Bracknell nursery children become published poets

Pre-schoolers at Partou Children’s House Day Nursery in Binfield have seen their first poems published in a book by Young Writers, an organisation that champions creative writing and poetry for aspiring authors aged five to 18.

“A few months back we were approached by Young Writers to ask our pre-school children if they wanted to be involved in writing their very first poem, of course we couldn't say no,” Kelli East, Partou Children’s House Nursery Manager, explained

“They gave us forms for the children to complete, including their names and ages. 

“A month or so went by and they sent us some communications to go out to the families asking for their permission to publish the poems.”

After signing consent forms, families were offered the chance to purchase the book.

“As you can imagine, they all jumped at the chance, some buying more than one copy!” Kelli confirmed. 

“We were given a nursery copy, and this is now proudly displayed in our entrance hall for everyone to enjoy.”

In addition to the sense of fun and pride felt by the children when seeing their work in print, Kelli said writing poetry has played a key part in supporting the delivery of key learning and development outcomes for the children.

“Writing poetry helps the children to explore the musicality of language, build on phonics skills, and express their emotions, thoughts and feelings,” she continued.

“It expands their vocabulary by introducing new words and phrases in a playful, memorable context.   It provides a ‘blank canvas’ without strict rules, encouraging children to think creatively, invent imaginative characters, and safely articulate their feelings.

“Collaborative poetry writing - such as taking turns to add a word or line – also fosters a sense of community, turn-taking and cooperation among peers.  We are thrilled at the impact it has made in our nursery.”

Set in a detached Edwardian mansion surrounded by two acres of land just a mile from Bracknell and Wokingham, the facilities at Children’s House have been specially designed for fun-filled educational activities.

Its exciting indoor environment includes a nursery gym, climbing frame and play areas for all ages.  Its attractive outdoor space features a large sandpit, sensory gardens, mud kitchens and more for the children to explore.

Kirsty Jackson, Partou UK Childcare and Operations Director & Co-Managing Director, said: “This is an exciting way to introduce to children to the joys of creative writing. 

“Seeing their work in published form can be a source of inspiration, with the book itself serving as a cherished keepsake in years to come.

 Well done to all the young poets and the fantastic team at Partou Children’s House.”       

South Croydon nursery celebrates World Environment Day with garden clean-up

Children at Partou Gingerbread House Day Nursery and Pre-School in South Croydon have marked World Environment Day by litter picking the setting’s front garden, reflecting its ongoing commitment to environmental awareness and responsibility.

Through this hands-on experience, the children learnt the importance of caring for the world around them and how even small actions can have a positive impact on the environment.

Claire Preece, Partou Gingerbread House Nursery Manager, said: “Working together to help keep our nursery grounds clean encourages a sense of teamwork, cooperation and pride in our surroundings.

“The activity provided valuable opportunities for the children to develop responsibility, respect for nature, and an understanding of their role in protecting the environment.

“By actively contributing to the care of the nursery's front garden, they gained a greater appreciation for the importance of looking after shared spaces and helping others.”

Set in an impressive three-storey building close to Sanderstead and Purley Oaks railway stations, Partou Gingerbread House welcomes children from six months to five years old.

Its ‘home-from-home’ indoor learning environment is complemented by stunning outdoor spaces featuring grass, nature and paved areas, together with a large mud kitchen and vegetable patch.

Jessica Pais, Partou Gingerbread Senior Deputy Manager, said: “World Environment Day provided a wonderful opportunity to help children understand the importance of caring for our planet.

“By taking part in activities such as litter picking, they learn that even the smallest actions can make a big difference.

“We were incredibly proud to see the children working together to care for and respect their environment.”

Kirsty Jackson, Partou Co-Managing Director, said: “The Partou Gingerbread team and families should be incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the children.

“Experiences such as these help nurture caring, thoughtful, and environmentally conscious individuals who understand that every action, no matter how small, can make a difference.”

Award-winning Leeds entrepreneur creates retail hub supporting independent Black-owned brands

A Leeds businesswoman has opened a boutique at Chapeltown Enterprise Centre to sell her clothing and jewellery, while supporting other local entrepreneurs to take their products to market.

Fashion designer and creative entrepreneur Karen Williams, founder of SANYAN Collective.

SANYAN Collective is a Leeds-based creative retail and community hub founded by award-winning fashion designer and creative entrepreneur Karen Williams, whose contemporary African-inspired fashion brand, SANYAN, offers elegant women’s clothing shaped by her adaptable fluid-fit philosophy.

After years of selling at events and pop-ups across the UK, Karen recognised how important physical retail space was for independent brands seeking to build credibility and visibility.

After seeing Black-owned pop-up spaces in London close as costs rose, she set out to build a more sustainable model after relocating to Leeds three years ago.

What began as a home for her own fashion brand at Chapeltown Enterprise Centre has evolved into a shared creative hub that supports Black-owned businesses and brands connected to communities across Africa and the Caribbean.

SANYAN Collective is now a base for 10 independent brands, alongside SANYAN itself.

They include 9 Ether Touch, producers of organic skincare, and King Bro Empire, a tailor producing innovative menswear.  Also, Lumiere by Marva Kelly, who creates luxury candles and diffuser oils, and Proud 2 Be African Woman which sources African jewellery from Togo, Cameroon and Kenya.

Together with retail, SANYAN Collective hosts community-led events such as a recent Sip & Shop experience, with more events planned throughout the year.

The space is also launching sewing workshops such as “Sew-l Sisters” using excess and recycled leftover materials and dead stock based on requests from customers, while providing opportunities for creatives to use the venue for meetings, photoshoots and customer collection services.

