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The Charnwood Story
The story of Charnwood began nearly 40 years ago when Grace Wyatt started a playgroup in her own home. This remarkable lady was simply putting her Christian principles into action. She worked on the conviction that all children are of equal value and worth. So she took children with disabilities into her playgroup alongside able children. In those days it was unheard of to educate able and disabled children together. She was pioneering the idea of integrated nursery education, or inclusive education as it is now called.

Grace Wyatt’s playgroup soon outgrew her home and moved into its own accommodation. In October 1973 The Charnwood Trust was established to oversee the nursery. Then in 1979 today’s purpose-built nursery was opened, thanks to the generosity of hundreds of individuals and businesses across the North West.

Over the years the value of inclusive education for children and their families has been recognised. It was evident in Charnwood, and is now the policy of successive governments. Charnwood has had an important part to play in establishing the principle of inclusion in Stockport and beyond.

In 1986 Brenda Kyle came to Charnwood as Principal, followed by Jean Lee in 2000. The work has extended to the point where today around 250 children a week come through the doors. Of these, about one third have a serious disability. There are 28 full time and part time staff. The same Christian principles are at work, concern for the whole family, and the absolute value of every child, whatever their level of ability. Charnwood still seeks to be a pioneer in the quality of care it offers to children and their families.

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