Portland Nurseries rewards employees with free childcare
Katy Morton
Monday, January 31, 2022
To mark its 30th birthday, the Portland Nurseries group has introduced a free childcare policy for all its employees in recognition of their hard work.
Under the permanent move, all employees of the Huddersfield nursery group do not have to pay fees for their children to attend any of the four settings during their hours of work.
The initiative will also be open to new staff once they pass their probationary period.
Portland Nurseries’ managing director Michael Murphy announced the news at the nursery group’s 30thcelebration as a thank you for employees’ ‘dedication and hard work’ over the past three decades, recognising how staff have ‘worked selflessly’ during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As well as free childcare, employees will also be able to work more flexibly and take ‘wellbeing days’ off in addition to paid annual leave. Other new benefits being introduced include wellbeing plans for staff with NHS therapists and a Staff Loyalty Scheme which rewards employees with gifts and additional holiday for service over five years.
According to the nursery group, the average tenure of an employee is over five years. Eight of the group’s staff have worked for the company for 10 years, while two have been there for 25 plus years.
Murphy said, ‘We have enjoyed many successful years over the past three decades. We have helped nurture thousands of children and worked with countless families to give them the best start in life.
‘Our success is down to our wonderful staff – the fond memories and amazing experiences they help create for everyone who comes through our doors. Giving them free childcare is a natural step in our benefits scheme structure that we are constantly improving to help and reward them.’
Portland Nurseries said it is looking to add more settings to the group as it enters a new decade.
