Up until this point, the scheme, which is administered by the National Day Nurseries (NDNA), has only been open to settings in England and Scotland. In September, a nursery in Cheadle became the 1000th setting to gain the accreditation.
Launched in 2016, the scheme is owned by first aid charity Millie’s Trust and is named after Millie Thompson who died after an incident in a nursery.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA Cymru, said, ‘We are delighted that Millie’s Mark is now available across Wales to give staff and parents peace of mind that staff are fully trained and ready to give emergency aid if required.
‘We are grateful to all those who have worked hard to make sure the accreditation meets the regulatory requirements in Wales and look forward to awarding it to many childcare providers across the country.’
Ahead of the rollout of the accreditation scheme in Wales a pilot took place to ensure the process was appropriate.
Toadhall Montessori Nursery in Cardiff, which took part in the pilot and is the first setting in Wales to be awarded Millie’s Mark, said, ‘The benefits for staff having and renewing their first aid training gives staff the confidence in dealing with any situations or crisis that may arise in the correct way.
‘The benefits for our parents and carers are that they can feel confident in leaving their children within a safe and secure environment knowing that all staff are paediatric first aid trained.
'I hope more settings in Wales consider working towards this accreditation.'
Julie Morgan MS, deputy minister for social services in Wales, added, ‘I am delighted that Toadhall Montessori Nursery is the first to be awarded the Millie’s Mark accreditation in Wales.
‘Having all practitioners qualified in paediatric first aid and to be confident to be able to use the theory in practice, if the need arises, is excellent.
‘I hope more settings in Wales consider working towards this accreditation.’