Ofsted Issues Compliance Notice to Bright Horizons While Majority of Its Nurseries Meet Standards

Ofsted issued a compliance notice to Bright Horizons on 22 June 2026 after inspections and site visits identified significant weaknesses in organisational safeguarding leadership, governance, oversight and practice. The regulator conducted 172 inspections, site visits and direct engagements with senior staff, finding breaches in 75 settings.

The action followed concerns after a serious safeguarding incident in September 2025.

One nursery in north-west London that employed Vincent Chan closed in May 2025; Chan carried out 56 sexual offences including abusing children. Some parents of children at that nursery are taking steps toward a judicial review. Bright Horizons has until 1 August 2026 to ensure senior leaders can apply safeguarding policies effectively, that those policies are implemented consistently, and that concerns are identified, recorded, escalated and responded to appropriately.

The majority of its settings continue to meet requirements, Ofsted said. Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty's chief inspector, said the outcome summary sets out clearly what the Bright Horizons group must do and by when. He advised parents to read their nursery's latest inspection report or update on the Ofsted website.

Bright Horizons stated that the safety and well-being of the children in its care is always its first priority and that it acts quickly when practice falls short of standards. The company said it continues to focus on embedding its safeguarding culture across all nurseries. If the provider does not comply, Ofsted has the power to refuse, cancel or impose conditions on registrations.

Separately, Ofsted said it will carry out an extra 3,000 unannounced nursery inspections a year in England from September 2026.