A nursery has been praised by workers on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus after supporting families through an incredibly tough time.

Joanna Tew, who owns Little Learners Nursery, made up of one nursery in Prenton and another in Chester, said many of the parents who use the Prenton facility are frontline workers at Arrowe Park Hospital.

Ms Tew said those parents told her that, by staying open throughout the pandemic, Little Learners played a part in saving lives.

During the lockdown, when people were being told to stay at home unless leaving was essential, the nursery was only able to look after around 20 children a day, compared to 60 in normal times.

But those parents who were able to have their children looked after at the Prenton site were thankful for the work the nursery did.

One frontline worker at Arrowe Park Hospital, said: “I wish to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the amazing work you have been doing at Little Learners in Prenton over the last few months.

“Through the dedication of your hard working team, myself and other NHS colleagues have been able to continue treating patients affected by Covid-19.

“We have felt safe that, whilst we are at work, our children are being provided with excellent care at your nursery.”

Others commended the nursery for fighting through the problems the virus has brought.

One parent said: “The nursery has been faced with numerous difficulties out of their control and have faced each challenge with the care and support of children and parents as their highest priority.

“They continue to have a Covid-free environment as they have implemented all the safety measures possible and I feel totally confident that I’m sending my child into a place where his welfare is paramount.”

Trisha Spurr, manager of Little Learners in Prenton, said those children who were not able to attend the nursery during the lockdown were given home learning packs with songs and stories in to help their progress.

The nursery also had regular chats with parents to help them through the extra struggles the pandemic brought.

Stressing the impact of the work Little Learners did, Ms Tew said she is proud to look after children during the pandemic and give their parents the peace of mind they need to go out and protect the country at such a testing time.

She added that the children have adapted really well, even talking about the virus themselves and picking things up from their parents.

For Ms Tew, the pandemic showed how resilient children can be. She said that by making virus-protection measures fun and practical children will follow them.

Although social distancing was not possible between the children, nursery staff put on activities such as spraying a bottle of coloured water across the room to see how germs travel through the air.

Ms Tew thanked Total Fitness, the landlord of the buildings Little Learners use for its nurseries, for allowing them to stay open during the lockdown even when gyms had to remain closed.

A spokesperson for Wirral Council, said: “Little Learners has worked consistently with us to ensure all risk assessments and operating procedures are effective and up to date – working tirelessly to meet the childcare needs of local families, many of whom include NHS key workers.

“The nursery responded quickly and flexibly to ensure its setting is as Covid-secure as possible, maintaining good communication with parents and carers throughout.

“The council would like to thank the team for its commitment, and to all the families involved for their cooperation and support.”