KUCHING: Childcare centres and preschools in Sarawak will be allowed to continue operating on a case-by-case basis to accommodate the needs of working parents, despite schools remaining closed for the holidays until Sept 7 amid the haze.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the arrangement was made following requests from parents who had no one to look after their children while they were at work.
She said childcare centres and preschools are among the safer places for children as they operate under established standard operating procedures (SOPs) and are staffed by trained teachers and caregivers.
“The SOPs are clear, and the teachers there are trained to care for the children and ensure they remain safe.
“We are still allowing this. If parents have a need, they can apply to the centre to care for their children so that they can continue working,” she was quoted as saying in a TVS report after a press conference on the haze situation in Sarawak today (Aug 31).
Fatimah said her ministry would continue monitoring the situation and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children remained a priority.
