A NURSERY said it wants to share the silver lining to the pandemic crisis.

The Just Imagine Day Nursery, based within the grounds of Colchester Academy, said despite the challenges of Covid-19, its staff had kept positive and supportive to parents’ concerns.

A nursery spokesperson said: “In the run up to lockdown, we were growing concerned as to what would happen and what the Government’s advice would be on Early Years practise.

“We could feel whispers of fear increasing with our parents and carers, much like the rest of the world.

“Our job then became to reassure, comfort and ease the worry and concerns of these parents while their children were in our care.”

The team then set about helping parents and carers who said they could not source nappies or food due to panic buyers.

They also kept in touch during lockdown to keep them in the loop as well as lending a compassionate ear.

When restrictions lifted in the summer, the team developed the outdoor garden area, including a new woodland area ready for the children’s return.

They also set up an action plan to ensure the safety of the children in their care.

A spokesman added: “We have gone from strength to strength bringing back more children and taking on new starters who were looking for a nursery.

“While it did take some children longer to come back, we are now in a position where all our children are back in education.

“We sent out a parent questionnaire asking how the parents think we have dealt with the pandemic with 85 per cent saying very well.

“One parent commented ‘I could not ask for a better nursery’.

“During the pandemic, many things crossed our minds; worry, stress and the ‘what if’s’. The last thing we thought about were there were positives to come from such a dire situation.

“It is only now on reflection we sit and think what we have all been through and the positives this has brought us.

“The activities we completed over lockdown to make our children and families smile, including the toilet roll and baking challenge, have brought us closer as a team.

“We are working in a much more multifunctional way with the children and safety still being our top priority.”

The nursery has recently launched a Christmas giveaway with proceeds going to charities in the area which have helped residents during the pandemic.

To see the prizes, visit the nursery’s Facebook page on facebook.com/justimaginedaynurserycolchester.