Putrajaya urges parents, childcare operators to discuss contingencies before haze closures hit

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 9 — Childcare centres and parents are urged to collaborate on contingency plans as the nationwide haze intensifies, according to the Social Welfare Department (JKM). The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) emphasized that centres capable of running should adapt their services to local air quality and family needs.

"When the environment remains conducive, JKM urges operators and parents to discuss and decide on the best childcare arrangements for their children, prioritizing their welfare while considering parents' employment needs," the ministry stated. All registered childcare providers were instructed to cease outdoor activities immediately to limit children's exposure to harmful particles, while ensuring the indoor environment remains clean and well-ventilated.

The ministry stressed that decisions on operating hours or service suspensions should strictly adhere to local Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, the National Haze Action Plan, and directives from relevant authorities. Parents and operators were advised to closely monitor the Department of Environment (DOE) for hourly API updates and comply with health recommendations from the Ministry of Health.

The welfare authority stressed that child safety should be the guiding principle in all decisions, and continuous communication between childcare staff and parents was crucial in navigating this environmental challenge. As the haze worsened, nine monitoring stations recorded API levels above the critical 180 mark, with Seremban registering the highest at 189.

Thirty-seven out of 68 national monitoring stations fell into the unhealthy range. The deteriorating air quality led to the closure of all primary and secondary schools in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, and Rompin district in Pahang today.