Release Date: 6 July 2011

This release is to clarify the recent news reports pertaining to the ambiguity on the approval criteria for child care centres and kindergartens.

Applications for child care centre and kindergarten require approval from both Federal and State Government agencies.  The lead agency in giving approval for child care centre is Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat after receiving input from Land and Survey Department and local council, Bomba and Jabatan Kesihatan.  As for kindergarten, the Education Department is the lead agency to give approval after obtaining input from Land and Survey Department and local council as well as Bomba.

Land and Survey Department has three main criteria for considering whether a house can be used as child care centre or kindergarten. 

Firstly, operators can only run a child care centre and kindergarten from a detached or semi-detached house as such types of houses are more spacious and have ample space for the children to move around. 

Secondly, child care centre and kindergarten must be located in a suitable location that does not cause any safety or health hazard to the young children.

Thirdly, the child care centre and kindergarten must not be located near a busy main road or road junction.    Safety of the children is of utmost priority and the Department will not compromise on safety consideration in considering application for the premise to be used as child care centre and kindergarten.

According to the Department’s record, from 2009-2011, the Department had received 175 applications for childcare centres and kindergartens. Of that, 136 applications (78%) had been approved and only 25 (14%) had been rejected.  Another 14 applications are still being processed.  On the average, the Department receives 75 applications per year.

The 25 applications that were rejected during the last three years were because of failure to adhere to the required criteria such as located in terraced houses, situated at busy road or busy traffic junction or in unsuitable vicinity such as in close proximity to garage, workshop and industrial activities.

As there are other agencies involved in the processing, there are issues to be ironed out to ensure speedier processing.  In this regard, the Department will coordinate with the lead agency to undertake necessary improvements in the work process.