Following 18 months of government lobbying, the VAT reduction for children's car seat bases was confirmed in the Budget on 22nd April. As the only VAT reduction in the entire Budget, congratulations must go to the BPA for bringing about this major change in government legislation. For more on this story, please turn to page 13.

The Baby Products Association (BPA) is delighted to announce an industry victory regarding child car seat base VAT reduction - securing the only VAT reduction in this year's Budget.

Cheeky Rascals has been appointed as UK distributor for ‘The Wean Machine', a new solution to the problem of preparing small portions of nutritious baby food.

Jerome Davies, 32, from Daventry, whose 3 year old daughter Holly was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy last year, is running the London Marathon for the first time to help the Stars Foundation for Cerebral Palsy purchase a new Liberator - a communication aid that can transform lives.  Already Jerome has been pledged £1000 from Maclaren - the Northamptonshire based parenting company.

Toddle Time has appointed MPIreland as its new sales and distribution team in Northern and Southern Ireland. The team comprising Steven and Ian Minford, and David and Denise Prentice, have over 18 years experience in the Irish Toy market and are looking forward to expanding their business into the Nursery Industry with Toddle Time.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is concerned that the 2009 Budget has failed to address the main issues threatening the UK's struggling small businesses. Proposals to improve access to finance, ease the burden of costs and stimulate economic activity were absent from the announcement, it insists. In addition, although the Government has unveiled a new £1.7 billion job creation fund, the Forum believes nothing has been done to help smaller employers hold on to their key staff.

A recent drive to increase BPA Retail membership by the Baby Products Association (BPA) is paying dividends with two new retailers signing up.

Pre-School Expo is set to provide parents with the tools and ideas for raising happy and healthy children through their very important preschool years. It is free to attend so you can take advantage of the great advice on all aspects of parenting from the childcare professionals present over the two days of the show. Showcasing the latest products and services from the leading UK suppliers to the Pre-School market, Pre-school expo is divided into four main areas, making it easy to navigate around all the different products on show. It will take place at Central Hall Westminster, from Friday 6th November to Saturday 7th November 2009.

Parenting PR & marketing consultants PJP have been appointed to work with Freya Design on a trade and consumer awareness campaign.

With a modern take on a traditional favourite, Kidstoyworld.uk.com is said to be a new website for a new, prudent era.  Its range of 1200 toys is made from reforested wood and fully CE tested and certified safe for children.  Sourced from Germany, they meet all required European standards.  Founder Julianne Balai commented: "Our guiding principle is to sell only ethically produced toys that are fun, educational and durable offering exceptional value for money."

British design company Micralite, which specialises in the innovation, design and manufacture of baby products, has just appointed marketing and PR consultants to support the development of the brand.

As Little Helper continues to grow sales both in the UK and overseas, it has announced the appointment of two new sales agents in the UK. Donna Read has been appointed as Sales Agent for Scotland, while Colin Pattison has been appointed as Sales Agent for the South of England.

Online nursery retailer Kiddicare.com, has signed up as the broadcast sponsor of the new Katie and Peter series: Katie and Peter: The Next Chapter Stateside on ITV2. This is the nursery retailer's first ever TV sponsorship deal and forms a key part of the retailer's marketing strategy to firmly cement the Kiddicare brand in family households across the UK.

Pop sensation, reality TV superstar and proud mum of one Lisa Scott-Lee is the latest celebrity to opt for the ‘totally' trendy, yet practical Maxi-Cosi Axiss.  "The revolutionary Maxi-Cosi Axiss is comfortable and safe for my little one and practical for busy mums like me. It's made my life much easier, I love it!" she said.

The ABC Kids Expo was launched in September of 2003, utilising 10,500 net square meters at the Las Vegas Convention Center. "In five short years The ABC Kids Expo grew to become the largest trade show for the juvenile products industry in the Western Hemisphere.  Now heading into our seventh year, we have grown to our present size of 33,200 net square meters, with more than 900 exhibitors displaying their newest and most innovative products throughout our expansive exhibit space," said a spokesperson.

