THIS little girl was on her first day at a York nursery when she died in a playground accident, police have revealed.

The child, who died after becoming entangled in a rope at the top of a slide at the York College Day Nursery on Monday afternoon, has been named as Lydia Bishop, from York.

Police said her parents, Brad Bishop and Rebecca Dick, released the picture of three-year-old Lydia but did not at this stage wish to comment, and had asked for their privacy to be respected.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Costello, of York protecting vulnerable persons unit, said a full multi-agency investigation, involving the police, the Health and Safety Executive and City of YorkSafeguarding Children Board, was in the very early stages of seeking to establish what had happened, and whether it could have been foreseen and prevented.

He said: “This was an extremely tragic accident which unfortunately happened during Lydia’s first day at nursery.

“Her family are understandably very distressed and are being supported by specially trained police officers as they try to come to terms with their loss.”

He said officers had started to interview nursery staff as part of their inquiries.

Ten bouquets of flowers and a teddy were tied yesterday to perimeter railings at the nursery, which was closed.

A note tied to one bunch of flowers read: “Rest in peace little one. With love from your friends Laurence and Alela.”

Det Chief Insp Costello said the nursery would remain shut until at least early next week, when all the agencies involved and the college would make a decision as to when it would be best for it to reopen.

He said the authorities were trying to ensure alternative provision could be made for the children who normally attend the nursery.

Earlier Joe Cocker, manager of the safeguarding children board, said: “It is impossible to imagine what the parents must be going through, and my thoughts are with the family at what is an extremely difficult and upsetting time.

“They are currently being supported by specially trained officers from North Yorkshire Police and it would be appreciated if their privacy is respected as they try and come to terms with their loss. This also is a very difficult time for the staff at the nursery and everyone at York College.”

He said the board was working closely with partners to co-ordinate the inquiries of the various agencies in order to understand what happened and why it happened.

“Most importantly, at this stage, there is a need to ensure that support is provided to the family, the families of children who attend the nursery and the nursery staff. The investigation is at a very early stage.”

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said an inspector went to the college yesterday morning to take part in the investigation, which at this stage was being led by police.

College principal speaks of the ‘devastating news’

YORK College principal Dr Alison Birkinshaw said the tragedy was “absolutely devastating news for the child’s family and everyone at York College”.

She said in a statement: “Our thoughts are with the family, the children, families and staff associated with the nursery and everyone affected by this incident.

“We are doing all we can to assist the authorities with their inquiries and we will also do our utmost to support everybody involved as best as we can.”

She said college staff had acted immediately after the girl had been injured, calling the emergency services, who took the child to hospital.

“We later heard that she had died,” she said.

Inspector’s report gave nursery a ‘good’ rating

AN Ofsted report on the college nursery in 2009 said that overall, the quality of provision was “good”.

It said the nursery benefitted from a dedicated team of experienced staff, who were committed to improving the outcomes for children through self-evaluation and continuous improvement.

“A well-developed knowledge of each child’s needs makes sure that staff effectively promote children’s welfare and learning,” it said.

The report said the nursery opened in 2007, operating from three play rooms in a purpose-built building, with each play room having access to a fully enclosed outdoor area.

A maximum of 58 children might attend the nursery at any one time and there were 112 children on roll, who were all within the Early Years Foundation Stage age range. The nursery employed 27 members of staff and of these, 26, including the manager, held an appropriate early years qualification.