KUCHING: Nurseries and preschools have been urged to regulate the standard operating procedures (SOPs) on safety and health to ensure that children’s safety and health are secured before entering the classroom.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah explained that the current world health situation plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated procedures such as hand sanitisers for every staff at the nursery or preschool.
“Body temperature as well as palm and foot checks are important to prevent unwanted things from happening.
“For us in the ministry, the safety and health aspects of these children are our utmost priority.
“Hence, I urge all registered nursery or preschool to ensure safety including the best quality of care, nursing and guidance be given to these young children,” she said during a working visit to SeDidik Perdana Pending to observe the progress at centre as well as attending a health talk for parents yesterday.
She was accompanied by her assistant minister Rosey Yunus, ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat and Early Childhood Development division head Salina Bujang.
Fatimah also wanted all existing childcare centres to inculcate a culture of appreciation to the children before they enter their classrooms.
“Hopefully, they (childcare centres) can create a special room for these children so that they could express their feelings to their teachers before entering the classroom.
“We saw earlier that before these kids get into the class, they choose to interact with their teacher the way they want either through verbal, hugs, handshakes, ‘high 5’, and others.
“I see that such minimal effort is important for the children regardless of background, to feel appreciated, loved and accepted to continue learning in order to become useful individuals someday,” she said.
Fatimah noted that the “Bersih Awal, Bersih Akhir” (Baba) programme introduced in 2018, had emphasised the importance of hygiene among children and hoped that parents could emulate the practice at home.
