Families Surrey East Jan/Feb 2016

EE FR January - February 2016 familiessurreyeast.co.uk

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

50th IS S UE!

What’s on for 0-12 year olds in January & February 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 0345 078 0805 coulsdon@stagecoach.co.uk

stagecoach.co.uk/leatherhead 020 8394 2244 leatherhead@stagecoach.co.uk

stagecoach.co.uk/redhill 020 8686 0141 redhill@stagecoach.co.uk

stagecoach.co.uk/dorking 0800 007 5482 dorking@stagecoach.co.uk

stagecoach.co.uk/reigate 0800 007 5482 reigate@stagecoach.co.uk

ISSUE 50 JAn-FEB 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Page Happy New Year, and welcome to the Jan/Feb issue of Families magazine. You’ve probably maxed out on mince pies and have wrapping paper coming out of your ears, so check out the Detox piece on p.13 for some tips on how to counteract that Xmas overindulgence! We also have a Nurseries feature this month, with advice on how to find the best childcare for your little one (and you!). Already thinking about your next break? Then see the super Winter Breaks spread on pages 14-15 for some great ideas for mini breaks and more adventurous hols for 2016/17. With half term already on the horizon, the refreshed What’s On is packed with great ideas for entertaining the kids – including the wonderful Butterflies in the Glasshouse at Wisley Gardens (book now!). We also have a new feature on the back page in conjunction with Networking Mummies, profiling local mums with their own small businesses, to inspire you to ‘go it alone’, knowing there’s a great support network out there. Finally, we have reintroduced the Classified ads on page 23, so if you are a small business who would like to reach over 40,000 local parents, then this would be a great place to advertise from just £20 per issue. Hope you enjoy reading, and please send me any feedback or ideas.

Hannah Grogan, Editor

editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk

2 News 6 Babies and Toddlers 8 Nurseries Feature 12 Health & Fitness 14 Winter breaks 16 Education 18 Club News 19 Half Term ideas 20 Nature Notes 21 What’s On listings 24 Networking Mummies Profile

Web mag: www.familiessurreyeast.co.uk Families Surrey East is part of the national network of Families magazines. See www.familiesonline.co.uk for more features and competitions. NEXT ISSUE – March-April 2016, out 2nd March. Send your news and upcoming events by 5th Feb for FREE INCLUSION. PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS and reach families throughout East Surrey with DISPLAY ADS or ask about our CLASSIFIED LISTINGS for £20– perfect for small businesses and web sales. AD BOOKING AND COPY DEADLINE FOR MARCH-APRIL 2016 is 5TH FEB. Please send ad artwork by 12th February. For advertising and editorial enquiries, call the Editor on 07769 222347 or email: editor@ familiessurreyeast.co.uk Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.

22,500 copies of FAMILIES SURREY EAST are distributed free of charge to schools, nurseries, playgroups, clubs & classes, NCT groups, baby 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 to Horley and the Surrey/Sussex border in the south. To obtain copies for your venue call 07769 222347 or email editor@familiessurreyeast. co.uk. Families Surrey East, 37 Springcopse Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7HH Tel: 07769 222347 Web: familiessurreyeast.co.uk Design: Andrews Design & Marketing, The Studio, 29A Bell St, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7AD Tel: 01737 224340 Email: phil.andrews1@btinternet.com 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 advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor any consequence.

I do it in g room

the livin You can recycle from every room in the home

Find out how at

recycleforsurrey.org.uk

Family magazine add 180x130.indd 1 2 Families Surrey East January-February 2016

11/12/2015 10:11

News Transforming Leatherhead

Make a Difference to Local Families

Mole Valley DC is currently in the second stage of a public consultation about the future plans for developing and rejuvenating Leatherhead town centre. The first stage, conducted last year, has resulted in lots of suggestions for areas for improvement including the development of the Swan shopping centre to offer a greater range of retailers, cinema and improved parking; creating a Riverside Park by the river Mole, offering a café and outdoor family space; residential and retail space a Bull Hill, and a simplified road system. Over 3000 local residents have already taken part, but if you’d like your say on proposed plans, visit their excellent website for full details at molevalley.gov.uk/transformleatherhead

Kip McGrath Proving Popular The Kip McGrath Education Centre, Reigate, has had a busy first couple of months and feedback from parents and children has been extremely positive. Sharon Richardson, Centre Director said, “We are delighted that children are enjoying coming to the centre; they and their parents can see the benefit it has on their confidence and their learning. We are anticipating a growing demand in the New Year, as more parents in the local area become aware of the tuition services we offer.” They have also been busy with local community events, such as Reigate Street Eats Hallowmas where they had a wonderful time running the Apple Bobbing stand, and meeting parents and children at the Belfry in Redhill. Come along to the Kip McGrath info stand outside the Market Stores in Reigate on Saturday January 9th and find out how your child could benefit from some extra help in their Maths or English. Call Sharon on 01737 479055.

Welcare is a family-focused charity dedicated to helping children and families overcome challenges and build towards a better future. Their Children’s Centre in Redhill delivers a range of groups and parent support sessions. Activities are delivered by highly-skilled and experienced staff, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers. East Surrey Welcare is currently recruiting Crèche Helpers and Group Assistants. The roles would suit anyone who enjoys working with children and families. Volunteers would help deliver crèches and/ or support groups by preparing and joining in activities and playing with children. Helpers would encourage parents and children to interact through joint activities such as art, cooking, eating and singing. Prior experience is not necessary as all volunteers will receive training and travel expenses. If you would like to volunteer to support the work of Welcare in East Surrey please call 01737 780884 or email redhill.admin@welcare.org

The Kip McGrath Education Centre, Reigate

St Catherine’s Five-0 Challenge Oakwood School in Horley is one of the local school’s involved in this year’s enterprise challenge to raise funds for St Catherine’s Hospice. Supported by Natwest bank, the participating schools are targeted to turn £50 into £1500 over the course of 11 weeks. Five-0 team leaders will work with Natwest advisers to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test to raise the most money. Previous moneyspinners have included talent shows, product sales and sporting events. Teams will meet to present their activities at an award evening at the end of the project. This is a great way to encourage children to use business skills and initiative to raise money for St Catherine’s –which costs more than £15k a day to run.

Remember to Recycle Make it one of your New Year’s resolutions to help the environment by reducing the amount of rubbish you bin every week. Surrey County Council is having a big push on their recycling campaign, encouraging householders to recycle from every room in the house. Here’s a list of things you perhaps haven’t considered: • • • •

Bleach bottles, shampoo bottles and toilet roll tubes from the bathroom. Moisturiser pots, shoe boxes and magazines from the bedroom. Food tins, glass jars and plastic yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and fruit and veg trays from the kitchen. Drinks cans and bottles, newspapers and tissue boxes from the living room.

Better still – why not use them for kids crafting before recycling? Super eco-friendly! For a full list of what you can recycle where you live, visit your local district or borough council website or recycleforsurrey.org.uk.

Families Surrey East January-February 2016 3

News CowParade comes to Surrey

Tell us a story…

CowParade, the world’s largest public art event, is coming to the Surrey Hills area, to raise money for local community projects and enterprise schemes. This means that between May-Sept, dozens of brightly coloured, lifesized cows will be on display throughout the entire county.

It is National Storytelling Week from 30th January – 6th February, a wonderful festival encouraging the art of storytelling. It’s a great excuse for sitting down with your kids and reading your favourite books, or making up stories of your own. Try The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak - guaranteed hilarity and brilliant for encouraging great imagination. See website for local events sfs.org.uk/national-storytelling-week

The event is open to everyone, from schoolchildren (who can paint mini moos) to sportsmen, artists to businesses, who are in the ‘moood’ for taking part in this fun fundraising event. The cows will finally be herded to the inaugural Surrey Hills Food, Drink and Music Festival in the summer where they will be auctioned off. Cow owners can choose their own charity and the auction proceeds will be split between that and The Surrey Hills Trust Fund. Surrey Hills Partnership has already unveiled their chrome cow, nicknamed Mirror Moo! More more info visit cowparadesurreyhills.com

Raise a Grand for Brain Tumour Research

Out of Africa, into your bathroom! Surrey-based mum of two Marili Aitken has launched a range of scrummy bathtime goodies for kids, free from parabens, petrochemicals and other nasties. Inspired by the search to find natural products for her son, Marili decided to combined her own background in wellness with the love of her native Zimbabwe to create a range of gorgeous smelling, animal themed products. The range includes honey & strawberry hair and body wash, 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.

STAGE KINGS THEATRE AND DRAMA SCHOOL

Building confidence to make the world your stage!

Join us for these fun filled sessions at Chinthurst School, Tadworth Stage Kings Theatre and Drama School provides fun-filled training 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.

Did you know that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer? Yet brain tumour research receives just 1% of the national spend on cancer research. The blood-brain barrier stops most standard cancer drugs from treating brain tumours, making them more difficult to combat. Research into the blood-brain barrier is being lead by Professor Geoff Pilkington, lead scientist at one of Brain Tumour Research’s centres of excellence. He is an expert on brain tumours and a pioneer in bloodbrain barrier research, having created the world's first 'all-human' blood-brain barrier model, which is being used for live cell imaging and investigation into the features of invading tumour cells. To fund this essential work, BTR has launched the Grand Challenge, a unique fundraising partnership with the Dr Hadwen Trust. The aim is to jointly raise £180,000 to fund a three-year research project into the blood brain barrier. You can help by Pledging to Raise a Grand (£1000) in whatever way you like, to help fund blood-brain barrier research. For further information, visit drhadwentrust.org/grandchallenge

Comprenant l’étude de la langue écrite et orale. Programme pédagogique français. Membre de l’association Parapluie FLAM Le samedi après-midi à Wray Common School, Reigate RH2 0LR Contactez-nous 07913 811345 info@petite-ecole-reigate.co.uk | www.petite-ecole-reigate.co.uk

Reigate Dorking Horsham Copthorne Horley East Grinstead

Contact us now!

