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Messy PlaySummer is here, so when taking children outside do not forget messy play!

Messy play is an important part of early years provision. It is essential for young children’s learning and development and the range of skills and knowledge they gain from engaging in it should not be underestimated as it enables children to use all their senses in the process of exploration and investigation.

So, enjoy the beautiful weather and the opportunity to be more creative in planning and participating in play activities outside. Please try some of the following ideas:

• Playdoughcanbemadefromplainflour,creamoftartar,saltandwatercookedinapanandthencooled,oryoucanexchangetheplainflourforcornflourtomakeareallydifferentsortofdough.

•Mixdifferentamountsofsandandwatertocreatethetextureforsandcastlesorriversandfloodsinthesandpit.

•Mixcornflourwithwaterandfoodcolouringtomakeawonderful,slipperygloop.

•Make mud pies with real soil and water trickled from buckets and watering cans.

•Dig and plant vegetables, fruits and herbs to make tasty snacks or to add to salads.

•Blow bubbles from a mixture of washing up liquid, sugar and water.

•Play in paddling pools when it gets really hot and sticky.

•Create waterfalls, canals and watering holes using drainpipes, gutters and pumps.

•Search for mini-beasts in the earth and ground cover.

•Paint outdoors on large pieces of wallpaper, or just paint your fences using water and large decorator’s brushes.

•Make exciting dens using cardboard boxes and cushions.

Just don’t forget and if it rains, get the umbrellas out - and have great fun jumping in and out of puddles!

Welcome from LenaDear Readers

IreallyhopethatyouareenjoyingourEarlyYearsmagazineandthatyoufindituseful.Itis great to have so many articles sent to us each term and to hear the news about what is happening in your home, your group, your setting, your centre or your school.

This edition is packed with ideas about what to do this summer and where to go to have a good time with your families and their children. We want parents to feel valued and celebrated in the work that they do to bring up their children. We also want practitioners to work closely with mothers and fathers to support children’s learning and development. Partnership work with a range of agencies gives better access to services for families with children and it is through these alliances that we can improve experiences for all.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think about the magazine and send your comments and ideas to: earlyyearsnews@rbkc.gov.uk

Best wishes to you all.

Lena

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BookstartBookstart is the national programme that encourages all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible. Enjoying books with babies and toddlers is a wonderful way to increase language skills and helps children understand their world. Most of a child’slanguagecomesfromtheadultsaroundhimorher,andthefirstfiveyearsarethebesttimeforlearningtotalk.Bookstartaimstoprovideeverychildagedfiveandunderwiththreefree packs of books. Each pack contains two books. The intention is for every child to develop a lifelong love of books.

Bookstart Baby bagThe Bookstart Baby bag is given to babies at around seven to nine months-old by health visitors and is also available from some children’s centres.

Bookstart Plus packThe Bookstart Plus pack is given to children by health visitors at around two years-old and is also available from some children’s centres.

My Bookstart Treasure ChestThe My Bookstart Treasure Chest is distributed to three year-olds through children’s centres, nurseries, pre-schools and other early years settings, according to an annual rota.

It’s never too early to start sharing books with your child. Many parents are surprisedtolearnthatbabiescanbenefitfrombooksatsuchanearlyage,but research shows that babies and toddlers who love books begin reading sooner and have a headstart at school.

Most of our children’s libraries and our children’s centres host weekday Baby Rhymetime sessions to encourage you to sing to and interact with your baby. The sessions are very popular and good fun. Did you know that babies can have their own library card? The majority of our children’s centres have satellite library collections where you can choose to borrow books for your child.

Storytime sessions for pre-schoolers are held at some of our libraries and some of our children’s centres. Kensington Central Library has a Saturday afternoon Storytime session, to give families an opportunity to share stories. Taking the time every day to sing and or read to your child will help them learn to love hearing language and is a good opportunity for a cuddle!

Whynotpopintoyourlocallibraryorchildren’scentretofindoutmoreatwww.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries.

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Filial Therapy: Promoting Healthy Family RelationshipsThis is a valuable method of therapy which helps parents develop skills that support them to strengthen their families. It also helps parents and children feel wanted, understood and empowered.

The needManyparentsfindthattheystruggletoparenttheirchildrenwithconfidence.Parentswanttohelptheirchildrenfeelsecure,safeandcaredforbuttheymayfindthattheyhavedifficultyinunderstandingwhatisgoingoniftheirchildrenstart behaving badly, are constantly pushing limits at home, cannotmakefriendsorhavedifficultiesconcentratingatschool. Parents’ best intentions are usually to maintain a healthy balance between authority and accepting their children’s need to express themselves, however this cannot alwaysbeachieved.Childrendemonstratethattheytoofindithardtofitinwiththeirparents’inabilitytobeconsistentlyreliable and practically and emotionally predictable. This can lead to children increasingly becoming more distant from their parents, ignoring their requests and initiations, sometimes even taking direct charge of the relationship and acting in a controlling and punitive way that feels humiliating and negative for parents. Sometimes the opposite occurs and children become excessively dependent on their parents. These different emotions, always at variance with one another can lead parents and their children to feel out of control, deskilled and disempowered.

What can help?When children display worrying behaviours such as anger, aggression or sadness and withdrawal, or struggle to make and maintain healthy peer and family relationships , they are sometimes referred by their GP’s or by their school for play or family therapy.

Filial Therapy offers an altogether different approach by providing parents with the requisite skills with which they themselves can help their children develop increased self-confidenceandself-esteem,developunderstandingof their own and other’s feelings, make better choices and take responsibility for them. Parents are the most important people in children’s lives and when they take an active part in the process of change for their children, it can bring about important changes for the whole family. As parents develop better understanding of their children’s feelings and motivations and open up communication with their children, theythemselvesdevelopmoreconfidenceasparentsastheirfeelings of warmth and trust towards their children increases.

What is Filial Therapy?Filial Therapy is a carefully designed, evidence-based intervention that combines family and play therapy to address child and family problems. Its focus on the child/parent relationship has been shown to be a highly effective way of alleviating family distress and reducing children’s behaviour difficulties.Trainedprofessionalssupportandsuperviseparentsas they conduct special child-centred play sessions with their own children at home. The approach resolves presenting problems and strengthens family relationships; it has been successful in many different settings and with different cultural and ethnic groups. Its 40 year research history has consistently shown Filial Therapy to be cost-effective for positive and long-lasting child and family changes. Research has proven that Filial Therapy has positive outcomes because it trains parents to develop healthy attachments so crucial for the health and well-being of their children. It has proved to be a successful therapeutic intervention for many child/family problems including anxiety, depression, attachment disruptions, family substance abuse, traumatic events, anger/aggression, and relationship problems.

For more information, contact the Children and Adult Mental Health Service (CAMHS) on: 020 8206 7640.

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Parenting ProgrammesInJanuary2010,24boroughemployees,parentsandvoluntarysectorworkers,attendedafive-daytrainingprogrammetodeliver the ‘Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities’ parenting programme. These programmes can now be offered across the borough.

Altogether, there are more than 100 staff members who have had additional training to deliver a range of evidence-based parenting programmes in Kensington and Chelsea. Please check the parenting programmes offered by going to the website www.rbkc.gov.uk/parenting

Adele Reilly, a local parent, wrote of her experience of attending the Incredible Years Parenting Programme:

“ I cannot praise the Incredible Years Parenting Course enough. It has taught me some of the most valuable skills I will ever learn as a parent.

