Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater

Guildford Road, Lightwater GU18 5RA
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9.8 13 Reviews
  • Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater, Lightwater
Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater gives children the chance to learn and play in surroundings, that are not only stimulating and creative but safe.

The nursery has spaces for different age ranges.

Each room reflects the seven areas of learning as prescribed in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

It is designed to be accessible to every child.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Scott Humphrey (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 11

Total Places for Children

  • 81

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Full Day Session (7:30am - 6:30pm)
    £105.00


    Morning Session (7:30am - 12:30pm)
    £58.00


    Afternoon Session (1:30pm - 6:30pm)
    £58.00

  • Please see our website for full fees information.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • Car Parking On Site

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater Reviews (13)

9.8

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.789) out of 10, based on 13 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater has 13 reviews.

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Total of 13, showing 1-13
Review from Alexandra W (Mother of Child) published on 19 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started in the babies room in August, she had just turned 10 months old and I was understandably anxious about her being away from me for the first time - however Monkey Puzzle Lightwater made the transition so easy and stress free. They offered my daughter a gradual settling in process
to build up her confidence. She's been there a while now and absolutely loves it. The staff are friendly, warm and attentive to the little ones needs. They're also absolutely brilliant at setting up activities and crafts to keep the babies stimulated.
The forest school is also fantastic and the original reason we chose this nursery - they prioritise time outside which is fantastic.
The Management team Scott and Becca reply to any queries very quickly and are always very happy to help. The babies room staff - Courtney and her team are just wonderful with the babies. Honestly, love this nursery and feel very happy with our decision.
Reply from Scott, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback! We're delighted your daughter has settled in so well and is enjoying her time with us. It's wonderful to hear such kind words about our team,…read more
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Review from Natalie H (Mother of Child) published on 19 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter and I absolutely love Monkey Puzzle Lightwater! The team are so dedicated and adoring of the children. The set up is beautiful and the vast range of activities is amazing! I could not recommend anywhere as much as here!
Reply from Scott, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted that you and your daughter love Monkey Puzzle Lightwater. It means so much to our team to know their dedication and the activities are making a…read more
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Review from Abi M (Mother of Child) published on 15 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Could not be happier with Monkey Puzzle Lightwater! Despite delays in opening, the team worked tirelessly to get an amazing nursery in place. My two boys have been attending for about 3 months now and absolutely love it! They are so happy and settled there, all the staff give 110% and always ensure
my boys are looked after so well. Lovely updates are always provided on the app too with great pictures so I can see all the fun they are getting up to. As well as the amazing activities they arrange in house, they often go out on field trips which they love. The forest school has recently started too which is a great concept! Couldn't be happier with this nursery, would thoroughly recommend!
Reply from Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Hi Abi,Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We truly appreciate how patient you guys were for us to open, but we got there in the end :). It is a pleasure to look after your boys and watch them…read more
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Review from Naomi D (Aunt of Child) published on 8 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My nephew loves coming here! The staff are warm, caring, and really take the time to make each child feel special. He's grown so much in confidence and skills since joining, couldn't recommend enough!
Reply from Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We love having your nephew at the nursery and we cant wait to watch him grow :)Kind Regards
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Review from Amy L (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our little one absolutely LOVES Monkey Puzzle Lightwater!! And we as parents are super impressed as well. The staff are friendly, helpful, knowledgable, proactive and kind - and most importantly they are brilliant with our child. From Forest School to animal handling workshops, there are plenty of activities
and events. The nursery & all staff have gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome. The lovely updates we receive on the app are extensive and with such cute photos. I feel that the nursery is part of the wider community, and that the nursery is a community in itself. We are really pleased to have found a nursery where we are more than happy to send our new little baby as well.
The nursery itself has excellent facilities too, in particular the garden, mud kitchen and maze. It's a great space, designed well.
I genuinely feel so happy and such a sense of relief to know our children are being well looked after. Thank you so much to the MP Lightwater team, you're fantastic!
Reply from Scott, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're absolutely delighted to hear how much your little one enjoys their time at Monkey Puzzle Lightwater, and that you as parents feel so welcomed and…read more
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Review from Paige D (Mother of Child) published on 1 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our experience at Monkey Puzzle Lightwater has been nothing short of incredible, and we couldn't be happier. After moving from a previous nursery where we felt let down by the level of care, Monkey Puzzle has truly gone above and beyond. Our son is engaged and stimulated every day, cared for with exceptional
attention, and always leaves with a smile. The activities are creative, varied, and thoughtfully planned to ensure each day feels exciting and different. We are so grateful to the amazing team for making his nursery experience so happy and fulfilling.
Reply from Scott, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review, we are so pleased to hear how happy you are with the nursery and the level of care provided, we look forward to continuing to watch your son…read more
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Review from Kat J (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
MP Lightwater took a while to open but definitely was it worth the wait!