FREE TRIAL CLASS

% 07513 95 63 73

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4 Families Surrey East January-February 2016

07783138348

jo@inspireacademyofdance.co.uk

News How to read with your child - and really enjoy it

Hever

By Justine Crow “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? Here are some ways to truly enjoy reading with your little one. ■ Celebrate the knowledge that reading with your child is part of your job description as a parent. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

LIVING WITH BIRDS 13–21 FEBRUARY

Chaffinch

Blue Tit

Song Thrush

Canada Goose

Goldfinch

Green Tit

Kingfisher

Cuckoo

■ For babies, choose books you like. They are too small to understand much but the cadence of your voice gives them comfort. ■ 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.’ ■ Use the time you have. Choose books to keep a little one on the potty or distracted during nit-checks! ■ 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. ■ Books without text are brilliant for sharing – encourage your toddler to tell you what is happening. ■ At the library, suggest that each of you choose a title. Your special task is to discover one they’ve never seen before.

ENJOY SOME FAMILY FUN THIS HALF TERM WITH A BIRD SPOTTING TRAIL, BIRD BOX BUILDING* AND A CRAFT WORKSHOP *£6 charge applies

FOR MORE I NFORM AT ION VI SI T

he verc astl e.c o.u k/w hats on Or call – 01732 865224

■ Books for bedtime should be chosen by you and kept higher up on the shelves. Make this a time for your child to listen and be calm and contented. ■ As they grow older, introduce to them the novels you loved as a Living With Birds-Families Magazine-87x130.indd child. They will always remember the sense of an experienced shared.

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07/12/2015 11:23

See Jacqueline Wilson Popular kid’s author and creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather, will be appearing at ReadingZone Surrey’s festival at Epsom Playhouse on Saturday 6th February, from 2-3pm. Jacqueline Wilson will be reading from her latest books and taking questions from the audience. Tickets cost £5 each. There are also activity sessions for pre-school children at Bourne Hall and a Beast Quest event at the Playhouse from 4pm. readingzone.com

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

February Half Term

monDay 15 – FriDay 19 February Craft Activities available throughout the day from 11am until 3pm, ranging from £1.50

Hobgoblin

THeaTre Company Wednesday 17 February 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child accompanying adults free.

lego & VinTage Toy exHibiTion with daily charity LEGO builds (pre-booking essential).

HenFolD birDS oF prey monday 15 February 11am until 3pm with

main display at 12.30pm - free of CreaTion STaTion charge.

WorkSHopS

Tuesday 16 February Fabulously

fun activities for all ages! 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child - accompanying adults free.

TropiCal

Creepy CraWly roaDSHoW Thursday 18 February 11am &

2pm. £7.50 per child - accompanying adults free.

DenbieS Wine eSTaTe lonDon rD Dorking Surrey rH5 6aa T: 01306 876616 I reSerVaTionS online at: www.denbies.co.uk

Families Surrey East January-February 2016 5

Babies & Toddlers Baby’s Development Milestones Learn how your baby will grow and change in her first year As your newborn 'uncurls' from the foetal position she will stretch out her body and her muscles will begin to strengthen. At first she will have no control over her head, but as her muscles become stronger she will start to lift her head for a few seconds at a time. You can help to encourage this by giving her short periods of time on her tummy.

Rolling around Next, she will begin to move her body - first from side to side and then from back to front, or front to back. At first these movements are accidental, but your baby will soon realise that they allow her a different view of the world and she will practise them over and over again.

Getting ready to crawl By the time she's 4-5 months old your baby will be able to lift her head, shoulders, arms and legs off the floor when you put her down on her front. These movements

are the early stages of crawling. Although she won't be going anywhere yet, she'll keep practising until she is able to move herself, probably at around 7-8 months. By the end of her first year she'll probably be on her feet, 'cruising' round the furniture. Once she can stand it won't be long before she begins to walk.

Sitting up This requires a different set of movements and it'll probably be around 8 months before your baby can sit unaided and can reach out for things. Before this, once she has neck control, you can prop her up surrounded by cushions. This way, if she topples over she doesn't hurt herself.

Developing other senses Your baby needs plenty of sensory experiences, such as touch and sound, in order to develop her senses. Playing soundtracking games, and using rattles and toys, will help her to learn how to locate different sounds. 'Feely' toys that your baby can press, stroke and crinkle, as well as those with different textured surfaces, will help her find out about touch.

Local 2-hour First Aid Classes for babies and children covering: • Choking • Burns • Febrile seizures • Bumps and Breaks • Meningitis Awareness Private classes also available Call Sian on 07984 810 847

www.earlyfirstaid.com

During these early months your baby will also begin to develop hand-eye co-ordination and manipulative skills. She will be attracted to bright primary colours and the sharp contrast of black and white patterns. A mobile hung over the cot, a baby gym with toys that she can reach out for and a safety mirror placed where she can see herself, will give hours of entertainment. Any toys your baby has should always be appropriate to her age. Toys for older children will be too complicated and may have small parts which could be dangerous to a young baby, while toys that are too young will quickly become boring. Emma’s Diary is the UK’s most trusted and influential pregnancy and baby channel. Visit www.emmasdiary.co.uk

The Baby Show is Back 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 answered, including financial, legal, career and childcare matters, and see talks from experts such as child nutritionist Annabel Karmel. We have 3 pairs of tickets to the Baby Show, worth £40 a pair, to give away. Email editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk with your name, contact details and answer by Jan 31st. Winners will be picked at random. Please answer WHICH LONDON VENUE IS HOSTING THE BABY SHOW? www.thebabyshow.co.uk

Postnatal depression – where to get help 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 are lots of places to seek help. Visit your local children’s centre for support from fellow mums and advice from the great staff there. Visit your GP or one of the support charities that can also help you, such as Pandas Foundation, Tommys.org and mind.org. uk. Families is full of ideas and activities for getting together with groups of like-minded mums, from NCT coffee mornings, to local 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 Busylizzy, Reigate – Range of classes for mums and babies including music & dance, baby signing, yoga and buggy fitness. Celebrating 1st anniversary in January! (see page 23). Tel: 01737 887227 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 Legs Bums and Mums 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!). See Facebook for details. 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 Go Figure, Oxted & Woldingham – Zumba and pilates, drop-in classes available. Tel: 07974 374321 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 – Yoga for New Mums and Pregnancy yoga. Tel: 07798 501844 Inches of Oxted, Oxted - Pampering New Mum Treatments. Tel: 01883 722555 Organic Treats, Merstham – Holistic treatments and therapies using organic products. Tel: 01737 643715. Nail Boutique, Reigate – Nails & Cocktails evenings on Tuesdays and 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

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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 nursery What you need to know when choosing a nursery or playgroup

M

any mums return to work after their maternity leave finishes and choose to leave their baby in a nursery. Even if you are a stay-at-home mum or dad, it’s likely that when your child is between the ages of two and three years old you will want her to start at a playgroup or nursery school – for both her benefit and yours. But how do you choose the right nursery for your baby? You can usually get a list of local nurseries and playgroups from your local council, from your health visitor, local library, GP surgery or on the internet. Speak with other mums about the nursery or playgroup you are most interested in, and go along and spend a morning at each group, together with your child. Gut instinct can be invaluable in these situations.

10 things to consider when choosing a nursery:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Are you and your child made to feel welcome and introduced to the nursery staff, helpers and perhaps to other children? Are you allowed to stay and watch at a time to suit you – not them? Check out the space itself. The room may be a bleak church hall but have the staff made it look lively and interesting?

Does the nursery seem too crowded? Numbers are controlled by local authority regulations, and insurance policies, but some playgroups squeeze in extra children Is there somewhere for outdoors play on fine days? Are there books in a quiet corner where children can go and sit? Is there an interactive area, such as a nature table?

Check out the toys, equipment and art materials on offer. Are the same toys put out in the same area every day? (this is why it’s a good idea to visit more than once on random, different days) Are there varied activities on offer (painting, sandpits, water play areas, Wendy house, play dough, building bricks, puzzles, a dressing up box). Are these accessible all the time?

7 8 9

Do the children look excited and interested in the toys available?

Does the climbing equipment look wellmaintained and is there a soft landing area?

What about the staff? Are they listening 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 other than with the children?

