Classes - NorthHantsMum

NHM Readers: Children’s first aid course

Posted by shona on 22nd February 2018 in Babies, Children, Classes, NHM Readers, Safety, Things to Do, Wellbeing 0 Comment

I recently asked the Friends of my “Louise nhm Smith” profile on Facebook if anyone could help this fellow NHM reader: “Any idea how I could get onto/find info on how to get one a children’s first aid course? Got a 3 year old and a 1 year old, and when my little one choked on a grape a few weeks ago I had no idea what to do!!! Luckily she was fine but would like to be more informed, just not sure where to start!?”

These were the responses I received. They are in no particular order. Thank you to Shona for putting this post together.

NHM Readers suggest children’s first aid courses

Louise NHM Smith suggested Vicky at First Aid Angels Limited and also to check the local NCT website to see if they are doing any first aid courses.

Samantha said: St John’s x

Sarah said: you could try contacting local community centres or nurseries or play groups? sometimes they book a course for staff and have spaces left?

Kelsey said: We went on a free one that the children’s centres were doing. Not sure if they still are.

Marie said: First aid angels

Marie said: I’d recommend Vicky at First aid angels too. We did a group class with her at my friends house when the kids were small.

Kay said: We use Tiger Lilly for our paediatric courses at Spotlight.

Bethan said: Speak to RCS. They run safe and healthy baby courses which incorporate a paediatric first aid training session x

Cerys said: NCT run baby & child first aid courses in association with Red Cross. By coincidence, September’s are this Saturday, 2 courses, am & pm

Louise said:Baby Resuscitation highly recommend this company

Kimberley said:NCT runs great baby and child first aid courses. They are at Everest College every month.

Lucy said:I did mine at the library in basingstoke festival place… It was at a huge discount too so worth asking incase they are doing more (as this was a year and a half ago now) x

Lizzy said: We did ours at Basingstoke discovery centre & was very cheap. So definitely worth checking if they still do it.

First Aid Angels Limited thank you for your support Ladies. We offer a 2 hour parents first aid course in your own home or venue Usually on a weekday evening. We are a Qualsafe approved centre and offer accredited Paediatric and adult first aid courses too.

Lizzie said: I did the NCT Red Cross one which was really good. There’s also a “Safe & Healthy baby/toddler” course run through the children’s centres which covers loads if things including First Aid. That was free & was brilliant.

Kelly said: I have done the Tigerlillys 12hr paediatric course which is really good or they do a shorter 6hr course and a reasonable price.

Luan said: Viables have some emergency aid courses coming up and they deal with various things including choking for infants and adults. Free too! Next is Sep 20th at 2pm. Our new Birth to Beyond course starts on Monday and a first aider will be attending to cover choking, febrile convulsions etc. The course is £20 for five weeks and we will be covering all sorts of other things too. First aid for infants is in the first week. 01256 473634 Viables Community Centre or office@viables.org.uk

Peta said: First aid for life. Owner is london based but she has health care gurus all over. NCT use her (very adaptable/personalised) courses regularly.

Karen said: Nursery Rhymes Inc – St John’s

Susan said:We did ours through the Red Cross but I don’t remember any booking details.

Madeleine said: Tadley Triangle Heartstart did free courses a few years ago

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NHM Readers recommend: Cooking classes for six year olds

Posted by juliet on 22nd February 2018 in Basingstoke, Children, Classes, Education, Food, NHM Readers, North Hampshire, Older Children, Things to Do 0 Comment

An NHM reader asked “Hello! I’ve been hunting for cookery workshops/classes to attend with my nearly 6 year old son. I’ve found options for preschool age but can’t seem to find anything in the area for his age range. He wants to make real food, not just decorate biscuits or cakes now. Do you know of anything out there? Thanks!!”

Thank you to all of the NHM readers who responded, these are listed below, in no particular order! Thank you also to Juliet who put this post together!!

Tot Cross Buns

Michelle said “Tot Cross Buns run by Allison Woolford. And now they’ve got Kerry on board too.”

Louise said “Tot Cross Buns is awesome!”

