The Guardian has learned that Chan was the subject of an earlier safeguarding investigation, carried out by Bright Horizons with the oversight of Camden council. The investigation followed what were described as "significant concerns" raised with the nursery in 2021 by the parent of a young girl, including concerns about what her daughter was saying about Chan.
Bright Horizons referred the matter to Camden council, which advised the nursery to investigate. Chan was put on duties involving no contact with children during the inquiry. After it was completed, Chan was cleared to return to working with young children.
A year later, in 2022, Chan filmed himself sexually abusing three-year-old girls at the nursery.
Chan was first arrested in June 2024 on suspicion of child cruelty after nursery staff discovered videos he had filmed of distressed children. Police searches of his devices then revealed he was a prolific sexual offender with tens of thousands of child abuse images. He had also committed sexual offences in a previous job as a teaching assistant at a primary school, including upskirting female pupils. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The nursery on Finchley Road closed in June 2025.
Other parents have said that in early 2024, before Chan's arrest, they raised concerns with Bright Horizons about Chan shouting at children, being "angry" and a "bad man". They say those concerns were dismissed.
Local authorities have ultimate responsibility for managing allegations relating to adults who work with children. The Metropolitan police did not receive a referral in 2021 regarding Chan, and were only notified of the concerns subsequently.
After Chan's offending came to light, Camden council carried out a rapid review of the decision to clear him in 2021. The review concluded in November 2025, and the council subsequently commissioned a local child safeguarding practice review.