Carson Morhulec, a four-year-old boy, and his nursery recently made headlines. During a nursery trip, Carson was left behind at Scottish Deer Centre in Fife, Scotland. The oversight by staff went unnoticed for a significant period, raising serious concerns about the safety protocols in place for such outings.

Clare Hodge, Carson's mother, reported that her son was left alone for approximately 40 minutes before the nursery staff realised their mistake and returned to retrieve him.

This delay underscores a severe lapse in the basic safety measures expected at any time while caring for children. Such incidents can instill lasting fear and anxiety in them.

The incident highlights critical issues in the management and oversight of nursery trips. The primary responsibility of nursery staff is to ensure the safety and well-being of the children under their care. The failure to account for all the children before leaving the wildlife park is a glaring oversight. Such negligence not only puts children at risk but also erodes the trust parents place in educational institutions.

AUTHOR:- Iona has nearly 10 years of experience supporting nurseries and childminders in curriculum planning, leadership, and safeguarding. Her writing is informed by public information and sector insight, aiming to provide accessible, practical support for professionals working with children. She is part of the On the Button team, helping deliver Well-being, Safeguarding and Complaint Management Software that empowers practitioners to identify concerns early and act confidently.

On the Button provides innovative software tailored to the needs of the early years sector, with a strong focus on EYFS well-being and early years safeguarding. Our tools help senior practitioners to confidently track concerns, maintain robust records, and respond effectively — all while meeting statutory guidance. From early years complaint management to team-wide safeguarding alerts, our platform puts children's safety and emotional health first.