Dear Residents,

Home Care Preferred launched a few weeks ago at 49, Station Road, Winchmore Hill (formerly JJ Copyprint).  We are delighted with the warm welcome from the local community and pleased to hear visitors say that “Home Care Preferred is providing a much needed service in the community”.

So what does Home Care Preferred provide?  Our aim is to become a “One-stop-shop” for people who wish to retain independence in their own homes and we offer a realistic alternative to Residential Care. Whilst many of our clients will be older people we also care for younger adults. The range of conditions that we cover includes: Dementia; Parkinson’s disease; Muscular dystrophy; Motor neurones; Palliative care, as part of a wider team; Stroke and Learning Difficulties.

Our care and support services are delivered by highly trained caregivers under the guidance of our Care Manager, Lynette Greenaway.  Our service is flexible and a care and support package can range from a few hours a day to round the clock live-in-care.  We can also assist with escorting clients to health appointments, social events and even holidays. Some people require personal care others need support through companionship or some extra help with light housework.

We are very keen that our clients are encouraged to maintain as much independence as their individual circumstances allow. We try to match caregivers carefully with clients and ensure continuity. We hear so often how many other care providers have numerous carers visiting a client over the course of a week.  At Home Care Preferred we aim to allocate one or two carers to each client. This ensures continuity of care and a strong relationship can be developed between the client and the caregiver. We are also of the opinion that short visits of 15 and 30 minutes are not usually long enough for good care and support to be provided.  We therefore suggest that each visit should be a minimum of one hour.

Our services stretch much further than care and support at home. We have recently launched a “Hospital Sitting” service which involves a member of our care team visiting people in hospital when loved ones cannot.  During each visit our caregiver will assist with eating and hydration as well as encouraging mobility when appropriate. This service extends to assisting with discharge, for example, ensuring the client has everything needed at home, assisting with follow up appointments, prescriptions and we can even arrange an Occupational Therapist assessment.

Home Care Preferred has strong links with an accessible transport provider so we can therefore supply transport for people with mobility difficulties. There are a variety of vehicles that can be booked including cars that can hold a wheelchair and a few passengers right through to large mini-buses. All drivers are trained and CRB checked.

An exciting part of our launch was the opening of our shop. Here we sell and hire a large range of equipment.  We supply an extensive range of products from pill dispensers and talking clocks through to Mobility Scooters and Assisted Baths.  We can also supply and install wet room solutions which are becoming more popular with people who find it difficult to get in and out of the bath.

Age UK has published a report Care in Crisis 2012, which calls for the government to offer more support for elderly people to maintain their independence in their own homes. It is what the majority want and in most cases this is a more cost effective solution than residential care.

Read our profile here and please get in touch if you would like to find out more about Home Care Preferred.

Ken Waterhouse

TAX RETURN DEADLINE 31 JANUARY

The personal tax return deadline is fast approaching for the tax year 6th April 2010 to 5th April 2011. You should be aware the penalty regime has changed so it is crucial this year to submit tax returns on time. Tax returns even one day late will attract an automatic penalty of £100, whether or not the tax has been paid or even if there is no liability to tax. Further penalties will accrue at £10 per day after 3 months and after 6 months will be a minimum of £1,300 plus a percentage of the tax due.

A few tips to deal with your tax returns and avoid penalties:

• Register for online filing, if not registered already. It is too late to file a paper return.

• Make sure you have all necessary information – P60, P11D, Bank interest received, share transactions and other sources of income if you are an employee.  If you are self-employed you will need bank statements, receipts, invoices and expenses paid for the business during that tax year as well.

• Make sure all reliefs and losses are claimed eg, pension contributions, losses on shares etc.

• For those filing self-assessment tax return please note that in addition to the tax liability for 2010_11 you will also have to make payment on account for 50% of the estimated tax liability for 2011_12.

• Obtain professional advice if there is anything more complex or if you are in any doubt, or simply to relieve the stress of dealing with it yourself.

Wesley Pemberton LLP, based in Winchmore Hill, offer a comprehensive accounting and tax return service. For a free initial consultation please call on 020 8360 3344.

The Digital TV Switchover date for London is nearly upon us, but it needn’t strike fear through households keen on keeping up to date with Eastenders and the Olympics!

All of Pounds' TVs are digital, so if you don’t have a modern digital TV you could simply buy a new one, and perhaps a DVD/hard drive recorder if you want to save the programs.

