children first - october 2015

Children firstWestminster Issue 25, October 2015

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Win a family ticket to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Keep your tots happy at the libraryGet the family fit, healthy and happy

Contact us• to order free recycling bags or

a container

• to find your rubbish and recycling collection days and times

• to find your nearest on-street micro recycling centre

Your mixed recycling collection is weekly

Step 1Order your free recycling bags or container from your housing manager or caretaker, or contact us.

Step 2Put all your recyclable items together into your recycling bag or container.

Step 3Leave it out on your recycling collection day or put it in your nearest mixed recycling bin which may be in your building.

Your recycling guide

You can recycle: Tip: Flatten your cardboard boxes and add to your mixed recycling

Contact us• to order free recycling bags

or a container• to find your rubbish and

recycling collection days and times


Visit: westminster.gov.uk/recyclingCall: 020 7641 2000Email: [email protected]

If you have a housing manager or caretaker please ask them for details of your rubbish and recycling services.

Dear parent or carerFinding time to exercise isn’t always easy, but there are lots of ways to keep the family fit in Westminster.

Our lives are busier than ever. I’m always running between meetings with the Youth Council, to school and then out to see friends. Parents with small children have even less time on their hands. So I feel lucky to live in a place where there are opportunities to stay healthy right on my doorstep.

Westminster has eight low-cost leisure centres, with some of the lowest prices in London. There are also lots of sports pitches and neighbourhood sports clubs, plus outdoor activities like the LEAP Parkour Park.

Westminster residents get great discounts on sport, including 60% off swimming with a Westminster City Save card. There are more discounts in this edition of Children First, including discounted half-term holiday camps.

We may live in central London, but that doesn’t stop us from staying fit, eating right and even finding wildlife in some of the 80 parks and open spaces in the city. Whatever time you have to keep the family healthy, there are plenty of ways to do it in Westminster.

Aby Murray Youth MP Westminster

Contact Aby at [email protected]

ContentsKeep your tiny tots happy at the library

Get the family fit, healthy and happy

Learn more about fostering

Explore Westminster’s wildlife

Discover what’s on in Westminster

Enjoy great family discounts

Cover photo: Songs and rhymes for under 5s at Mayfair Library.

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Win a family ticket to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Page 11

Discountedhalf-term

holiday campsPage 10

Westminster Children First, Issue 25, October 2015 3

Contact us• to order free recycling bags or

a container

• to find your rubbish and recycling collection days and times


Your mixed recycling collection is weekly

Step 1Order your free recycling bags or container from your housing manager or caretaker, or contact us.

Step 2Put all your recyclable items together into your recycling bag or container.

Step 3Leave it out on your recycling collection day or put it in your nearest mixed recycling bin which may be in your building.

Your recycling guide

You can recycle: Tip: Flatten your cardboard boxes and add to your mixed recycling

Contact us• to order free recycling bags

or a container• to find your rubbish and

recycling collection days and times


Visit: westminster.gov.uk/recyclingCall: 020 7641 2000Email: [email protected]

If you have a housing manager or caretaker please ask them for details of your rubbish and recycling services.

Dr. Seuss

J.K Rowling

Dr. Seuss

Shirley Hughes

ROALD DAHLROALD DAHL

Shirley Hughes

J.K Rowling

C.S LEWI S

C . S L EWI S

R.L SteinR.L Stein

Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter

GILLIAN CROSS

Michael Cox

GILLIAN CROSS

Michael Cox

Apply now for school places in 2016Check our online admissions guides for step-by-step advice on how to apply for primary and secondary school places. Visit westminster.gov. uk/admissions

Don’t forget, the deadline to apply for a secondary school place is 31st October 2015. The deadline to apply for a primary school place is 15th January 2016.

Check your smoke alarm when the clocks go backThe clocks go back on 25th October. Why not use the clock change as a reminder to test your smoke alarm?

