playgroups in stockbridge area? And other questions..!

[fairylights]

so here we are, finally moved to edinburgh after lots of months of planning etc..
LOVING it so far, what a beautiful city!
just wondering if anyone has any playgroups in the Stockbridge/Comely Bank/maybe even Craigleith area that they would recommend?
We are on the edge of all 3 areas just about.
My ds is starting afternoon nursery next week (hoping for morning place when one comes up) so this means I need places i can take him (he is nearly 4) and dd who is 1 of a morning.. any ideas welcome!Not sure many playgroups are that great for 4 year old "high-energy" boys...
Also, there are obviously oodles of museums and galleries in the city but are any geared towards preschoolers?
And do let me know anywhere you'd especially rrecommend going to get to know the city, we hhave an a-z and a buse route app!
thanks

Hello Fairylights!

So glad you're feeling settled. Not much to add on the playgroups - have you been to the International playgroup or Dean Tots?

(And would you still like architect/builder info?)

LD x

hi LD - have seen both of those listed on netmums and may well give them a go. Am slightly put off by this having to pay subs malarky at dean tots, mainly because I am not sure it will suit ds, and also because all the playgroups I used to go to were either free or a quid! But i guess that is the price we will pay for living in a fab city
and YES - we would really like suggestions of builders and joiners but mosty pressingly any recommendations for plumber/drainage people as we have a problem with a pipe (not sure i can explain any better than that ) that we knew about before moving in but needs dealing with ASAP. We have been told it will require removing the bath so it will be a fairly major job..
have one quote coming via homeforce but would like another really.
thanks for being so lovely and welcoming, its much appreciated

Dean tots great, both my DD's went there, are a lot of big car type toys for first wee while (9.30 onwards). All playgroupy type things will ask for a few pennies these days, but you can pay on weekly basis(at least could last year) and first week usually free to get an idea if right for you and DS.
Glad you settling in well, did you watch fireworks from Inverleith park last night? You will find city much calmer v soon, as festival over and tourists go home.
Have you walked along by St Bernard's Well yet? Is nice secur(ish) walk, and takes you right into town, if you want, or you can go thru Dean Village which is definately worth seeing.
Inverleith Park(obviously!), and also King James(not sure if that name) also known as Scotland Yard have great playgrounds. SY is a special needs area, but housed within this park.Get a No42 bus to the Meadows, absolutely brilliant kiddies park there.
Hope this helps.x

thanks acorn and cidre! for some reason MN is not telling me when people have posted on threads that I am on (when you click on "threads i'm on) so I didn't realize either of you had posted til just now!
will def try dean tots i think and will check other post about Acorn..thanks!
by the way - i am AMAZED at how many nannies and childminders there are at playgroups, its like a another world from where we used to live! Makes me wonder how on earth I am going to meet any other mums but i figure it will happen over time and through school etc..
ds had first settling in session at Floras today and although they had no idea who he was (some kind of mix up) the teachers were so lovely and it seemed like a great nursery - was so relieved!

Ah, don't worry, will be loads of mums at playgroup and at school gate, only a few nannies, etc...(Flora's not THAT posh...)
Hope you enjoying Edinburgh without festival crowds.
You must be v near me, we probably pass on kiddie drop off! Is also toddler group at St Stephen's Church (on Comely Bank Road, between Flora's and Shops, at traffic lights) but have no info about it am afraid. [not much use emoticon]!

thanks again Cidre yes am going to the group at st stephens next week as someone i actually already know from where we used to live goes there and says its great.
Glad Flora's isn't too posh! Have been a bit at the expensively clad yummy mummies wandering around stockbridge and inverleith park etc..
but isn't stockbridge/the park/the botanics fantastic?! feel very lucky to be living here!
btw we live in the orchard brae area so now you can work out exactly how nearby you are!

Oh that would be me you have seen wandering about then...(ahhahahahahah). Just try some of the 2nd hand shops round here, most clothes still warm or unused, and all really good quality!
Glad is all so positive for you.
Love the rock garden at the Botanics, the DDs love running up and down the paths, etc. Is also great on a Sunday pm when often have activities for littlies.