More than 50 families are calling for an investigation into how Vincent Chan was allowed to return to his job after an inquiry by the nursery chain Bright Horizons. The parents of the victims expressed their outrage upon learning that Chan was cleared to return to work despite "significant concerns" raised by a parent regarding his behavior.
Background
In 2021, a concerned parent reported Chan to his employer, Bright Horizons, which was aware of the complaint along with Camden council. Following an investigation, Chan was allowed to resume his position at the nursery located on Finchley Road in north-west London. However, just a year later, in 2022, Chan filmed himself abusing three-year-old girls in his care.
Parents' Outrage
One mother expressed her anger, stating, "I feel a level of anger that I can barely put into words." Images of her daughter were discovered on Chan’s personal devices after his arrest. She added, "In 2021, around the time serious concerns had been raised about Vincent Chan, he was made my daughter’s key worker. We trusted him with her most intimate care, believing she was safe. Knowing there was a chance to stop him before he had such extensive access to her is unbearable. I am heartbroken, but above all furious at Bright Horizons for failing to protect our children."
The families are demanding an immediate "independent examination" of how the 2021 complaint was handled. In a statement from the law firm Leigh Day, which represents the affected families, they called for a "full and independent account of what happened, who knew what, when they knew it, and why these decisions were made."
