Child Trust Fund accounts - can anyone recommend one?

[daystroller]

I'm yet to put our DS's £250 into an account. Keep meaning to do some research into which is best... but haven't yet managed it. Wondered if anyone has any advice please?

They all seem to be much of a muchness so I put DD (3) and DS (8 mths) in an Asda one as they gave you a £25 gift voucher! £50 goes a long way on Asda clothes

Thanks Tessamum. I thought that might be the case but that's a great tip. thanks We don't live near an Asda but father in law does and is a major fan (always telling us about his big bargains!)so must get him onto baby clothes. You don't have to shop there do you to set the account up?

i put into an asda one but it has not performed as well as some of the others esp those that like you to direct debit money every month - their was a table lately with performance - check the money extra web site - i think the asda one grew about 7%

Has anyone chosen either the shares or stakholder option, rather than a savings account? Just trying to decide what to do for dd2's £250 but a bit wary of charges.

We chose the Nationwide share option. We decided that it's 'free money' (ie not ours!) and that it's not a problem if the shares go down, but the likelihood is that they will do a reasonable return over 18 years.

We are not going to put our own money into that account as the children will be able to get hold of it whether they are responsible or not at 18 (you know that by that age they'll all be discussing what they're going to do with that money) and we want to decide when to give our DS his other account.

That's what we're thinking as well Pidgeonpie, regards the shares option and risk. Are there many charges with Nationwide?

I'd second the Nationwide share option. We're very happy with it.

I'm afraid we ignored the charges as we're not planning of moving it.