XN000022-1977-05-27 — Page 7

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FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1977

IN THE MEANTIME, MR. LEE SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN IN DISCUSSION WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ABOUT INTERESTED VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS SETTING UP. WITH THE HELP OF THE LOTTERIES FUND, NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND SELF-SUPPORTING NURSERIES IN THE URBAN AREA TO CATER FOR THOSE WHO WOULD BE ABLE AND WILLING TO PAY AN ECONOMIC FEE FOR THE SERVICE,

+BY THE END OF MAY, ABOUT 120 CHILD CARE CENTRES WILL HAVE COMPLETED REGISTRATION WHILE THE OTHERS WHICH HAVE APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING ALTERATIONS TO THE IR PREMISES IN ORDER TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF PUBLIC WORKS AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.+

FOR CHILDREN INVOLVED IN CENTRES WHICH MUST CLOSE, MR. LEE SAID THAT HIS SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD LOOK INTO THE INDIVIDUAL CASES AND DISCUSS WITH PARENTS ABOUT THE NEED FOR PLACEMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN.

+IN CASES WHERE NO SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENT CAN BE MADE BY THE IR PARENTS AND WHERE A CHILD IS IN NEED OF CARE OR PROTECTION, TEMPORARY INSTITUTIONAL CARE WILL BE PROVIDED, HE ADDED.

COMMENTING ON THE LEGISLATION TO CONTROL CHILD CARE CENTRES, THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT IN THE PAST, INSTANCES OF NEGLECT, ABUSE AND EVEN DEATH HAD OCCURRED IN SOME GROSSLY SUB-STANDARD CENTRES AND THE CONDITIONS IN SOME OTHERS WERE DETRIMENTAL TO THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN FEBRUARY 1975 AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH EXPERIENCED OPERATORS OF CHILD CARE CENTRES IN THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND PROFESSIONAL CHILD WELFARE WORKERS.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE WAS TO BE IN THREE STAGES FROM JUNE 1976 WITH ONE YEAR'S GRACE FOR STAGE ONE IN ORDER THAT CHILD CARE CENTRES, BOTH SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE, WOULD HAVE AMPLE TIME TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE VERY BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION.

+THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE IS TO ENSURE. IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN IN CARE, THAT SUCH CENTRES ARE SAFE AND THAT THE SERVICE PROVIDED IS UP TO AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD,+

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