Toddler Found Unresponsive in Nursery Grit Bin After Hour-Long Search
A mother has described the terrifying moment she discovered her two-year-old son curled up and unresponsive inside a grit bin at his nursery, following a desperate hour-long search. The incident occurred at Maybury Primary Early Learning and Childcare Centre on Turnhouse Road in Edinburgh on January 16, raising alarming questions about supervision and safety protocols.
Frantic Search Ends in Grit Bin Discovery
The boy's mother arrived at the nursery shortly before noon to collect her son, only to be informed that he was missing and that police had been notified. After an extensive search, the toddler was eventually found inside a grit bin, where he had been for approximately an hour. The mother recounted the harrowing discovery, stating she initially feared the worst.
"When I opened the box I thought he was dead because he was curled up in the foetal position and wasn't moving," she said. "He was cold, shivering, his skin was pale and his face, mouth and nostrils were covered in grit."
Upon retrieving her son, she noted he was disoriented and slumped into her arms. Once inside, he appeared uncharacteristically subdued, shivering and gulping down water. The mother expressed confusion over how the situation could have unfolded, particularly given the supposed supervision measures in place.
Hospital Treatment and Ongoing Concerns
The child was rushed to hospital with elevated salt levels, likely from ingesting grit, but was discharged after further tests. Since the incident, the mother has kept her son at home, citing a complete loss of trust in the nursery's ability to safeguard children.
The nursery had implemented a 'tag-team supervision' system, where staff were meant to communicate the boy's movements around the facility. However, the mother revealed that the nursery has failed to provide a clear explanation of what transpired that day.
"They still haven’t told me what actually happened to my child on that day," she told the Edinburgh Evening News. "They described it as an unfortunate incident but that is just completely not acknowledging how serious this situation actually was."
CCTV Discrepancies and Official Response
Further compounding the family's distress were inconsistencies regarding CCTV footage. The mother requested access to the recordings to aid medical staff, but was initially told the cameras did not cover the area. Later, she was informed the CCTV system was not operational on the day of the incident.
"It just doesn't make sense," she added, highlighting the lack of transparency.
The incident has been formally reported to the Care Inspectorate. City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher expressed shock and apology, emphasising the unacceptability of such a lapse in a setting meant to be safe.
"I want to reassure the family that the Care Inspectorate were immediately informed, and urgent improvements have already been made at the nursery," Meagher stated. "I am insisting that these are independently reviewed to make sure all lessons have been properly learned and that this can never be allowed to happen again."
The case underscores critical issues in early years childcare supervision and accountability, leaving the family grappling with the aftermath while authorities pledge to prevent future occurrences.
