On-site Location of Childcare Services at Government Buildings

Mr Alex Yam Ziming asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many Ministries and Statutory Boards provide in-house childcare or infant care services currently; (b) whether the Ministry will consider asking all Government agencies to pro-actively provide for such services; and (c) whether the Government will take the lead to incorporate such services into new Government buildings.

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) engages Ministries and Statutory Boards, including those in new buildings, to facilitate the setting up of workplace childcare centres. It also provides development grants, as well as furnishing and equipment grants, for the development of the centres. Today, about half of our Ministries and Statutory Boards have childcare centres located within their premises.

In assessing the feasibility of childcare centres in their buildings, organisations consider factors, such as demand from employees, availability of suitable space and premises and existing childcare services in the vicinity. ECDA will continue to promote the development of workplace childcare centres, in both Government and commercial buildings, to meet the needs of working parents.