chrismar

We bought a secondhand Boostapak on here and it?s one of the best kids? equipment pieces we?ve bought. Doubles as a bag. Easy to bring on a plane.

I agree! A fab alternative to sports camps which seems to be the bulk of the rest. They do most of the school holidays too. We go back every year and my son loves it.

Guardian has this list which also mentions books in English- http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2015/dec/08/disability-inclusive-books-that-should-be-available-in-english

Any thoughts on Anerley? I am familiar with the side roads to Penge High Street but not any of the ones west of Elmers End Road. I realise this is the EDF but the collective knowledge here is huge.

I moved my child. It was a very specific situation but the lovely teachers of the first nursery said parents had to follow their gut feeling. Best advice ever.

Have you tried Beckenham Spa? They sell swimming gear. Adidas does fabricy ones that aren't like the ones from my school days.

I wanted to see if there happen to be any parents with children with visual impairment locally who could share their experience of state school versus independent. We are at the stage of having to decide on reception and obviously want what's best for him. Please pm me so we don't have to share any medical details here! Thanks. C.

Can anyone please tell me about the following streets in Beckenham: The Drive, The Crescent and Church Ave, as well as Durban Road? Thanks!

Our au pair just joined us a few weeks ago and would like to meet others nearby - Sydenham, Forest Hill, etc. Anyone else with new au pairs in the neighbourhood? Thanks!

Penge isn't particularly glamorous (yet) but the location is great. Victoria, Herne Hill and Brixton are under 17 mins away by train and you still have the overground from Penge West. Crystal Palace Park is on your doorstep. The high street is a bit rundown but it has everything you need, including a Sainsbury's. There are two decent cafes in Maple Road and you're very near Crystal Palace for more variety. Try to visit the Alexandra nurseries in Parish Lane to get a sense of the community developing in the area- amazing coffee and cake! Two or three of the schools have been taken over and will reopen in Sept under new management so I think they will quicky improve. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions!

We've lived in Sydenham for a few years now and really like it. There's a lot of investmnet going into the high street so it won't be long before it improves. And with Crystal Palace and Forest Hill changing fast, it won't be long before investment trickles down the hill. Until then, CP and FH are nearby. Transport is excellent, especially if you get somewhere near Penge East station which will give you the option of getting into Victoria in 17 mins. Lots of parks, lots of activities for children. The area is changing a lot - many people moving down from east and west London for the excellent housing stock. I don't know the latest on schools but there are definitely some in Upper Sydenham that are very popular. The three in lower Sydenham are all rated good, except Haseltine which has a new head and will improve fast.