millsa

Hallo, we have just been offered a place at Goose Green school (reception). I have visited the school twice and really liked it but it is not the same as having the child in the school already. I'd love to talk to some parents about the their experience at the school, any thought, advice, recommendations so far etc. before we make the final decision whether to take it or not. I'd be grateful if you could PM me please if you have a few spare minutes for a chat. It would also be great to hear from Year 1 Parents so please PM me if you are happy to share your experience. Thank you in advance for your time.

Thanks everyone for helpful comments, I have just read them with great interest because I am in a similar situation: can stay at my current job for three days a week which is great, but only for six more months. Or go full time and on a permanent contract. The job is a great opportunity for me but it means not really seeing my two kids, both under 5. Like Mrs Glennie, I treasure my two days when I am with them and can't imagine losing them, but equally I can't imagine staying at home with them five days a week in six months... My decision time is this week too - and I have decided to ask for flexi work, ie working three full days and two half days and make up the hours somehow, but at least this would give me two afternoons in a week with them. And then ask for 4 days in a few months time, as Lochie suggested. So Mrs G, it is a hard decision and lots to consider but also ask yourself in a few months time whether - in case you don't take the job - this was a missed opportunity. I know I will have felt that if I don't give it a go, at least try and see. I can always leave if this doesn't work out, it is reversible... Good luck!

I'd also sign it

9am on Sat still sounds insanely early, even if the kids wake up at 7. isn't it? :)

I agree with Sanne Panne - I am, unfortunately, mixing between Polish and English (and every time I actually think about it I promise myself to stop mixing) so my kids understand both but speak English, however since we have found a Polish childminder with her little one who speaks only Polish to them, my 2-year-old daughter's Polish has improved massively. I find it hard to read Polish story books to my 4-year-old as I can see that he doesn't understand everything, doesn't follow the story. I usually read and translate straight afterwards so he can follow. We skype my family a lot and also try to visit as often as we can, and usually after a few days they both switch to Polish. We also have a few CDs with Polish songs for kids and they love it - although I see that they find it hard to sing as don't know all the words. But now, having read mynamehere's advice to pretend not to understand English, I will REALLY try to stick to it as it sounds like a good method. Thanks! :)

call me cynical but wouldn't it make more sense to put up with a short flight and go somewhere with a guaranteed sunshine? :)

hallo, we have been trying to move for the last year (!!!) but having lots a dream house once we can't manage to find another one, and the prices around ED have gone up again in the last six months. We will either have to compromise on the size of the house (NO) or location (NO again, but the size of the house wins), so need to work out WHERE to move. I remember reading some nice things about Beckenham on the forum ages ago but can't find the thread. ALSO if it is horrible please let me know and I will reconsider :) Has anyone have any recommendations for Beckenham? If so - where is Beckenham is good (what are the nicest roads?) Is it good for a family with young kids and why? any good playgroups? what schools are good or outstanding? And is it easy to adjust to the area having lived in ED for years (we have since 2004) Any recommendations would be much appreciated, many thanks!

hallo, I have just seen this thread as I am in the same position: looking for holiday with two kids under four and all other requirements bynoi mentioned. I have been looking at various websites but am still feeling completely lost, dont even know which country to concenrate on! I wonder if anyone has more recommendations please? we are looking to pay up to 600 euros per week. many thanks!

anyone has any comments on destiny nursery please?

I'd be interested too, many thanks

haha we are also in the same position, between GG and DKH, but made a choice, sent the form and THAT's IT! not going back to it and stop thinking for another few weeks. thank God this is over for now!

Maclaren for travel as you can fold it with one hand and they are very reliable, and it has never let me down. I fly a lot and use thie same Maclaren bought in 2008 (now for baby no2). And a bugaboo for a daily use - the cameleon or gecko have very comfy seats for babies, my daughter was quite small and sje always slips down in the maclaren whereas the gecko is just perfect. I've never had the bee model as my boy was big and he looked squashed in it at 13 months when I wanted to buy it. I ended up with gecko which I loved, can't see any difference to the cameleon but much cheaper. good luck!

