£1.2m given to Childbase nursery staff on 'dividend day'

Staff at nursery group Childbase Partnership have dodged the post-Christmas blues by receiving a windfall of £750 each, tax-free, as a share of the profits.

Group with cheques. Credit: Childbase Partnership

The Partnership gives a share of profits to staff, who have a stake in the nurseries they run. This year there was over £1.2 million in the dividends pot for all staff to share, regardless of age or seniority of role. Even those who work part-time also received a sum, but on a pro-rata basis.

The manager of Oak Tree Day Nursery in Finchampstead, Joanna Allen-Dann, said the "dividend day celebrations" were the perfect "antidote" to the "post-Christmas blues" and was a reminder to everybody that their opinions and ideas matter.

She said: “There is a real energy in the nursery at this time because the dividend payment reminds us all that we are personally invested in giving our children the best possible nursery experience. Happy and engaged staff ensures confident children ready to realise their full potential.”

The £750 represents a ten per cent increase on last year’s payment and follows on from an average four per cent pay increase for nursery practitioners in November.

In a letter to all staff, Childbase Partnership founder and chairman, Mike Thompson, wrote: “The important thing to remember is that this payment is based on hours worked so full-timers, from apprentices to the chairman, get the same Partnership Dividend payment because we are all owners and everybody’s contribution, irrespective of their role, is vital to our success.”

The Partnership Dividend Payment follows a company-wide vote to move from individual share ownership of the company, which was founded in 1989, to a long-term trust which benefits everybody, equally, for generations to come.

Room leader Jasmine Drury, is using the extra money for a trip to Iceland.

She said: “Such a lovely surprise, I couldn’t be happier. What a great start to the new year.”

Lucy Cooper, an apprentice who is completing an Early Years Qualification at Meadow View Day Nursery in Newport Pagnell, has said she will be using her payment for a family reunion in America.

She explained: “I haven’t seen my brother in two years or met his second son who is now three years old. I can’t wait.

“Knowing that my hard work and enthusiasm for the job has helped make this payment possible makes me feel valued and proud to be part of a thriving employee-owned company. This is the perfect way to start a new year.”

Leoni Brown is a room leader at Pennypot Day Nursery in Chobham, and for her, the payment has special significance due to her role on the Partnership Council, which is the voice of all employee-owners and is instrumental in decision-making at the company.

She enthused: “I have been part of the process in fixing and approving the final amount of the dividend payment, so it is very exciting for me and for all of us. Having a say in how the company is run and then sharing the rewards of our hard work really does make our ownership very real.”

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