flights. Travel time: Fly from Gatwick to Cologne/ Bonn – flight time 1hr 15mins. Departure times are quite late in the evening. From May 2016, adventurous Time difference: Germany families can fly direct from is 1 hour ahead of the UK the UK to Costa Rica for the When: 2016 dates are not first time. The new British yet confirmed at time of Airways flights go from writing, but the markets Gatwick, taking you to the always occupy the month country’s rainforests and leading up to Christmas. beaches in just under 11 2015 dates were November hours. www.easyjet.com 23rd-December 23rd. Contact: Easyjet holidays www.easyjet.com/en/holidays 02034 995232 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 15 Education

but don’t mention it at the school. They may Inspiring tuition - try to teach their child at home or go to a tutor. The truth is that the SEN coordinator free trial session! (SENCO) at the school really is your best friend here. They will help you to get your child the diagnosis they need to get more help. And at the end of the day, when the education system places so much emphasis on passing exams and gaining points, any Explore Learning centres provide maths your child is just a little slower at grasping a help you can get is to be welcomed. and English tuition for 5-14 yr olds of all concept – but actually needs some specialist abilities. The centres are open 7 days a week, help? Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. meaning Explore can fit into busy family life. Stretched schools with pupils from diverse Special Educational Needs, or SEN, is a legal backgrounds have a lot of pulls on their As Explore members, children work with term that the Government and schools use time and resources and it may be hard to tutors who are great educational role to describe the type of child who has some get your child assessed and a ‘statement models, enthusiastic about learning and form of problem or disability that makes of special educational needs’ applied. It’s fantastic motivators. Each child has an learning harder for them than their friends. important that you approach the school with individualised learning programme, and It means that they have assessed your child your worries and your ideas of how your all Explore courses map to the National and have been able to pinpoint what it is (or child could be helped and to keep asking Curriculum in England and the Curriculum as nearly as they can) that makes it so hard questions – what help is there? When can it for Excellence in Scotland. for them to keep up. be given? Is there anything else you can do Find out how your child can benefit from For example, this could be Dyslexia; at home to help? Explore Learning membership today. Book Discalcula; English as a second language; Sometimes some extra tuition is all that is your free trial at Explore in Crawley at concentration levels (such as ADHD); ability required, but if your child is tested and is www. explorelearning.co.uk./crawley to socialise (including Autism spectrum), or given a statement, this translates to extra Special Educational Needs speech or hearing problems. help in classes – and most importantly, extra Parents, though sometimes reluctant to time in exams, sometimes as much as 50%. We all worry when our child is having trouble ‘label’ their child with what they may see as This can mean the difference for your child keeping up with his or her peer group. But a disability, sometimes have a worrying time between a pass and a fail, so make sure you what happens if you suspect that it’s not that when they think their child is struggling, get the help you need.

An outstanding Educating for Confidence from Nursery to Sixth Form independent school for girls & boys aged 2-13 years in ‘LOVE GOD, LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR’ Bletchingley, Surrey

Registered Charity number: 307048

At Farlington we educate for confidence; our girls are happy, successful individuals. To arrange a personal visit at a mutually convenient time, please contact our Registrar on 01403 282 573. Becoming a Hawthornian means… www.farlingtonschool.net …a happy child with the best start to his or her educational journey Independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3 to 18 with a co-educational Nursery Admissions 01883 743048 www.hawthorns.com Farlington School | Horsham | West Sussex | RH12 3PN

