By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 9: A three-month-old baby suffered a broken arm while attending a childcare centre (taska) that had allegedly been instructed to cease operations since last year for failing to comply with licensing requirements, including caregiver-child ratio and premises specifications.
Michael Kong, special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, said the incident was one that no parent should ever have to endure.
“I understand that the individual who was caring for the baby at the time of the incident has since been charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act. As the matter is now before the courts, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the criminal proceedings,” he said in a statement today.
However, Kong said information disclosed by the Welfare Department that the taska had been ordered to stop operating since last year raised serious concerns.
According to him, the directive was issued after the taska allegedly failed to comply with licensing requirements, including regulations concerning the teacher-to-child ratio and the specifications of the premises.
“Despite this, the taska is alleged to have continued operating,” he said.
Kong said if the allegation was true, it would raise questions over compliance with regulations designed to protect the welfare and safety of young children.
He stressed that licensing requirements for childcare centres were established to ensure children were cared for in a safe environment, with sufficient qualified caregivers and premises that met required safety standards.
“These requirements are fundamental to protecting children, particularly infants who are unable to communicate or protect themselves,” he said.
Kong urged all childcare operators to fully comply with the law and maintain the standards required under the licensing framework, emphasising that children’s safety and well-being must take priority over all other considerations.
He added that he would assist the parents in liaising with the Welfare Department to ensure necessary follow-up action was taken and that the operator complied with all legal and licensing requirements.
“It is important that any childcare centre operating in our community is properly licensed and meets the standards prescribed by law,” he said.
Kong also advised parents to verify that a taska was duly registered and licensed before enrolling their children, saying the step could provide greater assurance that the centre had met the minimum standards required by the authorities. — DayakDaily
