A childcare worker in Sydney has been charged with 329 offences over his alleged abuse of 136 children at multiple daycare centres. The alleged abuse occurred over a 16-year period, from 2009 to 2025.
Following his first arrest in July last year, Hamish Tait has been identified as the suspect. The 35-year-old remains in custody.
Charges and investigation
His charges include 162 counts of producing child abuse material, 81 counts of filming a person engaged in a private act without consent, 22 counts of aggravated use of a child under 14 years for the production of child abuse material, and 18 counts of intentionally sexually touching a child under 10 years.
Australian Federal Police said they had contacted 121 families affected by the alleged offending but are still trying to identify 22 victims.
Childcare centres involved
Tait worked at or attended 62 early years education facilities in Sydney between 2009 and 2025, but he primarily worked in the city's north-west. The alleged abuse occurred at five facilities including four childcare centres and his own business, Wild Earthlings Glenorie.
As part of the investigation police have published a website identifying the centres where he worked to help support families.
Police appeal for victims
Police sought a court order on Monday, July 13 and revealed his identity in an attempt to try and identify further victims. They have also released images of distinctive clothing, including a puffer vest with a dinosaur pattern, likely taken on June 26, 2023 at a Rouse Hill childcare centre.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Acting Commander Luke Needham said: "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."
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said officers had received over 300 calls while the operation has been ongoing.
Parent reactions
Following the release of Tait's identity and the list of education centres, parents have been left in 'panic'. One mother, who wished to remain anonymous told Nine news: “My first reaction was shock and disbelief but I held it together. We needed more information before I let panic take over.”
She said her child's daycare reassured them that Tait had only visited the centre and did not work at that branch. She added: “Our hearts just go out to those parents with kids at centres who were [allegedly] impacted by this horrific individual.”
Statement from employer
Kid Fitz Learning Centres, where Tait worked, released a lengthy statement saying 'sorry for the pain that has been caused' to past parents and carers after his identity was revealed. Mick and Melissa Scaife stated that under a non-publication order they were unable to reach out to past families before Monday.
The statement said: "The order was only discontinued in court late yesterday, meaning that we can now contact families and identify the alleged offender as Hamish Tait, who worked with us for many years and also conducted an outside business in nature play and vacation care, and consulted to other Child Care Centres. We are shocked, saddened, disgusted, and sorry for the pain that has been caused to our extended community."
The statement continued: "Nothing is more important to us, or more fundamental to the trust you place in us, than keeping children safe while they are in our care. The actions of this former employee represent a profound betrayal of that trust and have left us, and our entire team, heartbroken."
Tait was linked to illegal online activity last June. Officers found child abuse material on 25 electronic devices containing 2.4 million files including alleged child abuse images.
