Best Bear Recommended Links

Parenting Sites

	Allkids An indepth and extensive parenting/child directory.
	angels and urchins
	Apple Childcare Vouchers A childcare voucher provider operating a number of schemes to employers across the UK, to enable employees to make the tax and NIC savings on their childcare fees. They offer fast and simple paper free registration, low competitive commission and a dedicated personable service.
	Baby Tags Maxtag UK aim to provide reassurance for Mums and their new born babies with an innovative child Tagging System. The tags are designed to be attached to a baby to prevent abduction, visit our website for full details.
	babyworld.co.uk babyworld is an interactive resource where our parent community can join our unique on-line antenatal clubs, seek advice in our Ask our Midwife forum, make friends and share experiences, birth stories and information in the discussion forums. They can also read articles, find product information and product reviews on many baby and parenting products.
	Busy Little Ones Find out about all the great local activities for you and your little one. There are a range of useful resources for mums, dads, grandparents and any other care givers. Free to use for both parents and teachers! Whether you're looking for baby signing, toddler groups, swimming classes, baby massage, antenatal exercise classes, baby yoga, and much more, you'll find local activities on busylittleones.co.uk.
	Capstone Foster Care Capstone Foster Care's mission is to provide safe and nurturing foster homes to children and young people who for whatever reason come into the care of Local Authorities. Capstone <a href="http://www.capstonefostercare.co.uk">Foster Care </a> enables children and young people to rebuild their lives. We are always looking for new foster carers for <a href="http://www.capstonefostercare.co.uk">fostering children </a> so please contact us if you are looking to make a difference to children and young people who need someone to believe in them and who have not experienced a warm and friendly home environment. For more info visit <a href="http://www.capstonefostercare.co.uk">www.capstonefostercare.co.uk</a>
	Child Alert At www.childalert.co.uk you will find expert advice and tips on everything from pregnancy to childproofing, healthy eating and childcare, hot topics and current parenting news plus educational and child safety technology advice. Also visit our blog at <a href="http://www.childalert.co.uk/streetsmartkids/%20">www.childalert.co.uk/streetsmartkids/ </a>
	Child Safe Zones Child Safe Zones provides important information, including a photograph, about your children for use if the become seperated - to reunite lost or found children.
	Dads Space www.dads-space.com is a website offering no nonsense information, fun and advice for dads. Being a parent can be really tough, but we want to help dads get the best out of dad-dom, to laugh about the good times and help through the hard times. We've got celebrity interviews, great tips, dad related news and a help desk where you can ask questions and get a personal and confidential response direct to your email. You can also win cool stuff for your kids
	Daisy Chain Daisy Chain links parents with problem-solving professionals. With a full panel of experts from nutritionists to educationalists, just a phone call away, parents can now get instant support for a whole range of problems. For the parents of tots to teens, our national telephone consultation service will enable parents to speak directly to the right consultant at a time that suits them.
	Families The site for the great free local Families newsletters which are read by over 500,000 people throughout the UK. Each magazine is edited by parents in the local area and is distributed 6 times a year. The website is run by a group of magazine editors, who are also all parents. The site includes endless ideas to help you, and most importantly your children: their parties, their education, their holidays, their childcare, their fun as well as their stumbles along the way. If you register online you can find information specifically tailored to where you live. The Best Bear team love this website!
	Families Need Fathers Families Need Fathers. UK Charity. Keeping Children and Parents in Contact since 1974
	FamilyFriendlySites.com A directory of Family Friendly Websites, including BestBear.
	Fathers Quarterly Magazine FQ magazine is the first to recognise that most modern men's magazines become unsuitable once a man becomes a dad, but they are essential still interested in things like fashion and cars - Just because someone become a father doesn't mean they join the slippers and pipe brigade! Having said this though a new child means new responsibilities. FQ reflects this with useful information to help fathers with the complicated task of raising a child.
	Fingershield Safety Fingershield is a simple device that completely covers the gap that is created on the hinge side of a door when it is in the open position protecting children from traumatic finger trapping injuries. According to ROSPA there are over 40,000 recorded finger trapping accidents occurring every year in the UK. Fingershield Safety (UK) has become the largest supplier of anti-finger trapping devices into Schools and Nurseries throughout the United Kingdom, Fingershield Safety has already protected the fingers of an estimated ONE MILLION children throughout the UK.
	Foster Parenting Thinking of fostering? Essential information about foster parenting in the UK, visit the National Fostering Agency. Every Child Matters
	Good-child-guide.com The Good Child Guide. How to get your children to do as they are told.Tired of arguing with your children? Discover the exact steps you can take to eliminate child behaviour problems and bring peace, harmony, love and even FUN into your family life.
	goodschoolsguide.co.uk The independent critical parents' guide to top UK schools
	Guide Baby Baby Directory. Online resource and information.
	Heard it in the playground www.hearditintheplayground.com offers tips, reviews and features for parents of primary school age children. With helpful advice from experts and other mums and dads, there's plenty of down-to-earth information to help both you and your kids enjoy their school years, with lots of fun extras, such as regular recipes and fantastic giveaways and competitions.
