NEWS

New Pre-School Music Group launches in Kent
PipSqueaks Music is a new pre-school music group, set up by Kent based sisters Jo and Jane. Both have young children of their own and believe that music and movement in young children is a vital part of their development. The classes, for children aged 6 months to 4 years, include singing, dancing, playing basic percussion instruments and action rhymes.

PipSqueaks runs classes in Bromley, Orpington, Otford and Green St Green. A new class will start in Beckenham in November with further classes planned for January in Dunton Green, Biggin Hill and Petts Wood. The Otford classes take place on Tuesday mornings at St Bartholomew's Church Parish Hall. For further information call 01732 741335 or see www.pipsqueaksmusic.co.uk

Platt School Nursery at St Mary's Platt
Places are now available at the Platt School Nursery near Sevenoaks. The nursery was set up by the Governors of Platt Primary CE School and although the nursery is not funded by the school, it is situated in their grounds and has very strong links with the school. Nursery children have access to many of the school facilities including the hall for music and PE lessons and the purpose build Early Years playground.

At the Platt School Nursery, they believe that learning in the early years is the foundation on which children build the rest of their live. They aim to provide a caring, fun and stimulating environment in which children can grow and develop. For more information or a prospectus, please contact Jan Carroll on 01732 886600.

Wishing for a family
This year's National Adoption Week theme is 'Wishing for a family' and is aiming to find adoptive families for the 3,000 children who are currently in care waiting to be adopted. The week runs from 3-9 November and is organised by BAAF Adoption and Fostering, the UK's leading adoption and fostering charity.

For more information about National Adoption Week or to find out more about adoption and what it involves visit www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk or contact BAAF on 020 7593 2000.

New Parent and Toddler Group in Dunton Green
A new parent and toddler group now meets at Dunton Green Village Hall. It takes place on Wednesdays from 1.30pm to 3.00pm during term time. For a cost of £1 per family with refreshments provided, it is a friendly group and chance to make new friends. For further information ring Mrs Emma Ellis on 01732 458094.

Stagecoach is already number one!
Youngsters from Stagecoach Theatre Schools have recently learnt that their single "Angel Looking Through" (soon to be released) is already in the number one spot ahead of Will Young and David Bowie in the best selling pre-release singles at amazon.co.uk's hot music chart.

The single, recorded at a charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall, features the voices of over 3,000 Stagecoach students and their families along with former Stagecoach student, 22 year old Penny Foster, who co-wrote the track. For more information on local Stagecoach classes call 0800 169 6826 for a prospectus.

Seasonal Spirit at the Hop Farm
A Christmas Gift Fair will take place at the Hop Farm Country Park, Paddock Wood on 6 and 7 December. Previously run a craft show it has now added to the traditional craft makers with other unique gift exhibitors to ensure a wide array of Christmas ideas with over 60 exhibitors on display. The Hop Farm itself is turned into a winter wonderland for the Gift Fair and Santa will be making his first grotto appearance of the season. The famous Shire Horses leas a torchlit procession around the farm at dusk and Victorian carollers will be singing throughout the weekend.

Christmas continues with Festive Fun for children which includes two productions of Cinderella a day, have a go Christmas activites, sing-a-longs and visits from Santa. Festive Fun takes place between 20 December and 4 January. For more information call 01622 872068 or visit www.thehopfarm.co.uk

Babylicious Scoops Award
Babylicous, manufacturer of frozen baby food has scooped the top prize of £20,000 in HSBC's national search for the UK's top entrepreneurs beating more than 500 other businesses. As a busy mother, Babylicious's owner Sally Preston spent hours in the kitchen with her blender. She was surprised that there was not an existing supplier of frozen baby food to major retailers. An experienced food scientist by trade, she fit upon a simple idea - cooking and pureeing good quality foods and freezing them into specially designed plastic trays.

Being a single mum, Sally had to re-mortgage her home and forgo a regular income to start her business. In less than two years the company has grown enormously and Babylicious is now stocked in over 270 Sainsbury's stores nationwide. She also boasts the most famous fan of all - Vicitoria Beckham - who feeds Babylicious to her son Romeo!

National Tree Week
It is now 30 years since the "Plant a Tree in 73" campaign and since then nearly a million trees are planed each year as a result of the annual National Tree Week. Yet Britain is still one of the least-wooded countries in Europe. Dutch Elm disease has killed over 25 million trees with storms blown down over 19 million more.

National Tree Week takes place from 26 November to 7 December. The Tree Council are urging everyone nationwide to plant some new trees in your garden, school grounds or neighbourhood or to enjoy one of the special events planned. Visit www.treecouncil.org.uk or ring the infoline 020 7828 9928 for more information.

