Welcome to the eleventh edition of the Children's Centres newsletter!

As you will have seen from our schedule, we are now running some face-to-face sessions alongside our online timetable. It has been a real pleasure for all of us to welcome children and their families back into our buildings. We will add more sessions to the schedule as and when we plan new activities or outside organisations (particularly those related to Health) confirm when they would like to return to our centres. 

Whilst the rules on social distancing remain in place, we will need to restrict the number of families who attend our activities and have therefore introduced a booking system. In order to book on to a session, you will first need to register with Hounslow Children’s Centres, so that we have your details to support Track and Trace. We have introduced QR codes to help make this process easier, but if you do have any questions about this, please let us know.  We are finding that we are receiving a high volume of calls from parents wishing to book on to our activities, so please bear with us if you can’t  get through the first time. We will be introducing improvements to our booking system and hope to move over to an online booking system over the coming months.

We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our Fun Days at the Steam Museum and Chiswick House, as well as our buggy walks.

We hope that you enjoy the month of June and that we can finally put our umbrellas away!

What's on?

Children's Centre schedule  For all sessions, workshops and courses please see full 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.

Baby Massage face-to-face Baby massage teaches parents how to massage their babies (6 weeks to 6 months), using safe and easy massage techniques. This session will be run across two areas in the borough (Central and East). For times, dates and booking details, please see the Children's Centre - baby massage page.

Buggy Walks with Children's Centre Staff

Buggy walks are a great opportunity for parents and young children to be outside, meet new people, share experiences and gain support from our Children's Centre Practitioners.

Buggy Walks are being held at:

• Inwood Park - Monday 7th June, 2pm – 3pm

• Beaversfield Park - Monday 24th May, 1.30 – 2.30pm

• Lampton Park, Monday 21st June 1.30 – 2.30pm

• Bedfont Lakes - Thursday 17th June, Times are TBC

• Crane Park - Thursday 15th July, Times are TBC

Numbers are limited, please book to avoid disappointment. To book please call  020 8583 5602 on Monday - Friday, 10am-2pm

Free workshops and courses in June

Workshops

• Weaning Workshop - Thursday 10 June, 1 - 2pm - This workshop covers the basics of weaning, including when you should start, portion sizes, suitable foods, baby led versus ‘traditional weaning’. There will be an opportunity during this workshop for parents and carers to ask questions. 
• Preparing Your Child for Nursery - Thursday 24 June, 1 - 2pm - This workshop looks at the most commonly asked questions and gives a run down on the basics of what to expect when sending children to nursery, including their own top tips! There will bean opportunity during this workshop for parents and carers to ask questions.

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

Courses

• Take A Minute - Thursday 10 June to 1 July, 11 to 11.40 (closing date to sign up is Tuesday 1 June) - A 4-week course to promote wellbeing, self-care, mindfulness and how to look after yourselves during lockdown. If you have any queries regarding this course, please contact Sally.bone@hounslow.gov.uk.

• Postnatal Group (Face-to-face) - Wednesday 16 June to 21 July, 12.30 to 2.30pm (closing date to sign up is Friday 4 June) - A 6-week postnatal peer-support group for mums with babies under 4 months, covering baby massage, weaning, relationships after birth, safety and sexual health. This workshop will be taking place face-to-face at South Isleworth Children's Centre. This group is by referral only. To self refer please complete an online referral form.

• Healthy Lifestyles (4 week course) - Wednesday 30 June to 21 July, 10 - 11am (closing date to sign up is Wednesday 23 June) - A course, covering: being active, family time, routines & guidelines, eating on a budget & meal planning, portion sizes & food labels, parenting styles and looking after ourselves. If you have any queries regarding this group, please contact Lydia.desouza@hounslow.gov.uk.

• Knowing your Money (4 week course) - Thursday 24 June to 15 July, 10 - 11am (closing date to sign up is 15 June) - A course run by Early Intervention Practitioners, aimed to support families with managing their finances. This includes how to save efficiently, saving tips, how to budget and more! If you have any queries regarding this group, please contact Lisa.mcqueen@hounslow.gov.uk

Parenting Groups

• 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!

• Potty and Toilet Training
• Food Portions 
• Communication and Language part 1
• Communication and Language part 2

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.

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. Bookings open this Friday 28 May, from 11am to 3pm. To book, please call:020 8583 5601, 020 8583 5602 or 020 85835762 The following activities will be available on the day: 11:30 – Story 12:30 – Lunch 1:00 – Nature Trail 1:45 – Story 2:00 – Chalk Activity

Special events, celebrations and themes in June 1 – 7 June – Volunteers Week  5 June – World Environment Day  7 – 13 June – Child Safety Week  14 – 18 June – BNF Healthy Eating Week  20 June – Father’s Day  20 – 25 June – National School Sport Week  23 June – Public Service Day  21 June – Summer Begins  27 June – 3 July – Deafblind Awareness Week

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'.

