Review of Local Swimming Pools

Swimming is a great activity to do with your children - it encourages physical activity, it's fun and you can go at any time of the year! Teaching your children to swim is also important for their safety. There are lots of swimming pools in and around the Ely area. Here is our review of some of them.

Ely Paradise Pool

Learner pool and 25m pool

Price: under 3s free, 3-16 year olds £2.60, adult £3.55, concessions £2.60

Note: this pool has been under new management since 23 July 2012

http://www.everyoneactive.com/Home/OurCentres/ParadisePools/tabid/1740/Default.aspx

Ely Pool has been pretty bad in my experience - mostly due to the pool and air temperature which is far too erratic even for older toddlers, let alone babies. I've also found the family changing facilities pretty unpleasant. I'm pleased that 'Everyone Active' who run the Cambridge Pools will be taking over as I regularly swim there and the standards of hygiene etc are much higher. Gillian

We have been to Ely's Paradise Pools once since it has been taken over by new management and were overall fairly impressed. My two main issues before were the dirty changing rooms with very poor maintenance (locks on some doors had not worked for well over a year) and the cold temperature of the air and pool.  While the same layout remains in the changing rooms, the cubicle dividers and doors have been replaced. The floor was still wet but seemed a bit cleaner.  We didn't use the adult pool but the children's pool seemed to be warmer.  I like the pool at Ely because the graded entry into the children's pool allows toddlers to be quite independent and there are lots of games that they can play without needing to be able to swim or cling to an adult. I hope that the higher standards are maintained because it was nice to be able to take the baby swimming close to home without her turning blue! Laura

The Paradise Pool has received a lot of bad press so I was a bit wary when I started going with my baby this year. But I've been pleasantly surprised! I haven’t had any issues with the pool itself. A lot of people have complained about the temperature but it’s felt ok to me – perhaps this was a past problem. The temperature was 31 degrees when I went at the weekend. The main problem for me was the dark and dingy changing facilities, but since the new management has taken over these have been vastly improved - new lighting and locks that work! Another recent change has been some new bubble jets in the learner pool to provide some added fun for little ones. The learner pool is a good size so doesn’t feel overly crowded in busy periods. I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of taking their children. Hannah

Newmarket Leisure Centre

Teaching pool and 25m main pool

Prices: under 5s £1, full £3.40, concessions £1.70/£2.40

http://www.newmarketleisurecentre.com/newmarket-leisure-centre

Newmarket is good for toddlers up. Good, clean changing facilities with changing tables for babies. The pool is a little boring as it's just a square pool. There isn't a shelved section but our eldest likes it. Not brilliant for young babies as they can only really be either in your arms or dragged around in an inflatable seat. I like a shelved bit so the baby can sit unaided and splash about on you. The pool is nice and warm, though. Gillian

Cambridge Parkside Pool

Toddler pool with a flume for older children and 25m main pool

Prices: under 18s £2.15, adult £4.10

http://www.everyoneactive.com/tabid/621/default.aspx

Cambridge Parkside has a small shelved pool and a deeper training pool suitable for some older children (if not being used for the flumes and slides). The pools and the changing areas are clean and there are quite a few family changing rooms with changing tables and seats you can strap babies into while you change. There is a buggy park complete with locks as you go in. Gillian

Cambridge Abbey Pools

12m learner pool and 25m main pool

Prices: under 18s £2.15, adult £4.10

http://www.everyoneactive.com/tabid/645/default.aspx

I've not been to Abbey Pools in ages but it was a large-ish shelved pool, which is nice and warm. They had a lot of toys out for the children to play with and the changing facilities were good. Gillian

Bury St Edmunds Pool

Pirate Pool, Teaching Pool, 25m Main Pool and Flumes!

