Bright Horizons case: how nursery safeguarding works

Many of us have been following the north London nursery case with a heavy heart. Content note: this piece mentions child sexual abuse. We keep details minimal and focus on how safeguarding should work, what you can ask your provider, and where to report concerns. Read at your pace; step away if you need to.

According to BBC reporting from court, Vincent Chan, 45, pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to 26 offences, including sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault by touching and making Category A indecent images. He will be sentenced on 23 January. The judge indicated he should expect a lengthy custodial sentence, and prosecutors described a grave breach of trust in a setting that should be safe for very young children.

Police say the investigation began after a colleague raised concerns through whistleblowing. Detectives found disturbing material on Chan’s devices and on nursery iPads. The Bright Horizons branch on Finchley Road, West Hampstead, has closed. The Metropolitan Police described the case as one of its most challenging and acknowledged the deep shock felt by families and staff.

BBC reports note that Chan had been vetted by the Disclosure and Barring Service and had previously worked as a karate club instructor and in a school. At the nursery he took on roles including art specialist, room leader and nursery nurse, caring for children aged two to four. We share these job titles not to alarm you about specific roles, but to underline why supervision and clear boundaries matter across every part of the day.

In court, families listened as charges were read. Many were in tears. If you are a parent or practitioner feeling angry, confused or numb, that reaction is normal. Our aim here is practical: understand the systems that are meant to protect children and the steps you can take to strengthen them where you are.

In England, every early years provider must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. That includes a Designated Safeguarding Lead trained to respond to concerns, safer recruitment checks, regular training for all staff, and clear rules on physical contact, one‑to‑one work and the use of phones and cameras. Good provision is both policy and culture: adults challenge poor practice, concerns are recorded promptly and followed up, and children are never left in situations that reduce visibility.

A DBS check helps an employer see whether someone is barred from working with children or has relevant convictions or police information. It cannot predict future behaviour, and it will not flag a person who has never been reported or convicted. This is why everyday safeguards matter so much: visible supervision, open‑door spaces, careful planning of one‑to‑one time, and leaders who act quickly when something feels wrong.

As a parent or carer, you are entitled to clear information. You can ask who the Designated Safeguarding Lead is and how to contact them. You can request the setting’s safeguarding policy, behaviour code and complaints procedure. It is reasonable to ask how staff use technology around children, what controls exist on shared devices, how one‑to‑one time is logged and how concerns are recorded and fed back to you.

If an incident involves your child, you should expect timely, plain‑English communication about safety measures in place. During an active police investigation, some details may be limited to protect evidence, but you can still expect updates on the care plan. You may request records held about your child; providers will balance that with legal duties to protect other children’s data and ongoing enquiries.

If you are worried right now and a child may be at immediate risk, call 999. If it is not an emergency, raise the concern with the nursery’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or manager and write down what you saw or heard, using the child’s words if they disclosed. If you feel your concern is not being taken seriously, you can contact your local council’s Local Authority Designated Officer, often via the Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Hub, or speak to the police on 101. You may also complain to Ofsted about safeguarding in registered early years settings.

For staff and student teachers in early years, you are a safeguarding adult. Follow your policy, report to the DSL without delay and keep a factual, dated note. Whistleblowing law protects disclosures made in the public interest. If you feel blocked, seek advice and escalate; professional curiosity-calm, child‑centred questioning of what is unusual-is part of the job.

If a child shares something with you, listen, thank them and reassure them they did the right thing by telling you. Do not promise secrecy or ask leading questions. Explain you will pass this to people who can help, write down their exact words as soon as you can and inform the DSL the same day. Your steady response can make a frightening moment feel safer for a child.

Press reports noted that Chan was born and raised in the UK and of Chinese heritage. Abuse is about behaviour, access and power-not ethnicity or nationality. We challenge racist narratives and harmful speculation. Please also avoid sharing rumours or images about children online; this risks harm and may be unlawful. Trust verified updates from police, prosecutors and the courts.

Bright Horizons said it was shocked and appalled, acknowledged that the crimes happened despite its safeguarding measures and stated that a colleague’s whistleblowing brought the case to light. The company has commissioned an external expert review of its safeguarding practices. Parents of victims, through their solicitor, said they want answers and accountability from the provider.

Sentencing is scheduled for 23 January. If you are directly affected, your police liaison and specialist charities can support you through the next steps. For everyone else-parents, practitioners, students-the most constructive action is close to home: know the DSL by name, read the policy, ask how devices are controlled and be ready to raise concerns promptly and calmly. Children notice when adults are steady and on their side.