Cardiff and Vale Nursery Lead The Way on Health in 2013

Cardiff and Vale College nursery which is based at the Trowbridge campus has made a pledge to make 2013 a healthy year for the children who attend the nursery. As a result of their hard work the nursery has won a slew of awards already this year.

The nursery has recently been awarded the highest award possible by the National Day Nursery Association (NDNA), they have been recognised for providing excellent care and support for both children and parents, and they also continually update policies, procedures and quality assurance.

They have also been awarded a Gold award from the Design to Smile team associated with Health Challenge Wales. Health Challenge Wales provide nurseries with equipment to promote good oral hygiene.

The nursery has also become the first nursery to complete phase one of an initiative launched by the Welsh Assembly Government called Cardiff Healthy and Sustainable Pre-School (CHaSPS).

CHaSPS is a national accreditation which acknowledges pre-school setting as contributors to child health and well-being. Those nurseries that embrace CHaSPS will be accredited and recognised for their endeavours.

It is accredited in stages called ‘phases’, each phase lasts one year. Settings must work to develop and promote the eight specific action areas of the scheme.

The first phase covers the following:

• Initial Phase – A Whole Setting Approach
• Nutrition & Oral Health
• Physical Activity / Active Play

This phase was completed between September 2012 and April 2013. The nursery is now working towards completing the second and final stage.

The nursery have done extremely well over the last year, in an effort to support them with their efforts Jessica Sibley Account Manager for New Directions Education donated a fruit hamper to the nursery. Jess commented ‘teaching children of nursery age the importance of eating healthy is very important, the behaviours learned at this age of a child’s life can often shape their lives. We are proud to be working with an innovative nursery, and look forward to supporting them as they progress on this journey’