LOCAL MONKEY MUSIC TEACHER IN LINE FOR TOP NATIONAL AWARD AND A NEW RECRUIT FOR MONKEY MUSIC

Monkey Music, the award winning pre-school music group for children aged 3 months – 4 years across the UK, is delighted to announce that local mum and Monkey Music teacher, Laura Dobson, is in line for a national award.

Laura Dobson

Laura Dobson launched her pre-school music group, Monkey Music, in Lewes, Uckfield and Crowborough in September – and is in the running for a major prize just six months later.

Public voting has seen the classically trained musician and mum-of-two on the shortlist to be named Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s (South), in the What’s On 4 Little Ones International Junior Awards.

Laura says “I am absolutely thrilled to have been nominated and wish to thank everyone who has already voted for me. Please keep voting!”

She now needs more votes to take her through to the final. To vote for Laura visit: http://www.whatson4littleones.co.uk/awards.asp

Monkey Music is also excited to welcome Laura-Leigh King to its merry band of teachers in Lewes, Uckfield and Crowborough. 

Laura-Leigh King

Laura-Leigh will be joining Laura Dobson and will be running classes in Lewes, Uckfield and Crowborough.

Laura-Leigh has 3 little monkeys of her own and has fantastic experience of working with babies and young children whilst managing a nursery.

Monkey Music classes have been running at Cliffe Hall in Lewes, the Belmont Centre in Uckfield and the Crowborough Community Centre since September 2012.   “The demand for classes is constantly growing, and I am thrilled to have found such a wonderful teacher to help take Monkey Music forward in this phase of further growth and maturity” commented Laura Dobson. “Laura-Leigh is looking forward to meeting all the little monkeys at after Easter and we all hope that we’ll soon be opening our doors to many more”.

Monkey Music, which was founded in 1993, aims to introduce music to very young children in a way they can easily understand and enjoy, nurturing a child’s natural love of music so that it will last a lifetime. Specialist teachers, like Laura-Leigh, are carefully chosen for their natural ability to communicate with and entertain young children and their carers, gently encouraging social and musical skills within a fun, stimulating and friendly environment. The children are captivated throughout the lively 30 minute classes through a winning combination of catchy music, percussion instruments, colourful visual props and boundless energy, with lots of opportunities for the children to experiment with the instruments and make music of their own.

To find out more about Monkey Music or to book your complimentary class call Laura Dobson on 01825 760970 or email lewes.uckfield@monkeymusic.co.uk   Or why not visit the interactive website at www.monkeymusic.co.uk to sample some of the delights of Monkey Music for yourself?

Monkey Music : Nurturing a Lifetime of Music.

The Book Nook voted Best Independent in the Country!

On Monday 14th May at the Bookseller Industry Awards,  The Book Nook, based in First Avenue Hove, was awarded “Children's Independent Bookseller of the Year” sponsored by Walker Books.

The calibre of entrants this year was exceptionally high with two previous winners being in the shortlist.  Vanessa Lewis, co-owner of The Book Nook, Brighton and Hove’s dedicated children’s bookshop said “this is a wonderful accolade and we are thrilled to be recognised as one of the best independent children’s bookshops in the country. “

Engraining itself in life in its local area of Brighton and Hove the judges said: “From its baby changing facilities and its in-door pirate ship to keep younger children happy, to its homemade cakes, the shop anticipates the needs of parents and children alike. Popular activities include daily story readings, weekly baby coffee mornings and monthly book clubs, while more than 100 author events were staged last year.”

Work with local schools, including the launch of Sussex’s Amazing Book Awards and selling adult as well as children’s books at Brighton’s various festivals has also helped to spread the word about the shop.

Lewis said “We are still relatively new to the industry having recently celebrated our third year in business but the judges recognised that we are a sustainable and profitable business. With the support from the local community, schools and universities and also local authors and illustrators we are very excited about the future.”

The judges not only admired the shop’s community engagement, but also its professional approaches to stock selection, buying and cost control. “The Book Nook is a great space where children and parents like spending time,” they said. “It’s doing everything an independent bookshop should, and doing it well. This is a business with plenty of growth left in it.”

The Book Nook
First Avenue
Hove
BN3 2FJ
Tel: 01273 911988
www.booknookuk.com

Finalists Announced for the What's On 4 Junior Awards

Finalists Announced for the nation's most

celebrated kid's activity awards - the What's On 4 Junior Awards

The Finalists have today been announced for the 6^th National Annual What's On 4 Junior Awards, to be held in Sussex on the 15^th June 2012.

These prestigious awards, sponsored by Konfidence, reward and recognise companies, organisations and individuals who provide the very best activities for children throughout the UK. A record 45,467 votes were taken this year an increase of 40%.

Amongst the 19 categories, the Finalist include: Best National Baby and Toddler Development Activity; Best Local Activity for Under 5's and Most Outstanding Activity Leader Under 5's. (by region). Over 250,000 parents view the awards pages, nominate and vote and a record number of votes have already been received in one of the most exciting campaigns to date.

Organisers www.whatson4littleones.co.uk, www.whatson4schoolkids.co.uk and www.whatson4kidsparties.co.uk play a major role in inspiring and encouraging parents and their little ones to keep active, meet new friends, get fit and have fun! Their annual awards celebrate the crème de la crème of providers in this very important sector at a time when concerns regarding childhood obesity are at their highest and as we approach the Olympics!

The awards ceremony takes place on Friday 15^th June at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel, Arundel, Sussex. This exciting event will be presented by Lucy Piper, TV star, host of major parenting and fashion events and busy mum of two.

Lucy says, “As a busy mum, I know how much classes and kids activities can mean to parents and little ones! Getting out and about, meeting new people and having fun makes such a difference to our lives and that's why I am delighted to be presenting the 'What's On 4 Junior Awards'. I am really looking forward to meeting all the finalists and winners on the day and celebrating their success!'

Community Award winners will take home a range of fabulous prizes to include some very special gifts from Humphrey's Corner, award-winning Tiddley-Pom natural baby spa range and a luxury Reviver break courtesy of Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa and a selection of WOW Toys.

Media supporters are Prima Baby and Pregnancy Magazineand First News theaward-winning newspaper for children.

Award Categories and Sponsors:

Best Pre/Post Natal Activity sponsored by Tiddley Pom Natural Baby Spa

Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity (newborn to 2 years) sponsored by Konfidence

Best National Pre-schooler Development Activity (2 to 5 years) sponsored by lawyers4mumpreneurs

Best Local Activity for the Under 5s sponsored by Hilton Avisford Park

Most Outstanding Committee Led Pre-School sponsored by Humphrey's Cornerand The Children's Trust

Most Outstanding Baby and Toddler Group sponsored by Prima Baby & Pregnancy magazine

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s - South* sponsored by Music Bags

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s - West & Wales

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s - East

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s - Northern Ireland & Scotland

Best National Activity for children aged 5 to 12 Sponsored by BusinessFit Club

Best Local Activity for children aged 5 to 12

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for children aged 5 to 12 - Sponsored by First News - the Weekly Newspaper for Kids

Best After School or Breakfast Club Sponsored by Get In The Press

Best New Activity for Children sponsored by Amy Taylor Accountancy

Most Outstanding Community Group Volunteer for children sponsored by Magic Moments Direct

Best Children's Party Entertainment

Best Children's Party Supplier

Best Family Day Out sponsored byNaomi Richards - The Kids Coach