	helpiammoving.com a Free, Independent advice website to point people moving house in the right direction, making life and the whole process of moving easier. Great if you're short on time with littl'uns to think of.
	Homedad.org.uk The national support group for stay-at-home dads
	Homework Help Maths and Reading Help for Kids is a directory of articles offering tips for homework help, improving test scores, developing positive study habits, and more.
	housekeeping-jobs.com Housekeeping-jobs.com is the first website to provide a dedicated resource for the domestic jobs market. We provide a resource for domestic recruitment agencies, as well as both candidates looking for a job in the domestic market and employers looking for domestic staff. The website carries vacancies for housekeepers, housekeeper/nannies, chefs, child care, housekeeper/carers, cooks, laundress', governess', au pair's, chauffeurs and drivers, gardeners, butlers, handymen, house managers, estate managers, maids, valet or even yacht crew and flight crew along with many others.
	HypnoBirthing
	identifyme.co.uk The IdentiKids Emergency ID and Medical Release card attaches discretely to a child's car seat to provide the emergency services with vital information on a child in the event of an accident
	Jobs4mothers.com An online jobsboard for people seeking flexible part-time work. They also have a resource section with cv advice, skills search, interview techniques and more. It is free to register so log on today.
	jojingles.co.uk Jo Jingles provide singing and music & movement classes for children aged 6 months to 5 years with a series of varied educational programmes.
	Junior Magazine Junior - a fantastic mix of children's fashion information, education, travel and health issues as the news-stand magazine. A must for all parents who want to give their children the best start in life.
	Just Parents Parenting and Pregnancy advice for mums and dads offering forums, live chat, baby names, articles, advice and pregnancy calculator
	keepyourkidssafe.com Keep Your Kids Safe on the Internet is the companion web site for the bestselling Internet safety book for parents. This easy-to-understand guide shows parents how to protect their kids from threats lurking on the Internet including undesirable images, pop-ups, viruses and spyware.
	Kids In Tow Kids In Tow - the comprehensive guide to family activity and adventure holidays. Whether you are a seasoned traveller wanting to safely show your children the world or are looking for a family holiday with a bit of get up and go, this website will point you in the right direction.
	KinderStart KinderStart is the largest (and most popular) indexed directory and search engine focused on children zero to seven on the 'net.
	Lets Go With The Children For ideas about where to take the kids, places to go, things to do & family days out with the kids and children. Thousands of activities, attractions and what's on events in your local area.
	Littlesheep-learning Fun educational resources for everyone - books, games, flashcards and lots more! These resources are especially useful for children with special educational needs.
	London for Kids Child friendly things to do in London
	londonnannywatch.co.uk Offer a hidden camera 'nannycam' rental service to parents in the London area who wish to film their child and nanny for child safety reasons.
	Lookdirectory.com Look Directory - Comprehensive Human-Edited Web Directory, including a detailed listing of parenting sites.
	maturityworks.co.uk The site for the older and more experienced worker
	Mediamumsanddads Who better to understand the challenge of raising kids while managing a career in the media, than someone raising kids while managing a career in the media? Mediamumsanddads have created an online networking community just for people like them, mums and dads working in the media.
	midwivesonline.com midwivesonline.com for midwives, for pregnancy & parenting, for products
	mothersover40.com Mothers Over 40, an inspirational, encouraging and positive resource for older mothers and fathers, offering hope, reassurance and comfort to midlife parents
	Mummy Network: Read buyers guides Baby and Toddler Products - find the best place to buy and save plus buyers guides and much more.
	Mumsnet Is a brilliant site set up by mums to pool parental know-how. mumsnet have a loyal online community who send in their own reviews of products from prams to kid's holidays. A type of "Which" for parents, written and edited by mums.
	mumszone.co.uk A community for parents to meet and chat with others in a similar situation. Somewhere to get advice or relax.
	My Baby Baby Names - its all in the name. Look through over 25,000 names, you can add a name to your favorites, or even suggest a name.
	My Baby Radio An Internet Radio Station Exclusively for New Parents and their Babies. Expert Baby Advice, Parenting and Baby Information, Interviews with Real Parents and Parenting Experts, Competitions, Great Music and more
	My Kids Can
	Mynightoff.com Through mynightoff.com parents can ask their friends if they can baby sit for them, confirm agreement to baby sit for someone else, check the number of credits they have available or simply use the discussion box for a good old natter.
	Nanny Fi Knows Best Nanny Fi Knows Best! - the Blog for nannies, parents and anyone in the childcare profession. This Blog is full of children's recipes, activities and suggestions on great places to visit with children. This Blog is also a place to receive advice and guidance on all childcare issues for parents and nannies both! Do you have a hard to handle child in your care? Or worse still a hard to handle boss? Let Nanny Fi help you on your way to childcare happiness!
	NannySuccess.com NannySuccess.com helps you to search for and manage your childcare; all based on your personality type.   For those interested in employing a Nanny, Au Pair or Housekeeper a personalised plan is developed for you, to help you get it right first time around.
	Naturally Nurturing Baby Sleep Clinic At The Baby Sleep Clinic they believe in a childs right to receive comfort, a parents right to demonstrate love, and everyones right to a night of uninterrupted sleep. Unlike many sleep nannies and clinics that advocate controlled crying, their sleep clinics model doesnt expect children to cry themselves to sleep. Its gentle on you, its gentle on infants, toddlers and children, and most important of all, it works. Founded in the UK by psychologist and sleep expert Chireal Shallow, Naturally Nurturing Sleep Clinic( NNSC) is the only independent training provider to offer legally accredited training in the UK to become a Sleep Consultant and the accreditation has European and Global application. Naturally Nurturing combines cognitive behavioural approaches (which examine how children think, behave and feel) with systemic practice (which deflects blame by examining the role of each family member) and attachment theory (which focuses on building trust, reassurance and bonding between parent and child).
