FREE! Issue 121 Nov/Dec 2016 www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk North London North London’s premier free family magazine Covering the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey and Islington Seasonal Celebrations including Where’s Santa? Ice Skating and Children’s Theatre! Personalised Gifts 01786 473 508 www.labels4kids.com/fam PLUS Competitions, Clubs and Classes, Open Days and Much More Inside! Welcome to the November/December issue! www.facebook.com IN THIS ISSUE: /FamiliesNorth CONTACT US: 5 Parenting Families North @Families_North 6 School Open Days FREE! Issue 121 Nov/Dec 2016 8 Education News UPCOMING www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk London Magazine 10 Clubs, Classes & Activities Publisher: Heather Waddington ISSUE: North London North London’s premier free family magazine Covering the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey and Managing Editor: Lisa Ralph Jan/Feb 2017 – Islington 14 Where’s Santa? PO Box 2378, Watford WD18 1RF Nurseries and Childcare feature 16 What’s On / Diary Dates T: 01923 237 004 Send in your news, Seasonal Celebrations including 19 Ice Rinks M: 07402 613 042 stories and advertising Where’s Santa? Ice Skating E: [email protected] bookings to the details Children’s Theatre! Personalised Gifts 20 Pantos & Seasonal Shows! Front cover image credit01786 473 508 left. www.labels4kids.com/fam www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk www.depositphotos.comPLUS competitions, Clubs and Classes, Open Days and much more inside! A Very Merry Muswell to all! NEWS This year’s seasonal celebration at Muswell Hill has a brand new look! A large Christmas tree will decorate the new heart of Muswell Hill, close by the Everyman Cinema and Planet Organic. The Friends of St James Square have successfully bid for Council funding to build a pit for the tree and on the Sat 3 December, as part the’ Very Merry Muswell’ event, the gorgeous new tree will be lit up for the first time. The fun begins at 1pm. That’s not all! A new Muswell Hill Mosaic will be unveiled on the same day. The work of over 50 people from the local community over three afternoons, the mosaic is will be displayed in the centre of Muswell Hill, in St James Square. Toast the local artist, Leona Matuszak, with a glass of mulled wine while she gives a short speech to thank everyone in the community who took part in the project. For more information, go to www.artistsresource.co.uk/community-art Families Distributors Needed! Reliable individuals with own transport needed to drop Families North London Magazine at locations across North London and Enfield once each issue (six times/year). Would suit active Mum/Dad or grandparent with school-age children. Get in touch to find out more! [email protected] Rent your spare room to an international student! Great rates of pay Year-round bookings Flexible lengths of stay to suit you 100% DBS CHECKED CHILDCARERS Earn extra for juniors (under 18)! • Babysitting • Flexible Daytime Childcare • Temporary Nannies Tel: 020 7436 7738 • Part Time Nannies • PermanentHoliday Nannies Nannies Email: [email protected] 0844 879 7189 www.likeminders.co.uk Families North London magazine is designed by Alan Ralph and printed by Warners. Copyright Families North London Magazine 2016. Families North London is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazine Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families North London are protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. All rights reserved. 2 NORTH LONDON November/December 2016 NEWS Don’t miss the Baby and Toddler show 19th-20th November! This autumn comes a new event entitled ‘Baby to Toddler,’ a two day shopping event for modern parents that’s taking place at ExCeL London on the weekend of 19th to 20th November 2016. Created for expectant parents and parents of children aged 0-4, the event will give them access to exclusive offers and deals from all the big brands and names you know and trust, as well as not-on-the high street boutique brands, all under one roof. The one-stop-shop for everything parents need for their little ones, it’s a fantastic shopping event to make their lives easier and comes just in time for Christmas shopping. The Early Bird ticket price is £6 while on-the-door tickets cost £12. www.BabyToToddlerEvents.co.uk The Oxford and Cambridge SPLASH mob! Singing School’s Christmas At King’s Cross station, brave Course returns swimmers wearing bright rubber 22-23 Dec in Hampstead NW3 rings, flippers and snorkels mingled with commuters as part A wonderful opportunity for children to sing seasonal music with top of a bid to stop the closure of an choral coaches from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. outdoor bathing pond. But sadly, the freshwater swimming pool, The Oxford and Cambridge Singing School is returning to London for a which opened as a temporary art installation at seasonal course on the 22nd & 23rd December. Originally established the heart of King’s Cross regeneration site, was by Music Fellow at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, their courses are closed on 26 October. Around 40 swimmers, designed for children aged 7-13 who want to learn about classical and joined by TV doctor Chris Van Tulleken sporting choral music with a team of exceptional coaches in a fun and relaxed a purple 1970s swimming cap, braved the chilly environment. morning air for a dip to “show the love” for the This Christmas they will focus on Medieval, traditional and contemporary pond on Tuesday 18 October. But an Argent carols. Grouped according to age, pupils will learn about classical music spokes woman said, “Following the pond’s through whole group singing, music history, music theory (in the form closure, King’s Cross will move forward with of games, quizzes etc,) singing lessons in small groups and much more! the next piece of public art.” Spaces are limited. www.oxbridgesingingschool.co.uk News continued on page 4... NORTH LONDON November/December 2016 3 NEWS Struggling to find a sitter over the festive season? Not anymore… Every family needs Like Minders on speed dial! They provide safe, They have a very strict recruitment process and only ever use DBS experienced and security checked babysitters and nannies to care checked babysitters who have professional childcare experience. for your little ones during the day or in the evening. You can book Like Minders are also perfect for an emergency situation, if your one of their lovely childcarers as and when you need one; if you nanny is on holiday or off sick, or you are let down at the last have dinner plans, a meeting or appointment during the day, a minute, they can get a DBS checked childcarer to your home regular evening class, or just need some time for yourself. usually within an hour or two. Founding Director Georgie explains ‘when we started the business Recently they have also branched we saw a gap in the market for ad hoc childcare, a flexible service into hotel babysitting and now work that busy parents can dip in and out of as and when they need with many London’s top hotels, and some help, it has all the benefits of a nanny without any long term they have a few celebrity clients commitment to one’ as a mum of two she adds ‘ being a busy too, although Georgie remains tight mum I can use Like Minders as little or as often as I want, and I can lipped about which ones! usually get my regular childcarers time and time again which is www.likeminders.co.uk great for consistency for me and for my kids’. Add a personal touch to your gift giving this year! Give a personalised gift this year with Labels4Kids. They have a wide range of gifts with everything from personalised boot bags to personalised LEGO® keyrings. These gifts are guaranteed to be a success and are just as fun to give as they are to receive! You can also buy personalised adventure books from Paw Patrol, Disney Frozen and Spiderman. A name of your choice will be printed throughout the book and becomes part of an exciting adventure story. To order yours, visit www.labels4kids.com/fam or call New Range of Christmas cards 01786 473 508 today! All gifts are made to order so please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. available in support of Brain Tumour Research Giving or sending cards is the perfect way to show you are thinking of someone during the festive season. Christmas is so often a time to reflect on the significant connections in our lives and a personal card or note is a thoughtful touch that will always be appreciated. Our cards are priced at £4 per pack and over 50% of the proceeds fund brain tumour research. Could you sell Christmas cards on our behalf? We’d love to send you a box of mixed packs to sell at your school, club, workplace, local Christmas fair or simply from your own home. The Stanlowver Ballet School Visit our website to find out more about buying or selling by cards and to view our full-range of designs.