A NURSERY is celebrating after becoming the first in the area to be awarded a 'gold standard' for its first aid training.

Parkside Nursery has achieved Millie's Mark accreditation, a national scheme which recognises excellence in first aid training in nurseries and preschools.

The nursery, which is based at the Coleridge Centre, Skerne Park, Darlington, received the award for going above and beyond the minimum requirements in paediatric first aid training.

To gain Millie’s Mark, all staff at the nursery had to have up-to-date first aid training and the team had to give evidence of their commitment to the highest standards of first aid safety.

Julie Peacock, Parkside Nursery manager, said: “We are very proud to be the first nursery to achieve Millie’s Mark accreditation in the Darlington area. We feel it sends a clear message to parents, that we are committed to keeping our children safe.

“I am very proud of all the staff and this award is recognition of their commitment to our children.”

Millie’s Mark is named after Millie Thompson who died after choking on food at a nursery in 2012 aged just nine months.