	Netmums.com Netmums is a dedicated site for local mums by local mums.
	New Baby Company New Baby Company offers professional, practical and personal advice during and after pregnancy.
	Oneparentfamilies.org.uk One Parent Families, the National Council for One Parent Families. A registered charity working to promote the welfare and independence of lone parents and their children.
	over50s.com Over50s - The New Generation for silver surfer and the over 50 age group
	Parent Pages Parent Pages is a UK directory for families with babies and children; childcare, tutors, days out, activities, schools, nurseries, clubs, shopping - local and national listings. If your life revolves around 0-18's this is a very useful resource.
	Parenting Cafe Parenting Cafe - parents on parenting. Advice and tips, news and recommendations.
	Parentlineplus.org.uk Parentline Plus, because instructions aren't included. This is a UK registered charity offering advice to anyone parenting a child.
	Parents Directories The Parents Directories are FREE publications packed with information on day nurseries, nursery schools, au pair and nanny agencies, babysitting services, photographers, nappy delivery services, party entertainers, after school and holiday activities, ante and post natal classes, baby massage, first aid, childrens and maternity clothes, children's toys and lots more. They are published twice a year - Summer and Winter - if you have not got your copy by the phone - visit the website and order one!
	Parents In Touch Parents in Touch' is an educational information site for people with children of all ages. It explains all the schooling terminology, gives information on teaching methods, subject matter and advice on how YOU can help.
	parents-guide-to-plymouth.co.uk Parents Guide to Plymouth gives information for parents, carers, families who live in or visit Plymouth Devon UK on all aspects of leisure, breastfeeding, shopping, eating, outings.
	parents-news.co.uk An information site for families.
	parentscentre.gov.uk UK Government information for parents who want to help their children learn. Offers information and advice about your child's learning and the English education system.
	Practicalpreschool.com Practical Pre-School magazine. Foundation stage books and resources that are essential reading for everyone working with young children.
	Raising Kids Offers excellent information and advice to families at all ages and stages from birth to 21. It has a range of experts on hand, regularly updated news and lively discussion forums. There is also shopping, family finance and an overview of you child's educational progress from nursery class to university campus.
	Right Start Magazine Right Start Magazine - a guide to parenting, childrens education, behaviour, family matters, food concerns, child health issues, play and activity ideas
	Singleparents.org.uk singleparents.org.uk is a useful website includign information, advice and first-hand experiences to help visitors manage and enjoy life as a single parent.
	sitesforparents.com Provides a list of websites of interest to parents
	SmileChild Magazine An exciting new site and online magazine for anyone with kids, offering shopping, information and discussion.
	Teaching Your Child 'Teaching Your Child' provides advice and support for parents and carers on how to develop their child's learning. A range of activity ideas are suggested to enhance your child's reading, writing and number skills.
	The Baby Directory The Baby Directories are 200 page guides covering pregnancy and life with babies and children under 5. Organised into 10 regional books they each have thousands of listings, reviews and local ideas.
	The Baby Registry The Baby Registry Advice Directory, your guide to the help and advice available to parents
	The Parent Practice The Parent Practice supports parents with all the challenges that come with being a parent. Courses, workshops and consultations provide parents with a toolbox full of skills and strategies that will enable them to handle all the challenges that parenting brings in a productive and positive way.
	The Web Mag the internet's monthly childcare site published by Caring for Children and Centre for Children - University College Northampton
	Top Childcare Sites Listing If you like this site, please feel free to vote for Best Bear at this list of Childcare Top Sites.
	ToyGuard ToyGuard - the first central hygiene resource for nurseries, childminders, parents and commercial play centres.
	Travelling With Children A comprehensive site full of tips and information on child-friendly travel ranging from school-runs to long-haul flights.
	Tree Hugger Mums THM brings together information on cloth nappies, breastfeeding, pregnancy and parenting. Their online shop is open 24 hours a day for all your cloth nappy needs and much much more.
	Trojans scheme Trojans is a South London based educational and training charity providing out of school activities for children and spreading good practice in the playwork arena. Created in 1995, as a joint parent and school initiative at a primary school in Streatham, today, it runs 14 daily projects in Lambeth and Wandsworth and is expanding.
	Twins Club The UK based multiples website for parents and parents to be, of Twins, Triplets, Quads and More.
	UKParents UKparents is one of the UK's largest independently owned parenting web sites.
	webtots.co.uk A website for the toddler to interact with. Colouring book cartoon character (frank), Father Christmas and Christmas Carols to sing along to and more.
	Whattodowiththekids Ever wondered what to with the kids during the holidays? Visit whattodowiththekids.co.uk for a Nationwide list of child friendly places to visit.
	Your Life If you are swamped by tasks you simply haven't got the time to organise or just don't want to do, Your Life can help. Your Life can take your to-do list and make it happen, giving you the freedom to enjoy the things you really want to this.

