minder

Hope you got a lot of useful information from the forum and your pm's!

.... and me!

I worked in a reception class in 2006/07 and was told I wasn't allowed to help the children who had wet/soiled themselves by myself and that I had to have a 'witness'. I'm a female by the way! But shaunag, the childminders/nanny I've known have also looked after girls. Are you saying that no nurseries, by the way, should employ male staff?

I've only known 3 male registered childminders in the Southwark/Lambeth area during the 11 years I've been minding and they were/are all good at their jobs. I've not seen one of them for a while so think he's either given up or moved away. Obviously to become registered they would have to have enhanced CRB checks. I've also known a very good male nanny (who has advertised on here in recent months) and would say whenever I've seen him (at different groups and in the park) he is fantastic with the children he looks after. Coincidentally, there's an interesting article in this month's issue of eye (early years educator) about 'Men in childcare: Challenge the status quo'. It's 6 pages long and an interesting read.

I think I would accept the erratic daytime naps for now. As Bumpkin says once your daughter is more mobile I think you'll find she will have one long nap (probably after lunch). You're very lucky that you have a 10 month old who is sleeping 12 hours!

Agree with Gidget!!! and also the spelling mistakes!

Good to know your son is ok. You must be very worried but your son is young so will get through this.

I'm also shocked to hear of a 4 year old talking about diets! Even if a 4 year old is hearing words like "diet" and "fattening foods" I don't think she would understand the actual meaning of this Fuschia. I think if you restrict certain foods i.e. sugar/salt/fats it could draw attention to them and maybe create problems. Fast forward 10 years and it could be different. I have two girls 16 and nearly 14, also a 20 year old son but that's different as he's a gannet and eats me out of house and home! I've been finding my nearly 14 year old's packed lunch in her bedroom bin for the past few months. Up until now she's eaten everything, breakfast, home cooked dinners, fruit, veg, etc. I've questioned her and she says it's because sometimes her and friends share their lunch! She always has a cereal/toast and then a good evening meal but I do worry about what goes on in between. Now I know about the shared lunch thing, I'm going to find out more about this and keep an eye on things. I've never had to contact her school but just the threat of it will hopefully keep her on track. She knows I'm onto her so hopefully this is just a fad.

So sorry to hear about your cat. My Mums cat met the same fate with a couple of Dalmations (would you believe it) and the owner just walked away as if nothing had happened (according to a neighbour). All dogs should be kept on a lead and/or muzzled (even in a park).

Isn't it still darkish at 6am now and in a few weeks will be dark. If you're a woman I wouldn't put myself in that position.

Just to update - went to the Albrighton today for the softplay and the Saturday morning group is called Music and Movement. Dancing, singing and moving stay and play session for children under 5. ?1.00 per child. 9.00 - 10.30am - yes millsa it's early for a Saturday but some might be around!

dulwichgirl2 - the nanny is probably doing the latter e.g. games, having fun everyday. Just because she's tried to access an activity it doesn't mean she needs support, although I'm sure some mums/families do and that's what the centres were put in place for? Trouble is with the CC's they advertise so many sessions/activities outside and on websites but they're not all well attended and not by the children/families they are intended for. I've been to sessions (like messy play) and at CC's that only have a handful of people attend.

Sandwiches, rolls, wraps, everything in-between. As long as a young child gets a hot meal at dinner-time I can't see what the worry is. My son had cheese and marmite sandwiches for about 3 years when he was at primary school. He's now 6ft 3" (just turned 20) and is still emptying my fridge every couple of hours, when he's not at uni, where he also has a sandwich, and loads of fruit which he takes in. budur - a private school which doesn't have a kitchen? Which one is that?

There's a dancing/boogie kids class just started at the Albrighton Centre on a Saturday. Starts at 9am. Saw some leaflets last week advertising it and sure it was for 2-5 year olds.

Ticks

Blood

civilservant - schools usually have a packed lunch section or school meals section. Mine always took a packed lunch (yes sandwiches) which my three teenagers still take to school/college/uni and I have a sandwich for lunch too (cheese/ham/salmon with lots of cucumber, lettuce, onion, tomato). They've had variations like crusty rolls, pitta breads but always come back to sandwiches! I've signed them up for hot meals sometimes at primary school but remember my son coming home from school one day to say he had had an apple for lunch. This was around 9/10 years ago. It turned out that as his surname was at the end of alphabet and he was end of queue there was only an apple left for his lunch!

That's great that Bessemer has all its classes full. My point is that Every Child Matters.

espolea - what session or activity was your nanny turned away from? Would be interesting to know. espelli - the nanny might be an experienced childcare professional but that doesn't mean they should have to stay indoors all the time. She's tried to access an activity for the kids she looks after and then been turned away.

Motorists must stop as soon as someone sets foot on a crossing.

Truth

period

I've been turned away by three places over the last few years (not Bessemer) but another Children's Centre, and two toddler groups (in the North Dulwich/Herne Hill area). It's upsetting, especially as the groups are very empty. All these groups are not free by the way. Katgod you were lucky you were let in. I remember going to Peckham softplay around the same time and being asked if I lived in SE15. I didn't so couldn't attend the session at all! Tried a couple of times but gave up as travelling on two buses with my mindees wasn't exactly exciting for them to be told at the end they couldn't go in.

Intexas - it's Wanley Road not Wanless. I grew up around the area with friends many years ago (lived in Dylways) so just have to correct the spelling.

They seem to have a good PTA and that's a good thing - I've been to their bootsales which are great. After your post I've just read their latest Ofsted report from earlier this year (which I assume you've read) and can understand why you have reservations in sending your dc there but hope you get some replies from parents with children at the school too.