Schoolgirl, seven, drowned in golf course pond just hours after being left with new childminder

Peter Stevens
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:09:02 +0000

An autistic girl who drowned in a golf course pond died just hours after being left with a new childminder.

Nyla May Bradshaw, seven, was found in a pond at Owston Hall golf course in Doncaster, South Yorkshire on Monday morning.

This was fewer than three hours after she was left in the care of her new childminder for the first time.

Nylas's parents, Hayley Beardsley and Kieran Bradshaw, said their daughter was being looked after by a childminder sourced through Facebook after her usual carers were not available.

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In a statement, Little Rainbows Doncaster Children's Autism Charity said Nyla had "complex needs" and required one-to-one supervision at all times - information included in her Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).

The childminder met Nyla for the first time at 7.45am.

By 9.50am she had been reported missing, and her body pulled from a pond on the golf course shortly later.

A friend of Nyla's mother said the childminder promised to keep her "on reins" before determining she was capable to go on a walk in a woodland area.

Police have since cautioned there were no suspicious circumstances around her death.

In the statement on social media, Learning Rainbows said there were systemic problems in the way disabled students are treated.

It highlighted the difference between the level of support they receive between term time and school breaks.

Little Rainbows said this placed an "immense and unfair burden" on families to balance their own work with their lives.

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It said there were "serious concerns about the adequacy, continuity and safety of care provision for disabled children outside of school settings".

It added that specialist care was generally only funded during available time.

The charity had placed a petition with the Government, but it has since been taken to a check to determine if it is valid.

It is also currently fundraising for Nyla's funeral, having raised £16,686 of a target £18,000.

Earlier, her mother said: "She was our whole world full of love, laughter, and the brightest smile that could light up any room.

"She brought so much joy into our lives and into the lives of everyone who knew her.

Our sweet little girl will be loved forever and never, ever forgotten."

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "First and foremost, this is a heartbreaking incident and the child’s family remain in our thoughts.

"We know the impact of this news has extended beyond the family and into local and wider communities.

"Our initial inquiries have determined that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

"We are now acting on behalf of the coroner and, in line with normal procedure, we will work with City of Doncaster council and Ofsted to ensure the correct processes are followed."