An Introductory Guide for Parents
Today, we discuss the potential benefits of storing children’s stem cells when they’re born. Rather like the building blocks of life, these are miraculous cells that have the ability to change into other types of cells. This includes blood and platelet cells, bone marrow, muscles, skin, and many other organs in the human body. By harvesting and storing children’s stem cells, they can be available later on for potentially life-saving treatments should the need ever arise. What’s more, the stem cells will be a perfect match for the child and will be immediately accessible. That’s hugely beneficial, in stark contrast to cells from unknown donors, which usually require significant time to search for, often without success. It’s even more of a challenge for children of mixed heritage, where matches on public registers are usually significantly less numerous.
Parents who decide to store their child’s stem cells often consider it rather like an insurance policy for their child’s health, safe in the knowledge that the stored cells will be a 100% match for their child should they be needed. What’s more, they could even be a match, or partial match, for a child’s siblings and other family members. That’s a potentially life-saving lifeline for families to possess.
At the time of writing, and according to experts, it’s believed that some stem cells can remain viable for as many as 27 years¹ if suitably stored. It’s feasible that this timeframe may increase as technology and techniques progress.
When Is the Best Time to Collect a Child’s Stem Cells?
According to experts, the best time to collect a child’s stem cells is when they’re born. They’re collected from blood from the child’s umbilical cord and placenta, where the stem cells are particularly concentrated. The process takes just minutes. And, because the timing is at birth when the baby is going to be separated from the placenta anyway, harvesting the stem cells does not interfere with delivery, is non-invasive, and is free from pain and risk.
What Can Stored Stem Cells Be Used For?
Stem cells are already used, as standard, to treat over 85 conditions and have been used in over 50,000 transplants in recent decades — more than 2000 each year in the UK alone.
Two key types of stem cell are can be collected at the time of birth, each of which has the potential to cure life-threatening conditions:
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- Hematopoietic stem cells can treat conditions that involve blood. For example, they can repair or even remake white and red blood cells and platelets to cure conditions like leukaemia, anaemia, bone marrow cancers, platelet abnormalities, immune system disorders, and even some tumours.
- Mesenchymal stem cells can develop into different kinds of tissue. For example, they can develop into muscle, fat, and bone.
Scientists hope that, as research develops, more and more conditions will be treatable using cord blood stem cells. Conditions like Alzheimer’s, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Type 2 Diabetes, and Osteoarthritis are already among the 300 or so conditions undergoing new clinical trials using such cells.
Collection & Storage
Immediately following birth, the harvested cord blood and, if applicable, a section of the umbilical cord itself, will be placed into a special storage kit designed for the purpose. This is usually then collected by a medical courier and transported to the receiving laboratory. Here, the blood will be processed to separate out the cord stem cells. These are then cryogenically frozen, i.e. at an extremely low temperature, to preserve them potentially for years and years.
Private vs. Public Stem Cell Storage — & Fees
Parents have two key options when it comes to storing their children’s stem cells.
- The first is a private stem cell bank where, for a fee, a child’s stem cells will be stored and be available only for that child/family. There may be an annual storage fee in addition to the initial up-front price, although some private providers offer the option of a bundled number of years from the outset (we’ve seen up to 25 years). Please note that parents should do their own due diligence when selecting a provider.
- The second is a public stem cell bank, which is usually free. However, with public cell banks including the NHS Cord Blood Bank in the UK, the stem cells will be available to any patient who needs them. Parents interested in donating can contact the NHS Cord Blood Bank directly or start the process via their antenatal team. Follow the bold blue link for some additional useful information, caveats, etc.
Final Thoughts
Saving your baby’s stem cells is certainly worth considering. Whether you choose a private stem cell bank or a public one, there seems to be no downside to harvesting and storing stem cells. They’re miraculous little things that can transform and even save lives many years after they were collected — incredible! So, if you are planning a family or are already expecting a baby, consider learning more about storing stem cells from your baby once they’re born. You’ll need to plan ahead to make the appropriate arrangements. And, who knows, they could one day save lives!
Little Cedars Day Nursery
A High-Quality Nursery Providing Weekday Childcare in Streatham
Little Cedars is a high-quality nursery based in Streatham. Our team of early years professionals delivers a first-class childcare service for babies, toddlers, and children under five. The setting is a warm, safe and nurturing environment that brings out the best in them. Operating on weekdays almost all year round, we are ideally located for families living in Streatham, Streatham Common, Streatham Hill, Streatham Park, Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. We have a good Ofsted rating and support funded places for eligible children and babies.
