Please roll over the staff photos to see our staff as toddlers!
Amanda Griffiths
Nursery Manager
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Amanda owns and manages Monkey Puzzle St Albans and is a qualified primary teacher with an abundance of experience with children of all ages.
Designated Safeguarding Officer.
Behaviour Management Officer.
Paediatric First Aid Qualified.
Level 2 Nutrition For Health Qualified
Amanda has a passion that children’s views and point of views are heard and valued.
Being a mum of two and a volunteer Childline counselor keeps Amanda’s spare time extremely full!
Megan Homfray
Nursery Manager
SENCO
Designated Safeguarding Officer
Since the early age of 14 I have had a vast amount of experience involving working with children. I have been a tutor of both Maths and English for the past 7 years. I have also been a children’s entertainer and a babysitter for various families.
At Monkey Puzzle I have been lucky enough to work with all age groups from 3 months to 5 years and my personal development has evolved allowing me to progress both professionally and personally.
Growing up in a large family helped my determination to work with children grow and develop.
I am proud to have completed my childcare qualification, level 3 whilst I’ve been working at Monkey Puzzle and I have also gained my Level 5.
During my gap year I volunteered in Cameroon working in both the hospitals and schools carrying out a variety of tasks, this was an amazing experience that I will never forget.
Sharifa Khalifa
Nursery Deputy Manager
I have been fortunate to have been working in childcare and education for over 18 years with my experience ranging from early years to key stage 2.
In my spare time, my hobbies include spending time with my two wonderful children; we love to travel and socialise together. I am also highly creative and enjoy painting & reading.
I am very pleased and excited to be joining the Monkey Puzzle team and I am keen to use my experience and skills to support the holistic education and development of your little monkeys.
Bela Ribeiro 
Third in Charge
I have always had been surrounded by children as I come from a large family, so working within a childcare and education sector to me was an easy career path.
What I love mostly about working with children is the sense of achievement you get as you watch them learn something new every day and grow into little explorers in everything they do and the curiosity that comes with it. You develop lovely bonds with the children along with all the laughter and the huge imagination that is explored when having conversations with the children. My enjoyment in nurseries vary from getting involved with messy play to having a quite sit down and reading a lovely story or singing nursery rhymes.
In my spare time I really enjoy to go out and meet up with my family and friends, we do large lunches or dinners. Go on long walks, watching movies or listening to music followed by singing very loudly to myself and dancing around. I also have a very sweet tooth so baking or eating is something I do quite often.
Shirrelle Sinclair
Senior Nursery Nurse Level 5 – Blue/Yellow Monkey Floor Manager
I have been working with children for almost 5 years now and I absolutely love it! It is such an amazing and rewarding job to be able to contribute towards a child’s development, progression and confidence.
I completed my BA degree in 2017 and have been working in nurseries ever since – including Monkey Puzzle back in 2018. I’m really looking forward to re-joining the Monkey Puzzle team!
In my spare time I love to draw portraits, dance and travel.
Alice Dale
Senior Nursery Nurse & Blue Monkeys Deputy Room Leader – Level 6
From a young age I always knew I wanted to work with children and have built up my experiences from babysitting for various families to becoming a private nanny.
Having just completed my BA in Early Childhood Education I am eager to expel my knowledge to others to encourage the deeper understandings of child development and provide opportunities for the children to promote independence and develop holistically as an individual.
In my spare time I enjoy seeing my family and friends and watching rugby games!
Mumtahina Rahman
Red Monkeys Room Leader
Senior Nursery Nurse
Level 6
Since completing my work placement in a nursery during my 2nd year of University as a Student Researcher, it became very evident to me that I want to provide children with the best quality care and experience.
Having completed my BA in Early Childhood Education, I truly believe that there is more to a child than what meets the eye. This has therefore influenced me to peruse the role as an early years practitioner in order to support children in their holistic development and also allow them to have the independence to become their own person.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends and am a passionate baker.
April Harpin
Senior Nursery Nurse
I am a qualified Level 3 practitioner and have been working in childcare since I was 16. I enjoy arts & crafts and getting messy with the children.
I hope to start my Level 4 and then go on to compltet my BA honours degree in Early Childcare as I believe that this will be a great way to extend my knowledge.
In my spare time I enjoy seeing my friends & family, travelling and exploring various places. I love film & music and can quiet often be found having a good dance!
I am enjoying being part of the Red Monkeys Team.
Georgina Witherall
Esther Reynolds-Lydon
Senior Nursery Nurse
I am a Level 3 practitioner that has worked within nursery settings caring for young children for the past 4 years.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Many of which have young children meaning I am always busy thinking and carrying out fun and exciting activities.
My hobbies include shopping and spending time in the gym.
Mykaylah Turrell
Pink Monkeys Room Leader
I am qualified level 2 practitioner. I find it lots of fun when planning activities using the outside area and messy play.
In my own time I spend lots of time with my brother and sister and enjoy holidays to Cyprus.
I enjoy going out and experiencing new things.
I am currently studying towards my Level 3 Childcare qualification.
Catherine Green
Senior Nursery Nurse
From a young age I have always wanted to work with children. I have studied and successfully passed the courses for Level 2, 3 and extended CACHE level 3 diploma in Children & Young Peoples Workforce.
