MELAKA: The Melaka Social Welfare Department (JKM) is monitoring more than 10 unregistered childcare centres in the state under the Child Care Centre Act 1984.
State JKM director Halyjah Muhammad said these unregistered childcare centres have been identified, and enforcement actions are expected to be executed soon.
"We also initiated actions against 64 unregistered nurseries and centres this year compared to 37 in 2023," she said after leading a raid at a childcare centre at Batu Berendam on Wednesday (Nov 6).
Halyjah said the centre had been operating illegally for over two years.
She said some of the centre operators justified their illegal practices by citing steep demand from parents and JKM's lack of enforcement.
"It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to seek childcare centres that comply with legal requirements and are regulated by JKM.
"There are 135 registered childcare centres in the state. 99 are located in Melaka Tengah district, 17 in Alor Gajah and 19 in Jasin," she said.
