Bombshell on childcare accused's history
The report could have triggered a review of his clearances.
Two reports were made to Victoria's Reportable Conduct Scheme before his arrest about his interaction with children at the Point Cook Creative Gardens childcare centre - the same centre where his alleged sexual offences occurred.
The two newly revealed reports did not relate to sexual offending, but included Mr Brown behaving 'aggressively' with a child two years before his arrest.
Mr Brown was charged on May 12 with more than 70 offences against eight alleged victims between five months and two years old.
A statewide call was put out by Victorian health authorities for 1200 children to get tests for sexually transmitted diseases, sparking outrage among parents.
G8 Education who run the Creative Garden childcare centre in Point Cook sent details of the offending to families in a statement uploaded to its website. The Point Cook Creative Garden Early Learning Centre. Credit: News Corp Australia
'We are reaching out to you today as we understand there may be further media stories about Joshua Dale Brown relating to incidents where he was the subject of suspension of employment, investigation and disciplinary action by G8 Education, in matters which are unrelated to the charges he is now facing,' the statement read.
In the first reported incident, which was investigated in April 2023, Mr Brown 'aggressively picked up and put down and did not uphold the dignity and rights of a child in his care by not supporting that child while they were upset'.
The incident was raised by three staff members and reported to Victoria Police, The Commission for Children and Young People and the Department of Education — it was then referred back to G8 to deal with internally.
In its statement G8 said the incident was 'thoroughly investigated' and the allegations were substantiated.
Mr Brown was placed on three months' leave, received a warning and was given an improvement plan.
The second incident was investigated in January 2024 and involved Mr Brown raising his voice with three children and 'forcibly' grabbing the arm of one child, the leg of another and pulling off one of the children's shoes.
Again, the incident was reported to Victoria Police, CCYP and the Department, which again referred it back to G8 to deal with.
G8 substantiated those allegations as well.
Mr Brown was suspended by G8, and he subsequently resigned.
He went on to work at 10 more childcare centres, not operated by G8. Joshua Dale Brown was found to have 'aggressively' picked up a child more than two years before his arrest on 70 offences. Picture Supplied. Credit: Supplied
A substantiated finding would typically trigger a person's Working With Children Check to be reviewed, but the ABC reported that the CCYP used discretionary powers not to escalate Mr Brown's offending as it was viewed as a lower-level incident.
If it had been escalated it would have give authorities an opportunity to review his Working With Children Check.
Last Tuesday, G8 Education issued a market update to the Australian Stock Exchange which detailed its response to the allegations.
Chief executive Pejman Okhovat said: 'These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our hearts go out to the children and families involved.
'I am deeply sorry for the unimaginable pain caused to our families and what they are going through.
'Our primary focus right now is on supporting all families who are impacted, as well as our team members in Victoria.
He continued on to say that the chain is working with Victoria Police and the government in their investigation and 'doing everything we can' to help the families and children find justice.
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