Local Pre-school Receives Millie’s Mark – a new quality mark

Little Acorns Kindergarten in Wendover today announced that it has received national recognition for going above and beyond the minimum requirements in paediatric first aid. With its robust processes and documentation, the staff strive to keep children safe by minimising risks and accidents and giving parents that greater reassurance.

Little Acorns Kindergarten has been awarded Millie’s Mark by National Day Nurseries Association in collaboration with Department for Education and Millie’s Trust and is the first educational establishment in our area to have done so. Millie’s Mark is named after Millie Thompson, who tragically died as a result of choking in a nursery in 2012. Her parents Dan and Joanne Thompson have campaigned for all staff to have paediatric first aid training and having Millie’s Mark demonstrates that nurseries/pre-schools have met this. In addition it shows they work hard to keep these crucial skills in the forefront of employees’ minds, so they are competent and can apply paediatric first aid in any situation.

Little Acorns Kindergarten (www.littleacornswendover.org) is based in its own setting on the school campus site in Wendover and take children from age 2 until they leave to start their school journey aged 4.  As a team they are continuously striving to provide the best care they can to the children on their register.

Melanie Armstrong, Manager comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded Millie’s Mark.  This is a special achievement and shows how serious we are about ensuring children are safe when they are in our care. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us during this process and we are all very much looking forward to celebrating our success.”

Purnima Tanuku, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) adds: “Achieving Millie’s Mark is a great achievement for the pre-school, it shows that all staff are fully trained in paediatric first aid and that they have reflected on their current practice to improve competence and confidence. Becoming a Millie’s Mark’s pre-school is a clear indicator for parents that this pre-school has met the highest standards and gives them the reassurance that their children are safe’.