Opening a new business is always a challenge, but launching your first franchise at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic? That’s a bold move. Yet, five years on, Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries franchisee Annoo Walia has not only survived – she has thrived.

As she celebrates her fifth anniversary, Annoo is marking the milestone with the exciting new addition of a forest school in April at her Walton-on-Thames setting, alongside plans for a special anniversary event for children, parents and staff to commemorate the occasion.

Since opening in 2020, Monkey Puzzle Walton-on-Thames has become a cherished part of its local community, offering a warm, home-away-from-home environment. Like all Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery settings, it upholds the franchise’s commitment to exceptional early years education, but it also reflects Annoo’s personal passion for childcare – something that has driven her throughout her career.

“Opening Walton-on-Thames was a dream come true,” says Annoo. “Having worked in early years education for nearly two decades, I wanted to create a space where children truly feel at home and families feel part of the nursery community. Seeing that vision come to life, even in the face of the challenges we had through lockdown, has been incredibly rewarding.”

Annoo’s journey to early years education began after moving to the UK 23 years ago with her young son, Aary – who now serves as the operations director for Monkey Puzzle Walton-on-Thames – Annoo managed several Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ nurseries before bringing her vision to life by joining the Monkey Puzzle franchise network.

Her decision to invest in Monkey Puzzle was deeply personal. “When I moved to the UK, I saw first-hand how well children were cared for – it inspired me to create my own setting where families could feel truly supported. For me, this was never just a business opportunity; it was about serving the community and giving other families the opportunities I didn’t have when I first arrived.”

Choosing the right franchise was a crucial decision. “I explored different franchises first because I wanted to make the right investment – I wasn’t in a position to make mistakes. Monkey Puzzle stood out because they believed in me and my experience in the sector. They guided me through every step of the process, making the transition from employee to employer so much smoother.

“Their 110% support has been invaluable, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of the Monkey Puzzle family.”

The success of Monkey Puzzle Walton-on-Thames paved the way for Annoo to expand, with the opening of a second setting, Monkey Puzzle Cheam, in October 2023. With the same child-centred ethos, the nursery has quickly become a firm favourite for families in the area.

As Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries continues to grow nationally, Annoo stands as a shining example of the brand’s success and resilience. Now, with the upcoming launch of a forest school at Monkey Puzzle Walton-on-Thames, the nursery is taking its offering even further, providing children with hands-on outdoor learning experiences.

Reflecting on the journey so far, Annoo shares, “The past five years have been an amazing adventure. We’ve built something really special, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team. The relationships we’ve formed with the children, parents and staff over the years are why we do this, and it means everything to me. Here’s to the next five years and beyond!”

Rebecca Crosby, co-founder of Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, expressed her admiration for Annoo reaching her fifth anniversary with the brand. “Annoo and her team have created something truly special. Their dedication to providing excellent early years education, combined with a real passion for the community, is exactly what Monkey Puzzle is all about. I’m incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with them – long may it continue!”

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