China successfully launched Tiangong-2 space lab

https://youtu.be/2Ia25ls46WM
https://youtu.be/goRzJM4PIEI

• China's Tiangong-2 successfully launched

  Crossover: China's Tiangong-2 successfully launched. Tiangong-2 has just been successfully launched. Let's live cross to our reporter Han Peng again at the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center. Q: What's happening there now? ...

The Tiangong-2 stands with its carrier rocket on the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 9, 2016. China's second space lab Tiangong-2 is scheduled to be put into space between September 15 and 20, according to the office of China's manned space program. (Xinhua/Yang Zhiyuan) 

Special reports China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

https://youtu.be/xMGcbXOkpTQ

The graphics shows China will launch the Tiangong-2 space lab from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert at 10:04 pm on Sep 15. (Xinhua/Qu Zhendong) JIUQUAN, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's Tiangong-2 space lab blasted off on Thursday, marking another milestone in its increasingly ambitious space program, which envisions a mission to Mars by the end of this decade and its own space station by around 2020.

In a cloud of smoke underneath a mid-autumn full moon, Tiangong-2 roared into the air at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China's Gobi desert, on the back of a Long March-2F T2 rocket at 10:04 p.m. Beijing Time.

The Long March-2F T2 is a two-stage launch vehicle that uses four strap-on boosters during its first stage.

About 20 minutes later, the mission was declared a success.

Tiangong-2 separated from the rocket and entered the preset orbit 575 seconds after blast-off, a statement from the mission control read.

While in space, the 8.6-tonne Tiangong-2 will maneuver itself into an orbit about 380 kilometers above Earth for initial in-orbit tests. It will then transfer to a slightly higher orbit of about 393 kilometers above Earth's surface.

Later, the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft will carry two astronauts into space to dock with the lab. The astronauts will work in the lab for 30 days before returning to Earth.

In April 2017, China's first space cargo ship Tianzhou-1, which literally means heavenly vessel, will be sent into orbit to dock with the space lab, providing fuel and other supplies.

Wu Ping, deputy director of China's manned space engineering office, said on Wednesday that experts will verify and evaluate key technologies involved with in-orbit refueling and equipment repairs, as well as those related to astronauts' long-term stay in space during the mission.

They will also use the lab, which is designed to operate for at least two years, to conduct space science experiments on a relatively large scale compared to China's previous efforts.

China's manned space program has entered a "new phase of application and development," Wu said.

DREAM LAB

Measuring 10.4 meters in length and up to 3.35 meters in diameter, the tube-like Tiangong-2 is hardly the size of a palace. But its name means heavenly palace in Chinese, and it symbolizes the dream that the Chinese have long envisioned in the sky.

Originally built as a backup to Tiangong-1, Tiangong-2 looks much like its predecessor launched in 2011, but its interior living quarters and life support system have been improved to allow longer astronaut stays.

It is designed to enable two astronauts to live in space for up to 30 days and to receive manned and cargo spaceships.

Once inside Tiangong-2, two astronauts arriving from the Shenzhou-11 spaceship will carry out key experiments related to in-orbit equipment repairs, aerospace medicine, space physics and biology, such as quantum key distribution, atomic space clocks and solar storm research.

"The number of experiments carried out by Tiangong-2 will be the highest of any manned space mission so far," said Lyu Congmin with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

According to Zhu Zongpeng, chief designer of China's space lab system, Tiangong-2's workload includes POLAR, a collaboration between Swiss, Polish and Chinese institutions to study gamma ray bursts, the most energetic events in the universe.

A cold atomic space clock, which scientists say only loses one second in about 30 million years, is expected to make future navigation more accurate.

Scientists will also conduct a space-Earth quantum key distribution and laser communications experiment, to facilitate space-to-ground quantum communication.

Also, piggybacking on the Tiangong-2 launch will be a robotic arm that can be used for in-orbit repairs. There will also be a micro satellite that will orbit close to the space lab and snap on to Tiangong-2 and the visiting Shenzhou-11 spacecraft crew.

Earlier reports said Tiangong-2 will also carry out three experiments created by the winners of a Hong Kong middle school design contest.

"Tiangong-2 has a designed life of two years, but it is expected to work much longer than that in space," said Zhu.

Both Zhu and Wu referred to Tiangong-2 as China's first space lab "in the strict sense."

Its predecessor Tiangong-1, which docked with the Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-10 spaceships and undertook a series of experiments, was mainly used to verify technology involved in space docking and serve as a simple platform for a number of scientific experiments, Wu said.

"In comparison, Tiangong-2 will boast many more experiments," said Zhu.

Tiangong-1 ended its data service earlier this year and will, reportedly, burn up as it falls into Earth's atmosphere in the latter half of 2017.

Tiangong-2 will drop into the Pacific Ocean at the end of its mission, according to the manned space engineering office.

TRAILBLAZER

The successful launch of the Tiangong-2, along with the maiden flight of China's new generation carrier rocket Long March-7 in June, bodes well for the final phase of China's three-step manned space program.

The first step, to send an astronaut into space and return safely, was fulfilled by Yang Liwei in the Shenzhou-5 mission in 2003.

The second step is developing advanced space flight techniques and technologies including extra-vehicular activity and orbital docking. This phase also includes the launch of two space laboratories - effectively mini space-stations that can be manned on a temporary basis.

Finally, the third step will be to assemble and operate a permanent manned space station.

It is expected that the space station will consist of three parts -- a core module attached to two space labs, each weighing about 20 tonnes.

According to Zhou Jianping, chief engineer of China's manned space program, one important target of Tiangong-2 is to verify technology involved in the construction of the space station.

"It has the basic technological capacity of a space station," Zhou said.

"Once the space lab mission comes to an end, China will start building our own space station," he said, adding this could start in as early as 2017.

Construction of the space station is planned for completion by around 2020.

It will enter into service around 2022, with an initial designed life of at least 10 years, Zhu Zongpeng told Xinhua. By then, astronauts could be stationed in orbit for missions that last more than one year, he added.

The Chinese space station will be much smaller than the current International Space Station (ISS), which weigh 420 tonnes, but it can be expanded for "scientific research and international cooperation," Zhou said.

With the ISS set to retire in 2024, the Chinese station will offer a promising alternative, and China will be the only country with a permanent space station.

According to Zhou, the Chinese space station will be more "economically efficient and informationized" than the ISS. It will be able to house a maximum of six astronauts at the same time and manned missions will become routine once the space station enters service.

Starting from scratch, China's ever-expanding multi-billion-dollar space program is increasingly becoming a source of national pride and a marker of technological expertise in the global community.

After launching its first manned mission in 2003, China staged a spacewalk in 2008, and sent Tiangong-1 into space in 2011.

It succeeded in a manned docking in space in 2012, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and Russia, and landed its Yutu rover on the moon a year later.

Now China is preparing Tianhe-1, a core space station module, which may be lifted by the powerful Chinese rocket Long March-5 in 2018. Additionally, Chinese scientists are making a Hubble-like telescope to orbit near the planned space station.

China also aims to send the Chang'e-5 probe to the moon and return with lunar samples in the second half of 2017, and to land a probe on Mars by 2021.

Source:Xinhua

Tiangong-2 experiments: Scientists to test new technologies in space

Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

Chinese scientists are planning to use the country's new space laboratory to conduct over a dozen advanced experiments in space.

They are going to use the world's first in-space cold atomic clock to measure time more accurately, and increase the precision of navigation systems here on earth.