Activity sheets Want some inspiration for activities to do at home? Children's Centre staff have created some fun activities, recipes and games to try at home.

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!

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:

'Today's session was very good with the action songs, learning spring signs, listening & dancing to the story time. Enjoyed, had fun..'

'Outstanding, very hardworking staff!'

'Keep going... doing wonderful work for us' 

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.

Look after yourselves...

Quote of the Month

Strength does not come from winning. 

Your struggles develop your strengths. 

When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, 

that is ‘strength’. 

 Arnold Schwarzenegger

Monthly mindfulness activity Embrace music – to switch up your mood Harness the mood boosting power of music by making your own playlists – one that helps you feel peaceful, one to help you focus and another to give you a feel-good hit. A good old sing always lifts the spirits, too. This activity and more can be found on the BBC good food website - 10 mindfulness activities for kids.

Recipe of the Month Berry Banana Muffins    These muffins are great for lunch boxes, plus they are gluten and nut free!  Millet and quinoa are fantastic sources of fibre and nutrients.  Ingredients   250g cooked quinoa/millet (you could use all millet or all quinoa)   250g gluten free oats                                   100g hot water  100g milk (or dairy free)                               50g honey   100g dates                                                   20g milled flaxseeds  2 tsp vanilla essence                                   1 ripe banana  Punnet of berries    Equipment  Mixing bowl and spoon  Baking tray with muffin cases or a muffin tray  Blender    Prep time:  5 minutes             Cooking time:  15 minutes     Directions    1. Preheat the oven to 170c (190c if not fan assisted)  2. Whizz the dates, water, milk, honey, vanilla and banana in a blender.  3. Pour it into a mixing bowl with the rest of the ingredients.  4. Mix thoroughly and then shape into mini muffins.  5. Bake for 15 mins until golden on top - store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze and defrost thoroughly (ideally heating again) before eating.    For more recipes and ideas to cook with ‘Little Cooks’ can be found here: Little Cooks Co Do you have a favourite or special recipe you would like to share? Please email it to Minal.Shah@hounslow.gov.uk for it be featured as the 'Recipe of the Month'.

Information on Childcare and Education

Starting Nursery in Hounslow – 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 have now closed but you can still apply as your preferred school may have places available.     Application forms are available from our website https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/nursery/admissions and must be returned directly to the school you want to apply for.    Please contact your preferred schools with any queries.

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

Advice Corner

Surge testing and vaccinations in Hounslow

On Wednesday 26th May here is where residents and workers of Hounslow can:

Get Vaccinated!  

• Book an appointment via nhs.uk or call 119:         
• Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre– 658 Chiswick High Road, Brentford TW8 0HJ- Open 8.00am-8.00pm.    
• One of Hounslow’s five community pharmacy sites https://www.hounslow.gov.uk//vaccine

Get PCR Tested! 

Mobile PCR Testing Units:   

• Beavers Field Park, Hounslow TW4 7JF - Open 9:00am-3:00pm 
• TescoHayes, Bulls Bridge (UB2 5LN) – Open 10:00am-6:00pm 

Local PCR Testing Sites:    

• Brabazon Road Sports Court, Hounslow, TW5 9LR – Open 8:00am-8:00pm  
• Padstow Walk car park, Feltham, TW14 9XU – Open 8.00am-8.00pm   
• Stamford Brook Carpark, Chiswick W4 1NH – Open 8.00am-8.00pm 
• Hounslow House– 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB – Open 8.00am-4.00pm 

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.

Other Community Information

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

My Mind and Bump/My Mind and My Baby Online Workshops Hounslow IAPT are running a series of free online antenatal and postnatal workshops for parents (My Mind and Bump), designed to support their well-being and that of their baby your during pregnancy and beyond. They Include: Mindfulness for pregnancy, birth and postnatally Relaxation techniques Managing stress and worry Preparing for the “fourth trimester” Support available during pregnancy & beyond As a follow-on, they are also running free postnatal workshops for mums and dads, designed to support their well-being, as well as that of their child’s  during the first year and beyond. They include: Supporting your mental health in the “fourth trimester” The importance of self-care How to manage and adapt to having a baby, either for the first time or whilst managing the support of other children too Information on what support is available for mothers and fathers. If you would like to attend, please ask your GP, Midwife or Health Visitor to make a referral for you – or you can self-refer by going to www.hounslowiapt.nhs.uk.  Please make sure that you explicitly state that you are accessing the service for either of the two workshops and select the relevant workshop in the drop down menu.

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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