The pre-school made for childhood
This morning. This patch of sunlight on the floor. The marvel in a child’s eyes as they watch the seeds of a dandelion clock blow away in the breeze.
HERE&NOW is made for these moments.
HERE&NOW opens on Overton Drive in Wanstead this September 2026
A new pre-school with a new view on childcare. We are opening a space that prioritises children in every situation, one that meets your child where they’re at and encourages them to be exactly as they are.
A space where muddy boots are welcomed and every corner is waiting to be explored. This is your chance to join us from the very beginning in Wanstead.
Our values
Inspire curiously
Love unconditionally
Live slowly
Care completely
Exist kindly
Embody fully
Hi there, I’m Hannah. Founder of HERE&NOW.
If you told me at the start of my corporate career I’d be on this journey, I wouldn’t have believed you. I’ve always loved children and I’ve worked with them throughout my life, but it wasn’t until Pearl, our precious daughter, arrived that something shifted. I was so excited to go back to work, but I felt physically torn between the career I loved and the daughter I wanted to be with.
I know first hand how important it is to find the right pre-school for your child. When we were looking for Pearl I noticed something. Although many pre-schools came across as professional and organised, they also felt transactional. Staff were limited or with high turnover and there seemed to be a collective understanding that this was just the way things were. In today’s world, everything moves so quickly; rushing childhood and speeding up the moments we once savoured. Where was the pre-school that allowed room for children to just be children? The space where they could be truly nurtured, not just academically, but emotionally, mentally and physically. Where they had time to fully be themselves. It didn’t seem to exist. So I decided to create it.
I built HERE&NOW for children. I built it for the pre-school caregivers who are so often underpaid, overworked and not recognised for the critical work they do in nurturing our collective futures.
And finally, I built it for you, the parent or caregiver. Together, we’re recreating the “village” it takes to raise a child, that is still so very needed. I’d love you to join me on this journey.
What ages does HERE&NOW take?
18 months - 3 years
As your toddler grows into their unique personality, we encourage the moments that shape who they are. Their questions and curiosity, the way they see the world; we help inspire their creative imagination and personal awareness of their own emotions.
3 years - 5 years
As you begin thinking about school, we help your child grow at their own pace. By providing a safe space where they can be who they are, we help your child be confident, kind, and secure in who they are and their place in the world as they journey towards writing their next chapter at Reception.
Register your interest
Frequently asked questions
We welcome toddlers and young children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years. We separate children into age ranges to ensure they have the best care and attention for their needs but we will also never rush a child to move up a class if they’re not quite ready yet.
We are open Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during term time.We also run a supper club Monday through Friday outside of those hours until 6 p.m., and holiday care is available during all school holidays for all community families. As a small team, we can only offer a number of spaces for out of hours care, so get in touch – they fill up quickly!
We certainly do. Please reach out to us via our registration form, and we can guide you through the options tailored to your specific needs.
HERE&NOW is located in Wanstead. You can find us on Overton Drive down a treelined path next to St Mary's Church, in the grounds of the beautiful Wanstead Cricket Club and Clay Courts.
To get to us by public transport, we are under a 10-minute walk from Wanstead tube station, or there are many bus lines that stop near Wanstead Cricket Club, including: 137, 171, 273, 33, 423, 64, 86, W13, N8, W12, N55, 101, 66, and W19. If you’re driving, we have ample parking, and buggy, scooter, and bike bays.
We will also be opening additional sites in the coming year, so stay tuned!
To join the waitlist or register your interest, we just need a few details from you. You can find the form here.
Each child has their own personality, likes, and dislikes, so our days are led by the children, and we centre our activities and rest time around their individual needs. If your child is curious and energetic, they may spend more time playing outside and making friends. If they’re more reflective, they might prefer more quiet time with their caregivers.
We anchor our day around a shared lunchtime. Children and staff members share lunch together around a single dining table. We also allow time for all children to care for their bodies, hearts, and minds. This means encouraging ample time outdoors, rest, gratitude, and emotional understanding alongside daily activities.
Alongside our daily play, rest, and discovery practices, we offer a range of enrichment activities in and outside of our pre-school. We take part in local community volunteering and monthly culture outings, as well as holding weekly yoga and breath work/meditation sessions, gardening, tennis, cricket, and golf. We welcome all children who are curious and wish to try something new to take part.
We keep our staff to child ratio well above the statutory floor, and only have 36 children at our Wanstead site. This is to ensure the highest level of care, as we are a small team.
Our 18 months - 3 years room has 8 places, with a 1:3 ratio (versus the statutory floor of 1:4).
Our 3 years - 5 years room has 28 places, with a 1:6 ratio (versus the statutory floor of 1:8).
We are a small and dedicated team. Most of our team live locally in Wanstead. Everyone who works here fully embodies our values and is committed to creating a safe and loving environment where children come first. We care for our team and strive to see them succeed. We are London Living Wage employees and all our employees benefit from paid training and career progression alongside generous holiday, sick pay, and pension contributions (something our Founder, Hannah, has come to learn is not the norm in all preschools).
© HERE&NOW Preschools 2026 | Company number 17241631
