Our 2 to 3 room Ages 2–3
Leaving you for the first time is a big step. In our 2 to 3 room we take time to help your child settle, then build on their first steps in learning with fun activities that suit how they're developing.
A happy first step into learning
A friendly, caring pre-school on Broadoak Road in Ashton-under-Lyne for children aged 2 to Reception age. We've been helping little ones grow in confidence since 2012.
- Ages 2 to 5
- Ofsted registered, rated Good
- Morning and afternoon sessions
- 15 and 30 hour funded places
Two rooms, two stages
Every child moves at their own pace. Our two rooms are set up for where they are now, and where they're heading next.
Our 3 to 5 room Ages 3–5
Here we start first stage phonics, maths and writing, just like a school nursery, so children are ready for Reception. Those who stay with us even get a graduation party to celebrate moving on to "big school".
Learning through play
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children learn by doing, talking, role play and exploring, so we plan fun activities around what interests them. Alongside free play, our staff lead activities that teach new skills, like how to use scissors.
- Playing and exploringTrying things out and getting stuck in
- Active learningKeeping going and enjoying what they achieve
- Creating and thinkingHaving their own ideas and finding ways to do things
Plenty of time outdoors
Our outdoor area has sand and water play, quiet benches and lots of room to run about.
What parents say
★★★★★"My little girl didn't like going into any building before nursery and walked straight in here and settled in straight away. She has come on no end. To any parent looking around and wondering if this is the place, it definitely is!"
★★★★★"Always a warm and friendly welcome. Our children receive a great mix of learning and fun, they feel safe and secure and love the different activities both indoors and outside. We would highly recommend."
★★★★★"My eldest came on leaps and bounds and now my middle daughter is here and just loves it. The teachers listen to any problems and offer advice anytime, and the outside area is so much fun for them!"
Next break
Check our term dates for the full year.
About Little Panda's
A friendly, caring pre-school where children come first.
Our story
Little Panda's opened in 2012 and was rated "Good" by Ofsted within the first four months. We've kept that rating ever since. Our reputation has grown by word of mouth, and before long we needed to open a second room.
Our team is highly qualified and experienced, with a caring nature. All our full-time qualified staff are trained in paediatric first aid and attend regular training to keep our standard of care and knowledge high.
Our aim
To give children from 2 years to Reception age a friendly, caring place to learn. We encourage good social, language and listening skills, and make sure your child is ready for school.
How your child will learn
Our teaching follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which covers seven areas of learning and development. We use the Development Matters guidance to see where each child is and plan their next steps.
Prime areas
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Physical development
- Communication and language
Specific areas
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
Your key person
When your child starts, we watch who they bond with and that member of staff becomes their key person. They'll get to know you both, and you can talk to them about your child at any time.
Learning journey
Each child has a Learning Journey file recording their progress and achievements. It's there for you and your child to look through whenever you like. Just ask your key person.
Tracking progress
When your child starts, you fill in a baseline assessment telling us what stage you see them at. That's our starting point. We also use the WellComm tool to check their communication and language are where they should be.
More from our parents
★★★★★"I can't thank the staff at Little Panda's enough. My son has had the help and support of everyone, he's enjoyed every minute and his little face in the morning lighting up is amazing. Thank you!"
★★★★★"Amazing nursery with very friendly and caring staff who are fully qualified in all areas of childcare, fully first aid trained and have excellent knowledge of special educational needs."
Our team
Experienced, qualified and caring. Every member of staff is DBS checked and trained in safeguarding and paediatric first aid.
Mrs Sharon Walker
Manager and Owner
- Over 38 years' experience in Early Years
- NNEB Nursery Nurse and Level 3 Practitioner
- Designated Safeguarding Lead
- SENDCo
- Communication Champion
- Paediatric First Aid
Mrs Carla Greaves
Deputy Manager
- Over 12 years' experience in Early Years
- Level 3 Practitioner
- Safeguarding Officer
- SENDCo
- Paediatric First Aid
Mrs Gemma Andrew
Early Years Practitioner
- Over 21 years' experience in Early Years
- Level 4 Practitioner
- Safeguarding trained
- Paediatric First Aid
Mrs Zainab Khan
Early Years Practitioner
- Over 4 years' experience in Early Years
- Level 3 Practitioner
- Safeguarding trained
- Paediatric First Aid
Apprentices
We also employ Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices while they complete their training. They work closely with the team and learn from our experienced staff.
Always learning
All permanent staff complete paediatric first aid, food hygiene, health and safety, safeguarding and EYFS training, and we keep up to date with the latest Early Years guidance and legislation.
Fees & funding
How our sessions, prices and funded places work.
