Saturday February 4, 2012

Unlicensed childcare centres

KUALA TERENGGANU: Over half of the 2,035 unregistered daycare centres nationwide made the mistake of setting up their operations even before getting approval from the authorities.

Many centres operate illegally because they are located in residential areas and their application for permits will stall if their neighbours complain, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Heng Sai Kie.

“The applications of more than 50% of unregistered centres are stuck because they face protests and opposition from neighbours.

“As long as the neighbours oppose the setting up of the centre, the operators cannot get the permits,” she said.

These centres, she added, could have easily avoided the hassle if they had registered their businesses and obtained approval from the local council, the Fire and Rescue Services Department and the Health Ministry before setting up shop.

Heng said the lack of maids and parents not relying on close relatives for childcare were the reasons for the high dependency on these centres.

“Many working couples are not staying with their parents,” she said, adding that most centres were in Selangor.

Heng, however, maintained that the ministry had been making headway in getting centres to register through its Jom Daftar campaign.

“There were 245 registered centres between January and May last year. After the campaign, the number has shot up to 819,” she said.

Heng said the ministry, through the Welfare Department, had also set up one-stop centres around the country for operators to have all their permits approved by the various authorities under one roof.

“The permits are now valid for five years instead of one year while the processing of applications takes only seven days compared to two months previously,” she said.

Heng said cases involving deaths of children at daycare centres took place at unregistered premises, stressing that these tragedies could have easily been avoided.

“With registration, the Welfare Department can monitor the centres as well as conduct annual checks to ensure they follow regulations.

“The guidelines and regulations are not to create more hassle but for the sake of the children's safety and health,” she said.

Under the Child Care Centre Act, guilty operators can be fined up to RM10,000 or jailed not more than two years, or both. They face heavier penalties for repeat offences.

Heng added that the ministry was also in the process of seeking tougher sentences.

She urged anyone aware of errant or unregistered centres to report to the state Welfare Department or call Talian Nur at 15999.

More News