Choosing the right nursery for your children can be a challenge – here to help are the experts from Monkey Puzzle
• What should I look for in the facilities of a good nursery?
In a good nursery, each room should be safe and clean with a wide range of resources for children to play with – all of which should be in a good condition. A good nursery will also come equipped with a calm sleep room for babies. Outside play spaces should be set up with different areas for children to access and develop their mobility skills – at Monkey Puzzle, we have areas for the children to climb, draw, build and most importantly, play!
• What should I look for in the staff of a good nursery?
A good nursery would have a low staff turnover – their teams should have a good ratio of qualified to unqualified staff. At Monkey Puzzle, a rigorous recruitment process is in place, ensuring staff have the correct qualities and requirements. This would include having the sensitivity to comfort children who need nurturing, they are calm, friendly, and welcoming to all parents.
• How can I be sure a nursery will cope with my child’s dietary requirements?
Nurseries should be able to offer a varied menu to ensure all children’s dietary requirements are met. At Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, we have an onsite chef who reviews each child’s care plan frequently. All nursery staff should have food hygiene certificates as a rigorous multi-step procedure from kitchen to child is in place to ensure that the correct foods are given. At Monkey Puzzle, we have the traffic light system; green – your child can have anything, yellow – your child has an intolerance or dietary preference and red – your child has an allergy.
• What is the EYFS framework?
EYFS is the The Early Years Foundation Stage and is how the Government and early year’s professionals describe the time in your child’s life between birth and age 5. This is a very important stage as it helps your child get ready for school as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes. It sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well.
• What facilities should a good nursery offer for babies?
The facilities at a good nursery should provide babies with the opportunities to explore and play. The baby room is spacious, well-lit, and well ventilated – ensuring there is plenty of space for young babies to play, crawl and learn to toddle. Monkey Puzzle provides babies with low furniture to encourage children to pull themselves up and give opportunities for taking their first steps. A variety of resources are available where babies can enjoy various experiences of sight, sound, smell and touch.
• What facilities should a good nursery offer for toddlers and pre-schoolers?
At Monkey Puzzle, activities are geared to each child’s stage of development. We provide enriching resources and children’s choices are supported by having that large variety of stimulating resources. At good nurseries, there should be easily accessible low-level units to promote and assist in the children’s early years development and independence. A large outdoor play area, with safety surface to take their learning experiences outdoors.
• What’s the story behind Monkey Puzzle?
Our experience of the childcare sector dates back to 1978 when the first nursery was opened in Cambridgeshire (trading as Ladybird Day Nursery). On March 17th 2002, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries launched their very first childcare setting in Hertfordshire. For owners Mark and Rebecca Crosby it was the beginning of a hugely successful journey into the day nurseries industry. Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries has now grown to over 60 childcare settings nationwide. This makes us the UK’s largest childcare franchise network.
• Where can I find out more about Monkey Puzzle nurseries?
You can find out more on our website and our social media pages by following the below links:
Website – monkeypuzzledaynurseries.com
Instagram – Instagram.com/monkeypuzzledaynurseries
Facebook – facebook.com/monkeypuzzledaynursery
