Why Tops Chose To Become Employee Owned

At Tops Day Nurseries, we’ve always believed that the best childcare starts with great people.

Every day, our colleagues create safe spaces for children to learn, grow and flourish. They build trusted relationships with families, support one another through challenges and celebrate the moments that make childhood so special.

That’s why, in April 2024, we took an important step in our journey and became an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

While that might sound like a big business decision, for us it was actually something very simple. It was about recognising the people who make Tops what it is. By becoming employee owned, we’re ensuring that the future of Tops remains in the hands of those who care most about it. The colleagues who welcome families through our doors each morning, nurture children’s development and help our nurseries thrive now have a greater voice in shaping what comes next.

It’s a model built on shared success, shared responsibility and shared purpose.

What Does Employee Ownership Mean?

Employee ownership means that the business is held in trust for the benefit of its colleagues.

Rather than being owned by external investors or shareholders, Tops is owned on behalf of the people who help make it successful every day.

For our colleagues, it creates opportunities to have a greater say in the future of the organisation. For families, it means the values and culture that have defined Tops for more than 35 years remain protected for years to come. Most importantly, it helps ensure that decisions are made with a long-term view, focusing on what is best for our children, families, colleagues and communities. More information on this can be found here.

Why We Chose This Path

When considering the future of Tops, our Founder and Chairwoman, Cheryl Hadland, wanted to find a way to protect everything that makes the organisation special.

After exploring several options, employee ownership stood out as the best way to safeguard our values while creating new opportunities for colleagues to become even more involved in the success of the business.

As Cheryl explains:

“Tops and Shoots have been like my babies. I’ve put everything I am into them, but they have grown up now, and I see my job as supporting them to fly into their next phase.”

By becoming employee owned, we can continue to build on the strong foundations that have been created over the last three decades while ensuring our people remain at the heart of every decision we make.

One of Only Two Employee-Owned Nursery Groups in the UK

We’re proud to be one of only two nursery groups in the UK operating as an Employee Ownership Trust.

While employee ownership has been embraced by a number of well-known organisations, it remains rare within the childcare sector.

For us, that’s an opportunity to lead by example. We’re showing that a people-first approach can support both a thriving business and exceptional childcare, creating a future where colleagues feel empowered, families feel supported and children continue to receive the very best start in life.

What This Means for Families

For families, very little has changed, and that’s exactly the point.

The familiar faces your children know and trust are still here. The nurturing environments, exciting learning opportunities and high-quality care remain the same.

What has changed is the sense of ownership and pride our colleagues feel in helping shape the future of the organisation. We believe that when colleagues feel valued, heard and invested in the success of the business, everyone benefits. Especially the children in our care.

Looking Ahead

Becoming employee owned isn’t the end of a journey, it’s the beginning of a new one. Together, we’re building a future where every colleague has a voice, every family feels supported and every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Because when people feel ownership, they care deeply about what they do and when people care, wonderful things can happen. If you’re curious about what an employee-owned trust is and how it could impact your life, take some time to explore the resources available.