Childbase cuts staff hours for better work/life balance

The plan is designed to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of Childbase staff. The reduction in hours will be phased in by half an hour a year, until the 37.5 hours is reached.

Childbase employs more than 1,300 staff at 41 nurseries throughout England.

Employees can choose to take the extra time by starting work later, leaving work earlier, or taking a longer lunch break.

All employees, both full and part-time, have seen increases to their hourly rates.

Ayden James who works at the ‘outstanding’ Lavenders nursery, Bedford, uses the extra half-hour a week to collect his seven-month-old son Kovu from nursery and take him to the park, and for studying his NVQ.

‘It may not seem like a lot of time but it really does make a big difference. Knowing that I can have the extra time without losing pay is a big boost to morale,' he said.

The plan was drawn up following discussions with employee representatives on the group’s partnership council and consultation with staff.

Helen Bass, HR director at Childbase, said, ‘We know that childcare, while very rewarding, is also mentally and physically challenging.  Reducing working hours is just one measure we are looking at in an attempt to provide employees with the means to achieve a better work/life balance.’

‘We believe that initiatives like this, combined with company investment in employees personal and professional growth, are essential in the delivery of outstanding education and service to the children in our care,’ she added.

Childbase is the only childcare provider to have been named in the annual '100 best companies to work for list' published by The Sunday Times.

The group was listed at number 13 this year, up from 23 last year.