Children's Centre Schedule 

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

This schedule includes activities from 1 November to 17 December 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.

Learning Through Play

Starting on Tuesday, 9 November, we will be running a six week programme for children aged 18 months and over at Crane Park Children's Centre.  It will cover social and emotional development, together with pre-literacy and numeracy skills.  It will also include a weekly learning activity that you can do with your child  to prepare them for school or nursery.

The closing date for signing up is Wednesday, 3 November.  If you would like to book for this course, please phone 0208 583 5601.

See and Hear

During November we will be running two separate See and Hear programmes at Brentford Children and South Isleworth Children's Centres.  This is a 6 week course for children age 2 years+ structured to support children in developing their  attention, communication and listening skills.  It is particularly aimed at families who have concerns or would like support in developing their child's skills in these areas. There are further details about how families can refer themselves for this programme on our timetable.

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!

Booking System feedback - We do recognise that booking a space can sometimes be difficult and some families have not been able to book onto any sessions, as they are full by the time you get through. We are continuously trying our best to develop the booking system and have recently changed some of our booking rules, which can be found on our newest timetable. We are still developing our online booking system, however this is taking longer than expected! In the nearby future, the system we use to take calls will be upgraded, which will help to eliminate some of the issues.

'The sessions are great for my toddler. Nice activities. Great meeting other mums. Good advice from staff. Friendly, open and approachable staff'

'Learning Together through Play" session conducted by Lynne and Naomi at Crane Park Children's Centre was very helpful in how to interact and play with babies and toddlers. Both Lynne and Naomi are doing a great job.'

'I really like this children's centre because they are very tidy and organised every week they have new activities, and i love the staff they are very friendly specially Aisha and Also Lydia'

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

Calm Cards

Sometimes, having little reminders can help kids practice mindfulness in difficult moments. This is another basic craft that provides kids with a tool to take with them in their day to day.

Help the kids reflect on activities that help them feel calm, like drinking water, taking breaths, closing their eyes, reading a book, or hugging a friend.

Then, ask them to draw pictures of these activities on separate cards. You can also provide them with printed pictures to paste.

If the kids can write, have them label the cards (if not, you can label for them). Hole-punch the cards and bind them together with a bit of yarn or a ring.

Kids can use the cards whenever they’re feeling upset, angry, scared, or sad to help them regulate their emotions and feel better.

Recipe of the Month

Chocolate Marshmallow Brownies - a lovely sweet treat firework celebrations!

Ingredients  

• 25g butter
• 125g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), broken into small pieces
• 2 large eggs
• 150g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 75g plain flour
• 50g mini marshmallows

Serving Quantity: 16 Squares

Directions:

1.  Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180ºC, fan 160ºC.
2. Grease and line a 20cm square baking tin, 3-4cm deep, with non-stick baking paper. Melt together the butter and chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water or gently in the microwave.
3. With an electric hand whisk, beat together the eggs, sugar and vanilla extract until thick and creamy. Mix in the melted chocolate and butter. Finally stir in the flour and marshmallows. Pour into the baking tin and cook for 20 mins until the centre is just set.
4. Leave to cool in the tin for about 15 mins before cutting into squares.

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

Hounslow Adult and Community Education

Hounslow Adult and Community Education (HACE) are offering a wide range of learning opportunities both online and in person.  All of their courses are free for the unemployed who are receiving benefits and those on a low wage.  There are also some courses that are free to all.  These include Early Years - the Sounds of English and Early Years -  the Sounds of Numbers which are both held online.  For further information, including how to join, please go to the HACE website.

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. Remember, the closing date for spending your voucher is 7 December!

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.