JU A LY UGUS T 2016 ISS UE 47 LEEDS’ FAVOURITE PARENTING MAGAZINE SUMMER SPECIAL SWIMMING & CAMPS ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM SA XON SUMMER TUES 26 JULY – SAT 3 SEPT w w Action-packed events and w . r o activities for all the family y a l a r m o FALCONRY HORSE SHOWS WARRIORS SPORTS u r i CRAFTS DIGGING UP THE PAST SUPERHEROES e s . WARRIOR TREASURES EXHIBITION o r g Visit our website for more information 23 J uly - 5 S ept embe r, 10am - 6pm Summer Adventures Family fun perfectly located between Harr ogate & Leeds, LS22 4AN www .sto ck el dpa rk.co .uk The winners of last issue’s Welcome Back… Orchard Toys competition were Lizzy Woodhead and Without fail, I will cry when my son leaves Year Jane Sanderson. Our Shuffles Two this term. His teacher, class and school are so Entertainment competition was won by Bella Barnes. much part of our lives that I know it will bring me Congratulations to them and up short when it is time to say goodbye. thank you to all who entered. He’ll s till be with the same friends next year, in the same lovely school, but it is a small loss that’s a reminder that all of it is ultimately temporary. For this issue’s competition, see page 19. That one day he will leave forever. As he himself would say: “sad face”. However, when I’ve wiped away the tears, there’ll be a sense of freedom, elation even, at being released from the shackles of the school run. No more homework, book bag monitoring, uniform maintenance and shouting Contents … “PUT YOUR PANTS ON WE’RE LATE!” For six whole weeks. Smiley face. And by the time we’ve got home, kicked back and relaxed, the true 4 & 5 NEWS debauchery of the summer holidays will have started to set in. The days are so relaxed. And in the words of Olivia Newton-John, 8 & 9 POOLSIDE Oh – those summer nights! Swimming Special Abandoning The Bedtime Routine and letting the children stay up late – 10 & 11 WHO’S OFF TO CAMP? and hopefully lie in a bit too, is one of the key advantages of the summer Workshops and holiday clubs – there’s still time to book holidays for me. Whether it’s playing with the neighbours, the end of a long day with friends, or a trip to the park, pub or cricket club, my children are 13 PRE-SCHOOLS social animals with a voracious appetite for communal scooting, tig, crisps, Learn all about them J20s and the hours past sunset. Throwing them into bed at the end of such an evening is a moment’s work. 14 & 15 CLUBS & CLASSES By the end of the summer holidays they will be feral and filthy, and it will be All the latest news time for school and order once more. We’ll be sad that our summer holidays are nearly over, but there will be something to relish about giving them a 17 STARTING SCHOOL good clean, buying new school shoes, and starting all over again. A beginner’s guide Have a 22 – 27 WHAT’S ON? wonderful summer! Our bumper round-up of all that’s on offer in July & August Claire Bottomley Like us on Facebook CONTACT US: www.familiesonline.co.uk Follow us on Twitter 07799 667 041 • [email protected] CI RCULATION: We distribute 18,000 copies of the magazine free of charge through schools, nurseries, playgroups, clubs and classes, selected retail outlets Families Leeds Ltd is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in and sports centres. Read by more than 40,000 parents. If you would the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark like copies for your establishment please let us know. of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Leeds Ltd are fully protected by copyright and non of the editorial or DESIGNED BY: photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take JUSTIN LEEMING • 07745 038 005 • www.jgl-design.co.uk every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for PRINTED BY: the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. CHARLESWORTH PRESS, Wakefield • www.charlesworth.com Next to Moortown Primary School Come and join us for the best day ever , at our visonary nursery . With inspiring Lov ing C arreoo amn s dan dS audpve nrtbu roE uds uocutatidooorsn , our learned & dedicated team look forward to welcoming you! The Old Chapel, Shadwell Lane, Leeds. LS17 6DR 07766 808 257 [email protected] t: e: www .yorkshiremontessorinursery .co.uk 3 FAMILIES NEWS… Soft play centre Eddie Catz comes to Mothercare in Leeds A brand new softplay centre has opened up Studio and Shortcuts children’s hairdresser. in a popular destination for parents and little Combined, the new area will provide a space ones – Mothercare. for parents to meet up, relax and have a drink Eddie Catz is a softplay business with while their children play. well-established centres in London. Darren Johnson, owner of Eddie Catz said, It will offer a three tier play frame for “We are delighted to join Mothercare’s store children up to age five, with a crawler’s zone to add to what makes it already not only a and a studio and community space, which great shopping destination but an experience will host a variety of pre-school and toddler for young families.” and post-natal classes, holiday drop off Eddie Catz will open to the public from July workshops and birthday parties. 5, Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm, Say hello to the Big The softplay and studio will be on the Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Friendly Summer first floor alongside Angelina's Café, PixiFoto Reading Challenge It’s that time of year again – the Summer Reading Challenge is back for another school Calling all Parents: 22 Street summer holiday. Lane is the place to be… It’s a fantastic way to keep your children reading over the summer, and encourage them to expand their reading choices. A brand new exclusive day nursery has the extra attention they need during their This year’s Big Friendly Read Summer opened its doors in Roundhay. 22 Street early development. Our healthy menu has Reading Challenge is linking up with Roald Lane Nursery offers an outstanding learning been designed by a top children’s nutritionist Dahl 100 celebrations, honouring the world’s experience for children aged from three using locally sourced, quality ingredients. number one storyteller. months to five years. “We are delighted with the positive feed - The Big Friendly Read will feature some of The nursery offers parents a reassuring, back received from parents; the interest to Roald Dahl’s best-loved characters and the safe and secure setting with state-of-the date has been overwhelming and continues amazing artwork of his principal illustrator, art technology that requires finger print at pace.” Sir Quentin Blake. Running across the school recognition on entry. Spacious rooms are To book a viewing, email info@22street summer holidays, it will encourage reading equipped with natural furnishings and toys; lanenursery.co.uk or call 03330 43 22 22 . on a giant scale and will feature themes the extraordinary garden features an out - such as invention, mischief and friendship door tipi classroom, chicken coup, mud as explored in Roald Dahl’s books. kitchen, outdoor toilets, a live performance Children can sign up at their local library, stage, as well as vegetable patches and a then read six library books of their choice to potting shed for cultivating healthy food. complete the challenge. There are exclusive Nursery founder Caroline Pollard said, rewards to collect along the way, and it’s “Our aspiration is to become the UK’s free to take part – so why not pop down to leading nursery provider, delivering excel - your local library and sign up? lence in early years care. For more information, visit “Each room operates above the required www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk . staff ratio, meaning that children can have NOW WITH AIR CONDITIONING & FREE WI-FI Recommended by Buy of the day Suitable OPENING TIMES: Keep tabs Mon –Fri for ages 0 –10 especially 10am –5pm on their clothes Sat –Sun pr e-schoolers 10am –6pm 3-TIER ADVENTURE PLAY AREA with Car Track, Pre-school Area, Enclosed Baby Area, Café & Party Rooms www.littlebeesplay.co.uk A one snap solutio n 19 Limewood Road, Leeds, LS14 1LU 0844 5611994 www .snappytags.co.uk [email protected] • Tel: 0113 2329 822 4 Families News New website for Families… ORIETTA O’TOOLE PERSONAL TUTOR Look out for the launch of the fantastic new Families website in early July. Ages five to GCSE The areas covered by this magazine will Maths & English now be covered by five websites covering the e: [email protected] local areas of South Leeds, South West Leeds, Charge: £25 per hour North West Leeds, North Leeds and East Leeds. This new hyper-local approach will allow Families Online to bring you information about a wide range of things to Make back to school do both close to where you live – and across easier with Snappy Tags your region. The site will be more comprehensive than You can look forward to seeing the best ever and easier to use, offering inspirational of the current site, including places to go and ideas for things to do with the kids locally what’s on events and activities, education, and helpful parenting tips and advice to childcare, classes and clubs and parties, as support you and your family.