Schooling

SUMMER BRAIN DRAIN COSTS UK SCHOOLS OVER £105 MILLION EVERY SEPTEMBER

As teachers across the country return to classrooms this week, research out today reveals that teachers spend up to four weeks going over old ground in September as a result of ‘summer brain drain’. According to a survey commissioned by LeapFrog’s reading and writing solution, LeapReader, at least £105 million* will be lost during September reversing the effects of…
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Get Creative

Top marks for Borehamwood teacher’s story in national competition

Do you remember our special storytelling event this summer at Vauxhall City Farm with Tamzin Outhwaite? Well, well, we now have a winner for the literary competition. A newly-wed trainee teacher from Borehamwood has won this year’s national Munch Time children’s story writing competition. Shayna Evans scoops the £1000 cash prize for her story ‘Here Comes the Airplane!’ (you can download…
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Baby & Toddlers

The guide to raising your baby like a royal

Here is Grooming and Etiquette Expert Jean Broke-Smith’s tongue and cheek guide to raise your baby like a royal 🙂 Enjoy! The royal baby has finally arrived, but if you are due soon or have a new-born, it doesn’t mean they can’t be treated like royalty too! Regardless of heritage, all babies should feel like a Prince or Princess, which is why Persil Non-Bio and Comfort Pure have…
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Schooling

BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS: 10 Ways to help children settle back in to their usual sleep routine

The back to school countdown has well and truly begun. Whilst new uniforms and lunch boxes will definitely be on the ‘to do’ list, one thing parents may want to consider is adjusting children’s sleep back in to their usual routine following the summer of later nights and lazier mornings. Dave Gibson, sleep expert at London bed makers Warren Evans shares his sleep adjustment tips to help…
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Recipes

Recipe: 10 Minute Chocolate Cake

Here is a very simple and quick recipe: 10 Minute Chocolate Cake. Try this today and let us know what you think of it. It could not be simpler. Ingredients 1 heaped tablespoon of white chocolate powder (we recommend using Mortimer Chocolate Powder) 75g self raising flour 75g caster sugar 1 large egg, beaten 75ml vegetable oil 75ml milk You will need a microwavable pudding basin. Method Grease…
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Mumpreneurs & Mums at work

VAST MAJORITY OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES MOVE TO PART-TIME AND FLEXIBLE WORK AFTER MATERNITY LEAVE

The majority of female employees (83%) who return to work move into part-time and/or flexible working roles upon their return from maternity leave according to new research with UK HR directors. Almost three quarters (71%) of UK HR directors report that they have already created flexible working arrangements as a way to retain new mothers. Fifty-one per cent of UK HR directors say that more than…
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Fitness & Health

A mother’s stress during pregnancy can cause depression in children

Stress hormones can be passed from mother to unborn child, potentially causing anxiety and depression in later life, according to research from the University of Edinburgh. The study uncovers the part of the placenta responsible for protecting a foetus from stress. (as read in the science news digest July 2013 available from the British Science Association. Professor Jonathan Seckl, lead…
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Schooling

Back to school essentials 2013

With the new school year looming, it’s time to consider those essential buys – from the uniform and school bags to lunchboxes and stationary. Here is a list of school essentials tested and chosen by London Mums. SCHOOL WEAR Fairtrade uniform products Fairtrade uniform products feel more luxurious in quality than the supermarkets’ equivalent items. The price is equally competitive…
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Fashion & Beauty

Top Fashion Trends for this Autumn 2013 for Kids

Mums tend to look at their own fashion trends when it comes to buy kids’ clothing which often reflects trends for grown-ups. As it appears, boys and girls love to copy their parents even when it comes to dressing up. Kids’ fashion trends for this autumn are characterised by a variety of mixing of different styles in one look. Take a look at these videos as examples of the new looks.
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Childcare

Childcare and the changing needs over time

Finding the right childcare is a rollercoaster ride, it changes direction every few years as your child grows up, or a sibling comes along, and you have to rethink your childcare needs as different childcare is needed at different milestones in your child’s life. Babies When you have a baby, it can be incredibly daunting. Many families don’t have family close by, like they used to in…
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