minder

OMG Fiona are you for real? Young children with all that stress? As for having Hamlet as a "back-up" my daughter has done really well there after starting in the middle of Year 4 and now is a high achiever for the school. Even so, she will be going to The Charter School in September where her older brother and sister are. They have achieved and enjoyed their time there and my son is now in Edinburgh with The Charter, where they are experiencing university life.

John Styles

I hope they don't cut back the trees and bushes just yet like Southwark Council did this time last year in my local park. Now is the time for baby birds and mummy birds having their nests taken away isn't very good. Even if you can't see them they're there. I ended up with lots of baby birds on my patio last year because Southwark Council hacked away!

Small, much used toy rabbit with gap label found in Sainsburys today. Gave to customer services.

Up until 6 months ago I had two cats, now have three! Can honestly say they have never been a prob. Mine stay well clear of any small beings, sleep all day in their designated area and suddenly appear at 6pm when my mindees have gone!

Being in SE24 (North Dulwich) would make you outside the catchment area I should think. If you're thinking of moving again in a years time SE22 would be the best place!

H & M have some lovely stuff

As far as i know my child will be taking these. I've had three done this before and it's never been a big deal to be honest - you just have to let them get on with it.

Don't watch Eastenders but my inlaws do so I recognised Shirley from Eastenders in Sainsburys, Dog Kennel a few times. Also spotted James Nesbitt about a hundred times around the place, also Lorraine Chase in and around Dul Village. Also Jenny Eclair in Barclays Bank in Camberwell about a year ago. Couple of weeks ago was coming out of Brixton tube and spotted a well-known actor but can't think of his name. I'm sure he's been in Eastenders and other programmes for around 20 odd years. If I was shown a picture with a name I could place him. He looks like the actor in Emmerdale whos been around for years and wears the black choker.

I would offer him water with his food - the milk will make him eat less too. At this age it's better to give bottles of milk in between mealtimes - that prob what the Health Visitor means.

Steve T - not very good advice considering the crime! If you'd been on the receiving end I'm sure you would'nt be so complacent!

Sorry to correct - Cane with an "i" - Caine

Not necessarily - for one reason or another some childminders do not want their details on the direct.gov site. Up until a a couple of years ago I was on Southwark's list (which is now on direct.gov) but was getting so many phone calls (literally 4 or 5 a day) and I felt terrible having to turn people away all the time, and also because when your're childminding you can't talk properly on the phone! When I have a space I can usually fill it by word of mouth (or through forums like this) or just by talking to other childminders that I see at different groups. I think that Southwark are not allowed to give our details to anyone if we are not on the site but they can phone us direct (which they have with me a couple of times) on behalf of someone looking for a childminder.

Yes, there is a parent/carer toddler group run every Tuesday between 10.00am - 11.30ish at the Denmark Hill Community Centre, Blanchedowne, SE5.

I/ve heard that East Dulwich Hospital could be closing altogether. This would be a catastrophe for all out-patients, my Dad included, who has Alzheimers. They have a specialist dementia unit and he sees a dementia nurse every so often. They are fantastic and have helped my Mum in lots of ways.

min min or minny!

12 weeks is so young - just don't expect too much at this stage - especially that YOU will get any sleep! If you don't expect it then you can't be disappointed when it doesn't happen if you see what I mean. It's all part and parcel of being a mum. When I look back I felt exactly like you and got myself so worked up about it - and no he won't be crying in the night when he goes to university!

There's been previous discussions on Kingsdale (you probably know this) but type it in the search button! I went there (left in 79) but it's come on leaps and bounds since then.

It's near East Dulwich - Fairlawn doesn't have a uniform.

Childminders are usually only registered to look after one baby under a year old. There are exceptions to this, of course, in the case of twins. Also many childminders already looking after a baby may get an enquiry and want to take on another one. Whatever the case, we have to write to Ofsted asking permission. We have to fill in a timetable stating the times when the two babies are together. Also have we got the right equipment, and how we will meet the physical, emotional demands of two under 1's. I've been given permission twice so it happens all the time. I don't know the case with nannies.

Depends what you agreed in your contract with the childminder. Some charge nothing for their own, but full rate for parents taking holiday. Some charge half fee for their own and half fee for when parents take holiday. Some charge full fee for their own and full fee for parents. Most childminders will work around when the parents take their holiday so you won't have to find anybody else but it might be difficult at short notice to find somebody with a space if you have to. Maybe your childminder knows other childminders who may be able to help?

I don't think I would feel comfortable with my nearly 14 year old daughter having a boyfriend, especially if he was two, three, four years older. I know it would be hard but I would try to discourage it in the hope that it would peter out and encourage her to concentrate on her friends/school for the time being.

Isn't it usually Southwark that have the say about admissions - they are the ones that allocate places and then Kingsdale are probably informed nearer the time and they send out letters welcoming your child etc.

grass

Hemp handcream from The Body Shop is really good.