Mum celebrates outstanding Ofsted report
A North Waltham mum is celebrating after being given an outstanding rating from education watchdog Ofsted.
Sarah Edwards runs a day care centre for youngsters from her home in Cuckoo Close.
The 34-year-old has six children on her register for full time care, looking after three at any one point.
Across all 17 areas looked at by Ofsted investigator Penny Wood on March 8, Mrs Edwards was rated outstanding.
The report is cause for celebration for the mum-of-two, as only nine per cent of child care centres across the country are rated as outstanding.
Mrs Edwards said: “Personally for me, to get the mark was fantastic, I work hard and I wanted to get the recognition.
“It’s nice if you put in the work and it gets recognised – if you strive to be the best then it is always going to be a lot of work.”
The former nursery nurse started her business in 2006 from home to let her spend time andwork with her two children.
She has registered on the Early Years registers and all parts of the Childcare Register.
In the Ofsted report, the watchdog praised the way children are able to develop and learn under Sarah’s care.
Ms Wood said: “Children flourish in her care, the childminder is dedicated, highly effective in her role and promotes high quality provision.
“It is clearly evident how much she enjoys her work. As a result, children are making rapid progress.”
And in between making “moon-dough” animals for three-year-old Ella Tilling, Mrs Edwards said her work means everything to her.
She said: “I love working with children, they are fascinating, they are playing constantly. It is work that I just love doing.
“It is a privileged job, children are our way forward and future and this early care is a massive part of their life.”
And for Mrs Edwards, who was also rated outstanding in 2007, the future looks bright as her services are fully booked until 2013.
Ofsted inspectors have categories, such as the “extent to which children develop skills for the future”, which are graded between one and four, or outstanding to inadequate.
Ofsted inspect schools, childminders, and care homes every five years.
