Private Preschools Call for Single Licensing System Under One Ministry | KiddyNews

More than 100 private kindergarten operators have called on the Education Ministry to consolidate early childhood education licensing under a single permit and one overseeing ministry, citing confusion, rising costs and overlapping regulations affecting preschools and families.

The call follows the recent announcement allowing six-year-olds the option to enter Year One, which operators say has highlighted long-standing structural issues within the early childhood education system.

Early Childhood Education Spans Birth to Age Six

Gains Education Group director Zaliza Alias said early childhood education covers the critical period from birth to six years old, yet regulatory oversight is currently divided across multiple ministries.

She explained that childcare centres serving children from birth to four years old fall under the Social Welfare Department within the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, while kindergartens for children aged four to six are regulated by the Education Ministry.

“This overlap creates confusion for operators, providers and parents,” she said during an emergency meeting of the Malaysian private kindergarten operators’ coalition held here.

Multiple Licences Create Operational and Cost Burdens

Zaliza, who is also a council committee member of the National Association of Private Educational Institutions, said many centres are required to hold up to three different licences from two separate ministries.

She added that childcare or transit centres catering to children from birth to 12 years old are also regulated under the Social Welfare Department, further complicating compliance for centres offering integrated services.

The cost of obtaining a single licence starts from RM20,000, she said, with operators required to engage multiple agencies including the Fire and Rescue Department, the Health Department and local authorities.

Local councils also mandate the appointment of consultants, often from pre-selected panels, adding to operational costs for preschools and childcare centres.

Call for Unified Standards to Protect Preschool Quality

Brainy Bunch International Kindergarten and School founder Fadzil Hashim said early childhood education quality should be standardised under one regulatory umbrella to ensure consistency and stability for both educators and families.

He stressed that any move to lower the Year One entry age to six must be implemented gradually rather than nationwide all at once.

Fadzil said the Education Ministry should allow at least one year for kindergarten operators to restructure their programmes and retrain teachers, warning that more than 100,000 kindergarten educators could be affected by sudden changes.

Operators Urge Consultation and Clear Communication

Fadzil emphasised the need for proper consultation with private kindergarten operators and educators, describing them as the main drivers of early childhood education in Malaysia.

He noted that many parents, particularly from Generation Z, have expressed anxiety due to limited information about diagnostic tests proposed for five-year-old children.

Private schools, he added, were also unprepared as they were not consulted earlier on the implications of such assessments.

Sudden Policy Shifts Risk Public Anxiety

Former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik cautioned that abrupt policy changes without comprehensive engagement would create unnecessary anxiety among parents and educators.

He said private kindergarten operators represent a significant voice in early childhood education, as the majority of parents enrol their children in private preschools.

Maszlee called for inclusive and transparent policymaking to ensure that changes affecting preschool-aged children prioritise stability, clarity and the well-being of families.

Source:

New Straits Times  – “Private kindergartens call for single licence system under one ministry”

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