Wheely Tots launches Early Years Toolkit

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Since February, Wheely Tots has been supporting the Mayor of London’s Early Years Campaign. We have been finding out and sharing information with families about early years provision in and around the West Green ward in Haringey.

Lots of children in Haringey are eligible for a free early learning place in a nursery, children’s centre, playgroup or childminder, for up to 15 hours a week. Early learning is good for children’s social, physical and mental development and also helps them to prepare for school – giving your child the best start in life.

As part of the project, we’ve developed an online Early Years toolkit for parents and carers in Haringey, which contains lots of the information we’ve gathered over the last nine months.

The toolkit includes:

  • details about eligibility for free early learning places
  • an interactive map of local early years providers
  • tips for planning a journey by public transport, foot or bike
  • information on how families can access bikes
  • activities and services for parents and toddlers in Haringey

If you are interested in learning more about this project, or have any suggestions for the toolkit, get in touch at info@wheelytots.com.

Weekend events with Wheely Tots in September

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Wheely Tots will be attending two exciting weekend events in September, we are expecting both to be busy so if you are able to come along and help out on either day, please let us know, we would be really grateful for some extra pairs of hands.

Hidden River Festival
On Saturday 14 September we will be running parent & toddler balance bike sessions at Hidden River Festival along the New River Path. Book your spot for 12pm, 2pm or 4pm.
We are seeking volunteers to join us on the day to help us on our stall and engage with people attending the festival. This could be split into 2 shifts, 12:00pm – 3:00pm and 3:00pm – 6:00pm.

Car Free Day
Sunday 22 September is London Car Free Day. We will be located in the City, near Bank Station and will be running parent & toddler balance bike sessions on the pedestrianised streets. Book your session here.
We are seeking volunteers to join us on the day to help us on our stall and engage with people. This could be split into 2 shifts, 10:30pm – 1:30pm and 1:30pm – 5:00pm.

If you’re able to volunteer, email info@wheelytots.com with the date and time you are available.

Become a Parent Ambassador with Wheely Tots

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Wheely Tots is recruiting volunteer parent ambassadors.

Who are we looking for?

Are you a parent?

Are you happy to talk to other parents about your experience of sending your child to nursery and share information about available childcare options?

Then you could be a parent ambassador.

What will you be doing?

Some examples of what you might do:

Share information with local parents about the Free for Twos early learning offer at locations & events such as:

  • Playgrounds
  • Tenant Association meetings
  • Play groups
  • Community groups
  • Shopping areas
  • Other locations where parents are present

You will speak to parents, give them leaflets with information and signpost them to available support to make an application if they wish to access Free for Twos.

You will record the number of families you speak to and report this to Wheely Tots. 

You can be an ambassador during your daily activities when you are out and about in the local area or you can allocate times when you will visit a certain location to meet a specific group. 

What will we do for you?

  • We will make sure you have the information you need to give accurate guidance to families.
  • We can provide a reference if you volunteer for at least 6 hours. 
  • We can cover any travel costs.
  • We will pay for your DBS check.
  • Your family can access Wheely Tots activities.  

If you are interested in being a parent ambassador, please email info@wheelytots.com and let us know why you would make a good parent ambassador.

Become a Wheely Tots cycling ambassador – free training provided

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Wheely Tots is looking for Haringey residents to become ambassadors: local people who promote getting around by bike and on foot to their friends and family.

Examples of some of the things that an ambassador might do include: wearing a Wheely Tots tabard; volunteering at one of our sessions or events; sharing knowledge about safe cycling with your community; and recording the journeys you make by bike and on foot.

We’re offering people who become ambassadors free access to Cytech Home Mechanic and National Cycle Instructor Training (Level 1) in July. Both courses are industry-recognised.

If you’re interested in becoming an ambassador – or know someone who might be – please contact us at info@wheelytots.com or complete the form below.

We particularly welcome interest from women, young people and those from BAME backgrounds.

This project is generously supported by Haringey 40:20

Get involved with our Women & Girls Project

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Wheely Tots is looking for partners for an initiative which aims to support women and girls to become more confident and safer cyclists.

What?

The kinds of activities we can deliver with you include:
– Cycling training and group rides
– Balance bike sessions for mothers (or aunts or grandmothers!) and toddlers
– Bike maintenance skills
– Route planning workshops
– Bike fitting sessions and advice for purchasing a bike

Activity could be:
– A one-off taster session within your existing programme
– A series of drop-in workshops
– A series of weekly sessions – e.g. an after school club

We’re keen to shape the project with partners and participants, so we’re really open to ideas about how we could work together best in your context.

How much will it cost?

We will provide all equipment and facilitators at no cost.

Where?

We could come to your setting, host a session at our Family Cycling Showroom at the Castle Climbing Centre on Green Lanes, N4 or run something in a local park.

When?

Sessions can take place between now and November.

Get in touch

For more information, or if you’d like to work with us on this project, please contact info@wheelytots.com

This project is generously supported by The Sage Foundation.

Discounted bike mechanic and cycle instructor training this July

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We’re super excited to announce that we have a few discounted spots for bike mechanic and cycle instructor training. Both courses are nationally recognised qualifications and are a fantastic opportunity for enthusiasts and those considering employment in this field.

Cytech’s Home Mechanic course, ATG training

Friday 5th and Saturday 6th July, Canonbury. £150 (normally £299)
This industry-recognised qualification is for bike enthusiasts who want to get a handle on basics bike mechanics. The two-day course will cover topics including headsets, bottom brackets, brakes, gear set-ups and more. No bike necessary.

National Cycle Instructor Training (Level 1)

Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd, Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th July, Castle Climbing Centre, N4 and the surrounding area, £150 (normally £500)
This four-day course will set you up to support others to cycle safely, covering teaching techniques, risk assessments, route planning and how to check bikes. You’ll need your own bike for this course.

For more info or to book, please contact info@wheelytots.com. Let us know which course(s) you’re interested in and whether you have any access requirements. While we can’t provide childcare, parents are welcome to bring a carer and their child. Breaks for breastfeeding can be accommodated.

 

Deputy Mayor visits Wheely Tots

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We were delighted to welcome Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, to visit our Family Buddy Up project on 9 April to see how we are helping families of different backgrounds come together.

Click here to read the report on the GLA website.

If you’d like to get involved with the project, visit http://wheelytots.com/buddy/

Lordship Rec Tree Trail

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If you’re planning to come to our Easter sessions in April, why not stay and explore more of Lordship Rec by taking the Tree Trail?

There are 6 trees to find and it should take between 30-60 minutes to see them all.

The trail was put together by members of Friends of Lordship Recreation Ground.

Click here to see the trail.

 

Wheely Tots signs up with Give As You Live

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Wheely Tots is now registered with Give As You Live, an online fundraising platform where our supporters can raise funds for us when shopping online.  This costs you nothing as the buyer, the online store passes a percentage of your total purchase price in commission to Give As You Live and 50% of this is passed to Wheely Tots so you can support us just by shopping online.

You can find out more about how this works here.

To register with Give As You Live and support Wheely Tots, please sign up on our landing page.
www.giveasyoulive.com/join/wheelytots