First nurseries receive Millie’s Mark awards

THE first 10 nurseries to first to receive Millie’s Mark recognising the gold standard in first aid for children have been announced.

The awards were launched by the parents of Millie Thompson, who died in a choking incident while at nursery in 2012, and have been a long time in the planning.

Last week Elm Cottage in Cheadle Hulme and North Cheshire Jewish Nursery in Heald Green were among the first 10 childcare settings to receive the award.

The other eight are spread across the country including in London, Nottingham and Newcastle Upon Tyne.

The first awards have been made to nurseries that took part in a pilot scheme, after achieving the detailed and rigorous criteria involved.

Millie’s parents Joanne and Dan Thompson visited Elm Cottage to celebrate with staff. achievement for our nursery.

“It helped us to reflect on our practice and realise our many strengths surrounding paediatric first aid as well as evaluating what we could do further to improve on standards.

“We will be proud to inform our parents that we have this award and hope this is a reassuring factor for them when leaving their children in our care.”

Millie Thompson died in a choking incident while at nursery in 2012

The mark was created with the Department for Education and is being administered by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA).

The process takes three to six months and involves intensive support from an NDNA mentor, completion of an audit, risk assessment and spot checks.

Go to www.milliesmark. com for more information.