Starting school is a big milestone, for both children and parents. At Monkey Puzzle West Kensington, and across all our Monkey Puzzle nurseries, we understand how important these early years are in building the foundations for confident, happy learners.
Our preschool programmes are thoughtfully designed to support each child’s unique development, while gently guiding them toward the routines, independence, and social skills they’ll need when they move on to school. Here’s how we do it, across the Monkey Puzzle family:
Building Strong Foundations in Literacy and Numeracy
Early reading and writing skills are nurtured through a variety of engaging, hands-on experiences. We incorporate:
- Daily story time and circle time, encouraging children to listen, recall, and build vocabulary
- Phonics games and sensory mark-making, using paint, sand, or pencils to explore letters and sounds
- Fine motor activities, such as threading, finger gyms, and drawing patterns, to build writing readiness
- Access to cosy book corners where children can explore books independently
For maths, we embed learning into everyday routines:
- Counting during mealtimes, lining up, and calendar activities
- Exploring shapes, measurements, and problem-solving through water play, puzzles, and group tasks
- Asking open-ended questions like “How many more do we need?” to encourage early reasoning
Social Development: Learning to Share, Solve and Speak Up
Social and emotional growth is at the heart of school readiness. Across our nurseries, we help children:
- Take turns, listen, and share through group games and circle time
- Build confidence and independence by speaking up during discussions and making their own choices
- Use emotion books and guided conversations to express feelings and resolve conflicts
Independence and Responsibility
We promote independence in everything we do. Children are supported to:
- Choose and serve their own food at mealtimes
- Get dressed, manage their belongings, and help tidy up using labelled baskets and visual prompts
- Make decisions about what activities they’d like to take part in and even help plan future ones!
By encouraging responsibility in a safe, nurturing environment, children learn to trust themselves and feel confident in their choices.
School Preparation That Feels Natural
We work closely with local schools to ensure our preschool routines align with what children will experience within the schools. This includes:
- Structured daily routines with visual timetables
- Practising key skills like potty training, dressing, and managing personal needs
- Creating transition books and inviting teachers to visit our nurseries, helping children feel familiar with their future classrooms
We ask schools what they look for in a confident school starter—then tailor our support to help each child get there, at their own pace.
Keeping Parents Connected Every Step of the Way
We know that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher. That’s why we keep communication open and consistent through:
- The Famly app, where you can view daily updates, photos, developmental observations, and assessments
- Regular face-to-face chats at drop-off and pick-up
- Monthly or six-monthly assessments based on your child’s progress and interests
- Home learning ideas to support development outside of nursery
The Monkey Puzzle Difference
At Monkey Puzzle West Kensington our mission is to provide a warm, engaging, and empowering preschool experience. Our approach blends structured learning with creativity and play, allowing children to explore, express, and evolve as they get ready for school.
From literacy and numeracy to self-care and social skills, we’re here to make sure your child starts school not just ready, but excited.
Want to learn more or arrange a tour? Get in touch with us today, we’d love to show you what makes our preschool experience so special.
Watch our Monkey Puzzle Preschool room leaders talk about what we do to prepare your children for school here.
