Niel Pearson Nursery

Following months of alterations and refurbishment to both the interior and exterior of the premises, the Niel Pearson 35-place pre-school day nursery for infants from the age of 3 months officially opened on 1 September 1975 with 25 infants.

Its focus was on, though not exclusively, infants of African Caribbean descent, who made up a large part of the catchment area. This was the first provision of its kind in Manchester.

A major requirement put in place by the Trustees was that children entering Reception in primary school should have attained certain minimum levels in the 3Rs. This was the first preschool facility in Manchester to adopt such a feature.

On 31 January 1984, West Indian ethnic food was introduced into the nursery diet to suit the culinary requirements of many children of African Caribbean heritage. The practice was later adopted by the City Council in its own day nurseries. Niel Pearson Nursery was the first preschool facility in Manchester to implement this feature.