Abuse nurse banned

Worker put two-year-old in a cupboard and told child they were ‘especially ugly’

A NURSERY worker who put a two-year-old child in a cupboard has been struck off after admitting a host of abuse allegations.

Teresa Renton is banned from the profession after verbally and physically abusing youngsters at the Little Reivers Nursery in Duns, Berwickshire.

The 33-year-old frightened one youngster by “roaring” or clapping in his face while he was falling asleep. She upset another child by forcing them to sit for a “prolonged time at lunch” and shouting at them.

Renton told a colleague she should shout at the children and called her fellow staff member “stupid”. She also lifted another child by one arm as they were climbing stairs. On another occasion, she called a two-yearold child “stupid and simple”.

She threatened to put a twoyear-old in a cupboard more than once and then did so, causing the child distress. She also told children they were “not cute enough” and told one youngster they were “especially ugly”.

The early years practitioner admitted committing the offences between September 2015 and June 2016 and accepted the striking off order.

The Scottish Social Services Council said: “Trying to upset children is behaviour incompatible with that expected of a social service worker.”

Helen Forsyth, of Berwickshire Housing Association, who own the nursery, said: “We are truly sorry this has happened.

“We are contacting all parents whose children attended the nursery at that time. We are explaining additional procedures we have put in place to ensure Little Reivers is a happy and safe place for their children.”