Val Smith's Reviews
Childminder
5 out of 5
Parent reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Val Smith. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
Val together with her daughter Laurene were taking care of my son for almost 9 months. Unfortunately, we had to leave. They were doing a brilliant job and my son liked them so much that he didn't want to come back home last days. I don't think we will be able to find a better childminder.
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Saeed
on 05/09/2022
Response by
Val Smith
on 05/09/2022:
Thankyou so much for your review Saaed we loved looking after Sahand very much we were so sad to see him leave xx
Val looked after my 3 year old son at the last minute, when I needed childcare for my father's funeral. My son was happy to go to Val's to play with no time for a prior meeting and when I collected him, he asked when he could go back! He had a lovely time.
He is a sensitive chap and this reassured me that Val is a gentle, kind childminder which is the vibe I got from chatting with her. I'm very grateful for her help and would absolutely use her childminding services in the future. She is a genuine, kind person who both my son and myself warmed to straight away. As well as this her communication was very good, and I have only positive things to say! Thanks Val.
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Sarah
on 01/12/2021
Response by
Val Smith
on 01/12/2021:
Hello Sarah thankyou so much for your lovely review which was a pleasant surprise.
I'm so happy you are coming back to use my services in a couple of weeks looking forward to seeing you both again. Val xx
Absolutely fantastic chidlminder both Val and Lauren are lovely, kind, caring people.
They have made going back to work after maternity really easy, and our daughter has blossomed there without a doubt, she adores being there in the week and I would highly recommend them both for anyone who is looking for someone kind, caring and reliable.
Our daughter is now going to preschool but we would not hesitate to use Val and Lauren again if we have more children…
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Daisy
on 11/09/2021
Response by
Val Smith
on 11/09/2021:
Thankyou Daisy for your lovely review x
Val has been a better childminder then we could have ever imagined! Since going back to work after maternity leave, she helped make the transition back to work so easy knowing that our daughter was in safe and very capable hands. She has an organised and clean home, the children are entertained with a broad range of activities inside and outside in her fantastic garden. She always keeps us up to date with photos and lots of communication so we know how our daughter is during the day. Val is incredibly kind and thoughtful and I would be happy to recommend her to anyone.
More than happy to provide a reference or answer any questions if you have them.
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Sophie R
on 18/01/2021
I have no hesitation in recommending Val as a childminder and her wonderful daughter Lauren.
Val has been looking after my son since he was 1 years and I have seen such progress with him socially now he is nearly 2. Knowing that I could go to work and he would be in a safe and happy home made me feel at ease and able to do my job well.
He is always happy when he gets to Val’s and I know he has such a good time with them.
I get lots of correspondence and know exactly what they have been doing throughout the day, how much he has eaten etc.
Val and Lauren go above and beyond to make my son feel at ease and happy, and seeing him grow up in this environment is wonderful.
I have another baby on the way and she will also join Val for childminding.
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JoCooper
on 08/01/2020
I was panicking when it was time to go back to work almost 2 years ago now and I can honestly say Val came to our rescue.
My son (who was 11 months at the time) took to her straight away and Val was so reassuring and attentive to my own needs as well as his that it really made the transition so much easier than I expected.
Now Namory is almost 3 and he loves Val like she is family. Every night when he goes to bed he asks me if he is going to see her the next day. They do so many varied activities together and she (and her wonderful daughter Lauren) have really helped him to learn and grow. I honestly couldn't imagine our lives without Val now and I even send my 6 year old to her in the school holidays because she wants to spend time there too. She is so patient and consistent, which is so lovely and part of what makes her setting so brilliant.
If you have any doubt it your mind about whether Val would be right for your child, I can honestly say that she is absolutely perfect for us.
Thank you for everything you do Val!
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Laurie K
on 31/12/2019
Response by
Val Smith
on 31/12/2019:
Thankyou Laurie for such lovely comments Namory is very special to me and Lauren, it has been so rewarding seeing him growing up we love him dearly.
Val
It’s very hard to find the words to describe Val as a childminder. This is probably due to the fact that we have become more like family over the last two years.
The care and compassion that Val has shown my three children has been similar to that of an additional grandparent. They love going to Val’s so much so, I get told off if I collect them early.
I knew that Val was the right person for us, as all my children were at ease as soon as they visited, which is unusual as they are normally very shy.
As any parent its hard to leave your child with someone else whilst you work, then feel guilty about missing those important years. Val has been amazing at helping me feel like I’m not missing out, we regularly go through Amelias learning journey, and Val has given me an amazing photo album of her time with each other. It’s lovely to have that personal touch.
My youngest is such a confident, independent little lady and I feel Val had a huge impact on this. Her attention to each child as in individual and allowing them the space to blossom is amazing.
Amelia’s social life is better than my own, Val takes them out everyday and gives them the opportunity to experience new settings, and meet new friends.
Unfortunately, we are moving and will no longer be able to continue with Val. I know this will be hard on all of us as we have built such an amazing bond. But particularly Amelia as she has been going since she was 11 months. Val is a big part of her life and I hope we continue to see each other in the future.
I can not recommend Val enough, her care for the children is second to none, her home feels like a second home to my children, so welcoming and a safe place for them. If you are looking for someone to become part of your family rather than just any childminder, then she is the one.
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Donna88m
on 14/05/2019
Response by
Val Smith
on 14/05/2019:
Thank you Donna for such a lovely review. It has been wonderful building up such a special relationship with you all over the last 2 years especially Amelia who I have such a lovely bond with. I will miss you all very much when you move away but will keep in touch and hopefully see you on your visits to Woking. Xx
I simply cannot recommend Val highly enough. Over the last 3 years she has become a fantastic friend to our family, and my two daughters couldn’t have been happier during the time she has looked after them.
