Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Brown arrested over time at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook
Who is Joshua Brown?
Joshua Dale Brown, 26, from Point Cook, is a former childcare worker who was employed at 20 childcare centres in Melbourne from 2017 up to May this year.
He has been charged with offences relating to his time at Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook, where he worked between October 2021 and February 2024. Police are also investigating allegations of other offending at a childcare centre in Essendon.
The more than 70 charges include sexual penetration of a child under 12, attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12, and sexual assault of a child under 16.
Brown is also charged with sexual activity in presence of a child under 16, produce child abuse material for use through a carriage service, and use carriage service to transmit child abuse material.
He was not known to police prior to their investigation and held a Working With Childrens Check which has since been revoked. He was arrested when police raided his Point Cook home in May.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 15.
How many children and families are impacted?
Brown's charges relate to eight alleged victims, aged between five months and two-years-old, who were in the care of Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023.
As a precaution, authorities have urged parents of 1200 children to have their kids tested for infectious diseases.
The Victorian Department of Health, in partnership with Victoria Police, is directly contacting families who may have been affected with further information.
Where did Joshua Brown work?
Below is a list of the childcare centres and employment dates where Brown worked provided by police.
Nino Early Learning Adventures - Point Cook: 15 Jan 2017 – 9 Jun 2019
Explorers Early Learning – Point Cook: 18 Aug 2019 – 27 Oct 2019
Casual work: 10 Nov 2019 & 22 Dec 2019
Adventurers Education - Wyndham Vale: 25 Nov 2019 – 24 Jul 2020
Only About Children - Williamstown: 28 Oct 2020 – 30 Mar 2021
Wallaby Childcare Centre - Sanctuary Lakes: 13 Apr 2021 – 25 May 2021
Nido Early Learning School - Werribee: 21 Jun 2021 – 16 Jul 2021
Creative Gardens - Point Cook: 28 Oct 2021 – 2 Feb 2024
Leopold World of Learning - Leopold: 9 Feb 2023 – 13 Feb 2023
Greenwood - Point Cook 14 Feb 2023: – 10 Mar 2023
Little Blossoms Child Care Centre - Werribee: 14 Aug 2023 – 17 Aug 2023
D.O.T.S Occupational Therapy for Children - Footscray: 1 Mar 2024 – 30 Apr 2024
Aussie Kindies Early Learning - Sunbury: 13 Aug 2024 – 21 Aug 2024
Milestones Early Learning - Werribee: 14 Aug 2024 – 16 Aug 2024
Milestones Early Learning - Hoppers Crossing: 19 Aug 2024 – 19 Aug 2024
Papilio Early Learning - Hoppers Crossing: 22 Aug 2024 – 12 Mar 2025
Kids Academy - Melton: 12 Sep 2024 – 12 Sep 2024
Kids Academy - Kensington: 7 Oct 2024 – 9 Oct 2024
Aussie Kindies Early Learning - Keilor: 11 Feb 2025 – 11 Feb 2025
Papilio Early Learning - Essendon: 17 Feb 2025 – 9 May 2025
Milestones Early Learning - Bundoora: 8 May 2025 – 8 May 2025
What should I do if my child attended one of the listed childcare centres?
The Department of Health and Victoria Police have contacted families whose children attended the childcare centres at the same time that Brown was employed.
Not every child who attended the childcare centres listed will be recommended for testing, as they won't have been identified as having a potential exposure risk.
It is also possible that those recommended for testing have had no exposure.
If you haven't been contacted by Victoria Police or received a direct notification from the Department of Health (via text, email or letter), it is likely that your child is not recommended to undergo testing, but there may be some families who don't have up-to-date contact information.
Parents who had a child at the listed childcare centres within the timeframes are advised to call the dedicated advice line on 1800 791 241 (open 7 days a week, 8am-9pm weekdays and 8 am-5 pm weekends).
Some families will be eligible for a payment of $5000 to help with alternative care arrangements, loss of earnings, and other practical needs.
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