According to the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), the benefits of baby massage include helping the long-term emotional health of a child, the development of body awareness and coordination, reducing post-natal depression and improving mother/baby relationships.

There are also lots of other benefits, from helping circulation, digestive and nervous systems, to stimulating growth hormones. It can also help manage and relieve the symptoms of teething, colic and colds.

And it’s not just for mums – dads may find introducing a regular massage routine helps them feel closer to baby, especially if they are spending time away at work.

So what is it?

Baby massage involves the gentle and rhythmic stroking of a baby, generally moving from the legs to the arms, hands and body. It can also include the gentle manipulation of joints, such as fingers and ankles. It is done with the hands and you may choose to use baby moisturiser or similar to help your hands glide smoothly.

What do parents say

Before I had my own children I taught the IAIM technique of baby massage to new parents. Along with all the other positive outcomes it is a great tool to enable parent and baby to communicate, by taking time out from a busy day to concentrate on what he or she is trying to tell you.

Babies are born ready and very willing to communicate as a survival skill, but signs can get lost or misinterpreted. Dads can also often feel at a loss when mum is breast feeding, so this gives them a specific task and makes them able to ‘do’ something.

In my own family the massage time has had importance with each successive child, as protected one-to-one time with each specific child. We have adapted the moves as they have got older and they also do it to each other now, which is lovely.

Want to find out more

Check out what baby massage clinics are taking place in your area. A good place to start is to contact your doctor’s office or to ask your health visitor.

Guest blog provided by Beverley Squire, a health visitor and mother of three from Devon

Earlier this year we launched a special ‘Let’s Get Kids Reading’ campaign, designed to help parents motivate and inspire their children to read.

We had a fantastic response from families, especially to a competition we ran on our interactive Facebook page.

Hundreds of parents entered and one little bookworm from Hampshire is now going to be kept very busy, after receiving a special delivery of his height in books!

5-year-old Jake was delighted when the pile of over 200 children’s books arrived, after mum Jeni Wareing was named the winner of our competition.

The precious cargo of books was personally delivered to Jake by CVS Sales Director Iain Williamson and team member Lucy Osbaldeston, who coordinated the campaign.

Jake was delighted with his prize and mum Jeni remarked: “They should keep him going for a while! Jake just loves reading and now our only problem is going to be choosing which book to read next!”

From astronomy and pirates to Roald Dahl classics, The Gruffalo and even Spider Man, when stacked up the diverse pile of reading books reaches just over a metre in height.

Congratulations Jake and well done Jeni! And don’t worry, if you weren’t the lucky winner this time around remember to keep checking our Facebook page, as we’ll be running another competition soon.

If you haven’t visited us on Facebook yet, we’d love you to stop by and say hello. You’ll find us here: www.facebook.com/computersharevoucherservices

Vicki has been managing our Computershare Reading Buddy scheme, which sees employees volunteering to visit local primary schools for half an hour each week to listen to pupils reading.

Since becoming the reading buddy coordinator in 2010, Vicki has taken the scheme from strength to strength and has helped to more than triple the number of volunteers taking part.

The reading buddy initiative is part of a series of structured volunteering opportunities run by a charity called Ablaze. Last year over 800 volunteers donated more than 21,000 hours, impacting over 4,500 young people and helping to motivate children to develop an enjoyment of reading independently.

Ablaze has been so impressed by Vicki’s efforts that they have honoured her with a special award, which she received at a recent ceremony attended by charity representatives, volunteers, business leaders and young people from across the region.

“I think the buddy scheme is a fantastic project and I was delighted to get involved with it,” said Vicki. “The feedback from volunteers and the schools is amazing and we hope to grow our bank of volunteers even further this year, so we can help even more pupils with their reading.”

Here are some of the fantastic comments we have received from the schools:

Miss Emma Drew, head teacher at Fairfurlong Primary School, said: “Well done Vicki! We have always been really pleased with the support provided for us by the Computershare volunteers.  Most of the children we select for support are children who are below the correct levels for their age.

