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Showing posts with label Daycare Centres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daycare Centres. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Big demand for childcare

 

Sim Daycare Centre, Jalan Sungai Dua, Penang

Exercising caution: Enrolling children in registered childcare centres reduces the risk of negligence or abuse. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Kindergartens and nursery centres have continued to thrive in Penang – despite the hassle of getting the necessary licence to operate.

An operator of a kindergarten near Alma here, who wanted to be known only as Joo, went through the whole rigmarole to set up an adjacent childcare centre, which is expected to be up and running in a couple of months, almost a year after the process began.

After spending RM200,000 to convert a house into the intended childcare centre, there was red tape to contend with, she said.

“The whole process included engaging an architect to draw up the plan as well as submissions for various permits from the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), Fire and Rescue Department, Education Department and Social Welfare Department, which all have their own sets of rules.“The application to MBSP itself took about 100 days to complete,” she added.

Then, all her staff were required to undergo a mandatory three-month Permata Childcare Course. It cost her about RM1,000 for each staff member.

“In total, I spent between RM400,000 and RM500,000 to set up this centre. It would have cost me less if not for the delay in getting the licence,” she said in an interview yesterday.

Joo’s kindergarten has been running for the past 15 years, providing preschool education to some 60 children.

“Operating the childcare centre legally is for the long term and I don’t want to worry about it being shut down by the authorities.

“Parents, too, will be more confident about entrusting us with their children,” she said.

Joo said everything at the centre would be above board and adhere to regulations.

Another operator, who preferred not to be named, said it took her almost 10 years to get a licence to operate a kindergarten here.“When I took over the kindergarten from the previous owner in 2006, I did not know it did not have a permit to operate.

“I then halted operations and filed an application to the relevant authorities. I only managed to get the permit in 2016,” she said.Under the Penang Care Centre Registration Guidelines enforced since 2021, the council allows for a maximum of seven kindergartens, nurseries or childcare centres within a 400m radius on the island while nine of them (three each) are allowed within a 250m radius on the mainland.

It was reported that 63 nurseries, 34 childcare centres (taska) and 100 kindergartens were still operating illegally in Penang.State social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said although Penang had made various efforts to legalise them since 2017, including fee waivers and discount rates to encourage operators to submit their applications, many persisted in operating without a licence.

She said the Social Welfare Department had since issued a notice to limit enrolment of children until the centre could get mandatory certifications from the relevant agencies.

However, out of concern for the wellbeing of the children and their parents, the state still hoped that these unlicensed operators would be spared from being fined or closed down, Lim added.

Last Sunday, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry advised parents and guardians to ensure their children were enrolled in taska registered with the Social Welfare Department to prevent incidents of negligence, abandonment or abuse.It said these childcare centres were regularly monitored and inspected by the department.

It also said the registration of childcare centres includes a requirement that each caregiver holds a Certificate in Permata Care Course, as well as proactive measures to protect children from potential harm in these facilities.

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May 24, 2016 ... Chris Hong, who runs two kindergartens-cum-daycare centres in Subang Jaya, said she and her staff looked after 40 to 50 children from 8am to ...



 

More centres needed

The Government aims to have a workforce comprising at least 59% of women by 2020. To do that, we must have more registered childcare centres to cater to these women’s children, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said. On Aug 14, Sunday Star reported that Malaysia is far from its target of having 13,200 registered childcare centres by 2020. Currently, there are not enough centres to cater to 3.2 million children under the age of four whose parents are in need of these services.



Monday, November 23, 2020

Registered childcare centres can stay open during the conditional movement control order (CMCO)

 

Children being looked after at a nursery in Komtar. — Filepic

REGISTERED childcare centres and nurseries caring for the children of frontliners and working parents are allowed to operate during the conditional movement control order (MCO) period.

However, the childcare centres and nurseries need to adhere fully to the standard operating procedure.

Penang welfare committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the requirements included ensuring that the centres were registered with the state Welfare Department.

“The centres need to obtain permission from the state Welfare Department director and submit verification letters from the employers of the parents or guardians confirming that the affected parent or guardian needs to work.

“They also need to adhere to the SOP for taska safety and the social care sector as directed by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

Phee added that unregistered childcare centres and nurseries looking to obtain permission to operate would not be considered.

“This is in line with the operating permission for childcare centres and nurseries during the conditional MCO period under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

“Childcare centres under technical agencies including state authorities, the Fire and Rescue Department as well as the Health Department need to fulfill requirements under these agencies for licences to be issued.