The course was well-structured and the teachers were welcoming, understanding and very knowledgeable.

T has improved dramatically with regards to her sitting at a table at meal times (which was a nightmare before) because I have focused on ignoring the bad and praising the good. We are now at a stage where she sits at the table and feeds herself all the time. There are no more battles at mealtimes because she now realises she is not getting the attention for misbehaving.

T has benefited so much from me attending the course and should I ever forget, on a very busy day, one of the most important parts of the parenting pyramid, she reminds me after dinner by saying: mum come on, it is our special time.

I truly believe that every new parent should do this course. I would even go as far as to say I think it should be compulsory. I am so glad I attended it while T is young so I can continue to use my skills throughout her life.

Thank you from me and T for helping her have such a great start in life, and a parent with knowledge and understanding.”

ForfurtherinformationandtofindouthowtobookontoanyoftheseprogrammespleasecontactDiThomas,ParentingCo-ordinatorvia email Di.Thomas@rbkc.gov.uk or telephone 07875 125288.

Visit www.rbkc.gov.uk/parenting for more local parenting information.

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Family Information Service

Do you want to advertise childcare recruitment vacancies?The Family Information Service (FIS) provides a free service that allows you to advertise any job vacancies in your setting. We havedevelopedlinkswiththeCouncil’sjobswebsite,whichwillmarketourbulletintoasignificantlylargeraudienceacrosstheborough and beyond.

Currently our job vacancy list is sent to over 100 people, including local Job Centres, and is accessible through the Royal Borough’s FIS website.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to ensure that your job vacancies reach a wide audience. If you would like to use this service, please contact us on 020 7361 4319.

Early years and childcare provider lineTo improve our support for all early years and childcare providers in the borough, the Family Information Service is allocating a separate telephone extension number to all providers. This will enable providers to contact the back officedirectly,andshouldfacilitateaspeedyandmoreefficientservice.

Please note, this number is 020 7361 4319. This is the extensionoftheFISOfficerwhoisyourprimarycontactforenquiries about data and all other information and guidance.

Updating your provider detailsThe Family Information Service will soon send out childcare provider forms so that you can update your details and we can provide our clients with the most accurate and recent information.

This will include the standard request for details but will also provide you with some guidance about how we use your data and what methods we use to distribute your information. This will help you make a more informed choice about the way you want your information distributed.

You can update your details with us at any time by calling us on the Childcare Provider Line on 020 7361 4319 or emailing us at fis@rbkc.gov.uk

Are you looking for childcare?Did you know there are many different questions to ask, when you are looking for childcare and family services information?

YoucanusetheInternettofindoutaboutservices.Visitour site on www.rbkc.gov.uk/fisandfindessentialinformation about childminders, nurseries, playgroups, toddler groups and family and children’s activities. By navigatingonthiswebsiteyoucanalsofindtheFamilyInformation Directory (FIDy), which is a national website with detailed information about early years and childcare providers as well as family services in the borough.

If you want to discuss your childcare options with us, you can contact us via telephone or email. You can also request information in hard copy or choose to receive it via email.

If you have a disability, we can make suitable arrangements to meet you at Kensington Town Hall or speak via a textphone or minicom service.

Contact details:

Family Information Service 49 Pembridge Villas London W11 3ES

Tel: 020 7361 3302Email: fis@rbkc.gov.uk

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Life on the Wild SideDuring my career as a nursery teacher I have been privileged to have visited many early years settings around the world. One element which has really interested me has been the contrast between the foriegn settings’ attitudes towards risk and challenge for young children abroad compared to what is expected in England. This subject fascinated me so much that I used it as a basis for my Master’s research and linked the investigation to many questions that health and safety regulations in this country inevitably instigate, such as:

• Have you heard about the school that stopped doing the egg and spoon races in case someone dropped an egg and someone was allergic to it?

• What about conkers? Do your children wear protective eye goggles?

• Doyouallowpets,woodwork,hosesandbonfires?

Recently I was invited to lead a workshop about just this subject for Tower Hamlets. There I was with the riches of the City on one side, the technology of the DLR alongside the re-developed docks and the cultural history and past of the East End on the other side. It made me wonder what inspirational challenges we were able to give in the early years and how we were able to prepare them fully for the wider world.

Although locally in Kensington and Chelsea we have developed some superb adventure playgrounds for older children around our borough, what is generally offered to under-fivesisdesignedessentiallyforthepurposeofbeingsafe. I believe that this philosophy has developed because of fear of litigation and because historically there is an authoritarianattitudetounder-fiveswhichinfersthattheirexperiences need to be controlled in a synthetic and over-protected environment. So, are our concerns based on real dangers to children or are we just fearful that something awful might happen to them?

Firstly,whatisrisk?Little(2006)definesriskasanybehaviourin which there is uncertainty about the outcomes. It involves a considerationofthebenefitsagainstundesirableconsequencesof the behaviour, as well as the probability of success or failure. Similarly Douglas (1992) argues that risk also involves elements of dealing with danger. Luckily, during our last Ofsted inspection, the inspector responsible for Safeguarding saw how we handled dangers and risks. His comment was: “What a wonderful garden with so many excellent challenges for children’s bodies and minds!” Another inspector had previously described our garden as a “magical kingdom.”

Meanwhile, Helen Tovey (2007) takes the view, which again is a part of our COA philosophy, that ‘bumps, bruises, tumbles and falls are part of learning and we must not succumb to overwhelming anxiety or recklessness’. She remembers Vygotsky (1978) who stressed focusing on what children can nearly do in their emerging skills and ‘use risk taking to encourage them to push themselves further and extend their limits.’

Carol Dweck (2000) introduces the idea of ‘mastery’ by using an ‘I can do it’ attitude, rather than the learned helplessness as an essential key to learning. In COA, we regularly give children “Can you?” challenges because we want them to think beyond the boundaries.

I am proud of the fact that we offer our young and older children genuine experience of risk and real challenge.

Risk and challenge in the early years are not new concepts. As long ago as 1914 Margaret McMillan stated “Children want space at all ages, but from the ages of 1 to 7, space, that is ample space, is almost as much wanted as food and air.Tomove,torun,tofindthingsoutbynewmovement,tofeel one’s life in every limb, that is the life of early childhood.”

She went on to describe her ideal outside play area thus: “A little children’s garden must offer every kind of inducement to muscular play and action. It must be planned with an eye to real safety while still encouraging children to play bravely and adventurously, with rough stones, narrow curved paths, jumping-off places and a grassy stretch to lie on.”

It is not only about providing a challenging environment outdoors but also about ensuring that, indoors, the ‘Enabling Environment’ supports children’s learning of skills and knowledge through inquisitive investigation. Maria Montessori (1909) herself demonstrated the importance of using real objects to teach children. She advocated using china cups and saucers during mealtimes, and knives to cut up fruit, as well as real needles for sewing and carpentry tools.

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There are several crucial factors about risk we need to consider:

• Children need to know about, and experience risk in order to cope with it, as risk and uncertainty are key features of contemporary society

•Erikson’s theory of autonomy

•Most children see risk taking as positive

• Learning to manage risk is a useful skill and an essential tool for the entrepreneur

• Childhood is about gaining independence and making decisions and hence taking more risks!

