Family Matters
| Family Matters is a programme that is issued three times a year by the Canvey Schools Partnership and contains information and activities for parents/children and the family as a whole. The next issue will come out in March 2010 and will be given to every primary school age child attending school on Canvey Island. |  |
TICKETS FOR THE GREASE TRIP HAVE NOW SOLD OUT
http://www.canveyschoolspartnership.co.uk/FAMILYMATTERS5.doc
http://www.canveyschoolspartnership.co.uk/FAMILYMATTERS6.doc
/usersitesv11/canveyschoolspartnership.co.uk/wwwroot/FAMILYMATTERS7.doc
For the latest Family Matters please click on the link below:
http://www.canveyschoolspartnership.co.uk/FAMILYMATTERS8.doc
First Steps Parent & Toddler Group
A safe, friendly environment for your child/children to learn and experience a range of activities & a chance for parents to meet and socialise with each other over a cup of tea.
Tuesdays 9.15am - 11.15am
£2.00 per family, refreshments provided
Lake View Hall, rear of Winter Gardens Primary School, Hilton Road
http://www.canveyschoolspartnership.co.uk/FirstStepsAdvert.pdf
For more information please contact Sharan on 01268 682273
Parents United
http://www.canveyschoolspartnership.co.uk/parentsunited.doc
Parents United is a support group that is open to all parents on Canvey Island and takes place at Furtherwick Park School. The hour long workshops take place weekly on Fridays from 1.55pm - 3.00pm with a different 'theme' each week. A supervised play area is available for parents with younger children. For more information contact Mrs Fairbanks on 01268 682157.
Grandparent & Toddler Group
A grandparent and toddler group runs at Lake View Hall, Winter Gardens School, every Thursday from 9.30 am - 11.00am. All Grandparents are welcome. For more information contact either Dawn or Sharan on 01268 682273.
Community Family Centre
CSP parents and families can access the following support provided by the Community Family Centre:
• Parent and Toddler Group Thursdays 1.00pm - 2.30pm
• Parenting Programmes
• Parenting Course - First Steps to Confidence
For more information please contact the centre on 01268 690806.
Sure Start Revenue Grant for Parenting Support and Family Learning
An ongoing programme of activities called 'Family Matters' has been planned and the programmes are regularly distributed to every school age child in the CSP. For a copy of the latest programme contact Sharan Allsopp or see the Family Matters page on this website. http://www.canveyschoolspartnership.co.uk/page10.htm
Castle Point and Rochford Adult Community College - Family Learning
Family learning activities have successfully taken place in five CSP schools some of which are ongoing. Further details can be obtained by telephoning 01702 544900 (Rochford) or 01268 520599 (Basildon).
Family Activity Days
CSP runs Family Activity Days during school holidays. The days provide families with back-to-basics fun and the opportunity to spend time together in a safe and welcoming environment. Statutory and Voluntary agencies support the days by providing activities. In excess of 130 families attend these days. Look at the Forthcoming Event page to see when the next Family Activity Day takes place.
Family Holiday Activities
Many of the holiday activities run by CSP are for families and many include a family learning element. Examples include:
Family Cookery 
Science Museum Outreach
Museum of Childhood Trip
Have a FieldDays 
Hampton Court Palace Trip
Tate Modern Trip
Colchester Zoo Trip
Covent Garden Trip
Arts & Crafts 
Artfull Splodgers Workshop
Kew Gardens Trip
Teddy Bears Picnic
Greenwich Trip
Mother and Toddler arts and Crafts
Science Museum Trip
Tropical Wings Trip
Childrens' Centres
There are three children's centres on Canvey Island:
- Canvey Community Children's Centre located at Furtherwick Park School
- Little Twekes Children's Centre located on Dovervelt Road
- Little Lions Children's Centre located in Northwick Park School
To link directly to the Children's Centre website please use the following link:
www.yourchildrencentres.org.uk
Financial Services Authority
Designed to help new and expectant parents manage their money at a time when their financial situation is changing.
www.parentsguidetomoney.fsa.gov.uk
0845 606 1234 for a leaflet
Help with Childcare Costs
If you work 16 hours or more each week, your household is on a lower income and you are responsible for a child/children under 16, you may be eligible for Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. As part of Working Tax Credit you may qualify for help towards the costs of Ofsted registered childcare.
There are lots of useful websites to help you find out whether you are eligible. You can visit:
· HM Revenue & Customs www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/whataretaxcredits.aspx
· Citizen's Advice Bureau www.adviceguide.org.uk
· Jobcentre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
· Working Families www.workingfamilies.org.uk
Parentline Plus
Parentline Plus offer support to parents through a free, confidential service. You can contact them about anything that is worrying you from having a new baby, starting a new relationship and disagreements in the family, to issues with teenagers, school, homework, sleep or eating patterns.
Parentline 0808 800 222
Text phone 0800 783 6783
Netmums
Netmums is a family of local websites set up and run by mums (but of course anyone involved in caring for young children are welcome). Each local Netmums website covers local information on places to go, things to do, education, childcare, community, social and employment issues. It also provides an opportunity for mums to get support and advice.
Families InFocus (Essex)
Families InFocus (Essex) are a leading independent parent led registered charity providing holistic support to families of children with disabilities and special needs (aged 0 to 19) across Essex, who require advice, information and support, particularly at times of change, challenge and crisis.
The service is accessible to all families from Essex whatever their background, as long as at least one child or young person in the family between the age of 0 to 19 has a disability or special need.
For more information visit www.familiesinfocusessex.org.uk