By John Meehan Katie Wheeler
Genevieve Meehan was killed at a place where she should have been safe. Her parents, Katie Wheeler and John Meehan, have turned their grief into a campaign for change.
Nine-month-old Genevieve, or ‘Gigi’ as her family affectionately called her, was put down to sleep in such a way that it would have been obvious that the risk to her health was high. Tightly swaddled, strapped face down onto a beanbag, she was left for 90 minutes by her nursery worker Kate Roughley at Tiny Toes Children’s Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport.
Investigations into her death revealed multiple examples of harm being done to children.
Writing for the Manchester Evening News, Katie and John say that children are at the heart of their campaign, and are the most vulnerable members of our society. Sadly knowing all too well what terrible consequences can occur, they say that the current system is failing and urgent change is needed.
We launched Gigi鈥檚 Campaign on 9th May 2025. Since then, we have been overwhelmed by the response. Over 20,000 people have visited the campaign website and we have received hundreds of messages of support from parents and others. Many of you have shared personal experiences of inadequate nursery care that has affected your children. Like us, many of you are incredulous that the simple and straightforward changes that we are seeking are not in place already.
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.
We know that the majority of children that attend nursery settings have a positive experience. However, sadly, that is not the experience for all children and shockingly Genevieve is not the only child to lose her life in wholly avoidable circumstances. Far too many children have died or suffered avoidable injury in nurseries in the last few years.
In April 2025, the BBC reported that there had been 20,000 serious incidents reported in nursery settings in the last 5 years. It further reported that legal claims involving injuries to children at nurseries have increased tenfold in the last decade. Between 2021 and 2024, 232 nurseries were suspended following inspection.
Currently, it is simply left to each individual nursery to decide whether CCTV is used. We consider that to be unacceptable and in need of change. It is clear beyond any doubt that CCTV can be used effectively in a nursery setting. Many such settings are currently using CCTV.
Sadly, recent news has included a number of stories concerning the death or injury of children which resulted in the conviction of nursery workers. In each case, the availability of CCTV footage was crucial to ensuring accountability and obtaining justice for the children and their families. We have no doubt that without CCTV, there would have been no explanation as to why Genevieve died and there would have been no accountability or justice for her death.
As to safe sleep, it is difficult to imagine a more important issue of safety in a nursery than safe sleep. It really is a case of life and death. Despite this, the current framework that regulates nursery settings fails to include even the basic requirements for safe sleep and no guidance currently exists as to how safe sleep should be facilitated in a nursery environment.
Gigi鈥檚 Campaign is supported by The Lullaby Trust, the leading charity in the areas of safe sleep and the prevention of unexpected deaths of children. The Lullaby Trust is clear, as are we, that the current situation is unacceptable and it needs to change.
The choice of a nursery is an anxious moment for any parent. Parents routinely place their trust in the results of Ofsted inspections. Many nurseries use the results of the inspection process to promote their services. However, many parents have been shocked to discover that nurseries only require inspection once every six years.
Given the infrequency of these inspections, which we consider must change, it is important that the inspection process is as robust as possible. Yet, did you know that not only are nurseries routinely given advance notice of the inspection but even if CCTV is available, Ofsted do not review this as part of their inspection process. The current system of inspection is failing children.
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 are the victims of that pressure.
Please do visit our campaign page to read about how you can get involved in the campaign. We very much appreciate your support. This campaign won鈥檛 bring Genevieve back but it could save your child.
The Manchester Evening News is supporting the Campaign for Gigi, which is seeking improved safety measures in nursery settings including compulsory CCTV, unannounced Ofsted inspections as routine and mandatory safe sleep training.
To get involved in the campaign: Click the link here or below to search for your local MP; find their contact details; share Gigi鈥檚 Campaign with your local MP and ask them to support it.
More information about the campaign can be found here.