# The Lantern Preschool

The Lantern Preschool is a sessional pre-school at The Old Village Hall, Canford Magna, WIMBORNE, BH21 3AF, in Canford Magna, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole. It is registered for 20 children. Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection in January 2022, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-lantern-preschool-ey451162  
Last checked 4 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Sessional pre-school
- Address: The Old Village Hall, Canford Magna, WIMBORNE, BH21 3AF
- Registered places: 20
- Phone: 01202 639263
- Website: https://thelanternchurch.org/preschool
- Ofsted URN: EY451162

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection on 24 January 2022, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Good
- Behaviour and attitudes: Good
- Personal development: Good
- Leadership and management: Good

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY451162

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since August 2012 (Reference EY451162). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY451162)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 24 January 2022). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY451162)
- Registered places: 20 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY451162)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: The Old Village Hall, Canford Magna, WIMBORNE, BH21 3AF

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=50.787300,-1.956550

- 4 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: The Green, 0.3 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.4 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole there are about 3.2 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings


## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merley First School | Primary | 5–9 | Good (November 2023) |  | 0.7 miles |
| St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne | Primary | 5–9 | Good (January 2023) |  | 1.3 miles |
| Hayeswood First School | Primary | 5–9 | Good (November 2023) |  | 1.3 miles |
| Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School | Primary | 5–9 |  |  | 1.4 miles |
| Bearwood Primary and Nursery School | Primary | 2–11 | Standards maintained (January 2025) | yes | 1.4 miles |
| Beaucroft Foundation School |  | 4–19 | Good (November 2023) | yes | 1.5 miles |
| Colehill First School | Primary | 5–9 | Good (March 2023) |  | 1.5 miles |
| Wimborne First School and Nursery | Primary | 2–9 | Good (July 2024) | yes | 1.8 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Down in The Woods Pre-School Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/down-in-the-woods-pre-school-ltd-ey350656) | Outstanding |  |  | 0.5 miles |
| [Tops Day Nurseries - Wimborne](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/tops-day-nurseries-wimborne-156231) | Report card May 2026 |  |  | 0.9 miles |
| [Happy Feet Nursery & Pre-School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/happy-feet-nursery-and-pre-school-2794925) |  |  |  | 1.1 miles |
| [St John's Pre-School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/st-johns-pre-school-ey362707) | Good |  |  | 1.3 miles |
| [Chrysalis Montessori Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/chrysalis-montessori-nursery-ey479461) | Good |  |  | 1.3 miles |
| [Colehill Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/colehill-nursery-ey296236) | Good |  |  | 1.5 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is The Lantern Preschool's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated The Lantern Preschool Good at its inspection on 24 January 2022, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can The Lantern Preschool take?

The Lantern Preschool is registered with Ofsted for up to 20 children at any one time.

### How do I contact The Lantern Preschool?

You can call 01202 639263 and visit thelanternchurch.org.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY451162)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.