In a heartbreaking incident, nine-month-old Oliver Steeper died after choking on food at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Ashford, Kent. An inquest revealed that his carer, Nazia Begum, held an expired first aid certificate at the time of the tragedy.
Oliver passed away in the hospital in September 2021, six days after the choking incident. At the inquest, Begum, the “room leader” for Oliver’s area, testified that arranging first aid training was typically a management responsibility. She had been working at the nursery for two years, caring exclusively for children aged three to eighteen months in the “Panda Room.”
Begum had a Level 1 & 2 diploma in childcare and had previously completed paediatric first aid training, but her certification had lapsed. The inquest presented a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid certificate dated May 13, 2017, which was valid for three years. Begum admitted she hadn’t paid attention to its expiration, assuming management would handle the renewal.
On the day of the incident, Begum was responsible for four children, including Oliver, who was fed a mixture of finely chopped mince and pasta. Although Oliver’s food was prepared by his “key person” Loetta Collins, it was Begum who fed him. Begum cut the food into small pieces and fed Oliver two to three portions using a baby spoon.
During the inquest, Begum explained that Oliver’s parents believed his food would be blended. However, there had been no specific concerns raised by them about his meals. The nursery had a whiteboard listing each child’s dietary needs, which Collins was responsible for updating.
As Oliver began to choke, Begum initially gave him a light tap on the back but did not offer him water. Realizing the severity of the situation, she alerted nursery manager Debbie Alcock, who took over emergency efforts, carrying Oliver into the garden and attempting to dislodge the food. Alcock administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiac massage until paramedics arrived.
Alcock testified via video link, noting that only one qualified first-aider was required on the premises. She had prioritized training new staff without any first aid qualifications over those with expired certificates. She also mentioned that lightly textured food was expected, not pureed.
The inquest continues, shedding light on the protocols and responsibilities at Jelly Beans Day Nursery and highlighting the crucial need for up-to-date first aid training among childcare providers.
