Childcare Centre Fined After Toddler Suffered Third-Degree Burns While In Their Care

A childcare centre has been fined after a three-year-old boy suffered third-degree burns from being doused with scalding water.

The West Australian reported that Buzy Kids, in the suburb of Beldon, has since been fined $6000 after the boy was left with full-thickness burns after he ran into an educator carrying a bucket of hot water, which the educator was intending to use for cleaning the centre bathroom.

The State Administrative Tribunal found that the centre failed to ensure proper precautions were in place to protect children in their care from harm or hazard that will cause injury.

The tribunal also found that the educator should not have allowed kids inside the bathroom while cleaning, which breached the centre’s policy. It also found that the centre breached its own protocols when the water was heated in an urn which did not have an external thermostat.

However, the tribunal said that the centre has a good history without any serious incidents since operating for the last 17 years. It noted that the staff were fully qualified and experienced.