We’re celebrating a major achievement following Geraldine Brandan’s success at the Nursery Management Today (NMT) Nursery Awards, where the Stoke Newington nursery assistant was named Newcomer of the Year.
Having joined our Stoke Newington setting only a year ago, Geraldine’s journey into early years has already made an extraordinary impact on children, families and colleagues alike.
For Geraldine, simply being nominated for the awards felt like a huge achievement. “I was genuinely touched that the team at Stoke Newington believed in me so early in my journey in early years education,” she said.
Originally from Argentina, Geraldine joined Monkey Puzzle Stoke Newington in July 2024, transitioning from hospitality to early years. She embraced her new chapter with open arms: “A lot of my family worked in education, so it was something I’d always been passionate about.
“Once I started working with Monkey Puzzle, I loved being around the children, but I didn’t expect to feel so at home so quickly.”
The awards evening took place on Saturday 8th November, with Geraldine attending alongside our Stoke Newington franchisee Cayden, Deputy Manager Samuel and members of our head office team.
“I was really nervous as they went through the categories,” said Geraldine. “When they said my name, I couldn’t believe it – I was completely overwhelmed and so proud!”
The recognition also celebrated the supportive culture we encourage at all of our settings. “Geraldine brings such warmth and creativity to the setting,” added Samuel. “Her willingness to learn and her positive attitude lift the whole team every day.”
Cayden also expressed her delight at Geraldine’s achievement, she said, “I’m so proud of Geraldine for winning this award! Her incredible hard work and unwavering passion amaze us every week, not just in what she does for the children, but for everyone around her. There is no one more deserving of this recognition.”
Looking ahead, Geraldine hopes to continue growing in her role: “I want to take everything step –by step, work towards my next qualification and eventually become a room leader at Stoke Newington.”
Geraldine’s award highlights the strength of our training, mentoring and induction pathways, which empower new educators across our network. “I’ve felt supported every single day,” added Geraldine. “The team has continued to encourage me, guide me and help me believe in myself. It’s made all the difference!”
Her success at the NMT Nursery Awards reflects our commitment to nurturing talent, championing career changers and fostering inclusive, family-like teams. It also reinforces our focus on creativity, quality and environments where both staff and children feel valued and able to thrive.
For our Managing Director, Grace Cole, Geraldine embodies the warmth, creativity and dedication that sit at the heart of Monkey Puzzle. “Her enthusiasm for early years shines through in everything she does. We’re absolutely delighted to see her recognised at the NMT Nursery Awards – she truly deserves it.”
