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Established in 1997
Serving Tampa, FL
About
About Panda Hugs Academy in Tampa, FL
Panda Hugs is a family-owned-and-operated daycare in New Tampa, FL, that has been serving the Tampa community for more than 20 years. We pride ourselves on being one of the very first child care centers in the area. Many of our staff members have been with us for a dozen or more years. One member even opened the doors with us way back in 1997.
We have always believed that children learn best through play and have designed our education programs on that basis. We are licensed and inspected regularly thru the Hillsborough County Child Care Licensing. Furthermore, we have been a VPK provider since VPK inception in Florida in 2005, offering VPK for 4-year-olds.
Our center accepts ELC School Readiness programs as well as offer discounts to county teachers, first responders, VA staff, USF, and multi-child families.
Take a tour of our child care learning center today to learn more about our programs, including our after-school programs in Tampa. After touring other centers, you will be glad to see us.
This institution prohibits any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
reviews
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My review is based on the tour I received today! What an awesome learning center! So far I love what I see! 1st thought was THANK GOD it’s CLEAN! I love the bright colors and neat classrooms and meeting some of the teachers and getting to see all of the happy children run up to Mrs.Elsa to give her hugs gave me so much reassurance that my babies would love her! She reminded me of my family she knew every child by name was extremely professional and her tenure with the company SHOWED ME that she’s not just here for a check and must truly love what she does! I even asked some of the parents how they have enjoyed the school and how their children like it and everyone and I mean EVERYONE smiled and had such positive things to say. One mother bragged about her 2 year old son being potty trained and a few children didn’t want to leave. I can’t wait for my kids to start here!- Torri Santos Lopes. 8/12/2019![]()
This school is Exceptional, Excellent!!!! My daughter has been there for 3yrs and still in aftercare. Such amazing people, staff is more like family. Tom, Ms. Elsa,Ms. Christina are all wonderful, they treat you child with care as if it was their own. My daughter is now in kindergarten and received an award her 1st 9wks. Teacher was amazed on how much she knew for a kindergartner. My daughter is excelling and received Citizen of the Month award. Panda Hugs helps with reading and homework after school, a lot of help for working parents. I absolutely love this place and recommend to all my friends ☺️- Wolfy The broadway show. 9/11/2018![]()
My kids (age 4 and 2) and I love this school. The whole staff is personable and friendly! My kids are learning so much each day. Thank you for continually providing excellent care for my little ones!- Amanda Marie. 7/13/2018![]()
My little one has been going here for 2 yrs. & we love it here. We love the staff they are great with the kids. will also be enrolling my daughter shortly.- nicole weaver. 11/5/2017![]()
My son had such a great experience here in VPK. Friendly, clean, supervised, and he learned a lot. They cook right there for the kids.- Pamela Vick. 10/15/2017![]()
My son has been going here for 2 years and we love this place!! The facility is clean and the staff are always pleasant.- Shara Cadle. 10/8/2017![]()
From the owner of Panda Hugs in response to the 2 recent reviews. Unfortunately in this forum, reviews are posted regardless of accuracy and are of course just one side of the story. Allow me to comment. Children need consistency, in the review of the unhappy baby (1 year old), the child attended 1 week, then stayed out for 4 weeks. Returned and a short time later left. A difficult adjustment for any child. Regarding the reviewer who thought it "appropriate" to share her experience. Her "experience" was 3 1/2 YEARS ago. Why now, I don't know. As for a teacher kicking her child-that's nonsense. She states she reported it. If so it was determined to be unfounded. A large majority of our teachers have been with us 10 or more years. They love children and have dedicated their lives to children. Please stop in and see our wonderful school and teachers. Thank you- Tom Driscoll. 9/9/2017![]()
From the owner of Panda Hugs regarding "Upset Parent" "review" To all prospective parents. If you read the above review I hope you can plainly see the type of person this is. It's so easy to be anonymous! Note the language and venom and choice of words used to describe human beings. (I will also make a bet that this person left owing lots of unpaid tuition.) By the way, as for not being able to pull your child out until the end of the year--WHY NOT! If as bad as stated would you keep your child there for any reason? We have a saying here that "a conversation changes everything" Our open door policy exists for this purpose. We have been caring for children for over 20 years and what is described above is pure nonsense. Please stop in for yourself and see our wonderful center and staff. You will be glad you did. Thank you very much.- Tom D. 6/11/2017
24 Reviews