Childcare Organisations

	Association of Nanny Agencies ANA is a non-profitable organisation that supports and informs its Nanny Agency members. It aims to promote good practice and to provide a quality service to nannies and families.
	Brighton Nurseries Brighton Nurseries
	Linking Up Childcare Vouchers Linking Up - an enterprising project from Children's Links to provide a childcare voucher scheme where all the profits are reinvested back into the charity to improve children's life experiences.
	Nannytax Tax and National Insurance can be minefield and becoming a nanny employer, especially for the first time, can be very daunting when considering all the legal obligations that come with it. Nannytax is the UK's original and leading payroll provider for nanny employers and offer full payroll administration, unlimited advice and comprehensive employment law support from a team of specialist solicitors. We can help take the stress out of becoming an employer!
	Northern Ireland Childminding Association
	Scottish Childminding Association
	SimplyFostering Provides easy to understand, comprehensive information about fostering and how to become a foster carer
	The Daycare Trust A national childcare charity promoting high quality affordable childcare. They co-ordinate the annual National Childcare Week and offer a childcare consultancy service to employers.
	The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) offers support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.
	The National Childminding Association Promotes quality registered childminding so that children, families and communities can benefit from the best in childcare and education.

Statutory Bodies

	Department for Education & Employment Offers info on Government policy re: free nursery places for 3 - 4 year olds. Contact your local authority's early years and development department for info on childcare planning and policy.
	Home Office Immigration and Nationality Dept For info on regulations concerning employing au pairs who are non-EU nationals.
	Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) On 1 September 2001, Ofsted became responsible for the regulation of childcare in England.
	RoSPA Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is actively involved in the promotion of safety in all areas of life.
	The Department of Trade and Industry The DTI offer a free and confidential complaints service about childcare agency conduct. It investigates complaints made by families or nannies.

Charities

	Barnado's Giving Children Back Their Future Barnardo's helps the most vulnerable children and young people transform their lives and fulfil their potential.
	Downsed.org The Down Syndrome Educational Trust is a leading charity focused on the education and development of individuals with Down syndrome.
	Pre-School Learning Alliance A national education charity specialising in pre-school education and care. At local level they offer a range of pre-school learning training courses for parents, staff and volunteers.

Expats

	Easy Expat The International Relocation Portal - EasyExpat will give you all the information that you need to know when you move to a new country.