Check your electoral details The electoral register is updated every year and you are required to confirm your details as part of the annual canvass. We wrote to you in August to confirm who is living in your household. Please follow any instructions in your letter to ensure you remain on the electoral register. You need to be on the electoral register to vote in elections including the Mayor of London and London Assembly Elections next year. Visit westminster.gov.uk/ register-to-vote

Meningitis B vaccineA new vaccine to help prevent meningitis is now being offered to babies as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme. The vaccine is recommended for babies aged two months, followed by a second dose at four months, and a booster at 12-13 months. Talk to your GP for more information. For a list of local GP surgeries visit westminster.gov.uk/health-and-medical-care

Follow @CityWestminster or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/WestminsterParents for the latest news, offers and events for your family.

Free childcare for your two-year-oldMore parents than ever can apply for up to 15 hours of free early education or childcare for their two-year-olds, in Children’s Centres, nurseries or through childminders. If your child is two – or turning two soon – find out if they’re eligible at westminster.gov.uk/childcare

The latest news from around Westminster NEWS

4 Westminster Children First, Issue 25, October 2015

Dr. Seuss

J.K Rowling

Dr. Seuss

Shirley Hughes

ROALD DAHLROALD DAHL

Shirley Hughes

J.K Rowling

C.S LEWI S

C . S L EWI S

R.L SteinR.L Stein

Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter

GILLIAN CROSS

Michael Cox

GILLIAN CROSS

Michael Cox

Your favourites – Westminster libraries

Tanya Fraser: “Paddington Children’s Library is my favourite because of the lovely and kind staff whose patience seems to be never ending. During the holidays there are endless art and craft events which my children love attending.”

Natalie Walsh: “As a child my favourite library was Church Street Library, doing the summer reading challenge. Now it has to be Maida Vale Library where my kids get to do the same!”

Keep your tiny tots happy at the libraryYou’re never too young to enjoy the library. Children can join from birth and there are over 130,000 children’s books, DVDs, music and story tapes to choose from. There are also free play, song and rhyme sessions for under 5s throughout the week.Keely Brett from Bayswater brings her one-year-old daughter Everly to Mayfair Library for songs, rhymes and baby play time.

She says: “I found out about the sessions from visiting the library and have been bringing Everly around three times a month. It’s a really lovely, small group and we both look forward to coming.

“Everly loves the songs and the baby play time on the mat once the session has finished. She also enjoys seeing the same children each week and has been making some lovely

playmates. It’s become part of her routine and I would really recommend these sessions to other parents in Westminster.”

Find sessions for your baby or toddler at westminster.gov.uk/under-5s-and-libraries

There are after-school homework clubs in all of Westminster’s children’s libraries for seven to 13-year-olds. There are no distractions and friendly staff are on hand to help with any homework questions. Visit westminster.gov.uk/homework-clubs

Everly & Keeley

Find more family favourites on our Facebook page: facebook.com/Westminster Parents


Join free family health sessionsFun games and activities to help keep your family fit and healthy are now available through our new Mind, Exercise, Nutrition….Do it! (MEND) sessions in Children’s Centres, schools and community centres.

Find out how to prepare healthy meals and take part in fun exercise activities alongside your children.

Visit mytimeactive.co.uk/MEND for activity details or call 020 8323 1725 to book your place.

MEND MumsLow on energy and in need of a boost? Come along to our energising workouts alongside nutrition advice for you and your baby.

Where: Portman Children’s Centre, 12 Salisbury Street, NW8 8DE

When: Mondays, 10-11.30am (sessions start on 2nd November 2015)

No need to book, just turn up and join in

MEND MiniFood tasting activities and games plus physical activities to help the development of your two to five-year-old.

Where: Marsham Street Children’s Centre, 121 Marsham Street, SW1P 4LX and Portman Children’s Centre,

12 Salisbury Street, NW8 8DE

When: Mondays, 1.30-2.30pm (Marsham Street) and Thursdays from 5th November 2015, 2-3pm (Portman)

No need to book, just turn up and join in

MEND 5-7Help develop healthy habits with your five to seven-year-old through active play and setting goals. Plus advice on how to deal with tantrums.

Where: Greenside Community Centre, 24 Lilestone Street, NW8 8HJ

When: Mondays, 3.45pm-5.30pm

Call 020 8323 1725 to book

With winter fast approaching, we’ve put together our top tips for keeping your family healthy and active.

