Alexa and Kim work within the Digital Innovation & Technology department. From their respective roles, they work daily on solutions that make a genuine difference on the shop floor and for families.
Technology as a supporting force
Partou maintains control over its digital platforms. This means we decide what we develop, for whom, and how it should function. While technical implementation is carried out alongside specialised partners, functional ownership remains with Partou. According to Kim, this choice is essential to ensure we serve parents and employees as effectively as possible. User-friendliness for both groups is the top priority.
"Technology facilitates," says Kim. "It helps us improve processes and deliver real value to parents and staff. By deciding ourselves how a digital solution should work, we maintain control over quality and safety. Furthermore, it allows us to respond more quickly to what we observe in practice."
This level of control aligns with Partou’s social responsibility. The organisation is large, complex, and impacts thousands of families and employees, which demands careful decision-making.
One platform, more clarity and peace of mind
Over the past year, our digital platforms for parents and employees have been further developed. The goal is clear: to offer parents and staff the best possible support through apps specifically designed for childcare.
Alexa describes the apps: "The apps we’ve developed bring information and functionalities together in one central place. For parents, this means better oversight and efficient administration. Matters such as invoices, scheduling, and communication are easily managed via a single app."
A unique aspect of this digital approach is the focus on child development. "We share pedagogical information with parents that aligns with the age and needs of their child. This turns our app into a valuable guide for daily upbringing."
Kim adds: "We want to support parents as much as possible. By providing relevant information at the right time, we strengthen their engagement and trust."
Investing in quality and job satisfaction
A key project in 2025 was the further development of our employee app. A new functionality gives our staff more control over their own schedules. In an era where flexibility is essential, they can now easily pick up extra shifts themselves, including at other locations. This offers our teams the freedom to work where and when it suits them.
Alexa sees this as a clear social gain: "This goes beyond just a handy tool. The goal is twofold: to give employees more agency and to deploy as many of our own permanent staff as possible instead of agency workers. Our own staff understand the Partou way of working and our quality standards—this ensures stability and calm within the groups. When people have influence over when they work extra hours, it increases their sense of flexibility and, consequently, their job satisfaction. The system accounts for current scheduling, availability, and personal preferences, resulting in a more efficient rostering process that places less pressure on teams and managers."
Scale demands structure and collaboration
Partou’s size brings complexity; there are many locations, systems, and interests involved. At the same time, this scale offers opportunities for sustainable, future-oriented investment. Alexa: "Our size makes things complicated, but it also gives us the opportunity to make a real difference."
Kim adds: "Successful digital innovation requires tight project management and collaboration across different disciplines. Our teams consist of colleagues from IT, HR, Operations, Communications, Finance, and Privacy working together."
Alexa continues: "You can build something technically perfect, but without attention to people, it won’t work. Success lies in bringing people along, explaining the 'why', and continuing to listen."
This approach is paying off: "All the projects mentioned were delivered on time and have been well-adopted," says Kim. "That is the result of looking ahead, adjusting where necessary, and intensive collaboration."
Recognition and looking forward
This digital strategy did not go unnoticed and received international recognition. In 2025, the teams involved in these projects won a Gold Lovie Award for the parent and employee apps in the 'Apps, Platforms & Software: Best User Interface' category. Additionally, Partou received a Gold Award at the Dutch Interactive Awards (DIA) in the 'Digital Transformation' category, praised for its strategically strong, scalable, and human-centred solution.
Kim: "This recognition confirms that the effort is paying off. The foundation laid in recent years is flexibly expandable and future-proof. In the coming period, digital support will be further extended, including for location managers and pedagogical professionals on the floor. We will continue to invest in digital solutions with social impact—not as an end in themselves, but as a tool to enable better, stable, and high-quality childcare every single day."
For a resilient society
Impact is often found in the smallest moments. Each of those moments may seem small, but together they make a world of difference. For children, parents, colleagues, and the society of tomorrow. In our annual report, you’ll read how we work every day to create a warm and safe place for every child.