What being a B Corp means to people at N

At N, we believe early years education carries profound responsibility.

The environments we create, the culture we build, and the decisions we make shape not only today’s experiences for children but also the world they will grow up in. That belief has guided us since our founding in 2017, anchored in our commitment to people, planet, and positive futures. It is also what underpins our B Corp journey.

In November 2025, we were proud to recertify as a B Corp, achieving a score of 101. To put that into context, the certification threshold is 80 points, and the average company scores just above 50. Our assessment was tailored to our size, sector, and impact, and reflects the work we have put into strengthening our governance, supporting our team, engaging our communities, and reducing our environmental footprint.

But being a B Corp is not about a number. It is about what that commitment means to the people who work at N every day.

More than a badge

As Claire, our Impact Manager, explains:

“Being a B Corp for N isn’t just a label. It’s a reflection of how we show up every day for children, families, and our team. It means we’re committed to high-quality education that’s nurturing and inclusive, while also making positive choices for our people, our communities, and the planet. From the toys we choose to the meals we serve, and how we support our team, being a B Corp ensures that every decision is measured against our values, not just financial targets.”

Recertifying required us to complete a detailed business impact assessment, examining every part of our organisation. Governance, team wellbeing, environmental practices, community partnerships, and operational processes were all reviewed and evidenced.

Claire describes the process as both rigorous and valuable:

“Since our first certification, N has grown. More children, more teams, and more nurseries. That growth brings new layers of compliance, oversight, and complexity. The 2025 recertification required us to look closely at every part of our operation, from governance and staff well-being to community impact and environmental practices. Gathering evidence, documenting processes, and honestly evaluating where we could improve was demanding yet rewarding. It’s a deep dive, but one that’s incredibly valuable.”

That accountability matters. It keeps us honest. It ensures we live our values in practice, not just describe them.

What B Corp means to people at N

Our commitment to creating an environment where people can truly thrive is reflected in the culture our teams experience every day. In 2025, N was once again recognised as a Great Place to Work® Certified™ organisation, named among the UK’s top workplaces for women, and ranked 30th in the UK’s Best Workplaces (super-large category).

Financial wellbeing and opportunity

Being a responsible business means ensuring growth creates opportunity.

At N, this includes:

• Competitive, sector-leading salaries and benefits
• Recognition through bonus structures
• Clear internal progression pathways
• Investment in leadership and professional development
• Apprenticeship opportunities and career-building programmes

B Corp certification reinforces our responsibility to ensure fairness and transparency remain central to how we reward and develop our people. Financial wellbeing is not just about pay. It is about progression, recognition, and shared success. It means our team can trust that contributions are valued and opportunities are intentional.

Mental wellbeing and belonging

At N, this commitment is reflected in:

• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Open feedback channels
• Leadership development focused on empathy and inclusion
• Recognition initiatives that celebrate contribution

As Claire reflects:

“What’s most meaningful is that B Corp is more than a certification. It shows you care about people and the planet. For N, it’s a reminder that every choice we make, big or small, matters. It’s a celebration of what we’ve achieved and a motivation to keep raising the bar, creating a positive, sustainable future for children and families.”

For our team, being part of a B Corp means working for an organisation that has chosen to embed wellbeing into its operations.

Physical wellbeing

Environmental responsibility is often the first association people make with B Corp. For us, it is deeply connected to the wellbeing of our teams and children. At N, looking after the planet and looking after wellbeing go hand in hand. Time outdoors calms minds, strengthens bodies, sparks curiosity, and reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. For children, outdoor learning builds resilience and connection. For our team, sustainable environments support healthier, more inspiring places to work.

Sustainable environments

Our commitment includes renewable energy use, waste reduction, responsible building design, and long-term operational sustainability. We have achieved 39 EcoSchools Green Flags across our nurseries, maintain a verified carbon footprint, and are guided by a clear decarbonisation plan. Sustainability is not treated as a standalone initiative or a short-term campaign. It is woven into how our nurseries operate and how decisions are made.

