Page 19 - link magazine

January:
Time to Play

A new monthly family matters information and advice column
for parents

It’s a new year and Santa has been • Scavenger hunt: make a list of
and gone, delivering toys to children things you might see on a walk
who have been good… which is (different shaped leaves, dandelion,
every child in Swindon because, of butterfly, coloured pebbles, sparrow)
course there were no children on and have fun trying to find as many
the naughty list last year. as you can… tick them off as you
And yet households across the go.
town are ringing out to the sound As a nation we spend about
of children saying: ‘I’m bored.’ £2billion on unwanted presents, so
What? How could you possibly be don’t forget that unwanted toys
bored with all these new toys? can always be donated to a charity
With children, boredom can lead shop or refuge.
to unwanted behaviour, as they seek Play is such an important part of
out ways of occupying their minds a child’s development. It helps them LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare
and hands, albeit in a negative way. build relationships and learn new
Sometimes it’s the simple things skills. It’s how memories are made. & eduCation
that children enjoy the most, like See if you can find the time to FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS
a walk in the woods, building a play in January, and we hope you Established 1986
den with sheets or making a cake have fun. The Common, Brinkworth, Wilts
together. By ePiP consultant Rachel Tel: 01666 510356
Here are a few play ideas that Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042
won’t cost the earth: About ePiP l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education within a safe,
• Dressing up races: use old ePiP provides a range of innovative secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children from 0-5 and an out of
school club for children aged 5-11 years
jumpers, hats, scarves, handbags, and exciting parenting services. l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year
shoes, beads and see who can get They are already working with local l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for
dressed the quickest. This can also employers, providing services for 3-5 year olds
lead to some great imaginative play. working parents, but will shortly l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching
• Cardboard construction: recycle be launching a direct service which staff and nursery nurses
all the boxes that presents came will be accessible to all. l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room,
school hall with gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about
in and build a junk model.. a tower More details will follow in the
for Rapunzel to let her hair down coming months, so watch this
from... a rocket to blast off to the space.
moon.
North toddler group has places

A new parent and toddler
group has opened at
Redhouse Community
Centre and is looking for
more members.
Mums Kelly-Ann
Pendle and Claire Mervyn
launched Redhouse Tots Please call us at
& Tinies after looking Windmill Hill to
for activities for their arrange a nursery
younger children when tour just for
siblings were attending you and we will
playgroup, and one Redhouse Tots & Tinies engaged in seasonal look forward to
which would be suitable craft activities welcoming you to
for parents with pre-school our Outstanding
children. to assist with insurance, rent and Nursery
Kelly-Ann said: “After several buying larger equipment.
weeks looking I discovered there “The group runs on a pay-as-you-
wasn’t an afternoon group suitable go drop-in basis. It’s entirely run by
for newborns to children about volunteers so the fee is kept low,
to start school. So I decided to but we do ask members to help run
look into starting one as I felt the sessions which include free play
there must be other mums in a and a weekly craft activity.”
similar situation. It was great Redhouse Tots & Tinies meets
that Redhouse Community Centre every Wednesday during term
opened just at the right time for us. time, 1pm to 2.30pm. Redhouse
“We’ve received a lot of toy Community Centre is on Frankel
donations and with the support of Avenue, close to the village centre.
local councillor Gemma McCracken Mail the group at: Redhousetots@
we received a community grant yahoo.com or via Facebook:
from Swindon Borough Council Redhouse Tots
swindonlink.com n January 2016 19