1800s Penketh school received major renovation to open as nursery

Retaining all the buildings original features, business partners Rebecca Murray and Gemma Dando have worked tirelessly over the last few months to restore the former Chapel Road school and create a new learning space for families in the area.

The pair, both from Great Sankey, are qualified early years teachers and decided to start their own venture together and bring their own vision of early years learning to life by opening Chapel Road Little Explorers.

Speaking with the Warrington Guardian, Rebecca said: “We started the renovations months ago. The whole building needed gutting and we wanted to do the renovations ourselves.”

Before and after pictures of Chapel Road school (Image: Supplied)
“It’s a very old building, so we have had new windows fitted, a new roof and all the outdoor area has been designed and fitted. We have renovated the inside too,” Gemma added.

The land where the building stands was originally a chapel built in 1818, but due to substantial debt it was sold. A year later in 1861, Penketh Wesleyan Day School was opened – the building that still exists today.

The nursery held an open day and let children experience the new outdoor space (Image: Supplied)
Rebecca and Gemma revealed that the nursery now has an outdoor classroom, sand pit, a mud kitchen and plenty of planters for children to be able to grow and nurture their own vegetables.

They have even designated a specific area for butterflies in the outdoor space.

“Being outside is massively important,” Rebecca explained. “It is a big deal in early years learning.”

Before and after pictures of Chapel Road school (Image: Supplied)
Detailing why the 162-year-old building first captured the attention of the duo, Gemma said: “It is just a beautiful building.”

Rebecca added: “It is better than what we imagined it would be. The kids are at the heart of everything we do.”

The nursery hosted its first open day in July, with parents able to explore the setting and all its new provisions including the baby room, toddler room and pre-school offering.

The nursery held an open day and let children experience the new outdoor space (Image: Supplied)
A ribbon cutting ceremony was also held on the day to officially open the nursery.

Parents interested in learning more or visiting for one of the other up and coming open days can visit the nursery’s social media page on Facebook at Chapel Road Little Explorers.