44 Percent of Daycares in Indonesia Lack Permits

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection has recorded that around 44 percent of childcare or daycare services in Indonesia lack permits or legal status. Meanwhile, only 39.7 percent of daycares possess operational permits.

Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauziah explained that her ministry has also noted that only 12 percent of daycares have registration marks and 13.3 percent are legally incorporated. In terms of governance, around 20 percent of daycares lack standard operating procedures (SOPs), and 66.7 percent of management resources are uncertified.

Arifah described the violence against dozens of children at Little Aresha Daycare in Yogyakarta City as one of many problems still plaguing childcare services in Indonesia. “The recruitment process for caregivers is generally not based on standards and lacks specific training. The ministry has indeed recorded,” said Arifah Fauzi in a written statement on Monday, 27 April 2026.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection reported a rapidly increasing demand for daycares. The government has recorded that around 75 percent of families in Indonesia have used this alternative childcare. Arifah stated that this situation indicates a high need for daycare services. “But unfortunately, it is not matched by service quality that optimally fulfils children’s rights,” she said.

Arifah added that to improve daycare governance and prevent a repeat of the Yogyakarta violence case, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection is encouraging all parties and local governments to establish standard childcare services through Child-Friendly Nursery (TARA) certification, as regulated in Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Regulation Number 4 of 2024.

These provisions regulate daycare service standards with principles of rights-based childcare, referral networks, and partnerships. The regulation also requires managers and caregivers to understand the concept of rights-based childcare and possess adequate competencies.

In addition, the implementation of a child protection code of ethics or child safeguarding is mandatory as a commitment from all managers to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other mistreatment.

In the violence case at Little Aresha Daycare, Arifah said the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection has coordinated with local government and relevant stakeholders to provide psychosocial support for the victims and their families. “The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection also fully supports law enforcement in this case,” she said.

Previously, the Yogyakarta City Police Resort raided and sealed Little Aresha Daycare in Umbulharjo Subdistrict, Yogyakarta City, on Friday, 24 April 2026. From the investigation results, police recorded that 53 children experienced physical and verbal violence.

Dozens of children are suspected of being abused and neglected. “Some had their legs and hands tied, and some vomited but were left without cleaning efforts,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Yogyakarta Police Resort, Commissioner Rizky Adrian, on Saturday, 25 April 2026.

Medical findings showed patterns of injuries such as blistered skin, pinch marks, scratches, back wounds, and lip injuries. The majority of the children were also confirmed to suffer from pneumonia or lung infections.

The legal process is still ongoing. On Sunday, 26 April 2026, the police named 13 people as suspects, consisting of caregivers and daycare managers.