The nursery group, which operates 43 settings in the South of England and employs more than 2,000 staff, is the only childcare provider to feature on The Sunday Times’ list - open to companies which employ at least 2,000 full-time staff and achieve one of the 25 highest Best Companies Index (BCI) scores in the category.
This is the 11th year Childbase has featured on a Sunday Times best companies to work for list, but it is the first time it has been ranked in 1st place.
It also came first in five of the eight categories measuring workplace engagement, while Childbase Partnership’s founder and chairman Mike Thompson was rated ‘Best Leader’.
The categories measuring workplace engagement recognise the pride employees feel; the opportunities they have for developing their careers; the pay, benefits and bonus culture; and charity fund-raising. Annual pay rises averaged around 6.6 per cent last year.
In the last three decades, Childbase Partnership has raised £3 million for charity. Last year, it raised a record £165,000 for the charity Mind.
Childcare employees also benefit from tax-free Partnership Dividend payments of up to £1,000 each. All employees receive the same amount.
Under the nursery group’s apprenticeship programme, all apprentices are given two months off the job to focus on their development and they are all guarantee permanent practitioner positions upon completion.
Childbase Partnership’s founder and chairman Mike Thompson said, ‘Success is never about the individual – everything achieved is built on the hard work and dedication of every single employee in our business. Making sure that is recognised and celebrated is what life is all about.’
Emma Rooney, Childbase partnership managing director, added, ‘Committed to giving children the best possible start in life and working in a highly regulated, Government inspected sector requires a particular dedication. The work may be highly rewarding but it is also very demanding and my nursery colleagues don’t have the luxury of working environments that are designed for their happiness and well-being. The focus is always on the children in their care.’
