Child Deaths at Unregistered Daycares: Seven Fatalities from 2021-2024
7 Child Deaths and lost their lives at unregistered childcare centers between 2021 and 2024, raising safety concerns.
Child Deaths at Unregistered Daycares: Seven Fatalities from 2021-2024
Between 2021 and 2024, seven Child Deaths at unregistered childcare centres, raising serious concerns about safety and regulation in the industry. The Ministry of Woman, Family, and Community Development has been actively addressing this issue, emphasizing the importance of registering childcare centres to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Rising Concerns Over Childcare Safety
The government’s statistics show that unregistered daycare centres pose significant risks. In 2024 alone, four children lost their lives in such centres, while one case each was reported in 2021, 2022, and 2023. These fatalities highlight the dangers associated with unlicensed childcare providers that operate without proper oversight.
Government’s Response to the Crisis of Child Deaths
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri stated that the ministry is implementing continuous initiatives to reduce risks related to neglect, carelessness, and abuse in daycare facilities. Registered childcare centres must adhere to strict regulations, ensuring children receive proper care and supervision.
Importance of Registered Childcare Centres
Licensed childcare centres are required to meet legal safety standards, ensuring children are in a secure environment. The Social Welfare Department provides a list of registered centres, making it easier for parents to verify a centre’s legitimacy.
Dangers of Unlicensed Daycare Centres will causes Child Deaths
Unregistered centres often operate without meeting legal requirements, increasing the risk of negligence and accidents. The lack of standard operating procedures allows unsafe practices to persist, putting children’s lives at risk.
Recent Tragic Case in Selangor
A four-month-old baby’s death at an unlicensed daycare in Selangor earlier this year has drawn national attention. Authorities have since sealed the centre, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement.
Parents’ Role in Ensuring Child Safety
Parents are encouraged to verify the registration status of childcare centres and avoid sending their children to illegal facilities. The government urges parents to check for displayed registration plaques, which became mandatory on January 10, 2024.
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