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March 05th, 2017

3/5/2017

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 Well done to all of the staff who have completed  the following training 

 

Food Hygiene Level 2

 Child Protection in Education Level 2 

The PREVENT Duty  Level 2
   
Equality and Diversity  Level 2

Child Neglect Level 2

Preventing Bullying  Level 2

Fire Safety  in Education Level 2

Child Exploitation -Online safety Level 2

An Introduction to Child Sexual Exploitation Level 2

Female Genital Mutilation Awareness

The SEND code of practice

Child Protection Refresher

First Aid Essentials

Data Protection

Health & Safety in Education

Safeguarding Young People

Child Protection in Sport and Leisure


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Online safety

3/4/2017

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Internet safety tips and advice from NSPCC  for further information go to www.nspcc.org.uk

Talk to your child 

Talking to your child – openly, and regularly – is the best way to help keep them safe online.
You might find it helpful to start with a family discussion to set boundaries and agree what's appropriate. Or you might need a more specific conversation about an app or website your child wants to use or something you're worried about.
If you're not sure where to start then here's the advice you need – great ways to begin conversations to keep your child safe online. And you can always call our O2 and NSPCC online safety helpline for free expert advice. 

Explore new sites and apps  together 


Talk about what might be OK for children of different ages. Ask your child what sites or apps they like. Write a list, and look at them together.
Be positive about what you see, but also be open about concerns you have: "I think this site's really good" or "I'm a little worried about things I've seen here".
Talk to your child about what you think is appropriate – but also involve them in the conversation. Ask what they think is OK for children of different ages – they'll feel involved in the decision-making.
Be aware that your child might talk about friends who use apps or visit sites that you've decided aren't suitable. Be ready to discuss your reasons, but recognise that they may not agree with you. Listen carefully for the reasons why.
Go through a final list of sites you both agree are OK, and work out when you'll next discuss it.

​Ask about things they might see online which make them feel uncomfortable

Talk about things they, or their friends, have seen that made them feel uncomfortable:
  1. Be specific. What exactly made them feel uncomfortable and why? Is it people or animals being hurt? Nasty comments about others?
  2. Link these to things in the real world, and explain that you're always here to protect and help them online and off.
  3. Reassure your child that they can always talk to you about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
  4. Show them how to report or block on the sites and apps they use. Use Net Aware to find out how.
  5. Tell them you'll help them to report anything upsetting they've seen, or to deal with online bullying.

Talk about how they can stay safe on social networks

Ask your child if they know:
  • where reporting functions are
  • how to block someone
  • how to keep information private.
Show them how to do these things. Use Net Aware to help you.

​Be Share Aware: talk about what's OK, and not OK, to share online

Talk to your child about what 'personal information' is - such as email address, full name, phone number, address and school name - and why it's important.
Explain simple ways to protect privacy. For example, avoiding usernames like birthdates or locations that give away too much information.
Discuss images and photos, and what might be appropriate. Help your child understand how photographs can give people a sense of your personality, and that sharing the wrong kind of image can give the wrong impression.
Explain that it isn't easy to identify someone online. People aren't always who they say they are, so don't share personal information. If it's someone who genuinely knows your child, they shouldn't need to ask for personal information online.
Tell your child that if they're in any doubt they should talk to you first.

what if you are worried about your child?

Ar you worried that your child is....

taking and sharing inappropriate pictures ....
talk to your child to ask what they are sharing and if they know who has ssen the pictures.  Ask them if they would be happy for someone - like a grandparent - to see them? or if someone they admire or a favourite celebrity would share an image like that?
Explain to them they should always  think carefully about what they share as once its been sent  they cant control what happens to it.  Discuss what sort of pictures are appropriate to share  and not to share. Make sure they understand why.
Recognise sometimes children share images for a dare or as part of a joke. Remind them that once something is shared online  they cant manage who sees it or what happens next - even if it was part of a joke.
Agree a safe way forward  such as checking what they share for a while , or ask an older sibling to check for a while. 

