Welcome to the tenth edition of the Children's Centres newsletter!
We are preparing to reopen our children’s centres and will be holding some events in local parks and some in our buildings. We are giving priority to activities that can be run in small groups, such as 'Sharing Their World' and also to non-walkers groups, as there are so many families with babies who haven’t been able to go out and meet others. There are also a number of services run by external providers that will be coming back shortly. These include our Baby Cafes, Perinatal Mental Health and Midwifery services.
Whilst the rules on social distancing remain in place, we will need to restrict the number of families who attend our activities, so will be asking everyone to book. In addition (and to support track and trace), everyone attending will need to register with Hounslow Children’s Centres.
As the summer draws nearer, we will also be working with some local attractions to put on some fun activities for families. Please look out for the events that we will be advertising on the FSD, that will take place at the London Museum of Water and Steam, as well as Chiswick House and Gardens.
We hope you have a lovely month of May!
Children's Centre schedule
For all sessions, workshops and courses please see our schedule of activities.
This schedule includes activities from 3 May to 27 August 2021. There are however, more sessions being planned and further information on these sessions will be included in an updated schedule. The most up to date schedule can be found on the Children's Centre home page, on the Family Services Directory.
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Free workshops, courses and parenting groups
Please note: all sessions are virtual and are delivered through Microsoft Teams. To register your interest for any of the above workshops and courses, please complete our short sign-up form.
If you have any further questions regarding these courses, please send an email to Vicky.burns@hounslow.gov.uk
Parenting Groups
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Practical Parenting (2 to 4 years) - 4 week, free parenting group by referral. Beginning on Tuesday 22 June to 13 July, 10 - 11.00am. Closing date to refer to this group is Monday 14 June - This parenting group covers; understanding your child’s ages and stages of development, the ways in which we communicate, the importance of play and how to set boundaries and routines. There will be opportunities every week to ask parenting questions.
To refer a family or to self-refer to this group, please complete an online 'parenting group referral form'. If you have any queries regarding this group, please contact Jennie.pipe@hounslow.gov.uk.
Coming soon!
- Weaning Workshop
- Preparing Your Child For Nursery
- Potty and Toilet Training
- Food Portions
- Communication and Language part 1
- Communication and Language part 2
- Take a Minute
- Knowing Your Money
For further information on these courses, please see our schedule. If you have any further questions regarding these courses, please send an email to Vicky.burns@hounslow.gov.uk.
Fun days
London Museum of Water & Steam, Brentford
Children's Centres will be running a fun day on Thursday 27 May, at the London Museum of Water & Steam. The day will be divided into two sessions: Morning session: 9.45am -12.30pm and afternoon session: 1.15pm - 4pm. There will be two timed entry slots for each session, to help manage social distancing and enable us to welcome more families.
This is by bookings only. Bookings open on Monday 24 May, at 10am to 2pm. The number to book is 020 8583 5601 and 020 8583 5602.
The following activities will be available on the day:
- Steam hall
- Water work hall
- Water garden/Splash zone
- Garden (there will be some umbrellas for shade)
- Storytelling, and song time outside
Please bring a change of clothes on the day!
Chiswick Park and Gardens Fun day
We will be running a fun day at Chiswick Park and Gardens on Wednesday 2 June. This will be by bookings only. Further details are to follow.
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Special events, celebrations and themes in May
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3 May - May Day
- National Walking Month
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3 to 9 May - National Sun Awareness Week
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3 to 9 May - Children’s Book Week
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3 to 9 May - Deaf Awareness Week
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5 May - Global Hand Hygiene Day
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7 May - Space Day
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10 - 16 May - National Vegetarian Week
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13 - 16 May - Eid
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16 May - National Children’s Day UK
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16 - 18 May - Shavuot
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17 May - 17 June - National Smile Month
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Activity videos on Facebook
The London Borough of Hounslow has got a Children and Families Information Facebook Page!
We post videos of different activities including song time, story time and activities for you to try at home.
If you would like to follow this page, search 'London Borough of Hounslow - Children and Families Information'.