If, however, you don’t want the expense of upgrading there are ways to enjoy the extra channels that digital TV brings without disposing of your telly.

The first is to simply add a digital set top box, which will cost around £29.99. These connect to your TV aerial and then to your TV. You’ll have an additional remote control to change channels on the set top box, and that’s pretty much it.

If you want to record TV programs you can connect the box to your video or DVD recorder (you’ll have to watch the same channel that you wish to record).

To record a different channel you’ll need a second set top box, or a set top box with a built in recorder.

We will be offering a digital set up and tune service, so if the above still seems a bit complicated one of our chaps will connect it all up and get you running.

Finally, if you’re still confused you can call our resident digital expert, Alan (or Digi-Al as we call him) on 020 8370 1820.

Martin Redwood, Pounds

View our profile here

Does this sound like you?

"I’ve never used Twitter before – any tips for setting it up or point me in the right direction so I can do it right? I’ve heard there are lots of ways to do it wrong".

Of course! Here are 7 steps to getting your Twitter account set up the right way.

1. Choose a profile name

This is the name you’ll be known as on Twitter (also known as your @name). I’d recommend using your real name if it’s available. If not, try and include your name or initials. For instance, I’m@AbsoluteAlicia. Not my first choice but everything else was taken.

If you own a shop and will be using the Twitter profile to raise its visibility you can use the shop name instead, but if you work as a consultant I’d still recommend using your own name. When you talk to people about your business, they’re more likely to remember you not what your business is called.

Whatever choice of @name you make, you’ll want to make the account user your own, full name so other users know they’re tweeting with another person. It will also help people you know find you. Oh, and keep your @name short and memorable so it doesn’t take up too much of Twitter’s 140 character limit and people can remember it.

2. Add a photo of you, not your logo

It’s really important to add a photo of you so people can connect with you on a personal level. Don’t use your logo or a cartoon picture, and definitely not the default egg image.

Your profile picture is displayed every time you post a tweet so you want to differentiate your tweets from everybody else’s. Your profile picture will help.

3. Complete your bio

You’ve got 160 characters to tell everyone what you do, why you do it, and what interests you so use them all – make it interesting and sociable.

Use this so people can make a connection with you. Many times I’ve read a bio and decided to follow that person on the basis of what they’ve written in their bio. I’ve discovered some amazing people that way, seriously!

4. Add your website address

There’s a space to add your website on your profile. Use this even if you don’t have a website. Instead, you could link it to your blog, LinkedIn profile, Facebook page, or anywhere online so people can find out more about you. And they do click on it so you’ll want to add something there.

5. Follow some people

And I don’t mean celebs either. Of course you can follow whoever you want, but more importantly you want to follow profiles that can help your business – that’s why you’re there! Don’t follow too many profiles to start with because you’ll get overwhelmed.

Tip: A good place to start is looking at who is following profiles with the same kind of customers as you and local people.

6. Get tweeting

The best way to learn is to get involved. Watch the experienced users, ask questions and join in some conversations. Don’t get hung up about saying really profound stuff, just relax with it and have some fun.

7. Check your mentions regularly

This is really important. You want to keep an eye on who is talking to you and about you. Many people forget (or don’t know) to do that. Conversation is key on Twitter – if you’re not talking to people, replying and responding you may as well not use it because you won’t get results. Fact.

Social media specialist, Alicia Cowan lives in Winchmore Hill and  helps micro and small businesses use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and blogging to increase their recognition and create more business opportunities.

Alicia understands what small business owners need from social media. She delivers simple, easy to use strategies and mentoring that fit their busy lifestyle and get results.

You can sign up for her popular social media marketing tips here (for free!): http://www.aliciacowan.com/digitall

This is a great e-book produced by Valeria Eaton, who runs Smart VA, a virtual PA support company, based in North London.

Valerie is happy for you to download it from her website, which you can do by clicking on the image.

It is particularly relevant if you are a Business Hero, a common breed of sole trader and small business owner. You try to control costs and conserve cash by not spending any money on employing people. However, this can be a false economy, if it means that you are wasting your valuable time on none income generating business.

Valerie has heaps of invaluable information on her website, whcih is a great example of a small consulting business using interesting material to show that they know what they are talking about.

