Qatar- Crackdown on illegal crèches on the cards

Date

9/14/2015 2:05:16 AM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)File picture

DOHA: The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has hinted that a crackdown on illegal crèches may soon be launched.

The Ministry said it is keeping a close watch of local newspapers and shopping centre notice boards to see if advertisements for childcare facilities run from homes illegally are displayed. “We are concerned to find that many such advertisements are appearing in newspapers and public places” the Ministry said.

In an advertisement inserted in a local Arabic daily the Ministry said yesterday it was concerned to find some ads saying they were ready to receive children at homes. “Please be informed that running a childcare facility from a home is illegal. Any crèche run without a valid licence is illegal and liable to be severely punished” the Ministry said.

The Ministry has a social affairs wing which has a section called the Family Development Department. This department is the licensing authority for nurseries also known as crèches or childcare facilities. The nurseries that can keep in their care children up to four years of age are different from kindergartens which are licensed by the Supreme Education Council. Some nurseries can also be playschools.

Qatar issued a law early last year (Law No. 1 of 2014) making it illegal for nurseries to be operated from homes or from other facilities without proper licence.

sewives from their homes in violation of law thus risking their safety and security.

These are cheaper facilities and hence parents with limited income are attracted.

Early this year the police took into custody an Arab couple for running an illegal nursery from their apartment. The married couple was charging QR500 per child per month. The case was referred to the public prosecution for further legal action. Licensed nurseries can charge up to or even more than QR2000 for child care a month but they are safe.

The Labour Ministry has urged nationals and expatriates to abide by law or face the music.

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