Latest news with #NeighbourhoodSupportChildCareProject
South China Morning Post
18-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Find out why there is a shortage of nannies in Hong Kong
A seasonal fluctuation in manpower supply may not necessarily ring alarm bells. But a plunge in childcare workers under a subsidised welfare scheme should not be dismissed lightly, especially when the industry is undergoing changes fuelled by institutional reforms. Advertisement According to the government, only 1,043 'community nannies' were providing care for children at home or in centres between April and December 2024 under the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project. The number represented a 41 per cent drop from 1,770 over the same period in 2023. It is worth nothing that nannies were required to undergo more job training in the wake of a high-profile child abuse case in January last year. Separately, a law was passed the same year mandating medical professionals, social workers, teachers and childcare staff to report suspected cases of serious harm involving children. While it may be difficult to determine whether the manpower decrease is related to the law and the training, it would not be surprising if someone wanted to think twice before joining or staying in the industry. In addition to 14 hours of basic job training covering the physical and psychological development of infants and young children, home safety and hygiene, those who fail to report child abuse cases face punishment ranging from a HK$50,000 (US$6,400) fine to three months in jail, depending on the severity of the case. Advertisement Launched in 2008, the childcare scheme gives needy parents a flexible form of day care service at the neighbourhood level.
South China Morning Post
12-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Why has the number of community nannies in Hong Kong plunged in the past year?
The number of community nannies under a Hong Kong childcare programme declined sharply by more than 40 per cent from 2023 to last year, with industry players attributing the dip partly to carers' fears over abuse allegations following an earlier scandal that tarnished the service. Advertisement There were a total of 1,043 nannies recruited to provide care for children at home or in community centres between April and December 2024 under the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, according to official statistics submitted to the Legislative Council 's Finance Committee by the Labour and Welfare Bureau earlier this week. The figure dropped sharply by 41 per cent from 1,770 recorded over the same period in 2023. 'Some doubted their own abilities to take care of children or meet parents' high demands, while some also worried about being suspected of child abuse,' said Jessie Yu Sau-chu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Single Parents Association. 'The supply of community nannies has already fallen short of demand, and what makes it worse is that there are fewer newcomers.' Advertisement The association runs the service in Sha Tin and has 56 nannies, and offers the nannies regular abuse prevention training.
