XN000022-1974-10-18 — Page 2

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FRIDA OCTOBER 18, 1974.

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NEW LEGISLATION CONTROLLING CRECHES,

NURSERIES AND CARE CENTRES

ALL CHILD CARE CENTRES INCLUDING NURSERIES AND CRECHES

WILL IN FUTURE HAVE TO REGISTER WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY CAN OPERATE IF A NEW BILL MADE PUBLIC TODAY IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE NEW LEGISLATION, THE CHILD CARE CENTRES BILL 1974, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE. ALSO PUBLISHED FOR INFORMATION IS THE PROPOSED CHILD CARE CENTRES REGULATIONS 1974 THAT LAY DOWN THE STANDARDS TO BE FOLLOWED.

CHILD CARE CENTRES THAT ARE IN OPERATION AT THE TIME THE BILL IS BROUGHT INTO OPERATION MUST REGISTER WITHIN 12 KONTHS, BUT WILL BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE FULL CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION. A PHASED APPROACH WILL BE ADOPTED WHEREDY CENTRES WILL HAVE TIME TO HEET THESE REQUIREMENTS IN STAGES OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.

UNDER THE BILL, A CHILD CARE CENTRE IS DEFINED AS ANT PREMISES IN WHICH THERE ARE UNDER CARE, MORE THAN FIVE CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF SIX AND NOT OF THE SAME FAMILY.

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BEFORE A CENTRE IS REGISTERED, CERTIFICATES AS TO THE.. SUITABILITY OF THE PREMISES FOR USE AS A CHILD CARE CENTRE WILL BE REQUIRED FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE QUILDING AUTHORITY.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS GIVEN THE POWER TO REFUSE...“. OR CANCEL A REGISTRATION ACCORDING TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS LAID

A DOUN IN THE BILL OR TO REQUIRE REMEDIAL MEASURES TO BE TAKEN. CHILD CARE CENTRE WHOSE REGISTRATION IS REFUSED OR CANCELLED HAS THE RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR.

SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS AND GOVERNMENT HEDICAL OFFICERS MAY BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO BE INSPECTORS AND MEDICAL

AS SUCH THEY OFFICERS RESPECTIVELY OF CHILD CARE CENTRES.

WILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER AND CARRY OUT INSPECTION, EXAMINE RECORDS OR REQUIRE ANY INFORMATION TO DE FURNISHED.

THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS SET OUT THE STANDARDS WHICH REGISTERED

THE DIRECTOR OF CHILD CARE CENTRES WILL DE EXPECTED TO MEET. SOCIAL WELFARE IS GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO WAIVE, EITHER WHOLLY, PARTLY OR CONDITIONALLY THESE REQUIREMENTS. HE WILL THEREFORE BE PUBLISHING A GODE OF PRACTICE ELFORE THE LEGISLATION IS BROUGHT INTO FORCE FOR THE GUIDANCE OF BOTH OPERATORS AND PARENTS.

THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, APPOINTMENTS AND DUTIES OF STAFF ARE SET OUT IN THE REGULATIONS AS ARE OTHER CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES.

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/CENTRES WILL