Wellbeing-focused nursery celebrates Charter Mark recognition
“Every member of staff has played a role in making this possible”
YMCA Black Country Group is proud to announce that its Carters Green Day Nursery in West Bromwich has achieved the Sandwell Wellbeing Charter Mark, recognising its commitment to promoting the emotional health and wellbeing of children, families and staff.
The award reflects over two years of dedicated work led by Nursery Manager Claire Simcox and her team, who have embedded wellbeing into every aspect of nursery life. From building strong relationships with families to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for children, the team has been focused on ensuring that wellbeing is at the heart of everything they do.
The Sandwell Wellbeing Charter Mark, developed in partnership with Sandwell Public Health, is locally recognised as a model of good practice. Originally introduced for schools, it has recently been adapted for Early Years settings, highlighting the growing importance of supporting children’s social, emotional and mental health from the earliest stages of development.
Claire Simcox said: “I’m incredibly proud of everything our team has achieved. This has been a real journey over the past two years, and every member of staff has played a role in making this possible. We are passionate about creating an environment where children, families and staff feel supported, valued and able to thrive, and it’s fantastic to see that recognised.”
Achieving the Charter Mark places YMCA Carters Green Nursery among a growing number of organisations across Sandwell committed to improving wellbeing outcomes within their communities. It also provides reassurance to parents and partners that the nursery delivers high‑quality care in a setting where emotional wellbeing is prioritised alongside learning and development.
The work undertaken links closely with YMCA Black Country Group’s bespoke nursery curriculum, which focuses on supporting children’s confidence, resilience and emotional awareness, as well as the organisation’s wider SHAPE strategy, placing health and wellbeing at the centre of its services.
Importantly, this is not a one‑time achievement. The nursery will be reassessed every three years to ensure that standards are maintained and continuously developed. Claire will also take on the role of Wellbeing Champion, supporting the ongoing implementation of the Charter Mark principles across the setting.
This latest achievement highlights YMCA’s wider commitment to creating environments where young people and families feel safe, supported and empowered. It also reinforces the importance of early intervention and preventative work in helping children build strong foundations for their future.