Nursery ‘delighted’ with Millie’s Mark safety prize

A nursery in Portishead has won a safety award.

Stationhouse Nursery has received Millie’s Mark from the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), in collaboration with Millie’s Trust and the Department for Education

The award is named after Millie Thompson who died in 2012 after choking at a Greater Manchester nursery.

Her death prompted a coroner to plea for better first aid skills at nurseries and Millie’s Mark was established by her parents Dan and Joanne Thompson in a bid to raise standards.

Stationhouse Nursery owner Zoe Parsons said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded Millie’s Mark. This is such an important and special achievement and shows how serious we are about ensuring children are safe when they are in our care.

“Since opening in 2011 we have always paid for all our staff to take part in the training as it is so important and it is fantastic to be recognised for this commitment.”

To get the award, staff must demonstrate they are competent and can apply first aid to children.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of (NDNA) said: “Achieving Millie’s Mark is a great achievement for Stationhouse, it shows 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 nursery is a clear indicator for parents this nursery has met the highest standards and gives them the reassurance that their children are safe.”

Mr and Mrs Thompson said they were proud to see nurseries across England recognise the importance of Millie’s Mark.

They said: “Our journey towards this mark has been tough and there have been many tears shed, but we are so amazingly proud this mark is now established and we will soon see the logo appearing in nurseries throughout England.”