Toddle About Warwickshire Jan - Mar 2011

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Need things to do? Search the Daily Activity Planner from page 21

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Children’s Book Reviews 4Getting Help 6Kick Start an Active Life 7Inspire Your Children 8My Doula Experience 8

Shop About 10Secrets of Success 12Controversy Corner 13Baby Photo Competition 16Special Offer Vouchers 17

Starting Out in Business 18Baby Swimming 20Daily Activity Planner 21The Directory 26Out & About 30

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information in Toddle About is accurate and correct, we cannot guarantee that this is so and neither Toddle About nor Tim Freed can accept any liability for loss, damage or problems arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in content, nor from actions taken by readers based on information or opinions presented in advertisements or throughout the magazine. Images and information supplied by 3rd parties have been accepted in good faith and all liability for any legal transgression including breach of copyright remains with the supplying parties.

Contents

Family picture courtesy of M

ango Pictures

And welcome to the first issue of Toddle About!Over the last year, we have received several requests to bring Toddle About to South Warwickshire and it feels good to finally arrive.

We created Toddle About because, as new parents, we found it incred-ibly hard to learn about the different groups and classes that were being run for little ones in our local area. Like many in our situation, we had recently moved house and we knew no one in the area, so it was really hard at first. All we wanted was to be able to go to one handy place to find everything we needed ... and so Toddle About was born.

This edition of Toddle About covers Rugby, Leamington, Warwick, Kenil-worth, Southam and surrounding areas - you will find our groups and classes listings in the Daily Activity Planner from page 21. As this is the first issue, we know there will be some groups that we have missed, so if you spot any omissions, please email us with the details. Hopefully you will agree that we have made a good start though!

As well as the groups, you will find plenty of articles and features about all things bump, baby and toddler and we hope you enjoy them. There is also a handy little directory of local businesses at the back of the maga-zine, all of whom have some great things to offer.

We hope you enjoy Toddle About - please let us know what you think!

8,000 copies of Toddle About are distributed every quarter around South Warwick-shire.

Hello!This furry little fella is Charlie!

He’s hiding all over the magazine - why not see if your little one can find him while you read?

Charlie is a big fan of winning free stuff, so he is thrilled to let you know that we have over £800 of prizes to give away, courtesy of PixiFoto in Leamington and Coventry. See the Toddle Models competition on p. 12 for details.

You can find everything in Toddle About and much more - including fully searchable listings of groups & classes on our website at:

www.toddleabout.co.uk

Contact us on 0845 643 2483, or [email protected]

Tim & RuthP.S. You can make sure you never miss a copy of Tod-dle About by subscribing at www.toddleabout.co.uk

- it’s FREE and we’ll post it to your door every quarter.

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The Greatest Children’s Books Ever Written...

The Monster Bed by Jeanne Willis

This is my all time favourite book! Denis the monster lives with his Mum in a cave in the woods and is scared of humans. His mother tells him not to worry, that they don’t exist. However, he does worry and when she finally manages to get him into bed, he decides to sleep under the bed so that a human can’t hide there. Mean-while, a little boy is lost in the wood and seeks shelter in the cave. He climbs into the bed but, worried that there might be a monster under it; he looks underneath and….Aaaargghh!

Written in rhyme, The Monster Bed is easy to read, wonderfully funny and children love it.

Published by Andersen Press £5.99 and as a Mini Treasure by Red Fox £1.50

Age range 2 - 5

I Love You Blue Kangarooby Emma Chichester Clark

I adore this book!

Blue Kangaroo belongs to Lily, the little girl on the cover. Lily loves her blue kangaroo and takes him to sleep next to her in bed each night. However, each page brings a new gift for Lily - new cuddly animals that she also takes to her bed until gradually Blue Kangaroo is knocked out of the bed and she decides there is no room for him any more. The drawings of Blue Kangaroo’s face are wonderful as he lies in bed worrying.

Published in h/b, p/b and this edition board book by Andersen Press £4.99

Age range 3 - 6

Toddle About invited Pat Saun-ders, owner of Poppy’s Books, to share her all-time favourite children’s books with us.

Pat has been selling children’s books for 18 years, and she has been reading them even longer!

If you would like to add your comments or recommend your own favourites, visit this article online at www.toddleabout.co.uk/articles and share!

If you are in any way a fan of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s books, then you will be pleased to know that the creators of The Gruf-falo have not disappointed with the award-winning Zog.

It is the humourous story of a keen and accident-prone dragon - with their trademark illustrations and rhymes it had the whole family smil-ing from beginning to end.

RRP £10.99 (Hard Back)

New Release

Editor


...According to Pat Saunders

Pantsby Giles Andreae

Pants is very attractive to chil-dren with its bright primary col-ours. Given the choice, children who see Pants on my stand at sales would, almost to a toddler, choose this book. The vibrant illustrations by Nick Sharratt provide lots of things to talk about – silly things!

The book begins with:“Small pants, big pants, Giant frilly pig pants”

Very easy to read, children ask for it to be read over and over again – and you really won’t mind!

Published in paperback £5.99 by Corgi and board book edi-tion £4.99 David Fickling Books Age range 18 months - 5

The Little Red Train: The Runaway Train by Benedict Blathwayt

The Little Red Train series, I feel, is often under-rated. The sto-ries are all very simple and easy to read, however the illustra-tions are so detailed that I have kept a child entertained for half an hour with just one page.

Children love spotting the cows and sheep in the field or the boats and lorries at the seaside.

In this story the Little Red Train sets off down the track without Duffy, his driver, who has for-gotten to put on the brakes.

Published by Red Fox £5.99 Age range 2 - 6

Baby ABC by Roger Priddy

Baby ABC is a gorgeous touch and feel board book, suitable for babies of all ages. All the pictures are photographs and excellent ones too! I not only have favourite books but I also have favourite pages in books

– S is for Strawberry is my favourite in this book. It looks like a strawberry and feels like one, with each seed raised for little hands to touch.

Published by Priddy Books £8.99

Many thanks to Pat Saunders for contributing to this feature. If you want to make your own mind up about these books, you can buy

all these titles and more at www.poppysbooks.co.uk.

The Greatest Children’s Books Ever Written...

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How Kumon has Helped my Son

by Moira PerkinsAt the age of seven and a half, our son Lucas is a boy who has achieved fairly aver-age results to date in the core subjects of English and Maths. More recently, he had shown signs of struggling with numbers, which prompted my husband and I to seek assistance in the hope of avoiding the pos-sibility of him falling behind at school. Initially we considered having a personal tutor at home but quickly dismissed this idea in favour of a different methodology with a more long-term focus. The ‘little and often’ approach of the Kumon programme immediately appealed to us as did the idea of Lucas developing as an independent self-learner and we quickly enrolled Lucas on the course for both English and Maths.Lucas has only just begun his Kumon journey but in three short weeks he has flown through the first two levels of both the English and Maths programmes and is becoming more independent in his study. We have already seen a change for the better in his attitude towards study - he is more motivated and he has also become a lot quicker at doing things! He enjoys the Kumon routine which fits into our busy schedule and has already made encourag-ing statements such as “I love doing my Kumon work” and “I can’t wait to go to Kumon tomorrow”. More importantly, he is working at a pace that suits him.We are very excited about his long-term prospects in education. With Kumon, who knows what the future will hold for him?

A Helping Hand

Employing a nanny offers parents benefits that most

other forms of childcare cannot offer. Most notably children are cared for in their own home, by a carer who is devot-ing their time solely to the in-dividual needs of that child. At the same time, many parents enjoy the fact that nannies take care of other childcare du-ties, such as children’s washing, ironing, cleaning and cooking healthy meals. Many of our clients say that they wish they had employed a nanny years ago!

But for many, nannies still seem like the exclusive privi-lege of the wealthy - a perk that most simply can’t afford. But this is actually far from the truth.

Nannies don’t cost that much. For about £8 - £10 per hour you can employ a good, experi-enced, Ofsted-registered nanny in the Warwickshire area. And don’t worry if that still sounds a lot - you may qualify for some significant contributions towards this.

With the government’s intro-duction of ‘voluntary Ofsted registration’ for nannies, many parents - even single parent families and those on low incomes - can take advantage

of the help offered by nannies through the childcare element of Tax Credits. This works in the same way as it does to employ a childminder or nursery – you simply need to obtain the nanny’s unique Ofsted Registration Number and follow the same procedure.

Depending on circumstances, families who are in receipt of tax credits and are working a minimum of 16 hrs per week may be able to claim up to 80% of their childcare costs (up to £175 p/w for 1 child and £300 p/w for 2 or more children). Please visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/wtc5.pdf for more detailed information. Students can also benefit from financial support towards childcare - you will need to check with your bursary provider, (e.g. Care To Learn etc) for details of eligibility.

Be CarefulIf you are tempted to try a nanny, you should always check that they have an up-to-date enhanced CRB check, a Paediatric First Aid certificate, excellent verifiable references and sound knowledge and experience of all current child-care practices. Alternatively, all good agencies should do these checks for you.

Stop. Nanny Time!by Helen Lock

Helen Lock runs local nanny agency Angels Nannies. For free advice on how employing a nanny might be possible for you – including possible nanny-shares – contact Helen on 01604 757544 or [email protected]. (See p.28).

Rozina with one of her studentsFor more info on Kumon, call Rozina on 01788 579761 or visit kumon.co.uk. Try them for free

with the voucher in our centre pages. Advert p.29


Kick Start......to an active childhood

By Lynne Newbould

As the new year starts, many parents are choosing preschool sports activity

programs such as swimming, gymnas-tics and football, to give their children a great start in sport. These sessions offer opportunities for young children to burn energy, learn new skills and have a whole lot of fun in the process. Research shows that if children are encouraged to develop an interest in structured physical activity from a young age, they are more likely to continue to enjoy sport throughout their childhood, giving them the foundation to lead a healthy and active life.

As well as being a mum to a 3 year old, I also run Little Kickers, so my area of expertise is preschool football classes, which are particularly good for helping to develop agility, co-ordination and balance. Our sessions are progressive and challenging - and loads of fun. Children are much more likely to learn if their imaginations are engaged, so we introduce new skills through games rather than formal drills. For example, if you tell a group of 2-3 year olds that they are going on a Golden Egg Hunt and that they need to get all of the eggs (footballs) into the baskets (goals) before the giant wakes up, they are far more likely to participate and enjoy themselves!

