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Victorian detectives have laid 83 additional charges against former Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown, expanding the total number of alleged offences to 156. The new charges stem from the identification of four additional alleged victims, alongside further offences connected to the eight children previously identified earlier this year. Health authorities have confirmed that no further child testing is required, and no new childcare centres have been flagged as concerning in relation to the latest charges.

Early childhood teachers across Victoria are sounding the alarm over new childcare reforms, warning that the changes are piling administrative burdens onto staff and eroding the joy of teaching.

In a bold move toward future-proofing early learning environments, a Brisbane early learning centre has become one of the first in Queensland to introduce AI-powered security systems, marking a significant leap in how childcare services protect children, staff, and families.

Early childhood education services across Victoria have been significantly disrupted as educators stage a widespread strike on Tuesday, 16th September. The industrial action follows a prolonged 15-month negotiation period during which the Victorian state government has failed to present a pay offer to educators.

A male childcare worker in Victoria, identified only as "Peter" for legal reasons, has publicly denied allegations of sexually abusing toddlers and is appealing a ban imposed by the Victorian Education Department. The case has sparked widespread concern over regulatory failures and child safety protocols in early childhood education.

Victoria is introducing urgent legislative reforms to strengthen child safety protections by enabling the immediate suspension of Working With Children Checks (WWCCs) for individuals under reassessment for cancellation.

Victoria is set to overhaul its child safety framework, with new legislation fast-tracked through Parliament to address systemic gaps in the Working With Children Check (WWCC) process. 

The Victorian government has announced sweeping reforms to its childcare regulatory system in response to a damning review triggered by serious allegations of child abuse in early childhood services.

 Darren Misquitta, the former head of the now-defunct Genius Childcare group, has been fined $4,000 by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to handling $120,000 that was the proceeds of a fraud committed six years ago.

The Australian childcare sector is reaching a critical tipping point, where delayed reforms and missed safety opportunities are placing children at unacceptable risk. As highlighted in recent coverage, Shadow Education Minister Jonathon Duniam has called on the federal government to act without delay, warning that “there is not a day to waste” when it comes to protecting our youngest citizens.