DVnewbie

Hello - You can never say for sure but I think it would be very unlucky if you didn't get into DVI at 390m. Here are stats for DVI if you don't already have them: Open non sibling's distance 2009-10 854 m 2010-11 797m 2011 - 696m I thought those seemed relatively large, given that half the places are faith places and other popular schools have smaller "catchment areas". But maybe a large number of families who live in the village send their children privately. The decrease in distance combined with the 2011 bulge class is a bit unhelpful when trying to get "within catchment". I assume there could be more younger siblings applying next year for fewer places - leaving fewer places for non-siblings and therefore the distance may go down for two reasons.... (Got to consider the worst case, I suppose!) My two children are only one school year apart for example - we're applying to get the eldest into DVI for Sept 2012. I would have thought the almost-recession would effect distances too, as families who would have sent their children to private schools now can't or choose not to. However, I don't think that is such a significant factor as I had thought - I know of many families still intending to send their children to private schools despite their city professions! Don't know much about Heber I'm afraid. Although we've got that on our son's application, just in case. Think we might be close enough but we're a safer bet for DVI. Good luck! (Nightmare, isn't it? We moved house recently and proximity to a good local state primary was a prequisite...)

Hello and congratulations Verds... I agree - Sling plus light puschair sounds ideal. If you did want a double buggy, we tried the P&T (borrowed a friends) and didn't get on with it really. I know loads of people love them though so you might too! I think the P&T is great when the baby is tiny (in the cocoon - up to 3 months) but we didn't like it when they were both in the seats. So, we went for an Out N About Nipper - side by side one (that goes flat and can be used from newborn). It isn't that wide but you do need to check your door widths... Mind you, we have a 16 month gap so we did need a double buggy. You will probably be fine with a sling and a single pushchair. So, if you find you do want a double buggy later on, maybe consider a "Nipper" as well as thinking about a P&T - you can get them on ebay quite cheaply. Or maybe on here. In fact, I must think about selling ours soon... (Not yet though!)

If you are an 8/10 and it's baby number one (and you have good abs!), I reckon wear a normal one but just one that isn't fitted round the waist... As womanofdulwich suggests, and empire one should be fine. If you can get away with a "cocktail" dress, Reiss normally do lovely ones that are loose round the middle - expensive but at least you can wear it post-pregancy - not sure what they have in now though. Otherwise, maybe get a quite plain maternity dress and dress it up with jewellery and heels to make it looks smarter so you can wear it for less formal occasions? Top Shop or Dorothy Perkins (don't scoff! they have some ok bits) - even New Look - it just depends what their stock is like this season as to whether you'll find anything nice. Or get some nice/more expensive black trousers that you can wear for work/other stuff too - and a strapless top plus lots of jewellery etc. Isabella Oliver do lovely maternity tops but they are expensive (by the way, don't like the trousers at all - the ones I got went really baggy round the knees withing 2 hours of wearing them). Not sure if Zara are doing maternity stuff still but I got a lovely silk knee length black dress from them - that I have worn twice (once per pregnancy so not a great investment at ?50).

Thanks Housedad... Yes, we just drove past the other site yesterday - I didn't realise it was right next to the Hamlet (durrr - spot the non-local). I've been measuring from the newer building (next to the church hall) which is probably a little further from us anyway, so we should be fine. The school stress starts so early! I'm determined to be calm and laid-back when we have to deal with the secondaries...

Hi - both my two had it, quite badly, all over their torsos. My son had it for about 18 months in total (first spots appeared at about 15 months old - he marched into the GP in front of me, pulled up his top and rubbed his tummy saying "me spots!"). It didn't really bother them at all apart from my son's spots got infected a couple of times - once we got antibiotics for them. However, they do look particularly dreadful just before they go away. Apparently that's the body taking notice of them and starting to attack the virus properly. So, just to warn you, it will look hideous and the spots will weep/ooze probably just before they disappear. My daughter's spots were so bad for 2 days that they left little spots of blood on her white vests (not that she complained!) but then they totally disappeared within a week of that happening.

Good luck with the move....! (But, b*ll*cks, where's the new school site?! Didn't base my calculations on that..! If it's nearer North Dulwich station it's further away from us... Ah well, sure it will be fine. Not much we can do now anyway. Otto - if my children get into the Hamlet, that I'll be pretty pleased even if they don't get into DVI. Not sure what other primary school they could get into though as I don't think there are any less than a 1km away the other way. We'll see I suppose!)

Actually - sorry, I had a follow-up email, giving these distances for non-sibling non-church places: "2009-10 854 m 2010-11 797m 2011 - 696m" Slightly alarming that distances shrunk for 2011 admissions even though they have doubled the number of children admitted (I think it's for this Sept 2011...) so it will almost certainly be smaller for 2012 as there are half as many places and there may be a disproportionately higher number of siblings.

