ladywotlunches

I've not used it, but see it now has new posters saying its rated Ofsted 'good'. Have you found the report? Indeed, it would be a much more convenient choice than Fairlawn nursery for parents at the main school!

I've no direct experience of your case, but I do remember that his settling in process at school was stretched over 3 weeks - so the children do have a lengthy settling in period anyway. Reception class is also very similar to nursery, so if you were still going to send your son to nursery as well I don't think it would make too much difference in terms of tiredness etc. Also, the change from 'school' to 'nursery' on a regular basis may be a little disruptive. I have a friend who's son was 4 on 2nd September and as a result he's started school nursery for the part time allocation, but then goes to his day nursery for the rest of the time. However, because the day nursery is in the same location, he's getting very confused and she's thinking of stopping that. If you feel that your son will be too young to start school in September next year, then I would consider deferring entirely until January/Easter, rather than trying to do both (which basically will just mean more to-and fro-ing for you too!). But don't forget, there is still a year to go, and the little ones grow up a LOT between 3 and 4, so you may feel much happier next summer. Hope this helps!

Vik, the plans that Siduhe found don't seem to address any of the problems with the Brenchley Gardens junction, as far as I can see. In fact, they look like narrowing that junction so the queues would just get longer and drivers more frustrated as cars waiting to turn right would hold up all the traffic wanting to turn left out of Brenchley. And there is nothing suggested for Canonbie Road just opposite, which is a very difficult turn if you want to go across to Brenchley or vice versa. I prefer not to do it and use Netherby road instead (if its not school pick up/drop off time, which is another law unto itself). I guess that the Canonbie/Brenchley junction issue isn't addressed because that crosses the boundary between Southwark and Lewisham - and of course there's no way they could work together! :)

Thanks for that. I vaguely remember hearing about a consultation, but a search on here doesn't reveal much. Being on the Lewisham side of the tracks (just) I don't think we got much, officially.

I've seen some small yellow road signs informing that roadworks are due to start on 3rd July, for around 3 months at the junction of wood vale and forest hill road. I can't seem to find any more details though. Does anyone know more?

Are you thinking of Green-buttons.com? Its an online shop, but was based in HOP (not sure now as I think the business has been sold on). Its still going though. When I've used them its been a great service

Fl0wer, thanks for the tip on dry hedging. Now I have a name for that heap of garden rubbish at that sits next to the composter because its too woody to mulch down properly!

Someone on Forest Hill Road had a bonfire last night, and pretty big it was too. So big in fact we thought there was a house on fire and hubby went down to check (not me, obvs!)

Hi Jon, and thanks for your idea about the role reversal. He'd LOVE to do that. He's already keen on planning journeys via public transport (I think they do a bit of that at school) when he hears that someone is off on a journey. Great tip! And good to know that being relaxed with learning is a good thing at this age. The latest ofsted report on how schools are failing brighter pupils brings that sense of fear back again. Perhaps the first years of secondary is where Kumon or other additional learning could really help.

Local park - its free then! We had our sons at the Horniman Gardens on Saturday. 23 kids from his class running around playing footie, rounders and generally having fun. The girls were happy with the 3-legged race, and playing in the trees. Weather is a risk factor though, but we were lucky at the weekend...

Thank you all again for your advice, thoughts and votes of confidence (I knew I'd get a rounded response from the forum!). Saffron, he's not at all keen on "some weird lessons club" and I can see it becoming more of a threat than an incentive, so I will just leave it for now. What I have been hoping is that come September things will be smoother with the school and with the fresh year, he'll be right back into studying again. Gill2, thanks for your tips. I've got some time at home starting from next week and hopefully over the summer, so I can devote more of my brain power to thinking of learning that doesn't seem like learning to him! From what those who have experienced it have said, Kumon does sound like a balanced way of focussing on the core subjects (with work from home and 1 class/week), so I'll keep it in mind for the future, when he's more ready.

David, I tend to agree with you. My natural inclination would be to do just that. But as a mother I live in fear of letting him down, and not allowing him to fulfill his potential, which I know he has. I'd much rather he spent time in the garden than in more class time. Espelli, thank you for your thoughts. That hits the nail on the head I think. Whenever he finds a piece of work more challenging, he just gives up and declares himself too stupid to do it. Which is what upsets me the most, as I know he CAN do it with a little thought and attention. I'll check out that book.

