'A special moment for our community' - Chorley's Playdor Nursery School opens new wellbeing space
A nursery school in Chorley says it is
Playdor Nursery School, located at on Chorley Hall Road, recently celebrated the official opening of its new outdoor learning space.
Called The Pandacdemy, it was opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chorley. at an official ceremony held on Monday, March 9.
What is The Pandacademy?
The Pandacademy is a dedicated outdoor classroom designed to support children’s wellbeing alongside their development and learning.
The space provides calm, focused learning opportunities in smaller groups and allows children to step away from the busier nursery environment when they need time for reflection, creativity and meaningful learning experiences.
Playdor added that the Pandacademy was not created to increase occupancy - their nursery currently having no spaces available until summer 2027 - but rather because staff wanted to prioritise children’s wellbeing just as much as their development.
What has the nursery said about it?
Director Cheryl Jordan said: “The opening of The Pandacademy was a special moment for our nursery community, bringing together children, staff, families and local representatives to celebrate the importance of nurturing environments within early years education.”
“As mums ourselves, we have seen how the hustle and bustle of busy learning environments can sometimes feel overwhelming for children. Our own children have experienced this at times, and it made us reflect on how important it is for children to have calm spaces where children can reset, feel safe and continue learning in a way that supports their emotional wellbeing.
“Recently I also attended a book signing with local Preston author Kerri Cunningham, whose new book All of My Days beautifully reflects the emotional journey of motherhood. The book resonated deeply with me, and its message of cherishing childhood moments aligns closely with what we hope The Pandacademy represents. We have placed a copy of the book inside the space as a small reminder of the connection between families, stories and childhood.”