PICTURES: Sadness as Susan Isaacs Nursery closes this summer

Generations of Bolton families have enjoyed learning through play at this popular nursery that became an iconic school in the town.

But, sadly, its days are now numbered and 43 years after starting life in Vernon Street it has now seen its last intake of tiny tots.

Once the term ends the front door (with its high door handles designed to be safe from tiny fingers) will be locked for ever.

It opened on June 6, 1973 after moving from Kay Street where it was called Kay Street Nursery.

The new school was named after Susan Isaacs who was born in Bradshaw Brow and was a much revered expert in child care.

She advocated experiential education believing play was the child's work, explains acting head Lydia Benson.

"She was very forward thinking," explains Lydia.

Kay Street Nursery (from which Susan Isaacs was born) opened in August 1930 and would take children from the age of two.

At that time the main focus of "education" for toddlers would be their health.

"We have pictures of children with pot bellies and the youngsters were very working class coming from quite a lot of slum areas. They suffered from rickets and diseases like that," explains Lydia.

It meant the work carried out in the nursery school would, first of all, have to address the medical problems the children had as reports still retained by the school today.

The doctor would visit, it would seem, almost daily to check on the health of the youngsters.

Children were undernourished and from very poor homes.

One little girl named Emily would see an improvement in her health simply due to daily baths, fresh air, rest and security, the reports reveal.

The doctor would visit regularly to assess the tiny tots and ensure they were thriving. They would brush their teeth and see the eye "doctor". During World War Two children would hear air raids, the report book says, and the poor caretaker was, apparently, fined for leaving a light on.

The nursery school was a revolutionary concept. It would provide for youngsters in Bolton who, without it, would be unable to have their needs met, fully, at home.

Until that point there was no "education" or out of home care available for children under school age.

They would sleep in little beds in the afternoon, eat wholesome food and learn social skills that they were, often, severely lacking in.

Today, says Lydia, there is very little difference between the interactions between staff and children than there was decades ago.

Today Susan Isaacs Nursery welcomes children from all walks of life and backgrounds — from all heritages.

Some still require the type of care they did in 1930, others do not.

But what they all require, and still get, is the opportunity to learn so much through play.

Susan Isaacs had a passionate belief in the place of nursery education in society. She felt that attending a nursery school should be a natural part of a child’s early life.

The early years setting was a place that should both mirror the family through love and warmth, as well as offering new and exciting opportunities and resources that might not be available at home.

Susan Isaacs was clear that "the nursery school is an extension of the function of the home, not a substitute for it".

Above all, the nursery setting provided social experiences and companionship that she believed were vital to a child’s development.

Even decades later Susan Isaacs theories were used at the school named in her honour.

Children were looked upon as individuals and their individual needs were considered.

Susan Isaac's theories on education had a contemporary feel to them even though she began working on them almost a century ago.

There has been an outcry to the closure of Susan Isaacs.

"We've taught generations of families. People are upset that we are closing," says Lydia who explains that, in future, youngsters will go to nursery schools at primary schools or private nurseries which have grown in numbers in the past few decades.

One of Lydia's children attended Susan Isaacs as have many children of Bolton families.

Generations of families have been pupils at either Susan Isaacs or Kay Street Nursery.

"We've had parents, grandparents and even great grandparents who have been at Susan Isaacs," explains Lydia.

On Wednesday June 22 there will be an open day at the nursery when all photographs will be on display for former pupils and families to view. This opportunity runs from 2pm to 7pm.

"It is a chance for people to come and reminisce," says Lydia.

After this all photographs and written information will be retained by Bolton Library and Museum archives for future generations.

We are looking for memories of Susan Isaacs from the people who know it best — the children who played there and the parents who took their children every day knowing they were in safe hands.

Get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk and share them with other Looking Back readers.

See next week's Looking Back for more images from Susan Isaacs Nursery and Kay Street Nursery.