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Get Involved!
Your feedback matters!
Have you taken part in our online offer? Do you have any suggestions or ideas on future services? If yes, please complete our online feedback form.
Thank you!
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You said we did...
Every Month we encourage families to make suggestions and give feedback on our online offer. We can appreciate nothing will beat going to a Children's Centre in person, but we were so pleased to receive lots of positive feedback. Thank you for all your contributions!
Here are some of the comments we have received:
'The live sessions are too good'
'Lovely.. you all are doing very good work. I really get some new ideas to teach my son. great work. God bless you'
'Outstanding. you all are very good'
'Have really enjoyed getting to know other parents and children as well as the staff during these valuable and enjoyable sessions'
'Easter bonnets was fantastic session.. cook along 2nd session was outstanding. I really enjoyed it.. story & Rhymes..an egg hunt it was awesome'
We also received some feedback and suggestions to help improve the quality of our online offer and sessions. Here is what you said and what we did:
'Would be great if other experts such as speech and language and occupational therapist, paediatricians could talk to us. We once had a dental expert speaking to us during sharing our world session which was very helpful' - This is being followed up and we will be holding Oral hygiene sessions again soon!
Swap Shop
As our Family Store, clothes and toy bank is still closed, we have created a way for families to give away items and request for things that's needed.
We can accept items such as clothing, toys, baby equipment (except for Car Seats and cot mattresses) in good and reasonable condition. Every month we will advertise these items.
Send us an email with the items you would like to give away or you need, to Minal.Shah@hounslow.gov.uk. We will then share your details with the appropriate match. Please ensure the items you request is age appropriate for your child.
Please follow local guidelines, if you are collecting or delivering items, ensure it is a safe location and social distancing is maintained. Clean and disinfect any item you intend to give it away. If you receive any item, make sure that you clean it before using it.
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WOW! moments
Most children have spent the last few months at home, learning new skills and reaching new milestones. Whether they have been budding new artists, building, cooking or simply playing; please share these special moments with us! You can do this by sending us your child’s name and age and a picture and/or description of their ‘WOW moment’ to Minal.Shah@hounslow.gov.uk. We will showcase the photos in our next month’s newsletter. If you would like to remain anonymous, please let us know.
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Quote of the Month
'To the world you may just be one person.
But to one person you may just be the world'
Dr. Seuss
Monthly mindfulness activity
Make your mind garden beautiful – to grow happy thoughts
There is a garden in your mind, made by all your thoughts. Thoughts you enjoy plant the seeds for flowers you love. Worries or nasty thoughts plant the seeds for weeds. Now every garden has weeds so it’s not about eliminating unhappy thoughts, but you can choose where you direct the sun and water by nurturing the thoughts that help you feel good. It all comes down to where you place your attention so choose wisely to grow a beautiful mind garden.
This activity and more can be found on the BBC good food website - 10 mindfulness activities for kids.
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'Tasty' App
Meet your new cooking coach! Over 4000 Tasty recipes now at your fingertips; an innovative Step-By-Step instruction mode; a ‘My Recipes’ page which serves as your very own mobile cookbook, and an incredible Search tool that allows you to filter by any ingredients, cuisine and social occasion you’re in the mood for!
On Apple devices please download in the App Store and for Android Google Play.
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Starting Nursery in a Hounslow School – September 2021
Children born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018 will be eligible to start in the nursery class of a Hounslow school in September 2021.
Applications will close on 7 May 2021 and forms are available from our website www.hounslow.gov.uk/nurseryadmissions
This year, due to Covid-19, we are not encouraging parent/carers to attend schools to collect the application form, so please download your application form from our website.
Please contact your preferred schools with any queries.
Starting school in Hounslow – Reception 2021
Starting school in Hounslow – Reception 2021
If your child was born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 they will start school in September 2021.
Applications have now closed but you must still make a late application so that your child has a school place for September.
