Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Otley

Over 15 years of teaching experience including 4 years as Literacy Coordinator. Paediatric First Aid Qualified.

I am the owner and Director at Monkey Puzzle and my main task is ensuring my lovely staff have everything they need to provide amazing care and education for our children.

My background in education and teaching led me to opening Monkey Puzzle in 2017 to start this journey. Seeing the smiles on our children’s faces every day and watching them develop and thrive is truly a joy. I love the close trusting relationships we have with our parents and families and the local community, and I’m enormously proud of my team.

In my free time, I love spending time with my grandchildren, travelling and eating out with friends. I enjoy reading, walking my dog, swimming, running and all kinds of live music and theatre. Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified

I started my Early Years Career in 2008 when I completed my college course, I went straight into a role in the placement nursery that I was at. I then moved to another nursery to train to be a room leader, I was at this nursery for about 10 years, 8 of which I spent as a deputy manager. I then moved to another setting to learn more about safeguarding and take on more of a role that involved working with vulnerable families and the local authority.

I started as a Room Leader before quickly progressing to Deputy Manager. I have been the Nursery Manager since September 2021. My role is to ensure that the nursery runs smoothly and effectively each day. I work closely alongside my management team to support and train our staff and to ensure that they deliver the best care and education to the children through providing outstanding experiences and opportunities.

I love to see the joy in the children as they learn and grow, it is a very rewarding job. It is nice getting to know so many different children and families and having an impact on so many lives. Monkey Puzzle is such a happy and friendly environment, and we offer a warm welcome to everyone who comes here.

I enjoy walking and exploring new places with my husband and family, we added a beautiful Border Collie to our family in December 2023, so like to take her out on our adventures. I also enjoy going on holiday and experiencing the wonderful places that the Uk has to offer, my favourite place to visit is Dorset. Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified.

This began in 2013 when I started my bachelors Degree in ‘Childhood Studies’, once I finished my Degree I began working at Monkey Puzzle.

I am a senior practitioner in the Preschool Room leading a small and brilliant team whose focus is helping our children become confident young people and preparing them educationally and emotionally for their transition to primary school.

I enjoy the challenge of educating young minds and creating new fun opportunities for them to experience. It is rewarding to create new relationships and see them thrive over a period of time.

In my free time I enjoy bouldering and travelling. I like to experience new things and explore new places. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family. Read less

SENCO Trained

This started in 2015 when I completed my qualifications at college.

To support the Nursery Manager in daily running of the setting, and to lead the teams by supporting staff in all aspects of child development. I am also the nursery SENCO so I work alongside staff supporting children with additional needs and their families.

I love working with children and it’s wonderful to be part of their learning and growth during their early years. Working with children has been an aim of mine since I was young and I’m glad I pursued childcare as a career.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my son and family, as well as seeing friends and going shopping. Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified

I started my childcare journey in 2016 when I worked in a little pre-school in Burley-in-Wharfedale where I started an apprenticeship, I completed my qualification at Monkey Puzzle and have been here since.

I am the Senior Practitioner in the Baby Room, my role is to lead my team in providing warm, nurturing care for the babies in our room. It is also my goal to ensure that they provide the best learning rich activities and experiences for the children to enable them to have the best start to nursery life.

I love working with children and find it very rewarding to observe our babies blossom into confident toddlers. No two days are the same, babies are adorable, and I find it a joy to watch their personalities grow. I really enjoy being part of an amazing team who are all passionate about early years and dedicated to proving the best.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my three children, eating out, going on walks, and visiting the wonderful shops and markets in Otley. Read less

Over 5 years’ experience in Early Years

This began in 2018 when I started my apprenticeship with Monkey Puzzle.

I have experience in all Early Years age groups and am currently based in the Baby Room. I work with the team to develop my skills as a practitioner and educator, and in doing so am helping the children to learn and thrive.

Every day is guaranteed to be different and I enjoy watching each child grow and develop into their own little person, it is a joy and a very rewarding profession.

I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, listening to music, watching movies and doing photography. Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified

This began in 2005 when I started my level 2 childcare at college, I then went to train as a Norland Nanny in London where I then worked for many years before returning to nurseries.

I am in the baby room where I tend to children’s individual routines and care needs, I plan activities and track my key children’s progress and development.

Everyone is friendly, and we work well as a team. It is also really lovely to be a part of the children’s development and seeing them grow.

I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and my two sausage dogs Coco and Dexter. I also like cooking and baking, travelling and swimming. Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified

This began a few years at dance school where I taught lessons to the younger children, it was then I knew that childcare was the career that I wanted to pursue.

I am an apprentice currently in the baby room. I help look after the children by following routines and getting involved with their play. I like to do reading, singing, and take part in malleable activities such as sand or playdough.

.I love my job because you make wonderful bonds with the children, and seeing them smile and grow is lovely to observe. It is so rewarding knowing that you are part of that child’s journey of helping them to develop.