He plays the cornet - lessons are through school but private. He enjoys that and the practice - Its the same with his swimming lessons - he loves to show us how he's progressing (and with football that he does at the weekends). As to more traditional creative activiites, he's never been a massive fan of painting and drawing so much. Homework tasks that involve creating posters and the like rather than just questions/tasks, are met with even more groaning!!! He is not behind at school - he's in a high performing class and in the top groups within that for most things. But he's lacking confidence I think, so I want to show him that its good to be challenged with schoolwork, and not to just give up when the going is a bit tough - its only going to get tougher!

Hi all I'm toying with the idea of trying the Kumon classes for my 7 year old boy, who this year seems to have really lost his passion for learning, after being so keen in the first two years at school. If you have used Kumon (or have children in a class currently) please could you tell me your experiences? Do they like the classes/work, is it a lot of commitment, do you feel like you are just giving them a little bit more confidence, and building a learning habit? I want this to be fun for him, not feel like I'm 'hot-housing' him for entry exams (which is not the plan). Alternatively does anyone have any suggestions on how I could help him get his learning mojo back myself? I have been working part time this year but finish this week, so will have the rest of this school year at least to spend some time with him, and I was thinking about using some of the work books you can get to help supplement their learning in English and Maths. Perhaps half an hour a day with that sort of thing may be all he needs? I'm also hoping that when he's in the juniors from September, that the learning patterns will be stronger anyway as he moves up a level. (And his class/school will be more settled - they've had lots of change this year).

Glad to see that they didn't get away with your scooter LV. Did the person who saw them report this? As regards a good dealer - try Honda Riders in Peckham Rye. They are very down to earth, helpful and quick. Don't just do Honda either. They may be able to get you a replacement ignition from a scrapped bike, which would be cheaper??

Hi there Is this post linked to the other thread you posted in any way? If Mother Goose are not the nursery concerned, you may want to clarify, for their sake (if they are, then maybe remove this post to avoid identification)

Well done LBsmith - glad he didn't get away with it. dbboy - very concerned to hear about the Netherby road incident. Can you share any more details? Was it a burglary or street robbery? ETD to say - CPFCFan our messages crossed in the ether. Though there are also some allegiances to the Eagles in this house :)

Just seen this latest ad for mooncup, in the rapping trend. Hilarious!

On the subject of cost, what does everyone consider 'reasonable' to pay for a 2 week holiday with 2 kids in the summer holidays? My youngest is two this year so will have to pay for her, and I can't seem to find anything with much change for 5 grand - gulp! Now, I'm not saying I'm looking for the cheapest, but in my searches this figure was definitely in the lower ranges, with several other options considerably more. I've checked out Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy, self catering and hotels. I still dream of my hols in my 20's when a last minute trip to Greece could be had for ?199. So is it just me clinging to my student roots, or does everyone else think this is silly money for a couple of weeks away??

Reviving this thread as I have similar requirements for March this yea. Any thoughts?

It could be blocked guttering? - although its an internal wall I'm guessing that it may join the outside at one end? Water can find very complicated routes in if they are the ones with least obstructions. As we found over Xmas, with the amount of rain bucketing down it can get into very strange places (a crack in our outside render saw water dripping in on an 'internal' wall that used to be external!) Good luck!

A reminder that Fairlawn's Christmas fair is this Saturday, 1st December. I've posted more details in what's on too.

Hi Rachel, what you are selling sounds lovely, and just the kind of thing that parents coming to our fair will be looking for. We have our Christmas Fair at Fairlawn School on Saturday 1st December, from 12-3pm. The P4 stops right outside, and P12 goes close by (with other buses about 5 mins walk away). I'm sorting out the table plan this week so if you'd like to know more about taking a stall please PM.

We have used my parents' family solicitor based down in Sussex, and more recently Caroline Sherry at Glazer Delmar. Caroline was brilliant, and has been for other friends we recommended her to. I've not used a conveyancing firm but know friends who have had experience (either themeselves or as sellers whose buyers used them). You get what you pay for I think - which isn't much. For realistic advice, I'd stick to a proper solicitor where you can visit their office if need be.

That's a shame - I like huggies, they seem much softer than other brands. Saying that I too go for Sainsburys own (we're on Pull ups now). And Johnsons extra care wipes (the green stripey ones) that have through two children managed to successfully prevent nappy rash. On the subject of which, Pampers are the worst for us - I just bought a pack of Pampers recently and within a day my LO had sore bits. Back on to Sainsburys, and all better.