duroche

Hi - I've been trying to hire a coach through the local clubs but getting no where. I want to start a club on Thursdays after school 3:20-4:20 at our school. Teaching 5-8year olds. Can you recommend a coach or how to obtain one. No luck with Surrey Club so far and no responses from Dulwich. Thank you in advance!!

Beckenham Spa is excellent - great pool and huge changing rooms. We drove there or you can get the train that drops you pretty close by (but not stair free access) Not sure of the pool times but we really loved how big it was!

We used the Cambria in Herne Hill. Near Ruskin Park on Kemerton Road. It was ?40 the first time we did it and then when I called again this year it was ?100?? We ended up using a sweet little room off of St James and St Phillips Church on Poplar Road. The Rainbow Room. It has a tiny kitchen and out door play space. But obviously no beer on tap! Good luck

We went to Devon to a wonderful farm run by the most energetic farmer - Simon! My two (3yo and 1yo) loved it! They fed all the animals every morning and collected eggs. Farmer Simon learned all the kids names and gave them a certificate at the end for the contribution to running the farm. The cottages were lovely and had everything you could possibly need. There is also a separate cottage which has toys - literally full of toys and Books for all ages. Brilliant! We had an amazing time - the weather was horrendous but it didn't matter. Take wellies and coats and the kids will be very happy. We had our groceries delivered for the day we arrived - Farmer Simon was putting them in our cottage when we arrived! He is a lovely man - and clearly LOVES his work. http://www.birchillfarm.co.uk/

I completely agree with Alieh - very good points! I went back to work in July and we decided to hire a nanny. To have sole charge of her (looking after our two kids) was around ?1300 - but to send two children to the nursery where my daughter had been going was going to cost nearly ?1700!!! I would suggest you try and find a nanny with their own child - that is considered a share so slightly cheaper but also there no hassle of finding another family that meets all the same needs as yours. My advice would be - find one who is Ofsted registered already and agree on a gross rate rather than net that will make budgeting much easier. Good luck!