Chapeltown Enterprise Centre is one of three business locations in Leeds managed by Unity Enterprise (UE), the not-for-profit subsidiary of BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise.  UE currently provides 153 affordable business units for almost 100 diverse businesses in the city, employing more than 1,250 people.

In addition to providing business space and support services, UE hosts regular business masterclasses and workshops including Breaking Barriers, a bespoke programme of events covering mindset, social media marketing, branding, sales and pitching, web design and multimedia. 

It was at this course just over two years ago where Karen met vendors Tracy Pinder and Nadeen Strachan, who are now part of SANYAN Collective.  Tracy is a jewellery designer producing unique and bespoke handmade jewellery, while Nadeen is a talented seamstress and designer of couture fashion.

Karen Williams said: “Moving into Chapeltown Enterprise Centre was the perfect move at precisely the right time.  I am grateful to UE for their support, including delivering the Breaking Barriers course which brought the three of us together. 

“I have started gaining local recognition, including being honoured with the Yorkshire Black Business Award for Retailer of the Year 2026.

“The long-term vision for SANYAN Collective is to become a permanent creative and cultural hub within Leeds and a long-term launchpad for emerging independent Black-owned brands — a place where businesses can gain visibility, grow sustainably and eventually move on to make space for the next generation of creatives.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “SANYAN Collective is a fantastic concept and a great way for local entrepreneurs to come together and share a space where they can sell and promote their wares.

“I am particularly pleased that two of the female entrepreneurs are Unity housing tenants, hopefully they will be trailblazers for many others to follow.  

“UE’s mission is to identify and offer people in hard-to-reach BME communities, including housing tenants, the chance to change their economic prospects by encouraging them to view business as a sustainable and rewarding career.

“Karen is a role model for what can be achieved with a sharp business idea, a willingness to collaborate, a drive to succeed and the support we can provide.”  

‘Highly-inclusive’ Herts nursery where ‘children are at the heart of decisions made’ impresses Ofsted

Ofsted has praised team members at a Hertfordshire nursery for creating “a warm and welcoming environment where all children feel safe and secure,” following an inspection.

The official report describes the culture at Partou Ware Day Nursery and Pre-school as “highly-inclusive” where “all children thrive and receive superb support.”    

Ofsted recently changed the way early years settings are graded, replacing the previous single-word judgement with a renewed framework that focuses on safeguarding and a broad range of evaluation areas: inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; and leadership and governance.

Safeguarding standards at Partou Ware were deemed to be ‘met’ with the setting achieving ‘strong standard’ for inclusion and ‘expected standard’ across all other evaluation areas.

Partou Ware Day Nursery and Pre-School has won praise from Ofsted following an inspection

The Ofsted inspector notes that children attending the nursery “progress well from their starting points.”  They write: “Children demonstrate increasing independence in managing tasks for themselves, as they move through the nursery. Their communication skills develop well, and they successfully communicate with others, in a variety of ways. Children with barriers to their learning receive effective support to make progress.”

The report adds: “All children enjoy their time at the nursery and are well prepared for their move on to school. This is thanks to a well-constructed curriculum that is tailored to meet the individual needs of children. Leaders have secure oversight of the nursery and passionately advocate for every child to ensure that they can access the full curriculum.”

The approach taken by Partou Ware team members with responsibility for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is positively highlighted, with the inspector observing that they “passionately share their knowledge and expertise with the wider staff team.”  The report states: “This makes a clear difference to the knowledge and skills of staff, who consistently provide highly focused support for children who face barriers to their learning.”

And leaders at the setting are described as having “a seamless flow of conversation with families and external professionals.”  The inspector observes: “Timely and robust assessments inform appropriate support for all children, ensuring they access the education to which they are entitled. Children are at the heart of decisions made and leaders carefully consider children's attendance patterns to ensure they make the most of their time at nursery.”

Located on Park Road, Partou Ware is a purpose-built day nursery and pre-school that has been refurbished and re-equipped to the highest standards.

It has four individual rooms tailored to each age and stage of children’s development: babies, toddlers, kindergarten and pre-school. These rooms are neutrally decorated and well-resourced to encourage children’s imagination to take centre stage in harmony with Partou’s child-led early years curriculum. 

Each age group room has access to an individual garden with state-of-the-art outdoor facilities where children can run, play and express themselves freely.

Jade Spalding, Partou Ware Nursery Manager, said: “It is a really positive report which underlines the team’s commitment to the children’s wellbeing and personal development as they set out on their learning journey.

“The inspector draws particular attention to our efforts to empower the children to become independent, alongside our close partnership work with families to ensure we are addressing individual needs.

"I am proud of my team and delighted that they are the subject of such worthy praise from Ofsted.”        

Kirsty Jackson, Partou Co-Managing Director, said: “Congratulations to Jade and everyone involved at Partou Ware.

“The team’s dedication to each and every detail of provision shines through in the report.”

‘Inclusive’ Slough nursery impresses Ofsted

A Slough nursery where children “receive warm welcomes from the staff as they arrive with huge smiles” has been praised by Ofsted.

In their final report, the inspectors describe the “inclusive approach” adopted by leaders and team members at Partou Cherry Trees Day Nursery and Pre-school as a “key strength of this setting.”   

They add: “Individual plans for children who face barriers to their learning are carefully tailored to meet their specific needs. The rapid progress made by these children to meet their needs is underpinned by the successful partnership between leaders, staff, parents and external professionals.”   