Start your child’s nursery journey today by contacting the Little Cedars Nursery team — we’d love to receive your nursery application, show you and your little one around, or answer any questions:
[1] Hal Broxmeyer, Larry Luchsinger, Rona Weinberg, Alexandra Jimenez, Emeline Masson Frenet, Wouter van’t Hof, Maegan Capitano, Christopher Hillyer, Mark Kaplan, Scott Cooper, James Ropa, Abstract 16 Insights into Highly Engraftable Hematopoietic Cells from 27-Year Cryopreserved Umbilical Cord Blood, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Volume 12, Issue Supplement_1, September 2023, Page S18, https://doi.org/10.1093/stcltm/szad047.017
Tantrums are a common part of life with toddlers and under-fives, but when they happen, they can be very challenging! Whether it’s a meltdown at dinner time or a dramatic on-the-floor outburst in the middle of the supermarket aisle, they can test even the most patient of parents and carers. However, it’s important to understand that tantrums aren’t a sign that something is wrong — they’re actually a normal, healthy stage of child development.
In their early years, children are still learning how to manage big emotions. There’s a mismatch, though; their brains are developing rapidly, but they haven’t yet mastered language, impulse control, or emotional regulation. So, when they’re tired, hungry, overstimulated, or frustrated, it can all become too much for them. 
When a tantrum starts, staying calm yourself is key. Your child will take emotional cues from you, their trusted adult. If you can remain steady, even if you’re feeling flustered inside, you send the message that you’re in control—and that they’re safe.
Avoid reasoning or explaining too much during a tantrum. When a child is overwhelmed, they’re unlikely to take much in. It’s often best to wait it out and stay close so they know they’re not alone. For some children, a gentle touch or hug might be helpful. Others may need a bit of space before they’re ready for comfort.
Offering limited choices — like “Would you like to wear the red jumper or the blue one?” — can also give them a sense of control without overwhelming them.
In today’s world, electronic screens are everywhere — from TVs and smartphones to tablets and games consoles. Even our youngest children are growing up in increasingly digital environments. While technology brings many conveniences, intentionally unplugging can offer profound benefits for little ones and their families. Whether it’s for a day, a weekend, a holiday, or even longer, the value gained from a ‘digital detox’ may surprise even the most dubious amongst us. Today’s post investigates.
Research consistently shows the positive effects of stepping away from our screens. Studies report that a digital detox can lead to decreased stress and anxiety, improved mood and well-being, and even better physical health through healthier, less sedentary, lifestyles. Pausing the use of electronic screens can even help reset our perception of time, making days feel longer, fuller, and more engaged.
When families go screen-free, the benefits extend well beyond the individual. Removing screens often rekindles face-to-face interactions and facilitates more laughter and unfiltered conversations within the family. Parents who’ve tried it report a renewed sense of connection and deeper engagement with their children. Even short periods of unplugging can turn into lasting changes—more shared stories, more creative play, and more real presence.
Better sleep for everyone with children tending to drop off more easily and adults feeling more rested.
Begin by designating screen-free boundaries, such as bedrooms or mealtimes, and/or set a daily screen-free hour in the evening.
The evidence clearly shows: families who have periods free of electronic screens will benefit. A digital detox enriches and elongates days. It enhances sleep quality for children and adults by facilitating their natural rhythms. Days feel more spacious and calm without digital distractions and imaginative play soon steps in and thrives. In the absence of screens, children are also likely to get outdoors more often — and benefit from everything nature and outdoor play have to offer. Mental health and even academic grades are also likely to improve when this happens.
Concepts involving numbers and counting can sometimes be tricky for some preschoolers to grasp. Making sense of such concepts is important, though, because many aspects of children’s day-to-day lives will require an increasing understanding of numbers as time passes. Whether it’s knowing if a quantity of something is more or less than something else, how much of an ingredient is required in a mixture, or what change to expect from a purchase, children will need to grasp number-based concepts — and understand their real-world applications. What’s more, they’ll need to do this sooner rather than later if they’re to thrive, not least when they leave early years settings to begin school.
Making ‘number cards’ with your child will be a fun and useful first step. These could be as simple as small pieces of paper or card, each having a single large number written clearly on them. Alternatively, your child could take the opportunity to get more creative. For example, you and your child could make the numbers bright and colourful, have patterned in-fills, or even be made to look like animals or number ‘characters’ that have eyes. For the very young, start with numbers up to 5, or go to 10 or even 20 for older and more advanced children. Size-wise, perhaps aim for cards sized at about A6 (a quarter of an A4 sheet) or even A7 (A4 divided into 8).
A more advanced form of the number cards could depict the correct number of dots (or other drawn objects) instead of — or as well as — the actual written number. So, for example, the ‘3’ card could show a column or row of 3 round dots or squares or even something like 3 drawn strawberries — whatever your child likes! In a way, it’s a bit like traditional playing cards where each has both a number and the right amount of hearts, diamonds, clubs or spades on it, to match the number.
This next game will require a set of dominoes or, if you don’t have a set, they’re also easy enough to make in a similar way to the number cards. As you may know, each half of every domino has a number of dots, most commonly from 1 to 6. So, for example, there might be two dots on one end and five on the other, with the dot formations being rather like those you’d see on dice.