16 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 Education

Independent School Open Mornings Spring Term 2016

Aberdour School Burgh Heath KT20 6AJ Downsend Prep School Leatherhead Hazelwood School Limpsfield, Oxted Some open events require advance booking, Boys & girls, 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01737 354119 KT22 8TJ Boys and girls, 6-13 yrs. Tel: 01372 RH8 OQH Boys and girls, 4-13 yrs. Tel: 01883 so please call the school to check. aberdourschool.co.uk Call for dates 372311 downsend.co.uk 13th 712194 hazelwoodschool.co.uk 5th February Bramley School Walton on the Hill November & 6th February, 9.30am 2016, 9.30am Priory Prep School Banstead SM7 2AJ KT20 7ST Girls, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 812004 Dunottar School Reigate, RH2 7EL Lingfield Notre Dame School Lingfield Boys 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01737 366942 prioryprep. bramleyschool.co.uk 5th March, 10am Boyis and girls, 11-18yrs. Call: 01737 761945 RH7 6PH. Co-educational Inter-denominational, co.uk 5th February, 9am & 5th March, Caterham Preparatory School dunottarschool.com 9th February, 9.15am 2½ -18 years. Tel: 01342 838153 (Admissions) 10am Harestone Valley Road, CR3 6YB. Boys & girls, Essendene Lodge School lingfieldnd.co.uk Call for dates Redehall Preparatory School 3-11 yrs. Tel: Registrar on 01883 335046 to Caterham CR3 5PB Girls & boys, 2.5-11 yrs. Manor House School & Nursery Smallfield, Horley RH6 9QA Boys and girls, book your place. caterhamprepschool.co.uk Tel: 01883 348349 essendenelodge.co.uk Bookham KT23 4EN Girls 2-16 yrs. Call Mrs 3-11 yrs. Call for details on 01342 842987 3rd February, 2nd March, 27th April, 9.30am 28th January Fowell 01372 457077 manorhouseschool.org redehall.surrey.sch.uk Please call for dates Chinthurst School Tadworth KT20 5AP Farlington School Strood Park, Horsham, 9th February & 26th April Boys 2.5-13 yrs. Call Angie Webster on 01737 W Sussex RH12 3PN Girls 3-18yrs.Day & boarding. Reigate St Mary’s Chart Lane, Reigate 812011 or visit chinthurstschool.co.uk Tel: 01403 254967 farlingtonschool.net Moor House Hurst Green, Oxted, RH8 9AQ RH2 7RN Girls and boys, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 Please call for dates Prep: 26th January, 9.15am A specialist school for pupils with speech and 244880 reigatestmarys.org language difficulties. Tel: 01883 712217 or 27th January & 9th March, 10.30am Cranmore School Epsom Rd, W. Horsley Pre-prep: 24th February, 9.15am visit moorhouseschool.co.uk Reigate St Mary’s Chart Lane, Reigate KT24 6AT Co-ed 2.5 -7yrs, Boys 7-13yrs. Greenacre School Banstead SM7 3RA Girls, 28th January & 3rd March Tel: 01483 280340 cranmoreprep.co.uk 3-18 yrs. Call Lesley Armstrong on 01737 352114 RH2 7RN Girls and boys, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 4th & 5th March, 9.30am greenacre.surrey.sch.uk 13th November & Micklefield School Reigate RH2 9DUBoys 244880 reigatestmarys.org

R T U T I 18th MVarchI 2016,I N 9.15am and girls, 3-11 yrs. Call 01737 224212 27th January & 9th March, 10.30am Downsend School Pre-Preps L V I I H U I M micklefieldschool.co.uk 12th March, 10am Leatherhead, Ashtead & Epsom. Boys & girls, TheN Hawthorns School Bletchingley Royal Alexandra & Albert School 2-6 yrs. Tel: 01372 372311 downsend.co.uk RH1 4QJ Boys & girls, 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01883 Moon Hall College & Bury’s Court Reigate RH2 0TD Boys & girls, 7-18 yrs. 6th February, 9.30 & 7th May, 2pm 743048 hawthorns.com 6th February, 9am Leigh, Reigate RH2 8RE Boys & girls, 2.5-16 yrs. Tel: 01737 649000 raa-school.co.uk 12th Call 01306 611372 buryscourtschool.co.uk March 2016, 9.30am moonhallcollege.co.uk Warlingham Park SchoolNursery, T U T 12th January & 2nd February, 9.15am I R I I V N Pre-school and Prep, Chelsham Common, L V I I H U Oakhyrst Grange School Caterham CR3 Warlingham CR6 9PB. Boys and girls, I M N 6AF Boys and girls, 3-11 yrs. Call 01883 343344 or 2-11 yrs. Call 01883 626844 or visit visit oakhyrstgrangeschool.co.uk warlinghamparkschool.com Leatherhead • Ashtead • Epsom January 2016, please call for date 4th March, 9.30am An independent prep school for boys and girls aged 2-13 Join us at one of our MATHS & ENGLISH Professional tuition with individually Open Days tailored lesson plans to help your child succeed. Pre-Preps: Book a free assessment 6 February 9.30am to 11.30am 7 May 2.00pm to 4.00pm ✓ Maths & English Tuition ✓ Qualiﬁed Teachers Prep School: ✓ 6 February 6 May FREE Assessment & | From 9:15am ✓ Individual Learning Plan (Headmaster’s Talk at 9:30am) ✓ 80 Minute Lessons Reigate and Redhill 01737 479055 T:01372 372311 www.downsend.co.uk www.kipmcgrath-reigate-redhill.co.uk | [email protected]

