Mini Learners nursery in Radlett, Hertfordshire, is facing health and safety charges following the death of two-year-old Sadie Salt. The incident occurred on November 12, 2020, when Sadie choked on a sausage while eating lunch with 25 other children.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance and paramedics, were dispatched to the scene. Sadie was transported to St Mary's Hospital, where she died two days later in intensive care. The Hertsmere Borough Council announced on Tuesday that it has authorized formal health and safety charges against the nursery after a lengthy investigation.
"The Council's thoughts remain with Sadie's family, who have been notified of the decision," the council said in a statement. Sadie's parents, Zoe and Adam Salt, expressed hope for answers regarding their daughter's death, stating they have endured "grief and heartbreak every day for almost six years."
"Nothing can make up for the devastating loss of our daughter, and the impact of her death remains with us in every aspect of our lives," the parents said. "We are grateful to Hertsmere Borough Council for its thorough investigation of Sadie's case and to everyone who has worked to help bring matters to this point."
Jill Paterson, a partner at the law firm Leigh Day representing the family, called the announcement an "important milestone" and stated, "We will continue to support them as they seek and await answers about what happened to their daughter."
An inquest into Sadie's death, opened and adjourned in January 2022, has been postponed until the criminal proceedings are resolved. During a pre-inquest review in 2022, the Salt family raised concerns about the nursery's supervision levels, the timing of the emergency call, and the staff's response. They also requested to review First Aid certificates and evidence of staff qualifications.
A spokesperson for Mini Learners nursery stated at the time of Sadie's death, "We are absolutely devastated by this news and our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to the family."
The Salt family has raised over £75,000 for COSMIC, a charity supporting the Children's Intensive Care Unit at St Mary's Hospital. They also initiated a petition to ban nurseries from serving sausages and grapes to children under five, which garnered 12,000 signatures.