goldilocks

It is exactly the same height as the mini Snowboarder, you're right. As you say its a bit heavier, the footplate is bigger and its a bit sturdier. We have one and my 4.5 year old loves it and scoots so much better on it than he did on his mini micro that he fell over the top of a lot, so suspect the weight helps for him. My 2 year old also uses it on occasions and is generally fine - although fell off the other day when scooting in circles so think it was a bit heavy for her! As long as your 4.5 yr old scoots the whole way rather than needing you to carry it on the way back from somewhere I'd go for it!

Thanks Belle - that's really helpful. Confusing why they can't have this information available on their website (unless its on there and I'm missing it!)

Pillows - I bought a john lewis cot pillow for my first once he was older. He's 4.5 now and still sleeps on his face on the mattress so I wouldn't bother buying anything specific as that wasn't really money well spent. My daughter just has a fairly flat normal pillow - she doesn't use it either! I think that an alternative to cot bed sized duvets which probably fit toddler beds well is using a single duvet sideways and wrapping it under the mattress to stop them falling out!

Do you know what 'full days' are in this context please? I had a look on the website but I couldn't find anything. Do you know how this works re funded places as I understood the funding to be for 15 hours for 3 year olds at present?

Does anyone know anything about the application procedure for school nurseries please and also how I can find out any information about hours - when we viewed goose green for reception places the headteacher mentioned something about longer nursery hours but I can't see anything on the website. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks

Thanks all, its helpful to understand what else happens elsewhere

Thank you

Thanks both - Goodrich anyone?

I wondered if people would be able to help me with some info on reception classes in the local area and how they are structured. We looked round a couple and they varied. Bessemer has one early years unit where nursery and reception are all in together - its all open but with distinct separate areas. Goose green has one classroom (double class) knocked through and has 60 kids in it. I know the DVI has 3 classrooms and the kids can move between them but just wondered what happened at the others? Any info gratefully received.

Just use any recipe and substitute butter for 'pure' and any milk for whatever milk substitute you have - oat or koko probs best for baking

We just asked our gp, they wrote a private prescription and then we paid the pharmacy. Pharmacy delivered to surgery, surgery did vaccine. Sorry for delay in replying - see it might be too late now anyway

GP

can recommend the Anna Jones 'a modern way to eat' cookbook too - its my current 'everyday' cookbook. Doesn't focus heavily on mushrooms or cheese like vegi recipe books from years ago

I think 5 is a little young for the alarm. Up to around 7/8 is still considered in the 'normal spectrum' for dry overnight I think although you could speak to your gp /hv for advice. I would get pull ups / pyjama pants and try again later. Overnight dryness is linked to some hormone response so can be later in some kids. The only thing to consider is whether he is constipated as this can affect overnight dryness. If not he might just not be ready. If there are no other issues I would just make all your lives easier and use pull ups until they're dry on a morning and then try without again

We have a Motorola one - its now been delisted but there is a new model. It has 2 cameras so can scan 2 bedrooms with the same monitor. Its great and has become more invaluable as they've got older and moved into beds (can monitor the faffing about at bedtime)

yes - nurseries now and nanny / childminder later. Bear in mind that when you first start looking at nurseries they all seem like there are too many kids in one place, but you soon get used to that! I was horrified when we first looked but we did end up using nursery for both of ours and couldn't be happier with it. There are pros and cons to every childcare arrangement but good to look into options to see what might work for you.

sounds fantastic - anyone know if they have a website or anywhere that lists ingredients? - would love to know if they have dairy and soy free options. The sorbet's in Oddono's are technically fine but contain trans fats so I avoid them, would be keen to find an alternative!

even better - 2 bus options. May finally make it there as it feels ridiculous we haven't made the most of being able to go out of school hols / weekends

Perfect thanks - was thinking there was probably a bus along there

Does anyone have any advice as to the most accessible route to this please? I'd like to take my kids (2 and 4) but have always been put off by the nearby tube stations all having step access so making it tricky with a buggy. Is there a good option anyone can recommend? I looked at walking from Victoria or Marble Arch but its quite a long way over the park - possible with a double buggy but would be good to know if anyone has a better suggestion. Thanks

Thanks to previous posters for booster info - mine had 2 shots each so should be good for a while then. In terms of after effects there didn't really seem to be any. Both of them were fine pretty much straight after. The 1 year old cried a little tiny bit, the 3 year old was bribed with chocolate buttons! In terms of timing its a live vaccine so you can either do at same time as others or wait 4 weeks. From what I've read about Men B this seems to involve more localised soreness so maybe they might not feel like a big day out after that. We went to see a friend but watched a film - sort of the best of both worlds - distraction and TV!

Thanks Saffron for that really informative post. In relation to the booster -I had both my kids vaccinated last year (age 1 and 3). Do you know how many years can elapse before they need a booster?

We got the single version of the john lewis dolls listed above. I got in a bit of a quandary re whether to go for pink or blue though - we were having a girl, but chose the blue as the colour was less offensive (they've changed the clothes now). He liked it for a while but was never so into the doll - his baby sister is now 2 and its 'her baby' and she loves it, so realistically go for a cheap doll and someone will play with it. The idea of getting a buggy to go with it is good though - John Lewis do a cheap and cheerful one too - obviously pink or blue again (what else...)

Tried calling but no answer

We went along and loved it, but it has got busier each year so think a little replanning is required. The bottom end of the green by the roundabout was really busy with all the food stalls and the music stage, but the top end of the green nearer the playground isn't really used. One idea could be to put all the food and drink stalls by the playground and the music at the other, which would mean people wouldn't be queuing all over those trying to watch the music stage (which was fantastic btw and an is a draw in its own right without the food stands).