Families Surrey East January-February 2016 17 ClubCLUB News NEWS Springfit Expansion in Learning Spanish Gives Horley Kids a Head Start Early in 2016 Springfit Gymnastics & Trampo- Reigate-based Kate Haacke started line Club are going to be adding another Free- Spanish classes as a La Jolie Ronde style Gymnastics session to their weekly class licensee two years ago, and has now schedule, bringing their total number of week- grown to 13 classes a week at local schools ly classes to 69. The first class will run on Thurs and nurseries, and at her Saturday Spanish 6th Jan from 8-9pm at Oakwood Sports Centre Club. She now has approx 100 children Springfit in Horley and is open to anyone aged 10+ yrs. taking part in weekly sessions! La Jolie Freestyle Gymnastics is becoming more and Ronde classes work on the principle that more popular, and the Springfit classes allow if children are enjoying themselves and youngsters to practice and perfect their skills having fun, they will pick up the new and ‘stunts’ in a safe environment under the language relatively effortlessly. Classes watchful eye of a team of ‘Freestyle’ coaches. involve playing with puppets, singing And for those of you who live in the South East action songs, listening to stories and of the county near to East Grinstead, Springfit playing games in Spanish. has also recently launched Funfit for pre-school- Young children are very receptive to ers aged 2+ at the Jubilee Centre, running at new sounds and it is a great to get them 11am on Tuesday mornings. www.springfit.org thinking about different languages and cultures from an early age. Spanish Musical Friends is also a valuable language to learn Local mum Nicola Peet will be launching new because it is spoken by 350m native toddler group Musical Friends in Reigate in speakers worldwide and is important for early 2016. The relaxed music and movement international business. Learning whilst classes, suitable for birth-4yrs will help to young increases the likelihood of a person develop your child's confidence, co-ordina- acquiring a foreign language accent-free, tion, language and speech. You can drop in and is also great for developing general and pay on a per-session basis and enjoy the communication skills. action songs, parachute play and a coffee and To find out more about the benefits of a natter for mums afterwards! For more info languages for young children, visit Kate’s visit musical-friends.co.uk/reigate website www.spanish4kidz.co.uk We’re now on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/candcdanceschool productions. For ballet there’s the Royal Principals: Dancing Feet Miss C Walford CDE - AISTD (Dip) Academy of Dance (rad.org.uk) or for Miss C Taylor (Dip Dance Performers Course) By Sally J. Hall Accredited by Council for Dance modern dance, Imperial Society Modern Education & Training in UK Some great ideas for starting your child’s Theatre & Tap Dance (istd.org). Reigate Free love of dance and performing arts. School of Ballet and C&C Dance School Trial Tel: 01737 763391 Class! Email: [email protected] Tiny dancer both offer a good range of classes. If they aren’t motivated by grades, street and jazz Ballet, Modern, Street & Funky Jazz, When your child is very young, shuffling dance are great. Inspire Dance Academy Tap, Musical Theatre, around on tip toe while wafting their hands run holiday classes, where you can try lots Mother & Toddler, Mini Movers, or pretending to be a tiger is about as much of different styles. Drama, Tread the Boards as you can ask for. A dance or acting class will (Drama, Singing and Dancing) keep them keen and entertained – and going Boy’s brigade & Adult classes. back each week. Expect to have to stay for Dance is not just for girls and though your Classes held in Nutﬁeld, near Redhill. these classes. son may have to cope with a bit of teasing, www.candcdanceschool.co.uk Try MAD Academy in Dorking, Reigate & Redhill there are plenty of roles for male dancers on for a mix of music and the stage, in TV and touring groups. Check movement, or BabyBallet out new dance school Boom Arts Academy, for children aged launching in the Croydon area in Jan 2016, 6m-4yrs. Stagecoach which offers boys breakdancing classes. also offers dance, acting What’s available? and singing as a part of If you’re not sure which style, take your child its syllabus, with classes to a taster session – most schools will offer a from 4yrs. free trial. And if they get older and hang up Starting to get their ballet shoes, why not encourage them more serious to move on to a funkier style rather than give up dancing altogether? If your child wants to carry on dancing or Ballet, Tap, Ballet and Tap, Modern Dance acting, start looking and Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, at a class where they Break Dance, Street Dance, Commercial ® can take grades or Dance (a blend of Street and Hip Hop) – get involved with there’s loads to choose from. 18 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 Half term news

