MP Vikki Slade Visits Tops Day Nurseries Wimborne

On Tuesday, 20th August, Tops Day Nurseries Wimborne had the pleasure of welcoming Vikki Slade, MP. During her visit, Vikki engaged with our Founder and Chair, Cheryl Hadland, and Chief Revenue Officer, Harriet Pacey, to discuss key topics such as the expansion of funded childcare for parents, our commitment to Education for Sustainable Citizenship, and our recent transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

A Day of Collaboration and Sustainability

As part of her visit, Vikki joined our children and staff in creating a belonging tree, a unique activity that symbolises our dedication to sustainability and community building. This hands-on experience was a highlight of the day, with Harriet Pacey noting, “The children were thrilled to participate, and it was a pleasure to see their excitement as they added their own contributions to the tree.”

Important Discussions on Early Years Education

In addition to the creative activity, Vikki engaged in meaningful discussions with Cheryl, Harriet, and our team at Tops Wimborne. Key topics included:

• The vital role of the Early Years sector in child development.
• The upcoming expansion of funded childcare spaces, set to roll out in April 2024.
• Sustainability practices in early education and how these align with our values at Tops.
• The benefits of the EOT structure for the nursery.

Cheryl and Vikki also explored pressing issues facing the sector, such as the national shortage of nursery staff, the financial and environmental challenges, and the importance of making sustainable choices, including the use of washable nappies and reducing plastic waste.

Advocacy for Early Years Education

Reflecting on the visit, Cheryl Hadland expressed her hopes for the future: “We were delighted to welcome Vikki into the nursery, her first visit as our MP… We look forward to seeing her advocate for early years in the hope that her voice will be heard in Parliament, ensuring that the needs of children, early years educators, and parents are prioritised so that everyone prospers long into the future.”

Vikki Slade, MP, was equally impressed by what she observed, stating, “I was inspired by the passion of the whole team at Tops in creating a nurturing, vibrant, and fun environment for the children in their care. Our children deserve the very best start in life, and it is clear the Tops children are receiving that!”

About Tops Day Nurseries

Tops Day Nurseries provides eco-sustainable early education and care for children aged 3 months to school age. With over 30 locations across the South and Southwest, Tops is committed to offering exceptional care and education, including before and after-school programmes and Hi5 holiday clubs for children up to the age of 11.

We extend our gratitude to Vikki Slade, MP, for her visit and for taking the time to engage with our community. We look forward to continued collaboration in advocating for the needs and well-being of our children and families.