Prices: under 5s 85p, junior £2.20, adult £3.40, concessions adult £2.20, concessions child £1.35

http://www.acleisure.com/swimming-pool-bury-st-edmunds.html

We often choose to drive to Bury St Edmunds to go swimming. The changing rooms are clean and there are large ones for families with changing tables.  There is also a playpen to place over-adventurous young toddlers/crawlers while getting all the swimming things sorted (my three year old loves being put in 'the baby cage' with his younger sister)! There are three pools. The adult pool is large. I have never been into it but it looks good for older children. There is a learner’s pool, which is shallow and has a series of shelved steps going into the pool all along one side. This means that there is plenty of opportunity for jumping up and down steps or crawling about and splashing.  There is also a colder 'pirate pool'. There are flumes for older children as well as a pirate ship with two slides for smaller children.  The pool is shallow enough to allow any child older than about three to walk about fairly independently, getting onto and off the slides. There is also a jacuzzi that is kept at the same temperature as the pool and some 'bubble seats'.  There is a lot to do at the pool and a good cafe with a range of food (jacket potatoes, sandwiches, chicken nuggets and chips etc).  Parking is free and we find that it is well worth the 40 minute drive to get there from Ely (although the kids often fall asleep on the way home)!  Laura

St James’ Swimming and Fitness Centre, King’s Lynn

10m learner pool and 25m main pool

Prices: children £2.40, adult £4.10

http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=26709

The best thing about the learner pool at King’s Lynn is the temperature – it’s lovely and warm! It has steps going down into the pool where you could sit with your baby if you didn’t want to go all the way in. On the downside, it is just a rectangular pool so is a little boring and it’s quite small (10m long and 7.5m wide), so it can feel terribly crowded at busy periods.  The changing facilities are good – bright and spacious with a few family changing rooms. There’s also a spectator’s area overlooking the learner pool. Hannah

What do you think about the swimming pools in our area? Let us know by commenting below.

Do your children play in the street?

Interesting article in the Independent about children playing in the street http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/freerange-fun-would-you-let-your-childrenplay-in-the-street-8082397.html

What do you think? Do your children play in the street?

Measles cases 'almost double'

There have been almost twice the number of measles cases in England and Wales in the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year, official figures show. The Health Protection Agencyagency is urging parents to ensure children are up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations before the school begins.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19369365

What Else Is On - September 2012

Your Guide to Local Events Suitable for Families

(Don't forget to view 'What's On' for local NCT events)

Every Day

Ickworth - 50 Things to do before you're 11 and three quarters, 9am-5pm

Come to Ickworth to try out some activities every child should do before they're 11 and three quarters. Join us for a series of activities and try out some new things; eat some wild blackberries, find a geocache, build a den or climb a tree. You can also look inside a tree, make a mud pie and enjoy a wide variety of activities with friends and family. See how many things you can do at Ickworth and other National Trust properties.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth/things-to-see-and-do/events/#iframeEvents

Saturday 1 September

Cambridge University Botanic Gardens – Family Saturday, 11am-3pm

Pick up a trail map and discover what you may find in the Garden. Draw what you see, and compete with your family and friends, ticking things off as you spot them!

http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Event.aspx?p=27&ix=245&pid=2718&prcid=0&ppid=2718

Fitzwilliam Museum – Family First Saturday, 2pm-4pm

On the first Saturday of each month, visit our Fitz Family Welcome Point and collect drawing materials, activities and trails to use throughout the Museum.

http://www.localsecrets.com/whatsondetails.cfm?id=2140705~family-first-saturday-cambridge-cambridgeshire-fitzwilliam-museum

Wood Green – The Animals Charity: Rabbit Awareness Week, 10am-4pm

Join us for some rabbit fun and free advice along with face painting, toy making, story time, ask the experts and lots of stalls and goodies.

http://www.localsecrets.com/whatsondetails.cfm?id=2256916~rabbit-awareness-week-godmanchester-cambs-wood-green-the-animals-charity

