History of Lilycroft Nursery School

Lilycroft Nursery School has a long and proud history. Nursery education as a distinct phase began in the early 20th century, led by the pioneering work of Margaret McMillan, a major advocate for children’s health, wellbeing, and early learning.

Margaret McMillan came to Bradford in 1893 at the invitation of the newly formed Independent Labour Party. She was elected to the Bradford School Board and played a key role in shaping national policy, including the Education (Provision of School Meals) Act 1906. She championed medical inspections for children, with the first recorded inspection taking place at Usher Street School in 1894. Bradford also opened the first school bath at Wapping Road Infant School in 1897.

In 1902, Margaret joined her sister Rachel in London, and together they opened the Deptford School Clinic in 1910. Their work highlighted the need for preventative health measures for young children and their families. They went on to establish a Camp School, but Rachel believed strongly that support needed to begin even earlier, saying: “We must begin further back with the children and their mothers before the little ones come to school. Five years old is too late.” This thinking led to the opening of the first open‑air nursery in 1914.

Bradford was the first city to act on the 1918 Education Act, opening Broomfields Nursery School for Roman Catholic families and Princeville Open‑Air Nursery School in 1920. Lilycroft Open‑Air Nursery School followed in 1921, becoming one of the earliest nursery schools in the country.

The first Head Teacher was Miriam Lord OBE, who had trained at the Deptford nursery. Born in Bradford, she came from a family active in the Independent Labour Party. Under her leadership, Lilycroft became a centre of excellence. Visitors from around the world came to see the principles of the new Nursery Movement in action. Miriam Lord wrote widely for educational journals, helping to spread the benefits of nursery education.

In 1929, an HMI for Higher Education wrote: “I am convinced that we… should do better to concentrate on nursery schools, on lines such as yours, than on any other development of education.”

Lilycroft Nursery School was at the heart of the mill workers’ community. It supported families socially, educationally, and medically. Parents tended the gardens, mothers met in the school club, and students from Belle Vue Girls’ School trained at Lilycroft. Miriam Lord also visited families in their homes, strengthening the bond between school and community.

Although the mills have long since closed and the community has changed, many of the original principles of the Lilycroft Open‑Air Nursery remain just as important today as they were in 1921. Parts of the building and gardens still reflect the school’s early days, and we are proud to preserve our heritage.

We are fortunate to still hold a collection of old photographs, registers, and letters that capture the story of Lilycroft Nursery School over the last century. These treasured images show our early buildings, gardens, staff, and the children who once played and learned here.

They offer a wonderful glimpse into our past and the strong community spirit that has always been at the heart of Lilycroft.

Old Photos