A nursery will be prosecuted over the death of a two-year-old girl who died after choking on a sausage she was served for lunch. 

Sadie Salt choked while eating the meal with 25 other children at the Mini Learners nursery in Radlett, Hertfordshire, on November 12, 2020. 

An air ambulance and paramedics rushed to the scene and the youngster was taken to St Mary’s Hospital where she died two days later in intensive care. 

The Hertsmere Borough Council on Tuesday authorised formal health and safety charges to be brought against the nursery following a years-long investigation. 

The council said in a statement: ‘The Council’s thoughts remain with Sadie’s family, who have been notified of the decision.’

Sadie’s parents, Zoe and Adam Salt, hope to finally get answers about her death after suffering ‘grief and heartbreak every day for almost six years. 

‘Nothing can make up for the devastating loss of our daughter, and the impact of her death remains with us in every aspect of our lives.

‘We are grateful to Hertsmere Borough Council for its thorough investigation of Sadie’s case and to everyone who has worked to help bring matters to this point.

Two-year-old Sadie Salt (pictured) died after choking on a sausage at Mini Learners nursery in Radlett, London , on November 12, 2020. The nursery has now been prosecuted

Sadie’s parents, Zoe and Adam Salt, hope they will finally get answers about her death

‘As formal charges have been brought, it is important that this legal process is allowed to run its course. In due course we will be looking to the inquest into Sadie’s death to give us answers we have been waiting so long to know.’

Jill Paterson, a partner at law firm Leigh Day which represents Sadie’s family, said: ‘Today’s announcement is an important milestone for Sadie’s family, who have shown remarkable strength and resilience since her death. 

‘We will continue to support them as they seek and await answers about what happened to their daughter at Mini Learners nursery in Hertfordshire in November 2020.’

‘As legal proceedings are now under way, we will not be commenting further.’

An inquest into Sadie’s death which was opened and adjourned in January 2022 has been deferred until the criminal proceedings conclude.

At a pre-inquest review at Hertford Coroners’ Court in 2022 the Salt family raised questions about the level of supervision at the nursery. 

They also raised concerns about the timing of the 999 call, the rescue attempt by staff and have requested to see First Aid certificates and evidence of training courses and childcare qualifications from the nursery.

Charlotte Gilmartin, representing Sadie’s family, said: ‘The family would like to raise issues about the 999 call and the response to the incident.

A Mini Learners nursery spokesperson said at the time of Sadie’s death: ‘We are absolutely devastated by this news and our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to the family’ (pictured, the nursery is located inside the Radlett Reform Synagogue)

‘The extent to which there was training and supervision on that day and how staff were organised and able to respond to events such as this.’

Evidence is expected from Ofsted, the Department of Education, police, doctors and the local council.

A Mini Learners nursery spokesperson said at the time of Sadie’s death: ‘We are absolutely devastated by this news and our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to the family.’

The Salt family have raised more than £75,000 for COSMIC, the charity that supports the Children’s Intensive Care Unit at St Mary’s Hospital in London.

They also launched an online petition to ban nurseries from serving sausages and grapes to under 5s, which gained 12,000 signatures.