ladywotlunches

SG88 all options covered on the porridge making front. You mentioned you were at home today though, and I find the crucial factor in any tummy pains I get is being at work. I don't know if its the added stress (WFH is fine - perhaps its the commute!) but also I pretty much always work through lunch, and eat sitting at my desk. I think that's the problem - your body needs a bit of movement after eating to help the digestion. Try a quick 5 minute walk after lunch to see if it helps. Even a loop around the office will be good.

The story has been picked up by the South London Press, in today's issue, page 13, or read it on the Friends of Piplings site: http://friendsofpiplings.wordpress.com/news/

Claire, I would say put your house on the market right away, see if you get any offers in the next 2 weeks, and then have you got somewhere to move to or are you planning to rent? Not to put too much of a downer on things, but if you've not sold yet, there's no guarantee that things may have gone through even by September - and then if you take the school place now, you will have months of hassle, and then maybe not even get the sibling place.

I'm not sure that the local councillors can (or want to) get involved now. They were involved at the planning stage, and granted permission for this nursery to open in 2010. Since that stage, rather than appealing the decision with the planning department, the objectors have chosen to use the covenant route to try and close the nursery, so its a legal matter rather than a council one.

Thanks Pickle, and everyone else for their support. Over 150 signatures online now, plus 50 or so more from the weekend when some of us were out talking to local residents about this. The overwhelming sense of support for the nursery has been brilliant. If you do support the nursery, the petition is still open so feel free to add your name at www.friendsofpiplings.org

For those who haven't seen the other thread, read more here. And for more information, see friendsofpiplings.org

Wow, I've seen that there have been almost 2,000 views of this thread. And already some visits to the Friends of Piplings site and signatures on the e-petition. Thank you everyone, keep them coming! Have just tried to change the title of the thread a little to ask for more help. Hope no-one minds (and I hope the OP doesn't mind us having hijacked this thread?!)

As a parent from the nursery, AND a local resident, I can vouch for the fact that this nursery is a very calm environment, where children have lots of fun. But one of the key factors in us making our original decision to send our child there was that in the 90 minutes we spent for our introductory visit, we never heard a single tantrum/fight/upset. Of course babies and young children cry, but not all 24 "screaming" at once. And if you walk past the nursery during the day, you would be hard pressed to know it was there. People who I have spoken to who should know where it is (as they have voiced objections) still don't actually know where on Liphook Crescent they are referring to,

Buggie - does this imply then that, in the eyes of the objectors, a nursery is on the same level as a Brothel? ;-) It does seem insane in 2012 that a nursery doesn't fall under the acceptable businesses list

DulwichGirl2 - good question. However the property was the family home for some time before it became a nursery (still is). And the option from Ofsted to have 'childcare on domestic premises' (rather than just childminding) has only been available for a couple of years. Perhaps, when they bought it, they didn't have plans to run a nursery, and these plans changed. ClareC - indeed, but that also shows that although the covenants are in place for pretty much every property in the Tewskesbury lodge area, not all neighbours have seen fit to enforce it to the letter - mainly because it has become very outdated in our service industry era - its not like we have vehicle body shops, scrap metal merchants and the like opening up, which I think is what the covenants were there to protect against.

Very sadly, parents at Piplings Forest Hill been informed this week that it will be closing, due to some legal action by unfriendly neighbours. Places for some of the children have been made available at Piplings East Dulwich, but this will in turn leave less places for the other children in the area. Although planning permission had been given last year by Lewisham council, there was a restrictive covenant dating from when the houses were built (1938) that forbids most businesses(apart from doctors and solicitors and the like) from being run from the building. A couple of neighbours, backed by the Tewkesbury Lodge Estate Residents Association, took the nursery to court to enforce this restrictive covenant. Personally I'm very sad that such a fantastic nursery is being forced to closed, and angry and frustrated by the actions of the residents association in supporting a couple of residents in this action, without informing other residents in the area, on which the action has arguably a more detrimental effect. The crazy thing is that the nursery certainly causes a lot less disturbance that say, a doctor's surgery would in the same place (which would be admissable). This action seems to be very short sighted as the community as a whole will be losing a sorely needed local resource, which is also an outstanding (as confirmed by ofsted), calm and caring place for our local children to attend. A key objection to the nursery was that there was "no apparent need" in the area. Absolutely crazy, but something that could not be challenged in the courtroom. There may still be some other options open, but I think it will need a lot of local support. Please feel free to add thoughts here, which I'm sure Piplings will read!! There's also more being said on the SE23 forum on this topic too, if you're interested.

