Opening hours
6am to 8pm, all year round
Tops Day Nursery
Ofsted: Expected standard·
4.8(18 parent reviews)
·14 Denmark Lane, Poole, BH15 2DG · Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole
Number of places
132 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2026
Local authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole
About this day nursery
Tops Day Nursery in Poole, established in 2004, provides childcare for children aged 0-7 years. The nursery operates all year round, from 6am to 8pm, and offers funded childcare places.
A strong emphasis is placed on emotional security, resilience, literacy, and language development. Children are supported by a dedicated team of 23 childcare staff, 19 of whom hold qualifications at levels 1 to 5.
The nursery has made significant improvements since its last inspection, with staff receiving training and coaching to enhance their knowledge and skills in safeguarding children's welfare and supporting their learning. Children benefit from a broad curriculum tailored to their interests and learning goals.
The staff are adept at identifying when a child might need additional support and provide targeted activities to ensure all children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, achieve their full potential. The nursery fosters healthy lifestyles through ample outdoor play and physical activities, even encouraging literacy through books and writing in the garden.
Strong partnerships with parents are a cornerstone of the nursery's approach, with parents actively involved in their children's development and well-informed about their progress and daily activities.
What it's like
Children arrive happy and keen to attend, and they form warm and trusting relationships with staff. They benefit from a broad curriculum to support their interests and learning goals, with a strong emphasis on emotional security, resilience, literacy and language. Children behave very well, are polite, listen when asked and learn to take turns fairly.
Broad curriculumStrong partnershipsHealthy lifestylesTargeted supportSkilled staff
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
Tax-Free Childcare
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All_year
Established
2004
Ofsted Inspection — new report card
Expected standard
Last inspected Apr 2026
Grade summary
Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—
Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.
Category grades
AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 6
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Tops Day Nursery
Last inspected 29 April 2026
What it's like to attend
Children arrive happy and keen to attend, and they form warm and trusting relationships with staff. They benefit from a broad curriculum to support their interests and learning goals, with a strong emphasis on emotional security, resilience, literacy and language. Children behave very well, are polite, listen when asked and learn to take turns fairly.
Inspector highlights
- Since the last inspection, the provider has made many improvements to the nursery.
- Staff know children well, monitor their progress accurately, and are clear about what children need to learn next.
- Children develop healthy lifestyles, enjoy lots of outdoor play and physical activities.
- Staff help children to develop the skills they need for their future learning and starting school.
- Partnerships with parents are strong, and staff involve parents in their children's development.
Areas to develop
- 1Provide more mathematical challenges for older children to further enhance their knowledge and skills.
- 2Provide more time and opportunity for children to answer questions and solve problems to strengthen their thinking and language skills even further.
Inspection #10356790 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff are quick to identify when a child is at risk of falling behind. They provide close support and targeted activities to fully include children with any additional needs, helping them, and all children, to achieve their potential.
Outdoor space
Children benefit from books and writing activities in the garden to encourage literacy in more active children. They enjoy lots of outdoor play and physical activities, with older children learning to take controlled risks using large apparatus in the garden and balancing on stilts.
Parent Reviews of Tops Day Nursery
4.8
(18)
Sarah
a year ago
Both my children love attending. They have thrived at tops, growing in confidence daily. Staff have been great at supporting toilet training and school preparation. Our eldest was super ready to start school and confident following the teams care and support. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The opening hours have been brilliant for us as tops is open longer than most nurseries. Have recommended to many friends!
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Marlena Sychowska
a year ago
My daughter seems to be very happy after each day at the nursery. She says she loves her teachers(specially miss Skye, Miss Tanya and Miss Jess). She is more brave, better interacting with others, her English language improved so all of that because of the nursery I guess.
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David Hixson-Ward
8 years ago
Really glad we registered our Son there. Really good setting and the staff are very good as well. Our son enjoys going to nursery and always has a great time. Great value for money and perfect for us.
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Marketa Belasova
a year ago
Love it. They look after my daughter well.she is always so happy when she goes there and happy when she comes back home. She is always learning something new when she is at Tops nursery.
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Laura Wigley
2 years ago
Friendly, caring staff. Lots of great activities for the kids who are always happy at pick up! Flexible booking is a lifesaver for us.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Tops Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: November 2008
The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Good). We're re-checking it against the original report.
- November 2024Good
- October 2024Good
- July 2024Inadequate
- June 2024Inadequate
- January 2023Good
- January 2023Good
- February 2017Good
- January 2017Good
- March 2014Good
- January 2014Good
- November 2008Good
- November 2008Good
Frequently asked about Tops Day Nursery
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more