Monkey Puzzle nursery named finalist for national award celebrating UK’s best nursery design

Monkey Puzzle Lightwater has been named a finalist in the prestigious Education Property Awards, in the Early Years Project of the Year category – a national recognition that places the Surrey nursery among the very best education-led developments in the UK.

Grace Cole, Managing Director of Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries, said, “Being named a finalist is such a special moment for everyone involved with Monkey Puzzle Lightwater. It really reflects the care, collaboration and ambition that went into a creating a nursery that works for the whole community – we’re incredibly proud to see that recognised on a national stage.”

The nursery opened in May 2025 as a purpose-built, light-filled spacious design with families, practitioners and children firmly in mind. Led by Monkey Puzzle head office and delivered in partnership with landlords, early years specialists and design experts, every detail was carefully considered to support day-to-day life in the nursery while thinking long-term about quality and sustainability.

The Education Property Awards celebrate the very best education spaces across the UK, recognising projects that combine thoughtful design with real impact.

Inside, the nursery balances warmth, calm and practicality to support children’s development and wellbeing. Acoustically designed sleep pods, free-flow access to outdoor spaces and open, light-filled layouts create an environment that feels intuitive and welcoming, with clearly defined areas for play, rest and mealtimes. It’s a thoughtful, child-centred design that has resonated with families too, earning an impressive 9.8 rating on Day Nurseries.

Scott Humphrey, Nursery Manager at Lightwater, added: “It’s an absolute honour to be named a finalist. You really fell the difference a well-designed nursery makes every single day. The layout, flow and natural light support both the children and the team in such a natural way – it genuinely helps us create the best possible learning environment.”

For the wider Monkey Puzzle franchise network, Lightwater being named a finalist sets a really clear benchmark for what great nursery design looks like in practice. It shows how the support, guidance and expertise provided by the Monkey Puzzle team translate into settings that support children’s development, staff wellbeing and the day-to-day operations.

It also reinforces the strength of partnership between franchisor and franchisee, building confidence that new nurseries are being designed with care and consistency. This national recognition highlights Monkey Puzzle’s proactive commitment to quality, thoughtful planning and future-focused design – creating nurseries that will stand the test of time.

“The design of our Lightwater setting really shows the depth of expertise in our team,” added Grace. “Being shortlisted for these awards reflects our wider commitment to delivering the highest standards of early years education, now and into the future.”

Monkey Puzzle Lightwater now looks ahead to the Education Property Awards ceremony on 11th February, to be held at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square.