Children's Savings: Right Option?

Woggle

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice.

I have two children and am putting away money every month into savings for them as below. Unfortunately the annual report hasn't proven as expected - I know the market is such as this should be expected but just wanting some thoughts on whether I'm taking the right approach.

Child 1: Age 3
£20.00 per month into F&C Child Trust Fund Stakeholder Account (F&C FTSE All-Share Tracker) - Lost £63.41 over the last year (had transferred in from Engage Mututal)
£30.00 per month into F&C British Assets Trust - Lost £10.63 since June 2011

Child 2: Age 1
£20.00 per month currently into Halifax Child Saver but about to move to Junior ISA (not sure which one) as it's about to mature
£30.00 per month into Aberdeen Murray Income Trust -lost £33.18 between April and October.

I am looking at these as long-term investments and want to split between ISA / Child Trust fund and other account as I want to have some control over what they have when they are 18 (even if the ISA / Trust Fund pass to them).

If you have any thoughts that'd be great.

Thanks

xylophone

Don't forget the tax considerations when investing money given by parents to their minor children in other than CTF, JISA or tax free accounts.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/savings-income.htm
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tdsi/children.htm
You are aware that you can move to another provider for S&S CTF and JISA but it is worth bearing in mind that these are long term investments and subject to volatility.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-1587994/Junior-Isa-Child-Trust-Fund-How-save-children.html might be worth a read.