Mike Penning helps children celebrate World School Milk Day
19th October 2012
Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, helped children at St Nicholas Nursery celebrate World School Milk Day by handing out milk to the children.
St Nicholas Nursery was one of thousands of schools across more than 30 countries taking part in celebrations dedicated to World School Milk Day on 26th September. The day encourages children to drink milk and aims to educate them about the benefits of milk.
In the UK, school milk is free for children in day-care or primary education under the age of five and subsidised for school children aged five to 11. Milk is delivered fresh and chilled to the classroom, distributed by children and consumed as a group.
This process aids children’s social development, including responsibility, independence and manners. Children also benefit from the nutrients and vitamins in milk, which aids their health and physical development – while also helping to ensure their hydration and improved concentration.
Linda Brindle, Nursery Manager at St Nicholas Nursery, said the school promotes milk as it adds to their Healthy School Status which helps improve child health, raise pupil achievement, improve social inclusion and encourage closer working between health and education providers.
Mrs Brindle said: “Our children have been researching all about milk to celebrate world school milk day. We have displays of children’s work with their findings, including: farming, milk processes and uses, the importance of healthy diets and the advantage of drinking milk.”
Mr Penning said: “I am delighted to visit St Nicholas Nursery in support of World School Milk Day. Cool Milk does great work in giving children the opportunity to drink milk at school. Milk is a rich source of calcium and helps build stronger bones and teeth and it is vital that children have access to such a nutritional product whilst they are still developing.”
John Sedgwick, Managing Director for Cool Milk, confirmed that supplying milk to schools, nurseries is vital in helping children to develop important nutrition and social habits. He said: “Milk in schools continues to be incredibly popular and hugely successful in contributing to the healthy development of all children – but especially where children are struggling to get their daily nutrients.”
World School Milk Day is celebrated globally on 26th September. For more information go to www.worldschoolmilkday.com
