Portobello Toddler Hut

Last updated

Portobello Toddler Hut
Location
Portobello Toddler Hut
28 Beach Lane, Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland

United Kingdom
Coordinates 55°57′19″N3°06′45″W / 55.9554°N 3.1125°W / 55.9554; -3.1125
Information
Type Nursery school; Montessori
Established1929;97 years ago (1929)
FounderDame Harriet Findlay DBE
GenderCo-educational
Age range2.5 –5 years
Enrolment40 children
Website portobellotoddlershut.org.uk

Portobello Toddler Hut is an early pioneer nursery school in Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland, founded in 1929. The school was officially opened on 14 November 1931 by Dame Harriet Findlay DBE , on "an appallingly wet day". [1]

Contents

Overview

When opened it catered for 40 children from 2 to 5 years of age. Starting at 10am, the older children returned home at midday and the younger ones stayed and had a meal and an afternoon sleep. It was run by a committee of ladies on a voluntary basis. The Education Committee of Edinburgh gave a grant to cover about a third of the costs, with the remaining money subscribed "so that bread-winning mothers may be relieved of the care of their children during the busy part of the day". Montessori methods were used to prepare the toddlers for more formal education. [2] As well as a nursery, the Hut was used for many years as a shelter for children lost on the beach during the summer holidays. [3]

The Toddler Hut is operates from Beach Lane, Portobello, and is the oldest community run, self funded childcare facility in the United Kingdom. [4] [5] In 2012, plans were announced to expand the nursery school and replace ageing facilities. [6] [7] During the COVID-19 pandemic, a fundraising campaign enabled the Hut to remain open. [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Toddler's Hut". www.portobelloheritagetrust.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2019.[ self-published source? ]
  2. ↑ "School where "toddlers" may play and sleep". Edinburgh Evening News. 18 October 1934.
  3. ↑ "Lost children find a way to comfort". Evening Dispatch. 14 July 1955.
  4. ↑ "Storytelling – The UK's oldest playgroup". Forever Edinburgh. 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Home". Portobello Toddlers Hut. Retrieved 29 June 2019.[ self-published source? ]
  6. ↑ "Toddler Hut to be rebuilt after failing energy rating test". The Scotsman . 7 February 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  7. ↑ Holden, John-Paul (11 June 2013). "Portobello Toddler Hut rebuild plan gets boost". The Scotsman . Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "'With friends and neighbours like ours – we feel so much stronger': Historic Portobello playgroup saved by fundraiser". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2 March 2021.


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