Key Takeaways
- Hayley Kelleher, an 18-year-old childcare worker, has pleaded guilty to common assault of a three-year-old boy at Jenny’s Kindergarten and Early Learning centre in Bathurst, NSW.
- The incident occurred when Kelleher became "frustrated and flustered" after her senior colleagues ignored her requests to help manage the child’s behaviour.
- The childcare worker grabbed the boy’s arm, lifted him off the ground, and dragged him to a different mattress, causing pain and discomfort.
- Kelleher was sacked from her job after the incident and will be sentenced on December 10.
- The conduct of childcare companies and workers has been under scrutiny in 2025, following a long-running investigation by ABC’s Four Corners program.
Introduction to the Incident
The childcare worker, Hayley Kelleher, appeared in Bathurst Local Court to plead guilty to one count of common assault. The incident occurred on July 11 at Jenny’s Kindergarten and Early Learning centre in Bathurst, central western NSW. Kelleher was trying to settle a group of children for their midday nap when the three-year-old boy repeatedly refused to lie on his mattress. Despite her requests for help from senior colleagues, Kelleher was ignored, leading to her becoming increasingly frustrated and flustered.
The Assault
According to the agreed statement of facts, Kelleher grabbed the boy’s right arm and lifted him off the ground, before dragging him three metres away to a different mattress. The court document states that Kelleher released the victim short of the mattress, then picked him up again by his right arm and placed him on to the mattress. The incident was captured on CCTV, and the child’s mother complained to the NSW education department, leading to an internal investigation and Kelleher’s subsequent sacking. The action caused the victim pain and discomfort, resulting in his jumper being torn, and was considered excessive and unreasonable.
Investigation and Aftermath
The child’s mother reported the incident to police in late August after being shown the CCTV footage by the NSW education department. During a police interview in mid-September, Kelleher admitted her actions and expressed remorse, stating that she did not intend to cause harm to the victim or damage his clothing. Kelleher attributed her behaviour to feeling frustrated and flustered due to the lack of assistance from her senior colleagues in managing the child’s behaviour. The centre has since stated that it holds a strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abuse, neglect, or inappropriate conduct and has worked closely with the relevant authorities to address the concerns of the family involved.
Scrutiny of Childcare Companies and Workers
The conduct of childcare companies and workers has been under the spotlight for much of 2025, following a long-running investigation by ABC’s Four Corners program. The incident involving Kelleher has raised concerns about the management of childcare centres and the support provided to staff in managing challenging behaviour. The centre’s statement emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and neglect highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children in childcare settings. Kelleher’s sentencing on December 10 will be closely watched, and the incident is likely to contribute to ongoing discussions about the need for improved support and training for childcare workers.
Conclusion and Sentencing
In conclusion, the incident involving Hayley Kelleher highlights the importance of providing adequate support and training to childcare workers in managing challenging behaviour. The fact that Kelleher felt frustrated and flustered due to the lack of assistance from her senior colleagues raises concerns about the centre’s policies and procedures. The sentencing of Kelleher on December 10 will be a significant moment in this case, and it is likely that the incident will have implications for the childcare sector as a whole. The need for a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and neglect is clear, and childcare centres must prioritize the safety and well-being of children in their care.