kam1

thanks very much for all your replies, I have found someone now.

Thanks Maria, would you be able to do a 'tiger' cake or frozen themed cake? I don't need anything fancy, just something very simple will do. Do you have a price list? It would be to cater for about 30 children in total. Thanks.

Hi, I was hoping to make two cakes for a joint birthday party on Saturday but realise now that I won't have time, anyone know of a cake maker that might be willing to do this on time for me? Don't need anything fancy. Thanks.

they have got outstanding again

Yes i did come across red shoot farm and it also looks good for families. Anyone been to or know anything about shamba holidays?

Thanks very much everyone, sounds like sandy balls is the place to go!

Looking for recommendations for campsites in new forest area for young families (5, 3 and 20 months). Our first time camping as a family and would love to stay somewhere with good facilities and near some good activities/day trips in case of bad weather. Thanks.

Thanks all for your helpful replies (and for your kind offer Medusa), I did wonder if the Outwell Nevada will take up too much space in the car. I hadn't thought of Decathalon, will have a look there at the weekend. Got a bit more to go on now, thanks.

Hi, I want to buy a family tent (for 2 adults and 3 children) as a surprise for my husband's birthday but having done some research I am overwhelmed by the huge range out there and finding it difficult to make a decision. Can anyone recommend a particular make? I would like one that can be separated into a few different areas so we don't all have to sleep in the same space and one that isn't too complicated to put up. I have a budget of around ?300, I have read good things aobut the Outwell Nevada M and also Gelert but this is all new to me and would love to some help making up my mind! Thanks.

Hello Great idea, I have a bb sling I will happily exchange for cake, it is in great condition and also have a baba sling which you can have. I live in honor oak.

Two of my children went to Oaktree over the past few years, nurseries are a very personl thing and you really do need to visit to get a feel for the place but this has been my experience. On the plus side it is a nice, small nursery with a homely enviroment (although I understand they have plans to expand), my children were always happy there and I knew that they were well looked after in a safe and loving environment. I would say it is better for babies/young children than for 3 year olds, pre-schoolers and those than need a bit of extra stimulation. Towards the end I felt if was more of a babysitting service for my children once they got older and the amount of things they did with them, i.e. trips outside, activities, etc. was minimal. However it is far from perfect and funnily enough in contrast to Browncoffee's experience I have always found the communication from management appalling and have been shocked at some of the letters and emails they have sent. It is not the lack of communication that was the problem more the unprofessional way things were said. I think the management let the nursery down, they do not have good people skills in my opinion and are entirely inflexible when it comes to things like being a little bit late picking up, wanting to swap days, etc. Also this is probably true of many nurseries due to low pay but there is a really high staff turnover, just when you are getting to know and like the staff they leave and I often got the sense that all was not well between management and staff. In summary I would probaby consider using the nursery again if I had to because I know the children will be safe and happy and that is the most important thing but there is definitely room for improvement in many areas.

Not having much luck, wood farm all booked up too

Oh thanks luciam, that sounds like exactly like the kind of place we want, thanks to others for your suggestions too.

Looks fab but all booked up unfortunately.

No would love to stay in a hotel, just thought it might be too pricey for a whole week. Thanks for the recommendation, will look it up.

Hi, thinking of going to Norfolk end of August for a week with 3 small children. Would love to hear of any family friendly self catering places to rent? Thanks.

Just found out they have added a bulge class at fairlawn, we were previously 12 on the waiting list and have now got a place for our son. Thrilled as it was our first choice, hope some of you are in a similar position.

Hi Anna Our boy starts in September, we will be going along next week but happy to meet for a play date also, we live in honor oak. Fc was only our 6th choice school but trying to be positive and it is reassuring to hear the ofstead comments. We are around in the mornings or late afternoons.

I have found out we are number 11 on the waiting list for Fairlawn. I know it is still very unlikely that we will get a place and every year is different but was just wondering if anyone knows of anybody who got a place in previous years from a similar waiting list position?

Another vote for gk barbers following previous recommendations on here. Vry quiet lady but she does very good haircuts for my two boys. Doesn't charge too much and has sometimes trimmed their hair for free.

anyone like Isadora? We are having a girl in a few weeks and as my Mum's name is Dora and husband's grandmother is also Dora thought it would be nice to keep it in the family but not mad about the name for a little girl, thought Isadora might be a nice alternative?

I have got 2 children there, one in baby room and one in toddler room. Had my doubts about nurseries before, not Oak Tree, just nurseries in general but am very happy with it and my two are quite content there. It is not perfect and I am sure there is room for improvement but the girls that work there are very friendly, enthusiastic, welcoming and take great care of my boys. It is on the small side but they have a lovely garden and spend a lot of time out there. So if you decide to go for it you have nothing to worry about in my opinion.

Very funny Madmum. This week our 2 year old has come up with 'can you turn me around' and 'I want to go downstairs to watch the news'.

Thanks all for the lovely ideas.

Hi. This is the first christmas that my sons are at a nursery instead of a childminder and I am just wondering if people buy christmas presents for the keyworkers that look after their children? Obviously with a childminder it is easy as you only have one present to get but at the nursery they seem to have a number of different carers looking after them throughout the day and it would seeem unfair to just buy something for their designated keyworker when in fact all the staff seem to help out but that would mean buying about 8 presents!