sparkle

there might be some sports type clubs going on at Crystal Palace Sports Centre, they've done things in the holidays before, but you'd need to check, the women I spoke to wasn't sure yet what would be happening.

I run a music with movement class on a Friday morning, upstairs at Dulwich Library. The class is just for 2 and 3 year olds. Through singing, action songs, rhymes and carefully selected percussion instruments the children learn about the different aspects of music. We also do some creative movement/ musical games each week, and most weeks this will involve me playing an instrument for the children to move to (piano, violin and others....). I design the activities each week for the children who attend, and build on the previous askills learned (because of this, and to keep the class familiar for the children, I ask people to sign up for the half term). The clss is about the children having fun, making music together, whilst learning real musical skills. Let me know if you'd like to come for a free trial or if you have any questions Thanks! Anna www.sparkle-music.co.uk

we had puddleduck in mind, but tis a bit far now unfortunately.

Does anyone think that any of these nurseries are good for 3 year olds particularly? A lot of these places seem to be lovely for 2 / 2.5 year olds, but less stimulating perhaps for the oldest children. Any thoughts appreciated, I am forever searching!

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it always used to be that the one o'clock club was up to 5s during term time, up to 8s during the school holidays. Peckham Pulse soft play is nice, the 3 and 5 year olds could go on the high bits together, and you could sit in the baby bit with your little one (although maybe quiet busy over half term). The no. 12 is a good route takes you almost to the door there, and is always enjoyed by my 3!

just to add a little on the 'green credentials front'. Please don't be persuaded into buying a big machine and or a tumble dryer. Sure, you'll be washing more, but not so much you'll need anything extra big. We are a family of 5, and at one point I had two in washable nappies, and we were fine with just the regular washing machine (just needed a little bit of organisation!) Another thing to add about the nappies- if you want to keep it as green as you can, then washing and hanging out to dry rather than tumble drying will probably be the best reduction in energy you can do. Also tumble drying will wear the nappies out a lot faster (we live in a flat with no outside space, and hanging them up to dry in the house really was fine, and kept the nappies in lovely condition).

I have some space in my 2 and 3 year olds class, Friday mornings, at Dulwich Library. Sparkle Music classes offer a carefully structured curriculum, to indroduce young children to music. Over the term children will learn the foundational musical concepts of pulse, rhythm and pitch. They do this through making music with their voices and percussion, participating in action songs, musical games and creative movement. The classes are fun, but with a serious educational purpose, giving the children the skills needed to read music and go on to learn instruments. If you have any questions or would like to book a free trail, please contact me through the forum or anna@sparkle-music.co.uk I also run classes for babies and toddlers. www.sparkle-music.co.uk

I was thinking of going down next weds- sounds perfect for my little one.

Sorry I think this has come up before, but there didn't seem to be any answers then... does anyone know of any good tennis classes for children aged around 4-5 which are about an hour long and run each day for a week, which they'd recommend?

A friend of mine used a doula post-birth. I don't know the exact detail, but they are meant to be like a mother to the new mum, along the lines of doing what you need them to do (except cleaning I think), so looking after baby, or taking out older kids etc. Hers seemed very flexible, there for a few hours a day when she was needed. Sounds like that could be ideal for you.

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dear Amy, re-usable nappies are definitely a good way to go, and as pickle says, the washing part is really not that bad. I'm not sure exactly how the laundry services work, but to some extent you'll be dealing with the poo anyway. If you get good, shaped nappies with good wraps and liners, then most of the time you will just be washin wet nappies, which go straight into the machine. Especially once they are weaned. If you are wanting an ethical option then using a laundry service may not be the answer- in a study they came out, i think as the worst environmentally. This was compared to washing yourself, and I thin (if i remember correctly) to disposibles. This is beacause of all that extra petrol coming to collect, and they wash the nappies a lot hotter than you need to at home. They are also fairly pricey.

