The Po Leung Kuk said on Monday that it had reported a staff member to the police over alleged child abuse.

The charitable organisation said it had suspended the employee from work as well, after it found she had pushed six young children down on a play mat.

The Social Welfare Department confirmed that it found the alleged abuse when officials visited the relevant childcare centre on September 16 and reviewed its surveillance camera footage.

The department said preliminary investigation showed six children were involved.

It added that in light of the incidents, it had sent experts to look at more records at the centre, question its staff and examine all the children’s health and mental conditions.

Neither the department nor the Po Leung Kuk said which childcare centre the alleged abuse took place in.