wonderwoman

We've been in situations with our kids having tantrums or been inconsolable in public places so really feel for you. I tend to agree however that being on bus is difficult to deal with, and I usually try to distract them with a reward if they manage to behave. V.different of course if the child is not able to understand that or is too young to negotiate with. Opinionated members of the general public also do nothing to help parents who are already probably quite stressed. I remember my mum used to always have a treat in her bag or a knack of distracting crying children which was helpful on buses one time she gave a child a banana (with consent of parent/s of course)which shocked the child actually and stopped them instantaneously. That sort of interference I would gladly welcome. Back in our home country I find people tend to readily step in to assist rather than scold which is really unhelpful.

Hi everyone just wondering if there are any latest recommendations for good dental practices for children. We were registered with Smile on Northcross Road, but dentists we had before have now left and recent experiences with them haven't been great, in particular the management of appointments seems haphazard.

Thanks, I did think of that, but someone said that sometimes they make the child get out to measure them, and another said they even queried someone who was in a wheelchair even though they were told the child was not going to participate in any rides! Will give the buggy trick a try! Had looked at getting the toddler and adult ticket but they are not available for weekends.

Hi Morrisons Peckham,FREE by the Customer Service counter, with some stickers inside, Panini ones (DS1 was raving about them and had to make special trip out myself!)Then you can by the Brazil world cup stickers over the counter for 50p a pack. Make sure they have their pocket money ready :-) Happy swapping!

Hi has anyone been to chessington recently wondering how strict their entry policy is. I have toddler who is just tad over 0.9m.

Hi has anyone been to chessington recently wondering how strict their entry policy is. I have toddler who is just tad over 0.9m.

Yes sorry Northcross Rd! Waiting was never that much of a problem before for us, just their appointments management and on this occasion lack of professionalism. One time I got a call to say why I was late for an appt, when they had booked me in at the wrong time themselves, the dentist actually apologised and told me quite a few people had experienced problems with their booking system and were booked in at wrong times. I used to go to Gardens as a child to see Dr Freeman, think he's retired now. Didn't have good experiences I must say as a child, hope it's better these days.

Just to let you know DH had terrible experience with this dental surgery. We booked early appt to take our 3 little ones to see the dentist for checkup before school which they knew about, waited 20mins and they were seeing other patients. When prompted the receptionist didn't really care (given that there are 3 twitchy children eagerly waiting as well) at which point as it was getting close to school time DH complained about the wait with no apology or explanation given. He decided to leave the surgery and she (receptionist) just said "have a good day". Rubbish we will obviously be changing surgeries. Place just isn't the same these days and I know a few of the other dentists have left.

Previous inspection was 2008 which would have been under different leadership if so, was it not inspected since then? Also the nursery was inspected only couple years ago and has made improvements following appointment of Mrs Cook as foundation co-ordinator I think. I think they are planning discussions at the next Q&A session.

Apart from catchment is also exams which I understand needs to be taken, is that then to assist in selection which will have further implications on who will be let into the school That's why I thought if DS needs to take exam he might as well sit the ones for the local grammars as well, makes no difference.

Tend to agree with ???? with regards to catchment, the closest would appear to be from the ?m houses, just look at the roads directly opposite and surrounding the school! Yes some may come from the local estates, but as catchment may well be getting smaller this will affect the access to school of those from those local estates surely? Not sure about how "diverse" it is, during my tour at a glance seemed to be mostly white middle class pupils and staff (and visitors). In fact those doing the presentation seemed to be from this background shame they didn't choose pupils from another background to show their "diversity" but obviously I'm not sure how they were selected. No denegration of Charter at all. It does seem to be well resourced, indeed a normal comp it is not, and if they are so supportive of those low acheivers great...but then I wonder as with any school how they support those who are average or above. With so many pupils I would be concerned that mine and others get lost if more energy is focussed on hitting targets on those of below average educational attainment.

At the moment in our discussions distance is an issue as DS is concerned about using train etc to go to a "far away school" when all of his class mates are choosing the local secondary as the place to go, so bit of peer pressure there. He can't see that he will hopefully be more independent in two years time than he is now. However one option is we may move nearer to the grammar school if this works out. Can't afford to live in East Dulwich anyway. Regarding mixing with the "poor", we are the "poor", bit sick of being poor to be honest and my child being segregated in some ways because we don't live in an expensive house in East Dulwich like the other families in his year. Croydon and Bexley would be more affordable. Like every other parent I just want the best for my child, can't afford private education, bursary may be an option but there's pressure to keep up at the risk of losing it. I know from experience that it's no guarantee of success (whatever that is) in the years to come and in life generally, but at least if I've given him the opportunity...I'm keen more than anything that my child is happy wherever he goes. Another issue or not is that I heard the Surrey or Bexley grammars are going down Acadamy route?? Went to Charter yesterday and was impressed with facilities and what it offers. Results are 100% this year but looking at more detail it's probably a quarter or less with A's and majority with C's or B's. What is that in comparision with the local grammars I wonder? Regarding open days. We seem to have missed the Surrey school ones which are one date in July it seems, does anyone know if they schedule other dates? Contacted Wilson's who said check the website they have them next year. Not terribly helpful.. is that an indication perhaps?