North London expectant couples are discovering little known birth secrets and are preparing for and planning their births based on the proven FACT that ‘BIRTH IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HURT’ .  By using simple birthing facts and techniques, they are having the calm, gentle, pain-free births that nature intended – without even asking for chemical pain-relief.

Medical experts have known for years that there is nothing in the physiology of birth to indicate that pain is nature’s birth plan. The muscles of the womb have very few pain receptors and when the birth muscles work without tension, there is no resistance and no source of pain. In fact all doctors know that pain is nature’s way of signalling dysfunction. As long as muscles are used for their intended function, there is no pain. And yet, for generations, women have been led to believe that their bodies are destined to malfunction.

Sam and Patrick of Enfield attended a series of classes with Christine Hill, experienced local HypnoBirthing Practitioner, and learnt how women who are anxious and fearful during their labours experience tension and resistance, which results in very real pain . With Patrick’s help, Sam learnt to relax deeply and re-programme her mind not to fear birth and to focus on a positive experience.  Sam says ‘Due to working with my surges (contractions) and breathing with them rather than against them, not only was the 'pain' diminished but I suffered no tearing or stitches.... honestly, I'd happily do it again tomorrow!’

Helen of Southgate says that the HypnoBirthing education they received was a great success. ‘I laboured and got to full dilation, with no need for pain relief, staying in control and working with my body.’

Katie of Winchmore Hill chose HypnoBirthing for their second baby’s birth, because they were seeking a better birth experience than first time round. Katie’s HypnoBirth was completely different: about 9 hours of labour and no pain relief needed, most of it spent at home with her young son.

If you would like to know how you can trance-form your birth experience from fears and tears to happiness and bliss, contact Christine Hill, HypnoBirthing & Fertility Consultant, www.optimumsuccess.co.uk  020 8360 2518

I met with a local business owner this week, who showed me his website. It was set up in 2006 and he hasn’t touched it since them. No new content to help the Google ranking or to bring people back to the site on a regular basis. Certainly no links to Twitter or Facebook to build a more interactive engagement with his customers and potential customers. The home page doesn’t even say where in the world his business is based, despite the fact that he is offering a local service!

Being in control of your website is about being in control of your business and my prospective client has come to realise this and is looking for a simple content management system, which he can add fresh content about his business on a regular basis. We are proposing to start afresh, using a checklist which I provide to my clients, as a local web designer, specialising in small business.

Some people start with a design; whilst this is a valid way to begin, I would also recommend that you look at how your great new website is going to be found, at an early stage, using Google keywords, as Google rules cyber space! Suppose you were looking for a local web designer (and didn’t consult n21online.com) what would you type into Google?  Web designer north London maybe? My business is called  ‘Lucys Web Designs’ which could technically be located anywhere, so to improve the chances of potential clients in the local area finding me I purchased the domain websitedesignnorthlondon.co.uk  as these keywords direct people to my service.

Google offers a fantastic free tool that gives you some wonderful suggestions as to what to call your site, blog or even page names. It’s called the Google keyword tool. This is a video that I have made which describes how to use Google keywords.

Along with Google words it is worth establishing what your web address or domain name is going to be, from the outset. You can do this through Nominet, or a number of domain resale sites, such as www.123-reg.co.uk.  Alternatively, you can try just typing in possible web address at random and if they can’t be found you will get an error message and you know that the web address can be bought.

Most domain names can be bought for a few pounds and when buying a domain, it may be worth buying the .com and .co.uk to protect your brand identity and ensure that no other similar business can attempt to divert traffic from your site.

Nowadays most web designers will offer a web hosting service, although you may decide to control your own hosting contract. Simba Hosting is worth investigating, as offer brilliant rates, top quality support a free domain name, inclusive of 10 free e-mail addresses.

The majority of business and organisations setting up a website are best off opting for a content management site, a site that can be easily updated. Two great ‘open source’ options are Joomla or Wordpress. Joomla is my preferred method as you can really get into the nitty gritty and make a fantastic bespoke website which allows you to carry out what is termed ‘front end’ editing.

Click below to guide you to a video demonstrating step by step how easy it is for you to update your site:

Most clients will have a logo already, but if you don’t have one, it is worth talking to a professional graphic designer about a logo design, as this is an important communication tool for your business.

Web content and images come next, this is usually done in stages, as most sites will go through a number of refinements before they go live. The design and build process are separate and are best done sequentially.

