Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery

c/o Green Ark Childrens Centre, Leander House, Fore Street, Devonport, Plymouth PL1 4DW
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9.5 37 Reviews
  • Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery, Plymouth
Nestled on the edge of Devonport Park, a Grade II registered historical site, Tops Devonport benefits from being a stone's throw from the memorial garden, heritage trail and children’s adventure play park which boasts a sensory garden and is accessible all year.

Highly skilled staff offer a variety of adult-led activities while also allowing children the space to be creative with child-initiated play with natural, sustainable resources.

Tops Devonport is part of the Green Ark Children’s Centre – a SureStart Children’s Centre for children and their families covering Devonport and Stoke.

Children are able to develop at their own pace in a secure setting supported by staff who keep parents up to date with the progress of their child.

This nursery is part of a group that provides the most eco-sustainable childcare and education in the UK, being respectful of the environment and acting to reduce, re-use and recycle resources is an important part of the culture and routine for the children and staff.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Samantha Miller (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 26

Total Places for Children

  • 50

Age Range

  • from 0 years 0 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00-18:00
    Tuesday 07:00-18:00
    Wednesday 07:00-18:00
    Thursday 07:00-18:00
    Friday 07:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day

Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery Reviews (37)

9.5

Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.517) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery has 37 reviews.

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Reviewer Connection to Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery
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Total of 37, showing 21-37
Review from Katie-Marie P (Mother of Child) published on 26 October 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff are amazing with my 2. Very supportive with the children's needs. Very flexible and understanding. Children love coming to nursery and learning within Tops Day Nursery.
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Review from Danielle P (Mother of Child) published on 26 October 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has been great with my child and me, always helping when I need it, by last-minute calls I give them and ask for my daughter to go in. They have very good communication and always happy and friendly staff. The hours are very flexible and always happy to help when they can. Management is
definitely the best it's been and I highly recommend Tops Nursery to everyone I speak to.
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Review from Shireen P (Mother of Child) published on 20 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Two of my girls joined this nursery during lockdown and it was only meant to be temporary until their other nursery reopened. But once they settled and became so happy with their new nursery I couldn’t change them back to the other one. They both have come on leaps and bounds since joining Tops. The
staff are so friendly and are always willing to help. My Mum died during lockdown and I needed help at nursery last minute and they managed to have them in full time for the whole week whilst I made arrangements at home. The girls are always asking ‘how many sleeps until nursery’.
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Review from Laura D (Mother of Child) published on 15 September 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I couldn’t be happier that I chose Tops Devonport for my daughter! Being her sole carer, and with lockdown meaning it’s been only the two of us 24/7 for over 4 months, I was very nervous about leaving her with strangers. However, she has settled amazingly well and I can’t thank the whole team enough,
they’ve really gone the extra mile to smooth the transition for her (and for me, always checking that I’m ok too). Everyone is kind and attentive, and I completely trust in them that my daughter is in safe hands, and being very well cared for. 100% recommend, especially if perhaps your child is highly attached as mine is; they really have taken away the worries I had initially, and I can see nursery is already helping her to thrive and build her confidence, it’s so reassuring for me to see. Thank you all.
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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Nursery are really understanding of my circumstances and do everything they can to help me.
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Review from Katie T (Mother of Child) published on 11 March 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I'm a true advocate for if my child is happy then that makes me happy. My daughter loves going into nursery. She is an outdoors child so the free flow garden was a definite winner.
Sadly during the short time that my daughter has been going there has been a high turnover of staff including management.
I'm hoping the new management team will change this turnover.
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Review from Liz R (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have 2 children at this nursery and both of them love coming here. They are always learning something new and going on trips within the community. The staff are all incredible, they are always so positive and full of encouragement, they really build the kids confidence and teach them invaluable life
skills and values.
I love their focus on being eco-friendly and the menus are so exciting and give the kids the opportunity to try such a variety of foods. This is one very special nursery.
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Review from Sharon F (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Would recommend Tops Devonport to anyone looking for a safe and fun environment for their little one.
My son loves the staff, the facilities and the variety of activities on a daily basis.
The staff are all amazing and care for the children.
I love they go to the local residential homes, parks
and libraries.
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Review from Sophie (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son (15 months old) has been going to Tops at Devonport for about one month now, initially, he found it difficult to settle (not having left my side since he was born!), but he is now enjoying his time there (some tears some mornings, but it is still early). I receive lots of updates to reassure
me that he is happy and joining in with activities and playing and daily reports on food eaten etc. which I am very happy with. All of the staff are really friendly. Highly recommend.
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Review from Kelsey-Ann (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff are lovely and friendly and I get information if something happens to my little one. My little one seems to like the staff which is great. I like the fact I get talked to about my little one as I do like to hear about her day as my little one doesn’t really give me that much information.
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Review from Emma B (Mother of Child) published on 23 July 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child is ready to leave for school this summer and that wouldn’t be possible without the patience and outstanding guidance from the staff at Tops - Devonport, she has always enjoyed coming to this nursery from age 2 and is going to miss the staff terribly as will I!
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Review from Fiona S (Mother of Child) published on 22 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My partner and I are really pleased with Tops Day Nursery - Devonport. Our son has come along way since he started nursery, as he was so quiet and didn't join in activities. He has now come out of his shell, he has started with a few words, he joins in with songs and stories. He loves all the staff
and he loves playing outside.
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Review from Lauren C (Mother of Child) published on 12 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since my daughter started at nursery she has really blossomed and has gained a huge amount of confidence. She enjoys going to nursery and taking part in the fantastic activities playing with her friends. She learns something new every day whether it's a new word, sing or Makaton sign. The staff are
really caring and my daughter feels safe and happy.
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Review from Cheryl B (Mother of Child) published on 25 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
When the nursery got took over from the previous one we had a lot of issues. To the point where we looked at other nurseries but our child wanted to stay at Tops because she loves the staff members. The issues got sorted out and ever since the staff members have been amazing and so supportive not only
to our child but to us as well, the parents.
I have marked the management as poor as since our child started almost 2yrs ago there have been 4 different managers and there currently isn't one in place.
Our child seems very settled here and loves being here. Our child has a great relationship with all the members of staff. Which makes us feel better. We can ring as much as we want during the day to find out how our child is which makes us feel more at ease.
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Review from Katherine T (Mother of Child) published on 24 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Both my boys attend this nursery, one in the baby room and the other in preschool. My main requirement for a nursery is to ensure that my children feel loved and cared for. Staff here more than fulfil this requirement. I am confident when leaving them that they are going to have a fun day. I strongly
approve of the nursery’s gently discipline; they have structure and routine, there is no ‘time out’ or ‘naughty step’, positive behaviour is modelled and reinforced, challenging behaviour is considered empathetically with age-appropriate expectations.


