luciam

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. Still not booked but am sure we'll find something. We have used Simpsons a few times in the past, but that was before we had school age children and their prices are a bit over our budget now sadly!

We are looking to book our summer holiday and would be grateful for any recommendations for websites for accommodation (Spain & France). Family of 5 looking for villa with a pool near beach and town. We have tried Owners Direct and everything is booked (not that surprising!). Many thanks

We're also having a real problem with condensation-= some of our window sills are soaking wet in the morning. And our heavy curtains in our large bay window are already stained with mildew. Sorry to hijack the thread but does anyone know anyone who will remove and clean the curtains (assuming the mould can be removed?). They were expensive and I just can't afford new ones.

Thanks for the recommendations. Is there any indoor space at DKH?

Can anyone recommend a good venue for a 5th birthday party? Ideally somewhere we can put a bouncy castle and which would hold around 20 children. Thanks

I agree that they're unfriendly and unwelcoming. I haven't been back since being asked to leave an exhibition around 18 months ago. The problem? My 8 month old baby was being too noisy. She wasn't crying, in fact she was happy, but she was making some babbling/gurgling sounds, which were apparently distracting other visitors.

I recently used Alice and Olivia for a special occasion cake and it was gorgeous. The cake looked beautiful but also tasted fantastic and the kids and adults really enjoyed it. Caroline took time to understand what we wanted and created something original and lovely!

Yes my daughter would be keen

Can anyone provide info on how to book a bouncy castle party in CP park? We've been to a few, so I know you can do it (or used to be able to) but I can't find anything online.. Thanks

Thanks all.

Many thanks for your reply- very helpful.

I've now rung my local surgery three times without success. I'm very keen for my 2 and a half year old to be seen by a speech therapist. My local surgery apparently used to do a drop-in clinic but not any more. They don't seem to be able to tell me how to organise this. Can anyone help? I'm in SE19 rather than ED.

Thank you for posting this info and I am watching with interest. I have three children, whose birthdays are July, August and October, so I have children at both ends of the spectrum. My eldest has an August birthday and is now in year 3. She is very able academically but initially struggled a bit socially and emotionally. My youngest was born in July 2011 so will be starting pre-school in September of this year. I would love to think she could have an extra year of pre-school before starting reception as her development has been a little slower than that of her siblings. On the other hand, I have a very bright but bored but 4 year old (October birthday)who just wants to be at school (and if I had the choice, I would probably have enrolled her for September 2013). I find it ludicrous that parents have no say in this and that there is so little flexibility. In Scotland, if your child's birthday is near the cut-off date then it is fairly straightforward to arrange for their starting date to be deferred by a year (this is added to the fact that children start school on average 6 months later than in England).

Thanks lightweight, I'll try the agency. Laura- thanks for your reply but I have three children and the job is pretty full-on, so not suitable for a nanny share.

Can anyone tell me the best place to go to find a good, professional, committed nanny? Willing to pay agency fees if necessary if they'll find us the right person. Thanks

many thanks- I'll check out both options

Thinking of booking a trip here for half term with our 3 young children. Just looked at the website and it looks hugely expensive to stay at one of the hotels on site. Has anyone visited? Any tips gratefully received.

Great,thanks

Does anyone have a view on which of these companies is better? Thanks

This is for anyone who has received a letter from an organisation called Young Writers in respect of a writing competition entered by their child as part of their homework. I know that at least one local primary school has participated recently. The letter congratulates you on the fact that your child's work has been selected for publication and encloses a certificate of achievement for the child. And guess what? For the special price of only ?15.99 per copy, you can pre-order as many copies of the book (an A5, softback booklet) as you like. Please don't give these people your money. Do a google search for Young Writers and you will find numerous stories about this company or its previous incarnations- the last trading company was wound up and the same people now operate under the name of Bonacia Limited.

Hi there We've had a couple of great family holidays at Wood Farm in North Norfolk (near Holt). Self catering cottages on a working farm, lovely owner (Diana), safe for children, large play field with trampoline etc. Don't know if they'll have availability but worth a try

Thank you both for the suggestions. Now organised.

Can anyone recommend a good local company which hires out bouncy castles? Thanks

It's none of the above, but thanks for the suggestions, especiallly yours Kid Kruger. I know it's not much to go on. It was reviewed in the Times a few weeks ago.

I know it's not much to go on but I'm trying to remember the name of this author, or her book. It was published quite recently I think and was written by an American woman writing about the American south- kind of a family saga covering several generations. I think it won a prize and it's her first novel. Can anyone help?