It is important to ensure that your website displays well using all web browsers, Google Chrome, Firebox, Internet Explorer etc and these days as more and more people now access sites from their smart phones and other mobile devices, this should be discussed with your web designer . Add a fast downloading mobile friendly site and people can view your site on the move or access it from anywhere.

What about blogging? Yes it is time consuming but massively helpful for your SEO (search engine optimisation). I signed up for a blog a day over a whole year, can you believe. It was a Wordpress initiative but so far so good, I am managing to keep it going. To view the blog, click this link: http://www.lucyswebdesigns.co.uk/blog/

Video is definitely the way forward. It’s sooo important nowadays, with so many of us working from home the shop front has been transformed with the Youtube video.  Some people are uncomfortable standing in front of a video camera but people really do want to know who they are about to do business. Video is such a good way of doing this. Read the article on n21online.com which shows how all sorts of local businesses are using video.

OK so ready to get started?

Lucy Hall

www.lucyswebdesigns.co.uk

Thanks to Kevin O'Neill of Southgate Photographic Club for passing on this link to a useful Guardian article on how to take great photos, written by professional photographer Steve Davey.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/aug/23/photography

Southgate Photographic Society have recently run a short intro course on this very subject, providing a good introduction to the rules of composition, camera technology and digital enhancement. Who says the camera never lies?

Delete the duds, hide the ordinary and finish the best!

A second course is planned for a few months time, so if you could be potentially interested email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A flyer is an inexpensive and highly effective way to grab attention in a very busy marketplace. But how do you make your flyer stand out in the crowd?

For a flyer to work effectively it needs to be clear, to the point, eye catching and communicate your message instantly or it will simply get binned.

So what are the prime goals when putting together an effective and visually stimulating flyer that will drive customers to your business?  Clearly not all businesses are the same but here are some considerations to help you achieve impact and that all important response to your flyer.

You have to make your business stand out. The first consideration here is your logo. If you donʼt have one then get one. You have to be remembered. A logo is simply a device or a visual cue by which a potential or existing customer can immediately distinguish your company from your competitors and to help remember you, most peopleʼs brains work on visual cues over text in their memory. A logo can take many forms however and typographical elements can become a graphic element in their own right when used correctly, what is important is to make it distinctive and stand out from what is around it. If you donʼt have a logo or the one you have is not inspirational then consider getting one before you move on or even a great message may get lost.

Here are examples of good logos for brands for well known brands, to illustrate these guidelines. These logos have made a massive contribution to embedding these products into popular culture.  If you are a sole trader, where people are buiying goods or service from you, using your name could be a good way of starting to create a logo, as well as a simple representation of the kinds of service you provide.

Is this a good logo?  Opinions are divided!

Is this one better?

It is vital that you think clearly about what the message to your potential customer is and WHO your potential customer is likely to be.  The customer will want to know whatʼs in it for them so concentrate on answering that question and focusing on the benefits of what you are offering.  Think what your core product or service is and then determine what is better about your product than the opposition, or what factors will best impress customers. Be clear in your conclusions or your message wonʼt be. As with a logo, keep it simple. Make a list of the points you need to make, in order of importance and only put in what is absolutely necessary. Too much detail is counter productive. 

If you intend to design the flyer yourself make sure you lay out your content logically and to a grid. Make sure when you designing it that make sure that you allow sufficient space and margins for printing. If youʼre not sure, again get advice. Layout should be crisp, precise and clear with your opening message and the support information distinct and easy to read and understand.

Decide the size of the flyer which will usually, but not necessarily be A5 or A4 gatefold. The choice will usually be dictated by the type and amount of information you wish to include and how the flyers are to be delivered. Consider what quality of paper and finish you require, a gloss finish and heavier paper will give a classier look but will have cost implications. Again your service and personal preference will dictate the choice here.

Think about the objectives - for example, you want people to come to your event, your restaurant or shop or to contact you.

Write a snappy headline. Usually you will then want to clarify this with supporting sub text. This will usually be one brief sentence or statement supporting the headline that tells the reader instantly what you do and why they should expect you to do it better than your competitors. That may sound difficult but it is important that whatever form it takes, be it a short sharp introduction or a witty slogan, that it catches the eye and through that the brain. The rest of what you write will be lost if this first barrier to binning isnʼt successfully breached.Consider offering a coupon or price reduction to the customer on presentation of the flyer. That will help ensure that it wonʼt get instantly binned and will get viewed more than once even if the coupon is never used.