Local Information and Activities

	Barnado's Giving Children Back Their Future Barnardo's helps the most vulnerable children and young people transform their lives and fulfil their potential.
	Busy Little Ones Find out about all the great local activities for you and your little one. There are a range of useful resources for mums, dads, grandparents and any other care givers. Free to use for both parents and teachers! Whether you're looking for baby signing, toddler groups, swimming classes, baby massage, antenatal exercise classes, baby yoga, and much more, you'll find local activities on busylittleones.co.uk.
	Child Safe Zones Child Safe Zones provides important information, including a photograph, about your children for use if the become seperated - to reunite lost or found children.
	Easy Expat The International Relocation Portal - EasyExpat will give you all the information that you need to know when you move to a new country.
	Families The site for the great free local Families newsletters which are read by over 500,000 people throughout the UK. Each magazine is edited by parents in the local area and is distributed 6 times a year. The website is run by a group of magazine editors, who are also all parents. The site includes endless ideas to help you, and most importantly your children: their parties, their education, their holidays, their childcare, their fun as well as their stumbles along the way. If you register online you can find information specifically tailored to where you live. The Best Bear team love this website!
	FamilyFriendlySites.com A directory of Family Friendly Websites, including BestBear.
	goodschoolsguide.co.uk The independent critical parents' guide to top UK schools
	Homework Help Maths and Reading Help for Kids is a directory of articles offering tips for homework help, improving test scores, developing positive study habits, and more.
	jojingles.co.uk Jo Jingles provide singing and music & movement classes for children aged 6 months to 5 years with a series of varied educational programmes.
	Kids In Tow Kids In Tow - the comprehensive guide to family activity and adventure holidays. Whether you are a seasoned traveller wanting to safely show your children the world or are looking for a family holiday with a bit of get up and go, this website will point you in the right direction.
	Nanny Fi Knows Best Nanny Fi Knows Best! - the Blog for nannies, parents and anyone in the childcare profession. This Blog is full of children's recipes, activities and suggestions on great places to visit with children. This Blog is also a place to receive advice and guidance on all childcare issues for parents and nannies both! Do you have a hard to handle child in your care? Or worse still a hard to handle boss? Let Nanny Fi help you on your way to childcare happiness!
	National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries Organisation promoting play matters.
	Practicalpreschool.com Practical Pre-School magazine. Foundation stage books and resources that are essential reading for everyone working with young children.
	Right Start Magazine Right Start Magazine - a guide to parenting, childrens education, behaviour, family matters, food concerns, child health issues, play and activity ideas
	SmileChild Magazine An exciting new site and online magazine for anyone with kids, offering shopping, information and discussion.
	The Baby Registry The Baby Registry Advice Directory, your guide to the help and advice available to parents
	Top Childcare Sites Listing If you like this site, please feel free to vote for Best Bear at this list of Childcare Top Sites.
	Travelroomers.com WWW.TRAVELROOMERS.COM Get ready to pack your backpack for the adventure of a lifetime. Travelroomers is offering free accommodations anywhere in the world.
	Trojans scheme Trojans is a South London based educational and training charity providing out of school activities for children and spreading good practice in the playwork arena. Created in 1995, as a joint parent and school initiative at a primary school in Streatham, today, it runs 14 daily projects in Lambeth and Wandsworth and is expanding.
	webtots.co.uk A website for the toddler to interact with. Colouring book cartoon character (frank), Father Christmas and Christmas Carols to sing along to and more.
	Whattodowiththekids Ever wondered what to with the kids during the holidays? Visit whattodowiththekids.co.uk for a Nationwide list of child friendly places to visit.
	womeninlondon A directory of london based women's groups and other groups working for women in London

