Newtyle Nursery Leads the Way with First Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning Award in Tayside

Photo of Newtyle Nursery staff and children receiving their award with Jenny Gillespie and Veronica Patullo, Public Health Directorate with Paul Kinney, Head Teacher Newtyle Primary School and (front left) Karen Lyndsay, Angus Council Locality Early Years Co-ordinator
Friday 17 January 2025

Newtyle Nursery is celebrating as they have received the first Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning Award in Tayside. The nursery is one of six early learning and childcare (ELC) settings in Angus chosen to pilot this exciting initiative, developed in collaboration with the Scottish Government and NHS Education for Scotland, led locally by the Infant Nutrition Team, Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside.

This award aims to promote a breastfeeding friendly environment, support families and colleagues who breastfeed and learn more about the benefits of this.

ELC staff from the six settings (Newtyle Nursery, Ladyloan Nursery, Abbey View ELC Centre, Ladybird Playgroup, Andover Nursery and Airlie Nursery) have completed training provided by NHS Scotland, to increase their knowledge and understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding. At Newtyle Nursery, this has included discussing breastfeeding with children during play, adapting role-play environments, introducing relevant books and resources, and making sure the setting is welcoming for breastfeeding parents and visitors.

Breastfeeding rates in Scotland mean that many children may never have seen someone breastfeeding or be aware that this is an option. This initiative has allowed the creation of a supportive environment where children can learn about healthy and natural feeding practices. It has been great to have parents and carers of children in Newtyle Nursery on board, collaborating with staff to ensure its success.

Convener of Families, Education and Justice, Cllr Lynne Devine, praised the nursery’s efforts:

“Newtyle Nursery has done a fantastic job leading the way as the first setting in Tayside to receive the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning Award. Their dedication to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for breastfeeding families and where children can develop an understanding of healthy and natural feeding practices sets an inspiring example for others to follow.”

“It’s also wonderful to see staff at the other five settings – Ladyloan Nursery, Abbey View ELC Centre, Ladybird Playgroup, Andover Nursery and Airlie Nursery – actively working through their learning and implementing new practices and resources in their own settings.”

Gillian McMillan, Infant Nutrition Co-ordinator, Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside congratulated Newtyle ELC as the first Early Learning setting in Tayside to be awarded the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Early Learning Award – a significant achievement which contributes to a social and cultural change by promoting an environment where breastfeeding is seen as the normal way to feed infants and young children.