Woman retires from Brighton nursery after 43 years

Julie Radmall, from Woodingdean, began working at the Roundabout Nursery in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, in 1980 as her first job, aged 18.

After having her first child in 1983, Julie was forced to leave the nursery in 1985 due to childcare issues, before re-joining a year later in 1986. She has worked at the nursery ever since.

Julie, now 62, said: “Since I have been there I have seen Whitehawk be developed.

“I have seen the infant school and the junior school be knocked down and rebuilt.

“It’s all changed completely. I have watched it develop and I have grown up with it.”

Julie even came up with the name of the nursery when it separated from the school it was joined with, citing her inspiration as The Magic Roundabout children’s TV show.

Julie and her colleagues at the nursery in Whitehawk (Image: Roundabout Nursery) Julie added: “I love being part of the company.

“I just really like working there and with the children. One of the things I love is being able to say ‘I used to look after your mummy or daddy or brother or sister’.

“Even on my last day one of the parents said ‘I thought you would be here for ever’. It meant a lot to me really.

“I will miss it. I don’t think it has sunk in. I thought I would be there for ever too.”

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Deborah Taylor, manager of the nursery, said Julie has been an integral part of the family there for the 40 years that she has worked alongside her and that she is “devastated” to lose her.

She said: “She is the kindest, gentlest soul you could ever meet.

“All the children that are struggling to settle in go to Julie. She is a mum to all really.

“She never has a bad word to say about anyone and she is a really fun person.”

Julie and her retirement cake (Image: Roundabout Nursery) Deborah said Julie has had a big impact on the Whitehawk community, having cared for multiple generations of families.

She said: “I think we’re on the third generation of families now.

“The families come in to pick up their children and say ‘are you really still here’.

“We work with some of the most disadvantaged children being in Whitehawk. She has made such a difference to a lot of the children and their outcomes.

“We do not want her to go, the staff will miss her. She is like everybody’s mum, she was always looking after everybody.”

The nursery celebrated Julie’s hard work and dedication with two parties on Thursday, October 24.

Julie will now spend more time with her dad, husband and two sons, Kris and Sam, who she says she is extremely proud of.