The vast majority of our staff are either NNEB (National Nursery Examination Board) or equivalent, or participating in the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Early Years and Childcare. We have a very high qualified staff ratio which far exceeds that of OFSTED requirements. All of our staff are trained in First Aid & food Hygiene.
Michelle Mobey Co-Owner and Principal
Michelle is a Qualified Teacher holding a Bachelor of Education (Hons), Qualified teaching status as well as a Master of Arts Degree specialising in Early Years Education. She has been working in education and childcare for over 15 years, as well as bringing up her two children, who have attend/ attended their settings.
When asked why she wanted to work with children, Michelle replied ” I have always wanted to be work with children. I love their energy, honesty and their total love of everything fun and exciting. I really enjoy sharing new ideas and experiences with them. My hope is that I can create a fun, exciting and caring learning environment. I have a lot of patience, enthusiasm, creativity and enjoy helping children (and adults) to discover new things. I want to create an environment that is exciting and fun for the children and my staff. As long as children are given, love, support and encouragement they will succeed. Job satisfaction was the most important factor in choosing a career, and working with children, I believe, is the ultimate choice.”
Since moving to the UK, from South Africa in 2007, Michelle has worked for the National Autistic Society as a teacher creating highly motivating, sensory, dynamic and visually based lessons. After having her first child she branched out into Childminding and received an Outstanding from Ofsted. Michelle has experience of working with children who have multiple barriers to their learning with a vast array of needs and abilities. She hopes to pass on this knowledge to her staff and will use her previous experience as a sound base for coaching and staff development.
Michelle is a good people manager, believing that open honesty, clarity and consideration go a long way in inspiring the best from people. She has a strong work ethos and is highly adaptable, motivated and incredibly enthusiastic.
Hand washing and Prevent COVID – 19.
Simon Mobey Co-Owner, Maintenance and Facilities Manager
Simon is one of our owners, and is responsible for all things building, site and maintenance. He is a qualified electrician holding 17th Edition city & Guilds, CDM Construction 
Design Manager, British Safety Council Level 2 ‘Risk Assessment, Fire Warden, LGWSETA trade Test-Electrician (SA), National N3 Certificate (SA). Hand washing and Prevent COVID – 19.
Simon has the amazing task of creating and building special requests for our team as well as building, upgrading and our fantastic Nursery. He works tirelessly in repairing, building and generally making our Amazing Nursery even more awesome.
In 2015 Michelle and Simon opened their first Nursery, Monkey Puzzle Irthlingborough. Michelle managed this until late 2016. In 2017 Michelle & Simon opened their second beautiful setting Monkey Puzzle Kettering. Following on from the success of these two amazing settings in, July 2018 Michelle and Simon took over ownership of Monkey Puzzle Bedford.
Leanne Skelton
Nursery Manager
Hello, I am the nursery manager. I have worked in childcare for the last 19 years and have a vast experience in SENCO and safeguarding. I have been managing this nursery for the past 3 years. I am very proud of the family orientated, welcoming setting we have created. I also have 3 boys of my own. I am currently working towards my Level 5 in childcare and management.
Qualifications and Training
- CACHE diploma in Child Care and Education
- Level 3 in Health and Social Care
- Emergency First Response
- Pediatric First Aid
- Designated Safeguarding lead
- Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2
- Health and safety at work
- Safer Recruitment
- Safe Sleeping for babies
- FGM
- Prevent Duty
- Hand washing and Prevent COVID – 19.
Lisa Livsey
Regional Manager
Hello, I’m Lisa. I have 13 years’ experience in childcare. 2 years ago, I was promoted to regional manager, it is a job that I thoroughly enjoy. It is exciting to support each nursery to reach their full potential. I have recently returned from having my own little one and I am currently working towards my Level 5 in childcare and management.
Qualifications and Training
- Level 3 In Children’s care, Learning and Development
- BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Team Leading
- Emergency First Response
- Paediatric First Aid
- Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2
- Health and Safety at work
- Safer Recruitment in Education
- Safe Sleeping for Babies reducing the risk of SIDS
- Schema Training
- Medication Administration Training
- Behaviour Management
- Female Genital Mutilation, Recognising and Preventing FGM
- Prevent Training
- Early Child Development
- Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect
- Child and Adult Sexual Exploitation
- Early Help Assessment/ Lead Professional/ Information sharing.
- E-Safety Guidance for Practitioners Working with Children
- Safeguarding Children from Abuse by Sexual Exploitation
- EYFS Training
- Medication Administration Training
- Hand washing and Prevent COVID – 19.
Language: English & British Sign Language
Christine O’Brien
Deputy Manager
Hello, my name is Chrissie, I have worked in childcare for last 6 years and have never felt more at home at my job than I do here at Monkey Puzzle. I started as a Level 3 practitioner and worked my way to baby room lead and now I am the Deputy Manager. I am currently working towards my Level 5 in childcare and management.
