A Perthshire nursery has reviewed its security measures in the wake of a toddler being found on the pavement of a busy street.
As revealed in The Courier on Thursday (link), Humpty Dumpty Early Years Care in Rattray has been reported to the Care Inspectorate after two-year-old Michael McGivern walked free from the nursery’s garden at around 10am on September 15.
It is not clear how he managed to get out but he was found shortly after by a member of staff in the High Street in Rattray.
The nursery is a charitable organisation and had three staff on duty at the time of the child’s escape.
Michael’s parents Brendan McGivern (30) and Nicola Shepherd (29), of Davie Park Place, Rattray, were told of the discovery around an hour later and have made a verbal complaint to the Care Inspectorate.
It confirmed it may follow the incident up with the nursery management and will take action to improve procedures if necessary.
A letter seen by The Courier, regarding an ”internal investigation” conducted by the nursery, details the incident but absolves staff of blame. It details a series of safety procedures that will be reviewed to ensure no such further incident takes place.
The letter, written by manager Karen Thorburn, states she was contacted at 10.15am on September 15 about the incident.
After travelling from Alyth to Rattray, Ms Thorburn said she was told a head count had taken place prior to the children going into the garden. On arriving in the garden another head count took place.
The assistant manager, Lindsey McCulloch, took two children to the toilet but when she returned and did another head count she discovered that Michael was missing.
The letter continues: ”A member of staff had parked her car when she saw a small boy standing on the pavement at the side of the road (High Street). A white van and another care had also pulled up…
”She confirmed that upon entry to the grounds she couldn’t get in the main gate as it was secured with a pin.”
Ms Thorburn states that the toddler either climbed fences, gates or was able to fit through the spaces in one of the gates.
”In light of the evidence, I feel that staff followed all the usual procedures when going to the garden area and that on this occasion did not do anything wrong or fail to comply with procedure which would have resulted in a missing child.”
The following measures will be taken:
Risk assessments of school outdoor areas in use by the group A member of staff will supervise Michael outdoors at all times Review playroom security measures in light of Michael’s ability to escape from secured areas Have the gaps between the bars in the gates measured to find out if it is possible for a small child to squeeze through Explore the option of installing child security alarm systems