KidStart The smart way to save for children

FULL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

New to KidStart

• What is KidStart?

  KidStart is a free savings club that allows its members to collect cash savings for their children, grandchildren or friend's children when shopping at a wide range of retailers, service providers and other companies. The where you can save section of the website has full details of the potential savings.

• How does it work?

  KidStart is simple to join and use. See the how does it work section for more information

• How do I join?

  KidStart is free to join and use. The process is easy and will not take much more than a minute. You just need to click on the join now button and fill in the basic information required. Once you have completed the form, click on the finish button. We will send you a confirmation email to the email address you registered and you should click on the link in the email to confirm its receipt. You are now a member and will accumulate KidStart Savings on your eligible purchases.
  Now, or at a later stage, you can complete the other parts of the member's profile information which include:

  • the details of the children for whom you wish to save;
  • the savings accounts to which you would like your KidStart Savings to be deposited;
  • the credit and debit cards you would like to register in order to earn KidStart Savings at registered card partners.(Coming Soon)

• Is KidStart free / are there any charges?

  KidStart is completely free to join and use.

• Do I need an email address to join?

  Yes. You will need a valid email to join. We use emails to keep our members informed of new retail partners, special offers, account balances and the like. You can unsubscribe from these emails if you wish in the My Preferences tab of the My Profile section.

• What if I don't have any kids yet?

  You can register as a member and earn KidStart Savings even if you do not yet have kids to save for. The KidStart Savings will accumulate in your own Kiddybank. In order to transfer the KidStart Savings from your Kiddybank to a linked savings account, you will need to register a child against your Kiddybank - you can either wait until you have a child or register yourself now and change the name later.

• What is a Kiddybank?

  A Kiddybank is KidStart's name for a member's or their child's account. When a member makes an eligible purchase, KidStart automatically adds the appropriate KidStart Savings to the member's Kiddybank. If a member has registered children against their account, the balance will automatically flow into the children's Kiddybank according to the allocation that the member has set.

• How do I register a child?

  To register a child, use the Children tab in the My Profile section.

• How do I save for someone else's child?

  In order to save for someone else's child, you need to get permission from the parent of that child. Ask the parent to use the Invite Family & Friends page to invite you to save for their child. When you receive the invitation email, click on the link within the email to complete the process and determine the allocation you would like to make

• Why do you need my address?

  We need your address for security purposes and in case there are problems transferring money into your linked savings accounts.

• Why do you need my date of birth?

  We need your date of birth so that we can use it in combination with other information for security purposes to verify you are the registered member if you contact us.

• How do I sign into my account?

  Once registered as a member, you can sign in through the KidStart website by using the login at the top right hand corner of the webpage. You will need your username that you chose in combination with your password to log in. Some browsers such as Internet Explorer allow you to remember your name and password for future visits but we suggest you do not use this feature if your computer is used by anyone else.

• How do I link a savings account for my child?

  After you have registered a child, you can link a savings account by clicking on "link a savings account" next to the child's name in the Children tab in My Profile. Depending on your child's birth date, KidStart will prompt you either for details of their Child Trust Fund or for details of an alternative savings account.

  KidStart can link to any Child Trust Fund account or any savings account that accepts electronic cash payments. These include bank accounts and most Building Society accounts. If you have a savings plan for your child which does not accept electronic payments (eg: a long term savings bond) then we would suggest you link your own bank account and transfer the money with your existing payments.

Earning KidStart Savings

• How do I earn KidStart Savings?

  Currently, there are two main ways to collect KidStart Savings on your shopping:

  1. By purchasing online through this website: Just visit the Shopping section and follow the links provided. Note: IF YOU GO TO THE RETAILERS WEBSITE WITHOUT CLICKING THE LINK, YOUR PURCHASES WILL NOT BE RECORDED
  2. Using your registered debit and/or credit cards: Whenever you pay with a registered card at any of our participating card partners you will automatically collect KidStart Savings. You must register your cards 24 hours prior to making purchases and can do so in the Registered Cards tab in the My Profile section

  You can see which way to use by looking at the icon next to the retailer's name in the shopping section of the Kidstart website.

• What do the red and green icons mean?

  The icons in the shopping section of the website give you information about the different retailers. You can see what each mean by holding your mouse over the icon.

• How do I know if a transaction has been registered?

  We will automatically know when you are due KidStart Savings when

  1. A participating card partner notifies us that you have paid with a card you have previously registered with us.
  2. You shop online a cookie will be placed in your browser to track a purchase made via a link on this website.

  You will typically see the transaction shown against your account within a day but please wait 10 days before querying any missing transactions.

• How do I register my credit cards?

  You can register your cards in the Registered Cards tab in My Profile. We only ask for the card number and expiry date. We never ask for the 3 digit card security (also known as CCV) code.

• Which payment cards can I register?

