In a deeply troubling case that has shocked the childcare sector, forty-six families are pursuing legal action against a north London nursery where their children were subjected to abuse by a convicted paedophile. The families allege that Bright Horizons, which operated the now-closed nursery on Finchley Road in West Hampstead, fostered a "consistent culture of brushing concerns aside" that enabled the perpetrator to commit dozens of offences.
Escalating Legal Claims and New Admissions
Vincent Chan, a 45-year-old former employee, has admitted to a total of eighty-six offences, with thirty new admissions made at Highbury Corner magistrates court on 29 January, adding to the fifty-six to which he had previously pleaded guilty. These latest offences involve ten girls and six women and did not occur at the nursery premises, broadening the scope of his criminal activities. Chan is scheduled to be sentenced on 12 February, facing a significant prison term for molesting girls aged between two and four while working at the nursery.
The legal action, coordinated by the law firm Leigh Day, has expanded dramatically from an initial group of twelve families outlined in a December letter to Bright Horizons. Now, forty-six families are involved in the claim, comprising relatives of victims of Chan's sexual abuse and image-based offending, as well as those whose children were mistreated in other ways, such as through videos capturing children in distress or humiliation.
Families Demand Accountability and Systemic Change
In a powerful statement issued through Leigh Day, the families emphasised that this case extends beyond one individual or nursery. They stated, "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 full accountability for Bright Horizons' safeguarding failures, which they claim permitted Chan to commit his crimes over several years.
Their legal claims focus on breach of contract due to the nursery's safeguarding lapses, as well as allegations of neglect and cruelty. Additionally, the families are urging Camden Council to investigate the potential prosecution of Bright Horizons as a corporate entity, highlighting the need for broader institutional responsibility.
Ongoing Reviews and Nursery Response
The Camden Safeguarding Partnership is currently conducting a local child safeguarding practice review on the nursery, aiming to uncover systemic issues and prevent future occurrences. Alison Millar, head of Leigh Day's abuse team, noted, "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."
Bright Horizons has responded to the allegations, with a spokesperson expressing that their thoughts remain with the affected children and families. They described the incident as an "appalling breach of trust by one individual" and emphasised their commitment to learning lessons from the case. The nursery chain has fully supported the Child Safeguarding Practice Review, encouraging parent participation to gather comprehensive information.
In the wake of the scandal, Bright Horizons has contacted the families of seven hundred children who attended the nursery between 2017 and 2024, while Chan was employed there, offering specialist support. This case underscores critical vulnerabilities in childcare safeguarding protocols and has sparked urgent calls for reform across the early years industry to protect vulnerable children from similar atrocities.