Its “inclusive approach” is described as a key strength of Partou Cherry Trees in Slough following an inspection

Ofsted recently changed the way early years settings are graded, replacing the previous single-word judgement with a renewed framework that focuses on safeguarding and a broad range of evaluation areas: inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; and leadership and governance.

Safeguarding standards at Partou Cherry Trees were deemed to be ‘met’ with the setting achieving ‘strong standard’ for inclusion and ‘expected standard’ across all other evaluation areas.

The inspectors highlight the “clear and accurate overview of the effectiveness of the provision for children who face barriers to their learning” achieved by “knowledgeable leaders” at the setting. 

They write: “Leaders ensure staff access targeted training that equips them well for their role in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff swiftly identify gaps in children's development through effective screening tools, regular assessments and ongoing monitoring. They work closely with families to use additional early years funding purposefully, to securely meet children's individual needs and support their family circumstances.”

The Ofsted report notes that children “make positive progress in their personal, social and emotional development, alongside their physical skills.”

Bonds between team members and children are said to be “positive.” The report observes: “As a result, children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, listen and respond appropriately to staff's expectations.”  It continues: “Staff model positive behaviour and regularly praise children's efforts and achievements. This helps children to make appropriate choices and encourages them to persevere and try their best.”

And the close partnership working between the Partou Cherry Trees team and families is judged to be “highly successful for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.”  

The inspectors add: “Leaders support parents to develop an understanding of their children's needs and share strategies to promote learning at home. Individual plans are regularly reviewed and adapted as these children achieve their targets, ensuring continued progress.”

Located on the Slough Trading Estate, Partou Cherry Trees is a purpose-built day nursery and pre-school serving families who live or work nearby.

The recently refurbished setting offers state-of-the-art indoor resources including sensory rooms and nursery gyms, together with an exciting outdoor environment where children can develop their physical and social skills.

Ravneet Uppal, Partou Cherry Trees Nursery Manager, said: “We welcome the report, especially the positive comments about our work on inclusion which has been graded as ‘strong standard.’

 “I am proud to lead a highly qualified team of early years practitioners who are experts in children’s learning and provide an exciting experience that reflects the individual needs and interests of every child.

“This really shines through in the words of the Ofsted inspectors.”    

Kirsty Jackson, Partou Co-Managing Director, said: “Ravneet and the team take a thoughtful, professional approach to making sure every child’s learning is shaped around their individual needs.

“The strong relationships they build with families are making a real difference to children’s development.”

Partou unveils ‘The Five Big Play Truths’ to mark International Day of Play

Partou, one of the UK’s leading childcare providers, is celebrating today’s International Day of Play, in support of charity partner UNICEF, by launching a publication designed to help families better understand how play supports children’s development in nurseries and at home.  

The ‘Partou Guide to Play’ draws on the professional expertise and personal experiences of almost 900 early years educators from 99 of Partou’s more than 100 settings around the country who completed a bespoke survey.

Detailed analysis of the 869 responses enabled Partou to summarise the lessons as ‘The Five Big Play Truths’:

1.     Outdoor play is real learning 

2.     Sensory play builds brains

3.     Stories and songs still matter most

4.     Imagination is serious work

5.     Children don’t need more toys

Of the Partou educators surveyed, 80% agreed that outdoor play is a top activity across all early years age groups, with physical development cited as the principal benefit.

Almost 9 in 10 highlighted sensory play – often referred to as 'messy play’ by families - as a key experience for children, with 95% saying it was a favourite for babies (0–2 years) whilst still highly valued for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Around 8 in 10 named books and storytelling as a favourite for young children, but said engagement is highest when combined with songs, movement and interactive play. 

The survey results showed that books are a preference for babies, with older children favouring more active imaginative play and group-themed activities.

Indeed, imaginative play – regarded as a primary vehicle for understanding the world and building relationships - was found to be a top activity by around 90% of preschool educators, with the right setup and adult interaction.

However, more than a third of respondents reported that any activity regarded by the children as too structured or adult-led, such as ‘table-top’ tasks, lost their interest.

Amongst other findings from the research, almost 8 in 10 educators said children’s favourite play combines multiple play types - generally a combination of outdoor, sensory and imaginative play - with almost 90% agreeing that movement is a popular component.

The ‘Partou Guide to Play’ reflects Partou’s long-standing focus on play-based learning and the expertise specialist educators bring, by creating environments that support children on their learning journey.

It combines practical ideas for families with expert insight into how play helps children build confidence, communication skills, resilience, independence and emotional wellbeing during the critical early years.

The publication also highlights how sensory play helps children explore textures, sounds, movement and materials to strengthen coordination, communication and emotional regulation, while open-ended play encourages children to solve problems, test ideas and build independence through imagination-led experiences.

Kirsty Jackson, Partou’s Co-Managing Director, said: “Play is how young children learn to understand the world around them. It supports everything from language and social development to emotional confidence, creativity and resilience.

“Our educators are highly skilled in recognising how different types of play support different areas of development and create experiences that help children learn naturally through curiosity, exploration and interaction.

“The ‘Partou Guide to Play’ shares some of that expertise with families, helping them to feel confident that everyday moments of play at home can have a hugely positive impact on their child’s development.”

Through its partnership with UNICEF UK, Partou is supporting International Day of Play to champion every child’s right to play and to raise awareness of the importance of play to healthy childhood development.

Andy Todd, Director of Partnerships at UNICEF UK, said: “International Day of Play celebrates the power of play and the important role it has in children’s development and wellbeing.

“It’s also a time when we can come together to make sure that every child is able to fulfil their right to play, and so we’re hugely grateful to our partner, Partou, for championing this in their new Guide to Play.”

