Every day at Monkey Puzzle is full of new things to try. Our extra-curricular activities aren’t extras tacked onto the side they’re stitched right through the week, giving every child the chance to sing, stretch, cook, build, explore and discover.
Each session is shaped around the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Curiosity Approach, so play always has a purpose. Children build confidence, coordination, language and social skills almost without realising they’re learning. Sessions are gentle enough for our youngest babies and lively enough to keep older preschoolers fully engaged.
We work with trusted specialists qualified musical theatre teachers, yoga instructors, sports coaches and language tutors who visit each week to lead their sessions. Every child gets a turn, and every age group has something tailored to where they are.
Our Programme Of Activities
Tap a day below to see what your child gets up to this week.
Science Club Mondays
Real experiments - turning little ones into little scientists.
Science club helps our curious little explorers to ask questions and experiment in playful, age-appropriate ways. Children will investigate simple science topics for example plants, weather, animals, materials, forces – all through real experiments. They will also be encouraged to predict, test, and conclude their findings, just like real scientists!
Taking part in this hands-on learning, working in teams and critically thinking about their experiments and findings helps children to develop problem-solving skills, communication, collaboration and analytical skills in a fun environment, reinforcing the EYFS framework.
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Tuesdays Petite Productions
Act, sing and dance in a fun and energetic environment.
Petite Productions offer bespoke sessions at Monkey Puzzle Loughton, of the three intertwined theatrical disciplines; acting, singing and dancing, with their aim to produce a fun and energetic environment in which your child will grow in knowledge, confidence and the art of teamwork all through use of play.
A member of the Petite Production team visits on a weekly basis to provide engaging learning through play sessions that follows the EYFS framework and compliments the ongoing work of our nursery practitioners who they work alongside.
Marvin thinks these are great for
Cookery Club Wednesdays
Sensory play with real ingredients - and a recipe for happy, healthy learners.
Cookery Club is a fun, extracurricular experience designed to introduce young children to food, cooking, and healthy eating through play based learning. Cooking with children is a simple and meaningful way to support early development, linking closely to the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Curiosity Approach. As little ones explore ingredients, cooking techniques and simple recipes, they build sensory awareness, fine motor skills and early language – supporting the prime areas of development.
Older children begin to follow instructions, measure, mix and make choices, developing confidence, independence and early mathematics. These shared experiences encourage healthy eating habits and a natural curiosity about the world. When children are involved, they’re more likely to take a taste, which is a lovely recipe for happy, healthy learners.
Marvin thinks these are great for
Bilingual Beats Thursdays
Celebrating different cultures by exploring new languages.
Spanish Thursdays with Bilingual Beats introduces children to simple Spanish words, songs, greetings, and games through playful, engaging activities. Exploring different languages is a natural and valued part of our nursery community and links closely with the EYFS framework and the Curiosity Approach.
The majority of our children speak more than one language, so we celebrate this richness at our nursery by learning about different languages, helping children to develop an appreciation and understanding for different cultures. Being exposed to new languages from an early age also supports memory, listening skills, cultural awareness, and confidence in communication.
Marvin thinks these are great for
Forest School Fridays
Nature-inspired learning in our outdoor environments.
Forest School Fridays is an educational approach where children learn through regular, hands on experiences in our natural outdoor facilities. Our Forest School isn’t just an outdoor class, it’s a journey where every muddy footprint leaves a lasting impression. Rooted in nature-based learning, this inspiring learning approach offers first-hand experiences of nature and the environment helping children to develop confidence, environmental responsibility, and essential life skills through regular outdoor experiences.
Children explore the outdoors, make eco-friendly choices, use sustainable resources and stay active through play, all whilst being encourage to explore, play and problem-solve.
