TP

sunbob Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > TP do you think just wanting to spend more time > with my kids whilst they are so young is a good > enough reason for PL, or do I need to come with a > more 'solid reason'? I might make one up! > > You could try and come up with something that is a > good reason from the organisation's point of view. > Eg. retaining experienced staff, being seen to > offer flexibility to people with a caring > responsibility at home etc. On the directgov site it does say PL could be "spending more time with your child in their early years"; sunbob I think you are spot on - how you present it to them is important. busymum it might help to have a think about the likely impact for your employer & how you can minimise/overcome any of their likely objections. T

busymum Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'd also quite like to > take it 2 days a week rather than 13 weeks all in > one go? I'm not sure this is allowed? (although > I'll do 13 weeks all in 1 go if necessary) plus > I'd really like to take parental leave next year > and the year after ...... It's your legal entitlement, so I'd take it if you can afford it! most employers will want a solid reason e.g. setting into new school/ new area. I was granted one month for relocating but never actually took it due to house sale falling through. The company I work for - which usually follows this kind of legislation to the letter - caps the leave at 4 weeks per year, plus you can only take a certain amount within 12 months (ie you can't take Dec & Jan) and does not allow you to split the weeks into smaller units, so if I took 2 days it would count as 1 week's PL. They also ask for at least 21 days notice and do have the legal right to postpone it if they feel it would be highly disruptive, but not to cancel it. Talk to your HR department... more info here monniemae: :) wouldn't it be fab though!!!

pazzabitz- I've PM'd you as well - sorry to hijack your thread ryedalema!

Both my sons went to Greendale from aged 1 year & loved it- my youngest son is still there & still loving it! It's a safe, happy environment and they have just had a major programme of refurbishment both inside & outside, there's a fab vegetable patch, animals as well as lots of outdoor equipment. PM me if you want any more info. T

Hear hear hoipolloi! I won't say any more on the scaremongering subject, you & AJM have covered it. Personally having originally been offered a school over 2 miles & 2 bus rides away in North Peckham last year I was delighted to get into GG from the waiting list & I have a very happy boy in reception, and he's thriving educationally as well.Got offered my first choice after term started but didn't take it. I don't envy parents at this time, the system is far from perfect & when you're waiting to hear about places it's incredibly stressful. Not getting your first choice school (or any of your choices) isn't always the end of the world as I found out, but I hope you all do! For those on the border it must be doubly frustrating but bonaome's advice is sound- take up your Lewisham offer if it doesn't affect the Southwark one (not sure on this but think it's covered earlier in the thread), from experience the admissions departments expect lists to change in the "shakedown" before the end of summer term anyway. Just remember to cancel your Lewisham place if you get the school you want!

Yes waiting lists can be long- we made it to the top of one when my eldest son was 4- he'd been on it since 3 months old! They charge as well which is a bit annoying- ranges from ?25 to about ?75. Both my sons went to Mother Goose Greendale aged 1- my youngest is still there and loves it. Great staff & happy children. I agree the space looks "well-loved" but the children get to spend alot of time outside & do trips to the park, library, go shopping etc. Good luck!

clux - have PM'd you so I don't hi jack the thread.. T

I think the "late applications" figure could do with some scrutiny, as I know of at least 2 people (I'm one of them) who has been sent a questionnaire asking why we applied late for a school place when our applications were in on time. I had a receipt sent out to me! However, I did not get a place at any of the schools I chose (with hindsight I was a bit optimistic with my choices) but placed at one over 2 miles away in North Peckham. As the crow flies it was the 23rd furthest school from us, so I requested to be put on the waiting list for all schools close to me and got offered a place at a local school from the waiting list which is working out really well - but my application definitely was not late! Bizarrely, this questionnaire was addressed to my son, not to me. An incredibly odd letter to send to a four year old and just lazy really as all other correspondence was addressed to me. However it does reflect the level of service and accuracy I've come to expect from Southwark Admissions. Toast: how do you know you won't get into your 6 closest schools? I thought they were changing the distance criteria this year to as the crow flies?

RE the bottle: my experience is same as above so keep trying - we tried all the different teat shapes/ bottle types (Nuk, Tommy Tippee, Avent), expressed milk, formula and eventually he took a Tommy Tippee, then didn't care what it was as long as had a silicon teat. Refused any kind of sippy cup went straight to normal cup. We started at about the age your baby is - 5 months. Had to get my partner to do it at first though. Once he took his first 5 oz he was absolutely fine! I used Hipp organic, Aptamil when I needed a ready made carton, switched to cow's milk at a year old. He's hail & hearty. His older brother was also switched to Aptamil 1st at 5 months and is in excellent health & it's brilliant that you have been breastfeeding for the first months anyway. Don't feel guilty, try to enjoy your last few days, I know it's hard though been there myself..