“Through the support of Computershare volunteers, the children learn the importance of practising their reading with an adult, get some “special” time with an adult that is about them, and make progress with their reading. Just 30 minutes a week does have a massive impact for the children at our school.”

Mark Lacey, head teacher at Parson Street Primary School, said: “We really value our partnership with Computershare. We are working hard with our whole school community to raise standards of literacy for our children and the fact that a local business like Computershare is willing to work with us in this endeavour is fantastic. We are so pleased to welcome volunteers here every week – they really make a difference!”

Tony Halloran, head teacher at St Pius X Primary School, said: “The contribution of Computershare reading volunteers to our school is invaluable. They help us to support children who would not normally read with an adult who is not a member of school staff. The children have built strong working relationships and friendship with ‘their’ volunteer (and they really are possessive about volunteers) and they are really appreciative of the time that is given.  Without the volunteers some of our children would not share or build a love of reading. Long may they come forward.”

Well done to Vicki and all our volunteers!

At a recent Honeypot event an inspiring lady called Loredana read out her story in her own words:

‘My name is Loredana and I consider myself to be one of the luckiest children in the world.. No I never got the chance to go to Disneyland, no I didn’t get a Barbie Dream House, or get tickets to see the Spice Girls in concert… I got to go to a house. Not just any house, a house with surrounded by fields, with a family  dining table covered with plaid cloth, a fireplace, a pool, a shed full of mountain bikes, a craft shed with all the glitter a girl could dream of, a living room with a video player and bean bags… And that was just the beginning…

Before I continue down the path of awesome Honeypot nostalgia, a bit about me. I’m the 3rd of 5 kids. I grew up in a refuge and a hostel respectively, escaping domestic violence. My mother who is disabled and couldn’t work, struggled to give us what we as kids wanted toys, CDs, a pony those kinds of things. Me and my brother, who came to Honeypot with me, spent a lot of our time helping our mum with chores and shopping, as her disability hindered her from doing a lot of those things without our help.

In 1998 we joined a young carers club, to give us a break from things going on at home. We got to visit and do many things we couldn’t do with our mum because of financial reasons – going to the farm, cinemas, pizza hut, the little things. It was late in 98 we were told we were going to Honeypot… I didn’t know what it was but anything to get me out of the house I was excited for.

We’d never seen the country, it was like a dream. The hills, the tiny houses and the cows! Lots of them… We were told we were getting nearer… We drove over a cattle grill and up a winding path and in the distance a little house stood. I couldn’t believe my eyes! Little old me from a one room hostel, going to a mansion! I couldn’t believe it! We all pressed our noses against the window and was greeted by the lady all Honeypot kids know and remember as THE best – Claire.

Those few days were full of lots of things, many wonderful first experiences – seeing the ocean, baking a cake in the kitchen, sitting round the table eating spaghetti hoops,  watching George of the jungle and having hot chocolate. It’s those things that children crave. The simple things.

Honeypot provides a “home” for children who may not find that in the real world. It provides respite to the kids who work 24hrs a day caring for a family member, most of all it provides a safe environment where kids can be just that.

As a child I struggled with the real world – no money, no luxuries, and so made up stories, sang and entertained myself, and thankfully there was always a Honeypot staff member who would listen to my singing, or answer my many random questions… To this day I still love trivia.

My point is that Honeypot has affected me in such a way that I’m always drawn back, I’m always retelling my stories from my time at Honeypot. I still have the cards and the presents they’d send on every birthday and Christmas. No matter what was going on in my life, where I moved, Honeypot never forgot about me. They never forget a child.

Personally I think that a lot of people fail to realise that children experience in their childhood is what makes them as an adult, everyone of you in audience are how you are because of a person who interacted with you, a friend, in my case – a charity who gave up their time to give me some normalcy in my childhood.

After revisiting Honeypot house back in 2006 I knew what I wanted to be  – I wanted to work with kids, and be someone that they would remember when they’re all grown up. I’ve worked in the U.S for four years with children at a summer camp for the privileged and underprivileged alike. I applied to volunteer at the house this summer and I’m now studying to be a primary teacher and thank Honeypot for being the driving forces in making that decision.

