All children and staff who were injured after a corrosive chemical was mistaken for detergent and put on a water slide at a childcare centre have been discharged from hospital.
Emergency services swarmed to the Kindercare Learning Centre on Ferry Road in Woolston at around 1.13pm after children and staff were “potentially exposed to a chemical detergent used for the centre kitchen steriliser unit, which was mistakenly believed to be dishwashing liquid and poured onto a slide with water for the children’s ‘slip ‘n slide’ activity”.
Five children and two employees were taken to hospital, one in a serious condition.
In an update last night, Kindercare confirmed all children and employees had been discharged from hospital.
Forty others were assessed by ambulance staff.
In its statement, Kindercare Woolston expressed its “shock” and “deep regret” following the incident.
“Kindercare is shocked that this incident occurred, and children entrusted to our care were harmed. Our first priority now is to ensure the children receive the medical attention they need,” the statement read.
“We are supporting our families to keep them informed. We express our deep regret and acknowledge just how distressing this is to parents and families. Kindercare will also be ensuring our team members in hospital are receiving support and care.
“Kindercare is taking this seriously and will ensure a full investigation takes place.”
Worksafe said it was in contact with the daycare about the incident.
“We have opened an investigation and will be attending the centre to gather evidence and understand the circumstances.”