Sessions and prices
We're open Monday to Friday, term time only. If you're paying privately, we charge £5 an hour.
Morning
8:30am – 11:30am (3 hours)
Per session£15
Full week (5 mornings)£75
Afternoon
12:30pm – 3:30pm (3 hours)
Per session£15
Full week (5 afternoons)£75
Full day
8:30am – 3:30pm (7 hours)
Per day£35
Full week (5 days)£175
Full day children bring a packed lunch and stay for dinner with us. We ask for a minimum of two sessions a week, as this helps your child settle and learn.
Funded places
Government funding can cover some or all of your child's time with us. Funding usually starts the term after your child's birthday.
15 free hours for 2 year olds
For 2 year olds from families who aren't working, or who receive certain benefits. Tameside will usually send you a postcard if you may be eligible.
30 free hours for 2 to 5 year olds
For working families with children aged 2 to 5. You apply through the government's Childcare Choices service and give us your code.
When funding starts
| Birthday on or before | Funding from |
|---|---|
| 31 August | Autumn term (September) |
| 31 December | Spring term (January) |
| 31 March | Summer term (April) |
How to apply
For 2 year funding, apply online or call Tameside Family Information Service on 0161 342 4260. For 30 hours, apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
Not sure if you qualify? Get in touch and we'll help you check.
Paying fees
Fees are paid on a Monday, or the first day your child attends that week. Fees still apply if your child is absent, except for long-term illness or a hospital stay.
Snack donation
We provide a healthy snack and milk or water every day, and ask for a £1 a week donation towards it.
Pupil Premium
If your child qualifies for free school meals, please let us know. It means we can claim extra funding to support their learning.
Parent information
Everything you need to know before your child starts, plus our welcome pack to download.
Downloads
Getting ready to start
Admissions and waiting list
You can add your child to our waiting list at any time. When a place comes up, we'll contact you with a start date. Some places are given to children referred by other agencies, depending on their needs.
On your first visit you'll fill in a registration form. Please bring proof of your child's date of birth (red book, passport or birth certificate). This is also needed if you're using funded hours.
Settling in
We'll help your child settle when you leave them for the first time. We ask that you stay for a short while at first, then leave them for short periods. Working with you, we'll build up the time as they grow in confidence, until they're happy to stay for the full session.
Uniform
Our uniform is available from the uniform shop on Penny Meadow in Ashton town centre. It's optional in the 2 to 3 room, but we'd like 3 to 5 year olds to wear it so they get used to a uniform before school.
What to bring
- A bag for your child's peg with spare clothes, nappies and wipes, brought in each day
- Comfy clothes that can get messy
- A packed lunch for full day children
Please leave your child's own toys at home, and no jewellery apart from stud earrings.
Nappies and toilet training
Children in nappies should arrive in a clean, dry nappy. We'll change them if needed during the session.
We're happy to help with toilet training once your child can tell when they need to go and is using the toilet at home without accidents. Please avoid belts and tight clothes so they can manage by themselves. Talk to your key person when you think your child is ready.
Snack time and healthy eating
We've earned the Nutrition and Oral Health Award for under 5s every year. Children have a healthy snack and milk or water each day, and choose when they're ready to come to the snack table. We encourage them to help themselves and tidy up after.
Illness and medication
Please keep your child at home for 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea. If your child has a contagious illness, please get medical advice before they come back.
We only give prescribed medicine with the pharmacy label showing your child's name and in date. Where possible, please give doses at home before and after the session.
Keeping children safe
Every child is signed in and out each day. Anyone collecting your child must be over 16, be known to us in advance and give the password from your registration form.
Our doors use a coded entry system, all entrances are locked and monitored by CCTV, and visitors sign in and are never left alone. All staff are DBS checked. Sharon Walker is our Designated Safeguarding Lead and SENDCo.
For the privacy of all families, please don't use mobile phones in the setting. We ask for your consent before using photos of your child in their learning journey or displays.
Our policies
Our full policies are in the welcome pack and in the policy file in the manager's office. They include equal opportunities, behaviour, safeguarding, health and safety, privacy, special educational needs and disability, and complaints.
Tameside's SEND Local Offer is at tameside.gov.uk/localoffer.
Term dates 2026/27
We're open term time only and usually follow the same holidays as local primary schools.
Bank holidays (closed)
Friday 26 and Monday 29 March 2027, Monday 3 May 2027 and Monday 31 May 2027.
Contact us
Come and see us. We're always happy to show you around, answer questions or add your child to our waiting list.
- AddressBroadoak Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8RS
- Telephone0161 830 0510
- Mobile07958 709041
- Emailsharon@littlepandaspreschool.co.uk
- Opening timesMon–Fri, 8:30am – 3:30pm, term time