Staff | St Albans

Meet the Staff

Meet the management

Amanda Griffiths
Nursery Manager/Proprietor

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!

Hannah Ward

Operations & Training Manager

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery

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!

Hannah Oxley
Deputy Manager
SENCO

Designated Safeguarding Officer #2
Senior Nursery Nurse, Level 5

I gained my Level 2 and level 3 whilst working as an apprentice. I have also achieved my first aid, Food Hygiene, and safeguarding qualifications.

I like to spend time visiting family and I first became interested in pursuing a career in Childcare after I looked after my younger cousins during the long school holidays.

I am proud to say that I recently achieved my Level 5 childcare qualification whilst working at Monkey Puzzle.

In my spare time I volunteer with St Albans Sea Cadets, a hobby I have pursued since I joined as a cadet at 14yrs old. I am now a detachment commander. Whilst there I help young people gain valuable skills and qualifications.

I recently gained both my Duke of Edinburgh Gold award and my Level 5 in Leadership and Management.

Kitchen Staff

Dean Edwards
Kitchen Manager/Chef

Level 2 Nutrition & Health Qualified

I have been a chef for the past nine years. I started my career as an apprentice and worked my way up to Head Chef in a four star hotel.

I have cooked in a variety of places such as restaurants, pubs, university and my passion for cooking is still as strong as its ever been.

Its a gratifying experience cooking for youngsters as they rely on me for nutritious healthy food. I weaned my own daughter and cooked everything fresh for her.

If I do manage to find any spare time I like to be with family and friends, I also enjoy constructing Lego!

Evi Kalanyos
Kitchen Assistant

Hello my name is Evi, I am happily married & have a beautiful daughter.
I enjoy being part of the Monkey Puzzle team & assisting Dean in the kitchen. I have many years of experience in the catering industry. I am very excited to get to work with the children & hopefully get them joining in with some cooking too!

In spare time I enjoy swimming & travelling to rural areas.

Blue Monkeys

Gabriella Forsyth
Third In Charge
Level 3

In my spare time I enjoy mixing with friends and going out with my family. I am also currently attempting to learn the guitar and I try to cook as much as I can.

I enjoy walking my dog.

Tammy Pledger
Blue Monkeys Floor Manager

Working and caring for children is something I have always done as my career.

I achieved my Level 3 whilst working in a private nursery which I felt was a great experience and I learnt my craft.

In my spare I love to spend time with friends and enjoy dinner parties and going to the cinema.

Sabina Stoyanova
Blue Monkeys Deputy Floor Manager
QTS

I have always had a passion for caring & helping others. From an early age I have wanted a career working with children as I love being around them, playing with & entertaining them! The thought of being a part of children’s development, helping them grow into young independent individuals really inspires me.

In my spare time I like going for walks, cooking, crafts, reading, watching movies & listening to music.

I am so happy working within the Monkey Puzzle team!

Ellie McClenaghan
Nursery Nurse
Level 2 Qualified

Hi, I’m Ellie and I am very excited to have been given this fantastic opportunity to start my career in childcare with Monkey Puzzle Ridgmont Road, I have now worked at the nursery for quite some time and proud that I completed my Level 2 and have started my Level 3 qualification.

I really enjoy being part of the team, all the staff are so friendly. The children are amazing and I continue to develop my passion for working in Early Years.

I pride myself on my kind & caring nature, I am fun loving & sociable & love spending time with my friends, family & partner, watching films & eating Italian food!

Sheetal Mistry
Nursery Assistant

Being a mother gives me so much pleasure, so having this opportunity is really fulfilling my dream. I am grateful towards Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery for offering me this role.

In my spare time I like to do baking and spending time with friends and my daughter.

Ifza Ali

I have been working with children from under five for the past five years. From an early age I always knew the career path I wanted to choose was working with children and I am grateful that I have ended up working at Monkey Puzzle. Having a job that you love is an amazing feeling.

In my spare time I enjoy experiencing lots of different foods.

Pink Monkeys

Nicole Crowder
Pink Monkeys Floor Manager
Level 6

I achieved my level 3 in 2009 which led to me working in a primary school for almost 9 years, during this time I achieved my Foundation Degree and then my B.A Degree.

I have also worked in private nurseries.

In my spare time I enjoy taking my puppy for a walk, looking after my young nephew and spending time with my family at our caravan. I stay fit at Zumba!

Chloe Murphy
Pink Monkeys Deputy Floor Manager
Nursery Nurse
Level 2 Qualified

From a young age I have always enjoyed being with children and when I qualified at college I knew it was the career I wanted.

In my spare time I enjoy being with my friends and family.

I’m currently studying towards my Level 3 qualification.

Louise Rice
Nursery Assistant

I qualified as a paediatric nurse in 2015 & from working in a variety of settings, I soon realised that how children learn & develop fascinated me. Between 0-5 year’s children learn at such a fast rate & they have a thirst for knowledge. It fills me with excitement & enthusiasm to be a part of helping them grow!

I am currently studying towards my Level 3 qualification.

In my spare time I love to dance Latin & Ballroom, I am a keen tennis player & also enjoy walking in the countryside with my friends & family.

Rachel Smith
Level 3
Senior Nursery Nurse

As one of the eldest children from a large family I have always enjoyed helping and engaging with my younger siblings. This gave me the grounding to working within the early years sector.

I gained my Level 3 Childcare qualification whilst at college in 2017.

In my spare I enjoy Irish dancing and of course socializing with friends and family.

Halima Begum

Nursery Nurse

I studied at Newham University in 2013 where I achieved my B.A (Hons) in Working with Children, Young People Studies.

I moved from the midlands before lock down where I had experience working in residential care work, school and a children’s day nursery. I am excited about being part of the Monkey Puzzle Team.