But why should we have all the fun! You can have your own Little Kickers session at home whenever you want. Why not make a new year’s resolution to commit 15-20 minutes each day where you switch off the TV set and do something less boring instead? It’s actually really healthy for mum and dad to tune out of the stresses of everyday life and focus 100% on playing physical games with their children. This small change will have immeasurable ben-efits for your whole family’s health, and it’s the little things like this that make a huge difference to our relationships with our children.

Give it a go at home!If you have a football**, go outside and have a kick around. There are a lot of things you can do to develop your child’s skills further – but most importantly, remember to have fun!

1) Set up a targetUse a jumper, an empty flower pot, the dog etc. Compete against each other to see who can get nearest the target.

2) Play against each otherYou will be amazed how competitive you get. Please be gentle with them, they are only young…performing celebratory dances after you have beaten them may damage their confidence some-what!

3) Encourage children to use both feet to kick. Use different colour stickers as a way of marking each foot, encour-age them to practise with each foot as it will improve their balance immensely.

4) PenaltiesPenalties are easy to set up, and siblings and parents can join in by going in goal, or help setting up obstacles. You’ll enjoy watching how involved your children get in this type of game playing.

(** Top tip – try to use a small ball size 2 rather than a full size adult ball, it’s easier for children to control, and less likely to hurt when they kick it at you!)

Lynne Newbould runs Little Kickers preschool football sessions in Northampton, Daventry and Rugby. For more information, contact Lynne on 01327 310373 or [email protected]. See advert on page 27.

With the new year started, this is a perfect way to spend time with your child - doing what they really enjoy, leading by example and encouraging them to view sport as a normal, routine part of everyday life. More garden games are available on www.litttlekickers.co.uk - What’s New section. Have fun!

I emailed Fay 3½ months into my pregnancy after suffer-

ing severe sickness and feeling really depressed about things - I just wanted someone to talk to other than family. In the main, my issue was a feeling of being disconnected from the child I was carrying. I am sure most women who are expecting their second child worry about having enough love for two children but for me it was more than that. I had an extremely difficult first pregnancy and nearly lost the baby on a number of occasions. Because of this I was extremely protective of my son early on. Whilst I was

suffering severe sickness with this pregnancy, it was not in danger and so for me the protection instinct wasn’t so strong. Having previously been told it was medi-cally unlikely that I would have any more children, I had focussed on the benefits of having an only child which increased my worries about bonding and of suffering from post-natal depression.

Birth PreparationAfter meeting Fay I knew I had made a good decision. She was reassuring and supportive to both me and my partner. We talked through my previous birth experience and my fears for the

birth. We talked about how my partner felt during the birth of our son and what role he wanted to play this time. We talked about breastfeeding which did not happen with my son due to problems during his birth and my confidence at the time. I would not have breastfed this time around if it wasn’t for Fay. Fay also introduced me to hypno birthing techniques through a CD which I was really sceptical about at first but actually worked to give me a really positive birth experience. Fay was also at the end of the phone at any time throughout the pregnancy.

My Magical Doula Experience

When Jenny Winser had her first baby, she knew a little about doulas: enough that is to know that she didn’t need one. Jenny tells us here why she changed her mind and how, after a difficult first pregnancy, doula Fay Thomson from Rugby helped her to have a really positive birth experience the second time around.

by Jenny Winser

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Any career break presents a good opportunity to reflect on life and what we want from it, and many women find that becoming a mother gives them a whole new perspective on their work. It also puts them in a fantastic position to continue their education and many mums do just that – sometimes just for the love of a particular subject, and other times to further their career prospects or to move into a whole new field. At the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Warwick, many parents love to study at the same time as their children as they can motivate each other, and the children appreciate that their parents know what they are going through. The sense of achievement when their proud children see them in their cap and gown collecting their certificate is worth all of the hard work. The Centre for Lifelong Learning strives to offer options for everyone, with short courses and flexible degrees

available. Designed to help parents get back into education, the work place or to help them develop their careers, the centre offers one day schools, Certifi-cates, Foundation Courses, 2+2 Degrees and Part-Time Degrees in various subjects including Early Years, English, Creative Writing, History, Social Studies, Humani-ties and Counselling.

Faye Rowntree graduated from the 2+2 Social Studies Degree in 2010. A 2+2 degree is aimed at people who left school with few or no qualifications: they study for two years at a local college to get a

Inspire Your Children

Faye graduating in her cap and gown

The BirthOn the days leading up to the birth I contacted Fay on a regular basis with updates. I went into labour 5 days late feeling ready to face it. I don’t really know when my Braxton Hicks transferred to true labour and I genuinely believe this was because I was able to remain calm thanks to my birth prepara-tion. In the early hours my partner called Fay and she came to the house where we prepared to go to hospital. It was reassuring to have someone with us who knew the hospital procedures and who could help my partner keep calm. It felt nice to know that there was

someone there for him so that he could be there for me without be-ing too stressed. After being at the hospital for less than 3 hours my beautiful baby girl Ella Grace Rose was born. Fay was there the whole time and helped me control my breathing which resulted in a really positive birth experience. Shortly after delivery Ella attached to the breast and was able to feed.

To those that worry about shar-ing the intimacy of birth with a stranger I would say firstly a doula is not a stranger. By the time I gave birth, both I and my partner had

built a strong relationship with Fay. Secondly, a doula is not a physi-cally intimate role - they are there for emotional and/or practical support. My partner certainly felt the benefit of this support which cannot be given by hospital staff in the same way.

Once at home Fay continued to provide me with support on breastfeeding and by just coming round in the mornings for an hour while I had a bath. I did bond with my beautiful daughter but did still feel vulnerable after the birth so it was nice to have someone check-ing in on me. The only downside I can think of with having a doula is saying goodbye. Fay has to go on to help other women and she has her own family to look after but I do hope that we don’t lose touch. I will certainly tell my daughter about the special person that was there on her journey into the world.

If you are interested in finding out more about Fay Thomson’s doula service, you can contact her on 01788 576147 or www.sacredspiraldoula.co.uk. (See p. 29).


feel for education in a smaller environment and then two years at The University of Warwick and leave with a BA (hons) Degree.

“I have just received my final exam results from the Univer-sity of Warwick and am still in shock after reading that I was awarded a first class BA honours degree in Social Stud-ies. You may wonder why I am struggling to acknowledge this achievement. Well, I left school without any formal qualifica-tions when I was 14 to have my first child and by the time I was 24 had six children, all boys, and four of them have disabilities. I was very anxious about starting the course as I had

fairly preconceived ideas about what university students were like but I needn’t have worried. The support I received during my time at Warwick was fantastic, especially with my panic attacks and dyslexia. As to the other students, well, I have made some really good friends and we built our own support networks which helps keep you focused, motivated and on track as life as a student can at times be challenging but at the same time is so rewarding and inspiring. My final year as a Warwick undergraduate came round so fast I could hardly believe it and I found myself wondering what next. During my final year I applied for an MA in Social Work, which would never have been possi-ble without taking those first steps. So to anyone out there who is considering taking the first steps on their academic journey I would say ‘Go for it!’”

Faye graduating in her cap and gown

To find out more about Lifelong Learning and the courses on offer, visit www.warwick.ac.uk/cll or call 024 7615 1155. Full advert on inside front cover.

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CARES Child Aviation Restraint SystemCARES is a child air safety harness that has won multiple awards in the US, and has recently been released in the UK. It is a 5-point harness that weighs just 1lb, fits into a handbag and allows parents to relax knowing that their little ones are safely strapped into their aeroplane seat. It uses the lap belt on standard seats, installs in a minute on any size plane seat, and keeps your child as safe as a car seat would. It is approved by the The UK Civil Aviation Authority, as well as other international aviation authori-ties, and gives your child extra protection in the event of a rough landing or heavy turbulence.

Suitable for children aged 1 to 5 years, CARES sells for £55 - £60. Visit www.kidsflysafe.com for more informa-tion. (£5 off voucher in centre pages).

Beautiful New Baby CardsPhoenix cards are well-

known for their unique, high quality and very reasonably priced cards. An ethical company, Phoenix Trading

has donated over £1m to charity to date and uses only paper from sustainable sources to make their cards.Most cards are £1.20 each - get 10% off orders at www.phoenix-trading.eu/web/charlotte with exclusive Tod-dle About code TA10 (plus free P&P on first orders!)

The Wean Machine helps you prepare fresh baby food with no fuss, no mess and no noise.

Just fill the bowl 2/3rd’s full with soft fruit or suit-able cooked foods, squeeze the handles together, and spoon feed your baby straight from the bowl. It also helps with portion control as the bowl is the size of a young baby’s stomach, so you won’t have more food than you need.

£19.97 at www.pinkandbluebabyworld.co.uk plus 10% off in-store on Daventry High Street with voucher in Toddle About centre pages.

Baby & Toddler Must-Haves

BabyHawk Mei Tai CarrierA carrier that is comfy for both baby and mum! The BabyHawk can be used from newborn to 35lb, on front or back, and is very easy to put on on your own.

Buy in the UK from bigma-maslings.co.uk, or have one custom made with your choice of fabrics and colours from the US site babyhawk.com. Price: £53.

Read a review of CARES at www.toddlea-bout.co.uk/articles


The Koko TreeKoko Tree is a family or friends tree which you can personalise with photos straight from your computer. You can also order a blank Koko Tree and fill it with printed photos. It is a super gift for friends and family and looks great on children’s bedroom walls. Kids simply love to see their family or friends on their Koko Tree! Fits handily into IKEA Ribba frames.From £14.95 (free P&P) at www.kokoart.co.uk. Get 15% off with exclusive Toddle About offer code: KOKO2010

The Gro ClockGet some more sleep with this ingenious clock which tells your child when they can come and wake you, before they are able tell the time.During the night, the star is out (and can double up as a night light if you choose). At a time you choose, the sun rises so your child knows it’s time to get up - perfect for a child who has decided that 5am is wakey wakey time. Comes with a handy book tell-ing a lovely rhyming story about the clock to get your child keen to try it out. Buy from The Gro Company for £29.99. www.gro.co.uk

Uppa Baby Vista Travel SystemFrom an afternoon feeding the ducks in the park to retail therapy, the VISTA takes your child on the road in style. Designed to grow with your child, the VISTA is the ideal strolling solution from birth through the toddler years.