Scientists will also test a quantum communication system that relays encrypted information between the space lab and stations on the ground -- that will be impossible for third parties to hack. 

A materials lab on the Tiangong-2 will take advantage of zero-gravity conditions to test 18 new-age composite materials that will be used in future products.

Tiangong-2 will reach orbit in 585 seconds

Technical upgrades and innovations

Well for the latest on the Tiangong-2 mission and China's ongoing space program, we are joined now in the studio by my colleague, Wu Haojun.

Q1. So what is so special about the Tiangong-2 mission that sets it apart from China's previous space endeavours?

Well, not to dismiss work done previously but Tiangong-2 really is China's VERY FIRST space laboratory in a literal sense. Tiangong-2 of course builds on the work of the similarly designed space module Tiangong-1, which was sent into orbit five years ago. But scientists are quick to point out that Tiangong-2 is not simply a duplicate of Tiangong-1. For example, Tiangong-2 has upgraded living quarters and life support systems meaning astronauts can stay in orbit for longer periods.

And that's not all. The space lab is also equipped with robotic arms that can conduct maintenance work outside the lab - so in outer space - in place of the astronauts themselves. And in this digital age of smartphones and selfies. Tiangong-2 doesn't want to be left behind. The space lab will be accompanied by a small Banxing-2 satellite, which will capture images of the lab in orbit and monitor the space around it for potential hazards such as floating debris.

And last but not least, Tiangong-2 will be used primarily to conduct those all-important space science experiments and this time on a comparitively larger scale. These include a quantum communications experiment, in-orbit propellant resupply and a microwave radiometer for tracking ocean dynamics to name just a few.

Q2. The launch of Tiangong-2 starts a new chapter in China's space program...so what's next?

Well this is definitely just the beginning of a series of space endeavours already planned to take place in the near future. The launch of Tiangong 2 will be followed by a crewed spaceflight mission, Shenzhou 11, set to take place next month and that will be followed by an experimental cargo resupply mission, Tianzhou 1, in the first half of 2017. Now these recent plans are just the tip of the iceberg for China's long-term space ambitions. According to the country's Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China is expected to have more than 200 spacecraft in orbit by 2020 and perform on average around 30 launches per year.

China's robotic or unmanned mission to Mars is due to begin around 2020. However, the ultimate goal is to assemble and operate a 60-ton space station by around 2022. As you can see everything has already been planned out.The key as with everything now is execution and for Chinese space scientists that means taking things one launch at a time.

• China's private firms on lean launchpad

Related posts:

 China successfully launched world's first quantum ...

Aug 16, 2016 ... Combined photo shows China launching the world's first quantum satellite on top of a Long March-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch ...



DBS, the Beidou Navigation Satellite System from China 

Jun 17, 2016 ... In 2020, the BDS might offer different positioning accuracy choices and could ... China space station will be completed by 2020, the super "eye".

China space station will be completed by 2020, the super "eye"

Mar 1, 2016 ... China space station will be completed by 2020, the super "eye" to speed up space rendezvous ... The "eye" is China's newly developed third-generation rendezvous and docking CCD optical imaging sensor. It will be used on China's ... China's Space Age Grows Up As U.S. Space Race ..

 China's First Space Station

May 6, 2011 ... See how China's first space station, called Tiangong (. Source: SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

Malaysian Minimum Wage Order forcing establishments to close due to unsustainable fees

PETALING JAYA: Childcare centres could be on their way out by the end of the year, with between 80% and 95% of the 5,421 registered centres likely to close down – no thanks to the rise in minimum wage.

Most of those charging below RM300 are likely to fold by December.

A survey of childcare centres in Terengganu, Pahang, Kedah, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Sarawak showed that almost all of those catering to the low- and middle-income families, are either preparing to close shop or have already folded in the past six months, said Association of Regis­tered Childcare Providers Malaysia president P.H. Wong.

The Minimum Wage Order 2016 was implemented in July.

On average, operators charge between RM250 and RM350 per child. But, to be sustainable, they have to charge at least RM450, Wong told Sunday Star.

A childcare centre in a single storey terrace corner lot is allowed to house a maximum of 20 children. If they charge RM300 per child, the total income is only RM6,000 per month.

“At the very least, you’ll need four personnel. With minimum wage of RM1,000, that’s RM4,000 without EPF contributions. What about other operating costs?” asked Wong.

Under the minimum wage rule, workers in the peninsula are entitled to not less than RM1,000 a month while it will be RM920 for those in Sabah and Sarawak.

Those who flout it will be liable to a fine and a jail term.

“Preliminary results indicate a worrying trend. It’s the same everywhere.

“Those that managed to stay open have adopted ‘creative ways’ to survive,” said Wong, adding that in Malacca, operators had resorted to hiring contract staff and part-timers or cutting back on the work hours, to avoid paying minimum wage.

Some make their staff take on more responsibilities or conduct evening classes to earn more.

“Others only accept older children as they require less attention but the demand is for centres that accept babies,” she said.

Unlike other businesses, a centre’s income was limited by the number of children they were able to take, she said.

She said operators could not raise their fees because parents would move their children to cheaper unlicensed centres or babysitters, putting the chlidren’s safety at risk.

Women, Family and Community Development Ministry Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the Government was aware of the issues faced by the operators.

“A paper on the minimum wage impact is being prepared. It’s a concern and we’re addressing it holistically,” Chew, who leads a taskforce on early childhood care and education, said.

She said an intensive three-day lab would be held this month to look into making quality childcare accessible and safe.

A report would be submitted to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim soon, she said. - Christina Chin The Star

Doing Better for our kids

Faced with mounting challenges, childcare centre operators are looking to the Government, employers and parents themselves to ensure our children get quality care and education.

NATIONWIDE, there’s a critical shortage of registered childcare centres, or taska, that provide affordable services.

Malaysia’s population, as of July 1 this year, is 30,751,602. More than 40% of the population are children aged below 18 years. And of this group, children aged between zero and four years are the majority.

With an annual population growth of about 3%, there’s a growing demand for childcare centres, says Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president P.H. Wong.

Wong is also a member of the Ramping Up Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) task force under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, and a Positive Parenting management committee member. Positive Parenting is an expert educational programme for parents initiated by the Malaysian Paediatric Association and various non-governmental organisations.

In almost all states – especially in the rural and semi-rural districts – there are not enough registered centres, says Wong.

Few operators want to run centres in low income communities where parents cannot afford the fees. And existing ones are struggling to meet rising operating costs, especially with the minimum wage ruling effective July this year.

Wong, however, stresses that the minimum wage ruling is long overdue. The problem isn’t that operators don’t want to pay – it’s that they cannot afford to.

“Operation costs are already high because of the strict space and staff ratios, compulsory CCTV and exorbitant local council licensing fees. Minimum wage just makes it worse. It’s tough to break even, what more make a profit,” she says.

And access to financing and difficulties with getting regulatory approvals are big challenges, she laments.

The problem is compounded by the perception parents have of childcare centres and early childhood development. They think it’s the same as sending the child to a babysitter who will, most likely, simply offer custodial care; early childhood development care, on the other hand, has activities for the holistic development of children aged zero to four years.

Parents, Wong feels, are unwilling to pay a fair price for licensed childcare because they think “the-aunty-next-door” does as good a job for much less.

“About 70% of centres nationwide charge below RM350 for 20 days of full-day care. This works out to RM1.75 per hour. It doesn’t reflect the importance of having a qualified professional look after your child,” she says.

