More than 120 families have now been contacted by authorities after investigators identified alleged victims in one of Australia’s largest childcare abuse investigations.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said former Sydney childcare worker Hamish Tait, 35, had been charged with 329 offences allegedly committed over 16 years, including producing child abuse material, filming children without consent, sexually touching children under 10 and using children to produce child abuse material.
The case became public on Monday after a court lifted a non-publication order.
The suppression order was originally sought to protect the integrity of the lengthy investigation, identify alleged victims and notify potentially affected families before the case became public.
Police allege Tait worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities between 2009 and 2025, predominantly across Sydney’s north-west.
Investigators allege the offences were committed against children at four childcare centres and the man’s own private early education business.
The Glossodia man has been in custody since his arrest in July 2025 and his Working With Children accreditation was suspended at the time, the AFP said.
Investigation began after US tip-off
The AFP’s Operation Moonbi began in June 2025 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States alerted Australian authorities to an online user allegedly uploading child abuse material.
Police executed a search warrant at the man’s home in Sydney’s north-west on June 20, 2025, seizing electronic devices for forensic examination.
The AFP alleges investigators found child abuse material on those devices.
He was initially charged with eight online child abuse material offences in July 2025 before additional charges were laid in April, June and July 2026.
Investigators said the 12-month operation involved analysing 2.4 million electronic files and executing 12 search warrants.
More than 120 families contacted
AFP Acting Commander Luke Needham said investigators, forensic specialists and victim identification teams had spent 12 months reviewing 16 years of alleged offending.
“The AFP has been in contact with 121 families, based around Australia and internationally, who we have positively identified their child as being depicted in child abuse material,” Needham said.
He said investigators alleged the matter involved 136 victims.
“Any form of child sexual abuse is confronting and horrific, even more so when the alleged perpetrator is an individual trusted with the care of our youth,” he said.
“We urge any victim-survivors to seek support or talk to a trusted person if today’s news has caused distress,” Needham said.
Parents and carers can access a website for information about Tait’s employment history, available support services and advice on what to do if they believe they may be affected.
The AFP says Tait worked at or attended the following early childhood education facilities between 2009 and 2025.
Police allege offending occurred at locations marked with an asterisk.
- Alasan Cottage Preschool
- Amata Anangu School
- Beaumont Hills OOSH (Jigsaw OOSH or Beaumont Hills OOSH)
- Bright Minds Cranebrook
- Carinya Neighbourhood Childrens Centre Inc
- Cocoon Early Learning Centre
- Cooranbong Valley Community Preschool
- Dee Why Kindergarten
- Endeavour Early Education – Kariong
- Explore and Develop Leichhardt
- Explore and Develop Roseville
- Explore and Develop Waitara
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Box Hill*
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Dural North
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Dural South
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Glenwood North
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Glenwood South
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Putney*
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Rouse Hill*
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Turramurra
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Vineyard
- Fit Kidz Learning Centre Warrawee*
- Friendly Faces Childcare
- Glenning Valley Child Care Centre
- Glenorie Preschool
- Goodstart Early Learning Centre Woodcroft
- Gorokan Preschool
- Gracelands Early Education Centre
- Heritage House Cherrybrook Early Education Centre
- Jasmine Preschool
- Jigsaw OOSH Dural
- Kiddiwinks Play, Laugh & Learn – Warriewood
- Kindy 4 Kids
- Kradle 2 Krayons Long Day Centre
- Leura Child Care Centre
- Little Peoples Early Learning Centre Wollongong
- Maraylya Early Learning Centre
- Milestones Early Learning, Baulkham Hills
- Mimosa Kids
- MindChamps Early Learning & Preschool Lane Cove
- Montessori Academy – Alexandria
- Montessori Academy – Engadine
- Montessori Academy – Gymea
- Montessori Academy – Penrith
- Montessori Academy – Zetland – Victoria Park
- Morisset and District Children’s Centre
- Oakville Preschool
- Pacific Hills OOSH / BAASC
- Pennant Hills Before & After School Care
- Peter Pan Kindergarten
- Quakers Hill Kindergarten and Child Care Centre
- Silverdale Child Care Centre
- Tiny Tykes Family Day Care
- Wiggles & Giggles Cranebrook
- Wild Earthlings Glenorie*
- Wild Earthlings Cumberland State Forest
- Wild Earthlings Sydney Park
- Wild Earthlings Wolli Creek
- Willunga Child Care Centre
- Windsor Preschool
- Woodport Early Learning Centre
- Young Academics Early Learning Centre Rouse Hill
Tait has not entered pleas and the matter remains before the courts.
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