XN000022-1976-05-21 — Page 2

FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1976

ELEVEN CHILD CARE CENTRE INSPECTORS APPOINTED

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ELEVEN OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS INSPECTORS OF CHILD CARE CENTRES, IT WAS ANNOUNCED

IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.

THEY COMPRISE ONE PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, ONE SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER AND NINE ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE GAZETTE ALSO ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT. : OF SEVEN GOVERNMENT DOCTORS AS MEDICAL OFFICERS OF CHILD CARE

CENTRES.

WHEN THE CHILD CARE CENTRE ORDINANCE COMES INTO OPERATION ON JUNE 1, 1976, THESE INSPECTORS AND MEDICAL OFFICERS WILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER AND INSPECT ANY CHILD CARE CENTRE AND REQUIRE TO BE FURNISHED WITH ANY INFORMATION.

THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE PROVIDES LEGISLATION FOR THE REGISTRATION, CONTROL AND INSPECTION OF NURSERIES, CRECHES. PLAYGROUPS AND OTHER PLACES WHERE MORE THAN FIVE YOUNG CHILDREN UNDER SIX YEARS OF AGE ARE REGULARLY BROUGHT TOGETHER TO BE LOOKED AFTER IN HONG KONG.

COMMENTING ON THE ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID, AT PRESENT, THERE MUST BE CHILD CARE CENTRES OPERATING BELOW ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS. INSTANCES OF NEGLECT AND ABUSE HAVE OCCURRED IN SOME SUCH CENTRES AND THE CONDITIONS IN OTHERS MIGHT BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE CHILDREN'S HEAL TH AND SAFETY.

+THE LEGISLATION IS TO CONTROL THEM WITH THE INTENTION OF IMPROVING THE IR SAFETY AND THE STANDARD OF THEIR SERVICES, AND TO MAKE QUALITY CHILD CARE A REALITY IN HONG KONG.+

ALTHOUGH MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ARE STIPULATED AND OFFENCES PROVIDED TO ELIMINATE THE WORST ABUSE, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE HAS BEEN GIVEN FULL AUTHORITY TO EXERCISE HIS DISCRETION SO AS TO ENABLE HIM TO BE FLEXIBLE IN ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION AND NOT TO CAUSE UNDUE HARDSHIP TO OPERATORS AND PARENTS.

+ THE STANDARDS ARE THE MINIMUM AND REALISTIC REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST FIRE AND HEALTH HAZARDS AND SUCH FACILITIES AS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR CHILD CARE MUST BE PROVIDED,+ HE SAID.

SINCE THE DATE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE WAS ANNOUNCED IN APRIL, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVING MANY ENQUIRIES FROM CENTRE OPERATORS AND PARENTS.

THE SPOIL MAN