Saturday 1 to Wednesday 5 September

Summer at Welney Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

Summer at WWT Welney is full of wildflowers in bloom, waterways teaming with insects and amphibians and young birds taking flight for the first time.  Pond-dipping equipment at the platforms is available all day everyday with led pond-dipping sessions on the weekends. Taking our explorer backpacks along the bug stations will reveal a world of insects and reptiles. Activity clipboards will help your children get the most out of their visit. The tranquil dragonfly ponds are the ideal spot to sit and watch our dragonfly and damselfly species skimming the water’s surface.

http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/welney/whats-on/2012/07/20/summer-holiday-family-activities/

Thursday 6 September to Sunday 9 September

Heritage Open Days

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Heritage Open Days is an event for everyone, whatever their background, age and ability. From castles to city halls, tunnels to tower tops, police cells to private homes, workshops to woodland walks, the variety of places and ways to discover them are endless.

For events near you, see http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory

Saturday 8 September

Houghton Mill - Heritage Open Day: A Victorian Mill, 11am-4.30pm

Come and meet some of the people who would have worked at Houghton Mill in Victorian times. The mill will also be working from 1 - 4.30pm using water power to produce stoneground flour (river levels permitting).

http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/hod011296e

Cambridge Leper Chapel – Celebration of the Historic Stourbridge Fair, 12-4pm

Stalls and entertainment with a medieval flavour. Open Cambridge and Heritage Open Day Weekend - come at midday for the traditional opening of the fair or drop by through the afternoon.

http://events.cambridgeppf.org/search/label/Leper%20Chapel

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September

Haddenham Steam Rally & Heavy Horse Show, from 9am

Haddenham Steam Rally is a traditional steam and country fair and has something for everyone. Whether you are an avid steam enthusiast or just looking for a day out with the family there is something for all to enjoy. There are over 600 exhibits from steam engines, Vintage Cars, stationary engines, vintage tractors and Lorries, to the old tyme fair.

http://www.haddenhamsteamrally.co.uk/

Sunday 9 September

Ely Cinema – Ice Age 4: Continental Drift (U), 3pm

http://www.adec.org.uk/index.php?adec/eventdetail/ice_age_continental_drift_u_ely_cinema

Sunday 9 and Thursday 13 September

Ely Cinema – The Dark Knight Rises (12A), 7.30pm

http://www.adec.org.uk/index.php?adec/whats_on/2012/09

Saturday 15 September

Anglesey Abbey - Family Muck-In Day: Perfect homes for birds and owls, 11am-2.30pm

Help create new places that are safe and warm for birds to lay their eggs and raise their young

http://www.adec.org.uk/index.php?adec/eventdetail/family_muck_in_perfect_homes_for_birds_and_owls_anglesey_abbey

Cherry Hinton Festival Family Day Out, 9am-5pm

A day of free activities for the family in Cherry Hinton. Workshops including ballet, streetdance and drama, Puppet Shows, Alien and Robot Making, Film Show, Cambridge learning bus and The Dec, Archery, Sports Zone with ultimate sports and tennis, Circus skills workshop, Science Roadshow, Duck Race, Peter Pan Kids Cafe and lots more.... and it´s all free. Workshop places are limited to book your free tickets via the website.

http://www.cherryhintonfestival.co.uk/

Sunday 16 September

Wood Green – The Animals Charity: Animal Fun Day, 10am-4pm

Novelty Dog Show; Get up close and personal with the animals at feeding time including goats, chickens, rodents, rabbits and pigs; meet the rats, mice and gerbils; Guinea pig story time; Dog agility demonstrations; Bring your dog and take part in fun dog game;. Meet the alpacas; Tours - see what happens ´behind the scenes´; See demonstrations by Riding for Disabled Association; Entertain the little ones with a bouncy castle and the onsite children´s playground; colouring; badge making; make enrichment toys to take home for your pets and much, much more.

