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This newsletter is printed locally by Jenwood Printers 01795 663861

Working together to give children and families the best opportunities in life

Seashells, Rose St, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1AW Open 8.30-5.30pm

Telephone: 01795 889233 Email: info@children-families.org

Children and Families aims to make life better for children, families and communities by bringing together all these services under one roof:

o Seashells Sure Start Children’s Centre o Seashells Nursery o Crechecare o Midwifery, Ante-natal, Post Natal and Health Visiting o Children & Young People’s Mental Health Service o The Family Foodbank

This newsletter is issued every two months for the carers and parents of children and the professionals who work with us to improve outcomes for the children and families in the local community. If you have a child or are pregnant and have not registered with Kent Children’s Centres or Youth Hubs please ask at reception or call 01795 889233 to find out more about the services we offer.

Newsletter February & March 2020

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Welcome to the February / March edition

We have lots going on throughout February and March with an emphasis on Playing, Learning and Growing Together.

Play together - Bring the whole family during half term on 20th February for Little Builders and Boffins to spend time to play together or come to any of our groups on pages 6 and 7 and learn new ideas to play with your child and about the importance of play in their development.

Read together - to celebrate World Book Day the book Stall will be open each day during the week beginning Monday 2nd March, see page 3.

Learn together - why not come to the Family English course starting on 3rd March to find out how children learn to read and how to help them and much more, see page 4

Eat together - book on to the new Make and Much group (more info on pages 6 and 7) or have a go at making the yummy pancakes with caramelised apple from the recipe next to this.

Together for a better internet - Safer Internet Day is on 11th February . Be part of the national conversation about using technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively, see page 10: www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2020

Kate Townsend-Blazier Children’s Centre Manager

Shrove Tuesday 5th March

Coming soon…..

Spring into Action Wednesday 15th April

At The Healthy Living Centre 11am - 1pm

Leap in to our free family Spring event. An action packed and

fun-filled event full of activities, games and information for all the family to attend.

RECIPE Pancakes with caramelised apples in association with Make & Munch

Ingredients

• 75g plain flour

• 1 medium egg

• 200ml semi-skimmed or 1% fat milk

• 2 tsp vegetable oil

• 1 eating apple, cored and thinly sliced

• 1 tsp caster sugar

• Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

Put the flour into a mixing bowl. Add the egg and milk and beat with a whisk to make a smooth batter. You could use half plain and half wholemeal flour to get more fibre into your diet. Heat a non-stick frying pan. Add 2-3 drops of vegetable oil. Pour in a quarter of the batter, and tilt the pan so that it flows evenly over the surface. Cook over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes until set, then flip over to cook the other side. Make 4 pancakes in total, adding 2-3 drops of oil to the pan for each one. Keep the pancakes in a warm place until all of them are cooked.

If you have time, leave the batter to stand for 10 minutes, though stir before adding to the pan. Heat the remaining oil in the frying pan and add the apple slices, cooking them over a medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, and turning often. Sprinkle the sugar over them and cook for another few moments until lightly browned. Add the lemon zest and juice, stir to coat, then remove from the heat.

If you like, add a sliced banana to the frying pan with the lemon zest and juice, and mix with the apple before sharing between the pancakes. Serve one pancake per person, topped with the caramelised apples

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Telephone 01795 663311

www.seashells-nursery.org

Term Dates Stretch funding: Term 3 & 4 3rd January - 9th April 2020 Government funding: Term 3 & 4 6th January - 27th March 2020 (Half Term 17th-21st Feb)

Spaces Available We are open all year round for 51 weeks (exc. Bank holidays and Christmas week) 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday. We provide childcare for 0-5 year olds and qualifying 2,3 & 4 year olds. Our staff are experienced and highly qualified in childcare and are early education specialists so you can be sure that your child will receive the best care available.

30 Hours FREE Childcare Many 3 and 4 year olds will benefit from free early education and childcare being extended from 15 to 30 hours per week? For 3 and 4 year olds to be eligible both parents (or the sole parent in a single parent family) will need to be working to be eligible. All 3 and 4 year olds will continue to receive 15 hours free.

You can check your eligibility now following the link provided: https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator

Dolphin Holiday Play Scheme Seashells Nursery will be offering care for school age children 4 -12 years during the school holidays, 17th –21st February 8am to 6pm. Children will be occupied with a fun day full of activities Prices: Half day £13.40 or Full day £24.50 + £1 daily charge for lunch All sessions booked need to be paid for in the case of absence or illness Places need to be booked as soon as possible; either call into the nursery or phone

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Safer Internet Day 11th February 2020 Top tips to share with your children

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To Celebrate World Book Day Seashells Book Stall will be open all week!

Monday 2nd - 6th March .

Brand New Books From

£1 - £3

Hairy Maclary Collection £2.00 each An irresistible collection for preschoolers, they'll be laughing out loud as the dog comes up against Scarface Claw, the biggest cat in the neighborhood; stars in a dog show; and meets the

one and only Zachary Quack

Available at Seashells Bookstall

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Pop into Seashells and see our display to

find a local dentist

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6

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

Bubba Club

9am - 11.00am

Play sessions for under 1s.