Get the family fit, healthy and happy

6 Westminster Children First, Issue 25, October 20156 Westminster Children First, Issue 25, October 2015

Kick it for goodMake a pledge to quit smoking in Stoptober and you’ll receive lots of support along the way. The 28-day smoking challenge is a national effort to help people to give up for good. Visit nhs.uk/smokefree.

There’s also lots of local support in libraries, markets and Little Venice Sports Centre through the Kick It stop smoking service. Visit kick-it.org.uk or call 020 3434 2500 for more information.

It is now illegal to smoke in vehicles with someone under 18 present. For more information about the new legislation visit gov.uk/smokefreecars

Under 19s get free swimming at Westminster’s five swimming pools with an ActiveWestminster card. Apply at westminster.gov.uk/sports-and-leisure-discounts

Protect your family against flu

If you’re pregnant you can ask your GP for a free flu vaccination which can help to protect you and your baby from flu after it is born.

Flu is especially common in children. This year, schools are vaccinating all children in Years One and Two and you can take your two to four-year-old to your GP. It’s given as a nasal spray to children, which is painless and easy.

The vaccination is different every year in response to changing strains of the virus so it’s recommended that you have a flu vaccination every year to protect yourself and your children.

The best time to have the vaccination is in October to early November; however vaccines may still be available later in the flu season from your GP.

Five reasons to vaccinate your child against flu:

1. The nasal spray helps protect against flu, has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record

2. It’s painless and easy to have

3. Flu can be really serious, especially for children with medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes

4. If your child gets flu you may have to take time off to look after them

5. Protecting your child can stop flu spreading to other children and the family, especially babies and grandparents, who may be at higher risk from flu.

Find out more at nhs.uk/child-flu

MEND 7-13Become a healthy eating detective and find out what’s hiding in your food whilst having fun and making friends.

Where: The Stowe Centre, 248 Harrow Road, W2 5ES

When: Tuesdays and Fridays, 4-6pm

Call 020 8323 1725 to book


Has your child recently left home or headed to university? If your home is feeling a bit empty use your parenting skills and experience to provide care and support for other teenagers who need a home by becoming a foster carer.

Esther, 64, has been a Westminster foster carer for two years caring for teenagers.

“I decided to foster as I felt I had something to offer another child after my children had left home. I also thought it would be nice to have company and someone around the house.

“I chose to foster 11 to 18-year-olds as they are more independent and you don’t have to do everything for them as you would younger children or babies. I give them their own space and they can be as independent as they want to be, but I still give them chores to do, as I would with my own children. When they came to live with me they continued to attend their school and they kept their friends, which has helped them to settle.

“At my age it’s great to still have a family at home, it’s a joy for my grandchildren too, they love playing together.”

Most people are eligible to foster, so if you’ve been thinking about it take the first step and find out more.

Call 0800 169 3497 or 020 8753 1057, email [email protected] or sign up for a fostering information event:

One-to-one sessions: Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of every month between 10am and 4pm.Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, W6 9JU

Information session: 19th November, 6-8pm. Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX

Information session: 27th January, 10am-12 midday. Venue to be confirmed closer to the date.

Find out more at westminster.gov.uk/fostering

Give something back, become a foster carer


Westminster’s parks offer children exciting opportunities to discover amazing wildlife and magical woodland, in the heart of London. Children from Westminster’s primary schools have been exploring the woodlands and wildlife at Paddington Recreation Ground in Maida Vale, whittling beads, embarking on bug hunts and making musical instruments from nature as part of a new Forest School project.

Simone Anderson, a teacher from Essendine Primary School, says: “The benefit of taking part is that we all took the time to stop and look at the nature within our busy urban area. My class particularly enjoyed exploring the space around them, being independent as well as working together to build camps.”

