A 22-year-old childcare worker has been charged after allegedly assaulting a four-year-old boy at a childcare centre in Bolwarra.

Police allege the incident occurred on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, at a childcare centre on Paterson Road, where the woman was caring for the child.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District launched an investigation in June after receiving reports that a childcare worker had allegedly assaulted a child in her care.

At about 1.30pm today (Wednesday), detectives arrested the woman at a home in the Hunter Region.

She was taken to Maitland Police Station, where she was charged with common assault and child subjected to corporal punishment – staff member etc.

The woman was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Maitland Local Court on Wednesday, 22 July 2026.

The charges have not been tested in court.

This version keeps the strong MHV-style headline, concise lead, clear chronology, and includes the important legal note that the allegations remain before the court.