Holiday Club Providers Visit Fishers Farm for Support your local library Wiggly Week and hold hands and find unlimited books, with some very creepy crawlies! free internet and some peace Please contact clubs fishersfarmpark.co.uk and quiet! Many also run kids directly for booking info classessurreycc.gov.uk/people- and reservations Get crafty at Hobbycraft and-community/libraries Wild Learning in Crawley which holds lots of classes for all age groups and Visit the bunnies and fish Tel: 01483 424400 abilities hobbycraft.co.uk at Pets at Home in Redhill or wild-learning.co.uk EzeeSport Dorking – a great one to have Outdoor day activities and Experience Formula1 Let’s up your sleeve on a rainy day camps in Dorking, Godalming, Race simulators in Horley (especially for toddlers). They Guildford and coming soon to Mega Days at Hawthorns One for the bigger kids, over sometimes run workshops too Reigate. 10.15am-4pm. Ages Hawthorns School, Blethingley, 1.5m tall letsrace.co.uk petsathome.com 5-12yrs. £38.50 per day. RH1 4QJ Tel: 01883 743377 hawthorns.com Ages 3-12yrs. Swing from the treetops 9am-4pm £31 per day. Get outdoors and get EzeeSport Holiday Clubs at GoApe in Tilgate Park, they Leatherhead Leisure Centre, physical with Momentum Action House St Paul’s parkour and Baretech have two courses for different KT22 9BL Tel: 07862 220857 abilities and ages goape.co.uk ezeesport.com School, Dorking, RH4 2HS. free running at Box Hill Tel: 07984 405484 momentumcommunity.co.uk 16th & 18th Feb. 3-7yr olds, Get square eyes at your action-house.co.uk 5-11yrs. 9.30am-12.30pm. 7-11yr olds, local cinema. Check out the 9.30am-3pm. Half day £15.50; 9am-5pm £22.15. Half day £14. Visit High Ashurst, one of the Surrey Outdoor Learning Saturday morning kids clubs for full day £25. Early booking disc cheap rates, family films and all now available. YMCA & Development centres, for ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk a range of physical outdoor the popcorn you can eat! Visit Everyman in Reigate & Oxted, Fit for Sport Redhill & Banstead: Y-Kids and water-based activities or The Harlequin in Redhill. Dorking Sports Centre, RH4 playschemes for 4-12yrs. 10am- surreyoutdoorlearning.uk 1SW. Tel: 0845 456 3233 4pm £18/ 8.30am-6pm £27. Tel: fitforsport.co.uk 01737 779979 or 01737 362058 Think you can fit them all in…? Activity camps from 15th-19th Reigate: Yippee and Yip4Youth Feb. From age 4-12yrs; prices playschemes for children with from £32 a day. needs and disabilities. 5-18 yrs. 10am-4pm £18. Cranbrook Adventurers Tel: 01737 222859 Coppingham Cottage, Horley, RH6 9EF. Tel: 01293 823163 cranbrooknursery.co.uk Try something 8am-6pm. Ages 4-11yrs. £38.25 different this half term per day. th st You’ll find loads of local What’s Sat 13 – Sun 21 Feb Sports Focus UK On listings on pages 21-23, New born lambs Reigate & Tadworth. Tel: 0844 including family attractions, Sheep and lamb talks 318 1700 sportsfocusuk.com museums, National Trust Meet Shelley the Sheep Multi activity camps and and theatres. BUT, if that’s Spinning demos football camps for 4-11yr olds. still not enough inspiration, Woolly bales From £15 for half-day sessions. check out our Top 10 Tips for Face painting Call for half term timetable. entertainment during the school break. Supercamps Tel: 01235 467300 Record a single with To celebrate take part in: supercamps.co.uk. up to 10 of your mates FREE Finding feathers mini quiz Activities at venues in Sutton at the state-of-the-art FREE Bird feeder making crafts and South Croydon. Ages Dragonfly Studios in Reigate 4-14yrs. £45 per day or £180 dragonflyrecordingstudios.co.uk www.godstonefarm.co.uk per week.

British Wildlife Centre Over 40 different native wild animal species

Tap Specialists in the art of ballet Open at weekends Ballet & during state Modern REIGATE’S school holidays Streetdance Try ANY class LEADING Half term open: Adult Dance for FREE for Sat 13 Feb - Sun 21 Feb Contemporary 3 weeks Dance with no obligation 1 child FREE with this advert - save £8.00! Musical Theatre School Valid to Sunday 28 Feb 2016 with one full paying adult - No cash alternative One voucher per party - No photocopies - Not to be used with other offers (FSE 01-16) 01737 247795 We’re on the A22, Newchapel, nr Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF www.reigateschoolofballet.com 01342 834658 www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk

Families Surrey East January-February 2016 19 Clubs & Classes Out & About Nature Notes Pool Schools Big Garden Birdwatch Batemans near Burwash Last year over half a million people took part in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch, spotting more than 8.5m birds across the UK, and the organisers are hoping this year's watch will be a record- breaking event. This year's survey takes place on 30th- 31st Jan. To take part, simply spend one hour Trust National counting the birds in your garden or local Winter Walks park, and record the Many of the National Trust properties shut over the winter months, highest number of each for restoration, but there are a few local parks and houses that you bird species seen at any can still visit for wonderful winter walks, including the Great Escape one time. The morning at Chartwell or the Animal Trail at Poleden Lacey during half term. is the best time to look, when the birds are out and about feeding after a cold winter night. Try visiting Batemans near Burwash, the home of Rudyard Kipling, for a gentle stroll through the fields, hills and woodlands of the To sign up for a free Big Garden Birdwatch 2016 pack, go to 300-acre estate. Indoors in January, the exhibition Books for www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Boys celebrates the golden age of children’s literature during the If you’re a teacher or parent who would like your school to get Victorian and Edwardian periods, including The Jungle Book and involved, then the RSPB is also running a Big Schools’ Birdwatch Wind in the Willows. Books from some of the period’s best-loved from 4th Jan-9th Feb, with lots of resources available on their authors are displayed alongside toys and games. website. Sign up now and receive a free bird identifier poster. For opening times visit nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans Build a Bird Box with Weave your own wigwam! Join the experts from Surrey Wildlife Trust on Sat 27th Feb to weave Gatwick Greenspace your own sustainable wigwam or plant support for use this spring. Sticking with the bird Cut your own materials from Ockham Heath, which will help the theme, it’s National Nest team manage this rare habitat. Perfect for those sweetpeas and eco Box Week, and the perfect warriors! time to encourage our Meet at Pond car park, Old Lane, Ockham Common, KT11 1ND, with feathered friends into a half-a-mile walk to the activity spot. Adults £3; children £1, please your neighbourhood by email [email protected] to book. making a home for them in time for the breeding

