XN000022-1977-04-17 — Page 5

SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1977

LESS THAN TWO MONTHS LEFT FOR NURSERIES TO REGISTER *******

A TEAM OF TEN SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS HAS BEEN WORKING FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR BETTER STANDARDS OF CHILD CARE IN NURSERIES, CRECHES AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CHILDREN.

THEY WERE APPOINTED INSPECTORS UNDER THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE LAST YEAR AND THEIR ADVISORY INSPECTORATE HAS BEEN HELPING BCTH PROSPECTIVE AND EXISTING OPERATORS TO MEET THE STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR THE PROPER RUNNING OF CHILD CARE CENTRES UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS.

THE ORDINANCE, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON JUNE 1 LAST YEAR REQUIRES NEW CENTRES TO REGISTER BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO ACCEPT CHILDREN, WHILE THOSE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE ARE GIVEN TIME UNTIL THE END OF MAY THIS YEAR TO REGISTER AND TO BRING THEMSELVES UP TO THE REQUIRED STANDARD BY STAGES TO MEET THE CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION.

REQUIREMENTS ARE COMPREHENSIVE AND INCLUDE DIETARY SCALES AND PROGRAMMES OF ACTIVITY FOR THE CHILDREN, STAFF QUALIFICATIONS, BUILDING SAFETY, SANITARY AND HEALTH STANDARDS AND STAFF TO CHILDREN RATIO.

THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE IS HEADED BY A PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MISS NANCY CHOW.

+ADVICE ON RUNNING CHILD CARE CENTRES, FROM REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS TO DIETARY PRACTICES IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE HERE, SHE SAID,

+AN ENQUIRIES TELEPHONE IS MANNED AT ALL TIMES BY THE INSPECTORS WHO ACT AS DUTY OFFICER BY TURN. ANYONE CAN ALSO COME IN PERSON TO OUR OFFICE AT 692 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NORTH WING, 5TH FLOOR.

+A CHINESE TRANSLATION COPY OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO CONSULT IT. THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED CAN FURTHER ASK FOR COPIES OF A CODE OF PRACTICE IN EITHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE STANDARDS LAID DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT. +

THE ADVISORY INSPECTORS ARE NOT AT ALL DESK-BOUND IN THEIR MORK. BESIDES REGULAR INSPECTIONS TO THOSE CHILD CARE CENTRES WHICH ARE ALREADY ESTABLISHED, THEY OFTEN GIVE ADVICE TO NEW OPERATORS ON SITE. IT IS NOT INFREQUENT THAT THESE OPERATORS WOULD WISH AN INSPECTOR TO ACCOMPANY THEM CI. THEIR SEARCH FOR SUITABLE PREMISES AND THRASH OUT DETAIL POINTS OF LAY-OUT AND INSTALLATION TIGETHER.

+WE WOULD ENCOURAGE YORE PEOPLE TO DO THE SAME AND APPROACH US IN THE FIRST INSTANCE. THE REASON IS THAT WHEN THE ACTUAL APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION IS PUT FORWARD, I

I CAN THE GC THROUGH IN MINIMAL TIE,+ MISS C-ON SAID.

+

ŠTIME TAKEN