Kids Planet UK’s Best Workplaces for Development

Kids Planet is proud to share that it has been ranked number 1 in the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development™ 2026 list, for the second year running, by Great Place To Work® UK.

The recognition celebrates organisations that place learning and development at the heart of their culture. At Kids Planet, this reflects a long‑standing commitment to creating meaningful, professional careers across early years – supporting colleagues to grow, progress and build long‑term futures in the sector.

Our inclusion on this exclusive list officially recognises our ongoing commitment to development, innovation and colleague growth.

We are proud to create accessible, high‑quality learning experiences through our bespoke learning platform, RISE, ensuring early professional development is aligned with Kids Planet’s culture and values. This includes supporting over 1,600 colleagues through apprenticeships, helping build strong foundations for long‑term careers in early years.

We recognise that our colleagues are motivated to learn and make the most of the opportunities available to them. With a wide range of development pathways – including apprenticeships, on‑the‑job learning, nationally delivered training programmes, outdoor learning and SEND specialisms – we support our teams to grow, progress and thrive at every stage of their journey.

Nicky Richiusa, Chief People Officer at Kids Planet, said:

“Being recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development is incredibly meaningful for us, because it reflects something we care deeply about – creating careers with purpose.

We’re committed to supporting people to learn, develop and progress at every stage of their journey, whether they’re just starting out in early years or growing into leadership roles. This recognition reflects the dedication, ambition and pride our colleagues bring to their work every day, and their commitment to delivering excellence across everything they do.”

Development is embedded throughout the organisation, with structured pathways spanning apprenticeships, early careers, leadership development and specialist roles. This approach supports colleagues at every stage of their journey, while reinforcing Kids Planet’s belief that early years education is a highly skilled profession with lasting impact.

Being recognised on this national list highlights the inclusive, people‑centred culture that colleagues help shape every day.

The UK’s Best Workplaces for Development List recognises companies making employee development a key part of company culture. These workplaces offer employees the chance to better themselves, to learn new skills, and to progress within the organisation. They understand that development is not one-size fits all, and they actively support every single employee to undertake their own tailored journey of growth. Because of this, their people are fuelled by a sense of purpose, feel valued by their employer, and give their best to the company.

Our inclusion on this exclusive list officially acknowledges our commitment to development, innovation and employee growth.

We’re so proud of this achievement and look forward to using the valuable insights Great Place To Work has provided us with to build on our culture and employee satisfaction. If you would like to be part of our GREAT team, check out our careers page.

Share