Hovertravel aims to become more Autistic-FriendlyAs part of its HoverCare programme to develop greater understanding of the needs of all its customers, Hovertravel recently welcomed a group of children and their parents from Greenmount Community School. This school, situated just outside Ryde on the Isle of Wight, has been an important institution in the local community since it was founded in 1821.Andy Parnell, one of Hovertravel’s HoverCare Ambassadors, explains: “When we launched HoverCare, we knew we needed to learn more about our customers’ needs. We appreciated that we should develop our knowledge of how different types of customer might view, access and experience our service. The purposes of this visit were for Hovertravel get a better understanding of the needs of children, including those on the autistic spectrum, as well as incorporating parental feedback, and to give our all young visitors a behind the scenes tour of our hovercraft. “The children, their parents and teachers met at Hovertravel’s Ryde terminal at 1015 – just after a timetabled craft had departed – so the group had the terminal to themselves. After a brief explanation of how the hovercraft works, the group was given a tour around one of the craft, followed by a brief 15-minute trip out on the Solent. Andy adds: “The response from this trip was overwhelmingly positive – from children, teachers and parents. My job is to feedback the intelligence we gathered through this event and then our HoverCare team can assess what we can do to make anyone with autism have the best possible experience with Hovertravel.”Hovertravel Ltd #Hover #IsleofWight #Hovertravel

Fusion Arts Academy will be taking new class registrations as from this week. If you would like to book into any of their classes including our new Acro classes then ensure you book your place Free trials this week so get booking or call for more information. The Islands most unique DANCE & MUSIC Academy teaching children and adults from the age of 18 months. Awards London College of Music Examinations & Australian Teachers of Dancing International plus Stave House Early Learning Music Awards. For more information call Call 07786 787322 or take a look at all the information on the website www.fusionarts.co.uk Fusion Arts Academy is the Islands most unique Dance & Music Academy. We offer high quality tuition to children from the age of 16 months to Adults in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Pop Vocals, Piano & Violin using syllabi that is second to none. We are very proud to be the only school on the Island that uses an Australian Dance Syllabus - (Australian Teachers Of Dance International) who are leaders in the field of dance education. For our young students we follow the 'Imagine' program which uses a fresh approach to early dance education and provides a rich learning environment for young students

Jiggy Wrigglers Isle of Wight All our groups are pay as you go. There’s no need to book so just find a day and time that suits you and come along and join the fun, we would love to see you!!Our sessions are suitable for any child from 0-5yrs.The groups are all very friendly and everyone is welcome. I’m looking forward to seeing Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Childminders, people from all walks of life come through the doors and into my groups. Jiggy Wrigglers is a lovely place to meet new people and strike up new friendships for both the Children and the Grown-Ups who come along.If you feel like coming along for a wriggle and a bounce, our doors are always open and most importantly everyone gets a drink and biscuit…even the Grown-Ups!

Our sessions are very reasonably priced at £4 per session, we also sell 3 sessions for £10 which you can use these as you please. Come along each week, every other week or however you want – you are under no obligation to commit financially to block bookings and we are priced per family – siblings go FREE!

We also do Birthday parties for children up to 6yrs olds. Call 07502 563485 for more information.

Come and join Goodleaf and hang out in our magnificent 70ft oak tree.Tree climbing is just about the most fun you can have in the great outdoors with your friends and family. Come and join Goodleaf and hang out in our magnificent 70ft oak tree in Appley Park, Ryde. You’ll enjoy a two-hour climbing experience, with everything on hand to help you learn the ropes - quite literally!Our friendly and experienced staff will teach you our unique climbing technique and before you know it you’ll be ascending into the canopy. Challenge yourself to climb higher and higher or just take it easy, soak it all in and relax in one of our high-up hammocks.How about a birthday party in the branches?We have a special rate for children’s birthday parties and we offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.To keep on top of everything we have going on under the Goodleaf Tree Climbing canopy.

Living Larder grows, picks and deliver veg boxes across the Island, as well as supplying a number of the Islands finest restaurants.Growing on a small scale, their emphasis is on Fresh Produce with flavour. Delicious heritage varieties, grown slowly and harvested by hand at the point of ripeness and delivered that same day with recipe suggestions included.y phone and by email. follow then on Facebook Living Larder

The Family Directory is a free magazine for Isle Of Wight  parents and visiting families, printed per term full of local info from children’s services, ideas for entertaining children. Each issue is full of news, reviews, articles and cooking ideas – the magazine is A5 in size. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter share your ideas and view.  The Family Directory is perfect for mums and dads with little ones aged 0-11.Follow us a Facebook The Family Directory

Montessori Education on the Isle of Wight The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose a Montessori Education for their son Prince George because they wanted a childcare method which puts emphasis on a child’s independence, freedom of thought and imagination and sociability.Our Montessori education and ethos is carefully planned to provide a supportive environment for children to learn naturally at their own pace, guided by Montessori teachers. Independence is encouraged at a very early age with high levels of respect for the child’s unique abilities. Montessori children learn to look after the environment and the feelings of others,and it encourages a gentle and satisfying inner calmness and confidence in each child. Classrooms are ordered and attractive, with natural resources to captivate enquiring minds. Children are active in their learning as they concentrate deeply on tasks such as cookery, creative pursuits, mathematical and language activities, together with explorations of the natural world. Yoga and horticulture and skills for life compliment our academic subjects. Competitive measures of achievement are discouraged, the focus being on the holistic development of each child to their fullest potential. Montessori children learn the joy of learning, discovery, risk and challenge, encouraging high levels of selfesteem and good emotional health; moving later on to successful lives and achievements. Montessori is available to all island families through our two successful preschools in Bembridge and St Helens, you are most welcome to book a visit and learn more about how Montessori can benefit your child. Information is available from our settings at Bembridge (tel: 874481) and St Helens (tel: 874138) or ourwebsite at www.montessoriiow.co.uk