Alleged verbal abuse of toddlers at daycare centre

Sune Amaro said her two-year-old son was shouted at by the owner of the centre. “I know that anybody can lose their temper, but it is unacceptable to shout at toddlers,” she said. “I have taken my child out of the centre so that I can have peace of mind.”

Midrand Reporter has in its possession a recording of the alleged abuse from a source who asked to remain anonymous.

A voice allegedly belonging to the daycare owner is heard saying to teachers of the daycare centre that they must give the children panado when they are crying or being difficult. The source decided to record the outburst “to keep proof that the owners always shout at the children and staff”. The source said the new owner took over the school in February and chaos has reigned since then.

Amaro said she was drawing attention to the matter to prevent further abuse of children at the centre.

In a related incident, parent Kiroshnee Kirsten alleged that her child was injured at the daycare.

“On 12 March I dropped off my child at the centre and when I was leaving for work my child looked reluctant to stay at school,” she said. “When I came to pick him up later the teachers told me that my son was hurt when a pram feel on top of his head.”

Kirsten said she had taken her child out of the daycare.

Midrand Reporter tried to contact the owner of the centre to get her side of the story. A man who did not identify himself answered her cellphone and said the owner was no longer allowed to speak to anyone about the incident.

Midrand police spokesperson Matome Tlamela confirmed that a case of child abuse was reported to the Midrand police and they would be investigating.