Tankersley Parent & Toddler Group has been going from strength to strength for over Five years. The Group was founded in 2004 by local mum, Karen Landimore Birch. After doing some research and canvassing, she realised there was a call for a toddler group, to try and ease the sense of isolation for young families in the area. She obtained funding in the form of a community grant of £4000 then two of her neighbours, Sharon Syson and Marianne Meadows, joined her on the committee. Between them, they did all the necessary paperwork, purchased toys and equipment and the group opened its doors on 24 May 2004.

Louise Walker and Claire Rodriguez Wareham joined the committee in 2005. Louise took the reins from Karen in 2006 and still runs the group today even though her children are both at school!

The group runs in term time from 9.15 to 11.15 on Thursday.

The group caters for children aged 0 – 4, from birth through to starting school.

There is tea and coffee available for parents, and juice and toast for the little ones, all included in the admission charge of £2 per child and 50p per additional sibling per session.
There is a great sense of community spirit at the Toddler Group. Everybody helps to set up the equipment and pack away at the end of the session. Parents all muck in with making the drinks and toast and washing up afterwards.

It’s a great way to get out of the house, meet people and make friends – for the parents as well as the children.

The children can broaden their social skills and build their confidence before starting nursery. The chances are that they will be mixing with other children whom they will start school with.
We have had many positive comments from people attending the group, saying how friendly and welcoming everybody is and that there is a wide range of activities and toys available.

The Welfare Hall is a great place to hold the Toddler Group as there is plenty of space and it is very safe.

There is a baby and toddler area with age appropriate toys and equipment, a soft play area with large foam shapes, a slide, caterpillar tunnel, seesaw, dressing up, books, puzzles, musical instruments, train sets, farm, play kitchen, play workbench, garage with cars, craft tables… something for everyone.
We have parties at Christmas and Hallowe’en which all the parents help to organise and supply the food and decorations.

There's no catchment area and it’s not just mums that come to Toddler Group, it’s dads, grandparents and carers so come and join us for a coffee and a play.