On Thursday 14th November, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries hosted its annual conference, bringing together its network of franchises from up and down the country to reflect on their successes from the past year while looking ahead to what 2025 has in store. The event featured talks and workshops exploring emerging trends, new technologies and forward-looking strategies designed to provide valuable insights for those in early years education.
The day-long conference took place at the historic De Vere Beaumont Estate, nestled in the historic heart of Old Windsor, and showcased a variety of workshops led by Monkey Puzzle’s head office team and external speakers.
Keynote speakers included Ben Kingston-Hughes, founder of Inspired Children, who delivered a talk focusing on the power of play. Ben’s session looked at the importance of taking the time to let children play, interacting with them on their terms and letting them explore the wider world, all of which supports in their brain’s development and mental wellbeing.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with how our conference brought everyone together,” said Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries’ Executive Chairman, David Hancock. “The workshops, led by our talented head office team and truly inspiring speakers, such as Ben, created such an engaging, supportive space for learning and connection.
“It was wonderful to see that everyone I spoke to came away from the conference with fresh ideas, renewed enthusiasm and a clearer picture of what we want to achieve. Moments like this highlight that our network is family-oriented and a close-knit community. I’m excited to see how our franchisees put their learnings into practice, and of course, the positive impact that will have on all of the little ones we care for!”
The day opened with updates on exciting new nursery openings and initiatives from head office, setting the stage for a day of connection and collaboration. In particular, a highlight of the conference was a focus on the recent introduction of ‘Mo’, an online platform allowing all of Monkey Puzzle’s team members to easily share their achievements, creating a more connected and appreciative community.
“We want recognition to be at the heart of what we do,” added David. “Mo allows us to celebrate our successes together more frequently, strengthening the sense of family within our network.”
The afternoon featured a series of interactive workshops, including a session led by Monkey Puzzle’s quality team. The talk focused on the audit process, looking at what Monkey Puzzle franchisees and staff should expect from an audit and areas in which they can develop, including for EAL (English as an Additional Language) and SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) children.
The evening included a celebratory dinner and an internal awards ceremony, honouring outstanding contributions within the network. With fun a central theme of the day, the conference concluded with a lively quiz and DJ.
“As we wrap up this year’s conference, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making it such a success,” concluded David. “The energy, dedication and passion I saw from everyone reaffirmed what makes our network so special!
“Looking ahead to 2025, I’m filled with optimism and excitement for what we’ll achieve together. We’re aiming to build on the successes of the past 12 months by expanding our services and continuing to enhance the quality of care we provide to families up and down the country.”
For more information on franchise investment opportunities with Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, visit https://monkeypuzzlenurseryfranchise.com/
