katgod

I went to a talk/demo about it when my son was a baby. I was put off by a big toddler signing that he wanted a drink. He was definitely of the age that I would expect a child to be talking and thought it seemed likely to delay speech. No doubt there is evidence that it doesn't but it seemed counter intuitive to me.

No, my holidays were not taken in the 6 weeks break. That is precisely my point. It has until relatively recently been possible to take time off in term time. As provided for in the previous regulations, a 10 day flexibility has worked quite well until now. I see no reason to remove that option.

A drawing board (with pen on a string) picture books, sweets. Lots of small cheap things that are periodically produced to keep the novelty factor high. Have done several trips and breaking journey at an aire with a play area and having a proper run about helps. Did not use films at that age, mine are quite happy travellers though.

Signed too. It was not chaos or a free for all or detrimental to my primary education in the 70s to have a week off school for our main family holiday. I don't like this flexibility being withdrawn. If my children are there for the rest of the year, don't take spurious sick days and are doing well at school I should be able to flex some time as was the case until relatively recently. The sensible majority are suffering because some families take the p@ss.

City thameslink (from Peckham rye or Denmark hill) as stated above is very close and very quick.

So all about priorities. We have seersucker bed linen wherever I can get suitable stuff. There's a lovely company called JAnd B IMpress who come once a month to take away, iron and deliver back what cannot be worn unironed. Hubby does most of his shirts, some get sent out. Very few of my clothes get ironed. Very amused when my grandmother got too old to do own washing that my mum ( who irons sheets ) moaned that because my auntie ironed my gran's knickers, mum felt she had to too!! seriously neither of these are getting ironed here. No cleaner, 3 kids, part time City job. Hoover 1x per week. Washing every day. Sheets - with Mrs Tp.....,,o

We went today- it has closed. It reopens on 3 June, but as a pre-school. Pay and play as it used to be might happen at weekends and in school holidays. I did sign the petition to save it, and am very sorry to see it go. Wanted to share to save others the trip. Not sure if this picture of the notice will work....

Cannisaro house in Wimbledon has just been refurbished. Don't know the grazing goat you referred to but Wimbledon pretty close to balham. 13 years after a big traditional wedding and having been to loads over the years I would say skip favours and put the money behind the bar. No one except the bride gives two hoots about them :-)

We use nanny paye, helpful, no problems with it.

The key to the change at Canada Water if you don't like crowds is to just take a seat and wait, as said above, 3 minutes for the crowd to go down. And DKH will hopefully improve once there is more than one door to exit via. Which MUST be soon, they've been working on the new exit for so long. In the scheme of commutes PR or DKH to Canary Wharf is really not a bad one.

schools often seem to have a few spaces by the time year 3 comes around. Not so tricky as at reception stage. People come and go and move houses.

we have this - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3952186.htm have had it about 7 years still going strong, stored outdoors all year - agree you need to decide sand or water, not both. we go for sand. Nots ure if that link will work - is argos, step 2 sand table. ?84.99. One of our better purchases I think.

thanks both, will investigate.

have a rear facing infant one and a boooster.

We like it at Bedgebury, and know about Bewl. Can anyone recommend another family friendly place for a bike ride with off road trails, maybe with a choice of length, possibly a cafe and not too far away? Thanks

If you think it will be weird maybe not for you! Is great to see all the work and to nose in other people's homes!!!! Some artists/owners are more friendly than others, but I have never found it weird.if in doubt choose one with multiple artists, as they are more varied and not all the exhibiting artists will necessarily be there. (Edited for terrible typing)

Knowle is nice but quite far from Sevenoaks station. Very easy by car, about 45 minutes from here.

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Thank you. Seems to be taking ages!

Can anyone advise whether the animal walkway part is now open and has animals please? Keen to go once it is all operational as daughter was disappointed not to be able to go in last time. Thank you.

Spent Easter there with nearly 3 year old. North Cornwall has sandy beaches there are waves but if you go to a smaller cove they break it up, and there are lots of rock pools. We liked Porth, mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay, and although the latter is a surfer beach little one lived wave jumping and the big waves were further out.

And the Villa would be term time only? Which leaves you with about 18 weeks of the year with no child care? There are lots of different types of nursery - you need to be clearer about what you want - full child care approximately 48 weeks a year (because you are not a teacher and you work full time?) or a social place so you have a break and the children mix? Prices will vary widely depending on whether it is a childcare type place (Dulwich Nursery Bright Horizons, My Favourite Nursery, Gumboots, Nelly's etc) or more of a social thing (most Montessori nurseries, Dulwich Village pre school, Buds etc). Simply Childcare is a good place to look at nannies. Between ?9 and ?10 per hour net. (ie you pay national insurance and tax on top).

Lots of cancellations and delays from East Dulwich and Dog Kennel Hill (overground), did not have time to investigate fully, just got on the 40, but check before you travel.

Those sound very sensible options - I am glad that some positive steps are being taken to address this issue. Thank you for a very informative post Councillor.

This thread amysed me because for many years I was happily chopping cakes instead of mixing them in my kenwood, partly because I had forgotten where all the bits were and partly because it just hadn't occurred to me that a different attachment would be needed. My cakes were not prize winning, but certainly edible. So wouldn't worry too much. Ps I use electric whisk now for cakes- is that right??