Linda hangs up her messy mat after 40 years
Big year as nursery worker retires at 70
It was an emotional day for Linda
A West Lothian nursery worker who had a career spanning four decades has finally decided to retire after a fulfilling career.
Linda Borthwick, is experiencing a massive year having celebrated her 70th birthday and retiring after 40 years and is now looking ahead to her golden wedding anniversary this June.
The nursery practitioner says that she has been inundated with well wishes and was able to hold back the tears when she marked her retirement on March 28, 2024 – that was until she was handed a book with the handprints of the children she cared and touching messages.
She admits that retirement has not really sunk in but has encouraged those looking to start a career in the early years to jump in and adds that her job was immensely ‘fulfilling.’
Working in the Livingston community for decades, Linda has cared for generations of families – often meeting grannies as parents and looking after their children then their grandchildren.
“I don’t feel like I’m retired yet due to the school holidays – I’m sort of still in term time calendar mode at the moment,” she said. “I started out at Livingston Station playgroup back in 1984 after taking up a role on the parent committee.
“I worked as a play leader for 21 years and I loved it before I moved to Deans under-fives and then Deans North
Nursery. I was 30 when I started out in the industry after being an at home parent but I always loved kids so it felt like a natural move.
“I’ll miss the kids and that is definitely what will be the hardest part but I also think they will miss me. I was in a shop in the centre and a wee boy shouted at me ‘I want my Linda back’ which was nice but my granddaughter got really embarrassed.
“I love all the kids I’ve cared for to bits. I was showered with amazing gifts and kind words from the kids, their parents and my colleagues.
“I thought I did very well not to cry but when they gave me a book with all the kids’ comments in it and their handprints, I said ‘right, you got me now.’
“I would recommend a career in childcare to anyone but it is harder now than it was when I started. Some of the children can be more challenging and the paperwork is really burdensome.
“The role gives you so much satisfaction and working with children at that age, when they are still so innocent and honest, is lovely.”
Linda is mother to three boys, Stuart, Iain and Gareth and six grandchildren, Chloe, Jordyn, Taylor, Ryan, Rebecca and Tommy – with Jordyn expecting a child of their own soon.
Her husband David has been retired for 12 years and the couple have enjoyed volunteering at the stock cars in Cowdenbeath together.
She admits that she has no idea what her retirement will have in store but says that she is not someone for sitting still.
“I was going to retire quite a few times in the past but I always changed my mind as the thought of sitting around doing nothing was difficult,” she said.
“I think I might volunteer at the local school and try to keep my hand in but in all honesty I’ve not really thought about what is next.
“We have held off on going to the Lakes on holiday just due to the weather and with how it is now I have no idea if we will get down there. I have a few friends who do a walking group so I’ll maybe join them.
“All my grandkids are grown up now with the youngest 14. They’re looking after me now and not the other way around.”
I love all the kids I’ve cared for to bits. I was showered with amazing gifts and kind words from kids, parents and colleagues Linda Borthwick