AN award-winning nursery provider is starting the new year with a health kick after signing up to a county-wide well-being initiative.

Bright Kids Nursery Group – a major childcare provider since 1999 with settings in Crabbs Cross, Studley and Northfield – is working towards improving the health and well-being of its work force in a bid to achieve Worcestershire Works Well accreditation.

Tricia Wellings, Bright Kids' chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be part of such a worthy scheme. The health and well-being of our employees is of paramount importance. It is particularly important in a childcare setting because happy, healthy, well-cared for staff means happy, healthy, well-cared for children.

“Evidence suggests that a healthier workforce is a more productive workforce and effective health and well-being programmes within the workplace lead to improved productivity, reduced sickness rates and a more motivated workforce.

“Following this toolkit will enable us to offer our employees the best working environment possible.”

The toolkit has been developed as part of the Worcestershire Works Well initiative, which is a partnership between the private, public and voluntary sector.

Group members include NHS Worcestershire Public Health, Hereford and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Wellness Works, Sports Partnership Hereford and Worcestershire, Job Centre Plus and the Department of Health.

The initiative consists of nine standards in promoting good health, smoking and tobacco control, healthy eating, health and safety, mental health and well-being, physical activity, alcohol and substance misuse, attendance management and leadership.

Organisations that meet the standards will achieve Worcestershire Works Well Accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to employee health and well-being.

For an informal tour, people can visit a local Bright Kids or call 01527 452430 for more details.