Starting your own business is always a leap of faith, but opening a franchise in the middle of a global pandemic? That takes extraordinary resilience. Here, Rebecca Crosby, Founder of Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, sits down with Monkey Puzzle franchisee Annoo Walia to discuss her upcoming fifth anniversary.
When Annoo Walia launched Monkey Puzzle Walton-on-Thames in 2020 – right at the outbreak of COVID-19 – she faced challenges no new business owner could have planned for. Uncertainty was everywhere, and the early years sector was navigating uncharted waters.
Fast-forward five years and Annoo has not only weathered the storm – she has flourished. Her Walton-on-Thames setting has become a cherished part of the local community, and she has expanded with a second nursery in Cheam. Annoo’s journey is a true statement to what’s possible when passion, dedication and resilience come together. Here’s her story:
I’ve always had deep-rooted passion for early years education. Having worked in the sector for nearly two decades – managing several Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ nurseries – my decision to invest in Monkey Puzzle wasn’t just about starting a business; it was about creating something truly special.
When I moved to the UK 23 years ago with my young son, I saw first-hand how much a good nursery can shape a child’s early experiences. I wanted to build a place where families felt completely supported, just as I wished for when I first arrived.
Choosing the right franchise was my next big decision. I explored a few different options, but Monkey Puzzle stood out because they genuinely believed in me. That made all the difference. The support was there from day one, and it gave me the confidence to take the leap.
Launching in 2020 was far from easy – it was certainly a challenge in those early days – there were moments when I wondered if we’d make it. Opening during lockdowns, navigating restrictions and ensuring families felt safe – it was tough. But we kept going, always focusing on the children, the families and our incredible team.
Our perseverance paid off. The successes of Monkey Puzzle Walton-on-Thames paved the way for my second setting, Monkey Puzzle Cheam, which opened in October 2023. The Monkey Puzzle team have always been amazing to me. Whenever I’ve needed them, they’ve been on hand to help me out – giving me the best advice in the business!
It’s also been a beautiful family journey for me too. My son, Aary, is now part of the business as our operations director at Walton-on-Thames. It’s been amazing to work together so closely. He’s grown up seeing my passion for early years education, and now he’s bringing his own vision and energy into the nurseries.
So, what’s next? Well, we’re introducing a brand-new forest school at Walton-on-Thames and marking our five-year anniversary in style with a big summer celebration with all our children, parents and staff.
The past five years have been an amazing adventure. We’ve built something really special, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team. The relationships we’ve formed with the children, parents and staff over the years are why we do this, and it means everything to me – long may it continue!
Hearing Annoo speak, it’s clear she’s built something truly special. At Monkey Puzzle, we are so proud to have franchisees like Annoo – people who don’t just run nurseries but shape communities, nurture young minds and inspire future generations. Congratulations, Annoo, on five fantastic years – here’s to many more!
