G8 Education will install CCTV in all centres and let parents choose who changes kids’ nappies

The ASX-listed company at the centre of devastating childcare sexual abuse allegations will install CCTV and let parents decide which staff will change their children’s nappies as its share value continues to plummet.

Alleged abuser Joshua Brown worked at a G8 Education centre.

The ASX-listed company at the centre of devastating childcare sexual abuse allegations will install CCTV in all its centres and let parents decide which staff will be allowed to change their children’s nappies as its share value continues to plummet.

G8 Education’s share price has dived by about a fifth – wiping more than $180m from its market capitalisation – since their former worker Joshua Brown was charged with 70 offences relating to child sexual abuse.

Brown worked at G8’s Creative Garden Point Cook centre, and allegedly sexually abused eight children aged from five months to two years.

In a statement to the ASX late on Tuesday, Gold Coast-based G8, which has more than 400 centres in every state of Australia, said it would also commission an independent review “to inform further changes and improvements to our child safety procedures within the organisation”.

G8 closed trading on Tuesday at 0.945c, down from $1.18 before the revelations.

Alleged pedophile Joshua Brown. Picture: Facebook

Managing director and CEO Pejman Okhovat said his team was “horrified and appalled by the distressing nature of the allegations”.

“These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our hearts go out to the children and families involved,” he said in the statement.

“I am deeply sorry for the unimaginable pain caused to our families and what they are going through.

“Our primary focus right now is on supporting all families who are impacted, as well as our team members in Victoria.

“My team and I have met personally with families in Victoria and will continue to be available.

“We have also provided confidential counselling and support through G8 Education’s dedicated provider.”

Mr Okhovat said G8 was working with police and the Victorian Government in their investigations.

The moves by G8 follow one last week by Inspire Early Learning Journey, banning male workers from changing nappies in 16 Victorian childcare centres.

Meanwhile, a United Workers Union (UWU) survey of 2000 childcare workers this week found educators “can’t guarantee the safety of children” amid understaffing and a push to maximise profits.

Three-quarters of educators say centres are operating below minimum staffing levels, with 42 per cent saying it happens every day.

Originally published as G8 Education will install CCTV in all centres and let parents choose who changes kids’ nappies