*
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1977
+
+THIS WILL TO SOME EXTENT MEET THE DEMAND FOR SERVICE CREATED BY THE CLOSURE OF THE UNREGISTRABLE CENTRES, WHICH ARE USUALLY RATHER SMALL CENTRES, EACH CATERING FOR AN AVERAGE OF 10 CHILDREN, MR. LEE SAID.
+ FURTHER UNDERSTAND FROM THE CHILD CARE CENTRE INSPECTORATE THAT MANY PARENTS, INSTEAD OF SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SUB-STANDARD NURSERIES, ARE NOW USING KINDERGARTENS OR THE SERVICES OF CHILD-MINDERS AND BABY-SITTERS. ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS WILL HELP TO EASE THE DEMAND CREATED BY THE CLOSURE OF THE UNREGISTRABLE CHILD CARE CENTRES.+
IN THE MEANTIME, MR. LEE SAID HE HAD DISCUSSION WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ON A PROP. SAL TO INVITE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS TO ESTABLISH NON-PROF MAKING AND SELF-SUPPORTING NURSERIES IN BOTH PRIVATE AND UBLIC BUILDINGS TO CATER FOR CHILDREN OF WORKING MOTHERS WHO A, E ABLE AND
WILLING TO PAY AN ECONOMIC FEE FOR THE SERVICE.
+ALTHOUGH NO SUBVENTION SHOULD BE REQUIRED FOR SUCH NURSERIES, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO ASSIST THESE PROJECTS WITH GRANTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TOWARDS THEIR INITIAL CAPITAL OUTLAY ON THE GROUND THAT WHILE NO SUBSIDY ON RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IF JUSTIFIED, THERE IS A SOCIAL REASON FOR US TO ASSIST IN THETTING UP OF A GOOD CHILD CARE SERVICE FOR WORKING MOTHERS,+ HE SAID.
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