The tragic death of nine-month-old Oliver Steeper, who choked on food at his nursery, has prompted numerous questions regarding how such an incident could occur and what measures could have been taken to prevent it. Once again, early years statutory requirements for paediatric first-aid training, the numbers of staff qualified in order to demonstrate compliance, and the frequency of training, were brought into question.
Those who work in the sector will remember other such tragedies that quite rightly led to challenges that the Early Years Foundation Stage did not go far enough to raise standards and incentivise a full and compulsory paediatric first-aid-trained workforce in every setting. Oliver's death and subsequent campaign led by his parents Zoe and Lewis Steeper questioned weaknesses both in first aid and a lack of education and awareness for staff on weaning stages for children. The coroner who presided over Oliver's inquest on its conclusion issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to the Department for Education. The report instructed an improved statutory framework for first-aid training and that diploma training should include training on weaning.
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