Summer Holiday Dates

The toy library will be open for three dates over the summer holidays.

These are:

Wednesday 3rd, 10th and 17th August 10am-12:00pm.

We will be continuing our focus on healthy eating and active play.

Normal opening will resume on Monday 5th September.

Look out for the results of further refurbishments when we re-open in September!

July News

It has been very busy at the toy library the last few weeks.

Many of you will have noticed our new doors which are part of the refurbishment made possible by a grant from the Midlands Co-op.

We have also held two Teddy Bear's picnics which were a great success and raised £77 for toy library funds. On the Wednesday picnic we were joined by the British Heart Foundation, this was part of our topic on healthy eating and the importance of keeping active. This is a topic that is in the news a lot at the moment. The government is recommending to parents that pre-school children have at least 3 hours physical activity per day. Here is a recent news story about the topic:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14080072

The British Heart Foundation offer much helpful advice for parents. Here is a link to their page:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/prevention/tips-for-parents.aspx

The Toy library was awarded £100 in the 3M community awards. We were shortlisted from 47 applications, and although we did not win a major award, this contribution is very much appreciated.

Finally, we have lots of new toys in stock including executive jet, camper van, dressing up clothes, multicultural games, and healthy eating games. We also have lots of outdoor toys and garden games which are perfect for the summer holidays. Our last normal day of opening is Friday 15th July, but we shall open for three Wednesdays in the summer: 3rd, 10th and 17th 10:00-12:00. We hope to see you on one of those days.

Good Toys - Toy libraries provide good quality toys which can be borrowed and enjoyed at home - just like a lending library. Some toy libraries provide specially adapted toys and equipment for children with special needs.

Good Fun - Children learn through play and most toy libraries encourage children to play with the toys on display as well as choosing one to borrow.

Good Friends - Toy libraries are friendly places where parents and other people caring for young children can meet to exchange ideas and share problems.

Healthy Eating

We have been exploring healthy eating at the toy library.

The children (and grown ups!) have tried exotic muffins this week. We have had courgette & lime and also chocolate & beetroot. Do you have an unusual cake/muffin recipe you would like to share with us?

You might find these links of interest:

http://www.netmums.com/food/Healthy_Eating_Guide.338/

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/eight-tips-healthy-eating.aspx

New multicultural toys

We have added these new multicultural toys to our collection.

New Toys

We have some lovely new toys thanks to a grant from East Midlands Airport. We select new toys in response to popular play trends. Why not come and see what we have that might suit your child. We are always willing to give advice on play and toys.

Competition!

Write a review of the toy library or a favourite item that you borrow from the toy library for your chance to win a box of chocolates!

Let us know about your experiences at the play sessions, or when borrowing one of our 2000 items of toy stock, or as a volunteer. What works for you, what benefits are there for others, what areas could we improve?

All entries received by 01/09/11 will be entered into a draw to win a box of chocolates.

Email your entries to shepshedtoylib@tiscali.co.uk

We will publish a selection of the reviews on our website (anonymously if requested).