April 2nd, 2026
We are delighted to announce that former Ofsted leader, Sam Sleeman-Boss, joins us as Head of Early Years, bringing extensive sector expertise and a strong focus on quality, inclusion and practice.
We are delighted to announce that Sam Sleeman-Boss has joined Partou as Head of Early Years.
Sam joins from Ofsted, where she spent the past ten years working closely with the early education sector in inspection, quality and national policy roles.
Most recently, she served as Early Education Quality and Practice Lead where she was instrumental in delivering the new early years inspection toolkit and supporting inspectors and providers to better understand what high-quality practice looks like in everyday settings.
Kirsty Jackson, Partou Childcare and Operations Director, said:
“It is a major coup for us to recruit someone with Sam’s reputation and standing in the sector to such a pivotal position.
“With more than 30 years of experience across early years and children’s services, she has a deep understanding of practice on the ground, alongside a strong commitment to supporting leaders, teams and inclusive, nurturing environments for children.
“Sam will bring a thoughtful, collaborative approach to quality and improvement, grounded in real experience and a genuine passion for early years education.
“We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
Sam Sleeman-Boss said:
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Partou as Head of Early Years.
“Its approach to early learning, which empowers each child to reach their full potential, is significantly influencing the sector.
“I’m passionate about creating high-quality, nurturing environments where all children belong and thrive.
“I look forward to working with teams across the organisation to build on Partou’s commitment to delivering inspiring and inclusive early years education, particularly for those children who need it most.”
Partou Gingerbread House in South Croydon has been praised by Ofsted for its inclusive culture, purposeful teaching and strong partnerships with families. Learn more about the team's commitment to helping children grow in confidence and independence with joy.
Explore practical ways to build mindfulness into everyday moments with children, supporting their wellbeing and emotional development while building the habit alongside them.
Partou has been recognised with seven Top 20 Nursery Awards from daynurseries.co.uk, including six settings ranked among the best in their regions, reflecting strong family feedback and high-quality care.
