'I'm a male childcare worker and I know what you think of me.'

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of child abuse.

Nick had just finished a busy day of work at preschool when he saw the news: a 26-year-old male childcare worker had been charged with more than 70 sex offences against toddlers and babies.

The charges laid against the 26-year-old male include sexual penetration of a child under 12, attempted sexual penetration of a child under 12 and producing child abuse material.

They relate to eight victims aged between five months and two years old, who were enrolled at a childcare centre in Melbourne's west between April 2022 and January 2023.

Nick, who also works in childcare, was left shocked by the allegations.

"Our pre-school is now adjusting, and new regulations are coming in about phone use and things like that. Slowly things are moving, but it's all still very fresh," he said on Mamamia's The Quicky podcast.

The 26-year-old was not known to Victoria Police until the start of the investigation, and there were no formal complaints against him. He had a valid working with children check.

The checks are in urgent need of an overhaul, according to advocates for sexual assault survivors and children.

Nick explained that most educators are "in the dark" when it comes to the ins and outs of working with children checks.

"I don't know too much about what the process is like, and if these people that are offending have offended in the past. Regulations around who comes into centres is obviously important, but I think you may also just have people that the first time they perpetrate is in a childcare centre."

The checks only work if someone has already been found guilty of child abuse, Sexual Assault Services Victoria chief executive Kathleen Maltzahn explained.

"Evidence of abuse or concerning behaviour that hasn't resulted in criminal charges or disciplinary action (should be) considered," she told AAP.

Currently, only about three per cent of early childhood educators are male. And Nick worries that events like this alleged incident will potentially discourage more men from joining or even staying in the profession.

This, according to the educator, would be a shame, as "male educators bring so much to this profession".

"It's something I'm really passionate about. We bring unique attributes to workplaces and, for some children, particularly the children I work with, I'm the only consistent male figure in their lives."

Nick, however, acknowledges the "sad reality" of the risks involved in early education.

"I can't assure a parent dropping their child off at a random service that their child is 100 per cent safe, because we don't know every educator intimately," he said.

"There are times when there's going to be an educator one-on-one with your child, and a lot of it is based on trust. I'm someone that really holds that trust sacred. I know that parents trust me when they drop their child off, and I hold that very close to my heart, but obviously other people don't."

Listen to the full episode of The Quicky below. Post continues below.

The arrested 26-year-old man worked at about 20 facilities since 2017, and health authorities are urging the parents of 1200 children to get them tested for unspecified infectious diseases as a precaution.

Families with children at the centres he worked at have reported long wait times to access support and health information from a government hotline.

Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil was amongst the worried parents seeking information after the news broke on Tuesday.

"I was so panicked yesterday, looking on that list to see if any of my kids have been affected in any of these centres," Ms O'Neil told Seven's Sunrise program on Wednesday.

"There is going to be a very fierce and appropriate discussion about what needs to change to ensure this kind of thing does not happen again."

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has committed to strengthening safeguards in the state, but the case has clearly raised broader concerns.

Parent advocate group The Parenthood has ramped up calls for a national early childhood watchdog, while the Greens are pushing for a royal commission into the childcare sector.

State, territory and federal education ministers recently backed a national safety rules overhaul, including stricter conditions around photography and mandatory reporting.

But advocates want more, with Ms Maltzahn calling for a rethink of how centres secure children's bathrooms and potentially introducing a national register for staff.

Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said federal reforms are moving too slowly and the government would develop its own register of childcare workers.

"Teachers are already required to be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teachers, (but early childhood) educators are not," she said.

Federal Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh said the Labor government supported Victoria and NSW pushing ahead with reforms, while the commonwealth worked with all jurisdictions on changes, including nationwide registration.

Legislation that would allow the government to cut subsidies to centres due to safety breaches is due to be introduced to federal parliament within months.

If you or anyone you know needs expert help, please contact Bravehearts — an organisation providing support to victims of child abuse. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, you can get advice from the Child Abuse Protection Hotline (1800 688 009) or the 24-Hour Child Abuse Report Line (131 478).

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Written with AAP