Malaysia Pushes for Big Changes in Childcare and Preschool Sector: Single Law & Agency Proposed | KiddyNews

Malaysia’s early childhood care and education (ECCE) sector is facing a major push for reform. A parliamentary committee says the system needs a dedicated Act and a single agency to oversee everything — from nurseries to kindergartens — for children under six years old.

The proposal was tabled by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Women, Children and Community Development (PSC), led by Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin, who said the current system is fragmented, inconsistent, and riddled with red tape — resulting in thousands of unregistered childcare centres nationwide.

“Malaysia currently does not have a comprehensive policy or specific Act for early childhood care and education. The overlapping functions, unclear responsibilities, and lack of coordination between ministries have made regulation ineffective,” Yeo said during one of the parliamentary session that happened recently.

According to her, the lack of uniform standards has created confusion among operators, as different agencies enforce different requirements. Many centres, she added, struggle to complete registration due to bureaucratic hurdles.

A Sector in Crisis

The problem has reached an alarming level. Independent estimates suggest that up to 75% of childcare centres in Malaysia remain unregistered — a figure that raises serious concerns over safety, quality, and accountability.

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman described the situation as a “crisis”, noting that many parents are forced to leave the workforce due to the lack of affordable, trustworthy childcare options.

“If childcare is unaffordable or unregulated, parents—especially mothers—are the ones who suffer. We need a system that supports working families and protects our children,” he said.

A Call for a Single Law and Authority

The PSC has proposed that the government create a single agency—similar to Singapore’s Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)—to regulate, monitor, and support all childcare and preschool institutions under one roof.

Under the proposed framework:

• A comprehensive Early Childhood Care and Education Act would define clear standards for registration, staffing, safety, and quality.
• The agency would harmonise teacher qualifications, ensuring that all educators in the sector meet consistent national requirements.
• Funding support and annual grants could be extended to non-profit and private operators that provide affordable services, particularly in rural or underserved communities.

These reforms would bring clarity to operators, improve professionalism in the sector, and ultimately safeguard the well-being of Malaysia’s youngest citizens.

Learning from Global Best Practices

Malaysia’s move follows similar international efforts to strengthen child protection and education quality through unified systems. Countries such as Britain and Singapore have implemented clear, centralised frameworks to regulate early childhood care, balancing accessibility with high safety and educational standards.

What It Means for Families

If approved, the proposed reform could mark a turning point for Malaysia’s early childhood education landscape.

• Parents could expect better-regulated, safer childcare centres nationwide.
• Teachers and caregivers would receive more consistent training and professional recognition.
• A centralised policy could also make childcare more affordable and accessible, easing the burden on working families.

For many Malaysians, this reform could mean the beginning of a new era—one where the country’s youngest citizens are protected by law, supported by policy, and empowered to thrive from their earliest years.

Source:

Bernama — “Parliamentary Select Committee Calls For Special Act, Single Agency For ECCE Sector”
Free Malaysia Today — “MPs push for single Act regulating childcare, preschool education”
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.