Playtime with Funtazia
Funtazia Playtime is a new company that runs pre-school play sessions for children from 9 months to 5 years. The structured play sessions include nursery rhymes, action songs and lots of toys, along with a chance to meet two adorable characters Ben and Sophie who are always up to something new.

As well as singing and action songs, the session also includes 25 minutes play on a wide variety of play equipment. Overall the sessions develop a range of cognitive, physical and social skills and parents and carers are encouraged to participate with their child. The session finishes with an enthusiastic story and refreshments.

Joanne Tyrell, Director, comments, "We really want both parents and children to enjoy these sessions and have a fun time. Play is the best way for young children to develop especially in terms of their social skills."

Funtazia Playtime is now booking for January 2004 and will run classes at a number of venues including Sevenoaks, Chiddingstone and Tunbridge Wells. The class sizes are small and intimate and are held at pleasant venues with easy pushchair access and free parking. For more information call 01892 871523 or visit www.funtaziaplaytime.co.uk

Go wild at Arctic Jungle
Arctic Jungle, the children's indoor play centre in Crawley, is the latest in interactive play. As soon as you enter through the Ice Cave, you see the Jungle themed playframe. Over four levels in height include above 60 different play elements including seven slides.

It is the only facility in the South to have the 'Thunderdome' - where children can collect or move soft foam balls to six Fun Guns on two levels and then try to hit Mural targets, which have sound effects. Periodically the Ball Dumper, in the roof, rains balls onto the unsuspecting visitors below. For really adventurous children and adults there is a 7.5 metre climbing wall. There is over 6700 square feet of play frame to run around which should challenge children and parents alike.

The Arctic Zone has a more relaxing feel to it. Here you can rest and chill out in the Arctic Café and enjoy quality food and drink at reasonable prices. It is an excellent place for a Birthday Party. The three themed rooms, each with it's own 'throne', can only be reached by crossing the 'Arctic Jungle Bridge' and is only accessible to those on the way to a party! They are toddler fun activity mornings and the centre is open late to 7.30pm on Thursday until Christmas. For more information call 01293 614999 or visit www.arcticjungle.co.uk

Active Learning at Polka Dot
Polka Dot is an independently run active learning programme for children aged between 8 months and 3 years. The fun-filled sessions are led by an experienced team of helpful and friendly class leaders and take place at Hollybush Indoor Bowls Centre in Sevenoaks.

The Babies sessions, for babies aged between 8-14 months, use specialist baby equipment and now include 'Quiet Time'. With the use of classical music and by projecting moving images, they introduce babies to a gentle form of sensory stimulation which is unique to Polka Dot.

The Tiddler (14 months - 2 years) and Toddler (2-3 years) sessions include a mixture of action songs and rhymes, musical instruments, storytime and puppet shows, alphabet, colour, shape and number recognition as well as soft play, bubbles, puzzles, ball pool and climbing equipment on the 'Playtime Circuit'.

FREE SESSION
For a free trial session simply call 01732 465682 and quote Family Interest Magazine.

Making science fun for children
Kingfisher Publications have launched a major new book range for children. Kingfisher Young Knowledge is a non-fiction series of science-based books for beginners for children aged 5+. To make the subject matter really come to life and to encourage home learning, each book includes practical projects to delight, fascinate and occupy children.

Each book contains big, colourful photographs and exciting digital artwork. The text is simple to read but with comprehensive information and includes text boxes with intriguing nuggets of information. There are lots of fun practical projects to do - build a cardboard 'bionic' arm, watch birds from a home-built camouflaged tepee and construct a model of a beaver's dam. The first four titles in the series are Robots, Birds, Rocks and Fossils, and Animal Homes. Books in the Kingfisher Young Knowledge Range are full colour, hard back and priced at £5.99 each. They support Key Stage 1 and 2 learning. For older children (age 8+) the Kingfisher Knowledge range includes Castles & Forts, Dangerous Creatures, Mummies, and Genes & DNA. These are priced at £7.99.

COMPETITION
We have two copies of Animal Homes to give away. Send the answer on a postcard with your name, address and telephone number to: Family Interest Kingfisher Competition, PO Box 395, Sevenoaks, TN13 3YG by 10 December.
Question: How many books are in the Kingfisher Young Knowledge series?

Food Facts for pregnancy and breastfeeding
Almost every week, new research is publicised which identifies yet another type of food, drink or supplement that may have harmful effects for pregnant women, their unborn and newborn babies. All this information - which is often conflicting - can lead many women to feel confused about what they can and can't eat during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. In order to help address women's concerns, the NCT has published "Food Facts for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding". Written by NCT nutritional and breastfeeding experts, Rosemary Dodds and Hannah Hulme Hunter, Food Facts is a nutrition handbook which gives clear and unbiased information to help women make decisions about the food they eat during pregnancy, after birth and when breastfeeding.