The Uppa Baby Vista is a recent addition to the UK market direct from the USA. Its design allows it to take 3 children with a piggy back seat that attaches and a buggy board so it adapts to suit a growing family’s changing needs.

Priced competitively at £525.00, Pink & Blue Baby World on Daventry High Street or at www.pinkandbluebabyworld.co.uk. 10% off in-store with voucher in centre pages.

All prices shown are accurate at time of going to print, but are subject to change.

Includes Chassis, Seat Unit, Carrycot & Raincover

The Cry Translator from Biloop Technologies

The Cry Translator is an app for the iPhone that eases the anxiety many parents have in caring for their cry-ing infant by helping them to recognize their baby’s different cries so they can respond to his/her needs more quickly.

It works by registering the pattern of the pitch, loud-ness, tone and inflection of the babies cry, which it then ‘translates’ as a cry for tired, hungry, etc. It then gives you suggested actions to take.

And all this within 10 seconds.

Clinical tests have - apparently - rated the Cry Translator as accurate 96% of the time. We have no idea if it works, but it seems like fun to try!

$9.99 from iTunes and www.crytranslator.com

And for the Dads...

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AttitudeHaving worked with hundreds of women in business, it is apparent to me that one’s attitude cannot only be chosen, but is also probably the single most important factor. Also, our attitude can be worked on over time, as mine has! A positive atti-tude is really important if you want to be successful, whatever success means to you. A ‘glass is half full’ attitude is much better for those who want to achieve something meaningful in life than a ‘glass is half empty’ one.

PerseveranceThis is key to being successful in all walks of life. We don’t always achieve our goals in the time frame we had planned. Some people fall at this first hurdle - the first time they fail, they give up. Successful people however, pick themselves up, dust themselves off and plan again. Bob Dylan emphasised this when he said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up”.

Coming from ContributionIn my experience, no matter what we do, whether it be in our personal lives or in our business lives, this is key. Let’s look at being successful in business – if we genu-inely ask ourselves how what we can offer can be of benefit to others, how it can fill a need, rather than only what we can get from it, then success is more certain. Offering a win/win scenario is more attractive to others.

Lynne James started working for herself in 1996. Today she has the 8th most successful business within Forever Living Products in the UK, earning a six figure income, whilst working part time and flexibly around her twin sons.

‘There is nothing special about me’, she says and in fact, over the past 14 years she has helped many other people to realise their own success. Here she shares some of her secrets of success that she usually reserves for her team.

MumsMaking it

I was fed up, demotivated and disillusioned with my role as an Executive PA, when I was introduced to Forever. Straight away, I was attracted to the huge flexibility and potential offered by the company, and I started to work with Forever alongside my full-time job. To my surprise, within a year I had given up my job and become pregnant with twins! I realised that the business would enable me to be true to an important value of mine, which was to stay at home with our children, whilst at the same time develop a very successful career and income Was it a bed of roses? Was it easy? Absolutely not, and I didn’t expect it to be – I knew that this was a business, not a little thing I was doing for pin money. I knew I would have challenges, up days and down days, and I knew I had to keep focussed and true to my vision of success. I now have a lifestyle that I love and I never have to go back out to that 9-5 job ever again if I don’t want to, and believe me, I don’t want to! The income I now earn allows me many perks that I wouldn’t oth-erwise have been able to afford, such as a private

education for my children, and it also allows me to give away more. Sadly, my mother died of breast cancer in May 2004, but I am now in a position where I can contribute regularly to Cancer Research, as well as a number of other charities.So what are my secrets of success? Whilst I don’t presume to know what is right for you, I have been privileged enough to help a number of women to achieve success within Forever, and I believe there are three main principles that when followed, will help anyone achieve their goals no matter what area of business they are in:

To find out more about working with Lynne and Forever Living Products you can contact Lynne on 01295 722525. See full advert on page 26.

The Big Three

Secrets of Success by Lynne James


2010 saw the controversial topic of television brought afresh to the headlines

with recent research showing that watching television is bad for children and that children under 2 should not be allowed to watch any television at all. But how concerned should we be?

Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with television. Sometimes, all I want to do is curl up in front of a movie or some mindless television and simply relax. I have great childhood memories of TV and have enjoyed many a nostalgic

conversations about the differing merits of Mr Ben, Willo the Wisp and The Magic Roundabout (am I showing my age?!) My daughters absolutely love watching TV, and I really enjoy seeing them laugh and jump up and down as they watch Iggle Piggle and his friends do their thing.

But at the same time I can’t shake the feeling that TV is, well, evil. I am one of those people who cannot help but watch a TV if it is on in the same room: it sucks me in and I become powerless to switch it off. I will watch anything, and I sometimes wonder just

how much my opinions and feel-ings are manipulated according to some producer’s mysterious agenda. My evenings become incredibly short and unproduc-tive once I turn on the telly, and I have definitely noticed how much more energy I have in the evening if the box doesn’t make an appearance.

Perhaps it’s just me. Regardless, the new research prompted me to delve deeper into the issue and I have summarised overleaf the main arguments for and against TV to help you make up your own mind.

The Evil TV

Controversy

Corner

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The TV Debate

“Theatre is life, film is art, TV is furniture” Anna Lowman

The ProsecutionTo the Extreme...Anti-TV extremist group White Dot encourages

‘activists’ to switch off TVs when-ever they see them, by using the

“TV-B-Gone” remote control: a one-button power-off remote that works on nearly all models of TV.

TV slows language acquisition in young children

The Seattle Children’s Research Institute found that for every extra hour a toddler watches DVDs, they learn six to eight fewer words than children who spend no time in front of the screen. Children need to practise speaking to learn new words, and they say considerably less when the TV is on – even just in the background.

Reduces ability to concentrate

Due to the fast-moving images and swiftly changing scenes, TV watching can raise a child’s threshold as to what will hold their attention and keep them entertained. Extreme TV critics claim TV is largely re-sponsible for the dramatic increase in cases of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) seen in recent years.

Impacts ability to socially interact

As watching television is typically a passive activity with little or no interaction with other people, time spent in front of the TV is time not being spent play-ing with other children and practising social skills.

Physically limits range of eye movement

Watching television involves very little eye move-ment, so the muscles around the eye do not get a

‘work out’ during screen time. This leads to weaker muscles which can limit the range of eye movement.

Reduces creativity

Creativity is a skill like any other that needs to be practised in order for it to develop, and there is no more important a time for doing so than when children are in their most formative years. Televi-sion offers no opportunity for children to use their imagination as they are enjoying the products of someone else’s.

Lowers levels of self-esteem

The factors that affect levels of self-esteem are many, however research has shown that self-esteem grows when a child takes on a task or activity and achieves a measurable result . This kind of active problem-solving is typically lacking when watching television.

Increases chances of obesity

There have now been many studies that have linked obesity with excessive television watching. Any sed-entary activity like watching the box replaces time spent in physical activity and increases the chances being obese. In the majority of cases, obese children are then obese for life.

Causes depression

Whilst we generally feel more energised after physical activity or play, research has shown that watching TV leaves the viewer lethargic and lacking in energy. This often results in extending our watching sessions thereby compounding the problem, and increas-ing the chances of feeling depressed when we re-enter the ‘real world’.


“Imagine if we had no TVs...What would we point our furniture at?”

unknown

Tips from the National Literacy Trust‘Good’ TV programmes:

• Are high-quality• Are age-appropriate• Offer opportunities for verbal responses• Have a balance between familiar and new content• Provide enjoyable watching for both parent and adult• Have minimal stimuli. E.g. A single adult narrator

In General:

• Limit the exposure of children, especially under 2s, to TV• Interact with children during viewing by explaining and

discussing content• Switch off the TV when you’re finished• Take televisions out of the bedroom• Encourage imaginative play based on what was watched

The Defence

Have your own say by commenting on this article at www.toddleabout.co.uk

The TV Debate

TV is cultural common ground

Television acts as a common ground for people of all ages and cultures to bond over. Children enjoy the same experiences as each other when they watch the same programme, and this allows them to create points of similarity which can blossom into friendship.

Quality family time

When children watch television with their parents, valuable family time can follow when discussing the content of a programme, or in pursuing further activities to learn more about a particular topic.

Promotes Reading

Most popular children’s programmes can now be found in book form. Presenting a child’s favourite TV character or programme topic to them in book format can be a great way to motivate them to read.

TV is Educational!

Through television, children are able to witness

things that would otherwise be impossible for many families. Exotic animals and plants, foreign landscapes, music and art are all brought into our living rooms for our children to enjoy and learn from. Through its combination of sound and moving images, TV provides a uniquely effective medium for getting a message across, even teaching children complicated new skills such as sign language.

Teaches values and ethics

Many children’s programmes and cartoons contain powerful moral or value-based lessons that children can learn from. These are sometimes explicitly ex-plained at the end of a show, or demonstrated more subtly through the actions of the characters.

Breaks down boundaries

Children are exposed to a wide variety of cultures, religions and people through television. This fosters

familiarity, understanding and acceptance of people and cultures that are different.

Helps parents address taboo subjects

TV programmes often explore controversial or sensitive issues, which can make it easier for children to have happy, open and honest dis-cussions around these issues with their parents.

It helps get the housework done

At a very practical level, many parents – espe-cially those with more than one child – find the television very handy when there is a mountain of housework to get done!

Controversy

Corner

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** COMPETITIONS * COMPETITIONS * COMPETITIONS **

See Terms & Conditions at www.toddleabout.co.ukImogen, 9 m

ths

Claudia, 2 years (with Hary)

Melissa, 2½ years

Dhiren, 10 weeks

Branden, 6 months

Sponsored by:

Baby Photo Competition

Babies are just the cutest and funniest little things and they never fail to make people smile - with this competi-tion, we want to see how big those smiles can get!

