Your Family

SWOT UP ON YOUR TEEN’S SKIN

If you’re getting accustomed to the sounds of angsty sighs and whinges from behind the bathroom door, the chances are you have a teenager tackling their changing skin.

Last updated 9 February 2010
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HIGHER STANDARDS

Every child is deeply valued at Oughterside School, near Aspatria and the high standards at the school have been highlighted in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Last updated 9 February 2010
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“I think the small class sizes are really good. The teachers can focus on the individual needs and abilities of each child.” Mrs. K. Robinson“When my daughter started at Oughterside, she wouldn’t say “boo to a goose”.

Last updated 9 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

WHAT THE PUPILS SAY

“A woman called Lisa comes in every so often to teach us drama. It is fun because she does games with us before learning the script. The games are to build up our confidence. Giovanna Salofa Hayden-Okesene“I like Oughterside School because it is small and I know everyone in the school.” Marco Steri

Last updated 9 February 2010
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PUPILS’ WORK

Super Slippery Snow by Kerith MitchellDouble Trouble by Shannon Richardson, year six

Last updated 9 February 2010
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‘It’s like a second home...’

Leaving your child at nursery or pre-school for the first time can be a worrying experience filled with uncertainty and sometimes guilt.

Last updated 9 February 2010
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Decision time

A pre-school can be one of the first experiences your child has of learning outside your home but choosing the right setting can seem like a daunting task.

Last updated 9 February 2010
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

THE following childcare providers are registered and inspected by Ofsted:

Last updated 9 February 2010
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Structure to help your young one

SCHOOLS and early years providers have to follow a structure of learning, development and care for children from birth to five known as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Last updated 9 February 2010
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New name but the good work continues

With soaring rates of child obesity, traffic congestion and pollution the drive to find alternative ways to travel to school has become prominent in recent years.WALKING BUSESWALK TO SCHOOL WEEKCYCLINGTRAININGPOETRY COMPETITION

Last updated 9 February 2010
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Reading, writing and a desire for snoticles

BOTH my daughters love reading. When I go to turn their bedroom lights off every night they always beg me ‘can I just finish this page/chapter etc’ – and I usually give in and then catch them on the next chapter 10 minutes later!

Last updated 9 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Be safe on the road – and also in the car

Road accidents are the biggest single cause of accidental death for children up to the age of 15, accounting for over half of all child fatalities. On the roadIn the carTen Facts about children on the roadsKeeping children safe inside the carSeat belts and the law

Last updated 12 January 2010
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Thinking of saving money and getting a used child car seat? You should think again...

If you're a parent of a small child, you'll know only too well just how easily the costs add up. Clothes, high chairs, cots and car child seats.

Last updated 12 January 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

New teens are greens

THE new generation of 8-14 year olds are greener, not meaner, and full of hope for the future

Last updated 12 January 2010
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Time to plan the family budget for 2010

Many Cumbrian families who cut their spending back through 2009 on the assumption of recovery in 2010 may already be having a rethink, and looking for fresh ways to prune the budget after warnings that another 250,000 jobs could go in the new year.1. Mortgages – use low interest rates to overpay your mortgage, while ’interest only’ borrowers who switch to capital repayment terms with their current lender may be surprised by savings in the long-term.2. Get the cheapest loan – Nationwide BS thinks many consumers with debts spread across credit and store cards, overdrafts and loans could make a big saving by consolidating the debts into its new personal loans costing a typical 7.6 per cent APR on £7,500 -£14,999 for up to five years, the rate being fixed for the full term of the loan.3. Credit cards – if you can get your current card debts accepted for a 0 per cent balance transfer deal, there’s a case for cutting the card up at once as you pay down the debt to ensure you don’t make new purchases, possibly charged at 16 per cent upwards.4. Be a careful shopper – write down what you actually need before entering the supermarket, and you can easily save £20 per week and avoid food waste, says Andrew Hagger at Moneynet.co.uk.5. Home and motor insurance – comparison site Gocompare.com reckons a potential 21 million drivers are missing out on cheaper cover. 6. Claim all available benefits – if family income is less than £40,000 and both partners work 16-hours a week plus, you’re eligible for childcare tax credits worth hundreds of pounds towards the cost of childcare, assuming the carer is registered with Ofsted.7. Current Account – A&L, part of Santander Group, re-introduces its popular £100 cashback for those switching to its Premier Current Account from January 11. Other perks of this account include a fee-free agreed overdraft for 12 months, free annual European travel insurance and 0.5 per cent credit interest, on condition at least £500 is paid into the account each month.8. Maximise savings rates – the big institutions still need your cash, with Abbey and A&L kick-starting the new year with a range of fixed-rate bonds paying up to 4.1 per cent gross/AER on minimum £1 deposits invested for one year upwards.9. Start saving for next Christmas – Yorkshire BS is launching a 2010 Christmas saver account, branch based and postal, paying a fixed rate of 3.50 per cent gross on a minimum £10 deposit. The account will take a maximum £1,200 – with instant access on December 1, putting savers in the black for next year’s Christmas spending.10. Energy bills – obvious ways to save, says Will Marples at comparison service uSwitch.com, include paying by direct debit, switching to duel fuel, and signing up to an online plan which are around £300 a year cheaper than standard energy plans.11. TV, telephone & internet – Moneysupermarket.com reckons bundling your TV, landline and broadband connections can save around £130 a year, compared with the cost of standalone products.12. Travel – bus and train passes. If you know when you want to go, train travel needn’t cost the earth. Advance tickets are single fares available up to 12 weeks in advance, and are claimed to be the cheapest ticket option available.INFORMATION: Unbiased.co.uk, which promotes the benefits of independent financial advice, has launched a new Financial Calendar to help consumers plan their payments and spending.

Last updated 12 January 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk