Alternative to Junior ISA?

sallysnowchick

I want to open a savings account for my babies, mainly so they will have money to buy a car when they are 17. However, with the Junior ISA, they can only access the money when they are 18, meaning they have to wait up to a year. Am I correct in thinking that if I open standard accounts for them, they can access the money any time, and spend it on want they want? and if I open accounts for them in my name, it will be counted as my money and thus affect my benefits (I'm a single Mum on a low income)? So is there a savings account they can access when they're 16 / 17?

pinkdalek

Lots of high street banks/building societies offer alternative savings for children, which generally you control until they are 16.
They are in the child's name so no effect on your savings balances etc.

Halifax/Lloyds/Santander/Nationwide to name a few.