Nurseries should be provided in housing area

ALOR SETAR: Developers planning a housing estate should consider providing a house which could be turned into a children’s nursery or care centre, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

She said the ministry was in the process of proposing the matter to the Real Estate & Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (REHDA).

“We are in the process of promoting the concept to REHDA soon as the ministry feels there should be a nursery for every 200 units of new houses to be developed.

“This would make it easy for nursery operators to set up new nurseries without having to apply to the local authorities but they only need to get the approval of three other agencies - the Welfare Services Department, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Health Department,” she said after visiting the 1Malaysia Nursery here yesterday.

She said previously, the operator would have to submit an application with the local authorities besides getting the agreement of the neighbours, but with the new concept, this problem would be solved.

“If we get the support of the developers, each new housing estate would be equipped with a nursery, but they have to meet the criteria set by the ministry such as the nursery should be a corner-lot house equipped with safety features for children.

“We also want to encourage parents to send their children to nurseries under the Welfare Department as there are 4,154 registered nurseries, which is a very low number compared to the number of children in the country,” she said. - Bernama