Nursery pays out £10,000 after toddler breaks leg on first day

A nursery has paid out more than £10,000 after a one-year-old girl suffered a broken leg on her first day of care.

Skye Tucker fell from a nappy changing table at Little Clouds Nursery in Altens, Aberdeen, in January this year - just 90 minutes into her first day.

The nursery apologised for the "deeply upsetting" incident after the Care Inspectorate upheld five complaints over failings in care and communication.

Skye's parents, Kyle and Sheena Tucker, received a "five figure sum" in a civil claim against Little Clouds. They said Skye suffered "no lasting harm".

In a statement, they added: "We know Little Clouds staff did not set out to harm any child that day, but what happened to Skye was totally avoidable.

"The nursery held its hands up very quickly and we appreciated that, but a private message is one thing and accountability and a commitment to improving is another."

Skye and her twin brother Aaron – now two years old - had been left for their first day at Little Clouds on 7 January.

It is understood that Skye fell from the changing table after a staff member left her unattended to look for nappy cream.

A message from the nursery to Kyle, 40, and Sheena, 38, said Skye had received "lots of cuddles and is absolutely fine".

Skye was given an ice pack and remained with her brother at nursery for the rest of the day as planned.

But when she continued to show discomfort at home, Kyle and Sheena took her to A&E.

Doctors at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital confirmed Skye had a fracture to her right leg.

Skye and Aaron were moved to a new nursery after the incident and the parents raised a claim against Little Clouds.

Kyle and Sheena said: "We wanted to make sure nothing like this would happen again and that other parents would be able to make informed decisions about their child's care.

"Incidents like this skew or damage all sense of trust and can leave families with permanent doubts about the safety and welfare of children."

Little Clouds Nursery said the "safety, wellbeing and happiness of children" was its top priority and the staff member involved was no longer employed.

A spokesperson said: "We have worked closely with the Care Inspectorate and other relevant childcare professionals to review and strengthen every aspect of our practice.

"This has included enhanced staff training, revised safety and supervision procedures and improved communication with families.

"What happened that day did not meet our usual high standards and we deeply regret that a child was hurt while in our care."

They added: "We are thankful that Skye has made a full recovery and wish her and her family all the very best."

Neil Davidson, of law firm Digby Brown which represented the family, said: "A really sad part of child injuries – especially when they are so young – is knowing they were suffering without being able to communicate.

"Nurseries have safety processes and regulations to avoid situations precisely like what happened to Skye."