Parent and Baby Awards 2020

www.lux-review.com Page 39 Page 38 www.lux-review.com LUX 2020 Parent & Baby Awards LUX 2020 Parent & Baby Awards In the fertility journey, parents-to-be can often go through a long and arduous process that is incredibly stressful and generally requires extra support to help the parents believe that they can have their long-awaited baby. For some parents, the effects can be particularly strong if they have sadly lost a baby or had a failed pregnancy. The strength of the fears and conflicting emotions demands extra support and guidance, and that is why Paula has created a unique programme tailored specifically for them. Paula’s courses are not just ordinary antenatal, birth preparation, or hypnobirthing techniques courses; they are more like a transformational journey to allows these parents-to-be, to become the confident parents they want to be. Outside of her work as the head of Nurtured Munchkin, Paula serves as a senior midwife, where her responsibility requires her to always be up to date with the latest evidence-based information. When Paula created Nurtured Munchkin, the idea was to ensure that every mother gets the attention she deserves, without hiding or assuming anything. This is her journey, and she deserves to feel in control and confident in her decision-making throughout the journey. Nurtured Munchkin is very family-oriented however, and also focuses on the father’s needs. Fathers can be well-informed and incredibly involved in the pregnancy to prepare them for fatherhood. Now more than ever, pregnant women are in need of this extra pregnancy support. Not being able to attend support group face to Wellesley House, a family-orientated preparatory school accepting pupils aged between 2 – 13, is committed to providing children with a place to shine, whether it be in the classroom, the creative arts or on the sports field. Nestled in the British seaside town of Broadstairs, Kent, that is complete with Victorian architecture, beautiful white cliff- edged sandy beaches and its history as the home of Charles Dickens, Wellesley is able to offer an idyllic, outdoorsy environment for children to spend their formative years in. Like the Victorians did, Wellesley fully endorses the health benefits of seaside living, and the local beaches are fully incorporated into the curriculum through the beach school, that gives children access to traditional seaside fun whilst learning about marine life and biodiversity. Built on the values of Kindness, Courage, Respect, Teamwork and Enjoyment, the Wellesley community helps pupils form lifelong friendships, grow in independence and hone their moral compass. The school takes immense pride in its pastoral care and wellbeing offer, ensuring that every child feels safe and a sense of belonging so that they are able to be their best selves. From mindfulness sessions and motivational talks for parents and pupils, to study skills sessions that encourages resilience, focus and calm, pupils are not just supported to be exam-ready, but life-ready too. Wellesley prides itself on offering exceptional sports, arts and music facilities, understanding that every child is unique and encouraging them to find their passions and build talents and self- esteem. Whether it be performing in concerts or participating in sports tours all over the world, Wellesley provides an environment for children The maternity journey is a deeply personal one, arguably the most personal one that a woman may ever undertake. During that time, mums-to-be can find themselves in need of safe spaces where they can be heard and supported. Nurtured Munchkin provides these safe spaces with passionate senior midwife Paula Lavandeira at the helm offering support and knowledge necessary to overcome any fears and feel empowered during their pregnancy, and well into motherhood. Situated in the idyllic British seaside town of Broadstairs, Kent, Wellesley House is a small, caring, traditional and outdoorsy preparatory school, in which all children get a chance to shine and nobody gets lost in the crowd. With a reputation for exceptional academic success that is achieved alongside excellence on the sports field, in the arts and in music, Wellesley House is committed to providing a high-quality education that opens up a world of possibilities for their pupils. Aug20286 Aug20179 Nurtured Munchkin Best Antenatal & Hypnobirthing Courses Provider 2020 Wellesley House Most Caring Day & Boarding Prep School - South East England face has left many women feeling isolated and alone. In response to the virus and to lockdown, Nurtured Munchkin modified its services quickly, making them all available online with a brand-new online course, masterclass in social media for extra support, and video consultations with all the private clients. Paula has also been approached to appear on several podcasts aimed at supporting the pregnant community and give out useful information in these scary times. Paula’s dedication to her work has meant that Nurtured Munchkin is constantly evolving to ensure that its clients get the best care possible on their parental journey. For example, the firm is now expanding its services into other countries such as Spain and Latin America, where the antenatal courses currently on offer are not fully developed. Nurtured Munchkin is also creating a new service to help all those mothers-to-be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, or GDM. One in six women across the world is diagnosed with GDM, and there is a huge difference in care and support in every country across the world. Nurtured Munchkin is committed to help and promote normality during pregnancy, regardless of the medical conditions diagnosed during pregnancy. Ultimately, the course that Paula has designed for Nurtured Munchkin are far more than the average parenting classes or birthing courses. These are a complete transformational experience for the parents, if they allow it to happen, not just a few hours of describing birth. Instead of filling a parent’s head with information that may not stick, Nurtured Munchkin seeks to help parents understand the connection and collaboration between the body and the mind. With Paula’s expertise, these courses can even be adapted to the individual needs of the parent, rather that follow a rigid programme. Coupled with Paula’s passion about birth and parenthood, Nurtured Munchkin’s courses are the best of the best and can help parents prepare for one of the most exciting times in their lives. Company: Nurtured Munchkin Contact: Paula Lavandeira Website: https://www.nurturedmunchkin.com/ to excel outside the classroom. Many pupils continue to pursue these passions beyond Wellesley, achieving scholarships in sports, art, drama and music, alongside academia, to some of the best senior schools in the country. Inside the classroom, academic success remains the priority and Wellesley offers small class sizes, superb facilities, and dedicated teachers who are recruited based on their own academic excellence and their passion for teaching and child development. The success is clearly seen in the school’s excellent academic results, with the majority of pupils moving up to some of the best schools in the country, such as Harrow, Rugby, Eton, Benenden, Tonbridge and Kings School Canterbury. In 2020, 60% of Wellesley leavers were awarded scholarships to these schools, a remarkable achievement. Yet the Wellesley education aims to equip pupils with more than good grades. It teaches vital life skills that will see them all the way through life and instils strong values, encouraging them to be well-mannered, considerate and kind. By the time pupils move onto the next stage in their academic career, they are confident, motivated young adults, prepared to thrive in whatever lies ahead. Wellesley is now working hard to further improve its facilities for the other end of the school, having launched the Wellesley House Pre-Prep last year. Accepting children from the age of two into the nursery up to Year three, this new department at Wellesley maintains the same values as the rest of the school, teaching them to be effective and active learners. With the support and security of kind, familiar teachers, children are encouraged to make the most of the facilities available to them, letting them begin to find their passions outside of the classroom from an early age. Over the summer holidays, Wellesley has been working hard to ensure a safe and comfortable return to school amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, making its commitment to the Boarding School Association’s Covid-safe Charter, an extensive checklist designed to keep the boarding community safe. Offering spacious quarantine facilities for international boarders has been one priority, reassuring parents and pupils alike. Meanwhile, small class sizes have enabled safe bubbles to be created enabling safe movement around Wellesley’s extensive campus. As ever, the school is relying on its beautiful beaches, and is using this as an opportunity to offer more outdoor learning experiences than ever. Having returned to school in September, Wellesley is back in the swing of things, getting used to the new normal, but ensuring that all of their pupils are still given the very best start to their education. Contact: Geraldine Baird | Head of Admissions Company: Wellesley House Web Address: www.wellesleyhouse.org Paula Lavandeira