There’s a lack of trained care providers and operators as salaries are still very low even after the minimum wage ruling. And, very few youngsters are interested in early childhood care and education because there’s no career pathway.

“Currently, childcare providers only need to finish the SPM and Permata Basic Childcare Course – a compulsory certification under the Social Welfare Department. But as long as qualifications remain at certificate level only, the quality of service remains a challenge and the importance of investing in the first four years of brain development is severely undermined,” Wong says, adding that out of 18,769 childcare providers in the country, only 1,551 are degree holders.

Quality early childhood care and education allows mothers to contribute to the workforce and is a social equaliser, she believes. It provides children with a level playing field to have a head start in life.

The majority of school dropouts and juvenile delinquents come from economically and socially deprived families. They grow up without the benefit of quality early childhood care and education, she shares.

Quoting economist James Heckman, a Nobel laureate at the University of Chicago, Wong says it makes financial sense to invest in early childhood education because it will lead to increased productivity and better outcomes for children in health, nutrition and cognitive development later on.

“Since the inequality begins before or at birth, Heckman believes that the best time to address those issues are during early childhood.

“If investments are not made in the early years, lower earnings, unemployment, healthcare costs and even increased crime will be the consequences for society to bear when the child grows up,” she says, pointing to how we have one of the lowest early childhood and education enrolment rates in the region.

With just 5,421 licensed childcare centres catering for 53,497 children, it’s clear that almost 90% of our children are being looked after by stay-at-home mums or illegal centres and babysitters – which puts the children at high risk of maltreatment and neglect, she sighs.

Many women in low and middle income communities don’t seek employment as childcare expenditure would negate their salaries, she observes.

“The prevalence of single income households increases incidences of poverty and further reduces access to childcare.

“In Singapore, public funding for early childhood and education covers 75% to 85% of childcare costs. But here, even lower income families must bear most of the costs, which can range from RM300 to RM2,000 in the Klang Valley,” she says.

Malaysians, she notes, are already having fewer children because they want to provide the family with a higher quality of life. If childcare service is not made affordable, fertility rates will drop even further, she says. - Christina Chin The Star

But it’s a necessity

CHILDCARE services are a necessity, no longer a luxury.

Regulated childcare centres are a must because, unlike before, both parents are forced to work nowadays to make ends meet, says Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations secretary-general Datuk Paul Selvaraj.

Childcare is a critical service, he feels. And taking care of kids isn’t easy. Minders must be skilled and competent. Leaving kids at unlicensed and unregulated centres is dangerous because a child’s future is at risk, he stresses.

“The Government has to help families cope by ensuring that we have access to affordable childcare services. It’s a basic right. At the same time, operators have to make a profit,” he says, adding that parents cannot expect operators to continue a loss-making business.

Datuk Dr Raj Karim reminds parents that times have changed. She is president of the Malaysian Council for Child Welfare, an umbrella body comprising more than 30 non-governmental organisations that works with the United Nations Children’s Fund to create awareness in Malaysia about child injury and accidents.

Leaving your young child with the neighbour is risky, she insists. Unsupervised care have led to many cases of neglect, abuse and maltreatment.

It’s not like those days when babysitters were sincere in wanting to help. Now, it’s all about the money, she says.

“I was a working mother and a makcik helped look after my family but she was loyal and close to us. These days, most people don’t even know their next door neighbours.

“Is your babysitter mentally sound? Does she have family members who could potentially harm your child? What about accidents at home?” she says.

Urging the Government to regulate childcare fees, Dr Raj says some centres’ fees are exorbitant. If fees are regulated, the Government can subsidise households that don’t earn enough for childcare. Only with accessible quality childcare can a mother return to the workforce, she stresses.

“Quality care during early childhood is an essential, basic right. That’s when emotional, mental and character development, takes place,” she adds. - The Star

It’s a no...

IT’S tough for bosses to help.

Most employers won’t be able to help their staff with childcare benefits, Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan says.

Very few employers can afford childcare subsidies as there are no incentive for them to do so, he says.

Under current tax laws, childcare allowance of up to RM250 per month is not taxable, but this only applies to employees. Companies don’t get such breaks, he says.

That’s why, he says, they are not keen on giving childcare subsidies. The Government, he says, should give tax incentives like double tax deductions to encourage companies to give childcare subsidies.

There are 5.18 million working women and about 500,000 babies born yearly. So, based on these numbers, he estimates that there are about three million children aged six and below in need of care.

Of the three million children, 14% are sent to childcare centres, 24% are cared for by maids and 27% are looked after by their grandparents, he says. (The MEF does not have details accounting to the remaining 35%.)

Private companies are reluctant to provide childcare centres at the workplace because of cumbersome bureaucratic procedures in getting approval from the relevant authorities.

The “building cost” tax incentive, he feels, is also not attractive for private companies as it is spread over a 10-year period. Assuming the cost of establishing a childcare centre is RM1mil, an employer can only claim a tax allowance of RM100,000 yearly over a decade, he explains.

“Only 24 private companies have childcare centres for their staff. It’s more common in government-linked companies,” he says.

Cheaper alternatives must be looked at, as high fees charged by registered childcare centres make it tough for working women to send their children there, he feels.

He suggests setting up community childcare centres in residential areas where such facilities can be shared by staff living in the vicinity.

“Community childcare shouldn’t be profit-orientated and the quality standards must be set by the Government.”

Is your childcare centre legal?

To locate licensed childcare centres, report incidents/abuse, join local community-building events and source for early childhood care/ education information, go to asuhan.my. The newly launched central directory and resource platform set up by the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia and the National Child Development Research Centre is aimed at keeping kids safe.

Holistic solution soon

THE Government is coming up with holistic measures to make quality childcare affordable and accessible.

A multi-pronged solution is in the works, assures Women, Family and Community Development Ministry Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

Chew, who leads a task force on early childhood care and education, says there are various factors effecting the industry so there is no single silver bullet solution.

“We’re monitoring the industry from a macro and micro level to address all issues comprehensively,” she says.

She says the ministry is working closely with the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia to improve the service. The ministry has been gathering data in the last two years and is in the midst of compiling everything.

“We need to address this from several aspects, including amending existing regulations. For example, a new rule to allow the setting up of centres on the third to fifth floors will be implemented soon. Currently, childcare centres are only allowed on the first and second floors where rent is high, so the new rule will help lower cost for the operators,” she explains.

The ministry is also looking into online training for care providers so that they can undergo practical on-the-job training while studying. This, she says, will further reduce the operators’ costs.

The problem is that many caregivers treat this as temporary job while waiting to continue their studies or until something better comes along. So operators are reluctant to invest in their training. That’s why we must promote, upgrade and make child-caring a recognised profession, she says.

Urging parents to change their mindset, she says the perception that centres are like traditional nannies must change. Traditionally, a nanny just feeds, accompanies and looks after a child. But a trained care provider has knowledge and skill. They do more, she adds, like provide a safe environment and prepare nutritious and hygienic food for their charges.

“Send your kids to a registered centre because it means that the care providers are trained and the operators must comply with density ratios. It’s also easier for the authorities to monitor and make sure that the centre is up to mark,” she says.

Operators too must learn to balance their accounts by accepting more older kids.

The care provider to child ratio is:

> Infants 0-1: 1 staff : 3 infants

> 1-2 years: 1 staff : 5 children

> 3-4 years: 1 staff :10 children

So centres can accept more older kids if they’re suffering losses, Chew points out. If you want to cover your costs, you should take more of those aged three to four, she says.

