A woman who made children eat soap as punishment appeared in court on Tuesday.
Sharon Tamou pleaded guilty in Whanganui District Court to three counts of assaulting children.
Police prosecutor Rachel Willemsen told the court that over a period of three years Tamou forced two children under her care to eat soap and struck them with a wooden spoon and spatula as punishment.
Judge Dugald Mathesen said the law had a duty to deter others from resorting to such behaviour.
"We have a duty to protect vulnerable children who are placed under adult care."
He sentenced Tamou to nine months supervision.