A SERIES of incidents involving the deaths of children at the hands of their babysitters — symbolically the “hands that rock the cradle” — have been reported of late.
A heartbreaking incident recently reported in NST on Jan 29 involved a baby boy in Manjung who died from an injury allegedly inflicted by his babysitter.
It is time that the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry took action to help working mothers.
Nurseries need to be regulated. Even private arrangements involving babysitting need to be looked into by the ministry.
Parents should not send their children to non-registered and non-certified nurseries or babysitters.
Similarly, the ministry should look into regulations involving care for the elderly and the disabled, in particular domestic help.
In doing so, the ministry has to adopt evidence-based practices and policies.
A team of researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Malaya and Multimedia University conducted field work visits for the proposed Domestic Assistant Malaysian Affectionate Initiative (Damai) project.
We found that Yayasan Pembangunan Keluarga Terengganu provided a much better alternative for children of working mothers. These children are taken care of by well-trained home managers.
We also found that the National Occupational Skill Standard for domestic assistants that includes babysitters, as well as elderly and disabled care, has been developed and registered by the Department of Skills Development, under the Human Resources Ministry.
However, we suggest that deeper research be conducted to include mental health screening for employers and employees of Damai, specifically those who relate to babysitters and caretakers of the elderly and disabled.
We are confident that the tragic incidents involving children can be stopped, provided the ministry takes swift action.
Associate Professor Dr Siti Aishah Hassan
Universiti Putra Malaysia; Damai project leader