Hi Pat.
I have just finished speaking to my mum,aged 80, about your enquiry.
In 1934 she,her sister,and 2 brothers were put into homes in Croydon after the seperation of her parents.My mother and sister were put into a home which comprised of 4 houses at the London Road end of Mayday road.This home was exclusively for female children.My mother referred to the houses as 1,2,3 and 4.She believes they were the street numbers of the houses.She recalls Crosslands which was about a 5 minute walk away(on small legs).Out of Mayday road,left into London road and about 100-150 yards along on the left.Although there were children there,she cannot recall if they were male or female.From her perspective the building was an admin. centre where her and her siblings went for parental visits and to obtain "new" clothes or to have repairs and alterations arranged.
The buildings of both of these homes were,in time,demolished.
The boys were kept at another home about 10 minutes away from the Mayday road home.This was located on Pawson's road and was within the Poor Law Union Workhouse/Queens Road Hospital site.This home was demolished very recently,as were most of the buildings on this site.I fancy there are going to be some dwellings erected on this site.
Further information may be available from the following site,
www.workhouse.org.uk/index.html?Croydon/Croydon.shtmlI hope this helps.
Regards,
Dave.