10

Talk to the staff to find out their views on discipline, dealing with anxious children and free and structured play to see if their ideas are the same as yours. The ideal atmosphere at a nursery group should be busy and buzzing, but never out of control. Noisy children racing around or charging up and down on bikes and cars shows a clear lack of organisation. Another point to consider is whether boys and girls at the nursery are treated equally. Do boys get encouraged to do quiet, creative activities or do they run about in gangs and spend a lot of time on sit-on cars and toys? Are girls encouraged to do physical play and large toy activities? Do boys and girls play together? Both boys and girls need physical, energetic play, construction play and quite creative periods with adult attention. Try to visit a group while a singing or story time session is going on. Singing sessions should always be varied and fun with lots of action rhymes and percussion and have all the children enthusiastically joining in. Story time should also be something the children particularly enjoy. The story teller should be able to hold the children’s attention. Story time should not be used as an opportunity for helpers to take the children to the toilet or tidy up. If you like a particular nursery or playgroup, but feel they fall down in one or two areas, then speak with the supervisor. They may welcome your suggestions and be able to make changes to suit you and your child. If they don’t, then move on and find one that’s more in line with your requirements. Emma’s Diary is the UK’s most trusted and influential pregnancy and baby channel. Working in partnership with The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) for more than 23 years. Visit www.emmasdiary.co.uk

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 BOCKETTS FARM PARK, LEATHERHEAD AND DORKING AREAS T: 020 8432 0811 E: leatherhead.dorking@monkeymusic.co.uk SOUTH CROYDON AND CATERHAM AREAS T: 0203 251 1061 E: southcroydon.caterham@monkeymusic.co.uk

8 Families Surrey East January-February 2016

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 pick up by 5.30pm. Many nurseries often include milk and nappies in their fees, which is one last thing to remember when you’re rushing out of the door! They also take babies from 3 months, if you’re planning to take 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.

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 pre-school area upstairs and two baby rooms in the adjoining house. They also have a large, well-equipped garden. Currently rated as Good by OFSTED, Shapes can take up to 104 children per day. The benefit of this nursery is that owner and deputy are on site every day, with an open door policy that welcomes parents’ questions and feedback. Sue has over 30 years experience in childcare and previously ran the outstanding nursery at NESCOT. Shapes follows the EYFS framework of learning, focussing on Social & Emotional development, as well as Literacy, Mathematics and Expressive Arts & Design. Children learn through play and exploration, at their own pace pace. Shapes will be opening a second branch in Epsom in March 2016, taking up to 100 children. Only 5 mins walk to the station, so excellent for commuters. • • •

Daily rate: Under 2s: £70.85; over 2s: £65.40 Fees include: breakfast, lunch, tea, snacks (cooked fresh on site) and formula milks. Parents provide nappies and wipes. Accept childcare vouchers and FEET, and funding for 3 & 4 yr olds.

Downsend Pre-Prep, Leatherhead Tel: 01372 385437 www.downsend.co.uk

Priory Pre-Prep

Downsend Prep has 3 pre-prep sites in Leatherhead, Ashtead and Epsom. Leatherhead has extensive grounds for the 2-6 year olds, and is located near to the main prep school. They have covered play areas, a soft surface area and a large grassed area, where the children have the freedom to climb, run and investigate nature in a safe environment. Classes are small and taught by a teacher and teaching assistant, with 95% of children reading by the end of their first term at reception at each Pre-Prep. At Reception age, there is a choice of extra curricular activities to enjoy, including sport and Spanish classes. Children can attend from 7.30am-6pm, with an additional fee for breakfast club and the late pick-up. Downsend also holds a Totastic toddler group during term time, with a new term-time group called Mini Make-Believe starting mid-January. Children at the Leatherhead site also enjoy a Forest School, whilst the Epsom site have a Woodland and Nature school as part of their curriculum from age 2.

The Laurels, Caterham

The next open days for the pre-prep are on Sat 6th Feb, 9.3011.30am and Sat 7th May, 2-4 pm.

Tel: 01884 212061 www.brighthorizons.co.uk The Laurels is one of the nurseries in the Bright Horizons group, which also owns Kids Unlimited in Reigate. Conveniently situated about 15 mins walk from Caterham station, it is a perfect location for commuters. It has 7 rooms to accommodate up to 113 children, with low-rise wooden furniture and toys, and an emphasis on natural materials. Children can enjoy extra-curricula activities like MAD Academy, and enjoy their fresh meals cooked on site every day in a 5* EH rated kitchen. The Laurels has ‘Growing Programmes’ that fit the EYFS framework, to help children develop the confidence, skills and abilities to succeed at school.

· Fees from £900 per term for 2 sessions a week (2 year olds). · Fees include lunch (except for morning only sessions)

NORTHPARKFARM.CO.UK

activity toys for all your outdoor fun

• Daily rate: Under 3s: £61; over 3s: £56.54 • Fees include: Meals & snacks; formula milk, nappies and wipes. • Accept childcare vouchers and FEET, and funding for 3 & 4 yr olds.

TOP BRAND NAMES ON DISPLAY AND IN STOCK

Pre-Prep Nurseries

Climbing Frames • Swings • Slides • Trampolines Table Tennis • Playhouses • Ride-on Cars Tractors • Go-Karts • Sandpits Paddling Pools • Sledges • Goals Basketball • Netball

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 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 environment. Many children will enter the school system ahead of average in terms of reading and writing ability. Surprisingly, termly fees for nursery pre-preps are on a par with full-time day nursery charges, so may be more affordable than you think – but once you’ve got used to this standard of education, you might have to be prepared to pay for it for the next 15 years!

Priory Pre-Prep, Banstead (Boys school)

Try before you buy • Nationwide delivery • Assembly service www.northparkfarm.co.uk Tel: 01273 833643 North Park Farm, Church Lane, Albourne, West Sussex BN6 9BY

NORTHPARKFARM.CO.UK

activity toys for all your outdoor fun

TOP BRAND NAMES ON DISPLAY AND IN STOCK Climbing Frames • Swings • Slides • Trampolines Table Tennis • Playhouses • Ride-on Cars Tractors • Go-Karts • Sandpits • Paddling Pools Sledges • Goals • Basketball • Netball

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 main school. Priory’s outstanding staff create a sensitive and happy environment, in which boys thrive and gain confidence. The nursery has its own well-resourced and colourful classrooms and a bespoke outdoor play area. Being very much a part of the whole school, they also have access to a range of facilities such as the Sports Fields and Computer Room and specialist teaching staff for music. At certain times of the year, the boys visit the Woodland School where they take part in a variety of activities, designed to enhance their learning and build up their skills and confidence. Dressed in their waterproofs and wellies, the boys enjoy the experience of collecting leaves and splashing in puddles! Sessions are 8.30am-12.30pm, or 3pm, depending on the age of the child, and wrap-around care is available. The next open mornings are on Fri 5th February 9-11am and Sat 5th March 10am-12pm. • Fees from £2025 per term for 5 half-day sessions. • Accept childcare vouchers and government funding for 3 & 4 yr olds.

To find your near nursery est ple contact ase us!

Throughout Surrey East Try before you buy • Nationwide delivery • Assembly service www.northparkfarm.co.uk Tel: 01273 833643 North Park Farm, Church Lane, Albourne, West Sussex BN6 9BY

hildren from 3 months to 5 years Care for c

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Families Surrey East January-February 2016 9

Nurseries Pre-school Nurseries /Playgroups

YMCA Sovereign Centre, Reigate

Government run nurseries and playgroups are usually sessional – running for a few hours in the morning and afternoon. These are usually over-subscribed, so it’s a good idea to get your child’s name on the waiting list as early as possible. You can use your FEET allocations to pay for your place, so it is often a cheaper option for stay-at-home parents, or those with flexible working. Bear in mind that these nurseries operate on a term-time basis, so you’d have to make other arrangements for holiday cover, and they cater for age 2+yrs only.

Panda Nursery, Limpsfield Tel: 07812 522492 www.panda-nursery.co.uk

Panda Nursery

Panda has been running for over 55 years and is based on family values. June Thompson ran Panda for 19 years and daughter-in-law Ali Thompson 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 OFSTED rating and provides outstanding care and support to encourage confident, independent, lifelong learners. Favourite activities include Write Dance where children listen to a story which involves dance and music, then convert their movements into mark-making on a table, using shaving foam, paint and crayons – strengthening their gross and fine motor skills to support future writing. The nursery has a great outdoor area with a pirate ship, sand pit, mud kitchen, bug house and even a fairy garden! Children often take walks on the field behind the nursery and have regular trips to children’s church services, local schools and attractions. • Sessional rate (3 hour session) is £18.50 for all children. • Accept childcare vouchers, FEET and funding for 3 & 4 yr olds.

High quality care and education for children aged 3 months to 5 years

sdgsdfgsdg Places now available

Everything you‘d expect in a nursery, and more

Come and visit our fabulous Dorking nursery

Active Learning House, Moores Road, Dorking, RH4 2BG call: 0333 920 6592 email: alcdorking@brighthorizons.com

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Unique programme of art, drama, music, science, literacy and IT with dedicated teaching specialists

Specialist sports coaching, organic cafe, adventure playgrounds, holistic education

Purpose designed activity studios, sensory room, baby sleep room secure webcams

A fresh approach to nursery education

www.activelearningchildcare.co.uk

10 Families Surrey East January-February 2016

Tel: 01737 222859 www.ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk YMCA East Surrey is opening a brand new pre-school at the YMCA Sovereign Centre in Reigate on 11th April. The Pre-School will offer high quality and affordable childcare for children aged 2-4, including free Early Years entitlement places. The centre has purpose-built indoor and outdoor play areas including sensory room, soft play room and a large outside playground. YMCA East Surrey is a leading provider of under 5’s activities and out of school childcare, recognised with a recent Outstanding OFESTED report. New manager Katie Dudley has spent 13 years at Willow’s Day Nursery at Sutton Hospital overseeing the over 2’s unit. The pre-school will be open term-time from 8.45am-2.45pm (Fridays finish at 11.45am). Open days on 25th Jan, 22nd Feb, 14th March at 9.30am-12.30pm and 28th Jan, 25th Feb, 17th March at 1-4pm.

