Babies Left Alone as Childminder Did School Run

A childminder left a five-month-old baby boy home alone while she took other children on the school run, a court has heard.

Andrea Ward, 62, was found to have left three young boys—aged five, eight, and 16 months—unattended at her home on multiple occasions. Her actions were described in court as "every parent's nightmare," and she was accused of a "betrayal of trust" by putting financial gain above the safety of the children in her care.

Despite the serious nature of the offences, Ward was spared a prison sentence.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court was told that on one occasion, Ward left the youngest baby strapped in a car seat in her living room while she transported a group of other children to school. The incident came to light when the baby's mother saw Ward without her child some 40 minutes later.

When confronted, Ward initially lied, claiming the baby was at home with her daughter. Prosecutor Lisa Boocock told the court that the concerned mother insisted on returning to Ward's home with her. On arrival, Ward said her daughter was in the shower, before finally admitting that the baby had been left alone.

The mother was left "extremely upset," Ms Boocock said. Police were called, and Ward was arrested shortly afterward.

Ward, of Tottington, Greater Manchester, who had nearly 30 years of experience and was registered with Ofsted, pleaded guilty to three counts of child neglect.

Judge Jason Macadam acknowledged the repeated nature of the offences and sentenced Ward to 12 months in prison, suspended for 24 months. She was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 in costs.

E&K Solicitors