Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery

Middlefield House, Marlott Road, Gillingham SP8 4FA
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7.8 68 Reviews
  • Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery, Gillingham
Tops Gillingham is a friendly, active day nursery in Gillingham, Dorset.

It caters for children from three-months-old until they are ready to start school. Tops Gillingham also offers an after school and holiday club service for children aged from 5 years old to 11 years old.

The nursery prides itself as being a special place to which children of all ages love to come; feeling safe, secure, valued and cared for by each other and by committed and motivated staff.

Outside there is an enclosed garden in which children can play, plant and potter. 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.

Tops Day Nurseries has recently introduced a number of extracurricular activities such as Tops Cooking School, Tops Forest School, meditation, yoga, Rugby Rangers, Boogie Mites, tooth brushing and much more.

Tops Gillingham can offer funded hours which is available for two, three- and four-year-olds.

While each child is at Tops Gillingham, families are more than happy to call as often as they like to talk to a member of staff about your child and their day at nursery.

During a child’s day at nursery, staff will record important information to share with families, such as sleep times/nappy changes and information about milk/food intake. This information is added to a daily report which is submitted onto EYLOG.

Tops Day Nurseries has introduced a no-added sugar menu to all nurseries, ensuring children start their time at nursery with a nutritional, healthy diet.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Natasha Holgate (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 28

Total Places for Children

  • 98

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00-19:00
    Tuesday 07:00-19:00
    Wednesday 07:00-19:00
    Thursday 07:00-19:00
    Friday 07:00-19:00

When Closed

  • Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day

Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery Reviews (68)

7.8

Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery has a Review Score of 7.8 (7.751) out of 10, based on 4 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery has 68 reviews.

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Date Published
  • 68
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Reviewer Connection to Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery
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Total of 68, showing 41-60
Review from Susannah H (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My son has a very varied and fulfilling time at nursery. He can count to 13, knows his colours, some shapes and doesn't stop talking. He's always very happy on the walk home when I ask him how his day has been.
The staff are lovely, they're very professional and have a real connection with him and
his friends. If I moved from the area I would still keep my son at Tops Day Nursery Gillingham.
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Review from Steve T (Father of Child) published on 8 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter began attending Tops Gillingham at 9 months old. Since that time I have seen her develop in every aspect much quicker than I think would have been the case thanks to the use of a wide range of activities. I am impressed with the use of everyday objects in the Explorers room to give my
daughter a real sense of the world around her for example. The staff are dedicated, friendly and knowledgeable and offer a superb nurturing environment for my little one. I am impressed with the use of technology through the use of the ILOG app. I am able to see exactly what my daughter has done that day, from what she has eaten to how long she has slept. I am also able to see an observation record from the staff which relates to developmental milestones that have been noted.
I would thoroughly recommend this nursery to anyone with the knowledge that any child here has a safe, warm and educational experience. Well done Tops Gillingham and thank you.
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Review from Zoe F (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has not long started Tops Day Nursery in Gillingham, the staff were great with helping him settle in, and put my mind up ease when leaving him too! They regularly update the eyLog with photos and when I’m at work it puts a smile on my face to see that my son is happy. He has come on leaps and
bounds, both socially and emotionally, for the 3 1/2 months he has been there and we cannot thank the staff enough.
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Review from Lauren C (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All staff are lovely and my child always comes home happy and loves going to nursery, always new things in the nursery to encourage learning.
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Review from Joanna P (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter thoroughly enjoys Tops. There is always a range of interesting activities and the staff take the time and make an effort to understand and help each child.
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Review from Sharon C (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have 2 children that attend nursery and I am extremely happy with the care that they receive. The activities and resources planned are constantly changing to keep things fresh and new.
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Review from Alison H (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We love and trust this nursery and its staff. My child has flourished and we really appreciate the time the staff take to nurture her. We also like the information we get about her day through the app and pick up chats.
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Review from Victoria M (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very supportive and knowledgeable staff. Great facilities and like the emphasis on getting out with the kids.
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Review from Sara W (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My eldest son has been at this nursery since he was 5 months old and has just celebrated his 3rd birthday whereby he has moved up to the Preschool room. He actually moved up a week earlier than planned as he decided on his birthday that he was a big boy and wanted to go straight into Preschool! The
staff were great and happily allowed him to move rooms early and so far he has settled in brilliantly (even though he already knows all the staff and most of the older children!). That's one of the great things about this nursery, the staff know all the children regardless of which room they are "normally" working in and they couldn't be more lovely and caring to my two boys who both love being there and sometimes don't want to come home!
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Review from Jennifer L (Mother of Child) published on 24 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter can’t wait to go to Preschool every day! The staff at Tops are always pleased to see each and every child that turns up and the children, them. There are always different activities for the children to get involved with. I love that the children are allowed to get mucky in the mud kitchen
and generally have fun. Every day when I collect I receive feedback on my child’s behaviour, whether she has done well at something and how much cooked lunch she ate and whether she enjoyed it.


The staff are always very attentive and in tune with each child’s personal needs.


You couldn’t choose a better group of people to look after your most precious possession!

