506 unregistered taska detected as of May 31, says Nancy Shukri

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 506 unregistered childcare centres (taska) have been detected as of May 31 and are being investigated by the Social Welfare Department, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said her ministry's multifaceted approach included issuing warning notices and taking enforcement actions under the provisions of the Child Care Centre Act 1984 such as fines, compounds and prosecution.

"Following investigations, eight childcare centres have been fined, 17 issued compound notices, and two cases brought to court from 2020 up to March this year," she told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (June 24).

Nancy acknowledged that some childcare centres met the minimum operational standards set by the department but remained unregistered because of various factors.

One reason was difficulty in complying with the conditions and procedures set by different local authorities.

She said her ministry would help centres facing such challenges by providing advisory services and helping them meet the requirements set by agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department, the relevant state Health Department, and local authorities.

She said from September last year up to May 31, a total of 189 childcare centres have been successfully helped through the registration process.

She called upon the parents and the public to actively report unregistered childcare centres.

According to her, mandatory registration is not about revenue from licensing fees but holding such centres to the highest operational standards and practices.