• The risks children take depend upon their age, gender, where they live and their cultural and social background

• The study of risk fuels a large industry and the study of risk is extraordinarily complex and there is no simple approach or a single message.

So what is the real responsibility?

• People are not responsible for making sure that no child ever gets hurt

• What the law demands is we protect as far as is ‘reasonably practical’

• Thus, we have to strike a balance between the child’s right and need to play and the possibility of them doing serious damage to themselves in doing so

• So what is reasonably practical and thus safe enough for one group of children in one context on one day will not be right for another group

• Thus, the adult must assess the hazards by carrying out a risk assessment.

What we must consider carefully are hazards. Hazard is anything or anyone who could cause harm. So everything is potentially hazardous but it is the way that you deal with it that matters. Risk is the measure of the possibility that someone might be harmed by a hazard and hence you need to make a judgement about whether or not damage is likely to occur. So it comes down to being responsible and making aprofessionaljudgementora‘riskbenefitanalysis.’

Children, technically speaking, present a hazard themselves in that they do unexpected things which you could not have predicted. So before you shout at them “STOP!” - think risk assessment(RA).Communicateandbuildconfidencebyinvolving parents early in discussing safety issues. Listen to concerns and be ready to learn. Avoid saying “Don’t worry!” You are in ‘loco parentis’ but some freedom is vital. Finally, children are biologically programmed to take risks. So we have to be very good at explaining to parents and colleagues why they need to do so!

So what can we do?

• Think. Weigh up the pros and cons by putting the benefitsandthefearsyouhaveincontextbeforecoming to a decision. eg. all two year-olds wanting to walk on a low wall – our fears and inhibitions are of the child’s developing balance – they can do it with courage and joy or with fear transferred from the caring adult.

• Keep it in perspective and remember a certain level of risk is very positive and natural. eg. children allowed to walk to school on their own or play a little further away from home.

• Carryouta“suitableandsufficientriskassessment”using common sense.

•Remember - it is about quality of RA not quantity.

• Get the children through question and answers (Q&A) to demonstrate personal safety and how we assess risk and follow rules for parents and carers.

• Remember - the law does not expect us to eliminate all risk.

Carryoutaclearlydefinedwrittendecision-makingprocess(RA) as to what else may present as a hazard such as:

• visitors expeditions and visits (H&S at Work at 1974 sections 2-4 & 7/Management of H&S at Work regulations. 1999 require “reasonable” precautions for everybody) specialist equipment ”one-offs” as events and happenings.

However, you do not need to do a RA every time you get the Lego out... you just need to look at the activity and ask yourself:

•Has this thing/person/activity/situation been RA before?

What has changed since last time?

• There will be some occasions where there is danger but thinkcarefullyandquicklyfirstbeforeyouwrapthemupin cotton wool.

• Think child/children/mood/weather/time of day.

Kathryn Solly, Headtecher, Chelsea Open Air Nursery School and Children’s Centre.

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Fathers’ Day Sunday 20 June Fathers’ Story Week Monday 14 to Sunday 20 June Bring your Dad to School Day Friday 18 June

Fathers’ Groups in Kensington and ChelseaJune will be a busy month for celebrating with fathers. We talked to some of the fathers who attend our local fathers’ groupsandthepractitionerswhorunthegroupstofindoutmore about them.

What is the name of your group and how often do you meet?

• Young Fathers’ Group and we meet every week for two hours.

• RBKC Early Years Fathers’ and Children’s Group and we meet monthly.

• Fathers’ and Children and we meet monthly and since April have also begun offering a weekly drop-in called: Explore and Play.

We asked whether the groups had changed much since it started:

• One group told us that it had changed and moved sessions according to the fathers’ needs; the style of delivery of the group has evolved to ensure that it continues to offer a supportive environment for fathers.

• Onegroupusedquestionnairestofindoutfromthefathers how they would like the group to run, including the frequency and the activities they would like to take part in.

We asked the facilitators to tell us why they felt the group was important:

• One facilitator told us that one young father had joined the group who did not have regular contact with his child, however, after seeing others with their children it helped him realise the important role he wanted to play in his child’s life.

• Another facilitator told us that since joining the group, one of the fathers has become increasingly proactive and taken up training provided by the borough. He is now the chairperson of the borough’s parents’ forum.

Lastly, we asked the facilitators what they would be doing to promote ‘Fathers’ Story Week’:

• One of the groups is having a father and child photography session during which the fathers can take photos of their children.

• The other groups are still in the planning stage, but were sure that they would be using the opportunity to promote fathers.

If you would like to join one of these fathers’ groups, please contact the group facilitators:

Alexia Benjamin on 020 8962 9624 or alexia.benjamin@rbkc.gov.uk

Olivia Barton on 020 7938 8038 or Olivia.barton@rbkc.gov.uk

Anne Jayawardene on 020 8968 2585 or anne.jayawardene@rbkc.gov.uk

Why was the group set up?:

• Two of the groups began in 2007 and the other began in 2006.

• Theyallhadspecificreasonswhytheyweresetup,however their aims are generally the same: ‘to support young fathers to positively contribute towards their children’s and their own future well-being as well as to improve relationships and communication with the birth mothers. The groups help fathers socialise, receive information and engage in creative activity that they can replicate at home.’

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Feedback from Fathers’ attending the Fathers Group1. How long have you been attending the group?

• Fathers’ attendance ranged from one session to four years.

2. Who do you take with you?

•All the fathers attend the group with their children

3. What do you enjoy about the group?

• One father said he looked forward to a bright sunny day and the possibility to play outside with his child and children from the fathers’ group.

• Another told us he enjoyed going to a good, planned environment for the children.

• All the fathers said they enjoyed the social interaction with the other fathers in the group.

6. We asked the fathers whether they though it was important that society acknowledged fathers by celebrating Fathers’ Story Week – and if so, why they thought it was important:

• Yes! To recognise the importance of the role of the father.

• It is good to feel appreciation, but Mothers’ Day is more important.

• Yes! Usually mothers are seen as the more important parent – however, fathers play an important role in their children’s lives.

7. We asked fathers how they would celebrate Fathers’ Day:

• Yettobedecided.

• Thechildrenwillgivecardsbutwedon’treallycelebrateit.

• Meandmysonwillenjoythedayinthecountry.

• Can’tsay–mychildrenareplanningasurpriseforme.

4. What is the most interesting thing that has happened at one of your sessions?

• Probably the guest visit from the children’s author and him reading his book.

• I enjoy the meals.

•At the Easter session, we loved making the eggs.

5. Would you recommend the group to other fathers?

•All the fathers said yes.

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Solidarity Sports Fathers’ FootballEarly Year’s fund Solidarity Sports to provide football sessions in the north and south of borough for fathers - this is what fathers think about the sessions:

“ I enjoy Dads’ football because it gets me out of the house and away from the wife. I also love playing football because of the competitive edge.” Marc

“ It is one of the best ways of bringing the community together. Attitude is more important than ability!” Khalid

“ The club provides a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for the local dads to share their experience and keep fit and allows them a much needed chance to let off steam!” Tim

“ I enjoy the clubs because it is a great programme to improve my fitness and exercise my mind and body while having a good time and meeting new friends.” Faisal

“ When you get to my age with no money there are very few options to be involved in playing football. That’s why I come along. It is a great scheme offered and a great help to me.” John

“ The club is a great opportunity to play football with a group who all share the same passion without committing to a weekend team because of family commitments.” Nickie

“ It gives me a chance to keep fit and enjoy playing football.

