Family First - Liverpool ECHO supplement

★★★★

FAMILYFIRST

Frombringingbabyhometochoosingaschool...yourguidetoearlyyearsparenting

FAMILY FIRST Tuesday, March 23, 20102 ★★★★

BECOMING a parent is alife-enhancing and joyousexperience. From themoment you first holdyour bundle of joy in your

arms, you will fall head over heels inlove.

But babies will also turn your worldupside down – and from dealing withsleepless nights to dealing withtoddler tantrums and potty traininglater on – there’s challenges every stepof the way.

And those tiny little people comewith so many needs – from cots andprams to clothes and high chairs – thelist is endless.

Our guide is aimed at helping youget used to your new found status as aparent, with useful tips on what tobuy, as well as plenty of support andadvice on all issues from registeringthe birth to weaning.

We bring you some really usefuladvice from real parents and couldn’tresist throwing in some really cutepictures of those cheeky monkeys.

Happy parenting!

ContentsPage 3: Bringing babyhome

Pages 4-5: Creating anursery

Pages 6-7: Prams andcar seats

Page 8: Registering thebirth and Christenings

Page 9: Classes andgroups

Page 10-11: Bridaldresses

Pages 12-13: Bestdressed babies andtrendy toddlers

Page 14: Weaning andhealthy eating

Page 15: Back to work –childcare and moneymatters

Page 16-17: Top toys andthe importance ofreading

Pages 18-19: Perfectparties

Page 20-21: Family daysout

Page 22: Choosing aschool

Pages 23: Top tips anduseful information

Words: MichelleRushtonDesign: Jan NethercoteFront picture courtesy of Mini Modeat BootsPage 2 images courtesy of Mini Modeat Boots and Mamas & Papas

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 FAMILY FIRST 3★★★★

BRINGINGBABYHOME

Bepreparedforyournewarrival

BASICBABYBUYSSLEEPINGMoses basket with stand forrocking baby to sleepCotton sheets and cellularblankets, or a baby sleeping bagRoom thermometerBaby monitors

CHANGINGPadded change matLots of nappiesNappy bags or nappy binNappy grips (if your nappies aren'tfitted with fastenings)Cotton wool ballsTop to tail bowlWipes (make most of buyone get one free specialoffers!)Barrier cream such as SudocremRattle for distracting baby!Baby changing bag

BATHINGBaby bath with standHooded bath towelsThermometer for bathBaby shampoo and body washBaby lotionBaby nail clippers

CLOTHINGLots of vests and sleep suits -at least six of eachScratch mittensHatsCardigansSocksAn all in one winter suit if baby isborn in winterA wide hat if baby born is insummer

FEEDINGSteriliser - steam or electricSeveral bottles, teats and bottlecoversBrush for cleaning bottlesTin of formula milkMuslin clothsBibs

BREASTFEEDINGNursing brasBreast padsBreast feeding pillowNipple cream or soothersBreast pump - better to waituntil you have establishedfeeingBottles for expressed breast milk,teats and coversSteriliser for cleaning bottles

OUT&ABOUTRear facing car seatSling or baby carrierPramChange bagBaby chair/swingDummiesBaby bouncerPlay mat or activity gymSmall plush toys or rattles

AS proud parents, there’s nothing moreexciting than bring your bundle of joyhome from hospital for the first time.But often, parents-to-be are so sweptup with the anticipation of the birth

that they forget to look beyond the big event sothose first few days at home with your new arrivalcan be a bit of a shock to the system.

One minute you're on cloud nine, cooing overyour bundle of joy – the next, you're down to earthwith a bump, getting used to a new routine andsurviving on a few hours' sleep.

It's exciting and exhausting all right, getting toknow your son or daughter and learning how tocare for their every need, but these early days canbe made a little easier with some forwardplanning.

A few weeks before your due date, (presumingjunior arrives on time!), stock up on groceries andmake lots of meals which you can freeze. Thenwhen you come home, you don't have to worryabout slaving over a hot stove.

Try and get the cleaning out of the way beforeyou bring baby home – hey, maybe that's a job fordads to do in between hospital visits? Then youcan relax in the knowledge that you are bringingyour newborn into a nice, clean environment. Youcould even rope some well-wishingrelatives into ensuring yourpad is spick and span.

This leaves you free toenjoy a 'babymoon,'taking time out tosnuggle up andbond as a newfamily withoutchores getting inthe way.

And even thoughthey may be knockingyour door down,visitors should bekept to a minimumor you will bebombarded withhoards of family andfriends eager to catch aglimpse of the new arrival.Explain to people that you justneed a little time together andto adjust to your newrole as parents –they willunderstand. Thenwhen you feel ready, invite them round in yourown time.

And don’t be afraid to put them to good use!When visitors do pop round, don’t feel obliged to

cater for them or make endless cups of tea – askthem to put the kettle on and make snacks for you,or even wash a few dishes – most people won’tmind. They will be glad to help and rememberwhat it was like to be a new parent.

It takes a good few weeks for a family to settleinto a routine, learning to share responsibilities,as well as getting used to a change in sleepingpatterns.

One thing people always advise new parents todo is to take time to rest during the day. They say –when baby sleeps, you should sleep – which isgood in theory, but in reality, it’s easier said thandone when there's a mountain of pots in the sinkor you've run out of clean clothes. But try to heedtheir advice and take the opportunity to enjoy alittle catnap whenever you can.

Before baby takes up residence in your abode,there will be a certain amount of things you needto buy – from a car seat to a cot – which can bevery costly. But there's no need to rush out andbuy everything on the baby books' 'what to buy'lists.

There are some essential purchases which youneed to make before junior's arrival, such as a carseat for transporting your newborn from hospital,but with some items it might be better to wait andfind out if you really need them before splashingout.

For example, will you be breast or bottlefeeding? The beauty of breastfeeding is that, there

is no equipment necessary to feed your little one –although a breast feeding pillow can be useful.

If you decide to bottle feed, however, you willneed to invest in a steriliser (steam or electric), aswell as around six bottles with teats and lids, abottle brush to ensure the bottles are really clean,and a tin of formula milk.

Moses baskets are a popular choice of bed forbabies as they are lightweight, can be easily

moved around the house and can beplaced alongside the parents' bed.

However, it's not worth spendingthe earth on one, as babies grow

out of them so quickly andbefore you know it, they will

be ready for a cot.If you're strapped for cash,

you will find manybargains in charity shops

and car boot sales,which are as good asnew. However, if youbuy a Moses basket or

cot second hand, it's agood idea to buy a new

mattress.See panel on the right for our

guide to the basic baby buys buthere's one word of advice. Try to look at

how they work before baby comes and time topractise installing the car seat, or folding thepram into the car. They may seem tricky tofathom at first, especially if you are soothing acrying baby – but with a bit of practice it will allbecome second nature.

CUTE: Soft Plush Bear, £7.99, from Adams

Moses Basket, £60, from Next

GOOD BUYS: You will need plenty ofbibs for when your baby feeds, such asthese from Marks & Spencer

Extensive range for girls and boysfrom newborn to 16 years.

Experienced staff on hand only too happy tohelp and advise. Also stockists of D&G, Dior

and Lelli Kelly Footwear.

635 Prescot Road, Old Swan,Liverpool, L13 5XATel: 0151 220 0113

www.kathrynsonline.co.ukA deposit secures a garment for 4 weeks


CREATINGANURSERY

Creatingahavenforyournewborn

WHEN it comes to bedding, it’s importantnot to let your baby overheat by overwrapping them.

Here’s a general guide of how manyblankets/sheets you need:

15ºC – a sheet and four blankets

18ºC – a sheet and three blankets

21ºC – a sheet and two blankets

24ºC – a sheet and one blanket

27ºC – a sheet only

Remember to place your baby at the bottomof the cot, with their feet touching the baseso that they don’t wriggle down below theblankets and get too hot.Avoid pillows and duvets until your childreaches 12-months-old, as they prevent theloss of heat.

HOWMANYBLANKETS?

FOR the first six months,babies usually sleep in theirparents’ room before movinginto their own bedroom, ornursery.

Transforming an ordinary room inyour home into a haven for your littleone to grow up in is a magicalexperience, but where do you start?

A cot bed is always a good investmentas it serves as a cot whilst your littledarling is a baby but can be turned intoa bed when they get older saving youhaving to buy a new bed.

But what other items do you need tokit out your children’s first bedroom?

Rob Chambers, commercial managerof wooden furniture at Mamas & Papas,advised: “You need to think about theactivities that are going to take place inthe nursery – sleeping, changing,playing, storing etc. Then look at theneeds those activities create, like a crib,then cot bed, how are you going tochange the baby?

“A changer is an important item tohave in the nursery. Dependant on howmuch space you have will come down towhat type of changer you choose –whether it’s a stand alone changer, or aunit that fits on top of the dresser.”

You will probably need plenty ofstorage space, so it’s always a good ideato kit out the nursery with a wardrobe,storage chests, bookcases, and dressers.Interior storage boxes and basketswhich can be hidden under cots arebecoming popular. Another useful itemof furniture is a comfy chair or rockingchair for mums and dads to sit in whilefeeding their baby.

When it comes to decorating thenursery, there are a variety of options –whether you want to create a calmingenvironment with soothing colours or amore colourful and fun space and ofcourse, your choice will be influencedby the sex of your child.

Lots of stores offer complete nurseryranges from wallpaper and borders tomatching accessories such as curtains,light shades and rugs. You will also findlots of fun accessories to stimulate yourchild’s senses from cot mobiles andclocks to pictures and bookends to funtie backs. To make the nursery even

cosier, add some little cushions, or softtoys.

Sonia Kelly, head of interiors, toysand gifts at Mamas & Papas, revealed:“Generally, if you don’t know the sex ofyour baby when you come to decorate –choosing something quite neutral withhints of colour works well.”

It is vital that baby is kept at theright temperature in the nursery whilethey snooze.

Experts recommend the perfecttemperature for babies’ rooms isbetween 16-18 degrees Celsius.

You can buy room thermometerswhich change colour when the room istoo hot or too cold, such as the GroeggThermometer.

When it comes to bedding, manyparents are opting for baby sleepingbag. which really are a Godsend! Asthere’s no blankets to kick off, it meansbaby won’t wake up feeling cold, so thewhole family get a better night’s sleep.

Another important factor affectingyour baby’s sleep is lighting.

Installing dimmer switches, can beuseful and many parents find blackoutblinds and liner curtains useful to keepout the light and ensure a dark andpeaceful room.

Sweet dreams all round!

