One man. Twenty childcare centres. A case that has left hundreds of parents reeling.

Content warning: This story includes descriptions of child sexual abuse that may be distressing to some readers.

Calls are growing for changes to safety checks for people working with children after a childcare worker was charged with more than 70 sex offences against toddlers and babies.

The charges laid against the 26-year-old man, 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.

The man has 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 the man worked at have reported long wait times to access support and health information from a government hotline.

Federal Housing Minister Clare O'Neil was among 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."

The man 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.

Industry body Early Learning Association Australia, the charity Act for Kids and Scouts Australia are among those pushing for nationwide changes.

"We have found that a charge in one jurisdiction — even if it is dismissed — can prohibit an applicant from receiving a card there, but not in another," Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Brendan Watson said.

"There is little doubt that the protection of children would be enhanced if we had one national system with all jurisdictions' information being shared."

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.

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.

Find resources for affected families from the Victorian Government here.

If this brings up any issues for you, contact Bravehearts, an organisation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse, on 1800 272 831, or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.

Featured image: Getty.