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Original poster

My son was burnt at nursery

34 replies

Cms1987 · 23/01/2024 06:47

On Monday I received a call whilst at work to say my son has had an accident at nursery. They told me that he had burnt his hand on the radiator but was now happily playing. I assumed that he has just touched the radiator and pulled away. When I arrived to collect him 2 hours later I was shocked at the severity of the burn. His hand had blisters. I was told that he had got his hand stuck inside the radiator. I was fuming. I asked if pain relief had been given to which I was told no. This raised more concern. I asked to view the cctv and was told that where the radiator is located is a blind spot.
They told me they watched the cctv and you can see my son go over to the Corner then 42 seconds later his key worker runs over.
I'm besides myself thinking how long was his hand in the radiator for?
The radiator is covered however there is a gap where the thermostat is ans that's where he has put his hand and it's got stuck. He's 16 months old.

I sent a Complaint email demanding to see the cctv and I have reported them to ofsted.

I was told I can see the cctv today they just had to edit it to blur out the faces of the other children.

The radiator hole is now stuffed with tea towels 🙄

I'm not sure what to do. Do I take this further or do I accept accidents happen?

Any advise before my meeting today?

Thanks

OP posts:
CliffsofMohair · 23/01/2024 06:50

That’s horrendous. Your poor son.

DustyLee123 · 23/01/2024 06:50

I assume it’s never happened before, so this wasn’t something they’d anticipate. If so I’d want them to change the cover.
Accidents happen. My DD got her finger trapped in the play house door and the nail came off. It was an accident.

zenpig · 23/01/2024 06:51

100 percent take it further. Yes accidents do happen but for a burn that bad they should have sought medical attention for him. Have you done this? I believe the NHS says any burn on a hand should be looked at, and for such a small child I think I'd be even more inclined to go with it.

Mamette · 23/01/2024 06:52

I agree it was an accident but the way they responded was not good enough.

Jifmicroliquid · 23/01/2024 06:53

I’m more concerned that they didn’t think it required proper medical treatment. Accidents happen, but I can’t believe they didn’t take him to get seen to with a burn that has blistered.

Peekingovertheparapet · 23/01/2024 06:53

I’d be furious - mostly at the complete lack of appropriate first aid and aftercare more than the incident itself. Accidents do happen and if it’s not something they’ve seen before they may not have considered it.

with burns time is of the essence - what aftercare did they administer? Did they run it under cold water for long enough? Should they have called you to get him so that he could be taken for medical assessment?

Seasidesusy · 23/01/2024 06:55

My complaint wouldn’t be about the actual incident - it hasn’t happened before and obviously wasn’t expected. I think you have to swallow that one and accept that it wasn’t negligence but an unexpected accident. However, if the burn is as severe as you say, I would be complaining about their response to it. Also about the fact that they didn’t explain the severity on the phone to you, leaving you to carry on with your day instead of going straight to him.
Have you taken him to a GP? Have you taken photos?

Original poster
Cms1987 · 23/01/2024 06:56

Sorry forgot ro mention, we went to yhe docs who advised a hospital visit. We spent 5 hours at the hospital and this blisters where drained to relieve his discomfort.

OP posts:
Queijo · 23/01/2024 06:57

I would be furious at their response. Did they do any first aid at all?

I would be reporting to OFSTED when they open as the fact that no medical attention was sought is neglectful on their part. Burns can cause shock in anyone, but especially little ones.

Has your son been seen by a dr since the burn happened?

Snowdropsareontheirway · 23/01/2024 06:57

Yes take it future. You’re child needed to be taken to A and E immediately. No only did he receive an injury they didn’t give appropriate medical treatment. I would be more worried about the lack of treatment. How is your son now?

shearwater2 · 23/01/2024 07:02

It should have been part of their basic risk assessment, surely? No radiators should be so hot that you could badly burn yourself, and if they are they should be replaced. The gap was an obvious trap for little hands.

