Overview

• Andrea Ward, a 62-year-old Ofsted-registered childminder, left three infants, including a five-month-old, unattended on multiple occasions between 2022 and 2024.
• Ward falsely claimed her daughter was caring for one baby and later admitted to leaving the infant strapped to a car seat at her home for 25 minutes.
• A police investigation revealed Ward had destroyed and falsified childminding records, further hindering efforts to uncover the extent of her neglect.
• Families described Ward's actions as a profound betrayal, with some children experiencing lasting emotional trauma, including fears of abandonment.
• Ward was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 24 months, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and permanently ceased childminding.