A fun way of exploring the diversity represented in the British Isles is by learning about different Saint Days or other special National Celebrations. This special childminding toolkit helps you and your children learn about the story of St George, the patron saint of England. It also includes a special CPD module and loads of inspiration, and resources, ensuring you have everything you need for a month's worth of inspiration, support and resources. This toolkit contains:

Your Learning Section:

• A self-evaluation question based on the new 'Inclusion', Early Years Inspection Toolkit area of evaluation. Includes additional information and things to think about.
• A CPD module taking helping you 'making sense of the Ofsted 'Explore an Area' webpages.

The Ofsted ‘Explore an Area’ pages were launched in November 2025 as part of Ofsted’s aim to provide greater transparency and accessibility to inspection data. These webpages allow users to explore detailed information about schools, children’s social care, and local authority performance across England, making it easier to understand the context and outcomes in different areas. If you have an inspection your inspector is likely to ask you to have a look at these pages, so it is helpful to know what they are talking about in advance!

Doing things just for the sake of Ofsted is intensely annoying and boring though so this CPD module will also look at ways you can use this information in a way which is actually useful, both for helping to support your children as well as evaluating and improving your own provision. After all, if you expected to know about these pages you may as well get some actual benefit from them!

Quick and easy learning segments covering:

• Inspection preparation: what would you do if your inspector asks you?
• Safeguarding - What is Victim Blaming Language?
• SEND - What is Global Developmental Delay? (GDD)

Curriculum and learning activity ideas and resources:

• Planning ideas covering all areas of learning.
• Earth Day Activity craft activity. 
• Science Ideas with the under 2's - Volcanoes'. For the under 2’s ‘science’ is about cause and effect – learning that their action creates a specific, predictable result. A volcano experiment is a powerful "hands-on" sensory tool that aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage.  It sparks curiosity and provides a first-hand introduction to how the world works. From a very simple activity there is potential for expansive learning.

St George's Day themed section including:

Planning grids to help you choose appropriate activities and assess the children's learning.

An original illustrated story about St George and the Dragon with a cast of thousands. (Well, five, eh hm!) This story tells the story of St George and the Dragon in a simple way that is easy for children to understand. However it also features the misadventures of a childminder and her children trying to re-enact the story in their own unique and hilarious way. This tale will appeal to both children and childminders alike.

Accompanying the story is a wealth of activities and resources designed to support children to learn about St George and the Dragon and the moral of the tale.

Activities:

1. 'St George - Key Facts to share with the children' - St George is the patron saint of England but did you know that he also the patron saint of lots of other countries? This poster outlines the key interesting facts about St George to help children understand things like, 'what is a patron saint?'
2. 'St George and the Dragon Story'. Ideas for sharing the story with the children.
3. 'St George and the Dragon Story Props.' Follow the example of the children in the story and use your creative skills to make a crown and a special sword to help you retell the story in your own way! With printable templates.
4. 'St George and the Dragon Story Masks.' Practise fine motor and creative skills while making helmet and dragon masks to help you retell the story. With printable templates.
5. 'St George and the Dragon Puppets.' Puppets are a wonderful way for small children to explore stories. Make this special set of puppets for the children to use. With printable resources.
6. 'St George Shield Snack.' Help encourage children to try new healthy food tastes and textures by joining in with making this healthy snack that looks the St George's cross - St George's special shield!
7. Make a Castle for St George. No self respecting knight would be without a castle. Children can practise using their fine motor and creative skills while making this toy which they can play with.

All activities come with full instructions, including 'What I Want Children to Learn,' and 'I Can' statements' to help you plan and assess children's learning.

Pack Length: 53 pages

Save money: Join the Childminding Best Practice Club and get a toolkit like this every month PLUS a generous 25% membership discount off other Welly Wren resources. Annual membership costs the equivalent of less than £2.95 a pack meaning you will save lots of money!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ

N.B This pack is supplied as a downloadable PDF document. If you cannot find your download links please check your junk box first in case it has gone there. If you have any problems contact me at jennifer@wellywren.co.uk and I will help. 

Products ARE NOT sent out by post.

Copyright/Fair Usage Statement

Please support my small business by using this pack in a fair way.

By purchasing this pack, you agree that it is for use only in your individual use. You may make as many copies as you need for the children and families in your setting BUT MUST NOT share, copy or distribute any of the materials in any way, to anyone else. If you are part of a larger group, for example, a childminding group, or a chain of settings, please purchase one pack per setting. 

The contents of this pack remain the copyright of Welly Wren Ltd.