“ I have met new, good people.” Gareth

“ I really enjoy playing and if it weren’t for this session I probably wouldn’t play at all due to my age. It’s such a good way to keep fit and healthy and it’s also a social event.” Max

For more information call Sean on: 020 7376 0032, or pop along

and see the dads football tournament on Saturday 5 June 2010

at Westway Sports Centre.

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Advice Hubwww.advicehubkc.org is a new website brought to you by Advice Now, a developmental project for the voluntary sector in the Royal Borough.

This website is designed to provide borough residents and those professionals working in the voluntary or statutory sector with all the information on services that they might ever need including:

• what services are available, from community organisations, advice agencies and support networks

• advice factsheets with answers to commonly asked questions

• local and national contact details for statutory and voluntary sector agencies

• an e-Bulletin for advisers

• ane-magazineprofilinglocalorganisations.

Please visit the site and tell us what you think works for you and what you would like to see. Go to: comments@advicenow-kc.org.uk.

Jobs, advice and training fair 2010On 30 June 2010, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and Kensington and Chelsea College, will be holding the annual Jobs, Advice and Training Fair in the Great Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX.

This is the third year of this very successful event, and is agreatopportunityforthosewhoareinterestedinfindingout about training or employment opportunities. Exhibitors will range from training providers, employers, voluntary and community organisations, and agencies who can offer adviceonchildcare,housingandbenefits.

Throughout the day, the downstairs foyer will host presentations on working in a variety of sectors. There will be experts from industry to talk to and help will be offered with CVs and interview skills.

If you would like to attend, please feel free to drop-in between 10am and 4pm on 30 June 2010.

Details:

Jobs, Advice and Training Fair 30 June 2010 10am to 4pm

Great Hall, Hornton Street London W8 7NX

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Family and Children’s Services (FCS)

Recognition of Achievers Event 29 April 2010

On Thursday 29 April 63 staff from across the Family and Children’s Services business group and our private and voluntary sector partners attended an awards ceremony at the Isaac Newton Professional Development Centre to be formally recognised fortheirrecentachievementofanaccreditedqualification.Theeventwasopenedby:

Anne Marie Carrie - Executive Director of Family and Children Services

“I am delighted to welcome you to the third FCS Recognition of Achievers event, where we celebrate the success of all the staff in children’s services in the Royal Borough who have gained accredited qualifications during the previous year. We have 63 staff here from across the Family and Children’s Services business group and our private and voluntary sector partners (out of 84 staff altogether who have gained qualifications during this period).

It’s a great opportunity for some of our elected Members and our directors to show our appreciation for all the hard work and commitment you have put into gaining your qualification. It’s also great for us to have the chance to get know each other better across the different services.”

Certificateswerepresentedby:

Councillor Shireen Ritchie - Lead Member for Family and Children’s Services who welcomed the attendees by saying:

“We know the level of knowledge and practice of our staff is one of the main reasons we continue to get the excellent ratings we enjoy for our children’s services.

As Cabinet Member for Family and Children’s Services I am very proud of the quality of services we provide for children, young people and families. I know how much time and energy you put into supporting each of the clients you work with and it’s a great achievement to have studied for and gained a professional qualification at the same time. You have all shown a level of commitment which you and the Royal Borough can be proud of.”

Qualificationsthatweregained•ABCLevel2CertificateinYouthWork

• A1 Assessor’s Award (Assessing Candidates using a range of methods)

•ABC Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work

•B.Ed (Hons)

•BA in Early Childhood Studies Level 6

•BSc Hons Psychology

•BSc Hons Social Work

• CACHELevel2CertificateinPlayWork

•CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Play Work

•CHESL Behaviour Management Course

•Diploma in Public Sector Management

•Early Years Professional Status Level 6

• Foundation Degree in Early Years Level 5

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•Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

• ILMCertificateinStrategicLeadership

• ILM Leadership and Management Level 5

• Level 3 Diploma in Management

• MA in Human Rights (distinction for dissertation on children’s rights)

•MSc Social Work

•Manager of Registered Child Care Award (MRCC)

• NationalProfessionalQualificationforHeadship(NPQH)

• NVQ Level 4 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

•NVQ2 Horticulture

•NVQ2 Housekeeping

•NVQ2 Professional Cookery

•NVQ2 Wood Occupations - Site Carpentry

•NVQ3 Business and Administration

•NVQ3 - Children’s Care, Learning & Development

•NVQ3 Health and Social Care

•NVQ4 (CYP)

•Post Qualifying Award in Specialist Social Work

•Postgraduate Diploma in Management Level 7

• ProfessionalDevelopmentCertificate-Children’sCare,Learning and Development

•Signs for Success Level 3

• SupportWorkinSchools(SwiS)Level2Certificate

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Mrs. Lee Woolford-Chivers – Nursery Carnival Mayor’s AwardEarly Years have funded the Nursery Carnival for a number of years so were pleased to join Colin Simmons (Play Service Manager) to nominate the founder of the Nursery Carnival for a Mayor’s award.

Lee came over from British Guyana in the early 1960s and has been settled in North Kensington ever since. For over forty years Lee has put a great deal of her unpaid, voluntary time into supporting and providing enjoyable activities for young people andfosteringalivelycommunityspirit.Leehasbroughtasenseoffunandartisticflairtoherinvolvementwithyoungpeople.Initially working on local adventure playgrounds in the late 60s and early 70s. Over the years she has taken every opportunity to organise community celebrations for a range of anniversaries from Guy Fawkes’ Night to the Queen’s Jubilees.

For the past 25 years Lee has organised the Notting Hill Nursery Carnival in August, on a voluntary basis. The preparations take up many months, raising the £6-8,000 needed to cover costs, enlisting up to 30 volunteers (including her own grown-up children), designing and making costumes and T-shirts, arranging publicity, entertainment and refreshments. Over all these years she has sustained her vision of involving all age groups and communities in a shared celebration.

One of her supporters points out that Lee has, for over four decades, “made a valued and valuable contribution to her community, acting and organising with a tireless, ebullient, outward-looking approach, full of a faith that rides the ups and downs and difficulties, holds onto the commitments she has undertaken and finds a way of delivering them.”

Another supporter has commented that “Lee’s commitment and dedication to promoting the Children’s Carnival has contributed to the understanding of “Carnival” by local families and its significance for the African Caribbean community both locally and wider.”

One parent wrote to say “my children, now teenagers, have incredibly fond memories of attending the children’s carnival, helping with the costumes, getting the T-shirts ready and then, on the big day, travelling there in the minibus and coming home completely exhausted!”

For her service to the community in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and for her work with the Notting Hill Nursery Carnival, Lee Woolford-Chivers receives a Mayor’s Award.

This years Nursery carnival takes place on 9 August. Please see page 23 for more details.

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News from Clare Gardens Children’s CentreClare Gardens Children’s Centre is currently introducing new services which include:

• Strengthening Families for members of the Arabic speaking community. This is a 13 week parenting programme for parents of children between 3-18 years-old living in Kensington and Chelsea.