“On the other hand, it’s a problem too when centres refuse to take babies because of the costs involved. That’s why the Government has introduced various programmes that allow women to take time off to care for their newborns before returning to the workforce,” Chew says.

Encouraging the corporate sector to set up centres, she says the request for subsidies is being studied. Employers, she says, must realise that looking after their staff's families will result in higher productivity because parents who have peace of mind will focus better on their jobs.

The Government, she adds, is also engaging with all relevant quarters, including the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia and local councils, to ease the burden of operators.

“We’re lobbying local councils to treat childcare centres as social service providers rather than a business because this will lead to lower costs for them.

“And, we’re requesting that developers include childcare centres when planning townships. If a corner lot can be designated and approved by the local council as a residence/childcare centre, an operator can move in and start the business immediately without having to get the consent of neighbours or applying to change the building’s usage,” says Chew.

This, she feels, would be a win-win situation because the local council will study the traffic flow and safety aspects at no additional cost.

The developer may even get a higher price for that unit because of the dual usage status.

While the Government provides some childcare subsidy to civil servants and those who qualify, operators must improve their service so that they can justify higher charges.

She says monthly childcare fees can range from RM200 to RM2,000 per child but most centres only charge between RM250 and RM400.

“Operators must give good, quality service. And parents must pay more if they can afford it,” she adds.

Cheaper fees, please

QUALITY childcare is expensive.

Zuhainy Zulkiffli, 33, sends her kids to an unregistered childcare centre in George Town because it’s what the family can afford.

Registered centres charge more than RM400 per child, which she feels is too much.

The unregistered centre her four-month-old son, Izz Zaryl Zaharin, and three-year-old daughter, Zandra Zahara, go to only charges between RM300 and RM350.

The working mother was heartbroken when she found out that Zandra had been abused at a previous centre.

However, she disagrees with a fee hike. She thinks it’s unfair to parents.

“One care provider can take care of a few kids. Don’t tell me the operators cannot make a profit. Many of my friends were forced to quit their jobs because centres are charging too much as it is,” she argues.

A father who wants to go only by Tan, 40, sent his newborn to a babysitter until the boy was two. He paid RM1,000 per month to the aunty next door. From age two to four, his son was left at a childcare centre in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

“For RM650, they look after my son from 8am to 7pm. It’s reasonable. I’m not sure if the centre is legal but it’s very popular,” he shrugs.

Like Tan, Jennifer Kong, 40, sends her daughter to a babysitter because it’s convenient and cheap.

Besides the monthly RM700 fee, the aunty gets 14 days of leave, a Chinese New Year ang pow, and a yearly bonus.

“I buy the ingredients for aunty to cook so I’m not worried about what she’s feeding my daughter. Aunty has been caring for her since she was three months old. She’s four now,” she says.

There’s a big difference when your child goes to a good, registered centre, says Koh Chee Khian, 45.

The RM3,000-plus he pays per semester is “not cheap” but he feels it’s worth it because his son gets the best food – like churros – and attention.

The main reason for sending his first born to a centre is so that the child learns to socialise and share.

“My boy started going to the centre in Bangsar (KL) when he was 16 months. He’s there eight hours a day, twice a week.

“This centre is among the best and the environment is really different from the cheaper ones where there are just too many kids,” he says.

But despite coming from a dual-income household, Koh says he will have to look for somewhere less pricey as he’s planning to send his son for full-day care next year.

“No doubt the current centre is very good. My son is disciplined, can colour, sing and dance at such a young age. I would never trust an illegal centre to care for him,” he says. - The Star

Operators' dilemma 

CENTRES still in business have no choice but to up their fees.

Zubaidah Husin, who runs four centres, has raised her fees from RM350 to RM450.

“The profit is not much but most of us continue because of passion. We do this to help working mothers so we charge only what they can afford to pay.

“Since the RM900 minimum wage ruling was introduced, we’ve had problems coping. Now that it’s RM1,000, how can we cope without upping our fees?” she says

Zubaidah, who is also the Association of Childcare Providers Pahang president, has been in the business for 14 years.

Before the minimum wage ruling, RM700 was the maximum operators in Pahang paid their staff so they were able to charge RM350 per child. Most staff, though, were paid an average salary of RM450 but with food and lodging provided.

“Now almost 70% of the operators are not paying their staff a minimum wage because they can’t afford to. If there is a crackdown by the authorities, these centres will be forced to close,” she says.

She does sympathise with parents, and she believes that many – especially those with two or three kids – are already struggling to make ends meet.

Association of Childcare Providers Terengganu president Wan Najmyah Wan Yussof, who has been running her centre since 2009, agrees.

She charges RM400 for babies and RM350 for children one year and above.

The situation is critical, she insists. Many of the 160-odd operators in Terengganu are at their wits end.

“Most who are still in business are using income from elsewhere to keep their centres from going under because they love kids.

“Personally, I’m using profits from my kindergarten to help keep my childcare centre running,” she says.

She says the association has appealed to the state government to subsidise training and salary costs.

A childcare guidebook on quality standards is also in the pipeline. This, she says, will ensure a minimum standard for all centres and help standardise the fees.

Operators want to increase their fees but they are afraid the parents will take their kids home. Previously when operators tried to raise their fees slightly, that’s what happened, she says.

“The problem is, we don’t know whether parents really cannot afford to pay more or they just refuse to,” she says, adding that most families there have two kids.

More centres needed

The Government aims to have a workforce comprising at least 59% of women by 2020. To do that, we must have more registered childcare centres to cater to these women’s children, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said. On Aug 14, Sunday Star reported that Malaysia is far from its target of having 13,200 registered childcare centres by 2020. Currently, there are not enough centres to cater to 3.2 million children under the age of four whose parents are in need of these services.

Number of registered childcare centres nationwide:

5,421

Number of children:

53,497

Number of educators:

17,954

Source: National Child Development Research Centre

Is your childcare centre legal?

To locate licensed childcare centres, report incidents/abuse, join local community-building events and source for early childhood care/ education information, go to asuhan.my. The newly launched central directory and resource platform set up by the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia and the National Child Development Research Centre is aimed at keeping kids safe.

IN THE RED

Perak

Total private centres surveyed: 14

Income:

RM1,840 to RM9,150

Expenditure:

RM2,740 to RM9,630

Pahang

Total private centres surveyed: 203

Forced to close after paying minimum wage:

36 or 17.8%

Not paying minimum wage:

142 or 69%

Paid minimum wage and either made a small profit or loss:

25 or 12.3%

Terengganu

Total private centres surveyed: 36

Forced to close to avoid fine for failing to pay minimum wage: 95%

Babies and children affected: 2,515

Childcare staff made jobless: 736

Income:

RM1,540 to RM11,000

Expenditure:

RM2,260 to RM17,615

Kedah

Total private centres surveyed: 58

Fee range (babies to age four):

RM220 to RM300

Home

Total income:

RM2,850

Total costs (ie, salary, EPF, Perkeso, food, rental, utilities and telephone bills, Internet bill, cleaning/household items, learning tools, stationery, activities, celebrations, emergency fund, income tax, GST):

RM3,830

Losses: RM980

Institution

Total income:

RM7,800 to RM25,200 (depending on location)

Total costs (ie: salary, EPF, Perkeso, food, rental, utilities and telephone bills, Internet bill, cleaning/household items, learning tools, stationery, activities, celebrations, emergency fund, income tax, GST):

RM15,723.10 to RM27,184.05 (depending on location)

Losses: RM1,984.05 to RM14,059.10 (depending on location)

Note: All survey participants are registered childcare centres.

