A NURSERY owner from Bromyard was the toast of Westminster when a government minister thanked her for helping on his "moral mission" to give the best possible childcare to parents.

Sheenagh Davis, who set up the charity Hope Family Centre was a guest of childcare minister Sam Gyimah on Monday (March 2) at a Department for Education reception in Lancaster House, London.

She was one of 120 early years professionals from all over the country invited to thank them for improving children’s futures and implementing the department’s policies, which have resulted in an unprecedented demand for childcare.

Sam Gyimah said: “The importance of childcare is huge in a child’s development and upbringing – that’s why we all have a moral mission to get it right.

“I am very proud of what Sheenagh has done to make sure parents from Bromyard can make the best possible childcare choices for their families.

“As childcare minister I’ve been privileged to travel all over the country meeting with providers.

“The consistently high bar they set made me want to put on an event to say thank you for the work they are doing.”

Sheenagh Davis added: “The two-year-old offer is a big step in the right direction to realising the benefits that early years education can have.

“Getting two-year-olds into nurseries means we can help their development from an early age and spot any problems they may have and work with them earlier.”

During this parliament, the government has increased funding from £2 billion to £3 billion per year and extended the offer of free childcare to 15 hours per week to all three and four-year-olds and 40 per cent of two-year-olds.