Thorpe Willoughby Childcare Centre has been operating for almost 50 years, having first been established as Thorpe Willoughby Playgroup. Originally, the Play Group was run from the old village hall and started in 1970.

The Centre moved into its own dedicated building in 1997 after a huge community project raised £15,000 and secured local sponsorship of services. Provision for two year olds was added in 2002 after the Centre rented and renovated the old Caretaker’s bungalow on the school site.

In 1998 the Centre Won the Duke of York’s Community Initiative, and a special award from Selby Hands of Hope in 2013.