Training and Information

	angels and urchins
	Child Alert At www.childalert.co.uk you will find expert advice and tips on everything from pregnancy to childproofing, healthy eating and childcare, hot topics and current parenting news plus educational and child safety technology advice. Also visit our blog at <a href="http://www.childalert.co.uk/streetsmartkids/%20">www.childalert.co.uk/streetsmartkids/ </a>
	Early Years Educator Early Years Educator - EYE magazine is the leading monthly magazine for early years professionals. The magazine is a voice for both teachers and nursery nurses.
	Fingershield Safety Fingershield is a simple device that completely covers the gap that is created on the hinge side of a door when it is in the open position protecting children from traumatic finger trapping injuries. According to ROSPA there are over 40,000 recorded finger trapping accidents occurring every year in the UK. Fingershield Safety (UK) has become the largest supplier of anti-finger trapping devices into Schools and Nurseries throughout the United Kingdom, Fingershield Safety has already protected the fingers of an estimated ONE MILLION children throughout the UK.
	Good-child-guide.com The Good Child Guide. How to get your children to do as they are told.Tired of arguing with your children? Discover the exact steps you can take to eliminate child behaviour problems and bring peace, harmony, love and even FUN into your family life.
	identifyme.co.uk The IdentiKids Emergency ID and Medical Release card attaches discretely to a child's car seat to provide the emergency services with vital information on a child in the event of an accident
	KinderStart KinderStart is the largest (and most popular) indexed directory and search engine focused on children zero to seven on the 'net.
	MyOtherMum Childcare Training My Other Mum has a passion for putting the right people into childcare, working with schools to give Senior students the unique and affordable opportunity to complete the Certificate lll in Children's Services whilst still at school (Australia)
	Nanny Training A list of all online, US and Canada universities that offer a professional nanny training
	nannyskills.com Nanny Essentials Training. A Course Developed by LifeWork Strategies, Inc
	Nannytax Tax and National Insurance can be minefield and becoming a nanny employer, especially for the first time, can be very daunting when considering all the legal obligations that come with it. Nannytax is the UK's original and leading payroll provider for nanny employers and offer full payroll administration, unlimited advice and comprehensive employment law support from a team of specialist solicitors. We can help take the stress out of becoming an employer!
	National Extension College (NEC) The National Extension College is an educational charity dedicated to providing educational opportunities for all, providing a range of distance learning childcare courses which lead to fully accredited qualifications. NEC's childcare and early years distance learning courses result in exactly the same qualifications as college courses - it is just the way of learning that is it different as you can study from home without the need to attend classes, whilst at the same time having expert tutor support. NEC helps workers gain essential qualifications in areas such as childminding, Pre-School Practice, Children's Care, Learning and Development, Family Learning, Professional Development and Nutrition Awareness.
	Naturally Nurturing Baby Sleep Clinic At The Baby Sleep Clinic they believe in a childs right to receive comfort, a parents right to demonstrate love, and everyones right to a night of uninterrupted sleep. Unlike many sleep nannies and clinics that advocate controlled crying, their sleep clinics model doesnt expect children to cry themselves to sleep. Its gentle on you, its gentle on infants, toddlers and children, and most important of all, it works. Founded in the UK by psychologist and sleep expert Chireal Shallow, Naturally Nurturing Sleep Clinic( NNSC) is the only independent training provider to offer legally accredited training in the UK to become a Sleep Consultant and the accreditation has European and Global application. Naturally Nurturing combines cognitive behavioural approaches (which examine how children think, behave and feel) with systemic practice (which deflects blame by examining the role of each family member) and attachment theory (which focuses on building trust, reassurance and bonding between parent and child).
	Newborn Education Services & Training N.E.S.T. (Newborn Education Services & Training) provide the only accredited short course in post-natal care. It is a level III course (equivalent NVQ level III), it is open to those who have either a qualification in childcare, have experience in working with children or display a good level of understanding of new mum/baby related care issues.
	nursery-world.co.uk The online version of this excellent magazine covers employment, training and news from the childcare world.
	Optimum Training
	St John Ambulance Run First Aid Courses all over the country including a 4 hour course specifically for treating babies and children. They also sell a "Breath of Life" video giving a step-by-step demonstration of infant and child resuscitation.
	The Early Years NTO The Early Years NTO is the strategic body that represents the employment interests of everyone working with babies and young children in the UK, ensuring that the future workforce needs of the sector are planned via strategies on recruitment, retention, training and qualifications.
	The Norland College With their distinctive brown uniforms Norland is the most well-known and respected training college for nannies. Training provides both nationally accredited vocational qualification and the opportunity to gain practical experience working with children on site nurseries and classes.

Jobs

	(REC) Recruitment & Employment Confederation REC is an organisation "championing providers of recruitment solutions". They offer a code of good practice for recruitment agencies and many childcare agencies are members (you can find a list of member nanny and au pair agencies on their site) REC members are subject to their complaints and disciplinary procedures.
	aupairforum Au-Pair Forum - find au pair and nanny jobs, host families, agencies or child care work. Find information on work permits and visa
	familymatch.com.au Get a nannying job in Down Under with this Australian agency.
	housekeeping-jobs.com Housekeeping-jobs.com is the first website to provide a dedicated resource for the domestic jobs market. We provide a resource for domestic recruitment agencies, as well as both candidates looking for a job in the domestic market and employers looking for domestic staff. The website carries vacancies for housekeepers, housekeeper/nannies, chefs, child care, housekeeper/carers, cooks, laundress', governess', au pair's, chauffeurs and drivers, gardeners, butlers, handymen, house managers, estate managers, maids, valet or even yacht crew and flight crew along with many others.
	Jobs.co.uk Jobs.co.uk puts you in control of finding the right job on the Internet
	Mynightoff.com Through mynightoff.com parents can ask their friends if they can baby sit for them, confirm agreement to baby sit for someone else, check the number of credits they have available or simply use the discussion box for a good old natter.
	nannynetwork.com America's Nanny Agency Finder, Nanny Resource for Nannies and Nanny Employers, find nanny agencies, nanny jobs, background investigators, nanny payroll tax svcs, nanny training and aupair resources
	nannyville.com Nanny jobs directory for parents to find Nannies, Au Pairs, Doulas, Governess, baby nurses, travel nannies, infant and newborn child care, employment in United States of North America from Nannyville.
	The Lady The Lady contains an array of features, on subjects including culture, travel, interviews, gardening, art and antiques, books, finance and history, as well as fashion, cookery and beauty, plus jobs for Childcarers
	uk recruiter UKRECRUITER: The most comprehensive source of independent information for the UK recruiter and recruitment researcher.
	UK Student Life Study, Work,Travel in the UK.British culture and life.

