echo

Lyndhurst School was seen as a good school, what’s changed? There is a huge birth crash going on, so significantly less children looking for school places. I was shocked to see the esteemed Dulwich Hamlet’s huge advert strapped to their railings, even they have spaces in their Infants school. My recommendation would be to gather up to date information. Email your favourite schools and ask how many spaces/intake they had in this years reception class. Go to school fetes, speak to teachers, parents. It’s true schools don’t like changes after kids start in reception, but plenty do switch schools. good luck

I'd rather have the unions in charge than Boris any day!

All welcome to come to Lyndhurst's School Fair today between 3-6pm. (Grove lane SE5) This years theme is all things green and lovely- Plants Lots of stalls and the famous Lyndhurst raffle

Moral question- Is it stealing to take something from a BIN?

We got Deptford Green it was our second choice. It seems a good school for our girl who is dyslexic. The school was very impressive on their open day. Jonnie- Do go and visit- It's a community school and lewisham seem to have put a lot of effort and money to develop it. Current parents appear to like it too, including teachers at my daughters school in camberwell. Ofsted seems not to agree- but he ho isn't that all about the government wanting to accademise every community school in the land!

Up very early! Just waiting for that email....

Heard by phone today. Their email system has stopped working. Hope. You?ve heard.

Currently seeing lots of secondary schools. We live very close to HA School, so probably would get a place. But we had a really awful experience at the one and only packed open day! My daughter hated it.. My pleading emails to have a second look have fallen on deaf ears, so far. On my parent grape vine(very random) I'm hearing positive things about DG school, and negative things about HDA's... However I'd like to hear from more parents/students experiences, Please tell me the good, bad and indifferent. Kindest wishes...

Just seen the other thread on this.

There is a local campaign to challenge the announced funding cuts for southwark schools. The petition is at https://www.change.org/p/secretary-of-state-for-education-rt-hon-justine-greening-mp-southwark-parents-against-cuts-to-education?recruiter=21113528&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink There is a public meeting this Wednesday with local Mps and Southwark council education leaders. Details below. Wednesday, 8 March 2017 from 19:30 to 21:00 (GMT) date Dulwich Hamlet Junior School Dulwich Village SE21 7AL London United Kingdom

Its a real shame about hopscotch? The emails have just stopped? Perhaps they'll start up again? Thanks for all your suggestions

Oh No my favourite web site 'Hopscotch News Online' has stopped. It had fab recommendations of interesting, local and central London free kids events and activities. I feel lost with out it and I'm dreading having a 'rainy indoors day' today with my kids as it has the potential to go horribly wrong... Do you know of others?

Its a link to Share care, an organisation which wants to tackle the care crisis for elderly through the creation of an army of volunteers. Nice idea- will support those who need a low level of care perhaps a friendly person checking on them, but will not be able to meet all elderly peoples needs. We are living in a period where all forms of publicly funded care services are under threat. Health, social care, schools, mental health services services are being axed and whats left are being privatised. If you want proper care for all we need to tackle to reasons for the underlying current crisis. We need a government which will properly fund and de-privatise services. This means getting involved in the campaigns to challenge the cuts, whether the privatisation of the NHS through the 'Sustainability and Transformation plans', your local park, your local pharmacy, library, day centre et al and voting for CORBYN in the next general election. Our vulnerable elders needs more than volunteers- how about our unemployed graduates being trained to be PAID Elder outreach workers, what about opening up an Elder day centre or having properly trained and paid home carers.

Oh Dear! Hope you get your pram back. Have you put up posters in the park/library/children's cafes too?

Probably too late for regular structured activities. But you could go to a park and play football etc together or go swimming? What about 'lates' happening in museums/art galleries, london zoo. For example The Tate Modern is open late every Friday? Look out for Bat walks such as organised by the Wild Life Trust?

Where are you coming from on this one DizzyVB. Is your child unvaccinated or are you worried if an unvaccinated child gets ill in the same nursery as yours? To my knowledge, its not a requirement for children to be vaccinated to attend UK nursery for schooling. I understand that in other countries it is. Parents are allowed to make the choice.

Umm? The new curriculum seems to have changed our school- the focus is on maths, reading (phonics, phonics, phonics!!!) and obedience? Where has the play and creative ideas gone? What's your experience???

Thank you for all of your postings. As I really do not intend to return, we've gone for a two night stay at a Davey Crocket lodge, half board plus:) Mickey cafe character meal here we come. I'm currently stocking up on disney stuff 'a la' ed charity shops?. Also we'll take the Elsa dresses?. The children will love it!

We are planning to visit disneyland Paris for a day on our way back home. We need to stay for two nights in the area. Any tips? We are family of four- two girls 7/5. I would love to do it as cheap as possible, but also as we are highly unlikely to return to the palace of dreams- would like it to be an enjoyable experience.

We've been as it is on our way to Granny's. Your gut feeling is right, you do walk around looking into their living areas. The cats area is quiet and calm. The Dog areas depends on what dogs they have and how unsettled they are. My girls are a bit fearful of dogs so didn't like it. You could pop in on your way to Battersea Children's Zoo, who are much more set up for kids and have feeding activities etc. If you are around in the week, they might have toddler activities?

Wow that frozen cake looks amazing!

I think it should still be free:) Much more of a community event that way:) We all need a little light fantasticalness, not just those who can afford to pay?.

We did a pub meet up for our eldests 1st year old bd. We went to The Rye, but it was summer and they have a huge beer garden. You both need a BIG WELL DONE for getting through the first year! :)

I have no idea!! Basically I had to hold hands, cuddle, stroke to sleep for years- otherwise they were like demons dancing around the room, bouncing on bed etc etc.. Also had to use the monster detector to make sure none where left in the room, especially in the corners, have rituals about magic dreams, put every doll and teddy in the bed with them and more?.. They are now 6 and and 4 years- much much better. We now have quiet time after stories when they can do something like 'read a book, play with lego, colour for 10/15 mins on their own in their bed. Its like golden time at school, which is is very important for my 6 year old. Then BIG cuddle and then I leave them to go to sleep- with door open, lights off. I look and feel years younger! Anyway I thought I'd share, good luck. The moment for going to sleep can be really stressful for small children and it shows how much they need and love you that they struggle with it on their own. But it will change, they really do grow up:(

We have recently spent a lovely afternoon with Lou at Captured on the Rye on Pellet Road. He very patiently showed us the marvels of spin painting and the joys of t-shirt printing. Thank you Lou. It was brilliant