'Nursery CCTV got us justice for daughter's death'

The parents of a nine-month-old baby girl killed at a nursery said it was "crucial" to have CCTV in nurseries to help keep children safe and "to help get justice".

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated early years settings could be forced to install security cameras after a string of child abuse cases.

Genevieve Meehan suffocated at the Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport in 2022 after being tightly swaddle, strapped to a beanbag and left alone for 90 minutes.

Her parents John Meehan and Katie Wheeler launched Campaign for Gigi, which called for stronger safeguards in nurseries, including compulsory CCTV.

The government said it was considering making CCTV compulsory in early years settings after paedophile nursery worker, Vincent Chan, abused children in north London.

Chan has been jailed for 18 years at Wood Green Crown Court after admitting 56 charges.

Reacting to the CCTV proposal, Wheeler told BBC North West Tonight: "We know that CCTV can be used as a preventative measure; that's really, really crucial.

"But when these things do happen, as we've seen happen to other families, CCTV can help those families get justice."

She said the footage "helped Genevieve get some form of justice because everything that happened to her was recorded on CCTV".

"We had a horrendous trial to sit through - and allegations were all denied - but the fact was that it was there for everybody to see."

The nursery's deputy manager at the time, Kate Roughley, was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 14 years in May 2024.

Wheeler added: "So without that CCTV we wouldn't have had any idea what happened to Genevieve and we certainly would never have got any form of justice for her."

Wheeler said Genevieve's death "should have been been the last".

"It should never have happened to her but it did and it should have been a catalyst for change," she said.

"It should have been a moment for the government to say, how can a child die in a nursery?

"What can we do to make sure that no other children are harmed?"

"But since then you've had the terrible cases... and I think it's horrifying for any parent who has to go out and work and send their child to a nursery."

Minister for Early Education, MP Olivia Bailey, said the government was "strengthening safeguarding across early years, including more frequent and higher-quality Ofsted inspections".

She added: "We are moving forward with new guidance on CCTV and digital devices through an expert panel, working with The Lullaby Trust to make safer sleep requirements clearer."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.