A Frenchs Forest early learning centre has reassured families after being identified on an Australian Federal Police (AFP) list of childcare services linked to Operation Moonbi, stressing it is not part of the ongoing investigation into alleged child sexual abuse offences.
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Mimosa Kids Preschool and Early Learning Centre was among more than 55 childcare and early education services across Sydney where a 35-year-old man either worked or attended between 2009 and 2025. According to the AFP, the man has been charged with 329 offences relating to alleged child sexual abuse and child abuse material following a 12-month investigation.
In an update to families, Mimosa Kids said it appeared on the AFP’s published list solely because the man visited the preschool in 2021 while working as a Trainer and Assessor for a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), rather than as an educator employed by the service.
Centre Details Three Assessment Visits
The preschool said it began reviewing its records immediately after learning it had been included on the AFP list on 13 July.
According to the centre, its review confirmed the man had never been employed by Mimosa Kids. Historical visitor records instead showed he attended the preschool on three occasions, on 3 March, 14 April and 12 May 2021, to assess trainee educators in the workplace as part of his role with an external RTO.
The centre contacted the RTO, which confirmed it had been cooperating with the AFP throughout the investigation. Later, detectives involved in Operation Moonbi advised Mimosa Kids that the preschool appeared on the published list only because of those assessment visits.
The preschool said detectives confirmed police had “no concerns or suspicions” that the visits involved anything beyond general interactions associated with assessing trainee educators. It also said detectives advised that Mimosa Kids is not part of the ongoing investigation.
In a statement shared with families, the preschool said:
“From the moment we became aware that Mimosa Kids had been included on the AFP’s published list, our priority has been to establish the facts as quickly and accurately as possible and to communicate openly with our families and the community. Unless we receive any further information from the AFP, we anticipate this will be our final update on this matter.
We would also like to sincerely thank the many Mimosa Kids families present and past who have taken the time to check in on our educators and continue to place their trust in our service. Your kind messages, encouragement and understanding have meant a great deal to our team during an incredibly difficult time.”
The centre also said its thoughts remain with the children and families directly affected by the allegations.
Three Northern Beaches Services Named
Mimosa Kids is one of three Northern Beaches childcare services identified by the AFP as locations the man attended in a training or assessment capacity. The others are Dee Why Kindergarten and Kiddiwinks Play, Laugh & Learn at Warriewood.
The AFP has alleged offending occurred at five locations comprising four childcare centres in Box Hill, Putney, Rouse Hill and Warrawee, along with the man’s own early education business at Glenorie. The Northern Beaches services are not among those locations.
The Northern Beaches centres have stated the man attended only in his role supervising or assessing childcare trainees and did not interact with children while visiting those services.
Operation Moonbi Continues
Operation Moonbi began after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the United States reported suspected child abuse material to the AFP in June 2025. Investigators later executed a search warrant at a property in Glossodia, where electronic devices were seized for forensic examination.
The AFP says the investigation has involved analysing approximately 2.4 million electronic files and executing 12 search warrants. Authorities allege the case currently involves 136 identified victims, while efforts continue to identify additional children.
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Police have advised that families directly impacted have already been contacted by the AFP and NSW Health and have been offered ongoing support services. The AFP has also published a list of childcare services linked to the investigation and information about available support for parents, carers and children seeking assistance.
Published 18-July-2026
