Childcare centres: How do you explain 1m gap to kids?

KUALA LUMPUR: Most of the childcare centres here have said “no” to reopening today (Monday) under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in the interest of children’s health and safety.

Nursery operators said the government’s health protocol detailing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was unworkable, especially for toddlers and young children.

They called for the government to reconsider its decision to allow childcare centres to operate.

“How do you explain to children in nurseries that they have to stay one metre apart from each other and not to touch or hug their friends while talking and playing?” Taska Cergas Gemilang’s operator Norlatifah Abdul Latif said.

She said the government’s announcement “came too soon”, and posed a challenge for nurseries to ensure total adherence to the health protocols.

“I do not agree with this. The government should have waited until the fourth phase of the MCO ends on May 12 to decide. The decision should have been made only after looking at recent developments of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

“Or at least, the government should have given more time for nursery centre operators to prepare (for the CMCO). This cannot be done hastily. Now, most of the parents are looking to send their children to us.

“But there isn’t enough time to carry out disinfection, rearrange the tables and put in place other precautionary measures. We must prioritise the health and safety of the children.

“Also, nurseries teach children via object-based learning. It will be impossible to teach them if we have to disinfect the objects every time a child handles them,” she told the New Straits Times.

Norlatifah said parents, especially those who would have to return to work today, had come to understand the situation after she explained the dilemma.

Meanwhile, my.Kidea kindergarten and daycare centre principal, Wong Pek Kee, described the reopening of childcare centres as a risky move.

“We (childcare centres) are not following the government’s announcement and are not encouraged to open. Our children’s safety is important.

“They are young. We understand the economy is bad and that parents need to work but we cannot follow the government’s SOP because some of our premises do not allow us to do so, such as those located in shoplots and terrace houses.

“We have to consider the design and space of these premises.

“For instance, it is impossible to ensure children practice social distancing at all time.

“And what would happen if one of them is infected with Covid19?

“We would be putting other lives at risk. This would lead to a temporary closure of the childcare centre.”

As the country still had more than 100 daily new cases of Covid-19, she said, it was best to wait until the situation improved before reopening the centres.

Wong said although having the centres remaining closed was a risk, which may see their profits drop by more than 50 per cent as

parents might look for other care centres, they did not want to take the risk.

“We have to look at the (Covid19) numbers. Only then will parents be confident in sending their children to us.

“Looking at the current figures, we dare not reopen.

“Furthermore, I’m not confident that all childcare centres will adhere to the SOP.”

An owner and principal of another childcare centre here, who declined to be named, said such centres preferred to wait until May 12, but it was going to be a challenge to reason with working parents.

“It is going to be difficult with the children. If we tell them not to play with toys or touch their friends, they will cry.

“We are talking about explaining social distancing to children who are aged between 2 and 4. It will be tough to control them.

“We have decided to open, but not tomorrow (Monday). If we don’t open soon, we are going to lose our customers.

“We received the SOP at the last minute. We need more time to clean our premises, have our teachers and staff members tested for the virus.”

Kid’s Cove Kindergarten, Nursery and Day Care in Bangsar here said parents were reluctant to send children back to school as there were many uncertainties.

Its principal and director, Ravitha Paramesan, however, said the school had decided to open today as many parents were struggling with their children at home.

“Some say they would send their children as they are finding it hard to concentrate on work. Others chose to wait until May 12. They are unsure if it’s safe.”

Ravitha said although social distancing was not practical in nurseries, the school had all the SOP in place and sent messages to parents yesterday on the do’s and don’t’s.

“We will adhere to the SOP. We have sent them health declaration forms, which they will have to fill up and bring tomorrow (today).

“There will be temperature screenings. Should the children display any Covid-19 symptom, we will isolate them and send them home,” she said.

She added that the school had been providing online classes since the MCO started and this would be continued until further notice for children who chose to remain at home, so they do not miss out on the syllabus.