The ‘Partou Guide to Play’ is available for families to access free of charge on the Partou website. 

New Unity Enterprise Manager announced

Catherine Allsop has been appointed to lead Unity Enterprise (UE), the not-for-profit subsidiary of Leeds-based BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise.

A founder of two innovative, community-focused businesses, she brings over six years of leadership experience in community building, education and social inclusion.

Established in 2000 to support local entrepreneurship, UE currently provides 153 affordable business units across three centres for more than 140 diverse businesses, which together employ more than 1,250 people.

It was recently shortlisted for SME of the Year at the Northern Housing Awards.

As UE Manager, Catherine will spearhead a multi-skilled team in the delivery of high-quality services to business tenants and other stakeholders.

Catherine Allsop is the new Unity Enterprise Manager

She will also manage Unity Business Centre, Leeds Media Centre and Chapeltown Enterprise Centre on a day-to-day basis, and be an ambassador for UE’s work locally, regionally and nationally.     

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “UE actively promotes entrepreneurship as a career to individuals who are not traditionally encouraged by the sector to follow this path.

“To help overcome the barriers they face, UE provides a range of advice and support services for people to set up their own business, become self-employed, receive training and education, and enter employment for the first time or after a prolonged period of economic inactivity.

“Catherine’s skillset and life experiences make her an ideal fit for this role.  We are delighted to have her onboard.”  

Catherine Allsop said: “I am looking forward to working with the team at Unity Enterprise and the wider community to support local entrepreneurs and business owners, and to help more people in the local area see business as a sustainable and rewarding career.

“UE is guided by its social purpose, with values which closely mirroring my own.

“I will be focussed on helping to strengthen its long-term sustainability and further expand its impact in the community.”

Leeds Jewish Housing Association wins top prize at Northern Housing Awards

Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) has been named Landlord of the Year at the Northern Housing Awards 2026.

The prize - regarded as the blue ribband category in the much sought-after awards - is open to housing associations, councils and related organisations across the North of England “that do more than simply provide a roof over people’s heads.”

In their final adjudication, the Northern Housing Awards judging panel said they were “deeply impressed” by LJHA’s “commitment to community, inclusivity and tenant wellbeing.”

The judges added: “Their resident-centred approach, innovative support services and strong partnerships demonstrated a landlord genuinely focused on improving lives and supporting independence across its communities.”

The trophy was presented to senior LJHA representatives at an evening ceremony in Manchester.   

Founded in 1953, LJHA is an established Jewish-led community based Registered Social Housing Provider.

It is committed to providing and maintaining sustainable community housing, focusing predominantly on the needs of the local Jewish community, but working with and welcoming people from all communities.

LJHA has more than 500 properties in its portfolio and provides a mixture of homes for individuals, families, older people and shared ownership.

It will shortly expand this number with a stunning new development of 28 affordable homes, the second phase of a two-part scheme which is due for completion this summer.

In the past 12 months, LJHA achieved a customer satisfaction rating of 82.9% in an all-tenant survey. This surpassed the sector average across all 12 categories in which questions were asked including the quality of homes, response time to complaints, anti-social behaviour, repairs and maintenance, home safety, communications and cleanliness.

LJHA has won Landlord of the Year at the Northern Housing Awards 2026 (courtesy of Northern Housing and Joe Gardner Photography)

Interviewed after receiving the Landlord of the Year award, Mark Grandfield, LJHA Chief Executive, said: “To be recognised by industry peers is special, but being nominated as the greatest social landlord in the North of England is even better because we’re adding real value to the communities we serve.”

Asked what makes LJHA great, Mark added: “I think we have 35 staff who go that extra mile all the time”.

Andrew Pliener, Chair of the LJHA Board, commented: “LJHA exists to provide services for our residents and help build a thriving Jewish community.

“This award, voted for by a panel of industry experts, validates all the hard work the organisation is undertaking and is great recognition of the efforts of our staff.”

Niki Yoshua, Chair of LJHA’s Resident Consultative Group, said: “A lovely evening and a proud moment.  This award is for the tenants as well, many of whom work tirelessly together with LJHA towards achieving a fantastic housing association.”

Development consortium boosts affordable homes growth in Yorkshire and Humber

A development partnership set up to empower housing associations and community groups to build many more affordable homes in Yorkshire and Humber is having an increasing impact across the region.  

The Unity Community Development Consortium (UCDC) was established in May 2021 by Leeds-based BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise in the wake of the pandemic, which had such a detrimental effect on housebuilding. 

Over the past five years, the partnership has expanded in size and, alongside founding members including Chartford Housing, now incorporates equally well-known organisations such as Manningham Housing Association (MHA), Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, Harrogate Housing Association and Hull Churches.

UCDC is currently supporting Chartford Housing to secure additional properties in West Yorkshire for some of the most vulnerable people in the region.

It has recently supported BME provider MHA to acquire 36 large family homes at Odette’s Point in Keighley, 19 two- and three-bedroomed houses at Victoria Road in Bradford and a large extended family house also in Bradford.  MHA’s board has also approved a programme to deliver 150 new homes over the next five years and asked UCDC to continue their invaluable support.

Harrogate Housing Association will soon begin building work on 20 new affordable properties with planning expertise provided by the consortium.

On behalf of Hull Churches, UCDC has exchanged contracts for the acquisition of 12 two-bedroomed houses to be let to local people.

Although not formally part of the consortium, UCDC has supported Pickering and Ferens in achieving their development aspirations and to date have been involved in delivering over 40 new homes, facilitating the acquisition of 25 properties via a Section 106 agreement with Persimmon Homes and developing a healthy pipeline of new opportunities using local Hull based developers. 