If you intend for the flyer to act as a poster, make sure the headline can be read from around 5 paces away, you want to draw the person closer to read more.

Beware of mixing too many typestyles which can confuse and devalue your company. Unusual fonts should only be used when and where they are relevant to the message and/or company. Donʼt overdo the caps.

Remember the adage "a picture speaks a thousand words" but it has to be the right image. Usually a visual stimulus should be used in combination with this text, it is when a headline and imagery are used together successfully that you are most likely to get that instant attention you desire. The graphic element, where appropriate can be striking but should always have relevance to your service or business, though this may be abstract by nature. The image will become the focal point, so use it wisely and donʼt use too many conflicting images which will only confuse and negate the purpose of drawing in the reader. Donʼt use imagery purely for its own sake, try to make it selective and on message.  Check that you have the legal right to use any imagery you wish to use.  I-stock is a good resource, with thousands of images, which are inexpensive to buy.

Think about colour, should it be striking or subtle, think about how it will work with your headline, the remaining text and with your required business image. There is no specific right and wrong here but be very careful about simply using generic art that says little different about your business than your competitors. Consider borders and boxes to accentuate elements like these but donʼt overdo them.

Think about using testimonials and case studies where appropriate and compelling but keep them brief and relevant.

Proof read. Mistakes will damage your business and how it is perceived, so donʼt simply rely on others to do it. Make sure that more than one person does it, the same person can miss the same error no matter how hard they look. Double check that nothing important has been left off

A badly designed flyer with an obscure message will not only fail to sell your business, it may even have a negative effect. If this is difficult for you to do a good job, get professional advice. When you are ready to proceed and intend to seek professional help, make sure you work with a designer and printer with whom you can work and who will listen to you as much as you should listen to their advice. Talk to that supplier about what you are looking for, using the above as a check list.  

Start to look at the printed material that comes your way afresh and decide for yourself whether it has been well designed.

Take on board the suggestions the designer gives you but donʼt simply let him/her dictate the process, make sure it is a cooperative relationship, with give and take. Remember though that while cooperation is beneficial, ʻdesign by committeeʼ potentially diffuses your prime message so donʼt let a bad compromise marginalise, or confuse that message during the production process.

Take all these factors into consideration and you should now be prepared to produce a flyer that will generate impact to your marketing efforts and bring business into your company.

Sturat Willard

www.stuartwillard.com0208 373 8126
07702 756240 

Flowing rivers, congested freeways, bubbling spring, pebbles on the beach, grains of sand!  These somewhat poetic terms symbolize different energetic and physical aspects related to my work as a practitioner of ‘Chi-Reflexology’ (which uses a different methodology to ‘standard’ reflexology).  ‘Chi’ stands for our own, personal, life-force energy; the energy that drives us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

The above are just a few of my working metaphors to get us in the mood for Summer!  A time when we tend to expose our feet to the world – happily freeing them for a few weeks in the year from the constrains of enclosing foot-ware.

Our feet are amazing structures of strength and flexibility; beautifully engineered to carry and transport us.   Feet provide our physical support but they also play a key role in reflecting our state of wellness and - in my working capacity - I interpret them as doorways to better health and well-being.

“If you’re feeling out of kilter – Don’t know why or what about – let your feet reveal the answer – find the sore spot work it out!” ( Eunice D. Ingham “Stories the Feet Can Tell”)

I am one of the lucky ones – I love my work!  I find it varied, fascinating, challenging and rewarding.
It really isn’t a matter of someone just coming to put their feet up for a ‘routine’ footy massage from
me because each person is unique and their feet have their individual story to tell.

Reflexologists view the feet as a microcosm – that is of you, the human being!  Perhaps we should be called ‘Foot detectives’ because we explore the contours and textures of your feet for inside/outside clues about your state of wellness. 

So, this Summer, if you see a person in the supermarket or on the tube with their head down staring at people’s feet, be warned, it could be me trying to interpret your state of health as expressed by the state of your feet!

Although most of us have our own consistent ‘stress characteristics’ represented via foot-body correlations, feet can and do change from day to day, week to week, depending on what’s impacting upon your personal circumstances at the time.

Bunji-jumping or a dinner party! What’s stress to one person isn’t to another and this is reflected in the feet relative to each client.