• Music, rhythm and rhyme for children and families in the community. This is a lively opportunity for parents and children to participate in singing and playing musical instruments together.

• Smoke-freehomesandcarsinformationsessions,starting25May2010presentedbyOfficerSophiyaBegum.Sessionsalternate Tuesdays and Thursdays fortnightly and encourage families to pledge and protect their family from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

For further information about our new schedule of programmes, please contact the centre on 020 7727 2725.

News from Violet Melchett Children’s Centre

National Family Week ‘because family matters’Violet Melchett Children’s Centre will be celebrating “National Family Week” from 31 May to 5 June 2010. There will be activities throughout the week, ending with a special family event on Saturday 5 June 2010, between 10am to 1pm. The event will include a travelling farm, music and a picnic. The day is open to all and families are asked to bring a dish of food to share at picnic time.

Exploring Culture and DiversityDuring the month of June, Violet Melchett Children’s Centre will be celebrating diversity, language and culture. We need your help to read stories, bring in things from home, cook, write signs in your home language or share cultural traditions. For further information, speak to a member of staff.

Violet Melchett Children’s Centre, 30 Flood Street, Chelsea, London SW3 5RR

Tel: 020 7938 8621 Email: infovmchildrenscentre@rbkc.gov.uk

St Anne’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre

News for early years practitionersAtStAnne’swewillbeofferingfourFoundationStageLeadTeachersessionsagainthisterm.Dateshaveyettobeconfirmedbutifyouwouldliketovisittheschool,eitherforageneraltourortodiscussaspecificissueorcurriculumareawithGinny,ourFSLT, please contact the school on 020 8969 1024 or e-mail us at admin@st-annes.rbkc.uk. The FSLT sessions are very popular and feedback from previous visitors has been extremely positive.

The summer term will also see us hosting a ‘Knowledge and Understanding of the World’ workshop for colleagues. The workshops provide a good opportunity to take time out of your setting and come and have some `hands on’ fun with us!

Time is given to enable discussion about the rationale behind the learning activities and experiences presented within the workshop, and to talk about ways in which they can be adapted for younger and older children.

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The workshops are very popular, so we would suggest that you book a place early to avoid disappointment.

Our Family Learning programme will continue this term with our 12 week Family Literacy course for parents and carers and theirchildren.WehavebeenofferingthiscourseatSt.Anne’sforoveradecadenowandfindittobeaverypowerfulandempowering course. If you are thinking about offering the programme in your setting, why not come along and join us?

It presents a good opportunity to see the course in action and we can arrange for you to spend time with Gloria, our Senior NurseryOfficerwithresponsibilityforfamilylearning,totalkabouttheplanning,deliveryandevaluationofthecourse.

Please contact the school to arrange a visit.

An Inspector CalledWe started the spring term with a visit from Ofsted. Only one week into term and having only just cleared the snow from the doorstep, the inspectors were with us!

I am delighted to report that, once again, St. Anne’s secured an ‘outstanding’ judgement, building upon its solid history of successful Ofsted inspections. Inspectors described the school as having a “strong family feel and a highly caring, nurturing ethos”. Inspectors reported that fundamental to its success is the strong leadership and management of the school, the highly skilled, stable staff team, the emphasis on the individual child and their learning and development and the strong partnership with parents and carers. The report can be viewed in its entirety on the Ofsted website and on the St. Anne’s website at www.st-anne’s.rbkc.sch.uk

St. Anne’s has served the local community of north Kensington for over 100 years. Today it is a lively, dynamic, multicultural nursery school which is very popular. If you are considering us for your child’s nursery education and care, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange a visit and show you around the school.

International VisitorsAs you may be aware, St. Anne’s is a training establishment within the local authority for early years professionals - both those already working and those in training. In partnership with two major universities, a sixth-form college and a number of secondary schools, St. Anne’s offers a well-established rolling programme of training support to a range of students throughout the year. In addition to this, we regularly host international visits and, in February 2010, we welcomed a group of 26 teacher students from Crailsheim, south Germany, along with their tutors. The students toured the school, spent time in the classrooms with the children and then had the opportunity to talk to staff about our early years curriculum. The students were happily inspired by their visit and the children loved showing their new ‘friends’ all of the wonderful things they do and learn at nursery.

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Opening of the St Quintin Centre – Leader’s Remarks“I am delighted to be here today at the opening of the newly developed St Quintin Centre.

Before the building is officially opened I would like to say a couple of words.

I’d like to start by welcoming Samantha Cameron, who will be officially opening the St Quintin Centre in a couple of moments. It is a great honour to be joined by someone who so well understands the needs of children in the area.

I would also like to thank the many people who made the refurbishment of the building possible.

I would like to thank Cllr Shireen Ritchie, the Cabinet Member for Family and Children’s Services, who is dedicated to providing the best for children in the borough and who steered the project to completion.

I would also like to thank the officers in the Council who put many hours into securing the funding.”

Cllr Merrick CockellLeader of the Council

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Cheyne celebrates the start of Read to SucceedIf you had visited Cheyne Children’s Centre on Wednesday 14 April you would have been forgiven for thinking you had walked into a fairytale.

TheCatintheHatwasinthemanager’soffice,therewasahungrycaterpillarinthebabyroomandacollectionofsuperheroes,fairiesandpirates were being taught by cats, witches and an African schoolgirl with a basket of fruit on her head.

Cheyne was celebrating the start of ‘Read to Succeed’. ‘Read to Succeed’ is a programme delivered by the Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Service. It aims to encourage shared book reading in order to develop children’s language skills. It is one of three programmes, alongside ‘Language Groups and Practitioners as Play Partners’ which the speech and language therapy team offer to early years staff to help them create language-rich learning environments.

‘Read to Succeed’ was successfully piloted at Latymer Family Centre in the summer term 2009 (see Spring 2010 edition of ‘Early Years News’). A key element of the programme is the involvement of both early years practitioners and parents. Research has shown that when parents are involved in reading the same book at home that is being read in the nursery, the impact on children’s language is nearly doubled.

Practitioners at Cheyne attended a workshop on how to support language learning during shared book reading in April. Over the summer term the centre’s speech and language therapists will be supporting the staff to run small group story times.

Two parent workshops took place on 27 April and 4 May for parents of children attending the centre. These covered the importance of shared book reading and how to use books to help develop children’s language skills. The Kensington and Chelsea Library Service kindly supplied picture books for parents who attended the workshops.

Sarah ScarbroughSpeech and Language Therapist Community Early Years Service Central London Community Healthcare

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Chelsea Open Air Nursery School and Children’s CentreSummer at Chelsea focuses on the wonderful experience of the great outdoors! The garden environment really comes into its own at this period in the year and every child and parent can enjoy the unique pleasures that it offers.

Our beautiful garden is always a place to explore, play, learn and discover, but in summer it comes alive in a very exciting way. This summer we have planned particular fortnightly events which enhance the nursery school curriculum and that we can share with parents and families who attend the regular children’s centre activities.

First, there was ‘Environment Fortnight’ in late April which included the ‘Big Tidy Up’ of the garden with lots of seed planting, local litter picking and other environmentally friendly activities.

