Childcare worker charged following incident at Kelso service

A childcare worker has been charged with reckless wounding following an incident involving a four-year-old child at an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service in Kelso, near Bathurst, New South Wales.

As reported by NSW Police, officers from Chifley Police District commenced an investigation on Friday 8 August 2025, after receiving reports that a child had been injured at a service located on Ingersole Drive, Kelso.

Police allege that at approximately 3pm on Thursday 7 August, a 24-year-old female staff member placed the child onto a bed, during which the child’s head came into contact with the edge of the bed frame. The incident resulted in a 2cm laceration to the child’s head.

The child received immediate medical attention, and the incident was reported to police the following day.

Following inquiries, the educator was arrested at a residential address in Kelso at approximately 3.15pm on Tuesday 16 September. She was transported to Bathurst Police Station, where she was formally charged with reckless wounding.

The woman has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear before Bathurst Local Court on Wednesday 29 October 2025.

Under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, approved providers are required to notify the regulatory authority of any serious incidents, including those involving injury or allegations of misconduct. Incidents such as these may trigger reviews by regulatory bodies to assess compliance with National Quality Standard (NQS) elements relating to children’s health, safety, and wellbeing.

The relevant regulatory authority may also determine whether additional investigation, compliance action or changes to service approval are required, depending on the nature and outcome of the incident.

As this matter is now before the courts, no further details about the circumstances or the individuals involved can be confirmed. The individual charged is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and all proceedings will be determined in accordance with standard judicial processes.

Media coverage of incidents involving children and early education services is subject to strict reporting standards to ensure privacy and procedural fairness. 

All early childhood education and care services are required to have policies in place to guide behaviour management, child protection, and incident reporting. Sector-wide, there is a strong emphasis on child safety, staff training, and ongoing supervision to help minimise risk and uphold children’s rights and wellbeing.

ECEC providers are encouraged to regularly review and update their procedures to ensure alignment with best practice and current regulations.