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/events/show/1674_animal_fun_day

Ely Cinema - Dr Seuss’ The Lorax (U), 3pm

http://www.adec.org.uk/index.php?adec/eventdetail/dr_seuss_the_lorax_u_2d_ely_cinema

Living History – Ickworth House, 11am-3pm

You've seen Downton Abbey. Now come and experience Ickworth Lives, the real stories of the people who lived and worked at Ickworth in the thirties. Join us for a special historic day and follow in the footsteps of Mr Collins, the Butler, who liked the odd tipple or two, Mrs Sangster the Cook, who managed the kitchens for over 50 years, the hall boys, kitchen maids and the gardeners. Experience what life was like for servants and estate workers on this grand estate.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth/things-to-see-and-do/events/#iframeEvents

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September

Wimpole Estate - Wimpole at War- 1940's Weekend, 10.30am-5pm

Wimpole travels back in time to the 1940s when food was rationed and growing your own became vital to your survival. Re-enactors displays and demonsrations throughout the day. Estate wide event and all tickets include the House, Gardens and Farm.

http://www.eventplan.mysite1952.co.uk/page104aaaa.html

Sunday 23 September

Ely Cinema - Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Dog Days (U), 3pm

http://www.adec.org.uk/index.php?adec/eventdetail/diary_of_a_wimpy_kid_dog_days_u

Ely Cinema - Searching for Sugar Man (12A), 7.30pm

http://www.adec.org.uk/index.php?adec/eventdetail/searching_for_sugar_man_12a_ely_cinema

Charity Family Fun Day, Hinchingbrooke Country Park, 1pm

The afternoon will start with a 5km Sponsored Walk (shorter 1km route for little legs), goodie bags at the finishing line followed by refreshments for walkers. Everyone Active leisure centre staff will then led a mini Olympics Challenge! There will also be a bouncy castle and fundraising stalls. Raising funds for JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

http://www.netmums.com/south-cambridgeshire/local/view/whats-on/september/family-fund-day

Saturday 29 September

Soham Pumpkin Fair, Soham Recreation Ground, 1.30-5pm

An annual event open to all. There will be a funfair along with a wide range of stalls, car boot sales, vintage cars, tractors and bygones. Competition entries need to be at the recreation ground between 9.30am and 11.30am.

http://www.soham.org.uk/features/pumpkinfair.htm

Mumford Theatre – The Selfish Crocodile, 11.30am and 2.30pm

The funny tale of a brave little mouse and a very snappy crocodile. This is a heart-warming tale with a very happy ending, which reminds us all that the smallest act of kindness often has the greatest impact. Using song, music and a host of beautiful puppets to bring this watery adventure to life, this is for ages 4+, their grown-ups, and of course, anybody with a pet crocodile!

http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/microsites/mumford_theatre/events.html

Living History – Ickworth House, 11am-3pm

See Sunday 16 September for more information.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth/things-to-see-and-do/events/#iframeEvents

Top tips and advice on starting school

by Catherine Hookway, Hillingdon branch and Alison Timson, Stamford, Bourne & Deepings branch

Your child’s first day at school is a major milestone in their lives, and yours, especially if it is your eldest or youngest child. You may feel a sense of loss and be worried that your child will be unhappy, will not make friends, or will not like the learning environment. Similarly, starting any new childcare arrangement marks a big change in your child's life, and it's important to do everything you can to prepare your child. Here are some practical tips to ease the transition for you both.

• In the run-up to the first day, there are a number of steps you can take to get them looking forward positively. Read some positive books about starting school. Libraries have these, but they may be popular at this time of year! You could then play at going to school with puppets or favourite toys.
• Make an effort to talk positively to your child about how exciting it will be to meet other children, to be able to play with all the toys and equipment and to be learning new things. However, do allow your child to tell you any of their fears.
• Visit school lots - walk by and talk about it, talk about the children coming and going, go to open days, taster sessions etc.
• Take a look at where they'll leave their coat and lunchbox and show them the toilets, playground and hall. Talk about each place as you visit it.
•  Find out about the daily routine from the teacher/carer and let your child know what to expect. Knowing what's coming next will help your child make sense of their day. 
•  Shop for uniform early - you're more likely to find things in the right sizes and you'll avoid the crowding of the last week before term starts. Make the shopping trip into a special event for you and your child and emphasise they're choosing their grown-up school clothes.
• In the week before they start school, get your child used to the times they will need to get up in the mornings and go to bed. 

