Chiara – Nursery Owner
Hello, I’m Chiara and I am the owner of Monkey Puzzle Stoke Newington.
I am originally from Italy and I moved to London over 10 years ago to pursue a career in Architecture and Acoustics, after living and studying in the USA and France. I met my husband Pietro, a Civil Engineer while we were working for two large rival engineering firms– you can imagine what our dinner conversations used to be like!
Both Pietro and I come from large (and very loud!) Italian families, so we soon started our own and we are now the proud parents of Alberto, aged four, and Francesco, aged one and a half. We live in Islington and we enjoy spending time playing, cooking, baking, fixing things around the house and going on adventures around London – and also watching episode after episode of Fireman Sam.
Natalia – Nursery Manager
Hello, I’m Natalia and I am the Nursery Manager at MP Stoke Newington. I have worked in Early Years for over fifteen years now and my specialty is Performing Arts. I have a Master Degree in Applied Theatre and in my practice I incorporate Theatre in the delivery of the curriculum, specifically in the Personal, Social and Emotional Area.
Beatriz – Third in Charge
Hello, I’m Beatriz, I am from Palencia in Spain, a place where the sun always shines.
I moved to England 3 years ago seeking opportunities and because I love to travel.
I graduated in Primary Education at the University of Valladolid in Spain and I hold a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). I started my career as a nursery practitioner and progressed through room leader and preschool teacher.
I really trust our children’s abilities and the principle of positive reinforcement – all of us can learn more effectively when encouraged and supported with a smile!
I am a very kinaesthetic person, full of energy, always ready to run around and sing along with anyone who dares to follow me. Are you ready for the next adventure?
Hapon – Early Years Practitioner
Hello, I’m Hapon. I was born in London but originally my parents are from Somalia. I have BA Hons in Education and English literature. I am the oldest of 4 siblings and I LOVE it hahaha!!! From such a young age I always knew I wanted to work with children and I have, from my first ever work experience in a primary school at 15 through to working as a Tutor during Uni. I have always enjoyed seeing the impact you can have on children, it’s amazing to see their growth from the age they start nursery up until preschool. I love building on their learning, language and most importantly their self-confidence.
Joanna – Early Years Practitioner
Hello, I’m Joanna and I am from Poland. I came to London 14 years ago and worked in hospitality. I am a mother of 3. When my younger children were born, I started working as a parent volunteer in the nursery they were attending. That was the time I realized that working with children gives me a lot of pleasure, so I became a Qualified Early Years Practitioner, and after completing my Level 3 I joined the MP Stoke Newington team.
I love to challenge the children and observe how they develop; I enjoy watching them making progress in their development through playing and exploring.
I am a creative and passionate person, I like books, movies and art. I am also a very active person – I used to be a professional basketball player! I love to ski and sail and a few years ago I have started to train in martial arts.
Becky – Early Years Practitioner
Hello, my name is Becky, I am originally from Lincolnshire, famous for its sausages. I have a Level 3 Diploma in Early Years and Childcare and I have been working in nurseries for over 5 years. In my spare time I enjoy working as an after school nanny and babysitter and I have supported families for over 10 years.
Yasmin – Nursery Practitioner
Hello, I’m Yasmin. I have always loved children coming from a family of 5 siblings. I have gained lots of experience working with children and I loved every second of it which inspired me to achieve my Level 3 in childcare. In my spare time I like to socialise and go out with my friends and family.
Chloe – Nursery Practitioner
Hi my name is Chloe,
I’ve lived and worked in London all my life, I’ve worked within the care sector since I left school.
The best part of working with children are the smiles, laughs and watching them achieve different milestones every single day.
Messy and Creative play is my favourite, a messy child is a happy child I always say!
I have recently passed my level 3 yearly years Educator course, I loved being able to study and work at the same time as I was able to put into practice all the amazing things I was learning.
In my spare time I enjoy painting, spending time with my family and friends and teaching myself BSL and updating my Makaton skills.
Roman – Nursery Practitioner
Hello, I’m Roman. I was born in Eritrea but I grew up in Ethiopia and my first language is Amharic.
I enjoy working in childcare because I love being able to teach children something new and see the ‘twinkle’ in their eyes when they understand and seeing how proud they look. I want to help children feel secure and confident and learn in their preferred learning style. I love watching them learn how to share, seeing them making friends, building relationships and becoming independent; I also love listening to them whilst they play and seeing how imaginative they are and I love dancing and my favourite place in the world is Lalibela in Ethiopia.
Songul – Nursery Apprentice
Hello, I’m Songul. I am from Turkey and I can speak Turkish and English. I like to work in childcare because being a part of a child’s development is very rewarding. Seeing how children grow and what they learn from me is the most beautiful part of my job. I was interested in teaching after being inspired by an amazing secondary school teacher who played a great role in who I have become now – I want to inspire my children like he inspired me. My favourite place in the world is anywhere with a nice beach and sand.
Irene – Qualified Teacher
Hello,
I´m Irene and I come from Spain, but I have travelled around the world and lived in different places in the last ten years. I’m new to London, but I’m definitely here to stay!
I have a Bachelor Degree in Early Year Education with a specialization in English at Alfonso x el Sabio University in Madrid. I have had the opportunity to work during the last five years with children of all ages, from babies to preschool and this has helped me a lot to understand children and their natural development and needs.
One of my passions is art and I love sharing it with the children and helping them develop their creativity, which I consider a really crucial skill to develop in the world that awaits them.
Monkey Puzzle Stoke Newington
