A NURSERY nurse whose former pupils include three of her school’s current teachers has retired after guiding thousands of youngsters through their first steps into education.
Carole Scholes started at Summer Lane Primary’s nursery in 1982 when the school was known as St Matthew’s Infants. She had been at Littleworth Lane’s nursery before that.
She estimates more than 2,000 children have gone through the nursery in her 36 years at Summer Lane, as there are 52 new children every year now, but for many years there were 90 children a year who joined through three intakes.
“I am really sad to be leaving,” said Carole, 66, of Elmhirst Lane, Silkstone. “I have absolutely loved my career and made wonderful memories. But I’ll be 67 in June so I want to be able to spend more time with my daughter and grandchildren, and my mum is nearly 92 and needs me a little bit more now.
“I’ve worked with some really lovely people and some wonderful children, and I really will cherish the memories.”
Among the children she has cared for are three current teachers at the school, including the assistant head teacher. She has also cared for many children of her grown-up former pupils.
“When children come to visit the nursery before they actually start with us, they sometimes cry because they don’t want to leave. I always say the same thing to the parents - ‘that’s the best way to leave, wanting more’. And that’s exactly how I feel, leaving wanting more.”
Carole retired on Wednesday.
