A childcare center in Sydney is set to close following the arrest of two employees on assault charges. Little Zak's Academy Doonside announced the decision to shut down as it aims to rebuild its staff from the ground up. The two female workers were charged by New South Wales Police last week for allegedly assaulting a toddler.

In a letter sent to parents on Monday, the center stated it would "voluntarily suspend its service approval." The note described the decision as difficult but necessary. "Despite our ongoing efforts to lift and sustain high-quality standards within Little Zak's Doonside, we have continued to face significant challenges," the letter read. The center emphasized that closing and rebuilding the educator team is essential to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Little Zak's Academy did not provide additional comments when approached for further information. The company confirmed that both educators charged had valid Working With Children and criminal history checks.

The two women are scheduled to appear in Blacktown Local Court in December. This incident follows a recent inquiry into the childcare sector, where Little Zak's Academy's chief executive, Richard Bell, testified. He noted that the company operates 47 early learning centers, employs nearly 1,600 professionals, and cares for about 10,000 children weekly.

During the inquiry, the company faced scrutiny for regulatory breaches at other centers. Issues included a child being fed dairy products despite having a severe allergy, a worker restraining a child improperly, and another child being found unsupervised in a washing machine cupboard. The center's closure aims to address these challenges and restore trust in its services.