All of our nursery staff are either NNEB (National Nursery Examination Board) or equivalent, or participating in the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Early Years and Childcare.
We have a very high qualified nursery staff ratio which far exceeds that of OFSTED requirements. All of our staff are trained in First Aid.
Career opportunities
Monkey Puzzle is committed to providing great career opportunities for its entire nursery staff. We are very keen to ensure that our team of nursery staff participate in training at all levels. Our policy is always to recruit and/or promote internally if at all possible.
Please see our Current Vacancies below:
Level 3 Nursery Practitioner
Level 2 Nursery Practitioner in training
For more information on the roles and responsibilities, please click below:
If you think you have what it takes and would like to be a part of our exciting new team, please send your CV to info@monkeypuzzledaynurseries.com
Staff Wellness
Here at Monkey Puzzle Colchester we are committed to promoting positive Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health, and Wellness for all of our staff through a number of channels. 
These include Wellbeing Weeks, Staff Recognition in the form of Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year, our Wellbeing Board which contains a wide variety of support contacts as well as advice articles, and our newest addition Perkbox. This offers staff a 24/7 employee assistance programme with confidential counselling support, professional advice in financial, health and legal issues as well as an extensive range of benefits and discounts along with free cinema tickets, free café Nero coffee, and a free Birthday Box treat!
Manjit – Nursery Owner
Hello, my name is Manjit and I am the owner of Monkey Puzzle Colchester. I am originally from Kent, but recently relocated to Essex with my wife and business partner Sandy, and our two lovely children, Siena and MJ.
I do not come from a childcare background, I successfully achieved a BA in Accountancy in 2003 and worked in the city for a number of years. Over time I decided that office work was not for me and I wanted to direct my expertise elsewhere. My wife and I both decided that we wanted a new challenge and chose childcare as our first business venture; we had observed a number of shortcomings and weaknesses from our son’s Nursery and became passionate about quality childcare and felt a strong desire to do it ourselves and do it better.
Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries are an excellent childcare business to be a part of, we knew we were moving into a thriving childcare industry but Monkey Puzzle stood out as a chain to invest in due to its longstanding reputation and proven success rates.
In my spare time I love watching Football (Chelsea :0)). I play cricket, badminton and enjoy running. I also love spending time with my family and friends.
Qualification and Training:
Paediatric First Aid
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Safer Recruitment
Emergency First Aid
Quality Teaching, Learning and Interactions
Designated Safeguarding Lead (Children)
Recognising and preventing FGM
Prevent Duty
Basic Child Protection
Below are members of our wonderful nursery staff.
Katie
Nursery Manager
Hello, I am Katie Hart the Senior Manager at Monkey Puzzle in Colchester. I am qualified to level 5 in Childcare and have 15 years of childcare experience, 6 years of this is management experience. I have had a passion for childcare since a young age and love working in the industry. I am a mother myself and live locally with my husband and 3 children. I started my childcare career as a childminder and after 8 years I decided to make the move to Nurseries, and I have not looked back. I strive to create the very best learning environment for the children in my care, where they are nurtured and encouraged to develop and meet their full potential through play and activities that are rich in learning opportunities.
Georgina
Administrator
Hello, my name is Georgina and I joined Monkey Puzzle nursery staff in September 2019 in the role of Administrator. I have over 20 years of experience working in administration in a variety of industries. I am looking forward to working closely with the nursery staff and parents to ensure the smooth running of the nursery.
Shani-Leigh
Nursery Teacher
Hello, my name is Shani-Leigh. I am a fully qualified Room Leader based in the Dolphin Room. I have 4 years experience in childcare and nursery staff, I am very passionate about my job and always strive to do my best. I am a very good team player and work well in groups. I thrive in helping children gain more knowledge and teaching them new things. In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends, dancing and watching movies.
Nicola
Nursery Teacher
Hello, my name is Nicola. I am the new member of nursery staff in Starfish. I am Level 2 qualified in Children and Young People’s Workforce and I am currently studying for my Level 3 qualification to be an Early Years Educator. I have had past experience working with under 2s and enjoy seeing them learn, develop and achieve different things. Working with children is something I have always wanted to do, and I enjoy every second of it. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family as well as looking after my niece and nephew.
Georgia
Nursery Teacher
Hello my name is Georgia. I have been working in childcare for 5 years. During this time I have achieved my Level 3 as well as a Degree in Early Years. I really enjoy working with children, seeing them enjoying themselves and reaching their goals. My favourite activities are messy play, I love to see the children getting really involved, exploring many new concepts whilst having fun. In my spare time I enjoy spending my time with my friends and family.
Leanne
Nursery Teacher
Lee
Nursery Teacher
Hello, my name is Lee and I’ve been working at Monkey Puzzle since September 2019. I am Level 2 qualified and have 10 years’ experience working with children in a nursery environment. I enjoy watching the children exploring and learning new skills and look forward to developing my own skills further at Monkey Puzzle.
Emily
Nursery Teacher
Hello, my name is Emily and I’m a member of staff in Starfish Room. I am Level 2 qualified and have now started my Level 3. I am very passionate about working with babies and children as I love to watch them develop and grow as a person. I have one years’ experience and I can’t wait to gain more here at Monkey Puzzle
Lauren
Nursery Practitioner
Hello, my name is Lauren and I am NVQ Level 3 qualified. I have been working in childcare for 15 years and I have loved every moment. I have a 1 year old baby boy myself who attends this nursery also and we are loving every minute developing and growing together. I love to get messy and creative and think of new fun and exciting things to do. You will always find me singing or making up silly songs and giggling with the children.
Amy
Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Amy and I am based in the Octopus Room. I hold a Level 6 Qualification in Early Years. I have worked in Childcare for 7 years now and I enjoy the fact that every day is different. In my spare time I love to spend time with friends and family, especially my little boy who is 1 year old and who also attends the nursery.
Clare
Nursery Assistant
Hello, my name is Clare. I am the new Nursery Assistant. I enjoy spending time working within Starfish and Dolphins room. I have two children of my own, aged 11 and 5 years and understand how important it is to leave your children within a safe, happy, friendly environment for early years learning. I am passionate about safeguarding children of all ages and enjoy spending time with them. I am a conscientious worker and enjoy being part of the team. I am a positive person and always happy to help. In my spare time I enjoy voluntary work at my children’s school on trips and helping within the classroom. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends as well as walking my dog Pip—the pug.
Lorraine
Nursery Assistant
My name is Lorraine. My passion is working with children which I have done for the past 22 years. I have a CACHE Level 3 in Childcare qualification and before becoming a member of the nursery staff at Monkey Puzzle, I was an Ofsted registered child minder, for many years. Besides loving to work with children my hobbies include cooking and walking my dogs.
Looking forward to my exciting journey at Monkey Puzzle!
Danielle
Nursery Assistant/Housekeeper
Hi my name is Danielle. I an 29 years old and have been a Level 3 qualified practitioner for 10 years. I have been working as a Nursery Assistant and Housekeeper at Monkey Puzzle since December 2019. My daughter recently finished at Monkey Puzzle to start school and enjoyed every minute of nursery. I enjoy art and craft, making cards, and baking cakes and cookies. In my spare time I enjoy music and dancing as well as watching cookery programmes and wrestling.
