Child Care - 31/05/2014

Focus On ........ Child Care in Dore

In this issue “Focus On .........” looks at Child Care in Dore.

First Steps Nursery School

First Steps Nursery School is based in Dore Old School and caters for children from the age of two years. It received an ‘Outstanding’ judgement from Ofsted in April 2013 which found that children make ‘excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development ’and ‘children are able to be fully creative and think critically...developing excellent communication and language skills’.  Not only offering excellent nursery education, there is also the option of extended day care provision (for school-age children too) between 8am and 5.30pm each day, for a maximum of 45 weeks of the year. For further information or to arrange a visit, please telephone 0114 235 3801 or email firststeps.ns@googlemail.com

Kingswood Day Nursery

Kingswood Day Nursery, based within the grounds of Dore Primary School, provides high quality childcare for children aged from six weeks to five years and is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm all year round. They are flexible in accommodating individual needs and accommodating differing work schedules.

The Nursery provides a caring and friendly atmosphere where children feel welcome, safe and are valued as individuals. Children are encouraged to develop a sense of self-worth, independence and a caring attitude towards others, with an emphasis on learning through play. Personal, social and emotional, communication and language and physical development are valued just as much as literacy and numeracy skills.

Contact Nicola Hall on 235 3322.

Tatty Bumpkin

Tatty Bumpkin offers Yoga-inspired activity classes for children aged two to five years old. The classes incorporate music, storytelling and simple yoga moves, developing creativity and increasing physical confidence by combining physical activity with breathing and relaxation. Activities are based around a doll called Tatty Bumpkin and in every class Tatty goes on an adventure. It could be in the Amazon rain forest or the South Pole or competing in the Rabbit Olympics! Classes finish with period of relaxation and a recap of the story. Classes are on Friday mornings (term time only) at 9.30am at the Dore and Totley United Reformed Church, Totley Brook Road. E-mail Liz Swann: sheffield@tattybumpkin.com to reserve a spot (£10 for a three week trial).” A block of six classes will cost you £51 and missed classes can be made up at other times.

Tea, Talk and Tunes for Toddlers (4Ts)

Tea, Talk and Tunes for Toddlers (4Ts) is a toddlers’ singing group held on Monday mornings in Dore Methodist Church from 10 o’clock. Children play with toys for about half an hour and then sing (with parents joining in) for about 25 minutes, finishing with “I’m for ever blowing bubbles” which they really enjoy. Then it’s time for drinks and biscuits, toddlers sitting on the floor and then playing with toys until 11:30.All pre-school ages are welcome, with babies from about two months old and some toddlers who are four. Grandparents also bring their grandchildren and parents new to Dore really enjoy meeting other parents at 4Ts. Cost: £1.50 for a family. Contact: Rosemary Thomas on 236 3314 or email nigrosie@talktalk.net.

The Kids Art Academy

The Kids Art Academy is an after school Art and Cooking Club held in Dore Old School every Monday during term time from 3.30pm to 5.30pm for children aged four to eleven. Established in 2008 by Hannah Pearson, an experienced Primary School Teacher and freelance artist, the Academy provides opportunities for children to develop their artistic and cooking skills in a fun and friendly environment. Each week the children cook something sweet or savoury to take for their tea and also do an art activity like fabric printing and learning to draw animals. Cost: £8 per week. Staff are DBS checked and experienced in working with children.

KAA runs a walking bus from Dore Primary school, picking up from class at the end of the school day. Visit www.kidsartsacademy.co.uk, contact Hannah on 07967 653946 or email Hannah@kidsartsacademy.co.uk.

Tootlepops

Mondays see lots of fun with singing at the Old School House in Dore with Tootlepops. Classes are at 09:45, 10:30 and 11:15.  Each week children sing around a theme and they love puppets coming out of a bag to help with their songs, and have great fun with shakers.  The most magical moment is when instruments are played: violin, concertina, ocarina, glockenspiel, melodica, whistle, recorder.  The children love the sounds and listen entranced.  Sessions finish with bubbles and a snack. Classes cost £20 for 5 consecutive sessions, with discounts for siblings, babies under 6 months and one-off session rates are available.  A free trial session is offered. Contact Catherine on 07800 919449 or visit www.tootlepops.co.uk.

Christ Church Dore Baby and Toddler Group

Christ Church Dore Baby and Toddler Group welcomes children from birth to offering support and friendship to parents and carers and providing creative play for children. Run jointly by Mums from Dore and Totley Christian Fellowship and Christ Church Dore, a typical morning sees 30 to 40 parents and carers pay £1 to enjoy activities including a baby corner, a mini-slide, cars, happyland, playdough, and dressing-up, train and car tracks, jigsaws, sticklebricks etc. There is a craft activity, an optional story time and refreshments. Sessions close with singing. Thursday mornings during term time from 10:00am to 11:30am in the Parish Hall, Townhead Road. Contact Ann Scott on 235 1087 or follow them on Facebook "Christ Church Toddlers".

Footnote - If you have suggestions for articles in this series please let me know.

Keith Shaw, Assistant Editor 
keith.shaw@dorevillage.co.uk