So what do children need to be able to do before they are ready to start school? 

Schools aren’t too worried about whether children know their letters and numbers. That is what they are trained to teach them. Their main concerns are that children have the essential practical and communication skills to enable them to learn. Help them with the following and they’ll have a good basis for any learning. 

• Visit friends with children or invite other children to play. Practise social skills, such as taking turns, following directions and making choices. At home they are dependent, secure and loved; at school they have to be independent and work hard to make others like them and to gain the approval of the teacher.
• Teach simple chores that may be useful at school or nursery, such as packing away toys.
• Make sure your child can go to the toilet, wipe their bottom and wash their hands without help. Make sure the words you use at home when asking for the toilet are phrases the teacher will understand!
• In a noisy classroom, you need to speak up! So help your child become comfortable around adults and not scared to ask for help. When you have visitors, ask your child to greet them and answer their questions. When you go shopping, encourage them to ask for things.

Once they begin school, children need your support. Here are some tips for dealing with those early days:

• Familiar routines are particularly important. Children want to find the house as they left it when they get home. They should also know who'll collect them and when. 
•  A warm welcome home is essential. Give them some undivided attention - sit down together and share a snack and chat about the day. 
• Don’t worry if your child doesn’t tell you anything about their life at school. It doesn’t mean they are unhappy or not settling. They may just be tired.
• Don't be surprised if there's some deterioration in your child's behaviour or a regression to more babyish ways. It's common for children to display negative or defiant behaviour or to have tantrums.  It can be difficult when you miss your child all day to find they behave dreadfully when they get home. Remember, they're tired, need attention and want to reassert some power with you. 
• If your child finds school too tiring, talk to the school about alternative hours. Your child is not legally obliged to receive an education until the term after their fifth birthday. Suggest to the school that your child goes part-time, perhaps finishing at lunchtime. They will not miss out, either socially or academically. 
• Some children have a positive start, then go off the idea once the novelty has worn off and they realise they have to keep going. If this is the case, it shouldn't last for long. 
• Support them in the process of making friends: invite friends home for tea. You will also get to know the parents! 
• Saying goodbye at school may be very emotional for you. Try to send your child off with a smile and a wave along with the reassurance that you'll be there to collect them later. Remember, even distressed children settle very quickly once you're gone, so make your leave loving but brief. If you're particularly worried, phone in later to check your child is ok.
• Your feelings will guide your child's emotions. Be upbeat and positive - don't pass any of your worries to your child. If you approach your child's first day with confidence that they'll be fine, their anxieties will be reduced. Remember, the vast majority of children love school and go on to make the most of their education. 

Tips from a teacher

 

I have now experienced starting 'Big' school as the child, teacher and parent! It apparently took me a while to get used to school, as it does with most children. Parents tend to think that the Reception year is similar to playgroup or nursery but it's actually quite different. There are lots of rules, assemblies, lunchtime in a big hall and older children, to name but a few! For parents, it's upsetting to leave their child crying at the door and trust in adults who they don't know. For teachers, it’s easier if the parent can encourage their child through the door as quickly as possible so that they can calm the child down with the least amount of fuss. More often than not, the child is smiling within a few minutes whilst the parent is in floods of tears in the playground!!

The first few weeks can be quite difficult for some children and for others, they're fine at first but become reluctant when they realise school is everyday. The best thing a parent can do is talk positively about school, the teachers and the activities they will do. I had difficulty getting my son, Joshua, through the door for the first week or so, despite the fact that it was a familiar place to him! He now doesn't want to leave his teacher and move into Year One.

It's basically far harder for the parent than the child! Good luck to all those who have a child starting school; they will soon run in happily and make lots of new friends.

Mrs Porter, Reception Teacher at Pyrford CofE Primary

Do you have any advice for parents whose children are about to start school, or do you have a tale to tell about your child’s first day at school. Let us know by commenting below...