Forest school sessions take place throughout term-time. To see if your school offers the programme email [email protected]

Explore Westminster’s wildlife

Get the family active with Park MakersPark Makers are volunteers who run free sporty activities in Westminster’s parks. Head to Westbourne Green open space every Saturday from 10.30am-12 midday for family activities – no need to book. Visit westminster.gov.uk/parkmakers

There are 80 parks and open spaces in Westminster filled with playgrounds, sandpits, climbing equipment and more. Find your nearest park and playground at westminster.gov.uk/parks

“I loved watching dragonflies and damselflies laying eggs”

“I love playing and finding out more stuff about nature”

“I can now creep quietly so I don’t disturb the wildlife”


There are lots of fun things to do

in Westminster this half-term

Monday 26th - Friday 30th OctoberPerfect your swimming technique with an expert coachTime: Varies according to skill level, call for more detailsAge: 3+Venue: Queen Mother Sports Centre, 223 Vauxhall Bridge, SW1V 1ELCost: £36 for residents; £38.75 for non-residents

020 7630 5522

Monday 26th OctoberMake a scary monster from the past at dinosaur craftsTime: 10.30am-12 midday and 2.30-4pmAge: 5+Venue: Maida Vale Library, Sutherland Avenue, W9 2QTCost: Free

020 7641 6200

Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th OctoberFootball, basketball, cricket, tennis and multi-sports holiday campsTime: 10am-3pmAge: 5-15Venue: Paddington Recreation Ground, Randolph Avenue, W9 1PDCost: £55.96 or £29.28 with a Westminster City Save card

020 7641 3642

Tuesday 27th OctoberEnjoy a family fun afternoon with face painting, games and picture takingTime: 2-2.30pmAge: AllVenue: St. John’s Wood Library, 20 Circus Road, St. John’s Wood, NW8 6PDCost: Free

020 7641 6200

Wednesday 28th OctoberSpooky Halloween craftsTime: 10.30am-12 midday and 2.30-4pmAge: 5+Venue: Maida Vale Library, Sutherland Avenue, W9 2QTCost: Free

020 7641 6200

Create paper animals and shapes out of origamiTime: 2-3.30pmAge: 5+Venue: St. John’s Wood Library, 20 Circus Road, St. John’s Wood, NW8 6PDCost: Free

020 7641 6200

Friday 30th OctoberHalloween PartyTime: 4.30-6pmAge: 5+Venue: Maida Vale Library, Sutherland Avenue, W9 2QTCost: Free

020 7641 6200

For more events sign up for our monthly families enewsletter westminster.gov.uk/families-first


offers and discounts for westminster residents

How to enter:For a chance to win like our Facebook page at facebook.com/WestminsterParents and tell us your favourite after-school activity in Westminster. Competition closes on 16th November 2015. Apply for your free Westminster City Save

card at westminster.gov.uk/citysave or call 020 7641 6000 (Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm).

Terms and conditions apply. Visit westminster.gov.uk/citysave for all offers and more details.

Win a family ticket to Hyde Park Winter WonderlandEnjoy the ultimate Christmas day out. The prize includes tickets to the spectacular Magical Ice Kingdom, a skate around Ski Zillertal Ice Rink and a ride on the iconic Giant Observation Wheel finished off with a spectacular show from Zippos Circus.

Terms and conditions: A family ticket includes two adults and two children. Tickets must be used between 20th November 2015 – 3rd January 2016 (Winter Wonderland is closed on Christmas Day). Tickets cannot be exchanged. Tickets are subject to availability. Session times must be stipulated for the Ski Zillertal Ice Rink and Zippos Circus.

20% off your food bill at Flamingos Eatery

Offer: Enjoy hearty flavours straight from the Caribbean and a children’s menu to satisfy all tastes and ages. Valid Monday-Friday.How to claim: Present your Westminster City Save card before ordering.Venue: Flamingos Eatery, The Yaa Centre,

1 Chippenham Mews, W9 2AN

20% off grand tours at the Royal Albert Hall

Offer: Experience the excitement of one of the most famous entertainment venues in the world.How to claim: Present your Westminster City Save card when purchasing tickets. Venue: Door 12, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP

25% off family tickets at the Household Cavalry Museum

Offer: Go behind the scenes at the working stables of the Queen’s mounted bodyguards.How to claim: Present your Westminster City Save card when purchasing tickets.Venue: Horse Guards, Whitehall, SW1A 2AX

WIN


Adult learningin the heart of Westminster

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Visit us online at www.waes.ac.uk, call 020 7297 7297 or drop in to one of our centres for more information.

Enrol now for 2015/16!

WAESSeptadvertchildrenfirst.indd 1 04/09/2015 15:39

children first - october 2015

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