LITTLE ones are continuing to have fun at a Colchester nursery.

Despite everything going on in the outside world, these children are being well looked after at Second Steps Day Nursery.

Ninety-nine youngsters attend throughout the week, with 23 in the breakfast and after-school club at the Shrub End Road setting.

Second Steps Day Nursery has been open throughout the pandemic with a lot of key workers' children attending.

Manager Megan Lefley said: "We've continued to create a normal home-from-home environment for our children and pride ourselves on our exceptional safety regulations, when it comes to Covid.

"We've made sure they continue to enjoy regular events, like Pudsey Day for Children in Need and Harvest Festival.

"And we made sure they had lots of fun celebrating Christmas.

"At that time we were lucky enough to give something back to our community, giving out care packages throughout December.

"For each day of the month, we handed out small gift bags to key workers, such as the police, pharmacy and local school.

"This was in addition to offering promotions such as no registration fee when signing up in December and January and competitions for parents to win a free session and Christmas hamper."

Braintree and Witham Times: Thank you - Ashley and Vinnie-Ray Crowther and Brooke Lungley deliver a gift bag to local policemen, in the run-up to ChristmasThank you - Ashley and Vinnie-Ray Crowther and Brooke Lungley deliver a gift bag to local policemen, in the run-up to Christmas Braintree and Witham Times: Raising valuable funds - Aiden Avant and Sonny Stalley took part in the nursery's Pudsey day, for Children in NeedRaising valuable funds - Aiden Avant and Sonny Stalley took part in the nursery's Pudsey day, for Children in Need Braintree and Witham Times: We are a local nursery who have been open during the whole of the pandemic, we have helped key workers with childcare throughout. We have continued with our regular events, such as children in need and harvest festival week. We have been lucky enough to gWe are a local nursery who have been open during the whole of the pandemic, we have helped key workers with childcare throughout. We have continued with our regular events, such as children in need and harvest festival week. We have been lucky enough to g Braintree and Witham Times: Big smiles - little Kayden Hart is enjoying his day at Second Steps Day NurseryBig smiles - little Kayden Hart is enjoying his day at Second Steps Day Nursery Braintree and Witham Times: Hanging out - Lyla Ford, Reggie Gibbins, Henry Birtle, Isabelle Brewer, Jude Farrow and Edward OverlandHanging out - Lyla Ford, Reggie Gibbins, Henry Birtle, Isabelle Brewer, Jude Farrow and Edward Overland Braintree and Witham Times: Spooky fun - Emily Gibson, Sophie Robinson, Charlotte Brown (staff), Isabelle Brewer and Rose Pulling enjoying HalloweenSpooky fun - Emily Gibson, Sophie Robinson, Charlotte Brown (staff), Isabelle Brewer and Rose Pulling enjoying Halloween Braintree and Witham Times: Cooking up a treat - Jacob GibbinsCooking up a treat - Jacob Gibbins Braintree and Witham Times: Sweet treats - Reggie Gibbins enjoys some marsh mallowsSweet treats - Reggie Gibbins enjoys some marsh mallows Braintree and Witham Times: Ball pool - Robyn Whittaker is having plenty of funBall pool - Robyn Whittaker is having plenty of fun Braintree and Witham Times: Paying their respects - Arianna Akinowa and Leo Carnevale preparing to mark Remembrance DayPaying their respects - Arianna Akinowa and Leo Carnevale preparing to mark Remembrance Day