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Monkey Puzzle Bedford

Ofsted: Good
(May 2025)
·
4.4(7 parent reviews) ·78 Shakespeare Road, Bedford, MK40 2DN · Bedford
Number of places
75 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2025
Local authority
Bedford

About this day nursery

Monkey Puzzle Bedford, registered in 2018, is a childcare setting located at 78 Shakespeare Road, Bedford. It operates year-round from Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, providing full day care for children aged 0 to 4.

The nursery has a capacity for 75 children and currently has 123 children on roll. The team comprises 23 childcare staff, with eight holding at least a Level 2 early years qualification.

The managers consistently reflect on how to improve the nursery, ensuring staff feel supported through regular training and qualifications. Parents are very satisfied with the communication regarding their child's learning and care, receiving regular updates and support for at-home learning.

The nursery also prioritises children's health, with staff encouraging good hygiene practices and providing healthy, nutritious food, alongside ample outdoor play opportunities for physical development. The overall effectiveness of the provision was rated "Good" in the latest inspection on 19 May 2025, with "Outstanding" at its previous inspection.

What it's like

Children become confident in this nursery, where staff are calm and caring. Staff encourage children to be independent from the youngest ages. Staff encourage children to explore with their senses and get messy. As children grow through the nursery, staff provide them with more structured activities that help develop their concentration skills and fine motor skills.

Good overall effectivenessSupportive staffSensory explorationPositive parent feedbackPromotes healthy habits

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm.

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2018

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Monkey Puzzle Bedford

Last inspected 19 May 2025

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children become confident in this nursery, where staff are calm and caring. Staff encourage children to be independent from the youngest ages. Staff encourage children to explore with their senses and get messy. As children grow through the nursery, staff provide them with more structured activities that help develop their concentration skills and fine motor skills.

Inspector highlights

  • Children become confident in this nursery, where staff are calm and caring.
  • Staff encourage children to be independent from the youngest ages.
  • Staff encourage children to explore with their senses and get messy.
  • The managers have clear goals for the nursery and regularly reflect on how to make improvements that benefit the children.
  • Parents are very happy with the communication they receive about their child's learning and care.
  • Children's good health is promoted consistently well throughout the nursery.
  • Staff support children's communication and language skills well.
  • The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Areas to develop

  • 1Help staff to develop their teaching skills further, so that children receive consistently high-quality provision and interactions.
  • 2Review transition times in the toddler room to make sure these are more organised and encourage more learning.
Inspection #10401656 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff effectively support children who speak English as an additional language. They build strong relationships with families and children to understand words in their home language. For example, parents record the words of books in home languages. This helps children to feel connected to their home and family environment.

Outdoor space

Children spend a lot of time in the garden, balancing, running and moving their bodies in a range of ways.

Parent Reviews of Monkey Puzzle Bedford

4.4
(7)
Dave Hawkins
4 years ago

We recently moved to the Bedford area and were looking for Nursery places. We came across Monkey Puzzle and have been impressed so far. The nursery manager was welcoming, polite and professional. I did have slight reservations as the class sizes for her age group were low. However I cannot fault the care so far. The relatively new room leader is experienced. My daughter is engaged and things like potty use have improved in the short few weeks she has been there. This can only be down to the staff as she has been struggling to settle having moved from a nursery she has been at for most of her life. Thank you Monkey Puzzle for doing a great job.

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claire aldridge
9 years ago

Our son has attended Monkey Puzzle since he was 9 months old and all I can say is wow! He has learnt so much and is now an independent and loving 3 year old. The staff are always helpful and encourage the children to learn new things every day. Our son is due to go to school soon and I can confidently say without Monkey Puzzle we would be far less prepared!

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Sarah Howse
9 years ago

I have used monkey puzzle for 4 years now and love the nursery. They really helped my eldest daughter build her confidence and helped her in every way get ready for school. Now my other daughter is there and they have help massively with her setbacks and she loves it there. The staff are so freindly and always hve time to chat to you about anything. Not looking forward to when I have to say goodbye as they have been such a big part of all of our lives!

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Terry Christian
9 years ago

I've had 2 children attend Monkey Puzzle over the last 3 years. Both really enjoy the experience, so much so that they don't want to leave at the end. Staff are friendly, courteous & accommodating which makes it very easy to work with. Well done Monkey Puzzle

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Geoff Ryan
9 years ago

Our son went to pre-school here (age 3-4). He always loved going, learned loads, continued to develop his confidence and was always doing interesting stuff, like handling snakes, learning about space or simply making stuff. Their rates are also reasonable, with all food taken care of. Staff were really lovely. Would recommend to anyone, and if we ever made the mistake of having another kid, we'd happily send them there too.

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Reviews from Google for Monkey Puzzle Bedford. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: June 2019

  • May 2025Good
  • May 2022Outstanding
  • June 2019Good

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more