• 
• 

Published on November 20, 2007

A ministerial regulation has been issued to try to protect children under six years old and improve standards of pre-school childcare and the skills of nannies.

Dr Sophon Mekthon, deputy general director of the Department of Health, said all operators of childcare and nanny businesses had been told to register with local administration organisations, which would permit them to do business.

Local administrative staff would then monitor the standards of childcare and nannies.

If owners break the law, they face fines up to Bt10,000, plus jail for up to for six months, and loss of permission to operate.

He said the regulation also set qualification standards for nannies. They must graduate from a university or college with at least a bachelor's degree in medicine, public health or pre-school education.

Those who graduated with other bachelor degrees must pass a training course on childcare that takes at least 210 hours, and is organised by the Department of Health or a training school approved by the Ministry of Education.

Nannies who graduate at just Mathayom 6 level must do at least 420 hours of training.

For nannies who have a certificate from a childcare company to verify at least a year's experience in pre-school childcare, they must do at least 70 hours of training.

Deputy Public Health Minister Dr Morakot Kornkasem said some 800,000 new babies were born each year but 30 per cent were looked after by others and not their parents. Selecting childminders was important.

Sophon said the ministry would collaborate with local administration organisations in 10 provinces to implement and issue regulations to control childcare and nannies. These areas include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Songkhla, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima.

He said the ministry had found 40 childcare and nanny businesses operating in these areas, which are the largest in the country. So they would be the pilot areas for moves to control childcare and nannies.

In regard to baby MJ, his mother Isaree Artwyutthikul-wong said her son was better. However, he was always frightened at night because he was still scared of violence because of what he endured with the nanny.

"He's still scared and wakes up at night. We are trying to treat him by giving love. We believe he will be better soon," she said.

Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak, director of the 13th Mental Health Centre who cared for MJ, suggested parents be calm and patient when babies such as MJ cry or scream.

He was likely to be better if his parents stayed close and kept him away from any violence.

MJ suffered serious internal injuries and broken bones after he was assaulted by a 36-year-old nanny.

But his condition improved after he was admitted to hospital and stayed close to his parents.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

 The Nation