tarafitness

If you contact local ED beekeeper, Chick, he might be able to help you out :-)

All children must attend primary school between the ages of five and eleven. Most children start primary school in the Reception Class (although this is part of Early Years provision and is not compulsory). so it's not compulsory, but I guess it's the preferred intake age for local schools?

thank you for your thoughts :-) that's interesting re reception not being optional. It's been a while since I've had a child in school this young (my older son will be 21 this May), so my memory of the school entry system is quite hazy! Very good point about the potentially unsettling leap from preschool to year one. I guess having him used to a more formal setting by that point would be more gentle. I just really really love his nursery (as does he!), and the convenience of having him in one place for most of the year!

This is a little way off (my son will be 4 this December, so this won't apply until next September intake), and appreciate I'm being a bit premature - but I just wanted to ask for people's view/experience on starting kids off in Reception, as opposed to continuing in the preschool room at nursery. Pros for moving him to Reception are no more childcare fees, and not having to worry about Yr 1 intake as he'll already be at the school, be settled and have made friends. Cons are - school holidays! Currently his nursery only has 2 weeks off a year, so it's not much of a biggie. My partner and I both work though, so what's the holiday provision like in this area? I'd be a bit apprehensive about him being a tiny 4 year old in a facility with 11 year olds. Is there anything age-group specific? I'm also concerned by how much emphasis will be placed on classroom learning vs physical play - again, not something I have to worry about at his nursery. Thanks! Tara.

Thank you, Renata. I use both Herne Hill and Denmark Hill stations to travel to Victoria, and there are definitely fewer people at HH. Seems unfathomable that they'd want to cut such a popular service?!

I sincerely hope this does not become a reality. There are many local people who need to travel to/via Victoria. The platform at Denmark Hill is always full in the mornings!

I wish we had the same on Worlingham Road. We're always having mattresses and large pieces of furniture deposited in the large section at the end of the road. It's such an eyesore :-(

My elder son went to JASSPA at JAGS for a couple of years. Really enjoyed it.

Thanks for all the advice! He doesn't really like his scooter either ;-) The Strider sessions at the Velodrome sound perfect. Unfortunately they're only run during the week, and not on the day we have off together, what a shame! We picked up a Specialized Hotrock 12" starter bike from this forum. It needs a fair bit of work to make it rideable again, but it's a nice bike, and my son already looks a lot keener on it than he did his shiny new red Strider... typical! If we're off on a Tuesday or Wednesday at some point, I'll be sure to take him to the HH Velodrome. Thanks again, Tara.

We bought our (now) 3 year old a really gorgeous bright red strider balance bike the Christmas before last. He has zero interest in it, and makes a halfhearted effort to ride it - at best - then gives up. I think we made a bit of an error of judgement, as he really seems to prefer things he can sit on and pedal - and that are a bit more stable (he's quite risk averse). Can anyone please recommend a good first/starter bike (with stabilisers!), that might suit a reasonably tall 3 year old? Many thanks, Tara.

Gosh I'm sorry, I missed your response! Yes, ED is a much better place for small children :) there's a lot more going in in terms of baby/young child friendly caf?s, restaurants, pubs etc.. And we've got the excellent Horniman Museum and Gardens a short bus ride or walk away, and Sydenham Hill woods. Plenty of baby groups too.

Hi there I've just seen this petition, and attached consultation document, but I'm having trouble reading it on my phone. Can anyone please elucidate further on this matter? As a regular Victoria commuter, this has left me feeling quite panicked. Thanks! Tara.

Bit of interesting reading: Katy Bowman And The Biomechanics Of Human Growth: Barefoot Babies Thoughts on a Proper Child?s Shoe And also a great site here for shoes and advice: Happy Little Soles

As someone who has moved *from* Herne Hill and *to* East Dulwich, I'd say it was a much better place for small children. There are also plenty of non-denomination primary schools, and we've got the existing old Charter - and new planned Charter secondary school opening up very soon. HH is great for Brockwell Park, and there is a community feel thanks to some very active locals who make a big difference to the area. However, the 'heart' of it is centred around the station, and while that is no longer a traffic thoroughfare, it is not fully pedestrianised. We were in HH for > 2 years, and it's coming up to 7 years in ED, and we have absolutely no regrets about moving :-)

Another recommendation for Gently Elephant. They have a great range of flexible high quality shoes, perfect for growing feet. :-) You can also buy online too, their range is a bit better there too. The shop also sells clothes, toys, gifts etc..

The Half Moon, Herne Hill - just down the road from the Dog - is set to reopen soon, and will offer hotel accommodation too. You can read more here.

My son went to the Soccer Stars Football Academy sessions on Saturdays at Peckham Rye (on the common, across from the caf?). They're really well run. Coach Denzel seems to be the main point of contact, and he - and the other coaches - are really lovely and encouraging. Unfortunately we had to stop going, as my son was more interested in going to the caf? for a snack, than taking part in team sports - but then he's only 3, so is still quite young. I'm sure your son will love it there. Our friends' son is still going, and enjoying it greatly. You can contact them on ssfa@yahoo.com, but they prefer if you text them on 07522 425 931. Tara

we have underfloor heating in our kitchen diner. I'm not sure who loves it more, us or the cats (I think maybe cats :-) ) We have black limestone tiles over the top. I'd recommend limestone as it's a great material if you have underfloor heating... I wouldn't recommend black though as the stain rubs off and looks a bit shabby. If you can afford to have it done, do it! Our kitchen is amazingly snug, the floor is the only source of heating as we don't need a radiator in there any more.

I agree with using a stretchy wrap at 8 weeks (Moby is a popular make, Hana wraps are lovely as they contain bamboo which keeps you cool and gives a nice stretch), much nicer and more snug. When they get to around 4/5 months (or sooner,if you wish), you can try switching to something a bit more structured with buckles (or, stay with wrapping and use woven instead of stretchy cotton) like an ergobaby, tula, beco, boba, manduca, connecta etc. We use connectas (still, with our three year old), as they fold down very small so are incredibly portable. If you have back issues it might be an idea to use something more padded though. My partner carried our son from birth in an ergobaby (with the infant insert, initially), whereas I preferred the stretchy wrap for the first few months. If you have the time, before you choose a buckle carrier, it might be worth paying a visit to the South London Sling Library. You can book a consultation there, as well as hire slings to get a feeling of what's comfortable or not.

I noticed the Goose Green roundabout was closed the next day, so they obviously drove it down East Dulwich Road, and turned left when they couldn't carry on... then got to the end of my road and realised there was no chance they could proceed further :-D Lucky there was a friendly chap on a scooter giving direction or there might have been a few cars taken out on the corner!!

How about attending a CoderDojo session? We often have them at my work (John Lewis head office in Victoria), but there are other locations in London too :)

Haha! Great film. It just felt really surreal, to look out my window at 1am to see a massive double decker bus, being guided backwards down my street, by a chap on a scooter.

...at gone 1am I've seen it all now. Can't have been lost, surely?

ahh okay, well that makes a lot of sense then :)

These two trees on Worlingham Road were cut down quite recently, as you can see from the pictures I took today. Both were felled in December. Neither were dying, and the stumps have just been left - as well as with another tree in the opposite side, which was also cut down late last year. There was another tree on this road cut down recently, but it had suffered storm damage and was dead... So I can understand that. The stump was completely removed soon after. It's the felling of seemingly healthy trees that concerns me.