News

The Big Picture - A top model

Barbara Hadlow from Surrey has created a dolls' house of the first
nursery she worked in, after spending more than 50 years looking after
children.

The 74-year-old started crafting the four-foot-high creation ten years ago to remember Hitchen Hatch Residential Nursery, where she worked from the age of 16.

After 30 years as a childcare practitioner, Miss Hadlow wrote a book, Making a Difference - a lifetime in childcare, about the 'vanished world of the residential nursery', then worked in childminding and fostering.

The miniature house has eight rooms and includes doors, windows and staircases added by Miss Hadlow, who also knitted jumpers for the doll children.

She says of her dolls' house, 'Sometimes in the morning, I look at it and the sun is shining: it just reminds me of how it was in 1956.'

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Unlimited access to news and opinion

  • Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here