Government Bodies

	Department for Education & Employment Early Years Funding Team Offers info on Government policy re: free nursery places for 3 - 4 year olds. Contact your local authority's early years and development department for info on childcare planning and policy.
	Department for Education and Skills The Government's website for working in Early Years, Childcare and Playwork.
	Home Office Immigration and Nationality Dept For info on regulations concerning employing au pairs who are non-EU nationals.
	Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) On 1 September 2001, Ofsted became responsible for the regulation of childcare in England.
	parentscentre.gov.uk UK Government information for parents who want to help their children learn. Offers information and advice about your child's learning and the English education system.
	Sure Start The offical website for Sure Start's National Childcare Recruitment Campaign, providing information on working in Childcare, Early Years and Playwork!
	The Department of Trade and Industry The DTI offer a free and confidential complaints service about childcare agency conduct. It investigates complaints made by families or nannies.

Childcare Associations

	Association of Nanny Agencies ANA is a non-profitable organisation that supports and informs its Nanny Agency members. It aims to promote good practice and to provide a quality service to nannies and families.
	National Day Nurseries Association Promoting quality care and education in the early years.
	NCMA - National Childminding Association National body promoting registered childminders.
	Northern Ireland Childminding Association
	Pre-School Learning Alliance A national education charity specialising in pre-school education and care. At local level they offer a range of pre-school learning training courses for parents, staff and volunteers.
	Scottish Childminding Association
	The National Childminding Association Promotes quality registered childminding so that children, families and communities can benefit from the best in childcare and education.
	Voice (formerly PANN) Voice is the union for education professionals, and we speak up for everyone, from teachers, lecturers and nursery nurses, to head teachers and school support staff, including teaching assistants, technicians and administrators and students* (*free membership).

Industry News

	(REC) Recruitment & Employment Confederation REC is an organisation "championing providers of recruitment solutions". They offer a code of good practice for recruitment agencies and many childcare agencies are members (you can find a list of member nanny and au pair agencies on their site) REC members are subject to their complaints and disciplinary procedures.
	nursery-world.co.uk The online version of this excellent magazine covers employment, training and news from the childcare world.
	Voice (formerly PANN) Voice is the union for education professionals, and we speak up for everyone, from teachers, lecturers and nursery nurses, to head teachers and school support staff, including teaching assistants, technicians and administrators and students* (*free membership).

Childcare Organisations

	Association of Nanny Agencies ANA is a non-profitable organisation that supports and informs its Nanny Agency members. It aims to promote good practice and to provide a quality service to nannies and families.
	CACHE (Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education) CACHE is the UK's only specialist awarding organisation for the children and adult care sectors, with a portfolio of qualifications ranging from Entry to Level 5. Last year, over 150,000 learners registered with us from over 1000 UK based Centres and overseas. CACHE was established in 1994 as a result of the merger of the National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) and the Council for Early Years Awards (CEYA) and has a heritage dating back to 1945. Since then, our qualifications have established a reputation for excellence and have supported many thousands of learners through to further study or employment within the Children and Young People's Workforce. Now, we continue to develop the most up to date and relevant qualifications for the new QCF and work closely with Sector Skills Councils to ensure the highest level of quality and a cutting-edge service to our customers, our learners, and the sector
	Child Alert At www.childalert.co.uk you will find expert advice and tips on everything from pregnancy to childproofing, healthy eating and childcare, hot topics and current parenting news plus educational and child safety technology advice. Also visit our blog at <a href="http://www.childalert.co.uk/streetsmartkids/%20">www.childalert.co.uk/streetsmartkids/ </a>
	NannySuccess.com NannySuccess.com helps you to search for and manage your childcare; all based on your personality type.   For those interested in employing a Nanny, Au Pair or Housekeeper a personalised plan is developed for you, to help you get it right first time around.
	Nannytax Tax and National Insurance can be minefield and becoming a nanny employer, especially for the first time, can be very daunting when considering all the legal obligations that come with it. Nannytax is the UK's original and leading payroll provider for nanny employers and offer full payroll administration, unlimited advice and comprehensive employment law support from a team of specialist solicitors. We can help take the stress out of becoming an employer!
	The Daycare Trust A national childcare charity promoting high quality affordable childcare. They co-ordinate the annual National Childcare Week and offer a childcare consultancy service to employers.
	The National Childminding Association Promotes quality registered childminding so that children, families and communities can benefit from the best in childcare and education.
	The Norland College With their distinctive brown uniforms Norland is the most well-known and respected training college for nannies. Training provides both nationally accredited vocational qualification and the opportunity to gain practical experience working with children on site nurseries and classes.