All of the above, depending on whether its a teacher, a friend's parent, one of our friends, or their Uncle

Hi Berbel Not sure where you are and how easy it would be to get to, but Piplings nursery recently opened a new branch on the corner of Peckham Rye park (opposite the Herne pub). They have very good reports for the branch in Forest Hill (where my daughter goes and loves it there). They are certainly not the cheapest option, but may have space. Gumboots nursery on Crystal palace rd is a 'community' nursery which I think means they give priority to local families with most need. As a single parent, this may bump you up the list quicker.

So the micro with seat has arrived Chez lunches! My daughter loves it and is scooting all over the house. We haven't been outside yet - that will be a plan for the weekend if it stays sunny. I think the seat is pretty sturdy, but like Jollybaby says, its not as stable as a ride on as perhaps some of the purpose built 4-wheelers are. But I'm hoping she will build her balance up on it!

Linkway cars, based in Honor Oak park, have car seats available if you pre-book. We have used them several times and the seats are in a pretty good state.

Thanks for the offer Jollybaby. I actually went ahead and ordered one from John Lewis online yesterday. They don't do it in store yet, and I thought I can just take a look and if it doesn't seem to be that useful just send it back and get a normal micro. Will keep you all updated when it arrives!

MichelleT, interesting to hear that your LO is using the micro at 18 months. I've just been looking at options for my daughter who is coming up to 16 months and have seen that they now do an 'O bar' and seat that attaches to the scooter, making it easier for the littlies to use it from 1 yo. But maybe I don't need that bit at all? Here's what it is: Microscooter for 1yr+

Thanks Supergolden. Have ordered the ELC happyland Windmill. She has other happyland stuff for her birthday which she loves. I was trying to steer clear of the pink plastic, but have decided its an inevitability!

It seems its a tough one! DD has a teaset that her brother had, and also a doll that we got for her birthday (and a buggy her brother had too - he was very non-gender specific when he was younger!!). A shop sounds good - along the same lines as the dolls house ...

I have the opposite challenge to Supergolden, a 15 month old girl who I have no idea what to buy for Christmas as her 5 year old brother has had everything (including the kitchen sink on his play kitchen!). I've been through the ELC and Argos catalogues for ideas, searched online for inspriration, but nothing is coming up that she doesn't already have. I've seen the Sue Ryder dolls houses, and they do quite a chunky one that although it says 3+ I think would be fine for her to put her happyland figures in and we can add furniture as she gets older. And I feel at least with that, I would be helping charity. Any other ideas?

Yes Fairlawn are charging ?1 a ticket, but personally I'm not outraged as having been to it today, so much work has gone into it from both the children and the teachers. We don't have to source costumes as they are supplied, and they are created/maintained to a high standard using the school fund, which the ticket money goes towards. The kids also get a present each year and get some external productions come in as a treat (Dick Whittington this year) which are also paid for from the fund. As for those who can't afford it, I'm sure the school allows them to watch the performance for free. But why advertise that - its just something they do to help.

Hi Esme Will there be someone moving out of the building on the same day? If so they will have the removal van problem earlier in the day and can leave bins/ironing boards/boxes out when they are done perhaps

Well Chippy, we agree on one thing - that image is exactly how I feel.

Chippy Minton - in the other instances you mention, those affected are using an optional service. School is a legal requirement/right - which children are being denied because of the teachers' "right to strike". I feel the same about Fire personnel, Medical Personnel and the Police striking. In these instances, those who require the services have no other choice. Which in my opinion should mean that those personnel should have a right to other forms of industrial action, but not strikes. But of course, those who agree with strikes will never concede that there could be another way. So I'm leaving it here.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > I suspect most commuters couldn't do much about > Tube staff conditions and pay. > > And I doubt most holiday makers could have a great > deal of effect on cabin crew pay conditions. > > That is what striking is. I've never gone out on > strike, but I would if I felt strongly enough. I'm > sure a lot of the teachers would rather it not be > necessary to make their point. But commuters can use other forms of transport to get to work. (painful, but possible) Holiday makers get a refund on their ticket and can rebook (again, painful, but not in the end out of pocket). My point is that a strike hurts the govt less longer term than it does parents/children. Other forms of industrial action may cause more pain to the people the Teachers have their issues with.