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Review from Lisa W (Mother of Child) published on 23 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Two of my children have attended this nursery. One still does. I cannot praise this nursery enough, my child is happy to go and looks forward to going. He is now in the preschool, the staff there are amazing. They are so friendly and welcoming. He is learning and loves learning, he particularly loves
to go out and play in the fantastic garden.
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Review from Carla P (Mother of Child) published on 24 October 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending this nursery for many years now and thoroughly enjoys all the activities. The staff are amazing! So friendly and I have always felt very confident in leaving my daughter in their care.
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Review from Anna P (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are fantastic! My daughter who is now 14 months loves it. They do so much with them and she always sleeps well after a day there! Nothing is too much trouble and they are been so flexible with our work shift patterns which is very rare for a nursery so I've been told. But overall my baby is
happy so I'm happy ??
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Review from Amy W (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I am really happy sending my baby boy here! Things I love about the nursery:


- The staff really like babies and the babies really like them.
- They make me feel welcome to hang out as long as I like and never make me feel stupid to call and check on my baby (again!)
- They change the room around

all the time so the babies get lots of stimulation as well as lots of spaces to feel nurtured.
- There is not lots of plastic everywhere, instead lots of natural colours and interesting things to do.
- The manager is very professional and flexible in supporting my needs and the team accommodate my requirements with such ease.
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Review from Laura L (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Working full time, you realise that the nursery staff see your child more than you do, so essentially they're the ones teaching your child, especially academically, the things they need in order to grow and progress to school. They have a lot of responsibility and I wouldn't trust anyone else to do
it. The staff really care for the children and they invest a lot of time getting to know them, which is so nice and reassuring to know that your child is going to be ok when away from you. My boys love going and are so animated when telling me what they did.
Reply from Melanie Lockyer, Manager at Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery
Thank you for such a lovely review.
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Review from Hannah G (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started at 6months of age and I was really worried about him settling. The staff are so reassuring and my son has blossomed into such a bright, confident character! He adores the staff who are involved in his care and couldn't be more grateful for all their hard work and attention to detail.
They offer a good variety of nutritious food and excellent resources for the children to explore. The nursery is lovely, clean and has a friendly, inviting atmosphere. Couldn't recommend the nursery enough.
Reply from Melanie Lockyer, Manager at Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery
Thank you very much for such a lovely review.
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Review from Nicole (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
I had been a parent at this nursery from 2009. I loved this nursery from then until it was taken over by Tops. This is when, in my opinion, things started to go downhill. Bills were never correct. They were sent out without being checked. Every month I would have to phone in with the same issue;
it would be amended but it did get frustrating and I know that I was not the only parent to have this issue. Management did not respond to an e-mail I sent with concerns regarding fee increases etc., this is really when I felt that the nursery had turned into more a business than a childcare facility. The staff turnover increased significantly when the nursery was taken over - almost a new face each week with a familiar face or two gone. This was unsettling for both the children & the parents. Feedback was satisfactory after a session but I did notice the eylog observations, which I had enjoyed, had decreased in frequency quite dramatically for the last few months my child was enrolled.
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Review from Victoria S (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter moved here after Childminder retired. We spent time looking at all available nurseries in the area, and Baby Grows Day Nursery stood out straight away with the cleanliness, friendliness of staff, creative additions in the rooms, the outdoor secure space and the confident management on site.


She has been there for 15months now and loves all the staff. She has confidence with everyone and is being guided well through educational milestones. She is exceeding expectations and is always making us proud with her achievements, made possible by the dedicated staff and key worker she has had.


I always recommend Baby Grows as I feel the all round environment is perfect for little people. Brooke has made treasured friends, has learnt to socialise perfectly, has blossomed from toddler to little girl and is always ready and excited to go on her days!

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Review from Helen L (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Babygrows for 2 years and, after a very unsettled start, now loves it thanks to the extremely supportive and patient staff. They all went out of their way to make her feel comfortable and at home. The activities they do are varied and she always comes home with something
she has made. The nursery itself is clean and safe. I would definitely recommend to other parents.
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Review from Hayley F (Mother of Child) published on 3 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After an extensive look around all of the nurseries in the local area, we decided on Baby Grows. All the staff are so friendly, welcoming and very attentive to the children. My eldest settled in so easily and is now at school, my youngest has just moved from the baby room up. The nursery itself is well
maintained and looked after, with so many different things for the children to do. Lovely outside garden, my eldest particularly enjoyed the walks to the local park. Nothing feels like too much trouble. My eldest needed help with speech development and the staff, particularly her key worker really worked hard on this helping her to be ready for school. I particularly love the app which updates me throughout the day of what my child is doing and the milestones she is reaching. Lovely pictures too which is a nice way of relaxing a parent when they've left a screaming child. I couldn't recommend Baby Grows enough.
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Current Review Score: 7.8 (7.751)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 7.8 (7.751) out of 10 for Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 4 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.4 out of 5 from 3 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 4.348 for Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (30 Excellents x 5) + (9 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) + (3 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 46 Ratings = 4.348
  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 3.403 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery is based on 3 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 = 3.25
    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 98 number of registered child places is 19.6. 3 Positive Reviews ÷ 19.6 = 0.153
  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)

Natasha

Natasha Holgate

Job Title: Senior Nursery Manager Joined: 2022

1. What qualifications do you have? Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development – I am currently undertaking my level 5 qualification too.


2. How many years of experience do you have? I have been working in the early years industry for 10 years.

3. Hobbies/interests – In my spare time I enjoy walks along the beach with my family and dogs, I also love baking (when I get time!)


4. Fun fact – I have been part of several movie productions at Warner Bros Studios.

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