Dec 3rd , 10th , 17th , 24th & 31st

Jan 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th

Breastfeeding Support Group

9.00am - 11.00am

Support from a trained health

professional. Meet other breastfeeding mums and our peer supporters

Dec 3rd , 10th , 17th , 24th & 31st

Jan 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th

Wacky Wednesdays At Community Church Sheppey

1pm - 2.30pm

Learning through play

Dec 4th & 11thJan 15th, 22nd & 29th

Aquatots At Sheerness

Swimming Pool 9.30 -10.30am & 10.30 - 11.30am

Get your swimming discount card by

contacting Gaynor on 889233

Dec 3rd , 10th & 17th Jan 14th, 21st & 28th

Baby Hub

9am - 11.00am

Speak with a member of the health visiting team for advice and support

Dec 3rd , 10th , 17th , 24th & 31st Jan 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th

Health Clinics based at Seashells

Midwives & Antenatal Every day by appointment only.

Newborn Hearing Clinic Weekly by appointment only.

Duty Health Visitor Telephone 0300 1234 014 to speak to a

duty health visitor Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

Bookstall 9am - 3pm

New books at discounted prices. Prices range from £1 - £3

Dec 3rd , 10th & 17th Jan 14th, 21st & 28th

Also open on a Friday!

Wiggles & Giggles

At Community Church 1pm - 2.30pm

Cooking, Parachute fun & Crafts

Dec 3rd & 10th

Jan 14th, 21st & 28th

COMING UP... Christmas Family Fun Day (Front Page) & Storysacks (Page 4)For more information ask at Reception or call 01795 667070

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

Bubba Club

9am - 11.00am

Play sessions for under 1s.

February 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th &

31st

Breastfeeding Support

9.00am - 11.00am

Support from a trained health professional. Meet other breastfeeding

mums and our peer supporters

Feb 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st

Wacky Wednesdays At Community Church

1pm - 2.30pm

Learning through play,

NEW Welly Walk to the beach

February 5th, 12th & 26thMarch 4th, 11th & 25th

Aquatots At Sheerness

Swimming Pool

9.30 -10.30am & 10.30 - 11.30am

Get your swimming discount card by contacting Gaynor on 889233

February 11th & 25th

March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st

Baby Hub

9am - 11am (Last sign in at 10.45)

Speak with a member of the health visiting team for advice and support

Feb 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st

NEW Monday

1.00 -2.30

Make and Munch Cooking group for parents/carers

and children 18 months and over

February 3rd & 10th March 2nd,9th,16th,23rd & 30th

Ask at reception for more

information and to book your space Bookstall

9am - 3pm

New books at discounted prices. Prices range from £1 - £3

February 11th & 25th

March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st

Also open on a Friday!

Wiggles & Giggles At Community Church

1pm - 2.30pm

Cooking, Parachute fun & Crafts

February 11th & 25th March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st

Health Clinics based at Seashells Midwives & Antenatal Every day by appointment only. Duty Health Visitor Telephone 0300 1234 014 to speak to a duty health visitor Monday to Friday, 9am

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Groups are for children 0-5 years Siblings are welcome to attend in the holiday events.

Groups run during Term Time Only

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Wacky Wednesdays At Community Church Sheppey

- 2.30pm

Learning through play

Dec 4th & 11th Jan 15th, 22nd & 29th

Play and Giggles 1pm - 2.30pm

Learning & exploring through play for babies and toddlers up to 24 months

Dec 5th Only

Jan 16th, 23rd & 30th

Fun Time Friday 9.30am - 11am

A fun and social group run by

parents for parents and their preschool children

Dec 6th & 13th

Jan 17th, 24th & 31st

Reminder All Groups, activities and

events at Seashells are

NO PHONE ZONES

No photos are to be taken

Health Clinics based at Seashells

Midwives & Antenatal Every day by appointment only.

Newborn Hearing Clinic Weekly by appointment only.

Duty Health Visitor Telephone 0300 1234 014 to speak to a

duty health visitor Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

COMING UP... Christmas Family Fun Day (Front Page) & Storysacks (Page 4) For more information ask at Reception or call 01795 667070

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Wacky Wednesdays At Community Church

2.30pm

Learning through play,

NEW Welly Walk to the beach

February 5th, 12th & 26th March 4th, 11th & 25th

Play and Giggles

1pm - 2.30pm

Learning & exploring through play for babies and toddlers up to 24 months

February 6th, 13th & 27th

March 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th

Fun Time Friday

9.30am - 11am

A fun and social group run by parents for parents and their preschool children

February 7th, 14th & 28th

March 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th

SATURDAY Chill Out Saturdays

9.30am - 11.30am

A fun group for all the family to enjoy.

Children of all ages welcome

February 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd

March 7th, 21st & 28th

Monday Group

2.30

Make and Munch Cooking group for parents/carers

and children 18 months and over

February 3rd & 10th March 2nd,9th,16th,23rd & 30th

Ask at reception for more information and to book your

space

Every day by appointment only. Newborn Hearing Clinic Weekly by appointment only. Telephone 0300 1234 014 to speak to a duty health visitor Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

An interactive stimulating & relaxing experience for you

and your child. Booking Essential…

Slots bookable for 1 hour

Between 10.00-5.00

Contact Reception or message us on our

Facebook page to book