A Melbourne mother has demanded criminal charges be brought against a childcare worker who slapped her three-year-old son, who has complex neurodivergent needs.
The distressing incident occurred at the First Early Learning centre on October 17. Jaymie Barber had dropped off her son, Kayce, at 7am, only to be called to collect him just 40 minutes later due to his behaviour.
Traumatic Discovery and Immediate Fallout
Later that day, the centre's manager contacted a shocked Ms Barber to reveal the truth: her little boy had been struck across the face by an educator after he had hit the staff member. "I just broke down, I didn't know what to say. It's horrible," Ms Barber told reporters. "They are there to protect your children and look after them."
The childcare centre launched an immediate investigation. Witness statements described how Kayce, who has known complex behavioural needs, became upset and began hitting and kicking staff.
The educator involved provided a statement claiming that after Kayce hit her, her "mind went blank." She wrote, "I reacted impulsively and slapped him back." A colleague immediately intervened and moved the child to another room.
Deteriorating Behaviour and Systemic Failures
The educator was dismissed by the centre, expressing deep regret for her actions. The incident was reported to Victoria Police and the education department.
Ms Barber is now calling for criminal charges to be laid. "It's heartbreaking. Like I do understand, he (Kayce) has so many big emotions, but he is the sweetest kid known to mankind," she said. She emphasised that while parents can get frustrated, a professional should "know a lot better than that. And he's three."
In a devastating turn, Kayce has been suspended from the childcare centre. Management claimed his physical way of expressing emotions led to a high number of injuries and that they were unable to ensure a safe environment.
Ms Barber contends that the centre was fully aware of Kayce's needs before he was enrolled and had assured the family of their collaborative support. She says her son's behaviour has deteriorated since the slapping incident. "He now does not trust other adults, and he was already having a very hard time being neurodivergent as it is," she explained.
A Call for Better Training and Regulation
The family is now advocating for better training for educators to equip them to manage children with diverse behavioural needs. "You've probably got 10 children in a daycare setting that have all got neurodiverse needs these days, and they're being overlooked," Ms Barber stated, warning that such children "fall through the cracks."
The matter is being investigated by Victoria's early childhood regulator. A department spokesperson confirmed that their priority is the health and safety of children and that the Regulatory Authority responds to any non-compliance. A new, independent regulator is set to launch on January 1 as part of wider child safety reforms.
