Red haired little boy in a blue jumper with a cheeky smile next to a blonde little girl with a blue flowery clip in her hair, a smiling brunette partou team member and curly blonde haired girl wearing a pink top with pandas on. They are at the lunch table eating mashed potato and broccoli from green plates

Our history

50 years of childcare expertise

Founded in the Netherlands, Partou has been providing quality childcare since 1975, when we opened our first childcare centre. Today, Partou is the largest childcare organisation in the Netherlands — a country where, according to a UNICEF study, children are among the happiest in the world.

In 2024, Partou launched the UK following the merger of two nursery groups, Just Childcare and All About Children. We now operate 106 nurseries, caring for around 9,000 children and employing over 2,000 dedicated childcare professionals, including 240 apprentices.

Partou Group

The Partou Group unites three childcare organisations across the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany, driven by shared values and ambitions.

With over 14,000 employees at 935 settings, we care for nearly 83,000 children across Europe. One team, one mission: supporting children to grow into confident, resilient, and curious learners.

Read our Social Responsibility Report 2025

Our history | partou

Partou Day

Each June, we celebrate the anniversary of launching Partou in the UK, following the successful merger of nursery groups, Just Childcare and All About Children.

June 2025 marks a double celebration as not only is it our first anniversary in the UK, but it’s an incredible 50 years of providing childcare in the Netherlands.

Over the decades, childcare has seen many changes, especially in the UK, where social and cultural shifts have shaped the way families raise their children.

To learn more about our celebrations and the timeline of childcare’s most significant moments, visit our blog post on Partou Day.

Partou 50 years anniversary logo featuring the partou brand mark in a gradient of purple, pink and orange, alongside a gold circular badge displaying “50 years”. The logo celebrates five decades of trusted childcare, early years education, child development and nursery excellence within the partou nursery group.

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Latest news

Image of brunette, curly haired dr karen boardman - partou group send and inclusion lead, smiling and wearing a red blouse whilst standing in front of a large tree.
Partou appoints SEND and inclusion leader to frontline role

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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Chef from partou progress house day nursery & pre-school celebrating a chef of the year shortlist, standing in a white chef
Market Harborough nursery chef nominated for national award

Naiane Serafin Godinho, Nursery Chef at Partou Progress House in Market Harborough, has been shortlisted for Chef of the Year at the National NMT Nursery Awards 2026.

Nursery Manager Nina Halls shares what makes Nai’s passion for early years nutrition stand out.

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Partou alexandra day nursery & pre-school team celebrating sustainable nursery of the year award recognition, holding an award certificate in front of the nursery entrance, framed by striking red, white and gold balloons and green foliage decorations.
Redditch nursery shortlisted for prestigious national award

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.

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