Testimonials
As a fulltime working mum (and not by choice!), I was very nervous at first leaving my little boy in the care of others but everyone at little monkeys made sure that Jason was happy and comfortable. It made my return to work a lot less stressful knowing he was receiving good quality care and lots of attention. He loves going to nursery everyday and always has a big smile for all the staff!
Lucy makes sure that I receive photos regularly for me to take home for the scrapbook for memorable events such as Jason painting for the first time - wearing more paint than the paper!! I feel very included and involved in everything he does at the nursery. I don't feel like I am missing out on the fun and at the same time, I am so pleased with the number of fun learning activities he gets to participate in throughout the day.
I had to go away to India for a week with work and was very nervous as it was the first time I had been away from him since birth but I even got photos and emails from Lucy telling me how Jason was doing. It really did help ease my mind (and guilt) about being away for so long.
The staff are always willing to entertain requests such as borrowing a toy to take home with me or letting me leave one at nursery to teach my son to share. They even helped me with planning a birthday party at the nursery.
Jason has thrived since attending little monkeys and had progressed in leaps and bounds while also maintaining his happy-go-lucky personality and general love of life - something for which, I am eternally grateful to all the staff. They treat the children as if they were their own and take pleasure in their achievements which I think is quite special.
I love the events they organize for the parents too such as the father's day tea and the parents evening - you really do feel that the nursery is not just a place you send your children but an environment that is focused on the well being and development of the children who attend.
Oh and as for the food, it almost makes me a little jealous of what Jason gets to eat every day - such a well balanced and varied diet (home cooked) which is already fostering healthy eating habits in not only Jason but myself and my husband too!
The staff are always friendly, happy, fun and you can tell they genuinely love their work and Jason loves them all!!
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My Lily loves Little Monkeys!
- A Mum's perspective which might be of some interest!
I am an average mum with two girls - Ella (5) and now Lily (18 months).
Lily joined Little Monkeys' just after her 1st Birthday when I decided to go back to work 2 days a week.
I took time to view 4 nurseries in Worthing, including the nursery Ella went to.
It was important to me that the setting was friendly, caring, open with their approach and well managed. - I can't honestly say that I had experienced all of these points in the other nurseries I had visited that day.
My initial impression of Little Monkey's was impressive.
Rachel talked me through how the nursery was run, what activities the children do, the general structure of the day and how they would care for Lily, explaining that they were there for us and Lily's needs not the other way around.
There was also a clear mutual respect between Rachel and the rest of the staff.
The nursery was clean, organised and was willing to cater for any special requests and listen to any issues I had with regards to Lily's care.
Rachel was also keen that not only I was happy, that my husband came along to be sure that he was happy with the nursery too.
It didn't take us long to decide that Little Monkeys' was the place for Lily to be well looked after, giving us peace of mind.
Lily joined in February 2009 after 3 settling in visits. All of the staff without exception were kind, welcoming and keen to let me know how Lily had got on.
In the early days, I called a twice daily to see how she was doing and never once felt like I was being an obsessive or paranoid mother (!), indeed I felt could drop in inconspicuously to see how she was doing - although I never felt that this was necessary.
Lily has settled in at Little Monkeys extremely well and I know each child is different and has varying emotional and physical needs and wants, but all I can say is that I am delighted with Little Monkeys and the care they give to Lily.
All the girls are, without exception, caring and kind and clearly enjoy their jobs. An example of this was when Lily had begun to walk, Jodie asked me in a very coy, but clever way if Lily had begun to do any walking, I said she had, at which point she breathed a huge sigh of relief and said they were so excited, but also worried that I had not seen this, they had videoed it for me to see! - wow what special care!
They also listened and adapted when I explained her sleeping routine and were keen to keep to what was familiar to Lily, whilst adapting as she grows.
I also feel that if there is something I want to discuss, then I can either raise this with staff or Manager without feeling like this may effect Lily's care in someway (silly I know, but I did feel this way at the nursery I was at with Ella).
