minder

Our local park (Sunray Gardens) closes at 3.30pm which is so early as a lot of people still want to use it then (including me). I complained but the parks people say it's because it's one of the smaller parks.

Shame about the new Children's Centre at Bessemer. It looks like a bomb site at the moment! I went to see the plans/models at the beginning of 2007 and building work was meant to start then but as usual I suppose Southwark lost its way with funding like it does with other areas. I can't see it being finished for next September. Hopefully the staff/kids can work around it.

The only downside to these events is the long queues. The last one I took my cat to at the West Norwood shop I had to come away after 10 minutes because there were so many dogs barking madly at all the cats that my cat was too traumatised. I know people will be thinking oh so what but here's a thought - why not have a separate cat chipping session and a dog one? Just a thought?

Yes, if you mean Dulwich College, it is. Think it starts around 11. It's on page 2 of the "what's on" pages.

They should have an incident/accident book to record anything happening to your child, especially if it results in any kinds of marks to the face/body. I know children are children and these things happen but the nursery shouldn't be complacent about this sort of thing.

A lot of people also use the Greendale to get to and from Bessemer Grange School from the East Dulwich end. I remember a few years ago a grandmother taking her grandchild to the school was attacked and mugged in daylight. I've used it but the thing is once you start walking through there's literally nowhere to escape on either side if anybody did try anything. Also, a lot of people let their dogs run free and seeing a big dog coming towards you can be scary (if you're not used to them).

Just to let everyone know my daughter attends this club on Wednesdays and she really enjoys it.

Hi Pickle, I think your reservations say it all - leave him where he is! If he's happy and not even thinking of climbing out, why worry about a few bars at the side? My boy was in a cot bed until just over 4 and he was comfortable (I didn't even think of it at the time (worrying he was too old) - now 17 and I can't find a bed long enough (he's 6ft 1)!

Only just seen this thread so just commenting. Otto - oh dear, you have said it! "On the state side, I've heard good things about Charter, but, it will not be anything near the caliber of a private education". By the way, caliber is spelt calibre over here. I know a lot of words are spelt differently in the States but just pointing it out. I can't believe you've not been challenged over such an elitist remark. Also, regarding class issues and schools - it's what you want for your child, I suppose. Being in Dulwich there are a lot of private schools around, but Dulwich contains a mixed bunch of people from every walk of life and not everybody can afford to send their kids privately. Lucky bob - glad your daughter has settled into Kingsdale, sounds like she will do really well. That's another point about schools - if your child wants to learn and has the right mindset and abilities, he/she will succeed in most things. Just because they've had a private education doesn't mean they're going to get good exam results. I know I've said it before but The Charter is getting good exam results - my son and lots of his peers did really well in their GCSEs - some getting 10 or more A and A stars. My daughter in Year 9 is also doing really well, and my 11 year old also.

Hi inglesa68 - if its specifically The Charter you wanted to know about then I'm the same as TillieTrotter. My 16 year old has been at The Charter since Year 7 and he has enjoyed his time there - he has just passed 11 GCSEs and I'm really proud of him. He will be starting at The Charter College this week. I also have a daughter who will be in Year 9 and, again, she is doing really well, and has a lovely network of friends. This probably can't be said for a lot of kids but mine are so keen and eager to get to school every morning - even sometimes when they've been ill they still want to go! I also have a 10 year old girl and have no hesitation in sending her to The Charter in a years time. Saying this, I have also heard good things about Kingsdale but can't comment personally.

There have been other threads about the schools a while back. Type the schools in the search box.

There's been other threads about Kingsdale and The Charter not too long ago. Type it in the search box.

Liquid

Poor thing! The old-fashioned rememdy is calamine lotion - pat it on with a cotton wall balls and leave it. Put a bottle in the fridge for extra effect. If the itching gets really bad you can get a mild anti-histimine from the chemist or docs. Depending on how old your child is really. Best wishes.

How about some Janet Kay and Carol Thompson? Those were the days!

Nothing is free anymore! My now 16 year old had his brace on at 12 for two years and now has 'perfect teeth'. He had to have two top and two bottom teeth out due to overcrowding. This was then FREE treatment. This wasn't considered cosmetic but necessary treatment at the time. My now 13 year old had an appointment at the dentist a year ago who said he thought she would need braces. Went to the orthodontist to be told no and if I said yes would have to pay ?2,500 with ?600 on the spot! Apparently the "rules" have now changed and she was 1 mm out of their range to qualify for free treatment. I asked for a second opinion at another ortho (they are few and far between) and they said she does qualify for free treatment and I have an appointment for her in September after being on a waiting list. I want to get my daughter's teeth sorted but couldn't afford ?2,500. The second ortho said I don't have to pay. I think a lot of kids will miss out of this and we will see the consequences in a few years time.

There have been other threads about Bessemer Grange a while back. Type it in the search box.

Hi Sawyerphin, What's happening during the daytime with your son? Guess he wouldn't be at nursery etc. now as they all closed. Keeping him awake during the day is the aim with most 4 year olds then winding down from, say, 7.00? Have you tried the book, bath, then to bed approach? He probably needs to be in bed by 7.30 - 8.00pm. Sorry can't remember as it was so long ago my 16 year old was like this. He was terrible for sleep and as you can see I'm still a nightowl all these years later due to lack of sleep! My two younger daughters slept like logs so it must be a boy thing. You say he has just started coming in at every hour. Could be he is worried about dark etc. (have you a nightlight thing like a plugin). Does he ask for anything like milk, water, toilet. Make sure he been to the toilet before bed and restrict lots of drinking as this would wake him. I suppose you are probably doing this anyway so sorry if it sounds obvious. Like you, I couldn't have a four year tossing and turning with me all night (some are fine with this) so you need to be really firm with him and maybe reinforce this message during the daytime. Maybe try a sticker method or reward chart during the daytime to remind him. Good luck.

Yep - I've seen it in the South London Press - it's for dogs and cats - will be taking one of my cats along. I've already had one chipped by the RSPCA in a Bermondsey free event a couple of years ago and they were really friendly and helpful. Don't know if it makes any difference if they are chipped as she went missing a year ago and noboby would have know she was chipped. (Somebody took her in because of poster I had posted). I now put collars on mine for most of the time but don't really like doing this as one of my neighbours recently found Trixie's collar in her garden - so somehow she has been caught up in something and collar has come free (which it's supposed to do). Will still have Honey chipped on Sunday though!

La Roux

Murder ON the dancefloor - Sophie Ellis Bextor

Given Name

Yes it's fine - my youngest (10) has been a member for around a year and a half now. If you want to dress the penguins etc. it's a subscription fee of nearly ?4 a month and it seems ok - they keep you informed via e-mail and she seems to enjoy it. You name your penguin and can then interact, chat, dress, get things for the igloo! I got to hear about it from my great-nephew who was 6 at the time he started to play

Confusion (lol)

My 13 year old daughter enjoyed the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and has now moved on to Meyers' other novel, The Host. Minder