Kerry said “Please send us a message and we would be happy to talk to you about our Saturday kitchens which you and your son can come along too, we have lots of fun and are passionate about cooking and want to pass on this passion to children – giving them confidence with food and encouraging them to try new tastes and have fun in the kitchen with mum and dad. We look forward to hearing from you”

Cookery Doodle Doo North Hants

Alison said “My daughter loves Cookery Doodle Doo.. Highly recommended”

Katie said “Hi, I run Cookery Doodle Doo. For primary school aged children we offer the monthly Sunday Pudding Club. Drop your child off with us for 2 hours in Laverstoke and collect them proudly bearing a large pud to share at your family Sunday dinner. I also offer affordable private cookery lessons for any age child (and a group of their friends if liked) – why not get a group together for ad hoc or regular Saturday morning sessions?! They could make their own tea!”

Inspero

Becky said “Check out this page, it’s a charity that does fab cooking and gardening clubs”

Sarah said “Check out inspero. Kids gardening and cooking”

Newlyns

Lyndsey said “I’m not sure if they do many kids classes but Newlyns Farm Shop in Odiham have a cookery school & run some kids events that might be worth looking into”

Marie said “We struggled with this for my youngest. As a cake baker and decorator, and old school home cook, she needed more than the basic stuff at that age. Didn’t find anything, but stuck it out til this year, her 8th birthday, and she has a cookery class at Newlyns cookery school in Warnborough. My eldest has done classes there, and they’re amazing. 2/3 course meals!”

Mumsmissingmums

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on 5th February 2018 in Group, Mums, New Parents, Post Natal, Pregnancy, Things to Do, Vulnerable Mum's, Wellbeing 0 Comment

Mumsmissingmums is a new, support network for those mums who are raising their children without the support of their own mums.

A closed group of women who would like a safe place to chat, share stories and get to know others in the same position with meeting up too if people want to.

It isn’t just for women who have lost their mums to bereavement, it is for all women for whom their mums are absent from their lives.

Please feel free to search for the group on facebook and request to join.

Basingclog

Posted by juliet on 15th January 2018 in After School Clubs, Basingstoke, Children, Exercise, Group, Older Children, Things to Do 0 Comment

Basingclog is not a dance school, but more of a club.

We’ve been dancing in the Basingstoke area for the last 25 years, and although we mostly have adult members, we do welcome young people from age 14.

During the autumn and winter months, we practice at Sherfield on Loddon village hall on Tuesdays, 8-9:30 pm, and in the spring and summer we dance out at area pubs and the occasional festival.

We welcome beginners and can teach people all they need to know about morris dancing. Our website is www.basingclog.org.uk

Ooh Mama Choir

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on 9th November 2017 in Basingstoke, Classes, Mums, Things to Do, Wellbeing 0 Comment

Ooh Mama Choir was set up in 2012 by Kate Barrett, after having been inspired by Gareth Malone and his ‘Military Wives’ choir.

Mummy to two young boys, with a passion for music, Kate decided to start her own choir to give mummies that much needed ‘me time’ each week.

With no auditions and the only requirement being that you are a mummy (whether you have young children, older children or even grandchildren), Ooh Mama provides the opportunity for fun, music and socialising.

Having started with just a handful of members, Ooh Mama is constantly expanding and is always open to new members!

Ooh Mama is also a proud member of the ‘Basingstoke Festival of Choirs’.

We meet every Tuesday 8pm – 9.30pm at Christchurch Chineham.

The cost is £10 per month.

You can find out more at:

Website: http://oohmamachoir.org.uk/home

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/OohMaMa/

Classes to do with a baby

Posted by shona on 8th November 2017 in Babies, Basingstoke, Classes, New Parents, North Hampshire, Things to Do, Vulnerable Mum's 0 Comment

Thank you very much to Shona for putting this post together!!!

Classes to do with a baby

NCT Coffee groups

Basingstoke NCT runs coffee groups that meet regularly to support parents-to be and parents. Anyone is welcome, you don’t have to be a member of NCT and is open from pregnancy right up to pre-school age. Opportunities to meet other people and talk to them about their experiences and make new friends.

No fee to attend, there is a collection towards the work the NCT do.

NCT

NCT Early Days

This is a group that meets in a supportive, relaxed and friendly atmosphere to openly talk about life as a mum. You can discuss challenges, tips and the reality over the expectations you had/have. You will meet other parents, make friends and gain support and tips. Courses run over 4-6 weekly sessions for new mums. They are aimed at new mums with babies under 6months. There is a fee for this course – enquire via link below.

