NOWADAYS it’s pretty much the norm for both parents to be heading out the door in the early hours of the morning in a bid to get to work on time.

But youngsters who are a little too young to go to school are warmly welcomed at the Willow Tree Nursery which cares and nurtures for hundreds of children each day.

Owner Brenda Farquhar, who lives in Frinton, has built up her daycare empire over 30 years.

Her journey in childcare started in 1975 in West Yorkshire where she worked in a reception class before progressing into social care nurseries.

Now she is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Willow Tree with staff and children at the nursery, on Chingford Avenue, Clacton.

When it first opened its doors in 1988 there were just a handful of children and staff but now Brenda employs 70 people who look after 365 children from three months to 12 years.

“This place is so important to so many people,” Brenda said.

“Previously I ran a play group when my daughter was younger and I’ve done voluntary work for Save The Children.

“I did that until my daughter went to school but then I wanted to get back into full-time work and at the time Clacton didn’t have a full-time day nursery.”

When the nursery first opened it was a small Portakabin and gradually expanded to the large space it is today which includes a number of classrooms, baby unit, outdoor space and a state-of-the-art sensory room.

Brenda’s parents were enormously supportive of her quest to open the area’s first full-time day care centre and mum Betty used to help out cooking meals for the children In 2006 an expansion meant the nursery could accommodate an after-school and holiday club.

“We really are having an impact on the children’s education here and we want to inspire the youngsters and give them an opportunity to display their creativity,” said Brenda.

“I’m not very good at patting myself on the back but I feel this nursery has helped put Clacton on the map.

“It’s been a big struggle to get this building up and running and I’ve taken a big risk but all children should be in a purpose-built building that is there to last.

“The children should feel comfortable here as some of them are here all day whilst their parents are at work.”

Over the years staff and youngsters at the nursery have celebrated a number of milestones including an ‘outstanding’ OFSTED rating in 2015 and being awarded the Blue Ribbon Team of the Year last October.

They were also named one of the top 20 nurseries in the East of England in March.

Brenda says watching youngsters grow up and then bring their own children to the nursery is a heartwarming process.

“We’ve had children who we used to look after come and help us with the plumbing, electrics and the gardening which is amazing to see,” she said.

“We’ve had some go on to dance in the West End and we’ve had some become professional chefs.”

She added: “Anybody in the community can come and use this space and we want people to know that.”