Wayne Noteman, Director of Regeneration at Unity Homes and Enterprise

Wayne Noteman, Director of Regeneration at Unity Homes and Enterprise, said the consortium provides pivotal assistance to each member’s development aspirations in lots of different ways, including by sharing best practice expertise and pooling financial resources.

He commented: “As a relatively small BME housing association managing around 1,400 affordable homes, Unity has a long-established reputation for punching above our weight.

“By setting up the Unity Community Development Consortium with colleagues in Yorkshire and Humber, we wanted to use the vast experience we have built up over almost four decades.     

“This has already paid significant dividends across the region with many more affordable properties either completed, in development, acquired from the open market or progressing through planning, than would otherwise have been the case.

“Not all providers have the staff or resources to deliver standalone projects that expand their housing stock. By drawing on the professional support of other consortium members, we have made a real difference and hope to accelerate that progress in the months and years ahead.”

He added: “We are proud to have recently received confirmation that we continue to qualify as a Homes England Investment Partner for the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, allowing Unity Homes and Enterprise and all our partners to obtain grant funding.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “We are proud of the role Unity has played in putting the partnership together, growing its membership and increasing the volume of affordable homes being built in Yorkshire and Humber for people who need them most.

“As well as delivering new properties and acquiring existing properties from the open market for affordable rent, UCDC has also successfully facilitated the transfer of housing stock from other Registered Providers.”

‘Warm, nurturing’ South Croydon nursery impresses Ofsted

A South Croydon nursery which “promotes an inclusive environment where children feel they belong and are supported to thrive” has been praised by Ofsted following an inspection.

The newly published report says children at Partou Gingerbread House Day Nursery and Pre-School are “happy and learn through play in a warm, nurturing setting.” 

Leaders are praised for having “a clear vision for what they want children to know and learn across all ages in the setting.”  The inspector writes: “Activities are designed to support children's overall development. They are adapted so that all children can take part and are tailored to each child's age and stage of development. Teaching is purposeful and focuses on helping children learn the skills they need for their next steps.”

Ofsted recently changed the way early years settings are graded, replacing the previous single-word judgement with a renewed framework that focuses on safeguarding and a broad range of evaluation areas: inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; and leadership and governance.

Safeguarding standards at Partou Gingerbread House were deemed to be ‘met’ with the nursery achieving ‘expected standard’ across five evaluation areas.

The Ofsted report notes that children “achieve well from their starting points in all areas of learning, progressing through the curriculum,” and “are provided with activities and experiences to help support them to develop age-appropriate skills.” 

The inspector adds: “Staff know the children well, encouraging them to become independent within their routines and to begin managing tasks for themselves. Children are typically confident to navigate daily routines such as he lping to tidy up, demonstrating well-embedded positive behaviour.”

And partnerships between Partou Gingerbread House team members and families are judged to be “well established” with the report highlighting that families “praise leaders and staff for the care and teaching they provide for children.”    

Set in an impressive three-storey building close to Sanderstead and Purley Oaks railway stations, Partou Gingerbread House welcomes children aged from six months to five years old. 

Its welcoming ‘home-from-home’ indoor learning environment is complemented by a stunning outdoor space featuring a grass, nature and paved areas, together with a large mud kitchen and vegetable patch.

Partou Gingerbread House Day Nursery and Pre-School in South Croydon has been praised by Ofsted

Claire Preece, Partou Gingerbread House Nursery Manager, said: “As a team, we place a strong emphasis on providing the best possible learning experience for the children and it is satisfying to see this as a common theme running through the report.

“Similarly, our relationships with families are incredibly important and the bonds we have developed with them have been recognised by the inspector.

“It is our first experience of the new Ofsted grading framework and we welcome the outcome, including guidance on where we can improve.”        

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said: “Well done to Claire and her deeply committed team at Partou Gingerbread House on their success.

“They have created a wonderfully positive culture at the nursery which provides the ideal environment for children to make great strides as they set out on their learning journey.”     

Free European funding workshop announced for Leeds

Leeds Media Centre will be the venue next month for a free interactive workshop designed to help startups and SMEs, researchers, local authorities, NGOs, charities and others better understand the range of European funding opportunities available to UK-based individuals and organisations, including programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and the EIC Accelerator.

Hosted by Andrea Benahmed Djilali, founder of the Circular Fashion Incubator, the two-hour session on Wednesday 3 June will provide a practical overview of current EU funding priorities linked to innovation, sustainability, research, skills, climate action, social impact and international collaboration.

Through facilitated group exercises, participants will discuss common interests and funding priorities; map project ideas against suitable EU programmes; explore transnational collaboration opportunities; develop early-stage project concepts; and practice stakeholder mapping and consortium-building techniques.

Leeds Media Centre is one of three business locations in Chapeltown operated by Unity Enterprise (UE), the not-for-profit subsidiary of BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise.

Leeds Media Centre will host the workshop on Wednesday 3 June

Richard Aitoro, UE Business Adviser, said: “We are delighted that Leeds Media Centre will form the backdrop for this workshop which will be highly interactive and designed to foster meaningful connections between participants from different sectors and disciplines.

“Andrea previously attended our Breaking Barriers workshops at Leeds Media Centre and, having become a renowned sustainable fashion designer, is organising this event in our impressive Business Hub.  Mashair Abdal Magid, founder of Coffeenah Coffee who also attended the Breaking Barriers workshops, will present her coffee products and offer coffee tasting.

