News & blogs

A stunning spring sensory flower investigation set up outdoors at a Partou nursery created to celebrate the clocks going forward in spring 2026. A dark tuff tray laid with a mirror base holds an abundant arrangement of silver metal bowls, pots, and galvanised buckets filled with pale lilac and soft pink coloured water, floating red, yellow, cream, and peach rose petals, and brightly coloured blue, orange, and pink foam flower shapes. A wooden pestle and mortar holds a pink chrysanthemum head ready for grinding, alongside an iridescent rainbow glass sphere and an amber glass globe vase. Fresh cut flowers including deep magenta chrysanthemums, soft pink lisianthus, white gypsophila, yellow marigolds, and sprigs of green foliage and dark teal blue thistle are arranged throughout the tray in a turquoise glass vase and scattered across the mirror surface. Loose red rose petals and green pine sprigs complete the invitation to explore. In the garden beyond, a wooden picket fence planter, black rubber tyres, and a pale blue trough are visible, reflecting the rich outdoor early years provision at this Partou nursery.

Clocks go forward 2026: helping your child adjust to the spring clock change

From bedtime shifts to lighter evenings, the spring clock change can feel daunting when you have young children. Discover gentle, child-led ideas to help your baby or toddler adjust to British Summer Time, with practical tips for sleep, routines and nursery mornings.

Three female nursery practioners from Partou Willowdene in Widnes standing outside next to a fence holding their Halton Healthy Early Years certificate

Partou Willowdene awarded Halton Healthy Early Years Status

Partou Willowdene in Widnes have been recognised for their commitment to giving children the healthiest start possible with a holistic approach to wellbeing that extends beyond the nursery world. Learn about their award and what this means for families.

Top Tips for encouraging early literacy

From bedtime reading to singing in the car, the everyday moments you share with your child are already building the foundations for literacy. Discover simple, practical ways to nurture early years confidence with words, letters and sounds with no special resources needed.

Celebrating World Book Day: A Focus on Stories, Not Costumes

Learn all about how we celebrate World Book Day in a way that removes stress, pressure and cost and prioritises meaningful connection with books.

Partou expands UK nurseries with two acquisitions

Partou are pleased to announce the acquisition of two North West nurseries.

Read more about this exciting development.

Large brick Partou Stonehouse Nursery building with blue fence and Partou sign outside

What Families Love About Partou Stonehouse Day Nursery & Pre-School

Take a look at what makes Partou Stonehouse Day Nursery & Pre-School so special for our families

Get into the holiday spirit with festive scented playdough

This festive activity is a great way for children to have fun and develop a range of skills over the holiday season!

A parent’s guide to stress-free festive eating with children

Take a look at our helpful guide, on keeping food balanced, relaxed and enjoyable for children this Christmas, put together by Children’s Food Nutritionist Laura Mathews

Top tips for making the most of your nursery visit

We’ve compiled a list of popular questions families ask at nursery visits to help you when deciding which nursery to choose for your child’s early years education.

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Clocks go forward 2026: helping your child adjust to the spring clock change

March 12th, 2026

Partou Willowdene awarded Halton Healthy Early Years Status

Top Tips for encouraging early literacy

February 25th, 2026

Celebrating World Book Day: A Focus on Stories, Not Costumes

Learn all about how we celebrate World Book Day in a way that removes stress, pressure and cost and prioritises meaningful connection with books.

January 8th, 2026

Partou expands UK nurseries with two acquisitions

Partou are pleased to announce the acquisition of two North West nurseries.

Read more about this exciting development.

What Families Love About Partou Stonehouse Day Nursery & Pre-School

Take a look at what makes Partou Stonehouse Day Nursery & Pre-School so special for our families

Get into the holiday spirit with festive scented playdough

This festive activity is a great way for children to have fun and develop a range of skills over the holiday season!

A parent’s guide to stress-free festive eating with children

Take a look at our helpful guide, on keeping food balanced, relaxed and enjoyable for children this Christmas, put together by Children’s Food Nutritionist Laura Mathews

Top tips for making the most of your nursery visit

We’ve compiled a list of popular questions families ask at nursery visits to help you when deciding which nursery to choose for your child’s early years education.

November 25th, 2025

Partou ‘goes blue’ for World Children’s Day in support of UNICEF

Team members across Partou “went blue” recently to celebrate World Children’s Day as part of their partnership with UNICEF.

Read more about the celebrations and fund raising activities.

Understanding the Ofsted inspection changes

Ofsted are making important changes to the way that they inspect and rate children’s services and childcare settings; learn what these are and what they mean for families.

September 11th, 2025

Partou acquire Nature Trail Nursery Group

Partou are delighted to announce the acquisition of Nature Trail Nursery Group, strengthening our Nursery provision in the North West of England by an additional eight nurseries.

Learn more about this exciting acquisition.

What is a Nursery Manager?

Working as a Nursery Manager is a highly rewarding experience and a great opportunity for someone ready to take the next step in their childcare career.