Montessori Nurseries The Montessori method focuses on a child-centred education. The philosophy is that children are natural learners and should be guided rather than controlled. Montessori education focuses on order and structure, learning through using their senses and letting the child absorb the social culture around them. It is focussed on processes, not results. If you’d prefer your child to have a less formal start to their school career, then Montessori might be a good option.

Brambly House, Merstham

Tel: 01737 644466 www.montessori.org.uk Brambly House Montessori School was established 15-years ago by Tamsyn Kendry and Andrea Thornton, and many of the core staff have been with them from the beginning. Brambly House is a small 23-place nursery school offering sessional 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.

Forest School Nurseries A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning, with a philosophy of encouraging and inspiring children through positive outdoor experiences. Children participate in activities in a woodland environment, helping to develop their emotional and social skills. They learn to handle risks and to use their initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Learning is through play and the understanding of boundaries and behaviour to help children grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self motivated. If you think your child would benefit from an outdoor education, rather than a classroom environment, then the Forest School approach is for you. The only Forest School nursery in East Surrey is in Nutfield – and it is extremely busy! They have some availability for babies from September 2016, but older children will have to pin their hopes on an oversubscribed waiting list. Visit their website at nutfieldnursery.co.uk

Nurseries

Separation anxiety

One thing is for sure; parents can’t give up their plans or skip going to work because of their child’s tears. Separation is something children have to learn to cope with. It’s all part of their emotional journey.

How to help your child (and you!) cope with being apart

I

There are some practical things you can do to help if your child is showing signs of separation anxiety: ■ Your baby may be comforted by a soft toy or blanket which they associate with you

t can be very upsetting for a parent when their child screams and cries as they try to leave them with someone else, whether it is at a nursery, with a child minder or relative. This distress at leaving a parent is called separation anxiety and it is more extreme than just being clingy.

■ Try to time your leaving spells when your baby is awake and alert. If she is tired, hungry or grouchy then her tears could get out of hand

All babies, at some point or other in their development, are likely to experience separation anxiety in some format. It is very common and completely normal. It can happen in phases (sometimes very short ones) and will not last forever.

■ Try to leave your baby with only a small number of regular people and keep her surroundings as familiar as possible

Babies have to learn the ability to trust so when a parent 'disappears' if they haven’t yet learned to trust, they take it as a fearful or threatening situation. Child psychologists liken it to babies using 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 out of the door, they could be eaten by tigers! Of course we know their tears and tantrums are misplaced, but that’s not to say that it isn’t a difficult thing for a parent to witness and cope with. Nobody wants to think that their child is panicking and upset when they are being left with someone different or somewhere new.

■ Practice leaving your child for short spells (15 minutes at a time to start with) with a friend or relative

■ If you know in advance which child minder you will be using, invite her over a couple of times to meet your baby with you around or if your baby will be going to a nursery, pay a few short visits there with her before she starts there ■ Have a 'bye bye' routine so saying or waving bye bye to you is a fun thing ■ Never sneak away when she is not looking ■ Always reassure her you will be returning

At what age does separation anxiety affect children?

■ 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. BUT only if you are sure you can stick to it!

Separation anxiety often starts at around the age of eight months and usually improves around the one year mark when children are starting to toddle around more actively and have lots on their mind to keep them distracted and entertained.

Emma’s Diary is the UK’s most trusted and influential pregnancy and baby channel. Visit www.emmasdiary.co.uk

■ When you’ve said goodbye, GO. Don’t nip back or lurk around watching her unless you are absolutely certain you won’t be spotted.

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

Saturday2nd 5th March 10am-12noon Friday October 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 Friday November 9am -11am 3 what makes them the20th perfect introduction to our school. ComeYear and see 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 By Sally J. Hall

This can be done at home though it’s worth going to a few classes first to learn the techniques. It’s a great way to bond with your baby or child and can help with trapped wind, sleep and other problems such as anxiety. It has been shown to be calming and reassuring for children with special needs, too.

Many of us try various complementary therapies to help with aches and pains or a medical condition but they can be just as effective for children, too. Which are best for your little ones?

Cranial O s t e o pat h y Osteopaths believe that because babies are put into such stressful positions during labour and birth, there has been a lot of pressure on the head. They claim that this can be healed with osteopathy. It can, they say, help with feeding problems, colic, reflux and plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome. Never attempt this yourself and only ever use a qualified osteopath.

A r om at h e r a p y

Though you should be careful about using certain essential oils, as they can be very powerful, you can use aromatherapy with your baby or child (use just 5 drops of essential oil to 30ml carrier oil). Chamomile in the bath (2-3 drops) helps promote sleep, lavender calms and cleanses and eucalyptus can help with a stuffed-up nose. Roman chamomile can help stop the itching of chicken pox with a couple of drops in the bath and dill is used for digestive problems. Read a good book about this first or consult an aromatherapist.

R e f l e xo lo g y

Especially good for babies and toddlers but just as good with older children, reflexology uses gentle pressure on the foot using your thumbs and fingers. It has been shown to calm babies and help them sleep. Contact the Association of Aromatherapists to find a practitioner near you (aor.org.uk).

Massage

Note: Please ensure that all essentials oils and carrier oils are kept out of the reach of children.

Acupuncture Many people think acupuncture is just for adults, but there is a long history in China of treating children of all ages, including tiny babies, with this ancient healing art. Here in the West acupuncture for children and babies is gaining more popularity. Parents are attracted to the gentle, drug free nature of this medicine and children tend to respond very quickly to treatment. The needles used are teeny-tiny and in many cases they are in and out in a flash and are hardly noticed by the young patients. Reigate acupuncturist, Samantha Hamilton-Stent sees children of all ages for many conditions such as reflux in babies, colic, sleep problems across all ages, stress, bed wetting, ADHD, recurrent infections (like ear infections and tonsillitis), skin conditions such as eczema and chest complaints like asthma. Samantha says ‘there genuinely is a lot that acupuncture can help with and it’s well worth giving it a try. Almost all children really enjoy the experience of coming to clinic and the amount of time spent with needles in is 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 30mins 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 After the excesses of Christmas, many choose to have a dry January and avoid alcohol – well for part of the month at least. There are many who believe that detoxing is a waste of time, thinking that as the body detoxes naturally every day, why spend time, effort and money on detoxing products? Nutritionist Jackie Perez shares her thoughts on the matter… Our bodies are incredible! They are equipped with a multitude of biological processes that help break down and excrete toxins every minute of every day of your life. However, our bodies are very complex and can become overburdened when faced with stress, pollution, toxic load and fatigue and in these cases do not detox so efficiently. Consider this: think about our evolution over thousands of years and how slowly things have moved on in that time. Now consider the last 50 years, with the growth of the technical era, farming, pesticides, how we grow and process our food etc. A lot has changed in a very short time in evolutionary terms. Have our bodies had enough time to adjust to this? I don’t think so, and feel that detoxing should be something we seriously consider to help our bodies cope with the additional stress we put upon it.

Signs you might need to detox are feeling tired and sluggish, digestive discomfort, joint pain, insomnia and headaches. A detox can be as simple as taking all the challenges out of your diet for a short period of time. I have devised a detox, which involves just this. If you take sugar, alcohol, caffeine, processed food, wheat and dairy out of your diet and eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean meat and fish and stay hydrated with lots of water and herbal tea you will feel the benefit after just a week.

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By feeding your body lots of nutrient rich food and avoiding the challenging foods mentioned above, it means your body can more easily remove unwanted toxins from the body. My clients who have followed these principles whilst doing the detox have felt lighter and brighter after just a week with improved energy, better digestion, clearer skin and often losing a few pounds in weight also. For more details on Jackie’s Vitality Detox Plan contact her on 07976 707882 or visit perfectbalancehealth. co.uk or via Facebook on: www.Facebook.com/ PerfectBalanceHealthNutrition

Juggling sick days and childcare A recent study by PushDoctor. co.uk has found that 3m working days are lost caring for sick children every year. 67% parents have taken a day off work in the last 12 months, with the average 3 hours a month spent taking children to medial appointments, or in sick care.

Redhill & Reigate Artistic Roller Skating Club SKATING PARTIES / FUN SESSIONS Sundays 11.30am-1.25pm at Reigate College Sports Hall, Rushworth Road

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We all know the pressures of trying to find last-minute childcare in this situation, with 36% having to rope in family or friends to help out. Sadly, many parents surveyed (28%) said they felt uncomfortable taking time off work, and predictably, 72% of the care falls to the female in the family! PushDoctor is an NHScommissioned online service connecting patients with skilled, GMC-registered UK GPs, via secure video consultations, wherever you are. Sounds like a great idea to us, and cuts down the amount of time to-ig and froing to the doctors.

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Families Surrey East January-February 2016 13

Holidays

Family Winter Breaks Now that everyone is back at school, nursery or work, and the decorations have returned to their corner of the 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 it be exciting to have something to look forward to at the end of the year? Let the countdown begin!

