What Tops Day Nurseries Is All About
Tops Day Nurseries isn’t just a safe place where kids learn and play — it’s a community that truly cares about their future. It’s a space where growth, happiness, and well-being come first, alongside a strong commitment to the planet they’ll inherit. By creating a nurturing environment focused on reducing the carbon footprint at every turn, Tops is shaping a greener legacy for tomorrow. Caring for children today means caring for their future… and together, it’s about making sure that future is brighter and more sustainable.
The Main Benefits of Choosing Tops
Here’s what makes Tops stand out:
- Flexible, all-inclusive childcare packages ranging from 30 to 50 hours.
- Extended opening hours from 7 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday.
- Multiple funding options to fit parents’ schedules.
- Nursery settings designed with top-notch safety and security.
- Innovative, environmentally sustainable measures that save costs and protect the planet.
- Award-winning bespoke meal planning with no added sugar and sustainably sourced ingredients.
- Employee ownership promoting transparency, motivation, and community commitment.
- Wide range of enrichment activities like cooking school, forest skills, yoga, music, and sports.
- Holiday clubs across Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Devon for kids aged 5-11.
Flexible and All-Inclusive Childcare Packages
Parents can tailor childcare to their unique needs with flexible packages offering 30 to 50 hours of care. The nurseries open early at 7 am and close at 6 pm, Monday through Friday, making it easier to juggle work and family life. Plus, a variety of funding options means families can find the right fit without hassle. It’s all about convenience and peace of mind, wrapped up in one package.
Award-Winning Nutrition That Supports Healthy Growth
Nutrition at Tops is no afterthought. Their talented catering team crafts delicious, nutritious meals every day, including a pioneering Game Menu featuring wild meats like venison. The menus have no added sugar and focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients designed to encourage adventurous eating and support healthy growth. The Catering Manager’s Nursery Chef of the Year Award at the NMT Awards speaks volumes about the exceptional quality of their food.
Employee Ownership and Community Commitment
Being an Employee Owned Trust (EOT) business means Tops promotes ethical ownership and transparency. Staff are genuinely invested and motivated, aligning with the nursery’s values and ensuring business continuity and sustainability. This structure fosters employee advocacy and pride, creating a community-first atmosphere where people come before profits. It’s a model that benefits everyone — children, parents, and staff alike.
Project Impact: Sustainable Development Goals Linked to Tops
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being — through nutritious meals and safe environments.
- SDG 4: Quality Education — by supporting early years education and development.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — via sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly practices.
- SDG 13: Climate Action — reducing carbon footprint and promoting environmental care.
- SDG 15: Life on Land — through outdoor enrichment activities like forest skills.
The Story and Values Behind Tops Day Nurseries
Starting in 1990 with just four children in a small Parkstone nursery, Tops has grown into a vibrant family of nurseries across the south, caring for over 4,000 children. The founder, Cheryl Hadland, was inspired by the plastic pollution she witnessed while diving, which sparked a vision to combine early years education with environmental consciousness. Tops believes the planet is borrowed from children, and it’s everyone’s duty to protect it. Their core values focus on being bravely innovative, empowering children, and building trust with parents — all within a safe, consciously sustainable environment.
