Awarded Setting: The Pointer School Nursery
'The Pointer School is a thriving independent school in Blackheath, offering high-quality education and care for children from nursery through to Year 6. With 350 children in our whole setting, including 50 in our nursery, we pride ourselves on providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can flourish. Our dedicated team of 70 staff members, including seven nursery staff, works collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcomes for our pupils. In addition to our core team, we are supported by peripatetic professionals, including dance teachers, PE and music staff, and kitchen staff who engage with our nursery children. As a proud member of Dukes Education, we are committed to fostering a warm, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment. Our school enjoys a picturesque location overlooking Blackheath, just a stone’s throw away from the serene Greenwich Park, providing our children with an idyllic setting for their educational journey.
We applied for Millie’s Mark because safeguarding and child protection are at the heart of everything we do. At The Pointer School, our policy ensures that all staff members in contact with children are Paediatric First Aid trained at a minimum. Applying for Millie’s Mark was a natural step for us, reinforcing our commitment to best practices in first aid. Beyond simply meeting requirements, we saw this as an opportunity to audit our processes, enhance our training, and ensure that we maintain the highest standards in keeping our pupils safe and well cared for.
The process of applying for Millie’s Mark was incredibly beneficial for our nursery. It served as an excellent auditing tool, enabling us to examine our provision thoroughly and identify areas for further improvement. Unlike many accreditation processes, this was not just a bureaucratic exercise but a meaningful and practical evaluation of our practices. The thorough yet manageable approach allowed us to fine-tune our procedures and reinforce our dedication to best practice in paediatric first aid. Since achieving our Millie’s Mark accreditation in 2021, we proudly display our plaque outside the nursery. Prospective parents frequently comment on its significance, reassured by the knowledge that their child’s safety and well-being are our top priorities.
For nurseries considering applying for Millie’s Mark, our biggest piece of advice would be to involve the whole team rather than leaving the process solely in the hands of senior management. Engaging all staff members ensures that everyone is invested in the process and working together toward a shared goal. We highly recommend the Millie’s Mark accreditation to any nursery seeking to elevate their first aid practices and provide the highest standard of care.
We are incredibly proud to hold Millie’s Mark and continue to use it as motivation to uphold and refine best practices in paediatric first aid. The safety, well-being, and happiness of our children remain our greatest priority, and this accreditation serves as an ongoing commitment to those values.'
We applied for Millie’s Mark because safeguarding and child protection are at the heart of everything we do. At The Pointer School, our policy ensures that all staff members in contact with children are Paediatric First Aid trained at a minimum. Applying for Millie’s Mark was a natural step for us, reinforcing our commitment to best practices in first aid. Beyond simply meeting requirements, we saw this as an opportunity to audit our processes, enhance our training, and ensure that we maintain the highest standards in keeping our pupils safe and well cared for.
The process of applying for Millie’s Mark was incredibly beneficial for our nursery. It served as an excellent auditing tool, enabling us to examine our provision thoroughly and identify areas for further improvement. Unlike many accreditation processes, this was not just a bureaucratic exercise but a meaningful and practical evaluation of our practices. The thorough yet manageable approach allowed us to fine-tune our procedures and reinforce our dedication to best practice in paediatric first aid. Since achieving our Millie’s Mark accreditation in 2021, we proudly display our plaque outside the nursery. Prospective parents frequently comment on its significance, reassured by the knowledge that their child’s safety and well-being are our top priorities.
For nurseries considering applying for Millie’s Mark, our biggest piece of advice would be to involve the whole team rather than leaving the process solely in the hands of senior management. Engaging all staff members ensures that everyone is invested in the process and working together toward a shared goal. We highly recommend the Millie’s Mark accreditation to any nursery seeking to elevate their first aid practices and provide the highest standard of care.
We are incredibly proud to hold Millie’s Mark and continue to use it as motivation to uphold and refine best practices in paediatric first aid. The safety, well-being, and happiness of our children remain our greatest priority, and this accreditation serves as an ongoing commitment to those values.'