A childcare worker at Little Zaks Academy in Doonside has been found guilty of assault after disturbing CCTV footage revealed her violently manhandling a young child in her care.
The court heard how 25-year-old worker was captured on camera grabbing the child by the arm and forcefully pushing them against a wall before dragging them across the room. The incident, which occurred in February 2023, only came to light when the child's parents noticed bruising and raised concerns with nursery management.
Disturbing Footage Reveals Violent Treatment
Prosecutors described the footage as "deeply concerning" and "completely unacceptable" for any childcare professional. The video evidence showed the worker displaying what magistrates called "a total loss of control" and "complete disregard for the child's welfare."
Parents of the affected child expressed their devastation in a victim impact statement, describing how the incident had shattered their trust in childcare providers and left their child experiencing anxiety around unfamiliar adults.
Nursery Responds to Incident
Little Zaks Academy management confirmed the employee was immediately suspended when the allegations emerged and has since been terminated. The nursery chain has implemented additional safeguarding measures and staff training in response to the incident.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by this isolated incident," a spokesperson for the academy stated. "The safety and wellbeing of children in our care is our absolute priority, and we have zero tolerance for any behaviour that compromises this."
Legal Consequences and Industry Implications
The worker was convicted of common assault and received a 12-month community correction order, along with 100 hours of community service. She is also prohibited from working in childcare or education settings during this period.
Early childhood education experts have highlighted the case as a reminder of the critical importance of proper staff vetting, ongoing training, and robust safeguarding protocols in childcare facilities across the country.
The case has prompted calls for mandatory reporting of such incidents to regulatory bodies and more frequent unannounced inspections of childcare facilities to ensure compliance with safety standards.
