Joshua Brown worked in childcare centre's kitchen in days before his arrest
In a statement to this masthead on Friday afternoon, a spokesman for childcare centre operator Affinity confirmed the alleged child sex offender had 'assisted in the kitchen' at its Papilio Early Learning Centre in Essendon during a brief period earlier this year, supporting meal preparations while centre chefs were absent.
Brown had led children in a 'food-based' learning activity, which included guiding children in an educational activity where they had prepared rocky road, the statement said.
Brown, 26, is due to appear in court in September facing more than 70 charges, including sexually penetrating a child under 12, attempting to sexually penetrate a child under 12, sexually assaulting a child under 16, and producing child abuse material.
Affinity said in the statement that the involvement of educators in food-based activities was 'consistent' with their 'play-based learning principles', and that centre managers with the 'relevant food safety certifications' were responsible for supervising educators in the kitchen.
The company was not aware of any further instances where Brown had provided kitchen assistance in other Affinity centres, the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, ways to fast-track the introduction of CCTV monitoring in childcare centres will be examined under an urgent review of the sector.
Details of the Victorian government's rapid child safety review – which was called in the wake of allegations of sexual abuse by Brown – were revealed by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn on Friday.
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