season. Join the Gatwick Suzanne Forster Greenspace team on Tues 16th Feb in The Barn at Female sparrow collecting nesting material Tilgate Park, to make up to two bird boxes for your garden. Each session lasts one hour and all tools and instructions are provided. Event is run by Sussex Wildlife Trust, so visit their website to book www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson or call 01273 497561. Prices SWT members £7.50; non-members £10.00. Booking essential. Suitable for adults and for children aged 6+yrs. InTandridge Animal Doors at Limpsfield Common If you’ve got a Peter Rabbit fan at home, then why not take them on an adventure walk to Limpsfield Common where you can spot animal doors belonging to Beatrix Potter’s characters. There are 5 to find, including Peter Rabbit’s post office, Owl’s House and Fox Villa. For the best route, park at Ridland Grove car park, Oxted, RH8 0ST. The National Trust, who owns the land, are also doing a lot of work renovating the air raid shelters at the common, which were a haven for local school children and families during the second world war. The next guided tour of the shelters is on Sun 13th March, visit nationaltrust.org.uk. 20 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 What's On Guide

What’s on? How The Koala Learnt To Hug The Hawth Theatre Hawth Ave, Performances Crawley, RH10 6YZ Tel: 01293 553636 hawth.co.uk Based on the best selling book The Jungle Book by Steven Lee, this family musical has been The Courtyard Theatre Longshaw, Hazelwood Lane, Chipstead, written especially for children aged 3+. Feb CR5 3QU Tel: 01737 555680 chipsteadplayers.org Chipstead Players 27th at 2.30pm. Tickets: £7.50; Family of bring Rudyard Kipling's classic tale to the stage. Performances 6-10th four: £26 Jan and 13-16th Jan; matinees on 6th, 10th & 16th. Tickets: £8 & £10. Mother Goose Pantomime The Barn Theatre 25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, RH8 0AA Tel: 01959 561811 barntheatreoxted.co.uk The Oxted Players present Mother Goose - a traditional family panto by Daniel Bell. Tickets: £10 adults; £9 children. 8th-16th January. Romeo & Juliet Fairfield Halls Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG fairfield.co.uk The most famous love story in the world is brought to life in a vibrant, fun-filled Shakespeare 4 Kidz production. Ideal for those studying at KS2 and KS3. 12th Jan at 1.30pm & 7.30pm; 13th Jan at 10am & 1.30pm. Tickets: Adults £22.50; Children/Schools £12 Peppa Pig's Surprise The Hawth Theatre Hawth Ave, Crawley, RH10 6YZ Tel: 01293 553636 hawth.co.uk Surprise! Peppa Pig, George and their friends are back in a brand new live stage show. 27th Jan 1pm & 4pm; 28th Jan 10am & 1pm. Tickets: Adult: £17; Child: £15, (ages 12-24 months: £11.50). Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Hawth Theatre Hawth Ave, Crawley, RH10 6YZ Tel: 01293 553636 hawth.co.uk X-Factor winner Joe McElderry dons the coveted coat. Lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. 2nd-6th Feb, various times. Tickets from £27.50-£33.50 depending on performance. The Gruffalo’s Child The Hawth Theatre Hawth Ave, Crawley, RH10 6YZ Tel: 01293 553636 hawth.co.uk Adapted from the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 11th Feb 4.30pm; 12th Feb 10.30am & 4.30pm; 13th Feb 10.30am & 2pm. Tickets £11.50 My Pet Monster & Me The Harlequin Theatre Warwick Quadrant, , Redhill, RH1 1NN Tel: 01737 276 500 harlequintheatre.co.uk One day, Sophie finds an egg. She keeps it warm, and out pops a cuddly, toothy, burpy, baby monster! And this is when the fun begins. 15th Feb, 2pm. Hobgoblin Theatre Denbies Wine Estate London Rd, Dorking RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 denbies.co.uk Hobgoblin Theatre puts on a children's show as part of Bocketts Farm Park 13th - 21st Feb 2016 Denbies week of half-term activities. 17th Feb at 11am & 2pm. Tickets £7.50. FEBRUARY HALF TERM FUN The Hollywood Special Effects Show ENJOY FREE RANGE FAMILY FUN THIS The Dorking Halls Theatre, FEBRUARY HALF TERM! Reigate Rd, Dorking RH4 1SG Daily birds of prey flying demonstrations! Tel: 01306 881717 dorkinghalls. (Mon-Fri only) 70 co.uk Interactive and explosive GORGEOUS Plenty of indoor play & activities NEWBORN family show takes you behind LAMBS DUE the scenes of your favourite films. Early Spring lambing starts Special effects from an on-stage HEATED Visit the Pony Parlour PLAYBARN inferno to gruesome sci-fi monsters. & SEATING Ages 6+yrs. Feb 17th at 2.30pm. PLUSPLUS: Animal handling, goat AREA! Tickets: Adults £18.50; children £15.50. milking, tractor rides, pig racing and pony rides daily! AWARD Horrible Histories Live On Stage! Groovy WINNING! Greeks and Incredible Invaders www.bockettsfarm.co.uk Fairfield Halls Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG fairfield.co.uk # Prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories, using actors and 3D special £2 OFF full price farm entry per person* effects to make historical figures and events come alive on stage. Age SPECIAL Valid weekends from 2nd Jan - 7th Feb 2016. Only with this 7+yrs. Feb 16th-20th, see website for performance times. OFFER voucher (*max 5 people). Off Peak Winter Weekday rates of Tickets: Adults £17; Children £12. £6.50 per person apply Mon - Fri until 12th Feb 2016. FM Families Surrey East January-February 2016 21 What's On Guide

