The parents of a nine-month-old baby killed at her nursery have launched a campaign calling for mandatory safe sleep training and compulsory CCTV in all nurseries. Katie Wheeler and John Meehan say “urgent reforms are needed” as they start the campaign a year after nursery worker Kate Roughley was jailed for 14 years after being found guilty of the manslaughter of their daughter Genevieve Meehan.

The 37-year-old swaddled Genevieve, strapped her face down on a bean bag and left her for an hour-and-a-half. Roughley was caring for Genevieve in her role as deputy manager and 'baby room leader' at Tiny Toes Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, in May 2022, the Manchester Evening News reports. Manchester Crown Court heard that she had shown 'hostility' towards the infant in the days before her death.

Ms Wheeler and Mr Meehan have now launched a campaign to improve safety standards in early years settings. 

As part of the campaign, they are calling for compulsory CCTV in nursery settings; unannounced Ofsted inspections to be routine in early years settings; review of CCTV footage in Ofsted inspections; clear, statutory safe sleep guidance for early years settings; mandatory safe sleep training for all nursery staff and Ofsted inspectors; and clear statutory guidance as to the use of sleep products in early years settings.

Ms Wheeler said their daughter — who they call Gigi — “brought love, joy and laughter into our lives and we loved her instantly”.

Writing on behalf of the family, she said: “Like many other working parents, we enrolled Gigi at a nursery. We trusted that she would be kept safe.

“In choosing a nursery, we relied on the information available to us via the Ofsted inspection reports and reviews from other parents. We never imagined that she would come to harm whilst in the care of trained professionals.

“The way in which Gigi was put down to sleep carried a high and obvious risk of death. Her death was entirely preventable.

“When Greater Manchester Police commenced an investigation into the circumstance of Gigi’s death they reviewed CCTV footage. In doing so, they discovered multiple examples of harm being caused to children over a short period of time.

“Gigi is not the only child to die in a nursery in the last 5 years. It is incomprehensible that other families are suffering the same heartache that we are and we want to ensure that no child dies or comes to harm in a place where they are meant to be safe.

“Gigi deserved to live a long and fulfilling life but instead she has suffered and died in a way that no child or person ever should. The system failed Gigi and urgent reforms are needed.”

The campaign is encouraging people to contact their local MP to ask them for support.