Millie’s Trust has crossed the border as Children’s Minister Maree Todd MSP has launched Millie’s Mark, a new paediatric first aid accreditation for childcarers across Scotland.
The Minister visited The Orchard Nursery in Edinburgh, one of the first nurseries to sign up for Millie’s Mark, a gold standard accreditation which aims to keep children as safe as they can be in nursery.
Millie’s Trust was set up by Dan and Joanne Thompson following the death of their young daughter Millie who choked on food in a nursery. As parents they believed that everyone should have access to First Aid training no matter what their situation in life is. Millie’s Trust aim to make First Aid training readily available for minimal costs and provide training nationally.
As a result of a national petition, Millie’s Mark was developed in conjunction with National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA).
Launched in September 2016, the scheme is delivered by NDNA and has proved a success across England with almost 450 nurseries awarded and 110 childcare providers currently working towards the award.
Dan and Joanne Thompson, of Millie’s Trust, said:
“As Millie’s parents, we are extremely proud that Millie’s Mark is launching in Scotland after seeing the response in England. We are dedicated to seeing that all childcare staff know the importance of paediatric first aid and Millie’s Mark allows them to review their own emergency procedures and refresh all the knowledge of anyone taking care of a child.
“For parents it allows them to see that the people looking after their children have the necessary skills and knowledge to react to an emergency situation and this allows parents to feel more confident in placing their children in these particular settings. We are very much looking forward to seeing the first nurseries awarded in Scotland later this year.”
To achieve the mark, all staff working with children must be trained in paediatric first aid, able to demonstrate they are confident and keep knowledge up to date and fresh so they can act swiftly in an emergency. Millie’s Mark also makes sure the setting’s policies and procedures are robust and regularly reviewed.
NDNA and Millie’s Trust worked with Scottish Government to review the criteria for Millie’s Mark to receive their endorsement.
Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA, said:
“We have worked closely with the Scottish Government to make sure the accreditation is suitable for childcare providers in Scotland.
“NDNA surveyed Scottish parents whose children are in nursery and 97% said it was very important to them that childcarers were qualified in paediatric first aid. A third of these parents were unsure whether the staff in their child’s nursery could handle an emergency first aid situation, so it’s very reassuring for them if a nursery has this high standard accreditation.
“We know from feedback from nurseries who have achieved the Mark that their staff are much more confident in dealing with accidents and injuries. In addition, they have seen an increase in inquiries from parents who are happy and reassured that their child is in safe hands.”
Ms Todd said:
“The Scottish Government is committed to continual training opportunities for staff, and Millie’s Mark provides a great opportunity to upskill staff to be able to do their best for children in their care in an emergency.
“Nurseries that sign up to Millie’s Mark will be able to tell parents that they are trained to a high standard in first aid for babies and toddlers, and I’m very pleased that staff are keen to undertake these additional training opportunities where they are available.”
Once a nursery or childminder has signed up to Millie’s Mark, it takes between three to six months to review their practice and complete.
Currently there are no specific requirements setting of the numbers of child-carers who must be paediatric first aid trained under Scotland’s Health and Social Care Standards. However child-carers do cover elements of this in qualifications: 1.24 of the Standards states that ‘Any treatment or intervention that I experience is safe and effective’; 3.14 states that ‘I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled’. Another, 4.14, states that ‘My care and support is provided in a planned and safe way, including if there is an emergency or unexpected event’.
Photocall: 11.30 until 11.45am, Friday 14 June, The Orchard Nursery, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5QH. Minister Maree Todd finds out about Millie’s Mark and first aid techniques including CPR and dealing with breaks and sprains from Dan Thompson of Millie’s Trust with Purnima Tanuku of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA). She will work with the nursery children on these first aid techniques.