number 2

I'd say you'd be v unlikely to get into ivydale - we live 500m away and didn't get in. Depends on whether the expansion goes ahead though....

We've just been struggling with this too. We've found a teaching assistant at the school who was looking for extra money. 7pm is a very late finish though for any childcare provider

yes, that's the one gooders. seemed like a v good business idea to me. thing is that they seem to have an ideal space which mightn't be so easy to find elsewhere............

Have either of you entrepreneurs been to the place in Balham? The name of it escapes me but it's great - nice cakes and alright coffee with healthy lunches for the kids. Good luck!

There are often holiday play schemes. Not always at the school but at other schools that you should be able to access. I think otherwise you have to call in grandparents if that's an option or split with your other half or friends in the same position.

It's funny, I was looking in their window just this morning. I'll pop in over the weekend and see what the score is. Thanks everyone

That's great advice, thanks Huggers. Will check it out. Sorry just realised probably not the best place to post!

Hi, has anyone done this? If so, what sort of issues and costs are we looking at? We have an Edwardian house that some muppet put a strange sort of 1940's fireplace in and we'd like to replace it with a more original style. The set up we have looks as though it did work as a fire at some point so I think the space is there. If anyone knows of a firm that does it all the better! Thanks

?7 or ?8 is pretty standard for wraparound care. I was a bit shocked by this as I was used to paying ?5 per hour for usual child minder rates

Hi, we are thinking of a conservatory. Has anyone had one done and could/would recommend their firm? Also what sort of price would we be looking at?

i will second the recommendation for them both. they are fantastic!

Aha! Thank you mrscake. All done! Good luck Shona!

Am I being utterly dim? How do I vote???

that's great, thank you! i wish someone had done this last year!!

our neighbours have had their loft done. we didn't sign a party wall agreement and they are selling. i don't think it should be a problem. we had ours done too and tried to get the neighbour on the other side to sign an agreement but couldn't get hold of him (it's a rental property and he lives in cheshire). i was led to believe it wouldn't be a problem.

Our son left there after 2 years in September. I can't praise them highly enough. They were wonderful, realistic and understanding of our slightly picklish son. I didn't ever think about the spread of ages, but he started just before his 3rd birthday and left 2 months before his 5th. The age never seemed an issue. They catered for his needs whatever and all the different ages mixed really beautifully. There is always going to be the "big boys" and "big girls" group who naturally gravitate towards each other but they are vigilant and supportive. Your little one will have a great time!

I get a detailed account of lunch and reports of general tussles with other boys. I also know he doesn't listen at carpet time. Bu as to what they actually DO all day, all I can glean is that he plays with trucks a hell of a lot!

probably stage 1 or the one before.

I did a little more "research" into the ivy house last night and went there with some friends to eat. It was pretty much just as I'd hoped as far as food was concerned. I had a pie minister pie with chips. Did exactly what it said on the tin. The pie was yummy, the chips were good, skin on chips, tasty onion gravy and all topped off with a couple of really good, tasty pints of something or other. The fish and chips looked good too. All in all, plain but tasty and lots of it. Think "nice northern country pub" - it's pretty close to that sort of fare. The staff were attentive and friendly. The manager was around and very welcoming. So pleased they're making such a good job of the whole thing.

I don't know how far you're willing to travel, but our son has just left puddleducks in nunhead (not far from brenchley gardens). he was there for 2 years and we loved it. fantastic staff and the manager is brilliant (ex teacher, so she knows her stuff). I don't know about places though I'm afraid......

Dog kennel hill is next Thursday I think. Should be on the website

me neither, though i go up to the one in crystal palace as my favourite stylist moved up there. i love it and guisi is always great.

DulwichFox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Jeremy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > TBH if you're going out primarily for a drink, > > well priced, simple pub grub is exactly what > I'd > > want. Good luck to the Ivy House, hope to make > the > > journey over there one day soon... > > > Quite right.. > > Too many E.D. Pubs/Bars Pretending to sell Posh > Nosh and getting Wrong. > > DulwichFox. Well, exactly. Nice, chunky, honest to goodness pub grub. Not a jus or truffle in sight.....

we went last friday night for a swift pint before going on elsewhere for dinner. it was certainly busier than i'd ever seen it outside a "pull the other one" night. it's such a big space that it's difficult to say how full it was, but there were definitely people waiting for tables and a really nice buzz about the place with a good mix of people. the food looked nice enough too. not jaw-droppingly amazing but then they aren't claiming to be doing anything other than pub grub so i'd say they seem to have it bang on.

Hi, I've pm'd you