Parents entrust their young children to caregivers at childcare centres based on trust and the belief that they will be cared for with love in a safe environment.
However, report after report of abuse cases, including those that have ended in the deaths of young children, has raised concern among parents about how safe their children really are under the care of caregivers, even in centres registered with the authorities.
A recent example is the death of a four-month-old baby boy earlier this month. The child was believed to have been abused at a childcare centre within the compound of Hospital Seberang Jaya in Penang. Following the incident, a 22-year-old female caregiver was charged in court with the baby’s murder.
Earlier, the nation was shaken by an incident at the premises of a well-known childcare centre chain, where staff were allegedly involved in neglect and abuse, including confining an autistic child in a store room.
These incidents have raised serious questions about the ability of these facilities to provide a safe environment for children placed under their care, despite regulations requiring prospective caregivers to complete the PERMATA Early Childhood Care and Education Course successfully before being employed.
FACTORS
Commenting on the issue, psychologist Dr Alizi Alias said cases of neglect or abuse in childcare centres are driven by various factors, including poor emotional control, lack of empathy towards children, stress or personal problems, as well as misunderstandings about child psychology.
He said in some situations, teachers or caregivers may perceive a child’s crying or behaviour as disruptive, when in fact it is a normal response for their developmental stage.
At the same time, work pressure and fatigue can also trigger harsh or abusive actions. When caregivers have too many children under their care, their patience and ability to regulate their emotions may decline. In emotionally unstable states, they are more likely to act impulsively without considering the impact on the child, he told Bernama.
Abuse occurring in childcare centres refers to any act by a caregiver that can harm a child physically, emotionally or sexually, as well as the failure to meet their basic needs.
Such actions violate the National Child Protection Policy and can have serious consequences for a child’s safety and development.
Forms of abuse include rough handling, inadequate supervision and unsafe environments that may endanger a child’s life and hinder their physical and emotional growth.
Common forms of physical abuse include hitting, slapping, pinching or shaking a child.
Emotional abuse may occur through scolding, intimidation, humiliation or confinement, which can affect a child’s mental well-being and self-esteem.
Neglect, meanwhile, includes failure by childcare providers to meet children’s basic needs, such as providing sufficient food, neglecting hygiene, not seeking necessary medical treatment or leaving children without proper supervision.
Alizi stressed that work pressure should never be used as a justification for neglect or abuse in such premises.
Instead, it should be recognised as a risk factor that requires more systematic management of childcare centres through the provision of proper training, emotional support and a more conducive working environment for the staff.
He added that certain traits may increase the risk of aggressive behaviour in caregivers, including a quick temper, low patience, lack of empathy and poor impulse control.
“Those without proper training in childcare may also not understand how to manage crying, tantrums or challenging behaviour using healthy and appropriate approaches.
“In some cases, the caregiver’s personal background or life experiences also play a role. Those raised in harsh environments may view strict or rough methods as normal in child-rearing,” he said.
ENVIRONMENT
Alizi said abused children may show behavioural changes in the short term, such as becoming fearful, crying easily, experiencing sleep disturbances or showing heightened sensitivity towards certain adults.
“… and if the abuse continues, the impact can become more severe, including a loss of sense of safety and difficulty forming relationships with others,” he said.
Responding to whether early experiences of abuse can affect individuals in adulthood, Alizi acknowledged that this is indeed possible.
He said childhood abuse can have long-term effects on a person’s emotional development, making them more prone to anxiety, difficulty trusting others and low self-confidence.
“However, recovery is still possible. Children who receive family support, grow up in safe environments and obtain professional help when needed have a strong chance of healing and developing in a healthy manner,” he added.
Meanwhile, child rights activist Anisa Ahmad said parents need to be alert to early warning signs that their child may be experiencing abuse or neglect in a childcare centre.
These include extreme fear of going to the centre, crying when encountering certain teachers or caregivers, changes in sleep or eating patterns, unexplained bruises and sudden behavioural changes.
“Some children may become unusually quiet, while others may startle easily or show heightened reactions such as tantrums or crying when being dropped off.
“This is because, for young children, communication is not limited to words. Parents must therefore be attentive to their body language, facial expressions and behavioural changes,” she said.
Anisa, a former president of the Association of Registered Childcare and Early Development Centres Malaysia (PPBM), said approaches such as playing together, asking simple questions, or using drawings and games can help children express their feelings and experiences more comfortably.
She stressed that child safety is not solely the responsibility of childcare operators, but a shared responsibility.
Parents must be wise in selecting centres with clear safety standards and should maintain ongoing communication with the management and caregivers, she said.
“Parents need to be vigilant. If there are signs that a centre is not providing proper care, they should stop sending their child there.
“A child’s comfort should come first, not the parents’ convenience. Some parents choose centres based on proximity to their workplace, even when the child is uncomfortable, but the child’s well-being must be prioritised.
LOW WAGES
Anisa said low wages and lack of experience in caring for children, especially infants, are among the dominant factors contributing to neglect and abuse cases in childcare centres.
She explained that some operators view caregiving as a profession that lacks public recognition, leading them to hire individuals without relevant backgrounds or early childhood education certification.
As a result, some centres recruit school leavers or fresh graduates and only provide basic training before assigning them to care for children, including infants.
Although there are university graduates with diplomas and degrees in early childhood education, many are reluctant to enter the industry due to the demanding workload and high level of commitment required.
“Graduates may avoid the profession because it is seen as less prestigious, especially when combined with low pay. This has led to a shortage of qualified teachers and caregivers, prompting some centres to hire unqualified staff to fill the gap,” Anisa said.
She added that in centres with insufficient staff, the excessive workload can affect the caregivers’ mental well-being.
She added that although childcare centre staff are screened by the Social Welfare Department and need to obtain health certification from a doctor, their mental health still requires regular monitoring.
According to Anisa, mental health screenings should be carried out consistently, at least every six months or once a year, to ensure caregivers are mentally fit and capable of performing their duties.
“Some people perceive younger caregivers, particularly those in their 20s, as lacking experience and empathy when handling children.
“However, I believe that age is not the determining factor. Caregivers with genuine interest and a nurturing mindset can manage children well even at a young age, while a lack of passion and emotional readiness can negatively affect the quality of care,” she added.
HIGH OPERATING COSTS
Anisa also pointed out that rising operational costs have made it difficult for childcare operators to offer higher wages to their staff.
“Most teachers and caregivers earn about RM1,700 a month, with some centres in rural areas offering even lower wages.
“Operators can’t just raise the fees as some parents cannot afford it. This is why wages remain at minimal levels,” she said, hoping that the government would intervene to provide subsidies to help offset operating expenses.
Some operators also have to pay up to RM20,000 to obtain childcare centre licences, including approvals from the local authorities.
As such, Anisa suggested that the relevant agencies review the stringent requirements for establishing childcare centres, which may inadvertently encourage some premises to operate without securing proper approval.
“Operators need to deal with at least three different agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Department, the Health Department and the local authority concerned.
“Usually, the most difficult thing is securing approval from the local authority. In cases where operators have already paid the rental for their childcare premises but fail to obtain licences, some may be forced to continue operating to cover their expenses, leading to the existence of unregistered or illegal childcare centres,” she added.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