I enjoy going to the gym, I did beauty before going into childcare so I like to see my clients that I still do treatments for, I also still do my dance classes, and like to go for walks with my friends with the reward of a hot chocolate at the end. Read less

Team Teach Level 1

This started in 2019 when I joined Monkey Puzzle to start my level 2 apprenticeship, I started working across all of the age groups before moving into the toddler room.

I am the joint leader of the toddler room. I work closely alongside the management team to ensure that all staffs knowledge and understanding is up to date, and that routines run smoothly throughout the day. I support staff with setting up fun and purposeful activities to help the children learn and develop.

I love working in childcare as every day is different with new challenges and experiences. It’s very rewarding seeing each child grow and develop over time. I enjoy working at Monkey Puzzle because the staff, parents and children are all so friendly and caring.

I enjoy spending my free time with my family and friends, going to the gym and going for walks with my dog. Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified

I originally joined Monkey Puzzle helping after school, I saw how rewarding working in childcare can be, this then encouraged me to start an apprenticeship.

I work in the toddler room, my role is to care for the children’s individual needs and routines each day, as well as providing a learning rich environment for them to learn and develop.

No two days are the same and it is a pleasure to see each child grow and develop their own individual personalities. I find it very rewarding being part of their journey.

I enjoy travelling and being able to experience different cultures, the food and music is something a particularly like. I especially enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. Read less

First aid qualified

I have grown up with lots of children around me. I’m the oldest child of 5 and I have helped my siblings since they were little as they have grown up, this is what inspired me to choose childcare.

I am in the toddler room; I did my apprenticeship in the babies so it was a great opportunity for me to develop my skills and knowledge further by moving into an older age group. I enjoy doing lots of activities with the toddlers, particularly singing and role playing to help them develop in their prime areas.

Monkey puzzle is a great place to work. All the staff are so lovely to work with too! They have helped and supported me when I first joined and when I did my level 2 course. I have always loved being around children and helping them learn and grow and teach them new things. Working in childcare is a very rewarding job!

I love spending time with my family and partner, socialising, and shopping with friends. I love to go out and travel to new place and finding new restaurants to eat and drink at. I love going on walks especially with my dog. I also love focusing on my clothing brand in my spare time too and making new designs for our products. Recently I have taken an interest in reading and colouring too. Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified

knowledge.

I am the joint room leader of the pre-school room. I work closely alongside management ensuring that the environment is a safe, fun and learning rich environment for our children to thrive and be happy in.

I love my job because I enjoy watching the children learn through play and being part of helping shape their minds. It is a pleasure observing them grow and develop, and being that support that they need to feel safe and secure in their environment.

I like spending time with my husband and watching my son play football. I also like socializing with friends and running when I get the chance, I recently started Yoga which helps me to unwind and relax Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified

This started in 2020 during COVID. I was working in IT and decided that I wanted a career change, so applied to do an early year’s apprenticeship. Having my own son inspired me and seeing him enjoy nursery highlighted that I had the skills and interest to pursue childcare as a career.

I currently work in the pre-school room. My role is to ensure that our environment is full of learning opportunities and new experiences to prepare the children for their next big transition to school. I am also the joint SENCO, I work with the children with SEN supporting them and their families to give them the best care and early help. I am an advocate for the children in our nursery and ensure that our setting celebrates diversity and inclusivity.

I am in a privileged position to be able to support pre-school children to learn, grow and develop their own personalities, interests and abilities. Nurturing the development of children in preparation for their transition to school is a challenging and rewarding experience.

I enjoy crafting, creating, and going on adventures with my son, and spending time with family and friends. Read less

Paediatric First Aid qualified

I am the Office Manager, and I am responsible for the day to day running of the office. My role is interesting and varied, I enjoy building relationships with Parents, from an initial enquiry through to their little one starting with us. I am committed to ensuring the Nursery is always striving to provide the best service and experience for our children.

Monkey Puzzle is such a friendly and lovely place to work, it is a privilege to see the children thrive in our Nursery, and no two days are ever the same!

I enjoy spending time with my 2 children and family, going for walks and to the Gym, eating out and reading. Read less

Many years’ experiences in catering and food preparation.

I work in the nursery kitchen preparing fresh nutritious meals for the children and I ensure the menu is varied and tasty. I make sure the children are offered lots of fresh fruit and vegetables every day and I cater for all their dietary needs.

The children are great fun – very entertaining. No single day is the same. I love it when they enjoy the food I’ve prepared.

Spending time with my children, travelling and cooking. Read less

I have worked in social care for 17 years with many transferable skills that are proving invaluable for working at Monkey Puzzle. I also have 3 children and 4 grandchildren!

Helping in each room when needed, spending time with the children and keeping everything clean and tidy.

Each day brings something different. It’s a real pleasure being with the children, playing and helping them grow.

Spending quality time with my children and grandchildren, watching football and boxing, collecting reggae music on vinyl and CD, and going on walks. Read less