The parents of a baby who died after choking on food at a nursery fear there may have been “missed opportunities” to save his life, a pre-inquest review heard today.

Nine-month-old Oliver Steeper was being looked after at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Kingsnorth, Ashford, when he became unable to breathe while eating.

He died six days later at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

An inquest into his death was opened in August last year – and this morning a pre-inquest review was held at County Hall in Maidstone.

Coroner Ms Katrina Hepburn said the scope of the inquest will be the events of September 23, 2021 – the day Oliver choked on the food at Jelly Beans.

It will cover the background of the little boy’s “developmental stage, particularly regarding his feeding, to understand what on that day he could eat”.

The inquest will also probe staff training and the ratio of employees to children in the room.

It will also look at the preparation of the food and its consistency “specifically determining who was responsible for deciding what child eats what”.

Craig Hassall KC, representing the Steeper family at today’s hearing, said: “The understanding that the parents had was that there would be a meeting between themselves and the chef to discuss what stage Oliver was at with his feeding prior to him starting at Jelly Beans. That meeting never happened.

“It’s not entirely clear whose responsibility it was to deal with the consistency of the food. It seems to be that the same basic meal was prepared for all of the children and then it would be for the individual nursery staff to then cut up or process or puree, or whatever it may be, that meal for the specific child that they were responsible for feeding that day.

“That may be the case, but it’s not clear.”

He added: “Although members of staff were trained in first aid, the first aid that was offered was certainly not textbook.

“And the concern is whether there were missed opportunities to save Oliver’s life – or if some of what was done may have been counter-productive.”

The lawyer added that the family are seeking a jury to be called for the full inquest.

The coroner said she would like to hear from an expert witness in paediatric first aid, as well as calling the chefs as witnesses and to hear from the paramedic who attended.

Another pre-inquest review will be scheduled for 10am on November 9 at Oakwood House in Maidstone.

Speaking to KentOnline after the hearing, Oliver’s dad Lewis said: “We are pleased that the coroner is looking into the scope of things that she is looking at.

“The items looked at as well we feel show us as a family what happened to Oliver on that day. And we await the next pre-inquest review in November. “

Before the hearing, Mr Steeper and Oliver’s mum Zoe had invited members of the press to attend as they continue to “fight for justice” for their son.

A post from the couple said: “Our hearts remain saddened that Oliver is no longer with us, we think about him every day. We are both brought to tears knowing his death was avoidable.

“Our love for Oliver will never diminish, and the grief we so painfully continue to endure is love we simply cannot give now he is no longer here.”

Following the tragic incident, Ofsted closed Jelly Beans, in Field View, on a temporary basis pending a full investigation into “serious safeguarding concerns” in the lead-up to Oliver's death.

However, parents and carers were later informed that the owner of the nursery had voluntarily shut the facility down.

At the inquest opening last year, Oliver’s cause of death was given as a brain injury and cardio-respiratory arrest following "aspiration of foodstuffs during a choking episode".

In February this year, a police investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy was closed.

A force spokesman said: "Following a thorough investigation, no further action is to be taken and the investigation has been filed pending further information coming to light."

Mr and Mrs Steeper, who are from Ashford, said at the time that they are "hugely disappointed and shocked" by the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to pursue charges.

They have become active campaigners for robust safety regulations in childcare settings following their son's death, with a petition against looser nursery rules being debated in Parliament.

Earlier this year, the couple celebrated the birth of their second child, son Jake Oliver Steeper.

Jake was born at the William Harvey Hospital in January.