A peadophile nursery worker filmed himself sexually abusing four children in what has been described a “calculated and predatory pattern of abuse”.
Vincent Chan, 45, admitted to 26 criminal charges at Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday after recording himself sexually abusing four young children.
The 45-year-old, from Stanhope Avenue in Finchley, north London, entered guilty pleas to five counts of sexual assault of a child by penetration and four counts of sexual assault by touching.
He also accepted responsibility for 11 charges of taking indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, alongside six counts of making such images – with some material falling into the most serious category of abuse.
Dressed in a grey tracksuit and wearing glasses, Chan kept his gaze lowered as he responded “guilty” to each charge read out in court.
Police described his conduct as a “calculated and predatory pattern of abuse” spanning several years.
Chan had been employed at a Bright Horizons nursery in West Hampstead, northwest London, for close to seven years before his crimes came to light.
His initial arrest occurred in June 2024 when a colleague reported disturbing behaviour.
Chan had filmed a child falling asleep in their food, added music to the footage, and shown the clip to another staff member.
Officers initially detained him on suspicion of neglect before releasing him on bail.
Vincent Chan’s initial arrest occurred in June 2024 when a colleague reported disturbing behaviour
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METROPOLITAN POLICE
He subsequently lost his position at the nursery, which has since permanently closed.
Police submitted his electronic devices for forensic examination in September 2024.
Analysis concluded in July 2025 and led to his arrest on suspicion of sexual offences in September.
Investigators have now seized 51 devices belonging to Chan personally, plus an additional 18 that he had used at the nursery premises.
Affected families released a statement expressing their anguish at the revelations.
“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,” they said.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Bamford speaking to the media outside Wood Green Crown Court
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PA
The families acknowledged that his guilty pleas meant they would be spared hearing graphic details of his crimes during a trial.
They expressed confidence that the judge would impose the harshest possible sentence for offences committed against “young children, innocent victims who could not fight back.”
Parents directed pointed questions at the nursery operator, stating: “We feel that Bright Horizons has failed us and we want answers.
“How was someone like Vincent Chan employed? Why did safeguarding systems fail completely?”
They also demanded to know how such serious offences against children could persist for so long without safeguarding staff at the nursery taking action, expressing concern that management and supervision failures allowed the abuse to remain undetected.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford of the Metropolitan Police described child sexual abuse as “one of the most horrific crimes imaginable,” noting that Chan’s offending revealed a deliberate and predatory pattern spanning years.
“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,” the officer said.
The investigation remains active, with officers continuing to examine digital devices and assess Chan’s behaviour across all relevant settings.
Detective Superintendent Basford paid tribute to the staff member whose initial report about the filmed incident ultimately exposed the abuse, stating that without that first complaint about child cruelty, Chan could have continued offending and endangered countless more children.
The NSPCC has established a dedicated helpline for the approximately 700 families whose children attended the nursery during Chan’s employment between 2017 and 2024.
Kellie Ann Fitzgerald, NSPCC assistant director for London and the South East, expressed shock at the scale of abuse uncovered by the police investigation.
“Our thoughts are with all the children, families, and communities that have been impacted by Chan’s appalling breach of trust,” she said, adding that the charity’s priority was ensuring those affected receive swift access to support.
A Bright Horizons spokesperson described the crimes as “horrific” and a “profound betrayal” of trust placed in Chan by families and colleagues.
The company stated it maintains extensive safeguarding measures including rigorous vetting and DBS checks, and has commissioned an independent review of its procedures.
Chan faces sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court on 23 January.
