Jo Thompson - Ilkley childminder

Taking our babies for a walk around the neighbourhood today. 👶🩷

Children really do keep you humble…

Today one of the children said:

“Jo, when we start school you can get a job!”

I laughed and asked, “What’s my job now then?”

After a serious discussion, they decided my future career options were:

• A cleaner
• Working at soft play
• Cooking tea

So I asked, “Why do you all come to my house then?”

Without missing a beat they replied:

“Because my mum says, ‘Come on, you’re going to Jo’s!’”

Apparently all these years I’ve just been hanging around at home waiting for someone to tell me what my actual job is! 🤣❤️

☀️ Summer Holiday Childcare ☀️

With the summer holidays just around the corner, I’m starting to finalise plans for our summer programme of activities, outings and adventures.

Current families are encouraged to confirm any holiday dates or changes to their usual sessions as soon as possible to help with planning.

If you’re looking for a friendly, home-from-home childcare setting for the summer holidays, please get in touch to discuss availability.

Lots of outdoor play, trips, crafts, games and summer fun ahead! ☀️

What a fantastic afternoon we had yesterday with a visit from Into the Wild! 🐍🦉

The children had the opportunity to meet and learn about a range of amazing animals, including two snakes, an owl, chinchilla, guinea pig and even a stick insect. It was wonderful to watch the children’s confidence grow as they gently stroked, held and observed the animals up close in a calm and supportive environment.

Today we hopped on the train into Leeds for a trip to MathsCity where the children explored lots of hands-on maths activities. Then to top the day off, the children spotted the water taxi and convinced me we absolutely needed a ride on that too 🚤 They were very excited to get to press the horn as we travelled along the canal!

Little hands, big concentration! 🏺✨

Today we had a go at using the pottery wheel, and the children were completely absorbed in the process. From squishing and shaping the clay to carefully painting their creations, there was so much focus, patience and pride in their work.

Activities like this are fantastic for developing fine motor skills, hand strength and creativity — and there’s something wonderfully calming about working with clay.

I think they did an amazing job! 😊