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Monkey Puzzle Kettering

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2025)
·
5.0(12 parent reviews) ·Former School Lane Clinic, British Lane, KETTERING, NN16 0BP · North Northamptonshire
Number of places
65 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
North Northamptonshire

About this day nursery

Monkey Puzzle Kettering is a day nursery that believes in fostering a supportive and engaging environment where children can thrive. The nursery prides itself on helping children shine through play-based learning and nurturing care.

The team encourages children's development while providing a caring atmosphere, and they value parent feedback greatly. Monkey Puzzle Kettering is part of an award-winning nursery group with over 47 years of experience, offering dedicated rooms for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Their curriculum is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), focusing on each child's individual interests. They offer flexible scheduling and assistance with funding, aiming to provide rich experiences through creative, outdoor, and community-linked learning.

The nursery also provides nutritionist-approved menus, demonstrating their commitment to children's well-being. They welcome prospective families to take a personal tour to experience their facilities firsthand.

Our ethos

"Monkey Puzzle Kettering believes in fostering a supportive and engaging environment where children can thrive through play-based learning and nurturing care. Their curriculum is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), focusing on each child's individual interests and aiming to provide rich experiences through creative, outdoor, and community-linked learning."

What it's like

Children and their parents are welcomed into the setting by kind and friendly staff. Staff get to know children well, developing trusting bonds. This helps them feel secure, confident and ready to engage in learning.

Play-based learningEYFS curriculumNutrionist-approved menus

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

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

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2017

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Monkey Puzzle Kettering

Last inspected 4 September 2025 · Charmaine Cayton

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children and their parents are welcomed into the setting by kind and friendly staff. Staff get to know children well, developing trusting bonds. This helps them feel secure, confident and ready to engage in learning.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the setting, with a strong focus on raising quality.
  • Children make good progress from their starting points.
  • Overall, children's communication and language is well supported.
  • Children take part in regular physical activity.
  • Staff support children with SEND consistently.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to develop their interactions with children to help build on developing a wider vocabulary
  • 2help staff to use consistent approaches to support children's behaviour, helping children to recognise the impact of their actions.
Inspection #10406569 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders have worked closely with staff to develop and implement a curriculum that is ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff support children with SEND consistently. Those responsible for SEND are on hand to guide staff and help children. Staff work together with parents and the relevant professionals to ensure that support is provided in a timely manner. Children who require more support have targeted support plans in place.

Outdoor space

Children take part in regular physical activity. They enjoy riding tricycles and climbing in the garden. Staff plan these opportunities to build on children's physical development.

Parent Reviews of Monkey Puzzle Kettering

5.0
(12)
Steve Sprange
7 years ago

We honestly couldn’t wish for a better nursery for our daughter. Some highlights: 1. This was our first experience placing a child in nursery, so we were of course worried about leaving her, about the love and support that she’d receive, and about her being happy. We needn’t have worried at all - the staff were incredible in the support that they’ve given us, in going out of their way to facilitate our daughter successfully settling in, and in the bond that they’ve formed with her. A huge relief. 2. The range of activities they do are fantastic 3. The meals are excellent - she probably eats better there than at home! 4. The attitude of the staff is exemplary. They are a credit to their profession and clearly truly care. They are as proud of our daughter as we are and that means so much to us. 5. The rooms, equipment and facilities are excellent. My wife and I always go to the weekend play days as we’re big kids at heart and love the toys and games that they have! 6. The progress that our daughter has made during her first year at Monkey Puzzle is testament to the dedication of the staff. 7. All the other things that I’ve forgotten but should deservedly be mentioned. Thanks to the wonderful staff

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Sophie Smith
7 years ago

Monkey puzzle’s is an amazing nursery in Kettering! They go above and beyond for each child. My daughter absolutely loves going here and comes home happy every time she has been. Would definitely recommend to everyone.

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paula mullins
7 years ago

The best nursery ever! I couldn’t recommend them enough, staff are so lovely(even management, normally managers don’t care and care all about money) but it’s different here they all care about the children’s well being and safety and my boy has learned so much from here and other children that are here and he gets so disappointed if he wakes up and it’s not a nursery day hehe

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Kylie Burgess
8 years ago

Brilliant nursery. Amazing staff and atmosphere. From the very first phone call we were made to feel welcome. My daughter looks forward to her afternoons at nursery. Highly recommend.

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Kaileigh Mason
7 years ago

We moved my son here from another nursery 12 months ago. The amount he has come on due to the amazing, professional and kind staff is incredible. I love the garden and how much time they spend outside in all weather.

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

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2025

Date: January 2020

  • September 2025Good
  • March 2025Inadequate
  • January 2020Good

Frequently asked about Monkey Puzzle Kettering

About the setting

Monkey Puzzle Kettering registered in 2017 and is managed by a limited company. The nursery is located in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Eight hold early years qualifications at level 3 and five staff are working at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded places for children aged from nine months to four years.

URN
EY547177
Registered person
Whales Childcare Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

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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