Latest news with #TinyToes
ITV News
31-07-2025
- ITV News
Campaign for Gigi: Parents' campaign for safer nurseries following baby's death one step closer
The parents of a nine-month-old girl, who was killed by her nursery worker, say they "welcome" the government's engagement in their recently launched campaign calling for change in early years settings. The minister for Early Education Stephen Morgan says he is reviewing calls from Genevieve 'Gigi' Meehan's parents for CCTV to be made mandatory in early years settings. He is also considering if changes need to be made to safe sleep requirements. Genevieve died after she was tightly swaddled and strapped face down on a beanbag for more than an hour and a half at the now closed Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, in May 2022. Kate Roughley, who was the nursery's deputy manager at the time of baby Genevieve's death, was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 14 years in May 2024. Gigi's parents, Katie and John, launched a campaign in June calling for major changes, including compulsory CCTV in nurseries, mandatory safe sleep training for staff and unannounced inspections by Ofsted to be routine. In a letter, and following their meeting in London with Early Years minister Stephen Morgan, he said "ensuring the safety of children is of utmost importance to both the department and me." He announced that the government "will continue to consider" their suggestions to make early years settings safer, including working with Ofsted to "look at the use of CCTV" in nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups. He added that government officials will be meeting with Jenny Ward, CEO of the Lullaby Trust, and NHS colleagues to discuss if changes need to be made around safer sleep requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. Mr Morgan also said, as of next April, Ofsted will inspect all new providers on the early years register "within 18 months of opening" and move towards inspections every four years, instead of every six. What are the three main points of the campaign? Use of CCTV Compulsory CCTV in nursery settings Review of CCTV footage during Ofsted inspections Ofsted inspection process Unannounced inspections by Ofsted to be routine in early years settings Safe sleep 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 In response to the latest update, Genevieve's parents, Katie Wheeler and John Meehan said: "We welcome the government's engagement with us and the campaign. "Whilst progress has been made, there is significant work to be done and we look forward to working with the government to achieve the campaign's objectives." Katie and John calling for people to write to their local MP to support their campaign.
ITV News
30-06-2025
- ITV News
'Campaign for Gigi' receives backing from Supernanny TV star as parents head to Parliament
The parents of a nine-month-old baby girl, who was killed by her nursery worker, are due to meet with the Minister for Early Education later, as their calls for a change in the law receives the backing of Supernanny star, Jo Frost. CCTV captured Genevieve 'Gigi' Meehan struggling to breathe after being tightly swaddled and strapped face down on a beanbag for more than an hour and a half at the now closed Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, in May 2022. Kate Roughley, who was the nursery's deputy manager at the time of baby Genevieve's death, was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 14 years in May 2024. Genevieve's parents - who recently launched a campaign to improve safety standards in early years settings - will travel to London on Monday, 30 June, to outline their calls for change in a meeting with Stephen Morgan MP. Campaign for Gigi - what is it and how could it make early years setting safer? Genevieve's family believe the "system failed her and urgent reforms are needed", which is why they have launched a campaign to change the law and make early years settings, like nurseries and pre-schools, safer. In an open letter published ahead of today's meeting with Stephen Morgan MP, Genevieve's parents, Katie Wheeler and John Meehan, said: "At the heart of our campaign is the safety of children. Children are amongst the most vulnerable members of society, and we know the terrible consequences that can occur when children are failed. "Our Campaign concerns three main points; the use of CCTV within nursery settings, improved practises around safe sleep and changes to the Ofsted inspection process." What are the three main points of the campaign? Use of CCTV Compulsory CCTV in nursery settings Review of CCTV footage during Ofsted inspections Ofsted inspection process Unannounced inspections by Ofsted to be routine in early years settings Safe sleep Speaking to Granada Reports in June 2025, John, Gigi's dad, said the most "crucial" goal of the campaign is to introduce compulsory cameras into nurseries because, without it, "we simply would have no answers as to what happened". He added: "We'd be left in a situation where Genevieve died and we wouldn't know the reason." The couple are also campaigning for safe sleep guidance and mandatory safe sleep training, as well as routine unannounced inspections by Ofsted, which would require inspectors to review CCTV footage as part of their inspection. John said: "I believe many parents will be quite concerned to realise that for these settings, they're only inspected, roughly once every six years. "You could have a child that attended a nursery from a young age and, throughout the entire period that they're at that nursery until school age, it's never inspected. That can't be right. "We wouldn't accept that in any other area. We shouldn't accept that for early years at settings." Genevieve's parents - who are asking people to contact their MPs - said: "The changes we are seeking are simple and straightforward. "Currently the Government is taking steps to increase the number of places available in nurseries. "Whilst this is admirable, it is likely to increase pressure on nurseries. "If we do not do everything we can to ensure children are safe, we fear that it will be children that arethe victims of that pressure." Katie and John have already received the backing of the Lullaby Trust and their local MP, Tom Morrison, who recently put forward an Early Day Motion (EDM) on "safe sleeping standards in early years settings" in Parliament in support of the bereaved parents' campaign. University lecturer in early childhood and education, Adele Harwood, is also supportive and believes the campaign will result in stronger safeguarding measures in the early years sector. Ms Harwood said: "As a university lecturer, I believe it is crucial to ensure that all children are protected and supported, and Gigi's campaign and the proposed goals will help bring much needed attention to this vital issue." Today, Supernanny star Jo Frost - who is a world-renowned parenting expert and child advocate - announced her support for the campaign, as she called for "urgent" changes. 'Gigi's life mattered. Her death must not be in vain,' said Frost. 'We must move from grief to governance—from tragedy to tangible reform.' She added: 'Too many families place trust in nursery settings assuming their children are safe". 'One failure in safeguarding is all it takes to end a life—and that failure is on the system, not just the individual.' As well as backing Genevieve's campaign, Jo has also outlined four further changes that she would like to see. Genevieve's parents spoke to Emma Sweeney about the campaign A Department for Education spokesperson said the government was "committed to doing everything possible to keep children safe". 'Genevieve's death was a tragedy and should never have happened," it said. "This government is committed to doing everything possible keep children safe, as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. 'We are introducing a wide range of strengthened safeguarding measures from September 2025, including enhanced recruitment practices to further prevent unsuitable individuals from working with children and new whistleblowing requirements to help ensure that all early years educators understand how to escalate any safeguarding concerns. 'We will continue to closely monitor whether any further changes are needed to keep children as safe as possible.'
