Amina Sharmin, 33, appeared at Westminster magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to assault by beating while she was trying to get a child to sleep.
She has been sentenced to 200 hours of community service and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the family of the child and £85 in costs.
Ms Sharmin was caught on CCTV swinging the child’s cot back and forth and repeatedly pushing its head down with a blanket, while working at Bright Horizons’ Fulham Day Nursery and Pre-school, rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered bruising to the ear, which was spotted by their parents.
After the incident came to light, Ms Sharmin, who had worked at the nursery for nearly four years, was given the sack.
She has since apologised to the family for her actions.
The nursery at the centre of the case can be identified for the first time following an application to Westminster Magistrates Court by the Evening Standard.
A spokesperson for the nursery said, ‘We fully support the decision of the court. Regarding this individual’s actions on the day in question we are shocked and saddened; this is categorically not how our staff are expected or trained to treat the children entrusted to our care.
‘There is no possible justification for this individual’s behaviour. Our priority is always the safety and happiness of the children.’