As your child nears school age, it’s only natural to wonder how best to prepare them for the next step. At Monkey Puzzle Guildford, we believe the preschool years are a crucial time for developing not just academic skills, but also independence, confidence, and social awareness. In a recent video chat with Hayley, our Deputy Manager, she shared how we help our children grow in a nurturing and engaging environment, setting them up for a smooth and happy transition to school.

Building Early Reading and Writing Skills

At Monkey Puzzle Guildford, we make literacy a part of our everyday routine. Hayley explains that preschoolers are engaged in daily story time, phonics activities, and even interactive storytelling sessions that spark imagination and improve listening skills.

To help build the foundations for writing, we focus on fine motor skill development, offering lots of hands-on activities to strengthen finger muscles, like threading and mark-making. Children can also explore our cosy book corner, available throughout the day for independent reading or quiet time with a favourite story.

Exploring Early Maths Through Play

Maths is woven into everything we do. Whether it’s counting fruit at snack time, using the calendar to learn dates and numbers, or solving puzzles and shape games, our approach is all about making numbers fun and meaningful.

We believe the best learning happens through play, and by embedding maths into real-life scenarios, children develop early problem-solving and number recognition skills in a natural and engaging way.

Teaching Sharing, Turn-Taking, and Emotional Understanding

Personal, social, and emotional development is at the heart of everything we do. Through circle time discussions, group play, and a rich collection of emotion-themed books, children learn to recognise feelings, express themselves, and understand others.

Turn-taking and conflict resolution are gently encouraged through group activities, where we support children in listening to one another and developing empathy and cooperation, skills that will serve them well in the classroom and beyond.

Fostering Responsibility and Independence

Preschool is the perfect time to start building independence, and we encourage children to take ownership of their daily routines. From getting dressed independently to putting their artwork away in their own trays, these small steps help develop a sense of responsibility.

We also follow a clear preschool routine each day and introduce our “Golden Rules”, which mirror the expectations they’ll find in school, preparing them for the structure and consistency of the classroom environment.

Tracking Progress and Keeping Parents Informed

We know how important it is for parents to stay informed and involved. At Monkey Puzzle Guildford, we carry out regular assessments every six months, starting from your child’s first day with us. These assessments track their development across all key areas and form a complete picture of their progress.

We use the Famly app to keep communication open and consistent. Parents can view live updates, photos, developmental observations, and assessment results, plus have daily chats with staff during pick-up and drop-off times.

Preschool at Monkey Puzzle Guildford isn’t just about getting ready for school, it’s about building happy, confident, and capable little learners. With supportive routines, engaging activities, and a caring team who truly understand early childhood development, we give your child the best possible foundation for their next adventure.

Interested in learning more or booking a tour? Get in touch with us – we’d love to welcome you to the Monkey Puzzle Guildford family.

Watch Hayley’s full video here!