Nursery worker jailed for abuse

Vincent Chan was jailed for eighteen years in February after pleading guilty to fifty-six offences, including assault by penetration on three-year-old girls at a Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road in north-west London.

Prosecutors called him prolific predator

After his conviction, prosecutors described Chan as a prolific sexual predator. He had tens of thousands of child abuse images on his computer.

“prolific sexual predator”

Council investigated him three years earlier

In two thousand twenty-one, a parent raised significant concerns about Chan's conduct with the nursery. Bright Horizons referred the matter to Camden council, which advised the nursery to investigate.

He was cleared to return to work

After the Bright Horizons investigation was completed, Chan was cleared to return to his role caring for young children. He had been put on duties with no child contact during the inquiry.

He abused children a year later

In two thousand twenty-two, a year after being cleared, Chan filmed himself sexually abusing three-year-old girls at the Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road.

Nursery staff discovered the videos

Chan was first arrested in June two thousand twenty-four after nursery staff discovered videos he had filmed of distressed children in his care.

Police found extensive abuse material

When police searched Chan's devices, they discovered he was a prolific sexual offender with tens of thousands of child abuse images.

Other parents had raised concerns

In early two thousand twenty-four, before Chan's arrest, other parents say they raised concerns with Bright Horizons about his conduct.They say their children told them Chan shouted at them, was angry and a bad man.

Police were not told in two thousand twenty-one

It is understood that the Metropolitan police did not receive a referral in two thousand twenty-one regarding Chan.They were only notified of the concerns subsequently.

Nursery closed after his arrest

After Chan's first arrest, the Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road closed in June two thousand twenty-five.

Review expected in early twenty twenty-seven

Camden council commissioned a local child safeguarding practice review led by an independent reviewer to examine how Chan was able to abuse children.

Council says review cannot hold anyone accountable

In a letter to a parent, Camden council said the safeguarding review was not conducted to hold individuals, organisations or agencies to account. The review is unlikely to apportion blame to executives at Bright Horizons.

“not conducted to hold individuals, organisations, or agencies to account”