STYLISH: Bookcase £225,Cot/Junior Bed £250, StorageChest £165, Dresser/Changer£380, Shelf£65 - allfrom thePrairieFurnitureCollectionatMamas &Papas

BEDDING: Cot bed– £299, bumper –£20, cot quilt – £25,fitted sheet (set of 2)– £10, curtains from –£40, embroideredfleece (from bed ina bag set) – £60,and hedgehogpyjama case – £15,from Next

KINGSMEADSCHOOL

DOMINUSV I TAE

ROBUR

Nursery • Infant • Junior • Senior • Boarding • Day Pupil s

0151 632 3156 www.kingsmeadschool.comB D , H , W C H L L

The days just fly by...We welcome children from two, for part or full days and part or full weeks.... We have mature,experienced staff, busy days and a very happy family atmosphere... Our little ones eat home-cookedfood and play in family-sized groups in leafy grounds... We offer childcare 50 weeks of the year.

You want the best for your child now and in the future. At Kingsmead, so do we.

BDC226

...


Muralsare somagical

CREATINGANURSERY

MAGIC: Create your own mural in your child'sbedroom with help from Mural By Numbers

TRADITIONAL: Autograph Wooden Rocking Horse,£75, from Marks & Spencer

ONE way to brighten up thenursery to fuel your child’simagination is to create aspecial mural.

There are many muralartists in Merseyside whocan create bespoke fantasywalls on a variety of themes –from dinosaurs and outerspace to fairy kingdoms.

But if your budget doesn’tquite stretch to paying for anartist to paint your nursery,why not unleash your innerPicasso and have a goyourself ?

You can buy mural stencilkits which you can paintyourself. For example, Muralby Numbers, the brainchildof interior designer and

mother of two SarahHodgkins, supplies transfersthat you trace onto the walland then fill in with paint.

There are a myriad ofdesigns to choose fromincluding fairies, princesses,spaceships and pirates.

Depending on your creativeabilities, you can personalisethe design and add your ownideas but if you are somewhatlacking in the artisticdepartment, just stick totracing the design and fillingit in and you won’t go farwrong.

For further information onMural by Numbers [email protected] or call 01908 543530.

MATCHING: The Humphrey's Corner range ofcot bumpers, mobiles and accessories atMothercare

PINE: Three Piece Set , from the ModaFurniture Collection at Mamas & Papas

Exclusive Children’s WearEst 1990

Broadway, Norris Green, Liverpool 11Tel: 0151 256 0733

also at

Inn Shops, Huyton Town CentreFormer site of Junior Choice, Huyton

Stockists

Melanie LouiseToff ToggsCakewalk

MareseBarbara Farbra

ConverseKenzo

MoschinoJottumDior

ClayeuxMiss Grant

Calvin Klein

StockistsCatimini

Monnalisa

Deux Par Deux

Elsy

Mayoral

Pampalina

Lelli Kelly

Miniman

Oilily

Baby Graziella

Pointer


OUT&ABOUT

Outandaboutwithyourbaby

EARLY years professionals say that young children needface-to-face communication to fully develop as sociabletalkers and learners.

Elizabeth Day, parenting consultant at Mothercare says: “Aparent facing pushchair is the ideal opportunity for thatinvaluable interaction between baby and parent.

“Research has shown that frequent communication duringbaby’s first year is crucial for helping early talking and has apositive influence on the whole child’s development andwellbeing.”

In addition, there are benefits of children facing outwardtoo particularly as they get older.

Not only do children watch others, look and learn whenout at the zoo or park, it also can provide a welcomedistraction for those times when some extra stimulus isneeded.

FACE-TO-FACEMODERN: Mylo pushchair, from Mamas & PapasTRADITIONAL: Mothercare's My Choice™

combination pushchair

AFTER a few days ofgetting to know yournewborn, you will nodoubt feel the urge to getout and about and show

off your baby to the world, as well aswalking off those extra pounds gainedduring pregnancy!

There are several different styles ofbaby transport and it is not surprisingthat many expectant parents areeasily confused by the differentterminology used within the nurseryindustry such as buggy, pushchair,travel system and combination.

With the many different stylesavailable, Mamas & Papas retail storestaff are trained to help parentschoose the best pram for theirlifestyle.

Sally Whitehouse, from Mamas &Papas, explained what you need tothink about before investing in apram. “The first consideration whenchoosing your pram has to be yourlifestyle needs. Do you live in the citycentre or a rural environment? Thiswill establish what kind of chassis youneed. Do you have a car? If so, willyour pram fold up easily into theboot?

“Look for a deep easily-accessibleshopping basket, a sturdy rain coverand hood and a snug footmuff to keepyour baby warm during the wintermonths. Don’t forget to check whethercoordinating accessories such as theparasol and changing bag areavailable.

“Another important decision that isoften not considered until it is too lateis where the pram is going to livewhilst not in use.

“A lightweight buggy can stay in thecar or be stored in a cloak room but alarger pram will need space whereyou can wheel it into the house.

“Weight is also an important factor.Can you lift the pram into the car, onand off the bus or into your house?

“If you regularly travel on publictransport a lightweight collapsiblebuggy may be the best choice.”

Sally also advised: “Always checkthat the buggy you are buying issuitable for the child’s age. Somebuggies are only suitable from sixmonths plus, whereas others are

suitable from birth.“Ensure that the buggy’s

handle height is suitable foryou and your partner or isheight adjustable.

“You’ll need a rain cover ifit is not included in the priceto protect your baby from theelements - all Mamas & Papasbuggies come with a suitablerain cover.”

If you are a regular caruser then you may want toconsider a travel system.This is a pushchair and afirst stage infant carrier carseat. Pushchairs are oftenmore substantial thanlightweight buggies but canstill fold compactly forconvenient storage whennot in use.

For parents who prefer towalk and get out and about,a pram with a separatecarrycot (either as part ofthe package or purchasedseparately as an accessory)and forward and rearfacing seat unit could bethe answer.

The most significantpositive for choosing acombination system isthat you have everything youneed from birth to three-years-old.The carrycot offers maximum comfortfor a new born baby and can also beused, if suitable, for overnightsleeping for the first six months. Itcan also be used if stopping a friendsor relatives overnight. with areversible seat unit parent babyinteraction can take place whilst outand about and as baby grows andbecomes ready to face the world manyadventures can be shared.

Your baby’s comfort is the prioritybut it is also important you choose adesign you’re proud to be seen out andabout with as you’ll be using yourpram a lot and possibly not just forone baby.

For more information on Mamas &Papas range of prams, pushchairs andbuggies, telephone 0845 268 2000 orvisit the website at mamasandpapas.com

MUST-HAVETRAVELKIT● Baby carriers/slings – are great for keeping baby close toyou when you’re on the move.● Changing bags – can often be bought to match yourpram and are essential for carrying everything you needfrom nappies to bottles.● Footmuffs – keep junior nice and snug during the wintermonths.● Parasols and sunshades – shield your little one from thesun’s harsh rays.● Pram blankets – always a must for those colder days. Youcan also buy pushchair liners for extra warmth.● Raincovers – you just never know when the heavens willopen so a rain hood is vital for keeping your baby dry.● Travel cots – can be folded up small and are great forwhen you go to stay somewhere without a cot.● Travel toys – are a must for entertaining your little one.

VERSATILE: Mothercare's revolutionary forwardto parent facing travel system - the MothercareSpin. Priced £420, the direction the baby facescan be changed in less than five seconds whilststill occupied!

The Liverpool Pram Centre• Liverpool’s only supplier of Eichhorn Prams and for all your pram and nursery needs •

We specialise in...

Specialists in exclusive cradles as seen in Hello and OK MagazineUnit 1, 25 Pembroke Place, London Road (Facing New Tropical School of Medicine) L3 5PH • 0151 706 0101

www.liverpoolpramcentre.com


OUT&ABOUT

THE journey to invest in your young family’scar seat safety for four years begins whenyour baby is one of the thousands of babiesto leave hospital in the award winningMamas & Papas Primo Viaggio IP InfantCarrier car seat.

The Primo Viaggio IP can be fitted on toan ISOFIX base which ensures correct, nofuss fitting, first time everytime or in vehicleswithout ISOFIX fittings when used with thecar seat belt.

As your baby grows and develops thenext stage of the car seat safety investmentis the new Vito car seat from Mamas &Papas.

This forward facing car seat, withremovable body hugger, will grow with andprotect your little one from nine-months-oldto approximately four-years-old.

With a three position seat tilt option, theVito car seat offers the ultimate in comfortfor baby during your journey.

The Vito car seat can be fitted onto thesame ISOFIX base as the Primo Viaggio IPthus ensuring continued ‘right first timeinstallation’ every time or again fitted usingthe vehicles car seat belt where ISOFIX isnot available.

We are offering a lucky ECHO parent theopportunity to win a Primo Viaggio IP InfantCarrier Car Seat, worth £135, along with aPrimo Viaggio/Vito Isofix Base (RRP £125)and Vito Group 1 Car Seat (RRP £170).

All you have to do is answer the followingquestion:

What is the name of the base which thePrimo Viaggio IP car seat can be fitted on?

Send your answers to Mamas & Papascompetition, Liverpool Echo Features Desk,PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L693EB, including your address and daytimephone number, or email [email protected]

Deadline: March 31.

Fouryear’sofcarseatsafety

FROM the moment youdiscover you are goingto become a parent youare plunged into a wholenew world of

bewildering decisions about ‘whatis going to be best for your baby.’

Even before your little oneleaves hospital a crucial decisionhas to be made about the best wayto protect your bundle of joy fromdanger on their journey home.

Midwives now insist that everybaby should leave hospital in anappropriate car seat when theyare travelling by car.

It is the law to use a car seatfrom birth until your childreaches either 135cms in height or12 years of age – whichever comesfirst. And it is the driver’sresponsibility to ensure thatchildren under the age of 14 yearsold are restrained correctly.

The weight of your babydetermines the correct group ofcar seat to use and you will needto buy a new seat when your babyoutgrows its current one. (See ourpanel below for moreinformation).

You will start off by having arear facing car seat or infantcarrier (Group 0) which willaccommodate a baby up to 29lb(13kg) and gives your baby’s headand neck vital support.

As long as the crown of yourbaby's head does not stick upabove the top of the seat, he or she

should stay facing backwards foras long as possible before it’s timeto invest in a forward-facing seat.