Hi I was just wondering if there are any parents whose children have been successfully selected for surrey,bexley or kent grammars. I'm a Heber parent and my son is in yr 5, I know it may be early but want to do some early research. In terms of commute (the sutton/surrey schools seem accessible), general experience of the schools, also tutoring for the tests. I attended the meeting arranged by two parents who went through the grammar application experience but unfortunately mislaid information. Does anyone have any recommendations of good tutors and how early do you start tutoring? Any advice welcome.

If you contact Southwark OT dept about it they will send you a prescription with list of chemists nearby where u can pickup. It's free if you'rw eligle or they should tell you where you can hire them.

I have kids aged 9, 6 and 3 who enjoy both. But we have visited DKH more and had birthdays there too. Although we don't have major preferences I do find that the facilities in DKH are a bit more dated, but the indoor space is bigger than the one in Peckham. I have had some unsavoury encounters with other children who are shall we say "not so nice" in DKH as opposed to Peckham which did put me off going to DKH for a while, which was a shame...I'm talking 6 year olds bullying and swearing and that's at me not the children!

Hi I'm looking for a good gymnastics class for my two boys aged 6 and 9. Does anyone have any experience and recommendations?

Hi try a trip to Lewisham, got some great veg markets and food stores, also lovely thai street stall sells hot food,turkish supermarket and italian deli. Also better quality than East st market. A bus ride on the 185 bus all the way. Sunday no veg market though. For local convenience I would try Iceland (whilst it's still in east dulwich), one also in Peckham and Walworth Rd, another Turkish Supermarket there too bit pricier than markets but cheaper than conventional supermarkets. Also on Walworth Road, alleyway next to Marks and Spencer does some good quality fruit and veg. Hope that helps!

Many thanks for info ladies

Hi does anyone know what age you can apply for funding towards nursery/free nursery school places? Does that make sense? I can't recall the actual term but think it may be early years funding or something similar. I've had a quick search on the Southwark website but can't locate it.

I thought it would be ?5 or so, from morrisons to dulwich library,probably should have sorted out price before getting in,but tired with umpteen bags of shopping as hubby took the car so was in a desperate frame of mind. Also had to wait to pay him as he went behind the trees to take a slash would you believe,nice!

Umm ?8

Got a feeling I was overcharged by cabbie, how much would one expect to pay for a journey from their to east dulwich? So long since I took a cab maybe I'm out of touch. Pretty ashamed at my bargaining skills today!

Fushia, didn't hear the one about school uniform, but my son in yr4 reported the new policy about packed lunches,as from tomorrow apparently, no crisps, chocolates, sweets, biscuits, cakes but you can bring cheese and yoghurts. Although a bit strict and I agree maybe shouldn't be up to school to dictate, it seems to be a drive to encourage healthier eating and also in relation to nut allergies which many children in the school suffer from (not sure how true that is). I posed the question to my son about lactose/dairy intolerance and his reply was no one has that problem?? Also I'm sure they serve cakes and biscuits for desserts for their school dinners so have their caterers proof it's all free from nut exposure?? Reply was that this was probably going to be phased out of school dinners too! Apparently no birthday cakes will be allowed in future as well, they will just say happy birthday in class as they have a list of birthdays on the register, think this may be going a bit far though, shame :-(

We're on Friern Road and I think they could really prune the trees here, literally blocking sunlight and I've heard some residents saying their satellites being affected but the Council have told us that cutting them would encourage more growth so they stopped doing it so often. However it seems like a long time since they did a proper survey or did any cutting

I remember definitely picking damsons when I was younger in Benchley gardens, near the forest hill road entrance. Although not fruit I came across a bay leaf tree in Peckham Rye Park on the way to the duck pond opposite the bowling green. A question in relation to picking, I've been told that if something grows over a private residence garden onto a public road or street technically one is allowed to pick, I'm sure it would be polite to ask the residence first but does anyone know if this is true?