“Participants will gain a clearer understanding of EU funding opportunities accessible in the UK, and improve their ability to identify relevant calls and funding pathways.

“They will also be given tips on how to strengthen networking and partnership-building skills, as well as insights into what makes a successful European project proposal.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “Leeds Media Centre has become a popular venue for a host of workshops and masterclasses in recent years.

“We are particularly keen to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs from the local community to attend this session.  There may be European funding streams available to them which could provide the opportunity to start a business and change their lives for the better.”  

The event - titled ‘Unlocking EU Funding Opportunities for UK Organisations’ - is free of charge with those wishing to attend asked to book their place via Eventbrite.   

Alfreton nursery opens stunning new baby room

Partou Field View Day Nursery and Pre-School in Alfreton has undergone a major £100,000 refurbishment including a total revamp of its baby room, creating an additional 14 spaces.

The upgrade follows the completion of significant improvement works in the baby garden late last year totalling £15,000.

In the coming weeks, an additional £55,000 will be invested on a complete overhaul of the entire garden area to further enhance the outdoor enjoyment of children of all ages. 

Located on the A61 between Clay Cross and Morton, Partou Field View provides high-quality early years childcare and education for families in Stretton, Alfreton, Clay Cross and surrounding areas.

Set in a converted property with open plan rooms for children to grow and develop, the nursery also features two all-weather play areas, an outdoor classroom and a greenhouse.

Lynette Wheatley, Partou Field View Nursery Manager, said: “We are really excited by the results of the refurbishment.

“The stunning new baby room is spacious, airy and packed with age-appropriate resources to stimulate development.

“The renovated baby garden is equally impressive and provides the perfect environment for our youngest children to explore, build physical confidence and enjoy the fresh air, particularly with summer on the horizon.

“At Partou Field View, all early years learning activities across the nursery are carefully planned to be stimulating and engaging, tailored to each child’s individual interests and stage of development.

“We are proud of what we do and the improvements to the setting will enable us to deliver an even better learning experience for all the children in our care.”

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled by the completed works which form part of an ambitious refurbishment programme involving numerous Partou settings.

“The vastly experienced team at Partou Field View have a fantastic reputation for really getting to know the children from the moment they arrive at the nursery and working in close partnership with families to get the small details right. Indeed, many return with younger siblings and say they could not imagine their children being anywhere else. 

“The new facilities will undoubtedly make the overall experience for children and families even more rewarding.” 

Part of the biggest childcare group in the Netherlands, Partou operates more than 100 settings in the UK that collectively care for around 9,000 children and employ more than 2,000 dedicated professionals, including over 240 apprentices.

Unity appoints new Director of Housing Operations

Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has appointed Sarfraz Hussain as Director of Housing Operations.

He joins the organisation with more than 20 years of experience in senior housing leadership roles across housing associations, local government and consultancy.

Most recently, as Director of Major Estates at Southwark Council, Sarfraz led complex transformation programmes across housing services with a strong focus on resident engagement, community involvement and service improvement.

His work included chairing the Council’s first neighbourhood pilot, leading resident engagement activity across major estate renewal programmes and overseeing the large-scale rehousing of residents into new high-quality homes along the Old Kent Road regeneration corridor in South London.

Earlier in his career, Sarfraz led a high-performing housing management business unit for a London G15 provider, managing neighbourhood and tenancy services across 4,500 homes with responsibility for operational performance, resident engagement and frontline service delivery.

At Unity Homes and Enterprise, he will provide strategic leadership for all housing operational services, including tenancy management, repairs and maintenance, rental income and resident engagement.

Established in 1987, Unity manages almost 1,400 properties in some of Leeds’ most diverse communities.

Sarfraz Hussain has joined Unity Homes and Enterprise as Director of Housing Operations

Alongside providing housing services, the association supports enterprise, employment, training and education opportunities for local people.

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to welcome Sarfraz to the Senior Management Team.

“He brings extensive operational leadership experience, a strong track record of service improvement and a clear commitment to delivering positive outcomes for residents and communities.

“His experience of leading resident-focused services and delivering change in complex housing environments will be a major asset to Unity as we continue to strengthen services and support local communities.

“As we look ahead to the next phase of our strategic development, his experience and insight will play an important role in helping shape our future direction.”

Sarfraz Hussain said: “Unity has a clear social purpose and a long-standing commitment to supporting diverse communities.

“Its ambition to deliver excellent housing services, while creating wider opportunities for residents, is something I fully identify with.

“Good housing services are built on trust, strong relationships and listening to residents.

“I look forward to working with colleagues, residents and partners to build on Unity’s positive impact in local communities.”

Manningham Housing Association awarded funds to train tenants for leadership roles

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has secured £70,000 of government funding to boost tenant involvement in important decisions made by landlords in Yorkshire and Humber, and the North East. 

Working in partnership with the Housing Diversity Network (HDN) - a not-for-profit social enterprise that specialises in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the housing sector – the money will be used to establish a Tenant Board Member Academy for a consortium of smaller housing associations covering both regions.

The project, set to run for 12 months, will support tenants to develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to take on leadership and governance roles on housing association boards.

The Social Housing Innovation Fund – administered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - is financing 20 projects across England.

Each is focused on improving how tenants are listened to, involved in decision-making and supported to raise concerns, particularly those from under-represented communities.

Through the Tenant Board Member Academy, MHA and HDN will work directly with tenants to build inclusive pathways into governance and ensure leadership better reflects the communities served.

The Social Housing Innovation Fund forms part of a wider government programme to improve tenants’ experiences and strengthen accountability across the social housing sector.