The month of May will see us enjoying Inclusion Fortnight again when we have a range of visitors and activities linked to our diverse community. We have activities focused on supporting children with special educational needs, health and care.

In early June we have a focus on animals great and small with our annual visit from the farm. There is always so much excitementtoseewhichanimalsappearfromthetrailerandspendthedaywithus.Thisisalsothemonthwerearbutterfliesandhunt for mini-beasts in the garden.

‘Child Safety Fortnight’ begins 21 June and will include a focus on road safety and we have invited a number of external visitors to explain to children and adults how they can stay safe.

The highlight of the year for us is our annual, themed open day on Wednesday 7 July. The message this year is linked to the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda and highlights making a ‘Positive Contribution’. We will focus on inspiring creativity with a strongly multi-culturalflavour.

COA Holiday Club will be open from 31 May to 4 June for the Whitsun Holiday and again over the summer from 26 July until 27 August so book now to reserve your child’s place. Call 020 7352 8374.

The nursery children will also go on expeditions locally to a variety of places including: Holland Park Ecology Centre, the Chelsea Physic Garden, Leighton House Museum, and the Science Museum.

Come and join us, as we have so much to offer!

Children’s Centres not featured this term are:

Latymer Children’s Centre: 020 8969 9327 Golborne Children’s Centre: 020 8968 5622 Maxilla Children’s Centre: 020 8960 3981 Nursery School admissions 020 8962 9622 Children’s Centre activities

TofindoutwhattheyhaveplannedfortheSummerTermpleasecontactthemdirect.

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Play Service Events

Summer Holiday Play CentresOpen for children aged 5 to 13 years . The following schools will be open as holiday play centres throughout the summer 2010 for children to enjoy their summer play opportunities and make new friends in their local community. Each play centre is staffed by experienced play workers who are all trained. The play centres are registered under Ofsted childcare standards. The centres have a full range of sports, games, arts and crafts, drama, dance, fun activities throughout the day, themed weeks and off site activities.

The play centres are open for main day from 9am to 5.30pm with extended day from 8am to 6pm. Children bring packed lunches and breakfast and tea facilities are available at a small additional charge.

Play Centre Address Telephone Dates

Middle Row School Play Centre

Kensal Road London W10 5DB 020 8964 0948 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August

Oxford Gardens School Play Centre

Oxford Gardens London W10 6NF 020 8964 0948 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August

Colville School Play Centre

Lonsdale Road London W11 2DF 020 7792 2455 Monday 26 July to Friday 20 August (4 Weeks Only)

BousfieldSchoolPlay Centre

South Bolton Gardens London SW5 0DJ 020 7373 6544 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August

Marlborough School Play Centre

Draycott Avenue London SW3 3AP 020 7589 8553 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August

Servite School Play Centre

252 Fulham Road London SW10 9NA 020 7352 2588 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August

Play Centre Address Telephone Dates

Flashpoint/ Centre play

Blantyre street, Worlds End Estate Chelsea SW10 ODS

020 7351 2186 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August

Play Activity Centres

Play spacesTherehavebeenatotalof31playsitesrefurbishedacrosstheboroughaspartofplaypathfinderfunding,forchildrentoplayand enjoy within their own community these sites are challenging and fun for children of all ages. They are in local parks and open spaces and on local housing estates. For more details and to get a copy of Playing in Kensington and Chelsea call the Family Information Service on 020 7361 3302.

There is a play site near you do you know your nearest one?

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Adventure Playground

Address Telephone Dates

Hornimans Adventure playground

Southern Row, London W10 5EG 020 8969 5740 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August (for ages 6 to 15 years)

Notting Hill Venture centre

Wornington Road, London W10 5YB 020 8969 7919 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August (for ages 6 to 15 years)

Dalgarno Play Project

Dalgarno community centre, Webb close London W10 5QB

020 8968 6300 Monday 27 July to Friday 20 August

Little Wormwood scrubs Adventure playground

Dalgarno Gardens, London W10 6AD 020 8969 7779 Monday 26 July to Friday 27 August

Wiltshire Close Mini Adventure Playground

Rosemore Street, Chelsea SW3 07854 004957 Please call for opening times and programme details.

Community and Adventure Playgrounds

Nurseries CarnivalAt Kensington Memorial park, St Marks Road W10 from 12 noon come and see the parade and dancing and listen to the steel band or just come and join in the carnival fun. For further details call (020 8968 4840) Theme Fruit Fest.

Monday 9 August 2010 12 noon to 4pm

Dance Attack 2010A celebration of performing arts and dance from the very multi talented children who attend play centre in Kensington and Chelsea giving examples of play journey and their experiences of summer 2010, to be held at the Great Hall, Kensington Town Hall Hornton Street W8 7NX (Tel 020 7938 8044) for more details.

Wednesday 18 August 2010 2pm to 3.30pm

Play DayTo be held at Emslie Hornimans Park, Kensal Road W10 A fun day with many activities, sports, games, rockclimbing,BBQ,inflatables,artsandcrafts,spidermountains and lots and lots of fun for children. This year we have included additional activities for early years children. The play day will open at 12 noon till 4pm for further details call 020 7938 8044.

Friday 20 August 2010

Play RangersOperate activities at a range of play areas and parks throughout the summer for children to just turn up and join in the fun activities with experienced playworkers.

ForPre-RegistrationDatesandTimesseeSummerLeafletsorcallFamilyInformationServiceon020 7361 3302 or Play Service on 020 7938 8044.

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Shake Natter and RollShake Natter and Roll is a new and exciting multi-disciplinary service targeting support for young children and parents in early years settings.

‘Shake Natter and Roll’ delivers on the Government’s ‘working in partnership’ agenda and contributes to the ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes for children’s health and well-being. This specialist health promotion service has drawn upon the skills and experience of four early years professionals in maximising the support and advice delivered to parents and their babies.

So far these sessions have taken place at Cheyne Children’s Centre and at Violet Melchett Children’s Centre. Ten parents and their babies, aged eight weeks to six months attended the six week -programme. The group aimed to facilitate and enhance communication, physical development and bonding between parents and children.

The Health Visitor, Tendayi Sibanda, Music Therapist, Charlotte Miller, and Physiotherapist, Megan Bartholomew, ran the ‘Shake Natter and Roll’ sessions and delivered a variety of musical and physical activities tailored to meet the needs of the group. The team was also able to offer professional support including advice on child development and physical and medical well-being. After the third session, advice and guidance was provided by the speech and language therapist around a range of common issues related to the acquisition of speech and communication.

The sessions aim to:

• support parents to bond with their babies

• encourage parents to identify and respond to their babies’ body language and “cries of communication”

• build awareness of the importance of listening and taking turns to communicate with their babies

• encourage parents to use their voices in singing and communicating through babbling with their babies

• build parents’ understanding of the importance of tummy time for babies

• introduce parents to playful activities to promote physical development.

Evaluating the sessionsParents were asked to evaluate the sessions at the end of the course and professionals also met to discuss the programme’sbenefitsintermsofpartnershipworking.The evaluation showed that there had been 100 per cent attendance over the six-week sessions, and 80 per cent of parents rated their group experience as ‘excellent’ and 20 per cent as ‘very good’. All parents rated the handouts and song sheets from the therapists as ‘very useful’.