Source: Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia.

Related:

New minimum wage policy to take effect July 1 The Star

Related posts:



 Parents opt for daycare centres with no live-in maids now

May 24, 2016 ... Chris Hong, who runs two kindergartens-cum-daycare centres in Subang Jaya, said she and her staff looked after 40 to 50 children from 8am to ...

 Childcare services: daycare and private nursery businesses

Malaysian Minimum Wage Order forcing establishments to close due to unsustainable fees

PETALING JAYA: Childcare centres could be on their way out by the end of the year, with between 80% and 95% of the 5,421 registered centres likely to close down – no thanks to the rise in minimum wage.

Most of those charging below RM300 are likely to fold by December.

A survey of childcare centres in Terengganu, Pahang, Kedah, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Sarawak showed that almost all of those catering to the low- and middle-income families, are either preparing to close shop or have already folded in the past six months, said Association of Regis­tered Childcare Providers Malaysia president P.H. Wong.

The Minimum Wage Order 2016 was implemented in July.

On average, operators charge between RM250 and RM350 per child. But, to be sustainable, they have to charge at least RM450, Wong told Sunday Star.

A childcare centre in a single storey terrace corner lot is allowed to house a maximum of 20 children. If they charge RM300 per child, the total income is only RM6,000 per month.

“At the very least, you’ll need four personnel. With minimum wage of RM1,000, that’s RM4,000 without EPF contributions. What about other operating costs?” asked Wong.

Under the minimum wage rule, workers in the peninsula are entitled to not less than RM1,000 a month while it will be RM920 for those in Sabah and Sarawak.

Those who flout it will be liable to a fine and a jail term.

“Preliminary results indicate a worrying trend. It’s the same everywhere.

“Those that managed to stay open have adopted ‘creative ways’ to survive,” said Wong, adding that in Malacca, operators had resorted to hiring contract staff and part-timers or cutting back on the work hours, to avoid paying minimum wage.

Some make their staff take on more responsibilities or conduct evening classes to earn more.

“Others only accept older children as they require less attention but the demand is for centres that accept babies,” she said.

Unlike other businesses, a centre’s income was limited by the number of children they were able to take, she said.

She said operators could not raise their fees because parents would move their children to cheaper unlicensed centres or babysitters, putting the chlidren’s safety at risk.

Women, Family and Community Development Ministry Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the Government was aware of the issues faced by the operators.

“A paper on the minimum wage impact is being prepared. It’s a concern and we’re addressing it holistically,” Chew, who leads a taskforce on early childhood care and education, said.

She said an intensive three-day lab would be held this month to look into making quality childcare accessible and safe.

A report would be submitted to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim soon, she said. - Christina Chin The Star

Doing Better for our kids

Faced with mounting challenges, childcare centre operators are looking to the Government, employers and parents themselves to ensure our children get quality care and education.

NATIONWIDE, there’s a critical shortage of registered childcare centres, or taska, that provide affordable services.

Malaysia’s population, as of July 1 this year, is 30,751,602. More than 40% of the population are children aged below 18 years. And of this group, children aged between zero and four years are the majority.

With an annual population growth of about 3%, there’s a growing demand for childcare centres, says Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president P.H. Wong.

Wong is also a member of the Ramping Up Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) task force under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, and a Positive Parenting management committee member. Positive Parenting is an expert educational programme for parents initiated by the Malaysian Paediatric Association and various non-governmental organisations.

In almost all states – especially in the rural and semi-rural districts – there are not enough registered centres, says Wong.

Few operators want to run centres in low income communities where parents cannot afford the fees. And existing ones are struggling to meet rising operating costs, especially with the minimum wage ruling effective July this year.

Wong, however, stresses that the minimum wage ruling is long overdue. The problem isn’t that operators don’t want to pay – it’s that they cannot afford to.

“Operation costs are already high because of the strict space and staff ratios, compulsory CCTV and exorbitant local council licensing fees. Minimum wage just makes it worse. It’s tough to break even, what more make a profit,” she says.

And access to financing and difficulties with getting regulatory approvals are big challenges, she laments.

The problem is compounded by the perception parents have of childcare centres and early childhood development. They think it’s the same as sending the child to a babysitter who will, most likely, simply offer custodial care; early childhood development care, on the other hand, has activities for the holistic development of children aged zero to four years.

Parents, Wong feels, are unwilling to pay a fair price for licensed childcare because they think “the-aunty-next-door” does as good a job for much less.

“About 70% of centres nationwide charge below RM350 for 20 days of full-day care. This works out to RM1.75 per hour. It doesn’t reflect the importance of having a qualified professional look after your child,” she says.

There’s a lack of trained care providers and operators as salaries are still very low even after the minimum wage ruling. And, very few youngsters are interested in early childhood care and education because there’s no career pathway.

“Currently, childcare providers only need to finish the SPM and Permata Basic Childcare Course – a compulsory certification under the Social Welfare Department. But as long as qualifications remain at certificate level only, the quality of service remains a challenge and the importance of investing in the first four years of brain development is severely undermined,” Wong says, adding that out of 18,769 childcare providers in the country, only 1,551 are degree holders.

Quality early childhood care and education allows mothers to contribute to the workforce and is a social equaliser, she believes. It provides children with a level playing field to have a head start in life.

The majority of school dropouts and juvenile delinquents come from economically and socially deprived families. They grow up without the benefit of quality early childhood care and education, she shares.

Quoting economist James Heckman, a Nobel laureate at the University of Chicago, Wong says it makes financial sense to invest in early childhood education because it will lead to increased productivity and better outcomes for children in health, nutrition and cognitive development later on.

“Since the inequality begins before or at birth, Heckman believes that the best time to address those issues are during early childhood.

“If investments are not made in the early years, lower earnings, unemployment, healthcare costs and even increased crime will be the consequences for society to bear when the child grows up,” she says, pointing to how we have one of the lowest early childhood and education enrolment rates in the region.

With just 5,421 licensed childcare centres catering for 53,497 children, it’s clear that almost 90% of our children are being looked after by stay-at-home mums or illegal centres and babysitters – which puts the children at high risk of maltreatment and neglect, she sighs.

Many women in low and middle income communities don’t seek employment as childcare expenditure would negate their salaries, she observes.

“The prevalence of single income households increases incidences of poverty and further reduces access to childcare.

“In Singapore, public funding for early childhood and education covers 75% to 85% of childcare costs. But here, even lower income families must bear most of the costs, which can range from RM300 to RM2,000 in the Klang Valley,” she says.

Malaysians, she notes, are already having fewer children because they want to provide the family with a higher quality of life. If childcare service is not made affordable, fertility rates will drop even further, she says. - Christina Chin The Star

But it’s a necessity

CHILDCARE services are a necessity, no longer a luxury.

Regulated childcare centres are a must because, unlike before, both parents are forced to work nowadays to make ends meet, says Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations secretary-general Datuk Paul Selvaraj.

Childcare is a critical service, he feels. And taking care of kids isn’t easy. Minders must be skilled and competent. Leaving kids at unlicensed and unregulated centres is dangerous because a child’s future is at risk, he stresses.

“The Government has to help families cope by ensuring that we have access to affordable childcare services. It’s a basic right. At the same time, operators have to make a profit,” he says, adding that parents cannot expect operators to continue a loss-making business.

