Hannah Ward
Operations & Training Manager
SENCO Trained  

Designated Safeguarding Officer

Hannah has worked at Monkey Puzzle as part of the Senior Management Team since 2011, and managed Monkey Puzzle, Ridgmont road from 2015 – 2019.

The role of Operations and Training Manager is exciting and diverse with Hannah  creating and maintain a culture of self-evaluation and reflective practice throughout both nursery settings.

She studied Childcare and Education at Hertford regional college, Ware and gained her Diploma, Level 3 in 2007. Hannah went onto successfully complete the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for the Children & Young Peoples Workforce (Early Years) in 2016.

Hannah loves being  part of children’s early years and has a strong interest in observing children’s growth and development, finding ways to support and encourage this.

In her spare time socializing with friends and family, cooking and shopping is important and more recently being mum to her beautiful daughter!

Megan Homfray

Nursery Manager

SENCO

Designated Safeguarding Officer #2

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 am currently working towards 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.

Kiran Shan
Deputy Nursery Manager
Designated Safeguarding Officer #3

I have been working at Monkey Puzzle Ridgmont road for the last 5 years, starting as a Senior Nursery Nurse and progressing up to the management team. I enjoy working with all age groups as I love discovering each child’s individual personalities and watching them grow and develop.

Moving  to Monkey Puzzle, Orient Close to be the Nursery Deputy Manager makes me both proud and exciting.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading books, going out to eat and socializing with my friends and family.

Celia North
Third In Charge

Senior Nursery Nurse
Level 3
Paediatric First Aid

My interest in childcare began at Summer Camps. Having spent my holidays on these for many years as a child, I was a leader for the first time aged 15.

I started working in nurseries from the age of 18 after finishing my A levels. I have worked in different rooms with different ages but I feel that Pre-school is where I have settled. I love this age as there are so many things to do with the children as they are understanding more and becoming aware of the world around them.

I am naturally creative, and enjoy art activities the most as I find it is a way of learning a lot about the children.

In my spare time, I like to be in the company of my pets; two rabbits, a dog and a fish! I enjoy going to concerts, walking, visiting friends and curling up on the sofa with a new film or a good book.

I am currently studying towards my Level 5 qualification.

Tamsin Price
Senior Nursery Nurse

I have always had an interest in working with children since I was in school. I then left school and went to college where I am very proud to have completed my Level 2 and Level 3 in Childcare. After finishing college, I began working in a nursery and progressed to Room Leader. I really enjoyed my role as Room Leader but I took a break from working to start my own family and I now have a wonderful little girl. I am now very excited to be back working with children and am so happy that Monkey Puzzle has given me the opportunity to join their team to gain more knowledge and enhance my skills.

In my spare time, I enjoy making memories with my daughter and spending time with my friends.

Mumtahina Rahman
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 just 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.

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.

Gabriella Popa
Senior Nursery Nurse
Level 6

I am a qualified level 6 Early Years Practitioner who has enjoyed taking care of and working with children from a very young age. I still remember the first little girl that I took care of and since then, my passion kept on growing so I decided to work on my dream career and began to study my University degree.

I have experience with different ages from birth to 11 years old across a variety of settings such as nursery and preschool, primary school, children centres and summer camps. Starting my new adventure with Monkey Puzzle Nursery, I am very excited about meeting the children, learning from them and from the team, and developing my skills.

I am a friendly, energetic and creative person, I also enjoy reading good books and traveling around the world.

Sabah Chaudri
Blue Monkeys Room Leader

I became interested in working with children 12 years ago when my baby brother came into my life! Whilst at school I decided to complete my work experience in a local primary school. I then continued to college and all my placements were working with children. I completed my apprenticeship in a private nursery setting and gained my Level 3 in Childcare.

I really enjoying spending time with my family and friends. I love to eat out and especially eating chicken. I dance for fun and also use dance as a form of fitness.

Anna Marzec
Senior Nursery Nurse

After moving over to England from my home country, Poland, I began a career in childcare when I started working at Monkey Puzzle in 2011. I am so proud to have completed my Level 2 course in Childcare. I have recently achieved my Level 3 qualification.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and taking long walks with my dog.

Jessica Coote
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.

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 Assistant

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 currently studying towards 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.

Karen Goulding
Nursery Chef

I have been cooking for most of my life and really love it! I have been working at a nursery for the last 5 years cooking for 75 children so enjoy being part of the Monkey Puzzle team and cooking for slightly less, therefore giving me more time to do some baking and spend time cooking with the children! I enjoy sharing my love of cooking with  children.

I have 2 sons, a daughter and 5 lovely grandchildren; They keep me very busy! I love spending time with my grandchildren, playing football, roller-skating, swimming and looking after our 3 dogs and 3 cats!

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 12 years old, we enjoy spending lots of time together doing things such as shopping, bowling and eating out in pudding restaurants!

Faye Clements
Level 3

I have worked within childcare for nearly ten years, beginning by babysitting for family and friends. I have worked as a private nanny as well as in Nursery settings where I have also gained experience as a room leader.
I gained my Level 3 Extended Diploma in childcare in 2012 after previously training as a hairdresser.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends and attending a fitness class 3-4 times a week!

I previously worked for Monkey Puzzle, Orient close in 2017 and  re-joined the team after spending  6 months travelling New Zealand and Australia.

I then took time to start my own family and I am a very proud mum!

Debbie Pytianou
Senior Nursery Nurse

CURRENTLY ON MATERNITY LEAVE

Qualified Teacher Status

I was born and raised in Greece. As a child, I loved spending time with my little sister and my two young cousins who I took care of. Watching them grow and develop I realised that childcare was a career I would follow.

At the age of 22 I was already qualified nursery teacher. I worked with children of different ages, from infants to pre-schoolers. Pre school children is the age group I have experienced with.

I am fascinated by the things children do and that I can do for them and by their imaginative responses.