Outdoor Activities Half Term Fun at Bocketts Farm Build a Bird Box with Gatwick Into the Trenches POW Family Trail Bocketts Park Farm Greenspace Young St, Fetcham, Chartwell House & Gardens Tilgate Park Titmus Drive, Crawley RH10 5PQ Leatherhead, KT22 sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk Come and make up Mapleton Road, Westerham, TN16 1PS 9BS Tel: 01372 363764 Tel: 01732 868381 nationaltrust.org.uk to two bird boxes for your garden. Each session bocketts.co.uk Enjoy lasts one hour and all tools and instructions are Discover how Winston Churchill escaped a great day out on the as a PoW during the Boer War. Follow in his provided. Feb 16th at 10am, 11am & 12pm. Cost: farm with the start of the £7.50 (SWT members); £10 (non members) footsteps and make your own decisions about Spring lambing. There how you would escape capture. Jan 1st-Feb are up to 90 lambs due Wild Woodland Camp 21st. Standard admission applies. from Feb 12th - you may Painshill Park Portsmouth Rd, Cobham, even see one being born! Birds of Prey at Denbies KT11 1JE Tel: 01932 868 113 painshill.co.uk Have Birds of Prey will also be a wild time this Feb half term with tracking, wild Denbies Wine Estate London Rd, at the farm 15th-19th, art, bushcraft and den building (for children aged Dorking , RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 with flying demonstrations twice daily. Visit 8 -13yrs). Tuesday 16th: Bushcraft and Woodland denbies.co.uk the Pony Parlour, open for pony grooming Wide-Games; Wednesday 17th: Tree Trolls and See these magnificent creatures up close as sessions. Open every day! Adults £9.30; Sand Castles; Thursday 18th: Dens, Camp Fires, Hot they fly at Denbies. Feb 15th at11am & 3pm Children £9.95; under 2yrs. (12.30pm display, weather permitting) Chocolate and Marshmallows. Cost: £40 a day. Time: Secret Life of Dogs Trail 9am-4pm. Advance booking required. Book online Children’s half term trail or call 01932 868113. Polesden Lacey Great Bookham, Dorking, Winkworth Arboretum Hascombe RH5 6BD Tel: 01372 452048 nationaltrust.org. Spring into Spring Road, Godalming, GU8 4AD Tel: 01483 208936 uk Come and uncover the hidden secrets of nationaltrust.org.uk/winkworth-arboretum Mrs Greville's beloved pets on a fun family trail Gatton Park, Rocky Lane, Reigate, RH2 0TD Get some fresh air as you explore the around Polesden's beautiful grounds. Normal Tel: 01737 649065 gattonpark.com/events-for- Arboretum on the children’s trail during this admission, plus £2 per trail. Feb 15th-21st. children.php Crafts, trails & activities to get you and half term holiday. Feb 13th-21st, 10am-4pm. Normal admission +£2 per trial your kids out of hibernation this half term! Booking 50p plus standard admission required. Feb 17th at 10am & 1pm. £7 per child. Living With Birds at Hever Castle The Secret Lives of Insects Make your own birdbox Hever Castle & Gardens Hever, Nr RHS Wisley Gardens Wisley Lane, GU23 Edenbridge, TN8 7NG Tel: 01732 865224 Land Barn Farm Hole Hill, Westcott, 6QB Tel: 0845 260 9000 rhs.org.uk hevercastle.co.uk Dorking, RH4 3LS Tel:01372 220644, surreyhills@ Discover the secrets of the butterfly and Support National Nest Box Week at Hever nationaltrust.org.uk Family-friendly event other insects with free family activities Castle’s ‘Living with Birds’ event this half where you can make your own birdbox using during half term at Wisley. Standard term. Nature expert Tim Christian returns to local Surrey wood harvested from National Trust admission applies. Feb 13th-21st. lead a bird land. Booking essential. Bring a packed lunch. Feb 19th, 9.30am-2pm. £35 per box Family Treasure Hunt box building workshop. Indoor Activities Gatton Park Rocky Lane, Reigate, RH2 0TD Feb 15th- Tel: 01737 649065 gattonpark.com/events- 20th. £6 in Quentin Blake: Inside Stories for-children.php addition to Explore the grounds to discover and answer entrance fee. Lightbox Gallery Chobham Rd, Woking, the clues to claim a prize. Booking required. GU21 4AA Tel: 01483 737800 thelightbox.org. Feb 15th at 10am & 1pm. £7 per child uk Bookworms will love this landmark exhibition (accompanying adult free) by one of the UK’s best-loved illustrators. Get a unique insight into some of Blake’s most characteristic and popular creations, from Roald Dahl's ‘The Twits’ and ‘Danny the Champion of the World’ to his own ‘Clown’, and ‘The Boy in The Dress’ by David Walliams. Runs to Jan 17th. Under 18s free. Butterflies in the Glasshouse RHS Wisley Gardens, Wisley Lane, Woking, GU23 6QB Tel: 0845 260 9000 rhs.org.uk /wisley butterflies Set hearts aflutter this winter with exotic butterflies amongst plants from far-off shores in the jungle paradise of the Tropical Zone of The Glasshouse. Be amazed by the many colours and sizes of butterflies and learn all about them. Face painting and willow weaving activities on the opening weekend (Jan 16-17th). Runs every day from Jan 16th-March 6th. Pre-book online for your timed slot. Garden entry included with full price tickets. Adults £13.20; Children 5+ £6.60. 22 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 What's On Guide