 sharing personal information....
Talk to your child about the things that they can safely share, like their interests and hobbies. And explain what counts as personal information, for example:
  • their full name
  • address
  • mobile number
  • email address
  • passwords.Remind them they wouldn't share this information with people they didn't know in the real world.
    They might be happy to share thoughts and feelings online with friends, but explain that they should be wary of doing this with strangers. Not everyone is who they say they are online, and sometimes things like your hopes and fears can be used against you by people you don't know.
    If your child is worried they've shared too much, make sure you're able to help them if needed.
    NSPCC  Net Aware guide to the social networks your kids use has links to information that will help you and your child, including how to:
  • remove content on different apps and sites
  • block people
  • report abuse

looking at porn online...
Ask open questions about what they have been looking at. But be prepared for the fact that they may not want to talk about it and might feel embarrassed.
If you're really worried about what they've been viewing, tell them why and make it clear that you don't want them to view it again.
You can also block the content by using parental controls and explain why you've done this. Suggest other age-appropriate sites where they can find out about sex and relationships. ChildLine has information that's suitable for children aged 9+, and the BBC has some clear, straightforward advice for young people.
If you're less worried and think they may be 'experimenting', talk to them about the differences between online porn and real sex, love and relationships.



 being bullied online.....
Recognise that online bullying might be just one part of bullying that's happening in their day-to-day lives, and there might be a lot of underlying issues.
  • Reassure them that you can help to remove the content that's upsetting them and block the person who made the comments.
  • Look at the negative comments with them and contact the provider to get them removed.
  • Save the evidence by taking screen shots.
  • Contact their school to let them know about the incident, if you think it's appropriate.


bullying others online...

If your child has been bullying others online, find out whether other children were involved and what part your child played.
They may not have realised that what happened was bullying. Tell them explicitly that this behaviour isn't acceptable and the fact it's online doesn't mean it's not upsetting.
Help them understand how what they've done feels. You could ask them how they think the other child felt, or how they feel when someone says unkind things to them.
Explain that leaving someone out of an online discussion or group can be just as bad as attacking them directly. Encourage them to apologise to the person involved and help them to remove the content.


spending too much time online?

Agree what times your child can go online. For example, not going online just before bed time or in the morning before school.
Explain that you think it's important they do a variety of activities. You recognise that they enjoy being online, but you think it's important they do other things as well.
Discuss your family agreement and remind them why it's important. Use technical tools to help you reinforce online times. Many sites have timers that you can set, or you can set it up on the computer, mobile or tablet.
Make sure that you stick to what you've agreed and that you manage your own time online.


Whether you want to set up parental controls, adjust privacy settings or get advice on social networks, experts from the O2 & NSPCC are here to help. What parents need to know to help keep your child safe wherever and whenever they go online.
They have  more detailed advice about keeping children safe online including parental controls on their website www.nsppc.org.uk  
0808 8005002




Learn more
Be Share AwareIt's good to share – but sometimes sharing online can be dangerous. Be Share Aware and keep children safe online.

Be Share Aware
Minecraft: a parent’s guideMinecraft is one of the most popular games, but it's not always easy to know how to keep children safe while they play the game. We can help you know the risks of Minecraft so you can keep children safe.
Read more
Your guide to social networksNet Aware is our no-nonsense guide to the social networks, sites and apps children use.

Visit Net Aware
Make a donation today A child will contact Childline every 25 seconds. Donate now and help us be there for every child.
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Quick and easy play dough recipe

2/28/2016

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We are always making our own play dough at Funzone and the children love it! 
its not difficult to make yourself...... We thought you may like this recipe and have a go at making some at home. 
The beneifits of using play dough are numerous  and the play possibilities are endless! so have fun  and give it a go.  A great stress buster for adults too!

You need:
  • 2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
  • Up to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
  • food colouring (optional
  • Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
  • Add food colouring TO the boiling water then into the dry ingredients (colour optional)
  • Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
  • Add the glycerine (optional)
  • Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*
  • (If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right)
  • You can store this play dough in an air tight container for at least 6 months. 
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 Dealing with children's challenging behaviour 

2/26/2016

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Most parents have had to deal with challenging behaviour at one time or another  here are a few tips on delaing with disprespectful behaviour 


