slh2009

When I looked around the infant school last year (currently on Mayow Road) they said that the plan was to close that building in the next couple of years and move the whole school to the Sydenham Rd site. Sorry I have no idea about what exactly is going to be built but I guess this is the reason for building works.

Hi I have recently done this....it's taken a few weeks to get back into the swing of working 5 days a week but just starting my first half term holiday is good :-) I'm very lucky that I got a job working at my son's school so have no Childcare costs or pick up stress, there 's a lot to be said for that. I am missing my "me" time but I think it's worth it while he's young.....

In case you haven't already, it's worth thinking "outside the box". After years working as a PA for a senior guy in the City I got tired of the constant stress of getting home for pick ups etc. I've just started working in a school office and while it was a massive drop in salary I have zero Childcare stress, plus as I'm working school hours I have no Childcare costs. Also no train fare or expensive lunches! It's nice to have a change of scenery, learn new things and concentrate on work rather than panicking to leave the office to get the train home. Just a thought.....might be worth looking for something more local.

For a 2 yr old I would get a small book...you can get a pack from amazon or the book people and split them up.

I'm not married and have a different surname to my child which is the main reason, they need to check I'm really the mother. Think I've read you should do same if neither parent are travelling with the child...

I would do one anyway and also a copy of her birth certificate. I've been stopped and questioned twice (at Gatwick, not Eurostar) and been asked to produce documents as my partner was not with us. Probably best to get the letter notarised as well...

I agree....my friend holds a senior position at Save and she's the hardest working person I know, often in the office til midnight working on deadlines, at weekends too, and altho on a decent salary it doesn't compare to people I have worked with in the city who do much less..... Not unreasonable when running a multi-billion ? organisation that reaches many millions of children worldwide. Pay peanuts you get monkeys. HerneHill81 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, they need the money. Their Chief Executive's > salary is over ?130,000 per annum. Give > generously, folks! Not unreasonable when running a multi-billion ? organisation that reaches many millions of children worldwide. Pay peanuts you get monkeys. HerneHill81 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, they need the money. Their Chief Executive's > salary is over ?130,000 per annum. Give > generously, folks!

Discover Centre is still good... Also Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park and Playground in Kensington Gardens Olympic Park....sand pits and fountains

Just resurrecting this thread for those that might not be aware. I travelled this week and was asked for my child's birth certificate on arrival at Gatwick....luckily I had a copy!

Thank you! Unfortunately I've realised I need someone there to motivate me otherwise I am very easily distracted and before I know it another day has gone. Doesn't help that I have a partner who has more stuff than he will own up to and a 4 yr old who could open his own toy shop. I'm going round in circles with frustration, need to be more ruthless! My mum has helped me and we got loads done but don't want all her visits to be about "the clutter"!

Great thank you, I will have a look!

I am admitting defeat and need some help to declutter my house which looks like it belongs to a family of 10 and not the actual 3! Has anyone used someone that doesn't cost toooo much that they can recommend please? Many thanks

There are definitely pros and cons to both city and country life..!

I am wondering if it is partly because times have changed, I was growing up in a small rural town in the 80s and I don't really remember being bored and never encountered a drug. I only remember one girl in my year at school getting pregnant at 15. I don't even think I drank alcohol until it was legal but I did have quite strict parents and the fear of being caught was too much ;-) I used to cycle for miles in the countryside with my friends, go to the local "big town" on the bus for shopping, cinema or to the parks. I guess I didn't know any different in those days and so to me this was a nice life for a teenager. I got a Saturday job at 16 and that kept me out of mischief for half the weekend. I left home at 18 to go to university and never went back (apart from weekend visits) as I got a taste for city life. As I said in my previous post I do now think about going back to raise my young child but I actually don't think it would be the same now...my mum still lives in the same town and said drugs are more prevalent for example. On a more selfish note I think I would get bored and maybe frustrated that, like someone else said, a trip to a museum etc would be a big day out rather than a quick easy trip. Could do with a bit more fresh air though and a bigger house/garden would be nice...!

Ah yes I was thinking OP meant 3 hours each way :-)

Interesting what Otta says.....I was raised in a small town and couldn't wait to move to the city as soon as I could...I've been here over 20 years now and while I have loved it, now I'm a parent I must say I am thinking more and more about the nice, quiet (safe) upbringing I had! Of course it had it's down sides like always having to be chauffeured by our parents for a night out, but living in Sydenham I am feeling slightly nervous after this week's murder, not least because it's the third one in the 5 years I've lived here. I'm definitely not scared of anyone who is not white or middle class(!) but I do wonder what the secondary schools are really like, particularly for a boy. I've no doubt the teaching is as good if not better than elsewhere but it is the other stuff that bothers me, gangs etc I suppose. But then I am sure there are gangs in other places too......It's a tricky one, I would really miss London...multiculturalism, convenience and entertainment on my doorstep but if it means I sleep easier at night then I might be tempted to go....decisions, decisions!

Yes I know what you mean, I try and find them in a shop and if they haven't got his colour I order online. I've been looking at school shoes for a while in anticipation and, well, I think I've resigned myself to the fact that all boys school shoes are ugly but at least they will all be in the same boat! Let us know if you find any others. :-)

I agree! My son has really wide feet too so even more tricky....not looking forward to buying ugly school shoes from Sept! Have you looked at Pediped? I've just got a second pair of Sahara sandals which are casual/practical while not too clumpy/ugly. I'm a bit stuck for smarter sandals. He's also had a couple of pairs of Jake shoes altho not for school. https://www.happylittlesoles.co.uk/pediped-flex/sahara-blue-green There are school shoes on this website too

Just re the commute....I meet a friend in Kingston sometimes and it takes me just over an hour to drive there from Sydenham....admittedly not in the rush hour but 3 hours sounds like a very long time?!

Hi Jess My son is there, I will send you a PM shortly

I use Naturtint from Holland and Barrett which gives good coverage and lasts quite well but does take longer to develop than some others. I also use Clairol Root touch up which is very quick and effective when you are in a hurry. Not sure either do pink tho...!

It's tricky.....yes I think it was paid back within a couple of weeks but can't remember exactly. You could try and defer your attendance on childcare basis maybe? It might mean you don't get called again though as think you would just go back into the "pot". There should be a contact no on the letter, maybe ring them and ask what proof of payment they need? Hope you get something sorted, I found it a fascinating experience....

I'm not sure if the Childcare provider had to be registered but I had to provide an invoice for extra days my son had to attend nursery so I guess maybe they do....

If you go by train and print this voucher you can get 2 for 1.... http://m.daysoutguide.co.uk/mobile?nodepath=zsl-london-zoo

We have got until 30 April to advise St Dunstans...best to check with the school, we got a letter