Saqib Saleem, MHA Director of Operations

Saqib Saleem, MHA Director of Operations, said: “Working in tandem with Housing Diversity Network, we are excited to be at the forefront of a new drive to provide willing tenants with the tools to help steer the policy direction of housing associations across the North. 

“MHA has a strong reputation for placing tenants at the heart of everything we do.  We look forward to sharing this knowledge through our involvement in this exciting initiative.”  

Mushtaq Khan, Chief Executive of HDN, said: “This funding recognises the importance of genuine tenant leadership.

“By working with the consortium partners, we want to ensure tenants are supported to shape decisions at the highest level and influence services that affect their homes and neighbourhoods.”

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “It is always a pleasure with partner with the HDN for the betterment of the housing sector and the tenants whose needs we exist to serve.

“I have no doubt the Tenant Board Member Academy will have a positive impact and lead to better-informed decisions in participating housing associations.” 

Partou wins seven Top 20 Nursery Awards

Partou, one of the UK’s leading childcare providers, has received seven awards from prominent nursery review website daynurseries.co.uk.

The Top 20 Nursery Awards are based on reviews from families with settings rated on a range of crucial elements including care, food, facilities, staff, safeguarding, management and value for money.

As well as being recognised as one the Top 20 Large Nursery Groups in the UK, six Partou settings have been named in the list of outstanding nurseries in their region.

For the second year running, Partou Ladybirds Day Nursery and Pre-school in Leeds has made the top 20 in Yorkshire and Humber.

In the West Midlands, Partou Alexandra in Redditch and Partou Langley Gorse in Sutton Coldfield have been recognised.

Partou Footprints in Atherton and Partou Little Darlings in Stockport are honoured in the North West.

And Partou Quedgeley in Gloucester has taken its place in the top 20 best nurseries in the South West.

Part of the biggest childcare group in the Netherlands, Partou operates more than 100 settings in the UK that collectively care for around 9,000 children and employ more than 2,000 dedicated professionals, including over 240 apprentices.

Partou Ladybirds Day Nursery and Pre-school in Leeds has won a Top 20 Nursery Award for the second successive year

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said: “Having numerous Partou nurseries recognised as sector leaders in their respective regions is a significant accomplishment.

“The Top 20 Awards matter because they are based solely on the openly expressed opinions and experiences of families, underlining the trust they have our team members and the professional job they do.

“I want to pass on my congratulations to the six winning nurseries and thank families across all our settings for their ongoing support.”    

Burnley nursery supports UNICEF with community day packed with fun, games and crafts

Partou Habergham Day Nursery and Pre-School in Burnley has raised more than £600 for UNICEF after hosting a community fun day for local children and families.

Popular games included ‘Hook a Duck,’ ‘Guess the Bunny’s Name,’ and ‘Guess the Number of Sweets, alongside a raffle and a ‘Wine or Water’ lucky dip where attendees could make a donation to take part.

There were arts and crafts activities to encourage creativity and participation, available for free and set up in a separate area to ensure that all families, including those unable to donate, could take part and enjoy the occasion.

Families were also able to explore a variety of market stalls including Holly's Resin Creations offering handmade resin products, ‘moo crafts,’ personalised denim jackets, cakes and a book sale with Usborne.

Raffle prizes - generously donated by local businesses including Timeless Fragrance Co, Gebe Luxe, Rawes Grazing, Bellaro’s, Disco Bowl, The Lawrence Hotel, Apothecary, No 81 Indian and Peckish - added excitement and encouraged strong community involvement.

Generous contributions were also received from Tesco Express Reedley, which provided presents for the children, as well as raffle prizes and wine for the event.

In addition to these activities, the Partou Habergham team offered face painting and temporary tattoos, which were donation-based rather than fixed price to remain inclusive, with a nursery photographer on site to take pictures throughout the day.

All funds raised were donated to UNICEF, supporting their vital work in protecting and improving the lives of children around the world.

Partou Habergham’s community fun day has raised more than £600 for UNICEF

Lydia Spencer-Plumb, Partou Habergham Nursery Manager, said: “The event linked closely to the curriculum. Children developed their personal, social, and emotional skills through turn-taking, sharing and engaging in group experiences.

“Communication and language skills were supported through interactions with peers, families and staff. Mathematical development was encouraged through activities such as counting money, estimating in guessing games and understanding value.

“The day also helped to build awareness of the wider world, introducing the children to the idea of helping others globally and fostering empathy and kindness.

“As a fundraiser, it was a great success. It brought the community together, promoted inclusivity and provided a meaningful learning experience for the children while raising money for an important cause.”

Last year, Partou - which operates more than 100 settings in the UK - announced an official partnership with UNICEF, the United Nations agency which works to protect the rights of children, provide humanitarian aid and ensure that every child can reach their full potential.

Partou is supporting a portfolio of targeted UNICEF early learning initiatives, ensuring more children have the right to the best possible start in life through support for their health, learning and development.

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said: “Well done to the Partou Habergham team, local families and the wider community in Padiham for coming together in aid of UNICEF.

“The impressive total raised will make a real difference to the lives of children living in the most challenging of circumstances.”    

Partou nurseries win Reputation Awards for outstanding customer satisfaction

35 Partou nurseries have been recognised with the prestigious Reputation 900 Award, regarded as the gold standard for elite customer satisfaction and brand trust, with a further 44 settings gaining the Reputation 800 Award.  

Reputation is a management platform which helps businesses boost their online standing.

The awards are in recognition of an outstanding Reputation Score which reflects a setting’s ability to collect, understand and apply customer feedback to improve performance, establishing them as the ‘best of the best’ in their sector.

