A HOME-based childcare centre in Bandar Sri Sendayan has been ordered to cease operations following the death of a one-year-old girl who had been under its care, amid findings that the facility was operating without official approval.
Negri Sembilan Welfare Department director Muhammad Yusry Che Dah said investigations revealed the centre was in breach of the Child Care Centre Act 1984, which requires registration even for operations run from residential premises.
“Even if a daycare centre operates from a residential house, it must be registered with the department if it cares for four or more children. The department will conduct a detailed inspection before granting approval,” he said.
“In this case, the centre is believed to have been operating for almost two years and, based on initial reports, there were six to seven children under the care of the nanny involved.”
The closure follows a police investigation into the death of the toddler, who was taken unconscious to a private clinic in Bandar Sri Sendayan on Monday.
Seremban police chief Assistant Commissioner Azahar Abdul Rahim said the child had been under the supervision of a 32-year-old nanny who was reportedly in poor health at the time.
A post-mortem examination later revealed injuries to the child’s abdomen, prompting police to open an investigation under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which deals with abuse, neglect and exposure likely to cause physical or emotional harm.
In response to the incident, Muhammad Yusry urged parents to exercise greater vigilance when choosing childcare providers.
He stressed the importance of ensuring children are placed only in registered centres that comply with regulatory standards designed to safeguard their welfare.
He also warned that the department would take firm action against operators who flout the law. The safety and wellbeing of children, he said, would remain the authorities’ overriding priority. - December 13, 2025
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