Childcare Provider Faces Scrutiny After Allegations

G8 Education implements CCTV rollout and expands learning plans after disturbing allegations.

Following alarming allegations, G8 Education is accelerating the implementation of CCTV across its 400 childcare centers nationwide. The company will also broaden its Individual Learning Plans, enabling parents to specify their preferences for educators handling their child’s personal care.

Safety Enhancements

After trials in selected locations, G8 is installing CCTV in all 400 centers. Parents can now express choices regarding which educators will administer personal care for their children, including diaper changes, through expanded Individual Learning Plans.

Financial Impact and Apology

Since the allegations surfaced on July 1, G8’s stock value has decreased, leading to these significant changes. Shares in G8 were trading at A$1.20 that day; at the close yesterday, they were at 94c per share, giving the company a market capitalization of approximately A$730 million.

The share value drop has resulted in roughly A$150 million in losses.

Pejman Okhovat, G8’s managing director and chief executive, stated that he and his team have been directly engaging with families in Victoria following the allegations against a former employee.

“These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our hearts go out to the children and families involved.”

—Pejman Okhovat, Managing Director and Chief Executive

As 73% of parents worry about the safety of their children in daycare, childcare providers have been implementing tighter controls (Care.com 2023).

“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. We are continuing to work with Victoria Police, the Victorian Government and other authorities as part of their ongoing investigation and are doing everything we can to give them the best chance of achieving justice for the children and families involved.”

—Pejman Okhovat, Managing Director and Chief Executive

Independent Review and Further Measures

Once criminal proceedings conclude, the company has pledged to launch an independent review of the incident. This review seeks to improve and reinforce the existing child safety protocols. G8 maintains it already has thorough child safety policies, such as banning electronic devices in childcare rooms, mandatory reporting procedures, and continuous staff training.

Call for Broader Sector Reform

G8 advocates for wider industry changes, including establishing a national educator register, a uniform Working with Children Check across states, and a national register of early childhood workers’ employment history.

Former employee Joshua Dale Brown is facing 70 charges related to alleged offenses involving eight children at a childcare centre in Point Cook. Photo / NewsWire

Officials have released details regarding the 20 childcare centers where Brown was employed, including his employment dates. Parents and guardians of 1200 children have been advised to have their children tested for sexually transmitted infections as a precaution.

Government Response

**Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan** announced the state government will immediately establish a register for childcare workers and expedite a policy to prohibit personal devices in childcare centers.

To avoid delay, we’ll be putting all Victorian childcare centres on notice,” **Allan** stated. “They will be required to adopt this ban on personal devices, effective from September 26.

Centers not complying with the ban could face fines up to A$50,000 (approximately $54,000 AUD).

An urgent review into childcare safety will also be commissioned, with more details expected later this week. This review will explore installing CCTV cameras and implementing a “four eyes” principle, ensuring children are never alone with a single adult.

Additionally, the review will assess whether the current five-year timeframe for working with children checks should be shortened. Note that in 2023, there were 5,391 offences recorded against children aged 0-14 years (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

National Level Action

**Education Minister Jason Clare** described the issue of predators in childcare settings as “serious” and requiring “serious action.”

The government has already taken steps, including banning personal mobile phones in centers and reducing the mandatory reporting timeframe for sexual or physical abuse complaints from seven days to 24 hours.

**Clare** has promised further reforms, such as cutting off funding to centers failing to meet minimum standards and changing background checks for workers.

It’s taken too long to do the work necessary to make sure that our Working with Children Check system is up to scratch,” **Clare** said.

**Clare** cautioned that a working with children check is not a “silver bullet,” emphasizing it is only one measure among many needed to ensure child safety.

Impact on Families

**Victoria’s** chief health officer, **Christian McGrath**, reported that 2,600 families have been contacted following the arrest of **Brown**. The Department of Health recommended 1,200 children undergo screening and testing as a precautionary measure.

Some families will be eligible for a $5,000 support payment to help with alternative care arrangements, loss of earnings, and other needs.

Victorian chief health officer **Christian McGrath** says 2600 families have been contacted after a childcare worker was arrested and charged. Photo / NewsWire

These measures aim to address the immediate crisis and lay the groundwork for a safer childcare environment.

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Major overhaul with CCTV rollout, more parental control after childcare worker arrested