Welcome to Tops Day Nurseries: Gillingham Nursery, Dorset
Enquire as early as possible so you have the best chance to secure a nursery place.
Our Gillingham nursery is a fun and friendly day nursery & preschool, providing Early Education and Care for children from 3 months old until they are ready to start school. Our 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 the committed and motivated staff.
You can view our hourly rates and optional extras on our price list here: Tops Gillingham Price List. Find out more about 2, 3 and 4 year old funding and working tax credits here.
Tops Gillingham are now using real nappies as opposed to ‘disposable’ nappies. Each child at nursery uses around 1000 nappies per year (full-time equivalent) which is costly for parents, and very costly in terms of waste – it actually costs three times as much to dispose of a “disposable” nappy as it costs to buy! Click here to find out more about the real nappy pilot.
At Tops, we pride ourselves on being an inspirational nursery in which children’s imaginations can run wild. Here at Tops Gillingham, we have introduced beautiful and stimulating areas throughout the whole nursery to maximise the developmental experiences for your child. We focus our set ups on loose parts provocations, particularly in our two year olds and preschool rooms. This type of open ended play supports fascination and exploration.
Outside you will find an enclosed garden in which your children can play, plant and potter. One particular area the children love is our bug hotel, not to mention our little beach and rowing boat! We are also lucky to be close to paved country walks and local parks as well as on hand for visits to local shops, the library, Post Office and so on, enabling us to broaden your children’s experience of the local community.
Our Tops Forest School Children regularly explore the woodland and have even taken along some special guests including the Mayor of Gillingham!
As well as being an inspirational Early Education and Care provider, we are a hub for local activities and groups. We offer a comfortable environment for local baby massage sessions, Dad’s Clubs, baby and toddler groups and also features a holiday club service for school children up to the age of 8.
At Tops Day Nurseries our aim is for all children to meet or exceed expected development for their age. We are implementing ‘SchemaPlay’ across all of our settings to help narrow the gap for any children showing signs of delay and to also enhance the learning experiences for all children that attend our settings. ‘SchemaPlay have recently created a video to help parents understand what schemes are, and how these can be identified and promoted at home. Watch the full video here’.
The children at Tops benefit from our balanced no-added sugar menus that we have designed to support growth and development using the Children’s Food Trust Recommendations. To view our healthy, nutritious recipes click here.
Tops Gillingham also implements extra-curricular activities in line with the rest of the Tops Day Nurseries family. For example, Tops Cooking School, Boogie Mites, yoga, tooth brushing, Football Fun and much more!
We have a designated drop off spaces for parents to use, as well as an overflow car park behind the nursery.
This nursery is part of a group that provides the most eco-sustainable Early Education and Care 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.
Nursery Manager:
Jo Parry
Nursery Manager
Opening times:
- Monday - Friday: 6am - 8pm*
- 52 weeks a year including bank holidays*. Only closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day
- *subject to local demand
Any questions?
- Try our FAQs
- Ask online
- Gillingham Nurseryon Facebook
- Call your nursery: 01747 835533
- Make an enquiry: 01202 879431
See what we've been up to...
Take a look at our lovely rooms at Tops Gillingham…
Whilst your child is in our care we are more than happy for you to call us as often as you like to talk to a member of staff about your child and their day at nursery. During your child’s day at nursery we will record important information to share with you, 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.
WhatGillingham Nurseryparents & carers say
“After an extensive look around all of the nurseries in the local area, we decided on Tops Gillingham. All the staff are so friendly, welcoming and very attentive to the children. ”
Hayley
“Every time I collect my son I am informed what he has eaten, what he has learned, and what he has done that day often along with some funny moments which it is precious to be able to share. The log allowing parents to see new observations for their child as soon as they are added really reassures me that there is now a focus on getting him ready for school and always plenty of support and encouragement for how I can help him at home. ”
Jemma
“The staff are professional and approachable and treat my daughter as if she were their own. The facilities are great and the activities for the children are age appropriate and stimulating. Emails and calls are responded to quickly and communication is fantastic.”
Julie
“He eats well, plays and learns things that Mum and Dad can't offer at home. The service provision is exemplary and we would highly recommend this nursery to all parents.”
Tim
“We spent time looking at all available nurseries in the area, and Tops Gillingham 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. ”
Victoria
What makes Tops different?
Flexibility
With opening hours, from 6am-8pm including bank holidays, it means we are here when you need us. Offering Education & Care with 15-minute intervals, so you only pay for the childcare you need. (Available at the majority of our nurseries but not all.)
The Environments
Particular pride is provided for our sustainable outdoor and indoor environments. Each Tops Day Nursery has natural, sustainable, rich and vibrant environments, custom-built to encourage your children's safe exploration, learning and discovery.
Caring
At Tops, all children have a key person responsible for every aspect of their ongoing development. Follow and contribute to your child’s learning journey with the eyLog app for web and mobile.
Some of our friendlyGillingham Nurseryteam:
Jo Parry
Nursery Manager