My daughter is in the Tweenies class and it took her about 5 or 6 weeks to properly settle in. Her teachers worked tirelessly to ensure that she had fun, encouraging her to come out of her shell and coax her to eat (which I

know takes patience!)


Now, she could not be happier there. She is always happy to go give her teacher a cuddle when I drop her off and now when I pick her up, she no longer runs over to me shouting 'mama' and just wants to keep playing - it takes a bit of persuading to get her to come home (bit of a kick in the gut if I'm honest but it's a good thing!)


MP staff are friendly, engaging and would do anything to ensure your child is happy and learning . A nursery has just opened down the road from us but we are leaving our child at monkey puzzle because we like them so much.

Reply from Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Hi Kat,We are delighted with your feedback and obviously caring for your child, it has been a pleasure watching her grow into this confident young lady and we will continue to strive to be the best we…read more
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Review from Sarah R (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are so happy with money puzzle lightwater.
The staff really care about the children.
Everytime I drop him off it feels as though I am bringing him to his second home. The welcome he gets when he walks in the door is heartwarming. They update the app regularly so I know what he is getting up to
every day.
They regularly take the kids to the park which I absolutely love.
We are very happy there and would 100% recommend.
Reply from Scott, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you feel Monkey Puzzle Lightwater is like a second home for your little one - that's exactly the welcoming, caring environment we…read more
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Review from K S (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We've had a wonderful experience with this nursery. The staff are absolutely lovely - so welcoming and supportive, making the transition into nursery life smooth for both our child and us as parents.


Each day is filled with fun and engaging activities that our little one really enjoys, and it's been

amazing to see their development and growing confidence.


We also really appreciate the regular updates and communication from the team, which help us feel involved and reassured throughout the day.


Highly recommend to any parents looking for a nurturing and well-organised environment for their child.

Reply from Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Hi K,Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We love watching your child grow into this confident person and we continue to strive to be best we can be :)Kind Regards
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Review from B R (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We couldn't be happier with our experience at Monkey Puzzle Lightwater so far. The warmth, patience, and professionalism the staff show each day has made all the difference- not just for our child, but for us as parents too. Even though the nursery has just opened, everything is already running so smoothly-it
feels like they've been doing this for years!
Our child settled in surprisingly quickly, which speaks volumes about the nurturing environment and the thoughtful approach of the staff. That reassurance, especially when they are too young to tell you about their day, is priceless.
The nursery itself is bright and clean, with a lovely outdoor space that the children use regularly.
We receive regular updates and photos, which help us feel connected and confident that our child is in the best possible hands.
We're so glad we chose MPL. It's comforting to know our little one is not only safe but genuinely cared for and engaged each day. We can't recommend it highly enough!
Reply from Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you so much for your kind comments. We are so grateful that you have chosen us as your childcare provider. Your little one is adored by all and we have enjoyed watching him settle and grow into…read more
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Review from Juilee V (Mother of Child) published on 12 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very happy with the care our child receives at Monkey puzzle lightwater nursery. The staff are truly amazing - warm, friendly, and always welcoming. They provide a safe, nurturing environment where children are encouraged to grow and thrive. What stands out most is how understanding and attentive
they are to each child's individual needs. We couldn't ask for better care, and we feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful place.
Reply from Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you for your kind comments. We are over the moon that you are so happy with the nursery. We strive to be the best we can be and we are glad that your child is growing and learning with us. This…read more
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Review from Amol V (Father of Child) published on 12 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We've had a truly wonderful experience with Monkey Puzzle nursery Lightwater.
It all started with 2 staff members who introduced us to Monkey Puzzle Lightwater. One we have know for years as he cared for our older son and is incredible in what he does. When we knew he was at the nursery we were sure
the place would be great.
From the very beginning, the manager has been incredibly understanding, consistently going above and beyond to support both our child and our family. He genuinely cares & is always very quick with his responses, approachable making us feel heard & cared.
The staff are amazing-warm, attentive and clearly passionate about their work. Our child feels happy and we feel safe and amazing about the nurturing environment the manager and his team have created.
We are consistently impressed with how creative the activities are. There's always something new and engaging going on. We feel incredibly lucky to have found this nursery and highly recommend it.
Reply from Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you for your kind comments and your kind personal comments surrounding myself. I know it has been difficult with the delay of us opening, but we can finally forget about those days and provide…read more
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Review from Manon P (Mother of Child) published on 12 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
First time mum, I was quite anxious about putting my little one in nursery. After visiting another setting I was even more anxious. Then I visited Monkey Puzzle in Lightwater. I was greeted by the manager and two other staff members who showed us around. I immediately felt comfortable, my little one
loved seeing all the toys and went to play straight away. Communication with the management team was great and efficient and soon enough we were enrolled. Fast forward to the Easter event where we got to meet most of the staff before even starting: it was brilliant! The staff felt very confident and comfortable in the space, they interacted with the little ones in such a warm and friendly way that all my anxiety evaporated for good. Then settling sessions happened and it all went so well, it felt like it was meant to be. Now my little one gets so excited on the days he goes to nursery, and communication with the whole team is so great. I would definitely recommend the setting!
Reply from Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater
Thank you so much for your kind comments, we really appreciate them. I am so pleased that we eased your anxiety regarding nurseries, i know many parents feel the same since media documentaries and…read more
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.789)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.789) out of 10 for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 13 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.8 out of 5 from 13 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.987 for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater is calculated as follows: ( (154 Excellents x 5) + (2 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 156 Ratings = 4.987
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 4.802 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater is based on 13 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 81 number of registered child places is 16.2. 13 Positive Reviews ÷ 16.2 = 0.802
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Meet the Team (3)