“Health is like a tide.  It is a process, not a static or constant experience.  Each person’s state of energy is continuously changing from one moment to the next, rising and falling increasing and decreasing” (The Tibetan Art of Living, Christopher Hansard.)

This quotation very much reflects the variety of working tempo and sensitivity of Chi-Reflexology which embraces Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy (incorporating acupressure and the ‘meridian’ network system) with regard to ‘energy’ work whilst also including the very practical and physical – but poetically referenced.  Based on a different dynamic Chi-Reflexology augments and extends ‘standard’ reflexology practice for a lovely combination of East meets West approach towards a truly holistic therapy.

Louise Exeter Dip.Ref.E.C.R.A. 

Replenishment and Renewal with Reflexology Plus: Chi-Reflexology
(Reflexology plus acupressure, meridian therapy, colour work and counselling skills.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Louise: I am a member of The Association of Reflexologists. I have been practising reflexology for over 18 years and in particular working  with Chi-Reflexology for the past 8 years.  I have trained across a broad spectrum of reflexology styles and techniques from around the world and continue to be inspired by the subject.   I hold Certificates in Bereavement Counselling and Counslling Skills.  I regularly attend seminars and trainings on personal development, life skills, colour therapy and of course reflexology which I am passionate about.

Anne Croxford has many years experience in children's books and has provided some useful advice on getting boys interested in reading,

with some suggestions for books that could ignite the spark

Education Minister Michael Gove’s assertion last week that children should read 50 books a year is likely to reignite the debate on the best ways of encouraging children to read, especially boys. Indeed, if you type into Google the phrase “encouraging boys to read”, you get some idea of the scale of the problem, not just in this country but in many parts of the world, boys are doing less well than girls, throughout the education system.

Boys lack of interest in reading isn't new, although it is likely that technology has made the situation worse in the last couple of decades. It has also been argued that the education system just isn’t geared towards the way that boys learn; they have ants in their pants. Yet reading is fundamental to all learning and unless children can read properly they struggle cross the whole curriculum.

Here are a few tips to help ensure that your son is a reader for life.

It may be stating with the obvious, but reading with children regularly is incredibly important and it is never too young to start, babies as young as five months show an interest in books, even if they are the chewable variety.

Getting dads and other males to read with young boys, is particularly helpful. It is also good for children to see their parents reading, especially their dads and other males.

The key to getting boys to enjoy reading is to introduce them to books which appeal to their love of action, adventure, super-heroes, mystery, humour and even horror. 

Boys are naturally curious and often develop more interest in non fiction than girls. This curiosity about a subject can be a great way of engaging them in reading to find out more about their chosen subject, even if it is football.

Let them choose what they want to read, without being too prescriptive and don’t force them to read when they are just not able to sit still, as this will create negative associations.  However, settling down with a good book is a way of calming down boys who are over tired or fractious. Reading little, but often may work best for your son, if he seems to have a short attention span, but this will usually improve once he starts to enjoy books.

Do some preparation yourself. Think about how to talk about the story, their favourite character, the pictures. Children of both genders like repetition and will often have a favourite story and character. Maybe you can find further books with this character, make up alternative endings or even your own stories together based on the characters they love.  This is a good idea for long car journeys, as well as audio books.

If you are not already a member of a local library, join tomorrow, not only for a plentiful supply of new books but also because our local libraries have lots of events for young children, especially during the holidays; keeping them involved in books, outside of term time.

Don’t confine reading just to books - comics, the Internet, billboards and even cereal packets can count as reading.

Here are a list of books that may help you ignite a love of reading.

For babies - the touchy feely 'Thats not my' range - lots of titles including: Thats not my dragon,car and pirate. The series was awarded "Best Buy" by readers of Prima magazine. Babies like touchy-feely books with simple, repetitive text and bright, colourful illustrations with textures to touch and feel on every page; which help very young children develop language and sensory skills.
 

Toddlers - Lift the flap,noisy or wind up books. such as Noisy Football match, Noisy tractor, wind up tractor or train - or how about Noisy Wind up Fire engine! Our Lift and look range has lots to spot with hidden surprises along the way. Titles such as Emergency vehicles and dinosaurs

For boys beginning to read on their own or with some guidance, the Usborne Very First Reading, First reading and Young Reading series have many titles that will appeal to boys - some of which are taken from our Picture book series. Many boys prefer to read books with big busy pictures which have simple and engaging text,. Examples inlude, On The Farm, Robin Hood and Pinocchio.

