IN STOCK
Bear in the woods
A new resource pack aimed at raising awareness of the environment amongyoung children up to Key Stage One is available free to all early yearssettings and childminders. Rupert Bear's Woodland Magic Activity Pack,produced in association with the Woodland Trust, includes a DVDfeaturing four episodes from the Rupert Bear television series onMilkshake on Channel Five. As leader of the Eco Explorers Club, RupertBear helps children learn about the natural world with his friends fromNutwood. Sign up for a free pack at www.rupertbear.com/activitypack.
Money resource
Parents burdened with money worries or work pressures could find somerelief via a new social networking website that goes live on 25 August.The site offers information and self-help tools for all parents as partof an online parenting community. Penny Mansfield, director of the siteand of the relationship research charity One Plus One, said, 'Manycouples face a lot of changes and new financial pressures when theybecome parents, and for many, this year's credit crunch is making iteven more difficult. Help for relationships is a crucial strand ofparenting support, but is often overlooked.' The site can be found atthecoupleconnection.net.
PEOPLE AND PLACES
Garden guests
Children from Rotherly Day Nursery and the Westgate School in Winchesterheld a garden party on 2 August to celebrate the official opening oftheir new sensory play area. Around 200 guests, including the Mayor andMayoress of Winchester, enjoyed a treasure hunt and tea and cakes.Donations raised from the cake sale will be sent to the special carebaby unit at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.
On the ball
Weekly basketball sessions have been keeping children at Step by StepChildren's Centre in Plaistow, London, on their toes (below). Nurserymanager Eileen Grant said, 'The children have benefited enormously fromthese sessions and we have planned different activities around the themeof basketball.' The sessions are run by Newham All Star SportsAcademy.
Farewell present
The founder of a playgroup who has stepped down after 17 years' servicereceived a special leaving present from the pre-school children. AnitaNorris (above) started Bengeo Playgroup in Bengeo, Hertfordshire, in1991 with just nine children attending. Now it has 40 children and ninestaff and is open five days a week. Ms Norris was presented with aspecially decorated plate in thanks for her dedication. Sally Hough, whois taking over as playgroup leader in September, said, 'The childrendecorated it themselves to honour and thank her for the care she hasgiven to many, many children over the years.'
Photo of the week
Children from Culverdene Day Nursery in Newcastle dressed as pirates toraise 340 for the Bubble Foundation UK, which supports childrenborn without an immune system. The nursery wanted to support thecharity, which paid for two-year-old Joshua's nursery place when hisfamily relocated, while his baby sister Melody was being treated atNewcastle General Hospital.
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