Please support this charity because without them, I wouldn’t be half as amazing as I am today. You have the power to help change a child’s life!’

CVS are continuing to work in partnership with this fantastic charity. For more information on Honeypot, please visit the website to find out more.

_{These words and opinions are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Computershare Voucher Services}

The changes

On 1 January 2012, changes to the way VAT is levied on salary sacrifice schemes came into force, bringing with them the potential to increase the overall costs of such schemes.

Salary sacrifice is a way for employees to exchange part of their salary for a non-cash benefit. Traditionally they have been used for pension contributions, but they can now also be used for benefits such as bikes, childcare vouchers, high street shopping vouchers, mobile phones and in certain areas even bus passes. The new rules mean that some of these items will now be liable to VAT.

What’s behind the VAT change?

The changes have been made as a result of a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling in a case regarding Astra Zeneca and the high-street shopping vouchers it provided to employees under salary sacrifice arrangements. The ECJ ruled that the provision of shopping vouchers to staff as part of a salary sacrifice scheme was a supply of services in return for payment. This meant that Astra Zeneca was able to reclaim the VAT it had paid to acquire the vouchers, but the company also had to pass on to employees the cost of the vouchers including VAT.

So what now?

Following the changes, all salary sacrificed in exchange for benefits that are liable to VAT – including bikes and high-street vouchers – will now be liable to VAT.

What about childcare vouchers?

Computershare Voucher Services Limited (“CVS”) has obtained confirmation from HMRC that childcare vouchers provided by us are “credit vouchers” as defined by Sch 10A VATA 1994, as we never charge more than the face value for the voucher itself, the voucher is outside the scope of VAT.  As HMRC consider that the employer is an intermediary supplier of the voucher to employees, the same VAT liability rules will apply, although each employer should seek their own professional advice on this matter.

HMRC have also confirmed that the CVS service charge for the administration of the scheme is a separate standard rated supply.  As employers do not charge employees more than the face value of the voucher, then (depending on the employer’s circumstances), the VAT that CVS charge for the service charge, should be a deductible expense.  If, however, an employer starts to charge employees more than the face value for the vouchers, this position would change and employers should take their own professional advice.

Parents currently using childcare vouchers may be aware that last April the Government introduced new legislation lowering the savings limits for new joiners of the scheme.

This legislation had significant financial implications, particularly for those higher rate taxpayers who wished to sign up and make use of the savings.

For parents already on the scheme their level of savings was unaffected, but their existing level was only protected provided that they ordered childcare vouchers at least once in every twelve month period.

So many parents could now be in danger of losing out – unless they act quickly.

And it is not just higher and additional rate taxpayers who stand to lose out – see how this issue could affect you.

Higher or additional rate taxpayer

 If you are a higher or additional rate taxpayer who joined your employer’s childcare voucher scheme before 6th April 2011, then while you remain eligible you have a right to a higher level of savings. This means you can receive up to £243 per month in childcare vouchers.

If you have ordered vouchers in the past twelve months, or do so now before the twelve months is up, then you will remain at this level for a further year. This will mean you are still able to make savings of up to £1,224* a year in tax and National Insurance payments if you are a higher rate taxpayer, or £1,516* a year if you are an additional rate taxpayer.

Basic rate taxpayer

For a basic rate taxpayer, you may also want to order childcare vouchers within this 12 month period to retain your protected rights. This means you will be able to receive childcare vouchers up to £243 per month if you ever become a higher rate taxpayer.

If you lose your protected rights then you can continue to receive childcare vouchers up to £243 per month, but ONLY while you remain a basic rate taxpayer. Remember, as a basic rate taxpayer you can still save up to £933 per annum in tax and National Insurance payments.

To order your vouchers, or if you would like any further information on this issue, then the team at CVS would be happy to help you. You can reach them on 0845 002 1111 (8am-8pm, Monday to Friday)

We surveyed our parents to find out how long they spend reading with their children and it’s gold stars all round with 51% half dedicating 25 minutes a day to the task. An enthusiastic 20% of parents are reading even more – clocking up an impressive 42 minutes a day!