This is assessed by a range of online metrics including reviews, social media engagement, surveys, reach and visibility.

Partou is one of the UK’s largest day nursery providers and part of the leading childcare group in the Netherlands.

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said: “We actively seek input from families through multiple channels, allowing us to continually improve and elevate standards in everything we do.

“This includes supporting our fantastic team members across all settings to ensure they achieve peak performance as they guide the children on their learning journey.

“The large number of Partou nurseries achieving 800+ Reputation Scores is testament to their professionalism and dedication every single day.

“Congratulations to them all.”

Anthony Gaskell, Reputation Chief Revenue Officer, said: “In childcare, trust is everything.

“Parents are making one of the most important decisions of their lives - who will care for their child - and they're increasingly turning to online reviews and reputation scores to guide that choice.

“Partou's 800+ Reputation Scores are a testament to the confidence families place in them, and to the dedication of their teams across every nursery.

“Actively managing and responding to that feedback isn't just good business practice, it's how you demonstrate that every family's voice matters."

Partou to employ 50 new apprentices thanks to Aldi UK

Leading childcare provider Partou, which operates two settings in Doncaster, is to recruit 50 additional apprentices after announcing a major levy gifting agreement with Aldi UK.

Introduced in 2017, the Apprenticeship Levy requires all employers in the UK with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million to set aside 0.5% of their yearly wage costs to fund training for apprentices.

They can spend their levy funds on training their own staff or transfer up to 50% to other organisations to support apprenticeship training and assessment.

Aldi UK has confirmed it will transfer over £300,000 to fund new apprenticeships at Partou which currently employs over 2,000 dedicated childcare professionals at more than 100 nurseries in the UK, including 240 apprentices.

Last year the retailer announced it would gift £2 million to help businesses fund a variety of apprentices in settings such as nurseries, care homes, healthcare and trades.

The commitment, which forms part of Aldi’s Apprenticeship Levy gifting initiative launched in 2021, will take the amount of apprenticeship funding it has provided to £5.5 million by the end of 2027.

Simon Booth-Liddle, Partou Head of People Experience, said: “We are immensely grateful to Aldi UK for their kindness and generosity which will enable us to deliver 50 new apprenticeships around the country.

Simon Booth-Liddle, Partou Head of People Experience

“These are key roles in our nurseries. Whether just starting out or ready for the next career step as an early years professional, Partou’s Level 2 and Level 3 Early Years apprenticeships offer hands-on experience, expert guidance and the pathway to make a real difference to young lives every day. We are also starting to focus on Level 5 Early Years apprenticeships.”

Lisa Murphy, Training and Development Director at Aldi UK, said: “Our levy gifting initiative is designed to support our local communities, increase social mobility, and promote diversity and inclusion.

“By sharing our apprenticeship levy with organisations such as Partou that align with our values, we can create lasting opportunities and improve people’s lives."

Samantha Rhodes, Partou Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Aldi UK. I also wish to thank Lifetime, one of our two national training providers, for their assistance in forming the partnership.

“Joining Partou as an apprentice means becoming part of a team where children lead the way, but where every team member's personal development matters just as much.”

Ross Crook, Lifetime Chief Revenue Officer, said: “We are proud to help bring employers together to ensure that valuable Apprenticeship Levy funds are put to good use rather than expiring. By supporting businesses to transfer unused levy funds to organisations that do not have access to them, we are enabling more employers to invest in skills and workforce development.

“This is about far more than a financial transaction. Partnerships like this help address critical sector skills gaps while creating real opportunities for people to start and progress in their careers. It is fantastic to see employers collaborating in this way to expand access to apprenticeships, and it demonstrates the powerful impact that partnership working can have for businesses, individuals, and the wider economy.”

Leeds housing association appoints Dementia Champion

Leeds-based BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has named Sean Kelly as its first Dementia Champion tasked with raising awareness and embedding dementia-friendly thinking across the organisation.

A supporter of the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative, Unity is a member of the West Yorkshire Dementia-ready Housing Taskforce, which focuses on creating ‘dementia-ready’ homes and communities to help people live independently for longer.

It has developed 10 specific design criteria for housing, such as distinctive front doors, better lighting, and accessible, safe environments.

Sean Kelly, Unity Homes and Enterprise Regeneration Manager, who has been announced as the BME housing association’s first Dementia Champion

“I am proud to be playing a lead role in strengthening Unity’s commitment to becoming a dementia-friendly organisation, supporting our tenants and staff through better understanding, practical action and future-focused housing design,” Sean said.

“Several of my colleagues will join me in attending training sessions arranged by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, co-funded by the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership and delivered by the Alzheimer’s Society,” he explained.

“These will help us to better support our tenants by sharing dementia guidance, signposting to trusted support services, and having more conversations about the impact the disease can have on individuals and families.

“By improving awareness, we will be better placed to recognise when someone may need additional assistance and ensure they receive the right help at the right time.”

Sean – who will combine his new responsibilities with his role as Unity’s Regeneration Manager – said a key task will be to ensure all new Unity homes are designed to be dementia-friendly, using design principles that help people living with dementia to remain safe, comfortable and independent in their own homes for longer.

He added: “Where possible, we will also apply these principles to our existing homes, helping to future-proof properties so tenants can continue to live and grow within their home and community as their needs change.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, commented: “Being dementia-friendly organisation is not a single action, but a collective effort across Unity.

“Through leadership, awareness and practical design, we are helping to create an environment where people affected by dementia feel understood, supported and able to live well.”