As small babies sleep so much,you can often move your baby inand out of the car in the car seatwhile they are sleeping withoutwaking them up. Infant carriershave a carrying handle to makethis easier. They also usually comewith little pillows known as headhuggers, which make sure thatyour newborn baby's head doesn'twobble about as they travels in thecar. You will need to use these forthe first three months or so untilyour baby can hold their head upon their own.

Some infant car seats can alsobe used as a handy rocking chairto get baby off to sleep at home.

Many of today’s three-in-onetravel systems incorporate a carseat which can be fitted straightinto a pushchair or pram – veryhandy for going out shopping!

Your first car seat will usuallyonly last for the first nine to 12months, until you need to buy asecond-stage, forward-facingGroup 1 seat. However, be guidedby your baby’s weight, rather thanhis/her age.

You can, however, buycombination car seats which start

off facing backwards but can beconverted to a forward-facing seatas your child grows.

When it comes to choosing a carseat, always try before you buy asdifferent makes and models suitdifferent cars. Many shops sellingcar seats employ trained staff whowill happily come and install thecar seat for you, to make sure itfits properly. If it seems difficult tofasten into place, then do not buyit.

When you are happy yourchoice of car seat suits your car,ask the member of staff to showyou how to fit and remove it andmake sure you practice beforebaby comes along, as it can be atad tricky to work out.

To make it easier to get the carseat in and out of the car , you canbuy bases such as ISOFIX, whichcan fix the car seat directly intothe car without the use of a seatbelt.

You can also call your localcouncil's road safety team and askto have your car seat checked orask at any car dealerships,.

Car seats are available frommany high street stores, but if youwant to check which ones havegood reviews, visit the Which?website at www.Which.co.uk

Travelling light

Group 0+Child weight 0 - 13kgBirth to 12 - 15 monthsapproximately

Group 1Child weight 9 - 18kg

Birth to nine months tofour years approximately

Group 1, 2 & 3Child weight 9 - 36kgBirth to nine months to11 years approximately

Group 2 & 3Child weight 15 - 36kgBirth to four years to 11years approximately■ Information suppliedby Mamas & Papas

Michelle Rushtonlooks into what you willneed to get out & aboutwith your newborn

CARRIER:This Cybex Aton Group 0 infantcarrier, priced £115, from Mamas & Papas, isextremely lightweight weighing only 3.5kg.

COSY: Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix infant Car seat inDeep Red, £125, from Mothercare – suitablefrom birth to approximately 12 months (upto 13kg).

SAFETY: This Cybex Pallas group 1 carseat, £160, from Mamas & Papas, offers atwo in one safety shield system bringing anew safety dimension, especially in thecritical neck and throat region. It can beadjusted to become a Group 2/3 child seat,meaning it will last your child from ninemonths to 12 years (9-36 kg).

CARSEATSIZES


BRINGINGBABYHOMEINTRODUCINGJUNIOR

Howto register thebirthof yourbabyONCE your baby has arrived, youhave six weeks to register the birth.Luckily for parents whose child wasborn at the Liverpool Women’sHospital, they can register the birthbefore they leave hospital the ashospital features a dedicatedregistrar’s office on the first floor,outside the Diana, Princess of WalesSuite.

All you need to do is book an

appointment by calling 0151 2333004.

Although a monumental occasion,it takes less than 30 minutes toregister your baby’s birth.

Either parent can register thebirth.

At your appointment, theregistrar will talk you through theregistration procedures and offerany advice or guidance required.

All they need to know is the dateand place of the baby or babies’ (ifyou are blessed with twins, tripletsor more!) birth, forenames andsurname in which you intend tobring the baby up.

The father will need to providehis full name and surname at thetime of the baby's birth, his ownplace of birth and his occupation atthe time of the baby's birth.

Meanwhile mum has to give herfull name and surname at the timeof the baby's birth, her maidensurname if she is or has beenmarried, her own place of birth, herusual home address at the date ofthe baby's birth and occupation.

The registrar will also ask if theparents were married to each otherat the time of the birth, and if theywere, the date of the marriage, as

well as finding out the number ofchildren the mother has hadpreviously by her present husbandor any former husband and thedates of birth of the parents.

Those details will, however,remain confidential.

They will not be entered in theregister and will not appear on anybirth certificate.

After registering, you will be

given a free copy of the birthcertificate showing the baby’sforenames, surname, sex, date ofbirth and district of birth.

You can also register the birth atLiverpool Register Office in theCotton Exchange, Old Hall Street,Liverpool L3 9UF (telephone 0151233 3004) – but the birth has to beregistered within the district it tookplace.

Let’scelebrate!T

HE arrival of your new baby iscertainly something to celebrateand you may feel the urge to markthe occasion with a Christening orbaby naming ceremony.

If you are a family of churchgoers thenyou may wish to welcome your child intothe Christian faith with a traditionalChristening or baptism.

Of around 600,000 babies born in Britaineach year, 168,000 are baptised into theChurch of England and another 64,000 intothe Roman Catholic Church.

Many parents like the idea of markingtheir baby's arrival with a church ceremony– but a baptism does involve makingpromises about bringing him or her up as aChristian.

While some clergy are quite relaxed aboutthe parents' own church attendance, otherswill expect to see you and your child on aregular basis before and after theChristening.

If you feel comfortable with this, the firststep is to talk to your local vicar. You willneed to find out whether a special serviceneeds to be arranged or whether theChristening will be part of a main Sundayservice.

Many couples choose godparents,traditionally two women and one man forgirls and vice versa for boys, whose role isto be a Christian mentor to help theirgodson or goddaughter in their journey asthey embrace their new faith.

Over the years, the role of godparent hasevolved into taking on the additional duty ofsupporting the child through life and beingsomeone they can turn to for help andadvice.

Indeed, being chosen as a grandparent isseen as a real honour and often they willdevelop a close bond with their godchild.

Once you have booked the church for theChristening and sent out invitations to yourfamily and friends, it’s time to choose anoutfit for junior.

The baby's outfit is almost as big a part ofthe traditional Christening as the bride's ison her wedding day. Some families, like theRoyals, even have an ancient garment whichhas been worn by generation aftergeneration.

Sometimes the garment may have becomea bit yellowed and dog-eared over time, butyou may be able to get it cleaned orrestored. Or you might like to start yourown tradition by investing in a baptismalrobe which your child could use for his orher own offspring in the future.

But babies don't have to be kitted out inolde worlde gear just because they'rebeing Christened – there are lots oflovely dresses and suits in the children’sclothes stores which will look great.

Once word of advice though – don’t put iton them until the very last minute or thatbeautiful white robe may end up being

caked in chocolate buttons!If you aren’t religious, you can still

celebrate the arrival of your child with ababy naming ceremony.

Parents can put together their ownservice including poetry, music andreadings, and the venue can be anywhere –in your own back garden, at a castle, in apark , the list is endless...

Just as in a Christening, you can choose

godparent equivalents and the ceremonycan be as formal or informal as youchoose.

Usually, there will be some sort ofreception following the ceremony whichcould be just tea and cakes at your home,or you may wish to hire a venue and hold afull-on party with catering

But don't forget to invite the vicar as away of saying thank you for the service!

ANGELIC: Your little one will look gorgeousin this Christening gown, priced £60 fromMamas & Papas

DELIGHTFUL: A Ladybird rosebud dress,priced £23, from Littlewoods.com


CLASSESANDOTHERACTIVITIES

Getting involvedwithkidsgroups

GETTING tots toddling, the Active Totzprogramme in Sefton is for all childrenaged between two and five-years-of-ageand their parents/carers who want to getinvolved.

A children’s play scheme, the ActiveTotz programme aims to introduce newmovement skills and enhance socialawareness while helping your child todevelop positive relationships as eachsession promotes learning anddevelopment for toddlers leading to ahealthy and active lifestyle.

Through play and structured learningopportunities, children are encouraged totake part in fun games and activities toteach fundamental movement skills such asthrowing, catching, rolling and balancingwhile also learning about healthy foods.

Each session costs £2 with a discountavailable for registered child mindersalthough some sites do offer free entry.

Included within each session is apassport for each child which is stampedon attendance with accumulative stampsleading to rewards for children includingcertificates, soft play toys, T-shirts and kitbags to reward participants for theircontinued involvement.

For more information on Active Totzcontact Nicola on 0151 934 4779 or [email protected]

Active Totz sessions are held at:● Meadows Leisure Centre & Library,

Hall Lane, Maghull, L31 7BB. Tel: 0151 2886727● Litherland Moss Children’s Centre, 201Moss Lane, Litherland, L21 7NW. Tel:0151 949 9720● Dunes Splash World, the Esplanade,Southport, PR8 1RX. Tel: 01704 537 160● Linaker Children’s Centre, SouthportSefton Street, Southport, PR8 5DB. Tel:01704 532 343

IN THE SWIM: Swimming is agreat way to keep fit and have fun

MAKINGASPLASH

GETTINGACTIVE

RACING AHEAD: Kids need tobe active

WHEN you first become a parent, it canget a bit lonely being at home all daywith your baby, especially if yourpartner has gone back to work. Ifyou’re starting to get cabin fever, then

why not check out what’s going on in your area?There are lots of classes, groups and activities in

Merseyside where you can meet other parents andcarers while helping develop your baby’s socialskills.

It’s great to be able to compare notes and shareyour experiences with other new parents – you’d beamazed at the tips that can be picked up – fromdealing with nappy rash and colic to coping withsleepless nights.

And you and your baby can learn new skills suchas baby massage, baby yoga or you could even join aparents’ walking group or ‘prambles,’ where you canmeet up with your prams and head off to the localpark – great for losing that baby weight.

You could join your local branch of NationalChildbirth Trust (NCT) which holds courses andgroups all over the UK. Visithttp://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/home to find your nearest branch.

Your local leisure centre may have sessions fortots, such as musical minis, toddler rhyme time orsplash and sing swimming sessions.

Gymbabes also offers activity classes for babiesaged from six months – call 0151 249 6645 for moredetails.

It’s also worth you checking out your localSureStart Children’s Centre. A ‘one-stop shop’ forchildren under five and their families, these centresare designed to help you give your child the bestpossible start in life.

They are somewhere your child can make friendsand learn as they play. You can get professionaladvice on health and family matters, learn abouttraining and job opportunities or just meet up withother mums and dads.

There are SureStart Children’s Centres incommunities all over Merseyside. To discover morevisit www.direct.gov.uk/surestart or call 0800 2346346.

Meanwhile, here’s a glimpse of what’s available atthe children’s centres in Sefton which offer a varietyof free activities:

● Before birthAntenatal checks with a midwife.Parent craft/education classes to help you prepare

for your new arrival.Antenatal yoga.Health advice.

