The Tops Team

Cheryl Hadland

Managing Director

Cheryl Hadland founded Tops Day Nurseries in 1990 when she was 30 years old and a mother of 2 small boys. She had been a volunteer committee member and pre-school assistant in a playgroup with her 3 year old, whilst attending a pre-school leaders course. Cheryl decided that opening a day nursery that was open all day rather than just mornings was needed in the area, so she reduced her workload at her scuba dive centre and opened the first Tops Day Nursery, Tops Parkstone in Herbert Ave, Poole.

Cheryl completed a 2 year course with the PPA (now called the Pre School Learning Alliance), a Montessori correspondence course, and then the NVQ3 in Early Years Care & Education. Over the following 10 years she completed her Certificate of Education, Degree, and Masters Degree in Education at Southampton University.

Diane Wycherley

Director of Early Years Quality

Maria Thomas-Luker

Director of Central and Customer Service

I joined Tops Day Nurseries as a Nursery Assistant back in 1990 so its fantastic seeing the company celebrate 30 years.

I have so many memories of my time here, and being part of the design team for our 18th birthday re-brand is one of my biggest achievements; it was such an honour to be asked and the whole day and re-launch was very emotional, I was so proud to work for Tops. I came into work on the morning to find birthday cards through the door from neighbours, and to see our new logo swinging on the sign outside made me cry, I thought I’d burst with pride.

Since joining the company I have achieved my Levels 2, 3 and 4 in Childcare and my Level 7 in Management and Leadership. I really enjoy working for Tops as I love being part of such a fantastic team. We all have such amazing strengths as individuals but together as a team we achieve so much and I’m always so proud to say I’ve worked for Cheryl for 32 years. It’s like being part of a very special family.

Charlotte Percival

HR Director - CIPD L7 in HRM

Charlotte is responsible for the developing and implementing HR initiatives in line with organisational objectives, leading the organisation’s HR department in regard to recruitment, on boarding, employment compliance, inductions, job descriptions, performance, benefit and reward, appraisals, employment law, company culture, colleague communication, engagement/relations/feedback, project and change management, TUPE, HR policies and procedures and department IT infrastructure. Liaising directly with the board and senior management team and is accountable for the performance of the HR function as well as providing strategic counsel on all colleague matters, Implements the HR Strategic planning whilst ensuring HR function adds value, delivers, and aligns to the needs of the business. Translating key data into an effective and commercially focus way, to the Board and Operational Team, to then work with senior management to challenge, influence and implement actionable initiatives.

Harriet Pacey

Sales & Marketing Director

I joined Hadland Care Group as Business Development Manager in 2017. I hold a Masters in Early Years Education and have Early Years Teacher Status. Prior to joining Hadland Care Group, I had worked in various roles in the Early Year sector, including owning/managing a nursery and being a management consultant for a number of other settings.

My first degree is in Business Studies; how businesses work have always interested me greatly and I think it’s really important that those involved in the Early Years sector have a good understanding of the business model it’s built on and what’s required to keep it sustainable.

Andrew Dearsley

Finance Director

Micah Faure

Legal Director

I started at Hadland Care Group as a General Office Assistant, whilst studying at university. After I finished my 2nd Degree in 2012 in Law, I came to Head Office to work as Employment Law Advisor within the HR Team. I then went to Cape Town that year to complete my 3rd Degree in Employment Law at University of Cape Town.

During this time, I completed an internship for Price Waterhouse Coopers where I learnt a valuable motto from my supervisor, which was “Always volunteer to do stuff you don’t know, test if you can learn it and if you can do it, people will trust you more”. This is why when I initially started working at Head Office, I volunteered to support HR, Administration, Finance and Property. I was then quickly promoted to Legal Advisor.

I have also volunteered with the Free Rep Unit doing Social Security and Employment Law Cases. Due to my good working relationship, and the years of trusted advice I offered her, Cheryl offered me the position of Legal Director in 2017.

Sandy Kemish

Administration Team Manager

Amy Alderson

Director of Early Years Audit and Training