NCT Early Days

Little Tots Poppins

This is an Art and Messy session followed by Music and Movement.You don’t register, just pop in. The sessions are run on Thursday mornings from 9.30am to 11am and costs £3 per session. The sessions are term time only.

Little Tots Stoney Heath, White Lion Court, Hollybush Farm, Stoney Heath, Ramsdell, Tadley, RG26 5SL. 01256851398

Little Tots Poppins

Little Munchkins Baby

These are Baby Massage and Baby Yoga classes which help you to feel relaxed, happy and confident with your baby. Baby massage helps build bonds and will help you become more in tune and confident with your baby’s needs. The course is taught in 5 weekly session (1 hour long each session). Suitable from birth. It runs on a Tuesday from 11am to 12pm at Tadley Community Centre.

Little Munchkins Baby

Baby Sensory

These are nationwide so have a look online for your local session as there are quite a few in Basingstoke. They offer a musical world of sensory experiences for both parents and children. There are light shows, bells, bubbles, puppets and signing to name but a few of the activities. The class is split into three phases so there is a free play session in the middle where you can play with the toys and activities set out and sit and talk to other mums and dads. Sessions run term time only and the course is £70 per term you wish to take up.

Baby Sensory

Tots Play

This is a 6 week course suitable from birth to 6 months. You learn fun ways to play and communicate with your baby using massage, music, signing and is also a great way to meet other mums. The class runs from 11.20am to 12.20pm and you must book in advance.

Tots Play

Barn Tots

This is a friendly play session from birth to pre-school. They meet at Viables Community Centre on Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm and Thursdays from 9.45am to 11.45am. It is term time only. There are different toys each week and a great soft play area for babies. There is singing and storytime and music and movement too. It costs £2 per session and includes refreshments for adults and a cold drink, fruit and biscuits for the children.

Active Mums

This is an hour long class which starts with a warm up walk which moves up to a power walk. There are exercises throughout the class to strengthen and tone. The route is suitable for any buggy and it’s a great session to get some exercise and meet other mums. The classes run at 11am on a Monday and Wednesday at Basing Wood. It is all year round and no booking is required. 1 session is £4 or you can book 10 sessions online for £35.

Active Mums

NHM Inspirational Mum (Oct 2017): Helen Hill

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on 20th October 2017 in Children, Classes, Inspirational Mums, Local Mum Businesses, Mums, Parents 0 Comment

Thank you very much to everyone who nominated someone for this month’s “NHM Inspirational Mum”!!!

I wish that I had a physical prize that I could give to Helen for her award this month, but instead she’s just going to have to enjoy the kudos of being one of the first Inspirational Mum’s on NorthHantsMum.

Well done Helen and keep up the AWESOME work!!!!

If you would like to nominate someone for November’s award, please email me at NorthHantsMum@gmail.com before the end of October and include a couple of paragraphs as to why you are nominating this Mum. I will then let everyone know who will be the “Inspirational Mum” for November and people can email further comments before the announcement is officially made in the middle of November.

NHM Inspirational Mum (Oct 2017): Helen Hill

Helen Hill who runs Buggyfit: Basingstoke & Tadley

Inspiration Mum Nomination 1

Emma: I wanted to add another nomination for Helen as an inspirational mum for all her work with BuggyFit and Running Mummies.

I joined BuggyFit at the end of March this year when my baby boy Harrison was 5 months old. Helen was the only person I’d met post-baby to know so much about the physical damage and recovery after having a baby, and all the things I was doing wrong which was making things worse!

She was so supportive and factual about what I needed to do to exercise and recover safely, and not just physically but emotional support too. She then got me into her running group of mummies and helped offer free running sessions together with other new friends. This weekend she helped encourage other mums to go along to Park Run too

She’s an inspiration because of the amount of positive physical and mental support she offers us mums out of her own free time, whilst also balancing her own family

Inspiration Mum Nomination 2

Sarah: Helen is a really inspirational Mum. Her Buggyfit classes are super fun and geared towards getting your body back slowly and safely after birth. The exercises are all safe and scaled to your fitness level and the time after birth. She is a patient and kind teacher who always takes the time to correct my lack of coordination!

At classes Helen always finds a way to include any toddlers – she lets my 3 year old daughter join in the exercises or play with the bands, balls and cones. This really helps when you are stressed with two little ones.

More than just running the classes Helen has made Buggyfit a group with a social aspect to help us Mums have a chat and get advice and perspectives from other Mums. There are coffee stops after classes, charity walks and a really chatty WhatsApp group. She has built up a true network for local Mums……and I am really grateful for the support.

