Oliver Steeper, a nine-month-old boy from Ashford, Kent, died in September 2021 after suffering a choking incident at the Jelly Beans Nursery where he was enrolled. His parents, Lewis and Zoe Steeper, have since dedicated themselves to improving child safety following the tragedy.

Oliver, known as Oli, was born in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple, who married in 2019, described their son as a joyful child who delighted in simple pleasures, such as watching trees sway in the wind. Despite the challenges of parenthood during lockdown, Lewis and Zoe said the period allowed them to spend meaningful time as a family.

Oli was generally content, though he struggled with sleep, and like many new parents, his mother and father shared hopes and dreams for his future—from hearing his voice to his first steps and school years. When they enrolled Oli at Jelly Beans Nursery for two days a week, they believed the facility would provide a safe, nurturing environment staffed by trained professionals.

Initially reassured by the nursery’s care, the couple later reflected on moments they wished they had questioned more closely, such as when staff allowed Oli to walk around the premises independently despite his young age. Both parents assumed the nursery’s regulation and experience ensured minimal risks for their son.

The fatal incident occurred on September 23, 2021. Zoe Steeper dropped Oli off at the nursery at 7:50 a.m. Around two hours later, she was informed that he had choked and that paramedics were attending to him. Initially told he was “okay,” Zoe recalls trying to stay calm for her son, despite quickly realizing the severity of the situation. Upon arriving at the nursery, she witnessed emergency medical treatment being administered before both were rushed to the hospital. Despite these efforts, Oli passed away six days later.

Following the tragedy, the Steepers pursued an inquest, police investigation, and civil case to understand the circumstances surrounding Oli’s death. In response to their loss, Lewis and Zoe established the Oliver Steeper Foundation, a charity aimed at equipping childcare settings with anti-choking devices to prevent similar incidents.

Since its founding, the charity has distributed over 2,000 anti-choking kits to nurseries and hopes to expand its reach into schools. The foundation operates out of Oli’s now-vacant nursery room, transformed into a space adorned with photos and murals commemorating their son’s memory.

The Steepers’ efforts reflect their commitment to turning personal tragedy into a lasting legacy, striving to enhance safety measures in childcare environments across the country and to prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreaking loss.