On Thursday 14^th November, we hosted our annual conference, bringing together our network of franchisees from up and down the country to reflect on all their successes from the past year while looking ahead to what 2025 has in store.

The day-long conference took place at the De Vere Beaumont Estate, nestled in the historic heart of Old Windsor. As well as offering a variety of presentations led by our head office team, franchisees had the chance to meet with our external suppliers in between breaks. These included ‘Mo’ and ‘Famly’, two collaborative platforms used across the network, and Millhouse, a furniture provider that hosted a special competition to win one of their ‘buddy benches’.

The day opened with exciting new updates on the growth of our network – including a host of brand-new nursery openings, existing nurseries going from strength to strength and fresh 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 our team to easily share their achievements, creating a more connected and appreciative community.

On the recent introduction of ‘Mo’ to the network, room leader at Monkey Puzzle Loughton, Shelby Wilson believes, “It’s not often we get to catch up with members of the team at different nurseries but with ‘Mo’ we can share each other’s successes – it’s been a really nice addition to what we do and has brought everyone closer together.”

“We want recognition to be at the heart of what we do,” said our founder Rebecca Crosby. “Mo allows us to celebrate our successes together more frequently, strengthening the sense of family within our network.”

The afternoon featured a series of engaging talks, including a session led by our Early Years Quality Team. The talks focused on two key areas; the audit process, looking at what our 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 second session provided insight on how to prepare for Ofsted – especially the support head office has introduced to help our franchisees understand the documentation and procedures needed to be successful at the time of inspection.

Wrapping up the day was our keynote speaker, Ben Kingston-Hughes, an international speaker, author and multi award-winning trainer who has worked with vulnerable children across the UK for over 35 years. His distinctive blend of humour, neuroscience and real-life practical experiences have made his training invaluable for anyone working with children.

Ben’s session looked at the importance of play from a developmental perspective and also as a therapeutic process that can profoundly impact children’s self-esteem, confidence and mental health. He also touched upon the neuroscience of imaginative play demonstrating that imagination is potentially one of the most important developmental processes for any child.

Our conference concluded with a three-course meal and an internal awards ceremony, celebrating the outstanding contributions of the network over the last year. Situated in a stunning chapel on the estate, the evening showcased the energy, hard-work and spirit that makes us a special community to be part of – with a disco, arcade games and a saxophone player on hand for some live entertainment.

For more information on franchise investment opportunities with Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, visit https://monkeypuzzlenurseryfranchise.com/