Perlis: The principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) must be put into practice through quality childcare to create better childcare centres and promote greater care for children's well-being among families, communities, and society.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president Adjunct Professor Norsheila Abdullah stated that quality childcare goes beyond providing food, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring physical care. It encompasses protection, positive relationships, emotional support, learning experiences, and respect for every child's dignity and rights.
"We cannot only ask whether children have been cared for, but also whether they have been protected, respected, heard, and given room to develop as individuals with rights and dignity," she said in a statement today. The statement was issued in conjunction with the 2026 National Childcare Day celebration themed 'The Environment as a Driver of Holistic Child Development', officiated by Perlis Women, Family and Community Development, Education, Unity, Welfare, and Poverty Eradication Committee chairman Datin Marzita Mansor.
Norsheila emphasized that providing a safe, caring, inclusive, and stimulating environment is a shared responsibility and should be regarded as part of fulfilling children's rights. She urged childcare providers, parents, families, communities, and society to make the best interests of children the main consideration in every decision and action involving them.
"PPBM also calls for the principle of 'no child left behind' to be translated into childcare practices through an inclusive environment that responds to children's diverse needs, including those requiring additional support," she said. Norsheila stressed that children's safety and protection must not be compromised and that everyone involved in childcare needs to be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, and safety risks, taking appropriate action to ensure children remain in a protective environment.
She emphasized that children who grow up in a safe and caring environment have a stronger foundation for physical, emotional, social, cognitive, language, and character development. "Therefore, investing in early childhood development is a long-term investment in the nation's future," she added.