Adam

We used a very nice man: Richard Atkinson Associates Chartered Surveyors 56 Appledore Crescent | Sidcup | DA14 6RQ T: 020 3260 2021 | M: 07912 108080 W: www.RichardAtkinsonAssociates.com Hard to say what the cost would be as each situation is different. I would guess maybe ?1000.

About 6. Which shop is that? Is it Alltype?

Thanks guys. Anyone know if trade places offer discounts? I saw that the timber yard near ED station sells Velux. Supplier recommendations appreciated...

Can anyone tell me... Do I need to shop around to get a good price for Velux rooflights, or are they a standard price? Also, is it cheaper if I get my builder to buy them at trade price? Finally - any recommendations for suppliers? Cheers Adam

If you have, I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't mind private-messaging me info about how much the work cost all in. Many thanks Adam

The Virgin Media service has gone massively downhill over the past year or so. I will be switching provider, although the prospect of BT hardly fills me with joy.

Blast from the past but our 5 year old has really been enjoying Enid blyton. Started with mr pink whistle and The Faraway Tree when she was 4 or so and after she enjoyed those we moved onto adventures of the wishing chair and naughty Amelia Jane. She finds them real page turners! Only downside is the bizarro 1940s language she has picked up! More recently we have enjoyed various Roald dahls (starting with George's Marvellous Medicine and also listening to some great Recordings), Titchy witch (short enough text for them to read themselves) and Worst Witch ( more for slightly older kids - nearer 6 maybe). We've been given Pippi Lngstocking and Ottoline but I don't think she is ready for them yet. It'll be fun when she is though! Will enjoy checking out those websites - thanks everyone for the links

We have a child who started at Alleyns last year in Reception. We are in ED (not clapham, battersea etc) and a number of the other kids also live nearby. We are very happy with the early years provision which includes plenty of running around time, woodland school outdoors and other fun. I second the comments above - you cannot tutor (and would not want to). It helps though that your child is used to sitting and listening to a story, holding a conversation, following instructions, mark making etc - all things they would be doing in a decent nursery. Being active is also important as apparently gross motor skills help with learning, and so may form part of the assessment. Different schools have different styles. Alleyns seem to focus more on communication skills in assessing at the earliest stages whereas some other schools seem to be looking at writing etc. - which seemed wrong to us aged 4. If thinking about nurseries/ pre prep you could ask Alleyns (or whichever other schools you look at) where they take kids from at age 7, 9 or 11 - at that age it probably makes more of a difference. I think Herne Hill school sends a lot to Alleyns and the other foundation schools at age 7. I hope your child will be very happy wherever they go - I am sure they will be given the thought you are already putting into this.

Another recommendation for Maurice - done several jobs for us and very patent and professional. Came back several times to make sure a tap was working properly (it was problematic because it was supplied with a missing part). Kept his sense of humour though the number of sugars in his coffee went steadily up...!

Can anyone recommend a good value/quality place to buy wheels (not just tyres) for an Audi A4? Thanks!

We have a buggy board attached to our Maclaren which our toddler loves. It was meant for his 5 yr old sister while he went in the buggy but they usually end up the other way round!

Interested that you're not considering Herne Hill? Which we love and seems to get pretty general praise on the Forum. They also have a good record (better than Oakfield I think?) of helping children into their first choice schools when they move on after Year 2.

We use Abbeville, for the same reasons as Claire29. Expensive (especially if you change your kind about nanny - I understand it is quite difficult getting the upfront fee back) but we are very happy with the nanny they found for us, on very short notice

@stephen509 - that was my thought, but there's nothing here I want @KidKruger - I asked for one, but he persuaded me that he didn't work that way! @Chillaxed - yes @DJKillaQueen - wise words @right-clicking - nice idea @MrBen - yes, I liked him too. Spoken to him on a few occasions before giving him the stuff. I do occasionally use eBay, but it seemed like too much hassle for these items. @Annette - Yes, he's a very mellow, friendly guy (even when he's telling you he won't pay you!) And yes, the stuff was definitely worth at least ?60 - it was all good quality. @Gidget - I'd rather not do that I'm going to keep asking him for my cash (or stuff back) whenever I go past. One day he may pay. Just thought others should know in case you are entering into a similar "deal" with him.

