Page 19 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • February 2012 19
Butterflies’ aim is to help North families

Butterflies Children’s Centre at Abbey Meads Primary School is offer-
ing brand new courses and activities for the Spring, aimed at young
mums, mums to be, and families whose tots have a lot of energy to burn.
Centre manager Tanya Parkinson places are available.
is keen to attract more families from Jumping Beans, on Tuesday morn-
the area to see what is on offer. She ings at the Catherine Wayte Primary
said: “Butterflies provides support School Butterflies building, encour-
and advice for those affected by aging toddlers up to two years to get
poor mental health, children with active and lead a healthy lifestyle.
challenging behaviour and family
breakdown. Our family support Young Mums up to age 23 have
workers are trained to give advice a chance to hang out together at
on benefits, including funding for the Underground Youth Centre on
two year olds.” Wednesday mornings, and enjoy a
free bacon butty.
New activities include: The centre is also offering courses
Bumps to Babes, on the first and in first aid, managing your budget,
third Thursday of the month from getting a fuel grant and reducing
1.30pm to 3pm at Abbey Meads for your energy bills, and has a Citizens
mums to be and those with babies Advice Bureau representative on
up to six months, to meet each other hand to answer questions.
and feel less isolated. A family sup- For further details on these ac-
port worker and a midwife attend to tivities and to get involved contact
answer any questions, and siblings Tanya on 722984.
are welcome too. Fundraiser wanted
Soccer Tots, on Tuesday afternoons Tanya is appealing for help for But-
at Oakhurst Community Rooms – a terflies. She said: “It would be great
programme offered in conjunction to have someone with grant and
with Swindon Town Football Club, fundraising experience, who has a
enabling tots from two years old to bit of time available, to come and
get active and play football. Funded assist our advisory board.”

New playgroup success
Caterpillars Playgroup at Millbrook
Primary School, Freshbrook has
been rated as outstanding for the
second year running in a VSSR
(Validating Self Setting Review) 1 0 0
assessment by Swindon Council’s
early years department. 9 5
The playgroup celebrates its sec-
ond birthday in April. In January the 7 5
group took on another member of
staff and expanded to thirty children
per session. It currently meets every
morning and afternoon and provides 2 5
lunchtime care.
Playgroup manager Michelle Larkin 5
with some Caterpillars in their new
uniform
0

Salt Way Children’s Centre
Pearl Road, Middleleaze
Swindon SN5 5TD
Tel: 01793 465364 S w i n d o n L i n k E i g h t P a g e A d v e r t _ W i t h C r o p
The Springboard to
NEW GROUPS WELCOMING FAMILIES IN FEBRUARY 0 5 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 2 1 5 : 4 3 : 1 5
Confidence for your child
Portage Group: Monday 20th, 1.30pm - 2.30pm, and every 3rd Monday of the
month. A support group for families with children under 5 with additional needs. Britain’s leading National Active Physical Play programme
Your child does not need to be referred by a professional, just come along. for children from 6 months to 7 years.
Multi-Cultural Stay & Play: Tuesdays 7th & 21st, 1.30pm - 2.30pm, and every Your child will learn agility, balance, climbing,
1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month. For families of ethnic origin with under 5s. co-ordination appropriate to his or her age.
Structured programmes designed to build
Storks: Thursday 9th, 1.45pm - 2.45pm, and every 2nd Thursday of the month self confidence and develop essential
thereafter. For parents to be! Join us with our local midwife to talk about baby listening and language skills.
names, pregnancy week by week, symptoms and giving birth. Toys and activi- Supervised by trained staff in a fun and
ties for older siblings too! caring environment.
Inside Out Lunch Club: Every Thursday, 11.30am-1.00pm. Bring your packed Tumble Tots now in your area!
lunch and eat it inside with your friends. Then come outside and enjoy our For information about local centres call
lovely play area with bikes to ride, sand and mud play, plus lots more. Liz Davies
on 0844 800 0219

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