kemurf

Is Piplings closing? I thought I heard that the Forest Hill nursery site was closing down. I'm not sure about East Dulwich (I think there is one here?)

the room above Dulwich Library - call the library, often free on a Sunday

We have just experienced something similar with our daughter, in Yr 2. She refused to go to school, she would not budge and yes we literally dragged her into school too. She loved going to the drop in Breakfast Club. We couldn't understand why actually going to school was a problem. We spoke to the teachers, they reviewed the lining up in the playground and stuff in the classroom. She was then asked to do 'jobs' in her classroom 2 mins before the bell, cleaning the white board etc. and points on the class reward chart for doing so. The Home-School mentor got involved too, and that was helpful. Finally she is going to school, no probs. hooray. We with the school got over her issues and we broke the cycle. Talk to school, arrange to meet the teacher with a brief explanation why so he/she is prepared; they have seen this many times before I am sure. Reward charts, be clear with your expectations and be consistent managing behaviour, both parents! We weren't very joined up, we realised... And hopefully it is just a phase. Good luck.

Hi I think your post is really interesting as what you state is what we all want for our children - the best possible care, the same kind of love and attention as they might get from their parents. But I don't think that is realistic. Childminders are paid (poorly) to look after, teach and care for children, they are not, with the best will in the world, sharing your role as you say, and nor would you want them to. You're the best your child has and this isn't meant as a guilt trip. I agree - do your homework! I would imagine that you can get many recommendations on this forum (do a search for childminder and PM people for their comments), and visit nurseries, but keep your options open; a childminder may only have a space once an existing child leaves (and at short notice ie possibly a month); so that's why a nursery, or a nanny (who can be Ofsted registered, Paed first aid trained, although they may lack the EYFS knowledge) is a good back up option. Have some 'how to' questions ready when you meet them - what kind of activities do you like to do, do you have a routine for all your children, how do you settle children to sleep, how do you deal with a child who won't listen (behaviour) etc... I often saw childminders with their charges at playgroups, libraries etc and that gave me a good sense of what I liked and didn't like. I used to check the registers for their names so I knew to avoid them or call them when I was ringing round! And they are interviewing you as much as you are them. If they like you, I'm sure they will want to keep in touch with you until the time comes. But avoid anyone with inadequate or satisfactory, if they can't complete basic paperwork or convince an inspector that they know how to look after children, why would you as a parent. Good luck!

Try Bromley College or Greenwich, or training providers with good reputations. I will PM you two (although I use them for Early Years qualifications) which may offer this course. I have't heard positive feedback about Smart Training however. Make sure you will have good contact with your assessors - observations are crucial and many people pay for online courses and miss out on the practical hands on experience and critical feedback. I think you'll need GCSEs in Maths and English at C or above too. Are you already volunteering as a TA?

Call Kyra first for an appointment when you go to the Fittinig Studio!

Try Marienne pachonick; http://mariennepachonick.com I'll be honest, she is a friend of mine but has amazing experience, and has done work for a few of my friends and they are both delighted with her. Based in Se26.

Hello I have a lovely Warren Evans bed frame and mattress - in great condition, 2 years old. Very plain, got it for my daughter when she was 2.5 and it was fab. We changed it 2 years later as she went into bunk beds. please PM me if you want to see it/photos etc I think it is this one; https://www.warrenevans.com/beds/summer_bed/?fgid=9#.Ugp7lJKxd8E Kate

Huge Curry's and PC World opened by the massive Sainsburys in Bell Green, SE26. They sell fans apparently, or did 2 days ago at least...

Sonia and Matt in Greenwich do excellent bags with changing mats. I got mine when I had my second baby and it was spot on for baby and toddler trips out, ie everyday! I am about to sell mine if you are interested. See attached or pm me for more photos. Few stains/marks on it due to wear and tear but such a brilliant bag. Thx Kate

So pleased that you have some help. Our daughter would not poo on the toilet and was very constipated - Movicol helped a lot, as did being at home with her for a few weeks, instead of at work. There is a very good book called Poo Goes Home to Pooland, written by a psychologist (I think), which also helps children get over the fear of pooing in a toilet. Buy it from ERIC or google it. Best of luck

I think there is a German kindergarten at st faith's and in se23, they may have contacts with German speaking parents, young people etc.

