Vincent Chan will be sentenced next month

THE horrific abuse case at a West Hampstead nursery could lead to stronger laws on who can work with toddlers and how.

Vincent Chan, 45, will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to 26 charges relating to his time at the now-closed Bright Horizons nursery in Finchley Road.

He had filmed himself abusing children he had been trusted to look after.

On Thursday, parents of affected families sat in the House of Commons as Hampstead and Highgate MP Tulip Siddiq asked the prime minister to meet them and for the government to consider new protections.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson told MPs that a safeguarding review was already underway and laws could be strengthened once the findings are published.

She said that it would lay out how Chan, who began work at the nursery in 2017, was able to commit crimes while at work undetected.

“This wider review must shine the strongest possible light on these horrifying incidents and that we learn every lesson we can to make sure that crimes like this are guarded against at every step and every stage,” Ms Phillipson said, adding that Sir Keir Starmer would meet the families.

Ms Siddiq said: “the brave parents are here today to watch proceedings – not just because they want justice for their own children, but because they want to make sure that never again can children be put in this situation.”

Tulip Siddiq MP wants changes to care rules inside nurseries

She suggested the government explored “enhanced background checks for everyone working with children, enabling the use of safeguarding CCTV in nurseries and early years providers, and a mandatory two-adult supervision rule for all nurseries and childcare practices The families impacted have instructed law firm Leigh Day to pursue action against the nation-wide nursery provider of more than 300 nurseries.

Lawyer Alison Millar said: “This is an absolutely shocking case. Even as an experienced abuse claims lawyer, it is difficult to hear the descriptions of Chan’s sexual offences against such very young, defenceless children, as well as wider concerns about maltreatment of the children in his care.  “In addition to the abhorrent sexual offending, there is also a wider group of families affected by Chan’s behaviour.

“We urge the police to review their decision not to further pursue child neglect charges against Chan, and to complete their review of Chan’s devices and images.”

Bright Horizons said last week it had started its own investigation into the case with by hiring an “independent expert”.

An NSPCC helpline with dedicated child protection specialists has been set up.

The helpline number is: 0800 028 0828.