To enter, simply email your favourite picture of your lit-tle one to [email protected] by 27th February with your child’s name, age and your address. All entries will be published in the next edition of Toddle About for the enjoyment of all.

But this wouldn’t be much of a competition without prizes, and thanks to PixiFoto in Leamington & Coventry, we have three amazing prizes to give away worth over £800 in total (see box below). The winners will be the photos that create the biggest smiles (for whatever reason!), but we wouldn’t presume to be able to judge that, so that’s your job! We will post all entries on our website for a week from 1st March 2011 and you will be able to vote online. The pictures with the most votes will win.

We look forward to seeing your pics!

17** SPECIAL OFFERS * SPECIAL OFFERS * SPECIAL OFFERS **

Exclusive Toddle AboutSpecial Offers!

Children are the most wonderful and precious gift we could ever receive, but by heck they can be expensive. And there are so many fab things on offer that it would take a millionaire to be able to try them all out! And whilst we can’t change either of those facts, we can hopefully help a little - and that’s the idea behind these special offer vouchers - to help you take advantage of what’s on offer, for less. We hope it helps!

18

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MumsMaking it

Starting Out on Your Own

Seeing things from a whole new perspective with Jittabugs

For most new mums, the ques-tion of if and when they go back to work is a big one. Many of us don’t have a choice, and it can heart-wrenching to leave our newfound bundles of joy in someone else’s care while we go to a place we would rather not be, working in a job we’d rather not be doing. Caroline Ashworth tells Toddle About how she overcame this dilemma by setting up her own business so she could take new baby Alfie to work with her!

Nearly two years ago, Caroline was a successful restaurant manager. After being effectively forced out of her job when she fell pregnant, she re-trained and founded pre-school activity business Jittabugs which gives parents the chance to experience the whole gamut of yoga, mas-sage, signing and physical play with their babies. In just 2 years, Jittabugs now has 9 franchises being run in England and Scot-land, and has received a ‘Highly Commended’ certificate from

Mums in Business for achieve-ments to date.

The fact that Caroline started Jit-tabugs when her baby was just 6 months old makes this even more impressive. And you’re certainly not alone if you are wondering how she managed it. For Caroline, it seems it was more a question of motivation than anything else.

“I think it helped that I had already run a theatre school of my own,” Caroline tells us, “but the key was my baby boy. I wanted to make him proud of his mummy”.

Getting StartedFor most mums, the idea of setting up their own business is a truly daunting one, and is something that many dismiss as impractical or beyond their means. But there is plenty of ad-vice available for anyone looking to start out on their own – The Business Link and Chamber of Commerce are both great places to go as a first port of call. They run some excellent free seminars

and one-to-one sessions in and around Warwickshire that will take you through the main ques-tions you need to consider when deciding if being your own boss is indeed the right thing for you.

And if money is the big obstacle for you, they can advise you on the best institutions to approach for funding. Caroline received a £3,000 loan from her local council to start Jittabugs, for example.

If starting from scratch is just a bit too big a step, then a franchise


Seeing things from a whole new perspective with Jittabugs

might be the perfect compromise for you. For an up-front fee, you effectively buy an ‘off the peg’ business with existing branding, training and systems. The great thing about a franchise is that you know the business works, and having belief that your business can succeed is absolutely critical to it’s success, no matter what it is.

The Pay OffAnd is it worth it? “I must admit I don’t enjoy doing admin in the evenings,” says Caroline, “But be-ing my own boss and being able

to spend time with my boy and see all the other babies each week makes it so rewarding”. And it sounds like you can make a good living from it too. You can work as many or as few hours as you want, making £40 profit per hour-long session. Caroline estimates that once they are up and running, Jittabugs mumpreneurs can earn £1,600 a month whilst working only 12 hours a week.

There are dozens of business types and models to choose from, and you can find a selection in the Business Opportunities section of The Directory on pages 26 - 27.

To find out more about the Jittabugs

franchise opportunity, contact Caro-

line on 01200 44 26 23 or visit www.

jittabugs.com. You can also qualify for

a massive half price discount on your

franchise using the voucher in our

centre-pages.

Recent scientific findings suggest that the old adage of, ‘Fresh air does you good’ is more than just a way of getting the children out from underfoot - it could actually boost their brain power and make them happier.Findings announced at the 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology last year showed that the benign bacteria (Mycobacterium vaccae) - which is present in soil and spread by the wind – could improve learning ability and act as a natural anti-depressant. US scientists have shown that mice which had ingested M. vaccae showed increased intelligence, demonstrated by learning to negotiate a maze twice as quickly as other mice who had not been fed the bacterium. Previous studies had also shown that mice that had been injected with the bacterium showed fewer signs of anxiety than other mice.

“It is interesting to speculate that creating learning environments in schools that include time in the outdoors where M. Vaccae is present may decrease anxiety and improve the ability to learn new tasks,” remarked Professor Dorothy Matthews, who led the study.

Fresh Air Does You Good!

Picture courtesy of Mango Pictures

20

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Add your comments to all articles at www.toddleabout.co.uk

Swimming is great for fitness, parent-child bonding, physical development and building self-confidence. Of course, it’s also a very useful skill! Here, Jo Wilson from Little Splashers gives us some useful tips and some fun games for your next trip to the swimming pool.

The most important point with family swimming is to try to go regularly and to have fun. Pick a day and a time that is best suited to you and your family meal and sleep times – you don’t want a tired or hungry baby in the pool! That’s not fun. At your local leisure centres, there are lots of family sessions to choose from, like parent and toddler times at the weekend, to float fun and casual family swim sessions.

Get Your Family Swimming!

BubblesPractice blowing bubbles together with your child facing you - they will find making noises like dolphins fun. This will allow your child’s face to be near the water and gently introduce breath control.

Jumping InJumping in off the edge can be great fun for children and an important safety skill. Start from a sitting posi-tion and make sure you always count 1,2,3 before they jump and have good eye contact with them. After each jump, whether it be from sitting or standing, you should encourage them to turn each time and swim back to the side. Always re-enforce this safety point every time you go swimming.

WogglesAsk to borrow a woggle or buy one for yourself - they are great fun and your child can practice holding the woggle on their tummy and kicking their legs. You will probably have to hold the woggle at the front to start with until they have mastered their balance.

Take ToysTake a few toys with you and get your child to paddle their arms towards the toy whilst holding them gently round both sides and encouraging them to kick with their legs.

What to do at your local swimming pool?Make your session fun, but try to teach a few skills along the way.

Organised swimming classes are the best and most fun way to build confidence in the water. To find more about Little Splashers swimming classes, contact Jo on 07869 015292 or visit www.littlesplashers.co.uk. Advert on p. 29

...or Dancing!Well done to Miss Lorraine and all the children who took part in the Win-ter Wonderland Show in November 2010 with LoveBallet Dance Com-pany. Starring boys and girls from 3 years to adults, the show took place in Rugby and featured dance routines including Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Street Dance and Contemporary! The show, which was in memory of Lorraine’s Mum who tragically and suddenly passed away on October 23rd, just a month before the show, managed to raise £2,400 for the charities Coventry Mind and Children in Need. Contact LoveBallet on 07711 010404

See a full advert on p.27

by Jo Wilson

21

Daily Activity Planner

In the Water Singing & Signing Physical Fun For PregnancyArts & Crafts

Rugby AreaMonday

Binley WoodsBinley Woods Rhyme TimeBinley Woods Library, Monks Rd, CV3 2BQ14:15 – 14:45; Free; 024 7654 2908Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

BrinklowBaby TalkBrinklow UR Church, Broad St, CV23 0LN13:30 - 15:00 - please call before attending50p donation; Open all year, not bank holidays. Sarah: 07930 431610 / Jo: 07984405691Toys & occasional crafts. Bumps - 5s welcome.

BrownsoverKangas ‘n’ Roos Toddlers GroupBrownsover Community School, Webb Drive, CV23 0UP9:00 - 11:00; 50p; 01788 547660

DunchurchNoah’s Ark Parent and Toddler Group9:15 - 10:45 & 11:00 - 12:30; Dunchurch Baptist Church, Coventry Rd, CV22 6RFKatie Wederell: 01788 842736

EasenhallLittle Splashers Swimming ClassesTown Thorns hydro pool, CV23 0JE9:00 - 11:00; For 2mths - 4 yrsCall Jo on 07968 015292Infant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

Long LawfordStay & PlayLong Lawford Children’s Centre, Holbrook Rd, CV23 9A9:15 - 11:00; 50p donation: 01788 568554Health Visitor 9-mth check by invitation only

New BiltonRugby Baptist Church Toddler GroupRugby Baptist Church, Regent Place, CV21 2JP10:00 - 11:3060p per family; Louise: 07891 069786Term time only

NewboldStay & Play9:15 - 11:00; Newbold Riverside Children’s Centre, Newbold Rd, CV21 1EH01788 568554; 50p donationEspecially for older children

Rugby (central)Tumble TotsOverslade Community Centre, Buchannan Rd, CV22 6AZ9:30: Gymbabes; 10:30: toddlers; 11:30: 2-3 yrs; 12:45: 3yrs - school£4.80 each / £24 TermNaomi: 07779 785 166Structured Play for Babies 6 mths - school age

Ken Marriott WaterbabiesKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJMorning & Afternoon Sessions; 4 mths - 5 yrs01788 535851Fun, innovative and effective swimming classes.

St Maries Baby & Toddler GroupSt Maries Catholic Church, Dunchurch Road

12:00 - 15:00; bumps - 5s; £1 donationAngie: 01788 333271Lovely group - crafts, singing and lots more.

Tree House Soft Play9:00 - 19:00; Ken Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJ01788 535851: call first to check openSoft play: ball pits, slides, tunnels & zip lines.

Rugby Story StompRugby Library, Little Elborow St, CV21 3BZ11:00 - 11:30; 01788 533 25030-min story time sessions for 2 - 4 yr-olds

Willenhall, CoventryLittle Splashers Swimming Classes12:10 - 13:40; Baginton Fields School, Sedgemoor Rd, CV3 4EACall Jo on 07968 015292; For 2mths - 4 yrsInfant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

Twins or More @ Rugby Methodist Church10:00 - 11:30; Russelheim Way, CV22 7TB Carolyn: 077733 74883 or Carol: 07801 819525

TuesdayBiltonBilton Evangelical Toddler GroupBilton Evangelical Church, Main St, CV22 7NQ10:00 - 11:30; Term time onlyKaren Cairney: 01788 817326

BraunstonBraunston Toddler GroupBraunston Village Hall, Braunston, NN1113:30 - 15:00; £1.50; Term time only, Andy: 01788 891456First visit free. Usually have crafts, songs & toys. Health Visitor 2nd Tues of the mth.