Qualifications and Training
- Level 3 Child Care
- Level 3 Health and Social Care
- First Aid
- Safeguarding
- Hand washing and Prevent COVID – 19.
Languages: English
Kelly Livsey
Assistant Deputy Manager
Hello, my name is Kelly and I have recently joined the nursery as Assistant Deputy Manager. After having my daughter, I realised that I wanted to work in childcare, so I am working towards to my level 3 qualification. Watching children grow and develop is one of the best parts of my role.
Paige Law
Blue Room Leader
Hello, my name is Paige and I am Level 3 qualified. I have worked in childcare for 9 years and have worked with all ages. The best part of working in childcare is watching the children develop and grow and being a part of it.
Qualifications and Training:
- Level 2 food and hygiene
- Safeguarding
- Safe sleep for babies
- Paediatric First Aid trained
- Prevent Covid-19
Emilie Callan
Orange Room Leader
Hi, I’m Emilie and I am the room leader of babies. I have worked at Monkey Puzzle for 4 years and I have always working in the baby room as it is my favourite age. I love to watch them learn and grow.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends and family.
Qualifications and Training
- Grade B in English
- Level 2 Public Services
- Level 2 Customer Service
- Level 3 childcare – Pending as in progress.
- Hand washing and Prevent COVID – 19.
Languages: English.
Shannon Tarry
Green Room Leader
My name is Shannon and I am a Nursery Practitioner qualified to level 3 and I am based in the baby room. I never knew what i wanted to do for a career with childcare along with many other ideas in my head, but shortly after birth if my twin sisters in 2015 I knew that childcare was the career for me, it was rewarding to see them grow and be a positive influence in their lives and I decided to become an apprentice at Monkey Puzzle to get my qualification.
In my spare time I like to spend time with my family friends and spend time with my baby sisters. I also like to listen to music and keep active.
Qualifications and Training
- Emergency first response
- Paediatric first aid
- Food safety and hygiene level 2
- Health and safety at work
- Safe sleeping for babies and reducing the risk of SIDS • Female genital mutilation, preventing and recognising FGM • Prevent training • Safeguarding training • Behaviour management
- Hand washing and Prevent COVID – 19.
Languages: English
Roxanne Allen
Nursery Practitioner
Hi my name is Roxy and I am the room leader of orange room. I am level 3 qualified and have 8 years experience working in childcare. I have twins who keep me very busy and I love making memories, visiting parks, dancing to music and spending family with them.
Abigail Baitup
Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Abi and I am Level 3 qualified. I have expanded my knowledge over the last 5 years, and I am also SENCO trained. I really enjoy making a difference in young peoples lives and I bring a positive attitude to education.
Michelle Benton
Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Shell and I’m a level qualified practitioner here at Monkey Puzzle. Working with children has always been my passion and I love spending my days doing messy play activities, singing songs and have fun! At home I enjoy movie nights with my 8 year old son and walking our 3 dogs.
Abigail Hartley
Nursery Practitioner
Hello, my name is Abi and I have been working at Monkey Puzzle for over a year. I am Level 2 qualified and working towards my Level 3. I am based in our baby room and they are my favourite age group to work with. I enjoy watching them grow and helping them transition to the next room. In my spare time I take my crazy family dogs out on adventures, they love the beach.
Jade Ardle
Nursery Practitioner
Hi my name is Jade and I have 9 years of childcare experience. I have worked in different settings working with babies to reception. I have been a room senior previously and enjoy working with all age groups. I work in the baby room and this is my favourite. I am a mum to a 6 year old and two twin boys who are 3. Although we are a busy household we really enjoy going on adventures and having fun as a family.
Ellie Stephenson
Nursery Practitioner
Tina Blackett
Our amazing Nursery Cook.
My name is Tina Blackett and I am the cook at Monkey Puzzle day nursery, Irthlingborough and have been for the past 18 months. I have been a cook for over 17 years, with previous care providers. I enjoy all aspects of baking and feel very rewarded by the children when they tell me if they have enjoyed a certain meal I have cooked them.
In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog and spending quality time with my family, I like to go on foreign holidays and enjoy the cinema.
Qualifications and Training
- I have my level 2 food hygiene qualification and also completed a level
- 3 allergen management course.
- I have my paediatric First aid and basic safeguarding.
- Hand washing and Prevent COVID – 19.
Languages: English.
Monkey Puzzle is committed to providing great career opportunities for its entire staff. We are very keen to ensure that our team of staff participate in training at all levels. Our policy is always to recruit and/or promote internally if at all possible. Please see our Current Vacancies below: No current vacancies If you think you have what it takes and would like to be a part of our exciting team, please send your CV to manager@monkeypuzzleirthlingborough.co.uk and we will hold your details on file until something becomes available.Career opportunities
Monkey Puzzle Irthlingborough