The team was delighted with positive comments made by parents about the sessions, such as:

“IfeelmuchmoreconfidentinbeingwithJ-heissomuchcalmer and I am now really beginning to enjoy being a mum”.

“ We sing at home everyday now. We have instruments and play. B loves music and signs, he watches my hands”.

“ The physio really helped me in understanding why tummy time is important for my baby’s physical development’’.

“ The group has given us so much from developing my son’s confidenceandsocialabilitytoenhancingmyunderstandingof the importance of communication through music”.

All the professionals involved felt that several parents had demonstratedincreasesinconfidence,self-esteem,andhealthy attachments with their babies. It was also noted that several parents reacted to their babies’ communication more spontaneously during the course and there was increased awareness of the importance of careful positioning and handling of their babies. Further suggestions from parents included the request to attend another six-week programme of ‘Shake Natter and Roll’.

The opportunity for professionals to work together in partnership was felt to be a valuable and creative experience for all.

Future plans for Shake Natter and RoleThe team is excited about the opportunity to take this service forward in the future and include the skills of other health professionals, such as the local dietician. The team also wants to be able to offer the programmes in other parts of the borough.

For more information, please contact: charlotte.miller@chelwest.nhs.uk, megan.bartholomew@chelwest.nhs.uk or tendayi.sibanda@rbkc.gov.uk

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Child Safety Week 22 to 28 JuneChildSafetyWeekistheChildAccidentPreventionTrust’sflagshipcommunityeducationcampaign.Itaimstoraiseawarenessofthe number of accidents that seriously injure or kill children and how to prevent them.

Serious accidents can cause injuries to children that take months or years to heal. The psychological damage caused to children and their families often lasts a lifetime. Yet many of these accidents can be prevented by taking just a moment, to move a hot drink, check a smoke alarm, lock the medicine cabinet, switch off the dryer or take your foot off the accelerator.

FactFalls are the most common cause of accidental injury to children and young people. Every year, almost 400,000 children are rushedtocasualtyafterafallathomeorinthegarden.Welloverhalfofthemarechildrenunderfive.Whilemostfallsaren’tserious, some can have long-term consequences. Find out how to keep babies and young children safe from falls

Safety reminders• Changeyourbaby’snappyonthefloor.Babiescanrollandwriggleoffbedsorchangingtablesinseconds–evenvery

young ones.

• Don’t put your bouncing cradle or baby car seat on tables or work surfaces. A baby can wriggle and bounce them off the raised surface.

•Hold onto the hand rail when carrying a baby or small child down stairs. And keep stairs clear of clutter.

• Watch out for signs that a baby is starting to crawl. Fit safety gates to stop them climbing stairs or falling down them. You can use safety gates until children are about two years-old.

• Teach young children how to use stairs safely and supervise them while they learn.

Be safe in the sunSun damage doesn’t just happen when you’re on holiday in the sun. It can happen when you’re not expecting it, for example when you go for a walk or sit in your garden.

“Sun protection is something you need to be aware of every day in the summer,” says Scammel. “Whether on holiday or at home, you can protect yourself by following the SunSmart messages.”

•Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm.

•Make sure you never burn.

•Aim to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.

•Remember to take extra care with children.

Always take special care of children’s skin. The best way to do this is to cover them up and keep them in the shade

Don’t forget you can purchase safety equipment such as safety gates and plug guards at most of your local Children’s Centres

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Drop insSummer in London can be great with lots of things to do during the day. In the Kensington and Chelsea area especially, there are beautiful parks, big and little playgrounds (many with new and different equipment to experience), paddling pools and sandpits, walks by the canal and the river – it is a time for being out and about with your small children - pack a picnic and enjoy!

But we also know that, as well as the sunshine, there are plenty of showers (and cold winds and rain!) This is when a visit to a local parent and child drop-in group is a good way of spending a couple of hours.

The local drop-in groups offer lots of activities for all sorts of days. If it is sunny, make the most of their gardens or outside spaces, if it is too hot go inside and cool down or, if it is raining or just too chilly, stay inside!

The three drop-in groups organised by the Lancaster West Children’s Community Network, a charity and voluntary organisation based in North Kensington, are open different days and times. The staff at each group make sure that both the babies and small children have plenty of interesting things to do and enjoy. The children can also explore and play with others of the same age in a safe and relaxed space.

But drop-in groups are not just for children, they are also there for the grown ups. There is time for parents (mothers, fathers and others looking after children - whether every day or just occasionally) to enjoy themselves and to be able to relax in the company of other adults.

Visiting a drop-in group also gives parents and other carers the opportunity to swap thoughts and ideas with each other about their children. The staff can also help with ideas and suggestions on all sorts of issues as well as organising special talks and events.

St Mark’s Stay and PlayOffer a daily drop-in service for parents and toddlers. The centre is open:

Monday to Wednesday 12 to 4.30pm Thursday 12.30 to 4.00pm Friday 12 to 4pm

This timetable will run until 20 August 2010.

Families will be able to spend time enjoying lots of exciting planned activities, both indoor and outdoor.

We have a large garden, which has recently been equipped with new resources, and children can spend lots of time outside this summer, playing in the sand and water, painting and exploring the natural world. We want to support children to develop new practical skills, to improve communication and to socialise with other children. There is also a well equipped indoor space with lots more stimulating toys and games.

Every Thursday, children and parents are welcome to participate in story and songs led by the staff from the local library. Also, parents with concerns about their children’s speech and language development can meet the speech therapist who visits the centre monthly.

For more information contact Fay or Maria on 020 8968 4339

So, we would like to invite you to visit one of our groups either now or in the future - and remember - the summer is a very good time to start!

Ilys Booker Centre Lower Clarendon Walk, Lancaster West Estate, W11 1TG Opening Times: 9.30am to 1pm. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 9.30am to 3.30pm. Thursday during school terms.

Rugby Portobello Trust 221 Walmer Road, W11 4EY

Opening Times: 9.30am to 3pm. Tuesday during school terms

Contact No: 020 7221 9031 for more informationandtofindout about any special events

Little Wormwood Scrubs Playhut Dalgarno Gardens, W10 5LE

Opening Times: 10am to 1pm. Monday to Friday during school term times. 10am to 5pm. Monday to Friday during school holidays

Contact No: 020 8969 7779 for more informationandtofindout about any special events

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Chocolate Cake – Cool in the fridge

Ingredients

• 250g/8oz digestive biscuits

• 150g/5oz milk chocolate

• 150g/5oz dark chocolate

• 100g/31/2oz unsalted butter

• 150g/5oz golden syrup

• 100g/31/2oz dried apricots, chopped

• 75g/21/2oz raisins

• 60g/2oz pecans, chopped (optional)

Spinach and parmesan tortilla

Method

1.Useclingfilmtolinea20cm(8in)shallow,square-shapedtin.Leaveextraclingfilmhangingoverthesides.

2. Bash the biscuits into pieces using a rolling pin. (Put them inaplasticbagfirstsotheydon’tgoeverywhere!)

3. Melt chocolate, butter and golden syrup in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally.

4. Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the broken biscuits, apricots, raisins and pecans (optional).

5. Spoon the mixture into the tin. Level the surface by pressing it down with a potato masher.

6. Leave to cool, then put the chocolate mixture in the fridge for 1-2 hours to set.

7.Turnoutthecakeandpeelofftheclingfilm.Cutthecakeinto 12 squares and enjoy!

