GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will take strict action against operators of childcare centres, kindergartens and care homes that fail to register their premises, says state Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim.
She said enforcement against unregistered centres would begin on March 1, 2027, after the regularisation period ends.
"The safety of children must remain top priority.
“Children are entrusted to these centres by their parents, especially infants who are extremely vulnerable.
"Their safety must always be top priority,” she said during a press conference at her office in Komtar on Thursday (March 12).
Lim said, as of Dec 31 last year, there were 1,033 childcare centres, kindergartens and care homes in the state.
"Of these, 808 were registered while 225 were still operating without registration.
"The breakdown shows 213 childcare centres, including 61 unregistered ones, 557 kindergartens with 84 unregistered and 263 care centres, of which 80 are unregistered.
"I encourage operators to legalise their operations as the state government has introduced a special incentive scheme," she said.
Lim said this initiative includes planning approval exemptions, a fixed RM1,000 processing fee for infrastructure registration and a 50% discount on development charges for new applications.
"Operators who applied to register their centres before Dec 31, 2025, will be exempted from penalties, which could reach up to 10 times the application fee.
"The regularisation period and incentives would run from March 1, 2026, until Feb 28, 2027.
“Operators who believe their centres may have been left out of the official list have until March 31, 2026, to verify their status with the Welfare or Education Department.
“No further appeals will be considered after the deadline,” she said.
Lim said the state government will work closely with the local councils, Welfare Department, Education Department and Fire and Rescue Department to streamline the registration process.
“While the registration process may be simplified, safety standards will not be compromised,” she said.
State Local Government Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye, who was also present at the press conference, said approval for the registration of childcare centres and care facilities require operational clearance from technical agencies such as local authorities and the Fire and Rescue Department.
"This is to ensure that premises used for such facilities are safe, comply with regulations and provide adequate emergency access.
“Once approval from the technical agencies is obtained, applicants must submit the relevant documents to the Welfare or state Education Department for further evaluation before the registration certificate can be officially approved,” he said.
H’ng said the state government has introduced pre-consultation sessions involving the Welfare Department, Education Department, local authorities and the Fire and Rescue Department to help applicants understand the registration requirements before submitting formal applications.
"We have simplified and updated the registration process flow chart to help operators better understand the procedures involved,” he said.
