Child care centre fees will likely increase by 10 per cent next year. — Picture by Zuraneeza Zulkifli Operators expect 10% hike next year
SUNGAI BULOH: The fees for childcare centres across the country are expected to increase by at least 10% next year, says the Association of Childcare Centres Selangor.
This was due to the revised minimum wage, said association president Mahanom Basri.
“The increase depends on the management of the centre. If the rent, salaries and other expenditures have gone up, it will increase by between 5% and 10%.
“It won’t be a lot, but there will definitely be an increase,” she said here yesterday.
For example, Mahanom said a 10% increase from the RM300 fee per child would result in a new fee of RM330.
Besides the minimum wage, she said childcare centre operators also had to install CCTVs for extra security.
“Quality facilities require money so I hope parents are ready to pay for them,” she added.
The Government introduced the minimum wage policy in 2013.
On July 1, the monthly minimum wage was increased from RM900 to RM1,000 for peninsular Malaysia and from RM800 to RM920 for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
Mahanom, together with more than 300 childcare centre operators, attended a dialogue session with Deputy Women, Family and Community Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun yesterday.
One of the issues raised during the two-hour closed-door dialogue was the licensing fees charged by local councils.
“We have proposed to the local councils that they could treat childcare centres as community service instead of commercial business.
“By doing so, they can reduce the licensing fees,” Chew said.
She said the ministry was also looking into easing some regulations.
“We will be looking at the ratio; such as how many children should be cared by one minder without compromising on safety.
“Childcare service is important and the demand is big. Many families have both parents working so we need to have a strong childcare service,” she added.
By Nurbaiti Hamdan The Star/Asia News Network
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