G8 Education, one of Australia’s largest private childcare companies, has committed to installing CCTV cameras in all 400 of its centres following the alleged sexual abuse involving eight children by a former employee.
The decision came after its former employee Joshua Dale Brown was charged with over 70 offences involving eight children, aged between five months and two years, at the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Point Cook, Melbourne.
Brown, 26, was arrested in May and revealed to have worked at 20 childcare centres across Melbourne from 2017 to 2025. The charges include sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16, sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16, the production of child abuse material, and more.
G8 Education announced in a July 8 market update to the ASX that it will expand CCTV installation across all its centres, following a trial at select locations. It also intends to commission an independent review after the criminal proceedings have concluded.
“These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our hearts go out to the children and families involved,” said Chief Executive Pejman Okhovat.
“I am deeply sorry for the unimaginable pain caused to our families and what they are going through.”
The company’s share price fell further to 94.5 cents on July 8 after losing over $170 million in value during the past week.
Around 2,600 families and carers who had children attend centres where Brown worked have been sent letters, and over 1,200 children have been advised to undergo testing for infectious diseases.
Parents of the victimised children have launched a lawsuit against G8 Education.
Law firm Arnold Thomas & Becker, which is representing the parents seeking damages, said over 100 families had contacted the firm with a range of queries, though a class action has yet to be confirmed.
“The level of inquiry we’ve had has been so overwhelming. It’s been difficult,” Jodie Harris, the firm’s principal lawyer, told AAP.
“It is difficult because the children are so young and it’s not like they could go home and tell their parents what had happened.”
“Abuse that occurs in a child’s life has lifelong impacts potentially on education, employment, and relationships.”
Educators Raise Concerns Over Staff Shortages
While the scandal sent shockwaves through the childcare industry, companies in the sector continue to struggle with staff shortages.
A United Workers Union (UWU) survey, carried out before the allegations were made public, revealed that more than three-quarters of professionals reported that their education centres operate below minimum staffing requirements at least once a week, with 42 percent stating it occurs daily.
Approximately 83 percent of respondents said safety was being compromised by a common staffing loophole, which allows centres to shift educators between rooms and includes staff who are not physically present on the floor in meeting mandated staffing ratios.
“Educators tell us that what was supposed to be a common sense stop gap for changes that occur at centres through the day has become an over-used staffing loophole,” said Carolyn Smith, UWU’s early education director.
“[It is] entrenching educators regularly working below minimum staffing requirements in their rooms.”
Smith argued that the system is failing both workers and children, intensifying calls for national regulation and increased funding for the industry.
“Widespread understaffing and a lack of inclusion support staff impacts the level of care children receive,” she said.
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
AAP contributed to this report.
