XN000022-1976-05-21 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1976

THE SPOKESMAN SAID +THE ENQUIRIES ARE MAINLY ABOUT THE PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE, SPACE REQUIREMENTS, STAFF AND CHILDREN RATIO ESPECIALLY IN SMALL CENTRES, QUALIFICATIONS OF STAFF AND THE TRAINING FACILITIES FOR THEM.+

WITH REGARD TO THE PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE HE NOTED THAT THE FIRST STAGE WOULD TAKE PLACE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION, THAT IS, FROM JUNE 1, 1976 TO MAY 31, 1977. +THIS INVOLVES COMPLIANCE WITH ALL STRUCTURAL, FIRE SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS. DURING THE YEAR, SOME PROGRESS MUST ALSO BE MADE TOWARDS ADEQUATE TRAINING AND STAFFING OF THE CENTRES AND A SATISFACTORY DIETARY SCALE AND A PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES MUST BE INTRODUCED.

+A YEAR LATER, THE RATIO OF STAFF TO CHILDREN AND THE FLOOR AREA ALLOTED TO EACH CHILD MUST BE UP TO THE STANDARD PRESCRIBED AND FURTHER PROGRESS MUST BE MADE TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE TARGET OF TRAINED STAFF.

+WITHIN THREE YEARS, ALL STAFF MUST HAVE OBTAINED THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS.+

ON THE QUESTION OF SPACE REQUIREMENT, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED: +IN DAY CENTRES, THOSE CHILDREN WHO ARE TWO YEARS OR OVER MUST HAVE 20 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE EACH AND THOSE UNDER TWO YEARS 30 SQUARE FEET. IN THE CASE OF OVERNIGHT CARE, IT WILL BE 35 SQUARE FEET IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE.+

IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT SPACE IS REQUIRED FOR ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF BABIES AND CHILDREN, HE ADDED,

TURNING TO THE STAFF AND CHILDREN RATIO, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT FOR NON-RESIDENT CHILDREN, THE RATIO SHOULD BE ONE STAFF MEMBER FOR EVERY 14 CHILDREN WHO ARE TWO YEARS OR OLDER AND ONE FOR EVERY SIX CHILDREN UNDER TWO. +FOR RESIDENT CHILDREN, THE CENTRE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE ON DUTY ONE STAFF MEMBER FOR EVERY SIX CHILDREN.+

AS FOR THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE STAFF, HE SAID THAT STAFF IN A CHILD CARE CENTRE WAS MAINLY DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES : THE SUPERVISOR AND THE CHILD CARE WORKERS.

+CHILD CARE WORKERS SHOULD HAVE IN POSSESSION A HONG KONG SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OR HAVE COMPLETED FORM II OR JUNIOR MIDDLE || IN EDUCATION PLUS THREE YEARS CHILD CARE EXPERIENCE. THEY SHOULD COMPLETE A TRAINING COURSE ON CHILD CARE WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

+A SUPERVISOR SHOULD HAVE A HONG KONG SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT IN EDUCATION PLUS FIVE YEARS CHILD CARE EXPERIENCE. HE OR SHE IS ALSO REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE TRAINING COURSE WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.+

THE TRAINING