● From birth to fiveImmunisation, health and development checks for

your new baby.Advice and information on parenting,

breastfeeding, sleep routines, weaning andmanaging behaviours.

Play opportunities to enhance your child’sdevelopment, giving them the chance to makefriends and enjoy socialising with other children.

Play groups and early learning for young children,helping them growing in confidence as theyapproach full-time school.

Fun activities and family learning for dads, mumsand kids.

High quality childcare and early education incentres with nurseries. Those that don’t can offeradvice on local childcare options.

Child and family health services, ranging fromhealth visitors to breastfeeding support, speech andlanguage therapy or help giving up smoking.

Support for children with special needs.Support groups for young parents, dads, for parent

for whom is English is a second language.Specialist services where you can get help on

things like money and debt, domestic violence,depression, drugs or alcohol issues.

You can locate your nearest Sure Start Children’sCentre in Sefton by contacting Sefton FamiliesInformation Service on 0800 019 7219 or visitingwww.sefton.gov.uk/childrenscentres

MAKING CAKES: SureStart Children’s Centresare designed to help give your child the bestpossible start in life

SKILLS: Activities are a lot of fun

SWIMMING is a great way to keep fit andhave fun.

Babies have a real affinity with water asthey have spent months in the wombsubmerged in fluid.

And teaching your baby to becomfortable in the water is easier than youmay think as they can be completelyindependent as the water supports theirweight as they are free to kick their legsand arms as much as they like.

If you’re really keen on teaching yourbaby to swim from an early age, it might beworth you enrolling on a Puddle Duckscourse. Puddle Ducks provide babyswimming classes that teach your child toswim, be safe and have fun in the water.For more information visitwww.puddleducks.com

There are more adult and swimmingbaby classes are available at the followinglocations and times:● Meadows Leisure Centre & Library, HallLane, Maghull, L31 7BB on Mondays from12.30pm to 1pm and 1pm to 1.30pm. Tel:0151 288 6727.● Bootle Leisure Centre, North Park,Washington Parade, Bootle, L20 5JJ, onWednesdays from 10am – 12pm andFridays from 10am – 12pm. Tel: 0151 3303301.● Dunes Splash World, the Esplanade,

Southport, PR8 1RX, on Mondays from1.30pm – 2pm (adult and Child), Tuesdays12pm – 12.30pm and 12.30pm – 1pm(pre-school three to four year-olds),Thursdays 11.30am – 12pm (pre schoolthree to four years) and 1.30pm – 2pm.Tel: 01704 537 160.

Puddle Ducks was hatched in 2001,with a passion for baby swimming.Since then our carefully structured,musical programme has taughtthousands of babies and toddlersacross the UK to swim, have fun andbe safe in the water.

To find out more about PuddleDucks lessons in Liverpooland Wirral.Please contact us on:

[email protected] 739073www.puddleducks.com


PHOTOGRAPHINGYOURCHILD

Little Brats & Co5 KINGSWAY PARADE, HUYTON,

LIVERPOOL, MERSEYSIDE L36 2AQ(Opposite the Oak Tree pub)

88 ST JOHNS PRECINCT,LIVERPOOL L1 1NPTel: 0151 489 4414

Email: [email protected]

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PHOTOGRAPHINGYOURCHILD

CHILDREN don’t stay little for longand as they grow up its lovely tocapture each stage withphotographs that you can cherishforever.

There are lots of different styles ofphotography to suit all tastes and budgetsfrom the traditional portrait where the childis sat facing the camera to the more modernrelaxed action shots on location and fromcolourful images to the more atmosphericblack and white or sepia shots.

Whichever you choose, its important thatthe photographer captures the character ofyour child.

Victoria Tetley of VJT Photographyspecialises in children’s photography in theNorth West. She explains: “First of all it'simportant to decide on the style ofphotography you would like for yourchildren’s portraits.

“The two main choices are indoor studioportraits or outdoor lifestyle portraits. It'sreally just a matter of personal taste but eachstyle can result in beautiful bright images toadorn any wall.

“Studio portrait photographers use studiolights and flash resulting in bright, fresh,contemporary photography and outdoorphotographers rely on natural light, which isvery flattering to the features and the resultsare equally as exciting as well as emotive.”

Victoria particularly enjoys using beautifullocations in her photographer and often usesthe great outdoors as a backdrop, shootingportraits in forests, beaches and parks inMerseyside and Cheshire.

She says: “It may be surprising to learnthat outdoor portraits do not necessarily needto be taken on a sunny day, in fact, anovercast grey sky can often work even betterand result in much more flattering effectsthan pictures taken in strong sunshinebecause the light is filtered through theclouds, eliminating harsh shadows.”

Once you’ve decided on the style ofphotography you prefer, check out the work ofsome local photographers in your area whospecialise in that style.

Victoria advises: “Often it's a good idea togo by word of mouth and it is certainly worthgoing to the photographer's website andchecking out their portrait gallery to makesure you are happy with their photographystyle.

“If their pictures make you feel that you

desperately want one of their pictureshanging on your living room at any cost, thenthis is probably the photographer for you!”

Before the photo session, manyphotographers these days will offer you aconsultation to discuss any ideas you mayhave for the style or location of the shoot andto meet your child/children/family.

It also gives them chance to develop arapport with your child and work out ways ofcapturing their personality.

Children’s photographers also need to havelots of tricks up their sleeve, as well as lots ofprops and toys for keeping little onesentertained as they can quickly tire of havingto pose or sit still.

They are expert at bringing shy childrenout of their shell and are well equipped atdealing with the inevitable runny noses andjammy fingers.

Victoria reveals: “Before becoming anoutdoor portrait and pet photographer, I wasa press photographer for more than eightyears and in this time I learnt manyinvaluable lessons on photographing childrenof all ages, and believe me, I havephotographed an awful lot!

“As all parents know, when photographingreally small children you have a limitedamount of time before the novelty of posingwares off. They get restless and what oftenworks best at this point, apart from a smallbribe from mum, is to capture them just beingthemselves, playing, picking flowers, lookingaround. In my experience, these often makethe most rewarding pictures.”

Once you’ve had your photo shoot, you willusually be offered the chance to view thepictures and choose which ones you prefer aswell as deciding how you would like them tobe framed.

And then the real hard work beginsbecause not only are parents faced withframed prints these days, there are canvasses,acrylics, box frames and multi frames, thechoice is simply endless.

There are also lots of photo gifts you canhave made which make great gifts for familyand friends, from key rings and fridgemagnets to photo mugs and books.

It’s all about creating memories which youwill treasure and pass down through thegenerations.● To view more of Victoria’s work visit herwebsite at www.vjtphotography.co.uk or formore information call her on 07825 549681.

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KIDS love dressing up and they willcertainly shine in thespring/summer collections hittingthe stores this season. Littlefashionistas will be bang on trend in

the fancy frills and summer pastel palette – anddon’t forget to accessorise with matching tights,bags and shoes.

Meanwhile, little boys can embrace their innerrock stars with some of the ranges availablewhich have plenty of attitude with funky detailedjeans, stripes and bright graphic prints.

And we’ll find some of the best dressed babiesin town with the adorable babywear hitting theshelves from rompers and sleepsuits to funkyvests and matching socks.

Don’t miss Myleene Klass’ new Baby K rangeat Mothercare. The singer/presenter speaksabout the new collection: “I’m exceptionallyproud and excited to reveal the new Baby K SS10range.

“There are items in the collection that I’ve hada vision to produce for some time now and to seethem in actuality, looking incredible is beyondmy wildest dreams. The colours, textures andquality are all true to what Baby K stands forand as always, its kind on your pocket! I’vealways said that the Baby K range provides whatmummies ask for and what babies love to wearand this collection is no exception. The range,with your support, has grown and gone fromstrength to strength and I’m sure your little oneswill look as adorable as ever in their new Baby Kpieces.”

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WEANING&HEALTHYEATING

Startasyouweantogoon

NEW TASTES:Introducing new foodscan be a lively time

ENCOURAGING children to eat healthily canoften seem like a challenge in itself, however bygetting children involved in understanding thebasic principles of healthy eating thefundamentals of leading a healthy lifestyle canbe instilled from a young age.

Active Totz provides the opportunity foryou and your baby to learn about healthyeating from a young age, however, attendingactivities as a family can often be helpful inencouraging the principles of a healthy lifestyle.

Through the Active Lifestyles programmefamilies can attend activities to learn abouthealthy eating through group sessions. Formore information contact the Active Lifestylesteam on 0151 934 2352 for dates of sessionsnear you.

Healthyeating for kids

LIFESTYLE: Teach your child aboutheathy eating from an early age

BYTHEBOOK

WHEN TO WEAN: Your baby should be able to sit up

FOR the first six months of your baby'slife they will feed on milk alone.Breastfeeding is best for babies andprovides many health benefits, aswell as providing an opportunity for

mothers to bond with their babies. And it ismuch more widely accepted in public thesedays.

But it doesn’t always come easy for allmothers and it is a question of personal choicewhether you decide to breastfeed or bottle feed.

At around six months, you may choose tostart weaning and introducing your baby tonew tastes and textures.

This is when the fun begins!There's no set time to start as all babies are

different, but health visitors recommend youfeed your child breast or formula milk for thefirst six months or until they show signs ofbeing ready for weaning.

These signs could be when your baby is stillhungry after a milk feed and demands morefeeds, or starts waking during the nights forfeeds when they didn't before. They should alsobe able to sit up, and be showing an interestwhen you are eating. They will probably havesome teeth and want to chew.

You will need to invest in some baby bowlsand weaning spoons and some mess catcherbibs as things can get rather messy! You willalso need a highchair and an electric handblender, ice-cube trays and food storage potswith lids

Parents usually start off by giving baby mildtasting foods, such as a teaspoon of baby riceafter their milk around dinner time. Thengradually increase the amount and slowlyintroduce other soft foods such as pureedbanana, potato and carrot.

A great idea is to steam vegetables or fruit,then puree them and freeze into ice cube trays.Then each night you can take an ice cube out todefrost for the next day.

Eventually you can introduce lumpier foods,encouraging your child to chew, as well asfinger foods.

Until they’re one, you can still give your babybreast or formula milk (around 500-600ml aday). After this you can switch to full-fat cow’smilk – although if you are still breastfeeding,you may want to consider this as once you stopbreastfeeding it can be hard to start again.

Introduce your baby to drinking from a cupas it’s better for their teeth and aim to havethem off the bottle by her first birthday.

