Vincent Chan, a nursery worker, was jailed in February after pleading guilty to 56 offences including assault on three-year-old girls at a Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road in north-west London. Prosecutors described him as a "prolific sexual predator". He received an 18-year sentence.
The Guardian can now reveal that Chan was investigated three years before his arrest. In 2021, a parent raised "significant concerns" about his conduct and behaviour with Bright Horizons nursery, which referred the matter to Camden council. The council advised the nursery to investigate. Chan was removed from child-facing duties during the inquiry. After Bright Horizons completed its investigation, Camden council cleared him to return to working with children.
A year later, in 2022, Chan filmed himself sexually abusing three-year-old girls at the nursery. He was arrested in June 2024 after nursery staff discovered videos of distressed children. Police searches of his devices revealed he possessed tens of thousands of child abuse images and had committed sexual offences in a previous role as a teaching assistant at St Mary's Church of England primary school in north London, including upskirting female pupils.
In early 2024, before his arrest, other parents reported concerns to Bright Horizons that Chan shouted at children, was "angry" and a "bad man". These concerns were dismissed. The nursery closed in June 2025 after Chan's arrest became public.
Nurseries must refer concerns to local authority designated officers (LADOs) when staff are accused of harming children or posing risk of harm. LADOs can recommend police referral if a criminal threshold is met. It is understood the Metropolitan Police did not receive a 2021 referral regarding Chan.
After Chan's offending emerged, Camden council conducted a rapid review concluding in November 2025. The council subsequently commissioned an independent local child safeguarding practice review, expected to be published in early 2027. This review is expected to be critical of safeguarding culture within Bright Horizons. Camden council states it cannot investigate Bright Horizons under health and safety laws because it is conflicted due to participation in the safeguarding review.
The review has been pushed back repeatedly from an initial summer 2026 deadline. Camden council has also rejected a freedom of information request from the Guardian, citing a desire to "manage" information release.