I would be moving hm, their basic practices are negligent, the premises are unsuitable if risks exist like this, and I'd also report them to Ofsted and the local authority. Well done for so doing.

Yes, accidents do happen but this was an accident waiting to happen and entirely preventable. Then they didn't even treat him properly when he was hurt. They shouldn't be in the business of caring for small children.

Original poster
Cms1987 · 23/01/2024 07:02

He is OK now thank you, the dressing is off and is starting to heal. Thanks for your reply.

OP posts:
dyspraadhauwtaf63 · 23/01/2024 07:04

What immediate first aid did they give? If they ran hand under cold water ,ice pack etc then that was appropriate at the time . Blistering takes time to develop. Accidents do happen.

AlltheFs · 23/01/2024 07:07

OFSTED have closed nurseries for less, you need to pursue this.
There’s absolutely no way my child would go
back there. The lack of treatment is appalling.

I expect this is the tip of the negligent iceberg.

What did the accident form say? Ours are always very OTT but at least thorough!

shearwater2 · 23/01/2024 07:07

Radiators should be below 43C to touch - HSE guidance. I'd be keeping them well below that in a nursery or setting with elderly people. Ours are well below thst at home, no way they should be scalding hot at a nursery.

ThisIsClearlyMe · 23/01/2024 07:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

LongLostTeacher · 23/01/2024 07:20

Accidents happen indeed, but they absolutely should have sought medical advice straight away. You should have been called to take him to the hospital straight away and I would be beyond furious that they didn’t do this and he saw out the rest of the day at nursery before seeing a medical professional. In my opinion this is where they really fucked up and I would never be able to trust them with my child again. Absolutely take it further.

abeeabeeisafterme · 23/01/2024 07:23

As an early teacher, I understand that unfortunately accidents happen. But oh wow! The lack of first aid is appalling.
Have they recorded the incident? Are they planning to replace or change the cover- tea towels is completely inadequate. And finally- they staff need first aid training. How on earth did they decide nit to run cool, running water on it. No calpol? Did they under estimate the severity and downplay it to you?

user63737383882 · 23/01/2024 07:37

I work in a nursery I agree it was just a freak accident sometimes these things happen (but really this should have been risk assessed) but how they have dealt with it after is what would make me report then. If your child's hand is blistered and they have not called you or admonished any first aid I would not be sending my child back... even if it didn't blister at first they should treated just incase and kept an eye on it at the very least.

Passingthethyme · 23/01/2024 07:42

I'd be more concerned they didn't treat it, fuming actually

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 23/01/2024 07:47

The whole thing would be enough for me to move him if that was possible. No radiator in a childcare setting should be that hot/accessible to children, and they should have realised how bad his injury was.

Soontobe60 · 23/01/2024 07:48

I’m assuming that they did give him first aid, as you haven’t said they didn’t. They also phoned you up about it at the time. Did you ask them then about pain relief? What was the reason why you didn’t go straight to nursery? I’m amazed that the hospital burst the blisters - this goes completely against medical advice on the treatment of burns as it increases the risk of introducing infection! I’d be more likely to complain about that than anything else.

Strictlymad · 23/01/2024 07:54

Yes accidents happen, and good you will see the cctv- I hope the key worker runs over the second he starts crying. But they should have immediately given first aid and called you to collect and take to a and e. Waiting until the end of the the day was totally wrong. If the blisters burst in nursery they could become infected and scar badly. Don’t drop this one op, take it as high as you can.

Mayjune11 · 23/01/2024 08:03

To be honest I would have gone to pick him up immediately on getting the phone call. They did tell you but you refused to act.

badlydrawntoy · 23/01/2024 08:08

Absolutely unacceptable of the nursery to not seek medical help.
The setting should be reporting itself to Ofsted and contacting LADO for advice. Also you are well within your rights to contact Ofsted to see if they have done so and ti make sure this doesn't happen again. Worth looking on the Ofsted site to see if there are any previous complaints. But I'd be withdrawing him from that setting.