Daycare Little Aresha Unlicensed Since Opening; Yogya City Govt to Crack Down on Daycares
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Daycare Little Aresha in Yogyakarta operated without the necessary permits for childcare or early childhood education.
- The Yogyakarta city government plans to crack down on all unlicensed daycare centers following allegations of abuse at Little Aresha.
- Authorities are coordinating with police and child protection agencies, and the regional government will cover all costs for victim recovery, including psychological and physical care.
The Yogyakarta city government has taken decisive action following revelations that Daycare Little Aresha, located in the Umbulharjo area, was operating without the required permits. Mayor Hasto Wardoyo confirmed that the facility lacked licenses for both childcare (TPA) and early childhood education (PAUD/TK), a critical oversight that raises serious concerns, especially in light of alleged abuse involving hundreds of children.
There are no permits, only the foundation, but there are no permits. Permits as a daycare center, permits as early childhood education or kindergarten do not exist.
This situation has prompted a city-wide initiative to regulate and potentially shut down all unlicensed daycare centers. The government's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of children is paramount, and a thorough sweep of such facilities is now underway. Mayor Wardoyo emphasized the swiftness of the response, highlighting immediate coordination with the police and the National Commission for Child Protection (KPAI), alongside plans to engage directly with the affected families.
We will sweep places that organize childcare in Yogya City.
Erlina Hidayati Sumardi, Head of the DIY Provincial Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Office (DP3AP2), reinforced the legal necessity for daycare centers to comply with regulations. She stressed that unlicensed operations are unacceptable and called for rapid responses to public reports and re-registration of facilities to improve oversight. The DP3AP2 is prepared to provide comprehensive recovery support for the victims, encompassing psychological assessments, medical services, and trauma healing for both the children and their parents, with all expenses to be borne by the regional government.
Daycares without permits are not allowed to operate.
From our perspective at Republika, this situation underscores the vital importance of stringent regulatory oversight in childcare services. While Yogyakarta is known for its cultural richness and educational institutions, ensuring the safety and proper licensing of facilities that care for our youngest citizens must be a top priority. The government's proactive stance in addressing this issue, coupled with a commitment to supporting the victims, reflects a responsible approach to safeguarding children's welfare. This incident serves as a stark reminder that adherence to legal and safety standards is non-negotiable for any institution entrusted with the care of children.
All treatment and recovery costs will be borne by the Regional Government.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.