Try and introduce your baby to a widevariety of tastes as they will be less likely tobecome a fussy eater later on. If your babyrejects a food, try it again a week later. Don'trush them or make a fuss – go at your baby'space.

Ideally, your child's diet should containplenty of fruit and vegetables which helps themto absorb iron, meat, fish, eggs, dairy, cereals,bread and rice, pasta and potatoes. Avoid salt,sugar, honey, nuts, and low-fat foods. It can beuseful to have a few ready-prepared jars of babyfood but try and give fresh food as often as youcan.

Eventually your baby will be eating the samemeals as the rest of the family. It's great for thewhole family to eat together round the table.Your toddler will start to copy you, wanting tofeed themselves – give them their own spoonand fork as they love to be independent - but itmight be a good idea to put some towels down ifyou value your carpets, as toddlers also love tosplat food all over the place!!

MOST parents have at least onecopy of Annabel Karmel’s books onweaning and healthy eating as theyare full of great tips and fabulousrecipes.

Annabel tells the ECHO: “Oftenparents tell me ‘My three-year-oldonly eats spaghetti hoops, chips andchocolate biscuits.’

“Food is the fuel that powersour children. It makes them growstrong, gives them energy andplenty of opportunities to wind uptheir parents. If your child refusesto eat anything other than junkfood, chill out, he will soon findthere’s not much point making afuss if you don’t react. Let yourchild be hungry sometimes. Ahungry child is a less fussy child.

“After school is a great windowof opportunity to get your child toeat something healthy as theygenerally come home starvinghaving rushed lunch to spend timewith their friends in the playground.

The trouble is most children diveinto the biscuit tin or grab achocolate bar after school. Havesomething ready prepared on thetable. Cut up fruit on a plate ismuch more tempting than fruit in afruit bowl, children like raw vegwith a tasty dip. It’s quick and easyto make delicious wraps, pittapockets or pasta salads and it’s agood idea to have a low shelf in thefridge where children can helpthemselves to tasty healthy snacks.

“If you have a little ‘junk foodjunkie’ who refuses to try anythingnew, play a game where youblindfold your child and give himseveral foods to taste some oldfavourites and some new and see ifhe can identify what they arewithout looking!”

For ideas of tasty recipes you canmake at home get a copy ofAnnabel’s book – After-School MealPlanner”(Ebury Press £14.99) orvisit www.annabelkarmel.com


CHILDCARE

Thechoice isyours

HAVING FUN: A pre-school teacher helps these children with their drawing

STRUGGLING to pay for childcare?There’s a lot of financial help available

for parents, for example:Child Benefit is a tax-free payment that

you can claim for your child. It is usuallypaid every four weeks but in some casescan be paid weekly, and there are separaterates for each child. The payment can beclaimed by anyone who qualifies, whatevertheir income or savings, if they have a childunder 16.

If you’re working, you may be able toclaim tax credits for up to 80% of yourchildcare costs. This could be up to £175for one child or £300 a week (for two ormore children) depending on familyincome.

For more information on tax credits, callthe Tax Credits Helpline on: 0845 3003900

Some employers offer employersupported childcare. This is usually via achildcare voucher scheme or salarysacrifice scheme.

If you are unemployed or work for lessthan 16 hours per week and you have apartner who is in work, with a jointhousehold income of less than £20,000 ayear, you could get free childcare while youtrain and learn for work.

Call Learner Support helpline on 0800121 8989.

Lone parents looking for jobs or trainingmay also be able to get help for childcarecosts through Jobcentre Plus.

If you are a young parent aged under 20you could get help towards childcare costsso you can continue your education ortraining.

Call the Learner Support helpline on0800 121 8989.

All three and four year olds are entitledto a minimum of 12.5 hours FREE earlylearning a week – for 38 weeks a year.

From September 2010, this increases to15 hours a week, to be delivered flexiblyover a minimum of 38 weeks.

Some local authorities run a pilotscheme to provide targeted, free childcarefor two year olds. Places are limited andstrict criteria apply.

For information on childcare availablenear you, and for details of help with costscall Sefton Families Information Service on0800 019 7219 or visit www.sefton.gov.uk/familyinformation or call Liverpool FamiliesInformation Service 0800 085 20 22, orKnowsley Families Information Service on0800 085 2022.

Another useful website ishttp://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/

MONEYMATTERSIF you’re thinking of returning to workafter spending time on maternity leave,one of the biggest challenges facingparents is finding high-quality, affordablechildcare for their children.

The problem is often, not a lack of childcare,but deciding which option to choose from thewide spectrum of facilities available inMerseyside which range from childminders,nannies and nurseries to crèches, playgroupsand au pairs.

All of them could give your child the chanceto make new friends, learn and play in a safe

and structured environment.It’s easy to feel a pang of guilt at the thought

of leaving your child but children can get agreat deal out of structured childcare alongsidethe valuable time they spend with the family.

In fact, good quality childcare can help yourchild to get ahead in reading and numeracyand it also improves their social skills.

To find the best solution for you and yourchild, it is vital to do your research as early aspossible. Find out what is available in yourarea from your local Families InformationService.

From nannies to nurseries, each option hasits own advantages and potential pitfalls. It isimportant to weigh up the pros and cons ofeach childcare setting in order to find anarrangement which both you and your childfeel comfortable with.

Choose Ofsted registered childcare and you’llknow it’s designed to be safe and secure. Youcan also check the childcare facility’s Oftstedreport. Visit www.ofsted.gov.uk

It's always advisable to visit several possibleoptions in your area, taking your child withyou so you can gauge how staff treat your childand if the other children look happy andcontented.

Don't be pressurised by other people's views.Some parents believe that a relaxed, homeenvironment is the best option for their youngchild whereas others would like to introducetheir child to a more educational setting.

Trust your parental instincts and do whatyou feel is best, after all, you are the expert onyour own child!

Once you have chosen your childcare, takeyour child there for a few afternoons to helpthem settle in. They may get upset at leavingyou at first but it won’t be long before they arewaving goodbye cheerfully to you and runningoff to meet their new found friends!

Childcare options available include:● Nurseries

Day nurseries are centres where babies andchildren play and learn with others in astimulating environment. Children are oftengrouped by age and follow a structuredprogramme of activities based around themes -organised by trained workers.● Childminders

Childminders look after children in theirown homes. They are often mothers themselves

and your children will be able to mix and playwith other children in a homely environment,as well as receiving meals and being able tohave a snooze.● Nannies

A nanny will look after your children in yourown home offering an individual care packagewhich may include cooking and cleaning. Theyoften live-in providing flexible hours andbaby-sitting opportunities and become part ofthe family.● Au Pairs

Au pairs are usually foreign nationals whocome and stay in your home to care for yourchildren in return for board and lodging and asmall allowance, as well as the chance to brushup on their English.● Crèches

Crèches are provided by lots of employers,educational institutes and even leisure centresto provide safe supervised care for youngchildren whose parents are involved in anactivity on the same site or close by.● Playgroups

Playgroup offers parents a number ofmorning and afternoon sessions involving playactivities, care and educational experiences forchildren aged two years and nine months tofive years old.● Out of school clubs

Some schools offer clubs and activities toattend before and after school, as well as in theschool holidays.

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TOPTOYS

Teachyourchildthe joyof reading

ACCORDING to worldwide sales ofchildren’s books, the old ones arestill the best with the top five bestselling children’s books of all time, allhaving been written more than 50years ago:● The Little Prince by Antoine deSaint-Exupery published in 1943 hassold over 80 million copies● Heidi by Johanna Spryi was firstpublished in 1880 and has sold morethan 50 million copies● Anne of Green Gables by LucyMaud Montgomery was written in1908 and has sold 50 million copies● Black Beauty by Anna Sewell whowrote the book in 1877, has alsosold 50 million copies all over theworld● Charlotte’s Web by EB Whitewas written in 1952 and has sold 45million copies

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CHEEKY: Books can really fuel your child's imagination suchas this one from Marks & Spencer

BESTSELLERS

BOOK LOVERS: A child readingat one of the Sefton Children'sCentres

DO you remember the delight ofcurling up with your mum or dad as achild and reading your favouritebooks?

Most of us are lucky enough tohave fond memories of reading as achild and have developed a love forbooks which takes us into adulthood.That’s why its important to pass onyour love of reading to your child.

A story at bedtime not only helpsyou to bond and enjoy some qualitytime with your child but it helps yourlittle one to unwind after a busy day.

And reading does wonders fortheir speech and languagedevelopment, not to mention their

understanding of the world, as well asfuelling their imagination.

It can give them a head start inschool and in fact, good reading skillsat an early age have been linked tosuccess in adulthood.

So give your children the gift ofreading.

Hilary Keating is a children’s authorand creative arts consultant for WildAbout Words, an organisation thatworks with children to buildconfidence and raise self-esteemthrough the creative process.

She believes it is vital for childrento read and be read to, from an earlyage. She says: “I think books open

doors to new and amazing worlds.They help us to think, to questionand help children to develop speech,language and listening skills. Booksencourage children to use theirimagination and build relationships –and most of all – they are fun!”

Children’s imaginations arecertainly fascinating. Hilary tells ofhow she recently worked withchildren at Broadgreen PrimarySchool on a project to create abedtime story.

The space-themed story they cameup with was all their own work withHilary using props and everydayobjects to help them.


TOPTOYS

ToysarepartoflearningO

F course, all children loveplaying with their toys. Buttoys can offer childrenmuch more than fun.Through playing with age

appropriate toys, children’s learningand development can be boosted,giving them a good start in life and afirm foundation for further learningand education.

From baby-walkers, which helpyour little one stand up and take theirfirst steps, to plastic drums, whichhelp unleash their musical talents, to

arts and crafts to stimulate theircreativity and imagination and shapesorters which exercise their problemsolving skills – toys can really boostyour child’s development.

But toys can be expensive andthere’s no need to spend a fortune onthe latest must-have toy as often, achild will be more interested in thebox it came in and you can find itemsaround the home, for example, potsand pans which double up as excellentdrum kits – although it can bedeafening for mum and dad!

GARDEN FUN: This outdoor activity centre is ideal for toddlers who loveto explore

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For more details call 0845 838 1314.

■ DiscovernplayLet your child star discover their inner thespian with adrama party!

Organised by Discovernplay, drama parties can beorganised for five to 16-year-olds in Merseyside – at yourown home or a hired venue. There is a choice of packagesfor you to choose from including entertainment, themedcatering and themed gift bags – from cowboys and cowgirlsto High School Musical or mysteries and ghosts.

