Parents reveal a VERY different side to childcare worker accused of rant at Jewish netball game - as her handwritten note emerges

By LUCY MANLY, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 14:51, 14 May 2026 | Updated: 14:52, 14 May 2026 A childcare worker accused of using offensive language during an under-12 girls' netball match was praised by parents in a string of glowing reviews for the childcare centre where she worked. It contrasts starkly with negative headlines that engulfed her last week, when footage of her being confronted by a Jewish community leader went viral across social media. Jody Scarcella, from Chifley in Sydney's south-east, allegedly used harmful language last Saturday while watching an under-12s netball game between Maccabi, a Jewish team, and the Saints at Heffron Park Netball Centre. Unearthed reviews posted by current and former parents at the childcare centre paint a strikingly positive picture of the mother-of-two, describing her as 'incredibly warm and supportive'. 'Of course, teachers and supporters like Jodie [sic] and the rest of the team are also incredibly warm and supportive, and we appreciate them so much,' one review read. 'Thank you - we honestly hope to have [name redacted] and Jodie there forever.' In a handwritten note, penned during Teacher Appreciation Day in 2025, Scarcella described her work in childcare in her own words as offering 'opportunities [that] are varied, complex, fun and rewarding'. She added: 'Coming to work is easy when you work with good children and families.' Jody Scarcella, a married mother-of-two from Chifley, in Sydney's south-east, has been identified as the woman charged with using offensive language at a children's netball game Jody Scarcella (pictured left) has taken leave from her job in childcare There was no sign of movement at the family's home on Monday. Days later, the blinds remained firmly shut, while a tarp draped over the side gate blocked any view into the property Now facing serious allegations, Scarcella has stepped away from her role. Her defence lawyer, former NSW Police officer and prosecutor Paul McGirr, told the Daily Mail that his client intends to fight the charge. He said she had taken leave from work because it was in 'everybody's best interest', and to ensure that her employer did not receive 'unwanted attention'. Scarcella still holds accreditation to work as an early childhood educator in New South Wales, meaning she is legally permitted to continue teaching while criminal proceedings are ongoing. In the days following the alleged incident, neighbours said the Scarcella family had not been seen on their suburban street since the story broke last weekend. On Thursday, residents told the Mail that they recognised their neighbour after her image was splashed across television news bulletins. 'Yes, we recognised her face on the TV,' one neighbour said, as she was spotted shopping in Maroubra that day. 'I haven't seen her since the story came out. Can you blame her? But I bet the whole street will be talking about it.' In a handwritten note, penned during Teacher Appreciation Day in 2025, Scarcella described her work in childcare in her own words as offering 'opportunities [that] are varied, complex, fun and rewarding' The mum of two intends to fight the charge when she faces court next month, her lawyer says Despite Monday marking her 43rd birthday, there was no sign of celebration at the family's split-level home. Days later, the blinds remained firmly shut, while a tarp draped over the side gate blocked any view into the property. The Mail understands that Scarcella was wary of the media presence outside her home on Monday, with several television crews arriving shortly after we attended the property just before 7am. Scarcella and her husband, Brent, deactivated their social media accounts on Sunday, including their business-related profiles. Footage widely circulated online showed her being confronted by parents following the alleged verbal incident. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin also attended the scene, asking her 'Did you actually say what's been alleged?' NSW Police were called to Heffron Park shortly after 10am on Saturday following reports that a woman had allegedly made offensive comments during a match between Maccabi Netball Club - a club for Jewish girls aged seven and older - and Saints Netball Club. Officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command confirmed they spoke to a 42-year-old woman at the scene and issued her with a move-on direction before charging her the following day with one count of using offensive language. 'She will face Waverley Local Court on June 17,' police said in a statement. Mr Ryvchin confronted Scarcella following the alleged incident in a now-viral video Scarcella has been banned from attending future matches Netball NSW has also banned her from attending any courts or games pending further investigation. A photograph obtained by the Mail showed her speaking with a female police officer while other officers and onlookers watched nearby. Footage of the confrontation has since been viewed thousands of times online. In a statement, Saints Netball Club said the alleged comments did not reflect the organisation's values. Randwick Netball Association has launched its own investigation alongside Netball NSW. Inside Jefferson Lewis' squalid hideout and the chilling message scrawled on the wall - as he's charged with murdering five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby Grim details emerge about 'payback' attack on Jefferson Lewis as he is charged with murdering five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby 'They've lost the plot. She's spiralling badly': How Meghan and Harry have burned ALL their bridges as insiders reveal spectacular fallout with Anna Wintour and Kardashians, money woes - and 'problems' that are worse than anyone realises Sydney to Hobart race bigwig charged with vile alleged sex crimes after resigning from Royal Yacht Club of Victoria Toyboy twist after Kristin Fisher's alleged break-and-enter drama. Plus, legal bills push feuding socialite to rock bottom... and which actor's mistress just got his name tattooed? THE GROUP CHAT Glamorous JP Morgan exec accused of turning married male broker into her office sex slave: Claims of Viagra spiking and litany of obscene forced acts that made him cry Backpacker killer Ivan Milat's FIFTY new victims: Damning revelations he slaughtered tourists years before Belanglo - as haunting photo of his 'kill kit' emerges It's all over for influencer couple Chloe Szep and Mitch Orval: We reveal the signs it's a painful split - and her VERY telling act after we slid into her DMs... This famous actor should've been set for life... then a superannuation scam stole his future and he drives a bus at 65. Here are the grubs who left him with nothing as victims speak out  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.