Follow the law, nursery and child care centre operators told: Rohani

KUALA LUMPUR: Those setting up nurseries and child care centres must undergo nursing courses with the Social Institute of Malaysia (ISM) as stipulated in the Nursery Act 1994.
They must also register their establishments with the Welfare Department or face the law. Women, Family and Community Development minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the move was in line with the amended Child Act which came into force.
“There are child care centres which are not adhering to the department’s standard operating procedures (SOP),” she said, adding that they have also encountered some centres where children are not fed.
She said the ministry views this seriously as nurseries and child care centres must provide good service including looking into the kids’ food, care and needs.
“Unregistered centres can be sealed or the operator taken to court,” she added.
“I have also ordered both the ministry and Welfare Department to visit all centres to ensure operators adhere to the law,” she said in an opening remark during the Social Institute of Malaysia’s launch of its new logo here today.
She said as of June this year, there are some 5,890 nurseries and centres operating their businesses with 938 nurseries and 747 centres not officially registered.
Speaking to the press later, she said that the ministry is currently compiling all registered nurseries and centres that will be made available on their website.
She also cautioned against illegal operators who do not place a seal to state it is registered with the Welfare Department.