MUMsnet little Italy

[mediterraneo]

buonasera!

You'll probably have to put your DTs in a private nursery as you'd probably not have enough points to get them in a state one, although Milan being better than where I live you might be lucky. It is cheaper than the UK, I have my DD in full time nursery (8-6pm) and I pay 590 euros a month (down from 680 last year oddly enough) but that includes all food and nappies. Mind you, with 2 I'm not sure you'd get a discount for the 2nd twin, in state nurseries you do. You could also get a "babysitter" (a childminder who comes to your home, usually unqualified), the rates vary from 800 euros - 1200 euros a month for full time depending on who you get. If you only need a few hours a day you could negotiate rates (usually around 8 - 10 euros an hour). Once you're settled in you could try asking around for recommendations, maybe someone would be up for a babysitter share.

So it's all the footballer's faults then? I think they should be charged more so everyone else can pay less , after all, they can afford it. If I tell my DP that the Milan players are sending their children there he definitely won't let our DD go!

Thanks for that info about childcare it makes it a bit clearer. Apparently one of my DHs students is a Versace so that pretty much sums up the type of clientele ....but I'm sure they're not ALL millionaires! Our twins can go to school there from 3 years old on a scholarship as children of a staff member which will be a whole different ball game if their peers are footballers and fashionistas kids! Thank god its 2 years away.

Well, it's probably a good job I can't afford to send my DD there then!

Abena : this is the website of the comune di milano with all the information on nidi d'infanzia (nurseries for 0-3) and scuole d'infanzia (from 3-6). In January you'll be able to make the application for sept 2008. this is the website of pagine gialle (yellow pages) with a list of private nurseries. I'm in the same predicament as you, as we'll be moving (most certainly) back to Milan after xmas, and I'll have those six months of childcare to sort out (ds is 5, andboth dc've been used to going to nursery etc, there's no way they can stay home with me everyday for six months, they'd freak out!)
Let me know if you need any kind of translation.
As for sir james, when I mentioned to a friend that I was thinking about it for the children she dropped a few surnames of "costumers" which scared me a bit . Bloody footballers, they are everywhere... it looks lovely (the school) though... but we can't afford it.

Grazie mille I'm going to look at them now!

Hi everyone

It's been a while. How you all doing? Kids back at school?

I'm struggling at the moment as my dh has been away in Milan so nonna's been on hand to help out thank goodness. Ds starts prima elementare e dd to start scuola materna. I think I'm more excited than they are. Anyway just a quick hello, back in the office tomorrow. Chat soon.

Ciao

Ciao Ilsi! when are your little ones starting? We've been in toscana this summer, in an agriturismo near volterra. It was just fabolous

Sera all,
Hi Ilsi , Abena
How are things going ? We were talking about putting dd in a Nido just for a couple of mornings aweek for the social side of things more than anything ( am I mad ??) It will be privato we would never get enough points for one and also she woudl be ready for the asilio by the time they found us a space.
She is just 18 mths and I was thinking like next spring when she will be 2 and bit ...Trying to avoid the influenze etc etc.
Brangelina when did you put your dd in ?
I know its different in the Uk well I think it is. Franca will you go for publico or privato when you came back ..NOte I seem to be saying when rather than if !!!

Hi Rosa

DD's been in nursery since she was 15mo, before that she had a babysitter as I was back at work from when she was 9mo.

It wasn't at all traumatic (inserimento in the nido), she'd got used to being without me during the day and there were so many new things to learn I'm sure she didn't even miss me. I did go for a nido where all the children played together and there weren't baby rooms as such as I thought it beneficial that there were older children around to imitate and learn from and it seems to have paid off, she's really come on independence wise, she was eating by herself at 16mo and has been trying to dress herself since she was about the same age (which has helped no end as she is now potty trained).

Choose your nursery well and ask loads of questions. Ultimately you have to have a good feel about it as only you will know your DD well enough to understand what she'd like. Good luck!

