Nursery World Awards 2022 - Childminder of the Year

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Julie has been a childminder for over 25 years and has cared for more than 100 children.

By providing and planning the use of a wide range of resources and activities focused on the children’s individual and group interests, Julie creates a culture of curiosity, awe and wonder that ignites and inspires children’s enthusiasm to play and learn in a caring and nurturing environment whilst always maintaining her beaming smile and positive energy.

Julie dedicates her evenings and weekends to planning and preparing resources for children to explore, and comes up with a range of fun activities to take part in outside the setting and within the local community, from visiting local woodlands and learning about nature to growing and eating fruit and vegetables they have grown in the setting, based in a purpose-built extension linked to Julie’s home.

Julie maintains an exceptionally supportive relationship with parents. She updates them on their children’s progress through digital learning journals and parent meetings, and listens to any questions and concerns at any time of the day or night, and even on weekends.

During her time as a childminder, Julie has worked with underprivileged families, families with English as an additional language and families with children with complex additional needs. She treats them all equally, while ensuring that both the family and child receive all the time, care and attention they need in order to help them to achieve the best outcomes.

In addition to supporting the families and children in her care, Julie has also built positive relationships within the local community and with other childminders and charity groups.As well as working alongside two assistants, to whom she offers support and guidance on a daily basis, she also shares resources and examples of good practice with local childminders to help their development.

Julie also likes to support the children in the wider community, including sponsoring a local under-eights’ football team, funding their new kit to enable them to carry on playing in the league.

Although Julie has been childminding for nearly 30 years, she still understands the importance of keeping up to date with training and improving her knowledge and understanding. She regularly attends a wide range of training courses, conferences and seminars throughout the year, covering different topics and areas related to child welfare and development.

Julie consistently puts children at the forefront of everything she does, is extremely motivated and demonstrates a strong commitment towards achieving and maintaining excellence in all areas.

She has exceptionally high expectations of both herself and her staff and is committed to the continuous improvement of the care and education she provides to promote the best possible outcomes for the children she looks after, enabling them to develop excellent communication and social skills and demonstrate high levels of confidence and independence.

All the children are happy and enthusiastic learners and there are frequent squeals of laughter to be heard from the setting as Julie chases children around the garden or reads a book with a puppet, complete with funny voices and sound effects.

Julie works tirelessly and goes above and beyond the normal role of a childminder to ensure she is providing the best opportunities, care and level of service to the children and their families.

FINALISTS

Chelsie Orange, The Little Orange House, Cambridgeshire

Laura Perfetti, Playhood, London

CRITERION

Open to registered childminders.