In a devastating tragedy, the parents of nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan, who died from asphyxiation after being trapped in a beanbag at a nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, have delivered a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for immediate action to prevent such incidents from ever happening again.
John Meehan and his wife Katie, who launched the Campaign for Gigi, have described the nearly 20,000 reports of serious childcare incidents in England’s nurseries between 2019 and 2024 as “horrifying.” They are urging the government to implement a series of safety reforms, including mandatory CCTV in nursery settings, unannounced Ofsted inspections, clear statutory guidance on safe sleep practices, and mandatory training for all nursery staff and Ofsted inspectors.
“This is an absolute urgent priority,” said Gigi’s father, John Meehan. “The goals really need to be implemented now. We’ve had commitments from the government previously, but what we now need is the will to really make these changes happen.”
The couple’s plea for action comes after the nursery’s deputy manager, Kate Roughley, was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 14 years in May 2024 for Genevieve’s tragic death.
Olivia Bailey MP, the Minister for Early Education, acknowledged Gigi’s death as a “devastating tragedy” and stated that the government is working to strengthen safeguarding requirements across the early years sector, including new guidance on CCTV and digital devices, as well as collaborating with The Lullaby Trust to make safer sleep requirements clearer.
“The safety of our children comes first, which is why we are strengthening safeguarding across early years, including more frequent and higher-quality Ofsted inspections,” said Bailey.
However, Gigi’s parents believe more urgent action is needed to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. They are determined to ensure that no other family has to endure the pain and suffering they have experienced.
