Millie’s Mark Award
22 Street Lane Nursery is absolutely delighted to achieve Millie’s Mark accreditation. It is a well-deserved recognition as it clearly demonstrates that we are truly dedicated at keeping our children safe and well cared for.
Being apart from your child can be nerve racking for parents so it is essential to feel at ease knowing your child is in good hands. We reassure parents by providing world class first aid training for the staff. First aid training requires the full attention of all the staff at 22 Street Lane Nursery and is not something we take lightly. We went above and beyond the requirements with all our team holding 2 days first aid training as oppose to 1 day.
First Aid Training and Staff Development
The training covers crucial areas of first aid such as choking, resuscitation in babies and children, recognising signs of anaphylactic shock and dealing with cuts and bruises. A due diligence assessment was carried out on each of the training providers to ensure the trainers themselves met all the requirements to retain the award.
It is important for us to receive feedback and opinions from the team about the training they had obtained to see if there are any areas in which we can improve. We introduced a monthly refresher to our staff meetings to ensure staff knowledge is always up to date and they are confident delivering first aid.
<!– Recent research confirms that the first five years are particularly important for the development of the child's brain, and the first three years are the most critical in shaping the child's brain architecture. Early experiences provide the base for the brain's organisational development and functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities. Teaching children outdoors encourages curiosity and stimulates all the senses in a way that indoor learning simply cannot do. By participating through engagement, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in a woodland environment children are encouraged to develop in the following areas;
- Confidence; Forest School helps children grow in confidence as a result of freedom, time and space to learn and demonstrate independence. This confidence can then be carried into other areas of their lives.
- Social Skills; Children will learn how to communicate and negotiate with each other and adults to solve problems and share experiences. Sharing tools and participating in play teaches children to work together as a group, which strengthens their bonds and social ties.
- Communication; Language development is prompted by sensory experiences, there are always new things to see or hear which means new words or new knowledge. Writing and drawing with sticks in mud is a fun and creative way for children to develop their language and literacy skills.
- Health and Fitness; Forest School can help promote a healthier lifestyle for children by being active in an outdoor, natural environment. Increased outdoor activity has a positive physical impact, it offers the development of physical stamina as well as gross and fine motor skills.
- Motivation and Concentration; High levels of interest leads to high levels of attention, spending time in a woodland environment is exciting, children are fascinated with their surroundings which in turn develops a strong will to participate and concentrate over long periods of time.
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What does it take to get the award?
The Millie’s Mark award can only be achieved if 100% of staff are trained in paediatric first aid and staff can demonstrate that the training will not be forgotten. Whilst we now have the recognition from Millie’s Mark, our tireless efforts of building a safe environment will not stop. We will continue to excel in all areas of care for the children and we will be more than prepared for our next assessment in three years.
