Operators of childcare centres are not allowed to take foreigners as caregivers, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said it was one of the conditions, as required by the Child Care Centre Act 1984 and Regulation 14 of the Child Care Regulations 2012 for child care operators to only use local caregivers.

The regulation also required the caregivers to attend and pass the course on Care and Early Education for Permata Children and to be registered with the Social Welfare Department, she added.

She said operators who failed to comply with the regulations faced a maximum fine of RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both, if found guilty.

She was replying to an oral question from Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN-Setiu) who wanted to know on allegation of foreigners being employed as caregivers at childcare centres and action against errant childcare operators.

Azizah, who is Beaufort Member of Parliament, said so far, there had been no report on childcare centres using foreign caregivers.

She said those with information on foreign caregivers being employed at childcare centres should report the matter to the nearest Social welfare office or call 15999.

On a related development, she said 10 childcare operators had been charged because they did not register with the Social Welfare Department.

She said the Social Welfare Department conducted periodical checks of four times a year at childcare centres registered with the department.

The department conducts surprise visits if there are reports from the public of any misconduct by the centres concerned, she added.

Azizah also said the ministry has set up a task force to, among others, improve the service of childcare centres in the country.

We are also working with the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry to include the construction of childcare centres in the development plan for new settlements, she added.