Datuk Dr Raj Karim reminds parents that times have changed. She is president of the Malaysian Council for Child Welfare, an umbrella body comprising more than 30 non-governmental organisations that works with the United Nations Children’s Fund to create awareness in Malaysia about child injury and accidents.

Leaving your young child with the neighbour is risky, she insists. Unsupervised care have led to many cases of neglect, abuse and maltreatment.

It’s not like those days when babysitters were sincere in wanting to help. Now, it’s all about the money, she says.

“I was a working mother and a makcik helped look after my family but she was loyal and close to us. These days, most people don’t even know their next door neighbours.

“Is your babysitter mentally sound? Does she have family members who could potentially harm your child? What about accidents at home?” she says.

Urging the Government to regulate childcare fees, Dr Raj says some centres’ fees are exorbitant. If fees are regulated, the Government can subsidise households that don’t earn enough for childcare. Only with accessible quality childcare can a mother return to the workforce, she stresses.

“Quality care during early childhood is an essential, basic right. That’s when emotional, mental and character development, takes place,” she adds. - The Star

It’s a no...

IT’S tough for bosses to help.

Most employers won’t be able to help their staff with childcare benefits, Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan says.

Very few employers can afford childcare subsidies as there are no incentive for them to do so, he says.

Under current tax laws, childcare allowance of up to RM250 per month is not taxable, but this only applies to employees. Companies don’t get such breaks, he says.

That’s why, he says, they are not keen on giving childcare subsidies. The Government, he says, should give tax incentives like double tax deductions to encourage companies to give childcare subsidies.

There are 5.18 million working women and about 500,000 babies born yearly. So, based on these numbers, he estimates that there are about three million children aged six and below in need of care.

Of the three million children, 14% are sent to childcare centres, 24% are cared for by maids and 27% are looked after by their grandparents, he says. (The MEF does not have details accounting to the remaining 35%.)

Private companies are reluctant to provide childcare centres at the workplace because of cumbersome bureaucratic procedures in getting approval from the relevant authorities.

The “building cost” tax incentive, he feels, is also not attractive for private companies as it is spread over a 10-year period. Assuming the cost of establishing a childcare centre is RM1mil, an employer can only claim a tax allowance of RM100,000 yearly over a decade, he explains.

“Only 24 private companies have childcare centres for their staff. It’s more common in government-linked companies,” he says.

Cheaper alternatives must be looked at, as high fees charged by registered childcare centres make it tough for working women to send their children there, he feels.

He suggests setting up community childcare centres in residential areas where such facilities can be shared by staff living in the vicinity.

“Community childcare shouldn’t be profit-orientated and the quality standards must be set by the Government.”

Is your childcare centre legal?

To locate licensed childcare centres, report incidents/abuse, join local community-building events and source for early childhood care/ education information, go to asuhan.my. The newly launched central directory and resource platform set up by the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia and the National Child Development Research Centre is aimed at keeping kids safe.

Holistic solution soon

THE Government is coming up with holistic measures to make quality childcare affordable and accessible.

A multi-pronged solution is in the works, assures Women, Family and Community Development Ministry Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

Chew, who leads a task force on early childhood care and education, says there are various factors effecting the industry so there is no single silver bullet solution.

“We’re monitoring the industry from a macro and micro level to address all issues comprehensively,” she says.

She says the ministry is working closely with the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia to improve the service. The ministry has been gathering data in the last two years and is in the midst of compiling everything.

“We need to address this from several aspects, including amending existing regulations. For example, a new rule to allow the setting up of centres on the third to fifth floors will be implemented soon. Currently, childcare centres are only allowed on the first and second floors where rent is high, so the new rule will help lower cost for the operators,” she explains.

The ministry is also looking into online training for care providers so that they can undergo practical on-the-job training while studying. This, she says, will further reduce the operators’ costs.

The problem is that many caregivers treat this as temporary job while waiting to continue their studies or until something better comes along. So operators are reluctant to invest in their training. That’s why we must promote, upgrade and make child-caring a recognised profession, she says.

Urging parents to change their mindset, she says the perception that centres are like traditional nannies must change. Traditionally, a nanny just feeds, accompanies and looks after a child. But a trained care provider has knowledge and skill. They do more, she adds, like provide a safe environment and prepare nutritious and hygienic food for their charges.

“Send your kids to a registered centre because it means that the care providers are trained and the operators must comply with density ratios. It’s also easier for the authorities to monitor and make sure that the centre is up to mark,” she says.

Operators too must learn to balance their accounts by accepting more older kids.

The care provider to child ratio is:

> Infants 0-1: 1 staff : 3 infants

> 1-2 years: 1 staff : 5 children

> 3-4 years: 1 staff :10 children

So centres can accept more older kids if they’re suffering losses, Chew points out. If you want to cover your costs, you should take more of those aged three to four, she says.

“On the other hand, it’s a problem too when centres refuse to take babies because of the costs involved. That’s why the Government has introduced various programmes that allow women to take time off to care for their newborns before returning to the workforce,” Chew says.

Encouraging the corporate sector to set up centres, she says the request for subsidies is being studied. Employers, she says, must realise that looking after their staff's families will result in higher productivity because parents who have peace of mind will focus better on their jobs.

The Government, she adds, is also engaging with all relevant quarters, including the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia and local councils, to ease the burden of operators.

“We’re lobbying local councils to treat childcare centres as social service providers rather than a business because this will lead to lower costs for them.

“And, we’re requesting that developers include childcare centres when planning townships. If a corner lot can be designated and approved by the local council as a residence/childcare centre, an operator can move in and start the business immediately without having to get the consent of neighbours or applying to change the building’s usage,” says Chew.

This, she feels, would be a win-win situation because the local council will study the traffic flow and safety aspects at no additional cost.

The developer may even get a higher price for that unit because of the dual usage status.

While the Government provides some childcare subsidy to civil servants and those who qualify, operators must improve their service so that they can justify higher charges.

She says monthly childcare fees can range from RM200 to RM2,000 per child but most centres only charge between RM250 and RM400.

“Operators must give good, quality service. And parents must pay more if they can afford it,” she adds.

Cheaper fees, please

QUALITY childcare is expensive.

Zuhainy Zulkiffli, 33, sends her kids to an unregistered childcare centre in George Town because it’s what the family can afford.

Registered centres charge more than RM400 per child, which she feels is too much.

The unregistered centre her four-month-old son, Izz Zaryl Zaharin, and three-year-old daughter, Zandra Zahara, go to only charges between RM300 and RM350.

The working mother was heartbroken when she found out that Zandra had been abused at a previous centre.

However, she disagrees with a fee hike. She thinks it’s unfair to parents.

“One care provider can take care of a few kids. Don’t tell me the operators cannot make a profit. Many of my friends were forced to quit their jobs because centres are charging too much as it is,” she argues.

A father who wants to go only by Tan, 40, sent his newborn to a babysitter until the boy was two. He paid RM1,000 per month to the aunty next door. From age two to four, his son was left at a childcare centre in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

“For RM650, they look after my son from 8am to 7pm. It’s reasonable. I’m not sure if the centre is legal but it’s very popular,” he shrugs.

Like Tan, Jennifer Kong, 40, sends her daughter to a babysitter because it’s convenient and cheap.

Besides the monthly RM700 fee, the aunty gets 14 days of leave, a Chinese New Year ang pow, and a yearly bonus.

