Why did you decide to develop a new range of children’s clothing?
I opened my first nursery over 30 years ago, and while working as a manager I noticed clothing for children wasn’t suitable. As adults, we have it sorted; when I do gardening I’ll have comfy dungarees with padded knees that are easy to get on and off. But no one has thought of this for children. Their clothes always seem to have small zips or fiddly buttons which need adult intervention.
How did you go about developing the clothes?
We spent two years working with Lisa Joyce, a designer who has worked with Mothercare, on the fabric, feel, and how it works for child, practitioner and parent. For example, we wanted to create toilet-training-friendly clothes, so the zip goes around the waist. We also want to be inclusive within a nursery environment because sometimes a child might have sensory deprivation and dislike some fabrics, or might have a physical disability.
What have been the main benefits of creating the new range?
You really notice the difference in the children – they are much happier to go exploring knowing they will have the elements kept off them and will stay cosy and warm. The biggest thing for me personally is to be able to pass on information and advice. I would never move away from nurseries entirely, though – they are the most important thing to me.