Ingredients• 200g/8oz frozen leaf spinach, preferably free flow • nutmeg, freshly ground• large pinch of saffron (optional)• 50g/2oz parmesan, freshly grated• 8 eggs• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Defrost the spinach either in the microwave or by gently heating in a covered pan, stirring occasionally to break downtheblock(freeflowpacksofspinachmakethiseasier). Put the spinach in a sieve and press with the back of a spoon or the side of a small plate to remove as much water as possible.

2. Mix together the spinach, nutmeg, saffron, if using, and parmesan. Beat the eggs to a light froth. Add to the other ingredients with plenty of salt and pepper. Mix well.

3. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, preferably non-stick. Pour in the egg and spinach mixture and cook over a fairly low heat for 10-15 minutes until the tortilla is almost set.

4. Remove the pan from the heat. Put a large plate over the pan,flipitoversothetortillaisontheplate,thenslidethetortilla back into the pan to cook the other side. Return the pan to the heat for about 5 minutes until the tortilla is set. Slide on to a large plate and leave to cool.

5. When the tortilla has cooled to room temperature, cut it into eight each way to give you about sixty-four bite sized strips.

Things to make and do...

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Exciting activities to do indoors this summerDuringthelongsummerdaysfilledwithpicnics,daytripsanddrop-insyoumayneedtotaketimeouttorelaxathome.Thisshouldnotstopyoubeingactivewithyourchildrenorfindinginterestingthingstokeepthembusy.Whynottryoutsomeofthefollowing activities?

Pass the BallUse a soft ball and roll it to one another or throw it so children can catch it.

Sock PuppetsFind some old socks and stick buttons on for eyes and old wool or ribbon for hair. Children will have lots of fun makingtheirpuppetsandwhentheyhavefinished,helpthem create a puppet show story.

Dancing feverPut on the radio or a CD and encourage your children to dance, dance, dance! This uses up lots of energy and is a lot of fun for everyone to try to keep to the beat!

HouseworkDoing household jobs can be so good for children, they learn new skills and they begin to appreciate how to look after the environment. So give them their own cloth andaskthemtopolishthefurnitureortohelpyoufillthewashing machine, set the table for lunch or dig the garden to grow vegetables.

Sort and SmileChildren grow out of their clothes very quickly, get them to help you sort clothes that are too small and offer them to friends and family with younger children. We are never too young to learn about recycling!

Hunt the Egg timerHide a ticking egg timer (set it to three minutes), then send yourchildrenofftofinditbeforeitstartstoring!Theywillneed to listen for the ticking sound and it will get louder as they get closer. You can help them out by telling them if they are getting warmer as they get near it, or colder if they are moving further away from it. When they have found it you can play again.

Obstacle courseUse household items to set up an obstacle course: chairs, pillows, tables, toys and empty cardboard boxes. Explain to the children how they have to move over or under the objects, then show let them do it themselves. Why not let them build their own obstacle course and test whether you can negotiate the obstacles with them?

Story timeChildren love to be imaginative so encourage them to stretch their imagination by making up a story. Get them to use their toys and other props from around the house to act out their story.

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Royal Parks

St James’s ParkLocated in front of Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park was originally part of the grounds for St James’s Palace nearby.

It is the oldest of the royal parks and was named after a leper hospital that used to exist nearby.

The park was redesigned in 1828 for public use and its layout comprising curving walks and lakes became the model for the design of later parks.

With its waterfowl and other wildlife, and numerous park benches, it is a great place for resting.

Nearest underground station: Westminster

Regents ParkThe park was designed by John Nash in 1818 as part of a wider plan for the area, and was opened to the general public in 1845.

It is not only used for general relaxation but is also the venue for many organised amateur sports such as tennis, cricket and hockey, and there is boating on the lake.

Nearest underground stations: Regents Park, Baker Street, Great Portland Street

Hyde Park Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London and is famous for its Speakers’ Corner, in the north eastern corner of the park on the former site of the Tyburn gallows.

It was opened to the general public in 1637 and was the site of the Great Exhibition in 1851

Nearest underground stations: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Queensway, Marble Arch

Greenwich ParkGreenwich Park is the oldest enclosed royal park and a former hunting park for royalty. It is also home of the Royal Observatory, from where time is measured.

The annual London marathon commences from the common at the top of the park each April.

Nearest stations: Greenwich (BR), Cutty Sark (DLR)

Kensington Gardens Once the private gardens of Kensington Palace, they are now considered part of Hyde Park.

The park is the setting of J M Barrie’s book, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and more recently is known for being the home of Diana, Princess of Wales prior to her death.

Nearest underground station: Queensway or High Street Kensington

Exciting places to visit this summer...

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Open Spaces

Hampstead HeathHampstead Heath in north London is London’s largest ancient park land.

It is very popular with locals, who love it for its wilderness areas and ponds, including two that are used for swimming.

It also offers amazing views over London, from St Pauls to the London Eye.

Nearest underground stations: Hampstead, Belsize Park

Kenwood HouseKenwood House, considered part of Hampstead Heath, was built in the seventeenth century.

It has wonderful gardens, outdoor sculptures and an ancient woodland.

From the 1950’s until 2006, it was a popular place for outdoor classical concerts.

Nearest railway station: Hampstead Heath

Chelsea Physic GardenThis botanic garden in the heart of Chelsea was founded in 1673 to investigate the medicinal role of plants.

These days it continues to grow a range of herbal and medicinal plants.

Nearest underground station: Sloane Square

Alexandra PalaceSituated at the top of Alexandra Park, the Palace was built in 1873 as the Peoples Palace.

ItisfamouslyknownastheplacewherethefirsteverBBCbroadcast occurred.

Nearest underground station: Wood Green

So pack a picnic, a ball and invite some friends and visit as many of these wonderful Parks and Open Spaces this Summer.

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Relocation NoticeDear Customers and partners,

Effective from Tuesday 30 March 2010 the Family Services’ Social Work Team: World’s End and Unaccompanied Minors’ Team, relocated to: Chelsea Old Town Hall

Address:Social Services, Chelsea Old Town Hall, 165 – 181 King’s Road, Kensington and Chelsea, London, SW3 5EE

Grandparents’Grandparents’ Plus is the national charity which champions the vital role of grandparents’ and the wider family in children’s lives - especially when they take on the caringroleindifficultfamilycircumstances.

Grandparents’ Plus has been funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to develop Family Life: a grandparents’ guide to supporting families through difficult times. This has been produced in partnership with Kids in the Middle, Relate, the Grandparents’ Association, Parentline Plus and One Plus One. It covers issues such as the arrival of a new baby, living with teenagers, separating parents and crisis situations.

For your FREE copy of the guide go to your local Children’s Centre or email guide@grandparentsplus.org.uk

The Grandparents’ Association Is a membership organisation for grandparents’.

They run a helpline from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday on 0845 434 9585.

Parentline PlusParentline Plus provides support to anyone parenting a child, including grandparents’.

They run a freephone helpline, training courses and information. Free 24 hour helpline - 0808 800 2222.

Childline0800 1111isafree24hourconfidentialhelplineforchildren or young people in trouble or danger.

GrannynetGrannynet is a social network website for grandparents’. www.grannynet.co.uk