Male childcare worker accused of slapping two young boys across the face during nap time is bailed

By CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER Published: 00:56, 28 April 2026 | Updated: 01:22, 28 April 2026 A childcare worker who allegedly slapped two toddlers across the face while they were fast asleep has received bail.  Jayendra Jung Shahi, 24, allegedly slapped a three-year-old boy and a four-year-old boy with an open hand during nap time, about 1pm, on Thursday.   Police said the alleged incident at Panania Montessori Academy located in Sydney's south-west was caught on CCTV footage.  It's understood a parent reported the incident to police on Friday.  Shahi was arrested at a home in Belmore on Saturday morning and charged with two counts of common assault. During a bail hearing on Sunday, Acting Judge Amanda Coultas-Roberts addressed the severity of the accusations.  '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,' she said, as reported by 7News.  'And whilst two of those children were sleeping, aged three and four, he slapped them across the face.' Jayendra Jung Shahi (pictured) allegedly slapped two boys, aged 3 and 4, at a childcare centre The alleged incident took place at his former employer, Panania Montessori Academy Shahi was released on bail, with his passport seized and a ban on entering childcare centres Shahi's wife said, via an affidavit, that her husband's mental health had deteriorated following recent family tragedies. The court heard the 24-year-old was working towards permanent residency and earned a diploma in early childhood education in 2025. Shahi's lawyer, James Moore, said his client required support for his mental health. Acting Judge Coultas-Roberts granted Shahi bail on the condition he hands over his passport and not enter any childcare facilities.  Shahi, who is a Nepalese national and has lived in Australia for seven years, has had his contract with the Montessori Academy terminated. A Montessori Academy spokesperson said it was aware of an allegation involving an educator slapping two children at one of its services.  'We take any concerns of this nature extremely seriously, and the safety, health and wellbeing of children is always our highest priority,' they said.  'As soon as we became aware of the allegation, immediate action was taken including standing down the educator and reporting the matter to the police and regulatory authority. 'We have since terminated the educator's employment.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.