Richard Kent
Finance & ICT Manager

My name is Rik, I am the eldest Kent brother, and very much enjoy working as part of the family nursery team

I studied Accounting & Finance at Bristol University, where I met my lovely wife whilst singing in the choir. Since then I have worked as an Account Executive at Coca Cola where I was responsible for developing customer relationships and managing accounts.

In my spare time I enjoy dinner parties with friends, and spending quality time with my two sons Edward and James, as well as their bunnies Barney and Bluebell. Like my little brother Anthony, I also have a keen interest in music and enjoy playing the saxophone.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• 7 Years experience as an Account Executive, Coca Cola Enterprises
• Grade 8 Saxophone & Grade 5 Music Theory
• Proud Dad to Edward and James

Languages:

• English (fluent)
• Bunny (Intermediate)

Katie Holmes
Assistant Manager

Hi I’m Katie, I have been part of the Monkey Puzzle Highbury family for the last 2 years. Having worked for 2 years in New Jersey, USA as an au pair looking after children aged 3-7 I decided to move to London. I have just been awarded a Distinction in my Masters Degree in Early Years Education at University College London (UCL), The Institute of Education.  I have also had experience in a preschool in Sweden with children aged 2-5, as part of my undergraduate degree at The University of Warwick. Whilst in Sweden I had the opportunity to experience the importance of outdoor learning and forest schools. I’ve also had lots of experience in the U.K. particularly in reception class in a private school nursery.

I love spending time with a wide circle of friends including those that I have made internationally. With them I enjoy trying different styles of restaurants and going to the cinema. I enjoy walking and playing with my two Golden Retrievers at home in the North of England and also exercising at the gym.

Helping young people to develop has to be the most rewarding thing in life. Children under the age of 6 have such open minds and a willingness to learn which makes them fun to be with. There is nothing more exciting than seeing a child understand a new concept or idea.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

– MA (Distinction) in Early Years Education, University College London (UCL) The Institute of Education

-BA (Hons) Childhood, Education and Society, The University of Warwick

-Au Pair, Preschool and Baby experience

-Experience in Montessori and forest Schools

– Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer

-Paediatric First Aid Trained

Languages:

• English (Native)

Erica Lucia Espana Garcia
Nursery Practitioner

Hi I’m Erica, I am from Spain where I lived in a town called Benidorm, which is near the beach with a wonderful view to all the Mediterranean sea.

I have worked for four years in a school with children between two to eleven years of age. I really enjoyed my job there. I came to England mainly to improve my English but also to experience living in another country.

I love to work with children, the way they see life, their innocence, their energy and sincerity. I think we can learn so much from them. I have dedicated many years of my life to children and I could say they are my passion.
Early Years is the most important foundation for children to learn and grow. They learn while they are playing and exploring their environment, so we are responsible to create a calm and stimulating environment where they can do it.

I love spending time with my family and friends, to go to the beach and listen to the sound of the waves. I also love to travel and discover new places and new cultures.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

– Qualified Teacher Status

– First Aid trained

– Experience working in a school between ages 2 and 11 years

Languages:

-English (Intermediate)
-Spanish (native)

Fraser Archer
Nursery Practitioner

Hi I’m Fraser, I was born in the UK and have lived here all my life. Working with children is so rewarding, it is truly breath-taking seeing young children develop and grow. I really love supporting children to learn through messy play and the outdoors. This kind of play really supports children in finding and growing their creative sides. I think it is so important to ensure the environment that children are learning in is fun whilst also being educational to ensure children can reach their full potential. I can’t wait to support the children at Monkey Puzzle Highbury and watch them grow and learn.

In my spare time I volunteer as a Scouts leader at my local Scouts group. This is something I really enjoy being a part of as it is a chance to explore and learn often in the outdoors. Particularly as I also personally love any kind of outdoor activities. As well in my spare time I like to learn and teach others new skills.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

– Level 3 in Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator)
– Level 2 in Employment Responsibilities and Rights in Health and Social Care
– Paediatric First Aid trained
– Experience as a Baby Room Leader
– Over 5 years’ experience in Nurseries
– Level 2 in Understand Autism

Languages:

-English (Native)

Chantelle Msumbuga
Nursery Assistant

Hi I’m Chantelle. I live in London and have worked in and around different parts of London. I love to explore new areas of London that I’ve never been to before! I am so excited to be part of the Monkey Puzzle family. Having the opportunity to be a part of children’s fundamental growth and development is so rewarding so I am super excited to be able to experience and be a part of this everyday and Monkey Puzzle Highbury. I love working with children because every child is unique and brings new thoughts or ideas to an experience. It’s such a pleasure to be a part of their learning and development.

In my spare time I love listening to podcasts during my walks or when I’m outside. I also enjoy travelling and exploring new places. It’s so exciting to visit somewhere new as there is always the opportunity to experience new things or have a new adventure when somewhere new!

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

– MSc in Psychology of Mental Health
– BSc Psychology with Sociology
– Paediatric First Aid trained
– Food & Hygiene certificate
– Experience as Nanny
– Experience as a Science Teacher

Languages:

– English (Native)
– Swahili (Advanced)

Alisa Seferi
Nursery Assistant

Hi, I’m Alisa and I come from Greece. I studied and worked in Greece a nanny for several years, I am passionate about children and specially babies!

I have been living in Sweden and now is time for London, I decided to move here to grow in my career.

In my spare time I love swimming, as I come from a lovely sea village, I am very used to be inside the water most of the time!