Hi - we've just bought somewhere the other side of the school (2 weeks ago). Our 3 year old will be starting school then too. When I asked the school for that information, they gave me this: "The distances below are for non church places Sept2010/Jan 2011 825m (this is measure as the crow flies Sept 2009/Jan 2010 854m - this was measured the shortest safest walking distance Sept 2008/ Jan 2009 851m - this was measured the shortest safest walking distance" However - I am not convinced this is the distance for first round offers to non-siblings for non-church places. We're pretty close to the school (under 300m) so will be v disappointed if we don't get in! Also, there is a bulge class this September - so instead of only one 30 child class there are two 30 child classes for Sept 2011 (I think - somebody will correct me if I've got that wrong, I'm sure!!). It will go back down to one class for September 2012 but the number of "sibling" places being offered are bound to increase over the next few years. I think you should call the school/email them before you book in the survey! And try looking at "walkjogrun" or some similar site to work out the exact distance between the house you are thinking of buying and the school gates. Hope that helps - sorry not to be more definitive.

Hi everyone - I'm also recommending busybee. I had a very nice dermalogica facial last night (on the very comfortable couch!) and threading, which was great and really good value. Busybee is also lovely/easy to chat to, so, all in all, a very pleasant experience. Particularly brilliant way to wind down after a busy day at work and putting the children to bed...

Not the Stokke! 2 people I know well bought it and regretted it. I'd go for a Bugaboo Chameleon again (it served my two children well and is still going strong after 3.5 years) if you have don't have a flat/have to lug it up stairs and also have room in the boot of your car. But the Bee is lovely too. The only thing with the Bee is that I often see toddlers asleep with their legs dangling off the end of it. Mind you, they are happily asleep so it can't be much of a problem. But, it probably is best to try a few out in John Lewis and see what you like the feel of (and also have a go at collapsing them!). Good luck choosing!

Toddler Taming by Christopher Green...

Brilliant - thank you everybody! And to Bea for her PM...

Hello, We moved to Dulwich this week and I'm now trying to find out what local clubs/activities are on for toddlers during the week. I realise some places will be closed for the holidays but could any mums/nannies give me a few ideas for daytime activities??! We have a son who is 3 1/2 and a daughter who is just 2. We live in Dulwich village. I've already seen some music classes on at St Barnabas church hall and am going to check out the library but any other ideas? I'll obviously do an internet trawl but thought it was probably worth asking on here! Thank you!

Thanks Smiler! I use one on the nannytax website that does something similar!!

Thanks - yes, this whole net/gross thing is a bit tricky as you have to be crystal clear when discussing salaries!

Hello, Can anybody give me a rough idea of how much the going rate in Dulwich is for nannies please? We're struggling to work it out as agencies have told us different things and the CVs I've seen have very different salary expectations. I realise it depends on experience (we've had a nanny in Islington for nearly 3 years) and whether or not it's a nanny share but a rough idea from parents in Dulwich would be really helpful.... We've got two children (3.5 and 2) and won't be doing a nanny share! Thank you!

Thank you!

Thanks Lochie - that sounds like a great recommendation. Actually, just checked their website and the road we are buying on (fingers crossed, touch wood etc. etc.) is in their "catchment".

Hello - am not actually living in the area yet myself but I've been doing lots of research for the same thing - quite a lot on here! We've gone for Half Moon Montessori. Looks really sweet. It's a little scruffier than some of the nurseries I've seen but has lovely staff and very happy children (who seem to be doing impressive things aged 4...). Our son should be going to Dulwich Village Infants too in Sept 2012 (unless they really change the entrance criteria - house we are trying to buy is v close). Half Moon Montessori is not free but very reasonable once you use the education for over-3s vouchers. (Short "school" days or half days though so not a full childcare solution if you work full time.)

Hello, Think we will be moving to Dulwich village next month and I was wondering if anybody can recommend a good family GP. We have a 3.5 year old and a nearly 2 year old who seem to go through stages of being ill all the time so thought it might be good to register as soon as we get there... Thanks!!

Don't think Dulwich Village Infants has one.... So, it would be Bessemer or Rosendale (I think?) and they have told me they are full. But, I'll try Heber as that is quite close too. Thanks

Thanks Bobby... That's really good to hear!

Don't have a Dulwich address yet, so no! But missed the 1 June application deadline apparently...

Hello! I'd also be really interested in views from people whose children have been to Buds, Dulwich Village Preschool or Half Moon Montessori.... Moving to the area in August (I hope!) and will have a full time nanny for my 3.5 year old and my nearly 2 year old but want to send my 3.5 year old to preschool. We don't need full time childcare so have ruled out Nelly's on the basis that it's too expensive really, considering we are paying for a full time nanny. (Oddly - they do have space in September for our 3.5 year old.) Have been offered afternoon places at Half Moon Montessori and considering Buds, Dulwich Village Preschool and possibly Little Fingers too. (We'll be living in the village if all goes according to plan...) Sillywoman - would you mind PM-ing me about your experiences? Sorry to repeat the request!! Thank you! Thank you!