A GROUP running educational classes for children and their parents has been crowned the best in the county.

Leap Along, a group set up by a mother and daughter from Colchester, were the winners of the Essex Mums Best Independent Children’s Group Award.

Maria Andrew and her daughter Charna Easey set up the group five years ago, it runs 15 classes a week from the Stanway Community Centre.

The group is for children aged between 18 months and five years old, and it teaches them to build their confidence before starting school.

Maria said the group now has 242 members a week.

She said: “One of the mums entered us in for the award, it was so lovely.

“I have got years of Early Years background and have worked in nurseries but I wanted to set something up for myself to help children have confidence in every area.”

“I try to take myself back to how a four-year-old would feel when they first walk into school. At Leap Along we teach all the little things we forget as grown ups.”

The duo also walked away with a Highly Recommended award for Best New Group.

Maria’s daughter Charna, 24, was due to study child psychology at university but took a year off to help her mum set up the group. She has worked with her ever since.

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Maria said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would be busy enough, now we are going into schools for Christmas parties.

“Sometimes I think to myself, is this really happening?”

The group performed a welcome song at the re-opening of the community centre at the weekend, and Maria said even the vicar got up for a dance.

She said it was a very emotional experience seeing the success of the group.

To find out more visit www.leapalong.co.uk, everyone is entitled to a free taster session.

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