Mawnan Pre-School

In June 2025, caterpillar observations, rockets made from magnetic shapes and outdoor obstacle courses illustrated Mawnan Pre-School's practical, playful learning. Based at Carwinion Playing Field in Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, it has capacity for 24 children.

At its June 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, found that children made good progress and judged safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest examples combined conversation, creativity and movement, giving children several ways to explore an idea.

In June 2025, children explored insects, discussing a twig-like moth and observing caterpillars becoming butterflies. These experiences gave them something concrete to remember and talk about.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2025 examples included stories, counting, mark-making and physical play. Staff brought books to life through expressive reading, introduced vocabulary and allowed children time to formulate their answers. Younger children experimented with pens; older children practised writing numbers.

Outside, wooden planks and tyres became an obstacle course. A sports session led by an external provider involved tennis rackets and rolling balls, while warm-ups included stretches and star jumps. Indoors, magnetic shapes became rockets and pretend cooking required children to agree who would take each role. Learning involved both making things and working together.

In June 2025, warm staff relationships helped children settle into activities. Children shared toys, waited for turns and used polite language with one another. Staff helped them recognise emotions and persist with challenges, while sign language formed part of everyday communication.

Parents contributed observations about their children's achievements, and staff kept them informed about activities and development. That exchange connected experiences at home with the preschool day.

Independence needed more attention. Children often waited for adults to help at mealtimes or retrieve coats and bags, rather than having opportunities to manage these tasks themselves.

The address is Carwinion Playing Field, Carwinion Road, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 5JD.

In June 2025, opening hours were 8am to 3pm on weekdays during term time. The preschool offered government-funded childcare spaces at that date. That attendance calendar placed its care within the term-time week.

• Everyday independence. In June 2025, children often had to wait for adults to help with mealtime tasks and belongings. Look for opportunities for children to practise these skills during a visit.
• Staff development. In June 2025, staff valued support and coaching but wanted more effective ongoing training. This was an improvement priority alongside children's independence.
• Attendance fit. June 2025 opening hours followed a term-time weekday pattern. What current booking arrangement would fit your family's week?

Mawnan Pre-School suits families drawn to the term-time pattern documented in June 2025 and to learning built around conversation, imaginative play and movement. Its strongest examples were tangible: insects to discuss, shapes to build with and outdoor challenges to tackle. Independence and continuing staff development are the practical points to weigh alongside that positive inspection judgement.