Aberdeen, UK: Little Dreams Nursery fined after 10 month old burnt by bleach, boiling water in 2021

His family issued a statement saying, ‘No parent should have to experience that’.

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

Warning: Distressing content.

The family of an infant severely burned by boiling water and bleach at a nursery has closed the “horrific chapter” of their lives after five years.

A 10-month-old boy, who cannot be identified, was seriously injured in November 2021 while attending Little Dreams Nursery in Aberdeen, UK.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Years later, the nursery has been fined £7,500 ($A14,165) at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for breaching health and safety regulations, the BBC reported.

The nursery admitted to breaching the regulations during the proceedings and to having an insufficient risk assessment and safe cleaning system at the premises.

While the infant was in a room being cleaned, a bucket containing boiling water and bleach was left on the floor in his reach.

He tipped the contents on himself, causing severe injuries and burns.

Fiscal depute Lisa Duffus said the infant’s clothes were quickly removed and he was placed in a sink of water.

He was then wrapped in cling film before his parents took him to the emergency department.

The nursery admitted breaching health and safety regulations at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The nursery admitted breaching health and safety regulations at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Credit: Digby Brown Solicitors/Digby Brown Solicitors

At hospital, he was treated for partial blistering to his leg and forearm.

Sheriff Harry Small said the incident had been “entirely preventable and avoidable”.

In a statement shared by law firm Digby Brown, the family called the horrific incident “indefensible” and said they felt let down by the nursery entrusted with their son’s care.

“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,” the statement read.

“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 child - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was injured at Little Dreams Nursery in Aberdeen in November 2021.
The child - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was injured at Little Dreams Nursery in Aberdeen in November 2021. Credit: Digby Brown Solicitors/Digby Brown Solicitors

“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.”

The nursery issued an apology to the child and his family.

“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,” a spokesperson said.

It is understood the family previously received a five-figure compensation payout.

Comments

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 31-08-2026

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 31 August 202631 August 2026

Stunning One Nation win exposes Albanese’s hubris as Labor ignores the elephant in the room.