A worker at a £1,900-a-month Montessori nursery in south west London has denied 24 charges of cruelty against children in her care.
Roksana Lecka, 21, is accused of assaulting or ill-treating multiple children at the Twickenham Green Montessori.
She also faces an allegation of child cruelty against a child.
At Kingston crown court on Friday, Lecka appeared in the dock to deny all 24 charges of cruelty to a child.
Judge Simon Heptonstall remanded her in custody until a trial which is provisionally set for May 6 next year.
The hearing was told efforts will be made to secure an earlier trial slot, for a case that could last up to six weeks, and the possibility of switching the trial to a different crown court is being considered.
The nursery, which charges fees of up to £1,900 a month, follows the Montessori method of teaching involving allowing children to pursue their natural interests and activities.
It is part of the Riverside Nursery Schools group, and was shut down when news of the criminal case against Lecka first emerged this summer.
Detective Superintendent Ian Cameron, from the Met Police’s South West area's Public Protection team, said in the wake of the charges being brought: “I understand the concern that this has caused in the community, especially for parents with young children in nursery.
“These are very serious allegations, which is why we swiftly launched a thorough investigation.”
Lecka is currently being held at HMP Bronzefield, and has been in custody since she was first charged.
In each charge, it is said she “had responsibility” for the alleged victims and is accused of “willfully assaulted and/or mistreated” the children “in a manner likely to cause harm, unnecessary suffering, or injury to health”.
A further hearing in her case is due to take place on January 13 next year.
