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Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Stafford

Ofsted: Expected standard·
5.0(10 parent reviews) ·St. Paul's Parish Hall, Garden Street, Stafford, ST17 4DD · Staffordshire
Number of places
79 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2025
Local authority
Staffordshire

About this day nursery

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Stafford, established in 2019, is a childcare setting on non-domestic premises catering to children aged 0-4 years. Located in Stafford, ST17 4DD, the nursery operates Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00, offering year-round care.

The dedicated team at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Stafford implements the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, focusing on individualised learning experiences. They excel in supporting children's welfare and wellbeing through nurturing and responsive practices, ensuring each child receives tailored attention.

The nursery is particularly adept at fostering independence, with children confidently managing routines such as serving meals and preparing for outdoor play. Their effective key-person system ensures consistent support and good progress for all children.

Leaders and staff are committed to designing a curriculum that meets diverse needs, utilising observations and assessments to personalise teaching. Significant attention is given to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who receive timely interventions to support their secure progress.

While the setting generally provides a positive and engaging environment, leaders are focused on improving the consistency and smoothness of transitions between activities.

Our ethos

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Stafford is committed to giving every child the best possible start in life, focusing on individual development within a positive setting. They offer a rich learning experience, incorporating creative, outdoor, and community-linked activities, with a curriculum tailored to each child's interests and guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

What it's like

Children are happy and eager to learn, demonstrating a sense of belonging, and respond well to staff's guidance and praise. They demonstrate confidence in their abilities and high levels of independence, with clear progression in their skills. However, transition times between activities are not always managed consistently or smoothly, which means that children spend more time waiting.

Nurturing and responsive careStrong independence developmentEffective key-person systemTailored curriculumStrong SEND support

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : 07:30 - 18:00

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2019

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Nov 2025

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Stafford

Last inspected 12 November 2025 · Mikaela Stallard

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and eager to learn, demonstrating a sense of belonging, and respond well to staff's guidance and praise. They demonstrate confidence in their abilities and high levels of independence, with clear progression in their skills. However, transition times between activities are not always managed consistently or smoothly, which means that children spend more time waiting.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders and staff strongly support children's welfare and wellbeing, providing nurturing, responsive, and individually tailored practice.
  • Children demonstrate superb independence, managing routines such as serving their own meals and preparing for outdoor play.
  • The key-person system works effectively, ensuring all children receive consistent support and make good progress.
  • Leaders and staff design and implement a curriculum that meets the needs of all children, using observation and assessment to tailor teaching.
  • Leaders ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive timely interventions and make secure progress.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should guide and support staff to ensure that transitions between activities are smooth and consistently implemented in practice.
Inspection #10393995 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders and staff quickly identify gaps in learning for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and use targeted strategies to close them, such as sign language and visual aids. They seek support from other professionals and implement their advice, working closely with parents to continue learning at home. Leaders use funding effectively and celebrate milestones for children with SEND, creating opportunities for social interaction.

Outdoor space

Children engage in purposeful physical play both indoors and outdoors. Pre-school children confidently discuss the importance of exercise. Staff guide children purposefully to strengthen physical skills such as balance and coordination in both indoor and outdoor activities. Leaders adapt room layouts and resources to ensure younger children have lots of opportunities for movement.

EAL / language support

Children who speak English as an additional language are well supported. Staff work with parents to learn key words in their home language and use these with children as they learn and play, developing their spoken English. As a result, children learn to speak English well.

Parent Reviews of Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Stafford

5.0
(10)
Daniel Rooney
8 months ago

Our two daughters went to Monkey Puzzle Stafford, over the past 2-3 years and between them they were across the three rooms transitioning from baby to toddlers. To me the most important thing was that my children were always happy going to nursery here, they formed strong relationships with the staff and I could see the care they had for my children and genuine interest in their development. They were safe (of course expect trips, stumbles, falls - they are children) and communication and notifications were good. Staff turnover was considerable at some periods with agency staff brought in, but I think this is true across most nurseries, the nursery staff work long hours, and it is a tough job which is undervalued and deserves more credit and appreciation. Communication from the management was clear and transparent in my opinion, for example when Ofsted ratings changed there was a proactive open approach to address steps to improve. My eldest has started school now and my youngest has just become eligible to join the nursery there so we have now left Monkey Puzzle (primarily to avoid traffic when commuting across Stafford). I wish the staff and management all the best in the future, thanks for looking after our children.

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Molly Pittard
3 years ago

My daughter has attended Monkey Puzzle for almost 18 months now and she loves her time there, so much so she usually doesn't want to leave. Fantastic nursery providing excellent learning opportunities for the children. The staff are lovely and there is always excellent communication. Lots of events for parents and families to get involved in. Highly recommend!

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Olivia Anders
3 years ago

Our son has been attending for a few months now and we couldn't be happier with our choice! He absolutely loves going in, the room is very cozy and friendly, he loves all of the staff and especially enjoys the on-site prepared food. From a practical stand point, we really appreciate how accommodating they are with things like sleeping schedule. There is a great security system for access and checking babies in and out, in-app information throughout the day and even designated parking!

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Robin Parker
4 years ago

Both of my children attend Monkey Puzzle Stafford and I am happy to say they have thrived under their care. The team are committed/enthusiastic and it is wonderful to see both children flourishing in this nurturing environment. I can't recommend the nursery enough. Cheers :)

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Adryann Dixey
3 years ago

My son has been attending monkey puzzle for over a year now, he has come on so much since starting. The staff are just amazing and supportive, he absolutely loves it there and adores the staff. I cant recommend this nursery enough for anyone looking for childcare.

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Reviews from Google for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Stafford. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: December 2021

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Requires improvement). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • June 2025Requires improvement
  • June 2024Good
  • November 2023Requires improvement
  • August 2023Inadequate
  • December 2021Good

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