Authorities are reeling after a childcare worker charged with the attempted rape of a two-year-old boy at a Brisbane childcare centre was released on bail.

A family friend allegedly walked in on the 20-year-old man abusing the toddler at the centre in Brisbane’s west just after 6pm on Friday.

“Upon entering the childcare centre the child wasn’t there … she searched further an in one of the back rooms of the childcare centre she was confronted with a 20-year-old employee from the childcare centre committing a sexual assault on the two-year-old boy,” Acting Superintendent Geoff Sheldon said.

“She quickly grabbed the child and vacated, went and got the child’s mother and they came straight to the police station and made a complaint.”

The man was arrested and charged with attempted rape, enter a premises with intent to commit and deprivation of liberty, but the charges could be upgraded as a result of medical tests, police said.

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“Unfortunately the child can’t verbalise at two years of age what has and hasn’t happened to him and as such has undergone forensic procedures for evidence purposes and that in itself is traumatic,” Act. Supt Sheldon said.

Police also allegedly discovered child exploitation material on the man’s computer during a search of his home.

“You can't imagine much worse can you, it’s a horrible breach of trust – you take your child to a childcare centre and you physically see an employee committing a sexual act on your son – I can't imagine anything worse as a parent myself,” Act. Supt Sheldon said.

Child protection advocate and Bravehearts spokeswoman Carol Ronkin said the allegations should spark action.

“This is a bit of a wake-up call for everyone who works with children, particularly the childcare industry,” Ms Ronkin said.

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Health Minister Cameron Dick said the allegations were sickening.

“As a father, nothing makes your stomach turn more than to hear those sorts of allegations,” Mr Dick said.

Authorities advised they could not comment on whether the man had a blue card, but the cards are compulsory for anyone who works with children in Queensland and require a Working with Children check.

“We’re not in a position from a blue card perspective to talk about the specifics of this case,” Public Safety Business Agency Acting Director Community Information Compliance Kate Deere said.

“A blue card when it’s issued is valid for three years, and we do have daily monitoring with the Queensland Police.”