Two Executives Depart Affinity Education Amid Childcare Scandals

Two high-ranking executives at the Affinity Education Group have resigned following serious allegations of child sexual offences against a former employee. The departures of Chief Executive Officer Tim Hickey and Chief Operating Officer Nishad Alani come during a challenging period for one of Australia’s largest childcare chains, which operates approximately 250 centres nationwide, including those under the brand name Papilio Early Learning.

In a statement, Affinity Education Group confirmed that both Hickey and Alani had stepped down from their roles. The board has appointed Glen Hurley, previously the senior adviser for compliance and quality, as the new CEO. Hurley officially began his role on October 3, 2023. A spokesperson for the company did not disclose the reasons behind the executives’ resignations but reiterated the organisation’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality care for children.

The turmoil at Affinity Education intensified following the charges laid against Joshua Brown by Victoria police in July 2023. Brown faces over 70 charges concerning eight alleged victims, ranging from five months to two years old. He worked at 11 Affinity childcare centres in Victoria throughout 2024, according to the company’s website.

The scandal has sparked significant public outrage, particularly as it was revealed that executives at major for-profit childcare providers had received bonuses of up to $500,000 in the previous year, despite ongoing safety breaches, including the employment of Brown. This has led to calls for boards to consider recovering these bonuses given the community’s concern regarding child safety.

In a recent inquiry before the New South Wales parliament, Hickey shared his uncertainty regarding whether his bonus payments, which could be as high as $300,000, had been affected by the safety breaches reported at Affinity centres. The inquiry revealed that safety violations at Affinity’s centres were 70% higher than the New South Wales average in 2024, a stark increase from 30% in 2021, the year the company was acquired by Quadrant Private Equity.

One particularly shocking allegation discussed during the inquiry included claims of a child being used as a “human mop” to clean up their own vomit on two occasions. Hickey acknowledged these troubling events, stating, “I can say without doubt that recent events are more troubling than any I’ve seen in that time – and I am absolutely committed to doing everything within my control to ensure this never happens again.”

Hickey’s total compensation package, which has reportedly increased over the past three years, included a base salary of $625,000. Despite the controversies, he noted that approximately 90% of Affinity’s centres had either met or exceeded the national quality standard.

As the childcare sector grapples with these allegations and the resulting fallout, Affinity Education Group faces heightened scrutiny from parents, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies. The company’s ongoing commitment to child safety and quality care will likely be under close observation in the months ahead.