Ciao a tutte!
Ciao Rosa, how does it feel being back? Are you feeling a bit better?
My dc started going to nursery (here in England) twice a week when they were quite young, ds was 15 months and dd was 12 months. The main reason was for them to learn English, and we've always had a positive view on nurseries. It came as a shock to discover that here in England the whole issue is so controversial . Anyway it's been a positive experience, and we found quite a good nursery with lovely staff.
Rosa, in January iscrivero' the children to scuola elementare and scuola materna statale, as I still believe, also after having chatted to my Milanese friends with children, that scuole statali, at least the elementari, are still quite good in most of the areas in Milano. Speriamo!!! As I said I contemplated the English school where abena's dh will be teaching, but it'd work out at around 22.000 euros a year....... I'll need to find a private asilo for the months between January and June. However, I did ring the ufficio comunale in Milan and they told me that there might be places in the asilo di zona...
Only you can choose what is best for your lovely dd, all I can say is that all my Italian friends, who have experienced both nidi comunali and privati, have always been really happy.
Sorry this is long! (As for malattie, well it's true, they are constantly ill...)

Hi all.

Hi abena, re the phone. Yes with TIM you have to call them and, I think, follow the instruction. However is not as straight forward. It took me ages to get it and in the end I wanted to kill the all customer service dept. I found it such a mess. I'd ask a native to do it for you TBH.

I am glad to see that even in italy there's some school panic!

no, pippi, I don't think there is the same level of panic. At least until the end of scuole elementari...
today ds's teacher told me that he's been a very good boy since school started... I was very proud, but does this mean that he had been a terrible boy in the past? Franca panics...

LOL Franca

Grazie ...You guys are like a breath of fresh air I mentioned nido to zia and nonna and they nearly went blue...Will be back I am sure for sugerimenti... Right off to the park so she is covered in Autan and in such old clothes I hope we dont meet Nonna !!!

Lol Rosa!!
Don't listen to them, unless they offer to mind your dd twice a week...
Have a good trip to the park... have you met any celebrity? did you hang out with the "real" brangelina?

I meant "look after"

DD did get beccato by 2 zanzare desite smelling of Autan !!
us no celebs but DH was on TV as he was in his boat behind George when he arrived at the airport dh was reading his newspaper !!! In the past when working I saw a few celebs Alberto Sordi being one ( he was with Valeria Marini ..god she is tall !)and a ex colleague of mine arriving at teh Cipriani to pick up Uk guests asked Angelica Houston if she was a guest of the xxx travel company waiting to go to the airport!! NOw the celebs arrive in a different part of the airport but in the past we used to get a great view of them. My fave was Sean Connery and oh cant remember his name when there were the 3 'older men '
Right offski now... Have a good day all

lol at your dh reading behind Clooney's back !!!

yes LOL at Rosa's DH.

how are you all today?

I've had enough of feeling sick!

oh poor pippi . shall I make you a nice cuppa of pepperment tea?
lost in translation award of the week: ds is looking at one of those book club catalogues given by the school: "look mummy (pointing at a picture of doctor who with one of those robots which I believe - as we've never watched it- is a dalek) doctor who!" me: "yes, how do you know it?" "because Harry told me that this is doctor who and these are the garlics!". Poor little thing !

priceless! I can't wait to hear it from DD's mouth! You must write them down. My mum did it and it is hilarious to read them now.

when were your kids born?

which month i mean.

hahaha just seen your thread!
dd was born in May, she's a gemini
ds was born in july he is a cancerian (esste sta parola? boh)
My best friend's dd is ariete. she was the loveliest, happiest baby I've ever seen. I'm told (she is now 9, I can't believe it!!!) that she is rather stubborn. she is also bright and beautiful

oh you lucky one!!!!

a gemini like me - i'd prepare myself for some hard times when she's a teenager though!

I'm sure we'll be fine it's just that before you get to know the new baby you worry whether you'll get along etc. also being so used to a angel who only needs to be told things once and follows... I cannot imagine life in any other way.

I am sure we'll be the 'bestest' of friends... (pippi hopes)

Gawd. what pg does to your brain!!!

can you suggest a good book to read please?

Yes, I have to say that dd is quite easy going . ds is a different story. Lets say he is very enthusiastic... in every sense.
This summer I read Cuore di pietra by sebastiano vassalli and I really enjoyed it I'm trying to think at something you may find here... hmmmm
ah, if you like something easy going but not entirely stupid then I'd suggest: Melissa Banks "the wonder spot" or "A girl's guide for hunting and fishing". Can't remember which one I preferred, probably the wonder spot. It is quite good fun.