The Usborne Reading Programme has been developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton and they have easy-reading text for children who have just started reading alone. Also good for this age are the Usborne Beginners which are colourful information books for children beginning to read on their own, with vivid, full colour illustrations and photographs on every page, accompanied by short, informative text. Examples include  London, Living in Space and Reptiles.

Many of the series in our fiction range are great for boys.....Oliver Moon, Tom's Creaky Castle, Dino FC, and the new secret Ninja Spies series for boys beginning to read chapter books on their own but who still need short chapters, with comic exploits and extraordinary characters.

Older boys will enjoy fast paced mysteries with adventure and often a supernatural or spooky twist.
Titles in the Usborne range include:
Return to the lost World by Steve Barlow
Kiss of Death - Malcolm rose
Red Eye SP Gates

As an alternative to fiction, many boys prefer to read information and encyclopedia type books. Usborne is fantastic at presenting information in an easy to read but exciting format. Examples include: See Inside series - eg Recycling and Rubbish,Ships,How things work - These books includes simple, informative text and picture labels with over 50 flaps to lift to reveal fascinating facts.

Handbooks - Pharaoh's, Pirates, Roman Soldiers and Knights. For example, The Pharoah's Handbook is an informative guide for befuddled pharaohs about how to rule the Land of the Pyramids. It includes everything power-hungry young pharaohs need to know to run their country smoothly, including helpful tips on how to be mummified and survive the journey to the afterlife. Its witty illustrations complement the text creating a friendly and accessible introduction to Ancient Egyptian history.

Newspaper histories -A fresh and lively look at  history, written in the style of a tabloid newspaper

Visitors Guides to Ancient times - Greece, Rome, Egpyt - A handy guide for time-travellers planning a trip back to Ancient lands, full of historical information about interesting tourist attractions, important festivals and the fashions and customs of ancient times. Written in an amusing style with a guide to the best villas, hotels and markets, and internet links to find out more.

True Stories - e.g The Second world War, The Blitz, Polar adventures, Heroes. The stories are illustrated with maps and line drawings and there are notes on sources and ideas for further reading. A great read and perfect for reluctant readers.
 

Finally we have rewrites of Classics, retold for the younger reader - e.g Jason and the Argonauts, Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Don Quixote. These are a simple re-telling of an important book, considered by many to be the first modern novel. They are faithful to the original story, retaining the atmosphere and drama of the original version. They are ideal for enthusiastic young readers, and encourages an interest in literature.
 

Anne Croxford

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

020 8360 9798
07734 111284

www.usborneonline.org/annecroxford

Rochelle Cutler provides useful advice on encouraging young children to become more independent.

One of the fundamental principles of Montessori education is helping children to be as independent as possible, according to their present level of development.

We can help even the smallest babies by:

*  Putting them on a floor mat so that they can move their bodies freely.

*  Hanging a mobile above them so that they can practise focusing their eyes and work towards using their arms and legs to touch the objects and make them move about.

*  Placing them near a secure floor mirror so that they can see themselves moving and easily watch everyone around them in the reflection, whilst lying on their mat and practising the skills mentioned above.

With slightly older babies, we can encourage their independence by letting them:

*  Hold a spoon during mealtimes and work towards using it to feed themselves.

*  Have a drink in a cup without a lid (from when they can sit up unaided).

*  Pull off their socks and shoes.

*  Help undress and dress themselves.

*  Choose between two options (e.g. red or green socks, teddy or ball).

*  Washing their hands.

Toddlers can help with so many practical activities in the home such as:

*  Unloading the dishwasher

*  Sorting the washing into piles

*  Helping clean with a damp sponge or duster

*  Putting pre-cut vegetables into a pan

*  Cutting soft fruit with a blunt knife

*  Carrying their cup and plate to the sink

*  Doing up a zip or undoing buttons

*  Opening and closing boxes, drawers, doors etc.

Of course, children don’t always want to help and sometimes they will abandon a job halfway through but that’s alright - we never force anything and, often, turning it into a game will help them finish. When children do help, they seem very proud of themselves and, apart from developing co-ordination, independence and self confidence, it helps small children feel like a valuable part of their family, gives them a sense of their place in the household and introduces the idea of everyone doing their part.