For more information telephone 07517380079.

■ EckieThumpChildren’sentertainer EckieThump (right)performs funpacked showsand walkaboutentertainmentfeaturing magic,balloons, armpuppets, platespinning, diablosand much more.

Ideal forchildren's partiesEckie Thump canentertain all agesfor an agreedlength of time,either in thehome a functionroom orwherever theparty is beingheld.

For more details telephone 0800 118 26 39 or 07803600022, or visit www.eckiethump.co.uk

■ Photoparty.bizPose like a star while award-winning (and celeb favourite)Andrew John snaps your child and your pals.

Your child can invite their friends to the professionalstudio where they will be photographed like real models incatwalk outfits with glamorous accessories. Participants willreceive a special keepsake photograph of themselves takenat the party.

For more information telephone 0151 527 2065 or visitwww.photoparty.biz

■ Pop Party Liverpool & Mobile in North WestEnglandThe ultimate Pop Party experience! Your child can look, feeland record a CD like a pop star!

Based in Crosby, a stylist, will make all the children look amillion dollars then the children will record eitherindividually, or grouped, singing along to anybacking track/song of their choice, whetherpop, rock or any of their chosenfavourite songs. The childrenreceive a CD of their recording onthe day.

For more informationtelephone 07554 435466 / 07881911734 or visitwww.poppartyuk.co.uk

■ Zap Graffiti ArtsWorkshopsArtists offer a fun session whereyou learn how to create a pieceof graffiti art to take away.

A group of up to 10 cancelebrate an occasion with a realdifference!

For more information call 0772 5122 946 or visitwww.zapgraffiti.com

■ Pink Fitness StudioLearn an MTV Style Dance routine: hip hop, contemporary,street, jazz, rock and roll – your choice.

A buffet style menu is provided and party games (ifrequired). Parties can be in the fully equipped studio inWallasey or mobile. Themed parties also available.

For more information call 0151 346 9649 or visitwww.pinkfitness.org

■ Iron MarshLooking for an activity party for your child?

Marsh Sports at Liverpool John Moores University offersa range of parties at weekends that suit both boys and girlsof all ages. You can choose various activities, such asswimming, football, fun and games and multi-sports. Thereare pool parties available for children over eight who canswim. The parties consist of one hour in the pool followedby one hour in a gym, where food can be eaten and partygames played.

Lifeguards are provided for all parties, along with onemember of staff in the gym.

For more information visit www.ljmu.ac.uk/ECL/MARSH/

■ Hope Park SportsFootie mad kids will love having their birthday party atHope Park Sports, University of Liverpool.

You have the option of a Football Party or a Multi SportsParty, catering for all children between five and 13 years andoffering many sports, much fun and lots of different games.The parties are supervised by Hope Park Sport' SportsCoaches and last for one hour and forty-five minutes.

For more information telephone 0151 794 2000.

■ The Big Red BusChildren can hop aboard a bright red double decker partybus (above) and jump into a ball pool, go down a slide, havea disco or even sing karaoke.

It will give your children an unforgettable time, right ontheir doorstep no matter what the weather or occasion.

For more information telephone 07824 872159.

■ Peaches and CreamIf your daughter is getting too old for pass the parcel,Peaches and Cream offers a range of makeover partypackages to suit all ages.

For more information telephone 0151 4943535.

■ Allsorts of CakesWhy not throw them a ‘make a cake’ party?

Your little darlings can enjoy fabulousmessy fun and get to sample and takehome their own sweet creations!

The make a cake parties take place atAllsorts of Cakes, a new shop whichopened in Formby village last October.

For more information telephone01704 871660 or visitwww.allsortsofcakes.co.uk

WHEN you became aparent, little did youknow that you wouldautomatically become aparty organiser and

kids’ entertainer!But you’ll be organising them most

years of your child’s life so it’s time topractise your party-throwing skills.

Your child will be too young to reallyappreciate the first two or threebirthdays so its best to keep themsmall and close to home at first with afew family and friends.

A first birthday party is more of acelebration for the parents havingsurvived their first year, as the babywill be more interested in crinkling thewrapping paper of their presents!

A small tea party will suffice in yourhome, or if you value your carpets, inthe back garden. A few toys for thechildren will do and if it’s nice,perhaps you could have a paddling poolor ball pool in the back garden?

A few nibbles for the kids, juice andcupcakes and plenty of champagne forthe grown ups will do!

When your child reaches the age ofthree or older, they start to really enjoythings and get excited about theirbirthdays and it becomes a muchbigger occasion. Then, when theyeventually start school, they will wantto invite the whole class.

This is when you really need to putsome thought into the party – youcould hire a children’s entertainer,such as a clown, puppeteer, balloonartist or magician, or if your budgetdoesn’t allow it, rope grandad or uncleBob into donning a clown suit. Justmake sure your party entertainer has acurrent Criminal Records Bureaucertificate.

Face painting is always a big hit, aswell as traditional party games likepass the parcel, musical chairs and pinthe tail on the donkey which never goout of fashion. You could even hire abouncy castle.

You can buy themed partydecorations, from banners andballoons to paper plates and cups inyour child’s favourite character, fromPingu to Dora the Explorer, from

pirates to the popular fairy princesses.Don’t forget the music – there are

some great compilation CDs featuringkids’ party hits so they can dance andlet off some steam.

Avoid spending hours in the kitchenand go for themed party food such asAmerican diner-style homemadeburgers with oven baked potato wedgesand a few cup cakes or jelly andice-cream for dessert. You can alsomake some really healthy smoothies byblitzing some fruit (bananas,strawberries and milk work welltogether) decorated with some funkystraws/umbrellas.

With kids going mad for the latestcraze which is Alice in Wonderland –why not have a Mad Hatter’s tea partytheme for your child’s birthday?

TRENDY: Dressed to party in an outfit from Sainsbury’s

TREAT: There are somefabulous birthday cakes forchildren such as this pink fairycastle creation

PARTY TIME:Having fun is whatit’s all about


PERFECTPARTIES

toperfectpartyskills

FANCY an opportunity to be your ownboss, learn new skills and have fun as youreap the rewards of running your ownbusiness?

Kids Party Club, an established Irishchildren’s entertainment and educationfranchise business, is launching in the UK andis now looking for local franchisees inLiverpool to share in the company’s successand become one of the area’s exclusive KidsParty Club franchisees.

The Kids Party Club franchise packageoffers a unique opportunity to provide funchildren’s parties using the traditional art ofpuppetry in a revived modern format, forboth parties and educational purposes.

Each Kids Party Club show has highproduction values and uses wonderfulpuppets, a large colourful puppet stage and a

professional sound and lighting system toengage children. The interactive shows aresuitable for children aged up to about nineyears old and the parties also include a discoand magic tricks to entertain and delight.

Each franchisee is given an exclusiveterritory and provided with everything theyneed to succeed – puppets, sound andlighting systems, a sales telephone number, awebsite and comprehensive training. Theonly thing that franchisees need to have is acar to transport equipment and, of course, alove of children. All operators arepolice-checked to ensure parents have peaceof mind.● For more information about becoming aKids Party Club franchisee in Liverpool callAdam Clarkson on 0800 032 7866 or visitwww.kidspartyclub.co.uk

But the piece de resistance willbe blowing out the candles on thebirthday cake.

There are some fantasticchildren’s cakes to be found in thesupermarkets but if you want aspecial one-off cake then visit yourlocal cakemakers.

Every children’s character fromIgglepiggle to Postman Pat can befound and they are always open toideas. Just pop in and browsethrough their portfolio or set themthe challenge of making a PeppaPig or Roary the Racing Carconfectionery masterpiece!

Party bags are a must – you canfill them cheaply enough with bitsand bobs, such as little boxes ofraisons, glitter pens, crayons finger

puppets, bubbles etc. HomeBargains is a great place to findlittle party bag fillers.

However, if you shudder at thethought of letting 20 kids loose inyour home there are plenty ofvenues specialising in children’sparties, such as the Yellow SubIndoor Playcentre at BrunswickBusiness Park.

Yellow Sub will allow your childand their friends 60 minutesplaytime in the playcentre, and 30minutes in you own exclusiveparty room where they can enjoytasty treats, such as a fruit platterwith a chocolate dip.

There are a few playcentres inLiverpool offering children’sparties, such as Jungle Fun in

Childwall and Fun Town inGarston. See our panel on the leftfor more ideas.

This saves you the hassle ofhaving to decorate your home anddoing the washing up afterwards!

The key to organising asuccessful kids’ party is to startearly and break down your ‘to do’list into bite sized chunks so it’snot a mad, last-minute rush. Getyour child to help by making theinvitations.

Or, if you’re feeling flush, whynot sit back and let a qualifiedparty organiser do all the hardwork? There are lots of companiesout there who specialise inorganising kids parties – fromjewellery making to little girls’make-over parties, and evenScalextric which little boys willlove!

A spokeswoman at the Busy BeePromotions which specialises inproviding entertainers forchildren’s parties, says: “Magic,music, games and balloons arealways popular but a growingtrend is craft parties. Children justlove cutting out, gluing, stickingand making things.”

Another big hit with children isto hire a limo – there are a fewcompanies in the North Westwhich will provide a driver andlimo.

One thing’s for sure, its always agood idea to leave opening thepresents to after all the partyguests have gone. That way, yourchild will still have something tolook forward to when theexcitement’s all over and you cankeep tabs on who gave them what,which is handy when it comes tothe thank you cards.

FLORAL: Cake stand, priced £15, from Marks & Spencer

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Blowing out the candles on the cake is a must at a child’sparty

REWARDING: Kids Party Club is look for local franchisees in Liverpool

HOWTOBECOMEAPARTYORGANISER


FAMILYDAYSOUT

FamilyfundaysT

HE Easter holidays will soon beupon us which means a whole weekof freedom for our children. Butcabin fever can quickly set in ifthey get bored so it’s a good idea to

line up some great days out.Luckily, Liverpool has plenty to keep little

brains occupied with a wealth of family funattractions.

You could expand their grey matter with atrip to museum, catch a game of sport, getarty at a gallery, enjoy a trip on a ferry. Thelist is endless...

Here’s some ideas of fun things to do for allages.● Walker Art Gallery

Unleash your youngsters’ creative sideswith a trip to the Walker Art Gallery.

The Walker is home Big Art for LittleArtists a special gallery designed tointroduce children up to the age of eight toart through fun activities, books, jigsaws andcomputers.