  • Stay calm: - It’s not easy to keep cool when our kids are being rude. Meeting them with disrespect sends the wrong message.  Take a few minutes , take a deep breath and try counting to 10 or tell yourself “this is not an emergency”
  • Try to understand the behaviour  Look at things from your child’s perspective , were they caught off guard?  Do they feel powerless?  Their response  could be  a reflection of how they feel and cant put it into words effectively. Its  a gut reaction.
  • Empathize: Help your child understand their own feelings by offering an empathetic response, “It seems unfair that we have to go already!” or “I know it’s hard to leave when you’re having such a fun time!” You do not have to agree with the feeling, it simply means that you are trying to relate to their experience.
  • Check the Time: Some kids are affected by low blood sugar, hunger or thirst. Others are very sensitive to environmental stimulation or not getting enough sleep. Has it been awhile since your child ate? Could they use a sip of water? Or a break from a loud environment?  Offer it in a non-threatening way, “I’m going to have a snack.  would you like one too?”
  • Slow It Down: It’s easy to get pulled away with the “runaway train” of angry, frustrated words and emotions. Instead of jumping on board and responding to every criticism or complaint your child throws at you, try to put on the brakes, “
  • Let it Go: Sometimes it’s best not to give a response, especially if you know your child is hungry or tired and talking out of a “survival mode” brain – or if you can’t keep yourself from responding in a sarcastic, angry or disrespectful way. You don’t have to ignore it forever. Once everyone is calm, you can talk about what happened and how to do it differently next time.
  •  
    DO THE TEACHING LATER
    Waiting or delaying your response does not mean that you are a passive parent or you’re saying that disrespect is OK. It means that you are waiting until your brain, and your child’s brain, is able to receive information and move on without being rude, angry or disrespectful.
  • When you’re ready to talk, you can start with, “It seems like you were upset about leaving the playdate earlier. Can we think of another way to explain to me how you feel?”
  • You have feelings too! It’s ok to express them, and let you child know how their words affect you. Be careful not to point the finger back at your child, keep the focus on how it felt to you. “I felt hurt when you said I was the meanest mum ever.”
  • If you’ve  responded with angry words in the heat of the moment, its ok to admit it. Children need to know mums (or dads for that matter) are not perfect . We all make mistakes, and   this is when  the children  learn  information, when they are calm and  can process what you are teaching them and  they will learn to manage their feelings more respectfully in the future

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Babysitting 

2/26/2016

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Did you know that some of our staff babysit in their spare time?  usually in the evenings.  But please note  this is not a service provided my Funzone but a private arrangement  between parents and indivisual staff members.  /staff will not offer their services when Funzone is open . you can rest assured  using our staff as they are all police checked and familiar to the children. Ask staff if it is something you would like to know more about.
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Happy New Year!

1/16/2015

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Welcome back . We hope 
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Expansion update   August 2014

8/19/2014

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Due to  the only other Out of School  club in Letchworth closing down in July, Funzone has been busy dealing with enquiries  from parents needing alternative childcare.
We had already decided to extend our care as our waiting list kept growing,  and with the news of the other club closing and the current demand we decided to create even more spaces to try and accommodate any new requests for childcare.
We are currently dealing with all enquiries via email. 
Please be patient and we will get back to everyone as soon as we can regarding spaces.
We are also looking into purchasing an additional minibus/people carrier  for transporting any additional children. This may take a few weeks to arrange, so bear with us until then. We will keep parents updated as things progress.






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Recommend  Funzone to a friend and you can both be rewarded with  £10 off your holiday club bill !

6/4/2014

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As a big thank you to parents who recommend our holiday club to their friends we are offering a fabulous  promotion for summer 2014  .
All you have to do is recommend the club to new families  and once they have paid their registration fee and booked a minimum of one full day or two part time sessions,  we will  give them £10 off their bill, and also give you £10 off your holiday club bill. 
simple! 
They must put on the form the name of the person who recommended them .
This promotion is only for Holiday club , not after school club or breakfast club.
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Happy New Year!

1/10/2014

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Jan 2014


Welcome back and we hope you all had a good Christmas 
We have welcomed the current year fours over to the new  older club and they seem to have settled in very well. This has enabled us to offer those extra sessions that some parents needed as there were a few vacancies at the older group.
We have now purchased an X box for the children to enjoy.




We are now preparing plans for the February half term.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO RETURN BOOKING FORMS BY 19TH JANUARY TO QUALIFY FOR 20% EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT . Any forms received after this date cannot be charged at the lower discounted price so it is vital you return your form early.


We have some great ideas for the coming weeks for activities for children to enjoy.





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Halloween fun for the year 5 and 6 club

9/19/2013

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We are going to decorate the senior club for Halloween this year. As these children are older, we thought it would be great fun to have a party and as there are no little ones to be afraid, the older children can really enjoy making the most spooky decorations, They have started to make some already this week and the children have some fantastic ideas for how scary they want it to be..... we will play some traditional Halloween games that the children enjoy and have a bit of Friday fun..... We just want to warn parents in advance not to be too scared when they come into Funzone to collect their children! 
As Halloween falls in the half term we are planning a special Friday Fun day the Friday before the half term.  If your child doesnt normally attend on Fridays we are offering a place for a special price of £10 for Friday 25th October.  But these places will be limited.....offered on a first come first served basis. Please speak to staff if you wish to book your child in for that date.



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    Kathy Lake, 
    co owner of Funzone

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