Children's Centre Schedule 

For all sessions, workshops and courses please see full schedule of activities. 

This schedule includes activities from 31 August to 29 October 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.

Would you like to join a fun, active, dance and fitness session for parents and Children?

Beavers Children's Centre are running an Active Music session, beginning on Thursday 14 October to 11 November, 1.30 to 2.15pm. 

To book please call 020 8583 5602, between 10am - 2pm (Monday - Fri). Bookings open 3 days before the session and are to be made weekly. 

Sharing Their World

We now have three Sharing Their World groups taking place across the borough.  This is a relaxed, supportive group for families where there is a child under 5 with SEND. In order to attend, there is no need for a child to have a formal diagnosis. The groups cater for the needs of children with a wide range of additional needs, including concerns around speech delay.  For more information about the dates, times and venues for these groups, please see our schedule.  If you would like to talk to a member of our team before coming along, please ask through our booking line. 

Special Events, Celebrations and Themes in October

Throughout October: Black History Month

• 3 October – Grandparents Day
• 4 October – World Dyslexia Day
• 5 October – World Smile Day
• 6 – 14 October – Navaratri (Hindu)
• 10 – 17 October – Inter faith week of Prayer for World Peace
• 11 October – Durga Puja (Hindu)
• 15 October – Dussehra (Hindu)
• 19 October – Anapanasati Day (Buddhist)
• 29 October – Mawlid an Nabi – Birthday of Muhammad (Islam)
• 31 October – Halloween

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'.

You Said We Did...

Thank you to all families that gave us feedback on our services, this month. This helps us to know what we are doing well and what we could be doing better.

Here is some feedback we have received:

Thank you all for your contributions! Your feedback has been passed on to Children's Centre staff and used for the planning of future services!

Difficulties in booking onto sessions - We do recognise how difficult it can be to get through and apologise for any difficulties that you may have experienced. The Council will be changing the telephone system that we use for the booking lines over the next few months and we are hoping that this will improve our capacity to take telephone calls.

'Very nice staff and every Tuesday there are many different activities outdoor and
indoor, wish you all the best and thank you for your efforts to make the children
enjoy their time!'

'It was lovely to see and meet everyone. My son had a time of his life at the
children's garden'

Have you attended any of our sessions or online workshops? Do you have any suggestions or ideas on our future services? If yes, please complete our online feedback form.

Monthly Mindfulness Activity

Monkey see, Monkey do

This is a great mindfulness game to help kids increase body awareness and think about how they move in space. As the adult, take on the role of the monkey, and lead the kids through different positions.

Try to shift your weight in unexpected ways, like standing on one foot, getting on all fours, or sticking one foot up in the air.

Ask the kids what it feels like to be in each position. Is it hard to balance, or does it give them a big stretch?

Let it be silly. When kids get moving, giggles will likely ensue. Just go with it. You can even ask the kids to pay attention to how their breath changes when they laugh.

Recipe of the Month

Deceased Gingerbread and Poppy Seed Mummies 
This recipe has been shared by a Children's Centre parent Naomi Annakie, mum of Micah Annakie, age 4. 'Mummies are always a favourite Halloween decoration. Bake these to eat the scariest treat you will ever have!'  Thank you for sharing this recipe.

Ingredients  

• 200g unsalted butter
• 200g caster sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten 
• 400g flour plain 
• 1sp baking powder
• 1sp ginger powder
• 1sp poppy seeds 

Quantity:  20-30 Biscuits

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream butter with the sugar until well mixed and creamy.
2. Beat in the egg and add flour and mix until a dough is formed. Make the dough into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 190°C, fan 170°C, gas 5. Knead the dough, then roll out to 3mm thick. Cut with a gingerbread man cookie cutter. 
4. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Decorate with a mummy design. using an icing pipe bag can help.

What to serve with:

Milk or Chocolate Dip

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'.

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

What to Expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The DfE has published a useful new guide for parents that covers all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  This has been produced by Sheringham Nursery School and Children's Centre. What to Expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage (formerly What to Expect When) guides parents through what to expect from their child's development aged 0 - 5 and contains lots of ideas for supporting your children's learning.

Don't Forget to Spend your £20 Voucher!

If you live in the London Borough of Hounslow, your household will have received one of the Council’s £20 Shop Local Vouchers.

By shopping locally, we can all do our bit to help Hounslow recover from the effects of the pandemic. The voucher can be spent on products or services at a range of businesses including cafes, cinemas, restaurants, newsagents, some early years settings as well as Lampton Leisure Centres. There are now 400 participating businesses, all of which can be viewed on our interactive map.