The Government has set itself the challenging target of halving the number of children living in poverty by 2010-11 and eradicating child poverty by 2020. With 2010 fast approaching, Ministers are still committed to the targets, and the Committee wanted to ascertain whether DWP has the right measures in place to meet its objectives. Significant progress has been made, but the target remains challenging: there are still 2.8 million children living in poverty and the most recent data shows a slight increase in this number. The Committee is convinced of the damaging effect of poverty on a child's self-esteem and expectations, and also its effects in contributing to social exclusion. Children growing up in poverty are also more likely to have poorer health and poorer educational outcomes. There are groups of children who have a much higher risk of growing up in poverty, for example if they or a parent are disabled, and there are higher poverty rates amongst Pakistani, Bangladeshi and black children. Getting parents into sustainable work should be the focus of the strategy to lift them and their children out of poverty, but there are concerns that the Jobseekers' Allowance regime is not sufficiently flexible to reflect the complexity of lone parents' lives. To eradicate child poverty by 2020, the Government needs a long-term strategy on benefit income for those who are unable to work. If benefits are uprated in line with inflation, the gap between the incomes of those in work and those on benefits will only get wider, as benefits will not keep pace with earnings. As poverty is measured as a percentage of median earnings, the implications for the 2020 target, in particular, are serious.

Every parent wants the best for their child, but how do you go about giving your baby or toddler the skills they need to live a happy, fulfilled life? ‘Best Start’ has the answers! Your baby’s early experiences and interactions provide them with the beginnings of their self-beliefs, thoughts and feelings; their self-esteem and self-value; how they operate in relationships; how they behave socially; and their sense of emotional security. It is therefore vital that you understand how to help your baby to develop trust and confidence, and to feel secure and valued. In ‘Best Start’, psychologist Lynn Jenkins looks at how a person’s emotional foundations are formed in babyhood and the power that these foundations have over the way in which a child develops. Most importantly, she outlines what your baby needs in order to develop a positive idea of themselves and what you can do to meet those needs, ensuring that your child experiences the best start in life.Simply written with an engaging honesty and humour, ‘Best Start’ is essential reading for every parent!

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is now statutory in the UK for children from birth to five years, and other countries are experiencing similar developments; early years librarians, teachers, nursery nurses, playgroup leaders and childminders all require knowledge of how to promote and encourage communication, language and literary skills. Parental reading with young children is clearly vitally important, and libraries are uniquely placed to support the development of literacy skills in pre-school children. This book provides an understanding of how children develop such skills through enjoyable and meaningful learning experiences, and is a pioneering practical guide for library and information professionals involved in planning and delivering services in early years libraries. Drawing on the authors' underpinning contemporary research and examples from current best practice, it will equip practitioners with a broad range of knowledge and ideas. Key areas covered include: take them to the library: the role of the early years professional people and partnerships: working across interdisciplinary boundaries, and how to involve parents and carers buildings, design and space: the children's libraries of the future resources for early years libraries: books, toys and other delights reaching your audience: the librarian's role planning and organizing: projects and reading sessions. User-friendly and accessible, each chapter is clearly structured and sets outs the key issues for practitioners, scenarios offering insights into these, and practical ideas and resources for service provision. The book also includes case studies of successful pre-school library initiatives in a variety of global settings, useful information about relevant organizations, and links to helpful websites. This valuable text is essential reading for all library and information professionals working with young children - whether those with responsibility for the strategic planning of services, or those involved in delivering them at community level. Readership: Essential for students of library and information studies or childhood studies, and practitioners undertaking NVQ qualifications, it also provides a sound background in early years literacy and provision for a range of local authority practitioners, such as nursery teachers and Children's Centre managers.

There are lots of things in life that might make us want to give up, stop short, or not finish the race. But God is there to help us overcome anything that holds us back from achieving our best. In his signature style, bestselling author John Mason offers readers 52 nuggets of truth that will break down the barriers to excellence in their lives. Leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone ready to launch an all-out attack on mediocrity will love this upbeat and energizing book.