The Land Of Fire & Ice Best for: 5 years + Geography grades need a boost? Keen to get your kids out and about and away from screens? Try tempting them outdoors with a short break to Iceland. One of the most geologically active places on the planet, Iceland guarantees to blow their minds and blow away those cobwebs – and they’ve even got an excuse to stay up late! Fly into Reyjkavik, pick up your hire car, and get straight out into the dramatic Icelandic countryside for three days’ worth of gigantic waterfalls, explosive geysers and – chances are – the extraordinary sight of the northern lights overhead. There is minimal light pollution out here in the so-called Golden Circle region of Iceland, so sightings of the aurora are common at this time of year, although not guaranteed. Mums and dads will love the cosy creature comforts at Hotel Grimsborgir, whose self-catering apartments make it ideal for families. At nearby Thingvellir, you can walk in a gap in the earth’s crust between North America and Eurasia at the meeting point of these two tectonic plates: talk about bringing the classroom alive! Cost: Ground arrangements (excluding flights) from £824 per adult, kids go free. 3 nights’ B&B accommodation in a 2-bed apartment (with small self-catering kitchen) at Hotel Grimsborgir, car rental and use of Discover the World’s iDiscover digital travel guide. Based on a family of two adults and two children. Airfares start from £212 per adult (including tax) with WOW or Icelandair, when booked through Discover the World. Travel: Fly from Gatwick to Reykjavik in just over three hours. Time difference: None

Ski School In The French Alps Best for: 4 years +

Make New Friends In India Best for: 8 years +

Intrepid

If – like many - you find the thought of taking the family to India a little daunting, then joining a group tour on an itinerary led by a knowledgeable guide is the way forward. On this 10-day trip around northern India, you and your family will spend Christmas in Rajasthan, having rattled around Old Delhi in a rickshaw, visited the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and been on a tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park. A game of cricket with local children, a visit to a Maharaja’s palace, a Friday mosque or Gandhi’s house in New Delhi; there are so many unforgettable experiences to be had. This is the winter season in India, making it ideal for families as the temperatures – particularly in the north of the country – aren’t too high, and night times are pleasantly cool. Designed with “spirited” families in mind, this trip won’t appeal to everyone, so you can be sure that you’ll be sharing your holiday with like-minded parents and children, leading to great friendships and a really fun and successful holiday for all. Cost: From £1,289 per adult and £1,160 per child, including flights from London, all accommodation, selected meals, transport and a local guide. Travel time: Overnight flight from Heathrow to Delhi takes around 8 hours. Time difference: India is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of the UK. Departs: Saturday 17, Monday 19, Monday 26 December 2016 for 10 nights. Other dates are available. Contact: The Family Adventure Company www.familyadventurecompany.com 0808 250 7524

Contact: Discover the World www.discover-the-world.co.uk 01737 214291

14 Families Surrey East January-February 2016

Chilly Powder

Maybe you’re seasoned skiers who’ve been waiting for the kids to reach the right age, or perhaps you’re novices and just as nervous as your children: whatever your experience, a family skiing holiday – done right – is surely the ultimate crowd-pleaser for all ages. Early starts (no stranger to those), exhilarating days in glorious surroundings, and plentiful food and hot chocolate galore… With Chilly Powder, who own three luxury catered chalets in the French Alps, you can ski up to your door, therefore avoiding queues for ski buses and meaning that you choose exactly when you start and when you finish your day’s skiing, according to everyone’s mood! Chilly Powder – created specifically for family ski holidays – provides a crèche and kids club, and their ski school takes children from 4 years old. Instructors and nannies are hand-picked English speakers. In the afternoons, the kids are kept happily occupied on sledge rides, baking cakes, building snowmen or playing on the merry-go-round while you return to the slopes or put your sunglasses on and take in the views from whichever bar, restaurant or café in the pretty Alpine town of Morzine suits you best. Cost: A week’s half board stay in Au Coin du Feu chalet starts at £1,835 for two adults and two children. Wine is included with evening meal. Ski school costs £190 a week, child care prices start at £235 per week. Flights plus car hire on top. Travel time: Flight from Gatwick to Geneva with EasyJet takes 1hr 30 minutes, after which you have a drive of approximately 1hr 20 minutes to Morzine.

Time difference: France is an hour ahead of the UK.

Contact: Chilly Powder www.chillypowder.com 020 7289 6958

Iceland northern lights © RTH Sigurdsson arctic-images.com

Holidays Cologne At Christmas Best for: 4 years +

Head For Edinburgh Best for: all ages

Cologne Tourist Board

Straddling the Rhine in the west of Germany, the city of Cologne really, really goes to town in the month leading up to Christmas. You come here to eat a lot, mostly while wandering around stalls idly looking for presents, but actually planning where next to stop for some spicy mulled wine, some gingerbread, or yet another sausage. You also come here to see the sheer delight and astonishment on the faces of your children as they take in the twinkling lights, sparkling decorations, and an atmosphere so festive it would have Scrooge jumping for joy. Cologne has seven Christmas markets, all different in character and appeal, and we think you 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!

visitscotland

If your children haven’t yet hit school age, the world is your oyster and naturally you’ll be taking your winter break before term ends and the chaos begins. How about a pre-Christmas city break with your pre-schoolers in Edinburgh? Scotland’s beautiful capital puts on a good show at this time of year, with a Christmas market in Princes Street Gardens which includes Santa Land, with rides, Santa’s Grotto and a Christmas Tree Maze. Edinburgh is ideally explored on foot: push the buggy across the cobbled squares and walk the Royal Mile until the baby is asleep and then

window shop along Multrees Walk and George Street. Wind chill a factor? Head indoors to see the T-Rex in the National 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. Virgin Trains usually release tickets twelve weeks before departure, and state that this is when they’re cheapest, so set yourself a reminder for September. Advance tickets can start from around £55 per adult - children under 5 are free. Travel time: Take the train from London Kings Cross or Euston and in less then five hours you’ll be in Waverley station, which is very central. You can also fly from Gatwick in 90 mins. Time difference: None Contact: www.airbnb.co.uk www.visitscotland.com www.virgintrainseastcoast.com

By Jenny Myddleton

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 From May 2016, adventurous quite late in the evening. families can fly direct from Time difference: Germany the UK to Costa Rica for the is 1 hour ahead of the UK first time. The new British When: 2016 dates are not 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

Inspiring tuition free trial session!

Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition for 5-14 yr olds of all abilities. The centres are open 7 days a week, meaning Explore can fit into busy family life. As Explore members, children work with tutors who are great educational role models, enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. Each child has an individualised learning programme, and all Explore courses map to the National Curriculum in England and the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland. Find out how your child can benefit from Explore Learning membership today. Book your free trial at Explore in Crawley at www. explorelearning.co.uk./crawley

‘LOVE GOD, LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR’

Special Educational Needs We all worry when our child is having trouble keeping up with his or her peer group. But what happens if you suspect that it’s not that your child is just a little slower at grasping a concept – but actually needs some specialist help? Special Educational Needs, or SEN, is a legal term that the Government and schools use to describe the type of child who has some form of problem or disability that makes learning harder for them than their friends. It means that they have assessed your child and have been able to pinpoint what it is (or as nearly as they can) that makes it so hard for them to keep up. For example, this could be Dyslexia; Discalcula; English as a second language; concentration levels (such as ADHD); ability to socialise (including Autism spectrum), or speech or hearing problems. Parents, though sometimes reluctant to ‘label’ their child with what they may see as a disability, sometimes have a worrying time when they think their child is struggling,

An outstanding independent school for girls & boys aged 2-13 years in Bletchingley, Surrey

but don’t mention it at the school. They may try to teach their child at home or go to a tutor. The truth is that the SEN coordinator (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 help you can get is to be welcomed. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. Stretched schools with pupils from diverse backgrounds have a lot of pulls on their time and resources and it may be hard to get your child assessed and a ‘statement of special educational needs’ applied. It’s important that you approach the school with your worries and your ideas of how your child could be helped and to keep asking questions – what help is there? When can it be given? Is there anything else you can do at home to help? Sometimes some extra tuition is all that is required, but if your child is tested and is given a statement, this translates to extra help in classes – and most importantly, extra time in exams, sometimes as much as 50%. This can mean the difference for your child between a pass and a fail, so make sure you get the help you need.

Educating for Confidence from Nursery to Sixth Form

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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… …a happy child with the best start to his or her educational journey

Admissions 01883 743048

www.hawthorns.com

16 Families Surrey East January-February 2016

www.farlingtonschool.net Independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3 to 18 with a co-educational Nursery

Farlington School | Horsham | West Sussex | RH12 3PN

Education Independent School Open Mornings Spring Term 2016

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Downsend Prep School Leatherhead KT22 8TJ Boys and girls, 6-13 yrs. Tel: 01372 372311 downsend.co.uk 13th November & 6th February, 9.30am Dunottar School Reigate, RH2 7EL Boyis and girls, 11-18yrs. Call: 01737 761945 dunottarschool.com 9th February, 9.15am Essendene Lodge School Caterham CR3 5PB Girls & boys, 2.5-11 yrs. Tel: 01883 348349 essendenelodge.co.uk 28th January Farlington School Strood Park, Horsham, W Sussex RH12 3PN Girls 3-18yrs.Day & boarding. Tel: 01403 254967 farlingtonschool.net Prep: 26th January, 9.15am Pre-prep: 24th February, 9.15am Greenacre School Banstead SM7 3RA Girls, 3-18 yrs. Call Lesley Armstrong on 01737 352114 greenacre.surrey.sch.uk 13th November & 18th March 2016, 9.15am The Hawthorns School Bletchingley RH1 4QJ Boys & girls, 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01883 743048 hawthorns.com 6th February, 9am IU

