XN000022-1976-04-09 — Page 2

Friday, April 9, 1976

CHILD CAKE CENTRES ORDINANCE

EFFECTIVE ON JUNE 1

The Child Care Centres Ordinance providing for the registration, control and inspection of child care centres will come into operation on June 1 this year.

This was announced by the Director of Social welfare, Mr. Thomas Lee, today (Friday). He said: "Parents who need child care services should approach the centres that are registered with the Social Welfare Department

where their children will be properly looked after."

All child care centres that are at present in operation must

register within 12 months after the implementation of the Ordinance, that is,

before May 30, 1977. However, they will be allowed sufficient time to comply

with the full conditions of registration.

"A phased approach will be adopted whereby centres will be able to

meet the requirements in stages over a period of three years," Mr. Lee noted.

Under the Ordinance, a child care centre is defined as any premises in which there are under care more than five children below the age of six

and not of the same family.

"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 and the Director of Public Works or the Housing Authority or the Building Authority," he said.

/Social