Mum of baby girl who died after choking at nursery slams government childcare cuts plans
27.04.2022 - 14:13
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The mum of a baby girl who died after choking at nursery has hit out at plans to reduce staff ratios in childcare.
According to reports, the Prime Minister is considering relaxing childcare ratios in a bid to cut costs for parents. The relaxing of health and safety rules would allow nurseries in England to take in more toddlers without employing extra staff.
Current legal requirements say there must be at least one member of staff for every three children aged two and under. For two-year-olds and over, there must be one member of staff for every four children.
READ MORE: Manchester woman, 39, dies at Peak District cold water therapy camp used by celebrities
But the proposal - which the government insists is 'not about cutting corners' - has been met with anger by parents and childcare leaders who say the safety of children is paramount. Joanne and Dan Thompson, from Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, know only too well the importance of health and safety in childcare settings.
Their baby daughter Millie was just nine months old when she died after choking on food at nursery in 2012. It left the pair facing every 'parent's worst nightmare'.
Following the tragedy, the couple set up the Millie's Trust charity to help fund first aid courses for parents and carers who might not be able to afford it, and launched the Millie's Mark for nurseries to show they offer the best standard in first aid for children.
Joanne told the Manchester Evening News she is 'fuming' with the plans to cut back on staff and is now using the Trust to campaign against any such move.
In a Facebook post, which has been shared more than 2,000 times in less than 24 hours, she says: "Dear Mr Boris Johnson, No, Just no. We are absolutely disgusted in your