In my spare time I enjoy being outside walking going to the park or beach. I absolutely love cooking!

Julie Kirkpatrick
Senior Nursery Nurse

Hi, I am a happily married mum of two grown up, Independent children. I have always enjoyed caring and looking after others so when an opportunity arose to work in Early Years I instantly accepted it, that was 16 years ago!

I am NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualified, First Aid trained and have other skills in Safeguarding and SENCO.

I enjoy reading, cooking and entertaining for family and friends.

Red Monkeys

Louise Hardiman
Third In Charge
Red Monkeys Floor Manager

Designated Safeguarding officer
Senior Nursery Nurse

I enjoy looking after children and helping them learn different things. I have been working with children for over seven years.

In my own time I like nothing more than spending time with my family and friends and going swimming.

I have both my level 2 and 3 childcare qualification.

Zainab Danba

Third In Charge
Red Monkeys Floor Manager -Job Share
Senior Nursery Nurse
Level 4

I have a key interest in childcare & love looking after children of all ages, through babysitting for family & friends on a regular basis. I find it extremely rewarding to see their development grow.

During my free time, I enjoy shopping, ice skating & I also love travelling to different places, experiencing new things & discovering more about others lifestyles.

I recently completed my degree in Childcare.

I love being a part of the Monkey Puzzle team & helping to create a safe & supportive environment for the children to develop & learn.

Saima Jalil
Red Monkeys Floor Manager
Level 2

I am multi-lingual, well-travelled and passionate about different cultures and recognising children as unique individuals.

I connect with children and feel a great sense of accomplishment in helping children achieve during their time at the nursery. Working with children gives me joy and happiness.

Away from nursery, I am a housewife. I enjoy going out with my husband. I enjoy socialising, walking, cooking dinner parties with my friends, shopping, travelling and listening to music.

Kemone Falkner
Senior Nursery Nurse

From the age of 15 I knew I wanted to work with children of all ages & I am very passionate about this. Caring for my younger siblings gave me the hands on experience which helped me to develop a caring & nurturing personality.

I studied at The University of the West Indies & achieved my Diploma in Teaching (Primary Education) & for several years have worked as a teaching assistant & a teacher.

I love nothing more than being a mum and spending time with my family.

Omoyemi (Yemi) Omotola

I have always loved working with children and young adults.

I have worked with children for over 28 years, with families, private nurseries and schools abroad and Churches.

I am very passionate and committed to help make a lasting difference in their lives.

I have a BA degree in Early childhood and community studies.

I like spending quality time with my family and I enjoy exploring new food.

I enjoy cooking, reading, cleaning, playing netball, visiting new places & meeting new people.
I’m enjoying working with the Monkey Puzzle team & to give my absolute best in supporting, safeguarding & helping in the developmental stages of all the children.

Beth Fearnhead
Senior Nursery Nurse

I am both level 2 and level 3 qualified and have worked in childcare for over 4 years working with children in both private nursery settings or within their home as a childminder.

I enjoy creating activities that are fun and interesting for the children in my care thus allowing progression and development.

In my spare time I love nothing more than singing and dancing.

I often travel to America to visit my family.

Floating Staff

Bethany Digweed
Nursery Nurse

I am very excited to be joining the Monkey Puzzle team, following my previous roles as a play worker at an after-school club & as an Early Years Practitioner in a nursery setting. I look forward to completing my level 3 qualification at Monkey Puzzle.

I am a very caring individual who enjoys spending time with friends & family. In my spare time I love attending music festivals, concerts & West-end shows thus supporting my passion to dance & perform.

Marta Artuso
Nursery Assistant/Bank staff

Growing up as part of a large family, I have always found myself involved with children of all ages. Since becoming a mum, I have realised how important and rewarding it is to be involved in a child’s early years development. I have volunteered at local play groups and at my children’s schools and I also regularly baby-sit for friends and family.

Ana Maria Dominguez Prats
Morning/Lunch cover – Nursery Nurse

I am Spanish and passionate about education. I love working with children as it so rewarding.

I finished my degree in Spain and now want to improve and grow my knowledge. Monkey Puzzle is an amazing opportunity and I am happy to become part of this incredible team.

During my spare time I love to climb, hike and travel and appreciate nature.

Julia Bunton
Senior Nursery Nurse

I so enjoy working at Monkey Puzzle and being part of an amazing team.

I have worked in schools and nurseries most my adult life and enjoy working with the children and building up strong bonds with the team around me.

Sabah Chaudri

Senior Nursery Nurse – Morning/Lunch Cover

I worked at Monkey Puzzle, Orient close for 2 years working my way up to Blue Monkeys Room leader.

Since marrying last year I have enjoyed a slightly different role as morning/ lunch cover at Monkey Puzzle, Ridgmont rd.

I enjoy home life and food especially chicken dishes.

Olivia Lever
Nursery Assistant – Bank Staff

I am very excited and grateful to start working at Monkey Puzzle as well as getting to know the team of friendly staff and children. Throughout my whole life, I have always had a passion for children and knew I wanted to work with them from a very young age.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my horse, family, and friends. I am also currently studying for a degree in education with psychology and am very eager to learn more about the early years within my new role.

Roxana Iscrulescu

I started my journey at Monkey Puzzle as a volunteer whilst studying towards my Level 2 qualification and I am pleased that I am now working daily as Nursery Assistant.

I love spending time with my family.

Hayley Wilson
Nursery Nurse
Level 2 Qualified

Since leaving school in 2006 I have worked in retail, experiencing a variety of roles including being a Supervisor & Assistant Manager.

However, since my niece & nephew were born & also having a little boy of my own, it has sparked a strong interest for me to develop a career in childcare & I look forward to work at Monkey Puzzle every day.

I love spending my spare time with friends & family & having day trips out with my son.