“I buy the ingredients for aunty to cook so I’m not worried about what she’s feeding my daughter. Aunty has been caring for her since she was three months old. She’s four now,” she says.

There’s a big difference when your child goes to a good, registered centre, says Koh Chee Khian, 45.

The RM3,000-plus he pays per semester is “not cheap” but he feels it’s worth it because his son gets the best food – like churros – and attention.

The main reason for sending his first born to a centre is so that the child learns to socialise and share.

“My boy started going to the centre in Bangsar (KL) when he was 16 months. He’s there eight hours a day, twice a week.

“This centre is among the best and the environment is really different from the cheaper ones where there are just too many kids,” he says.

But despite coming from a dual-income household, Koh says he will have to look for somewhere less pricey as he’s planning to send his son for full-day care next year.

“No doubt the current centre is very good. My son is disciplined, can colour, sing and dance at such a young age. I would never trust an illegal centre to care for him,” he says. - The Star

Operators' dilemma 

CENTRES still in business have no choice but to up their fees.

Zubaidah Husin, who runs four centres, has raised her fees from RM350 to RM450.

“The profit is not much but most of us continue because of passion. We do this to help working mothers so we charge only what they can afford to pay.

“Since the RM900 minimum wage ruling was introduced, we’ve had problems coping. Now that it’s RM1,000, how can we cope without upping our fees?” she says

Zubaidah, who is also the Association of Childcare Providers Pahang president, has been in the business for 14 years.

Before the minimum wage ruling, RM700 was the maximum operators in Pahang paid their staff so they were able to charge RM350 per child. Most staff, though, were paid an average salary of RM450 but with food and lodging provided.

“Now almost 70% of the operators are not paying their staff a minimum wage because they can’t afford to. If there is a crackdown by the authorities, these centres will be forced to close,” she says.

She does sympathise with parents, and she believes that many – especially those with two or three kids – are already struggling to make ends meet.

Association of Childcare Providers Terengganu president Wan Najmyah Wan Yussof, who has been running her centre since 2009, agrees.

She charges RM400 for babies and RM350 for children one year and above.

The situation is critical, she insists. Many of the 160-odd operators in Terengganu are at their wits end.

“Most who are still in business are using income from elsewhere to keep their centres from going under because they love kids.

“Personally, I’m using profits from my kindergarten to help keep my childcare centre running,” she says.

She says the association has appealed to the state government to subsidise training and salary costs.

A childcare guidebook on quality standards is also in the pipeline. This, she says, will ensure a minimum standard for all centres and help standardise the fees.

Operators want to increase their fees but they are afraid the parents will take their kids home. Previously when operators tried to raise their fees slightly, that’s what happened, she says.

“The problem is, we don’t know whether parents really cannot afford to pay more or they just refuse to,” she says, adding that most families there have two kids.

More centres needed

The Government aims to have a workforce comprising at least 59% of women by 2020. To do that, we must have more registered childcare centres to cater to these women’s children, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said. On Aug 14, Sunday Star reported that Malaysia is far from its target of having 13,200 registered childcare centres by 2020. Currently, there are not enough centres to cater to 3.2 million children under the age of four whose parents are in need of these services.

Number of registered childcare centres nationwide:

5,421

Number of children:

53,497

Number of educators:

17,954

Source: National Child Development Research Centre

Is your childcare centre legal?

To locate licensed childcare centres, report incidents/abuse, join local community-building events and source for early childhood care/ education information, go to asuhan.my. The newly launched central directory and resource platform set up by the Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia and the National Child Development Research Centre is aimed at keeping kids safe.

IN THE RED

Perak

Total private centres surveyed: 14

Income:

RM1,840 to RM9,150

Expenditure:

RM2,740 to RM9,630

Pahang

Total private centres surveyed: 203

Forced to close after paying minimum wage:

36 or 17.8%

Not paying minimum wage:

142 or 69%

Paid minimum wage and either made a small profit or loss:

25 or 12.3%

Terengganu

Total private centres surveyed: 36

Forced to close to avoid fine for failing to pay minimum wage: 95%

Babies and children affected: 2,515

Childcare staff made jobless: 736

Income:

RM1,540 to RM11,000

Expenditure:

RM2,260 to RM17,615

Kedah

Total private centres surveyed: 58

Fee range (babies to age four):

RM220 to RM300

Home

Total income:

RM2,850

Total costs (ie, salary, EPF, Perkeso, food, rental, utilities and telephone bills, Internet bill, cleaning/household items, learning tools, stationery, activities, celebrations, emergency fund, income tax, GST):

RM3,830

Losses: RM980

Institution

Total income:

RM7,800 to RM25,200 (depending on location)

Total costs (ie: salary, EPF, Perkeso, food, rental, utilities and telephone bills, Internet bill, cleaning/household items, learning tools, stationery, activities, celebrations, emergency fund, income tax, GST):

RM15,723.10 to RM27,184.05 (depending on location)

Losses: RM1,984.05 to RM14,059.10 (depending on location)

Note: All survey participants are registered childcare centres.

Source: Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia.

Related:

New minimum wage policy to take effect July 1 The Star

Related posts:



 Parents opt for daycare centres with no live-in maids now

May 24, 2016 ... Chris Hong, who runs two kindergartens-cum-daycare centres in Subang Jaya, said she and her staff looked after 40 to 50 children from 8am to ...

 Childcare services: daycare and private nursery businesses

N. Korea nuclear test short of strategic deterrent, blame it on THAAD

https://youtu.be/TOE3yXY7ygU
https://youtu.be/Y4tPFchrzAw
https://youtu.be/XdW60MUtoXc
https://youtu.be/cM8Ee5dRdQQ

North Korea's official media announced today the country had successfully conducted a nuclear test, confirming international media reports that Pyongyang had carried out its fifth nuclear test. A 5.0-magnitude earthquake in North Korea was detected by overseas monitoring services. South Korea claims the explosion was equivalent to about 10,000 tons of TNT, the most powerful one North Korea has tested thus far.

Today’s test happened only eight months after the claimed hydrogen bomb test of January, the shortest time span between any two previous tests. Two weeks ago, North Korea conducted a submarine-launched ballistic missile test, and a few days ago it launched three missiles.

Pyongyang seems to be set to intimidate the US and South Korea, who are exerting more military pressure. It is also trying to force the international community to abandon their efforts to seek a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. But the efforts only drew a backlash. It has created anger and embarrassment, but unlikely to scare the outside world. The other five countries of the Six-Party Talks, which are now in a deadlock, are unlikely to make concessions.

North Korea should bear in mind that nuclear weapons are only a strategic deterrent tool and cannot be resorted to. North Korea has scarce resources and its economy is limited, therefore, even if it has the ability to make nuclear bombs, the number of its nuclear arsenal would be small, so it could not reach the minimum threshold of a global nuclear power. Its nuclear capability would pale in comparison with the nuclear prowess of the US. The US believes if North Korea uses nuclear weapons first, it would lead to its destruction. North Korea is not capable of ensuring an effective strike-back after being hit by a nuclear weapon. Several factors combined, North Korea cannot build a nuclear deterrent in the traditional sense.

Look at how much Pyongyang has sacrificed to develop nuclear weapons. It has become the world’s most isolated country. It is suffering from extreme economic difficulties and sees no hope of getting out of trouble any time soon. No North Korean leader has visited China in the past few years. Its top leader diplomacy is almost zero. Owning nuclear weapons appears to have added a strategic tool for North Korea. But the severance of diplomatic channels means the “growth in national strength” cannot transform to influence.

