1 hour ago
2
A dinosaur puffer vest, blue patterned shorts and a two-tone T-shirt pictured in images seized from the devices of one of the country’s most prolific alleged day care abusers could help police continue identifying potential victims.
The images have been released as part of Operation Moonbi, which has laid 329 charges against Hamish Tait, 35, alleging he abused 158 children and attended 62 centres. Tait attended some centres for training purposes and had no access to children. (See updated list at end of article.)
The images were taken at childcare centres in the Sydney suburbs of Rouse Hill and Putney between 2018 and 2024.
A distinctive dinosaur-print patterned puffer vest is seen in one picture believed to have been taken in June 2023 at a Rouse Hill centre.
Another image featuring blue-patterned shorts and a T-shirt with an animal pattern on the front was taken at a centre in Rouse Hill between February 2020 and March 2024.
Another image with a blue-and-white T-shirt was likely to have been taken at a Putney centre in January 2018.
Police have identified 136 of Tait’s alleged victims. A further 22 are unidentified, despite the work by victim identification teams.
The scale of the alleged offending means that if found guilty, Tait will have abused more children than any other childcare worker in the country’s history.
Electronic evidence recovered from Tait’s phones and devices allegedly shows he filmed children in toilets between 2009 and 2025 at five centres.
Tait was arrested in July 2025, but his name was suppressed until Monday.
AFP detective acting inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias says the unique items could be recognisable.
“Any information, big or small, may assist the victim identification process,” he said.
“We understand this week’s news about Operation Moonbi has been tough for members of our community. The abuse of trust we allege has occurred is confronting.
“Our investigation will continue, and we thank the public for their cooperation, patience and support as we continue to make inquiries.”
Tait also travelled to a remote South Australian community and preyed upon vulnerable children, police suspect.
Parents who believe their child had contact with Tait are urged to contact the AFP on (02) 9765 1000, from 7am to 7pm AEST.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). Anyone affected by sexual, domestic or family violence can also access 24/7, free and confidential trauma-specialist counselling through Full Stop Australia (1800 385 578).
The AFP is updating the list below as investigations continue.
Locations where Hamish Tait worked
Alasan Cottage Preschool, Glenbrook (Training and Assessment Capacity)
Amata Anangu School (Voluntary Capacity)
Beaumont Hills OOSH (Jigsaw OOSH or Beaumont Hils OOSH) (Incursion Session)
Bright Minds Cranebrook (Incursion Session)
Carinya Neighbourhood Childrens Centre Inc, Springwood (Training and Assessment Capacity)
Cocoon Early Learning Centre (Cocoon Childcare), Kareela (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 Child Care and Learning Centre, Cherrybrook (Training and Assessment Capacity)
Jasmine Preschool, Freemans Reach (Incursion Session)
Jigsaw OOSH Dural (Incursion Session)
Kiddiwinks Play, Laugh & Learn - Warriewood (Training and Assessment Capacity)
Kindy4Kids 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, Caringbah (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.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
