legalalien

I agree - very happy with Elm Lodge (they were great in giving us a fast track referral to A&E when DS had suspected irritable hip (which with the benefit of google hindsight could have been all kinds of awful things...)

We had a likeabike and DS didn't use it at all (he was an enthusiastic walker/runner). Ditto the 12" bike with stabilisers. But at age 4 and a half I decided it was bike riding time, took the stablisers off (he'd never ridden with them) and after a couple of one hour sessions over two days he was away laughing and now loves bike riding. So I think it depends on your child - if you can, borrow one for a few days and see whether they show interest.....

I would add good quality winter coats and wellies to the school uniform if you're focussing on basics- coats are expensive and wellies are both very useful and generally not worn out by the time they're grown out of.

An alternative way of doing it would be to match people with a specific "needy" family with a child a couple of sizes smaller. I came across someone in need on the internet (it was mumsnet, I confess) a couple of years ago and about twice a year I post all the things that DS has grown out of, and which are still in good nick, to her in Yorkshire. We send each other Xmas and birthday cards. I think it's quite nice to know where things have come from, and also to get a "surprise" parcel from the post office a couple of times a year. (As it happens, as a child I was the subject of a similar arrangement where we got second-hand clothes from another (unknown) family, which is what made me suggest it). Once the arrangement's in place, there's no need for "asking" for more help. There's no reason why we couldn't have "local" pairing up - and it could be online and anonymous (although obviously you'd need to know the recipient's address or a school to drop it off at).

I've never tried it but am sure DS (6) and I would find it fun one Sunday morning while his Dad's out playing cricket. prob not for a few weeks though as we seem to be into a frenetic birthday party season....

Don't forget the always engrossing www.airlinemeals.net see http://www.airlinemeals.net/browse.php?id=2122&start=1&x=1 (I love it that people take the time to do this)

I've flown Korean with a 3 year old, it was fine although not as good as Singapore obviously (have never flown Emirates). You get what you pay for! The airline meals weren't crash hot (although my SIL swears that the bim bim bap is great - to each her own), so pack snacks! To be honest, the stop over in Seoul on the way back is a bit of a nightmare. Trick is (i) to assume that you won't enjoy the free buffet dinner, and head straight for the restaurant (your 3 year old is likely to look at the buffet as though it is poison); and, given that you're paying for three seats (I assume), make sure that you demand two rooms in the hotel, and one of you can share the room with the three year old. We didn't do this the first time and the "rollaway bed" was more like a chair and completely unsuitable for a three year old to sleep on. But Seoul airport is OK, and there is a children's room with a sort of bouncy castle where you can while away several hours waiting for the flight back....

The islabikes are expensive but they really are good - both in being light and in having brakes specially designed for small hands - made a big difference to my five year old who was on the small side and struggled with the stiff brakes on a heavier bike. There are some for sale second hand on eBay. In terms of resale, Islabikes do offer a buy back scheme, but they told me (and they were right) that I was likely to get more reselling locally...

We stayed here http://www.spinneywood.co.uk/location.html a couple of years ago with australian in laws - it was great! otherwise you might want to try www.nicheretreats.co.uk - porthleven is lovely. The restaurant here http://www.trelowarren.com/ is great but haven't seen the accommodation...

JAGS also do sessions on Weds and Thurs evenings from 6pm until 7pm (also with Danny). Not sure if you can do drop in though. Again, various ages also I suspect that the youngest are around 5.

From 6 months to 12 months DS was put in a swinging chair in front of baby einstein from 5 until 5.20 on the dot, while I self-indulgently poured myself a gin and tonic and read a book. I was quite depressed for the first year - I swear that 20 minute period was the only thing that kept me sane! Otherwise, TV has always been part of the bedtime wind down routine - an hour between bathtime and bed, with bed at the end of the programme. And generally not otherwise - although a recent obsession with football seems to be leading to regular father /son "Match of the Day" bonding on Sat or Sun am. Fantastic!

Hi there, I replied to your nanny on the other thread - I agree with Pickle that kiwi mums (and for that matter, other mums) are to some extent likely to be a solution - all a question of attitude. As a mum and previous nanny employer I have no problem hanging out with nannies - as opposed to mums - if I like them and have something in common with them - in my case a bit of an age gap but if they're prepared to put up with a nearly-40 fogey like me then no issue!

Good lord, this place is crawling with kiwis. Maybe I should organise some sort of Waitangi Day bash next year? Our son is a bit older (nearly 6) so not up for the playdate thing - but if you're living in and ever fancy some time out / coming over for a BBQ or babysitting (watching the Super 14) let me know! And do PM me and let me know where in nz you're from (the Bay, myself)

From my perspective the issue is all about whether hours are fixed and predictable - and therefore manageable / capable of advance planning - or not. Many "power" jobs in the City involve not just long hours - but extremely unpredictably hours e.g. being called into an all night meeting with less than an hour's notice - it's those kinds of demands that make parenting with two "power" jobs impossible absent family support or significant outsourcing of childcare.

fuschia - just tried to PM you but your mailbox is full! if you delete a few items I'll try again later...

I'm having a paperback clean out, fair amount of crime fiction (Val McDiarmid, Peter James) and some modern fiction and chick lit - basically bookshelves are full so I am shedding some of the books I don't think I'll read again. If you want to come around and help yourself to some, PM me.

I use Riemann - it's expensive but worth it as it's an oil, rather than a cream (less fuss about putting it on) and it lasts a long time, which avoids the need for reapplication during the school day.

pebbles' description fits with my understanding of the situation as well. Alleyns seems to me to be fiercely competitive - both because it covers secondary as well as primary, and because it is co-ed (families with boys and girls are often keen to send them to the same school). I think it is perceived as more academically selective than the other schools - but I have no real feel for this one way or the other.

Yes, DM, I couldn't agree more (it doesn't however stop all the mums of girls engaging in endless discussions about assessments and generally stressing out about the process, so far as I can tell)(thank heavens I have a boy...)

The key question is what you plan to do during the school holidays - will you require full time care? There are a lot of them. If you do need full time care during the holidays then you are likely heading down the path of full time childcare all year around - maybe a nanny share arrangement? We were lucky enough to have a qualified nanny who brought her own baby along for school pick up / after school care, and was happy to have school holidays off.

I've never taken the P13 (so can't vouch for its reliability) but the walk from the bus stop would be easy. It's a very short walk to the nursery as the entrance is very close to the corner of gallery road and the A205. I think the P13 would be the best bet, though. Unless you're close to the P4 route (forest hill end, or in easy walking distance of Dulwich Village) as the bus stops right outside a walking path with a 2 minute walk to nursery.

EDZ - depends where you're coming from, I guess. I walk from the ED/DV border (DS used to walk, now cycles) and the traffic in the ED Grove - Gallery Road direction is generally fine, in the opposite direction (towards JAPS) it's a nightmare. Parking is fine as people park in the Belair Park car park. Personally I'd go for a bike, and cut through Dulwich Park - but then I don't drive and am fairly evangalical about the benefits of walking or biking to school.... For drop off, doors at the nursery open at 8.50, and children are expected to be in by 9; pick up is around 3-3.10.

Horsebox - I think the N Dulwich machine is now fixed - saw them installing the new one on the 30th....

We took our own and printed them out for the UK passport - beware, though, if you're applying for a passport from another country -- they're generally fussier (the Australian passport office in particular is renowned for rejecting photos - v pleased with myself as I just got my son's renewal passport photos past them today!)

Hooray - what looked to be a new ticket machine at North Dulwich today!