Railways in Dorking Nearly New Sales Classifieds Dorking Museum The Old Foundry, Bumps2Babies Nearly New Sales Would you like to see your business advertised 62 West St, Dorking, RH4 1BS Tel: 01306 St Matthew's Church Station Rd, Redhill, here from just £20 per issue? Reach 40,000 local 876591 dorkingmuseum.org.uk/events readers with Families Surrey East. Use old photos to compare Dorking RH1 1DL bumps2babiessales.com Pre-loved stations then to now. Use old maps to solve toys, clothes & baby equipment. Refreshments Childcare the mystery of where some stations used to available. 30th Jan, 2-4pm. £1 per adult. be. Make a push pull moving train card. Jan United Reformed Church Harestone Need a Nanny? We can help source and place 16th, 2-4pm. Hill, Caterham , CR3 6SX bumps2babiessales. high-calibre Nannies and Mothers Helps, Maternity com Pre-loved toys, clothing and baby Nurses and Nanny/Housekeepers. All CRB checked. Jacqueline Wilson at equipment for sale. Refreshments available. Nannies Unlimited Tel: 01737 643918. Readingzone Festival Feb 27th, 10am-12pm. £1 per adult OFSTED registered childminder available in the Epsom Playhouse Ashley Ave, Epsom Mum2Mum Market Nearly New Sales Salfords area. 15-years experience from newborns to KT18 5AL Tel: 01372 742555 teens. Happy to do school/nursery drops. Call Helen epsomplayhouse.co.uk St Mark's Church Hall Alma Rd, Reigate, Bestselling children's author will be talking RH2 0DA mum2mummarket.co.uk Symonds on 07766 225242. about her work and career, and taking Nearly new sale of pre-loved baby clothes, Fitness questions from the audience during this hour- toys and equipment. Feb 6th, 11am-1pm. long event. Feb 6th at 2-3pm. £5 per ticket. United Church of St Mark Great Pilates classes at St Lawrence church Hall, Tattenhams, Banstead, KT18 5RD Effingham. Friday morning 9-10am. Contact Jane LEGO & Vintage Toy Exhibition mum2mummarket.co.uk Pre-loved baby and on [email protected] or 07503 462890 for Denbies Wine Estate London Rd, toddler toys, clothes and equipment. Feb more details. 27th, 11am-1pm Dorking, RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 Gardening denbies.co.uk LEGO & Vintage Toy NCT Nearly New Sale Exhibition with daily charity LEGO builds In need of weeding, pruning, planting or (pre-booking essential!). Feb 15th-19th, Dorking Branch North Holmwood tidying? General gardening advice? Contact MrsTrim- 11am-3pm. £1.50 per build Village Hall, Spook Hill, Dorking, RH5 4JP [email protected] 07970 406637. nct.org.uk/branches/dorking NCT Dorking Creation Station craft sessions holds four Nearly New Sales each year, where Hairdressing you can get some great bargains, sell your Denbies Wine Estate, London Rd, Experienced mobile hairdresser for cuts, colour Dorking , RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 children’s old (but good condition) toys and clothes and help support the NCT too. and parties/occasions. No fuss, no babysitters – I www.denbies.co.uk Craft activities for all ages. can come to you! Contact Fiona on 07747 675 652 or Feb 16th at 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child. Newborn and children’s clothes, maternity wear, toys and equipment (such as prams [email protected]. Super Sports free family drop in & cots). Feb 6th, 10.15am-12pm (members Tutors session entry at 10am). Surrey History Centre 130 Goldsworth Events & Diary Dates Rd, Woking, GU21 6ND Tel: 01483 518737 shs@ surreycc.gov.uk Enjoy fun crafts like making Busylizzy 1st birthday: Jan 14th your own racing car, designing your own team Busylizzy family club celebrates its1st kit, creating a horse ready for the Derby and birthday. There will be a special extended Baby making your own winners medal. Ages 3-12 Boogie session at 9.50am, followed by a Disco yrs. Feb 16th-20th, see times on website. Dudes & Divas party for toddlers at 11am. Tropical Creepy Crawly Expect birthday cake, dancing and balloons! Busylizzyreigate.co.uk Tel: 01737 887227 Denbies Wine Estate London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 Breakfast Week: Jan 24-30 denbies.co.uk Creepy crawlies from all over Special week-long event to celebrate the the globe visit Denbies as part of their most important meal of the day. Lots of info week of half-term kids activities. Feb 18th at and recipes and for parents and schools at 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child. shakeupyourwakeup.com/breakfast-week/ Shops in Dorking Chinese New Year: Feb 8th Dorking Museum The Old Foundry, Welcome in the year of the Monkey. Woking 62 West St, Dorking, RH4 1BS Tel: 01306 usually has a celebration parade. Visit 876591 dorkingmuseum.org.uk/events visitsurrey.com/discover/woking for info. Look at old adverts and photos to find out how shopping has changed in Dorking. Pancake Day: Feb 9th Make a shop in a box from times gone by. Don’t forget Shrove Tuesday for pancake Feb 20th, 2-4pm. flipping madness! WHY NOT VISIT? Valentines Day: Feb 14th London Bus Museum Brooklands A great excuse to tell everyone you love them! Road, Weybridge, KT13 0QN Tel: 01932 837994 londonbusmuseum.com Mother’s Day: March 6th Got a transport enthusiast at home? A trip It’s creeping in early this year. You might to the London Bus Museum will make their not get your next issue of Families before day. Based at Brooklands site in Weybridge, Mother’s Day 2016, so check out our website the museum is an ode to over 100 years of for ideas of things to do with mum, including bus transportation. Adult £11.00; children a Pink Sparking afternoon tea at Chartwell 5-16yrs £6.00; under 5s free. House, 5th & 6th March at 3.30pm.

