Cumberland Council has launched a quality scheme for early years settings and schools to showcase their commitment to fostering healthier, happier, and more sustainable environments.

The Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge for early years providers includes commitments in four key areas: physical activity; healthy nutrition; emotional wellbeing and sustainability.

Amy Britcher, manager of Little Monkeys Days Nursery in Keswick, which has been piloting the scheme, said: “By implementing the pledge we hope we can improve children’s outcomes whilst supporting parents to do the same at home. It’s also been an eye opener to our staff, giving them time to reflect on their own physical and mental health. As early years practitioners we are role models for these children in all areas and so it’s vital that we practice what we preach.”

She added: “The pledge was easy to complete and gave us the opportunity to reflect on everything we offer, it highlights what you’re doing well as well as things that we need to develop further and it’s so important to us to be able to reflect and continuously improve and develop what we do.”

Councillor Elaine Lynch, executive member for lifelong learning and development, said: “We are thrilled to launch the new Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge to inspire early years providers to aim for the highest standards in caring for the needs of young children. By committing to these four essential areas, settings can foster a culture of health, wellbeing, and sustainability that benefits children now and in the future.”