Valerie Houghton
Childminder in Cherry Willingham
Usually responds within 4 hours
Female Member since Sep 2009 Last Updated Apr 2025 Last Login 08 May 2025
My Summary
About Me
I am an Ofsted Registered childminder and have been registered since 2002.
I live in a small village just outside Lincoln, and have lived here since 1996.
I am a registered 'Inclusive Childminder' able to care for children with additional needs.
Peer support childminder, providing help and advice to other childminders.
I work with an NVQ level 3 assistant who is registered with Ofsted. And together we care for a range of ages of children. I obtained a 'Good' in my last inspection.
I am able to offer up to 15 & 30 free hours a week via the Governments Early Years Entitlement (EYE) for children from 9 months old up to 4 years.
My Experience
I have three children of my own who have attended both Primary and secondary schools in this area. I was instrumental in forming a childminders group which would meet every week at the local Sure Start Children's Centre where we offered stay and play sessions for childminders, parents and carers with their children. I have ran and supported stay and play sessions for parents and their children within my local community. I have worked in the primary school alongside teachers in the classroom and been on PTA's at both the primary and secondary school in the village fundraising for the schools.
I started working with children many years ago in nurseries and then as a children's nanny, taking up childminding when my own children were young
I follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS )and every child under five will have their own indervidual learning plan.
I have attended many training sessions including full paediatric first aid, Food hygiene, Child protection 1 & 2 to name just a few. I continue to update my knowledge and understanding through attending courses, training sessions and keeping up to date with government changes.
My Qualifications
I have completed my Early Years Foundation Degree with The Open University which comprises of Extending Professional Practice in the Early Years(E210), Equality Participitation and Inclusion (E214) Professional Practice in the Early Years (E105) and Certificate in Early Years Practice (E100).
I have an NVQ level 3 in CCLD
My Availability
I offer funded childcare places for children aged 9 months to 4 years via the governments Early Years Entitlement (EYE) and offer full and part time places to under fives.
I also offer wrap round childcare and Holiday places for 5 to 8's and over 8's.
I offer a breakfast club and after school club, feeding Cherry Willingham primary school.
I run holiday club sessions and cover shift patterns.
I am sometimes able to provide emergency cover at short notice too
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| After School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 05/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.50 per hour
From 8am to 6 pm £5.50 per hour
Before 8am and after 6 pm £11.00
Heated meals from home free
All snacks and drinks are free.
Up to 15 /30 hours funded childcare a week for 9 months to 4 year olds via government Early Years Entitlement. These are free hours.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Cherry Willingham Primary Academy
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 20/04/2020)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Valerie Houghton. 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 and Alice have looked after our son from him being 18 months to going to school. Not only did they look after our son with such care and love but they also treated us as parents with kindness.
Val’s experience meant she saw illnesses before we did and she was able to offer advice, which was always right!
Our son has loved going to see Val and Alice and they have more than prepared him for starting school. We could not have asked for more!!!
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by
heather
on 04/08/2024
A lovely home from home environment with outstanding care!
My son came on leaps and bound whilst in Val's care. He loved going so drop off were tear and hassel free, as soon as we got in the car to go home he'd ask to go back to Vals house.
Val not only helped with the son she cared for she but also went above and beyond to help and find solutions for us as whole family. Something she didn't have to do, but didn't think twice about. This is due her general care for the children she looks after and her lovely nature.
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Abbie Ca
on 26/01/2021
Both of my children have attended Val’s/kidz in toe and have loved it. They leave me with no tears and go in and don’t look back. Which means one less worry for me as I know they are happy.
My children have learnt a lot whilst being in the setting, built relationships with all three who work there which has helped their confidence and done many activities which they wouldn’t have done at home.
I love that I get a daily diary for my 2 year old so I know what he’s been up to and any pictures or things made come home too.
Another thing I love is that it really is a hole from home setting. Taking my child/ren in their pjs eating there breakfast isn’t a problem. Val is very understanding, caring and is great at what she does. I would definitely recommend the setting for anyone looking for childcare for their little ones
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by
verity
on 08/07/2019
Val has been my son's childminder for just over a year and a half, I was so worried about leaving him with anyone, he hadnt been left with even family before! But Val is wonderful, caring, passionate about her setting and loves the children she looks after!
