Ipoh: The opening of the Iman Childcare Centre at the Seri Kepayang People's Housing Programme (PPR) here today is an initiative that focuses on the welfare of children and the well-being of low-income families in public housing areas. Perak Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said that with fees lower than market rates, the childcare centre helps ease the financial burden of B40 families and provides parents, especially women, with the opportunity to participate in the workforce without the pressure of high childcare costs.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the centre not only serves as a childcare facility but also functions as a recognised early education centre for children aged four to 10. It can accommodate up to 23 children at any one time and operates from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm for full-day care, and from 1 pm to 5.30 pm for half-day or transit care. This initiative is in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 aspirations through the Perumahan Sejahtera flagship, and also supports Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which emphasises inclusive and sustainable community development.
Ng said PPR Seri Kepayang, which houses more than 1,200 residents, and the Jalan Hospital Flat PPR with over 2,000 residents, face an urgent need for safe and affordable childcare facilities, especially for working parents. She noted that many children were previously left without adequate supervision or placed in neighbours' homes under unsuitable conditions. As such, the Perak Housing and Property Board (LPHP) took a proactive step by collaborating with the operator to establish the Iman Childcare Centre as part of the board's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
In addition, Ng stated that the successful establishment of the centre was also driven by LPHP's commitment to carry out renovation works on the hall space at PPR Seri Kepayang in accordance with guidelines set by the Social Welfare Department and the Fire and Rescue Department, and with approval from the Ipoh City Council. According to Ng, support was also provided through rental rates below market value to ensure the centre's operational sustainability.
Ng expressed that the Perak government believes holistic housing development not only provides shelter, but also builds a community ecosystem that supports children's development, empowers families and improves the quality of life of the people. The establishment of the Iman Childcare Centre is hoped to serve as a catalyst for more high-impact initiatives that benefit the people, particularly the B40 group, in line with the state government's commitment to building prosperous and resilient communities.