Elfy

My son's at a 3 form entry school too. (Rosendale). I'd echo what the others have said about after school care and clubs - the array of clubs is amazing. He's done drama, film-making, karate, tennis, art and there are countless more...different sports, nature, Minecraft and arty ones. They even have a cycling club at the velodrome for KS2. Certainly way better than was available to me in my tiny school when I was growing up. I've been really impressed. I have wondered whether it can be a bit daunting to quieter children (he's pretty loud and has never seemed worried by it). They also have a separate playground for Reception and KS1 and have staggered lunchtimes. I've got nothing to compare it to, but have no complaints.

My son's school (Rosendale) has a policy of no homework apart from reading. The head-teacher is absolutely resolute about this and can quote lots of educational research to support it. I must say I am relieved. My son doesn't seem to be suffering compared to his peers at other schools and the teachers can concentrate on what's going on in the classroom. I do think that homework is sometimes set by teachers because they think the parents expect it rather than it actually having any benefit. We start formal education at a young age in the UK compared to lots of other places...sending a 6 year old home with homework after a full day at school just seems too much.

My son goes to Rosendale in West Dulwich/Herne Hill. It's big (3 forms) so there is a fair amount of movement. He's had 4 new children in his class since he started and he's in Year 1. It's an excellent school - (Grade 1 Ofsted). Might be worth checking out.

I'll be watching this with interest as my boy (who's 6 in January) never plays with his toys on his own. He's massively into screens too, but I don't want to go down the route of getting a Wii or Nintendo yet. I'm sure there's no going back once that's done. Last year we got him lego, and ended up making most of it ourselves. I put the rest away for when he's older. He's showing a tiny bit of interest now...but would definitely prefer to play on the Ipad if he could! I've definitely got a bit frustrated with him in the past - he's got loads of toys but never plays with them. He'll play with other kids happily though. He's requested a remote controlled aeroplane. Do such things even exist? Anyway - good luck! Sorry I couldn't offer any good ideas.

We live in West Dulwich and have had our (locked) car broken into twice with no signs of interference, etc. The first time something of value was taken. The second time, our (quite messy anyway) car was ransacked but the thieves obviously didn't like our taste in music. We've learnt not to keep anything of value in the car. Not sure how they do it, but they do it. (Neighbours have complained of the same thing).

Maidenhead secondary schools are not grammar, but you only have to cross the river and they are. Maidenhead is in Berkshire and over the river it's Bucks (the whole of Bucks is a grammar system). Just to complicate things, Slough (which is in Berkshire) also has grammar schools. I did the 11 plus and went to a grammar whereas my brother went to a school in Maidenhead, which was a comprehensive. Depending where you live, there is a little bit of choice. (This may have changed..it's a while since I was at school!)

I grew up in Maidenhead (well Taplow) so know the area well. I actually moved back for a year or so, and decided it wasn't for me and moved back to London. Different strokes for different folks, though. There are some nice places all around and it's really not that far from London. Plus it will be on Crossrail which will make life easier (and perhaps put house prices up?) Neither of the town centres are that inspiring. Maidenhead is now charity shop/pound shop central..(I love the charity shops though, you can get a real bargain!). It's not that good a place to go out either. Much nicer pubs, etc in the villages all around. And Windsor's not bad for a bit of social life. There are some really nice towns and villages near to Maidenhead (Cookham, Marlow, Taplow, Bray) but you would definitely need to drive. In fact, you would need to drive even if you lived in Maidenhead itself. Going to the supermarket, etc would be a mission. The buses are not great. They have lots of issues with schools there too , ie too many children and not enough places. If you're going to buy a place, definitely get familiar with the schools and catchment areas. It sounds like ages away for your little one, but it creeps up on you. My advice would be to spend quite a while driving round and see what takes your fancy. Beaconsfield is also really nice (and v posh). The houses are very expensive but it depends what you can afford. The train line is good from there too. PM me if you want any more info...

Hi I'm a journalism student (and a local parent) and I'm writing a piece on the rise in population and the potential problem this will cause for secondary schools in the area. I'm hoping to get to the bottom of what is actually being done to avert a major shortage of secondary school places in the future. I was hoping to talk to some local parents who are concerned about places. Perhaps you were affected by the primary school place shortage in 2009? Or have concerns about academies and their admission policies? I'd love to meet for a quick chat. Please PM me. Thanks

It's also worth noting that as a result of the bulge class this year, it's likely that there will be more siblings for the Sept 2011 and 2012 intakes, making the catchment for Fairlawn even smaller than 377m!

Simonet Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Elfy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I've moved away but reading this has made me > want > > to move back! I miss East Dulwich (sob!) > > Where have you moved too and how long have you > been away ? I've moved to the 'Burbs. I've got a little one and it's easier being closer to my family. It's taking some getting used to even though I grew up round here so I do know the area.

I've moved away but reading this has made me want to move back! I miss East Dulwich (sob!)

You also have to remember that toddlers are programmed to be difficult. They are just starting to realise that they do have a say in something and they can exercise their own free will. And they get very good at doing it! My 2.5 year old often behaves like a 'tiny dictator'. He is full of irrational demands that can make or break his day. Must have 'crunchy' weetabix, must take his V-tech walker out with him (despite the fact he's been walking for over a year), must have grapes whole not 'ruined'...you get the picture. And they definitely behave worse for their parents because they know they can. My son is nothing like this with his nanny! I think you may need the luxury of a few hours to yourself every once in a while. And don't feel guilty about taking it!

