For two couples – Jay and Jaspal, and Suki and Sharon – starting a nursery was more than just a business. With a range of career backgrounds, the four of them brought different strengths to the table. What united them was a desire to build something meaningful – a place they’d be proud to send their own children to – and that’s just what they did.  

Fast-forward to today and Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries Billericay is one of the longest-established settings in the network. Fifteen years on, it still holds the same heart and values it started with – care, connection and, above all else, a real sense of family.  

Jay and Suki first crossed paths nearly 30 years ago, living in London for university. Playing football together, they quickly hit it off, becoming firm friends. “Cut to the late 2000s and we both had young children that were the same age,” said Suki. “We sat down with our partners, Sharon and Jaspal, and decided we wanted to launch a childcare business of some sort, initially deciding to go into children’s nursery equipment.” 

“We knew we wanted to do something meaningful,” added Jay. “Not just chasing a quick buck – we all had full-time jobs – but an opportunity for us to build something that reflected our values.” 

“We all had young children at the time,” recalled Sharon. “And honestly, nursery fees seemed a little excessive for the service our children were getting. That’s when the lightbulb moment happened – what if we opened our own nursery, one we’d actually want our children to go to?” 

Without a background in early years education, the couples decided their best option was to invest in a franchise. “It made perfect sense really. I’d ran my own Subway location so was familiar with the ins and outs of the franchise system,” explained Suki.  

For Jaspal, there was only one franchise that could help them achieve their goal of creating a nursery where they’d be proud to send their own children: “Nothing really clicked until we found Monkey Puzzle. We visited their Berkhamsted setting, and our next steps suddenly became clear.  

“We met the founders, Mark and Rebecca, and just instantly felt comfortable. They were open, experienced and had a vision we could all get behind. It felt like we’d found people who really got it – and more importantly, got us!” 

For over 20 years, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries has been the market leader for nursery franchises. With over 70 locations nationwide, their model ensures they deliver an early years education experience of the highest quality, providing children with opportunities to learn, develop and grow within a safe, secure and caring environment.

The combination of honesty, a proven business model and deep sector knowledge gave them the confidence to move forward. “Monkey Puzzle didn’t expect us to be experts,” said Jay. “They had the curriculum, the compliance know-how and the brand – we just needed to bring passion and commitment.” 

Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries franchisees are extensively supported through their onboarding process and beyond. This training includes industry-leading support in recruitment, financial management, marketing and property acquisition and maintenance. This method allows their franchisees the infrastructure to produce a growing, successful business.

Enquiring initially in late 2009, the process quickly gathered momentum, with a property secured by January 2010 and the lease by that March. Monkey Puzzle Billericay officially opened its doors in September 2010.  

“Back then, head office was still relatively small,” remembered Sharon. “Which meant the support felt really close and personal. We weren’t just another franchise location – we were part of something growing, and we were all growing together.” 

The initial training was hands-on and detailed, walking them through everything from Ofsted requirements to staff recruitment. For Suki, “Monkey Puzzle really helped us understand the heart of what we were building. Not just the paperwork – the why behind it all.” 

Their connection with Mark and Rebecca remains just as strong 15 years later. “They’ve always been there,” said Jaspal. “We know we can still pick up the phone whenever we need to and have a proper, constructive conversation.” 

From day one, the mission was clear: to create a nurturing, family-first setting. “We wanted a nursery that felt like home,” recalled Sharon. “And not just for the children – for the parents, the staff and the whole community. Our own children were among the very first to attend, which made achieving our goal even more personal.”

Empowering their team has become one of Monkey Puzzle Billericay’s defining strengths. Several members of staff – including both current and former nursery managers – started as apprentices and have progressed up through the ranks over time.

Jay believes that “At first, we probably micromanaged the team a little too much, but over time, we learned to step back and let them shine. All we needed to do was give them the resources to progress professionally.”

“All four of us are big believers in developing people,” said Suki. “When you give people space to grow, they give you loyalty, dedication and heart.”

That focus on team wellbeing and growth has paid off. Staff turnover remains low, and the setting has become a beloved part of the Billericay community. “It’s not just a nursery – it’s part of the neighbourhood – which means a lot to all of us,” added Jaspal.

Today, Monkey Puzzle Billericay has 82 children on the books with a team of 13 staff. It’s a far cry from the early days of just 12 children and five team members.  

For Jay, “It’s been quite the journey! But it’s all been possible because of the incredible team behind us. It means we can all continue in our full-time roles knowing that the nursery is in safe hands – and if anything were to go wrong, we know about the excellent support on hand from head office.” 

Even in the face of sector-wide challenges, the setting has stayed strong. “We’ve been fortunate that our ethos of transparency and fairness has meant we’ve been able to stay resilient during funding fluctuations,” added Sharon.  

The group’s greatest source of pride was achieving their goal of creating a setting that they’d want to send their children. For Suki, “All of our children have been to Monkey Puzzle Billericay. To see them thrive in the environment you helped create – that’s a feeling you can’t really describe. I think I speak for all of us when I say how amazing this experience has been!” 

And now, with a 15-year anniversary celebration on the horizon in September, the team know it’s important to not rest on their laurels. Looking to the future, Jaspal believes, “Our goal now? We just want to keep being a place families can count on – we want siblings, cousins and in time former pupils’ children to return to the nursery – it’d show what we’ve built lasts.” 

Their advice to someone thinking of opening their own Monkey Puzzle setting? Suki believes being flexible is key: “Plan for the plan to keep changing – that’s the nature of the beast in early years education.”

“You’ve got to focus on your fundamentals too,” added Jay. “You need to find the right location, the perfect property and have a real commitment to having a quality team – with those three, you’ll be in a strong position for success.”

Reflecting on their journey, Sharon says, “We’ve all grown as people along the way. I think I can safely say we’re all stronger, more confident and more resilient, with the added bonus of working with and caring for some many amazing children!”

For Jaspal, “You don’t necessarily need a background in early years education, but with the right support and a genuine purpose, it can be one of the most fulfilling things you ever do. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll make a difference. What else is it all about?”

If you’re interested in the franchise opportunities Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries provides, you can find out more here: https://monkeypuzzlenurseryfranchise.com/information-pack/