2023 was an unforgettable year for the UK’s market leading nursery franchise, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, as the brand announced the opening of multiple new nurseries, welcomed more franchisees into the network and celebrated several award wins that acknowledged the brand’s recent triumphs. With a resolve to not only replicate but exceed these achievements in 2024, the team is eager to witness what the upcoming year has in store.
Richard Blunden, CEO of Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries remarks, “everyone at Monkey Puzzle can be really proud of what we achieved last year. It is always nice to be recognised for your achievements, but we know there are always ways in which you can improve. We are committed to inspiring excellence in early years education, and we’re excited to continue on our mission in 2024.”
Monkey Puzzle marked 2023 with the introduction of several new nursery settings up and down the country. The team also welcomed seven new franchisees to their expanding network. Streatham Common, Stoke Newington and Cheam were reopened following investments from new franchisees, while settings in Seer Green, Timperley and Bishop’s Stortford opened their doors for the first time. Looking ahead, Monkey Puzzle has revealed sites in Wokingham and Northampton are due to open later in the year.
In a standout year, the collective endeavours of Monkey Puzzle’s staff, nurseries and franchisees culminated in notable milestones, accompanied by the brand securing prestigious awards along the way too. Demonstrating a consistent commitment to workplace excellence, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries earned the Great Place to Work® Certification™ for the fourth consecutive year. Furthermore, reflecting their dedication to inclusivity and equality, Monkey Puzzle was recognised as one of the ‘UK’s Best Workplace for Women 2023’, awarded by Great Place to Work®.
The contributions of their nurseries garnered significant recognition too. Five Monkey Puzzle nurseries received nominations for the National NMT Nursery Awards. In addition, Monkey Puzzle unveiled its own festival in 2023. Held last summer, the celebration showcased the brand’s creativity and community spirit, enabling their practitioners to come together and provide a truly inspiring learning experience.
After a strong year, Monkey Puzzle is poised to maintain their momentum into 2024. Plans to open between five and seven more nursery settings over the year are underway and the brand will also be present at the London job show in April and September – connecting new talent to further bolster the network’s successes from 2023.
Monkey Puzzle’s tried and tested business model, in conjunction with the local knowledge of franchisees, lies at the core of the network’s collective success and is pivotal as the team looks forward to the future.
Richard Blunden says, “our model has evolved and been finessed over nearly two decades and this framework is at the heart of our growth – the proof is in the pudding. Year on year, our total network revenue has grown by nearly £7 million, a 14% increase, which is incredible, but more importantly, quality of early years education is what drives us. Demand for our services continues to grow, so we plan to meet this need and service more communities by adding 25-30 nurseries by 2028. A key part of our growth is organic, enabling existing owners to become multi-unit franchisees within the same timeframe.”
For more information on franchise investment opportunities with Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, visit Monkey Puzzle.
1 Elite Franchise, HSBC Elite Franchise Top 100 2024, Dec 2023