Belle, there's also a Weight Watchers meeting at 7 on a Monday @ East Dulwich Community Centre. I went religiously for a couple of months and lost more than a stone. (Motivation was a holiday in Thailand). Since then, I've stopped going...and started piling on the pounds again. The weekly weigh in really worked for me (as did the shock of the 1st weigh in...the words..'your scales must be wrong' nearly came out of my mouth..I wonder how many times they've heard that!) (BTW, I think they do also have a programme if you are breastfeeding..I think you just are allowed more 'points'). My son is 2 and a half so I think the 'baby weight' excuse was starting to wear a bit thin!

Tanza - I don't think he is afraid of the dark. I always give him to the option of having the light on or off. And he picks off. But definitely worth bearing in mind for the future as I know nightmares can be an issue for some small ones. Plimsoul - Sounds like dropping the nap is the way to go. Now I have to sell that to the nanny! I also suspect he hasn't been getting out and about as much as usual due to the icy conditions. So he's not as physically tired at the end of the day. These little boys need a good run around!

Hi all. My little boy is nearly 2. He has now decided that 7pm is not a good time for him to go to sleep and will scream, and scream (and scream) if he is put in his cot too early. Our evenings between 7.30 and 9 are spent listening to him scream in said cot, reading one more story (he has coined the phrase 'last time' although does not seem to understand the meaning of it!) and generally trying to get him to go to sleep. He used to be fine at this. I think he now realises that there is much merriment to be had by staying awake as long as possible. He did sleep 2 hours at lunchtime, I've cut this to one hour in a desperate attempt to reclaim some of my own evening. Should I completely cut the nap...? Or does anyone else have some sage suggestions? (He generally sleeps OK when he finally goes to sleep. Ocasionally wakes up with cries of 'Milk', 'Milk' at 4am..but this I can cope with). He wakes about 7. As a baby he was a very early riser. 4.30am. Perhaps he just doesn't need as much sleep as some little ones? Thoughts...please.

Re the name, I get called 'Naughty Mummy' all the time. My 21 month old thinks anyone is naughty if they don't do what he wants them to do...so the name appeals to me. Not sure the price tag does though!

Re the name, I get called 'Naughty Mummy' all the time. My 21 month old thinks anyone is naughty if they don't do what he wants them to do...so the name appeals to me. Not sure the price tag does though!

One of my best pals went to Italian School in Slough about 20 years ago! You may know her..We went to St Bernards in Slough.

I used to get the bus everywhere when my little boy was a baby. (He's a toddler now and is less happy sitting in his pushchair or on my lap for too long). You can get the bus to South Ken via Clapham (the 37 and then the 345, I think). Plan a stop in Clapham in a nice cafe/pub for feeding etc and then jump on the bus to the V&A...(where the cafe is gorgeous). It's probably easier to do on a week day when everyone else is at work, though.

Hi Katgod I have had an email from the nursery. If you PM me, I'll send it through to you. I don't want to post it here as it might just stoke the flames.

Mmm, I thought there might be more to it. Thanks for the info, Smiler. If you find out anything else, please let me know...either by PM or on the forum. I'm not sure what to do now. Do I cancel my standing order which is due to come out next week? (Payment in advance for September). Even if they were registered with Ofsted, it will be hard for them to find new premises for a nursery that size in less than 2 weeks.

I just spoke to one of the Directors. She said that the company had not gone out of business. They had restructured and liquidated one of their companies. Their landlord (the pastor at the church) has given them 2 weeks' notice to leave the premises (not sure what the story is here). They are looking for an alternative site.

I dropped my little boy off there this morning and there was a notice on the door. Basically saying that the Church was 'evicting' them from the premises as of 30th August because they had gone into liquidation. The poor staff looked shell-shocked. I don't have any more information. There was no-one there from the management to discuss it with. Obviously, this throws up lots of issues for parents. Do we have to find alternative childcare in less than 2 weeks?! What happens to the money we have held as deposit? Not to mention the staff...some of them have been there for years. Does anyone have any more information?

It's a constant source of guilt/relief for me too. My 18 month old can name all the characters of In the Night Garden. It's the only thing we let him watch at the moment. Half an hour a day. He often tries to switch the TV on himself though. When he wakes in the night (which last night was 4 times...must be teething), we have several episodes on Sky+ as it's the only thing that will calm him down...(I often fast forward to the end bit where they are all going to sleep, in the hope he will too!)

I was a contractor when I became pregnant, hence had no job to come back to. I'm an accountant (for my sins) and it's nigh on impossible to find a part-time role...so I had the choice of staying at home full-time (and struggling financially) or finding another full-time job...so I'm back contracting full-time. I was lucky to find a job within half an hour drive from home - very fixed 9-5 and understanding boss. I can imagine not all contract roles are like this. I thought it would be a nightmare coming back to work. I would prefer to work part-time but it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. (I went back when the nipper was 10 months). Also my husband works 4 days a week (which does seem the exception rather than the rule for men). I agree...until attitudes change and men (and women) can demand the flexibility that's needed..it makes it very hard.