"Tops Gillingham, Dorset"

My son attended the Gillingham, Dorset branch of tops day nursey for a little over 3 years, and I have to say I would not recommend them to anyone. I have had nothing but problems with them the whole time my son was there and now even though my son has left the nursery and started school I am still having to chase my £200 deposit that is not being returned promptly. I have had issues with the level of child care and the administration / accounts are appalling. At one point things were particulary bad, my child would be covered with dirt and food on collection and many times I had to clean him up in the car park before putting him in the car. I witnessed staff (including the manager) propping the front door open to put the rubbbish out down the road whilst the children were stood unattended behind the door. Twice I was able to take my child, put him in the car and drive home with nobody seeing me. Nobody contacted me on either occassion to ask wehere my child had gone, I could have been anybody. When I rasied my concerns with the head office I was initally fobbed off with somebody telling me I had to follow their procedures and complain direct to Tops Gillingham and not head office. I knew that if I did that nothing would happen so I told them I was going to report what was going on to the local authorities. At this point they did take me seriously and subsequently made changes to their safe guarding policies. The accounts / administration are terrible, the invoicies were consistantly incorrect and when trying to contact the nursery to rectify the bill's the phone would rarely be answered. They were a total nightmare to deal with. The people looking after the children do their best but it is obvious the company is poorley run with a high turnover of staff. I am now having to chase getting my deposit back, which so far I am having no luck obtaining. I cannot wait to have no further dealings with this company.

"Avoid at all costs"

Avoid at all costs!!we have had several issues with the Gillingham branch, poor hygiene practice, lack of safety measures and children left unattended with no one being able to explain how are child was injured. To top it all the admin side of it has been diabolical, incorrect invoices on numerois occasions and now that my child has moved to school they do not issue a refund of the deposit automatically. You have to chase them for then be told it takes 2-3 weeks to be processed. Utterly shameful. This company is holding on to working family's money at a time of hardship and high cost of living. Shame on you Tops Day!!

"Having worked here"

Having worked here, all I’m saying is I would not send my children here.
Policies were ignored, a child escaped whilst I worked there and they hushed it under the rug and never told the (foster) parents.
Was told I should have come in when I had diarrhoea. I worked with vulnerable babies.
Hated my time there.

"Discrimination at its finest"

My son has attended this nursery since he was ten months old. I like the staff and I like the nursery setting itself but the way it runs is ridiculous. My child doesn’t eat the food provided he doesn’t like it, I have asked to provide his meals and I’m told no. This is silly considering my child os vegan and the vegan meals they provide just aren’t that great or appetising if I’m honest. The nursery is mostly under staffed and so if you’re slightly early (by say 8 mins) they will make you wait outside with little one in all weathers ! Different story when you’re picking them up an hour or 20 mins early though!! I feel I’ve been discriminated against because I’m not quite the upper class citizen the nursery usually attracts.. I’m working class and it shows in how I’m treat and the way in which the admin and nursery staff have always spoken to and addressed me. Oppsite the nursery live a horrendous family who if you park outside their homes make it known you’re not welcome and that you’re an inconvenience for parking. This family are so rude they approached me with my
Child one morning and verbally attacked me, after dealing with these verbal attacks for so long I eventually said something and then myself and my mother were assaulted by said family. I wanted to swap my little boy to another nursery but he really loves it at tops. So I can’t deny that my child loves it here they must be doing something right when it comes to the children but unfortunately for me personally I haven’t felt welcome at the nursery and it’s a discomfort dropping him
And picking him up weekly.

"Honestly at my last straw with tops"

Honestly at my last straw with tops! Wish it never changed hands! Noah's ark was way better!!! Cost of lunches is a ridiculous price while cost of living is in crisis. No choice in packed lunch. Says it's because of COVID and allergens! Nonsense!! COVID is long over with and as for allergens, as a mother I know what to feed my child and I wouldn't be sending him in with something he's allergic to! I can not afford to pay for lunches, it's the choice of heating my house or lunch at nursery and I am having no choice but to pay for his lunch!!! Just another way if money grabbing, when it's my right to send my child to nursery with packed lunch, seeing at the 15hours is meant to be free when this company decide to charge for lunches that people can not afford!!!!! And the today when I pick my son up, he had a number 2 accident in his pants. Instead of putting the poo in the toilet and quickly washing the pants out, they have kept the poo in the pants and bagged it up, leaving the poo to sit there all day!!! By the time we get home the pants are ruined and I've had to throw them out instead of washing them!!!! I'm fuming!!! I can not afford to keep replacing pants because this nursery are lazy and absolutely disgusting!!!

"Wouldn't trust them"

Child attended for a few months as a young baby. We spoke about feeding and how were following the NHS/Who/every other organisation that we will start weaning when they're 6months old and not a day before. Thought we were on the same page until one day where they decided to feed them food, going against ours and professionals wishes and ultimately neglecting my child. Should never have happened and then when leaving which was pretty swift considering the situation it took ages to receive my money back. Wished I had reported to Ofsted but turns out I didn't need to as they attended recently and rated them as they deserved, unsatisfactory

"Unhygenic"

I am shocked to find out that Tops Stonehouse, Plymouth have such a lack of hygeine standard. Soiled clothing was wrapped in tissue and left in a rucksack for more than a week on a peg in the hallway where children are present. I pray this doesn’t happen to all the parents.

"Fantastic nursery"

My son had to switch nursery in the pandemic due to closure of his previous one. Tops Salisbury have been fantastic! So much so that we never switched back! He loves it, has a great time there and talks about it a lot at home too. He’s made friends and gets on so well with the staff. I feel so happy knowing he’s having a good time whilst I’m working. He loves the extra activities such as forest school trips and cooking school.
Thank you to a fantastic team

"My daughter was born during the…"

My daughter was born during the pandemic. I was very worried about everything she missed out during lockdown(s). I made the decision to enroll her at Tops day, so she could be around other children, and also to get her used to being away from me. She settled in so well, absolutely loves going in, and is so comfortable around the staff! As a parent, there’s nothing better than seeing your child being so confident and relaxed around other people. Knowing she’s safe and learning new skills everyday, makes me happy and confident I made the right decision.

I absolutely love getting the updates on the app, and it’s always entertaining to see her being her cheeky self while at nursery but also learning.

"My son started in September and settled…"

My son started in September and settled in great, he really loves it but I think the option to bring own lunches would makes things easier for the fussy eaters, as my son has had lunch twice now flat out refuses to go if he knows he is staying for lunch, which isn’t great, and I have also been billed twice for things my son hasn’t had,