Information and the link to make an application can be found on our website http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/primaryadmissions
If you need help or have any queries, contact the School Admissions Team on 020 8583 2721 or admissions@hounslow.gov.uk
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Childcare options
Can’t decide on what childcare you want or need for September? Watch this video to help you make the best choice for you and your child. You can find all your local childcare providers by visiting www.hounslow.gov.uk/childcare. Alternatively, please call Hounslow’s Family Information Service on 020 8583 3470.
Free childcare for 2, 3 and 4 year olds
- Did you know that some 2 year olds can get up to 15 hours a week free or funded childcare and early learning at an Ofsted registered private day nursery, pre-school or with a childminder?
- All 3 and 4 year olds, regardless of the parents’ immigration status, can get up to 15 hours free and funded education each week for 38 weeks from the term after their third birthday.
- Working parents of 3 and 4 year olds may be entitled to an additional 15 hours of free and funded childcare each week (1,140 hours per year). You may be able to get free and funded childcare for 51 weeks if you use fewer than 30 hours per week. Check with your childcare provider to find out if this is something they offer.
- Contact the Family Information Service to find out more – 020 8583 3470 or fis@hounslow.gov.uk
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Free rapid tests – May Bank Holiday opening hours
If you don’t have COVID-19 symptoms, getting tested twice a week will help you to protect yourself and your family and you will still be able to get tested during the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Please make a note of the opening hours for the following sites:
- Heston Library – New Heston Road, Hounslow TW5 0LW
- Hounslow House – 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
- Isleworth Library – Twickenham Road, Isleworth TW7 7EU
- Staines Rugby Club, Snakey Lane, Feltham TW13 7NB
Opening times:
- Saturday (1 May) - Open - 8.00am-4.00pm
- Sunday (2 May) - Open - 8.00am-4.00pm
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Bank Holiday Monday (3 May) – All sites (including our Mobile Testing Units) will be closed with the exception of Heston Library which will be OPEN (6:30am–7.30pm).
In the meantime, we’re open as usual, so please drop-in, or book online here http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/rapidtest or call to make an appointment: 0207 084 9697
Hounslow EU settlement service
Do you need help with your application? If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national you and your family members must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 to continue living, working and studying in the UK.
The service offers access to free immigrations support for vulnerable residents to apply for settled or pre-settled status in the UK. Vulnerable residents include:
- Victims of domestic violence
- Victims of modern slavery and human trafficking
- Children and young people living in care
- Disabled/seriously ill people
- Residents in care homes
- Homeless people
What is the EU Settlement Scheme? If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national then the Settlement Scheme allows you and your family members to continue to live, work and study in the UK after we leave the EU. Registration also means you will remain eligible for:
- Public services, such as healthcare and schools
- Public funds and pensions
- British citizenship, if you want to apply and meet the requirements
Most people can apply online at EU Settle Gov, but for those who are vulnerable or have other questions, free and confidential support is available through Hounslow’s Citizens Advice Call 0300 300 1185 or email HounslowCAB.
Walk and Talk
The NCT Birth and Beyond Community Supporter Project is now offering support to all mothers who live in Hounslow, are pregnant or have a child under 2.
They have introduced their Walk and Talk programmes in Feltham, Isleworth and have just begun a Walk and Talk in Brentford, Boston Manor Park on a Wednesday morning. These have been popular and well attended, especially as the weather has got warmer.
'We would love to see lots of local mums with us for these walks. You don’t have to feel alone! Come and meet our lovely volunteers and other local mothers'.
Times/dates are as follows:
Redlees Park, Isleworth -10:30 on Tuesday Mornings
Boston Manor Park -10:30 on Wednesday Mornings
Feltham Park - 10:30 on Friday Mornings
If you would like to join, please text or call Grace on 07732690817.
They can also be found on Facebook @Birthandbeyondhounslowandfeltham
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Half Term event at the London Museum of Water and Steam
All aboard! Next stop is half term fun at the London Museum of Water & Steam! Join them every day for wonderful train themed activities including storytelling, crafts and model railways.
Beginning Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June, 10am – 4pm. Normal admission applies; please check their website here https://waterandsteam.org.uk/, for booking information.
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