Looking for new car seats - very tight budget......

[FruitynNutty]

I've been trawling the net trying to find 2 replacement car seats for 9 months +
At the moment I have Maxi Cosi's but they are quite old now. I am a Childminder so really need to update my seats!

I've been looking on the Argos website and found this
www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3753646/c_1/1|category_root|Nursery|12109130/c_2/2|cat_121 09130|Car+and+booster+seats|12109153.html

I've never heard of this make. Am I better to buy a well known make or are they pretty much the same? I'm assuming they all go through the same tests?
I really can't afford to buy 2 new Maxi Cosi's

The most important thing is whether or not they fit your car properly. If you can get a copy of the which report that would be helpful. Mothercare sell some that are cheaper don't they a well.

Do you know how to check that they fit your car well? BAsically that they don't move around forwards/backwards or sidewards once installed.

Thanks Cargirl, I've just had a look at Mothercare website but can't find anything fo less than £80.
The one I found in Argos is only £35. Just wondering if it's too good to be true. I've never had trouble with being able to fit car seats into any car I've had.

that is very cheap. i prefer to go somehwere where they will fit and check the carseat for you?

we have maxi cosi's they are really good.

I'd love new Maxi Cosi's but far too expensive. I can probably spend a total of £100 max on 2 car seats.

Halfords had on line special offers recently. I would look around and see if you can buy previous years colours at cheaper prices.

I've got my stage 1 Renaissance on ebay but not sure if you can buy 2nd hand?

Do they just need new covers?

How about this one www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B001BJJSPC/sr=1-2/qid=1237067866/ref=sr_1_2/275-4583675-6940200?ie=UTF 8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=44453031&mcb=core

Thanks for that Cargirl. Must have missed that one! Do you think I'd be better off buying from Mothercare? The cheapy one in Argos reclines which I like - not really necessary though

I think my seats need more than covers tbh.

I don't think I'd feel comfortable buying second hand. Not sure how Ofsted would view it either.

I think it is a case of buying what fits your car and suits your needs.

Halfords have the britax freeway for £58

www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&categoryId=165763 &langId=-1&action=listrefine&constraints=sor%7C%7CPrice%7C%7C1%7C%7Cpag%7C%7C3

perhaps buy one of each? I would have a god hunt on the internet to see what you can get a good deal on tbh. Can you check to see if there are any grants available, I remember by CM unexpectedly got one to spend on safety items recently.

kiddicare products are nomally pretty decent. if you live nearby you can go and theu'll help you fit it in your car: here

I had no idea Kiddicare was an actual shop. Thought it was online only.
I can't seem to find a store locator button

Cargirl - we're actually all getting quite a large grant but for some reason it's only for (the dreaded) EYFS materials. I asked for car seats and they said no
I might phone the local council and see if there are any grants available for safety.

If there are then Maxi Cosi (and isofix ) here I come!

I think my cm may have got something as she got an outstanding for her Ofsted. The CMs her aren't entitled to anything to implement EYFS even thought the pre-schools are getting loads!

NCMA members can get 10% off car seats at Halfords,the details are in the handbook. I have two Freeways and they're easy to use and fit. Check on the Britax fit finder to see if they'd fit your car first.

Agree you really must get the seat checked out to see if it properly fits your car. Buckle crunch and ill fitting seats is too deadly a factor to mess about with

with 10% off at Halfords you could get a freeway and one of those other ones for just under £100 - bargain.

Thank you so much for all your help everyone

Cargirl you've been fab, I think I might go for that 10% off deal - just gotta dig out the credit card now (I hid it from myself!)

moshie - I'm not a member of the NCMA anymore - too expensive! I'm with Morton Michel now

Don't the parents supply the car seats ?
I always did

They supply the infant car seats but usually CM's have their own for older children.
Tbh I rarely use the car while CMing.

You see I would be very unhappy about my child travelling in one of those seats and if I was given the option would rather pay for a maxi cosy or britax than risk my child in one of those.
I know the OP's gone Halfords but am just saying I think if moneys tight the CM's should give parents the option of buying a better brand.

Thanks for your input Sorrento but I would only use car seats that I am happy to put my own children in. I would never risk their lives. Which is why I enquired on MN as I know it's full of great advise

Would the cheaper ones in my OP not have gone through the same rigorous tests as a Maxi Cosi or a Britax? (I have two Maxi Cosi's atm btw)
As it stands I'm planning on buying a couple of Britax's providing I can get them for under £100.
I couldn't expect parents to provide seats as I rarely use the car and have different children all week so it would mean messing around with lots of different car seats all week - just in case I use the car! And, like others have said, not every seat fits every car.

They may all go through the same tests but the results vary dramatically.
At the end of the day I'd only want a seat that scored 5* nothing less, but other parents might not be so fussy, but I feel strongly they should have the option that's all.

Of course I wouldn't say no if a parent wanted me to use their own car seat. I'd just store it until we needed it . Just as long as it wasn't all the parents as I'd have no where to store lots of huge car seats.
I can't say I've ever had a parent question me on the type of car seat I use.

Well you can a 5* car seat and not fit it properly or restrain the child in it properly, I get shocked at the amount of parents who do not do up the straps tight enough and/or don't have the shoulder straps at the correct height!