I'm sorry you've not got the situation you want. Please be heartened that you can have a good experience with a midwife you don't know at King's! I was with the Lane's, with the hope of having the whole continuity of care thing, but they had just started and weren't able to attend births at hospital (Which is waht I wanted) but were just doing home births. They started this whole system they have now the month after I gave birth! Initially I was gutted, but then actually quite liked the idea of having someone else, who would be there whilst I was in labour, then I wopuldn't see again walking down the street in the weeks and months after! For all my births I had whatever midwife was on duty at the hospital. All were fine. If you don't like the midwife you get, you can ask to change (get your partner to do it!) Also the hospital do ante natal courses, you may meet some of the midwives there?

thank you everyone. Will try it one week. The bread of life cafe toddler thing is very sweet- a singing session on mondays. We go there sometimes, just wanted to try the other playgroup sometimes too. Thanks again!

thanks snowboarder- we'll be back! Don't suppose they've decided to open it any morning too? I live in hope... Thanks Curlykaren- think will be a bit far for us, was hoping to go to things just a walk away. Don't suppose anyone has heard of this playgroup I've been talking about?! maybe will just have to march up there one day and hope for the best..

Does anyone know if the monday playgroup- the one in the Catholic church behind Dulwich Library- still runs? If so what time? Also, from a previous thread, it looked like the Peckham Rye One O'clock Club was shut every monday. Is that still the case? Thanks in advance for any answers!

I'd say it's definitely worth a try, even if it only gives you another strategy to use. I used a cd in the run up to my third birth, and it was definitely the easiest birth of all- same speed and intensity of the second, but I did, honestly feel much more positive and able to cope with the labour. Can't say for definite that was all down to the cd, but I do think it helped- being able to relax can only help reduce pain. Sorry would lend you the cd but have a friend I've already promised it to.

Yes, come to the Copplestone! It really is a good playgroup- have been going for many years! Mumra- am looking forward to the group next week too... On Mondays there used to be a playgroup at the Catholic church behind Dulwich Library. Does anyone know if it's still going?

Would be a bit of a power walk, but there is a lovely playgroup at the Copplestone Centre (Copplestone Road). We've just started going again. Is in a big hall and has a slide, some walk around things and a few ride on things. They do a snack and juice time too for the kids, and you can help yourself to coffee/tea. They ask for ?1 per child (I think!) Think it starts at 10 but not sure.

Just to let y'all know I'll be doing a demonstration of Sparkle Music at the Bumps and Babes group next Monday (11th). Come along and join in with a fun, relaxed, singing, rhyming, tickling, bouncing music session. Bumps and Babes starts at 10, I'll be doing the session from about 10:30 for about 25 minutes. My classes (for babies under 1) run on a Thursday morning at Christ Church. If you can't make it Monday you are welcome to come for a free trial session any thursday (just let me know beforehand). Anna

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Catgirl, Thanks for your interest. Now there are a few people who have shown interest I'm going to draw up a provisional list. If you could pm me your daughter's name and age, and maybe a phone number I can let you know more details when I have them. Mumra, Thanks for your interest too! I can put you on the list if you like. Lorraine, Guildhall saturday music club looks good- looks like quite a commitment and a bit of a drive- think it's at teh Barbican still? But Cyrilla Rowsell who does the Kodaly strand is excellent- I've learnt a lot from her! The charge for the class will be ?5 per session

hello Lorraine, Thanks for asking.... All the classes I run are based on Kodaly principles- with the babies we do a lot of songs with movements to the pulse so they can feel it even before they can understand, and most of the songs are traditional British songs, songs that have been passed down through the generations, therefore quality material. Of course they are playful too! Next September I hope to open a class for 2-3 year olds, and it is at this age the Kodaly principles become more explicit. I'll keep you posted! Anna

I am looking to start an after school muisc club for reception/ year one aged children (4-6 year olds). It will probably run on Tuesdays (during term time), for around 30-40 minutes, and I'm just looking into suitable venues at the moment. It will be in SE22. I wanted to put up this post first, to get an idea of what interest there would be. The detail behind the group: I am a local mum, and primary school teacher, with a specialism in music. The group would be for no more than 12 children, and they would learn musical skills through singing and movement. The class would see the chlidren learning such skills as pulse, rhythm, pitch and musical literacy mostly through singing games and moving to music (piano and recordings). Through the fun of the games and imaginative movement the children would be subconciously learning the basic skills of music. My curriculum will move the children on in clear, progressive steps, and is based upon the tried and tested ideas of Kodaly, a Hungarian composer and educator, and Dalcroze. The children will learn to sing songs which are within their singing range, learning to sing beuatifully, and gradually building their range as they are able.