Maintaining Industry Standards with Lessons Learnt from Childminding Pilot for Infants

Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in respect of the Childminding Pilot for Infants (a) how the prohibition in paragraph 4.5.2 of the Industry Standards for Childminding Operators is effectively enforced in practice; (b) whether there are any plans to allow household members of the childminders to assist with the care of infants; and (c) if so, what appropriate safeguards does the Ministry require.

Answer:

          Household members of childminders are not allowed to assist with the care of infants under the pilot, and there are no plans to relax this requirement at this point. This is to safeguard the well-being of infants in such care arrangements.

2.       Operators are expected to ensure the childminders they hire abide by the terms of the service requirements and industry standards set out under the pilot. Those that breach them will be penalised and may be removed from the pilot.