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

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

The nursery admitted a "lapse in judgment" after the Care Inspectorate upheld five complaints related to lapses 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 – were dropped off for their first day at Little Clouds on January 7.

It is believed Skye fell from the diaper changing table when a staff member left her alone to look for diaper cream.

A message from the nursery to Kyle, 40, and Sheena, 38, said Skye had been "loved a lot and is doing well."

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

But when she continued to feel uneasy at home, Kyle and Sheena took her to the emergency department.

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

Following the incident, Skye and Aaron were transferred to a new nursery, and the parents filed 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."

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."

Little Clouds Nursery has been contacted for comment.