Major Expansion of our Nursery Provision

We have announced an exciting and significant enhancement to our Nursery offering, launching in September 2026, which will see the Nursery welcome children from their second birthday and move to a year‑round model. This expansion follows our merger with King Edward VI School in September last year and reflects the School’s commitment to providing exceptional Early Years care and education for families in Hampshire.

One of the Nursery’s strengths, setting it apart from many local providers, is its location on the edge of the South Downs National Park, within the beautiful 13‑acre grounds of Worthy Park House. Children benefit daily from access to an inspiring natural environment and a breadth of specialist facilities rarely available in standalone nurseries. These include Early Years playgrounds, a purpose-built Sports Hall, sports fields, and Gray’s Wood which has a brand-new canopy which is used as an outdoor classroom come rain or shine! Nursery children also enjoy specialist teaching in French, PE, Forest School, Music and Ballet.

Lucy Brown, Head of Pre‑Prep and Early Years, describes this environment as central to the Nursery’s ethos:

“Our setting gives young children the space, freedom, and specialist teaching that ignites curiosity from the very beginning. Being part of a vibrant school community gives them opportunities, both in the classroom and beyond, that build confidence and joy in learning.”

The new model has been carefully designed to respond to the needs of modern families. From September 2026, the Nursery will operate all year round, offering greater flexibility while maintaining its nurturing approach. Families also benefit from Early Years funding, helping to make high‑quality provision more accessible.

Crucially, the Nursery is open to all families in the community, not only those considering an independent school education in the future. The expansion is rooted in our desire to support local parents and carers by offering a high‑quality Early Years setting that stands confidently on its own.

Alongside the structural developments, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of Miss Anna Clark as Head of Nursery, joining the School in April 2026. Anna is already well known to many families, having taught at Prince’s Mead last year, where she made a strong impression with her warmth, energy, and developing children holistically.

Her Early Years’ experience spans a range of nursery and pre‑school settings, giving her a deep understanding of childhood development and the importance of creating safe, stimulating, and joyful spaces for young children. Anna completed her degree and qualified teacher status at the University of Bedfordshire before beginning her teaching career at a primary school in West Sussex and then in London at Wandsworth Preparatory School, where she also served on the Senior Leadership Team.

Reflecting on her new role, Anna shared:

“I am absolutely delighted to be returning to Prince’s Mead and honoured to be leading the Nursery during such an exciting period of growth. My passion lies in creating environments where children feel valued, confident, and eager to explore the world around them. I cannot wait to work with the wonderful Nursery and Early Years team to develop the setting even further.”

Nursery families also have the opportunity to become part of the wider Prince’s Mead community, with invitations to participate in events run by the Prince’s Mead Association (PMA), including Stay & Plays, the Summer Fete, Fireworks, and, a particular favourite, the Colour Run which all raise money for the Schools’ chosen charities which this year include the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and the Winchester Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Located just north of Winchester, with free onsite parking and convenient access from the A34, our Nursery offers an inspiring, flexible, and community‑centred start to a child’s early education.

Find out more about our Nursery and sign up for the Open Morning on 20th March here.