Northeast Asia is in a mess. The THAAD issue has led to a stalemate between China and the US-South Korea alliance. North Korea is taking advantage of this, hastening its nuclear tests. Seoul believes the new North Korean tests make it more necessary for the US to deploy the THAAD missile system.

They are all wrong. What they are doing will only drag Northeast Asia into deeper chaos. The Korean Peninsula will become an even more dangerous powder keg.

Owning nuclear weapons won't ensure North Korea's political security. On the contrary, it is poison that is slowly suffocating the country. It is turning into a country possibly with one or two nuclear bombs but nothing else - no prosperity, no opening up, no confidence in national security. Pyongyang will have to always be on alert.

North Korea has not become any stronger because of its fifth nuclear test. The Korean Peninsula nuclear issue knot has merely tightened.

It's North Korea's national day on Friday. We understand how eager the country wants to boost morale and enhance national cohesion. But the nuclear weapon that’s more like a firework for the North Korean people may well become one that signals a new crisis. We sincerely hope North Korea is aware of the situation and open to advice. Global Times

Blame DPRK's fifth nuke test on THAAD

Democratic People's Republic of Korea said on Friday, its 68th National Day, that it "successfully" tested a nuclear warhead in the morning. This is the fifth nuclear test conducted by Pyongyang since 2006 and the second this year. The DPRK only on Wednesday rejected a UN Security Council statement condemning its latest missile tests and threatened to take "further significant measures".

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement censuring Friday's nuclear test and urging the DPRK to meet its denuclearization commitments.

In the Republic of Korea, the presidential office reportedly held a National Security Council meeting on Friday afternoon after "a seismic event" of magnitude 5.3 was detected near the DPRK's northeastern nuclear test site.

The nuclear test carried out by the DPRK on Friday should not come as a big surprise given the planned deployment of the US' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in the ROK. In other words, the almost confirmed deployment of THAAD, an anti-missile defense system, has prompted Pyongyang to continue its ill-designed foreign policy.

Judging by its latest nuclear test, the DPRK still stands firm on its strategic misreading, believing that by developing nuclear weapons it will pressure the United States to respond to its concerns. That also explains why the DPRK has conducted missile tests this year even though THAAD might not necessarily pose a major threat to it.

Besides, a nuclear test on the 68th National Day of the DPRK also has a noteworthy political implication - that top leader Kim Jong-un will keep expanding the country's nuclear arsenal.

But it does not suggest the situation on the Korean Peninsula is out of control, because Pyongyang's nuclear efforts usually follow US and ROK military moves.

China is determined to divert this trajectory toward a peaceful direction. But admittedly, China's strategic choices in the face of a rising nuclear threat in the neighborhood are limited because of the geopolitical complexity and the denuclearization process may take five to 10 years to complete. So Beijing has been urging all parties concerned to make more concerted efforts to becalm the ensuing turbulence.

Washington and Seoul, in particular, should sincerely rethink their decision to install THAAD on the peninsula and review their other strategic mistakes that have prompted Pyongyang to make the wrong steps.

A vicious cycle is in the making between the US and the ROK on one side and the DPRK on the other, which can make peaceful reunification of the peninsula even more unlikely. In fact, if tensions continue to rise on the peninsula, the DPRK and the ROK will eventually be the worst victims.

The peninsula policies adopted by the US and the ROK are not conducive to lasting peace, as they have exhausted the very few opportunities to replace the 1953 armistice with a peace treaty.

As US President Barack Obama will leave office in four months and his ROK counterpart Park Geun-hye faces a presidential election next year, there is hope their successors (if there is one in the ROK) would make a difference and forge a permanent peace and security mechanism with China.

The author is a researcher in Asia-Pacific strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article is an excerpt from his interview with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng.

By Wang Junsheng (China Daily)

The author is a researcher in Asia-Pacific strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article is an excerpt from his interview with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng.

Related posts:

 US-S.Korea must take blame for North's nuclear move ...

Aug 24, 2016 ... At a time when Beijing and Seoul are in a tug of war on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile ...

 THAAD will not protect ROK but cripples UN unity on NK ...

Aug 11, 2016 ... The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system will not neutralize the threat of North Korea's ...

 South Koreans protest US Terminal High Altitude Area ...

Jul 22, 2016 ... More than 2,000 people from Seongju county, where one THAAD battery will be deployed, gathered at a square in Seoul for a rally on ...

US media wanted 'special privileges'

President Barack Obama disembarked from Air Force One in Hangzhou, China, on Saturday. Photo: JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS

https://youtu.be/f6AmvKBrJaQ

The United States' "obsession with special privileges" lies behind several US media organization's accusation that China treated US reporters rudely during the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou, sources said.

The sources, who are close to the matter, responded on condition of anonymity to news reports and opinion pieces in some US newspapers that accused China of failing to meet the US media demands.

They faulted China first with not allowing some US reporters to be close to President Barack Obama as he got off Air Force One in Hangzhou on Saturday.

Obama said on Sunday, however, that his talks on Saturday with President Xi Jinping had been "extremely productive" and that he "wouldn't overcrank the significance" of arguments that took place at the airport upon his arrival.

The Wall Street Journal complained that on Saturday "the Chinese barred Mr Obama from including his traveling press contingent in his motorcade".

The New York Times said on Tuesday that "The White House press corps, which normally has access to the president's public events wherever he travels, has been sequestered in buses 200 yards from the site of the Group of 20, without access to food or toilets."

In response, a Chinese source told China Daily that the US, brushing aside common journalistic practice in multilateral meetings, insisted on having a bus carrying about 20 US reporters follow Obama's motorcade directly to summit hall where closed-door meetings were held.

Normally, however, host countries of major multilateral meetings have journalists gather as a pool in the news center and have them go through routine security checks before they are led to the meeting hall.

Another source at the scene told China Daily that "the bus was of course not allowed to join the motorcade, according to press rules, and we arranged for the reporters to go to the news center. But some of them chose to stay on the bus, while some went to the bathrooms or the press center at the summit."

The New York Times reported that when Xi and Obama took a leisurely stroll after dinner on Saturday, "Chinese security cut the number of US journalists allowed to witness it to three from the original six, then ultimately to a single reporter".

But a second Chinese source said China "had never promised to allow six reporters".

"Because the lakeside path was too narrow for that many reporters, we proposed one on one - one reporter from the US and the other from China. Later, the US agreed it was a good arrangement," the source said.

When asked about the meeting between Xi and Obama and the so-called incidents, Mark Toner, deputy US State Department spokesman said at a news briefing on Tuesday that the "small incidents that took place on the periphery" do not take away from "the strong cooperation that we've had with China on a number of fronts over the past several years of this administration".

A Chinese source said: "It is common to make some demands, but the demands should not cross the line. The US should not be an exception."

The sources added that no other country demanded the privileges that the US sought, and "China had every reason to provide convenient arrangements to foreign reporters" because it wished to successfully host the summit.

By Zhang Yunbi and Wu Jiao(China Daily)

Contact the writer at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

Related posts:

G20 2016 concludes with multiple victories; China puts its stamp on global governance

Going green By Wang Xiaoying Carbon commitment Illustration: Shen Lan/GT https://youtu.be/gRUR_ouXAJI G20 SUMMIT ...

Philippine President calls Obama the "son of a bitch", reveals cracks in ties as he refuses to be lectured on human rights

US President Barack Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expected to meet on the ASEAN Summit and related Summits in Laos in ...