I've never had chicken pox and was told to be 'extremely careful' and 'contact a GP asap' if I get in during both pregnancies so better to do it soon and be safe than sorry. Re your daughter: both of my kids (3.5y and 15 months) had the pox in Dec and if it wasn't for the spots you'd never guess they had chicken pox, it seemed very mild so it is probably best if they get it now than later in life

I've never liked it as my first few visits were in the cold autumn of 2010 with a newborn baby and they never had the heating on (or so low we always had to ask to turn up). And the coffee was average and the staff grumpy (probably too cold!). But I second the previous comments that the back room was great for toddlers. It will be interesting to see if they will survive - maybe we will be proved wrong thinking that catering for people with no children isn't a good idea in ED? :)

Can someone please explain to me how the primary schools waiting lists work? If I put School X as my 1st choice although we don't live close to the school, and I don't get a place, will I be put on a waiting list of School X anyway? Or do I have to request it? And can I expect to get a place at all, ever, if we don't live near the School X? How does one move up the list? on the first come first served? will I be pushed down the list if someone moves near the school later and gets on the list too? And is it common to wait a year or two or even longer? errr.... sorry if I am asking obvious questions but I have no idea (as you can tell) thanks!

and worth knowing that although the ticket to the Transport Museum seems pricey (?13) it is valid for the whole year so you can go every weekend if you fancy :) We have taken our 3-year-old four times this year, and he loves it more with every visit.

Big thanks for all PMs again! I've just been to see Goose Green school and .... like many parents who were there I am also massively impressed! The Head Teacher is fantastic, seems like her strong leadership and drive has changed the school completely. The kids look happy and the classes/lessons nicely structured. I think Im going to put GG as my first choice. Quite a turn around considering I didn't even think of the school two weeks ago... :)

I must have scared off any potential candidates! :)

I think I had a moment of paranoia, sorry. I wasn't asking about a child falling over and breaking a leg but about something more serious like a child running into a road and being run over only because a nanny somehow didn't prevent it.

Hallo, I am currently looking for a nanny or a childminder for my 15-month-old daughter and I need some advice please. What happens (legally) if my daughter has an accident and gets hurt, ie what happens 'if something bad happens' to my child when she is under the nanny's care? What do people put in their contracts? And does it make a difference if the nanny is Ofsted-registered or not? I understand that nannies are not required to be registered on the Ofsted Childcare Register as the registration is entirely voluntary. HOWEVER are the registered ones in any way more legally responsible in case of accidents? Many thanks in advance! Also if you are a childminder or a nanny who has a vacancy Mon-Wed starting at the beg of Feb please PM me. Cheers

As far as I know it is running tomorrow - I am supposed to help with closing so hopefully see you there :) It is a great playgroup with loads of space for them to run around and a variety of toys.

Gumbados in Beckenham or another massive soft play in Croydon, Ive forgotten the name - particularly if you can bring one or two of his friend's along. And go mid-week if you can. Gambados do birthday parties as well but just taking the boys there for a day works magic!

but i guess Liliana Susannah doesn't go very well together :)

Just wait and see what she looks like. We struggled a lot because I've always wanted Elena but a few months before my Elena was due, my husban's sister called her daughter Eleanor and he didn't want a name that sounds so similar. I decided to wait and see the baby and if she looked like Elena to me, I would still call her Elena. But then just before the birth someone mentioned a name Liliana which I loved immediately, so when my baby finally arrived she looked just like Liliana :) We have shortened it for now but maybe when she is older she will be Liliana - I second snowboarder here that it is useful to think what the name will sound when they are adults. I also like Anna - so beautiful and simple. Good luck! ps. Zara was also on my list but when a few people said: 'oh Zara, like the shop?' I decided against it.

Just a quick message to say big thanks for all PMs - I will reply individually, possibly tomorrow. Very helpful!!! I'd be more than happy to hear from more parents so pls PM me if you have a child in GG or DKH or if you are considering applying and why. Many thanks again!