Fuschia

'Expert with children' then! :-) Not often a whole family regards a 70 mile round trip in the holidays for dental check up as an actual treat, but they do. Having used kings early on with a dentist refusenik, I have to say that the system they have there, with a high turnover of dentists, didn't really work for us. Finding a small, personalised dentist where the children can get familiar and build up a relationship (and watch the parents have their check ups) works best for us - and having a dentist who can explain things clearly so you can decide on the best approach, is priceless. Having found the perfect dentist about 5 years into being parents, we are now still commuting back from herts for the privelege

https://www.tes.co.uk/news/school-news/breaking-news/thousands-primaries-opt-test-free-baseline-assessments http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/guest_posts/2287458-Guest-post-Baseline-assessments-its-wrong-to-test-four-year-olds

Edf member and dentist k Wicksteed at Dental Clinique in clapham (short drive and easy psrking) is a paediatric specialist. Highly recommended.

Boat charter out of Southampton?

For animals try paradise wildlife park - loads of plsy areas, shows, paddling pool

They do have a lego day ... We went last year ... There were some tents with things to do Use tesco sats out vouchers to get a day pass, then pay for qbots. If you are with small children that must be accompanied on rides, you need only one per child. They start at about ?15 It's fiendishly expensive to actually pay at the gate Get there before it opens, dash right through to the dragon rides then work back Prioritise the rides, don't try to go on them all Duplo world and water park and the free play area there are best plus the pirate performance Best time to go is June or sept, well away from school holidays

Cora Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If anyone wants to comment on the cancellation of > rafts and rascals on Fridays or the lack of any > kids swim on Bank Holiday Monday the > person/address to contact is > [email protected] Also copy local councillor/find out who manages the fusion contract for southwark/ contact local Press (cue photo call sad children holding their towels outside the cancelled rafts and rascals session)

Could your existing nanny do your before and after school along with a new younger child day times? Could you (and partner) work flexibly and use before and after school Clubs?

But I think it would be worth lobbying for dulwich pool to reinstate at least one after school session for fsmily swimming

Spa at Beckenham and pavilion Bromley websites aren't working properly Dulwich college sports club is ?57 PCM for a family and has two evenings where access to the pool is from 17.45

Forest hill (big pool) http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/cms_uploads/file/Lewisham/2015/January%202015%20Timetable%20Forest%20Hill%20Pool%20Web.pdf It always frustrated me that so few after school open sessions are available - I did write to fusion once about the bridge leisure centre small pool and they changed their timetable to put back a suitable cession, but swim school is obviously lucrative as now takes up every available slot There is always JAGS http://www.jagssportsclub.co.uk/membership/ Not cheap though Manageable if it's just one parent signing up and you do go at least once a week

Getting the overnight ferry to brittany makes for a lot less driving, if eventual destination is a brittany (there is an economie ferry)

And I am afraid that this school is very much an example of the current problems in education - free schools being set up by private companies on a 'who you know' basis rather than as part of a coordinated system. The companies churn out spin re demand for the schools - most parents would prefer a proper community school.

landsberger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Fuschia Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > 1st preferences for schools are not published > by > > LAs. > > I am not getting the figures from the LA I meant, a school can claim whatever no of 1st preferences it likes, as the 'official' figures only show how many families chose a school within the 6 preferences

1st preferences for schools are not published by LAs.

180 applications presumably means families putting the school As 1-6, rather than 1st choices. That would be similar to st Anthony's and a big improvement on 2014 when 43 applicants put it down As a choice The southwark admissions info doesn't give info re 1st choice preferences http://www.southwark.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/6403/starting_primary_school_in_southwark_201516

It is a very difficult call, as a parent, how best to support them In this sort of situation ... How best to really listen to them and respond ... So they need to be gently encouraged to continue, or do we need to let them Self determine and withdraw. It's not easy. Good luck finding your way through.

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/bloggers/1574459-Love-Bombing-the-solution-to-childrens-emotional-and-behavioural-issues I wouldn't stop with swimming lessons, because they are very important to me... But I would give the child lots of intense focused one on one time to try to resolve whatever underlying upset or insecurity was causing the refusal

Lots of love, Otta!

What else is going on with him? In my experience these sort of things are usually a sort of 'referred pain' for emotional neediness in another area of life. I would try some love bombing from you and try getting someone else to take him to swimming ... After a break of a couple of weeks (tell him it's shut for holidays)

Where in n Wales are you going? Can't see m4 is very good either Def m40, have wee breaks at services, then have lunch stop near Shrewsbury If it's just the two of you, dobbies would suit you well

GPS likes clapham then m40 Vauxhall Chelsea embankment earls court is another option Don't do m1 from s London - takes forever I know 3 good stops all by Shrewsbury Dobbies garden centre - good cafe, fish, playhouses to explore http://www.homefarmattingham.co.uk/ if you take a picnic - has picnic tables - is very small scale and isn't free but lots of space to run around, old tractors to climb on Also sainsburys Shrewsbury has a cafe There is also bekonscot model village at the start of the m40 but better for return journey

http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/03/23/best-childrens-books-death-grief-mourning/

Your best bet would be either an agency or a friend of An existing ED au pair

Can recommend here: http://www.braddicksholidaycentre.co.uk Is right on the beach, literally Great for paddling (there is a saltwater pool) and sand, surfing ... Swimming pool not far away, lovely park in Bideford with paddling pools