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What do 3 & 4 yo need?

20 replies

hackneyLass · 16/05/2013 15:14

Other than love, of course...

Ideas please! We've got 3.1 and 4.4 yo boys coming to live with us on an SGO. Our SW has asked us to come up with a costing estimates for our removal expenses and furniture by tomorrow morning. And I am at work...

The list keeps expanding, and I have forgotten what little ones need. My own son muddled along with whatever hand-me-downs came our way but these 2 need something better (and we won't have the time to acquire through friends etc). Assume we have nothing.

Bed, mattress, duvet, pillow, mattress cover, duvet cover, pillow case, sheets
Wardrobe, chest of drawers (or combined), carpet
High chair / booster seat [what do 3 & 4 yo need?]

Pushchair/stroller

Car seats

Anything else?

I've been getting estimates from Argos, Ikea & John Lewis websites & choosing the cheapest (unless they look like they will fall apart quickly). Gawd knows what SS would consider reasonable.

And removal costs - I've always done it myself but can't face it this time with 3 kids, a job and a week's notice. I'm in London, 2 bed flat moving only a couple of miles (fingers crossed) - any idea of how much this will be?

I wish SS wouldn't keep asking us to do things at the last minute. Is is like this for other people?

ta for your help

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xtyz · 16/05/2013 15:25

My ds was out of his highchair by 3, so perhaps a little table with a couple of kids size chairs instead, also booster seats so they can join you at the dinner table.

Blackout curtains/blinds.

Night light?

Congratulations on your boys.

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tillyfernackerpants · 16/05/2013 15:39

I Second the booster seats for the table. Are they potty/toilet trained? You might need a toilet seat, somethinglike this?

Removals: we've always found companies to be quite similarly priced. In the past we've used www.oisremovals.co.uk/ and I will happily recommend them. Is hiring a van and enlisting the help if a couple of friends an option? That may be cheaper.

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cornflakegirl · 16/05/2013 16:13

My 3yo refuses to use his high chair or a booster seat and is fine on a chair, so maybe worth seeing what they're used to?

What about things like bookcases and toy storage?

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hackneyLass · 16/05/2013 16:17

Thanks so much for the tips & links. Toilet training, yes good to ask....

Re moving: in the past I've done it with a van & friends but just feel like it will be so chaotic with 3 kids and likely to be moving at very short notice. Don't want to get shouty with the kids.... I sort of feel SS should pay our moving costs

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hackneyLass · 16/05/2013 16:23

Unfortunately not much opportunity to find out what the boys are used to. SS wants to go to the committee next week about furniture & moving costs but we havn't met the FC yet. So having to guess what they might need. I think my son just sat on a dining chair and peered over the top...

[PS looking at websites - I can't believe some of the prices of kids stuff! Tempted to put in for the top priced John Lewis pushchair £950 just to see their faces]

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Slambang · 16/05/2013 20:02

Wow- good luck!

Safety stuff - Stair gates, cupboard and loo locks etc

A basic kit of toys - lego, train track, books

If not potty trained - Changing mats, nappy disposal buckets or what have you.

meal stuff - kiddy cutlery, plastic bowls, sippy cups or whatever you want to use.

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hackneyLass · 16/05/2013 20:11

Thanks slambang. Arg so much stuff. Hopefully SW will let me put in a single line for small things rather than itemising. I am still at work catching up on things I didn't do early cos of looking up prices. I soooooo wish they would not keep springing things on us at the last minute, as if we have nothing else to do in our lives

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neolara · 16/05/2013 20:13

I think most 3 or 4 years olds would be able to climb over stair gates. I don't think you need a high chair. Maybe an buggy for emergencies / when they are ill, but at 3 most kids should be able to walk a far distance - unless he / she is a bolter, in which case you may want a buggy to keep them restrained. Car seats. My 3 yo uses normal cups and cutlery. We have plastic plates, bowls and cups.

Toys and books. Train set. Dolls. Play food. Duplo. Jigsaws. Dressing up. Colouring in pens (washable). Bikes? Toy storage.

Good luck to you and your new family.