Here’s all you need to know about becoming a Nursery Manager at a Partou Nursery.

Top tips: How to write a CV for childcare

So you’re looking for a new career in childcare? There are lots of nursery jobs out there to apply for – but there are also lots of applicants, too.

This means it’s really important to make your CV stand out, showing childcare employers that you’re a great candidate who’s worth shor…

Supporting your child settling into nursery: A handy guide for parents

Starting nursery is an exciting milestone for both children and their parents. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in a child’s life, providing them with opportunities to learn, socialise, and grow. Although this is an exciting time, the transition from home to nursery can be challenging for…

What is an Early Years Practitioner?

Interested in becoming an Early Years Practitioner at Partou?

Find out what the role involves, how to qualify, career path opportunities and more in this blog!

August 13th, 2025

Partou are proud to partner with UNICEF to support children worldwide

We are delighted to announce we are now an official partner of UNICEF, building on years of supporting UNICEF initiatives.

Learn more about this exciting partnership.

August 11th, 2025

Working Family Childcare Funding Explained

From 1st September, more families than ever will be eligible for the government’s expanded “30 hours free childcare” scheme. Our guide explains what working family childcare funding is, who qualifies, how it’s applied, and the steps you need to take to claim it. Whether you need term-time …

July 29th, 2025

Benefits to attending a Nursery Open Day

Choosing the right nursery for your child can be a challenge.

Visiting nurseries, meeting the people who work there, and experiencing the environments can be incredibly helpful in making the best decision for you and your family.

That’s why we hold regular open days throughout the y…

School Readiness with Partou

At Partou, we believe school readiness is about much more than learning letters and numbers. It’s about nurturing the confidence, curiosity, and independence every child needs to thrive in a new environment.

From physical skills like climbing and drawing to social and emotional growth, ou…

June 10th, 2025

It’s Happy Partou Day as we celebrate a double anniversary

We’re celebrating Partou Day – the first anniversary since launching the Partou brand in the UK, following the merger of Just Childcare and All About Children. and an incredible 50 years of delivering quality childcare in the Netherlands.

Life skills children should learn

As adults, there are many essential life skills we use every day without even thinking. But for young children, these skills don’t develop overnight — they need to be introduced, practised, and encouraged over time.

In this guide, we’ll explore key life skills every child should beg…

Benefits of music in early childhood education

From nursery rhymes to dancing games, music helps your child grow. Learn how music in early years education supports development in fun, meaningful ways.

Partou Storytimes win national Best Indoor Learning Environment award

We are proud to announce that Partou Storytimes recently claimed the ‘Indoor Learning Environment of the Year’ award at the 2024 National NMT Nursery Awards.

September 11th, 2024

Partou shortlised in five categories at National NMT Nursery Awards

We’re proud to announce that we’ve been shortlisted in five categories for the National NMT Nursery Awards.

In addition to being a finalist for the prestigious Large Nursery Group accolade, three of our settings and a much-loved Nursery Manager are in the running to receive an award.

Local radio rewards dedication of team member at Partou Playaway

Partou Playaway was recently visited by local radio station, Your Harrogate, who wanted to reward the efforts of team member Kim Stanfield for going above and beyond in her role as the nursery’s Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator.

August 1st, 2024

Partou Alexandra complete Plastic Free Schools Accreditation

Partou is extremely proud to announce that Alexandra Day Nursery and Pre-school, based in Redditch, have recently completed their Plastic Free Schools Accreditation, officially making them a ‘plastic free nursery’.

In this blog, we speak to Nursery Manager, Holly Browning, on how the nurse…

July 2nd, 2024

Partou acquire Wonder Years Nursery, Coventry

We are delighted to announce that Coventry based Nursery, Wonder Years, has joined the Partou Group. Bringing our total number of nurseries to 106, the acquisition is the first since our official UK brand launch in May.

June 13th, 2024

Championing Dads: Father’s Day at our nurseries

Father’s Day is just around the corner, presenting a brilliant opportunity for Partou nurseries to appreciate the incredible role that fathers and father-figures play in young children’s lives. Find out how we do so in our dedicated article.

June 11th, 2024

Partou Day: A celebration of our UK brand launch

Last week, we celebrated our official UK brand launch with ‘Partou Day’! Our nurseries were decorated with balloons, bunting, and flags, creating a festival atmosphere for a day filled with fun events for everyone to enjoy.

June 10th, 2024

Partou Little Dragons win prestigious Training and Development Award!

Partou are delighted to announce that Harrogate based nursery, Little Dragons, proudly received the Training and Development Award at this year’s National Day Nurseries Association Awards.

May 23rd, 2024

Partou partners with NPELC to champion high-quality childcare

We are proud to announce that Partou have joined forces with nine of the nation’s leading childcare providers to improve the quality and sustainability of the early years sector across England.

April 25th, 2024

Creating a shared vision within Partou

Samantha Rhodes has led Partou in the UK since the merger of the Just Childcare and All About Children groups in 2023, having previously served as CEO of Just Childcare.

