Opening hours
6am to 6.30pm
Tops Pokesdown
Ofsted: Good
(May 2024)
Number of places
135 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
May 2024
Local authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole
About this day nursery
Tops Pokesdown, established in 2006, is a childcare setting located in Bournemouth that caters to children aged 0-10 years. " The curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Staff offer tailored support, using resources like visual prompts and an "attention bucket" to ensure every child can thrive. Inspectors observed the quality of education both indoors and outdoors, noting that older children confidently prepare for forest school sessions at a local park.
The nursery fosters a sense of curiosity, engaging children in activities such as making "perfume" from real flowers and fruit, and encouraging independence, for example, by teaching younger children to climb stairs safely. Staff build strong relationships with parents, understanding children's individual needs and interests to provide varied learning opportunities.
The setting also has good links with the local community, including regular visits to a care home for residents.
What it's like
Staff provide a warm welcome and a safe environment for children, who arrive happily and settle quickly. Children move around confidently, choosing what to do and interacting well with each other and adults. The curriculum is ambitious for all children, and staff foster children's curiosity by providing interesting activities.
Warm welcomeTailored SEND SupportAmbitious CurriculumOutdoor LearningCommunity LinksPositive Environment
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Established
2006
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Tops Pokesdown
Last inspected 2 May 2024
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Staff provide a warm welcome and a safe environment for children, who arrive happily and settle quickly. Children move around confidently, choosing what to do and interacting well with each other and adults. The curriculum is ambitious for all children, and staff foster children's curiosity by providing interesting activities.
Inspector highlights
- Staff provide tailored support for children who need additional help.
- Children are busy and eager to learn, with effective teaching methods and engaging resources.
- Children and staff enjoy warm interactions, with a strong focus on two-way communication.
- Children behave well, following instructions and using good manners.
- The nursery has good links with the local community, including visits to a care home and forest school activities in the park.
- The manager has made significant improvements since the last inspection, extending staff understanding of the curriculum and creating a more enabling learning environment.
Areas to develop
- 1improve staff's ability to extend children's learning to help them make as much progress as possible
- 2provide further support for children who speak English as an additional language to extend their communication skills.
Inspection #10307084 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The curriculum is ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff provide tailored support for children who need additional help, setting achievable targets and using resources, such as visual prompts and an attention bucket, to help them get the most from their time at nursery.
Outdoor space
Older children get themselves ready for going out to the park for a forest school session. The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.
Parent Reviews of Tops Pokesdown
4.6
(35)
Roxy Thornton
a year ago
Would recommend this nursery. My child is always very happy coming out and she loves the stuff there. More then happy to help with whatever you need. Understand things happen and hepls anyway they can. My daughter loves it there and I never had no worries leaving her there. The food is good to. Very happy with them and would so recommend to anyone looking for a good nursery.
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Soleine Pontet
3 years ago
We've really loved our experience at tops. It took a few weeks to settle in and since then it's been pure happiness. The nursery owes its success to the practitioners. They're very professional but mostly caring with our kids. Every day when picking my child up they always make sure they give you a few words on how their day has been. We're moving away from Bournemouth and I simply hope my daughter is as happy as she has been at Tops. Thank you.
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Sarah Carniel
2 years ago
Our little girl has thrived at Tops Pokesdown. She is looked after so well and loves going to nursery each day. The staff are so caring and made her start at 9 months much easier as the eased the nerves of her mums. We love the diversity of the activities and how much she wants to go in each day. Couldn’t be happier.
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Tara Butcher
6 years ago
The entire team at tops are fantastic. They have cared for both of my sons for the duration of their early education and I could not be happier. The opportunity for my child to make his own decisions shows at home in how he is perception of situations and objects. He tells me how much he loves all of the staff and children there and its a great feeling when you wonder during the day " I wonder how my child is", and instantly know, just know that they are happy. The organisation in the office also reflects in ever single room I credit every single staff member at Tops thank you so much!!!
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Karen Merry
9 years ago
Both my daughters have been to this nursery, so 8 years in total, the different rooms all have some brilliant equipment, the staff are kind, caring and friendly, from babies to mini beasts the level of care is excellent. With the flexible hours, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Tops Pokesdown. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2024
Date: May 2010
- May 2024Good
- July 2023Requires improvement
- April 2015Good
- March 2014Requires improvement
- June 2013Requires improvement
- March 2013Requires improvement
- January 2011Good
- May 2010Inadequate
Frequently asked about Tops Pokesdown
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