Good Practice Spotlight. How Meadowbank Day Nursery achieved NDNA Millie’s Mark.
For Meadowbank Day Nursery in Monmouthshire, achieving NDNA Millie’s Mark was about more than gaining a quality endorsement. It was an opportunity to build on an already strong safety culture and show families that every member of staff is confident, prepared and ready to respond when children need help.
The nursery embarked on the Millie’s Mark journey to demonstrate its commitment to going beyond the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare, standard 10. Within standard 10, further guidance and support links to Millie’s Mark. In Wales, day care settings must meet specific first-aid requirements, including trained adults with the full 12-hour paediatric first aid qualification and other ratio staff with emergency training. Meadowbank wanted to go further by ensuring that 100% of staff held the full 12-hour paediatric first aid qualification and kept their knowledge active in day-to-day practice.
Building confidence across the whole team
One of the biggest challenges was finding the time to complete the audit, gather evidence and show that enhanced practice was fully embedded. During the process, Meadowbank progressed from a permitted mix of full and emergency qualifications to 100% of staff holding the full 12-hour qualification. This was supported through careful rotas, a clear training matrix, supervision, staff-meeting scenarios, spot checks and peer support.
Putting first aid at the heart of nursery life
Achieving Millie’s Mark strengthened Meadowbank’s already well-established approach to safety. Staff are not only trained in paediatric first aid but also receive safer sleeping training for babies, including colleagues who do not work directly in the baby room. This means children benefit from exceptional first-aid coverage throughout the nursery, at mealtimes and during outings.
The team keeps learning active through induction, supervision, scenario-based discussions and regular meetings. The process also led to clearer near-miss records, stronger accident monitoring and improved information for families, increasing transparency and reassurance.
A proud achievement for children, staff and families
For Meadowbank Day Nursery, Millie’s Mark has provided a meaningful way to evidence the team’s commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing. By investing in every staff member’s skills and confidence, the nursery has created a setting where first aid is not just a requirement but an embedded part of everyday practice.
Meadowbank Day Nursery is a member of NDNA
