A case involving a Dunfermline childminder who’s just pleaded guilty to neglect has raised concerns about how childcare providers are monitored and regulated.
Amanda Mathewson, 55, pleaded guilty at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to wilfully neglecting and abandoning children in her care.
She worked as a self-employed childminder for around 30 years before she was arrested in August 2024 following allegations of cruelty.
Mathewson was registered to care for up to eight children at a time, but the court heard 27 were in her home on one occasion.
The case came to light after two parents discovered their children were not with Mathewson during a school run.
They went to her home and found five children alone in the garden. Inside, they discovered another 10, including nine under-fives. Two were strapped into prams.
Police were told the children had been left alone for at least 30 minutes and some parents later reported their children came home thirsty or in dirty nappies, while others got upset about going to the childminders house.
Questions over regulation
Mathewson’s registration clearly stated she could only look after eight children at a time, with no more than six under 13, three below school age and one under 12 months.
However, at the time of her arrest, she had 15 children under 12 in her care, including 10 below primary school age and two babies under one.
What’s more, in 2023 a Care Inspectorate report rated Mathewson’s service as ‘very good’. Inspectors described the home as comfortable and praised the kindness of her care.
The regulator has since described the case as ‘distressing’ and said they’ve made changes after learning what happened.
Since the news broke, people have taken to social media to express their outrage, particularly over claims that Mathewson stopped parents from entering her home at drop-off and played loud music to conceal the number of children she was looking after.
One person posted on Reddit: ‘I don’t understand how any parent would trust a childminder who denied them access to look at where their children would be kept. Blocking parents at the door should have been a massive red flag.’
Another, who said they were a childminder, agreed. They said: ‘I had a child starting and mum was worried about how the child would settle and that the three settling in sessions on offer might not be enough. I let her come and spend one morning a week with us every week for two months, her and her child! She saw everything.’
A spokesperson from Police Scotland said the investigation is ‘complex’ and involved working with a number of partner agencies.
‘We remain wholly committed to supporting victims of crime and protecting children from harm and will use all available resources during our investigation,’ they said.
‘We urge anyone with concerns about a child protection matter to speak to police in the knowledge that you will be fully supported and listened to.’
Mathewson’s sentencing has been deferred until 6 November while background reports are prepared. Her bail has been continued.
Image: Gina Santangelo/UnSplash
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