Nicola Cooper

Director

With over 21 years of experience in Early Education, I have built a career grounded in high quality practice, strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to children and families. I began my journey in a private nursery, where I learned firsthand what exceptional childcare looks like. After 13 years in school based EYFS Teaching Assistant roles, I went on to open and lead Monkey Puzzle Altrincham and later Monkey Puzzle Timperley, shaping both settings into warm, inclusive and high performing environments. As a Director, I am deeply invested in leading excellence across my staff teams. I believe that when practitioners feel valued, supported and inspired, children flourish and families feel confident, connected and reassured. I have successfully led my nurseries through multiple Ofsted inspections, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, reflective practice and professional pride. I hold a BTEC National Diploma in Childcare, a Level 4 Certificate in Early Years Practice, and a Foundation Degree in Early Years Childhood Studies. My longstanding passion for SEND drives me to champion inclusive practice, ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive. As both a professional and a parent, I value strong communication, genuine partnership and creating nurseries where children are happy, confident and ready for their next steps.