Textbooks are having to be re-written at an extraordinary rate as research on brain development shows us so much more than we ever knew before about how babies' brains develop. Following on from the success of last year's conference, this year's Talk To Your Baby (TTYB) conference will look at the vital links between the maturing brain and early communication development, highlighting the establishment of secure infant mental health. Alongside discussion on emotional communication will be illumination on another aspect of a young child's immense skill: the ability to become bilingual.

The Mamascarf allows mothers to breastfeed stylishly and discreetly, providing essential support without the need for a cushion. It can be worn as a scarf, or neatly folded away in a changing bag, handbag or pocket and comes complete with a hidden pocket to store a breast pad. One size fits all and it's easy to use.

Customers that want to create an exciting and stimulating environment for their child should look no further than FunToSee.  Its colourful and exciting jumbo stickers come in all shapes and sizes and can be applied to walls with no glue, no mess and no fuss.  The effect is a transformation from boring to bold in a matter of minutes.

Following the success of Lulu's Shoes, the trendy toddler returns in Lulu's Clothes, showing off her stylish wardrobe in an interactive tale of toddler couture.

MamaTENS is pleased to announce the arrival of its latest maternity TENS the MamaTENS my time, said to be the only maternity TENS on the market with the ability to monitor contraction times and length of time in labour with the addition of extra high levels of pain relief, using comfort strength control. There is no need for a birthing partner to monitor these times on a stopwatch - it's integral to the TENS machine.

How it all started

Our story started back in the year 2000 when our first son Sam wouldn't sleep at night, which as most parents would probably know, is enough to send any sane person completely barmy! Then we were given a baby sleep bag by our Austrian sister-in-law and a miracle occurred: he slept through the night without wriggling out of his covers. We simply had to tell UK parents about our revelation so we came up with the idea of the Grobag Baby Sleep Bag.

This marks a great success and is a direct result of our lobbying over the past 18 months. Following numerous meetings with MPs from all parties, meetings at HM Treasury, three mailings to the whole of the House of Commons, an Early Day Motion laid down by one MP and signed by a further 61 MPs, two Parliamentary Questions, an Adjournment Debate in the Halls of Westminster and many letters from senior MPs to the Treasury and the DfT, the Chancellor became more than aware of our campaign.

How long have you been established?

Mike - Little Treasures had been established for just over 3 years as a small independent baby shop with a 1000 sq ft showroom. In December last year we moved to a 5000 sq ft showroom on two floors. We are now the largest independent baby store in Wales, with the largest pushchair display of any. Jayne and I both have children. Jayne brings a mother's perspective to the store, while I bring a father's perspective. I also used to work in the industry for a large supplier of wheeled goods and nursery products as a regional sales manager, prior to opening the baby centre with Jayne.

Speech and language empowers babies and toddlers to communicate with the world around them. More often than not, what we class as difficult behaviour arises from a child's inability to fully express their wants or needs - the ramifications of which are immense. Those that struggle to develop their speech and language skills at a socially acceptable rate seem to exist on the periphery of society later in life, looking in at a world that they do not feel part of. Finding it difficult to progress at school and into work, it is these individuals that can become reclusive or fall into crime.

babyboomboom's multi-lingual musical products provide a fun way to familiarise babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers with the sounds of a second language through music and rhythm.  This simple and fun approach helps little ones develop an interest in other languages and can give them a headstart in life.

Health Editor Sarah Stacey has twice featured Baby Cello in The Mail on Sunday, YOU Magazine: "What do you think it's worth to weary mums to have something non-invasive to soothe fractious babies into sleep? Since I wrote about Baby Cello last December, conductor Geoffrey Simon has been inundated with calls from grateful parents-and even one great-granny-testifying to its effectiveness. The warm, deep sound of the cellos works for grown-ups, too: I float off almost immediately."

A car seat is one of the most important purchases a parent will make. Ensuring you have a good range and can offer full product advice and training is vital. It is paramount that you check the selected seat fits safely in the consumer's car before they leave your store. We recommend that you fit a customer's seat and teach them how to do it, so that should the car seat be removed it can be fitted safely back in place again afterwards.

