ClareC

Hiya, We are expecting our first baby in January, I too have started to look into childcare and found the whole subject a minefiled not to mention being scared at how early you need to put names down despite not necessarily knowing when you will go back to work or whether it will be full or part time etc! Also choosing a nursery / childminder seems a nightmare! I would imagine I would still be off in June / July next year (I hope) but would definitely be interested in any child care sharing ideas etc Clare

Ive only seen a chap with a Vizla, two acually. What time of day is she there?

She will be more impressed that you know what type of dog it is :-)

A Clarkes coach came hurtling down LL this morning at a dangerous speed, didn't even slow down with pedestrians in the road ahead! This was about 7.40 am!

lorraineliyanage Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > hi clarec, i put my daughter's name down for a > place the Bright Horizons when she was born in > October 2008 and have just been contacted about a > place there. Worth doing as early as possible, > they may possible take registrations before the > babies are born. I had no idea how many days I > needed either but just sorted that out with them > after going on a tour of the place this week. Thanks, that's really helpful :-) Are there many nurseries in the area that accept babies? I have had a look online and most seem to be older children only. I think I need to work out which one's take babies and start making visits!!

money is still owed, just owed to estate instead and distributed to the beneficaries under the will or in accordance with the intestacy rules where no will.

Try working in telecoms!

Mini micro scooter ordered ........ Thanks everyone :-)

On the subject of nurseries, how early do you need to put your name down for a place? I will be going on maternity leave soon and will not need a nursery for some time (and don't know when I will need it or for how many days!) I definitely will go back to work just not sure when and whether full or part time - depends on money really!! I have been told I should be looking at nurserys and booking a place already.......

OMG I had one of those Fisher Price record players when I was a kid! Some great idea's here, will let you know what I end up getting :-)

Thanks for this. I have just called Next again and thorugh my persistence alone finally got to speak with their Accounts Investigation team! Th chap I spoke with on Tuesday hadnt even closed / frozen the account!!! Seems Next do not take identity theft and fraud seriously!!! I have followed up with a letter and will report this to the Police too - after that I guess it's just a case of keeping an eye on things :-(

Came home tonight to find a Next directory addressed to me at my correct address and postcode. Thought this rather odd as I have not ordered Next directory, called them to find out someone has opened an account in my name and address from a shopping centre in Aylesbury Bucks at the end of July!!!! They even had my date of birth! I am perplexed why they would do this! Anything they order would after all come to me as they used my real address...... I am rather concerned :-( Has anyone else had this happen to them?

My nephew will be 2 at the end of the month, any idea's of great birthday presents for this age group will be gratefully received!! Thanks Clare

That's horrendous! I hope the owners of the pug are OK and the owner of the Staff is dealt with appropriately. Admittedly I too would stop another dog attacking mine - in fact I have intervened when two "guard dog" rotweillers were about to attack my weimaraner - quite scary but there was no way I was going to stand by!! Fortunately the rottys as nasty as they were to other dogs did have respect for humans! I mainly walk in Dulwich Park, has there been trouble there too? I too was brought up to ask a dog owner if it is OK to stroke the dog rather than just doing so and I agree this is the right way to do things. I think quite a few parents do still do this, I often am approached by parents / children asking to make a fuss of the dogs.

As a dog owner I can honestly say there are very few "nasty" dogs wandering around the Rye / Dulwich Park. If I see a dog I am not sure about (I can honestly say I have NEVER came across a dog in these parts which I felt was a threat to me / other people, but I have come across a couple I have been concerned may be a threat to my dogs), generally the walker with the dog is a a darn good indication! I do understand that it may be hard for a person who is not used to dogs guess their temperment, one of my dogs has a habit of "smiling" (which unfortunately looks rather gruesome) at friends and family he particularly likes when they visit and even one of the "doggy" one's asked me why he was pulling his lips back like that!! That said, generally, dogs are friendly to people, the dangerous one's are a very small minority which unfortunately get over publicised by the press.

millsa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've only just seen the whole conversation and > wanted to scream: 'NO, DON'T WORRY MUMS, MA IS NOT > TAXED!!!' after Molly's first post. I checked > about three times with HMRC when I was doing my > tax return and I even have an email somewhere > confirming it is not taxed. And ClareC - how did > you get ?130 a week? I was on ?117 :) I havent had any...... when I called to ask what the situation was they were very cagey as I have not got a MatB1? Certificate yet - was only trying to do my research so can plan ahead!!! I dont know the exact sum, I think its nearer ?120 pw Seems I can't have that anyway, SMP for me apparantly.

Quaywegirl, Thankyou so much for that :-) The MA helpline knew nothing of this, and seemed to see as far as I wasn't registered as self employed and thefore MA didnt apply, they said SMP applied but didnt know the Gov pays this to the employer and therfore its just a different way of getting the money!! The SMP helpline for employers were more helpful although very set on the MatB1 certificate (seemed reluctant to give general advice until this issued oddly) - so much for lanning ahead ;-) Thanks again

The Nappy Lady Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > No - and also, I've just 'phoned HMRC and it > sounds like an error in their system - I have to > submit my return, then call them next week and > they will correct the error so my tax bill will > come down....yippee!!!! > > Feel like I've just won the lottery! > Excellent news :-) > Molly

That's great thanks, I will give them a call :-) I am thinking I may be entitld to nothing at all at the moment, according to my accountant I am a permanent employee albeit that I am employed by my own limited company which only has me as an employee. That puts me in the realms of SMP rather than MA which as it's me liable to pay me SMP leaves me with nothing!?!?!??!? So glad I have paid my taxes and NIC for so many years and never claimed a penny for anything, it clearly pays off..... NOT! hmmm need to research this further!

If it's anything like street van never available!!

I can't believe you get taxed on Maternity Allowance....... it's only ?130 pw in the first place! Also, am I right in thinking there is a set start and end date of when you are eligible? ie if you stop working later into the pregnancy that doesnt give you and extra time after the birth? I am going to need to research all this!

Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire is a lovely place to stay and quite reasonable. You can upgrade to a Grand feature room which really is something special :-) http://www.coombeabbey.com/offers-and-packages/index.htm

What a small world!! It really is off the beaten track! Not really one you would accidentally find! They have accomodation there now now..... not sure what that's like though.

Black Horse at Thurnham is lovely! I can't believe it has come up on this forum (I grew up in that part of the country and its where we often go for family birthday 's etc), food is excellent!

That's great, thanks Fuschia :-)