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A private nursery has admitted killing a toddler who was suffocated during nap time.
Noah Sibanda's parents thought Fairytales Day Nursery was taking care of their 14-month-old boy.
But he was killed when he was pressed face down into cushion with a blanket and leg placed on top of his head until he stopped breathing on 9 December 2022.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the nursery in Dudley, admitted a single charge of corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
While the boss Deborah Latewood, 55, also admitted a health and safety offence on the basis that she was unaware of what her staff were doing.
Previously nursery worker Kimberley Cookson, 23, admitted gross negligence manslaughter at the same court after CCTV caught her actions.
Cookson laid Noah face down on a soft cushion while his head was wrapped in a sleeping bag with a blanket over him.
She then pinned him down with her leg to make him sleep when he did not want to.
Noah Sibanda died after he was suffocated at the Fairytales Day Nursery in Dudley in 2022
It was only after 'considerable' period of time that it was realised that Noah was not breathing.
Paramedics were called and he was rushed to the Russells Hall Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Earlier this month while celebrating her daughter's second birthday, Noah's mother paid tribute to her late son, in the local newspaper the Dudley News.
Masi Sibanda, 31, and her husband Thulani, 32, welcomed the birth of their daughter just ten days after Noah's funeral.
She said: 'My daughter’s turned two and Noah never got to turn two. I think they would have been such a fun little duo together.
'I know parents are biased, but he was so beautiful. He was calm, very relaxed and quite chilled and unfazed by things.
Deborah Latewood, 55, who was the director and business owner, appeared alongside Cookson in the dock
'We would find him just chilling with his arm behind his head. He was very easy-going and he made it easy as a first-time parent.'
Following Noah's death the nursery closed and remains shut to date.
The nursery, Latewood and Cookson will be sentenced on 16 April.
Alex Johnson a senior prosecutor said: 'This case has been deeply distressing and represents every parent’s worst nightmare whenever they leave their young child at a nursery.
'Noah Sibanda should have been safe in the care of professionals entrusted with his wellbeing. He lost his life as a result of reckless and dangerous sleeping practices which posed an obvious and serious risk of harm.
'Fairytales Day Nursery Limited has now accepted criminal responsibility for the systemic failures that led to this tragedy, and Deborah Latewood has also acknowledged that the failings occurred under her management and oversight. Kimberley Cookson has also taken responsibility for her harmful actions.'
Latewood and Cookson are on bail.
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