littlemoo

There may already be a thread on this, but I can't find one. We are equidistant from Horniman and Fairlawn (therefore with a chance we wont get either!) and are slightly torn. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the new head mistress who has been appointed and due to start in the new year. My instinct is to go for the smaller more nurturing feel of Horniman, but the results at Fairlawn are so much better in KS2. However a new head might shift that. Any thoughts or insights would be great.

Oh thank you so much for that. Feeling a lot calmer now!

Guys. There is no need to be snide. I have no affiliation to Whipper snappers. I used to attend their class as part of the sure start programme but have only been once or twice in Dulwich Park as I think it's quite expensive. There is no harm in people recommending a local activity for children. If you don't want to go, don't. If you don't want to hear about it, don't read threads with it in the title!

We went this morning as frankly I could face a schlep out of London, or to a shopping centre with a very hyper 2.5 yo. I have to say I thought it was very good. You arrive and are in a nice small group (5 kids in ours I think). You then meet the Reindeers which is lovely, next step is a decorate the ginger bread man which W loved. You are then taken upstairs to a room with vintage toys, where the lovely lady from Whippersnappers did face painting for those who wanted it done but played games and blew bubbles with my rather overwhelmed toddler. Father Christmas wasn't the most convincing I've ever seen but he was fine (better than last years version at Selfridges. The photo was taken (my very reluctant toddler took a few attempts) but they persevered. You get to choose, and it costs ?5 framed so not earth shatteringly expensive. At the end you go and collect your gingerbread man and get given a cake pop, and have a chance to buy some vintage toys (weekends only aparently as I asked if you could go back to buy out of the gaze of the toddler). My only complaint was that the gift was a bit old. A plaster of Paris kit to make dinosaurs. But it's a good quality item. So overall I'd say it's really good value in the end, but I did leave the baby at home as frankly ?18 for a 10mo is ridiculous! Hope that helps.

ooh thanks for all the ideas. Am off to explore the options. ANything will be better than mr grumpy from last year!

Last year I took my son to see a very grumpy father Christmas at Selfridges. At the time I was told about a father Christmas on a farm, not too far out, with reindeer etc. Of course I can't remember where it was, and am probably too late, but does anyone know any details?

Ooh the crooked well sounds a very good plan. I will try and join you. Its ages since I made one of these meet ups!

Fab. Also for those that didn't come last time, the kitchen at the Herne doesn't open til 5.30 so we took picnic tea and bought an ice cream after. See you tomorrow! Rx

Hope everyone enjoys the garden meet up. Jealous of toddler free zone! Is anyone around on Thursday for a with toddler meet? We could go for a repeat of the walk in the park (possibly with real bread for the ducks rather than the less satisfactory although, inspired, imaginary stuff) followed by tea at the Herne?

Ok plan this afternoon is to meet at 3.30 at play things next to the one o'clock club on Peckham rye then on to the herne for toddler tea.

Great. I think we might try out the goose green play group this morning to see what it's like. Park then wine sounds good. We could even do toddler tea at the pub. Anna I have your number, but not yours Laura. Lindsay are you still around? Sadly cluster feed didn't mean more sleep.. Not a terrible night but woke twice between 11 and 7, not liking the new trend. Laura, hope Finn is just having a growth spurt. See you this afternoon. Xx

Oh and as for nap, w fell asleep on the way to stay and play for a few minutes and that always scuppers a decent nap... Thea really struggled to settle tonight, feeding for an hour and a half...now I'm properly frazzled.

I'm actually with toddler all day tomorrow as my nanny has the week off... We went to cheeky c's on Monday though, but to be honest he was pretty happy there! For an afternoon option the weather is looking a bit better so maybe the rye would be a good plan. The other thing is the herne, they have a children's play room as well as the garden, which would give potential for coffee (or a sneaky glass of wine) drinking while watching smalls play.

Hey all, Any suggestions for a with toddler meet up tomorrow afternoon. The weather is crappy so the park may be miserable. I'd happily host again if there are no other ideas... Saying that I currently have a nap free toddler (please let it only be today) and he may find a toddler onslaught a bit much again!

I am currently looking for a Preschool for my toddler to attend as of September. I have him down for a place at the villa, but as it will be additional to my main childcare (he and littlest moo will have a nanny two days a week) the villa seems an expensive option. I have looked at buds which seems good but expensive for what it is, and yesterday I heard about DV preschool which is the sort of price range which would be good! It's really about making him more socialised so it doesn't need to be terribly smart. Does anyone have any experience of Dulwich village preschool or can they recommend anywhere else?