Aberdour School Burgh Heath KT20 6AJ Boys & girls, 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01737 354119 aberdourschool.co.uk Call for dates Bramley School Walton on the Hill KT20 7ST Girls, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 812004 bramleyschool.co.uk 5th March, 10am Caterham Preparatory School Harestone Valley Road, CR3 6YB. Boys & girls, 3-11 yrs. Tel: Registrar on 01883 335046 to book your place. caterhamprepschool.co.uk 3rd February, 2nd March, 27th April, 9.30am Chinthurst School Tadworth KT20 5AP Boys 2.5-13 yrs. Call Angie Webster on 01737 812011 or visit chinthurstschool.co.uk Please call for dates Cranmore School Epsom Rd, W. Horsley KT24 6AT Co-ed 2.5 -7yrs, Boys 7-13yrs. Tel: 01483 280340 cranmoreprep.co.uk 4th & 5th March, 9.30am Downsend School Pre-Preps Leatherhead, Ashtead & Epsom. Boys & girls, 2-6 yrs. Tel: 01372 372311 downsend.co.uk 6th February, 9.30 & 7th May, 2pm

Leatherhead • Ashtead • Epsom An independent prep school for boys and girls aged 2-13

Join us at one of our Open Days Pre-Preps: 6 February 9.30am to 11.30am 7 May 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Prep School: 6 February & 6 May | From 9:15am (Headmaster’s Talk at 9:30am)

T:01372 372311

www.downsend.co.uk

Hazelwood School Limpsfield, Oxted RH8 OQH Boys and girls, 4-13 yrs. Tel: 01883 712194 hazelwoodschool.co.uk 5th February 2016, 9.30am Lingfield Notre Dame School Lingfield RH7 6PH. Co-educational Inter-denominational, 2½ -18 years. Tel: 01342 838153 (Admissions) lingfieldnd.co.uk Call for dates Manor House School & Nursery Bookham KT23 4EN Girls 2-16 yrs. Call Mrs Fowell 01372 457077 manorhouseschool.org 9th February & 26th April Moor House Hurst Green, Oxted, RH8 9AQ A specialist school for pupils with speech and language difficulties. Tel: 01883 712217 or visit moorhouseschool.co.uk 28th January & 3rd March Micklefield School Reigate RH2 9DUBoys and girls, 3-11 yrs. Call 01737 224212 micklefieldschool.co.uk 12th March, 10am Moon Hall College & Bury’s Court Leigh, Reigate RH2 8RE Boys & girls, 2.5-16 yrs. Call 01306 611372 buryscourtschool.co.uk moonhallcollege.co.uk 12th January & 2nd February, 9.15am Oakhyrst Grange School Caterham CR3 6AF
Boys and girls, 3-11 yrs. Call 01883 343344 or visit oakhyrstgrangeschool.co.uk January 2016, please call for date

Some open events require advance booking, so please call the school to check. Priory Prep School Banstead SM7 2AJ Boys 2-13 yrs. Tel: 01737 366942 prioryprep. co.uk 5th February, 9am & 5th March, 10am Redehall Preparatory School Smallfield, Horley RH6 9QA Boys and girls, 3-11 yrs. Call for details on 01342 842987 redehall.surrey.sch.uk Please call for dates Reigate St Mary’s Chart Lane, Reigate RH2 7RN Girls and boys, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 244880 reigatestmarys.org 27th January & 9th March, 10.30am Reigate St Mary’s Chart Lane, Reigate RH2 7RN Girls and boys, 3-11 yrs. Tel: 01737 244880 reigatestmarys.org 27th January & 9th March, 10.30am Royal Alexandra & Albert School Reigate RH2 0TD Boys & girls, 7-18 yrs. Tel: 01737 649000 raa-school.co.uk 12th March 2016, 9.30am Warlingham Park SchoolNursery, Pre-school and Prep, Chelsham Common, Warlingham CR6 9PB. Boys and girls, 2-11 yrs. Call 01883 626844 or visit warlinghamparkschool.com 4th March, 9.30am

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Families Surrey East January-February 2016 17

Club News

CLUB NEWS Springfit Expansion in Horley

Early in 2016 Springfit Gymnastics & Trampoline Club are going to be adding another Freestyle Gymnastics session to their weekly class schedule, bringing their total number of weekly classes to 69. The first class will run on Thurs 6th Jan from 8-9pm at Oakwood Sports Centre Springfit in Horley and is open to anyone aged 10+ yrs. 55x70_laura_Layout 9 27/05/2015 10:03 Page 1 Freestyle Gymnastics is becoming more and more popular, and the Springfit classes allow youngsters to practice and perfect their skills and ‘stunts’ in a safe environment under the watchful eye of a team of ‘Freestyle’ coaches.

For classes of pure MADness, join MAD Academy Babies from 3 months action songs and sensory stimulation Walkers to 2 years music, movement and motor development 2 to 4 years dance, musicality and beat competency Birthday Classes in Dorking Reigate Parties & Redhill Too! Call Laura on 01293 200707 or email: laura.wandrag@madacademy.com

madacademy.com Music And Dance and a whole lot of fun!

We’re now on Facebook:

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Principals: Miss C Walford CDE - AISTD (Dip) Miss C Taylor (Dip Dance Performers Course) Accredited by Council for Dance Education & Training in UK

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Ballet, Modern, Street & Funky Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Mother & Toddler, Mini Movers, Drama, Tread the Boards (Drama, Singing and Dancing)

& Adult classes. Classes held in Nutfield, near Redhill.

www.candcdanceschool.co.uk

And for those of you who live in the South East of the county near to East Grinstead, Springfit has also recently launched Funfit for pre-schoolers aged 2+ at the Jubilee Centre, running at 11am on Tuesday mornings. www.springfit.org

Musical Friends Local mum Nicola Peet will be launching new toddler group Musical Friends in Reigate in early 2016. The relaxed music and movement classes, suitable for birth-4yrs will help to develop your child's confidence, co-ordination, language and speech. You can drop in and pay on a per-session basis and enjoy the action songs, parachute play and a coffee and a natter for mums afterwards! For more info visit musical-friends.co.uk/reigate

Dancing Feet By Sally J. Hall

Some great ideas for starting your child’s love of dance and performing arts.

Tiny dancer When your child is very young, shuffling around on tip toe while wafting their hands or pretending to be a tiger is about as much as you can ask for. A dance or acting class will keep them keen and entertained – and going back each week. Expect to have to stay for these classes. Try MAD Academy in Dorking, Reigate & Redhill for a mix of music and movement, or BabyBallet for children aged 6m-4yrs. Stagecoach also offers dance, acting and singing as a part of its syllabus, with classes from 4yrs.

Starting to get more serious If your child wants to carry on dancing or acting, start looking at a class where they can take grades or get involved with

18 Families Surrey East January-February 2016

Learning Spanish Gives Kids a Head Start Reigate-based Kate Haacke started Spanish classes as a La Jolie Ronde licensee two years ago, and has now grown to 13 classes a week at local schools and nurseries, and at her Saturday Spanish Club. She now has approx 100 children taking part in weekly sessions! La Jolie Ronde classes work on the principle that if children are enjoying themselves and having fun, they will pick up the new language relatively effortlessly. Classes involve playing with puppets, singing action songs, listening to stories and playing games in Spanish. Young children are very receptive to new sounds and it is a great to get them thinking about different languages and cultures from an early age. Spanish is also a valuable language to learn because it is spoken by 350m native speakers worldwide and is important for international business. Learning whilst young increases the likelihood of a person acquiring a foreign language accent-free, and is also great for developing general communication skills. To find out more about the benefits of languages for young children, visit Kate’s website www.spanish4kidz.co.uk

productions. For ballet there’s the Royal Academy of Dance (rad.org.uk) or for modern dance, Imperial Society Modern Theatre & Tap Dance (istd.org). Reigate School of Ballet and C&C Dance School both offer a good range of classes. If they aren’t motivated by grades, street and jazz dance are great. Inspire Dance Academy run holiday classes, where you can try lots of different styles.

Boy’s brigade Dance is not just for girls and though your son may have to cope with a bit of teasing, there are plenty of roles for male dancers on the stage, in TV and touring groups. Check out new dance school Boom Arts Academy, launching in the Croydon area in Jan 2016, which offers boys breakdancing classes.

What’s available? If you’re not sure which style, take your child to a taster session – most schools will offer a free trial. And if they get older and hang up their ballet shoes, why not encourage them to move on to a funkier style rather than give up dancing altogether? Ballet, Tap, Ballet and Tap, Modern Dance and Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Break Dance, Street Dance, Commercial ® Dance (a blend of Street and Hip Hop) – there’s loads to choose from.

Half Term Holiday Club Providers

Visit Fishers Farm for Wiggly Week and hold hands

with some very creepy crawlies! fishersfarmpark.co.uk

Please contact clubs directly for booking info and reservations

Get crafty at Hobbycraft in Crawley which holds lots

Wild Learning

Tel: 01483 424400 wild-learning.co.uk Outdoor day activities and camps in Dorking, Godalming, Guildford and coming soon to Reigate. 10.15am-4pm. Ages 5-12yrs. £38.50 per day.

EzeeSport Holiday Clubs

Leatherhead Leisure Centre, KT22 9BL Tel: 07862 220857 ezeesport.com 16th & 18th Feb. 3-7yr olds, 9.30am-12.30pm. 7-11yr olds, 9.30am-3pm. Half day £15.50; full day £25. Early booking disc now available.

Fit for Sport

Dorking Sports Centre, RH4 1SW. Tel: 0845 456 3233 fitforsport.co.uk Activity camps from 15th-19th Feb. From age 4-12yrs; prices from £32 a day.

Cranbrook Adventurers

Coppingham Cottage, Horley, RH6 9EF. Tel: 01293 823163 cranbrooknursery.co.uk 8am-6pm. Ages 4-11yrs. £38.25 per day.

