Recently, parents of children at “Smart Nursery” have expressed concern through various channels, such as social media, after suddenly receiving a call from the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) saying that the crèche would be closing soon and that they needed to find alternative arrangements for their kids – and the bureau responded yesterday that it decided to terminate financial assistance for the nursery after August 26 due to the “inability to reach a consensus” on some basic principles and important arrangements regarding cooperation between the two sides, while the nursery operator expressed her astonishment regarding the incident, questioning the bureau’s actions as a violation of the Administrative Procedure Litigation Code, urging other government entities to intervene to uphold the nursery’s reputation.
Yesterday morning, several parents of children at the nursery voiced their concerns during the current affairs phone-in programme “Ou Mun Gwong Cheung” hosted by TDM’s Chinese-language radio station “Ou Mun Tin Toi”, saying that they were “alarmed” by the sudden notification from the bureau requiring them to transfer their children to other nurseries due to the impending closure of the crèche.
Parent says supports nursery ‘in any way possible’
Leong was one of the parents who called into the programme. Speaking to the Post yesterday afternoon at the nursery in Taipa, Leong said that she received a call from the Social Welfare Bureau at noon on Monday, informing her that the bureau would terminate the contract with the nursery and that it would no longer be able to operate. Leong quoted the bureau as saying that it would assist her in transferring her child to other nurseries. However, she added that the bureau was unwilling to explain the reasons for the required cessation of operations, only noting that it had nothing to do with the safety of the children.
Leong also said that when parents received the notification from the bureau one after another, out of reluctance and out of their affection for the crèche, parents took the initiative to call the phone-in programme to express their concern, hoping to support the nursery “in any way possible” so that it could continue to operate. She added: “The teaching here is bilingual and trilingual, allowing the children to learn different languages while receiving support and guidance tailored to each child’s personality. They come home happy and often jump with joy at the end of the class. Although they might cry initially, by the end of the day, they are filled with happiness and don’t want to be separated from their friends. We truly don’t want to part ways...”
‘Not due to any issues in caring for children’: IAS
In a statement by the bureau to several media outlets, including the Post, the bureau only indicated that the reason for terminating the cooperation with the nursery was not due to any issues in caring for the children. As for more details, it stated that it was unable to disclose further information at this time as the owners of the nursery could appeal the decision.
The bureau noted that there were more than 80 children in the crèche, with about half of them expected to enrol in kindergarten in September, adding that the bureau, in conjunction with the management of the nursery, had notified parents of the children currently enrolled in the nursery, as well as those wishing to join, of its decision to terminate its cooperation with the crèche.
The bureau also reassured parents that there are sufficient places in local crèches for all ages, particularly in Taipa and Coloane.
Nursery demands to know specific reasons for termination
The nursery said in a “solemn” statement on its Facebook page on Monday night that it would continue to operate – and Smart Nursery Director Christiana Ieong Pou Yee told the Post that she was only notified by the bureau on Monday morning by letter regarding the cessation of operation and soon received calls from parents asking whether the nursery would have to close for good.
Talking with the Post yesterday afternoon at the crèche, Ieong underlined that the nursery has been operating since mid-2019 on a trial basis, consistently following laws and procedures while collaborating with the government in providing high-quality education and services, urging the bureau to provide specific reasons for the termination of their cooperation.
Ieong also asked why that the bureau had bypassed the nursery to notify the kids’ parents, causing unnecessary “panic”, especially when the procedure had not yet been completed. She emphasised that Macau is a city under the rule of law and that the bureau’s decision was not final until the procedure was fully completed.
Ieong called on the government to deal with the issue, while stressing that her nursery will continue to uphold its legal rights and contribute to the community.
According to Ieong, the nursery meets the bureau’s enrolment requirements, with over 10 percent of its kids being foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, the bureau reaffirmed in a statement late last night that it had already notified the nursery in accordance with the law and conducted a written hearing procedure beforehand, while the nursery had also exercised its right to inspect the relevant files and submitted a written statement afterwards.
Smart Nursery Director Christiana Ieong Pou Yee poses after speaking to the Post at the crèche yesterday.
This photo taken yesterday shows the Smart Nursery facilities in Taipa. – Photos: Yuki Lei
