Ellie78

Thanks for the recommendation! sadly she was booked (and it was short notice) but v glad that I got in touch and will use in the future!

Having a social distanced picnic for my Ma?s 70th on Saturday. Looking for someone to make some extra special cupcakes, which I thought would be better than cake to handle etc. Looking for c. 8 - all different preferably. She?s not got an amazingly sweet tooth so anything unusual in the fruit/veg dept was what i was thinking Anyone who could do this? Or any recommendations?

Hi JRK Whereabouts are you? I have a couple near me that does mornings and/or afternoons, but that might not be near enough to you

Mine is ?1200 per month 8-6pm Gov tax assistance on this, which you?re eligible for if don?t earn over 100k, brings it down to c 1050 per month. This is still hefty but better than 1500! Don?t just look at your immediate area, investigate other options that you can tie into the commute too. You may find something better/cheaper that way.

Yes, I wouldn?t expect them to open it up in the day for parents perusal whilst they are teaching. But I would expect them to allow you to speak to the reception teacher (or head) to address worries you might have or clarify a few things about the school.... What is it particularly that concerns you?

My son is at the htgfs at the top of the hill. He?s in year 2. That school had a great community ethos and we are very happy with it. I know folks at temple grove and they speak very positively about it. It was taken over quite a while ago so that feedback might be out of date. For us, though, the benefit of the automatic secondary allocation was a minor consideration: I?ve got no idea whether the school will end up being a fit for an 11 year old I don?t know yet, and schools can change very quickly. If I were you I?d definitely make the choice based on what you see in front of you now, rather than future considerations. Also might be worth asking if you can come in to talk to reception teacher? It sounds like you need further information, and you might as well do some research whilst you wait for your number 1 to come through. I?m sure they?d be happy to have a chat and you might get another view of the school and address concerns.

Thanks for the recommendation re the foam. We are going to make small window seats and use the online site - what does anyone recommend re covers for those. For such a small job (and these are v small window seats - it seems a bit ott to get from angel upholstery although I do agree they are fantastic.

Thanks digbina Good to know. It?s a shame that their offer is so limited- only one week in april and one week in August on their booking page, and we can?t do either.... but may be very useful in future so thank you!

We had a long holiday planned with friends of ours but my work has kyboshed it. We want to find an alternative, a shorter holiday, close to London if poss. Thinking maybe 3/4 nights. We both have two crazy 6 year olds who need constant play and energy burn We both have two smaller ones (toddler/early walker) so need to keep that in mind.., One family are adaptive and practiced campers, one family isn?t (us). Any advice welcome. I?ve googled stay farms Kent etc and not found anything particularly inspiring.

And pp is right I think. Au pairs can?t look after children that young, legally.

Have you tried sitters.co.uk. They?re CRB checked and I think have the recommended childcare background for age. You can book quite last minute for a few hours at a time. Worth looking at?

Thanks for this - really helpful. Alleyns and DC are a massive pain for us to integrate with other childcare and work. But needs must! Starting to dislike this full time working routine. Wish I could afford a nanny. Grumpy.

Hi - sorry if this is duplicating. Haberdashers has a 2 week half term and none of the clubs we usually use are running on that second week (Oct 29-Nov2) We are trying to suss out other childcare scenarios so would appreciate any advice in this respect! If anyone knows of another club that's open that week or could recommend a childminder who might take our son, who is 6 (sorry, edited out the scary face - he isn't that bad! ha ha) for the week that would be excellent.

We used Angel Upholstery Anne Marie did a fantastic job on a Parker and knoll chair we had. Highly recommended.

Have pm?d you.