Launch of unique way to save for children.

Dateline: 2 April 2008

The launch of  Kidstart is set to make life easier for parents

A new programme set to revolutionise the way parents save for their children launches today.  KidStart, the first business of its kind in the UK, is a free children’s savings club which allows members to collect cash savings for their children when shopping at a wide range of online and a growing number of high street retailers and service companies. 

Set against a backdrop of an ever-increasing cost of living and the expense of bringing up children, KidStart helps parents to convert their everyday spending into savings for their child’s future.

Open to everyone who knows a child for whom they would like to save money such as parents, grandparents or just friends, KidStart offers savings of up to 20% at more than 200 online retailers, including Mothercare, Marks & Spencer, Waterstones, Expedia and PC World.  KidStart will also shortly be announcing savings available from a number of major high street retailers and other partners.  KidStart is building an ever expanding network of retailers and partners so that members can continue to save more money at an even bigger choice of retailers.

Chris Hodgson, co-founder of KidStart commented on the launch; “We are excited to announce the launch of KidStart and give parents the opportunity to make extra savings towards their child’s future.  By offering parents, grandparents and others the opportunity to save money from their everyday spend which will automatically be set aside for their child, KidStart is a simple option for parents and others who want to do a little bit extra for their child or a child they know.”

Miles Bingham, Marketing Director at Family Investments, the UK’s leading Child Trust Fund provider, commented on the launch: “We are delighted to support the launch of KidStart.  KidStart is an innovative concept which rewards parents for their everyday spend and benefits children directly.”

How KidStart Works
1. KidStart is free and easy to join and use
2. Log-on, sign up and you can immediately start to collect savings for your own children, grandchildren or friends’ children while shopping at a wide range of retailers and service companies
3. You tell KidStart which children you want to save for and where you want the money deposited and KidStart does the rest.  Savings can be deposited into Child Trust Funds, and most bank / building society child savings accounts
4. Every time you shop with KidStart, up to 20% of what you spend is automatically saved for your children
5. For more information, please visit www.KidStart.co.uk

Notes to editors:
For more information on KidStart, please contact;
Aisling Ward 0207 269 7141 aisling.ward@fd.com
Laura Leggetter 0207 269 7191 laura.leggetter@fd.com

About KidStart;
Launched in March 2008, KidStart is a free savings club that allows its members to collect cash savings for their own children, grandchildren or friends’ children while shopping at a wide range of retailers and service companies.  KidStart’s aim is to help parents and grandparents do that little bit extra for their families in as easy a way as possible, while maintaining the necessary standards of trust and security.   KidStart is building an ever expanding network of retailers and partners so that members can continue to save more over time. KidStart is not a typical loyalty programme.  There are no points, no membership cards, no hassle, no catches, no hidden charges.  Just cash, for kids, for free – its simple.

Joining is easy – a simple three stage process which takes no more than 5 minutes to set up - after that KidStart will automatically take care of everything else: tracking transactions, collecting savings and paying it into a nominated child’s account such as a Child Trust Fund or bank / building society account. KidStart is primarily owned by employees of KidStart and is also backed by a leading venture capital firm, Delta Partners.