A former colleague of accused Melbourne paedophile Joshua Brown has told 9News she raised concerns with managers of a Melbourne centre multiple times.
The childcare educator claims that when she worked with Brown eight years ago she raised concerns about him with managers four times.
She claimed that by the end of 2017 she was told Brown had been given an official warning and would be let go.
However she said he remained at the Point Cook centre until 2019, when it was still known as Nino Early Learning Adventures.
“He would always stand over children, a lot of screaming and yelling at them,” she alleged.
“He also made comments to me that ‘they’re only children so it doesn’t matter’.
“For nothing to be done about it, and for it to continue for such a long period of time, shows that there’s so many flaws in the system.”
The company claims it “followed regulatory requirements to record, manage, and report any incidents”.
Years later the former colleague said she recognised Brown at her own child’s centre.
“It’s disgusting, I’ve worked so closely and mentored this person only for him to years later come into contact with my child and potentially do things much worse,” she claimed.
9News understands in the years before he was charged at least three parents raised concerns with Kids Academy Melton about Brown working with their children.
They feel those complaints fell on deaf ears.
“He was only there casually, so I guess when reports were made, they were dismissed quite quickly,” the former colleague said.
It is understood the centre did not receive any official complaints.
A spokesperson said “where serious allegations are identified, our policies require immediate action”.
But Victorians are now asking how Brown was able to move between jobs and hold a valid working with children check.
“As soon as there’s a complaint made about a teacher, they’re on suspension until further notice,” the former colleague said.
“I don’t understand why that’s not happening with these vulnerable children who have no voice, who are relying on educators to speak for them.”
