Pickle

Having spent the last week trawling through the legislation I completely agree SB. It's lacking definitions and leaves a lot to the discretion of the head teacher concerned.

Yes, they do. We have had our term time holiday refused (year 1 and 2 children for 3 days before Easter) and the trip is to attend my brothers memorial service and headstone unveiling in New Zealand! Needless to say I've disputed it. Have a chat to the head, but they're very strict on it these days. Doesn't stop anyone actually doing it, of course :)

It's Miffy I have a problem with. "If we could have a baby now how lovely it would be, said Mrs Bunny, I could shop and cook and sew for three!". Lucky Mrs Bunny.

I think it would be good if you plan ahead. There are cr?che facilities, drop off activities for older children, playgrounds galore. Even just cycling round the park is fun (you could have a bike with trailer for the smaller children and have your eldest cycling?). A lot of the restaurants have small soft play sections attached, which is great. Probably the most child friendly place you could go. Have a look on the website to see what sort of drop off activities you could use, and plan around those? We had a lovely time at the Elvedon one a number of years ago, with a 15 month old and 2.5 year old.

We have used Colin in the past too, he's excellent.

Another vote for Magic Moments. My 2 year old goes twice a week, and previously my two older children attended before starting school nursery. Very caring staff and a lovely nurturing environment.

I'm itching to contribute to that thread, it's gold.

Apologies, I knew I should have read the whole thread properly first! I shouldn't laugh, but this is good: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,1288465

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2014/03/mh370-electrical-fire/ Apologies if this has been posted already, but this one seems like quite a sensible explanation? I don't know what's happened, it's both terrifying and fascinating. So horrible for friends and family of those involved though, the not knowing must be truly awful.

Take more nappies than you think you'll need, feed on the way up and down, you'll be fine. In a couple of weeks I'm flying for 27 hours straight (3 flights) with 3 kids. Swap you for your four hour flight? P x

Reminded me of this, Buddug, I'm surprised you still shop there :) http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,1147125,1147227#msg-1147227

True ????, it's trolling 101, I should know better.

Buddug, are you the fat bloke that (when I asked where his kids were) claimed he had to park close to the door because his weight made it too difficult to walk any further? I've got kids but don't use those parks now that they're a bit older, we park near the recycling in the "comfort" parks which give a bit more space and walk, no big deal. Although generally I shop online, would rather pay a delivery charge than push a shopping trolley round a crowded supermarket for an hour. For parents with small babies or really young kids they're easier and safer, as pointed out before. FWIW, they are usually full during the day, so are well used. It's the disabled ones that generally sit empty. 14 parks out of hundreds is not too many.

Have a look at the BBC Good Food website. When I'm planning our food for the week I decide on the types of meat I'm going to buy, then type them into the recipe finder and try to choose a different recipe every week using each type of meat. If you narrow down results by ratings (generally I've found anything rated 4 stars and up is pretty nice) there's usually lots of nice options.

I have to agree with Redjam on this - I think it's a pretty extreme view to take over a small child taking a toy home.

Let me be the first to help reinstate the lost recommendations! Brad and his team have done a number of decorating jobs for us over the last few years, most notably stripping out horrible textured wallpaper from our 1970's loft extension, redecorating, and building in some cupboards. The rooms were previously dark and unpleasant, and are now light, airy and a nice space to be in. They are a pleasure to have in the house, work hard, and leave things tidy at the end of each day. We will definitely use them again, as have a couple of rooms needing attention following some damp problems. Highly recommended.

Liz, from what I've been told by C today, there are going to be lots of Harry's! Our version is going to be pre-Hogwarts (so basically just a small boy in glasses!).

Exactly Jeremy. Surely having bookable appointments for people who need to see a doctor but for a "non-urgent" reason is sensible.

Dulwichfox, that's great if you have the ability to get there and queue. For people with kids to get to school, it's ridiculous. I need an appointment, one that will involve me having to arrange childcare for my youngest, and at the moment it's an impossibility with DMC. I can't queue at 8am, can't spend 30 mins on the phone trying to get through to them at the same time as taking children to school, and can't arrange childcare at the drop of a hat if I'm then told they can see me in 30 minutes. A complete and utter shambles.

So much for convincing them to take books - my two want to be Harry Potter and some random bl**dy ant (that wears a bowler hat FFS) from a book she's decided she loves.

Ellie78, Little Kickers classes are all indoors :)

I notice our school says dress up as your favourite character OR bring your favourite book to school to share with your classmates. Hoping I can convince my two to do the latter!

I have orchestral opportunities for a double bass player, but think you are electric bass?

Hi Suzi, Flute-wise, you could go along to the Southwark Concert Band - I played for them years ago and they had pretty much an open door policy in terms of new members. From memory they rehearse on Thursdays, at the top of Red Post Hill. Also, you could come to Opal Flutes (rehearse every 2nd Monday, 7:30pm, Christ Church, Barry rd). A really welcoming group, and a mixture of ex-professionals through to adult earners. I play principal flute for them. Pippa x

We went in West Dulwich for a couple of years. The kids loved it. The admin side (at the time, this was a few years ago now) was dire - I got the distinct feeling it was pen and paper driven rather than automated. We went on holiday and put our membership on hold, then, understandably, went on a waiting list to get back into a class. Despite chasing, we never got a place, and our kids then started school and were too old. I never got a refund of our remaining classes. The classes themselves are quite structured, which suits some, but not all.