Pregnant women often also want to know how much they should be eating during pregnancy and often worry about their weight. Food Facts eases anxiety by giving tips on how to maintain a balanced diet throughout pregnancy. It includes chapters on eating well after the birth and suggests ways in which new mums can ensure they are eating the best foods for breastfeeding and life with a new baby, as the importance of a healthy diet can easily be forgotten in the excitement and hard work of those early days.

"Eating well in pregnancy, during breastfeeding and when you have a new baby is one of the most important things we can do for our own well being and the health of our baby." Says Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive of the NCT. Food Facts offers simple and comprehensive information based on research which allows women to make decisions to suit their lives and hope make eating fun.

Food Facts is available from all major bookshops (£5.99) or from NCT Maternity Sales (plus 60p p+p) on 0870 112 1120 or www.nctms.co.uk

Bartlett & Bartlett - Hairdressers in Sevenoaks & Tonbridge
Bartlett & Bartlett are a family team that run two hairdressing salons in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge. When it comes to hairdressing Richard and Zoe Bartlett have a strong ethos on the quality of service they offer. They strongly believe that when you visit a salon the whole experience should be exceptional. From arrival, the initial consultation, the cut or colour to the finish, customer service is important. They also ensure that every customer is completely happy when they leave and offer follow-up consultancy in the period after the visit if necessary.

A full hour is allowed for each appointment for a cut and blow dry (three hours for colouring) this allows time for the stylist to gain a good understanding of what the customer wants and also to talk through after-care and how to manage their hair after they leave the salon. They also believe in working with clients over time and evolving individual styles to meet changing fashions or lifestyles.

As well as working within the salons, the two artistic stylists, Richard and Dawn, also do a lot of creative work in London and around the country. This includes teaching at Goldwell's Hairdressing College, master classes and photographic and other work They have had cover shots in many magazines including cover shots for the hairdressing industry magazines and a leading fashion magazine in Spain. This added dimension keeps them up-to-date with the latest fashions and techniques but also means that a level of enthusiasm and inspiration is brought back to the two salons.

Above all, the team at Bartlett & Bartlett believe that a visit to the hairdressers should never be a chore but a really special experience that leaves customers feeling happy and satisfied.

Bartlett & Bartlett is delighted to give all Family Interest Readers a chance to visit one of their salons with a special offer. 50% discount for all new customers and 25% discount on all services to existing customers. Call Sevenoaks 01732 746544 or Tonbridge 01732 358877 for terms and conditions.

Underriver Under Fives Nursery School
Underriver Under Fives Nursery School aims to provide a safe, warm and friendly caring atmosphere in which children can play. It encourages personal, social and emotional development, along with language, communication, creative and physical ability, under the supervision of experienced qualified staff.

Children enjoy a wide range of activities. The nursery has a book bus sited permanently in the room with large cushions for the children to be comfortable. Children are encouraged to explore and enjoy art, music, dance, role play and imaginative play. There is a wide range of art and craft materials (including sand, dough and water), dressing up clothes, construction toys, puzzles and a home corner. Physical development is developed with a wide range of activity equipment including slides, bikes, a trampoline, tunnels and a climbing frame.

The Nursery is based at Underriver Village Hall in an idyllic setting surrounded by countryside. Weather permitting, outdoor activities take place each session. Underriver Under Fives is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with sessions from 9am-1pm or 9am-3pm. For more information ring Tracy Higgs on 01892 533471.

Recycle your printer, fax and photocopy cartridges and raise funds for the NCT
The NCT works with a company called Accutecc who recycle new and used printer, toner, fax and photocopy cartridges. You can find out more about what they do at www.accutecc.co.uk They need Hewlett Packard, Canon, Lexmark, IBM, Optra & Panasonic printer cartridges (no Epson please). The NCT can make up to £4 per cartridge, it's easy and free! Simply seal the cartridge in a small plastic bag (or sandwich bag) and place the parcel in an envelope addressed to the freepost address below. The National Childbirth Trust, 100 600 I, Recycling Centre, Freepost ANG2044, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2YF.

If you have multiple printer cartridges, you may want to order some freepost boxes, which hold 20 cartridges. If so, please call Jane Clements on 01279 401320. For free collection of toner cartridges from laser printers, laser fax/multifunction & photocopier (10 Cartridges Minimum). To order a box that holds 10 and to arrange a collection, please call Jane Clements on 01279 401320