The county council’s Early Years team has been recognised for its work in coping with a “huge increase in demand” for childcare across the county.

The Bucks County Council (BCC) team has scooped a Government Childcare Works award for forecasting a surge in demand and identifying where more care providers would be needed.

Judges praised the council employees for being “well-prepared” for the expansion of provision to 30 hours a week for early years children in 2017.

James Hempsell from the department of education presented Jane Nicholls, BCC’s early years and childcare commissioner, with the accolade on Monday, June 25.

Ms Nicholls said: “It's five per cent inspiration and 95 per cent perspiration.

“Our team worked incredibly hard to interpret the data so that we could understand different market needs and all our providers have worked with us so well to supply the extra places parents needed."

Cabinet member for education and skills at BCC, Mike Appleyard, praised the team saying: “I love the passion of those working with Early Years and I believe it's incredibly important that we get things right for your youngest children.

“This way we can support them to be ready for school at five, and grow through childhood into resilient, happy and successful adults."