PUTRAJAYA is mulling ways to encourage childcare centres to register with the government to ensure better supervision and the children’s safety.

Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Hannah Yeoh said only 10% centres nationwide have registered with the government as of this year.

Among the ways the ministry is considering are incentives like reduced electricity tariffs for those who register.

“We want to encourage registration by giving benefits to centres that register.

“We may discuss with utility companies to reduce electric costs if these centres register with us,” she said in her speech at the Tabika Kemas graduation ceremony in Segambut.

She said most centres at housing areas are not registered because they cannot meet the requirements set by the government.

Yeoh said they need approvals from the Health Ministry, Fire Department, and local authorities before they can proceed with registration.

However, most of them cannot get approval from the local authorities.

“This is because their neighbours usually do not approve of a centre next door since children make a lot of noise,” she said.

Yeoh said despite failing to get registered, most centres continue their services because most neighbourhoods lack childcare centres and parents need a place to send their children to be cared for.

“They (centres) do not close because parents need to send their children there. The parents do not report it to the authorities because they need the service.

“When there is supply and demand, everyone will keep quiet,” said Yeoh.

She said the government is planning to have a “checking system” nationwide to ensure the people involved in childcare centres are safe for the children.

Yeoh said her ministry had engaged with some childcare centres in Putrajaya.

She did not elaborate on the matter, but said she would provide the findings when they were done.

Yeoh also cited a few cases involving child abuse at childcare centres, some of which led to death of the children.

She said parents should take time to ensure the surroundings are safe for their children before they decide to leave their children at the hands of strangers or family members.  

On November 9, 11-month-old Nur Muszara Ulfa Mohammad Zainal died after she was allegedly abused physically and sexually by the babysitter’s husband.

“We have to check anyone at a babysitter’s house that would have a huge possibility of abusing the children,” said Yeoh. – November 18, 2018.