Under Fives at Risk as 88% of Pre-schools Struggle to Fund Sports

A nationwide survey of pre-schools and nursery’s conducted by the Haven Fun & Fitness campaign has found 88% of settings are struggling to fund sports at their early years settings.

These concerning results come following a recent NHS report which found nearly a quarter of four years old are overweight or obese. NHS experts have highlighted the need for a culture of turning off the TV and getting more active, recommending a minimum of three hours of physical activity everyday to prevent current predictions of a ‘health crisis time bomb’.

Haven Fun & Fitness campaign manager Naomi Woodstock comments: “Despite often being the only place a child can be active and run around with no restrictions many pre-schools receive little or no funding for sports equipment.”

To help make it easier to provide exciting and engaging physical activity for under-fives the Haven Fun & Fitness campaign was set up in 2009 to support early years settings in keeping children active. By providing free equipment to inspire kids to have fun getting fit, the campaign helps to encourage youngsters to get the fitness habit early.

“We have helped thousands of pre-schools all over the country to improve the sports and physical activities available to the children. Early years’ leaders are in a unique position to help develop children’s natural enjoyment of being active and we want to support them as they support our children” comments Naomi Woodstock.

The equipment available though the campaign is bright, colourful and designed specifically for under fives. The sports kits help children to get the exercise habit early and also helps pre-school leaders to meet their Ofsted guidelines for early year’s developments.

“Over 40% of pre-school leaders struggle to meet the early year’s development guidelines for physical activity. The Fun & Fitness campaign provides equipment to help meet these targets. By helping to make physical activity fun and exciting for the children we hope to provide additional support for teachers to encourage children to develop and meet their full potential.”

The 2011/12 Haven Fun & Fitness campaign is now open and pre-schools and nursery’s can register for the free sports equipment. Just visit www.havenfunfitess.com and follow the instructions on the site.

Registrations close on 31st January but places are limited!

Its warm inside! Cosy Autumn breaks with Haven

Haven Holidays Prestige caravans are proving popular this Autumn with guests looking for a cosy coastal break.

Prices start at as little as £139 for a four night holiday for up to six people in a fully heated two-bedroom Prestige holiday home at a choice of holiday parks this October.

There are plenty of indoor activities to keep everyone happy – at no extra cost! Expect heated indoor pools, FunZones with the latest hi-tech games, indoor bowls and soft play areas for little ones. Kids clubs with lots of activities are included in the price as well as an extensive programme of daytime and evening entertainment.

Weekend breaks during October start at £159 for three nights. Parks participating in the special Autumn deal include Golden Sands near Mablethorpe; Thorpe Park near Cleethorpes; Combe Haven on the Sussex Coast and The Orchards near Clacton on Sea.

For bookings, details of other special offers and more information about park facilities click on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900.

Half Term Breaks at Haven

Holiday experts Haven say ‘If you’re hoping to pick up a bargain for October half term it’s advisable to book before the end of September’.

Haven Holidays, the UK’s largest family holiday park operator with 35 locations around Britain say the changeable weather hasn’t put people off booking ahead for half term – and have reported a rise in families opting for the top of the range, centrally heated Prestige Holiday Homes.

Currently seven night half term holidays cost from just £429 in a Prestige Holiday Home – which also offer more space, TV with DVD player, beds made up for arrival and an earlier check-in as well as heated bedrooms and bathroom and a cosy gas fire in the lounge.

Where to go?

Golden Sands near Mablethorpe is perfect for long walks on the beach, kite flying and a Seal Sanctuary nearby. On the Park kids will love the heated indoor pool; crazy golf and a fun fair with dodgems and mini roller coaster. Seven nights arriving on October 21st cost from £429 in Prestige accommodation for up to six.

Reighton Sands overlooking Filey Bay on the North Yorkshire coast has direct access to the beach – it’s also great for fossil hunting! On the Park there’s a nine hole golf course, heated indoor pool and tempting menus in the new Mash & Barrel lounge bar. Seven nights arriving on October 21st cost from £429 in two bedroom Prestige accommodation for a family of six.

Church Farm at Pagham, near Chichester has its own nature reserve teeming with birds and wild-fowl. Chichester is nearby and Arundel within easy reach. On the Park there’s a heated indoor pool with flumes; crazy golf; a nine hole golf course and all weather bowling green. Three nights arriving 21st October start at £299 for a family of up to six in a Prestige holiday home.

For bookings, details of other special offers and more information about park facilities click on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900.

Haven Solves Doggy Dilemma

You’ve worked hard all year, saved up some hard-earned cash and fancy treating yourself to a well deserved break. But just as you sit down to start planning your hols you hear a melancholy woof in the background.

Then it hits you – you can’t possibly go on holiday, it simply wouldn’t be fair on Fido.

If this sounds like an all too familiar scenario, then you’re not alone. According to statistics released earlier this year* one in four pet owners have taken fewer holidays since getting a pet. What’s more, 30% of those surveyed who stated that they take less holidays admit that the main reason is they simply can’t bear to leave their furry friend behind.

Moreover, it seems that even those who do go away spend much of holiday struggling with the guilt of leaving their pet. A separate survey** found that 17% of men and 11% of women worry about their pets getting ill or going missing whilst they’re away. So much for enjoying your break!

The good news for dog owners is that there is an easy solution to this dilemma. Take your canine friend with you when you go on holiday!

And, thanks to Haven Holidays, you can do this right now for less than the cost of a tin of dog food.

Between 5th September and 17th October no fewer than seven popular Haven sites up and down the UK will be offering you the chance to take your pooch on holiday at the cost of just £1 per dog.

And prices for the rest of the family start from a very modest £79 for up to six people for four nights in Standard accommodation, although prices vary depending on dates and locations.

So instead of putting off that well deserved break for fear of ending up in the doghouse with Fido take advantage of this fantastic offer and your family – including your furry friend – will soon be enjoying one of Britain’s favourite seaside holidays.

Visit www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900 for bookings.