I gave some stuff to David, the bric-a-brac shop owner on Upland Rd. We agreed he'd try to sell it for ?60 (it was easily worth that). 6 months and about a dozen visits later, he won't give me the money or my things back. There's no sign of the stuff in his shop. He always fobs me off with some excuse why he can't pay - recently simply claiming he has no cash. It doesn't seem to bother him that he's basically just stolen my stuff. And he seemed like such a nice chap too...

Also have you thought about swimming lessons - v difficult to get into ED Bathsand Peckham Pulse but Crystal Palace and Beckenham are also good options

Just to add to Hollie's post that you need to add an extra 1/3rd or so to cover tax/ national insurance on what you pay the nanny, plus obviously costs of food for her/ insurance, petrol etc if she uses your car. It's a great option though if the financials work out - and lots of nannies looking for work at the moment, as you can tell from the EDF...

In exactly the same situation. My mum is taking my 11-month old to Monkey Music in Herne Hill, which they both really enjoy. There is a 9.30ish and 11ish class - we have to do the earlier to tie in with pick up for older child from Pre-school. There will also be free dance at Salvation Army in Camberwell (see ED Tots) when they are a bit older, but not sure my Mum would be up for the trip. Also swimming at ED Baths? But again my Mum wouldn't do swimming! Tricky isn't it.

Couple of things we are thinking of in the nanny share we are about to go into: - agree that the families will take at least two weeks holiday at the same time, in addition to two weeks chosen by the nanny herself, or she will not get a real break - be clear between the two families who hosts, and how you split costs - car insurance, petrol, food, OFSTED registration if relevant. Remember the family who hosts in the morning get the benefit of the nanny's help at te most frantic part of the day, which the family dropping off do not. - agree activities with the other family. With two or more kids being looked after at the same time, some activities e.g. Swimming may not work, at least for younger children. For older kids after school, the other family may want their kids to do activities when you want your kid to be relaxing at home, or vice versa. It's good to check you are on the same page on this, or at least degree of compromise required. - lastly, an obvious point but check you are agreed on rate of pay and paying properly via payroll (ie paying tax and NICS). It's amazing how many people try to do cash in hand or other dodgy arrangements with nannies, which could backfire on you both. Hope this is some help. Interested in any other ideas people have.

This sounds grim, but we've been told that foxes will give your garden a wide berth if you put male urine, which has been left a few days to ferment with a couple of garlic cloves (!) round the edges. Haven't tried it yet but will when we get desperate! This tip comes from Colin of K&O Pest Control who is a top man so Gould be worth trying...would be interested to know how you get on!

Tennis with Gordon of Tennis 4Kids? 2.30pm Monday and may also be starting Thursdays, on Barry Road. My daughter started at 2 and I found it great for all round agility/ burning up energy. Monkey Music is great and think they have local classes both Mondays and Thursdays

Little kickers in Nunhead (see their website) or Dulwich Magic at the Edward Alleyn spots ground on Burbage Road onSaturday mornings both do football for 3-year-olds.

Co- sleeping has been our only way to cope with number 2, who is still up several times a night at 9 months. In my views the SIDS risk is overstated, if you follow the advice above - sheets not duvet, pillows out of the way etc. Do try it. Totally sympathise with how you feel. Our Baby number 1 would only sleep during the day when on the move, though number 2 has needed more reassurance than her at night. They are all different and go through better/ worse stages, as people have said above - it's nothing you're doing wrong. Personally I would try a local doula or maternity nurse for a few days, if only to give you the reassurance that there's nothing else you could be trying and that it will pass! Good luck.

Fiona foster is excellent - she starts form 2.5 or 3 I think. Google Fiona foster dance for her website - classes are at Push Studios or Ivydale School Nunhead

Upstairs at The Mag on Lordship Lane - a nice airy space where we went for our daughter's 1st and 3rd birthdays