A three-year-old girl who died on her first day at nursery after getting her neck caught in a rope on a slide was undiscovered for 20 minutes, a court has heard.
Lydia Bishop was blue and not breathing by the time 25-year-old nursery worker Sophee Redhead scooped her up from the outdoor play area at York College’s nursery, Leeds Crown Court heard.
She denies manslaughter by gross negligence and the alternative charge under health and safety legislation of failing to take “reasonable care” of the little girl.
York College, which operated the nursery for children of staff, students and members of the public, denies failing to ensure people not in their employment are not exposed to a risk to their health and safety.
CCTV images from the nursery showed Lydia alone walk towards the slide and climb the steps before she vanished from view.
Around 20 minutes later, Redhead was shown running towards the area and then, shortly after, rushing back with the child in her arms, the court heard.
Lydia’s death in the loop of rope was “completely avoidable” had proper measures been taken to protect her, Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, said.
Her mother Rebecca Dick had just enrolled on a course at the college and had been for introductory sessions with her daughter.
The day she died was her first full day at the nursery, the jury was told, and her mother was assured children were not left alone outside to play on the apparatus.
The case continues.