Pratik Bhattarai, a former Perth childcare worker, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for indecently touching a three-year-old girl in his care. The incident occurred at the childcare center, with other children and staff nearby. The victim's mother provided a statement detailing the impact on her daughter, including physical discomfort and emotional distress. The court heard that Bhattarai's defense and cross-examination caused further trauma to the victim and her family. The judge described the offense as a breach of trust and a "gross invasion of bodily integrity." Bhattarai, who expects to be deported after serving his sentence, will be eligible for parole after seven and a half months. A lifetime violence restraining order is in place to protect the victim.
To help you get an understanding of your childcare centres approach to child safety, we've compiled a checklist of essential questions to ask. This resource focuses on child protection policies, staff training, supervision, and child education.
We encourage you to use this checklist as a starting point for conversations with your childcare provider. Proactive communication is key to creating a safe environment for our children.