Families Surrey East January-February 2016 23 Networking Mummies Profile: Samantha Taylor Founder of Networking Mummies East Surrey branch Tell us a bit about you: I live with my their own businesses. There are now husband and 2 children nr Redhill. I am 32 branches across the UK. There are a Chartered Accountant and prior to no membership fees and children are having a family had roles in both private welcome at many of the events. practice and industry, but decided to How does it help local working parents? take a career break when my first child The East Surrey branch holds regular was born. free face-to-face networking coffee What do you do now? I have my own mornings, where children are welcome. small accountancy practice, Samantha These events give members a chance love being able to drop my children Taylor ACA, which I run from home to network their business in a relaxed, at school and pick them up every day, around my family. I offer a range of informal way. We also run other low cost whilst still having a fulfilling career. I bookkeeping, accountancy and tax events and workshops such as ‘Speed have had my own business since 2011, services. My clients are mainly small, Networking’ evenings. I am planning but have grown it considerably in the owner managed businesses and a series of workshops, on topics such last two years, since my youngest child individuals, the majority of whom are as Facebook and Twitter, which will started school. local parents. I also run the East Surrey run during 2016. The branch also has a For more info please visit branch of Networking Mummies, Facebook group for event updates and networkingmummies.com the award winning family business for members to help and support each email: eastsurrey@ community, which I started in June 2015. other. networkingmummies.com or search Tell us about Networking Mummies? Advice for parents considering starting for Networking Mummies (East Surrey) Networking Mummies UK was their own business: I can’t recommend on FB. If you would like to get in established five years ago in Dorset by having your own business enough, but touch with Samantha regarding her two mums who saw a gap in the market you do need to be prepared to work accountancy business, please visit for family friendly business networking hard to promote yourself and your samanthatayloraca.com or search events for parents and carers with business, especially in the early days. I Samantha Taylor ACA on FB.

Award-winning maths & English tuition ages 5 -14

New skills Confidence Enthusiasm

Free trial session - book today!

Crawley 01293 853 446

www.explorelearning.co.uk

24 Families Surrey East January-February Families 2016 Surrey East January-February 2016 24