A VILLAGE preschool and nursery has been named one of the best in Europe for its work within the community.

Marcham Little Angels was a finalist in the European Business Excellence Forum Awards in the community impact category.

There were more than 350 nominations across all the awards and the Oxfordshire nursery reached the top five in its group at a ceremony in Liverpool earlier this month.

The awards came at the end of a two-day conference featuring leading entrepreneurs sharing tips with other businesses.

Helen Corcoran, who has more than 20 years childcare experience and started Little Angels in 2004, said: “We are thrilled to receive recognition for the impact we have had on the village.

“The nursery is a small family-run business and we are thrilled to be acknowledged in the business excellence forum.”

The nursery, which currently looks after 65 children, provides not only day care for the local community but has an impact on residents of all ages in Marcham.

For primary school pupils, Little Angels runs a breakfast club and after school club, as well as holiday events.

The breakfast club works in partnership with Marcham Primary School and the children are walked to school after they have eaten.

Similarly, after school the day care will pick up pupils from the school and give them activities to keep them entertained.

As a further support to parents the nursery also offers adult workshops as well as a holiday club with a new theme each week for youngsters.

The nursery also provides opportunities for teenagers in the village offering work experience and early year helpers positions, which has led to more than half of its staff living in Marcham.

Finally, the preschool children also share experiences and time with older villagers at a regular café event.

The nursery’s link with Marcham are only set to deepen, as the nursery has also been given the tender on a new nursery building from the village’s Anson Trust.

Kaye Merriman, who co-owns the business, said: “It is great to be recognised for the community impact we have and we are looking forward to a bright future as the village of Marcham develops.”

Visit littleangelschildcaregroup.co.uk