There were big smiles at Pondhu Primary School as pupils, parents, carers and staff gathered to celebrate the official opening of the school’s brand-new nursery.

Special guests, including Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay, town councillors, and St Austell Mayor Colin Hamilton, joined the celebrations, along with excited families keen to see the new facilities.

The opening marks a proud moment for the Pondhu community, with the nursery now offering a caring and creative start to education for local children aged two to four.

Visitors were shown around the bright new classrooms and outdoor play area, where the first group of youngsters were already enjoying story time and hands-on activities in their new space.

Headteacher Rachel Clift said she was thrilled to see the project finally come to life. “We’re absolutely delighted to open Pondhu Nursery,” she said. “Our vision is to give every child the very best start in life in a safe and caring setting.”

The nursery has been made possible thanks to a £150,000 government grant from the School-based Nursery Capital Grant, part of a national initiative to increase childcare places in areas where they’re most needed.

The funding has been used to redevelop the nursery area, creating a high-quality, welcoming environment with plenty of learning resources to inspire the school’s youngest learners.

Speaking at the event, Law praised the project, saying “I am very proud that this Labour government has awarded funding to Pondhu Nursery – and to see the result – a top-notch facility that will support the development of children across St Austell.

“This comes alongside delivery of 30 hours of government-funded childcare, which could save around £7,500 for each local family; as well as the Best Start in Life campaign to create family hubs, free breakfast clubs in every primary school, and the biggest ever expansion in free school meals eligibility.”