Former Gold Coast childcare worker charged over indecent act on child

Police have charged a 17-year-old former childcare worker following an alleged offence against a child at a Gold Coast early learning centre.

Police have charged a 17-year-old former childcare worker following an alleged offence at a Coomera childcare centre.

A police spokeswoman said the Upper Coomera boy was charged with one count of indecent treatment of a child on January 19, 2023 following an alleged offence at the centre in December last year.

Police have charged a former childcare worker following an alleged offence at a childcare centre. Generic image. Picture: iStock

The boy was scheduled to appear at the Southport Childrens Court.

Parents received an email on Wednesday from an early learning centre in Coomera which stated a former staff member, who is a minor, had been charged with an offence against a child who attended the centre last year.

“The offence is alleged to have occurred at the centre,” the email stated.

It went on to say staff were “anguished to learn of the charge”.

The Southport Courthouse. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The centre and the senior business management team are assisting Queensland Police and the Department of Education with this matter,” it said.

“Queensland Police have confirmed they are not investigating any other matters involving the centre, children who are currently or have previously attended the centre, or current or former staff of the centre.

“Due to this being an ongoing court matter, the individual charged being a minor, and relevant privacy considerations, we are not in a position to share any further information with you.”

A Department of Education spokesman said it was aware of allegations relating to an educator engaged at the Coomera centre late last year.

“As regulatory authority, the department worked closely with other agencies at the time the initial complaint was made to ensure any risk to children was immediately mitigated,” he said.

“As the matter is currently under police investigation the department is unable to make further comment at this time.”

The Bulletin has contacted the childcare centre for comment.