New to forest hill

[jennyh]

Like many east Dulwich forum users I have just moved out of the area but still use the forum...albeit only down the road in forest hill. I imagine that I will still be in Dulwich very regularly as my daughter still goes to nursery there and friends are there but looking for some recommendations for good places that are a bit more local.

I have a daughter turning 3 in February and a baby due at Christmas. Looking for any forest hill or honor oak based classes on Mondays or Thursdays or anything good for newborns/little babies from January any day of the week. Keen to check out the swimming pool and I think there is a good library? If anyone can point out the cafes that are good for a quick bite to eat with toddlers and parks (other than mayow) that would be very helpful!

Very excited about being part of the area but just trying to find out where things are!

[bluesuperted]

Forest Hill is brilliant, I love living here. This site is pretty useful and largely up to date I think: http://www.nct.org.uk/sites/default/files/related_documents/FH%20Baby%20and%20Toddler%20Activities%20NEW.doc

Lots of good things happening at the Ackroyd Centre, St Saviours (Honor Oak) and Kilmorie Children's Centre. We love Blythe Hill Fields, lots going on at Mayow including a Forest School, Sydenham Woods, little swing park opposite Dalmain School. And of course the Horniman inside and out is just an amazing resource, it literally rocks my world! New farmers market on a Saturday morning is superb way to start the weekend and great for the whole family.

Coffee shops - Canvas and cream, St David's and Montage (which has a playroom). I also have been using the very sweet community cafe with play area off Stanstead Rd - Phoenix Community Cafe - they are making some changes to the menu as it's currently quite basic but I love it and the ladies that run it are fab with children. It reminds me of Bread of Life in ED.

When I move from FH I will be moving out of London, it has everything you need, enjoy!

[Otta]

Wells Park in Sydenham (just down the road) is lovely, especially in summer.

[pushpaw]

The new youth and community centre on Wells Park Rd has a great range of free sessions for preschoolers. My two particularly liked Latino Bambino toddler dance group at 9.30 on a Tuesday.

[verds]

Ooh, are you liking it? I'm moving to that bit between Forest Hill and Sydenham in January (fingers crossed for exchanging contracts and all that!) and I'm really excited about it. I think the area's got a really nice atmosphere. Love a bit of Wells Park. There used to be a friendly toddler group in the church hall in Sydenham Park on a Friday morning, but I'm not sure if it's still running.

[TheShelleys]

Hi Jenny

We've just made the move too! I see you're due soon. Are you in the East Duwlich winter babies group? We can be found here http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,1130133,1222858#msg-1222858

We're meeting tomorrow afternoon if you want to join us.

Pushpaw that dance class sounds brilliant!

[jennyh]

Thanks everyone! So far all is good but it's only been a week! We're just off Perry Vale so a little walk from the station and high street but still trying to get my head around the local stuff. the neighbourhood seems so friendly, all the neighbours have been very welcoming and even brought over candles during a recent power cut. The house nextdoor to us is up for sale so hoping for some more nice people to join the road!

Will be checking out swimming tomorrow and then will google all the other recommendations. Although Horniman has long been a regular of ours and I agree it's a great place on the doorstep. In the meantime we are ok Dulwich every day pretty much and will definitely find the family room useful for the foreseeable future as it has been for the last 3 years!

The baby club sounds great, upto our eyeballs in unpacking and handling a tricky toddler at the moment so prob can't make it tomorrow but I'm hoping to be on mat leave from next weds so will get in touch and see if any more meetings are planned.

[parkview]

There's a lovely toddler music group on Wednesdays at St George' church at the corner of Vancouver and Woolstone Road. That's not too far from Perry Vale.

[Henrysson3]

I have to say I love the music class that takes place in Mayow park on a Tuesday at 10.15 (in the allotment area). The lady who runs it is called Cat and she sings nursery songs and plays the guitar. Only costs 2 pound per family!

[jennyh]

Cool! My toddler is at nursery on tues, weds and Fridays so anything for Mondays or thurs welcome too! Thank you everyone.

[alieh]

I think there is Tippee Toes Music in St Hildas church, Courtrai Road, on Mondays at 2:30?

And Tippee Toes Soft Play on Thurs afternoon:

Thursdays: 3.00pm-4:30pm

SOFT PLAY CLUB (soft play, bouncy castle, music workshop, crafts & refreshments)

The Scout Hut (behind St Saviours church hall)

Herschell Road (off Brockley Road)

?6.00 / ?4.00 per sibling / ?4.50 under 1s

[verds]

Has anyone got children at the local schools in FH/Sydenham? Any opinions on Kelvin Grove or St Barts?

[Otta]

They were our first and second choices and we got St Barts. Our daughter seems happy and the teachers seem kind and caring. Not to keen on the head but she's retiring this year anyway.

A friend of ours works at Kelvin Grove and rates it. It's improved massively in the last few years.

Everyone raves about Eliott Bank but personally I didn't like the feel of the place.