Special Needs Childcare Age Limit to Be Raised to Six | KiddyNews

Early childhood experts and special needs childcare operators are urging the government to raise the age limit for children attending registered special needs childcare centres from four to six, giving them more time to develop essential skills before entering school.

The proposal comes amid limited access to specialised childcare services in Malaysia. As of July 2026, about 17,000 children with disabilities (OKU) under six were registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM), including approximately 13,500 with learning disabilities such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Down syndrome and dyslexia.

However, only 11 JKM-registered special needs childcare centres, known as Taska OKU, operate nationwide.

Two More Years For Early Intervention

Mohd Amin Azuwar, chairman of Taska Anak Istimewa Sindrom Down (AnISD) in Putrajaya, said children with disabilities may develop at a different pace from their typically developing peers and need continued support beyond the current age limit.

He said a four-year-old child with Down syndrome may still be developing basic abilities such as walking and speaking. Under current provisions, children must leave Taska OKU when they turn four, potentially disrupting their early intervention.

Mohd Amin proposed extending the age limit to six, allowing children to spend two additional years strengthening skills needed for school, including communication, following instructions, interacting with peers, toilet training and eating independently.

He also highlighted the difficulties families face in finding suitable services. One family reportedly moved from Penang to Putrajaya so their child could attend AnISD, reflecting the limited availability of specialised centres in some areas.

Mohd Amin said parents often have to navigate the support system themselves after a child receives a disability diagnosis, including finding appropriate services and understanding early intervention.

Specialised Childcare Remains Limited

Datuk Norashikin Ismail, founder of JKM-registered Taska Ikhlas (OKU) in Melaka, also called for the age limit to be raised to six and for more specialised childcare centres to be established nationwide.

She said children aged five and six may still need consistent support with communication, behaviour, social interaction and self-management before they are ready for school.

Norashikin stressed that new centres should be planned according to local needs, taking into account the number of children with disabilities, demand for services, existing facilities and geographical challenges.

Families in Sabah, Sarawak and rural districts in Peninsular Malaysia may face particular difficulties accessing suitable care, sometimes having to travel long distances or relocate.

Funding And Training Needed

Norashikin said specialised childcare operators need stronger government support to maintain service quality, including operational grants, staff training subsidies, therapy equipment and funding to improve accessibility.

She noted that caring for children with different developmental needs involves higher operating costs and requires trained caregivers who can provide appropriate individual support.

Maintaining suitable caregiver-to-child ratios and providing continuous professional development would help ensure children receive sufficient attention and effective intervention.

She also called for a more structured national referral system so that families receive clear information about JKM-registered childcare centres, early intervention programmes, financial assistance and other government support following a diagnosis. Hospitals and health clinics could help connect parents with these services.

Early Intervention Supports Children And Families

Dr Hasrul Hosshan, a lecturer at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) Faculty of Human Development and director of its Centre for Inclusive Research on Community and Disability, supported extending the age limit to six.

He said early intervention can support children’s language, communication, behavioural, social and self-help development, helping them approach preschool or Year One with greater confidence and independence.

He warned that limited access to specialised childcare could cause children to miss important opportunities for intervention, while delays may have lasting effects on their development.

Expanding Taska OKU could also benefit families economically, he said, by enabling parents to remain employed or return to work while their children receive appropriate care.

Hasrul suggested that Malaysia could learn from countries such as Australia, Singapore and Japan, which emphasise accessible early intervention, ongoing professional training and government funding.

The government has increased allocations for the welfare of persons with disabilities to RM1.4 billion in 2026, up from RM1.3 billion in 2025 and RM1.2 billion in 2024. Budget 2025 also included an announcement to establish 11 new Permata centres to expand early intervention and special education access.

Meanwhile, JKM encourages families who cannot secure places at Taska OKU to consider Community Rehabilitation Centres and mainstream childcare centres to help prepare children with special needs for school.

The calls for reform highlight the importance of continuity in early intervention, ensuring children have sufficient time and support to develop essential skills while giving families better access to suitable care.

Source:

The Malaysian Reserve – “Raise special childcare centres’ age limit to 6 for better early intervention”

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