The owner of a nursery chain with branches across Bristol, Somerset and Devon says there is still "a long way to go" after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the country into lockdown in March.
Mama Bear鈥檚, which has 24 sites across the South West, reopened on June 1 after the government lifted restrictions for nurseries.
The family-run group had stayed open for key worker and vulnerable children during the crisis.
Tony Driffield, who co-owns the business with wife Bev, said the chain had put safety measures in place and a programme of training for staff.
But he admitted it had been 鈥渞eally tricky鈥 dealing with impact of the pandemic.
He said: 鈥淲e have done everything possible to ensure the safety of the children on their return to nursery.
鈥淥f course we have been supporting the children of key workers and vulnerable children throughout the crisis so a lot of measures were already in place but we have been working hard to make the changes required to accommodate more children in our settings."
He added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 also been great to see our new procedures in place and working as they should.
鈥淚t has been really tricky to manoeuvre through this crisis and there is a long way to go for all of us yet but our staff have been phenomenal and so adaptable which has been fantastic.
鈥淲e鈥檇 also like to thank our parents for their support and we look forward to welcoming more children back in the months to come.鈥
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed last month that schools, colleges and nurseries across England would open in June.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said at the time: 鈥淭his has been a difficult time for the entire country.
鈥淓ducation and childcare staff have stepped up to the challenge, making sure children and young people have continued to be supported throughout the past ten weeks.
鈥淥ur priority is the education and welfare of all children and young people across the country.鈥
