The government is considering installing CCTV in nurseries across the UK after an early years’ worker was found to have abused multiple children in north London.
Vincent Chan, 45, worked at Bright Horizons nursery in Finchley Road, West Hampstead. It emerged that Chan had been sexually abusing children as young as two when they were sleeping on the floor, photographing and filming the abuse.
He pleaded guilty to 26 offences between 2022 and 2024, including sexually assaulting four girls at the nursery.
He worked at the nursery for seven years.
A few days ago, he was charged with a further 15 offences linked to events predating working there.
Mr Chan was charged with nine counts of taking indecent photographs of a child and six counts of outraging public decency.
Bright Horizons said it was “shocked and appalled” by the crimes of which he was convicted. In a statement, the nursery said: “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.”
It said it has commissioned an external expert to investigate the nursery’s safeguarding practices.
The education secretary Bridget Phillipson also commissioned a local child safeguarding practice review in December. She also formed an advisory group to look into whether using CCTV would enhance safeguarding or be potentially misused.
Yesterday, the education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that as part of this review it is "considering the mandatory use of CCTV in early years settings".
Ms Bailey added: “The safety of our children comes first, so we are considering the mandatory use of CCTV in early years settings through our review, which we are getting under way rapidly.”
Chan, who lives in Finchley, is still in custody and is expected to be sentenced on February 12.
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