Cairns daycare denies mother’s claims over child’s fractured leg
A Cairns childcare centre has denied a mother’s claims her two-year-old daughter did not receive appropriate care after fracturing her leg.
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A Cairns childcare centre has denied a mother’s claims her two-year-old daughter did not receive appropriate care after fracturing her leg.
Jade Olsen said she dropped her daughter Rhylee at a childcare centre on Thursday, September 14.
Ms Olsen said when she collected her two children at 2.30pm Rhylee was in pain and couldn’t stand; a doctor later confirmed her leg was broken.
“Doctors have said Rhylee had been in extreme pain all day and this would have been ‘quite a fall’ to do this,” Ms Olsen said.
“(The staff) weren’t sure why Rhylee had been upset all day.
“She wouldn’t stop crying even with me holding her. I was getting stressed.
“She wouldn’t let me put her down … she screamed all the way home.”
Pictures seen by the Cairns Post show Rhylee, who has autism, standing and playing on a trampoline about 8am, and then later appearing to be comforted by her sister Maddy as she lay on the ground about 1pm.
The Cairns Post is not suggesting any wrongdoing and it is unclear when or how the fracture happened.
“The (1pm) picture of my child is of her crying and laying flat on the floor … and her sister trying to console her. Where was the care there?” Ms Olsen said.
Ms Olsen called an ambulance about 3pm and was transported with Rhylee to Cairns Hospital.
A doctor’s report stated X-ray images showed Rhylee had a fracture in the lower section of her left tibia.
A spokesman for the centre has vehemently disputed the allegations.
“The incident as alleged simply did not occur,” the spokesman said.
“We did not become aware of the allegation until five days later when social media posts made by the child’s mother were brought to our attention.
“At this point in time we still have not received any direct communication from the child’s family.
“(On Tuesday) we immediately self-reported the allegation to the Department of Education for the department’s investigation.”
The childcare said staff had provided statements that refute any allegation the child suffered harm while in their care.
“We have every confidence the department’s investigation process will clear both the centre and our staff of any wrongdoing or neglect,” the spokesman said.
Ms Olsen has made a complaint to the Education Department.
“The Department of Education has received a complaint from a parent alleging that an injury
to their child had been sustained at (a) childcare centre ... last Thursday,” a spokeswoman for the Department said.
“As the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, the department places the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children attending these services.
“The ECRA is actively investigating this incident to establish the relevant facts and address any immediate risks.”
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