There has been a huge investment in resources and the gardens are being used much more effectively.


Despite a number of changes in management over the past year, nursery staff have kept a consistent and welcoming environment.


I am very happy with the overall care that my children receive at this nursery and wish to send my thanks to all the staff that work so hard there.

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Review from Oliver C (Father of Child) published on 24 June 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The nursery has been fantastic when starting getting our little girl into nursery. The staff are wonderfully welcoming and very quickly build a good rapport with the children. Though it’s still early days, our little girl is very happy there.
It is always bright, airy and friendly.
The staff are
very well organised and really take the stress out of having to send your little one to childcare.
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Review from Imogen (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy has been going to this nursey since the age of 20 months.
He is thriving now because of this nursey, all staff are very friendly and excellent with the children, I highly recommend.
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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.517)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.517) out of 10 for Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 8 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.6 out of 5 from 8 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.917 for Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (89 Excellents x 5) + (6 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 96 Ratings = 4.917
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 4.6 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Tops Day Nurseries: Devonport Nursery is based on 8 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 3.8
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 50 number of registered child places is 10. 8 Positive Reviews ÷ 10 = 0.8
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (8)

Meet the Team (1)

Ciara

Ciara Lightburn

Job Title: Senior Nursery Manager Joined: 2021

1.   Level 5 in early years/ level 3 SENDCO


2.   16 years


3.   Holidays/weekends away and spending time with my family and friends

4.   I am from Manchester and moved to Plymouth with my husband who was transferred here with the Army

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