Police are investigating after a two-year-old boy died at a nursery in Liverpool.
The child, who has not been named, had “a fatal medical episode” at the nursery in Bootle on Tuesday afternoon, Merseyside police said.
The force said in a statement that the boy’s death, at the Early Learners day nursery, was being treated as unexplained.
The child was taken to hospital by ambulance, but was later pronounced dead. Merseyside police said their officers were providing support to the child’s family.
In a message sent to parents, the nursery said it was informing them with “devastating sadness” that a child had died.
Merseyside police said: “The incident was reported at around 12.35pm Tuesday 14 January, at Early Learners day nursery, on Hawthorne Road, and the child was taken to hospital by paramedics.
“He was sadly pronounced deceased at hospital and his family is being supported.
“An investigation has been commenced to establish the full circumstances and cause of death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.”
The nursery sent a message to parents to carers saying it would be closed for the rest of the week.
“Dear parents and carers, as you are aware, this afternoon a medical emergency occurred at the nursery. It is with devastating sadness that we have to inform you of a child’s passing,” the message, which was shared on social media and reported by the Liverpool Echo, said.
“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.”
The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four. According to an Ofsted report published in May last year, which rated it as “good”, it was first registered in 1994. At the time of the report it employed 18 members of staff and had 114 children on its register.