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Scott Humphrey

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2024

Hi, my name is Scott. I am the new nursery manager for Monkey Puzzle Lightwater, and I am super excited to meet you all and build a wonderful community nursery to give your children the best start in life.


I started my journey working with children back when I was 16 years old, where I began as a PE Coach and Football Manager. I knew from this experience that this was the industry I wanted to be in. From there, I started my apprenticeship in Childcare and once completed after 18 months, my career developed from Nursery Nurse, Nursery Chef, to Deputy Manager and eventually Nursery Manager and Area Manager. I have done every role with love, care and 100% commitment.


I have managed several nurseries, which have provided me with a wealth of Early Years experience. I am a massive advocate for Forest School and outdoor learning, completing my Level 3 in Forest School over 8 years ago and implementing this in every nursery I have worked for. I would be described as fun and organised, you may hear me singing terribly "Hakuna Matata", but I love to live life to the fullest! I am a very lucky man, as I am a dad of two, Molly (10) and George (7), who are my world, along with my partner and my dog Rupert.


I am looking forward to opening the doors of Monkey Puzzle Lightwater and creating a special nursery in the community for children and families.

Rebecca

Rebecca Dixon

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2024

My name is Becca and I am the Deputy Manager at Monkey Puzzle Lightwater!


My journey into Early Years started when I began working with children in the art of dance. Teaching little ones from the ages of under 5 to 18 years old in the style of Ballet, Tap and Modern!


I then moved on to Early Years Education in a Montessori setting in which I completed my NVQ Level 3. I took the leap during COVID-19 to join a setting as a Room Leader in a ‘Curiosity Approach’ driven setting. I progressed quickly to Deputy Manager and then the Manager. I have a wide range of roles and from each one, I learnt so much and gained knowledge and understanding of the minds of a ‘little human’.


I have over 10 years of experience working with children and I wouldn’t change it for the world!


I am quirky, and bubbly and love unique, fun learning opportunities for all ages. I am getting married next year! Eek! I have a loving partner and crazy family and my dog Nelly.


I am honoured to start this journey with Scott and the team at Lightwater and share our passion, imagination with you all. I am delighted to be working for such a warm, welcoming, and caring company!

Sean

Sean Fryer

Job Title: Third in Charge Joined: 2024

My name is Sean and I am the Third in Charge at Monkey Puzzle Lightwater!


I have been working in Early Years since 2014, working my way up from, Bank Staff, through to Third in Charge. I chose this career path because I have always been big on family time, I have many cousins that I have looked after through the years and thought why not turn this into a career? I love the different days, I love the fact that you can go from being a pilot of a super-fast aeroplane to being a lion going through the jungle. I love cooking with the children and getting messy, I normally find flour in my hair when I get home.


I joined Monkey Puzzle Lightwater because I love the fact it is a brand-new nursery, so as a team, we can make it our own and watch it thrive in the coming years.


Languages


- English


- Basic Spanish


Qualifications


- Level 5 Childcare Qualification


- Level 2 in Team Leading


- First Aid


- Allergy Awareness


- Level 2 Food Hygiene


- Level 2 Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences


Get to know me


I love singing through life, I enjoy making up silly dances and I am a huge vinyl collector!

Frequently Asked Questions about Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater

What is the Age Range of Children that Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater accepts?

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater Open?

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater is open: Monday 07:30-18:30, Tuesday 07:30-18:30, Wednesday 07:30-18:30, Thursday 07:30-18:30, Friday 07:30-18:30.

How many Children does Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater have capacity for?

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater has capacity for a total of 81 Children.

How far is Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater to the centre of Lightwater?

0.4 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Lightwater has an Enhanced Service - more info.