Major operators contacted said a key reason so few children have been asked to stay away is that only a small number have been on holidays abroad with their parents. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM
FEW children have been affected by a guideline issued last week to childcare centres, which requires those returning from a H1N1-hit country to stay home for seven days.
In a statement to The Straits Times on Wednesday night, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports - which licenses 755 childcare centres here - said 78 Leaves of Absence have been issued since June 18.
This comprises 66 issued to children who travelled to countries with 'sustained community transmissions' and 12 to children living under the same roof as family members on home quarantine orders.
Major operators contacted said a key reason so few children have been asked to stay away is that only a small number have been on holidays abroad with their parents.
Unlike schools, childcare centres do not have fixed holiday breaks - parents can take their children out whenever they want.
Operators say most affected parents have been understanding about the need to stay away if they have to.
Read the full report in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.
