Nursery Fined After Baby Suffers Bleach and Boiling Water Burns

When parents drop their children off at daycare, they expect the highest standards of safety and care. A recent court ruling in Scotland serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when those standards fail, leaving a vulnerable infant with severe, life-altering injuries.

WHAT HAPPENED

On November 4, 2021, ten-month-old Blake Nilssen was at the Little Dreams Nursery in Aberdeen, Scotland. While attempting to stand up, the infant toppled an unattended cleaning bucket containing bleach and boiling water. The mixture poured over his body, causing second-degree burns. The pain was so intense that the baby passed out.

Instead of calling emergency services immediately, nursery staff failed to contact an ambulance. They attempted to treat the burns themselves, including covering the infant in paper towels. When the paper towels were later removed, they ripped off blisters that had started to form on his skin. The nursery eventually contacted Blake's parents, Ellie Johnson and Daryl Nilssen, asking them to collect their son but failing to convey the true severity of his injuries. Upon arrival, the parents heard their son's chilling screams from inside the building.

Blake was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he had to be placed in a specialized shower for 90 minutes to monitor and stabilize his skin's pH levels.

Following a lengthy investigation into the facility's operational standards, the nursery admitted to critical health and safety breaches. On August 31, 2026, Little Dreams Nursery appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to a health and safety charge. The court fined the nursery £7,000 (with some reports noting a £7,500 fine plus a £350 victim surcharge) for failing to have a suitable risk assessment in place for cleaning.

Key Facts of the Incident:

• Victim: Ten-month-old Blake Nilssen.
• Location: Little Dreams Nursery on Bon Accord Street, Aberdeen.
• Date of Incident: November 4, 2021.
• Injuries: Second-degree burns from boiling water and bleach, leading to severe pain and unconsciousness.
• Safety Failures: Unattended cleaning bucket left within reach of an infant; lack of proper risk assessments for cleaning.
• Response Failures: Staff failed to call 999 (emergency services) immediately and used improper first-aid measures (paper towels).
• Legal Outcome: The nursery pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches on August 31, 2026, and was fined £7,000.

WHY IT MATTERS

This case highlights the critical importance of operational safety and rigorous risk assessments in childcare facilities. When institutions fail to supervise hazardous materials, the consequences for vulnerable children can be devastating.

For Blake's family, the resolution in court brings an end to a painful five-year chapter, but the emotional and physical scars remain. The family expressed frustration over the length of time it took for the nursery to admit fault, stating that the severity of Blake's injuries was never fully acknowledged by the institution. The incident also underscores the necessity of proper first-aid training for childcare staff, as the failure to call an ambulance immediately prolonged the child's suffering.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

With the court case concluded and the fine issued, Little Dreams Nursery must ensure its cleaning protocols and risk assessments strictly comply with health and safety regulations to prevent future accidents. The Care Inspectorate and other regulatory bodies will likely continue to monitor the facility's operational standards.

For the Nilssen family, they are focusing on moving forward. Having previously secured a five-figure settlement in damages through legal action led by Digby Brown Solicitors, they hope their story serves as a warning to other childcare providers to prioritize the safety of the children in their care.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. What specific changes has Little Dreams Nursery implemented in its daily cleaning and safety protocols since the incident to ensure this never happens again?
2. Will any of the staff members involved face individual disciplinary actions or registration reviews by childcare regulatory bodies?
3. How will the Care Inspectorate adjust its inspection frequency or guidelines for other nurseries across Scotland in light of these systemic failures?

SOURCE NOTE

This story draws on reporting from the Daily Mail.