The reason why I love working in Early Years is because of that joy feeling that the children transmit to you as soon you interact with them, they have that magic that spreads the love. I hope with all my dedication and positivity the children grow in a happy and active environment.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

– 4 Years experienced as Nanny
– Experience as Aupair
– Overseas nanny

Languages:

– Greek (Native)
– English (Fluent)
– German (intermediate)
– Albanian (Intermediate)

Irene De La Osa Sanchez
Nursery Practitioner

Hi, I’m Irene and I am from Spain.
I wanted to come to London to improve my English and to have an opportunity to live and work abroad. My most recent role was in a UK nursery where I worked across all age groups and I’m excited to work in the Monkey Puzzle team to broaden my experiences and opportunities.

I like to practice yoga and I used to dance. I actually would love to start dancing again. I also enjoy listening to music and watching TV series. I love to spend time with friends, going for walks, having dinner together or going to the cinema.

I love working with children because it is an active, fun and rewarding job where every day is different. I would like to support the journey of children that will be our future one day. I also enjoy planning and developing activities, especially when they involve arts and crafts.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

– Preschool Teacher Degree

– 5 years experience in Early Years

– Qualified Spanish tutor

– Experience as an activity leader in Spain

Languages:

-Spanish (Native)
-English (Advanced)
-Catalan (Basic)

Zara Queralt Martinez 

Nursery Practitioner 

Hi, I’m Zara and I come from Valencia, Spain. I studied my degree in Early Years Education and had lots of experience in Spain and abroad as well, discovering Early Years in places like Brussels, Ireland and the UK thanks to the Erasmus Program. I’m also a qualified Primary School Teacher, but my heart lies with younger children.

Once I finished my studies, I started working as a teacher in Spain and realised that I wanted to know more about the UK education system. So, I recently moved to London in pursuing my career. In my spare time, I like doing sports like Yoga, Roller Skating, Volleyball and walking in nature, with music being the soundtrack of all these activities.

I love teaching children and to be a positive role model for them. I love to embed values like tolerance, respect and empathy during the play. I am very passionate, and I believe that giving the children the freedom of expressing their feelings will help manage them. My main goal is to take care of the children, especially their emotions and feelings to support them in growing and developing.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• 6 Years Early Years’ experience in nurseries and Primary schools in the UK, Ireland, Brussels and Spain
• Qualified Early Years Teacher
• Qualified Primary School Teacher

Languages:

• Spanish (Native)
• Catalan (Advanced)
• English (Fluent)

Andreia Fernandes Melo
Nursery Practitioner

My name is Andreia. I was born in Lisbon, Portugal. I had lived in London for 7 years before I lived in Brazil for 4 and half years. I recently came back to London to be closer to my family whom I recharged my energies from!

I have always been surrounded by children as I have a big family. I am married and I have my own little boy, who is 6 years old, who I enjoy spending all of my free time with.

I have enjoyed many different areas of childcare including being a teacher in Brazil for 4 and half years, and also being a SENCO for a setting for two and half years. I enjoy having the opportunity to see and teach the uniqueness of each child, to laugh on a daily basis, and to be a source for someone’s success.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

-5 Years Experience in Childcare

-NVQ3 Certificate in Childcare

-CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education

-Level 5 Management in Early Years- Completing

-Paediatric First Aid Trained

Languages:

– English (Fluent)
– Portuguese (Native)

Cayden Herbert
Nursery Practitioner

Hi I’m Cayden and I have lived my whole life in South Africa in Fourways, Johannesburg. My Mum was a teacher so as I was growing up I always wanted to be a teacher too! The older I got the more I realised it is my passion and calling in life to support children in growing and developing. Watching children thrive to be the best they can be is such a special feeling, which is what makes every day with children so incredible. I love working with children so I have had lots of different experiences working as an assistant teacher, an au pair, water polo coach and babysitter. I am looking forward to seeing smiles, growth and all round happiness with the children at Monkey Puzzle.

In my free time I play water polo, do swimming, dance and enjoy yoga. My other hobbies include reading and journaling. I also really enjoy spending time writing down my thoughts, goals and daily affirmations. I’m so excited to explore and travel Europe and England whilst I am living in London too!

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

– BA (Hons) Education in Foundation Phase
– Food & Hygiene certificate
– Experience as an assistant teacher
– Experience as an au pair and babysitter

Languages:

– English (Fluent)
– Afrikaans (Fluent)

Irena Jukic
Nursery Practitioner

Hi I’m Irena. I am from a small town in Croatia and I decided to moved to London because it is such an exciting city! Whilst studying for my Masters degree I realised that becoming an educator and working with children was my true calling. Therefore, after my studies I spent a few years working as a teacher and I am now so excited to continue my journey as part of the Monkey Puzzle family. I love being a part of a child’s education and development because I get a sense of accomplishment when I see them developing and growing with my support. I never stop learning and I always try to develop my skills further so I can encourage children to reach their full potential. I’m looking forward to working with the team to support the Monkey Puzzle Highbury children to flourish and grow.

I love to travel and discover new places and learn about their culture. I think travelling is a great way to build your character and understanding about others. I also enjoy reading in my spare time. One of my favourite way to stay active is through riding my bike and walking and exploring new parts of London.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

-QTS

-Masters degree in Education of History and Master of education of Croatian Language and Literature

-Bachelor Degree in History and Bachelor of Croatian Language and Literature

-Experience as a teacher

Languages:

-English (fluent)

-Croatian (native)