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Lots of very helpful insight from everyone. Thanks!!! Think I'm in a much stronger position now to identify the good and honest Estate Agents and the ones to steer clear of. I just wonder if all of them make an effort to monitor the ED Forum and participate. Most especially the ones that seem to have a bad reputation and a growing list of dissatisfied customers who are ED forum members.

Thanks for the feedback.

Hi, C&G Electricians (Clive 8 Grant) are superb. They did some extensive work at ours at a reasonable fee: Including multiple sky and telephone points across the house and cable trunking. They have loads of positive feedback on the forum. You can Call Grant on 0770 675 5155. Here is a link to a previous thread I started asking for recommendations for an Electrician with feedbacks recommending C&G. Goodluck http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,1006522,1006522#msg-1006522

Could surely do with some feedback from members about their experiences with East Dulwich Estate Agents. We are looking at selling and are in a dilemma on which agent to go with. We have narrowed our choices of possible agents to KFH, Haart, Pedder & Foxtons. However, out off all of them only KFH has offices in the areas we are looking to move to: I understand this is a key factor to consider in a chain sale. Is that true? We were initially warming up to KFH, however, the feedback on them from previous threads on the forum has given us a cause for concern. There have only been 2-3 positive feedback on them against a rash of negative ones. Particularly against Alistair the Sales Manager. Nothing beats word of mouth references. With the high demand for property in ED, I'm pretty confident of a quick sale. It's getting a property in our area(s) of choice and within our budget that's got us a bit concerned. Haart appears good but without a big enough network for a quick sale and support in purchasing. Also, I understand from a previous customer that their exclusivity period is 15 weeks. Though, I'd assume this can be reduced. I like Pedder a lot. They seem local to South London with a big South London network. They are quite aggressive (in a good way) with their sales pitch. It doesn't surprise me, since they are the newest on the block. Has anyone used them? What was your experience and how supportive were they in chain sales (i.e, helping you get a property to buy)? As with Haart & Foxtons, they also do not have offices in areas we are looking to buy. As for Foxtons, I'm not really sure where to place them. I tend to feel that they are more interested in larger valued properties (which is ok in a profit driven envirionment). However, as a potential customer I expect to feel equally as important as the vendor selling the ?2mill property. A neighbour who tried them out for a valuation said it took ages to get an appointment for them to come around. I know quite a few members have mentioned Winkworth, Jackson & Spencer Kennedy as being good. The question is, how supportive and proactive are they in helping sellers find a new home. Thanks

I'm also looking for a childminder/nanny for school drop-off, pickup and after-school care starting from 6-Jan. Ideally must have a driver's license and a car (though having a car is not a must). My requirements are: - Drop off 4 days a week (Mon - Thurs) 8:00 for resumption at 8:45 Pick-up and after-school care 3:30-6:30 - 3-4 days a week Please PM if you are interested or know any one who could be.

I also receommend the east Dulwich Dental on Forest Hill Road.

Hello, Mistakenly posted this in Family classified previously. We are looking for someone to help us with the school drop off 4 days a week and if possible, pick up and after school care 2-3 days a week as well. We can be flexible with the days/hrs. We have a 6 yr old son and 4 yr old daughter who both attend Oakfield Prep. School resumes at 8:45 and closes at 3:30 Please PM me if this is something you'd be interested in. Ideally, we are looking for someone with a car or driver's license? We are looking at a 6-Jan start. Thanks

Hi, Hope this response isn't too late. Have you tried Gambado Beckenham? It's a soft playground perfect for kids brithday parties. Used it for our son's 5th and plan on using it for our daughter's 4th. Cheers

Mfichardt, I know what you're going through since we were also in the same shoe this time last year. Holiday Drop off is very good. Only problem is that the kids have to be 4yrs old and up. We have a 5 and a 3yr old. AVP Sports (www.avpsports.co.uk) is brilliant aka known as Scamps for the junior kids. Though they are primarily open for the summer, Easter is the only half term they do. Our 5yr old son loves it. They use Dulwich Prep School ground including the swimming facilities. Good luck.

Thanks everyone.

Hi, I'm thinking of buying a splittable bunk bed for my little ones. Does anyone have experience using This type of bed?Also, suggestions on where I can get them at a decent price and of good quality will be appreciated. Thanks

After years of being with British Gas for dual fuel and home care we decided to leave them last December because of poor customer service. From comparison sites Co-Op energy was quite good. We have since moved to them. More decent than the known names in my humble opinion. In hind site I don't know why we were with BG for so long. loyalty is worth nothing these days. Hope this message doesn't seem like a rant against BG..lol

Hi All, Can anyone recommend a good dietician/Nutritionist local to East Dulwich? Testimonies would also be most appreciated. Thanks

@Fufton, Spot on. That's exactly what we want as well. Breakfast club and someone to pick him up when school closes. We decided not to go for the after school club cos it'll just be too tiring for him. Thanks for this.

Thanks Carbonara.

@Pickle, thanks. @Monkey, what's the average charge for this?

Hi All, Our 4 1/2 yr old son will be starting school at Oakfield Prep in West Dulwich next month. However, as working parents/professionals, picking him up @ the 3:30 (4:30 during days of extra-curricular activities) is something we are yet to crack. The last resort would be for either of us to alternate working from home(Something we'd both like to avoid for now). Are there any options out there? For example, paid services for picking up school children in the morning/afternoon and dropping them off at school/home? Would appreciate if you could share your experiences since we are newbies at this. Many thanks Parent in distress..

Forgive my naivety here. Can someone clarify how this works then. My understanding is this: We're required to apply to 5 schools for admission. What if I decide to apply to schools not in my catchment area. For example, the nearest school to us is St Johns & Clements (on a side note - What are your views on this school?). What if we leave St Johns & Clements out of our list and instead apply to schools further away (bearing in mind that we are ok with any of the schools on the list). Will the council be forced to place our little one in one of the 5 listed schools or will they over-rule our list and place him in any school with space based on proximity, i.e in my catchment area? What happens then? Thanks for all the responses thus far....

With regards to Geography, we are happy with any school in the Dulwich area and not extending beyond Honor Oak Forest Hill & Catford.

Hi All, I already posted this on the general discussion board. Hoping to get more responses here. As the subject implies, I'm sure you would have guessed by now that I'm one of those newbie parents experiencing the pre-prep/prep school search for the first time. I recently finished the private school search and open days, now going through the assessments with my son but also need to start the state school search in good time for the Jan'12 application deadline. I appreciate that people will come up with a list as it pertains specifically to their perception of what is good for their child. However, I'm throwing this in the forum to get people's opinion and to generate discussion. I've found the forum to be a rich source of first hand info and would appreciate your honest opinion. Many thanks.

Thanks Guys. Will also post on Family Room...

As the subject implies, I'm sure you would have guessed by now that I'm one of those newbie parents experiencing the pre-prep/prep school search for the first time. I recently finished the private school search and open days, now going through the assessments with my son but also need to start the state school search in good time for the Jan'12 application deadline. I appreciate that people will come up with a list as it pertains specifically to their perception of what is good for their child. However, I'm throwing this in the forum to get people's opinion and to generate discussion. I've found the forum to be a rich source of first hand info and would appreciate your honest opinion. Many thanks.

Thanks Creative Decorating. Found his website via Google. It's www.threadneedlemantailors.co.uk. Thread Needleman Tailors 187a Walworth Road. I see he has done some work for some celebrities. Hope the cost of the alteration won't be more than the suit itself lol. Many thanks

Thanks HarrietM.....

Hi Gordie, Is Annie's number correct? Does she have studio? Thanks