A “special” Charlton nursery with “strong community links” that first opened in World War II has celebrated its 80th birthday.

Charlton’s Pound Park Nursery first opened in 1944 as a temporary building in a bid to help working mothers during the Second World War.

Since opening, the nursery has cared for over 20,000 students, with some of them returning to celebrate the occasion.

On Friday July 19, the nursery celebrated its 80th anniversary with an afternoon of celebrations attended by Mayor of Greenwich Cllr Jit Ranabhat along with staff, parents and students both past and present.

Councillor Jit Ranabhat, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “This is a huge achievement for Pound Park – it’s a nursery which has had such an important impact on the lives of local children, and for so long too. Here’s to 80 more years.”

Among the former students was Beryl, who attended the nursery at a few weeks of age in 1950 and is known to be one of the first students of the current nursery.

Rob Needham, who attended Pound Park in 1960, said: “What a magical day. It was fantastic to travel back down memory lane.

“Although it was 60 years since I stepped foot in the building, I remember it so well.

“I have very happy memories from my time at Pound Park and I was delighted to find it is still such a happy and friendly place today. The staff and all of the children worked so hard to make the day so special.”

Visitors were also able to take a nostalgic look back at the nursery’s long history with a collection of photographs, with some dating back as early as the 1940s.

Today the nursery provides early childhood education for a diverse range of children and their families in the borough of Greenwich, along with activities from music making, forest school and yoga.

Headteacher Solin Flash said: “We are very proud of our history, the strong links we have with our community here in Charlton, and of the role we've played in the lives of so many children and families.  

“It’s so wonderful to see so many people – some who were students here decades ago –celebrate all that Pound Park has achieved. We will continue to forge strong relationships with families – they make us who we are.”