What is B Corp
B Corps are organizations that use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Our social and environmental impact has been evaluated with over 300 questions about governance, employees, communities and the impact on the environment. The certification is a good start, but not an end in itself: B Corps continue to work on progress. As a large Dutch childcare organization, we are happy to contribute to a better world for every child and society as a whole.
Working together for a better world
Our childcare is like a mini-society, where children and peers develop important skills for their role in tomorrow's world. Partou children participate and contribute; respectful, empathetic and inclusive. In this way, we establish the basic foundation for a society in which equality of opportunity, social cohesion and sustainability are self-evident. And for the development of a self-confident and resilient new generation.
More than 8,200 organisations are B Corp certified, of which about 250 in the Netherlands: Auping, Dopper, Naïf, and Tony's Chocolonely, for example.
What does that mean in practice?
Have you heard of the Taste Safari? At our daycare centres, children go on a journey of discovery for healthy food. And how about the annual Friends Week, in which we celebrate friendships and experience what social connection and responsibility mean to each other. Many of our locations also participate in the annual Recycle Week and in our Exercise Weeks. In this way, we turn major themes into beautiful life lessons in a playful way.
We did have a focus on corporate social responsibility for some time already: since 2019, we publish an annual transparent CSR report. In it you can read about the way we do business, what the effect is - socially and environmentally - and the associated opportunities and challenges. In addition, we are also actively working on reducing our CO2 footprint. With, for example, a fully electric lease plan, green electricity at the locations where we purchase it ourselves and plastic-free wipes.
This is just the beginning of our journey
We are becoming more and more sustainable. This is reflected in our work in all kinds of ways. For example, we are investigating how we can reduce the huge mountain of diaper waste, with pilots for potty training at an early age and by adapting washable diapers for use in childcare. We also want to become more accessible for children who need special attention. And we want to make our employees aware that their personal knowledge, experience and talents greatly enrich the children's world. In short: at Partou, your individuality is valued.
A better future for every child
Jeanine Lemmens, CEO of Partou Group, is very pleased with the B Corp certification: "This is an important step in our pursuit of a better future for every child. The process of becoming a B Corp has shown very clearly where we are already making an impact, but also what we can do even better. In our work with young children, we realize better than anyone how great our influence is on the world of tomorrow, a task that never ends. With so many locations, we can actually make a meaningful contribution to the resilience, health and living environment of future generations."
*The B Corp certification only applies to Partou Netherlands.