Portobello Toddler Hut

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]

• Official website

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