She is an inspirational Mum…..Thank you Helen.

Inspiration Mum Nomination 3

Maria: Helen Hill is definitely an inspiring mum! I first met Helen about 6 Months ago at my first Buggyfit class. As soon I arrived she made me feel welcome and her wealth of knowledge of post natal care/exercise/pelvic floor is impressive and reassuring that you know you are in good hands.

I love Helen’s classes from Buggyfit with the babies and the evening classes for just the mums.

Helen will bring her son along to some of the Buggyfit classes, he’s a lovely little boy, well loved and cheers us ladies on. And the odd occasion when her little boy is not so happy it’s good to see Helen as a mum, so she understands and knows the struggles of motherhood. And additionally there is no awkwardness or embarrassment if your baby acts up in the Buggyfit class.

Helen is a lovely lady , fantastic instructor and a credit to the mother and baby world.

She is definitely an inspiring mum in my eyes

Inspiration Mum Nomination 4

Hannah: I was lucky enough to meet Helen when our boys started at nursery together. No matter what she always had a smile on her face. We got talking and eventually got dragged me out running and explained her motivation was the abuse that had been shouted at her when running on the streets so she decided to set up Basingstoke Running Mummies to encourage people to buddy up and get fit.

As well as running this she was working 5 days a week, looking after a toddler and a teenager. I was impressed how well she coped with everything when may of us moan about working and parenting. When she came up with the plan to start teaching buggyfit she added on her health and fitness modules on top of everything she had going on. When she took the leap in December/January

I was so impressed that she decided to launch buggyfit at potentially the worst time of year with many not wanting to brave the elements especially with a small child in toe however her enthusiasm and passion won over women and week by week the numbers grew. Helen was never too shy to impart her wisdom on the ladies and give details explanations as to why she was doing what she was doing and how the body needed to repair.

Helen was never about calorie burning and quick results but repairing your body. Her approach was something I had never seen before. Even with the classes growing and locations spreading she still wanted to learn more as she didn’t feel she knew enough. From January to now her passion for learning and healing the female body astounds me. She truly wants to “fix” everyone she can.

The bravery she has shown in expanding her skill set, starting up circuits and boxercise as well as more tailored sessions in small groups focusing on core repair is amazing. Sometimes I wish she talked a little less about pelvic floor but her support and teaching as given me a new confidence which I may not have had before. I am truly lucky to have such a good friend and trainer. She is one in a million

Inspiration Mum Nomination 5

Fiona: I nominated Helen as a local inspiring Mum for a number of reasons. I met Helen via the Facebook page you created for local Mums and babies when I was expecting my second child. We met up in person at the NCT coffee and chat sessions on a Friday and from there created a little group of Mums who had babies of a similar age.

While I don’t know her back story completely, I do know that she had her first child at a young age and fostered a second girl for a long period of time who is now back with her family. When she returned to work she struggled with juggling the needs of Oscar who has battled repeated bouts of illness with work; and as a result she felt pushed out of her role due to conflicting commitments.

With the desire to loose weight after Oscar she had already started up her own running group on FB following the couch to 5km training and saw the need for a ‘normal’ body size fitness coach. She trained herself up to offer a service as a Buggyfit instructor and now has over 100 clients who she coaches and inspires to be the best they can be.

Review 2017: Tot Cross Buns

Posted by juliet on 2nd October 2017 in Basingstoke, Children, Classes, Food, Local Mum Businesses, Reviews of Things to do, Things to Do, Wellbeing 0 Comment

Thank you very much to the NHM Secret Reviewer who put this post together!

Last month, my son made an amazing toad in the hole. He’s two years old. Before I sign him up for Masterchef, I should probably give some appreciation to the brilliant ladies at Tot Cross Buns.

About

Tot Cross Buns is a cookery course for children aged 2 to 5 years old, with occasional Saturday cookery classes that also welcome school age children. Their website says ‘The aim of Tot Cross Buns is to introduce children to food through taste, smell and touch all in a fun and relaxed environment. They’ll be cooking healthy recipes (some treats too!), which have all been tried and tested, and will involve the children every step of the way – and there will be no washing up to worry about!’ The classes also include a food related activity carried out whilst the food is cooking.

