Welcome to the Thirteenth Edition of our Children's Centres' Newsletter!
Welcome to our August newsletter!
We have lots of activities planned for this month and in response to your feedback, have added some new face-to-face sessions for 3 - 5 year olds. This month we are focussing on introducing our families to the many green spaces in our borough, through our park days. We have also organised a trip to Kew Gardens, which is something that we really missed doing last year.
Moving forward, we are now planning our autumn schedule, so if there are any sessions that you have really missed or you have any suggestions for future activities, please use our feedback form below.
We hope that you enjoy the month of August and that we will see you at one of our sessions!
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.
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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 is now being run across all three areas in the borough (Central and East). For times, dates and booking details, please see the Children's Centre - baby massage page.
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Breast Feeding Support
From 1 - 7 August we will be celebrating World Breast Feeding Week. As well as the four Baby Cafes that take place each week in children's centres across the borough, we are looking forward to the return of the breastfeeding support session at Brentford Children's Centre. This will restart on 9 August and there will be further details in our schedule over the coming weeks.
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Park Days with Children's Centre Staff
Park Days are being held by Central Area Staff at:
- Gunnersbury Park - Friday 6 August, 11am - 2pm
- Hounslow Heath - Wednesday 11 August, 1pm - 3pm
- Heston Park - Thursday 19 August, 10am - 12pm
- Osterley Park - Monday 23 August, 1pm - 3pm
To book for these sessions, please call 020 8583 5601 on Monday - Friday, 10am - 2pm.
Park Days are being held by East Area Staff at:
- Watermans Park - Thursday 5 August, 10am - 12pm
- Dukes Meadows - Thursday 12 August, 10am - 12pm
- St John's Gardens - Thursday 19 August, 10am - 12pm
To book for these sessions, please call 020 8583 5762 on Monday - Friday, 10am - 2pm.
Free Workshops in August
Workshops
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Communication and Language part 1 - Thursday 12 August, 1 - 2pm - This workshop looks at speech and language development, how to support your children's development, developing listening and attention skills and the importance of interaction and play. There will be an opportunity during this workshop for parents and carers to ask questions
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Communication and Language part 2 - Thursday 19 August, 1 - 2pm - This workshop looks at speech and language development, understanding words and sentences, using words and building sentences. There will be an 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
Special Events, Celebrations and Themes in August
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1 - 7 August – World Breastfeeding Week
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4 August – Playday 2021
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5 August – Cycle to Work Day
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10 August – Islamic New Year (Al Hijra)
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22 August – Raksha Bandhan
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30 August – Janmashtami / Krishna Jayanti
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30 August – Summer Bank Holiday
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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 is some feedback we have received:
'Behaviour and Boundary session - was very interesting.. keep going..Outstanding'
'Sessions for children between 3-5 years' - We have added some new sessions onto our schedule for children between 3-5 years, such as Simple Science at Bedfont and more! Have a look at our timetables for further information.
WOW! Moments
Every day our children do something to make us proud. learning new skills and reaching new milestones. Whether your child is a budding artists, a builder, a chef or simply loves 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
Every Day our children spread their dreams beneath our feet.
We should tread softly.
Sir Ken Robinson
Monthly Mindfulness Activity
Glitter Jar
A glitter jar is a great way to get easily stimulated children to focus on one thing only. Fill a clear jar with shiny glitter and sit with your child as you shake and spin it. Encourage the child to observe the glitter by following individual pieces as well as taking in the whole picture. Watch as your child is fascinated by a simple device and practice deep breathing as the two of you watch the glitter slowly settle back to the bottom.
This activity and more can be found on the Mindfulness Exercises for Kids - Help Kids develop Mindfulness
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Recipe of the Month
Cheesy Bean Bake
Whether you are looking for meat-free Monday ideas or just wanting to incorporate more plant based recipes into your family dinners, this is a fantastic choice! You can use whatever beans you fancy and it’s a great dish to throw in leftover veg to – waste not want not!
Ingredients
- 1 large onion 400g passata
- 400ml stock 3 cloves of garlic
- 100g rice 2 carrots
- 200g cheddar cheese 2 sticks of celery
- Tbsp tomato puree 1 courgette
- Tbsp balsamic vinegar 5/6 mushrooms
- Salt and pepper 400g tin of beans
- Mixed herbs 400g tin of lentils
Cooking time: Approximately 30 minutes
Directions
- Chop all the vegetables into small pieces
- First fry the onion, garlic and celery in the saucepan for 5 minutes, then add the rest of the vegetables and add fry for a further 5 minutes
- Add the rice, stock and passata, stir well and then pop the lid on and simmer for 15 minutes
- Then add the beans, lentils, tomato puree, balsamic and a pinch of salt and pepper and stir well
- Grate all of the cheese and stir half of it into the mix.
- Pour into an oven dish, top with the remaining cheese and bake for 30 minutes on 170c (190c if not fan assisted)
(Please be mindful when adding salt to children’s meals)
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'.
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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.
Please contact your preferred schools with any queries.
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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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Get Vaccinated!
There are several types of locations, where you can get your vaccination appointment in Hounslow.
- At a pharmacy
- At a mass vaccination centre
- At a walk in vaccination clinic
For more information on how to book and for the most up-to-date details of walk-in vaccination centres, please check Hounslow Councils dedicated web pages
Coronavirus Testing Options in Hounslow
The type of test you get depends on whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms.
If you HAVE coronavirus symptoms?
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (fever, new cough, loss or change in taste/smell), it is important that you get a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
You and your household should also self-isolate and only leave the house to go and get tested. When leaving the house to get tested, you should wear a face covering, and drive or walk to the site and must NOT use public transport or a taxi.
Book an appointment at a PCR testing site
Order a test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119
More information on testing for residents with coronavirus symptoms including local testing sites and directions.
If you DO NOT have coronavirus symptoms
Get a free rapid test twice a week to make sure you are not spreading the virus. Rapid tests are quick and free and provide a result in 45 minutes.
Please note: Rapid tests are now available for anyone over 12 years old (12-15 year olds need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian).
BOOK A RAPID TEST
If you have any issues or queries, please email the Public Health team at publichealth@hounslow.gov.uk
Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2021
As many of you will have children over 5, we wanted to let you know that there are still spaces available on this programme across all weeks of the holidays. This provides up to 16 days of free activities (including a meal) to children and young people who receive benefits-related Free School Meals during term time. Even if you are not eligible, you may know another family who might benefit from this scheme, so please spread the word! You can find out more about the scheme here.
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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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