BB100

They do get there for breakfast club but they go as it is zero tolerance on lateness.

lol there's a group of them that live near me and they meet at 7:00 to get there at 7:30 to make sure they are not late for 8:15.

I know it won't feel like it but 2000-2002 had the lowest recorded birth-rates in 10 years. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/FM1_35/FM1_No35.PDF It's the potential private school kids that clog up the system and make it look like there are less places than there are.

ontheedge Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- >I see young boys actually > running to get the bus, they look like they are > eager to get school which says something, or more like terrified they will be late.......

I'm sorry for everyone who didn't get the schools they wanted, it is a most unpleasant time. If it is any consolation there will be more spaces freed up in two weeks time when parents decide to accept their private school offers and given the number of private schools in Dulwich it should be enough, especially with it being a low-birth rate intake year. Just hang on in there...

Yes it is done by lottery not on distance. If you look at some of the local grammar schools websites they are opting to be academies because they know they will be financially better off. But I'm sure there are others on here that can add other views to this.

Rhubarb&Custard Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There seems to be so much pressure from all > corners to ensure our children seem to be doing > certain things 'when they should'. One of my > children didn't walk until 22 months: absolutely > nothing wrong physically, or mentally - just > something that happened 'when it did'. Had I been > checking off on a milestone thread such as this > I'd have gone into meltdown. > > Not a criticism - as I know the thread has been > started with good intentions: but just something > to be aware of. I suppose it depends how you look at it. You could equally use the thread to reassure yourself that there are vast differences in children's development and there is no such thing as 'normal' - only 'typical' or 'dissimilar'. It was Jean Piaget who started the whole child development milestones theory and although his theories have been highly influential in the study and treatment of children in the West (such as setting 10 years of age as the age of criminal responsibility in UK) his theories and experiments have been disproved and criticised. This thread is interesting in that it highlights there are no set times for children to do things and children are actually more competent than we sometimes give them credit for.

My first child did a long and repeated giggle for about 10 minutes at 6 weeks old. He thought the object we spun round on the mobile most amusing. It was like one of those chuckles you have on the current baby milk advert. Unfortunately we had just given back the camcorder we borrowed the day before so no one believed us.

Put him back in nappies and wait three months and try again. Believe me it's not worth the stress.

At home we haven't talked about it so my child didn't know the results were out soon. Then she went to school yesterday and the other kids told her. She came home very anxious. Why can't they publish results in the half-term hols so they all go back to school knowing already rather than some knowing and others waiting desperately for the post.

As mentioned above, the drops don't work for viral conjunctivitis, it just makes the eyes sting more.

If Lewisham website is still down trying looking at some of the lewisham school websites that are not linked to it. They should have dates.

I tried Olive Oil but didn't find it much good. In the end it got so bad I got some stuff from the doctor and it lifted it off in just one treatment. Sorry but I can't remember what it was but it was in a big tub and was very thick but your doctor should know.

But if it's an electrical fire Lofty the lights won't work, never mind the smoke. Thanks Radish I'll get a touch (and maybe a lock on the bedroom door as well)

Have used holidaylettings.co.uk for the past few years and always have really great apartments. I'm not sure if it's because I only go for the ones with air-conditioning that they are modern and well-kept.

Just checked with the insurance co. and yes they said I'm not insured if the door is not locked when I'm asleep or if the key is left in the door. I'm also not insured if any of my windows are opened in a way that a human body can fit through, even in the room I sleep! Good job we only have one hot day per year. I shall be heading for the lock shop tomm.

Hi parkview, it maybe a complete misunderstanding of Montessori but it's not of Half-Moon. Half Moon is highly structured with certain things at certain times and in their own way. Staff are fantastic, I have spent some time working there, but would say outdoorsy, boisterous or very creative children would not suit it there as they may find it restrictive.

Good idea Jeremy but my partner is now paranoid and wants the 5 lever lock on. I thought you only had to lock the door if you went out not when youre asleep, for insurance purposes.?? I will check this - thanks. I could put it on a nail but I do worry about trying to find the keys and putting them in the lock in a house full of smoke / in the dark. Our neighbour's house burnt down a few years back and we had to escape in the dark becuase the electrics failed. This all won't help anyway if they break in the window - which they did to my friends in West Wickham by smashing the glass using some kind of noise silencer. I think we'll just have to teach the kids how to find the key and open the door in the dark lol.

Oh and make sure you take more than enough sun cream because it is now very expensive to get named brands abroad.

So Stalkey what should I do about the keys? My partner locked the front door last night but I was worried about getting out during a fire. We left the keys in the lock so our kids could get out even if we couldn't. However, if thieves can hook the keys from the lock where should you keep them? Any advice?

As someone who always gets bitten, even when everyone else doesn't, I have become rather OCD on keeping mozzies away. I haven't had one bite for 5 years now so it seems to be working but you need more than just some spray. Here goes........ 1. Don't apply any fragranced product including baby oils, creams, unless they are fragrance-free. 2. Wash with non-scented soap. 3. Use after-sun with a mosi-repellant included. http://www.babyworld.co.uk/features/summertime/summerbuys_must.asp. 4. When you go out at dusk cover the legs and arms (trousers & long sleeves). And spray on a repellant, especially around the ankles. For adults the best ones are the ones with the most DEET. http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/archive/reviews-ns/insect-repellents/insect-repellents-compared/. You can also wear mozzie bands http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mosiband-Insect-Repellent-Wrist-Ankle/dp/B000YH3S94/ref=pd_sim_kh_6 - although few products are for babies. 5. Put a dab of tea-tree oil on the clothes. They hate that. 6. When you arrive at your destination head for the shops and buy a large can of insect killer. (Buy abroad as it is stronger stuff). Then when you leave the apartment in the evening for dinner (so you don't have to inhale the fumes) do a good spray - especially around the lights and behind any curtains/blinds. 7. Also buy electronic plug-ins (usually cheaper abroad) which confuse the mozzies from finding you. 8. When you go to sleep have the windows closed and leave the bathroom light on so the mozzies head for the light and not for you. Spray the light in the morning with insect killer. 9. Booking somewhere with air-conditioning reduces the mozzies. 10. My consultant dermatologist recommends Boots Soltan range of suncreams becuase it has one of the highest UVA protections on the market. Have a happy holiday.

Taking the car keys and driving off with the car seems to becoming common as this happened to some friends in West Wickham recently. They must be professionals if they can dispose of a car.

Natural History has lots of stuff to see on a rainy day and believe or not the V & A is quiet at half-term but has plenty of buttons to press, dressing up, colouring-in and other activities to keep even the toddler quiet for a while.

lucky Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- Why not open an > independent school, it will do very well with so > much brain power and all the backstabbing. I was thinking that if only all that passion and energy could be channelled to support the school it would do very well.

or the military, or the police force, or in electronics