THE EDITOR, Sir:

CAN ANYONE tell me the legal requirement for operating a nursery and how these are enforced? What are the bases on which nurseries are approved? Are these licensed establishments? Is there a registered list of nurseries which have been approved by the ministry and, if so, how can this information be had? Is there a legal requirement for nurseries to record and notify injuries to infants to the ministries?

I am sure there are many working-class parents whose first choice in care for their children is day care, but they make this decision based on the standard that they expect will be provided for the child. Recent experience has led me to question this 'standard' and has heightened my anxiety to question whether these nurseries are actually registered and approved by the government ministry to provide care for babies as young as three months old.

Are they safe?

The reality is that these day-care places are actually operating at a profit, they are often very overcrowded and often cannot provide much supervision for the number of children in their care; not to mention the safety of play areas, toys and the playground. At what standards are these establishments operating and how are they being regulated?

Certainly, three recent incidents at a popular nursery led me to question their leadership. An accident which resulted in serious facial bruising and laceration to an infant which, in my opinion, should have been reported to the parents, was not, and when this was brought to the attention of the manager, there was no knowledge of the incident or the circumstances surrounding it.

Regulation needed

I would like to ask the relevant authority to inform the public whether there is a list of approved nurseries and day-care centres that have been rated on criteria of safety and hygiene and where it is available. I am sure most parents would want to obtain this relevant information.

The Government has a responsibility to regulate, through licences, the health and safety of these places as they cater for vulnerable groups in our society. In countries like Barbados, the United Kingdom and the United States, government nurseries are available, as well as private care. What are the choices offered to the Jamaican people who have to work and leave their young ones in care?

I am, etc.,

MARVA HEWITT-HEAVEN

marvam1@yahoo.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica