furryroadster

That's interesting. They have only just closed their holiday club so couldnt' have been that. Wondering if they were unhappy with the service overall and hence changed. May need to dig deeper. HDO has a lot of love but is an expensive solution for many parents who need full day cover. Thanks for your help. Marissa

Rainbow Club is a breakfast and afterschool club, running out of the church hall on Amott Road, round the corner from St John and St Clements. They predominantly look after kids from St J&C during term time as they provide a pick/drop service from the school. They have up till recently run holiday clubs covering all the half terms, Easter and Summer (sadly they close at Christmas) They have had to close their holiday provision because they weren't getting enough sign ups to cover their costs. From your posts Trish and Vik, it sounds like they just haven't been publicising their club very well. My son attends the after school club and it has been a real grind to find something affordable, local and open 8-6pm over half term. I am hoping to help them, along with the other parents who use the service, get the holiday club up and running for February 2013. Watch out for further posts and better marketing when/if the time comes! Many thanks for your feedback Marissa

Thanks Ryedalema I have seen HDO and Gumboots. HDO looks like a really good service. Interesting you don't know Rainbow - but am guessing you are more GOodrich side of ED which is why it was missed! Also, they haven't marketed themselves well - so this is what I'm trying to ascertain for them. Thanks for your thoughts. Much appreciated.

i recently tried to give away 10 bags of clothes using Goodwill Gallery but no take up. I ended up taking them to St Christophers Hospice who were delighted to receive them.

Some of you may have seen my post a few weeks back desperately seraching for Holiday cover as Rainbow Club (where my son attends After school club) has closed down its holiday provision due to poor demand. Many parents were really helpful in providing me with alternative childcare options for the holiday breaks but what struck me was how few there were in East Dulwich and how few of them offered an 8-6pm day. It has led me to do more research into the whole child care provision for kids at school and I'm putting a little spreadsheet together - which I will share the the Forum when complete. I do however want to ask a question of parents who are currently using the many After school clubs in Heber, Goose Green, Bessemer, Goodrich etc. I make the assumption that you use the After School club because you have working commitments that don't allow you to collect your kids at 3:15pm. What do you do in the holidays? None of the schools offer holiday cover. And if offered a local provision, situated en route to the station that cost ?20/day from 8-6pm - why wouldn't you use it. I'm trying to understand that with so many kids in our area, why aren't clubs like Rainbow inundated over the school holidays. Would really like your thoughts on this. Marissa

I am completely bowled over at the amount of stuff going on out there. Thank you all for the many ideas and recommendations. Feeling a little less stressed about this now. Marissa

Thanks for both those options. I will definitely be looking at both. Fingers crossed they have spaces! Marissa

My kid has just started at school and has been using the Rainbow Club after school provision. Just found out that Rainbow Club is closing its holiday provision as they never got enough kids to make it viable. Has left me as a working Mum a bit stuck - along with a couple of other mums that use the after school club. Can anyone recommend or know of any places to send 5 year olds for good care during school holidays? Or does anyone have a nanny that would be willing to look after a couple of extra kids during the October half term break? Or any childminders out there that have space for two over this holiday? Any ideas welcome! Marissa

Does this apply to your existing clients then? >:D< If you are looking for a great personal training experience, then i too can recommend Giulio. He's one of the few independent personal trainers at Dulwich, now that Fusion are employing a generic company to provide their personal training service. In nearly two years, i'm fitter and much more focussed on staying that way - shame i can't say the same about my diet! Take him up on his offer - even if it's just for one session. It may give you the kick you need. And i can highly recommend the newly upgraded East Dulwich Leisure centre for a workout - though it was a little hot in their this morning. Forgot to add, the creche is fab at East Dulwich (and Peckham)so you have no excuse with childcare issues. Tracy, Salma and Claire at East Dulwich are fantastic - i've left mine with them since he was 10months old - he's now 3.5 1hour at the creche for a member is ?3.40. Book at reception.

Thanks for the tip on Half Moon Lane nursery - will give them a ring. Marissa

Yes i did see it and thought it too good to be true and it was....need full days to cover working! And it seems it may be closing down too.

Word on the street is that there is a soft play opening at East Dulwich leisure centre.

East Dulwich Parents Am in slight panic as both nurseries that i have my son down for starting Jan 11 are unsure about whether they will have a place for him. One is definately sure they won't have place and the other needs me to call back in November. My son is currently with an excellent childminder who only takes kids up to 3 and we had planned his leaving in Jan 11. However, my son is now the oldest child with the childminder by a year (he'll be 3 in Oct) and has no playmates of his own age. With nursery places looking doubtful, i think the best alternative is to find him a childminder/nanny share who already has 3-4 year old kids. Does anyone have kids of this age with a childminder who may have a place available and would recommend or would anyone consider a nanny share if they have a 3yr old? Help. Am going slightly grey with the stress. Marissa Charles 07946 197791