If the printer is used for his daughters homework, wouldn't it be useful to be colour?

My tuppenceworth.  Keep an eye out for a decent HP/Epson.

 

Lexmark are cheap to buy and expensive to run, Canon ones I always found to have quirks, so if it is mainly for the kiddiewinkles, the HP and the Epson will be the most straightforward to use.  

 

Speed is also not a priority as I would recommend a wireless one if it isn't in regular use(you can put it somewhere out of the way), so in general it will be printed by the time they get to it.  If they will only be printing/using the family computer, then get a wired one, with slightly higher speed/quality for the same money.

 

If they aren't printing photo quality pictures, and mainly the odd photo, graphs, Rhinos to stick on Africa shapes, Tigers to stick on India shapes and the like, then just look out for one of the Multifunction Printer Scanner Copiers on a sale in Tesco or somewhere.  Mine is an HP Deskjet 3055A, ink isn't too expensive, and is freely available in Asda, Tesco, etc., if you need one at short notice.

 

Cheers

 

Lennie