Hello
Sorry not to get back to you, school hols here plus a close friend of mine in UK passed away yesterday which has totally thrown me.
Anyway, I don't know the Western side at all yet and had to look up where you'll be but nice that you'll be so close to the beach. I have to say it might be a bit difficult to get about with 3 little ones and no transport, we didn't have a car for the first 3 months which was fine as I can walk into the city from here in about 25 mins and do so quite a lot with DD (3) in pushchair. Buses are quite hard going with pushchairs I found but it can be done. Do you have wheels for all 3 of yours? I'd be happy to meet up in city for coffee or come out your way, esp while ds's at school. DD would love some girls to play with.
Really don't know about HV's I'm afraid, mine are a bit older and not needed any medical support yet but there are walk in clinics which are open amazing hours so would use that if need be. The clinic you are talking about is the Child and Family Health Clinic which is 34 The Parade Norwood, can't find a website for it but I've found the health centres to be very lacking in internet info.
I've met nice people through school but mainly through playgroup (which is really mother and toddler as you don't leave the DC as you do in Uk playgroups). I go to a playgroup on the Parade called De Lissa which is part playgroup SA and have met nice mums there and am now on committee which is good for getting to know people. (BTW I am NOT a massively outgoing person or pushy at all and find the small talk at the start quite hard going but have thrown myself in and after nearly 6 months am getting there I think).
What else... well I have to say we all love it! Really it is hard to leave your support network, we were living next door to my parents which was ace, but really the lifestyle here is amazing. There is always something going on, a festival round every corner it feels like. We have lots of family coming out this year which is great and can't wait to show them all around this beautiful, sunny city.
Lots of things to do, Museum is good for a run about if too hot or cold to be outside, we are members of the zoo which has been worth every cent, hundreds of parks to explore. As I said, not sure what's over your side of the city though.
Where in Scotland are you moving from? Have you thawed yet? Yes, DD won't start kindy until next Oct at 4 but I'm fine with that, my DS1 started full time school in Scotland at 4.5 and took years to catch up with the general expectations of the class, he was far too young and it's really only since we got here that his reading has clicked (he's now 8) and he's thriving with the active teaching methods and small class sizes. DS2 is 5.5 and in reception for another year so getting a really good grounding. DD will get a pre-kindy place from 3.5 for two terms but it's only a few hours a week. I can appreciate how you feel though as if we'd been in Scotland still she would have 5 mornings or afternoons a week in Nursery! I might have to get a job if that was happening though!
Hope I've covered everything you've asked, am not quite with it so happy to answer anything else. Good luck.