THE parents of a boy who died in Princess Margaret Hospital after being retrieved unconscious from the pool of a Carramar home day care centre have shown support for the woman who was caring for him that day.
Two-year-old Lachlan was taken to hospital on Monday after falling into a pool at an Ollera Meander property.
The Department of Local Government and Communities is investigating the incident.
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READ NOWEarlier this year, Royal Life Saving WA inspectors deemed the pool enclosure at the home to be secure.
In a statement released this afternoon, Lachlan’s parents said the boy “loved his carer and she loved him”.
“She brought so much confidence and joy to our boy, we will forever be grateful,” the statement said.
“We are pleased that she was able to spend time with Lachlan in hospital and we had hoped that hers may be the voice to bring him back to us.”
“Lachlan was a bright, inquisitive boy full of life, affection and the occasional mischief.”
The parents hoped the “tragic and preventable accident” would lead to tighter regulations for pool areas at day care centres.
They supported a minimum fence height of at least 1.8m and stricter guidelines about child access to outdoor areas.
“Family day care has been an extremely important part of Lachlan’s development,” the statement said.
“Therefore, we would urge the public and government organisations to work with the centres in Perth to create positive change in Lachlan’s name.”
The parents thanked hospital staff for their support through the ordeal, particularly those in the paediatric intensive care unit.
“You gave our family time to say goodbye and assisted Lachlan in a peaceful transition,” they said.