March 6th, 2026
Partou has launched an expanded long service award scheme, recognising team members earlier in their journey and celebrating the dedication they bring from day one. Find out more about the new approach.
Partou has launched a new long service award scheme as part of a continued commitment to recognising and celebrating the people who make it one of the UK’s leading day nursery providers.
Previously, awards – in the form of gift vouchers – were presented to individual team members following five years of service, and again every five years for increasing amounts.
Under the new arrangement, vouchers will be given to team members reaching one, two, three and four years of service.
Established in 1975, Partou is the biggest childcare group in the Netherlands with more than 700 settings, over 70,000 children and 9,000 team members.
It currently operates more than 100 nurseries in the UK, which collectively care for around 9,000 children and employ more than 2,000 dedicated childcare professionals, including 240 apprentices.
Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said:
“The increase in hours of government-funded childcare has significantly heightened the need to welcome new practitioners into the sector and retain their many skills in the long-term.
“We know that every year of service represents dedication, hard work and the impact each team member makes on their colleagues and the children we support.
“With that in mind, we have expanded our long service awards so that even more milestones are recognised and appreciated.
“This means we can celebrate and thank team members earlier in their journey with us, recognising the value they bring from day one.
“We are truly grateful to them for the care, compassion and continuous learning they show every day. Each plays an important part in our shared success.”
We are delighted to welcome Dr Karen Boardman to Partou as our Group SEND and Inclusion Lead.
Read more about Karen's expertise and passion for SEND and Inclusion in early year education and care.
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Nursery Manager Nina Halls shares what makes Nai's passion for early years nutrition stand out.
Partou Alexandra in Redditch has been shortlisted for Sustainable Nursery of the Year at the National NMT Nursery Awards 2026.
Nursery Manager Holly Browning explains how the team reuses and repurposes before buying new, and why the children are part of it.