EasenhallLittle Splashers Swimming SessionsTown Thorns hydro pool, Easenhall, CV23 0JE9:00 - 11:00; For 2mths - 4 yrsCall Jo on 07968 015292Infant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

Harborough MagnaEarly Birds Nursery Toddler GroupThe Old School, Main Street, CV23 0HS10:30 - 12:00; 0-5s; £1 entryDiane: 01788 833559Parents meet up and children play safely.

Long LawfordStay & PlayLong Lawford Children’s Centre, Holbrook Road, CV23 9A13:30 - 15:00; 50p donation: 01788 568554Activities especially for older children

Lawford LadybirdsLong Lawford Methodist Church, School Street, CV23 9AT. Mel: 07954 6671999:30 - 11:30; 50p; 0 - 4s; Term time only.A warm, safe and happy place for all.

NewboldStay & PlayNewbold Riverside Children’s Centre, Newbold Road, CV21 1EH13:30 - 15:00; 01788 568554; 50p donationEspecially for older children

Rugby (central)Kumon English & Maths TuitionRugby Library, Little Elborow Street, CV21 3BZ16:00 - 18:30; 2.5 yrs and up

Rozina: 01788 579761; 2.5 yrs - teensPrivate Maths & English tuition

Sunbeams Parent & Toddler GroupSalvation Army, Bennfield Road, CV21 2AS9:30 - 11:30; Term time only; 0-3s; £1 + 50p p/cMajor Sandra Collins: 01788 535436Friendly group with play, crafts and songs.

Tree House Soft Play9:00 - 19:00; Ken Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJ01788 535851: Call first to check openSoft play: ball pits, slides, tunnels & zip lines.

Ken Marriott WaterbabiesKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJ; For 4 mths to pre-school age.Morning & Afternoon Sessions; 01788 535851Fun, innovative and effective swimming classes

Homebirth Coffee (NCT)1st Tues of alternate months at 28 Regent Place0844 243 6253 - Please call for date and timeChat about homebirth with midwives, doulas

WolstonWolston Rhyme TimeWolston Library, Warwick Rd, CV8 3GX3rd Tuesday of the month at 2:30pm; Free02476 542 513Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

WednesdayBiltonBilton Evangelical Toddler GroupBilton Evangelical Church, Main St, CV22 7NQ10:00 - 11:30 and 13:30 - 15:00; Term time onlyKaren: 01788 817326

BrownsoverTeddybears Tots groupChrist Church, Hellvelyn Way, CV21 1JF9:00 - 11:00; Term time only

Clifton-upon-DunsmoreVarious activitiesClifton Primary School, Station Road, CV23 0BTEvery 3rd Wednesday; 50p donation 01788 568554: Plse call to see what’s onStory sacks, Baby Massage; Baby Signing, etc.

DunchurchNCT CoffeeDunchurch Village Hall; £2 donation10:00 - 12:00 (Every 1st Wed);Bump - any age0844 243 6253 - Non members welcome

HillmortonSt George’s Magic Dragon GroupSt Georges Church Hall, St Johns Avenue, CV22 5HR13:30 - 15:00; 0-4s; £1.50; Term time only.Carol: 01788 544630Crafts, singing, toys, big hall, refreshments.

HinckleyLittle Splashers Swimming Classes10:00 - 12:00; Westfield Junior School, Rosemary Way, LE10 0LNCall Jo on 07968 015292; For 2mths - 4 yrsInfant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

NewboldNewbold Riverside Children’s CentreStay & Play for babies (with Health Visitor): 13:30 - 15:00Outdoor Stay & Play; 13:30 - 15:00Stay & Play for Childminders: 9:15 - 11:15


22 Want your group listed here? Just email [email protected]

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Search & Save Groups in your Favourites: www.toddleabout.co.uk

Newbold Rd, CV21 1EH50p donation; 01788 568554

Rugby (central)Little KickersKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJLittle Kicks: 09:30; Junior Kickers: 10:30. (tbc)Lynne: 01327 310373; For 2yrs-5th birthday45-minute football sessions

Rugby Rhyme TimeRugby Library and Information Centre, Little Elborow Street, CV21 3BZ11:00 - 11:30; 01788 533 250; For 0-2sFree music & singing sessions for all. Drop in!

St Maries Baby & Toddler GroupSt Maries Catholic Church, Dunchurch Road9:00 - 11:30; bumps - 5s; £1 donationAngie: 01788 333271Lovely group - crafts, singing and lots more.

Tree House Soft PlayKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJ9:00 - 19:0001788 535851: Call first to check openSoft play: ball pits, slides, tunnels & zip lines.

Ken Marriott WaterbabiesKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, Rugby, CV22 5LJMorning & Afternoon Sessions01788 535851; For 4 mths to pre-school age.Fun, innovative and effective swimming classes

WolstonTumble TotsWolston Leisure & Community Centre, CV8 3GT9:20: walking – 2yrs; 10:20: 2 – 3yrs; 11:20: Gymbabes; 13:00: 3 yrs - schoolGeorgina: 01926 337800; £5.50 per sessionStructured Play from 6 months to school age

ThursdayBrownsoverKangas ‘n’ Roos Toddlers GroupBrownsover Community School, Webb Drive, CV23 0UP9:00 - 11:00; 50p; 01788 547660

DunchurchNoah’s Ark Parent and Toddler GroupDunchurch Baptist Church, Coventry Road, CV22 6RF9:45 - 11:30; Katie: 01788 842736

Dunchurch Rhyme TimeDunchurch Library, The Green, CV22 6PA4th Thursday of the month at 2:15pm; Free01788 811 355Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

Bumps n Babes10:30 (Every 3rd Thurs): Dunchurch Village Hall0844 243 6253; £2 donation; Free refreshmentsFor expectant & new parents

Long LawfordWalk & TalkLong Lawford Children’s Centre, Holbrook Road, CV23 9A9:15 - 11:00; 50p donation: 01788 568554Refreshments in the hut after the walk

New Bilton Little Gems Toddler GroupRugby Christian Life Centre, Lawford Road, CV21 2JE13:15 - 14:45; 0-5s; £1 plus 50p per siblingDebbie: 01788 552227 - please leave messageCrafts, messy play, singing & story time.

NewboldLittle StarsNewbold Methodist Church, Main St, CV21 1HH 9.30 am - 11.30am (Term Time); For 0-4s Mel Chambers: 07954 667199Toys and arts & craft. Have a cuppa and a chat.

Stay & PlayNewbold Riverside Children’s Centre, Newbold Road, CV21 1EH13:30 - 15:00; 01788 568554; 50p donationEspecially for older children

Rugby (central)Kumon English & Maths TuitionRugby Library and Information Centre, Little Elborow Street, CV21 3BZ16:00 - 18:30Rozina: 01788 579761; 2.5 yrs - teensPrivate Maths & English tuition for children

Tree House Soft PlayKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJ9:00 - 19:0001788 535851: Call first to check openSoft play: ball pits, slides, tunnels & zip lines.

Ken Marriott WaterbabiesKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJMorning & Afternoon Sessions01788 535851; For 4 mths to pre-school age.Fun, innovative and effective swimming classes.

Little Splashers Swimming ClassesLA Fitness, Webb Ellis Rd, Rugby, CV22 7AU10:00 - 11:30; For 2mths - 4 yrs0-4s; Call Jo on 07968 015292Infant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

FridayLong LawfordStay & Play Non-WalkersLong Lawford Children’s Centre, Holbrook Road, CV23 9A13:30 - 15:00; 50p donation; 01788 568554With Health Visitor. For non-walking babies

New BiltonGardening at the AllotmentRun by Newbold Riverside Children’s Centre at Gladstone Street9:15 - 11:15; 50p donation01788 568554

Rugby (central)Rugby Rhyme TimeRugby Library, Little Elborow Street, CV21 3BZ11:00 - 11:30; 01788 533 250; For 0-2sFree music & singing sessions for all. Drop in!

Tree House Soft PlayKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJ9:00 - 19:0001788 535851: Call first to check open.Soft play: ball pits, slides, tunnels & zip lines.

Ken Marriott WaterbabiesKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJMorning & Afternoon Sessions; 4 mths- 5yrs.01788 535851; Fun, innovative and effective swimming classes

Walsgrave TriangleLittle Splashers Swimming Classes10:30 - 14:30; Hilton Hotel, Coventry, CV2 2STCall Jo on 07968 015292; For 2mths - 4 yrsInfant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

SaturdayEasenhallLittle Splashers Swimming ClassesTown Thorns hydro pool, Easenhall, CV23 0JE9:00 - 11:00; For 2mths - 4 yrsCall Jo on 07968 015292Infant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

Rugby (central)Kumon English & Maths TuitionRugby Library, Little Elborow Street, CV21 3BZ10:00 - 12:00; For 2.5 yrs and upRozina: 01788 579761; 2.5 yrs - teensPrivate Maths & English tuition

Tree House Soft Play9:00 - 14:00; Ken Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJ01788 535851: Call first to check openSoft play: ball pits, slides, tunnels & zip lines.

Ken Marriott WaterbabiesKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, Rugby, CV22 5LJMorning & Afternoon Sessions; 4 mths - 5 yrs01788 535851Fun, innovative and effective swimming classes.

Little Splashers Swimming ClassesLA Fitness, Webb Ellis Rd, Rugby, CV22 7AU12:00 - 14:00; For 2mths - 4 yrs0-4s; Call Jo on 07968 015292Infant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

SundayRugby (central)Tree House Soft Play9:00 - 14:00; Ken Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, CV22 5LJ01788 535851: Call 1st to check openSoft play: ball pits, slides, tunnels & zip lines.

