Supporting Local Schools

As well as lending toys to families, the Toy Library also supports local schools by lending toys to support their learning themes.

One regular user is Hathern C of E Primary School, who sent us the following letter:

"Dear Toy Library,

I am writing to say how impressed I have been with the resources and toys we have borrowed from you to support the learning in our foundation stage classroom. The children have so enjoyed the varied and exciting things you have lent us.

The staff we have dealt with have always been helpful and informative and have put together boxes and bags of suitable items for the topics we have done. The toys have always been of very good quality and in good condition.

We would certainly recommend your service to other primary schools."

Mrs Mary Sibson
Foundation Stage/Year 1 class teacher

Membership for schools is £25 per year. Please contact us if you think your school might be interested in using our services.

Work Experience Students Help Out at Toy Library

Amongst the many services offered by Shepshed Toy Library are work expericence placements. We work closely with local organisations to offer young people the opportunity to see what we do. Some are studying vocational courses at Hind Leys College, some are on nursing placements at the Health Centre, and others are working towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

We give the students a wide experience of all the different aspects of the Toy Library's work, from organisational tasks to hands -on play sessions. They can discover what they enjoy and are good at. It might also provide inspiriation for their future, be it professionally or as the next generation of parents and Toy Library users. The more people who know about us, the better!

The students have a lot to offer, even though some face their own challenges. They view things from a fresh perspective, are enthusiastic and provide an important link with the community. Everyone gains something from their time here. "We received positive feedback" say Hind Leys College. The students "enjoyed the challenges of work and appreciated being treated like adults".

Local Parents Urged to aim for Healthy Lunchboxes

Healthy options as children go back to school

Parents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being given tips to make their kids lunch box healthier.

A new school term is well underway and the NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is handing out advice on how to make kids lunch boxes healthy as well as fun, to beat hunger and improve concentration throughout the school day.

With the majority of children taking packed lunches to school its important lunch boxes are kept fun and healthy to avoid children snacking between meals.
Gulshinder Johal, senior dietician speaking on behalf of the trusts, said: “Many kids will have started school for the first time while others will be returning for another year and after a while lunchboxes can become quite boring. “We are asking parents to be imaginative with their child’s lunch box and include lots of
healthy snacks such as dried fruit and vegetable sticks. Foods which release energy slowly such as wholegrain or pitta bread will help them stay alert all day. Involve children in the preparation of their lunchbox, this will get them excited about eating what’s inside.

“Foods high in sugar and fat, such as chocolate bars and crisps will make children feel lethargic and soon they’ll be feeling hungry again.”

Gulshinder’s five top tips for a healthy lunchbox are:
• include plenty of dried or fresh fruit
• use wholegrain bread for sandwiches or alternate with pitta bread
• pack up crisps only twice a week
• include a calcium packed yoghurt for healthy teeth and bones
• include milk or water instead of sugary drinks.

For more information on healthy snacks and meals for children log onto the Change4Lifee website at www.nhs.uk/change4life.