A British toddler suddenly passed away after experiencing a “fatal medical episode” while at a preschool earlier this week.
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In a statement, the Merseyside Police Department confirmed the unexpected death of the child occurred at the Early Learners Day Nursery in the Liverpool suburb of Bootle on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at approximately 12:34 p.m. local time.
“The child was taken to the hospital by paramedics,” law enforcement officials shared. “He was sadly pronounced deceased at the hospital, and his family is being supported.”
The death of the toddler is being treated as “unexplained.” The local police are investigating to “establish the full circumstances and cause of death.”
Following the toddler’s “fatal medical episode,” the BBC reported that Early Learners Day Nursery had temporarily closed. Sky News further revealed the preschool had allegedly addressed the incident on Facebook.
“It is with devastating sadness that we have to inform you of a child passing,” the post read. “To enable everyone to process today’s tragic events, we have made the decision to close the nursery for the remainder of the week and also to allow us to continue working with relevant agencies. We trust that you understand our decision at this difficult time, and we will update you all with further information in the coming days. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”
However, the preschool’s Facebook page has since been taken down.
The Preschool Received An Overall Effectiveness Rating of ‘Good’ Last Spring
In a report last spring, the U.K.’s Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills gave the preschool an “overall effectiveness” rating of “Good.”
“Staff provide a warm, welcoming, and safe environment in which children play and learn,” the report reads. “They gather detailed information about each child when they first start to attend the nursery. This information is used effectively to help tailor each child’s individual care and learning from the start. Staff use children’s interests well to engage them in their learning.”
The report further pointed out that the safeguarding arrangements are effective. There is also an “open and positive” culture of safeguarding that prioritizes the children’s interests.
Regarding improvements, the report advised staff members may not always be clear about what they want the children to learn through classroom activities. The preschool’s director was also advised to build upon the current arrangements for staff coaching and supervision to support staff precisely in building upon their existing knowledge and skills.
The preschool was established in 1994.