Somerset

Hi - we live in Honor Oak Park (between HOP and Crofton Park) and I'm looking for another family to join with us for a nanny share in the new year. I have no nanny and no family so starting from scratch! We have 2 girls, I'd need wrap around for my eldest who is in yr 1 at Stillness and then a buddy for my 18 month old during the day. Ideally the other family needs to be in reasonable walking distance to the school as the road is very likely to be shut off to vehicle access during school drop off hours in the new year. My eldest is in lots of clubs and things at school so needs picking up around 4.30 so the little ones don't need to be woken up from naps and rushed out the door etc. Probably looking for Monday - Thursday, 8-6. We'd been in a super successful share before and the kids are all still BFFs more than 5 years later. Drop me a note if you'd like to hear more. Thanks

Hello, for anyone who may have advice - the elderly lady I want to help has left her abusive situation with just the clothes on her back. She is being cared for by family but we?d like to send a care package. At a loss as to what I should include - clothes and book vouchers, treats and cosmetics/toiletries- anything else that I could send? Thanks

I think is is a little simple - it?s not about fancy buildings. How can you compare class sizes of 20 vs 30, endless facilities including early teaching of languages, music and actual competitive sport with a state school? And given the majority of parents are working, ferrying kids to extra curricular activities during the week is impossible - a private school offers all the on site. You can only cram so many clubs in on the weekend... redjam Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We looked round all the private schools when we > were choosing secondaries. I was a bit baffled as > to what you were paying for, to be honest, other > than the fancy buildings. If you have a really > sporty kid or one who's into drama or music your > child can always pursue those interests out of > school if they're not catered for in school > (though Kingsdale - where my older daughter goes - > is actually very good in those areas anyway). Yes, > smaller class sizes would be nice and my kids have > occasionally suffered dodgy teachers in their > state schools but I don't believe that the private > system is completely devoid of bad teaching > either. I've never had a problem contacting > teachers. > > I honestly believe that if you are engaged parents > and you have a kid who's happy to learn then > chances are they will be just fine within the > state system, and the huge sums of money you save > could be spent on extra-curricular activities if > needed and even a tutor if you have bad luck with > a particular subject. You really have to look > around all the options and get a 'feel' for what > seems right for your child. No school is perfect > and I've got friends whose kids have had problems > with bullying at private schools as well as > another friend who moved her child from state to > private because they weren't making progress with > a particular learning disability. So it's horses > for courses. > > My husband and I also went through the state > system ourselves with mixed results (!). But I do > think that London comprehensives have come on a > long way since then. Definitely not perfect but > both my kids have been really happy at their > schools and are doing well. Plus I do think that > ability to mix with everyone from all backgrounds > is a really important thing to learn early on in > life. Good luck with your decision!

Yes to Lewisham! I've recently had a fantastic experience there - the birth centre is very jacked but if you don't get to use it, the labour rooms are all basically brand new and refurbished. It's also, from what I've heard, much easier to get a private side room (paid for) if you have to stay in for any length of time - I had one and it was definitely a much better experience than the ward. I met so many lovely lovely people - I was in hospital for 5 days and once I came home, the receptionist on the ante natal ward actually called me up a few days after I came home to see how I was. And so many of the midwives who had helped me over the almost week I was there also stopped in to say hi and meet the new baby. Definitely a very positive experience.

Hi Suzy, I have sent you a PM with my number.

Hi, the schools you apply at will request a report from your nursery - I'd discuss your concerns with her current care provider and make sure that they reference the fact that English is not necessarily her first language. This may help. In my experience of these tests at the schools you mention, they will watch the kids play and then have a few words with them independently. Also, if the worst comes to the worst, you can always apply at 7+ where she would have had 3 years of English schooling and then her second language will be a massive bonus. It also saves you more than 30k in fees and you can throw a few grand at a tutor for the year before the exam :-) Honestly - being bi-lingual is better than JAGS or Alleyns... the cognitive benefits of learning two languages from tiny far outweigh a couple of years perhaps missing out on private schooling. You've done the right thing, don't worry x

Hi, can anyone provide details for a local marriage therapist please? PM if easier. Thanks

Steve did a great job with our fencing - I can echo that he is reasonable and dedicated. He worked until almost 9pm to get things finished and tidied up so we'd have the garden ready for the weekend. He's also amazing with kids :-)

Hi, does anyone know if there is a central source that lists nursery and schools? We've moved from east dulwich to HOP and I don't really know this area at all (besides Stillness) so any guidance appreciated. Thanks!

Hi, thanks for your answers. The share is based full time at their house and all three children will be with the nanny all day. We already compensate for food etc. I guess I could factor in that they are using their home all the other time but I do think that's actually a great benefit. In my old share, the older child was at school so we paid a 1/3 for part of the day and 1/2 for the time when there were just two. In the holidays, when all were together all day, it was 1/3 to me. Etta, just curious why do you think it should be 50:50? To me it seems like I would be paying half the costs to have my child receive less attention?

Hi, just a question - if there are 3 children in a full time share, and only one is mine, would it usually work out that I pay 1/3 and the other family 2/3? This is how it worked in my old share and I think the most fair? Please advise!