The six Sydney childcare centres where alleged paedophile abused children

A Sydney childcare worker allegedly filmed abuse of 10 children at six centres across the city’s north and CBD, and his name and locations of his alleged offending can be revealed after the Herald challenged a year-long court order.

Former NSW Police probationary constable David James was identified by the Australian Federal Police in a mid-2024 investigation into dark web child abuse material.

The 26-year-old was initially charged in September last year with refusing to grant police access to his phone.

Detectives from AFP Operation Arctile say they found alleged evidence that he had filmed and photographed children in his care at six centres in Sydney’s north and CBD between April 2021 and May 2024 among the 142,000 seized files.

This masthead can reveal the centres involved are Pyrmont OSHC – City of Sydney; OSHClub – Barker College; Willoughby Kids House; Helping Hands – St Ives Park Public School; St Ives OSHC Centre – Kidzone; and Helping Hands – Lane Cove West. The AFP on Thursday published a list of 58 centres where James worked, including the six where the alleged abuse took place. (The list of 58 centres is at the bottom of the story.)

All families of James’ alleged victims were contacted by investigators in June with letters.

“The letter provided instructions on how parents or carers could connect with the local contact point if they had concerns about their child and seek advice on what support was available,” the AFP said in a statement on Thursday.

James has been charged with 13 offences – nine counts of aggravated use of a child to make child abuse material, one count of using a child to make abuse material, two counts of possessing abuse material and one count of refusing officers access to his phone.

Court documents, seen by the Herald last year, suggest James allegedly filmed “pre-pubescent boys” using the bathroom. He also allegedly pleasured himself in a classroom in front of children.

Most allegations against him are too graphic to publish.

Junior Adventures Group (JAG) runs three of the centres where James’ alleged abuse took place – Helping Hands, OSHClub and Kidzone.

“We fully understand how distressing this matter is, and we share the immense upset and concern surrounding it,” a spokeswoman told the Herald in a statement on Thursday.

“We have been co-operating with police and doing all that we can to assist them in their investigation.”

Letters have also been sent by police to 1200 families and carers who may have come into contact with James. The overwhelming majority were not suspected victims.

“Based on information currently available, investigators believe the alleged behaviour of the man involves a very small number of children, however, the parents and carers of any child who may have had contact with the man has received a letter,” an AFP statement read.

JAG said it was also contacting families.

When James was arrested in October, a non-publication order was made over his name to give police time to identify and contact his alleged victims.

On Thursday, the Herald contested the long-running suppression, arguing it was time to unmask James as the families of all his alleged victims had been notified.

James’ lawyers protested, but prosecutors and ultimately Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Antrum agreed, lifting the order immediately.

It allowed the public to know where James had worked in childcare.

‘These are deeply concerning allegations that no parent ever wants to hear about and my heart goes out to all affected families.’

Acting NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos

The AFP has no evidence to suggest any alleged offending took place at the 52 other facilities.

“What we find is people make, find, they share this type of material for their own personal gain but what they’re doing is preying on young, vulnerable people in our community,” AFP Acting Commissioner Brett James said.

“These individuals cross all industries, all parts of the communities.”

The lifting of the order allows the public to know James was a failed NSW Police officer who never made it past his probationary period.

James was employed as a probationary NSW Police constable from December 2021 to September 2022, and after failing to complete his probation, continued in a civilian capacity until his resignation in May 2023.

He was ejected from the NSW Police Force because he was unable to perform to their standards. Police were never aware he was also working part-time in childcare, and allegedly abusing children, at the time.

“During his employment, the man failed to seek the required approval to engage in secondary employment, and as such, police were unaware of his concurrent role in the childcare sector,” a NSW Police statement reads.

“We acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations and condemn any behaviour that places our community’s most vulnerable members at risk.”

James has been held in prison since his arrest in October and did not appear in court on Thursday as the Herald’s lawyer challenged the court order.

“[The non-publication order] has done the work it needs to do, so it is no longer necessary,” Nine’s executive counsel Larina Alick told the court.

James’ lawyers argued James could be at risk while in custody, given the nature of his charges, and his name should remain suppressed.

The magistrate said James’ safety was “a matter for Corrective Services NSW” and noted there were many people on remand for similar alleged offences.

The nation’s childcare industry has been in crisis since the arrest of Melbourne carer Joshua Dale Brown on allegations he abused eight children. The case is unrelated to James’ alleged offending in Sydney.

Brown is facing 73 charges, including child rape, after the alleged discovery of a cache of child abuse material in May.

Another Sydney daycare worker was charged this month with seven counts of using a child to make abusive material – three counts were aggravated.

The case is unrelated to James’, but was similarly covered by a non-publication order to prevent “psychological harm” to his alleged victims – including those yet to be identified by detectives.

“These are deeply concerning allegations that no parent ever wants to hear about, and my heart goes out to all affected families,” Acting NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said on Thursday.

“The regulator has been working with the Australian Federal Police [AFP] to assist in their investigation and will continue to do so.”

The Minns Labor government announced tougher childcare regulations in June, including CCTV trials, a new regulator and higher fines for service breaches.

Houssos said the government would have more to say “in the coming weeks” about childcare.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au), 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

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