A WHITCHURCH childminder has been rated as ‘outstanding’ in all areas following a recent Ofsted inspection.

Alison Dennis, 35, who runs Titches Child Minding from her home in Knowle View, received the glowing report earlier this month after Ofsted carried out an inspection of her service in May.

Mrs Dennis, who has three children of her own, was praised for creating a “highly stimulating environment”

and received ‘outstanding’ marks in every category including meeting the needs and well-being of the children as well as her leadership skills.

In the report summary, inspector Anneliese Fox-Jones said: “The childminder provides a highly stimulating environment that enables children to explore and investigate freely, and actively engage in their learning.

“The childminder provides a wide range of readily available, innovative and exciting experiences and, as a result, children are curious and very motivated to learn.

“The childminder also has extremely positive relationships with parents.

“They speak highly of her ongoing support and feel very reassured of the high-quality care their children receive.”

The report means Mrs Dennis, who previously worked as a bank manager before setting up the service, retains her outstanding rating from her first inspection in 2010.

Mrs Dennis, who looks after 31 children at Titches, was pleasantly surprised by the report.

She said: “I spoke to Ofsted before they came and they told me not to expect to keep my outstanding because the criteria was a lot more stringent nowadays.

“So when the report came back I was surprised because of what they had told me but obviously really pleased as well.”

Asked why the service had been successful, Mrs Dennis replied: “It’s really just a team effort and I have great assistants in Louise London and Marie Watkins. We work really well together.”