Ken Marriott WaterbabiesKen Marriott Leisure Centre, Bruce Williams Way, Rugby, CV22 5LJMorning & Afternoon Sessions01788 535851; For 4 mths - preschoolFun, innovative and effective swimming classes

Southam & Stratford

RegionMonday

HarburyHarbury Toddler GroupThe Wight School, High Street, CV33 9HW9:30 - 11:00 (Term time & Summer hols)0-5s; 50p per person; Jenny: 07826 516300Toys, crafts, in & outdoor play and singing.

KinetonKineton Baby ClinicKineton Scout Hall, Park Piece, Kineton10:00 - 12:00 (monthly); Free; 01926 691105Health Visitor for baby weighing & advice

Kineton Parent & Toddler GroupKineton Village Hall , Mill Lane, CV35 0LA9:30 - 11:00 (term time only); 50p per personAli Laland-Villemin: 01926 641913

Rugby Area - Southam Region

23



Lighthorne HeathLighthorne Heath Children’s CentreBaby Play (6-18 mths): 13:30 - 15:00Stay and Play Sessions in our Crèche area.Baby Clinic: 13:30 - 15:00 (monthly)Baby weighing and advice from Health VisitorBumps to Babies (bump – 6 m): 13:30 – 15:00 For pregnant women and new mums to meet. Stratford Road, Lighthorne Heath, CV33 9TWFree drop in groups; 01926 691105

Long ItchingtonCreative KidsLong Itchington Community Centre, Stockton Rd, CV47 9QP9:30 - 11:00 (starts 17th Jan, not on 21st Feb or 28th Mar); 01926 814953Get creative with arts and crafts

SnitterfieldSnitterfield Rag Tag Toddler GroupSnitterfield Village Hall, Bearley Road, CV37 0JH10:00 - 11:45; £1.50 plus 50p per childHilary: 01789 731246Run by parents for parents & their little ones.

SouthamClown In Around Toddler GroupUnit 4A, The Colbalt Centre, Kineton Road, CV47 0FD10:00 - 11:30; £3.00Anita: 01926 810495Includes tea/coffee for parents squash and biscuits for the children. Term time only

Southam Tots Swimming LessonsSoutham Leisure Centre, Welsh Road West, CV47 0JW11:30: Parent & Baby 5 - 18 mths, 11:30: 3 yrs+5 mths - 5 years; 01926 817788Brand new classes opening in January

Stratford-upon-AvonTumble TotsShottery Memorial Hall, CV37 9BL10:30: walking – 2yrs; 11:30: 2 – 3yrs; 13:15: 3 yrs - schoolGeorgina: 01926 337800; £5.50 per sessionStructured Play for 6 months up to school age

Early Pregnancy Antenatal ClassesRother House Medical Centre, Alcester Rd, CV37 6PP. www.birthandbabyreality.co.uk18:00 - 20:00, monthly; For bumps; Helen: 01926 731621 - plse bookFree antenatal class for early pregnancy.

Tysoe Tysoe Baby ClinicTysoe Surgery, Main Street, Tysoe, CV35 0SE13:30 - 15:00 (monthly); Free01926 691105Health Visitor for baby weighing & advice

TuesdayBanburyRugrats Twins and Multiples GroupRugrats and Halfpints, Beaumont Road, Banbury, OX16 1QY10:30 - 13:00; 0 - 5s; £4.00 per familySimone: 07921 460086Runs fortnightly from 11/01/11. In holidays too.

HarburyTwist & TumbleHarbury Village Hall, Harbury13:30 - 14:30 (11th Jan - 5th April term time)For 2.5 yrs+; 01926 814953New & exciting dance and gymnastics session.

KinetonBreastfeeding Drop in Group

Kineton Village Hall, Mill Lane, CV35 0LA11:00 -12:00; Free: 01926 691105Support and advice from the Health Visitor.

Lighthorne HeathTots TimeLighthorne Heath Childrens’ Centre, Stratford Road, CV33 9TW. Tel: 01926 69110513:15 - 14:45; 18mths - 5 yrs; FreeFun Stay and Play Sessions in our Crèche area.

SouthamLove Ballet Dance CompanyThe Grange Hall, Coventry Road, Southam, CV47 1QA16:00: 3-4 yrs; 16:30: 5-6 yrsLorraine: 07711 010404Ballet classes for 3 - 6 yrs

Clown In Around Toddler GroupUnit 4A, The Colbalt Centre, Kineton Road, CV47 0FD13:30 - 15:00; £3.00; Anita: 01926 810495Includes refreshments. Term time only

Southam Tots Swimming LessonsSoutham Leisure Centre, Welsh Road West, CV47 0JW10:00: Parent & Baby 5 - 18m; 10:00 & 10:30: 3 yrs+; 10:30: Parent & Baby 19 - 36m5 mths - 5 years; 01926 817788Brand new classes opening in January

Southam Rhyme TimeSoutham Library, High Street, CV47 0HB11:00 - 11:30, twice monthly; 01926 812 523Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

StocktonPlaytimeEarly Years Hub, Church Street, CV47 8JG9:30 - 11:00; 01926 814953A smaller, quieter stay and play session

Stratford-upon-AvonMums, Bumps & Babies GroupKen Kennett Centre, Justins Ave, CV37 0DA10:00 - 11:45; bump - 1 yr; Free coffee morningVic Bean: 0844 2436284Talk about concerns & meet other mums.

Stratford-upon-Avon Rhyme TimeStratford upon Avon Library, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6PZ11:00 - 11:30, fortnightly: 01789 292 209Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

Temple HerdewykeTemple Herdewyke Stay and PlayTemple Herdewyke Primary School 10:30 - 11:30; 0-5s; 50p; Term time only.Kerry: 01926 641084Stay and play session held in the school hall

WednesdayBishop’s ItchingtonHomebirth GroupBishop’s Itchington Early Years Centre, Poplar Road, CV47 2RT19:30 - 21:00 (2nd Feb & 6th April)Helen: 01926 612068Informal meeting with info on homebirths

Fenny ComptonFenny Compton Toddler GroupFenny Compton Village Hall, Memorial Road10:00 - 12:00 (monthly); £1.50Childrens centre: 01926 814953

HarburyHarbury Toddler GroupThe Wight School (behind the library), High Street, CV33 9HW

13:30 - 15:00; Term time & summer; For 0-5sJenny: 07826 516300; 50p (over 9 months)Toys, crafts, indoor and outdoor play, singing.

KinetonKineton Parent & Toddler GroupKineton Village Hall , Mill Lane, CV35 0LA9:30 - 11:00 (all year); 50p per personAli Laland-Villemin: 01926 641913

Long ItchingtonLong Itchington Baby & Toddler GroupLong Itchington Primary School, Stockton Road, CV47 9QP9:30 - 11:00 (term time only); £1.50Nikki: 01926 810592Tea & coffee, crafts, healthy snacks & songtime

Priors MarstonPriors Marston Parents & ToddlersPriors Village Hall, Priors Marston, CV47 7RP9:30 - 11:30; 0 - 4s; £1.00 per childVery relaxed group - toys, crafts and singing.

SouthamClown In Around Toddler GroupUnit 4A, The Colbalt Centre, Kineton Road, Southam, CV47 0FD10:00 - 11:30; £3.00Anita: 01926 810495Includes refreshments. Term time only

Southam Tots Swimming LessonsSoutham Leisure Centre, Welsh Road West, Southam, CV47 0JW13:30 & 14:00: 3 yrs+5 mths - 5 years; 01926 817788Brand new classes opening in January

NCT Breastfeeding Support CafeSoutham Children’s Ctre, St James Rd, CV47 0LY10:30 - 12:00; Free - drop in! Andrea: 0844 243 0008Meet breastfeeding mums and get support

TysoeTysoe Toddler GroupThe Old School Rooms, Tysoe10:00 - 11:30 (monthly); 01926 691105Join Lighthorne Children’s Centre for crafts

ThursdayBishop’s ItchingtonBishops Itchington Toddler GroupMemorial Hall, Fisher Road, CV47 2RE10:00 - 11:30; 0-3s; Free; Closed xmas - NY & August. Andrea: 01926 612138Play time for children & chat time for adults.

Lighthorne HeathWiggle & GiggleLighthorne Heath Village Hall, CV3313:45 - 14:30; £4 per session: 01926 691105A dance class for children 2-4yrs.

Mobile LibraryLighthorne Heath Childrens’ Centre, Stratford Road, CV33 9TW9:45-10:15 (monthly): 01926 691105

SouthamSoutham Tots Swimming LessonsSoutham Leisure Centre, Welsh Road West, CV47 0JW13:30 & 14:00: 5 mths - 5 years; 01926 817788Brand new classes opening in January

Love Ballet Dance CompanyThe Grange Hall, Coventry Road, CV47 1QA16:30: Funky Dance (4-6yrs); 17:00: Gymnastics (all ages)Lorraine: 07711 010404Funky dance classes and gymnastics for all.

Southam & Stratford District

24 Want your group listed here? Just email [email protected]

Daii

ly Ac

tivity

Plan

ner Southam Church Toddler Group

Graham Adams Centre, St. James Rd, CV47 0QB10:00 - 11:30; 0 - 3s; 80p per sessionMarian: 01926 814483Term time only. All are welcome!

Young Parents GroupSoutham & District Children’s Centre, The Graham Adams Centre, St James Rd, CV47 0LY12:00 - 13:30 (starting 13th Jan)01926 814953A friendly group for parents under 25.

Temple HerdewykeTemple Herdewyke Baby ClinicTemple Herdewyke Primary school ‘Cool Club’, Temple Herdewyke9:30 - 11:30 (monthly); Free; 01926 691105Get your baby weighed and discuss any concerns with the Health Visitor

FridayHenley-in-ArdenHenley-in-Arden Rhyme TimeHenley in Arden Library, High St, B95 5AU10:30 - 11:00, fortnightly; 01564 792965Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

Lighthorne HeathFriday FunLighthorne Heath Village Hall, CV339:30 - 11:00; 18 m - 5 yrs; Free; 01926 691105Fun Stay and Play Sessions in our Crèche area.