I think the High Street is improving but it's never going to be East Dulwich!! Still oodles of pound and charity shops, lovely! If you are thinking of schools then there are 2 areas for schools; Lower or Upper Sydenham. If you are near the high street or lawrie park your choice of schools potentially is not as good as you are further away from both areas for schools. Potentially. I think the website is schoolsfinder, if you want to check distances. Lots of dulwich residents move to sydenham, but Forest Hill is better for shopping, coffee etc...

I think nurseries probably operate a little differently, but working on the assumption that a nursery is full, they may not offer you a place, if at all, until a child moves out of the Room/Group that your child may be moving into; that could be a month's notice or less. And it might not even coincide with your request, so you might not get offered a place when you need it. If your employer took the statutory maximum amount of time to go through your flexible work request, that could take 3 months. would your employer be prepared to agree to reduce the amount of day you work, depending on which days your nursery could offer? That would be ideal! Are you calling and keeping in touch with the nursery? Do you know how their admissions system works? (If any?) which days are less busy for the Group your child would potentially move into? Which are the busiest days? Good luck, may of us have been there and know how it very much is a chicken and egg game.

I am helping out with our school fair and would love to know your best/most enjoyable/most profitable school fair ideas please! Thanks!

Interesting article in The Guardian today; 'one in seven women are made redundant after maternity leave' http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2013/mar/09/women-on-maternity-leave-illegal-discrimation Also gives the name of a group to contact, 'Maternity Action'.

Thanks everyone - I have ordered the Babette Cole book and the Natural History Museum sounds interesting too

There are usually some interesting threads on mumsnet about this; it happens to lots of mums following maternity leave unfortunately, and you may get some good tips here. Are you aware of your legal rights? See here for entitlements: https://www.gov.uk/search?q=Redundancy But do speak to ACAS. Ensure you have a copy of your contract or documentation about your most recent changes to your terms and conditions of employment. What other roles are in consultation in the company?

My nearly 5 year old asks lots of questions about where babies come from and this has been ongoing for months now. Her topic at school is 'Growing' so i think this has prompted more questions; we have just been looking at pictures of umbilical cords as she wanted to know about tummy buttons! I explain factually and hopefully appropriately too, but where can I can some help about this? can anyone recommend a website or book, to guide me on explaining this to her, without freaking her out?

We go to Swanage a lot as our family has a tiny flat there, and can recommend the soft play at Putlake Adventure Farm for wet days. It is a petting farm so realyl good in the spring when you can feed lambs and kids. and good outdoor play area too. Take a picnic or flask - food and drink is poor in the actual soft play area. 10 minute bus ride from Swanage. Actually it's pretty dusty and tired too but the kids really like it...! Absolutely love Swanage and the surrounding areas of Studland Bay - and as someone else said, lots of campsites there too. And the beach in the summer - beautiful. Looking forward to our visits this year!

Camping Bel - friends stayed last year and said it was fab. You can try Eurocamp etc as loads have lodges etc now, but also look at the French chains; http://www.campingqualite.com/ and http://www.camping-castels.co.uk/ or maybe Club Med. Vendee v good beaches. I too was a Keycamp courier on a French campsite - Beg Meil in Brittany (it's huge now by the looks of it) but the local beach was lovely)..lasted 6 weeks before I dislocated my shoulder in a drunken incident...! But lots of fun!

Hi I've just started working for a nursery in SE26 and as we are expanding we have a few roles coming up that I'd like to post on the forum. I thought initially under the Family Classifieds section, but I don't know what your rules are about local businesses advertising for jobs. I'd also create a different log in so as to keep my personal log in separate. What do you suggest - is this ok to do? Thanks, Kate

Hi Have you posted this on the Sydenham Town Forum too? Cheers

We have a jogging buggy that you can fix the wheel on. I've jogged with it a few times although I'm no runner, and it was great. It's an Expedition Baby Jogger, it was ?99 and it's a pretty good buggy. Fits on the bus, folds flat, easy to take wheels off etc. Fits into out Golf car fine too. The rain cover is rubbish though. http://www.vinsani.com/baby-strollers/expedition-baby-buggy-pram-pushchair-3-wheeler-cobblestone-jogger-with-foot-muff.html

One of the teachers at my daughter's pre-school told me recently about a course she had been on for parents to help speak and communicate with children. Try; http://www.ican.org.uk/ and http://www.talkingpoint.org.uk/en/Parent.aspx Haven't looked at these yet. Also, maybe the pre-school learning alliance could help? Kate