A new initiative aimed at fostering healthier, happier, and more sustainable environments for young children is set to launch in early years settings and schools.

The Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge, announced by Cumberland Council, seeks to encourage providers to go above and beyond in their support of young children.

The scheme will act as a quality marker to assist parents and carers in selecting childcare.

The Pledge focuses on four key areas: physical activity, healthy nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and sustainability practice.

Early years settings have already piloted the scheme ahead of its official launch.

Amy Britcher, manager of Little Monkeys Days Nursery in Keswick, said: "The Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge is a fantastic scheme to be a part of.

"To us, children's physical and mental health are integral to their basic needs.

"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."

Ms Britcher added that the Pledge was easy to complete and provided the opportunity to reflect on their offerings.

She said it highlighted areas of strength as well as those requiring further development.

Mary Platt Methodist Pre-school in Cockermouth also trialled the Pledge.

Jessica Harrington, pre-school assistant and deputy SENCO, said: "The Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge is a wonderful way for early years settings to reflect on their own practice.

"You get to look closely at the many areas of health and consider if your setting is doing all it can to promote the best possible start in life for the young children it cares for, their families, and the staff members that work there."

Ms Harrington said she found it fun to get creative and introduce new initiatives within their setting using the Pledge.

She said: "I encourage all early years settings to get behind this scheme and sign up to the Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge to improve the health and wellbeing of all the individuals that are part of their provision's community."

Councillor Elaine Lynch, executive member for lifelong learning and development, expressed her excitement at the launch of the Pledge.

She 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."

She praised the work done by early years settings across Cumberland in helping young children develop healthy habits, become resilient, and look after the environment.

She also expressed her gratitude to the pilot sites for their help in further developing the scheme and encouraged others to join.

The council encourages early years settings and schools interested in the scheme to contact HHF@cumberland.gov.uk for more information and to sign up.