SouthamSoutham Tots Swimming LessonsSoutham Leisure Centre, Welsh Road West, CV47 0JW11:30: Parent & Baby 5-18m & 19-36m; 13:30, 14:00 & 14:30: 3 yrs+5 mths - 5 years; 01926 817788Brand new classes opening in January

Love Ballet Dance CompanyThe Grange Hall, Coventry Road, CV47 1QA16:00 - 16:30Lorraine: 07711 010404Little Tappers tap dance classes for 3-5 yrs

StocktonToddlersaursStockton Village Hall , Napton Road, CV47 8JX10:00 - 11:30; 0-4s; £1.50 plus 50p per personEmma: 01926 814687; Term and holidaysNew activity every week. 1st Fri of the mth with health visitor to weigh babies and give advice.

SaturdayLighthorne HeathDads’ TimeLighthorne Heath Village Hall10:00 - 11:30 (monthly) - Breakfast included!0 - 5 yrs; Free; 01926 691105For Dads to meet and children to play

SouthamTogether TimeSoutham Children’s Centre, The Graham Adams Centre, St James Rd, CV47 0LY10:00 - 11:30 (fortnightly); 01926 814953; 0 – 4sToys, crafts and other activities are available.

Stratford-upon-AvonGo 4 GoalsStratford High School, Alcester Road, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 9DH13:10: 2 - 3 yrs; 14:05: 4 - 6 yrs; Term time only.Jason: 07747 562469Football coaching classes for little ones.

Warwick, Leamington &

KenilworthMonday

CubbingtonMusical abcCubbington Village Hall, Broadway, CV32 7JX10:00 - 10:50 & 11:00 - 11:50Anne: 07876 518770Music classes for birth - 5 yrs. Trials pre-booked.

EmscoteLittle SaintsAll Saints Church, Vicarage Green, All Saints Road, CV34 5NJ9:30 - 11:00; Free - donations welcome01926 492073Activities and sing-song sessions

KenilworthBaby and Child Health drop in St Johns Children’s Ctre, Mortimer Rd, CV8 1FS10:00 - 11:30 (fortnightly from 10th Jan)01926 856397Breastfeeding support, H/V & baby weighing

The Spring Playgroup Toddler GroupKenilworth Youth & Community Centre (Large Community Room), Abbey End, CV8 1QJ9:30 - 11:00 (Term time only); 0 - preschool age; £1.50 per family; Jackie: 01926 864443All families welcome, refreshments available.

Leamington Spa (central)Early Pregnancy Antenatal ClassesLeamington Spa Baptist Church, Chandos Street, CV32 4RN. www.birthandbabyreality.co.uk19:00 - 21:00, monthly; For bumpsHelen: 01926 731621 - booking requiredFree antenatal class for early pregnancy.

TiddlywinksSt Paul’s Church Hall, Leicester St, CV32 4TE9:45 - 11:300-5s; Danielle Eley: 01926 427149Currently at full capacity - have a waiting list.

Toddles GroupVenue changes each week.Every Monday, 10:00 or 11:00; FreeContact NCT for venue/time: 0844 243 6314 or [email protected]

WarwickLittle Fishes Baby and Toddler GroupSaltisford Church, Albert Street, CV34 4JX10:00 - 11:30; 0-4s; £1 per family; Term timeLiz: 01926 496779Craft, lego or playdough, toys, snack & singing

Tiddlers Mother and Baby GroupCastle Hill Baptist Church, Castle Hill, CV34 4EX10:00 - 12:00; bump - 1 yr; 50p; Term timeLiz: 01926 400368In the park in Summer hols. Drinks & friendship.

Creative Stay & PlayWarwick Children’s Centre, Coventry Rd, CV34 4LJ; Tel: 01926 4927019:30 - 11:30; 6 mths - 5 yrsExplore and learn with messy play. We also do a ‘Wellie Walk’ at 10:00 a.m. in the park.

TuesdayBagintonBaginton Parent and Toddler GroupBaginton Village Hall, Frances Road, CV8 3AB10:00 - 11:30; 0-5s; £1.50 or 50p for babies + £1 for siblings over 12 mths; Vicky: 024 7630 6869Term time only. Crafts, sing along, drink & snack

EmscoteEmscote Toddler GroupAll Saints Church, Vicarage Green, All Saints Road, CV34 5NJ; Kate: 01926 4035039:30 - 11:00; 0-4s; £1 + 50p per siblingToys, crafts, baby area & refreshments.

HeathcoteTumble TotsWarwick Gates Community Hall, CV34 6DZ9:30: walking - 2 yrs; 10:30: 2-3 yrs; 11:30: Gymbabes; 13:00: 3 yrs to schoolGeorgina: 01926 337800; £5.50Structured Play for 6 months up to school age

KenilworthCradle Club (with ante natal drop in)10:00 - 11:30; St Johns Children’s Centre, Mortimer Road, CV8 1FSFor non mobile babies; £1 voluntary entry01926 856397 - Just drop in

Mini Movers10:00 - 11:30; St Johns Children’s Centre, Mortimer Road, CV8 1FSFor crawlers to wobbly walkers; £1 donation01926 856397 - Just drop in

Leamington Spa (central)Little Splashers Swimming ClassesOddfellows, Warwick St, Leamington, CV32 5LD12:00 - 14:00; For 2mths - 4 yrsCall Jo on 07968 015292Infant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

TiddlywinksSt Paul’s Church Hall, Leicester St, CV32 4TE9:45 - 11:30; 0-5s; Danielle Eley: 01926 427149Currently at full capacity - have a waiting list.

SydenhamSoft Play, Coffee and ChatThe PlayFarm, 5 Berrington Road, Sydenham Industrial Estate, Leamington Spa, CV31 1NB10:00; NCT: 0844 243 6314

Warwick (central)Crèche at St Nicholas Park St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, CV34 4QY10:00 - 12:00. Term time only. Booking required.

Warwick Children’s CentreTiny Treasures (Birth - 18 mths): 12:45 - 14:30Sensory toys and activities for babies to enjoy. Tiny Talkers Stay & Play (6m–5yrs): 9:30 – 11:30Develop communication skills. Wellie Walk at 10:00 in Priory Park (children’s wellies supplied)Coventry Rd, Warwick, CV34 4LJ; 01926 492701

South Warwickshire Home Birth GroupThe Quaker Centre, 39 High Street, CV34 4AX1st Tues of Month, alternate monthsFor bumps; free; Diane: 07771 586095Commissioned service.

Tiddlers Mother and Baby GroupCastle Hill Baptist Church, Castle Hill, , CV34 4EX10:00 - 12:00; bump - 1 yr; 50p; Term timeLiz: 01926 400368In the park in Summer hols. Drinks & friendship.

WhitnashWhitnash Rhyme TimeWhitnash Library, Franklin Road, CV31 2JH11:15 - 11:45, monthly; 01926 421 464Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

Southam District & Warwick Region

25



WednesdayKenilworthLittle Crackers Toddler GroupCrackley Hall School, Coventry Road, CV8 2FT10:00 - 11:30; 0-5s; £2 per family; Term time01926 514444; Please call to check term dates

St Johns Children’s CentreTwins and More: 10:00 - 11:30 (fortnightly)Childminders Group: 10:00-11:30 (fortnightly)Stay & Play - Discover & Make: 13:30-15:00Mortimer Rd, CV8 1FS; £1 donation01926 856397Just drop in - contact centre for dates

Breastfeeding Drop in GroupKenilworth Children’s Centre & Nursery School, Bertie Road; Tel: 01926 85339410:30 - 11:30, alternate weeks; Free

Musical abcKenilworth Wardens, Glasshouse Lane, CV8 2AL9:50 - 10:40 & 10:50 - 11:40Anne: 07876 518770: Please pre-book trials.Music classes for birth to 5 yrs.

Leamington Spa (central)Tiny StarsLeamington Spa Baptist Church, Chandos St, CV32 4RN; tel: 01926 33665013:30 - 15:00; 0 to 2 years nine months; £1Welcoming group - lovely atmosphere

Spinney Hill (Warwick)Babies Group (0 - 18mths): 13:00 - 14:30Babies learn and explore with all of their senses. Stay & Play Drop In (0-5yrs): 9:30 - 11:00Open play session with planned activities.

The GAP Comm. Centre, Oakwood Gr, CV34 5TD01926 492701

Warwick (central)Crèche at St Nicholas ParkSt Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, CV34 4QY11:15 - 12:45 and 13:15 - 14:45 4 mths - 4 yrs; 01926 495353Term time only. Booking required.

Jack and Jill Toddler GroupBaptist Church Hall, Gerrard Street, CV34 4HD10:00 - 11:30 (closed over xmas); 0-4sSue: 01926 499561; £1 per familyBusy group. Garden, baby area, crafts, singing.

St Nicholas Church Toddler GroupSt Nicholas Church St (enter at back), CV34 4JD10:00 - 11:30; 0-5s; £1 per family; Term time.Mrs Hodkin: 01926 312593Static play upstairs & run around toys down.

Health Visitor Drop In ClinicWarwick Children’s Ctre, Coventry Rd, CV34 4LJ10:00 - 11:30 (2nd & 4th wed of mth)01926 492701

Aqua Babies Swimming LessonsSt Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, CV34 4QY11:30-12:00 (4 m-2yrs) & 12:00-12:30 (2-4 yrs)01926 495353 - please bookSwimming lessons for little ones. Term time.

The Yummy Mummy’s ClubSt Pauls Church Hall, Friars St, CV34 6HD14:00 - 15:30; bump - 10 mths; Jayne: 0773 8294082 - plse call first for timesFriendly group of mums-to-be and new mums.

ThursdayBurton GreenBurton Green Parent and Toddler GroupBurton Green Village Hall, Hodgetts Ln, CV8 1PJ

10:00 - 12:00; 1.5 per family; Term time onlySharon: 024 76364723Everybody welcome! Please call first.

KenilworthTumble TotsCastle Farm Sports Hall, CV8 1EY9:15: Gymbabes; 10:15: walking – 2yrs; 11:15: 2 – 3yrs; 13:00: 3 yrs - schoolGeorgina: 01926 337800; £5.50 per sessionStructured Play for 6 months up to school age

St Johns Toddler GroupSt. John’s Church Hall, Warwick Rd, CV8 1HY10:00 - 11:30; 50p donationSt Johns: 01926 853203, Kate: 01926 779159Refreshments provided, all welcome

St Johns Children’s CentreTiny Treasures (4-12 mths): 13:30 - 15:00Buggy Breakfast (0-5s): 9:00 - 10:00 (termtime)Mortimer Road, CV8 1FS£1 voluntary entry; 01926 856397; Just drop in!

