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Exclusive: As state and federal authorities address the troubling allegations of childcare abuse that have shaken Melbourne this week, it has emerged that the situation might be more extensive than initially believed.
A mother, referred to here as Amanda, has confirmed that her child was under the supervision of the accused, Joshua Brown, at the Papilio center in Essendon during at least three visits in October and November of 2024.
Papilio Essendon, managed by Affinity Education, is included in the list released by officials this week. However, the dates associated with the center are only between February 17, 2025, and May 9, 2025.
Amanda, whose daughter no longer attends the Papilio centre, has since reported this to Crime Stoppers and the national hotline as well as informing other parents who had children in the same class last year.
Amanda says those families had also not been contacted.
Brown has been charged with more than 70 child abuse offences and had worked at 20 childcare centres across Melbourne since 2017.
He is yet to enter a plea in relation to a plea in relation to the charges.
CEO of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, says Amanda’s revelations reinforce the systemic issues in the for-profit childcare system.
“There is no doubt that this highlights the problems of relying on a casualised workforce in the industry. We have a workforce that is not properly supported and so under strain, they are hiring people who are underqualified which enables alleged perpetrators to slip through.
“Experienced, qualified and supported staff needs to be the norm.”
9news.com.au has reached out to Papilio Childcare for comment.
Victoria Police statement
“As part of the ongoing investigation, information has been compiled from a number of sources and records in relation to Brown’s employment history,” Victoria Police told 9news.com.au in a statement.
“That information including dates and locations was released on Tuesday 1 July, based on what was known at that point in time.
“The investigation remains ongoing and any updates to the current information will be released accordingly via the website.
“Any further information should be directed to Crime Stoppers via the website.”
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