A nursery worker has pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the tragic death of a 14-month-old boy at a children’s day nursery in Dudley, West Midlands. The case, which has prompted serious questions about safety standards in childcare, unfolded at Wolverhampton Crown Court this week, marking a sombre moment for the community and highlighting the responsibilities borne by those entrusted with young lives.
On Tuesday, 22-year-old Kimberley Cookson admitted to a charge of gross negligence manslaughter over the death of Noah Sibanda, who died on 9 December 2022 at Fairytales Day Nursery. The hearing was attended by a crowded courtroom, including Noah’s family members and supporters of both the defendant and the nursery’s owner. The incident at the now-shuttered nursery, on Bourne Street, has been under significant scrutiny since the child’s death.
Standing alongside Cookson was Deborah Latewood, aged 54, identified as the business owner of the nursery. She pleaded not guilty to allegations of failing to uphold health and safety duties — specifically, of not taking reasonable steps to prevent Noah and others at the nursery from facing risks in the weeks leading up to his death. The court also heard that Fairytales Day Nursery Ltd, the company responsible for the venue, had entered not guilty pleas to charges of corporate manslaughter and health and safety breaches.
The corporate manslaughter charges centre on allegations that the nursery failed to ensure safe sleeping protocols for children in its care, as well as alleged shortcomings in staff training and supervision. Prosecutors claim the organisation not only neglected its duty to maintain adequate safety measures but also failed to guarantee that employees were properly equipped and managed while carrying out critical childcare duties.
As the proceedings continued, emotional tension filled the courtroom, with both defendants present solely to confirm their dates of birth and register their respective pleas. Cookson, dressed in a green shirt, maintained a subdued presence while Latewood, wearing a white shirt and grey blazer, faced the court amid mounting interest from the public and media.
Judge Michael Chambers KC presided over the hearing, setting out the next steps in the high-profile case. Notably, he indicated that a trial for Latewood and the company is likely to take place in 2026, with Cookson’s sentencing deferred until that trial reaches its conclusion — a timeline expected to last approximately three weeks. Both women were granted bail without conditions, but the judge warned that failing to attend court at future dates could result in additional criminal proceedings.
Emphasising the seriousness with which the court views admissions of guilt, Judge Chambers commended Cookson’s decision to plead guilty, assuring her that due credit would be given for her admission. “I am adjourning your sentencing until the conclusion of the trial, so the judge will have all the facts of the case,” he explained.
The judge also announced a pre-trial review hearing, scheduled for 5 December, anticipating further legal arguments and the finalisation of logistical aspects ahead of the eventual trial. The process is expected to draw ongoing attention from both the public and those within the childcare sector concerned about future safeguarding practices.
The closure of Fairytales Day Nursery in the aftermath of Noah’s death, and the subsequent criminal proceedings, have raised important discussions about the protocols and oversight needed in early years childcare settings. As the community awaits further developments, the case is likely to have broader implications for how nurseries are run, the training of staff, and the protection of vulnerable children.
Wider debates around accountability in both private and corporate childcare environments will no doubt continue as the trial draws closer. For now, the families involved, and the wider public, await answers and hope for justice as the legal process moves forward.