Understanding whether a quantity of something is more or less than something else is an important concept for children to grasp. Similarly, being able to estimate a quantity is a useful and practical skill for little ones to master. Such concepts can easily be highlighted, and the skills mastered, using simple estimating games. Some examples follow.
Pretending to be a shopkeeper or a shopper buying from one is a great next step for children. What’s more, they’ll naturally love playing shops having, no doubt, accompanied parents to real shops. This is where they can put all the things they’ve learned from the games above into practice. They can check they have the right quantities, weights or volumes or products, check they’re giving the shopkeeper the right amount of money, ensure that any change is correct — and so on! Playing shops is such a great way to master numbers, counting, estimating, weighing, addition, subtraction and more!
Work at least 16 hours or more per week at the National Minimum Wage
National Children’s Gardening Week is a wonderful annual event that’s designed to inspire children’s curiosity around growing plants and gardening-related activities. It takes place during what is typically a warm period of the year. That’s important because it means seeds and plants will grow faster and need minimal protective measures from inclement weather. Speedy growing results will appeal to little ones!
National Children’s Gardening Week coincides perfectly with the Spring Bank Holiday and May half-term school holiday, taking place from the 24th of May to the 1st of June 2025. It’s usually a lovely warm week and is perfect timing for children to make the most of the event and to maximise the many benefits of spending time around nature.
National Children’s Gardening Week also raises money to support children in hospices through the national charity Greenfingers. They create inspiring gardens and beautiful outdoor spaces where hospice children with life-limiting conditions can play, rest, relax, and spend time with family and friends. Such outdoor spaces allow affected children to spend quality time away from the bedside in well-designed outdoor areas where they can enjoy all the benefits of fresh air and a natural environment.
Children and families can take part at home as well as in participating schools, childcare settings, community groups, ‘outdoorsy’ retail outlets and even some National Trust properties.
Sowing Wildflower Seeds
Herbs and some vegetables can be grown from seeds, cultivated, and harvested from simple flowerpots or yoghurt pots. They can also be ‘re-grown’ through various devious means that will fascinate children including under-fives. We wrote a whole post about that too, so take a look — it’s quite ingenious, is incredibly educational, and results in free food! What’s more, it can be done indoors. 
Another ‘indoor gardening’ activity is growing these comical ‘egg heads’. Grown simply from cress seeds, they can be grown in egg shells as shown, or another alternative would be yoghurt pots. When the cress is ready to be harvested and used in salads or as a garnish, the little characters can have a haircut! 
Another activity that children can get involved in for National Children’s Gardening Week is to create bee-friendly gardens. Our recent post about World Bee Day explains how to make a bee oasis (from where bees and pollinators can get a refreshing drink) and a bee-friendly garden. 
Plants love compost and so do minibeasts. So, another wonderful activity for children in National Children’s Gardening Week is to make homemade compost. Our dedicated
Once the flowers are blooming outside, children can experiment with pressing flowers. Pressed flowers are a wonderful way for children to save flowers semi-permanently as keepsakes or to use as part of an art activity.
The youngest children will love this activity! Children will need some scavenged moss, pebbles, sticks, seashells and perhaps small pieces of driftwood from a beach. Children can then use these to transform the soil in a large pot or on top of a log into 
Children of the UK, it’s time to get ready for World Book Day! Arriving in early March, it is a wonderful annual event where children across the nation get to immerse themselves in books, storytelling, and other book-inspired activities. Such activities are incredibly important for children. Did you know, for example, that children who regularly read for pleasure are happier children who also go on to have greater success in their lives? This uplift is even more significant for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Such is the power of reading for little ones! With all this in mind, today’s article outlines more about World Book Day and why it’s so important. It also suggests some activities that children and families can take part in to celebrate this year’s event.
World Book Day arrives each year on the first Thursday of March. So, for 2025 it’s celebrated on the 6th of March, then in 2026 it’s on the 5th, for 2027 it’s the 4th, and so on. Organised by the charity of the same name, the core mission of World Book Day is “to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.” The reason is simple: a life-long love of reading for pleasure results in improved life chances. It’s incredibly powerful for children of all ages, as indicated in the following findings from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development:
The World Book Day® charity published a 17-page impact report for the event that took place in 2024. One of the key findings was that something needed to be done to stop the significant drop in children reading for pleasure. Otherwise, children would be missing out on some profound benefits. The report concluded that there had been several reasons for the downward trend. For example, 20% of children said they felt judged for what books they read. Some said that reading felt more like a chore or ‘work’ because the books were foisted upon them by adults. Just over 8% of children simply didn’t have access to any books at home. Of those that did, over a third said they had no choice over what they read.
In the UK, children under 18 are eligible to receive a £1 book token through the event. This can be used to buy a special World Book Day title or go towards another book (
