Vincent Chan, who worked at a Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road in West Hampstead, north-west London, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after admitting 56 sexual offences involving young children.
Chan, who worked at the nursery from 2017 until his suspension in May 2024, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including 26 relating directly to children at the nursery. Police later uncovered “deeply disturbing material” on his electronic devices, including videos filmed on nursery iPads.
Concerns Raised Months Earlier
A couple, referred to as Rachel and John to protect their children’s identities, told the BBC they had raised concerns about Chan’s behaviour in early 2024. Their son, who was in Chan’s class, began returning home with bruises and bite marks and showing sudden episodes of anger and distress.
According to Rachel, her son refused to attend nursery and would say: “Vincent is angry.”
When she approached nursery managers, she said she was made to feel like a “hysterical mum” and was told Chan was “a very good teacher.”
Months later, detectives from the Metropolitan Police found footage showing the couple’s son crying in distress while being filmed. The parents said Chan had edited some clips to mock the child and had encouraged other boys to hit him.
In September 2025, police also discovered images of Chan sexually abusing girls. Rachel and John said they were forced to review the material to determine whether their daughter was among the victims, but remain uncertain.
Hundreds of Families Contacted
The Metropolitan Police said 700 families from the nursery and 500 from a primary school where Chan also worked were informed their children may have had contact with him.
The parents questioned how Chan was able to work in childcare for seven years without his offending being detected. They also expressed anger that cruelty charges were not initially pursued in relation to footage of their son crying. The Crown Prosecution Service is reviewing that decision.
The nursery has since closed.
Safeguarding Reviews Under Way
The regulator Ofsted said it was informed of Chan’s suspension in May 2024 and carried out safeguarding visits, including a full inspection in May 2025, when it rated the nursery “Good.” Ofsted stated that the full nature of the allegations did not emerge until September 2025, after the nursery had resigned its registration, and that it is now reviewing its involvement.
Meanwhile, Camden Council has commissioned an independent Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review.
Families are pursuing civil action against Bright Horizons through Leigh Day solicitors, alleging that repeated concerns were dismissed and that safeguarding failures allowed the abuse to continue.
Bright Horizons said safeguarding children is its “most important responsibility” and that it encourages parents to escalate complaints if they are not satisfied with responses at nursery level. The company added that if concerns were not handled appropriately, “this is clearly not acceptable.”
A dedicated helpline has been set up by the NSPCC for anyone affected.