Read her thoughts on the importance of the group’s new shared vision.

Personal, social and emotional development

Why PSED is so important in early years?

Some of the most fundamental skills in life are the things we learn early on. Understanding and managing emotions, building positive relationships and developing a sense of self-awareness are among them, and these are all examples of personal, social…

Outdoor sensory activities for preschoolers

Being outdoors is essential for young children’s development. It’s a rich environment full of stimulating experiences for all five senses, from fragrant flowers to the sound of birdsong, to the rich and varied textures of different plants.

What is a Nursery Room Leader in childcare?

If you’re exploring options within childcare, you may feel overwhelmed about which path is best for you.

In this blog, we explore what a Nursery Room Leader is, discussing their roles and responsibilities, and what you can expect from this role.

The importance of nutrition in early childhood

A healthy diet in early childhood is essential to build a strong body and nourish a developing brain. The benefits of good nutrition for young children extend beyond the early years, creating lifelong healthy eating habits.

How to support brain development in early childhood

As a parent, you’re witness to the incredible rate at which a child grows and changes from birth. But did you know that brain development in early childhood is faster, more sensitive and has a bigger impact on their lives, than at any other age? That’s a pretty mind-blowing thought, but the go…

How to encourage learning through play

As adults, we tend to see work and play as two very different things – at opposite ends of the spectrum. But for children, play and work are one and the same! The first five years in children’s lives form the bed stones of their learning and the experiences that they have are crucial in settin…

How to Be a Winner at Your Next Nursery Job Interview

Preparing for a nursery job interview? From what to wear, to what to expect, we’ve put together some helpful tips which will help you succeed.

How to support your child’s mental health

Discussions surrounding mental health have significantly increased over the past few years and it is now more important than ever before. Encouragement to reach out for information regarding the serious topic is often shared on social media, however, this often tends to be directed towards teenage…

Is a Nursery Apprenticeship the right choice for you?

Working in a nursery means that you get the opportunity to truly help shape and make a difference in the lives of little people.

There are several different routes you can follow if you’re looking at starting a career in childcare. You might start as a nursery or playgroup assistant, an …

Supporting your child’s transition to school

We recognise that starting “big school” can be a worrying time for both you and your child and talking about it certainly helps.

Your child’s key person is always on hand to discuss the transition with you, to guide and support and to help make it as smooth as possible….

Getting ‘big school’ ready with Partou

At Partou, we know that starting school is a key milestone for children and their family.

There is the element of the unknown as well as the change in routine, environment, and new people to make relationships with and build attachments to. This includes the adults too!

How to promote sensory development in babies

As adults, we may take our sense of smell or sight for granted, but during the first year of life a baby’s senses have a lot of developing to do.

Promoting sensory development is beneficial during your baby’s first year to help them adapt to the world, as well as supporting both mental…

How sensory play helps development

Sensory play is encouraged from birth and all through the early years to support a child’s sensory development. Don’t worry if it’s something you’ve never tried, it’s never too late to introduce sensory play activities.

Communication and language activities for early years

Research suggests that the most important stages of a child’s development is from birth up to 3 years old. Every interaction your little one has in their early years, whether that be in nursery or at home, is teaching them more and more about how to communicate with the world around them.

A beginner’s guide to weaning

At around six months, your baby will be ready for their first taste of solid food. Most parents have lots of questions about this important milestone, so our weaning guide for beginners provides you with useful tips and advice to help you get started on your baby’s weaning journey.

Why nursery rhymes are good for babies

Nursery rhymes are part and parcel of a young child’s life. And as well as being a lovely way to interact with your baby or toddler, they can actually play a big part in supporting their development! Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of nursery rhymes, how we use them at our nursery, a…

Why developmental movement is so important?

Developmental movement refers to the way we move in the first years of our lives; the movement that helps us develop – everything from a new-born baby’s reflexive movement of hands and feet, through to a toddler learning to kick a ball and climb a climbing frame and children developing the ski…

What is sensory development in early childhood?

From the moment your child is born, he or she is constantly using all five senses to explore and make sense of their surroundings. Sensory development enhances the use of your child’s senses by incorporating different colours, textures, noises and more into their early education. This holistic l…

What is early years childhood education?

The early years, under five years old, are the most crucial years for children. It’s when they learn most rapidly and where their learning and experiences forms the person that they are and will grow into being. Early childhood education is so much more than just attending nursery or pre-school….

The benefits of science in the early years

Children are naturally drawn to the things that make them curious about the world around them. Channelling this curiosity and encouraging them to develop through science can make for some great learning activities.

Read on to learn about some of the benefits of different early years scienc…

June 12th, 2022

Diversity in Partou nurseries

Throughout June, Partou nurseries celebrate Pride Month by teaching children about the different types of families and the importance of having kindness and respect for all.

Forming just part of our wider commitment, the activities we undertake symbolise the values of inclusion, diversity …