Partou nurseries begin journey towards UNICEF children’s rights award

July 10th, 2026

Twelve Partou nurseries are starting their journey towards UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools Award, strengthening our commitment to children’s rights, early development and inclusive learning environments.
Learn more about how we’re supporting every child to thrive.

Portrait of Kirsty Jackson, Co-Managing Director at Partou, smiling at the camera against a softly blurred indoor background.

We have chosen 12 settings to start working towards Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) accreditation as the next step in its partnership with UNICEF.

The RRSA is presented to early years settings and schools that place children’s rights at the heart of their ethos and practice.

The programme aims to create environments where children feel respected, valued and able to thrive.

It also seeks to strengthen children’s sense of belonging, promoting their voice and encouraging them to become responsible and active citizens, all externally verified by UNICEF.

The RRSA is achieved through participation in a series of learning activities including online training and workshops, leading to the development of an action plan which is then implemented with support from a UNICEF professional adviser.

There are currently three levels of accreditation: bronze, silver and gold. The 12 Partou nurseries will initially work towards the bronze award, with the longer-term aim of all Partou settings achieving the accolade.

Last year, we announced an official partnership with UNICEF through which it is supporting a portfolio of targeted early learning initiatives and broader flexible funding, ensuring more children have the right to the best possible start in life, nurturing/supporting their health, learning and development.

Partou also recently celebrated UNICEF’s International Day of Play by launching the ‘Partou Guide to Play,’ a specially produced publication designed to help families better understand how play supports children’s development in nurseries and at home.

Kirsty Jackson, Partou Co-Managing Director, said:

“We are proud of our close working partnership with UNICEF which possesses unique local and global insight on children’s rights.

“Working towards RRSA accreditation across all our nurseries is a natural next step as our relationship deepens, with 12 settings chosen as trailblazers on this exciting and rewarding journey.

“By engaging with the Rights Respecting Schools Award, Partou is underlining our absolute commitment to providing nurturing, inclusive environments where children understand their rights, respect others, and develop the skills and values needed for lifelong success.”

Martin Russell, UNICEF UK Programme Director for RRSA, said:

“We look forward to supporting the staff in Partou nurseries to learn about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and to see how their great work with children can be underpinned and further strengthened through a child rights approach.

“Hearing nursery aged children speaking about some of their rights is always so inspiring!”

Find your local Partou Nursery

Search for a nursery

Search our nurseries by name, town, city or postcode.

Related news

Colourful balloon arch decorating the entrance of Partou Langley Gorse Day Nursery & Pre-school in Sutton Coldfield during the nursery
A day of laughter, smiles and love as Sutton Coldfield nursery raises cash for local charities

Children, families and team members at Partou Langley Gorse Day Nursery & Pre-school in Sutton Coldfield came together for the nursery's annual summer fete, enjoying games, refreshments and community fundraising. The event highlighted the nursery's strong family partnerships and community spirit, ...

Read more

Children and nursery staff from Partou Westfields Day Nursery & Pre-school in Cheltenham celebrating a positive Ofsted inspection result outdoors, with red and blue clothing against a green leafy garden backdrop, highlighting the nursery
‘Warm and nurturing’ Cheltenham nursery wins Ofsted approval

Children at Partou Westfields Day Nursery & Pre-school in Cheltenham are thriving in a warm and nurturing environment recently praised by Ofsted. Inspectors highlighted the nursery's broad curriculum, strong relationships and commitment to inclusion, awarding a 'strong standard' for inclusion. Rea...

Read more

Children from Partou Woodlands Halton Day Nursery & Pre-School wearing high-visibility vests reach up to touch and explore the underside of a restored RAF Halton aircraft during a community visit, accompanied by a nursery team member.
Wendover nursery children fly high with RAF Halton visit

Children from Partou Woodlands Halton Day Nursery & Pre-School enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime visit to RAF Halton, where they explored a 70-year-old military aircraft, learned how planes fly and discovered more about the important role the RAF plays in their local community. Read more about this spe...

Read more