Mellors

I don't understand that candj - is it maybe because it wasn't their nearest school (i.e. was Goodrich closer for them?), or did they just fall outside the 611 metres?

You can also email the admissions people at Southwark Council (their details are on the council website) and they will tell you which is your nearest "Community School" (i.e. the one you would get into under Criteria 4, rather than 5). At least that way you get confirmation if you are unsure (there's only a few metres between mine, so I wanted to check). Then you have to hold your breath and pray the boundaries don't contract even further.....

Its now "as the crow flies" I believe. If you use this website: http://www.freemaptools.com/distance-between-uk-postcodes.htm Yuo can type in your postcode, and that of the school (Google), make sure you change the distance to metres not miles, and it will tell you.

Thsi is what Fushia found our earlier this year re Heber: For Heber Primary School, the breakdown of children allocated under each criterion is: 1st. Looked after children - 0 2nd. Siblings - 23 3rd. Social/Medical - 0 4th. Distance under the 4th criterion - 37 5th. Distance under the 5th criterion - 0 Children with full statements of special educational needs - 0 The furthest child offered under the distance criteria lives 611 metres from the school.

CoE are much more liberal in my experience - ring them up, they pop round and see you and tell you what happens and you put a date in the diary (no compulsory attendence required).

The alternative I suppose for much smaller numbers is to consider being a childminder from home/a friends home. My friend has just registered as one, and has 5 children she looks after (including two of her own). I might be able to get you info on how that all works, or people on here can help I am sure.

I agree, and can offer advice on the premises side if you do find somewhere (I am a commercial property solicitor). What about where Puddleducks used to be in the church hall at Goose Green? I assume that space is now empty as they have just moved to Nunhead. They were term time only there though and short hours. Beware if you take on somewhere that wasn't previsouly a nursery you have the hassle of applying to Southwark Council for consent for the Change of Use. Not insurmountable, but paperwork/time/money.

Gambado, or the softplay at Beckenham Spa has loads to keep a 4 year old entertained whilst you have a cost coffee. Crystal Palace One o'clock club is a winner too - nice outside space (open mornings as well, not just afternoons). Lunch at The Herne whilst they play on the climbing frame?

1. Ofsted is one indicator, together with all the other statistical data avialable online. I admit my opinion has been formed by word of mouth/vising the schools/seeing the kids there when out and about. I'm not sure what else you can do apart from this. Don't know about secondaries - there's the Harris Girls and new boys, but I've never heard anything good about them. Charter/Kingsdale?

How bizarre. Anyway, I'm not aware of any freehold premises which are up for sale, but Bojangles who were in the New Life church on Upland Rd have just been kicked out by their Landlords (the church), so the nursery premises are empty at the moment. As teh space is already set up, it might be of interest to take on a new lease from them?

I don't really get this either. Given that the catchement for most primaries is so small (well under 1km, or 15 mins walk) why are people driving to school? I get it for private schools, but it doesn't make sense for the very oversubscribed state schools (I also know people who tried to get in St Anthony's on faith ground this year but failed as they were too far away on Forest Hill Rd - not very far at all).

In this area it would be mine, just need to win the lottery/bump off some unknown rich relatives/rob a bank.....

I have already put his name down. I think if I get in Heber, even if I have to pay the first term's fees my general view will be "Thank Christ that's thirty grand a year saved on the little oiks education". Or something like that.

Yes, exactly that. What a swizz! I have my boys name down as a back up, but couldn't afford to send him and his younger sister privately forever (or even for very long). Its an insurance policy to put him in privately for the first year or so until (hopefully) his name comes up on nearest the state school list (Heber) and we can transfer him out.

I think it depends when - if its before school goes back gthen they would be in with a shout for the January sessions (although they will be bottom of the pile, as it goes on date of birth order), otherwise it would be September. Bear in mind that lots of the places at Heber and Goodrich nurseries for this September went to siblings though, so you might not get in any school ones if its like that in the future. *sigh* There's also Rye Oak and Bessemer Grange which have nurseries I think. St Johns doesn't.

Oh - and holidays. I have no cover when my nanny is off for her main hols, so for me the best thing has been to all get together in January and decide on the main holidays between us up front - e.g. a week in April, 2 weeks June, a week in September etc. That way nobody feels they are being dicatated to, and everybody (including my work) knows where they stand. Money - I always have a "kitty" (purse with money in which I top up from time to time) to cover drinks, coffees, soft play fees, buying a pint of milk etc etc so she doesnt have to ask me for money. As to how to choose one - I have always gone with gut instinct - in my case it has tended to always be the first one or two I have seen, then I panic and think I am being hasty, see some more, then decide they were the best after all (a bit like shoe shopping lol).

The main questions I have always asked when checking references are: a) why did they leave b) would you employ them again c) if you did emply them again what would you change. Seems to flush out most things. I always ask my nanny what they would change about the parents they have worked for, and what has been the most difficult thing they have had to manage. Whilst they might not be perfect, neither are we, and I think its important to find what irritations they have at the beginning as well. I always try to keep lines of communication well and truly open as well, so little things can be dealt with head on, rather than festering.

My boy is 27th November, so I am with you on that. They will start the January after their 3rd birthday - so this January for me and my boy is 3 in November. For school nurseries (Heber, Goose Green, Goodrich, DKH etc and Dulwich Wood, which is a community nursery) you put them down seperately for each one (if you ring up/go in you will get a form to fill in & you have to take their birth certificate etc). Do it as soon as you can, they just stick them in the file in age order and contact you when a space comes up. School or community nurseries have them 5 mornings or 5 afternoons a week, for free. I haven't been contacted by any yet about January places, but I think the letters come out in about October? They alternative is a private nursery (which is what I have ended up doing - Puddleducks). They can start at any age there, but obviously you pay for them. However, they do get 12.5 hours a week of free nursery starting the term after they turn 3 though (this free bit is term time only though, so you will pay if you attend one year round). For me, he is starting 3 mornings in November (just before he turns three), term time only. I will have to pay up until Christmas, but when we go back in the New Year it will be free. If you get childcare vouchers through yours or your OH's work you can use these to pay though, which can say you up to about ?100 a month each. I hope that makes sense - feel free to PM with any questions - I know how confusing it is, having just been through the whole thing ourselves! They will start the January after their 3rd birthday - so this January for me and my boy is 3 in November.

!!!!!!!

Child # 1 had his at 13 months then 16 months (no ill effects). Child #2 is due for hers in 3 weeks time.

I bet its been awful, they have my every sympathy. We are very excited about starting :D

It could work well if the woman is the main breadwinner and wants to go back to work after 6 months but not leave baby in pad childcare. Given that my OH just had a wobbler at the prospect of looking after the children one day a week whilst I worked, I doubt it will be happening in the Mellors household anytime soon. He's no fool, he knows how hard work it is lol.

I am a new starter, so don't know what is happening for current people sorry. I've had my paperwork now, and we are booked in for a settling in day the last week of October, then a definite start on Thurs 5th November.

My one and two year old both really enjoyed it this afternoon. Highly recommended for a bit of afternoon fun :D

Eep! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8252989.stm