Anthony Kent
Operations Manager
Qualified Early Years Teacher

My name is Anthony and I am from Hertfordshire. I enjoy working in multicultural London as it is a very vibrant city.

I am a qualified Early Years Teacher and love working with children, watching them learn and grow in the Nursery.

I particularly enjoy inspiring young children to take part in music, both as a key area of study and as a transitional tool to engage them in other areas of learning. I like to inspire creativity throughout education, encouraging self-expression and confidence in young children as an important part of their early development.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Early Years Teacher Status Middlesex University
• MSc Advanced Music Production Glamorgan University, Cardiff
• BA Hons Commercial Music Bath Spa University, Bath
• Grade 8 Saxophone and Drum Kit, Grade 5 Music Theory
• Children’s Piano Teacher
• Proud Dad to my beautiful daughter, Lola

Languages:

• English (fluent)
• Makaton

Mike Kent
Occupancy Manager

Hi, my name is Mike and I’m the youngest of the 3 brothers Kent! My main role is to help parents register their children at the nursery, as well as managing all existing bookings. I also do the odd bit of IT, fixing and furniture assembly, whatever is called for really.

I joined the nursery a few years ago after leaving university and it has been a really interesting and rewarding journey to go on. Not only is it nice to work with my family, but working with a team that is so dedicated to giving children the best start in life is really inspirational.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, board games and cooking, with my favourite dish being porchetta! I also enjoy spending time with all of the family together, especially with my nephews and niece!

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• BA hons Philosophy
• Safeguarding and Food Hygiene Trained
• Paediatric First Aid Qualified
• AAT level 2

Languages:

• English (fluent)

Rachel Cannon
Operations Manager

My name is Rachel and my experience with working with Monkey Puzzle started when I joined Monkey Puzzle Highbury as Joy’s deputy. I then moved to Monkey Puzzle Angel where I opened the new site and got outstanding on first Ofsted Inspection.

I originally moved to London, from Galway, in the West of Ireland to further my career in Childcare. I have now spent 9 very successful years working with children and being a part of t heir learning and development makes me proud every day! As a nursery manager I work very closely with the individual team members, as their personal and professional development is very important to me.

In my spare time I enjoy meeting up with friends and socialising. My main hobby is Irish Dancing and I’m part of the Maguire O’Shea School of Irish Dancing. Over the past couple of years we have travelled to many competitions in Brighton, Ireland and Milan. I also play ‘Camogie’ which is a physical sport which originated from Ireland.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• 9 Years experience in Childcare including 7 years management experience
• Advanced Safeguarding Certificate, Designaated Safeguarding Officer
• Studying BA degree in Early Years leadership and management
• QQI Level 6 Qualification in Assisting Special Needs and Autism Awareness
• Level 2 in Understanding Autism
• Level 3 Certificate for Children and Young Peoples Workforce

Languages:

• English (Native)

Tatiana Filipe
Nursery Practitioner

Hi I’m Tatiana, I am a native Portuguese speaker but I was born in the UK. I have been studied art, interactive media and then childcare.

I like to draw a lot, so I will be doing a lot of illustration in my spare time and wouldn’t mind even doing a small children’s book one day. I also enjoy watching animated films.

I consider myself a child sometimes as I enjoy their company so much. Children are fun to interact with seen as they can sometimes surprise you the most. I want to help children grow and be the best that they can be!

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

• 1 year experience in child care.
• CACHE Level 2: An introduction to Early Years Education and Care.

Languages:

• English (Fluent)
• Portuguese (Native)

Robyn Hughes
Nursery Assistant

-English (Native)

Lola Evans
Nursery Assistant 

I have always lived in London and I feel working with children is fantastic because of the progression that you can enable. Helping children to learn while playing is an incredibly positive and uplifting experience. As a hobby I enjoy cooking, swimming, and walking, I also like gardening and fashion. I like working with children because they brighten your day up and make me smile. I find it fascinating how they all have different character traits. I like helping children to learn. I believe playing, exploring and being creative is the best way to teach young children.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

• Basic safeguarding training
• Customer service experience
• Looking to develop her knowledge and experience in childcare
• Food hygiene

Languages:

• English (Native)

Martina Lennon
Room Leader

My name is Martina and I am delighted to be a part of the Monkey Puzzle Team. I have completed my Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education here in London, and I have enjoyed putting my knowledge into practice when working with children.