Sports Focus UK

Reigate & Tadworth. Tel: 0844 318 1700 sportsfocusuk.com Multi activity camps and football camps for 4-11yr olds. From £15 for half-day sessions. Call for half term timetable.

Supercamps

Tel: 01235 467300 supercamps.co.uk. Activities at venues in Sutton and South Croydon. Ages 4-14yrs. £45 per day or £180 per week.

EzeeSport

of classes for all age groups and abilities hobbycraft.co.uk

Experience Formula1 Let’s Mega Days at Hawthorns

Hawthorns School, Blethingley, RH1 4QJ Tel: 01883 743377 hawthorns.com Ages 3-12yrs. 9am-4pm £31 per day.

Action House St Paul’s

School, Dorking, RH4 2HS. Tel: 07984 405484 action-house.co.uk 5-11yrs. 9am-5pm £22.15. Half day £14.

YMCA

ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk Redhill & Banstead: Y-Kids playschemes for 4-12yrs. 10am4pm £18/ 8.30am-6pm £27. Tel: 01737 779979 or 01737 362058 Reigate: Yippee and Yip4Youth playschemes for children with needs and disabilities. 5-18 yrs. 10am-4pm £18. Tel: 01737 222859

Try something different this half term You’ll find loads of local What’s On listings on pages 21-23, including family attractions, museums, National Trust and theatres. BUT, if that’s still not enough inspiration, check out our Top 10 Tips for entertainment during the school break.

Record a single with up to 10 of your mates at the state-of-the-art Dragonfly Studios in Reigate dragonflyrecordingstudios.co.uk

Race simulators in Horley One for the bigger kids, over 1.5m tall letsrace.co.uk

Get outdoors and get physical with Momentum

parkour and Baretech free running at Box Hill momentumcommunity.co.uk

Visit High Ashurst, one of

the Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development centres, for a range of physical outdoor and water-based activities surreyoutdoorlearning.uk

Support your local library

and find unlimited books, free internet and some peace and quiet! Many also run kids classessurreycc.gov.uk/peopleand-community/libraries

Visit the bunnies and fish at Pets at Home in Redhill or Dorking – a great one to have up your sleeve on a rainy day (especially for toddlers). They sometimes run workshops too petsathome.com

Swing from the treetops

at GoApe in Tilgate Park, they have two courses for different abilities and ages goape.co.uk

Get square eyes at your

local cinema. Check out the Saturday morning kids clubs for cheap rates, family films and all the popcorn you can eat! Visit Everyman in Reigate & Oxted, or The Harlequin in Redhill.

Think you can fit them all in…?

Sat 13th – Sun 21st Feb New born lambs Sheep and lamb talks Meet Shelley the Sheep Spinning demos Woolly bales Face painting

To celebrate take part in: FREE Finding feathers mini quiz FREE Bird feeder making crafts

www.godstonefarm.co.uk

British Wildlife Centre Over 40 different native wild animal species Tap Ballet Modern Streetdance Adult Dance Contemporary Musical Theatre

Specialists in the art of ballet

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Families Surrey East January-February 2016 19

Clubs & Classes Nature Notes

Out & About

Big Garden Birdwatch

Batemans near Burwash

This year's survey takes place on 30th31st Jan. To take part, simply spend one hour counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time. The morning is the best time to look, when the birds are out and about feeding after a cold winter night. To sign up for a free Big Garden Birdwatch 2016 pack, go to www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch If you’re a teacher or parent who would like your school to get involved, then the RSPB is also running a Big Schools’ Birdwatch from 4th Jan-9th Feb, with lots of resources available on their website. Sign up now and receive a free bird identifier poster.

National Trust

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 recordbreaking event.

Winter Walks Many of the National Trust properties shut over the winter months, for restoration, but there are a few local parks and houses that you can still visit for wonderful winter walks, including the Great Escape at Chartwell or the Animal Trail at Poleden Lacey during half term. Try visiting Batemans near Burwash, the home of Rudyard Kipling, for a gentle stroll through the fields, hills and woodlands of the 300-acre estate. Indoors in January, the exhibition Books for Boys celebrates the golden age of children’s literature during the Victorian and Edwardian periods, including The Jungle Book and Wind in the Willows. Books from some of the period’s best-loved authors are displayed alongside toys and games. For opening times visit nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans

Build a Bird Box with Gatwick Greenspace

Weave your own wigwam!

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.

Meet at Pond car park, Old Lane, Ockham Common, KT11 1ND, with a half-a-mile walk to the activity spot. Adults £3; children £1, please email gemma.hayes@surreywt.org.uk to book.

InTandridge.co.uk

Suzanne Forster

Sticking with the bird theme, it’s National Nest Box Week, and the perfect time to encourage our feathered friends into your neighbourhood by making a home for them in time for the breeding season. Join the Gatwick Greenspace team on Tues Female sparrow collecting nesting material 16th Feb in The Barn at Tilgate Park, to make up to two bird boxes for your garden. Each session lasts one hour and all tools and instructions are provided.

Join the experts from Surrey Wildlife Trust on Sat 27th Feb to weave your own sustainable wigwam or plant support for use this spring. Cut your own materials from Ockham Heath, which will help the team manage this rare habitat. Perfect for those sweetpeas and eco warriors!

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

Performances The Jungle Book

The Courtyard Theatre Longshaw, Hazelwood Lane, Chipstead, CR5 3QU Tel: 01737 555680 chipsteadplayers.org Chipstead Players bring Rudyard Kipling's classic tale to the stage. Performances 6-10th Jan and 13-16th Jan; matinees on 6th, 10th & 16th. Tickets: £8 & £10.

The Hawth Theatre Hawth Ave, Crawley, RH10 6YZ Tel: 01293 553636 hawth.co.uk Based on the best selling book by Steven Lee, this family musical has been written especially for children aged 3+. Feb 27th at 2.30pm. Tickets: £7.50; Family of four: £26

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

Bocketts Farm Park 13th - 21st Feb 2016

denbies.co.uk Hobgoblin Theatre puts on a children's show as part of 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 FEBRUARY HALF TERM!

The Dorking Halls Theatre,

Reigate Rd, Dorking RH4 1SG Tel: 01306 881717 dorkinghalls. co.uk Interactive and explosive family show takes you behind the scenes of your favourite films. Special effects from an on-stage inferno to gruesome sci-fi monsters. Ages 6+yrs. Feb 17th at 2.30pm. Tickets: Adults £18.50; children £15.50.

Daily birds of prey flying demonstrations! (Mon-Fri only) Plenty of indoor play & activities Early Spring lambing starts

Visit the Pony Parlour

PLUS PLUS: Animal handling, goat milking, tractor rides, pig racing and pony rides daily!

Horrible Histories Live On Stage! Groovy Greeks and Incredible Invaders

Fairfield Halls Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG fairfield.co.uk

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HEATED PLAYBARN & SEATING AREA!

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Prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories, using actors and 3D special effects to make historical figures and events come alive on stage. Age 7+yrs. Feb 16th-20th, see website for performance times. Tickets: Adults £17; Children £12.

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Families Surrey East January-February 2016 21

What's On Guide Outdoor Activities Into the Trenches POW Family Trail

Chartwell House & Gardens

Mapleton Road, Westerham, TN16 1PS Tel: 01732 868381 nationaltrust.org.uk Discover how Winston Churchill escaped as a PoW during the Boer War. Follow in his footsteps and make your own decisions about how you would escape capture. Jan 1st-Feb 21st. Standard admission applies.

Birds of Prey at Denbies

Denbies Wine Estate London Rd, Dorking , RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 denbies.co.uk See these magnificent creatures up close as they fly at Denbies. Feb 15th at11am & 3pm (12.30pm display, weather permitting) Children’s half term trail

Winkworth Arboretum Hascombe

Road, Godalming, GU8 4AD Tel: 01483 208936 nationaltrust.org.uk/winkworth-arboretum Get some fresh air as you explore the Arboretum on the children’s trail during this half term holiday. Feb 13th-21st, 10am-4pm. 50p plus standard admission

The Secret Lives of Insects

RHS Wisley Gardens Wisley Lane, GU23 6QB Tel: 0845 260 9000 rhs.org.uk Discover the secrets of the butterfly and other insects with free family activities during half term at Wisley. Standard admission applies. Feb 13th-21st.

Family Treasure Hunt

Gatton Park Rocky Lane, Reigate, RH2 0TD Tel: 01737 649065 gattonpark.com/eventsfor-children.php Explore the grounds to discover and answer the clues to claim a prize. Booking required. Feb 15th at 10am & 1pm. £7 per child (accompanying adult free)

Half Term Fun at Bocketts Farm

Bocketts Park Farm

Young St, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9BS Tel: 01372 363764 bocketts.co.uk Enjoy a great day out on the farm with the start of the Spring lambing. There are up to 90 lambs due from Feb 12th - you may even see one being born! Birds of Prey will also be at the farm 15th-19th, with flying demonstrations twice daily. Visit the Pony Parlour, open for pony grooming sessions. Open every day! Adults £9.30; Children £9.95; under 2yrs.