Another thing is the fact that that the staff are able to give you a verbal handover of her day, rather than a piece of paper that really doesn't tell you much about their little ways, personalities and anything else that is relevant. Again, this is a clear sign of the passion all the staff have for looking after children, picking up particularly on the bits that are most important to Lily's development and to you.
This was backed up by the parents evening in April which was much more informative and relevant to anything we had experienced before, also giving my husband the chance to be more involved in how things were going.
In summary, I feel that Little Monkeys is adaptable, approachable, caring and passionate about the care they provide our little one!
I would whole heartedly recommend Little Monkeys to other 'first time' or subsequent mums!
Jules
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Dear Little Monkeys,
We wanted to write and express our sincere thanks for the care Alice has received from your wonderful staff (Past and Present)
Alice will have some lovely memories of the friends she has made and the experiences she has had over the last three and a half years at Little Monkeys.
The Nursery has played such an important role in her early years. Her good manners in particular, are often commented on and you take a lot of credit for that.
Alice is going to miss everyone terribly but at leas she can still come back and visit!
With our very best wishes Rachel and Simon
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It is impossible for us to express how very grateful we are for all you have done for Rosamund. She misses you hugely and that is a testament to your good humour, love and caring. Thank you so much.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for the time and effort that has been put forth in helping our daughters achieve the Early Learning Goals. In particular we wish to thank Little Monkeys for accomodating Ursual and Savannah's dietry needs.
Special thanks to Alison for her creative and fabulous cooking. Her soya cakes are a blessing!
Additional thanks go to Laura, their key worker, Yvonne for her management of our ladies and Faye for her promptness in answering our many queries.
Thank you all so much!
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Ben had his 2yr assessment last week and the Health Visitor seemed surprised when told he was at nursery full-time and said he certainly didn't act like a child who was. When questioned about this comment, she said he seemed very advanced and confident in his manner and abilities and it was a credit to us and the nursery that we were obviously still giving him one-to-one quality time and he didn't feel 'abandoned' in any way. I wanted you - and Rose and her team - to know that we are extremely grateful for all the work the girls do with Ben - he obviously loves coming to nursery and seems to have thrived over the past 16 months. As parents who don't have a choice but to work full-time, it is a great relief to us knowing he is happy and being well stimulated. He has just moved upstairs and seems to have taken this step in his stride - thanks to Yvonne and her team's handling of the children. I think all the staff do a fabulous job and I believe credit should be given where due....please do pass on my thanks and gratitude to them all.
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To All Staff at Little Monkeys
Edward has been very happy and settled with your wonderful staff led by Rose and so well looked after. It has been a perfect environment for him on the two days I have been at work. I have been so pleased with your care of Edward and having seen all the other full day nurseries around Horsham I know it has been the very best place for him. I want to thank you all so much!
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I can't thank you all enough. Thank you for setting up a fantastic and well planned / designed nursery with great staff in Horsham!
We are very pleased with the care & love Georgina receives at Little Monkeys. She adores her time with you & seems to be getting a great deal of fun & learning crammed into her day. Our only regret is that we didn't move her to your nursery sooner!
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Thank you so much for all you have done for Rosamund. I was explaining about your nursery to the boys in my class and they could not get over how good it sounded. You managed to impress a group of teenage boys - Impressive.
Potty training has been so easy thanks to all you have done and Rosamund is just so happy with you. I can't begin to explain how it feels to have her looked after in a place that is actually good for her rather than just a place that is keeping her until I get home. I can actually enjoy being at work knowing that she is learning and having a good time with your all. She really looks forward to coming and often plays'Nursery' at home - where I have to be Rosamund and she is Emma, Yvonne or Laura.
Thank you also for managing her diet. I know it can be awkward but we are so grateful to you for keeping her without sugar and for finding alternatives so that she does not feel left out.
I just wanted to say Thank You and let you know how much you are appreciated.
Bye for now