Smiling Faces Pre-School

Balls, tubes and magnetic holders made problem-solving tangible at Smiling Faces Pre-School in February 2022: children adjusted their constructions to direct balls into a bag. Practical play gives this Falmouth setting its character in that inspection snapshot.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 9 February 2022. It currently caters for children aged two to five, with capacity for 24 children in total.

In February 2022, the pre-school occupied a portable building within school grounds. Its early years foundation stage framework brings learning, development and care together: play supports communication, physical skills and children's growing independence.

During that February 2022 visit, older children practised letters and sounds, used tweezers to lift pom-poms and constructed vehicles from blocks. Younger children shaped animals from play dough. These activities gave children practical opportunities to develop the hand control needed for later writing.

Visual prompts and signing helped children understand speech. Circle time and small-group play gave older children opportunities to hear each other's ideas, while younger children practised passing toys between themselves. However, adult guidance and challenge were uneven, leaving some children insufficiently involved in learning at times.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and found that special educational needs coordinators used professional advice to plan individual children's learning and guide staff support.

In February 2022, settling happened gradually and was adapted to individual children. Children developed affectionate relationships with adults and one another; encouragement and shared routines helped them practise cooperation. Staff informed parents promptly about injuries and accidents.

Regular staff discussions considered individual learning needs. Communication beyond the staff team was less consistent: some parents and other settings children attended were not sufficiently involved in exchanging information. For children dividing their week between providers, that coordination matters.

The address is St. Francis C of E Primary School, Longfield, Falmouth, TR11 4SU. Opening hours are 8am to 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday, during term time, with closure in school holidays.

In February 2022, children brought packed lunches and managed their lunchboxes as part of the daily routine. At that time, the pre-school received funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

The school-ground setting does not guarantee a Reception place. Families seeking a state-school place still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Challenge during play. In February 2022, some children needed more adult guidance or greater challenge. During a visit, ask how staff now extend an activity when a child has mastered it.
• Communication across settings. Stronger information-sharing with some parents and other providers was an improvement priority in February 2022. This matters especially if a child attends more than one setting.
• Term-time timetable. Friday closes earlier than the other weekdays, and school holidays are closure periods. Families need care arrangements that fit both boundaries.

Smiling Faces Pre-School suits families seeking term-time care for children aged two to five within a school-ground setting. Its February 2022 inspection captured practical learning, gradual settling and cooperative routines, alongside clear priorities for more consistent challenge and communication. The earlier Friday finish is a concrete consideration for working families.