Vals Little Angels

We are so sad to be leaving! Can't recommend highl

Val has looked after our little boy since he was 9 months old, when I returned to work in March 2020. Unfortunately due to us relocating to another part of the country, we are now having to part ways, but I would highly recommend Val and her services to any other families looking for a childminder. She has a great approach with the kids - our son is always excited at drop off (no tears, ever!!) and is straight through the door with barely a second glance!! She is super caring but also firm, and has been incredible in managing everything from Covid (which happened 1 week into me returning to work!) to changes in routines, illnesses, etc.

Val uses the BabyDays app to record what happens through the day, so for peace of mind I know if he's eaten, napped, etc. She also regularly sends pictures and updates through the day which I love. Every day is different, and no matter the weather she always gets the kids out for walks and play. She has a great setting, both indoors (big play room, etc.) and outdoors - a big garden with slides, sand pit, water play, a mud garden, etc. As well as this, she has guinea pigs and a gorgeous little puppy that the children are obsessed with (and only introduced to as & when everyone is comfortable).

Val makes a huge effort for events and occasions, such as Christmas, Birthdays, Halloween, Mothers/Fathers Days, etc. and also makes occasional cards and gifts for extended family such as the grandparents, which always puts us in the good books!

She provides fresh, nutritious food every day, and bakes regularly with the kids. They have music and dance sessions which are adorable, as well as messy play, reading, and all the usual activities that you could think of. Through the first lockdown when Val was forced to close in line with Government guidelines, she sent an activity pack for us, including books, flash cards, sensory activities, colouring packs, etc. She has had to adapt massively this year, finding new activities to do due to parks/farms/zoos etc being shut, but she always seems to keep them busy and entertained no matter what!

This was our first occasion of using a childminder, and I was a little worried at first about whether our son would be happy, or clingy (especially after the early Covid shutdown when he was home with just us for a long period of time), but honestly it's been the best decision for him to ease him into a childcare setting gently, and given us the comfort and peace of mind knowing he is settled, happy and safe. Thank you Val, you've been absolutely wonderful and we will all miss you so much!

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by HannahW about Vals Little Angels on 04/02/2021

strongly recommend

Our daughter started with Val at 8 months old and has enjoyed every minute! We wanted a child minder instead of a nursery as we wanted a more homely environment and we were not disappointed!
Val always stimulates the children with excitng trips out or interesting home based activities. The mud kitchen is a particular favourite!
Val has gone above and beyond in terms of providing extra resources for learning. Our daughter is half French and Val has provided lots of multilingual resources for her to learn from.
Val is very flexible and has made every effort to fit around our work schedule. Val has taken brilliant care of our daughter and always lets us know if she is feeling under the weather.
Val provides a delicious home cooked meal for the chidren and approaches behaviour in a firm but fair manner.
We cannot recommend Val highly enough.

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by jess about Vals Little Angels on 30/11/2020

Excellent home from home childcare

Val is an excellent childminder she goes above and beyond for the children she has. My son was 6 months old when he started going to Val and has been looking after my son for 2 years. We have never had any concerns leaving my son with Val she makes it a very easy transition for baby and for parents especially when 1st time mums are returning to work.
We opted for a childminder rather than a nursery. For the home from home experience. For my Son to have more 1 on 1 care. Which he gets well with Val.
They do endless of activites with Val. Cooking/baking, they help with all elements. Painting. Craft. Walking. Play parks. In summer they do a lot of garden play. She has taken my son to birdworld and legoland. Garden centres. She makes crafts for different holidays.
Val updates you through the day with pictures of what your little ones are getting up to. She is a very good photographer :)
She makes the children homely meals, which she makes for them of a lunch time and gives healthy snacks.
Val takes on your opinions on how your routine is at home and keeps well to that.
Val has been very flexible with our ever changing schedule, which has been very helpful and we couldn't be more grateful. If our son is ill she has informed us at the earliest opportunity and has comforted him until we are able to collect him.
Apart from a childminder she has become a very good friend and we will be very sad to have to move on from surrey. We will miss Val very much :)

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by Natalie about Vals Little Angels on 24/11/2020

Very happy little girl.

Val gives a consistently high level of care to the children in her care, and provides a stimulating environment, the benefits of which, we have seen with our daughter.

Whether it be day trips to the seaside or Bird World, walks along the canal to feed the ducks or to the park, or rainy day games either at home or a local soft-play, our daughter has been engaged, stretched most importantly looked after.

With out reservation, we would recommend Val.

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by Gelena about Vals Little Angels on 26/09/2017

Home from home!

My son has been with Val for over a year now and is very happy there. We wanted him to be out and about and he certainly is! No two days are the same and they are always off on a new adventure. Having said that the children's routines are incorporated so they are not overtired or missing naps, something that was always important to us as our son took a while to grasp the concept of sleep! Over the last year my son has also developed food allergies (dairy, egg and strawberry) which took 6 months to diagnose and find the cause, throughout this time the food diaries Val provides were crucial and she ensures he doesn't have anything he is not allowed and find bakes etc that he can do too so he's not excluded. She has been thorough with all his medication and creams and when was experiencing reactions was quick to inform me and provided photos to show the doctors of the progression of his symptoms. Val provides daily photos and videos which is lovely when I'm stuck at work to see what my son is up to and see how much he is enjoying his day. Communication with Val is never a problem and my son is very happy there. She is flexible and we are able to extend our hours even at short notice. Overall we are very happy but most importantly my son is very happy there.

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by Parent about Vals Little Angels on 03/09/2017