Children can create their own art, dress upas characters from the Walker’s paintings,write their own stories, watch videosinspired by the paintings or even pose on athrone.

Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street,Liverpool, L3 8EL. Tel: 0151 478 4199,www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk● Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool offers a range of activitiesfor children and adults to explore together.

These include drop-in activities forchildren aged five-12 with accompanyingadults every Sunday between 2.30pm and4.30pm, plus special activities for schoolholidays.

Don’t miss Tate Explorers, every Saturdayand Sunday, from 1.30pm-4.30pm.

There’s also Tales at Tate on the firstSaturday of each month with storyteller JohnHughes and an opportunity to Tell YourStory on Saturday, April 3 – Sunday, April 11,from 11am –4pm.

During the Easter holidays, there’s lots ofevents linked to the Afro Modern: Journeysthrough the Black Atlantic exhibition.

Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L34BB. Tel: 0151 702 7400,www.tate.org.uk/families/events/liverpool/● Plantastic!

Discover the secret world of plants inPlantastic!, an exhibition for all the family atWorld Museum Liverpool.

Enter a magical realm with giant leafycanopies, massive seed pods, huge rootsystems and strange man-made trees.

Some 40 exciting interactive displays helpexplain how we use plants in our daily lifeand show that plants are essential for theplanet’s survival.

The exhibition is on until September 5.

World Museum Liverpool, William BrownStreet, Liverpool, L3 8EN. Tel: 0151 478 4393,www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml● National Wildflower Centre

Set in a tranquil Victorian park, theNational Wildflower Centre is a beautifulvisitor attraction with a difference.

With the emphasis on creativeconservation and putting wildflowers backinto Britain, the centre has seasonalwildflower demonstration areas, a workinggarden nursery, childrens' play area,exhibitions and interactive informationabout wildflowers.

National Wildflower Centre, Court HeyPark, Roby Road, Liverpool, L16 3NA. Tel:0151 738 1913, www.nwc.org.uk● The Bugworld Experience

If your little darlings are into creepycrawlies then they will be in their elementwith a visit to The BugWorld Experience.

BugWorld is the only place in Europewhere you can see the likes of death stalkerscorpions, giant centipedes, assassin bugsand the stunning Gooty ornamental spider.

Learn about these fascinating creatures onyour amazing adventure through eightdifferent zones.

Learn about the wonderful world of bugsthrough interactive games – play againstbrothers, sisters, friends or even the wholefamily with multi-player challenges

Get up close and personal with yourfavourite critters when you get the chance tohandle some of our creepy crawly friends

Take your very own Bushtucker Trial &sample insect delicacies from around theworld, such as giant toasted ants or chocolatecovered scorpion!

The Bugworld Experience, The Grand Hall,Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AA. Tel: 0151 7084938, www.bugworldexperience.co.uk● Croxteth Hall Country Park

Young animal lovers can make some furryfriends at Croxteth Hall Country Park overEaster.

They can get close to the animals at HomeFarm, a real working farm on the countryestate featuring cows, pigs, horses, sheep,and much more.

And at this time of year, there’s often lotsof baby animals, especially Middle Whitepiglets.

There is also a miniature railway, highrope adventure course (Jungle Parc) and aRiding Centre.

Croxteth Hall & Country Park, MuirheadAvenue East, Liverpool, L12 0HB. Tel: 0151233 6910.● Knowsley Safari Park

Your cheeky monkeys will love a trip toKnowsley Safari Park where they can viewall kinds of animals from African wild dogsto lions, tigers, elephants, rhinos, meerkats,sea lions and much more.

If you drive through, the baboons oftenclimb over your car so you can see themreally close and watch their funny antics.There are lots of other attractions too such asamusement rides, bug house, Mizzy LakeFarm and a sea lion show.

Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot, L34 4AN.Tel: 0151 430 9009.● Liverpool Cathedral

Introduce your little ones to the awesome

PRENTON PREPARATORY SCHOOLMount Pleasant, Oxton, Wirral, CH43 5SY • (Girls and Boys 2 - 11 years)

Accredited by the Independent Schools CouncilAt Prenton Prep, we provide:• A happy and caring

atmosphere;• Traditional teaching;• Small classes;• Dedicated and highly

experienced staff;• A firm but fair discipline;

• High academic standards andexcellent results at 11+;

• Various clubs and sportingactivities;

• Pre and after school care;

• Nursery Grant available for 3and 4 year olds.

For an information pack please call the School Secretary on:0151 652 3182 or email: [email protected] • www.prentonprep.co.uk

12/

Prenton Prep is an independent co-educational school founded in 1935.

Well known for its friendly atmosphere, theschool maintains a sound traditionalapproach to education and behaviourwhile reinforcing social skills, respect andconsideration for others.

The headteacher belongs to theIndependent Schools Association, aregulating body through which the schoolgains many advantages such as regularinspections as well as cultural andsporting fixtures both at local and nationallevel.

The Pre-School is housed on the gardenfloor with access onto the lawns,providing a safe haven where children canlearn and play. Each child is assessed inthe first few weeks and individualprogrammes of work are established, withongoing monitoring.

In Key Stages 1 and 2 all pupils areprovided with a curriculum appropriate totheir needs and potential.

Proiority is given to develop the skills ofliteracy and numeracy. The NationalCurriculum forms the basis of the work inmost subjects, with pupils taking the endof key stage tests.

Mr. M.T.R Jones


FAMILYDAYSOUT

RAINYDAYSthisEaster

spectacle that is Liverpool Cathedral.The cathedral features a specially

recorded audio tour for children. Narratedby one of the cathedral’s 11-year oldchoristers, it is full of stories, fascinatingfacts, activities and music.

What’s more, the cathedral’s newestvisitor attraction – a big screen ‘fly through’film in HD – offers an exhilarating10-minute panoramic film which includes a‘fly through’ the cathedral andhelicopter-aerial shots of the city.

Liverpool Cathedral, St James’ Mount,Liverpool, L1 7AZ. Tel: 0151 709 6271,www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk● Speke Hall

A fabulous place to visit in Speke, thisTudor house is one of the most outstandingexamples of a timber-framed building.

Dating back to 1490, Speke Hall is ownedby The National Trust and contains lots ofintriguing interior secrets, such as thesecret priest's hole and “thunderbox” toilet.

Located on the banks of the Mersey, theestate also features fine Victorian gardens,

woodland walks and, during the summer, agiant garden maze.

Smell, see and hear the history of thisextraordinary house with the new SensoryTrail.

Speke Hall, The Walk, Liverpool L24 1XD.Tel: 0844 800 4799, www.nationaltrust.org.uk● The Beatles Story

Composing a Beatles-inspired melody ona giant piano, learning about the life ofJohn Lennon by designing a Pop Artpainting, editing a 1960s newspaperinterview with the band: The Beatles Storyin Liverpool offers ideas right across thecurriculum.

With John Lennon and The Beatles nowfeaturing on the National Curriculum,Merseyside visitor attraction – the BeatlesStory - has launched an interactiveDiscovery Zone which allows children toconnect with the music of the Fab Four, thetimes they lived in and their influentiallegacy in a way never possible before,building on the educational value of thewhole attraction.

Children can discover what it was like tobe a teenager in the 1950s and ‘60s, learnabout the fame and culture of the Beatlesand how their worlds changed asBeatlemania took hold.

The Beatles Story, Britannia Vaults,Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AD. Tel: 0151709 1963, www.beatlesstory.com● Albert Dock

The Albert Dock is a fabulous place totake the children where they can enjoysome nautical fun spotting all the differenttypes of boats from tug boats to tall shipsand there’s a wealth of family friendlyattractions.● Merseyside Maritime Museum

Find out how heavy a diver's helmet is,ring a ship's bell or take the helm at a ship'swheel at the Sea Urchins play area atMerseyside Maritime Museum

Aimed at eight-years and under, SeaUrchins offers free maritime-themedactivities from activity sheets to storybooks.

Youngsters can have fun dressing inseafaring-themed costumes - they couldpose as a lobster, a mermaid, a sailor oreven a pirate.

Sea Urchins is on the first floor ofMerseyside Maritime Museum, in the Lifeat Sea gallery. Visitwww.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk● Yellow Duckmarine

Kids will love a trip on the YellowDuckmarine.

Board the authentic World War II landingvehicle at the Albert Dock and enjoy anhour-long trip by road taking in the historicwaterfront, touring the famous sights of thecity, before making a dramatic splashdownin the Salthouse Dock. It’s an amazingdockland adventure you’ll never forget!

Open all year round from 9am until duskThe Yellow Duckmarine, 32 Anchor

Courtyard, Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock,Liverpool, L3 4AS. Tel: 0151 708 7799,www.theyellowduckmarine.co.uk● The Big Mersey Adventure

The Big Mersey Adventure down at thePier Head is a nautical treat for any youngexplorer. You can experience life under thesea, in outer space and even travel back intime with Merseytravel.

Embark on the 50-minute River ExplorerCruise on the Mersey Ferry. Stop off atSpaceport (Seacombe FerryTerminal) toexplore the solar system.

At The U-boat Story (Woodside FerryTerminal) discover life on board a realGerman U-boat and celebrate the music ofthe Fab Four at the Beatles Story Pier Head(Pier Head Ferry Terminal) at Fab4D; amultisensory 4-Dimensional experience.

For more information, call 0151 330 1444or visit www.thebigmerseyadventure.co.uk

HERE’S some ideas of where to takeyour little ones during those Aprilshowers!● Underwater Street is aunique hands-on discoverycentre for families ofchildren aged up to 10.

Divided into six fascinatingzones, you can paint a car, stepinside a giant bubble, pan forgold, watch a volcano erupt, make afridge magnet, build a house, dig for fossils, dress up,test your senses, crawl through a dark cave, be a star inthe television studio, and much more.

Visit www.underwaterstreet.com for moreinformation or telephone 0151 227 2550.● Yellow Sub indoor play centre is a great place to goto tire the little ones out.

Located at Brunswick Business Park, this fantasticchildren’s soft play centre boasts some 14,000 squarefeet of space crammed with slides, climbing walls andplay frames for the older kids and a special dedicatedtoddlers’ play area.

For more information visit www.yellowsub.co.uk ortelephone 08444 120 850.

Check out Funtown, a new and welcome addition toGarston in south Liverpool.

Offering a whole range of indoor play activities forchildren, from the age of zero up to 12 years old, thereis something to suit kids of all ages. As well as fabulousslides, there is a ball pool and specially-constructedclimbing areas, and even a dedicated toddler spacewhere your little ones can play in a completely separateand safe area.

