Vantaa keeps fold-away beds in use despite fatal daycare accident

The city of Vantaa will continue using fold-away beds in its daycare centres, despite a recent fatal accident involving a two-year-old child, Yle reports. A mother of another child at the same facility has called the decision incomprehensible.

On Tuesday, Vantaa held a flag-day observance in memory of the child who died after being trapped between a fold-away bed and a wall at a daycare centre in Myyrmäki two weeks ago. The city currently uses approximately 12,100 such beds across its facilities, serving around 13,000 children.

The mother, who works as an early childhood educator in Vantaa and spoke anonymously to Yle, said the beds should have been removed immediately after the accident. She described responses from daycare management as evasive and frustrating, warning that the same error could happen again.

“In all the messages we’ve received, they emphasize that children’s safety is the top priority—but how can that be true if these beds are still in use?” she said. She noted that children could be left briefly unsupervised in sleeping areas, raising the risk of another child accidentally operating a bed while another is inside.

Ilkka Kalo, deputy mayor for education and learning, confirmed that nearly all of Vantaa’s daycare centres use fold-away beds from multiple manufacturers, reflecting decades of construction. Following the accident, the city updated safety guidelines to prohibit opening or closing beds while children are present. Beds may only be adjusted after children have left the room and doors are closed.

Kalo said the city is awaiting reports from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Otkes), expected in about a month, before reassessing long-term measures. He acknowledged staffing challenges but stated that the daycare in question was adequately staffed at the time of the incident.

When asked if updated guidelines were sufficient, given potential staff turnover or forgotten instructions, Kalo replied: “We ensure that information reaches all employees, including new hires.”