Abstract
Abstract Child care services in Malaysia are instituted so that women can partake in the labour force. The Child Care Centre Act 1984 sets minimal standards and regulations. Possibly due to this minimum requirement, child care is seen as custodian care by the Government and parents. Changes in attitude and quality of care seem to be taking place. The Social Welfare Department with the cooperation of the Skill Development Department, Ministry of Human Resources, has drawn up the Standard Practice and Standard Content for child care providers in accordance with the National Occupation Skill Standard. This programme provides career pathways for child care providers. The Early Child Care and Development Policy is being finalized and the Quality Improvement and Accreditation System is ready but has yet to be implemented. In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister’s wife has initiated an early childhood programme, known as Permata Negara, which promotes holistic development of the child.
Highlights
The importance of the first five years of a child’s life has long been acknowledged by psychologists who term this period as the formative years
There were 2,176 that had at one time or another registered with the Department of Social Welfare
In the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the provision of child care centres is looked upon as a service – as measure to empower women to participate in the labour force while investment in preschool education is seen as human capital development
Summary
Child care services in Malaysia are instituted so that women can partake in the labour force. Quality child care helps the brain develop well but if child care does not provide stimulating, developmentally appropriate experiences and/or does not meet the child’s needs (such as his or her cries for food and comfort are ignored or not lovingly answered) brain development is compromised. In severe cases, such as abuse and neglect, a genetically normal child can become mentally disabled or develop serious emotional disorders. Not many policy makers, parents, educationalists, and child care providers in Malaysia are cognizant of these neuroscience findings
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