Nursery worker who slapped five-year-old girl with complex additional support needs struck off

A nursery worker who slapped a five-year-old child with additional support needs has been struck off.

Nicola Tyler, from Irvine, has been under investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) following an incident at a nursery she worked out.

Tyler, who was employed by North Ayrshire Council on November 11, 2024, slapped a five-year-old girl on the head.

The SSSC found the allegation against Tyler to be proven due to her subsequent conviction at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on October 22, 2025.

In the SSSC’s report, Tyler explained her version of events.

She said: “My head was bent down, and A hit me on the back of the head, but she was in front of me if that makes sense. My reaction was that I slapped or tapped her against her left cheek with my right hand”.

The report also explained the child in question was a young girl with complex additional support needs.

The SSSC considered Tyler’s fitness to practice to be impaired and set out the reasons for this.

It is noted that Tyler received an “absolute discharge” by the court, meaning Tyler was guilty but did not receive a punishment handed down by a judge.

The report stated: “The Panel is satisfied that your conduct was unkind, unlawful, abusive, caused unnecessary risk to the child in question and casts serious doubt upon your suitability to work in any social care setting.

“Your behaviour towards the child was a manifest departure from all that was expected of you in the role and from the standards expected of those providing care in an early year’s setting.”

The SSSC also noted that Tyler did not attend the hearing and therefore the panel could not conclude whether she had shown insight or regret for her behaviour.

Tyler also made clear she did not wish to return to the care sector, should she only be given a warning.

Therefore, the SSSC panel handed down a removal order and Tyler was struck from the care register permanently.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individuals.”