Q&A with Jessie Haggerty, Franchise Acquisitions Manager at Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries
Q&A with Jessie Haggerty, Franchise Acquisitions Executive at Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries
Name: Jessie Haggerty
Role: Franchise Acquisitions Manager
Who are Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries?
Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries is the UK’s largest franchised and organically grown nursery group, with more than 30 years of experience in early years education and over 70 settings nationwide. In addition to its thriving network of franchise partners, Monkey Puzzle also owns and operates a number of nurseries directly under the Monkey Puzzle Nursery Group (MPNG). This growing portfolio complements and supports the wider franchise network, reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality, consistency, and long-term growth across the UK.
How many locations does MP currently have?
We’re proud to have over 70 thriving nursery settings across the UK - and our network continues to grow year after year.
Target Locations
We are seeking attractive, prominently positioned buildings situated close to residential catchments, local amenities, and good public transport links.
Our existing portfolio includes properties converted from a wide range of previous uses — such as care homes, offices, hotels, medical centres, and community buildings — demonstrating our flexible and adaptive approach to acquisitions.
While our core focus remains on Central London and the South East, we are actively considering opportunities in other key towns and cities across the UK. Our property search e-flyer provides further detail on specific target locations.
Size Requirements
Our ideal property size is 3,000 – 6,000 sq ft (GIA), though we are open to smaller buildings where extensions or internal reconfiguration can provide additional usable space.
Additional Requirements
- Parking provision or a safe and convenient area for drop-off and pick-up.
- Secure outdoor space suitable for children’s play and learning activities.
Freehold or Leasehold
We consider both freehold and leasehold opportunities. While most of our sites are leasehold, we also purchase freeholds via investor partners on a sale-and-leaseback basis. We offer a strong covenant and flexible, attractive terms.
Recent Openings and New Locations in the Pipeline
Build works are currently underway at three sites -East Malling, Crouch End, and East Finchley. With all three scheduled to open in Q2 2026. Alongside this, we have a strong pipeline of nurseries progressing through both legal and negotiation stages. While we’re delighted by this level of activity, we continue to actively seek out exceptional new sites to add to our growing portfolio.
Contact details?
Email – property@mpdn.co.uk