Profiles recommended running equipment, demonstrates key techniques, and includes tips for cross-training, increasing speed, and improving endurance.

This eBook is for expecting moms, parents of newborns, or for anyone who wants to learn how to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship. While breastfeeding is a natural process, it doesn't come naturally. Instead, it's a learned skill for both mom and baby, and there are many obstacles in our modern healthcare system that routinely rob women of an enjoyable breastfeeding experience. This easy-to-read, non-judgmental eBook contains everything from how to prepare during your pregnancy, to what to expect of/ how advocate during your hospital stay, to the mechanics of breastfeeding. It discusses the equipment you'll need, how many ounces your baby should gain each week, what sleep and self-care can look like for the breastfeeding mom, how a partner can be supportive, what the research says, and so much more! It is filled with insider tips, videos, and resources. Designed to educate, empower, and support breastfeeding families, this eBook is an absolute must for turning your breastfeeding goals into reality.

Some of the best working border collie trainers in North America and the United Kingdom share their methods of introducing young border collies for trialing or for work on the farm or ranch. (Animals/Pets)

This volume offers both theoretical and research-based accounts from mothers in academia who must balance their own intricate knowledge of school systems, curriculum and pedagogy with their children’s education and school lives. It explores the contextual advantages and disadvantages of "knowing too much" and how this impacts children’s actions, scholastics and developing consciousness along various lines. Additionally, it allows teachers, administrators and researchers to critically examine their own discourses and those of their students to better navigate their professional and domestic roles. Gathering narratives from academic women in traditional and nontraditional maternal roles, this volume presents both contemporary and retrospective experiences of what it’s like to raise children amidst educational and sociocultural change.

Jonathan Boston and Simon Chapple have written the definitive book on child poverty in New Zealand. Dr Russell Wills, Children’s Commissioner Between 130,000 and 285,000 New Zealand children live in poverty, depending on the measure used. These disturbing figures are widely discussed, yet often poorly understood. If New Zealand does not have ‘third world poverty’, what are these children actually experiencing? Is the real problem not poverty but simply poor parenting? How does New Zealand compare globally and what measures of poverty and hardship are most relevant here? What are the consequences of this poverty for children, their families and society? Can we afford to reduce child poverty and, if we can, how? Jonathan Boston and Simon Chapple look hard at these questions, drawing on available national and international evidence and speaking to an audience across the political spectrum. Their analysis highlights the strong and urgent case for addressing child poverty in New Zealand. Crucially, the book goes beyond illustrating the scale of this challenge, and why it must be addressed, to identifying real options for reducing child poverty. A range of practical and achievable policies is presented, alongside candid discussion of their strengths and limitations. These proposals for improving the lives of disadvantaged children deserve wide public debate and make this a vitally important book for all New Zealanders.

In this book: Brought to you by the UK's leading small business website Startups.co.uk." Need a hand to get your business up and running? If you're looking for a practical guide to help you start a business, Start Your Own Business 2013,is the book for you. Covering each stage of starting up - from evaluating your business idea to marketing your product or service - this annually updated handbook includes the latest information on support and legal regulations for small businesses, plus advice on taking advantage of today's economic conditions. Whether you're looking to start up a cleaning business, set up as a freelancer, go into property development or start an eBay venture, you'll uncover the expert advice you need to succeed. Inside you'll find practical pointers and first-hand business insight from successful start-ups and top entrepreneurs including easyjet's Stelios and Betfair's Andrew Black. Find out how to: Turn an idea into a viable business Write an effective business plan Raise finance for your start-up Deal with regulations and laws Price products or services competitively Find and retain customers Market your business on a budget Hire the best employees . Other books in the Startups.co.uk series: Books on the following subjects are available from the Startups.co.uk series: Startups: Online Business, Startups: Bright Marketing, Startups: How to Start a Successful Business.