Leaving my son with Val is just how I imagine leaving him with a grandparent (sorry Val) would be. He loves going to her setting, they play outdoors, go for walks, get messy and do everything you would want your child to be doing during the day. My son comes back with all sorts of beautiful paintings and crafts.
This is an honest setting, all 3 ladies are lovely, if you have any worries about your child's development or anything, my little one went through a few night terrors and I had no idea what to do, I spoke with Val and I felt reassured and ready to take them on. The advice is only given when it's asked for, I never feel undermind or judged by Val. Even when I forget my son's lunch once in a while!
Her beautiful home is the perfect setting, it really is a home from home for my little one :)
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by
Parent
on 13/03/2018
Response by
Valerie Houghton
on 20/03/2018:
Thank you for such a lovely review.
It has been a pleasure to have your little boy here and watch him grow and develop over time.
We will miss you all when you leave but wish you well in all that you do. Xx
Val has been looking after my children for the past 7ish years and my children have loved going. Val is an outstanding childminder and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for childcare. Val has a great understanding of Autism and adhd along with other special needs. My children have Autism and Val has been a real support and helped and advised me with strategies. Sadly my children are now at school but are already counting down for the school holidays so they can go back to Vals. Thank you Val for looking after the boys I really appreciate it
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by
Hailsmum
on 08/10/2015
After looking for a childminder for over 6 months I finally found Valerie. It was the best choice for me and my little girl and she has come on so much in the 6 months she has been there. My daughter loves going and as soon as she arrives she leaves me without a second look!!! The environment is so warm and friendly and feels like a home away from home. I would throughly recommend Valerie to anyone as she really does care for each child and is just a very lovely lady!!
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Mumma22
on 09/07/2015
E thoroughly enjoys going to Val's. Although E only attends for 3 hours a week she is very much part of the setting and Val ensures that she still gets to do everything the other children do. The experiences provided are great from watching the filming of a university documentary to some fantastic arts and crafts. E often comes home with new sayings/ways to help her learn to do things herself, all helping her to get ready to start "big" school. Both Val and her assistant Laura are fantastic, the children think the world of them. I would very much recommend this setting for all ages.
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by
Parent
on 11/06/2015
After a bad experience I was so afraid of leaving my baby with anyone,, until I met Val. She is a real treasure and put my mind at ease straight away, spent over an hour getting to know us both and eased me into leaving my baby by texting me up dates!
Val treats children with fairness, consistency, respect, dignity, kindness and love , whilst remaining professional in that she certainly knows her stuff (degree in early years I believe) . My mum sadly passed away and I have no female mothering role models as such, Val has taught me how to manage development stages and helped me over come problems BUT only when I have asked for her advice has she given it. She is not pushy, she does things the way I like them doing (even if its not how she might have personally done things) and she is sooo understanding and supportive. My little boy is now one and since he has started realizing where he is in the drive he starts squealing laughing and clapping when we arrive at Val's house,,,,, if that isn't praise then I don't know what is. Val and laura sing and teach rhymes, keep a diary if what they have done , have outside time every day, do crafts, lots of sensory integration and are so imaginative and creative when it comes to learning! I have sone amazing gifts which they have made with my little boy! They're almost like an extension of our family and I travel an extra 45 mins every day in the opposite direction of home in order to keep my child with Val due to my job. I'd recommend to everyone as Val really is a wonderful wonderful child minder x
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by
Parent
on 10/06/2015
Both my children go to Val and we have been going for 3.5 years now. Val has an excellent setting for the children with two rooms dedicated to the children for learning and playing. Also there is an excellent outside area for the children to play and they always go outside whatever the weather. My children are always happy to attend Val's and through her dedication and hard work they come home singing and speaking about what fun they have had whilst learning. I highly recommend Val she is caring, patient, understanding and passionate.
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by
Parent
on 10/06/2015
I have two children with Val and they've now been with her for nearly two years. She runs an excellent childminding service offering stimulating and wide ranging activities for them in a home environment. The boys thoroughly enjoy their time there and they thrive on the mixture of fun activities and play; educational activities with numeracy and literacy focuses; and singing and storytelling. The number of children she has is a perfect balance between friends for the boys to play with but small enough for creative and learning activities. I also like her strong focus on manners and good behaviour as well as teaching the children to be considerate of others. She has been a real find for us all.
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by
Parent
on 10/06/2015
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