Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross

296 Queens Road, New Cross, London SE14 5JN
Submit a Review
8.1 84 Reviews
  • Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross, London
Monkey Puzzle New Cross is a day nursery in the New Cross Area. It opened in February 2018 and has been building a team of enthusiastic and dedicated staff to give outstanding care to the children and families are welcomed into the Monkey Puzzle family.

The interior provides an enabling and challenging environment for children throughout the nursery while the garden brings an additional classroom and many learning opportunities for all who use it.

Staff would love to show you around the amazing facilities, so why not book in for a viewing to come and visit.

Show Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross on the Map

Care Provided by Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Liesl Hewitt (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 30
  • Total Places for Children
  • 76
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays, 1 week at Christmas & 2 INSET days per year

Funding & Fees Guide for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross

  • £84.00 per day (full time only)
  • Parking

  • Pick up / drop off car parking facilities are available outside the nursery gate. All other visitors can find parking along the road.


Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross Reviews (84)

Total of 84, showing 41-60
8.1

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross has a Review Score of 8.1 (8.066) out of 10, based on 1 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross has 84 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 76
  • 6
  • 0
  • 1
  • 1

Date Published

84
0
0
1
83

Review from Imogen P (Mother of Child) published on 3 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would love to recommend Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross to anyone looking for a nursery. The staff and nursery providers are wonderful, especially through some recent trying Covid-19 times. Our daughter, now fifteen months, has been there since she was eight months old and settled right away.
From the updates we can see she has so much fun and she smiles at each and every drop off and pick up. I truly believe she has learnt so much in the last few months because of the experiences she has had there.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kate V (Mother of Child) published on 2 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross is a wonderful nursery. Our son absolutely loves it there and I would actively recommend it to anyone in the local area. We are kept regularly updated and the staff are always ready to support us with any questions or queries. Plus the management staff are so quick
to respond to any general enquiries, which is such a help.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Jonathan B (Father of Child) published on 2 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter joined Monkey Puzzle New Cross not long after it opened, and has progressed through all three rooms - explorers, discoverers, and inventors. She has absolutely loved her time at the nursery, never once being anything other than excited to go in of a morning. We've seen her make such good
progress, educationally and socially, throughout her time and this is a reflection on the support she has received from caring, skilled, and enthusiastic staff. We are so happy, and so grateful, that we were able to send our daughter to such a nurturing and supportive setting and would recommend it to anybody for their little one.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Isabel P (Mother of Child) published on 2 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross is such a warm and welcoming environment, we are so happy that we chose it for our baby! When he started, we were a little apprehensive that we would not be able to stay with him for his settling in days due to Covid-19. However, as soon as we met his room leader,
we were completely at ease and reassured. His settling in process was wonderful, every member of staff went above and beyond to make sure he felt safe and cared-for. Now he’s settled in and he absolutely loves it! He goes in with a big smile on his face and has so much fun! Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross is a lovely nursery with lovely staff, we are so happy with our choice!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Sophie L (Mother of Child) published on 30 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Monkey Puzzle New Cross is - I believe - a cut above many other nurseries. It stands out for the genuinely educational, exploratory activities. My daughter has spent 7 months in pre-school where she has learned about angles, colours, plants, animals, the planets and many other topics in depth I hadn't
expected. Everything is fun but it's also genuine learning. I like the inclusion of reading and listening in many languages, including British Sign Language - and my daughter loves this too. Many languages are used in the nursery by staff and children, so it's great that this is reflected to some extent in the activities provided. Another stand-out aspect is the close care, attention and bonding with the staff. They all provide personal attention to the kids in their charge and have a lot of giggles with them.
My main concern is that, although the space in the nursery is beautifully fitted, it's very limited. The garden is lovely but small for the numbers of kids - same for the rooms.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Irene M (Mother of Child) published on 30 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

