Tipton nursery awarded special recognition

Smarty Pants Private Day Nursery Limited, on Own Street, and Lola-Belle's Private Day Nursery, on Horseley Heath, both in Tipton, have been awarded the Millie's Mark endorsement.

Millie's Mark is named after Millie Thompson who died after choking on food at a nursery in 2012 in Greater Manchester when she was nine months old.

Millie’s parents, Dan and Joanne Thompson, founded Millie’s Trust and have successfully campaigned for changes to first aid requirements for childcare providers.

Millie's Mark states that the achievement of the mark 'acknowledges that staff would be confident in maybe one day saving a child’s life if they needed to' and is a 'special endorsement to childcare providers that go above and beyond minimum requirements'.

Lydia Browning, who owns the two nurseries that a total of 90 children attend, said she was 'very pleased' to receive the endorsement.

She said: "I'm very pleased with the recognition both of the nurseries were awarded with.

"The mark is really important for children's safety in nurseries too.

"I've always worked with children since I left school.

"The Smarty Pants nursery is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year and our other nursery is celebrating eight years so it ties in nicely."

The mark requires all staff working directly with children to be qualified in paediatric first aid but also requires that the learning is kept alive and in the forefront of staffs' minds.

Lydia, from Sedgley, also said she is opening another nursery in Sandwell this year.

The 35-year-old said: "We're about to open another nursery in September located within Lightwoods House in Bearwood.

"We won the tender to run from the site."

Other nurseries awarded Millie's Mark are located in Birmingham.