EXCLUSIVE: Day nursery provider Kids Planet has introduced an enhanced package of benefits, including new parental leave policies, for 4,595 members staff caring for more than 15,000 children across its 156 UK nurseries.
From 1 April 2023, the organisation introduced fertility leave and birthday leave, as well as implementing additional days of annual leave based on tenure. In addition to these new leave initiatives, it also increased annual leave allowances, childcare discounts, and the amount of maternity and paternity leave available to employees.
Kids Planet staff have been given the opportunity to gain extra days of annual leave for each work anniversary, up to a total of 27 days.
The organisation now offers an up to 80% discount for employees whose children attend a Kids Planet nursery or Out of School hub, while staff returning from maternity, adoption or shared parental leave will receive their first month's childcare for free.The enhanced parental leave policy includes 18 weeks for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave, and six weeks for paternity leave.
Kids Planet's new fertility leave policy allows employees to take up to eight days per year at full pay, in order to attend appointments, undergo treatment, and recover following the treatment. Employees whose partners are undergoing fertility treatment have been given three days of paid leave in recognition of the impact it can have on both parties.
Clare Roberts, chief executive officer of Kids Planet, said: "We recognise that a nursery can only ever be as good as the team who run it, and at Kids Planet I think you’ll find some of the best, most qualified people in the industry."
Other benefits provided by Kids Planet inclue Love to Shop vouchers provided at milestone work anniversaries, a £300 referral bonus, an employee assistance programme (EAP) and wellbeing hub, a menopause support group, mental health first aiders, engagement champions, shopping discounts and free meals on site.
