Priestmead Nursery: Sun Class, Moon Class and Little Pegasus

Sun Class and Moon Class give Priestmead’s nursery for three and four-year-olds its morning and afternoon rhythm. This provision has 52 places and sits in the ground-floor Early Phase Village, with a dedicated outdoor play area shared with Reception. Little Pegasus is the school’s separate provision for two and three-year-olds, with capacity for up to 25 children at once. Its capacity can be reduced to reflect staffing and accommodation requirements.

The distinction matters. The older nursery offers short sessions, while Little Pegasus operates a term-time day. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding following its December 2023 inspection; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

A name card goes into the registration box before children begin exploring. In Sun and Moon classes, play starts indoors, with outdoor access usually opening later in the session. Children then choose between activities outside and inside, combining their own ideas with tasks introduced by adults. The outdoor area is part of the learning day, rather than simply a break from it.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes practical form here: learning through play, conversation, movement and shared activities. Short group sessions use number cards and puppets, alongside interactive technology, rhymes and action songs. Children practise listening and speaking while using their bodies and handling resources. Choosing activities gives them opportunities to make decisions and solve problems with adult help.

Fruit time doubles as a chance to discuss ideas. Music and movement connect with children’s interests or the current topic, and everyone helps put equipment away before a quieter story ends the session. Sometimes children choose the book. A separate story may support children learning English as an additional language.

Independence also featured in the December 2023 early years findings: children selected materials and cleared them away, while adults supported pencil grip and cooperation. These are useful foundations for managing learning alongside other children. Little Pegasus also follows the EYFS framework.

Home visits and a gradual start introduce new families to the nursery for three and four-year-olds. Each child has a key worker, but the handbook describes a change each half-term so different staff build a relationship with the child. Families should expect a rotating contact rather than one worker throughout the year.

Tapestry provides a personal online journal with photographs, observations and comments. The nursery handbook provides for two parent meetings annually, with additional teacher appointments possible. That gives families both a continuing record and time for discussion.

Fruit and milk are free for nursery children. Bring a reusable water bottle; nuts and products containing them are prohibited. Toilets connect directly to the classroom, and spare clothing is supplied after occasional accidents. The older nursery expects children to arrive toilet trained.

For additional needs, nursery staff consult the SEND coordinator and discuss support with parents; consent precedes external assessment. Links with Speech and Language Therapists and Educational Psychologists support that process. Little Pegasus’s policy provides for reasonable adjustments for children with SEND.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority under the 2027–28 arrangements. Families must submit a separate application: Harrow residents use its coordinated scheme, while families elsewhere apply through their home local authority. The normal closing date is 15 January.

Little Pegasus also gives no automatic entitlement to the nursery for three and four-year-olds. That move requires another application through Harrow Council.

Transition support is a separate benefit. Children starting Reception are invited to their new classrooms in July, and the school works with its nursery team when assigning classes. Familiarity supports the move; it does not determine admission.

Sun Class runs from 8.30am to 11.30am; Moon Class runs from 12.25pm to 3.25pm. These are the older nursery’s funded 15-hour options, and it currently does not offer 30-hour places.

Little Pegasus operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm, during term time. Funded places depend on age and eligibility, with fee-paying places also offered. Funding covers core hours; optional sessions, meals, trips and extended hours carry charges. Extended provision is subject to availability. Ask the school for current charges.

For enquiries, telephone 020 8907 5434. Adults-only prospective parent tours last an hour on selected Mondays and require booking through the office. The older nursery uniform combines black jogging bottoms with a red polo shirt and Priestmead sweatshirt. A responsible adult must bring and collect children; collection by someone else requires advance written permission.