Family Life

Understanding variations in the onset of walking in children

The milestone of a child's first steps is a momentous occasion for parents and caregivers alike. However, it's common for children to grow out of the pushchair or double pram at different ages, sometimes causing concern among parents. Understanding the factors influencing the onset of walking...

Full story

Register your child for free activities and hot meals this Easter

Children and young people, eligible for benefit-related free school meals, have the chance to take part in four days of exciting activities over the Easter Holidays.

Once again parents and guardians have the chance to apply for their child to take part in Devon County Council's (DCC) government-funded Holiday Activities and Food programme.

The programme, for eligible five to...

Tags:

kids

holidays

children

Easter

This World Book Day, half a million children in the UK don’t own a single book

As reading attainment rises in schools, reading for pleasure continues its sharp decline

To mark World Book Day 2023, the charity is calling on teachers, carers and parents to ensure that reading for pleasure is encouraged as much as reading attainment, in and outside of schools.

While reading was the only core subject which saw attainment levels improve in 2022, (at Key Stage 2, 75...

children, running, outside through daffodils in gardens

National Trust Easter egg trails across Devon

Bring the whole family together this Easter and treat your loved ones to a spring adventure with the National Trust.

From getting active in the great outdoors, to spotting the signs of spring and experiencing nature bursting into life at the places the National Trust cares for, there are lots of Easter trails to choose from in Devon and beyond.

Every single National Trust...

Spring into the new season at The Donkey Sanctuary

With spring just around the corner, The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is the perfect day out for all the family this half term.

The sanctuary is free to visit and is set in the heart of the East Devon countryside, overlooking the world-famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

For those looking to combine exercise and brainpower the ‘Stories of Sanctuary Spirit’ trail is a...

Tags:

Dinosaur World Live roars into Plymouth for the Easter holidays

Direct from London’s West End, Dinosaur World Live , the interactive children’s theatre show that brings dinosaurs to life on stage, is back for a 2022 UK Tour, which includes dates at Theatre Royal Plymouth (9–11 April 2023).

Using stunning puppetry to bring remarkably life-like dinosaurs to the stage, Dinosaur World Live presents a host of impressive pre-historic creatures...

Tags:

Theate Royal

Plymouth

Boost your childcare budget this half term

As the February half term draws closer, families are being reminded that they can save up to £2,000 a year on childcare costs with Tax-Free Childcare.  

More than 37,600 families in the South West used the scheme in September 2022 and benefitted from the government paying towards childcare costs. 

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging families to find out more about...

Discover a World on your Window this Half term at RHS Rosemoor!

Rainy weather won’t stop you from having fun this half-term at RHS Rosemoor – discover a whole new World on Your Windowsill this February with a week of fun family activities.

This holiday programme of events is jam-packed with gardening activities, crafting, and the chance to leave with handmade items that will brighten up the home. Whatever the weather, families will be able to get...

Tags:

There’s always time for a cuppa with Exeter, Mid & East Devon Samaritans

The local branch of Samaritans is encouraging people across Exeter and East Devon to reach out to someone they care about for a cuppa and a catch up for Brew Monday - that’s January 16, the third Monday of January.

Volunteers from the branch will be out in force, with tea bags and cups, at six stations in the area: Exeter St David’s, Exeter Central, Exmouth, Dawlish, Tiverton Parkway...

Tags:

Keeping siblings together - Plymouth foster family provide permanent loving home for brother and sister

Just over three years ago, primary school teacher, Nicola Black*, 43, her husband James and their three children, twins Anna* and Tony*, 14, and Harry* age 12, welcomed foster siblings, Jack* 7, and Jess* 5, into their loving family home, now they are one big happy family. Plymouth has one of the highest numbers of looked after children in the South West 1 , Nicola and her family are urging...