BeccaL

Agree with Trish - very few are long enough to take into account the commuting - extended hours on AVP runs 8.30-5, and that's with paying for 2 hours extra on top of the "standard" hours. We try and share lifts with friends who also have kids going, but otherwise have to rely on goodwill of work to be able to take/collect daughter...

Might be worth trying on the Herne Hill forum. I know the lady who owns the nursery and she's very nice and very committed, but can't comment on the actual nursery itself...

I think they've got a little store on Kirkdale - just off the roundabout. - yes 112 Kirkdale (on Contact us page)

Don't know if Musico South http://www.learnwithmusico.com/ can help, but they've very good for piano teachers, and very good at selecting appropriate teacher for your child. Happy to recommend them...

Spoilt for choice! Forest Hill pool is good, though v busy on SUnday mornings. Has small pool and main pool. Peckham pulse ok but difficult to park. The Bridge in Sydenham is much less busy as not quite so new, but has small pool and main pool. Have good swimming!

There is a piano store in Sydenham too (http://www.thepianostorelondon.co.uk/showroom-gallery) - no idea if it's any good though...

AVP very good - 9yo daughter will be doing a week there and is v excited about it already - have done for the last few years. Also Fit for Sport at Dulwich College (http://www.fitforsport.co.uk/venues/dulwich-college/) - daughter didn't rate this as highly as AVP but then she doesn't like change so would have preferred AVP as a known commodity.

Our old neighbours had a house rabbit which was very sweet. I'd love to have some, but husband not keen, and couldn't keep them outside as we have ++ foxes in our garden, who would either just eat them or torment them so much it'd be cruel... I think they're lovely pets, but had them throughout childhood (too long ago to make an accurate judgement on smell/cleaning!!)

That is a massive loss, especially the watch guy - he is always really helpful...

Goodrich bulged 5 years ago - daughter is in bulge year which is now year 4. Don't know if they're bulging this year - haven't heard anything yet but it's usually not down to the school but to Southwark...

Daughter also loved Horrid Henry (which I hate) and she recommends Mr Gum books as well - v funny and a bit surreal!

Have you read any of the "Daisy and the trouble with..." books by Kes Gray. Mischievous but well intentioned heroine, nice big print, illustrations, funny. Niece who isn't a big reader loves them! THink the library has some... Also worth asking the librarians? esp if you can get to Dulwich library - the people who work in the children's library there are very well informed. Tales on Moon Lane in Herne Hill also has very knowledgeable staff, so could probably advise as well...

Just a reminder that this is taking place on Saturday...

The lady who runs daughter's piano lessons raves about it - her 2 girls go and apparently both love it...

Thought people might like to know about this: "Athenlay FC will be starting girls football training on Saturdays from 11:30 am to 12:45 from 8th Feb 2014. Age band between 8-10yrs. On sat 1st Feb there will be an introduction/open meeting from 11:30am at Homestall Rd Playing fields off Colyton Rd near Harris Girls." I don't know any more than this - price, requirements in terms of kit, etc - but apparently this will be discussed on Saturday.

I think they're still on Northcross Road, but can recommend them too - are excellent.

Also astounded that people are debating this - it's so selfish from a population/community health perspective not to vaccinate your children, in my opinion. However, just wanted to point out that "Dr" Tim O?Shea (mentioned above) is NOT an actual doctor, he's a doctor of chiropractic in the US, which means he has no medical qualifications at all. You should take that into account when reading his website...

Has anyone got experience of the boiling water taps working OK, because we've just had one put in at my work and it fizzles and spits like crazy, and cups of tea come out with scum on them - looks revolting. Are now in process of replacing it - health and safety nightmare!!

OK, sorry, wasn't aware of that - hope no offence caused.

Minder, I think you're confusing nursery with reception - attendance at nursery has no bearing on getting or not getting a place in reception. We took our daughter out of nursery for 2 weeks as was our last chance of affording a big holiday (USA) - as far as I remember they were fine with it, but this was 5 years ago... I'd just communicate with them about your intentions - sure your child will develop in different ways on holiday which can be a slightly tenuous argument but might help!

Blackheath has a decent number of foilists and epeeists. They meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights, from 7.30-9.30pm, so easier to get to after work. Here are the website details: http://blackheathfencing.org.uk/ My husband fences there - PM me if you've got any more queries.

We've done the one on the Watercress line a couple of times - there are 4 stations on the line. You can take one of the other trains - Diesel, `Edward, etc - between these - about 1 hour from 1 end to the other. At main station (think it's Alresford), you can have short rides on Thomas (about 10 mins total, so that everyone can have a go), meet the fat controller, ride on a mini steam train, go on a bouncy castle, look around the engine sheds where other engines are being fixed, and there is some entertainment. if you go to ?Alton? - there's some stuff to do there too - bus and steam roller to look at (can't remember their names - daughter now nearly 9 so haven't gone for a while!), an exhibition to visit, and a shop. Makes a good day out - we went ?2 or 3 times, as good place to meet friends with kids from W. Country. Not massively cheap but kids loved it!

We had an absence noted but not authorised last year when we were invited to a wedding which was on a Friday in Dublin Zoo. The school still called on Friday morning to see where daughter was, however...

Not sure about Stillness or Dalmain, but Horniman is usually only 1 form entry, so much smaller nos per year, so less chance of a place coming up. Kilmorie is bigger (think it's now 3 form entry), so likely to be more movement. I would expect (though no expert!) that if there are 2 places in yr 2 now in Heber, they'd probably still be there in a couple or months, though that's obviously a punt...

Have heard others suggesting that staff from the nursery may be able to do this (if the nursery allows) - advantage that they are already known to the child. Worth asking?