Monkey

I think it's hard for little ones that age. My four year old has not mastered it yet so don't beat yourself up. Not looking forward to the next upset tummy! Dunno what to suggest apart from practising, which we will be doing ths weekend!

pepper spray would be a bad idea as, as well as being illegal, it could affect you and you would not be able to protect your child. Best thing, I think, would be to familiarise yourself with how to deal with an aggressive dog. There's plenty on the subject on the Internet. I have never been the slightest bit worried about any dogs in Dulwich park or Peckham rye,though I know there are some scary ones around.

Yes, I noticed things have changed. Not going back either after bad haircut. Thought perhaps it was just me but obviously not!

My French mother was appalled to hear of my daughter's uniform. "What? Even in a state school?" :-) She will be wearing her pink coat to go to school. I checked with the school. Will be brightening up the navy blue tights and grey dress combo! Seconding Vert Baudet. would also recommend Moonsoon, which has some great coats in dark colours. They have a fab navy blue one at the moment. http://uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_3,mon_3.3,mon_3.3.5/4701200623#gallery

Thanks JS33. I had missed this. Very interested. I have emailed the teacher.

Please do not accuse a nursery you don't know of not being managed well. We were there for two years and couLd not have been happier.

Ours is next week.

A colleague had a similar problem - it was pretty bad especially given the fact that she had dark hair. But the highlights faded very quickly after a few washes and started looking very nice after a few days. Don't despair!

I think they said at the information meeting that they were introducing a new PE kit this year and to await more information... I have not bought anything. I can't imagine it matters for the first couple of weeks.

Just wondering if navy blue shoes are okay or whether they have to be black. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Swiss farm in Henley. Glorious field camping, some electric pitches, good shower blocks... A good intro to camping!

That's very interesting, alieh. She turns four on Monday! She's actually been at nursery full time since she was four months and most recently pre-school all day. This is the longest she's spent in a home environment since she was a baby. I am thinking the change in routine might have done it.

Thank you, Pugwash. I had heard of the terrible twos but was not ready for the terrible fours! Thank you for the advice - I will try not to rise to it (which I must admit I have not been very good at!)

My darling daughter has changed completely over the summer. She went from being a well-behaved little girl to a child who won't listen, shouts, won't go to sleep, tells me to "shut up"... I have tried to talk to her but to no avail. She does not seem sad or anxious. Her bad behaviour seems to be directed at me and to a lesser extent her father. She's ok with our childminders... Anyone experienced this at that age? (she's turning 4 next week) Any advice welcome.

I went through something similar as a child (not quite as bad though). Trigger was an extremly bad experience at a summer club when I ws six. I really wished my parents had got me some help...

The Monkeys will support you. Really sorry you're going through this and hope you get things sorted quickly.

Given the heat, I would call in the police.

Hever Castle?

Thank you.

When do reception children start full time at Goodrich? Is it the 16th or 23rd of September? I managed to get myself confused. Thank you!

Just ordered it from Amazon. Thank you for recommending!

Persist withe noise pollution unit. They will visit and send a warning notice. If he does not abide by it, equipment can be confiscated. I would keep telling him stating clearly that it is not acceptable, not even for five minutes... You never know... The message might reach the brain...

We have been offered a place at Judith Kerr Primary School. We've actually not met the team yet but would like to hear from parents who have made the decision to send their children there (provided they get their Funding Agreement sorted of course). Thank you in advance.

Can't recommend DUCKS enough. My daughter just completed her first year at the school. Great school, great teachers, fabulous grounds. We're leaving because we got a place at a good state school (which will do some good to our bank account!). I do agree that assessing 3-year-olds is bizarre. I love that DUCKS does not do that.

My daughter was there for two years, including a few months in the baby room. She left last year to start preschool. We have loved every minute at asquiths. Staff were great (caring, cheerful...), premises too. My daughter loved it there. i always find toys to be tatty wherever I go, even in my daughter's private preschool. I think it's just because they get put to so much use. I remember noticing the toys getting really a bit tatty at Asquiths once and two weeks later the nursery got a big intake of new toys. Not been there for 10 months. When we left, most of the rooms had been repainted and there had been some investment on sprucing up the premises. Perhaps the baby room was left out, not sure. I know one of the ladies in the baby room from our time there and she's really, really good. Hope this helps!