This approach is also reflected in how we design and develop our nursery spaces. As Eleanor, Architectural Design Manager at N, explains:

“I was originally drawn to N Family Club because of the development approach, which champions retrofit over demolition. By repurposing existing structures to meet modern standards, we balance design efficiency with a deep respect for our environment.”

Sustainability continues through every stage of the design process.

“As an architect, I am driven by a commitment to the ‘3 Ps’: People, Planet and Profit. I ensure we invest wisely to create high-performance, low-energy buildings that prioritise end-user comfort and functionality, whilst employing ethical supply chains. My environmental focus leads to conscious choices in material selection and a dedication to building efficiency, reducing both our carbon footprint and operational costs.”

For Eleanor, B Corp provides a powerful framework that reinforces these values:

“Becoming a B Corp has further strengthened my approach, anchoring personal values within a framework that ensures every project meets the highest standards. Ultimately, I’m motivated by the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy centred on positive impact, ensuring that our work today creates a better, more sustainable foundation for future generations.”

Claire explains how this broader framework supports responsible growth:

“B Corp provides a framework to grow responsibly. It encourages us to innovate, expand, and reach more families while minimising our environmental footprint. From energy-efficient buildings to sustainable supplies and waste reduction, the B Corp approach helps us make growth and sustainability go hand in hand, rather than one at the expense of the other.”

For our team, this creates powerful alignment. The values we teach children are reflected in the way we run our organisation. The standards we hold ourselves to externally are mirrored internally. That alignment builds pride, clarity, and trust. Sustainability at N is not just about protecting the planet. It is about protecting wellbeing, now and for the future.

Positive futures beyond our nursery walls

Being a B Corp also means recognising that business does not exist in isolation.

Access to high-quality early years education can change life trajectories. Through our Positive Futures initiatives, bursary schemes, and nine years of supporting War Child, we help children thrive and build brighter futures.

Community engagement, charitable partnerships, and bursary support are not peripheral activities. They reflect a belief that education should be inclusive and impactful.

Claire captures this perspective clearly:

“Recertification keeps us honest and accountable. Every three years, an independent assessment checks that we’re genuinely living up to our commitments, not just on paper. It’s a chance to reflect, learn, and improve, ensuring we’re constantly evolving to meet the needs of children, families, and our wider community. It’s a reminder that being a responsible business is a journey, not a one-time achievement.”

For our people, this reinforces purpose. It means their work contributes to something broader than day-to-day operations.

Standing shoulder to shoulder

Being part of the B Corp community also means something bigger.

It means standing shoulder to shoulder with a global network of organisations that believe business can be a force for good. It means learning from others, collaborating, and celebrating collective progress.

Recertifying in 2025 was not simply about maintaining status. It was a moment to pause and reflect on how far we have come, and how much further we can go.

As Claire shares:

“What I love most about our B Corp journey is that it’s a reminder that the little things really add up. Every choice we make, how we support our team, how we engage with families, how we care for the environment, has an impact. Recertifying made me pause and celebrate those everyday wins, while also thinking about all the ways we can keep improving. We are more than the sum of our parts, and that’s really exciting.”

What B Corp ultimately means to our people

For people at N, being part of a B Corp means:

• Working in an organisation that prioritises wellbeing alongside performance
• Belonging to a culture that values inclusion and transparency
• Growing within a structure that supports long-term development
• Contributing to environmental responsibility and community impact
• Being proud of how success is achieved, not just that it is achieved

It means knowing that the organisation they represent has chosen to be independently assessed and held accountable. It means integrity is not assumed. It is evidenced.

As we prepare to publish our next Impact Report, we continue to build on this foundation. Because being a B Corp is not about standing still. It is about continual progress.

And for our team, it provides something powerful: confidence. Confidence that the organisation they belong to operates responsibly. Confidence that growth and purpose can move forward together. Confidence that the work they do contributes to a positive, sustainable future. That is what being a B Corp means at N.