Val initially looked after Willow my oldest daughter from the age of 2, and then Penelope from 7 months, with me back at work almost full time. In writing this I have been trying to think what makes them quite so happy with her - it’s a very long list! I have just asked Willow that very question to which she said ‘she’s kind’ which I agree with entirely - Val puts the children first every minute of the day. She has a lovely bond with all the children and would do anything for them, constantly praising and supporting them in their development.
The fact they are growing up to be such well-rounded and confident little people I feel I owe in part to Val, who has given them the most wonderful few years. They have such fun going out to toddler group, the park, soft play, the farm – albeit I think their favourite way to spend the day is playing at Val’s house with the endless supply of toys and crafts, or outside in the garden. There is usually a small group of children who spend their time together and my two have made some fantastic friendships as a result. It’s testament to how happy they were that even when not feeling quite 100%, they still wanted to go to Val’s – knowing they would get a cuddle and tucked up on the sofa and made to feel better. I always felt guilty (as most mum’s do) going back to work but now wonder whether they would have had as happy a few years had I not have done. Val’s house is now home from home – and despite the fact we now live 170 miles away, we still go back to visit regularly.
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whelen
on 10/04/2017
Response by
Val Smith
on 10/04/2017:
Thank you Helen for a wonderful review I have such a special bond with the girls and really look forward to seeing you and the girls whenever you can visit xx
Val has looked after my son Jacob since he was 10 months old he is now 4 and she is absolutely wonderful and couldn't ask for a better person to look after my son.
I chose the childminder route as I wanted a more home from home upbringing for Jacob. I'd known Val for a couple of years before I had Jacob and knew from the moment I decided on what childcare route to go that Val was the person I wanted to look after him and luckily she had a space.
She is an amazing woman who will do anything for your child. Her house is very clean and welcoming and has loads of indoor and outdoor toys for them to learn and have fun with. Jacob loves going to her and never wants to leave when I pick him up!! He comes home quite regularly with pictures and things he has made especially for special occasions.
Val always updates me on how Jacob is doing and concerns she may have. She is very flexible and has helped me out last minute when needed.
I couldn't ask for a better lady to look after my child. She is lovely, kind, caring, thoughtful and very understanding. Jacob has been so happy there and I will be very sad when he has to start school. Val has been part of our lives for nearly 4 years and is not just a childminder but a lovely friend too. She is amazing! ? xx
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by
Parent
on 30/03/2017
Response by
Val Smith
on 31/03/2017:
Thank you so much Michelle that is so lovely needless to say it made me cry. Jacob is such a wonderful boy it's been a pleasure to look after him and going to school is just another journey in his life. Xx
Val was recommended to us by a friend and we are over the moon we contacted her. She is the most wonderful, friendly and loving person we could wish to meet. From the moment we met Val, we instantly felt that this was the perfect family environment our little boy Kian required. He was very young (5months) when she started looking after him but we felt completely at ease that he was in safe hands. Kian settled in very quickly and although so young, we could tell he took an instant shine to her.
Val is so enthusiastic with the children and she always has games & activities, as well as days out planned in advance. There are plenty of toys to choose from as well as learning activities and books to read! She is excellent at keeping us informed about what Kian would do in a typical day and his development which was fantastic.
We are so grateful to Val for helping raise Kian into the delightful young boy he is today, she remains a very good friend and we would absolutely recommend her to anybody looking for a caring, loving childminder. She has built a fantastic relationship with Kian and he absolutely adores her, as do we, she is just brilliant.
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Parent
on 15/03/2017
Response by
Val Smith
on 16/03/2017:
Thank you Nicola that is lovely i am so grateful to still have you in my life xxx
Like most Mummies I was dreading having to leave my precious baby with anyone when I returned to work after maternity leave. I sought the one on one care that a childminder could offer. My little boy was just seven months old and my husband and I believed that a childminder would offer us the right balance of care and love that we believe is essential to our son's development.
And in Val we have found the most wonderful, loving, friendly, caring and nurturing childminder. From day one Val has given our little boy the love and care she gave her own daughter and I have not had a moment's worry about him, his well being or his happiness. He took very little time to settle and in the two years he has been with Val he has grown into the delightful toddler he is today.
Every day Val has something planned for the children she looks after and she takes our son out to different places and groups where he gets to take part in all sorts of games, play, singing, crafts and educational activities, mix with other children and socialise with other adults.
Val's home is so warm and welcoming and a place we regard as a second home for our son (and us). He bounces in and plays as if it were indeed his own home. He has access to a playroom full of toys and books that stimulate him and help him to learn through play and having fun. He also enjoys normal family life in Val's home and loves playing with the animals and pottering in the garden. I would say he has the perect balance of activity and downtime. He often tells me that he will miss Val at the end of his day with her and always gives her a hug and kiss when he leaves. And that close trusting relationship is so reassuring for parents. All we want is for our children to be happy and secure and with Val our son is all that and more.
In addition I feel I can ask Val if I ever need a few additional hours here and there, which we all need from time to time. We do of course ensure that these situations are rare but there is never a problem.
Val invests so much energy and enthusiasm into her vocation and that really shows in the bright, happy and confident children that she takes care of.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Val to anyone looking for a wonderful, kind, thoughtful and conscientious childminder. I trust her implicitly and am very thankful for the love she shows our little boy. He is flourishing in her care and we consider her an important part of our family.
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on 09/10/2012
