Piaf

Interested by this thread as we are in same boat with my older daughter going to school next year having been at the Villa. We moved here from north London in part as the state schools are much better. We are very near DKH and might also get in Lyndhurst (on a very good day) and possibly also Goose Green. The problem is I love the Villa and like Oimissus could afford it til 7 but then you are stuck and it hadn't hit me that you couldn't then go state - more affordable and more in accordance with my beliefs. I also worried that once you did private for even the first two years it would be hard on the child to then move to bigger class sizes etc Does anyone do Villa to 7 then state Is this possible/advisable and thoUghts on DKH? Thanks Jude x

We went on Sunday which was obviously a busy day and sunny - we have membership but my mum hasn't and was allowed in the pre pay queue which was only a five min wait whereas the main queue was enormous right down the road. Hopefully much quieter on a weekday!

Hi there Thank goodness you are finally on maternity leave Vic! I am planning on coming on Thursday with Madeleine and 12 better for me too... Not sure why I said 11 in the first place! There have been a few more arrivals and hope to see some / lots of you there Jude x

Hi all And welcome Fernanda! We have a very relaxed plan for those that are able to meet on Tuesday's at Peckham rye park cafe or one o'clock club anout 11 and also Thursdays at the clockhouse pub at c.12 I had my little girl, Madeleine (Maddie) on the weekend and have the midwife and deliveries coming today but if they come before lunch I would be up for venturing out if people were heading there ... Such a beautiful day and my builders are driving me potty! Jude x 07969 416482

Me too! Currently sitting in another cafe garden to avoid walking up the hill twice! Think I am going to bankrupt myself before this baby comes... See you all soon Jude x

I might waddle there depending on if I have to go to the hospital quickly (!?!) to pick up prescriptions etc... Will do my best if there is a general move there? Jude x

My daughter has been at the Villa since Nov and was previously at a north London nursery from 2-3 which she/we loved and was ofsted outstanding... After a shaky start (more to do with moving from friends and family) my daughter loves the Villa and I have come to really value it. My only complaint was/is the large class sizes which made it more difficult to get to know other kids and also seemed chaotic at drop off... But actually they have a really got teacher/child ratio and are creative in how they divide up the space and class into different activities. They do quite a lot of one on one with my daughter who is one of the oldest and the facilities are great. Recommend! Tho I suppose it could be a bit more socially/ethnically mixed

I think you may be able to claim back something as an expense (though my otherwise crafty accountants have never mentioned it) and I think that the recent Government proposal ... You know the one that caused a bit of a stir on the EDF when a sahm (ED and another barrister. Not that I agreed with her)harangued Clegg ... Will apply to both employed and self employed. However on nothing like the scale of childcare vouchers. What annoys me is that the vouchers are available to the employed no matter how much they earn but nothing similar for self-employed. It's a shame as the idea behind the vouchers is great especially as they apply to both parents and therefore less divisive?

Another thing that frustrates me as self employed (as is husband) is the discrimination in child care costs ie you can only utilise childcare vouchers if employed ... For someone in WM position as sole earner but needing child care, it seems unfair that she (or indeed,I) cannot enjoy te tax break that would help ease nanny childminder nursery costs

WM interesting post as I too am a barrister and have just stopped before having no 2... I think you have many pluses by being self employed in that I consciously cut back when I returned from no 1 and stopped working (generally) in the evenings or weekends whilst being available five days a week in 'normal' working hours The balance was more or less working but I do feel it has meant that my career has suffered as opposed to my husbands (also a barrister) or those colleagues with stay at home wives or without children. But I felt that the advantages - time with my daughter whilst also working- outweighed the negatives. This time I feel it is going to be much harder as I stopped being instructed a great deal earlier (as couldn't see cases to the end) and I fear it will take a long time if ever to get my practice back when I return. This in turn impacts on confidence itself a vicious circle! So, I am not sure how much of the difficulties are created by inflexible working conditions (arguably not something I have to cope with) rather than attitudes and outlooks, our own and generally.

Lovely looks like a few of us? I won't be there til 11.30ish and by sounds of it Jennie will be later but we are coming! Jude x Ps Gemma Bailey: welcome hope you have seen there is a meet today. Sounds like we are in identical positions and would be good to compare notes!

I am if others are! We have a site meeting at our building site of a house so will probably not make it til 11.30 or so Be lovely to see people as hoping next week may have baby by then x Jess - will be good to see you and hector ... Can't believe he is 3 mths?!?

