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A childcare worker is alleged to have slapped two children with an open hand while they slept at their childcare centre in Sydney’s west.
Nepalese national Jayendra Jung Shahi, 24, was arrested on Saturday following reports he had assaulted the two boys, aged three and four, at a Panania Childcare centre about 1pm on Thursday.
A court heard on Sunday that the incident was caught on CCTV. Shahi was charged with two counts of common assault.
“They are pretty serious examples of common assault, as they were committed in circumstances where the accused was meant to care for children in a childcare centre, and whilst two of those children were sleeping, aged three and four, he slapped them across the face,” the magistrate said.
Australia’s childcare sector has come under increasing scrutiny over the past 12 months after a series of scandals, including the exposure of serial sexual predators working in the industry. The federal government has introduced a national register for childcare workers and is considering mandatory CCTV in childcare centres.
Shahi has been living in Australia for seven years and had hoped to get permanent residency. His wife swore in an affidavit that his mental health had deteriorated after some recent family tragedies.
Shahi’s lawyer James Moore said he recognised that he needed professional help with his mental health issues and would get support regardless of whether it was ordered by the court.
“He has not done this before but the recent event and him being in custody for a couple of days has let him to a wake-up call,” Moore said.
The prosecution opposed Shahi receiving bail, citing the risk to the community, particularly children. Police prosecutor Sam Adwan said the behaviour seen on the CCTV footage was “quite concerning”.
However, the court approved bail given that Shahi had no criminal history, and on the conditions that he was banned from visiting childcare centres and surrender his passport.
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