cactus

I used Simply Childcare to find an after school nanny last year, worth a try if you haven't already used them. If I recall correctly, you pay a one off fee to register with them for 1 month, they you can place your own ad and also look through the existing list of people offering childcare, the agency were really helpful and I found someone almost immediately. I agree with womanofdulwich, extending the hours and paying a little more worked for us too.

Definitely pleasure, and hey presto I have a social life and interests. I had a technical/editing tv job in my 20's & early 30's, and now I've retrained and have a more creatrive career which should see me into old age, can't imagine retiring, and probably won't be able to afford to anyway. Unless I want live in a tiny flat with a one bar electric fire in old age!

The babysitting agency, Sitters, can sometimes offer daytime childcare. You register and pay a quarterly fee, approx ?15 I think, then you pay an hourly rate on the day, usually around ?6/?7. Worth a try.

My auntie, Frances Fiddler, except she was known as Fanny.

Hi there I've also got some pre-school toys to donate. I don't have a car, but live opposite Goose Green if you would be able to pick them up sometime.

I only have experience of using the agency Sitters, who charge double on NYE. We used them last year in the absence of friends and neighbours, and paid ?14 per hour.

What a dreadful incident to witness, poor cat and poor owner. Our cat Billy was killed on our front doorstep two years ago by a French Mastiff. The owner told us that his dog was on a strong leash, which broke when it caught sight of our cat and made a dash towards it. I think cats can usually dart out of the way, but ours was cornered in the small front garden. The dog's owner tried to intervene, but it was too late, but then he did the decent thing and ran to the local vet for help. The vet came straight away but poor Billy had died from horrendous abdominal injuries. I have mixed feelings about the incident, the dog's owner was deeply shocked and he had tried to help, but I still wonder why some people keep such powerful dogs which can barely be controlled and are clearly dangerous towards other animals and maybe people. They should always be walked on a lead and/or muzzled.

Recently I bought an item from ebay which never arrived, I'd given up hope after about 10 days, but the seller suggested that I check with the post office just in case they had it. I went along to Silvester Road, thinking it was a complete waste of time and there it was! There had been no card left with us, so I guess from time to time this kind of thing does happen, definitely go and check.

Hi there My boy started at St John's this week, and so far so good. We only visited for an hour on Tuesday, but his first comment when I collected him was, 'I've already found my girlfriend Mum, she has hair like this ( he demonstrated pigtails I think) and skin like mine' I asked if he had played with her or spoken to her, but he said no. So like many men I have known, he'll probably just admire her from afar and saying nothing to her for the next 7 years! He's also very keen on the tidying up bit.

I know this has already been mentioned, but walk, walk, walk, if you can. It really does help to jiggle the baby into position. I walked from Brixton Hill to Dulwich Village on my due date, which was probably about 4 miles round trip, then I went into labour that night! At my midwife appointment the day before I was told that the baby wasn't engaged at all and not to expect any action any time soon, I know each pregnancy/mum/baby is unique, but give it at try. All the best.xx

You could try First Steps Montessori or Mother Goose, both on Upland Road, opposite Goodrich school, about 15 minutes walk from where you are. Both are likely to have longish waiting lists, but if you're flexible about days and looking for a part-time place, then you might be lucky for January.

I remember how tough the early evenings could be with a young baby, my partner and I lived apart for the first two years of our son's life, so I was usually alone for that part of the day. Similar to Woof, I'd run a bath and leave him kicking around on the floor for half an hour which often worked a treat. Or having a bath together was a relaxing way of whiling away a bit of the long evening, though not exactly a break I know. I had a Tiny Love cot mobile, which played different tunes and would hold his attention for quite a while, I think I bought it from Jojo Maman Bebe. Also at around 12-14 weeks, babies do seem to become more interested in the world around them, and they will start grabbing at toys and objects, which increasingly keeps them absorbed. Good luck.

I'm free once the schools break up around mid July, so I'd love to join in, weds in Peckham Rye sounds like a good starting point. My boy is 4.5.

In 1996/97 I lived opposite Goose Green, and during that period the green just seemed to be a rather muddy patch used mainly as a thoroughfare for local people, fair enough. I left the area and moved back two years ago, again living opposite, and was pleasantly surprised to see the fenced off area being used by the community, for games, picnics, sunbathing etc . The whole of the green just seemed more welcoming than it was a decade ago, or perhaps my memory is hazy....

Michael P - no not fluffy at all, prickly yes, but not on here, too scared of the terrier like forumites!

Alan Dale *Bob* Michael Palaeologus V funny & robust posters

Live opposite Goose Green and walk to SW9/Brixton Road, takes 40 minutes if I get a move on!

I gave birth in St Thomas' two years ago and I couldn't fault them. I had an experienced midwife who had worked there for 12 years and a lovely student. I had my own room throughout, and we were allowed to remain there after the birth for as long as we wanted. It was a quick and straightforward labour, so we didn't stay overnight, therefore I can't comment on the aftercare on the post natal ward, however I had no shortage of midwives visiting once we were at home.

There was a note on the fence yesterday saying that it had indeed moved to the Rye Hill building, it's open from 1-3:30 each day. I think this is the temporary home until the old site is improved/made safe?

I too live opposite, and I'd occasionally pop over for coffee or breakfast on a sunny morning, but I have to agree with others on here, the service was generally poor, and the food pretty ordinary. Still, it's a shame to see a business fail, hope it doesn't stand empty for too long.

I paid mine ?1000 for my first tax return, and then he charged around ?500-?600 for subsequent ones, being new to self employment I thought he was a bit expensive at first, but his fees seem reasonable now.