ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the work of early twentieth-century Christian Socialist reformer Margaret McMillan as a liberatory pedagogue, focusing on her work with disadvantaged children and their families in the nursery she established in Deptford, South London. It draws on archival data collected by Pam Jarvis relating to feedback given by the children, parents and colleagues with whom McMillan worked. The chapter focuses on the genesis of educare: McMillan's life and work. The Education Act 1921 made provision for grants to organise nursery schools for children over two years old and under five years old to be disseminated and overseen by Local Education Authorities. The chapter focuses on the concept of liberatory pedagogy and its relevance to McMillan's work. It also focuses on the impact of McMillan's work and its relevance to contemporary practice. The McMillan sisters' ideals emerged from and remained tightly tied to their deep immersion in Christian Socialism.
