XN000022-1992-11-24 — Page 13

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1992

SERVICE EXPANDS TO CARE FOR UNATTENDED CHILDREN

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS FURTHER EXPANDED ITS OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE THIS MONTH, A CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER, MRS KATHERINE SHIN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE SERVICE JS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT INTRODUCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN NOVEMBER 1989 WITH A VIEW TO ELIMINATING THE RISK OF LEAVING UNATTENDED YOUNG CHILDREN AT HOME.

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A REVIEW OF THE PROJECT HAS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A FOR THE SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY, WE THEREFORE EXTEND THE PROJECT A FURTHER 12 MONTHS, MRS SHIN SAID.

"

NEED FOR

A TOTAL OF 75 CHILD CARE CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT, OFFERING 225 PLACES ΤΟ CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX.

URGENT

SHE APPEALED TO PARENTS WHO HAD ΤΟ LEAVE HOME FOR ENGAGEMENT TO MAKE THE REST USE OF THE SERVICE, RATHER THAN LEAVING YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.

"A FLEXIBLE MODE OF FEE CHARGING HAS ALSO BEEN ADOPTED FOR PARENTS WHO NEED THE SERVICE FOR A SHORT SPAN OF TIME, SHE SAID.

UNDER THE SCHEME, THE CENTRES OFFER SHORT-TERM TEMPORARY CARE ON SESSIONAL BASIS, CHARGING FEES IN THE RANGE OF $10 TO $15 PER ADMISSION.

CHARGES AT PRESENT ARE AT A RATE OF $25 FOR HALF-DAY AND $50 FOR FULL-DAY CARE.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN THE SERVICE MAY CALL THE DEPARTMENT'S HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE DEPARTMENT'S CHILD-CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ON 836 3114.

"PARENTS COULD ALSO SEEK HELP FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S 30 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," MRS SHIN ADDED.

ENJOY A DAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

* * *

OF

RADIO STROLLING

ABOUT 700 TRAIL WALKERS AND A PRODUCTION TEAM TELEVISION HONG KONG'S "TAKE IT EASY" PROGRAMME WILL BE THE FAMILY WALK IN SAI KUNG THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 29) TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE "ENJOY COUNTRYSIDE DAY",

THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, MR CARLOS CHEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 9.30 AM AT SAJ KUNG COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE, PAK TAN CHUNG, SAI KUNG.

/ORGANISED BY