I joined Monkey Puzzle, Ridgmont Rd as part of my placement and was then lucky enough to be offered a permanent role where I have been working for almost 5 years. I have enjoyed my time at Ridgmont road so much but I am very excited to be moving over to Orient Close
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, listening to music and cooking. I play the trumpet. I also enjoy watching football and for 3years I played for St Albans Rangers.
Aisha Irving
Nursery Nurse Level 2
I am a Level 2 qualified Nursery Nurse and I have been caring for children since my early teens. I gained my qualification while working full time in a nursery setting and I am hoping to be able to complete my Level 3 qualification whilst working at Monkey Puzzle.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I also enjoy taking my dogs for walks, going to the cinema, eating out and going on holidays!
I love being part of the Monkey Puzzle team!
Katie Westwood
Nursery Nurse
I am a Level 2 qualified Nursery Nurse and have worked with children since I was 18 and gained my qualification as an apprentice working full time in a nursery.
I am very much enjoying being part of the Monkey Puzzle team and hope to begin studying for my Level 3 while gaining more experience in an outstanding nursery setting.
In my spare time, I enjoy nights in with a film or TV series and love going to the cinema or bowling with my friends. I also enjoy listening to music and gaming.
Gemma Else
Nursery Nurse
I have been a hairdresser for many years but decided to take a step back when I had my daughter, who is now at school!
After watching her grow I knew I wanted to work with children as a career change. Watching them grow and develop is such a reward and I am happy
to be able to contribute to that.
I am so pleased to be part of the Monkey Puzzle Team.
In my spare time I enjoy socialising with friends and family and spending quality time with my daughter, we love having fun days out together.
I am proud to say that I have gained my Level 3 childcare qualification.
Sally Brown
Nursery Nurse
Level 2
I became interested in working with children when I was 9 years old when my niece was born, and I spent a lot of my teenage years looking after her. I then became a mother myself and spent the next 18 years raising my 4 lovely children.
Now that my children are growing up, I am ready to begin my dream career and work with children of nursery age. I have recently been working as a breakfast club and after school club supervisor with children aged 4-11 years, but am really looking forward to beginning my journey in a nursery. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and watching movies.
Lauren Porter
Nursery Nurse
Level 2 Nursery Nurse with experience of working in a variety of different nurseries.
I am very interested in studying towards my Level 3 in the near future which I hope to achieve whilst working at Monkey Puzzle.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends and family and looking after my three beautiful horses.
Bethan Homfray
Nursery Assistant
Throughout my life I have always looked after and care for children, from babysitting to nannying. I also spent time tutoring children aged 4-15 in Maths and English and enjoyed watching them grow and develop.
I have many hobbies that include spending time with friends, walking my dog and baking! My happy place is Turkey where I have spent many wonderful summers.
I hope to study to become a paramedic in the future. I feel privileged to be part of the Monkey Puzzle team.
Annabelle Lisowski
Senior Nursery Nurse
Since taking part in my college work placement, I knew that childcare was the role for me. I enjoy watching the children grow and develop, taking part in their activities and having fun! I have achieved my Level 3 in childcare and hope to move on to completing a higher childcare qualification whilst working at Monkey Puzzle.
In my spare time I enjoy travelling to different countries, especially America. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
I look forward to joining the Monkey Puzzle team and expanding my knowledge further.
Sally Smith
Kitchen Pot Washer
I am enjoying being part of the Monkey Puzzle Team and supporting the Nursery Chef in her daily role.
I have been working in school settings in various different roles, including in the kitchen. I am a Mum to my lovely daughter who is now at secondary school and we enjoy spending lots of time together doing things such as shopping, bowling and eating out in pudding restaurants!
Simon Harrison
Nursery Cook
I have spent many years in the catering industry, starting from the very bottom and building my way up to head chef/kitchen manager. In those years I have widen my skills and knowledge in various catering environments. I love working with fresh food and understand the importance of nutritional and healthy foods whilst taking into account allergens and religion. I believe it is a wonderful environment working in a nursery setting, offering the opportunity to cook fresh food for the children.
I am a father of three young children and I enjoy cooking them healthy fun meals at home and try to get them involved as much as I can so they can learn the importance of healthy foods and how they benefit us.
In my spare time at home I love being with my family, going on adventurous walks and rock hunting with them. We love being outdoors and being active. If I can fit it in during summer, I also like to go fishing!
Jessica Coote
Currently On Maternity Leave
Senior Nursery Nurse
QTS
I would consider myself as an effective role-model with an understanding nature; a helpful and friendly person who is reliable and trustworthy. My past experiences involve supporting babies from 6 months old to children aged 11 years in a variety of settings in the UK and worldwide. I originally started my career in childcare and education as a teaching assistant at key stage 2 and then went on to gain my BA (Hons) in Primary Education and attained Qualified Teacher Status. Being able to ensure babies and children feel safe and their needs are met, while giving exceptional care is of prime importance to me. I am looking forward to combining my previous experience with the Monkey Puzzle ethos to provide great care to the best of my ability.
Career opportunities
Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries are committed to providing great career opportunities for its entire staffing team. We are dedicated to staff development and actively encourage staff to train at all levels. Our policy is to recruit and/or promote internally allowing staff progression which we recognise as a priority.
This is a rapidly expanding business and we are always looking for quality staff for our existing Nurseries. Please contact us for details of our current vacancies.
Policies
Other information will go on and off the area as necessary.
