We have teamed up with Sally Coulthard to provide you with a number of checklists for stress free parenting! Sally is an author and working mum, whose books focus on the home and family life.  She is the author of The Parents Book of Checklists: From Pregnancy to Toddlers and the follow-up title The Parents Book of Checklists: From Toddlers to Teens (Pearson).

• Choose an activity camp registered with the British Activity Holiday Association (BAHA).  Members have all agreed to abide by the BAHA Code of Practice and are committed to high standards of safety.
• Any activity camps which specifically provide caving, climbing, trekking and water sports activities to under-18s also must be licensed by the government?s Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA).
• Activity camps for young children under eight should be registered and inspected by OFSTED.
• Ask if staff members have Criminal Record Bureau check certificates.  All should have Standard or Enhanced CRB checks, not just a Basic checks.
• Ask about staff qualifications.  Many sports associations have recognised coaching or leadership qualifications.
• Ask if the camp has a policies and procedures document which covers Health & Safety, Child Protection, insurance etc.  Make sure you read it thoroughly.

How to Hire a Bouncy Castle 

1. Make sure the company has public liability insurance and ask to see the certificate.
2. Check they are members of the British Inflatable Hires Alliance and abide by their safety standards.
3. Ask for references from previous customers.
4. Check who is liable for any damage to the bouncy castle.
5. Bouncy castles have different age limits, always check that a castle will be suitable.
6. Check that a safety mat comes included.
7. Ensure you are aware of the user restrictions and ask for a copy of the safety instructions.
8. Young bouncy castle users should be supervised at all times.
9. Older children can crush very young children on a bouncy castle keep age groups separate.
10. Bouncy castles cannot be operated in the rain for safety reasons check if you would have to pay a cancellation fee.

How to choose a child-friendly holiday

1. Head for water - kids will spend hours splashing about in a pool or by the beach.
2. Self cater if your want flexibility over meal times and sleeping arrangements.
3. Avoid clubbing resorts - too much noise, booze and not enough child facilities.
4. Stay with friends - it gives you a break without too much expense or forward planning.
5. Take your first holiday near to home - its a great way to iron out any problems for future excursions.
6. Look for hotel packages which include access to reputable childcare or crèches.
7. Bring a nanny? a great option if you already employ a full-time child-carer.
8. Consider camping? many sites offer family tents with separate bedrooms and child safety equipment.
9. If you are travelling with teens think about letting them take a best friend for company.
10. Check out the family travel deals and short breaks in our Travel section.
    

How to Choose a Kids Entertainer

1. Book well in advance, especially at busy times of the year e.g. Christmas.
2. Make sure the entertainer has public liability insurance.
3. Some entertainers are members of Equity, giving them automatic public liability insurance to £5,000,000.
4. Ask if they have a Criminal Record Bureau check certificate.  Kids entertainers should ideally have a Standard or Enhanced CRB check, not just a Basic check.
5. A good entertainer should have lots of testimonials.  Follow these up if possible.
6. Keep it short and sweet.  Children will struggle with a party lasting more than two hours.
7. Choose age appropriate entertainment, small children, for example, may find clowns too scary.
8. Make sure you know exactly what the performance will entail.
9. Arrange for kids to eat before the entertainers performance starts.
10. If any child tells you of inappropriate behaviour report this immediately to the police.

How to Choose a Day Nursery 
 

1. Check they are registered with Ofsted.
2. Make sure the child:staff ratio is 3:1 for under twos, 4:1 for two year olds, and 8:1 three year olds.
3. Ensure your child has a key worker who will be specifically responsible for them.
4. Check the nursery is locked at all times and only allows specified adults to collect your child.
5. Don?t assume they?ll have a place. Some nurseries are oversubscribed or don?t take children under two.
6. Babies and toddlers have their own sleep and feeding patterns ? can nursery can accommodate this?
7. Use your instinct.  Do the children look clean, happy and well cared for?
8. Ask about ?settling in? sessions to help the transition when your child starts nursery properly.
9. Check the nursery follows the Government?s Early Learning curriculum.
10. Ask if they provide a daily record of what your child has eaten, nap times and any accidents.

Choosing a Private School

1. Start early.  You need to start looking at least a year in advance.

2. Talk it through.  Does your child have a preference for day or boarding?

3. Consider their strengths.   Is your child very academic or would they benefit a more sporty or musical school?

4. Do your homework.  Read school prospectuses and attend as many Open Days as possible.

5. Think about location.  If the kids are boarding, how good are transport links?

6. Any special requirements?  Gifted children or kids with specific learning difficulties will need extra support.

7. Make a short list.  Visit again during term time to get an accurate picture.

8. Chat to other parents and children about their experiences of a particular school.

9. Check the admissions policy.  Does your child need to have specific qualifications or a religious affiliation?
10. Find out more by reading the excellent, annually updated Good Schools Guide by Ralph Lucas.

Ten Ways to Get Your Kids into Exercise

1. Take your kids to sporting events and let them soak up the atmosphere.
2. If you have a sporting passion, don?t be afraid to share it with your child.
3. Turn of the TV - it always competes with more active pursuits.
4. Exercise as a family, even if it?s just a knockabout in the park.
5. Sport?s not just for boys - girls need to get in on the act too.
6. Support your child?s efforts by attending as many matches or sports days as possible.
7. Ask if there are ways you can help with school sports such as coaching or refereeing.
8. Let your child choose the activity ? your main role is to offer encouragement.
9. If your child shows talent consider applying for a local sports academy.
10. If your child hates team games, suggest solitary sports such as swimming.

Choosing a Private Tutor 

1. Always interview a potential tutor and make sure both you and your child feel comfortable.
2. Ask the school, parents or pupils for personal recommendations.
3. Check qualifications.  Ask to see original copies of certificates or diplomas.
4. Follow up any references by contacting the referees in person.
5. Ask for a Criminal Record Bureau check certificate.  People who work with children should have a Standard or Enhanced check, not just a Basic check.
6. Arrange for tuition to take place in a quiet place in your home but not in a bedroom.
7. If tuition is away from home, a responsible adult should accompany your child at all times.
8. Keep lesson durations short.  An hour is plenty for most children.
9. Keep a dialogue with both child and tutor to check on your child?s progress.
10. If your child tells you of any inappropriate behaviour report this immediately to the police.

10 Fun Ideas for a Family Day Out

1. Bring history alive with castles, dungeons, archaeological digs and historical re-enactments.
2. Make a splash ? try aquaparks, sealife centres, barges, maritime museums, and tall ships.
3. Get into nature - look out for farms, safari parks, agricultural shows, nature trails and aquariums.
4. Get them thinking - join in with a treasure trail, scavenger hunt or get lost in a maze.
5. High speed antics -whizz off on quad-bikes, pony-treks or trail-biking.
6. Tempt them with treats at food fairs, cooking classes, fudge kitchens and farm shops.
7. Here comes the science.  Explosions, experiments and mad professors.  Look for hands-on science museum near you.
8. Grit and grime.  Mills, railway museums, mining museums ? kids are fascinated by the grime and noise of our industrial heritage.
9. Trains, planes and car museums ? let kids can enjoy the thrill of transport.
10. For something completely different, visit a chocolate factory, watch the Red Arrows or go to the races....anything goes!