WARNING: Images may be distressing

Australian Federal Police has released a series of images allegedly taken from the electronic devices of a former childcare worker accused of abusing more than 100 children over a 16-year period.

Hamish Tait, 35, has been charged with producing child abuse material during his employment at childcare and early learning centres in northwest Sydney between 2009 and 2025.

He faces 329 charges and is accused of abusing 136 victims from 121 families in Sydney.

It comes as the AFP on Thursday revealed they had been able to identify another potential six alleged victims, with another 16 yet to be identified.

The AFP has since released seven de-identified images of items of clothing – allegedly taken from electronic devices seized during the investigation – and is seeking any information abut them from the community.

The images are believed to have been taken in childcare centres across Sydney’s northwest between 2018 and 2025.

Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said an information centre set up by the AFP had received 300 calls since Mr Tait’s identify was made public on Monday after a court suppression order was lifted.

Insp Tsardoulias said detectives attached to Operation Moonbi had spoken to two more families whose children were potential victims.

“It’s a really tough time for them. But what we would say is that the AFP and New South Wales Health have been there to support them,” Insp Tsardoulias said.

While the distribution of these images can be traumatising for individuals, Mr Tsardoulias said the appeal for information is a “delicate balance”.

“What I would say is that we now require some assistance from the public to help us identify these victims.”

Three of the released pictures, which were believed to be taken on June 26, 2023 at a childcare centre in Rouse Hill, feature the back of a puffer vest, which has a distinctive dinosaur skeleton pattern.

Two other images show a pair of shorts with a blue pattern and a grey T-shirt with an animal pattern on the front left shoulder.

The AFP believes the two images were taken between February 18, 2020 and March 3, 2024 at a Rouse Hill childcare centre.

The final two images feature a two-tone T-shirt that were likely taken on January 9, 2018 at a Putney childcare centre.

Insp Tsardoulias said authorities hoped parents, carers or the general public may recognise the distinctive pieces of clothing.

“We understand this week’s news about Operation Moonbi has been tough for members of our community,” he said.

“The abuse of trust we allege has occurred is confronting.

“Our investigation will continue, and we thank the public for their co-operation, patience and support as we continue to make inquiries.”

A list of the locations where Mr Tait worked or visited has been released on the Operation Moonbi website by the AFP.

Locations include:

Alasan Cottage Preschool – Training and Assessment Capacity

Amata Anangu School – Voluntary Capacity

Beaumont Hills OOSH (Jigsaw OOSH or Beaumont Hills OOSH) – Incursion Session

Bright Minds Cranebrook – Incursion Session

Carinya Neighbourhood Children’s Centre Inc – Training and Assessment Capacity

Cocoon Early Learning Centre – Training and Assessment Capacity

Cooranbong Valley Community Preschool – Training and Assessment Capacity

Dee Why Kindergarten – Training and Assessment Capacity

Explore Develop Leichhardt – Incursion Session

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Box Hill* – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Dural North – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Dural South – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Glenwood North – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Glenwood South – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Putney* – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Rouse Hill* – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Turramurra – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Vineyard – Early Education Care

Fit Kidz Learning Centre Warrawee* – Early Education Care

Friendly Faces Childcare, Padstow – Training and Assessment Capacity

Glenning Valley Child Care Centre – Training and Assessment Capacity

Glenorie Preschool – Incursion Session

Goodstart Early Learning Centre Woodcroft – Educator Session

Gorokan Preschool – Training and Assessment Capacity

Gracelands Early Education Centre, Kellyville – Training and Assessment Capacity

Heritage House Cherrybrook Early Education Centre – Training and Assessment Capacity

Jasmine Preschool, Freemans Reach – Incursion Session

Jigsaw OOSH Dural – Incursion Session

Kiddiwinks Play, Laugh Learn, Warriewood – Training and Assessment Capacity

Kindy 4 Kids Child Care, Leichardt – Training and Assessment Capacity

Kradle 2 Krayons Long Day Centre, Penrith – Training and Assessment Capacity

Leura Child Care Centre – Training and Assessment Capacity

Little Peoples Early Learning Centre Wollongong – Incursion Session

Maraylya Early Learning Centre – Educator Session

Milestones Early Learning, Baulkham Hills – Incursion Session

Mimosa Kids, Frenchs Forest – Training and Assessment Capacity

Montessori Academy, Alexandria – Training and Assessment Capacity

Montessori Academy, Engadine – Training and Assessment Capacity

Montessori Academy, Gymea – Training and Assessment Capacity

Montessori Academy, Penrith – Training and Assessment Capacity

Montessori Academy, Zetland, Victoria Park – Training and Assessment Capacity

Morisset and District Children’s Centre (Morisset Early Education Centre – Community Preschool) – Training and Assessment Capacity

Oakville Preschool – Incursion Session

Pacific Hills OOSH / BAASC – Incursion Session

Pennant Hills Before After School Care (Pennant Hills Public School) – Incursion Session

Peter Pan Kindergarten – Training and Assessment Capacity

Quakers Hill Kindergarten and Child Care Centre – Training and Assessment Capacity

Silverdale Child Care Centre -Training and Assessment Capacity

Tiny Tykes family day care, Agnes Banks – Incursion Session

Wiggles Giggles Cranebrook – Incursion Session

Wild Earthlings Cumberland State Forest – Early Education Care

Wild Earthlings Glenorie* – Early Education Care

Wild Earthlings Sydney Park – Early Education Care

Wild Earthlings Wolli Creek – Early Education Care

Willunga Child Care Centre, Quakers Hill – Training and Assessment Capacity

Windsor Preschool, South Windsor – Educator Session

Woodport Early Learning Centre, Green Point – Training and Assessment Capacity

Young Academics Early Learning Centre Rouse Hill – Educator Session

* Indicates locations where police allege offending occurred.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the LCP on 02 9765 1000.

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