Fury Erupts After Mum Discovers Child’s Daycare Linked to Ex-Worker Accused of 320+ Child A-bu-se Of-fences
The unmasking of Hamish Tait, a former childcare worker charged with more than 320 child abuse offences, has sparked fear and panic among parents across Sydney.
One mum was left reeling on Monday when she saw her son’s daycare, Cocoon Early Learning Centre in Sydney’s south, on the list of more than 60 childhood education facilities where Tait worked or attended.
Hamish Tait has been charged with 329 offences. Supplied
“My first reaction was shock and disbelief but I held it together,” the mum told nine.com.au on the condition of anonymity.
“We needed more information before I let panic take over.”
Neither she nor her husband recognised Tait from the photos released on Monday, which was a comfort.
Cocoon Early Learning Centre issued a statement to parents soon after.
“They reassured us last night, very soon after the news was made public, that Tait was never employed at the centre and only visited five times in his capacity as an assessor of their trainees,” the mum said.
“They have been very communicative with parents as we were all in a panic, understandably, and have now put out a statement on social media.”
She’s since been flooded with messages from friends wanting to check in after seeing her son’s daycare on the AFP list.
The mum understands why people are concerned but feels for staff at the childcare centres affected, whom she said work hard to prioritise child safety.
“Our hearts just go out to those parents with kids at centres who were [allegedly] impacted by this horrific individual,” she said.
Hamish Tait, 35, allegedly committed the offences over 16 years at dozens of centres, with more than 150 alleged victims – 22 of whom are still unidentified. Nine
On Monday, Tait’s identity was revealed after a court order was lifted and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) published a list of more than 60 childhood education facilities where he worked or attended.
He allegedly committed offences at dozens of centres between 2009 and 2025, with more than 150 alleged victims.
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Tait’s identity was previously kept hidden by a non-publication order to allow the AFP to undertake a comprehensive victim identification process.
The AFP and NSW Health have already contacted impacted families, but police are still seeking to identify a further 22 alleged victims.
Locations where Hamish Tait worked
Tait worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities between 2009 and 2025.
Most of the locations were in Sydney’s north-west, though some were also located further afield, including in the Sutherland Shire and Woolongong in the south.
Tait may have only spent a few hours at some of the centres.
Windsor Preschool, which was included on the AFP’s list, issued a statement reassuring parents that Tait was never in attendance at the same time as children.
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“In our case Hamish Tait attended our centre on Wednesday 24th April 2025 for approximately three hours to deliver staff training during school holiday time, on the six key concepts of nature play,” it said in a statement.
“There were no children in attendance and he did not have access to photos of any children. All appropriate checks were undertaken prior to him attending the preschool.
“We will continue to carry out all appropriate checks prior to anyone attending the preschool for any purpose and continue to have trades, staff training and any works carried out during school holidays to ensure we are doing our best to keep children safe.”
Police allege Tait committed multiple offences against children at five locations, including four childcare centres and his own early education business:
Fit Kidz Learning Centre Box Hill
Fit Kidz Learning Centre Putney
Fit Kidz Learning Centre Rouse Hill
Fit Kidz Learning Centre Warrawee
Wild Earthlings Glenorie (Tait’s own business)
Impacted families have already been contacted by the AFP and NSW Health.
Anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse can contact NSW Health Sexual Assault Services (SAS) for information and counselling support.
Parents with children at listed centres voice fears
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Online parents’ and community groups are overflowing with posts and comments from concerned families following Tait’s unmasking.
Many are worried after seeing local childcare centres included on the AFP list.
Hamish Tait was arrested in June 2025. AFP
Some parents said they have been contacted directly and reassured by the daycares their children attend.
Others claimed that several centres on the AFP list have not communicated with families about when Tait was there, or if he had contact with any children.
“It shouldn’t be on parents to contact daycares and ask when [an alleged] child abuser was in the room with their kids,” one parent told nine.com.au on the condition of anonymity.
“They should be calling and emailing us with exact times and dates so we know if our kids were at risk.”
Police are still seeking to identify the further 22 alleged victims.
Fit Kidz address ‘misconceptions’
Ten Fit Kidz Learning Centres appear on the AFP list of locations where Tait worked or attended and four have been identified as locations where police allege offending occurred.
Owners Mick and Melissa Scaife recently addressed families in a blog post where they addressed “misconceptions” about their knowledge of the investigation into Tait’s alleged crimes.
“The truth is we have had NO contact AT ALL with the Police for many months, despite our best attempts by phone and email over time,” they said.
“Understandably, their priority is to run a criminal case, and we were told early on that they ‘won’t provide a running commentary’ and in fact we had ‘no standing in the case’ and they won’t be able to keep us updated or informed, partly for operational reasons, but also to protect the identities of victims and their families who are entitled to confidentiality.”
They claimed to have been transparent with families and educators and have never had any interest in protecting Tait.
Nine.com.au is not suggesting any improper conduct by the Scaifes in this matter.
The Scaifes said they played no part in the AFP’s decision to seek a non-publication order when Tait was arrested in 2025.
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“Allegations of us trying to help in a ‘cover-up’ are completely wrong,” they said.
“Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, supporting those affected and strengthening the safety of the children entrusted to us.”