Busy parents face a number of time pressures and it’s very positive to see that despite this, a majority are reading with their children regularly – with a quarter even managing over five hours a week!

This is great news, as research suggests that children who are read to on a regular basis before they start school are most likely to succeed, and it is thought to be a key predictor of educational success.

Speaking earlier this month, School Minister Nick Gibb said that reading books for just half an hour a day could be worth up to 12 months’ extra schooling by the age of 15.

A report by The Literacy Trust* into young people aged 8 to 17 has also shown a direct link to attainment, with 8 in 10 children who read over 10 books a month being above average readers, compared to just 3 in 10 of those who rarely read. 

Parents are the most important reading role models for children and young people, according to The Trust, with mums taking the lead. 67% of parents who read to their children are mothers compared to just 17% of fathers.

Our ‘Let’s Get Kids Reading’ page let’s you get involved – not only can you find out what other parents are reading with their children and read reviews of some of the top children’s books but you can enter our competition to be in with a chance of winning a stack of books, as tall as your child, to fill those shelves with!

Visit the page, and ‘like’ us today!

_{To read the competition T&Cs, please click here.}

• hourly childcare costs for a child under two have increased by 5.8%; and 
• costs for a child aged two and over have risen by 3.9%.

In the same year period, wages have only increased by 0.3%.

Daycare Trust’s research coincides with new HMRC figures which reveal that 44,000 fewer families are receiving help with childcare costs as a result of the Government’s cut to financial support in April 2011. This saw the childcare element of Working Tax Credit cut from 80% of costs to 70% – as a result, the average claim has fallen by more than £10 per week, costing low-income working families who receive it more than £500 per year.  

The survey, conducted between November 2011 and January 2012, asked all Family Information Services in Britain about the cost and availability of childcare in their area. Other key stats revealed that:

• the average hourly childcare costs now exceed £100 for 25 hours in many parts of Britain
• the average yearly cost for a child under two is £5,103.
• Britain’s most expensive nursery recorded this year charged £300 for 25 hours care – £15,000 for the year.
• Over half of local authorities said that parents had reported a lack of childcare in the last year.

Anand Shukla, Chief Executive of Daycare Trust said: “These above-inflation increases in the cost of childcare are more bad news for families, heaping further pressure on their stretched budgets as wages remain stagnant and less help is available through tax credits.

“Daycare Trust warned that the Government’s decision to cut tax credits would mean that some families found that they were no longer better off going to work once they had paid for childcare. The latest HMRC figures reinforce Daycare Trust’s fear that the loss of this vital lifeline is forcing families out of work and in to poverty.

“Today we are calling on the Government to reverse its self-defeating childcare tax credit cut, and to deal decisively with the childcare affordability crisis for parents by pledging to provide free childcare for all two year-olds by the end of the current parliament.

Daycare Trust’s survey highlights the ever growing gap between working parents and affordable childcare.

Employers can do their bit to support employees by making flexible working a reality and introducing childcare voucher schemes. Schemes are cost neutral for companies to run and allow a basic rate earner to save nearly £1000 per year on their childcare costs.

Computershare Voucher Services fully supports Daycare Trust’s recommendations for improving accessibility to affordable childcare. We have been particularly heavily involved in the plan to extend childcare vouchers to self-employed and encourage entrepreneurship; a proposal that has already seen some Government support.

There have been several articles covering the report which you can read here:

Childcare cost rises ‘may make parents quit their jobs’ – BBC News

Childcare costs rise by nearly 6% – The Guardian

Childcare costs survey: nursery fees rise by 6 per cent in a year – Nursery World

As a Dad with a young son, it’s a huge priority of mine to ensure that he is eating healthily. To make sure my wife and I have enough time to create healthy balanced meals for Gabriel, we make everything from scratch at the weekend – which only takes a couple of hours – put them in pop-out trays and freeze them. This means we can take something out each morning for his lunch and dinner and we know exactly what’s in his food. 