Secret Life of Dogs Trail

Polesden Lacey Great Bookham, Dorking,

RH5 6BD Tel: 01372 452048 nationaltrust.org. uk Come and uncover the hidden secrets of Mrs Greville's beloved pets on a fun family trail around Polesden's beautiful grounds. Normal admission, plus £2 per trail. Feb 15th-21st. Normal admission +£2 per trial

Living With Birds at Hever Castle

Hever Castle & Gardens Hever, Nr

Edenbridge, TN8 7NG Tel: 01732 865224 hevercastle.co.uk Support National Nest Box Week at Hever Castle’s ‘Living with Birds’ event this half term. Nature expert Tim Christian returns to lead a bird box building workshop. Feb 15th20th. £6 in addition to entrance fee.

Snowdrop Week at Gatton Park

Gatton Park, Rocky Lane, Reigate, RH2 0TD Tel: 01737 649065 gattonpark.com Visit Gatton's ground to walk among the carpets of spring Snowdrops. Open Sundays 7th, 21st and 28th Feb, 1-5pm. Also open through half term week 15-19th Feb. Adults £4; kids free. Wild Woodland Camp

Painshill Park Portsmouth Rd, Cobham,

KT11 1JE Tel: 01932 868 113 painshill.co.uk Have a wild time this Feb half term with tracking, wild art, bushcraft and den building (for children aged 8 -13yrs). Tuesday 16th: Bushcraft and Woodland Wide-Games; Wednesday 17th: Tree Trolls and Sand Castles; Thursday 18th: Dens, Camp Fires, Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows. Cost: £40 a day. Time: 9am-4pm. Advance booking required. Book online or call 01932 868113.

Spring into Spring

Gatton Park, Rocky Lane, Reigate, RH2 0TD Tel: 01737 649065 gattonpark.com/events-forchildren.php Crafts, trails & activities to get you and your kids out of hibernation this half term! Booking required. Feb 17th at 10am & 1pm. £7 per child. Make your own birdbox

Land Barn Farm Hole Hill, Westcott,

Dorking, RH4 3LS Tel:01372 220644, surreyhills@ nationaltrust.org.uk Family-friendly event where you can make your own birdbox using local Surrey wood harvested from National Trust land. Booking essential. Bring a packed lunch. Feb 19th, 9.30am-2pm. £35 per box

Indoor Activities Quentin Blake: Inside Stories

Lightbox Gallery Chobham Rd, Woking, GU21 4AA

Tel: 01483 737800 thelightbox.org. uk Bookworms will love this landmark exhibition 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

Dorking Museum The Old Foundry,

62 West St, Dorking, RH4 1BS Tel: 01306 876591 dorkingmuseum.org.uk/events Use old photos to compare Dorking stations then to now. Use old maps to solve the mystery of where some stations used to be. Make a push pull moving train card. Jan 16th, 2-4pm.

Jacqueline Wilson at Readingzone Festival

Epsom Playhouse Ashley Ave, Epsom

KT18 5AL Tel: 01372 742555 epsomplayhouse.co.uk Bestselling children's author will be talking about her work and career, and taking questions from the audience during this hourlong event. Feb 6th at 2-3pm. £5 per ticket.

LEGO & Vintage Toy Exhibition

Denbies Wine Estate London Rd,

Dorking, RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 denbies.co.uk LEGO & Vintage Toy Exhibition with daily charity LEGO builds (pre-booking essential!). Feb 15th-19th, 11am-3pm. £1.50 per build

Creation Station craft sessions

Denbies Wine Estate, London Rd,

Dorking , RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 www.denbies.co.uk Craft activities for all ages. Feb 16th at 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child.

Super Sports free family drop in session

Surrey History Centre 130 Goldsworth Rd, Woking, GU21 6ND Tel: 01483 518737 shs@ surreycc.gov.uk Enjoy fun crafts like making your own racing car, designing your own team kit, creating a horse ready for the Derby and making your own winners medal. Ages 3-12 yrs. Feb 16th-20th, see times on website. Tropical Creepy Crawly

Denbies Wine Estate London Road,

Dorking, RH5 6AA Tel: 01306 876616 denbies.co.uk Creepy crawlies from all over the globe visit Denbies as part of their week of half-term kids activities. Feb 18th at 11am & 2pm. £7.50 per child.

Shops in Dorking

Dorking Museum The Old Foundry,

62 West St, Dorking, RH4 1BS Tel: 01306 876591 dorkingmuseum.org.uk/events Look at old adverts and photos to find out how shopping has changed in Dorking. Make a shop in a box from times gone by. Feb 20th, 2-4pm.

WHY NOT VISIT?

London Bus Museum Brooklands Road, Weybridge, KT13 0QN Tel: 01932 837994 londonbusmuseum.com Got a transport enthusiast at home? A trip to the London Bus Museum will make their day. Based at Brooklands site in Weybridge, the museum is an ode to over 100 years of bus transportation. Adult £11.00; children 5-16yrs £6.00; under 5s free.

Nearly New Sales Bumps2Babies Nearly New Sales Pre-loved toys, clothes & baby equipment. Refreshments available. St Matthew's Church Station Rd, Redhill, RH1 1DL 30th Jan, 2-4pm. £1 per adult.

United Reformed Church

Harestone Hill, Caterham CR3 6SX Feb 27th, 10am-12pm. £1 per adult bumps2babiessales.com

Mum2Mum Market Nearly New Sales Nearly new sale of pre-loved baby clothes, toys and equipment. St Mark's Church Hall Alma Rd, Reigate, RH2 0DA. Feb 6th, 11am-1pm.

United Church of St Mark

Great Tattenhams, Banstead, KT18 5RD Feb 27th, 11am-1pm mum2mummarket.co.uk

NCT Nearly New Sale

Dorking Branch North Holmwood

Village Hall, Spook Hill, Dorking, RH5 4JP nct.org.uk/branches/dorking NCT Dorking holds four Nearly New Sales each year, where you can get some great bargains, sell your children’s old (but good condition) toys and clothes and help support the NCT too. Newborn and children’s clothes, maternity wear, toys and equipment (such as prams and cots). Feb 6th, 10.15am-12pm (members entry at 10am).

Events & Diary Dates Busylizzy 1st birthday: Jan 14th

Busylizzy family club celebrates its1st

birthday. There will be a special extended Baby Boogie session at 9.50am, followed by a Disco Dudes & Divas party for toddlers at 11am. Expect birthday cake, dancing and balloons! Busylizzyreigate.co.uk Tel: 01737 887227

Breakfast Week: Jan 24-30

Classifieds

Would you like to see your business advertised here from just £20 per issue? Reach 40,000 local readers with Families Surrey East.

Childcare Nannies Unlimited specialise in sourcing the very highest calibre of nannies, run by Karen Gill, a Norland Nanny with over 20 years experience. Tel: 01737 643 918 Karen@nanniesunlimited.co.uk. Helen Symonds, OFSTED registered childminder available in the Salfords area. 15-years experience from newborns to teens. Happy to do school/nursery drops. Call on 07766 225242.

Fitness Pilates classes at St Lawrence church Hall, Effingham. Friday morning 9-10am. Contact Jane on Jane.ewer@btinternet.com or 07503 462890 for more details.

Gardening Mrs Trim Trowel In need of weeding, pruning, planting or tidying? General gardening advice? Contact MrsTrimTrowel@Gmail.com 07970 406637.

PARTIES

Special week-long event to celebrate the most important meal of the day. Lots of info and recipes and for parents and schools at shakeupyourwakeup.com/breakfast-week

®

Chinese New Year: Feb 8th Welcome in the year of the Monkey. Woking usually has a celebration parade. Visit visitsurrey.com/discover/woking for info.

Pancake Day: Feb 9th Don’t forget Shrove Tuesday for pancake flipping madness!

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Valentines Day: Feb 14th A great excuse to tell everyone you love them!

Mother’s Day: March 6th It’s creeping in early this year. You might not get your next issue of Families before Mother’s Day 2016, so check out our website for ideas of things to do with mum, including a Pink Sparking afternoon tea at Chartwell 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 husband and 2 children nr Redhill. I am a Chartered Accountant and prior to having a family had roles in both private practice and industry, but decided to take a career break when my first child was born.

their own businesses. There are now 32 branches across the UK. There are no membership fees and children are welcome at many of the events.

What do you do now? I have my own small accountancy practice, Samantha Taylor ACA, which I run from home around my family. I offer a range of bookkeeping, accountancy and tax services. My clients are mainly small, owner managed businesses and individuals, the majority of whom are local parents. I also run the East Surrey branch of Networking Mummies, the award winning family business community, which I started in June 2015.

How does it help local working parents? The East Surrey branch holds regular free face-to-face networking coffee mornings, where children are welcome. These events give members a chance to network their business in a relaxed, informal way. We also run other low cost events and workshops such as ‘Speed Networking’ evenings. I am planning a series of workshops, on topics such as Facebook and Twitter, which will run during 2016. The branch also has a Facebook group for event updates and for members to help and support each other.

Tell us about Networking Mummies? Networking Mummies UK was established five years ago in Dorset by two mums who saw a gap in the market for family friendly business networking events for parents and carers with

Advice for parents considering starting their own business: I can’t recommend having your own business enough, but you do need to be prepared to work hard to promote yourself and your business, especially in the early days. I

love being able to drop my children at school and pick them up every day, whilst still having a fulfilling career. I have had my own business since 2011, but have grown it considerably in the last two years, since my youngest child started school. For more info please visit networkingmummies.com email: eastsurrey@ networkingmummies.com or search for Networking Mummies (East Surrey) on FB. If you would like to get in touch with Samantha regarding her accountancy business, please visit samanthatayloraca.com or search Samantha Taylor ACA on FB.

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www.explorelearning.co.uk 24 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 Families Surrey East January-February 2016 24