Families Launch Legal Action Against North London Nursery Over Paedophile Worker
Families of 46 victims are taking legal action against a North London nursery, fiercely criticising what they describe as a "consistent culture of brushing concerns aside" that enabled a paedophile worker to abuse children for nearly two years. The case has sparked outrage and calls for accountability in childcare safeguarding.
Vincent Chan's Horrific Crimes and Detection
Vincent Chan, 45, from Finchley, is facing years behind bars for molesting girls aged three and four while employed at the Bright Horizons nursery on Finchley Road in West Hampstead. Chan filmed his crimes during naptime and admitted to downloading thousands of indecent images, with his campaign of abuse going undetected for 19 months.
The abuse only came to light in June 2024 when a co-worker reported him for filming disturbing footage of children on a nursery-issued iPad. Following his arrest, police uncovered more than 26,000 "depraved" images and videos on Chan's devices. Detectives revealed he would distort footage by adding superimpositions and music for comedic effect, even sharing still images with colleagues.
Legal Claims and Allegations of Systemic Failures
While 12 families initially signalled their intent to sue in December, legal firm Leigh Day confirmed that 46 families have now joined the claim. The families allege that Bright Horizons repeatedly dismissed parental concerns about Chan's behaviour, creating a culture they believe was "key to enabling this catastrophe."
In a statement issued by the firm, the families said: "What has happened here is not just about one individual or one nursery. We believe Chan's crimes raise serious questions about how childcare providers recruit, supervise and safeguard staff, and how warning signs can be overlooked over long periods of time."
The families are seeking accountability through civil claims for:
- Breach of contract
- Neglect
- Cruelty
They are also urging Camden Council to investigate the nursery for corporate prosecution.
Professional Concerns and Safeguarding Failures
Alison Millar, head of Leigh Day's abuse team, highlighted significant concerns: "Families understandably are extremely concerned that a perpetrator was able to work at the nursery for so many years and misuse nursery devices to facilitate his offending. They are concerned about apparent lack of knowledge and understanding of safeguarding by managers and staff and a failure by the nursery to implement effective safeguarding policies, procedures and practices, including digital safeguarding."
Millar emphasised that state institutions must treat this case with utmost seriousness to ensure similar offending never happens again.
Current Status and Support Measures
Chan remains in custody after pleading guilty on January 29, 2026, to a further 30 charges, including "upskirting" girls in a classroom and exposing himself in 2017. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 12 for a total of 56 offences, including crimes committed outside the nursery against 10 girls and six women.
The Camden Safeguarding Partnership is conducting a local child safeguarding practice review on the nursery. Families of 700 children who attended during Chan's employment between 2017 and 2024 have been contacted and are receiving specialist support.
A dedicated NSPCC helpline has been established for anyone affected by Chan's offending:
- Number: 0800 028 0828
- Hours: 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm weekends
Anyone wishing to report to police about Chan can contact OpLanark@met.police.uk or call 101 from within the UK, quoting reference CAD3697/1DEC.
Bright Horizons and Camden Council have been contacted for comment as this developing story continues to unfold, highlighting critical issues in childcare safeguarding and corporate accountability.