The new Neptune car seat is approved to EC R44/04, for Groups 1/2/3, suitable for children from 9 to 36 kg (from 1 to around 12 years of age). 

Graco has redesigned its popular Logico S Group 0+ car seat, to create the Logcio S HP, a stylish seat that's even easier for parents to fit, and consequently even safer. So safe, in fact, that it has recently been awarded four stars at the latest European consumer testing by independent organisations ADAC and OEAMTC.

The new Chicco Group 0+/1 car seat approved to EC R44/04 that suits the child's needs from birth until 3 years old. Comfort and safety are guaranteed, the reducer cushion for small babies, the spacious comfy seat once the reducer has been removed, and the reclining backrest to 4 positions. The soft side padding on the reducer snugly hold the baby's head, sides and legs. The special wedge guarantees that the baby's spine "lies flat" in the seat (until baby weighs 6 kgs). The deep seat gives high levels of side impact protection and head containment.

The Zero Plus car seat is a versatile, safe and easy to use car seat.  Suitable from birth - 13kg, it comes complete with padded safety harness and head protector.  The safety harness is adjustable ensuring a comfortable fit for baby and safety at all times.  Ergonomically shaped for ease of use the seat also fits onto a shop ‘n drive system by virtue of an easy-fix system.  No need for adaptors. 

The Easymaxi SPP Group 0+ infant carrier is available in a range of colours and incorporates the unique T-System attachment making it suitable for use with every Bebecar chassis and allowing consumers to easily create a stunning travel system.

Representing a freedom removed from the confines of the classroom or home, the great outdoors is fertile ground for educational exploration and development. With a so far very sunny spring promising even greater things for summer, retailers would do well to capitalise on this hugely lucrative market.

The PINTOY Collection is number one for outdoor fun!  Boys who love a spot of al fresco fun can ride around to their hearts content.  Pick Up Trike is the perfect mode of transport for fresh air fiends.  In red, blue and natural Rubber wood, this trike sets a new benchmark in first wooden trikes.  Rubber types ensure a firm grip on any surface so a safe ride is guaranteed.

With the UK experiencing an average of between 150 and 200 rainy days each year, opportunities for outdoor play can be halved unless you have the right protective clothing - a recipe for frustrated children and frazzled parents!

NScessity's award winning Sun Essentials range is huge.  From the versatile UV Travel Centre which acts as a sun shelter, a play tent or a Travel Cot through to ActivSkins UV wear, there is something for every parent.

With warm weather and holidaying comes the problem of keeping baby comfortable and dry. Did you know that lambskins do exactly that? Lambskins are the ideal all year round solution for keeping babies and young children comfortable, while out and about in the pram; in the cot or play pen; or when used as a play mat.

Leading child safety manufacturer Clippasafe can be trusted by the trade to bring some innovative products to the fore when it comes to outdoor fun!

The Sandcastle Moat and Playset from SandPlay solves the age-old problem of water soaking into sand from a sandcastle moat. It can be used in a sand pit, on the lawn or even at the beach.  More images on the firm's website show some other ideas for the moat, from a local Nottingham playgroup where the children have used the moat for creative play.

Perfectly Happy People have everything a baby or toddler might need for the day at the beach or at the holiday hotel pool. Armbands and Float Seats are especially popular with parents and ensure safety of the baby in the water.  The Kushies Swim Nappy (in 4 sizes) saves any embarrassing moments in the pool. Our own Beach/Pool shoes are perfect for rock pooling and are meant to work even when swimming to save slipping on wet pool tiles. Earbandits are excellent for children and adults with grommets and finally we have a great waterproof drawstring bag for their wet togs when returning home.

The 2009 LittleLife range has raised the bar when it comes to child carriers.  As always, they incorporate key safety and comfort features that set them apart in terms of technical detail and performance.  You will find LittleLife carriers are superbly comfortable for the parents, as well as snug and cosy for your child. Features include the patented anchor point, side lifting handles, top stability handles, reflective fabrics and the twin stabilising system for the child.  Further up the range you will also see the inclusion of sun/shower canopies, stirrups, pocket mirrors, changing mats and insulated pockets.

