It remains the only childcare provider to feature on the list. In the category for 'personal growth' it is ranked third out of all 100 companies.
The 41-strong nursery chain said this showed that its 1,300 employees not only feel their skills are valued but are happy with the opportunities they are offered for career development.
According to the Sunday Times’ survey, staff feel they can make a positive difference in the organisation, with a 76 per cent positive score. They ‘love working’ for Childbase (80 per cent) and are ‘proud’ to work for it (85 per cent).
Chief executive Mike Thompson also received top marks for leadership based on ‘sound moral principles’ (82 per cent), while senior managers were also recognised for ‘listening’ to staff (71 per cent).
Helen Bass, HR director, believes that the listening element is key to success. ‘We really are working together in pursuit of excellence in every aspect of our working life,’ she said. ‘Listening to each other helps us to identify areas for improvement and these results will inform further positive change.’
Staff can voice their opinions and direct policy through the new, entirely-elected Partnership Council and through listening lunches, where senior managers entertain small staff groups in local restaurants.
Twenty-one year-old Samantha Jones (pictured), who is the newly-promoted team leader at Brinds Well Day Nursery in Orpington, said, 'I've been with the company three years and it was fantastic to get confirmation of my promotion and then hear that the company has received the recognition it deserves.'
Childbase currently has 19 outstanding nurseries and 18 rated good. Since announcing its commitment to total employee ownership in 2001, this now stands at 64 per cent.