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Murtette · 16/05/2013 20:37

Car seats - can you find out the weight of the boys as 3 - 4 yrs is the age at which they transition from one size of carseat to another. I think 15kg is the minimum weight for the booster style ones.

Pushchair - a light, stroller style one should be suitable for the 3yro and only needed on occasion. Can you ask for a scooter for each of them? If so, you may want to consider to helmets.

Beds - the younger one may need a bed guard rail thing; as may the older one. Can you get three duvets in case one of them has an accident in the night?

Highchair - no need. Melamine/plastic plates, cups etc. Children's cutlery. Lunchbox things? Water bottle?

Toys - garage, cars, train set, books, duplo, jigsaws, colouring stuff. DVDs (Thomas/Bob the Builder/Fireman Sam/Finding Nemo)

Clothes?

I'm afraid I have no clue what SS will let you have so apologies if I've suggested loads of things they'll say no to. I do have a 3.6yro though.

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DorisIsWaiting · 16/05/2013 20:59

Have a 3 nearly 4 year old, we don't use a buggy but a very lightweight one that folds up samall may be useful depending on what they are used too.

For eating we have the ikea junior chairs (dd2 who is 5 and small is still on hers too). Which means they can sit up at the table with us.

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MissFenella · 16/05/2013 21:37

coats -rain, something warmer and a hoodie type thing
wellies

School uniform and associated bits?

Large storage boxes for toys, craft stuff.

DVDs of their favourite programmes, ditto Cds of songs etc.

Night lights for the hall as well as bedrooms

Toys to play together

Out door toys (trampoline or trampet are very good for stimulating the brains of Looked after children) balls hula hoops gardening kits etc

plastic crockery and small knives and forks, plastic beakers, sippy cups etc

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hackneyLass · 16/05/2013 21:49

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions. And MissFenella I think I might need the trampoline for myself to let off some steam...

With my older son I didn't have stairgates & I don't remember a highchair/TripTrap or buggy after about 3. We walked everywhere & he was used to it. But with these 2 I think they are driven around so may need a stoller. But I don't want it too comfy or they might get to used to be pushed...

Now to just put it all into a spreadsheet for SS for tomorrow morning.

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hackneyLass · 18/05/2013 09:39

Thank you to you all for helping to put this list together overnight, I would not have done it without you Flowers.

Final note - guess how much it came to? Just what we would need immediately when 3 & 4 yo move in, beds, car seats, buggy etc, not clothes, toys, scooters etc. Priced cheaply from Argos/Mothercare/John Lewis value range

£1600!

Blimey no wonder us parents feel skint

[PS this thread is no reflection on my love for the little ones, just having to look at practicalities]

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Sirzy · 18/05/2013 09:45

For car seats have a look at the ones which can adjust from 5 point harness to high backed booster as both are at the age where they will need HBB soon (or the 4 year old maybe now) so its best to try to get ones which will last.

Buggy I would just get a cheap one, as it probably won't be used for long. If they aren't used to walking then get some little life backpack type things to help 'control' them?

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TeenAndTween · 18/05/2013 11:19

If they won't pay that much then get beds / buggy from local paper. The children won't notice.

Good luck

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hackneyLass · 19/05/2013 00:23

Thanks again everyone

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sjuperyoni · 27/05/2013 19:14

How'd you get on? Is your house super busy :)

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hackneyLass · 29/05/2013 14:31

Hi sjuperyoni - nothing to report as yet. SW asked us to provide figures for the next day, then said she didn't have time to take it to the panel who approve payments. Then has left her post and will leave it to her successor. One step forward, 2 steps back.

The broad story is SS unexpectedly approached us to take on the 2 boys from within our wider family. Latest news is court hearing in July, if judge says they should come to us they'll move pretty quickly. To coincide with my degree deadline... August will be an interesting month.

So, I'll be posting lots then!

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sjuperyoni · 29/05/2013 17:45

Aaw :) it's good timing then, what a muckle getting things ready then not needing/getting them done tho :( i suppose more time to prepare tho, good luck when the time comes Flowers

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hackneyLass · 30/05/2013 20:14

Thank you lovely sjuperyoni

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