Helen Middleton
Childminder in Altofts
Usually responds within 4 hours
Female Member since Oct 2012 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 20 May 2025
My Summary
Crackerjacks Childcare
About Me
Hi, I am an OFSTED registered childminder and care for children from birth in a fun and friendly home environment.
I am married to Justin and we have three older children in their teenage years
We have 2 small dogs (they don't enter the playroom) and I’m also the proud keeper of an allotment where we have 10 chickens
My Experience
I have gained a lot of experience from raising my own children and have been providing a successful Childcare business since November 2012
I provide a quality, safe and happy home based childcare provision which is educational & fun for your child to grow.
My role is to provide a normal daily routine and environment incorporating all the things a child would ordinarily encounter with their parents such as walks, attendance of toddler groups or school, visits to local parks so they are stimulated and comfortable in their surroundings, I develop them socially, physically, intellectually and emotionally by means of age and stage, with appropriate toys, activities and outings.
I don’t work alone and have two experienced assistants who work alongside me
My Qualifications
I am a member of the Wakefield and District Childminders Association
Early Years Childcare Level 3
DBS checks
Safeguarding lead officer
Food Hygiene Level 2
Paediatric First Aid
Plenty of Twin experience
Inclusion and diversity training
Bronze inclusion kite mark training
Messy play workshop
Multicultural workshop
Two year progress check workshop
Communication, language and speech workshop
Changes to EYFS 2024
NSPCC training
Observation and moderation course
Observation, assessment and planning training
Numbers and patterns (laying foundations)
Allergens training
Phonics and early reading training
Mathematics through stories and rhymes
Prevent duty courses
Characteristics of effective leaders
Promoting positive behaviour
Effective first aid
Child exploitation and online safety
Early years nutrition
ADHD
I attend regular Quality Improvement Network Meetings with the council
Dyslexia Awareness level 2
Concussion Awareness level 2
Understanding Asthma level 2
Understanding Anaphylaxis level 2
Graded Good in my Ofsted Inspection (2022)
Key worker and worked all through COVID-19 for those children / parents that needed me
I also offer the 2,3 & 4 Years funding 15/30hrs available
I do not cover term time only
My Availability
I am currently full until 2026, and limited spaces available for September 2026.
I advise to book early to avoid disappointment.
I am open Monday to Thursday 7:30-5:30
Friday 7:30-5pm
I don’t cover wrap around care for 30hrs when this is done in a school setting.
I offer a local drop off and collection service.
I drop off and pick up from Lee Brig infants school and Nursery (pick up at 11:30 nursery)
I also drop off and pick from Altofts Juniors school.
I also drop off and pick up from Martin Frobisher School.
Please feel free to contact me. we can arrange a visit to suit us both
Settling in sessions are available
Please send me a message with your childcare needs.
My advice for babies is to book in early for when returning to work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Morning | no | no | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | no | no | no | yes | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 20/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.25 per hour
Information about fees will be provided upon application
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Normanton Altofts Junior School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Lee Brigg Infant and Nursery School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Martin Frobisher Infant School
My Ofsted Inspections
The inspection grades below have been obtained from the Ofsted website based upon the registration number the childminder has provided to us. You should verify this information yourself prior to using the childminder.
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 15/04/2020)
- Inspection Report: Ofsted Inspection 2022 (added 13/06/2023)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Helen Middleton. 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.
Posey has attended Crackerjacks weekly since returning full time to work. She loves her time there. Helen is absolutely excellent I have no doubts that whilst Posey is with Helen she is safe and well cared for. Helen provides a number of excellent learning opportunities in the setting and beyond. I am fully informed on how Posey is developing and what she has done each day! A huge thank you to Helen and the team, I would highly recommend Helen as a childminder.
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Danielle
on 30/03/2019
My daughter has been going to Helen since she was five months old and she is now nearly four. Helen has shown such love and care to Chloe and has treated her like family. Helen ensures the children have fun packed diaries and gets such joy from seeing them enjoy themselves. Helen has helped me get through all the different stages, solids, potty training, tantrums and has been such a support and a true friend.
I would recommend Helen to anyone she is a special person and is a big part of our family. She is our Mary Poppins.