Gabriel

Gabriel’s favourite is Annabel Karmel’s Cod and Spinach recipe, which he gets very excited about, as you can see! 

To help inspire parents, CVS has launched ‘Health Kick’ our special healthy families drive, where we will be offering tips, advice and ideas on our blog and interactive Facebook page. You can choose from the following articles for advice from us and our guest bloggers:

Encouraging Children to Eat More Healthily – by Annabel Karmel
Healthy snack SOS!
Family bootcamp – top tips for family fitness by personal trainer Simon Parker
‘Super’ foods for kids

We’d love you to get involved and to share your own hints, tips and recipe ideas.

Perhaps you have a clever way to encourage children to get their five-a-day? Or maybe you have some fun ideas for getting more active as a family? Whatever your experiences, we’d love to hear from you, find us at www.facebook.com/computersharevoucherservices

CVS is the UK’s largest dedicated provider of childcare vouchers. We work with thousands of parents and carers across the UK. To find out more about childcare vouchers and how they could help you save up to £1866 a year, visit www.computersharevoucherservices.com

Annabel Karmel

Food is the fuel that powers our children. It makes them grow strong, gives them energy and plenty of opportunities to wind up their parents. If you struggle to get your children to eat healthily, don’t let frustration take over, try not to respond to bad eating habits. Your child will soon find there’s not much point making a fuss if you don’t react. Let your child be hungry sometimes. A hungry child is often a less fussy child.

Try to avoid letting children graze between meals on unhealthy snacks.  Avoiding snacks will mean they are more likely to try new foods come mealtime. However for occasions such as after school when kids come home starving, having things ready-prepared and to hand, such as raw vegetables and a dip, a pitta pocket filled with tuna, or cut up fruit, means you don’t fall back on the easy option of an empty calorie snack such as biscuits or crisps.

Remember food is not just sustenance, but can also be fun. Making food more appealing is a great way to get children trying new healthy food. It is good to be a little inventive in how we present our food. Mini portions of dishes such as cottage pie in a ramekin dish looks far more appetising than a dollop of food on a plate. Noodle or stir fry dishes are a great way to up the intake of vegetables and get them to use child friendly chopsticks. When it gets warmer you can puree fresh fruit to make your own fresh fruit ice lollies.

A great way to get your children eating healthily is by getting them in the kitchen helping you. This is quality time with your children and can make them much more interested in trying new things. Once children are a little older give them the responsibility of cooking the family meal one night, give them a simple recipe that you help them with first time round, then let them make it once a week for a month and by the end they will know how to make one dish really well and be proud of their achievement.

Annabel’s recipe for Rainbow Ribbon Noodles – makes 2 toddler portions

Omelette

Annabel's Rainbow Noodles

1 tbsp sunflower oil

1 egg

1 tsp soy sauce

Noodles

1 tsp water

Small clove garlic, crushed

Half tsp grated fresh ginger

1 small carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks

Quarter yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into matchsticks

Half skinny courgette cut into matchsticks

75g medium rice noodles (pad Thai type) prepared according to the packet instructions or 150g ready to use noodles

2 spring onions, thinly sliced

2 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp sweet chilli sauce

Half tsp sesame oil

Chopped fresh coriander (optional)

METHOD: Heat 1 tsp of the oil in a wok. Beat the egg, 1 tsp soy sauce and water together and add to the wok. Cook the eggs until just set and brown underneath. Break or chop into pieces and transfer to a bowl. Set aside. Heat the remaining oil in the wok and add garlic and ginger. Sizzle for 30 seconds, then add the carrot, peppers and courgette and stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the noodles and spring onions and stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the noodles have heated through. Stir in the soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce and sesame oil, followed by the omelette pieces, then remove from the heat and transfer to bowls. Garnish with chopped coriander if you like.

Annabel Karmel is the UK’s best-selling author of seventeen books on baby and children’s food and nutrition. Her ’Essential Guide to Feeding your Baby and Toddler’ is available on iTunes for £3.99 with 120 recipes and ‘how to’ videos. For more information visit www.annabelkarmel.com

 _{These opinions are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Computershare Voucher Services.}