Red Tape and Inconsistent Rules Leave Many Childcare Centres Unregistered, Says Yeo | KiddyNews

Most childcare centres in Malaysia remain unregistered due to excessive bureaucracy, inconsistent local regulations, and the absence of a clear legal framework governing early childhood care, said Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Yeo said the complex and overlapping registration procedures across government departments have discouraged many operators from formal registration.

“Childcare operators face too much red tape and differing rules from one local authority to another. This confusion pushes many to operate without registration,” she said.

Inconsistent Rules Across Districts

Currently, there is no dedicated law to regulate early childhood care and education centres in Malaysia. Instead, operators must comply with various state and local authority regulations, which differ widely in terms of requirements, approvals, and safety standards.

To register a childcare centre, operators often need separate clearances from multiple agencies — including the Social Welfare Department, local councils, Fire and Rescue Department, and Health Ministry. Yeo said these fragmented procedures often result in long delays, repeated inspections, and unclear guidelines.

“These inconsistencies make compliance costly and time-consuming. Some local councils are stricter, while others have entirely different sets of requirements,” she added.

Thousands Operating Without Registration

Because of the confusion, many childcare centres have chosen to operate without official registration, despite the potential risks.

Unregistered centres are not subject to regular inspections or monitoring, raising concerns about child safety, hygiene, and staff qualifications. Yeo said this situation is especially worrying given Malaysia’s growing demand for childcare services as more parents enter the workforce.

“It’s not that operators don’t want to register — it’s that the system is too complicated. Parents still need childcare, so centres continue to operate informally,” she said.

Call for Streamlined Regulation

Yeo urged the government to introduce a single, standardised national framework for childcare registration and oversight. She proposed the establishment of a dedicated law under a central agency to reduce overlap between ministries and provide clearer guidelines for operators.

Such reforms, she said, would not only help bring unregistered centres into the legal system but also raise the quality and safety of childcare nationwide.

“By simplifying the process, we can ensure that more centres are registered, more children are protected, and more parents can have peace of mind,” Yeo said.

Why It Matters

Experts and parents agree that registration is crucial to ensure centres meet proper standards of safety, staffing, and child development. Without it, children could be at risk in poorly maintained or unregulated facilities.

Industry observers say Malaysia’s childcare sector — especially for children under four — plays a vital role in early childhood development, and should be governed under a clear, unified law similar to those in countries like Singapore.

Until reforms are made, many centres are likely to remain in legal limbo — operating to meet community needs but without the full protection or recognition of the law.

Source:

The Star — “Red tape, inconsistent rules cause most childcare centres to go unregistered, says Yeo”

Thoughtfully adapted by KiddyNews — keeping parents and educators informed with the latest ECCE developments from Malaysia and beyond.