Cora

I would talk to your/a health visitor...they should be able take it further checking up on the child and offering support to the parent without it escalating unless necessary. They should be able to take your information confidentially too.

Don't think this is off topic...one of the problems with Primary school places 2010 is that there are places available but just not in the handful of schools that have already turned their fortunes round with hard work and good partnership between school and parents. Surely the important thing is that money and resources are spent ensuring that all schools are decent, instead of putting unreasonable demands on those schools deemed as good that are working hard to keep their standards up.

Find the table on page 25 really frustrating and holding false information. Most schools for round here don't show the distance from school offered a place and for Heber (for example) has two ** which if you look at the key means anyone who applied on time got offered a place...this just isn't true...I applied on time, am not that far away and yet am 27th on the list. Am I reading the key wrong or is the information false? Lewisham give you all this information on your rejection letter (which softens the blow somewhat as you have all the figures).

It's an Ofsted 'outstanding school' with a strong focus on music...

Can you name the schools that are taking part (so other schools can contact them for info) or do you know who a school would contact for information - sounds great...

I would definately contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team....I have found them very responsive in the past and they could keep a look out...

Think there is Yoga for Kids at Soup Dragon and Yogabeez at Push Studios......

long may it last!.......

My son started Bessemer last week and is really happy there - Today he came home saying 'we had a visitor today and we did Yoga - look' and proceeded to show me positions I have never been able to do! Anyway apparently this is going to be a weekly thing......I know literacy and the rest are important but with a great teacher and a small class (max 15 til Jan)I'm pretty confident they're on the ball and will work hard on these too... The point of this post is to let any parents who are still waiting for a local place, or are not happy with where they are, know that Bessemer still has places available and they are fully aware that many parents may want a stop-gap while waiting to get into somewhere else nearer etc..... If you are still in a difficult position re a reception place do give them a ring and have a look at the place..you may be pleasantly surprised... PS They also have places at their nursery for any kids who have reached 3 and a half..... Feel free to PM me with any questions...

Saturday morning at JAGS 11 - 12 drop-in....can't remember the correct name, maybe little booties? About ?4 a class. Less structured than Little Kickers but a lot cheaper and drop-in is a real plus!

Eversince the changes I have felt sorry for people posting in the Wanted section....I for one never look at it now but would keep an eye out in the offered section before incase I could help anyone out...

Criteria 4 is closest school and criteria 5 is distance from school if not closest school. For example someone might live further away but Heber is their closest school so they would get priority on Criteria 4. Someone with a school nearer to them would go into criteria 5 by distance. It happened to us...Goose Green was our closest by 23m so we went into criteria 5 and didn't get in to Heber.

If you're happy to travel Bessemer Grange nursery (part of school) has places and is worth a look . Would be 5 half day sessions.

Useless.....which is such a shame because they could provide such vital support and advice to parents. Even just being friendly and welcoming to parents would be nice - instead their 'system' of weighing seems to be of all import - with parents hanging around in an un-babyfriendly environment for a long wait...to be bossed around. Extremely unparent-centred. What happened to building relationships so that they can pick up early warning signs and offer help... I was at high risk for post-natal depression when I got handed over to the local HV - had to chase to meet them and haven't heard from them since...my son's now 2.5. How do they know how my son and I are doing?

We decided not to transfer in the end because it was all so chaotic...they treated the ED teachers appallingly and I had to really push for my refund - only getting joy from a new member of staff - I wonder how disillusioned she is already? Unsurprisingly I got no apology from ED management for the hassle incurred trying to get my refund. I have never known an organisation so poorly run. I think it's worth CC any complaints to the council so that they are aware of the issues.

I found belonging to ED Fusion more stressful and worse for my health than not exercising. I've never know an organisation to be so poorly run. My experience at Peckham has been no better.

Just found this on the lateset Surestart newsletter - might be of interest... 'Children's centres in Camberwell and Dulwich have commissioned Working with Men, a charity specialising in services for men, to provide more support and services for dads. Tiny Gym is a free play gymnastics session for under fives held every Wed at Camberwell leisure centre. On Saturdays Time Out with Dad hosts lots of fun activities including music sessions, story telling, arts and crafts etc.. If you wold like to have a say in othere services and actiivities for fathers with children under five please contact David Frazier on 02 07 635 2200 or 0207 7277 3840. Dads are of course welcome at all our other sessions.'

I know Surestart are really keen to involve dads in things...contact Pam at Surestart she would be organising any Surestart dads groups and would let you know of any other groups in the area.

Sounds great...have no idea what and where we'll be over the summer holidays..so a regular day and time means if we're around we'd love to join a big kid date. Sons 4.5 and 2.5. Thanks for thinking of it...

Is there a straight forward yes or no to this question?

I phoned the traffic people about this a couple of years ago and they said they were still deciding what the best option would be for a crossing there. If you do speak to them an update would be great!

It was East Dulwich...and although I didn't look closely I did take a quick glance to see if there was a 'back in ten minutes' type sign...which there wasn't. Thanks for looking into it Barry.

Hello Barry, You may have addressed this earlier but I find it really frustrating when the ticket office is not open during hours in which the sign outside says it should be. I went down yesterday at 10.15 am with my two kids full of questions about the days travelling and was not surprised to yet again find it shut. Why have opening hours listed outside the station if they are not going to be manned. Really, really annoying!

Someones 50th....all should be quiet now....

I don't have a car but have noticed that these guys are really getting aggressive with the number of fines they are issuing around here (as I tootle around with the pushchair!)- yesterday saw them stop and start issuing a ticket to a van that had stopped to do a single household delivery...he didn't even warn them he was there standing in front of the van, just pulled in on his scooter behind a parked car and stood there at the front of the van out of view of the driver taking notes...Its seems to be turning into some on-street real-life gaming scam.