“Then the centres can put forward their applications to the Welfare Department for registration.

“Under the district Welfare Department office, all completed and submitted applications will be processed within 48 hours.”

For more details or a list of the registered childcare centres, the public may visit www.jkm.gov.my

 Source link

 

Govt to formulate operational SOP for kindergartens, childcare centres


 

https://youtu.be/LPk3LhEGts8

120 childcare centres in Penang resume ... - BERNAMA


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Malaysia needs more childcare & daycare centres

May 24, 2016 ... Chris Hong, who runs two kindergartens-cum-daycare centres in Subang Jaya, said she and her staff looked after 40 to 50 children from 8am to ...



 

Covid-19 CMCO: daycare centres SOP. One-off grant of RM5,000 for childcare centres

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Childcare centres in Penang allowed to reopen in phases from June 15 onwards

The first phase of the reopening of childcare centres will start on June 15 and more will be allowed to open in the next phases. — Filepic
THE Penang government has agreed to allow all 120 registered childcare centres (taska) to operate in stages, says state welfare and caring society committee chairman Phee Boon Poh.

He said the first phase of the reopening involved 26 centres starting from June 15 and more would be allowed to be open in the next phases.

“Since June 1, the state government and several other agencies, notably Welfare Department, have been conducting surveillance at the taska centres during the conditional movement control order (MCO).

“During the surveillance, the operators’ compliance level of the standard operating procedure (SOP) was scrutinised.

“The detailed reports were sent to me,” he said in a recent statement.

Phee said only nine taska were allowed to open in the state.

There are 15 public taska in the state.

“Overall, the compliance rate is at a satisfactory level.

“The attendance of kids is still at the minimum and the centres operate at 50% of their capacities,” he said.

He said the state government’s intention to allow private taska to operate had to be postponed to June 15 following additional SOP imposed by the Health Ministry on June 1.

He said regulations on matters such as cleanliness, isolation room preparation, sanitisation and prevention of gatherings must be channelled to parents and be taken seriously.

He said this was to ensure that there would be no risk of the virus spreading among children.

In ensuring compliance, taska operators must get the operating permission letter from the state Welfare Department after inspection is complete.

They must ensure that the total capacity of children in their premises does not exceed more than 50%, among other requirements.

Source link


Read more:







About 38,000 Johor preschoolers resume classes today



Remaining 6,696 childcare centres get green light to reopen ...

 

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Covid-19 CMCO: daycare centres SOP. One-off grant of RM5,000 for childcare centres


 

 


Covid-19 Recovery countdown Malaysia conditional movement control order will be replaced with recovery movement control order from June 10 to Aug 31, 2020

Activities that are allowed, not allowed and pending during the recovery movement control order period. 

 


Malaysia announces RM35b Penjana plan for economic regeneration

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Covid-19 CMCO: daycare centres SOP. One-off grant of RM5,000 for childcare centres

Childcare centre operators are advised to refer to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and Social Welfare Department’s websites for information on the updated SOPs. — Bernama pic
  
CMCO: Updated SOPs for daycare centres tabled yesterday, says Ismail Sabri


PUTRAJAYA, June 2 — The government will update the standard operating procedures (SOP) for childcare centres, thereby enabling the vast majority to resume their activities.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry tabled the updated SOPs earlier today during the ministerial meeting on implementing the conditional movement control order (MCO)

“Before this, 304 out of 7,000 childcare centres nationwide were allowed to operate per the government’s SOPs. The update will enable the remaining 6,696 centres to operate immediately,” he said during his daily press briefing.

Childcare centre operators are advised to refer to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and Social Welfare Department’s websites for further information.

Ismail Sabri added the SOPs for pre-schools and kindergartens will be finalised by the Education Ministry before they are allowed to resume operations, as their management falls under the purview of several other ministries.

As of yesterday, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has conducted 7,426 public sanitation operations in 132 zones since efforts began on March 30.

Approximately 10,956 premises have been sanitised, including 2,642 business centres, 4,056 government buildings, 1,581 housing areas including public housing, 2,325 public areas, and 352 supermarkets.

Yesterday alone saw 47 sanitation operations conducted covering 31 zones in 10 states, including 14 in Sabah, and seven in Johor and Melaka.

As of 8am today, 185 Covid-19 quarantine centres are in operation compared to 186 the day before. Currently 14,365 individuals are undergoing mandatory quarantine.

Approximately 168 Malaysians were brought back yesterday from Thailand, Singapore, China, Australia and the Netherlands, and placed in quarantine.