  You can register any Visa, MasterCard or Maestro cards. We allow you to register up to 10 cards although you must have permission from the cardholder to register a card.

• Can I register American Express or Diners Club?

  Not at this time. We identify your offline spending through banks' card settlement systems and will initially only be able to do this for cards on the Visa or Mastercard networks.

• What happens if I return goods and receive a refund?

  The KidStart Savings you receive for the original transaction will be reversed

• How do I collect KidStart Savings from online shopping?

  To receive KidStart Savings for shopping online, you must shop by clicking on the links at the KidStart online shopping section. This allows us to record purchases that you have made.

• How do I collect KidStart Savings in the high street?

  KidStart retailers that offer savings for purchases in the high street and over the telephone are indicated with the red credit card icon. When you make a purchase from one of these retailers, just use your registered debit or credit card to ensure that the purchase is registered. There is no need to quote your account number of show a loyalty card; your purchase will be automatically registered by our systems.

• How do I keep track of my account?

  You can use the "My Kiddybank" section to monitor your account balances and check on purchases made. You can see purchases for up to three months.

• Why are some transactions shown as pending?

  Recent purchases are shown as pending to allow for returns and to give time for the retailer to pay KidStart the KidStart Savings. This will normally be no more than 30-45 days depending on the retailer and type of purchase

• Do my KidStart Savings expire?

  No. Unlike many other loyalty programmes, KidStart Savings do not expire.

• Can KidStart Savings rates change?

  KidStart strives to get the maximum KidStart Savings for its members' children. However there are circumstances where rates may change from that previously advertised. However you will always receive the rate that was advertised on the day that you made the purchase.

• What are special promotions?

  Retailers occasionally run special promotions such as free delivery or discounted prices. You can see what promotions are available by clicking on the information button next to the retailer in the shopping section of the website.

• What is a Kiddybank?

  A Kiddybank is KidStart's name for a member's or their child's account. When a member makes an eligible purchase, KidStart automatically adds the appropriate KidStart Savings to the member's Kiddybank. If a member has registered children against their account, the balance will automatically flow into the children's Kiddybank according to the allocation that the member has set.

Understanding My Kiddybank Statement

• How do I see the balance in my Kiddybank?

  Your Kiddybank statement can be viewed at the My Kiddybank section of the members website. Details of recent transactions can also be seen in the same section by clicking on the Transaction Details tab.

• What do the different columns and rows in My Kiddybank statement mean?

  The Kiddybank statement shows the balance in your Kiddybank split into various different parts. The columns show you how much is in your Kiddybank, how much has been transferred out to date, and how much has been saved for your children by you and your friends and family. The transferred out amount includes both transfers out to linked savings accounts as well as transfers to children of other members whom you have agreed to save for. The rows in the statement show the totals split by the children you are saving for. "Your children" are the children you have registered personally. "Other children" are children of other members that you have been invited and agreed to save for.

• Why is there an unallocated amount?

  There are several reasons why KidStart Savings may be shown as unallocated:

  1. You have not set-up any children within your Kiddybank. 2. A recent purchase has not yet been allocated by the system. This normally happens at the end of each working day. 3. Depending on the number of children you have set-up, not all KidStart Savings can be exactly divided. For example if you had 3 children and were saving evenly between them, only savings that were exactly divisible by 3 can be completely allocated.

• What is shown in the Transaction History?

  The Transaction History shows all of your purchases that are pending (ie: are still waiting final clearance from the retailer). You can also see the last 3 months of cleared transactions. The Transferred out to child savings shows all the recent transfers out of your Kiddybank either to a linked savings account or to another member's child that you are saving for.

Managing my account

• How do I register a child?

  To register a child, use the Children tab in the My Profile section.

• How do I invite someone else to save for my children?

  To invite someone else to save for your children use the Invite Friends and Family tab within the Share KidStart section of the members site. You can use this to send an email under your name to anyone you chose along with a personal message. When the recipient clicks on the link within the email and accepts your invite, they are automatically able to save for your children.

• How do I accept an invite to save for someone else's children?

  If you receive an email invite so save for someone else's child, please click on the link contained within the email. After logging in, or registering (if it is your first visit), you will be directed to a web page where you can accept or decline the invite.

• How do I change allocations for children?

  You can change your allocations to the children you are saving for in the Children tab of the My Profile section. (Note: allocation changes only take effect for purchases made after the change.)

• How do I change my account details (eg: my address)

  You can use the Personal tab in the My Profile section

• How do I unsubscribe / subscribe from emails?

  You can use the My Preferences tab in the My Profile section.

• Can I close my KidStart account?

  You can close your account by emailing KidStart using the contact page or by writing to us at our contact address. If you provide details of a bank account number and sort code, we will electronically transfer any remaining KidStart savings in your Kiddybank to this account less an admin fee of 2.00 which covers the costs related to us making the payment. If your KidStart Savings is below 2.00, then we will close the account without transferring the balance.