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Parent
on 04/03/2019
My daughter could not have been better cared for! My girl settled in nicely since she was 1,5 years old and every time I left her I knew she is in the good, caring hands. I could track my daughter's development progress through the baby days app and Helen always uploaded a lot of photos from their daily activities. Helen is the most nice caring person I have ever met and I had no worries leaving my child with her.
Thank you so much for all the love, kindness and caring you have shown my daughter.
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Tanya
on 28/02/2019
My son has been going to crackerjacks for 8 months now. He has settled in fab & that couldn't of been done without Helen and her family being so welcoming. He goes in & just says bye and waves so I no longer feel guilty leaving him. The diary Helen sends everyday without fail includes what's he's eaten all day, drank all day & what activities they have done which also includes pictures. I could not ask for better for my son. Helen is very friendly and so are her staff. If anyone needs a childminder Helen is the one! Crackerjacks has done and is still doing so much for my little boy.
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by
Parent
on 20/11/2015
Helen and the rest of the team are Amazing, My Daughter Mary has been going for a year now and after a few unsettled months of me leaving her she now loves it. As a parent who will not just leave my Daughter with anyone, I have ALWAYS felt confident leaving Mary with Helen, I know she is cared for, cuddled and comforted when upset, encouraged to play, and interact with the other children. Mary now goes twice per week and seems to love it even more, I no longer feel guilty for leaving her and going to work as I know she has lots of fun. Helen keeps a Diary of what Mary has been doing, which is lovely to look back on to see the progress she has made. Anyone who wants a childminder that is so much more, Helen is for you. I feel like Mary has been welcomed into a family when she goes, she happily walks in and waves me goodbye, what parent wouldn`t be more than happy with that.
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by
Parent
on 27/01/2015
My son will be looked after by Helen at crackerjacks from this week while I go back to work . So far Helen has been fab welcoming us into her home twice so that my son could meet her & myself & my mum could chat about our needs & expectations etc ... Helen is very organised I love the baby days set up which allows us to view my sons progress & development , Helen is professional & flexible & I'm confident that my son will get the best care in a warm & attentive Environment . I look forward to my son enjoying his time with crackerjacks !
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Parent
on 19/01/2015
My little girl has been going for over a year now for 3 days a week, she absolutely loves going. Helen is fantastic and answers all questions asked and puts you totally at ease. Helen provides a fun and safe environment for the children and is constantly doing activities and making them age appropriate. Meals are always homemade and healthy with the occasional treats. Helen is very approachable and helps support you in any way. Absolutely over the moon with the care my daughter is receiving, couldn't ask for anyone better. If your wanting a homely and fun environment for your child helen is definitely the childcare provider for you xx
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Parent
on 17/02/2014
My daughter has been going to Helen for a few months. As soon as I met Helen I new she was the right person so friendly and welcoming. Poppy has so much fun while there doing different activites every week. She has fab resources for the children. It makes going to work so much easier knowing poppy is well cared for in a safe, fun loving environment . Would deffo recommend this childminder x x :)
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Parent
on 29/05/2013
We can not speak highly enough of Helen and the care she provides our 4 year old daughter. Our daughter enjoys going to Helen's house and talks excitedly about all the fun activities they do. It's such a piece of mind knowing our daughter is being so well cared for and is happy whilst we are at work. The home environment is extremely educational whilst still having a warmth homely feel. Helen has always been very accommodating with our daughters special dietary needs and is always easy to approach to discuss these. Very happy with the service and would highly recommend!
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Parent
on 23/05/2013
My son has been at crackerjacks for about 6 months now. Helen is the most patient kind and caring person I know. There are always so many different projects for the children to work on that Helen incorporates education in to and most importantly to myself Is that Oliver is not only in a warm homely environment but that he is taken outdoors on a nice day. Helen provides healthy meals and snacks and my son has eaten things I could never get him to try. Working full time I am sometimes late and Helen is very flexible with extended care for my son at short notice. Myself and my partner are 110% happy with the service that Helen provides and Oliver is more than happy and absolutely loves Crackerjacks. A fantastic childminder :)
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by
Parent
on 22/05/2013
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