Since April 3, 48,773 Malaysians have been brought back from abroad and quarantined, with 38,021 individuals having since completed their mandatory 14-day quarantine period and allowed to return home.

Source link


RM5,000 allocation to help nurseries carry out new healthcare SOP


 
Welcome help: the government subsidy will allow childcare centres to carry out daily sanitisation and cleaning activities so parents are more comfortable with the idea of bringing their children back to the centres.

The childcare subsidy in the Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara (Penjana) will help support working parents and nurseries in adapting to the new normal.

Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president Anisa Ahmad said the one-off grant of up to RM5,000 per registered childcare centre (taska) would help them carry out important new healthcare standard operating procedure (SOP).

“The grant will help a taska carry out daily sanitisation and cleaning activities, making parents more comfortable in sending their children to nurseries due to the enhanced safety procedure.

“Many parents were asking for taska to open up but when we reopened recently, not many children were sent there.

“Parents are still wary of Covid-19 but it’s also expensive for us to operate and pay rental and staff salaries if we are unable to collect enough monthly fees.

“So we hope that the new initiatives will restore their confidence and encourage parents to send their children to nurseries again, ” said Anisa yesterday.

The fact that early childhood education was given a mention by the Prime Minister in his short-term economic revival package and included in Penjana was “very refreshing”, she added.

The government is providing incentives to train new practitioners for childcare and early education courses under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

“We understand that it is an incentive of RM900 for the Permata programme and we’re happy that early childhood education was given a focus, ” Anisa said.

On the RM800 e-vouchers per household for mobile childcare services, Anisa said: “As far as I know, online childcare services are not licensed or certified by the Welfare Department. More clarity is needed on this.”

About 8,000 childcare centres, 5,000 households and an estimated 10,000 new early education practitioners will benefit from the government’s childcare subsidy programme.

Parents like Sheikh Rahim, 30, welcomed the increase in income tax relief for parents on childcare services expenses from RM2,000 to RM3,000 for the year assessment of 2020 and 2021.

“It’s a relief especially since we are halfway through the year and taska usually ends by November, ” said the executive at a travel company.

Asked if he would be confident enough to send his three-year-old child back to taska soon, Sheikh said this would depend on the compliance of the operator.

Nurhidayah Rahman, 27, who is eight months pregnant and looking to continue working after her maternity leave, gave the thumbs up to the increase in income tax relief.

“Monthly expenses for taska in Kuala Lumpur range between RM1,000 for basic and RM1,800 for more upscale care.

“So any offset is welcomed as it puts more money into the pocket of parents but the government will also have to play its role by having stringent approval for nurseries, ” she said.


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Parents to play bigger role under new SOP | The Star




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Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Malaysian Movement Control Order (MCO) enters the fourth phase

Now we’re entering the 43rd day of MCO in Malaysia. It’s 29th of April 2020 and the 6th day of Ramadan. Malaysia’s Movement Control Order (MCO) period started with :

#Phase1 March 18, 2020 to March 31, 2020

#Phase2 April 1, 2020 to April 14, 2020

#Phase3 April 15, 2020 to April 28, 2020

#Phase4 April 29, 2020 to May 12, 2020


Malaysia reported 94 more Covid-19 cases on Wednesday (Apr 29), bringing the total number of Covid-19 infections in the country to 5,945. May be more phases to go through. And still not totally out  for sure.

'No need to apply again'

Approved sectors can continue operating under new MCO phase to 100%
 Businesses approved under MCO 1-3 are now allowed to operate at full capacity. Industry leaders welcome the relaxation and say they will adhere to the new SOP required of them to continue their operations.
It’s full throttle for economic sectors that are allowed to operate earlier as the nation enters the fourth phase of the movement control order (MCO) today. International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali

E&E players laud govt decision

The Malaysian electrical and electronic (E&E) industry lauds the government’s decision to allow selected economic sectors that have been operating at half capacity to operate at full capacity beginning today. The move is good news for... http://mystar.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx#


Govt to look into operations of daycare centres for working parents


The government will look into the operations of daycare centres, now that the economic sectors are allowed to carry on business at full capacity, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).

The Senior Minister said the authorities were aware of the need for daycare centres and nurseries to be reopened, as affected parents could return to work.

Ismail Sabri said the Special Cabinet Committee would look into the matter during its meeting on April 30 (Thursday).

"We are aware that many people are asking who will look after their children now that they are allow to return to work.

"So, we will look into this tomorrow and come up with details and solutions," he told a press conference on Wednesday (April 29).

