XN000022-1974-10-18 — Page 3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER. 18, 1974.

CENTRES WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ON DUTY ONE STAFF MEMBER FOR EVERY SIX RESIDENT CHILDREN. FOR NON-RESIDENT CHILDREN THE RATIO IS ONE FOR EVERY SIX CHILDREN UNDER TWO YEARS OF AGE AND ONE FOR EVERY 14 WHO ARE TUO YEARS OR OLDER.

IN DAY CARE, THOSE CHILDREN UNDER TUO MUST HAVE 30 SQ. FT. OF SPACE EACH AND THOSE TWO YEARS OR OVER 20 SQ. FT. IN THE CASE OF OVERNIGHT CARE IT WILL BE 35 SQ. FT. IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE.

CERTAIN POVERS OF ENTRY INTO REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES PREMISES AND ADJACENT PREMISES ARE GIVEN TO OFFICERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CHECK ON FIRE SAFETY HEASURES. REGULAR FIRE DRILLS ARE ALSO REQUIRED.

HEALTH AND SANITATION MATTERS COVERED INCLUDE ADEQUATE FLOOR SPACE, LATRINES AND VASHING FACILITIES, THE PROPER PREPARATION OF FOOD, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT AND THE HEDICAL EXAMINATION OF CHILDREN AND PERSONS EMPLOYED IN CHILD CARE CENTRES.

PENALTIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR IN THE BILL AND IN THE REGULATIONS FOR CONTRAVENTION OF ANY OF THE CONDITIONS, LAID DOWN.

COMMENTING ON THE NEW LEGISLATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE ARE ABOUT 300 NURSERIES, CRECHES AND OTHER SIMILAR CHILD CARE ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG WHICH DO NOT COME UNDER ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL OR SUPERVISION.

+THOSE CENTRES OPERATED BY SUBVENTED VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ARE GENERALLY OF AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD, BUT PROFIT-MAKING CENTRES VARY CONSIDERABLY IN THEIR MODE OF OPERATION.

+BECAUSE THE DEMAND ON PROPERLY-RUN NURSERIES HAS BEEN VERY HEAVY, SMALL BADLY-RUN ONES OPERATING ON A PURELY COMMERCIAL BASIS HAVE PROLIFERATED. INSTANCES OF NEGLECT OR ABUSES

HAVE OCCURNED IN SOME OF THESE CENTRES IN RECENT YEARS

:

AND THE CONDITIONS IN OTHERS ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND SAFETY,+ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH CERTAIN MINIBUM REQUIREMENTS ARE STIPULATED AND OFFENCES PROVIDED TO ELIMINATE THE WORST ABUSES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE HAS BEEN GIVEN AS MUCH DISCRETION AS POSSIBLE TO ENABLE HIM TO BE FLEXIBLE IN ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION.

L

+THE STANDARDS ARE THE MINIMUM, REALISTIC REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST FIRE, HEALTH AND OTHER HAZARDS UNDER WHICH IT IS FELT CHILD CARE CENTRES SHOULD OPERATE.+

I

HE SAID THE BILL AND REGULATIONS ARE THE OUTCOME OF DETAILED CONSULTATION OVER A LONG PERIOD BETWEEN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTKENT. THE HONG KONG

OF SOCI

CURRYTTEE HAVE ALSO BEEN CONSULTED SARDAHA VELEXBE ANYISORY

SOCIAL. SR£J*HAVE2-EXPE=$¥*PORT FOR

THE PROPOSALS.

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