MPI hosts talk on nursery, childcare centre registration procedure
SIBU: Methodist Pilley Institute ( MPI) recently held a talk here on the procedures to register nurseries or childcare centres.
The talk was delivered by Hasbie Julaihi from the state Welfare Department (JKM), to a group of MPI Early Childhood Education students.
“There are only a handful of licensed nurseries operating in Sibu. Members of the public must apply a licence and get approval from JKM to run such centres.
“JKM will process the application after receiving input from the Land and Survey Department ( LSD), local council, Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) and Health Department,” he said.
For kindergarten, Hasbie said the Education Department is the lead agency to give approval after obtaining input from LSD, local council and Bomba.
LSD has three main criteria for considering whether a house can be used as childcare centres or kindergartens, he explained.
“Firstly, operators can only run a childcare centre or kindergarten from a detached or semi- detached house as such types of houses are more spacious and have ample space for children to move around.
“Secondly, the childcare centre or kindergarten must be located at a suitable location that does not cause safety or health hazards to the young children.
“Thirdly, the childcare centre or kindergarten must not be located near a busy main road or road junction,” he added.
Hasbie said all these regulations were to prioritise the safety of the children, adding that JKM will not compromise on safety aspects when considering an application.