stardust

wow I didn't realise this was such a controversial issue Thanks for the suggestions

As I am currently working from home, it's nice to get out and work from a cafe or something for part of the week. Any suggestions on local work hubs/wifi enabled cafes/shared work spaces available locally that a self employed person can make use of? Thanks

Thanks very much, I'll check out the links

Hello. I know there are loads of local parents who work freelance or who run their own small businesses. i am currently in the process of setting up a small company, and am looking for some advice on the legal and financial side. Does anybody know if there is any support or advice centres locally specialising in this field? Thanks

Thanks a lot for all the tips...will check out holiday schemes

wow...it seems like a logistical nightmare for all! Will definitely check out the holiday schemes people have recommended. Is there any kind of OFSTED inspection for holiday schemes/reassurance that the people who run them are capable of taking care of so many children? Thank God for Grandparents...

Hello, We are all very excited about our daughters staring reception in September, and have just about got childcare sorted for term time. However, having just been given the list of holidays from the school, it throws up whole new problems with what do we do about childcare during the holidays. Are there childminders who are willing to work holidays only? Are there any good summer schools available locally for young children? Any other options? Thanks

Hi all, I have also been offered a place at Goose Green for reception in September. I would be very keen to hear stories from parents with children already there, or meet up with parents who's children will be starting in September.

Theatre Peckham at Harris academy in Peckham is brilliant - they do music theatre, and ballet, tap etc, and it is very reasonably priced. My 4 yr olds love the music theatre class

Don't know how official twins discount is, but she also recently advertised it in Dulwich and District Twins club news letter

She should be entitled to 15 hours, (i think), free a week during term time. In a private nursery, they spread this out over the whole year, so you receive the discount all year round including holidays. It should start the term after her 3rd birthday, so if she was born in May, it will start in September. The nursery should do it automatically, but best to ask the manager how they do it, and confirm that they follow this, (I don't think all private nurseries do). You can transfer her into a school nursery, but you have to apply at certain times of year and it will only be for a certain number of hours a day, (depends on the school). First step would be to ask your current nursery how they go about doing it. Hope that helps

Thank you - the suggestions for activities are fantastic and will definitely give them a go. Will also check out youtube

I did a long haul flight to India with my twins when they were 10 months. We had bassinets, but to be honest they wouldn't settle in it for very long periods at a time - one probably would have been enough. However, they did try to seat us at opposite ends of the plane. There is the safety thing that you cannot sit 2 babies per row, due to the number of safety masks that they have, but as I was breast feeding babies at this time I found it very frustrating that they wanted to sit us so far apart. However, i think we managed to swap with other kind passengers, (who obviously did not want to be sitting too close to two screaming babies!) As for what to bring, mosquito repellent, hats and sun block a must. Small toys for the flight, and as many books as you can carry! Good luck!

Thank you, it is very helpful to hear this kind of feedback. Does anyone know where you can get hold of Jolly Phonics books or dvds? Is youtube the best bet? Does anybody have any thoughts on writing letters?

i know that stages of development obviously change so much from child to child, but I am interested to hear what the average age that a child starts to read, write and recognize letters is. Everybody on the forum always seems to have very good advice, and I would also appreciate any techniques or suggestions on how to help a child develop these skills. thanks

I also would like to add a recommendation for Dorothy at Emmanuel Marshall. She spent a very long time fitting shoes for my girls, and a lovely choice of styles. Prices are similar to clarks/startrite - and we even got a 10% discount for being twins, even though I only bought one pair of shoes. She was also very happy to fit and comment on a pair of shoes I had bought from another shop. Will definitely be back for another visit

I would also be interested in knowing the reasons why you did not like this school, as am considering putting it as an option for my daughters. I have not yet had the chance to visit, but have heard positive things about the school from others... would you mind PMing me with what you didn't like? Thanks

I would definitely be interested in an evening class - my caesarian was 3 years a go, but if you are planning to start a general one, then would I would be keen!