Government Bodies

	Department for Education & Employment Early Years Funding Team Offers info on Government policy re: free nursery places for 3 - 4 year olds. Contact your local authority's early years and development department for info on childcare planning and policy.
	Home Office Immigration and Nationality Dept For info on regulations concerning employing au pairs who are non-EU nationals.
	The Department of Trade and Industry The DTI offer a free and confidential complaints service about childcare agency conduct. It investigates complaints made by families or nannies.

Parenting Sites

	angels and urchins
	Child Safe Zones Child Safe Zones provides important information, including a photograph, about your children for use if the become seperated - to reunite lost or found children.
	Families The site for the great free local Families newsletters which are read by over 500,000 people throughout the UK. Each magazine is edited by parents in the local area and is distributed 6 times a year. The website is run by a group of magazine editors, who are also all parents. The site includes endless ideas to help you, and most importantly your children: their parties, their education, their holidays, their childcare, their fun as well as their stumbles along the way. If you register online you can find information specifically tailored to where you live. The Best Bear team love this website!
	goodschoolsguide.co.uk The independent critical parents' guide to top UK schools
	Homework Help Maths and Reading Help for Kids is a directory of articles offering tips for homework help, improving test scores, developing positive study habits, and more.
	keepyourkidssafe.com Keep Your Kids Safe on the Internet is the companion web site for the bestselling Internet safety book for parents. This easy-to-understand guide shows parents how to protect their kids from threats lurking on the Internet including undesirable images, pop-ups, viruses and spyware.
	mumszone.co.uk A community for parents to meet and chat with others in a similar situation. Somewhere to get advice or relax.
	Netmums.com Netmums is a dedicated site for local mums by local mums.
	New Baby Company New Baby Company offers professional, practical and personal advice during and after pregnancy.
	Oneparentfamilies.org.uk One Parent Families, the National Council for One Parent Families. A registered charity working to promote the welfare and independence of lone parents and their children.
	Parentlineplus.org.uk Parentline Plus, because instructions aren't included. This is a UK registered charity offering advice to anyone parenting a child.
	parentscentre.gov.uk UK Government information for parents who want to help their children learn. Offers information and advice about your child's learning and the English education system.
	Right Start Magazine Right Start Magazine - a guide to parenting, childrens education, behaviour, family matters, food concerns, child health issues, play and activity ideas
	Singleparents.org.uk singleparents.org.uk is a useful website includign information, advice and first-hand experiences to help visitors manage and enjoy life as a single parent.
	sitesforparents.com Provides a list of websites of interest to parents
	SmileChild Magazine An exciting new site and online magazine for anyone with kids, offering shopping, information and discussion.
	The Baby Registry The Baby Registry Advice Directory, your guide to the help and advice available to parents
	The Web Mag the internet's monthly childcare site published by Caring for Children and Centre for Children - University College Northampton
	Top Childcare Sites Listing If you like this site, please feel free to vote for Best Bear at this list of Childcare Top Sites.
	Trojans scheme Trojans is a South London based educational and training charity providing out of school activities for children and spreading good practice in the playwork arena. Created in 1995, as a joint parent and school initiative at a primary school in Streatham, today, it runs 14 daily projects in Lambeth and Wandsworth and is expanding.
	webtots.co.uk A website for the toddler to interact with. Colouring book cartoon character (frank), Father Christmas and Christmas Carols to sing along to and more.

First Aid Training

	ABCmedicalservices Leading providers of First Aid & Emergency Medical Training, Ambulance & Paramedic Services and First Aid / Medical Supplies.
	Click here for First Aid Courses Providers
	Fingershield Safety Fingershield is a simple device that completely covers the gap that is created on the hinge side of a door when it is in the open position protecting children from traumatic finger trapping injuries. According to ROSPA there are over 40,000 recorded finger trapping accidents occurring every year in the UK. Fingershield Safety (UK) has become the largest supplier of anti-finger trapping devices into Schools and Nurseries throughout the United Kingdom, Fingershield Safety has already protected the fingers of an estimated ONE MILLION children throughout the UK.
	Optimum Training

Childcare Courses

	Click here for Childcare Courses
	MyOtherMum Childcare Training My Other Mum has a passion for putting the right people into childcare, working with schools to give Senior students the unique and affordable opportunity to complete the Certificate lll in Children's Services whilst still at school (Australia)