24 individuals from 15 nurseries throughout Denbighshire were recently presented with an Open College Network Certificate for completing the Tiny Tums Course by Cllr Morfudd Jones, Lead Member for Children’s Services.

Tiny Tums is a Best Practise for Nurseries project run in partnership by the Dietetics Department Betsi Cadwaladr LHB, Food Safety Departments in Denbighshire County Council and Conwy County Borough Council and Health Challenge Denbighshire. It is supported by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.

The aim of the project is to provide nutrition and food safety education for day-care nursery staff from establishments throughout Denbighshire, with a view to improving the meals provided for children in their care.

During the course period the Community Dietician visited each of the nurseries to look at how menus are planned, their nutritional content and to give examples on how the menus could be improved. Sian Caldwell, Community Development Dietician, who delivers the course, said “The nurseries have worked really hard to improve their menus in line with current national guidelines, and as a result we know that our toddlers are getting a great start in life through the food and drinks provided in the nurseries who took part.”

The following nurseries have successfully completed the course Ruthin day Nursery Ruthin, Miri Meithrin Ruthin, Tiny Tots Day Nursery Prestatyn, Corwen Day Nursery, Snuggles Day Nursery Denbigh, The Mill Child Care Centre Ruthin, Beach House Day Nursery Rhyl, Daisy Chains Nursery Prestatyn, Llewelyn Day Nursery Rhyl, St Asaph Day Nursery, Cool Cats Rhyl, Sam’s Learning Tree Rhyl, and in Conwy Kidzone, First steps and Springfields.

The next session of Tiny Tums will be run April – July 2010 and all remaining nurseries in Denbighshire will be invited to attend.  For more information about the course please contact Clare Thomas on 01824 708368.