G8 Education Implements Major Safety Reforms After Childcare Worker Arrest

In response to a deeply troubling incident involving a former childcare worker, G8 Education, Australia’s largest childcare provider, has announced significant safety overhauls across its 400 centres nationwide. The measures follow the arrest of Joshua Brown, a former employee at the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre in Victoria, who is accused of abusing eight children aged as young as 5 months between April 2022 and January 2023.

Since the allegations surfaced, G8 Education has experienced a massive A$150 million decline in market value, with shares dropping from A$1.20 to 94c per share. In a statement to investors, the company outlined a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at restoring trust and ensuring the safety of children in its care.

CCTV Rollout and Individual Learning Plans

One of the most significant changes is the accelerated rollout of CCTV cameras across all 400 childcare centres. The company has already conducted trials in several locations and now plans to implement the system nationwide. This move is designed to provide real-time monitoring and an added layer of accountability for staff and educators.

Alongside the CCTV initiative, G8 Education is expanding the use of Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), which allow parents to specify preferences for which educators handle personal care tasks such as nappy changes and toileting. This gives parents greater control and visibility into the daily care their children receive.

Independent Review and Sector-Wide Reforms

In addition to internal measures, G8 has pledged to commission an independent review of the incident once criminal proceedings are complete. The review will assess the company’s existing safety protocols and recommend further improvements to child protection policies.

G8’s managing director, Pejman Okhovat, expressed deep concern over the allegations and reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting affected families and staff. He also emphasized the need for broader sector reform, including the creation of a national educator register, a unified Working with Children Check system, and a centralized database of early childhood workers’ employment histories.

Okhovat stated, “These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our hearts go out to the children and families involved. Our primary focus right now is on supporting all families who are impacted, as well as our team members in Victoria.”

Ongoing Investigation and Parental Concerns

Authorities have released detailed information about all 20 childcare centres where Brown worked, including the dates of his employment. As a precaution, parents and caregivers of over 1,200 children have been advised to have their children tested for sexually transmitted infections.

G8 Education has also pledged to continue working closely with Victoria Police and the Victorian Government to support the ongoing investigation and ensure the best possible outcome for the children and families involved.

While the company already had robust safety policies in place—including a ban on electronic devices in childcare rooms, mandatory reporting protocols, and ongoing staff training—it now recognizes the need to go further in safeguarding children.

This crisis has highlighted the urgent need for systemic reform in the childcare sector, not just for G8 Education but for the entire industry. As the company moves forward with its new safety measures, it aims to set a precedent for child protection that can be adopted by other early childhood education providers.