Nursery fined £7,500 after 10-month-old boy burned by boiling water and bleach

A nursery has been fined after a 10-month-old boy was badly burned by a bucket of boiled water containing bleach.

The child - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was injured at Little Dreams Nursery in Aberdeen in November 2021.

The nursery admitted breaching health and safety regulations at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Harry Small said the incident had been "entirely preventable and avoidable" and issued a fine of £7,500. Reacting, the family said they felt it was too low but wanted to move on.

The family previously received a five-figure compensation payout.

The nursery, based in Aberdeen's Bon Accord Street, admitted failing to have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, and safe system of work, for the cleaning of the premises.

This meant that while the boy was in a room being cleaned he was able to tip the contents of a bucket containing boiling water and bleach over himself to his severe injury.

The court was told two staff members were providing care and starting to serve snacks.

One began to boil a kettle and emptied the contents into a bucket, along with a cap of bleach.

The bucket was placed on the floor, after which a "splash" was heard.

The court heard one of the children had tipped the bucket over himself.

Fiscal depute Lisa Duffus said the child's clothes were removed and he was placed in a sink of water, then wrapped in clingfilm.

The child's parents took him to the accident and emergency department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he was treated for partial blistering to his leg and forearm.

Defence advocate Barry Smith KC said the first priority of a nursery was the safety and wellbeing of the children there.

He added: "It is of the utmost regret from all involved - from the director and all staff - that this accident occurred and injury was caused to a young child."

In a statement released via law firm Digby Brown, the family said: "We've had to wait five years for Little Dreams Nursery to admit what happened to our son was their fault but we don't feel the severity of his injuries have been acknowledged.

"We trusted them to take care of him and for such an injury to happen to a 10-month-old baby is indefensible.

"In the months and years that followed, we had to watch our boy deal with the consequences of something that was never his fault. No parent should have to experience that, but we are thankful what happened hasn't had a more serious or longer-lasting impact."

The statement concluded: "Today we close the most horrific chapter of our lives and we want to thank everyone who has supported us during this time and now request our privacy as we move forward."

Little Dreams said the safety, wellbeing and care of every child entrusted to them was of the "highest priority".

"We deeply regret that this incident was able to occur and are profoundly sorry for the distress and impact it has had on the child and their family," the nursery said.