The classes are located at various sites in North Hampshire, close to Basingstoke, with times, locations and prices available on their website Tot Cross Buns. The business is the brainchild of local mum Allison and the classes are run by Allison and another local lady, Kerry, who runs the classes we’ve been attending.

The Class

First off I should admit, I’m a little bit in love with Tot Cross Buns. I went for a taster session last month and we have been back every week since. I’d never heard of the idea of cooking classes for toddlers before and had only seen places offering biscuit decorating etc. Here, not only do recipes include Toad in the Hole, pasta, rosemary biscuits etc, they concentrate on being healthy, with the very occasional cheeky spoily week. They teach about the foods they are using, where they come from, and tend to carry this into the week’s activities.

Kerry, as I’m sure Allison does too, takes the time to point out each ingredient and encourages the children to find the right ones and do as much as possible themselves. She goes around and helps where needed with support and a little one-to-one. She encourages involvement, asks lots of questions, and doesn’t miss a trick either; she will hone in on the quiet ones to make sure they feel involved (that includes my little one, and I still can’t believe he now shouts out answers to the group questions). She also encourages independence, getting the children to carry their trays up on their own, put the dirty bits in the washing up box, and collect their baking one at a time, with a round of applause at the end.

The activities themselves are well thought out and relevant to what is being cooked. From colouring, to tasting, to washing up, to planting herbs. Always different and always grabs the children’s attention whilst being educational.

All this, plus you come away with great baking too!

They also recently won the Muddy Stiletto Award for best children’s business in Hampshire 2017. Congratulations! Well deserved.

Rating out of 5

Definitely 5 out of 5

For more information contact Allison on Tot Cross Buns website or Tot Cross Buns Facebook Page

Review 2017: Tots Play, Social Tots

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on 15th September 2017 in Babies, Basingstoke, Children, Classes, Family, Local Mum Businesses, North Hampshire, Post Natal, Pre School, Reviews, Reviews of Things to do, Things to Do, Toddlers, Vulnerable Mum's 0 Comment

Thank you very much to today’s NHM Secret Reviewer! Fab job!

“Great value for money, 40 minutes of fun!”

I have attended Michelle groups since my little one was 8 weeks old. We started off attending Baby Development and have graduated to Discovery Tots and finally to Social Tots.

Social Tots does what it says on the tin, it’s a 40 minutes of fun! It’s an interactive social group for for babies from 8 months to tots of 3 years.

This class is a great way for your little ones to meet other Tots, to interact via play and for parents to socialise and to catch up every week.

Every class is full of various activities and we are always met by Michelle and Totsy the class mascot. You can enjoy welcome songs, different hands on themed play each week, involving colour, light, natural objects, fruit and veg, sensory play, massage, yoga and sign language.

With her extensive knowledge, Michelle always explains what we are doing and why we are doing each activity it and how it benefits the little ones. The fun can also continue at home as all the tools and props that are used in the class, including beach balls and sensory fans are all on sale at the end of the class.

Each week brings something different and we are welcomed by Michelle and her smile. We thoroughly enjoy the group and will be booking again for the next session.

Unlike a lots of Toddler groups, Michelle will be running various classes over the summer as well as some Saturday classes.

Check out all Michelle classes on Facebook or totsplay.co.uk

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Caterpillar Music Fleet and Hook

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on 14th September 2017 in Babies, Classes, Hartley Wintney, Local Mum Businesses, New Classes, North Hampshire, Pre School, Things to Do, Toddlers 0 Comment

Caterpillar Music arrives in HART!

You are never too young to start learning and thanks to new classes starting in Hook, Odiham and Fleet babies and toddlers will be banding together and learning to make fun music.

Offering under fours a fun filled environment to enjoy music classes Caterpillar Music class leader Katharine Slater aims to ensure there is lots of learning through the routines where each child is given instruments and puppets to help them interact during each session.

The weekly sessions run by the UK’s fastest growing network of children’s activity classes will be 40 minutes designed to encourage language development, listening skills, co ordination, confidence and social skills through the use of puppets, songs, actions, stories and various themes.

From September Katharine will be running two morning sessions at three locations in Hart – Monday classes with be at the North Warnborough Village Hall Odiham, Wednesdays at the Hook Community Center and Thursdays at the Willis Hall Crookham Fleet.

For further details contact Katharine at:

kathy.slater@caterpillarmusic.com

CaterpillarMusicFleetandHook

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