The image of a man accused of committing one of Victoria’s most harrowing child abuse cases has been made public, revealing the face of the 26-year-old childcare worker at the centre of a storm of grief, fear, and fury across Melbourne.
Joshua Brown, from Point Cook, now faces more than 70 charges following allegations he sexually abused eight children, all aged between five months and two years, while working at the Creative Gardens Early Learning Centre in Point Cook between April 2022 and January 2023.
Childcare worker Joshua Brown has been charged in connection with the alleged abuse of children. [Supplied image/News.com.au]
Images of Joshua Dale Brown emerged, taken inside childcare settings, after successfully lifting a suppression order on his identity. Police say the public release was vital to alert parents and guardians across the state, given Brown’s extensive history working at 20 childcare centres from 2017 to 2025.
Devastating Allegations and Public Outcry
The charges include engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, sexual assault of children under 16, reckless conduct endangering life, and possession of child abuse material. Investigators allege Brown committed the offences during his employment at multiple centres, with many incidents allegedly taking place at Creative Gardens Early Learning in Point Cook.
The release of Brown’s image sent fresh shockwaves through the community, with Premier Jacinta Allan saying she felt “sickened” by the allegations, describing them as “every parent’s worst nightmare”.
“My heart just breaks for the families that are living through this horror,” she said. “Every health and mental health support will be provided to these families.”
Joshua Brown is scheduled to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 15. [Supplied image/News.com.au]
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Childcare Centres Where Joshua Brown Was Employed
For advice on whether your child should undergo precautionary health screening, contact the dedicated advice line at 1800 791 241 (operating 8 am–9 pm weekdays and 8 am–5 pm on weekends).
Note: This investigation is ongoing. Employment dates and listed centres may be updated. Please check the official source regularly.
| Childcare Service & Location | Employment Period |
| Nino Early Learning Adventures – Point Cook | 15 Jan 2017 – 9 Jun 2019 |
| Explorers Early Learning – Point Cook | 18 Aug 2019 – 27 Oct 2019 |
| (Casual shifts) | 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 (single day) |
| Papilio Early Learning – Hoppers Crossing | 22 Aug 2024 – 12 Mar 2025 |
| Kids Academy – Melton | 12 Sep 2024 (single day) |
| Kids Academy – Kensington | 7 Oct 2024 – 9 Oct 2024 |
| Aussie Kindies Early Learning – Keilor | 11 Feb 2025 (single day) |
| Papilio Early Learning – Essendon | 17 Feb 2025 – 9 May 2025 |
| Milestones Early Learning – Bundoora | 8 May 2025 (single day) |
Health Warning: 1200 Children Recommended for Disease Testing
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Christian McGrath confirmed that 1,200 children have been advised to undergo infectious disease screening due to the “manner of the alleged offending.”
“As a precaution, we are recommending that some children undergo testing for infectious diseases due to a potential exposure risk in that period,” Dr McGrath said.
“This is a low risk, but we want to offer assurance to parents. Any potential infections would be treatable with antibiotics, and there is no broader public health risk.”
A total of 2,600 families whose children attended the affected childcare centres during Brown’s employment have been contacted.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Christian McGrath, stated that the infectious disease tests recommended for 1,200 children are being done purely as a precaution. [Credit: ABC News/Richard Willingham]
Community in Shock: Parents Demand Answers
Outside the affected Point Cook centre, the atmosphere was tense. Distressed parents collected their children as police patrolled nearby streets. One father, whose child attended the centre in 2022, expressed anguish after failing to reach the hotline or centre staff for clarity.
“I was scared,” he said. “We can imagine lots of bad things when our child may have been near this person. It’s unbelievable. We just need more information.”
Another parent who recently enrolled their child at the centre called the Working With Children Check process “a total farce.”
“What’s the use of a Working with Children Check?” he asked reporters. “It clearly failed.”
Police Say Offender Was Not Previously Known to Authorities
Acting Commander Janet Stevenson confirmed Brown held a valid Working With Children Check until the allegations surfaced in May this year. Police began their investigation after allegedly discovering child abuse material at his Point Cook home.
“This is unique and incredibly distressing,” she said. “We knew we had to identify all potential victims as quickly as possible. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
She urged any families who may have information about Brown’s conduct or employment history to contact Crime Stoppers.
Childcare Provider Responds
G8 Education, which operates Creative Gardens, issued a statement saying it was “deeply distressed” by the allegations.
“All required background checks, including Working With Children Checks, were completed at the time of employment. We are cooperating fully with police and all relevant authorities,” the statement read.
Brown is no longer employed by the organisation and remains in custody, with his next appearance set for September 15 at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Legal Action Under Consideration
Shine Lawyers has signalled that a class action could be likely.
Chief operating officer Jodie Willey said, “There’s a clear need for better supervision practices. If the childcare providers in this instance have been negligent in their duty of care, there would be strong prospects for impacted families to hold them to account through the civil courts.”
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What Parents Need to Know
Police and health authorities continue contacting families whose children may have been enrolled at the 20 listed centres. Officials stress that only children identified as being at potential risk are being recommended for testing. For support or screening details, families can call the dedicated hotline at 1800 791 241, which operates seven days a week.
Authorities have reassured the public there is no general health risk and encourage concerned parents to speak with their GPs.
Joshua Brown remains in custody as the investigation expands, and Victoria Police continue urging anyone with relevant information — whether parent or former staff — to come forward.
