STAFF from a Twyford nursery received a great start to the new year in the form of a post-Christmas bonus.
The team from Cedar Park Day Nursery received a share of a £1.2 million tax-free dividend, which has been paid to all staff in the Childbase Partnership. The company has 43 toddlers in the South of England.
And to help the team at the day nursery in Bridge Farm Road, staff broke open a treasure chest piñata filled with chocolate coins.
The bonus meant that all full-time employees, from Apprentices to the Chairman received a payment of £750, with pro-rata payments made to employees who worked less than full-time or started midway during the financial year.
The money will help the Twyford team fulfil some dreams during 2019.
The company said that room leader Amelia George Ellis is now planning a trip to Paris for her and her boyfriend, while cook Sally Mockford is planning a cruise.
She said: “[It’s] such a lovely surprise, I couldn’t be happier. What a great start to the new year.”
Cedar Park Manager Emma Kemp said the Dividend Day celebrations were the perfect antidote to post-Christmas blues and reminded everybody that their opinions and ideas matter.
“There is a real energy in 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,” she said.
“Happy and engaged staff ensures confident children ready to realise their full potential.”
Subject to National Insurance contributions but tax free under HMRC rules for employee owned companies, the payment follows an average 4% increase for nursery practitioners in November.
