Staff | St Albans

Meet the Staff

Meet the management

Amanda Griffiths
Nursery 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 Oxley
Nursery Manager
SENCO

Designated Safeguarding Officer
Level 5

I gained my Level 2 and level 3 in childcare when I first started my career in childcare.

I have also achieved First Aid, Food Hygiene, and range of Safeguarding qualifications as well as staying up to date with regular SENCo courses.

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 have also achieved my Level 5 childcare qualification in Leadership & Management in Early Years whilst working at Monkey Puzzle.

In my spare time I volunteer with St Albans Sea Cadets & Royal Marine Cadets, a hobby I have pursued since I joined as a cadet myself at 14yrs old. Whilst there I help young people gain valuable skills and qualifications. I also enjoy running & being active outside.

Louise Hardiman
Nursery Deputy Manager

Designated Safeguarding Officer
Level 3

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

I have a wealth of experience with the Early Years Foundation Stage & I enjoy being creative with planning ideas, sharing these ideas with my team & helping others to develop too.

I have both my level 2 and 3 childcare qualification.

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!

Blue Monkeys

Gabriella Forsyth
Third In Charge
Level 3

Currently covering maternity leave at Orient Close

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

Third in Charge
Blue Monkeys Floor Manager

Level 3

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.

Nicole Crowder
Blue 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 also stay fit at Zumba!

Sabina Stoyanova
Senior Nursery Nurse

Qualified Teacher Status (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

I was 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 I’m proud that I completed my Level 2 and have also started my Level 3 qualification.

I really enjoy being part of the team, all the staff are so friendly and helpful. 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 , 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 to be part of the team at Monkey Puzzle Ridgmont Road.

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

Ifza Ali

Senior Nursery Nurse

Level 3

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.

Rosa Russo
Senior Nursery Nurse

Seeing children grow from a baby and develop into young children is my passion. I have been working with children since I was 16 through babysitting and helping out at summer play groups. I continued this interest by choosing to attend university in Naples where I achieved my bachelor’s degree in Education. This is my passion and the work I’ve always wanted to do in life.

I love to spend time with my family and during my free time I love photography and painting.

Pink Monkeys

Chloe Murphy

Pink Monkeys Floor Manager
Nursery Nurse

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.

Ana Maria Dominguez Prats
Senior Nursery Nurse

Pink Monkeys Deputy Floor Manager

Level 6

I am originally from Spain and I am 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 be part of this incredible team.

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

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.

Julie Kirkpatrick
Senior Nursery Nurse

Level 3

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 including Safeguarding and SENCo.

I enjoy reading as well as cooking and entertaining for family and friends.

Patrice Thomas
Senior Nursery Nurse

From an early age and for as long as I can remember I have always liked being around younger children, they can be so interesting! I have always enjoyed helping and teaching them, including simple tasks in their everyday life. I studied and achieved both my level 2 and level 3 qualifications in childcare at college which extended my knowledge and understanding of child development and working with children. I’m looking forward to putting what I have learned into further practice. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, as well as going for walks and spending time outside.

Chelsea Darvell
Nursery Assistant

I have always had an interest in working with children and I am excited about this opportunity to expand my experience. I grew up as part of a large family and enjoyed looking after my little brother as well as babysitting for friend’s children. I want to be able to give support and advantages to children as much as I can by supporting their developing and caring for them.

In my spare time I enjoy both playing and watching football as well as spending time with friends and my partner.

Red Monkeys

Zainab Danba

Third In Charge
Red Monkeys Floor Manager
Level 6

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

Red Monkeys Deputy Floor Manager
Senior Nursery Nurse

Level 3

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.

Beth-Anne Fearnhead
Senior Nursery Nurse

Level 3

I am both level 2 and level 3 qualified and have worked in childcare for over 5 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.

Antonia-Louise Dillingham

Senior Nursery Nurse
Level 3

I have completed my Level 2 in childcare whilst at college and then went on to complete my Level 3 alongside working in a nursery. I have experience working with the different age groups for children under 5 and I enjoy working with all ages. I like being able to help them learn and develop their skills in different ways. I’m looking forward to joining the Monkey Puzzle Team and expanding my experiences. In my spare time I like to spend it with my family, watching films and going to the park.

Bethany Digweed
Nursery Assistant

I am very excited to be part of 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.

Floating Staff

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.

During my time at Monkey Puzzle, I have worked in all rooms and have enjoyed running Italian sessions in Red Monkeys.

Lucy Whiley

Nursery Nurse/Lunch Cover

Level 2

I’ve worked in Childcare since leaving school and I am proud to have completed my Level 2 Childcare qualification. I am excited to be part of the Outstanding Monkey Puzzle Team and have just started my Level 3 learning.

In my spare time I enjoy creative activities and being with my friends and family and going to knew places.

Shaida Kaviani Anarjani

Senior Nursery Nurse/Lunch Cover

Level 3

I am level 2 and 3 qualified in childcare, in addition to this I also have a Bachelors degree with teaching experience at a high school in Iran.

I have worked with children for over 10 years in different types of childcare settings in the UK.

I am fluent in Farsi and Azerbaijani ,as well as intermediate in Turkish and I aspire to learn Spanish in the future.

I’m a Mum of two grown ups who are both independent, and visiting and spending time with them is one of my favourite things to do! I also appreciate art and design, cooking, writing and poetry.

Bethan Waters

Nursery Nurse/Lunch Cover

I come from a big family with 2 brothers and 3 sisters, this has sparked my interest in working with children and young people and is the reason why I chose to complete my Level 2 in Childcare as well as in Health & Social Care. I am looking forward to putting all my knowledge into practice and expanding my experience. I have recently worked at a college supporting young adults with additional needs, which has been both interesting and rewarding.

I am happy to have the opportunity to join the team at Monkey Puzzle Ridgmont Road and I look forward to working with the rest of the team as I continue in my own development whilst supporting the children with theirs.

Julia Bunton
Senior Nursery Nurse/Lunch Cover

Level 3

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.

Melanie Belson

Senior Nursery Nurse/Lunch Cover

Level 3

I’m pleased to say that I have been enjoying working in childcare for over 12 years! I have 3 wonderful children of my own, one of whom is at University, one studying for their A Levels and my youngest who is doing their GCSE’s this year. I enjoy working with children, nurturing their development and watching their confidence grow as they learn new things and build friendships.

In my spare time I try to keep myself fit by jogging, both for fun and by taking part in charity runs!

Roxana Iscrulescu

Nursery Assistant

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

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.

Nazifa Chowdhury
Nursery Nurse

I have a very big extended family and have grown up caring for the little children around me. From a young age I always knew that I wanted to work with children and help them find their little feet in the big world. I strongly believe that children are our future and that we should allow them to explore and develop freely!

I am currently studying Early Years at University and I am hoping to put my learning into practice through this opportunity I have been given by Monkey Puzzle!

In my spare time I enjoy baking tasty treats for my family.