Verify registration of childcare centres, Nancy tells public

KUCHING (April 4): Members of the public are urged to ensure that childcare centres are properly registered before sending their children, says Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Nancy Shukri.

She stressed that standard operating procedures (SOP) are in place to help parents identify registered childcare centres, which are required to display an official registration plaque.

“I would like to remind the public that we already have procedures in place to determine whether a centre is registered. Registered premises will display an official plaque.

“I would also like to emphasise that parents should not send their children to centres that are not registered,” she said during an official work visit to the Lundu District Police Headquarters (IPD Lundu) on Friday.

She was responding to questions on a recent case in Selayang involving an unregistered childcare centre linked to allegations of physical and sexual abuse, reported on March 30.

She said affected children have since been removed and either returned to their families or placed under suitable guardians, while those requiring medical attention are receiving treatment.

Nancy added that enforcement action, including closure, can be taken against unregistered premises, but stressed that the relocation of children must follow strict SOP.

“Priority is always given to returning the children to their families or placing them under appropriate guardians. Institutional care is only a last resort,” she said, adding that counselling support is also provided.

She noted that periodic inspections are conducted, particularly on registered centres and premises flagged to authorities.

“We also have a schedule for periodic visits, which are conducted without informing the operators in advance,” she said.

Nancy also urged the public to report suspected unregistered childcare centres to the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to help prevent similar cases.

Also present were political secretary Mohammed Kamaluddin Mohd Effendie, Lundu district police chief Supt Sudirman Kram and his deputy Mordani Tanin.