Under the fourth phase of the movement control order (MCO), economic sectors operating at half capacity during phases one to three will be allowed to carry on business at full capacity.

Ismail Sabri also said the minister in charge of religious affairs would be asked for his views on whether terawih prayers in mosques would be allowed with social distancing.

"In addition, we will discuss and look for a SOP for football matches.

"I have received a letter from the Youth and Sports Minister on whether matches under the Malaysian League may continue after the MCO," he said.


Industries hope for more approvals

 


Second phase of Prihatin payout to start May 4


The second phase of the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) payout will begin on May 4, says the Finance Minister.

Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said it would cover all eligible recipients in the bottom 40 (B40) and middle 40 (M40) groups.

“As of April 26, more than 3.26 million new applications and appeals were received.

“They comprised 2.96 million new applications and 305,000 appeals, ” he said when tabling the third Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package Implementation report.

Tengku Zafrul also reminded that the deadline for the submission of applications and appeals for the one-off cash assistance was April 30 (tomorrow).

“The payout announcement will be made next week following the completion of the review process, ” he said yesterday.

Under the first phase of the BPN handouts, the government disbursed RM5.47bil to 7.74 million recipients.

Tengku Zafrul said cash payments to those who did not have a bank account started on April 17.

The process proceeded smoothly with more than 157,000 people having received the cash aid at Bank Simpanan Nasional branches nationwide.

On the easy financing facilities to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) made available since March 6, Tengku Zafrul said RM4.5bil of the RM6.3bil fund administered by Bank Negara Malaysia had been approved for 8,500 SMEs up to last Sunday.

“Regarding the (RM2.1bil) Special Prihatin Grant for micro enterprises, they can begin applying for the grant (of RM3,000 per company) from this Friday.

“The application process will be overseen and announced by the Inland Revenue Board in the near future, ” he said.

On the Wage Subsidy Programme to assist employers in retaining their workers, Tengku Zafrul said up to April 26, the government had approved applications from 195,000 employers involving 1.5 million workers compared with 159,000 employers involving one million workers a week earlier.

The programme has a total allocation of RM5.9bil, which is estimated to benefit 3.3 million workers. — Bernama

Here’s the current situation:


1. Non-essential businesses and offices in Malaysia are closed during the order and staff will continue to work from home. Over 2 millions Malaysians may be left jobless once MCO is over.

2. All forms of learning are online including school & gym classes. Parents are appreciating teachers and caretakers more and more.

3. Only essential shops are operating - groceries, banks, pharmacies, petrol stations and now hardware stores.

4. Face mask is now a commodity. And has became a fashion trend.

5. Sanitizers, disinfectants and soaps are now essentials.

6. Most shops won't allow you to enter unless you have a face mask on and your temperature taken.

7. Shops stick tape on the floor to help customers keep a distance of 1 meter between each other.

8. Restaurants are only open for takeaways. Delivery is life.

9. The number of people at the store is limited.

10. Non-essential shops and enterprises are closed. Some closing down permanently. 11. All entertainment outlets are closed.

12. There is now a curfew. We cannot be outside our homes after 8pm. All essential shops closes by 8pm. And naturally you do not want to be in stores for long!

13. Public transports are only available at certains hours too.

14. Most airplanes are grounded and tickets are crazy expensive.

15. Hotels are converted to quarantine centres. And some are shutting down.

16. The entire sports season is cancelled.

17. Concerts, excursions, festivals, entertainment activities has been cancelled / postponed.

18. Weddings, family celebrations, holiday parties - postponed

19. No gatherings allowed. Places of worship are closed - mosques,churches, temples. Services are held online. Lonely calls of Azans can be heard, but you are not invited to the mosque.

20. The government has roadblocks everywhere and prohibits all unnecessary travel.

21. Petrol is RM1.25 and yet, no one is queuing at stations.

22. The Health DG is more popular than the PM.

23. There are daily updates on new cases, rehabilitation and death, from all govt depts.

24. Frontliners - doctors, nurses, police, paramedics, and others at curbing the disease are the real heroes.

25. Back liners - cleaners, security guards and even e-hailing/delivery riders and others that are helping us get through this trying time, we learn to appreciate all of them more and more.

26. There are no physical Bazaar to go to this Ramadan.

27. And Raya will most likely be celebrated online with your loved ones...to be updated by 12 May 2020.

One day, this will appear on this memory feed to remind me that "life and freedom" are precious. The new norm has begun. Don't take things for granted, but cherish everything ...Think Positively.

You are not stuck at home, you are safe at home.

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