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Monkey Puzzle Riverside

Ofsted: Expected standard·
4.9(27 parent reviews) ·8-10 Rockingham House, Crow Lane, Northampton, NN3 9BX · West Northamptonshire
Number of places
89 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2026
Local authority
West Northamptonshire

About this day nursery

Monkey Puzzle Riverside, operating since 2024 in Northampton, provides childcare for children aged 1 to 4 years. The nursery fosters a warm and secure environment where little ones are happy and eager to learn, developing strong relationships with caring adults.

Leaders maintain high expectations for all children, understanding and overcoming barriers some may face, ensuring every child feels valued and included. The setting places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with well-planned garden areas that allow children to spend extended periods outside, boosting their balance and coordination through activities like obstacle courses.

Staff actively support children in developing a resilient 'can-do' attitude towards learning and skillfully adapt activities for all, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring consistent progress from their individual starting points. Children are consistently supported to develop independence, from babies learning to feed themselves, to older children recognising their own needs and pouring their own water.

Safeguarding is embedded in the nursery's culture, with leaders promoting an open environment where everyone takes responsibility for children's safety and well-being. The nursery offers an all-year provision, with daily operating hours from 07:30 to 18:30, Monday to Friday.

Our ethos

Monkey Puzzle Riverside is dedicated to fostering early childhood development through engaging play within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. They ensure comprehensive progress across key areas of learning and development, with a dedicated key person providing continuous care and support.

What it's like

Children are happy and eager to begin their day on arrival at this nursery, forming positive relationships with caring adults. The carefully planned environment promotes children's curiosity, and babies show delight as they explore and develop physical skills. Staff know children well, using information from parents to adapt provision and meet individual needs, ensuring all children make progress. Children also benefit from spending extended periods outdoors, developing balance and coordination, and are encouraged to develop a positive 'can-do' attitude towards learning.

Engaging outdoor playPositive relationshipsStrong SEND supportPromoting independenceClear safeguarding

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 - 18:30

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2024

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Mar 2026

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 routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
1 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Monkey Puzzle Riverside

Last inspected 20 March 2026

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and eager to begin their day on arrival at this nursery, forming positive relationships with caring adults. The carefully planned environment promotes children's curiosity, and babies show delight as they explore and develop physical skills. Staff know children well, using information from parents to adapt provision and meet individual needs, ensuring all children make progress. Children also benefit from spending extended periods outdoors, developing balance and coordination, and are encouraged to develop a positive 'can-do' attitude towards learning.

Inspector highlights

  • The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders fostering an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
  • Staff act as positive role models, supporting children to understand and follow behavioural expectations and encouraging self-regulation.
  • Staff sensitively prepare children for care routines and transitions, explaining what will happen next to help them feel secure.
  • Children develop strong language and communication skills through engaging stories and back-and-forth conversations.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are effectively supported to achieve well with adapted provision.
  • Leaders demonstrate a clear understanding of the barriers some children face and maintain high expectations for all, using additional funding effectively.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should support staff to further develop children's understanding of healthy lifestyles, including teaching them about appropriate portion sizes at mealtimes so that they learn how to keep themselves healthy.
  • 2Leaders should support staff to strengthen their interactions with children by allowing sufficient time after asking questions, so that children can respond fully and feel that their contributions are heard and valued.
  • 3Leaders should review the organisation of the learning environment, including room layout, to ensure that all children have consistent opportunities to develop their independence.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported effectively to achieve well. Provision is carefully adapted to meet individual needs, ensuring that all children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Leaders use additional funding effectively to provide targeted activities and resources that broaden children's experiences.

Outdoor space

Children benefit from spending extended periods outdoors in well-planned garden areas. Older children confidently negotiate space as they climb on obstacle courses, developing their balance and coordination. Staff encourage participation and support children to develop a positive 'can-do' attitude towards learning.

EAL / language support

Staff adapt activities to ensure all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, have the same opportunities and make consistent progress from their starting points.

Parent Reviews of Monkey Puzzle Riverside

4.9
(27)
Anjy B
9 months ago

My daughter has settled in so well at Monkey Puzzle Riverside Day Nursery. She absolutely loves the nursery, she has learnt so much over the past few months! The staff are all so lovely and welcoming, you can tell that they really care about all of the children. I love that the staff keep in contact throughout the day and send pictures of what activities my daughter is doing. We are so grateful to all the staff that look after our daughter. We would highly recommend Monkey Puzzle Riverside, we couldn’t be happier with the decision we made!

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Amy Newman
9 months ago

My son started at Monkey puzzle from the beginning of July for when I returned to work. I was hesitant at putting him nursery but the staff put me at ease from the beginning of contact with the staff. The show round was so informative. Then the settle in sessions staff were so warm and welcoming and put me at ease when it came to leaving my son for the session. From his first session I was worried he wouldn't settle straight away as it's a new environment for him but he loved it at nursery all day. Every time we are at nursery we are sent pictures on what he is up to throughout the day and they will inform us of any concerns. My son is now forming an attachment with the staff which I am happy to see.

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Daniela Lacatus
9 months ago

Amazing nursery with caring and friendly staff. My child is always happy and excited to go, and the activities are fun and creative. Great communication and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend! 🌟

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Bianca Carina
a year ago

We feel so lucky to have our daughter at Monkey Puzzle day nursery Riverside .She has been going there few months , and she loves it. We've seen amazing improvements in her language skills, and she has grown so much emotionally and socially. The staff are fantastic. They work hard, show personal care, and we always feel supported by them. Monkey Puzzle is great at teaching our child important routines like washing her hands , putting toys away, and clean up after them self . We are very grateful for everything the staff at Monkey puzzle do for our daughter. Thank you for all your hard work .

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Alexandra pelin
a year ago

We are with Monkey Puzzle Riverside from the beginning and I couldn’t be happier with the experience! The staff is warm, friendly, and truly cares about the children. The facility is clean, safe, and well-organized, with plenty of engaging activities to support early learning. My child loves the outdoor play area and always comes home excited to share what they learned. Communication with parents is excellent, and I feel reassured knowing my child is in good hands. Highly recommend!

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Inspection history

Most recent inspection

20 March 2026

Expected standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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