AN independent childminder is celebrating after receiving an outstanding rating from Ofsted.

Sarah Butler transformed her Richmond home into a nursery, dedicating several rooms, and her garden, to Midget Gems, the name of her private company.

Mrs Butler looks after six children everyday, as well as six others on a part time basis, and her four-year-old son, Louis, who has just started school.

A former travel agent, Mrs Butler decided to change her career path following the birth of her son.

The Ofsted inspector rated Mrs Butler as outstanding in every area and praised her work in interacting with the children, making them confident and well-behaved.

Her efforts to take the children out in the local area and making educational tasks fun and rewarding was also commended.

Mrs Butler said: "I’m delighted that childminding has been put on a more professional level and being recognised by adults, such as the Ofsted inspector and also parents, is very rewarding.

"I’m very happy with the report and it means that I am heading in the right direction and always improving the work that I do as a childminder."