BREAKING: A Melbourne mother is urgently calling for criminal charges after her three-year-old neurodivergent son, Kayce, was slapped by a childcare educator on October 17, 2025. The shocking incident has prompted widespread outrage and raised serious concerns about the safety of vulnerable children in care.
Just 40 minutes after dropping Kayce off at the First Early Learning centre at 7:00 AM, mother Jaymie Barber received a distressing call from the centre’s manager. Kayce was reported to have been “struck across the face” after exhibiting behavior characterized by his complex needs. “I just broke down, I didn’t know what to say. It’s horrible,” Ms. Barber told 9News.
The childcare centre immediately launched an investigation, gathering witness statements. Reports indicate that Kayce, who struggles with emotional regulation, became upset and started hitting and kicking staff. The educator involved recounted a moment of impulse: “I reacted impulsively and slapped him back,” she stated, expressing deep regret for her actions. Following the incident, she was dismissed from her position.
In the aftermath, Kayce has faced severe emotional turmoil and behavioral setbacks. “He now does not trust other adults,” Ms. Barber explained, emphasizing the need for better training for childcare workers handling neurodivergent children. She highlighted that Kayce’s needs were well-known to the centre prior to enrolment, and the family was assured of collaborative support.
As Kayce has been suspended from the centre, management cited concerns that they could not guarantee a safe environment for all children. The situation has left Ms. Barber heartbroken, advocating for urgent reforms in childcare training to address the needs of neurodiverse children, stating, “You’ve probably got 10 children in a daycare setting that have all got neurodiverse needs… and they’re being overlooked.”
Authorities, including Victoria Police and the education department, have been notified, and the matter is now being investigated by Victoria’s early childhood regulator. A spokesperson for the education department stated, “Our priority is, and always will be, the health and safety of children,” reinforcing the importance of safety in childcare settings.
As the family awaits further developments, they are urging swift action to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The community is rallying around Ms. Barber, who continues to advocate for her son and others facing comparable challenges.
This incident has sparked a vital conversation about the treatment of children with special needs in educational settings, highlighting the dire need for reform in training and policy to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops, and join the conversation on social media to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children in our communities.
