A man passed vetting to get a job at a London nursery where he sexually assaulted toddlers, some during their nap time, while they were in his care.
Vincent Chan, 45, who worked at a north London branch of the Bright Horizons nursery group, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to 26 offences from 2022 to 2024, including attacks on four young girls whom he sexually assaulted and offences relating to more than 25,000 indecent images of children.
Chan, of Finchley, north London, also filmed some of his sexual attacks on the girls, aged between two and four, with the nursery’s iPads.
A review will establish whether safeguarding procedures were followed. Some parents are considering legal action against the nursery and told the Guardian complaints they had made to the nursery about Chan’s behaviour before his offending came to light had been ignored.
Chan was in charge of a classroom at the nursery, and his attacks happened in broad daylight when the nursery was full of children and staff. Cmdr Hayley Sewart said: “His responsibilities including feeding, clothing, cleaning and interacting with the children, tasks that required a high degree of trust and safeguarding.”
About 20 parents of children at the now closed nursery were in court and watched as Chan pleaded guilty to all 26 charges.
Dressed in a prison issue sweatshirt, with a ponytail and spectacles, Chan did not speak except to say guilty 26 times as he stood in the dock.
Sentencing will be on 23 January and the judge warned Chan he faced a long time in prison.
The Met are working through pictures and video found on more than 60 digital devices seized when Chan was arrested to rule out fears he could have committed dozens more offences.
The offences to which Chan pleaded guilty include five sexual assaults by penetration of a child between two to four years, four sexual assaults, 11 counts of taking indecent photos, and six of making indecent images of children.
He was remanded in custody pending sentencing.
Police said he had passed advanced vetting to get the job, had worked in a school previously and had no criminal record.
Det Supt Lewis Basford, who led the investigation, said: “Chan’s offending spanned years, revealing a calculated and predatory pattern of abuse. He infiltrated environments that should have been safe havens for children, exploiting the trust of families and the wider community to conceal his actions and prey on the most vulnerable.
“Our investigation remains ongoing, and we are continuing to review digital devices and assess Chan’s conduct across all relevant settings.”
It was by chance that the danger Chan posed was discovered. In 2024 he was reported over a safeguarding concern when it emerged he had made videos mocking the children in his care. He was arrested in June 2024, and suspended from his job.
In September 2024 his electronic devices – phones, laptops and memory sticks, as well as 15 iPads from the nursery, 69 devices in total – were sent for digital examination. It was not until September 2025 that evidence on the devices of his sexual abuse of children was found. He was charged on 9 September 2025.
Basford said: “We recognise the member of staff who raised their concerns, as without that first report of child cruelty Chan’s abuse could have continued unchecked, putting countless more children at risk. These appalling offences have caused deep shock and distress.”
The Met said 700 parents of children who passed through the nursery from 2017 to 2024 had been contacted.
Basford said police believed they had identified all the children at the nursery Chan had offended against, but said for parents: “Uncertainty will remain as to whether their child may have been harmed.”
In a statement, some of the families represented by Leigh Day solicitors said: “As parents we are still trying to process the sickening discovery that our children were subjected to despicable abuse by Vincent Chan at the nursery.
“In admitting the charges, we are spared the prospect of hearing Vincent Chan’s crimes at the nursery described in graphic detail in a trial. We trust the judge to pass the strongest sentence to fit the crimes Vincent Chan has committed against young children, innocent victims who could not fight back.
“We would like to thank the Metropolitan police service for their assistance and support so far, but appreciate that their investigations in this case are not yet complete.”
Police said that a dedicated NSPCC helpline on 0800 028 0828 had been set up for all families whose children attended the nursery.
A nursery spokesperson said: “We are shocked and appalled by this individual’s horrific crimes. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the children and families affected, and we are committed to offering support to them during this incredibly difficult time.
“This individual’s actions represent not only a violation of the victims, but also a profound betrayal of the trust placed in him by families and colleagues.
“We have extensive safeguarding practices in place, designed to create safe environments for children to learn and grow. While this individual’s actions came to light after a colleague raised concerns and followed our whistleblowing procedures to report him, we fully accept that the evidence shows the individual was able to commit these crimes despite our safeguarding measures.
“In light of this, we have commissioned an external expert in this field to undertake a full review of our safeguarding practices.”