I completed some of my college placement in a School, but realised my heart was working with younger children. I have 3 years’ experience as a Nursery Practitioner, where I have worked with both Toddlers and Babies. I love getting to know the children’s individual personalities and to know that I am part of their progress and development is so rewarding for me.

I am looking forward to bringing my Creative side to Monkey Puzzle Angel.

I enjoy preparing lots of creative and art activities for the children to enjoy. For the babies, they especially enjoy lots of messy and sensory activities. I am looking forward to observing the children as they learn through play and exploration.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Cache Level 3 – Childcare and Education
• Paediatric First Aid for Childcare
• 8 Years Childcare Experience
• 3 Years leadership experience

Languages:

• English (fluent)

Kim Jones
Nursery Practitioner 

I was originally born and previously lived in the UK until I was 5 years old and then moved to Ireland with my mother to a little village in north Cork called Doneraile. Doneraile is known best for its Georgian style buildings and a beautiful park that has now been rated one of the top ten places to visit in Ireland.

When I left school at the age of 17, I started my career as a hairdresser, but I always felt that something was missing in my life. Hairdressing was always just a job to me and I never felt like I had passion for it. When I qualified I finally move to the UK in 2017, I knew this was the right time to start my new career in what I’ve always wanted to do and was passionate about which was working with children. I found such great pride in been able to take part to support children’s learning.

In my spare time I love to keep fit by going to the gym regularly and walking in my local park with my 3 amazing dogs when I go home to Ireland. I enjoy socialising with friends and shopping. In 2016 I completed a sky dive at 10ft to raise money for a charity called Friedreichs Ataxia.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Sister to 6 siblings!
• Studying CACHE Level 2: Early Years Education
• Pediatric first aid trained
• Food hygiene
• Basic safeguarding
  
  Languages:
• English (Fluent)

Adriana Jimenez Marcos
Nursery Practitioner

Sheena Etheve
Nursery Practitioner/SEN Support

I lived in Italy since I was 5 with my family. At the age of 23, I decided to move to the UK. One day whilst spending time with my young nephew I realized it was my dream job. So I started my career in working with children.

I have a range of experience in working with children including being a Private Nanny, a Nursery Practitioner, a Supervisor for a Breakfast and After-school club and working 1:1 with SEN children.

Children spread happiness. I like being a part of supporting children in feeling confident in themselves and creating activities to challenge them.

I would consider myself as an artistic person. In my spare time I really enjoy drawing, and making statues using clay and paint.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:

• 5 Years’ Experience Working in the Childcare Industry
• Level 2 & 3 Playwork
• The Complete SEND Diploma Level 4
• Promoting Play & Interaction for Children with SEN & Disabilities

Languages:

• English (Fluent)
• Italian (Native)

Sandra Senkute
Nursery Practitioner

My name is Sandra and I am delighted to be a part of the Monkey Puzzle Team. I have completed my Level 3 Diploma in Childcare. I enjoy working with children and am deeply passionate about my job. When I was younger, I lived in Lithuania and then moved to the UK.

I enjoyed reading, researching, playing golf, shopping, and eating out. In my spare time in enjoy going to restaurants with my family and friends.

I love working with children because I enjoy teaching children and helping them achieve new goals. I love helping children to learn through their interest and allowing them to experience everything and becoming independent.

I am really looking forward to building a bond with all the lovely children and families.

Qualifications, Skills &Experience:
– Level 3 – Childcare and Education

– basic Safeguarding training

– 4 Years Childcare Experience

Languages:
– English
– Lithuanian – (native language)