XN000022-1976-04-09 — Page 3

Friday, April 9, 1976

Social Welfare Officers and Government Medical Officers will be

appointed as inspectors and medical officers will be vested with the

authority to enter and inspect any child care centre premises, exanine

records and require to be furnished with any information.

Mr. Lee noted that the standards which registered child care

centres were expected to meet had been laid down in the Child Care Centros

Regulations.

Centres are 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

two years or older.

In day care, children under two must have 30 sq.ft of space occh

and those aged two or over 20 sq.ft. In the case of overnight core, it

will be 35 sq.ft irrespective of age.

The Director said that regular fire drills were required. Powers

of entry into registered child care centre premises and adjacent premises

are given to officers of the Fire Services Department to check on fire

safety measures."

The regulations also cover health and sanitation matters including

latrines and washing facilities, the proper preparation of fond, furniture

and equipment, and the medical examination of children and persoZS

employed in child care centres.

Referring to the phased implementation of the Ordinance, Ir. Lee

said the first stage would take place within one year of the enactment of

/the legislation.

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