STAFF and children at a Marlow nursery are more cheerful than ever after it was named as one of the best places in the country to work.

Victoria House Day Nursery is run by Childbase, which scooped the ‘Best for Wellbeing’ prize at the prestigious Sunday Times Top 100 Places to Work awards last week.

The employee-owned nursery specialist also came 16th in the top 100 list as compiled by the national newspaper.

Karen Vockins, Victoria House Manager said: "It is a very personal achievement because we are all employee owners and what we say really does make a difference.

"When you are committed to giving young children the very best start in life, a happy supported staff team is vital. That’s what makes this special Wellbeing award so very important to us all."

Staff from the Victoria Road nursery attended the glitzy ceremony in Battersea on Thursday where the overjoyed workers heard the good news.

Childbase won the 'Best for Wellbeing' award in recognition of the variety and range of employee support schemes including their unique 'reduced hours same pay deal' introduced last year.

As well as 16th place in the prestigious list, the company was ranked third in the country for making good use of employee skills, fifth for job security and sixth for career development.

Ms Vockins said: "Ofsted inspectors have told us repeatedly that a happy and engaged staff team equals happy children.

"Our pride in our nursery and our company is reflected in our happy and confident children and there is nothing more rewarding or satisfying than that."

Childbase Partnership has 47 day nurseries across the South of England.

Victoria House opened in September 2011, and provides 48 places for children and babies from two months to five years old.