I think as my daughter at nursery today will scoot to work instead as not sure can face do many trips/walks but I will definitely make Thursdays meet if others fancy assuming no baby! Jude x Ps Reducing nursery days from may/June so will be up for toddler activities on a Tuesday then

Hi all, Congratulations Fi and Katie on your respective home births... Midwife thinks mine may end up being one as likely to be quick eek Yes, the plan is to start this week with two drop in meets and see how we go ... 11 prob about right? I am definitely up for at least one ... Is anyone planning to attend either? Am just trying to fit in a last visit to work too this week as well as waddling to nursery drop off! Jude x

Let's try clock house on thursdays and for those that wish the one o'clock club at peckham rye park on Tuesday's ... That way there is something for everyone My daughter is likely to be at nursery both those days Start next week? For those that haven't just given birth...! Jude x

Hi all, hope yesterday's meet up went well... a few of us who were at Dulwich Park (and the EDT the week before) were thinking it would be good to set up a weekly meet at the same place and same day and time so that all our collective baby brains could cope! It would also be fairly relaxed, 'drop in' as it gets much harder to get out the house when the baby arrives (from memory - it was a result if i was dressed by midday...) Not sure if it is up and running yet but I think the Clock House is starting a mother & baby/toddler drop in mornings Mon-Friday 9-12. It sounds like it could be a good venue as it would have activities for those bringing siblings, proper coffee and sofas etc and its near the park for sunny days. I have to confess never been there but why dont we give it a try...? What about Tuesdays 11ish? Hope those who were overdue/due when I last saw them are doing well. Jude xxx

Not been there before and coming from dog kennel hill ... Is the cafe in the middle of the park and is it easiest to walk from college rd or cut through from lordship lane? Bus first? Not feeling hugely energetic! Thanks in advance Jude x

I will try to come too... If we can find our way! Jude x

Is anyone up for meeting tomorrow as suggested? I have my three year old off nursery and so would be happy to try tumble or a child friendly cafe? Jude x

I would definitely be up for Albrighton tumble (never been) as it is very handy for my house and next week my daughter is on Easter hols from nursery so will need entertaining! Going forward it ounces like it is less good or those without toddlers etc (or whose other children are in child are like me for much of th week) as no Cafe etc. I ave yet to get as far as Dulwuch park but sounds as if the cafe may be more suited? Otherwise, I saw on another thread that a pub called the Clocktower is hoping to do drop in mum and baby sessions every morning which might be another option and nice and warm! Might try contacting them as they might be tempted to get on with setting it up if thought a regular group would come Anyway hope to see people on Tuesday at whatever venue decided upon Jennie - lovely to hear from you and I am practically on maternity leave and would love to pop by ... Or see you at a meet. Stillundecided re buggy! Jude x

Thanks Pickle, I have to say that I am drawn back to the Bee as it is easy but then I think of the 500? price tag... Anyone else got any thoughts?

Might be quite a few away on Easter weekend - we are, God help us! But the following weekend? 6/7 April And going forward, there was talk at the last meet of setting up a weekly, almost drop in, session on the same day/place... Maybe a Tuesday or midweek, maybe at the EDT... Easier for all of us with baby brain not to forget we thought. sound like a good plan? Jude x

Hi there, No 2 is on her way in about 4 weeks and I have been completely disorganised and have NOTHING ready! My daughter will be 3 and a bit but still uses the buggy when tired on the way back from nursery or longer trips. We just have a beaten up Mclaren XT for her which is probably not in a good enough state for newborn and just feels too 'flimsy' or unpadded for a tiny baby in any case. Sooo... looking for people's views / recommendations as to a good single buggy to buy. I had an old Bugaboo Bee for my daughter which I actually liked as so small and light (was in a flat and dont drive so public transport) but we wrecked the wheels etc and ended up dumping it which is pretty poor given the cost. Not sure that I want to fork out that much again (especially if it doesnt last)but keen on a fairly light, compact buggy/pram that can take a buggy board and/or an occasional big 3 yr old (and baby in sling). I had been thinking minijogger city or GT but would be interested in suggestions from the experts... thanks in advance Jude

Hi there, sorry to have been a bit absent from the thread: we have been housesitting back in Islington whilst the worst bit of our building work is done (we hope). I have found it a bit much commuting across. But i think I have to get my daughter to nursery tomorrow (in PR!) so will try to come along and catch up with those who are going. Will be lovely to see you all Jude x

Not so local but we have always found that getting the boat from London bridge (short walk from station) either East eg to Greenwich or to North Greenwich and the cable car or West up to the London Eye has gone down a treat even when its cold (but not raining)... its most of an activity in itself and the Thames Clipper commuter boats are pretty frequent and have loos/cafe/seats etc on board. Think its about 5.50 with an Oyster. Otherwise, I would be interested to hear other suggestions as have a week with my three year old to fill and 8 months pregnant and still fairly new to the area!