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The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a new initiative to help improve paediatric first aid training in early years settings, in memory of a nine-month-old baby who died in 2012.

Education and Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah launched Millie's Mark in memory of Millie Thompson, who died after choking on her lunch while at nursery in Stockport.

Since her death, Millie’s parents, Joanne and Dan, have campaigned for a new gold standard certificate to be created in recognition of early years childcare providers which train all their staff in paediatric first aid above and beyond the minimum legal requirements.

The quality mark – which has been developed by the Department for Education, National Day Nursery Association (NDNA) and Mr and Mrs Thompson – will be known as Millie’s Mark and will help to give parents assurance that every staff member that cares for their child is trained in these important, life-saving skills.

Speaking at the NDNA annual conference in Milton Keynes, Mr Gyimah called on nurseries and other early years providers to apply for the quality mark, so that as many members of staff are trained in paediatric first aid as possible.

“As a parent myself, I know there is nothing more important than the safety and security of our children – we trust the staff looking after them will have the right training should anything happen while they are in their care,” said Mr Gyimah.

“That’s why I’m pleased to announce that the Department for Education has awarded the National Day Nursery Association the contract to deliver a voluntary quality mark for nursery providers that have trained all of their staff in paediatric first aid.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Millie’s parents, Joanne and Dan, who have campaigned tirelessly in their daughter’s memory to reduce the chances of such tragic accidents happening in future. It is hoped that, over time, this initiative will help ensure that as many staff members as possible are trained in these important, life-saving skills.

“I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with NDNA and Millie’s parents, and to seeing the early years providers that go over and above to help keep our children safe.”

NDNA Chief Executive, Purnima Tanuku OBE, added:

“We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to develop and deliver Millie’s Mark – we believe passionately that it will make a difference in keeping children safe.
“Seeing that a nursery has achieved Millie’s Mark will help parents make informed decisions when they are choosing childcare and it will be great for nurseries to show how serious they are about providing the best services possible.”

From summer 2016, early years settings in England will be eligible to apply to be accredited with the new quality mark. A total of ten nurseries chosen from more than 200 applicants have been taking part in a pilot to thoroughly test the new standards that settings will be required to demonstrate – the nurseries will be the first to receive Millie’s Mark.

Alongside the launch of Millie’s Mark, the government has published a response to the consultation on changing the paediatric first aid requirements in the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (EYFS). As a result, from September 2016, all newly qualified level 2 and level 3 staff must also have either a full paediatric first aid certificate or an emergency paediatric first aid certificate to count in the required staff to child ratios – which will mean an extra 15,000 staff a year coming into the sector with paediatric first aid training.

DfE says that paediatric first aid training has also been shown to increase safety awareness, so reducing the likelihood of accidents occurring and staff confidence especially when helping children with complex medical needs.

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