katgod

recognising his own name when it is written down, so he knows which peg is his, which jumper is his when they are all in a pile somewhere. I don't think any Reception class in a statae school would expect further reading or writing skills beyond that. Holding a pencil correctly. Knowing when he needs the loo. Being able to zip his coat up. It is quite relaxed.

I know this is not what the original question is - but have you thought about getting help for the dog issue? I do not own a dog, or particularly like them, but it seems to me that being properly scared of them is quite problematic in an urban area where we seem to be surrounded by ever increasing numbers of dogs. I know that dogs should be controlled and not bothering other peole - but the reality is they are not and they do. So being really scared is going to impact her as she gets more independent. I don't know how such a thing would be 'cured' gradual controlled exposure etc maybe? PS back on track my youngest learned at the cricket ground by the Harvester, middle one on a campsite. Grandma's garden for the eldest.

don't have a condensation problem with (AEG)dryer - the water goes into a tank which I empty after every dry. Washer drier is less good than a proper drier in my view. I had one, no condensation issue at all as water goes back down the drain same way as the dirty washing water. But it never got things properly dry like the proper tumble drier does. Still had to hang stuff up. Do rate my LakelanD electric airer though - especially with a sheet over to make a tent - it dries quicker that way. 8p an hour to run.

Are you at work? Is the 2 year old in nursery? If so, or if you are a SAHP and the au pair is just an extra pair of hands this would be fine, but an au pair is not really suitable for sole charge care of a 2 year old. You need a nanny. Au pair brilliant for wrap around care when children in school most of the time.

I'd just give cash. Ours have all had mobiles that work here - usually on giff gaff. Split out the money you give here - ?90 per week plus ?10 phone and travel or however you want to split it. Don't assiume she will want/need a mobile from you. She will need an oysetra anyway to get to town with her friends (you hope) - again no need to run 2.

Really? So all the kids in Camberwell go there and then their siblings get priority later on and so even fewer local East Duwich children get to go once back on hospital site? Surely that cannot be right?

I am no expert on this but I think a leading body - possibly the Sutton Trust - identified these tests as one of he various ways that schools discriminate against students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Citizen ED I do not mean to suggest that your child is disadvantaged - you are taking an informed and reasoned decision on whether or not to take them. Other children's parents may well think 'can't be bothered' with no thought whatsoever as to the consequences. Or may well be in a work environment where short notice absence is simply not possible. The Lewisham model of primary schildren sitting the test in school time would avoid all this.

Better a school you can get to easily/have visited/know something about but don't like than one you cannot get to easily that you know nothing about/have not heard of AND don't like?

There are plans afoot for Peckham Rye. The One O'clock club building to be knocked down, all the playground that was so exepensive and rubbish next to it reloacted to where the car park currently is; the car park to move to the other side of Strakers Road. The team behind it were at the recent Peckham Rye Fete with a stall with deails of the consulatation etc. Sorry I don't recall the details of who - maybe the Friends of Peckham Rye would know?

Details on main page of EDF if anyone lost one!

Honfleur? Le Touquet? Don't have hotel recommendations but Booking.com is good source of accommodation and does self catering as well as hotels and b and bs

Great thank you. Didn't make it today- very much in holiday mood so far as getting up time goes so 9 am just too early!

Last time we went to the Brockwell Park Junior Park Run it was off due to a Dog Show in the Park. I don't look at the website often so don't know how they do things. There is no indication that it isn't on tomorrow. Can anyone confirm that if it is off it would clearly say so on the website? Thanks

You have to get the eggs - and stop the cycle. Its too late when the moths are out as it is the larvae that eats stuff. The eggs are tiny yellow/gold specks in cracks and crevices. Lakeland do a spray that kills the eggs. I could see them flying about but did not know the source. Investigated and found where they were hatching and eating the carpet, hoovered, sprayed - and the number of moths massively reduced. I have then done a more systematic inspection of the carpeteed areas, with the spray. This is recommeneded to be repated 30 days later (a step I did not do last time). Numbers are massively down. But I know the behind the bookshelves and under beds area will probabaly be my undoing. Is something that needs to be done regularly. War of attrition indeed.

My godson at nice safe grammar school in Home Counties was mugged for his phone. There are people with less than you wherever you go. Crime does happen elsewhere too.

Is it the usual Harris band in a bell curve ( lots in the middle of the ability range and very few at either end) or like Sydenham and Forest Hill with equal numbers in each band? Girls from local primaries who do well in SaTs/ banding tests seem likely to lose out to me.

make sure baby has had a feed before school drop off, but on basis that the proper breakfast feed will hapen when you are back. Third baby fits in with the others and is much easier than fitting in the second one after only having precious first borm to deal with.

We had a letter a month or so back from southwark explaining the scheme, then today the actual voucher. It is for all children resident in Southwark "aged 11 between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2915". So that's everyone in year 6 or 7. Hopefully your letter will come later in the year Goodliz.

My son received this as part of a new scheme to encourage saving. It seems the account does not pay interest but that a dividend payment will be made each year. Is this normal for credit union accounts? What sort of rate of dividend? Do I just accept that credit unions are for the greater good and stop over analysing? If every 11-13 year old in the borough pays the voucher in presume that will be a chunky amount for the credit union to invest/lend etc?

Yes, fun with good basics taught in between all the fun. Gordon is a nice guy

always thought Bellenden looked a nice school - low rise, outside space, pretty modern. How come it gets a rebuild when the Victorian build schools don't?

Coaches quite possibly linked to the large groups of European schoolchildren/exchange students often congregating outside Peckham Rye station in the mornings with their leaders to get the train into town. Maybe they are staying locally?

we do the school book on a Monday the first day we get it, a fixed 15 minutes in between pick ups and drop offs of older siblings. The other nights are less rigid - i encourage her to read the book I am reading to her - bedtime story books have lots of and/the/big/tree/girl/boy/park/bed etc cvc and other high frequency words that she knows and she enjoys reading bits of the bedtime book herself. Remember they are reading when they do phonics, reading when they use the role play bits in school, reading when they watch CBBC, on the bus etc. Constant low key exposure to the written word helps. And if they see you reading too all the better.

Not totally on point and appreciate your children do 'normal' music too, but I did Suzuki violin as a child and feel short changed! I wasn't very good, persevered for maybe 2.5 years while at primary school, hated it, gave up after a lot of money was spent on lessons and the hire of the violin- and still cannot read a note of music! Maybe this is sacrilegious in musical circles ( I am definitely not in them) but when I see what my children do in their piano lessons and the decoding and brain skills utilised to read the music I feel cross that I did not get that. So will get mine to carry on because I think the discipline and other skills are important even if not that talented. And boo to Suzuki (slightly tongue in cheek, and fully accepting that my lack of talent just as much the problem as Suzuki method)

We have Trail- gator - 3 year old has been from ED to central London, done the Ride London route and come back to ED on it. No complaints.