For more information, call 08445 679677 or visitwww.funtownliverpool.co.uk.● Take your little monkeys to Jungle Fun on top ofBelle Vale Shopping Centre for the ultimate in indoorplay for children and adults alike. As well as a seven foottall adventure area designed to let the grown ups join inthe fun, there are massive slides, climbing areas, a sportzone, a ball pool and a special toddlers’ play area.

For more information telephone 0151 498 4770 orgo to www.junglefun.co.uk.

DAYS OUT: There’s so much tochoose from in Liverpool and thesurrounding area

RAINY DAY: There’s fun to be had even if itrains at the Yellow Sub indoor play centre(above) or at the newly-opened Funtown inGarston


Makingthebestchoices

SCHOOLDAYS

LEARNING: Three students studying together TECHNOLOGY: A teacher instructing students how to use computers

QUESTION TIME: Hands up who knows the answer?

TO give your child the beststart in life, you need togive them a good education.And so choosing the rightschool will be one of the

most important decisions you willmake for your child.

In order to ensure that your childgets a place in your chosen primaryschool, you need to apply well inadvance.

Don’t presume that if your childgoes to a nursery linked to a schoolthat he or she will automatically get aplace – you will still need to apply.

The www.direct.gov.uk website hasa really useful section where you cansearch for schools near you, just bytyping in your postcode.

You can also contact your localauthority and ask for a list of schoolsin your area.

Once you have a shortlist of schoolswithin a short distance of you home,you need to do your homework andfind out as much as you can aboutthem before making your decision.

You can also get a copy of theschool’s prospectus from your localauthority or library.

You need to look at the school’sperformance, test results and Ofstedreports. Ofsted is the official bodywhich inspects and regulates schoolsand you can read the schools’ latestreports on its website atwww.ofsted.gov.uk

You also need to consider your

child’s personality and their needsand if both parents are working, youmay need to find a school whichoffers breakfast and after schoolclubs.

It’s vitally important that yourchild feels happy with your choice ofschool, you may want them to go tothe school with the best reputationbut if their friends are all going to adifferent school, they might feel morecomfortable going to the same one astheir friends.

It’s always good to visit the schoolin person and get a feel for it. Mostschools have open days or evenings,providing a good opportunity to seeschools at their best, to tour theschool, meet staff and have a look atchildren's work.

Try and gauge how welcoming theschool feels, what facilities does ithave? Can you see the children’s workon display.

If your child is very bright, showsparticular patterns of behaviour orhas special needs, it's important tofind a school that will be able to givethem the necessary support.

You also need to think about howeasy it will be to travel to and fromthe school.

Once you have decided whichschool will be best for your littledarling, you need to apply for a placein the autumn term a year beforeyour child is due to start. Don’t belate or you might miss out on a place.


TOPTIPSFROMREALPARENTSANDUSEFULCONTACTS

CHILDLINE www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk 0800 800 500British Association for Early Childhood Educationwww.early-education.org.uk 0207 539 5400Daycare Trust www.daycaretrust.org.uk 0207 8403350Home Education Advisory Service www.heas.co.uk01707 371 854National Council for One-Parent Familieswww.oneparentfamilies.org.uk 0800 185 026Relate www.relate.org.uk 0208 367 7712Gingerbread www.gingerbread.org.uk 0800 0184318Working Families www.workingfamilies.org.uk 0207628 2128Dadtalk www.dadtalk.co.uk

LAST month, Parentline Plus introduced afree new online live chat service thatenables parents and carers to chat instantlyto Parentline Plus’ trained advisorsregarding any parenting or family issues.

The live chat servicewww.parentlineplus.org.uk/livechat isavailable Monday to Thursday(9am-4.30pm) and Friday (9am-12.30pm)with all chats kept confidential betweenparents and the Parentline Plus onlinesupport team.

Parents that require support outside livechat opening hours, can call the free,confidential, 24 hour Parentline on 0808800 2222 or [email protected]

NEED some parenting tips or information onchildcare provision?

Then contact your local Families InformationService (FIS), a central information point whichcovers everything from pregnancy, through topre-school and teens.

Every local authority has a FIS whose role is tomake sure parents have all the information theyneed about services for children and young people.

They have a huge bank of information and canhelp with queries ranging from questions aboutstarting and moving through school or parenting andfamily support services.

You can also find out what’s going on locally anddiscover leisure opportunities and events for kids Sogive your local service a call and they will puttogether an information pack, which will be tailored

to suit your specific needs.The best thing is... the service is completely FREE!To contact your nearest FIS call:Sefton is 0800 0197 219

www.sefton.gov.uk/familyinformationLiverpool 0800 085 20 22 www.liverpool.gov.ukKnowsley 0800 085 20 22

www.knowsleychildren.org.uk

Whatotherparentssay

COUNT THE STAIRS: Elaine Sumner withher son Will

NAVIGATING your way throughparenthood, especially if it’s yourfirst baby, doesn’t come easy andnew mums and dads often findthemselves entering unchartered

waters.There’s all kinds of challenges ahead – from

colic and teething to potty training - if onlychildren were born with a handbook attached!

When it comes to dishing out some goodadvice on handling situations such asseparation anxiety and toddler tantrums, whobetter to ask than parents themselves?

Here’s some pearls of wisdom fromMerseyside parents who aim to steer you inthe right direction…● Jayne Moore, director of AgentMarketing, from Kensington, is mum totwo-year-old Georgia.

“We’re going through the ‘terrible twos’ atthe moment, explains Jayne.

“The best advice I can offer is to set up a‘naughty corner.’ When Georgia is naughtyand hits people, we ask her to apologise.

“If she won’t then we make her go to thenaughty corner. Being a happy child, shedoesn’t like being there long, so she sayssorry very quickly.

“I think kids are so smartthat they knowhow far you will bepushed. You don’tneed to shout, justkeep calm and theresults you get areamazing!”

Jayne alsoadvises parents tostick together. “Ithink the bestadvice is to besupportive of yourpartner and don’tcontradict what theyare doing – this isless easy when youare tired!” Jayneadmits.”

“Back each otherup and make surethat the little monstercan’t work betweenyou! Kids know whenthere is a gap so theywill work it outquickly so you have tobe consistent.”

● Ben Davis fromAigburth, owner of Ben

Davis Property Management company, is dadto two-year-old Lauren.

He feels it is really important to establish adaily routine for your child as early aspossible.

He says: “This can be difficult when you'rejuggling work and childcare but it is worth itif you can get your child into a routine earlyon.

“Children are creatures of habit and seemto benefit from having a regular routine. Italso makes bedtime so much easier if yourchild has a ritual which they follow eachnight.

“It can encourage them to sleep better aswell and anything that helps parents get moresleep is a winner in my book!"

● Michelle Rushton, feature writer at theLiverpool Daily Post & Echo, is mum to18-month-old Daniel.

She is a big advocate of singing to calmyour child down and help them to settle.

“I remember when Daniel wasthree-weeks-old and suffering with colic,pacing up and down trying to soothe him andhelp him to sleep.

“My mum took over and started to sing – itworked by magic!

“I still sing to himnow – if he’s overtiredand won’t go to sleep –the old favouritescome out – RockabyeBaby, TwinkleTwinkle Little Star,You Bring MeSunshine…

“And you don’thave to have a goodvoice. Believe me, I’mno KatherineJenkins!”

● Sian Aldridge,who works at theRoyal Sun Alliance,and is mum tothree-year-old Jack,has some real gems.

“If your toddler isa poor eater, ask allyour friends tocome over andwhen all the kidssit to eat togetherit's amazing howthey copy eachother.

“Another goodtrick is to give

children atoothbrush to playwith from a veryyoung age. It helpswith teething andwhen you come toactually have to clean their teeth, it's not asalien to them and they don’t reject the toothbrush as much.”

As Sian has been potty training Jackrecently, she recommends: “To get boys to weein the toilet – throw a ping pong ball downand get the child to aim at it.

“Blowing bubbles whilst sat on the pottygenerally achieves a wee too – it’s somethingto do with breathing.”

● Elaine Sumner, a set designer forHollyoaks, who lives in Mossley Hill, is mumto 18-month-old Will.

She says: “To help your child learn tocount, count the stairs as you take him up tobed or count out toys and sweets.”

And she has a great use for the baby bathwhen your child outgrows it. “Old baby bathsmake great outdoor toys. In the summer, fill itwith a little water, throw in some plastic cupsand some toys and bingo – hours of fun!”

● Mike Lauchlan, a maintenance man at theJacaranda, and dad to 18-month-old Lloyd, hasadvice on protecting your TV equipment.

“Lloyd was fascinated with the Sky box andDVD player and kept pressing all the buttons,not to mention ramming toast and all kinds ofitems into our old video recorder.

“It got to the point where we thought hewas going to break them, so we covered theTV stand containing all the equipment with atablecloth.

“It might look a bit odd in the living roombut it certainly distracts Lloyd’s attentionfrom the DVD player and will hopefullyensure our equipment lasts, until he’s oldenough to know better!”

● Simon Melhuish, a designer at city-centrebased, Brava Design, is dad to three-year-oldEleanor and Theo, aged nine months.

He waxes lyrical about the importance ofsitting down together to enjoy familymealtimes. He says: “We endeavour to sitdown and eat as many meals together aspossible, not always easy or achievable, butit’s amazing how open to new foods childrenbecome when they see you eating them too.”

● Steven Mannion, senior graphic designerat city-centre based, Brava Design, is dad tofive-year-old Tom and three-year-old Jack.

He advises: “On days out explore the city,find as many parks and fun things, you willbe amazed how many are free and make a

picnic which is the healthier, cheaper option,get them to make the picnic with you.

“Cook with them, get the children involvedand make fun messy dishes with them.

“If they have computer games – limit theirtime on them, make them earn their time onthem with good behaviour, a reward for littlejobs around the house and show them oldschool games like “Sonic” and “Mario” whichare less violent and if you have an Xbox thereare free demos available.

“Make them earn their pocket moneyand get them to understand the concept of‘things cost money.’

And lastly: “Switch off from work... youhave so little time with them, so make surethey get 100% of you.”

HELP:Youdon’tneed todo it allon yourown

DISTRACTION: Mike Lauchlan with18-month-old Lloyd

USEFULCONTACTS FAMILIES INFORMATIONSERVICE PARENTLINEPLUS

TERRIBLE TWOS: Jayne Moore and herdaughter Georgia


Date post:	23-Mar-2016
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Family First - Liverpool ECHO supplement

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