Sabah minister flags unlicensed centres, urges mums and dads to stick with approved childcare

KOTA KINABALU, July 6 — State Women, Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki has urged parents to send their children to registered childcare centres to safeguard their safety and wellbeing, while highlighting the need to expand childcare capacity in Sabah.

She said 95 unregistered childcare centres have been identified in the state, with some currently awaiting approval from local authorities after applying for registration, adding that registered centres are subject to monitoring and enforcement that provide an added layer of protection.

Julita said child abuse can occur anywhere, including at home, and called for efforts to identify its root causes and strengthen preventive measures, while warning that unregistered childcare centres pose greater risks due to the lack of regular monitoring.

She said the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems is a mandatory requirement for registered childcare centres and an important measure to help ensure children's safety.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Sabah State-Level Childcare Centre Day Celebration here on Sunday, Julita said Sabah has only about 230 registered childcare centres despite an estimated 445,000 children aged up to four by 2030 requiring around 110,000 childcare places, describing investment in early childhood development as vital for families, human capital and the State's future. — Daily Express