One of the best nursery in the New Cross area. The staff are outstanding!
You can always see that they really care about the children and they are taking good care of them.
They fill up the app provided by the nursery with all the information about what your kid has done during the day and they repeat
them every time you pick them up.
My daughter started nursery when she was 10 months and she passed through each room and bonded with each teacher.
There is no day where I pick her up and she is sad. She is always happy to go to nursery to play with friends and she is making very good relationship with the other kids.
If you are looking for a place where your kid will be happy this is the one.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Vanessa B (Mother of Child) published on 29 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Love the nursery and the staff. I trust and feel confident in leaving my son with the staff. I'm seeing improvements in my son’s speech and confidence. My son loves his key worker and enjoys his time there. They have been great during the Covid-19 lockdowns and ensuring the safety of the children and
their families. We look forward to making new memories.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Michaela M (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As a first time mum, all of the staff made my transition back to work very smooth for me. I was really worried and anxious about leaving my daughter. They are all very friendly, warm, approachable and knowledgeable. My daughter settled in very well and is thriving in the nursery. I'm so glad I made
the right choice in her joining Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross. I constantly feel updated of the relevant things happening in and around the nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Joanna L (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter loves going to Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross, she has been there for almost two years. The staff are friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. Our daughter always looks forward to going to nursery, seeing her friends and teachers. Her key worker is attentive, fun and always provides us
with lots of observations and feedback. The management team is very communicative, especially during Covid-19 and we always feel assured that our daughter is under great care. I would highly recommend it.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from R H (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have two children at the nursery and both are extremely happy there. The staff are all wonderful and genuinely care about the kids. I would definitely recommend the nursery to a friend. My two have both thrived during their time at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Rebecca W (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have two children age four and one at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross and couldn't be happier with the support and care we're all getting from the team. Both children have lovely bonds with their key practitioners and the team have been extremely helpful and caring whenever we've needed any additional
support. The teams seem to give the children a lot of space and encouragement to explore their own interests and we're really proud of the progress our eldest has made with math and phonics. Our one year old is mostly exploring her love of messy play and water play at the moment but we're proud of that too! We are so grateful for everything Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross has done to support our family over the last eighteen months and are extremely happy to recommend them. Thank you team!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Maria S (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very impressed with Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross and all that they have to offer as a nursery setting. We joined during the pandemic at the start of the year and being first time parents, leaving our little one was very daunting. The team in explorers were so welcoming and reassured us that our
son was settling in well and enjoying his time there. We felt confident knowing the team were caring for him well as we could see how happy he was to see the team. Having only been there four months and part time, we have already seen such progress with our sons development. He has now transitioned into the discoverers room, where the team again are really friendly and great at keeping us updated on his journey within the room. Our favourite bit is reading up on his observations and seeing pictures and videos of what he has been up to.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Annmarie A (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are incredibly pleased and impressed with Monkey Puzzle New Cross! Our daughter settled in well and always looks forward to going to nursery. She became very confident, vocal and independent within weeks of attending. The nursery facilities are clean, organised and they make very good use of the
space they have by providing a wonderful learning environment for children to thrive in. The nursery went to great lengths to ensure that both staff and children are kept safe from the virus and kept parents well informed which was very reassuring during this pandemic. They are very professional, communicate effectively with parents and are welcoming and supportive (this is not just the key workers but the staff and management team too!) The service they provide is simply first class! It's clear to see that they genuinely care about the children and their development and go above and beyond by ensuring they foster a relationship with parents. My husband and I highly recommend this nursery!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Michael B (Father of Child) published on 23 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our little boy started the nursery in June. The management and all the staff members were so helpful to help him with the settling. Even if we are in the middle of a pandemic they always welcome us with a big smile which really makes our day. I have already noticed that my son has developed a lot,
his communication is great since he started the nursery, he even doesn't want to leave the nursery when we go to pick him up. I can not wish a better place for my son, thank you so much for all your help!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Mel B (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending Monkey Puzzle for nearly a year (since he was four months old). He absolutely loves it and we cannot recommend it enough. The staff and management truly care about the wellbeing and happiness of each and every child that attends. My son, like the staff, always has a smile on
his face in the morning and is really happy when I pick him up. The nursery and staff went above and beyond for key workers during the lockdown and really threw us a lifeline - this dedication didn't go unnoticed and helped us maintain some level of normality for our family during this difficult time.
Facilities and activities are excellent at channelling each child's differing tastes. My son especially loves the music teacher who attends the nursery at regular intervals to play various instruments to the children.
I get a daily update of what my son has been up to - including toileting, feeding and sleep schedule which is fantastic given most parents worry - there really is no need!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Szandra S (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little son had his settling a week ago. All the nurses and the management welcomed us every day with a big smile, they really care about the build-up to a friendly relationship with all the families. They made my son’s settling easy and happy, he is so excited and happy in the nursery which makes
my days much easier as I don’t worry about him while I’m at work as he is in the best hands. What they do is way over what I imagined and I can’t be thankful enough to the team. Thank you so much for all your help and support that you give to my little one.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Charlotte F (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Monkey Puzzle Nursery were absolutely fantastic during the lockdown. The whole team supported us to enable me to go to work and we felt that our child was being looked after so well during the whole time. It was a very challenging and difficult time for all of us but there was an additional burden on
key workers. The MP team worked hard to make me feel that they were there to help us and I appreciate that so much. Our son loves all of the staff at the nursery and seeing him develop so much during this time is a testament to their care and attention.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Tom B (Father of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have become very attached to the team at Monkey Puzzle, particularly over the last few months of 'lockdown' when they have been an essential service! As key workers, we have relied on Monkey Puzzle to care for our son whilst we have been working in the NHS. Every day he has been greeted with an
enthusiastic smile and has always had a great day - playing and learning with his friends (and sometimes not wanting to come home!). He has now been in Monkey Puzzle for 18 months and we have always been really impressed by the team and the care they have shown our son, but over the last few months we really have been made to feel part of the family!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Una O (Mother of Child) published on 4 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been attending Monkey Puzzle Nursery for nearly a year now and she absolutely loves it there. The team not only focus on her development but really care about her as an individual. We get daily updates on her progress and she is only too happy to waddle off on drop off to one of the
practitioners.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Lucy M (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been here since it opened in 2018 as we have been very happy with the level of care, teaching and support offered by the staff. The managers and room leaders seem to have endless energy and go over and above what is expected. The environment is kind and caring with fun at the heart of all
they do, however, our son seems to learn an incredible amount on his nursery days, there is no doubt he doesn't love his time there. The children are taken for experiences outside of nursery, to the park and on trips, as well as weekly sessions on site with external music and sports teachers which we continue to be impressed by. There are many extra activities organised throughout the year such as coffee mornings for parents and cultural festival celebrations for the children. The actual nursery itself is designed to a high standard and the toys are great quality. There is lots of crafts and making as well as outdoor play. Their ethos seems to be driven by lots of energy which is impressive

