December locals chat

[mellow2]

New thread as the other one is not going to last long.

the more reasonably priced nurseries with good reputations seem to have waiting list, the more expensive nurseries seem to take on shorter notice. Decided against your Sushio as it was just too expensive for me and reluctant to mess around with current arrangements which work so well.

KC -the Riverside one we have been there for a chat, I have no intention for fulltime just yet particularly if we go on to have another child, but just in case
Isn't the Barn religiously affiliated? we did not even consider it, despite my dislike of chains the Riverside seemed quite nice

yes Riverside is nice and will take part-time but just too expensive for me (they told me they had instant vacancies available for Fridays). No, Barn is not religiously affiliated (as far as I am aware) but is physically attached to the Barn Church.

Think Riverside was something like £32 for half day of which Richmond will only fund £8. I still need CM to pick up and drop off so have to pay her.

Anyone fancy a visit here one weekend?

www.deencityfarm.co.uk/ its in South Wimbledon/Merton

yes I know I think 2 mornings are £68 p.week for over 3's. we need to consider a great many things before going for it

Thanks all. Have a feeling I'm developing a chest infection. I've been coughing like mad (knickers wetting sort) and my headache is killing me.

sfx - yes, that's possibly the biggest negative point of nurseries. DS was constantly catching something in the first 12 months (well, he started when he was 7 mo, tho). He still gets odd colds but generally in v good health.

ros - sorry to hear about the job. Hope something interesting comes up soon for you. As for the school, so you don't have to register DS till next year?

CoV - my immune system is crap, too. I don't drink alcohol nor coffee but drink plenty of green tea so that's quite good, i think. Maybe I could do with less red meat.

SJ - hope your DS sleeps better tonight. Have you decided where to go on holiday?

I'm about to purchase tickets to Japan for March. I'm already dreading the long flight (12 hours). Argh.

the Farm looks good, got my Netmums email this morning with local indoor attractions info but am yet to get past Lollipop

sfx I'll let you know what I think of Barn when I get the bumf. It's quite local to you.

QC - that's a shame about the Riverside nursery. Was hoping to see Gherkin-kun there. Are you going to apply for Riverside primary? Do you think it's pointless for us to apply (probably too far)? I really like the school.

QC I'd like to go on a Sat or a Sun pm.

Sushi - not sure where she is from, I'll ask her. She is an accountant I just found out. I'm excited about her moving in, she seems very nice and very business like and (dare I say it) respectable. I'll find out if she knows many people here too - she might appreciate meeting some other Chniese speaking people. Although she probably already has some networks etc to tap into. She is getting married in Feb and bringing her DH back, so this morning I was fantasising about having a wee Chinese baby in the house

{broody emoticon]

LOL at the stories of being dressed up by siblings, which seem to range from the mildly amusing to the mildly abusive LOL!!

DS2 regularly sleeps in a pink polka dot sleep suit

Sushi - she is from Henan (the new lodger that is)

Foxie - she sounds lovely already! I'll ask DH if he knows Henan (he lived in China).

QC - count me in for the farm visit.

thanks KC appreciate it, was thinking about it as I walked past it the other day. but I also want to consider the primary school as Riverside is very much my first option

sushi does it state the boundary on the website?

sfx - can't see it on the website. I might be sending them an e.

yes I think it just talks about preference given to pupils in attached junior school and shortest distance by road, not considering public transport. all this apart from usual sibling/SN preferences.

do they mean the pre school at nursery? it is all very confusing.

just had a look at their website and there is a new Ofstead report from December 07 which mostly outstanding which is lovely to hear

hi chaps

sushi..sorry you're feelng so ill. if it's a chest infection, get some ABs down you toute de suite. sometimes hard drugs are the answer...

admiring everyone's organisation thinking of primary schools already. i'm more of a:' shit,,WHEN was the form meant to be in?"
not saying that's a good thing..

actually - to redeem myself - did put dd's name for nursery shortly after she was born. they do it strictly by DOB, but knew i'd forget if i didn't do it straight away..

sfx..there are obviously pros and cons to small vs big age gaps. 19 months btween ds1 and ds2 was fun, they liked doing the same stuff but bit mad at times. 5-and-half year gap btwn ds1 and dd - advantages older ones at school so have one-to-one time with dd (the challenge is making sure boys get one-to-one time), they love helping (er, all right, sometimes, they do) and are really protective.

disadvantages; not interested in doing same things - so that can be a bit of a pai - i refer you back to our tate modern trip.

anyhow, sure you'll make the right decision.

COV - can just imagine you trying to get ds's leg out of stairgate

kew, i'm up for the farm trip (with my usual rider of it having a coffee shop, of course..)

MIL is at it again!

Right, I'm getting all confused now! The nursery I'm talking about is the nursery school which he will start the Sept after his 3rd b'day (so 2009). I've been ringing them up since he was born and was told to apply when he was 2 but today they said I didn't need to apply until this time next year. Does that sound usual?

I got a yoga dvd for xmas and tried to do it today. Didn't really work for 2 reasons, one is a v active toddler jumping all over me & the other is the guy that's doing it isn't wearing very much so his [ahem] package is quite noticeable

you get the idea!

sfx/sushi - pre-school/nursery at Riverside doesn;t get you any headstart into the primary, I asked and they are completely separate. It is done purely on distance from back gates and often Kew riverside estate commandeers the places. However definitely worth applying if you are anywhere in Kew as the nursery manager told me that because so many of the riverside people are corporate let they move on after reserving a place.

Nursery manager said usually you need to be about 0.5miles of back gate to get in...

Ros - Jan 2008 for Sept 09 does seem early, A year ahead seems plenty. I was hoping to start DS Jan 09 and have only just started looking and there appear to be places for Sept 08 available so I think applying next Jan sounds about right.

Ros around here they start at the nursery the term after they turn 3, they don't have to wait until sept, so if ds wasn't already at a private nursery he could have started at the one attached to dd's school after christmas holidays (he turned 3 in dec)

Ros this is pre watershed such filthy thoughts

KC we will be renting out the sofa then

it does say on the primary school website that the turnover of kids is quite high for the reasons you mentioned.