• What is a dormant account?

  If there has been no activity (ie: no transactions or logins) on an account for a period of 12 months, your account may be considered dormant and you will need to email us to reactivate the account. We will periodically close dormant accounts in which case we will email your registered email to let you know. If we hear nothing back from you at this stage, we will close the account and your KidStart savings will be lost.

Transferring KidStart Savings into a linked savings account

• How do I link my child's CTF / savings account?

  After you have registered a child, you can link a savings account by clicking on "link a savings account" next to the child's name in the Children tab in My Profile. Depending on your child's birth date, KidStart will prompt you either for details of their Child Trust Fund or for details of an alternative savings account.

  KidStart can link to any Child Trust Fund account or any savings account thats accepts electronic cash payments. These include bank accounts and and most Building Society accounts. If you have a savings plan for your child which does not accept electronic payments (eg: a long term savings bond) then we would suggest you link your own bank account and transfer the money with your existing payments.

• What if I don't have a savings account for my child?

  Don't worry, you can still save using KidStart. KidStart is setting up arrangements with a number of providers of savings accounts to allow you to open an appropriate account. Alternatively you can always register your own account details in the short term

• When do KidStart Savings get transferred into savings account?

  We automatically deposit money into the savings account that you have chosen. KidStart checks the balance of each child's Kiddybank at the end of the month, and if the balance exceeds the minimum deposit level, the balance is transferred. KidStart's minimum deposit level is normally 10, but some Child Trust Funds have higher minimum deposits.

• How can I check that the transfer has been made?

  You can see this in the Transfer History tab in the My Kiddybank section.

• How can I check the balance on my child's savings account?

  KidStart does not have access to this information, but you should receive a regular statement from the company who manages your child's savings account. Please get in touch with them directly

• Can I get money back from my child's savings account?

  Once KidStart has transferred the KidStart Savings to the linked savings account, KidStart cannot get the money back. You will need to talk to the company that manages your child's savings account directly but in the case of CTFs, deposits once made cannot be reversed.

About KidStart

• How does KidStart make money?

  KidStart receives slightly more from retailers than the rate advertised to members. This allows us to cover the costs of operating the service and charges we incur for making payments to member's nominated accounts and so on. There are no charges for members - your children receive all the KidStart Savings you have earned.

• How do I contact KidStart?

  See the contact us on the Help page for information on how to contact us

• What does FSA authorisation mean?

  KidStart is authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to carry out some regulated activities such as arranging investments on your behalf. (Ie: if we put money into a child trust fund which is invested in share or unit trusts, this is a regulated activity). The FSA oversees KidStart in carrying out these regulated activities to ensure that they are performed appropriately. The FSA does not regulate all of our activities but we ensure that we comply with or exceed all of the FSA's requirements. We are not authorised to hold money on behalf of members.

• Who owns KidStart?

  KidStart is primarily owned by employees of KidStart most of whom are parents of young children themselves (none are yet grandparents!). KidStart is also backed by a leading venture capital firm, Delta Partners.

Safety and security

• How secure is the registration process

  The website you are viewing is a secure site, certified by Thawte, a leading independent certification authority. This means that the information you provide is encrypted during transit between your computer and our server. The website has the highest possible level of protection using 128 - bit SSL encryption. Further details are contained in our Privacy & Security Policy

• How do you keep my payment card information secure

  Your security and privacy is extremely important to us. You will see full details of how we keep your information secure in the Privacy & Security Policy.

• Why am I asked to type in 5 numbers on the registration?

  This is called a CAPTCHA and helps us protect the KidStart website against unwanted automatic computer programs called 'bots'. It's a test that humans can pass but the bots can't.

Experiencing difficulties

• How do I contact KidStart?

  See the contact us tab on the Help page for information on how to contact us

• What do I do if I have forgotten my username?

  Please contact us using the contact us tab on the help pages quoting your registered email address and we will send your username to your registered email.

• What do I do if have forgotten my password?

  Please click on the forgotten password link next and we will send a new password to your registered email.

• I made a qualifying purchase but I have not received enough /any KidStart Savings?

  If you believe that you are due KidStart Savings that has not appeared in your Kiddybank within 10 working days, simply go to the Contact us tab of the Help section
  Please note:

  • ONLINE SHOPPING: To earn points from an online partner, it is essential to click on the relevant link in the Online Shopping section before shopping on the partner's website.
  • PARTICIPAING CARD PARTNERS: If you did not wait 24 hours between registering a new card and shopping on the high street, we cannot guarantee you will receive points on those immediate purchases.

• What do I do if my credit or debit card has been stolen?

  If you think your card has been lost or stolen you should notify your card issuer immediately. Once you have received a replacement card you should amend your card details in the Registered Card tab in the My Profile section.