LapworthLapworth Stay & PlayLapworth Primary School, Station Lane, B94 6LT13:45 - 15:15 (fortnightly from 6th January)£1 voluntary contribution; 01926 856397Term time only - just drop in

Leamington SpaNCT Stay & PlaySt Marks Church Rooms, Rugby Rd, CV32 6DL13:45 - 15:15; 0 - 6 months; 0844 243 6314Year round, free parking & changing facilities.

Leek WoottonLeek Wootton Baby & Toddler GroupThe Village Hall, Warwick Road, CV35 7RB10:00 - 11:30; Any age; £1.50 +50p for siblingsLovely village hall. Toys, painting & sing-song.

Warwick (central)Warwick Rhyme TimeWarwick Library & Information Centre, Barrack Street, Warwick, CV34 4TH10:30 - 11:00, twice monthly; 01926 412 189Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

Woodloes ParkWoodies Toddler GroupWoodloes Comm. Centre, Deansway, CV34 5DF9:30 - 11:00; 0-4s; £1 per familyLiz: 07981 606163; Access by red door of the last building of school site. Toys, crafts & songs.

FridayKenilworthKenilworth Rhyme TimeKenilworth Library, Smalley Place, CV8 1QG10:00 - 10:30, twice monthly; 01926 748 900Free music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

Stay & PlaySt Johns Children’s Ctre, Mortimer Rd, CV8 1FS10:00 - 11:30; 0 - 5s; £1 voluntary contribution01926 856397; Just drop in

Leamington SpaEmmanuel Toddler GroupEmmanuel Evangelical Church, Heath Terrace, CV32 5LY. Camilla: 01926 77463910:00 - 11:30; 0-4s; £1; Term time only For Mums who live in and around the area

Les Rainettes37 rosewood Crescent, CV32 7UN10:00 - 11:30; Free; Marie: 07918 110656Practise your french over a cup of coffee.

Leamington Spa Rhyme TimeLeamington Spa Library, Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, CV32 4AA. Tel: 01926 742 721

10:30 - 11:00, twice monthly; FreeFree music & singing sessions for 0-2s. Drop in!

Tumble TotsSt Marks Church Hall, CV32 6DL11:45: Gymbabes; 13:00: walking – 2yrs; 14:00: 2 – 3yrs; 15:00: 3 yrs - schoolGeorgina: 01926 337800; £5.50 per sessionStructured Play for 6 months up to school age

Norton LindseyMusical abcN Lindsey Village Hall, Wolverton Rd, CV35 8JL10:20 - 11:10 & 11:20 - 12:10Anne: 07876 518770 - Please prebook trials.Music classes for birth to 5 yrs.

WarwickCrèche at St Nicholas Park St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, CV34 4QY10:00 - 11:00 and 11:00 - 12:30; term time only4 mths - 4 yrs; 01926 495353 - booking required

Aqua Babies Swimming LessonsSt Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, CV34 4QY11:30 - 12:00 (4m-2yrs) & 12:00 - 12:30 (2-4yrs)01926 495353 - please bookSwimming lessons for little ones. Term time.

Toy LibraryWarwick Children’s Ctre, Coventry Rd, CV34 4LJ10:00 - 12:00; 01926 492701; Birth - 8 yrs£3 p/yr membership & free weekly toy hire

Parents & Babies SwimSt Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, CV34 4QY11:30 - 12:30; 01926 495353Child under 4 Swim Free. Term time only.

Musical Stay & PlayWarwick Children’s Ctre, Coventry Rd, CV34 4LJ13:30 - 15:00; 01926 492701Alternating weeks for 0 - 18 mths & 18 mths+. Instruments, singing, rhymes and games.

SaturdayKenilworthDads GroupSt Johns Children’s Ctre, Mortimer Rd, CV8 1FS10:00 - 11:30 (monthly); 0 - 5s; £1 voluntary01926 856397 - Call to find out activities.Sausage batches (or vegetarian) for all Dads.

Leamington SpaLittle Splashers Swimming ClassesOddfellows, Warwick St, Leamington, CV32 5LD9:30 - 13:30; Call Jo on 07968 015292Infant swim courses. Book as a 10-week course.

Go 4 GoalsBrookhurst School, Ullswater Ave, CV32 6NH9:00 & 9:45: 2-4 yrs; 10:30: 5-11 yrsJason: 07747 562469Football coaching classes. Term time only

WarwickDads & Male Carers SessionWarwick Children’s Ctre, Coventry Rd, CV34 4LJ10:00 - 12:00 (fortnightly); 0 - 5s; 01926 492701Activities for Dads/Carers & their child(ren).

SundayClaverdonLove Ballet Dance CompanyDance Studio, Ardencote Leisure Club, The Cumsey, Lye Green Road, Claverdon, CV35 8LT10:00: Ballet (3-5yrs); 10:30: Funky Dance (3-7yrs); 11:00: Gymnastics (all ages); 11:30: Ballet (5-7yrs); 12:00: Tap (5-7yrs)Lorraine: 07711 010404Ballet, Funky Dance, Tap and Gymnastics classes

Warwick Region

26 Check the Special Offers centre pages to get great deals from many of these businesses

The Directory

Business Opportunities

Baby & Child ShopsPink & Blue Baby WorldAddress: 58 High Street, Daventry, NN1 4HUTel: 01327 705900Website: www.pinkandbluebabyworld.comEverything you need from maternity to toddler.

See full advert on back cover

The Directory

Search all these services and so much more by category, location or name in the online directory at

www.toddleabout.co.uk

Baby & Child Shops 26Business Opportunities 26-27Dance Classes 27 Drama & Theatre 27Football Classes 27Gymnastics Classes 28Indoor Play Centres 28

Further Education 28Lingerie 28Music Classes 28Nannies 28Photographers 29Pregnancy & Birth 29Private Tuition 29Swimming Classes 29

Find It Quick

27Please tell our advertisers you found them in Toddle About!

The Directory

Drama & Theatre

Dance ClassesBusiness Opportunities

Football Classes

Football Classes

Stagecoach Daventry & RugbyEnrolling now for drama and theatre classes!tel: 01295 760056 | w: www.stagecoach.co.uk/rugbyIf they can walk, talk & run, they can act, sing & dance.

See full advert on inside back cover

28 Check the Special Offers centre pages to get great deals from many of these businesses

The Directory

Music Classes

NanniesIndoor Play Centres

Lingerie

Further EducationGymnastics ClassesLearning for Life - University of WarwickCertificates & Part-time Degrees in a wide range of subjects. Call or visit us online for full course listings.Tel: 024 7615 1155; web: www.warwick.ac.uk/cll

See full advert on inside front cover

Musical abc - from Birth to 5 yearsCubbington (Mon), Kenilworth (Weds), Norton Lindsey (Fri)Tel: Anne - 07876 518770 w: www.musicalabc.net50 mins: 30 mins activities + 20 for free refreshmentsFun, Sensory, Interactive and LIVE music sessions!

29Please tell our advertisers you found them in Toddle About!

The Directory

Swimming Classes

Build a foundation for learning with KumonAt Kumon your little one is exposed to letters and numbers from the start, encouraging a long-lasting enthusiasm for learning. Contact your local Instructor today

Rugby Study Centre

Rozina Sayani 01788 579761

kumon.co.uk

Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

Classes at Rugby Library & Information Centre, Little Elborow Street, Rugby CV21 3BZ

Photographers

Pregnancy & Birth

Private Tuition

30

www. .co.uk

Read more reviews and see more pictures at www.toddleabout.co.uk

Review:Rugrats & Half PintsOut & About Indoor Activities for Parent

& Child this Winter

This Autumn, Rugrats & Half Pints in Banbury invited Toddle About to review their indoor play centre, for better or for worse, and we’re pleased to say it was for better! We took our two daughters aged 18 months and 3 years and we had a wonderful time. If you are looking for an indoor play centre with something a little bit extra, then you need look no further.

Our girls loved everything Rugrats has to offer. They climbed on the frame apparatus, rolled in the ball pit, slid down the slide, jumped on the trampoline and dressed up in the ample Wendy house. But nothing quite beat the carefully designed baby sensory area for us.

A generous portion of the building has been reserved for the extra little ones, away from the charging toddlers and older children. There, your under 3s can explore a soft maze and crawl through tunnels with beauti-ful LED lights and mirrors. There are also some lovely, interactive features that the children can enjoy, such as musical steps on the floor, a bubble tube which changes colour at the press of a button and a starlit sensory chamber with soft bass-heavy music playing through the floor to titillate the toddlers with its vibrations! It really is worth a visit, even if it’s a bit of a drive for you. (The cafe will serve you lunch for a longer stay!)

Rugrats & Half Pints is on Beaumont Rd, in Banbury. See advert on p. 28)

Every day 10 families are told that their child has cancer. As the children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent helps these fami-lies with clinical, practical and emotional support every step of the way. What is Yummy Mummy Week?Put simply, it’s fund-raising events held by mums, for

mums. For the last five years, mums all over the UK have been getting together with friends and family in Yummy Mummy Week, having fun and raising money for children with cancer.What sort of event can I hold?Any event you can think of! No matter how much it raises, every penny counts. Pamper parties, coffee

mornings, family BBQs - anything goes! It can be as simple as having a special Yummy Mummy collection at your mums & tots group, or as extravagant as getting together with the girls to organise a Yummy Mummy party.How do I raise money?Depending on your event, you could charge an entry fee, sell raffle tickets or goodies or you could even organise a sponsored event - like a 5k walk in your local park or a sponsored swim in pink cossies!What if I’ve never organised an event before?Don’t worry - we’ll supply everything you need to hold your event including posters, invitations, spon-sor forms and a handy list of hints and tips.Getting involved is easy

- just visit www.yummy-mummy.org.uk to register.

Be a Yummy Mummy! 26 March – 3 April 2011

Directory

32

www. .co.uk


Documents

Toddle About Warwickshire Jan - Mar 2011