Bellenden Belle

I went to Chattertime today actually. Really useful and just a lovely drop in session. Definitely worth dropping into.

More info here: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,1243327,1246816#msg-1246816

There are different Maclarens right? Which would people recommend - like midivydale I have a rather long two year old! Do people find their kids happily sleep in them too? Mine still takes daytime naps for two hours in the bugaboo and nothing would make me give that up!

Carbonara Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- nly the tiny top percentage of ability > gets in. > > The place has no charisma, does it? > > Perhaps it will be the ED of the next decade! Buy > now. Oh Lord - no way will it be the next ED. It's no place to invest in that sense - even the independent shops are dull, with no place we'd ever bother going for a meal. So it's never going to attract the East Dulwich demographic - if such a thing exists. I spend a fair amount of time there as david_carnell's other half and it reminds me a lot of Southgate in North London where I grew up. There are definite hints of white-flight territory - for those families who believe growing up in inner cities is no place for kids. For me, I feel my world shrink every time I visit.

I had such a sad experience in a park when a little girl said hello to me and the mother chastised her with 'why are you smiling at her? Do you know her?'She must have been about four. I agree that stranger danger is sometimes over exaggerated and whilst they are still accompanie everywhere it shouldn't be a huge concern. Maybe in junior school when they start making their own way to school it's more important.

Yes - the Victoria has a video link.

Victoria on Bellenden Road. It has a designated family area and a huge playroom with plenty of toys.

But for everyone who can't make it at one time, others will be able to.... I'm afraid that actually Monday afternoons would be great for me. I work Fridays. I sympathise with your situation and hope you find an alternative.

Just to say a huge thank you to everyone for your replies and your pms. I feel very reassured - particularly that early intervention is the best thing I can do and that children actually enjoy the sessions. We're going to one of the drop in sessions on Monday - anybody looking for an updated list of where and when they take place it's here: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200279/parenting_support_and_courses/2480/speech_and_language_drop_in-under_fives/2 I'll let people know how I get on. Again, many thanks.

Yep filming - series two of The Youngers - whatever that might be!

Many thanks for all your replies so far. Thanks for the link KT4 - will give the number a ring and will definitely begin with attending a drop in session and mentioning it at his two year review. I've visited talkingpoint too Buggie - to be honest, it was reading their age guidance that persuaded me that I should start investigating. Will let people know how I get on and would still welcome any other information/ experiences.

So Baby Belle hits two next month with a grand total of four words under his belt. Time for help I think. I'm fighting lots of comments about being a pushy over-anxious mum which is particularly hard as I had huge speech problems as a child (speech therapy until seven and problems with single sounds until 12). What has been other people's experience? Did you go to a health visitor or gp first or is a private assessment the quickest route to begin with? I've looked for Tina from Babble and Squeak, previously recommended on here, but I think she may have left the area - anyone kmknow for sure? Or anyone else? Any advice or reassurance much appreciated.

Sol - the tips for boys that have previously been discussed here can be found in the resources section of this website - http://www.boysdevelopmentproject.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Discipline-and-Boys-under-5-booklet-pdf.pdf Even reading this several months on has been useful for me a a a gentle reminder.

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,1085722,1086168#msg-1086168

So last minute Secret Santa - have to have it for tomorrow, has to include some kind of crafty homemade element. Was planning on making Pffeifernuser (sp?) but wondered if Dog Kennel Hill has some nice biscuit tins that they could go in? If anyone can recall seeing some I'd be most grateful to save me a wasted trip after work tonight.

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,580870,586723#msg-586723

Can anyone recommend a toy farm suitable for a two year old? I'm worried the little people fisher price one might be too young? Many thanks.

And there are plenty of free playgroups run in Children's Centres. Use them or lose them. I went to Ivydale's on Monday and their singalong at the end was better than many of tHe ones I pay for. Four pounds as a one-off might not seem a lot but if you are planning activities for 5 (7!) days a week then all those fees add up.

For me it's just slightly too expensive. I'm more than happy to pay a fiver for a class, but ?4 for a drop in playgroup just seems unnecessary when there are plenty of free or considerably cheaper options around.

alieh Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plan-Toys-6227-Parking-Gar > age/dp/B0001VV1GK > > We have this one. I don't really rate it, or > maybe it is just that my boys aren't keen. The > lift is pretty much useless and we had to glue the > ramps down as otherwise they just kept falling > off. Luckily we didn't buy it new as it is also > very pricey! > > It does seem pretty robust though so maybe it is > just that mine aren't garage fans. We've got this one too and it is totally pants! Never gets played with. We also have an ELC whizz around garage which gets used regularly - despite the fact we have never put batteries in it so it's never had noises or flashing lights. http://www.elc.co.uk/Whizz-Around-Garage/134238,default,pd.html

At that age my little one never really enjoyed Peckham softplay - just not enough for their age range, and a bit too big to just crawl about. An absolutely lovely softplay for that age is at the Museum of London - a bit of a trek, but I loved it as I liked to time it so that I could have coffee in the cafe when he was napping afterwards. And it's free so it's just your fare you're paying for (?1.60 each way).

Ted Max, Ted Max, Ted Max! Many a time david_carnell and I would wander up and down our street saying his name loudly, looking for a twitch of recognition from people standing on their doorsteps. He's moved now.

I don't have a child there. But I've got a fair few years working in the arts and in particular kids theatre. They've got an excellent reputation and if you're looking for drama that is inclusive, teaches them teamwork skills and builds trot confidence this is probably worth a look. I'm very wary of more traditional theatre schools....

Does anyone know of the monitor has changed in recent years? I'm hoping to buy a secondhand one but it's four years old - I'm worried the sticks on the market might not compatible. Does anyone know?

fl0wer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Surprised to see this item suddenly catch people's > eye - thanks for contributions so far. > Bellenden Belle, please could you support > "the company has an annual turnover of 18 million > with 4.4 million coming from statutory funding" > with a reference? > http://www.kidsco.org.uk/about-us/government-funding Figures taken from statement on kidsco website - their company accounts are also available on the charity commission website.