Links

We have put together a small directory of links that we hope are useful to parents with small children. There are links to local attractions; recommended activity and recipe books to buy on Amazon.co.uk; pointers for help with funding childcare and registering for Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Plus lots more!

If you have any favourite websites you think we should feature please mention them to your nursery manager. Please note: all links open in a new browser window.

Reference sites on maternity issues

Department for Work and Pensions: Expecting a baby - all about Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP), your rights and maternity leave plus Maternity Allowance

Check your own maternity rights at the Department of Trade and Industry

Maternity Allowance - payable if you are expecting a baby and have recently left work, changed jobs or are self-employed

Directgov: Parents - Information for parents from numerous government departments on education, rights and safety as well as advice on a range of issues including health in pregnancy and childcare

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) offers support in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood including breastfeeding counsellors and their local branch-based nearly new sales

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Essential information on childcare

The ChildcareLink national website provides information about the different types of childcare and early education in your local area and helps you to make the right choice for the whole family

National Day Nurseries Association

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) - review inspection reports for Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries and other schools in our area

Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity working to promote high quality affordable childcare for all and their site has guides for parents on choosing and paying for childcare

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Money matters: CTC, WTC and the Child Trust Fund

Childcare provided by employers (PDF) - From April 2005, new rules will make it easier for employers to help employees with their childcare costs. This guide from the Inland Revenue details some of the changes

Tax Credits Online - the central online resource from the Inland Revenue

What are tax credits? Help with understanding Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit

The Child Trust Fund is a new savings and investment account for children born on or after 1st September 2002. Learn key facts about CTF here

The Inland Revenue's Child Benefit pages featuring forms and an online claim facility

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Essential books from Amazon.co.uk

Playtime Activities

I Can Cut and Stick

What Shall I Make?

I Can Draw Animals

What Shall I Cook?

Annabel Karmel's Feeding Your Baby and Toddler

Annabel Karmel's New Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner

Planet Organic: Baby and Toddler Cookbook

What to Expect the First Year

What to Expect: The Toddler Years

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Art
MoreThanArt.co.uk - the Art of Paul Young
Paul has been creating fantastic murals in various Monkey Puzzle nursery rooms. See his blog for photos of the murals being created.

Herts information for childcare and schools

Young in Herts is Hertfordshire's Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership which offers the Children's Information Service and The Young in Herts Helpline

Childcare Costs Made Simple - Find out about the current financial assistance available to both parents and childcarers at hertsdirect.org

Young in Herts: Pre-school and Nursery for three-year-olds

Parentscentre: School Search - developed by the Department for Education and Skills as a resource for parents, allowing you to look for a school in your area

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Fun things to do in Herts

Places to visit in Hertfordshire including farms and zoos and local museums

Dacorum Council On-Line - lists forthcoming events and local sport and leisure facilities