Nurturing Health Award

The Nurturing Health Award Scheme has been produced by the 'Live well, Be Well' in Staffordshire partnership, which has local government and local health authority representation. It is a self-assessment tool that has been designed to provide you with guidance on how to provide healthy lifestyles to children and their families by creating varied and balanced diet menus which meet the nutritional needs of children under 5 years of age.

You can apply for the Award if you are a private/voluntary-run Childcare Provider in Staffordshire who provides full time childcare for children ranging from birth to 5 years, your setting must provide a lunchtime meal that you prepare on your premises and you can have an influence over. You must also hold an Ofsted rating that is satisfactory or above (grade 1, 2 or 3) in all areas and at least a 2 star 'Ratemyplace' food safety score.

The 4 levels:

• Bronze - skilled staff in feeding early years children a healthy balanced and varied Diet, and providing skills in how to provide for children who have a specialist diet.
• Silver - raising the standards of nutrition through setting requirements around menu planning, mealtimes, food groups and tooth friendly drinks.
• Gold - Silver level plus adding in other requirements that encourage a healthier lifestyle.  This includes physical activity, oral health, health related learning activities, Involving families and involving staff.
• Platinum - providing excellence in provision in terms of nutrition, physical activity, health policy development; health related learning activities, partnership with families and staff involvement.

Already achieved:

Gold

• Butterflies Day Nursery
• Dolly Mixtures
• Honeybuns Nursery
• Hornend Nursery, Stafford
• Hornend Nursery, Hixon

Silver

• Smartys Day Nursery
• Meadowside Nursery

To apply:

• Must be a private/voluntary run childcare provider in Staffordshire
• Must provide fulltime childcare for children from birth to 5 years old
• Must provide a lunchtime meal prepared on premise
• Hold an Ofsted rating of satisfactory or above
• Minimum 2 star food safety score on ratemyplace

There are 5 places on each Cohort, to register please download The Award Application and Assessment Process to avoid disappointment.