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 8.1 (8.066)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.1 (8.066) out of 10 for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 1 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.1 out of 5 from 1 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 5.000 for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross is calculated as follows: ( (12 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 12 Ratings = 5

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 3.066 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross is based on 1 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 = 3

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 76 number of registered child places is 15.2. 1 Positive Reviews ÷ 15.2 = 0.066

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (0)

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Meet the Team (2)

No image found

Jon

Job Title: Director

Joined: 2018

Jon, Director


There are two things in life that are very close to my heart – family and education. As an Uncle and Godfather, I enjoy spending time with my nephews, seeing them learn and develop, whilst supporting their growth within a loving family unit. I am recently married and very much enjoying this new aspect of my life, looking forward to the future and all it holds.


Education is my other passion in life and having completed a Law degree I felt it was right to carry on my own education completing a post graduate degree in Education with a particular focus on the Early Years Sector.
During my studies, I worked within a number of OFSTED GOOD and OUTSTANDING settings including our sister nursery Monkey Puzzle Bromley. Working in a variety of settings has given me an excellent understanding of what an OUTSTANDING nursery looks like which is what I am striving to achieve here at New Cross.


I have also worked within local New Cross Primary Schools gaining experience in preparing children for school and also building links with teachers and principals. This is a valuable experience I will be bringing into our Preschool Room to ensure that every child that leaves us is confident, sure of their value and ready to face the challenges of Primary School.


Having lived in New Cross for 13 years I have lots of local knowledge and a real passion for the community the nursery will be a part of. There is a lot of history in New Cross which we will share with the children as we aim to enhance and develop the future of education in the area as well as demonstrating to them their role and place within their community.


Monkey Puzzle New Cross hopes to be an agent of change in the community bringing innovative and creative ideas to the areas of education and childcare. We aim to be an OUTSTANDING nursery, caring for local children and their families in the New Cross area.


I am incredibly excited about this new venture and I hope you will join with us as we grow into an influential part of your community.


No image found

Liesl

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2018

“A teacher plants the seeds of knowledge sprinkles them with love and patiently nurtures their growth to produce tomorrow’s dreams”


I hold a Bachelors of Education Foundation Stage degree, Quality Teacher Status and qualifications in Business Administration and Management. I have worked within the Education system since 2007 and the managerial sector of Early Years since 2011.


I have a working knowledge of how to support children with special educational needs in the classroom as well as co-ordinating with outside agencies to ensure the individual needs of all our children are met.


As a mother of a 3 year old, I can relate to parents on the day to day joys of life with a little one and value the importance of ensuring every child receives the best OUTSTANDING childcare they deserve.


I believe children learn best through play, especially play focused on their interests, engaging their imagination and expanding their knowledge of the world. Creating and extending opportunities for this type of learning has always been my passion and I take great pride in supporting my team to educate our children in this way. I believe encouraging children to be confident, independent and full of self-worth is key to giving them a firm foundation on which to build their future.


It is an honour and privilege to care for your children and play an active role in their learning and development. Thank you for trusting your little ones to us and I am really looking forward welcoming you all into our Monkey Puzzle New Cross family.


Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery New Cross has a Platinum Service – more info.