The old euphemism that a picture is worth a thousand words reflects the power of art as a mode of communication, a vehicle for expressing ideas and emotions. Indeed, Dr. Maria Montessori famously believed that artistic activity was a form of reasoning in which perceiving and thinking were inextricably linked. Vitally important for parents and carers - and therefore you as a retailer - creative resources help children to channel their emotions and articulate their thoughts more clearly.  More often than not a toddler tantrum is caused by the frustrating inability to communicate: by offering a range of art and craft based activities, a more constructive outlet can be found.

Jo Jingles, the UK's leading provider of fun music, singing and movement classes for babies and young children has launched a new range of lively musical products including a fun and interactive musical DVD and two themed CDs to enable children to get musical in the home or nursery.

Tell me a story
9781408112434

Tell Me A Story helps the practitioner to reinvent conventional storytelling by providing means for extending the experience. Additional games and activities allow the child greater scope for imagination and participation. Each page features ‘activity boxes' labelled for each age group showing how each area can be approached by children at different stages of development. This is an easy-to-use resource matched to the stages of the EYFS.

Parents, grandparents and friends will always flock to buy gifts when a new baby arrives, making the nursery industry more recession resistant than most. A very lucrative target market, grandparents are responsible for buying baby and nursery equipment for half of mums. Friends, particularly those with no children of their own, also have a propensity for buying nursery equipment as gifts - with over a third of mums expecting nursery equipment to be bought as a gift: "The general ethos is that where there's an event, there's a spending opportunity," says market research specialist, Mintel.

Looking to stock the perfect gift for mums to be & new babies is easier said than done. With so much choice where do you start?  2012 Ltd has done all the hard work for you!

Award-winning Cuddledry apron towels are a bestselling gift for newborns - favourites with grandparents, work colleagues, friends and family. 

Chiggs Ltd are designers and suppliers of the Baby Feed Wheel, Baby Medicine Wheel and Get Well Wheel; practical products for parents that are also beautiful and useful new baby congratulations cards and gifts.

Babou have burst on to the nursery scene with some fantastic bed , bath  and gift products which are gaining lots of press attention. The toweling robes with cute embroideries were recently featured in the Saturday Telegraph Magazine ,whilst the bedding and accessories have had rave reviews in May's Homes and Gardens.

The latest addition to the Stellina Baby collection is a selection of blankies representing children's favourite animals like elephants, ladybirds and dinosaurs, which are launching at the beginning of May.

Ticking all the right boxes when it comes to finding a gift for baby, the Infantino range is hard to beat. Whether looking for a thoughtful gift that will stimulate baby's senses and help develop vital physical and cognitive skills, or just looking for something that is pure and simple fun, Infantino toys will fit the bill and are packaged and presented beautifully to help create that ‘wow' factor when the gift is unwrapped.

With lots of great reviews appearing in the consumer press, The Cot Canopy (arriving the first week in May) is set to fly off the shelves.  The beautifully designed packaging is neat, compact, looks great in-store and explains the product perfectly.

Tippitoes has introduced a stunning new solid beech high chair to complement its existing range of wooden furniture. With its deceptively simple clean lines, The "Aristo" High Chair  epitomises the current trend for contemporary styling, but without compromising on comfort and practicality. The high chair's natural finish and flowing lines are supremely elegant whilst the all over use of solid beech wood upholds traditional standards of craftsmanship. The result is a durable, long-lasting, stylish and affordable addition, with ‘must have' qualities for today's discerning consumers. The seat height is adjustable and the chair has a multi positional footrest. The "piece de resistance" of this stunning high chair is, however, clever integration of easy to use fixings for the adjustable features.

Cosatto's brand new ultra lightweight Hula stroller is a super nippy everyday stroller! The Hula stroller is the ultimate "all inclusive" deal - it has everything you need including a comfy multi position reclining seat (suitable from birth) with a 2 position calf support for snoozing on the go, a SPF 50+ sunshade/mosquito net and an insulated bottle holder.

Quantitative research with 2000 Mums on MAM's brand strengths and attributes versus the competition has resulted in big news for the baby category. MAM has been re-packaged and extended to fit a new brand identity, which will provide a strong platform for future growth and brand development.