These ideas are just to get you thinking of other ways that your child can help out in the home and be independent wherever they are. I hope you have found them interesting and thought provoking and would love to hear back from you about your experiences and successes!

This article was originally published in our September 2010 newsletter.  If you would like to join our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletters that include other articles like this, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  We have all our previous newsletters available to view on our website: www.i-can-do-it.net/newsletters.html.

Read Rochelle's profile here

If you would like to experience our Montessori-based Parent & Toddler Groups, please call Rochelle on 07950 995771 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your place!

SPRING INTO ACTION

The worst of the winter is over with and the sun is starting to peak through your windows ... what is it revealing?Are your interiors looking a little tired and unloved? What can be done about them?

REJUVENATION

It may be that all that is required is TLC. Your curtains and blinds might only be a few years old but may well have gathered a little dust. To put a stop the myriads of tiny dust particles bouncing off the light why not freshen them up with a proper no shrinkage guaranteed cleaning service?  It is best to have them professionally cleaned off site using specialist curtain cleaning machines following through with repeating and pressing equipment. Your blinds such as rollers, pleated, verticals and venetians should also have specialist treatment, these can all be cleaned ultrasonically quite literally shaking the dirt out of them.

RESTORATION

Do you have an old or antique chair or sofa which you have been meaning to get around to recovering to fit in with the rest of the décor in your room? Would you like it sympathetically restored using traditional upholstery methods? Is your sofa  not as comfortable as it was originally? Maybe its time to consider restuffing or recovering these items.

REINVENT

Do you simply love your curtains but the fabric has worn along the leading edges? No need to replace them – why not add a contrast border to sort the offending area? This same solution can be used if curtains are too small or short – perhaps through being moved from one room to another or from an old house to new.

Adaptations can also be made to furniture, do you have a three seater sofa that will not fit into a room you now want to use it in? Did you know that it may be possible to remodel it to a two seater?

Now is a good time to bring in some more colour or a new accent colour if you are not wishing to completely redo your interior. You can cleverly change a room by adding small amounts of a new colour to give a great overall effect. This can be achieved by taking one or two new colours complimenting existing furnishings. For example if the main colours in a room are brown and cream what about brining in some aquas and/or golds in the way of cushions, throws, vases, lamps or picture frames? Why not add a lovely trim to existing cushions or curtains?

So spring into interior action and get creative! If all seems a little daunting then do call Julia or Lee at Drapemasters Interior Furnishers for some free advice – We offer a complete interior design service as well as advice on the FOUR Rs!

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.drapemasters.co.uk

07795 975980

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    

Andrew Berg makes a compelling case for having private health cover if you are a small business owner and bread winner

2011 hasn’t started well for the NHS. Stories about shortages and cuts and patient abuse are encouraging many people to think about private health cover for the first time.

What you need to consider is not can you afford it, but can you afford not to have private health cover? For many people, including the self employed, private health care is not a luxury, something that can be dispensed with when money is tight, but an important cost of doing business.

A question to ask yourself. Can you afford to be ill? For many people the answer is no. What would happen to your home, your family and your lifestyle if you were ill and couldn’t work and therefore had no money coming in? Can you afford to soldier on, sometimes waiting months for a diagnosis and treatment? This is not scaremongering, there is much to be admired in the NHS, but demand for its services far outstrips supply, with around 100,000 people waiting for treatment at any one time.

Private care isn’t just about buying privilege, it’s about spending your money on protecting the things in life which are most important, your health and wellbeing and your family. If money is tight, the case is even more compelling, to protect your health at a time when you may be under more stress and need to minimise the time you are away from your business. Most private health policies will give you access to the latest diagnostics and treatment, top specialists and treatment in comfortable and clean hospitals at a time that is convenient to you.

Where do you start finding a policy that best suits your needs and your budget? Many IFAs are not specialists in health cover, as this is a complex insurance sector, where in-depth knowledge of individual policies is required. Many of the leading private healthcare providers would recommend that you talk to a specialist, whether you are moving from a corporate scheme, wanting to review your current private healthcare cover, or are exploring private healthcare provision for the first time.

There are currently a number of insurance companied offering compelling introductory discounts. Is your health more important than a new plasma TV, a weekend away? We can help you to make the right investment in your future wellbeing.

Andrew R Berg

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

07774 442 047

http://www.n21online.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=82&sobi2Id=752&Itemid=53