The plan is designed to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of Childbase staff. The reduction in hours will be phased in by half an hour a year, until the 37.5 hours is reached.
Childbase employs more than 1,300 staff at 41 nurseries throughout England.
Employees can choose to take the extra time by starting work later, leaving work earlier, or taking a longer lunch break.
All employees, both full and part-time, have seen increases to their hourly rates.
Ayden James who works at the ‘outstanding’ Lavenders nursery, Bedford, uses the extra half-hour a week to collect his seven-month-old son Kovu from nursery and take him to the park, and for studying his NVQ.
‘It may not seem like a lot of time but it really does make a big difference. Knowing that I can have the extra time without losing pay is a big boost to morale,' he said.
The plan was drawn up following discussions with employee representatives on the group’s partnership council and consultation with staff.
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