Daycare Operating Without Permit Due to Weak Supervision
Member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives Atalia Praratya has voiced concern over the alleged violence against dozens of children at Little Aresha Daycare in Yogyakarta. She highlighted suspicions that the childcare facility lacks an operational permit.
She explained that, by regulation, Indonesia does not lack rules. Atalia stated that it is mandatory for every educational unit, including daycares, to have an operational permit as stipulated in Law No. 20 of 2023 on the National Education System.
In addition, there is the Child Protection Law, as well as the Child-Friendly Daycare Guidelines from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, which serve as references for childcare institution operators. However, Atalia said that the implementation and routine supervision of these regulations often pose challenges.
“If it is true that it is operating without a permit, this indicates weaknesses in supervision and enforcement of rules at the local level,” she said when contacted on Sunday, 26 April 2026.
Commission VIII of the DPR, she said, urges a comprehensive audit of all daycares, particularly those without permits. Because, she stated, the alleged violence case at one of the daycares in Yogyakarta must become a momentum for national evaluation.
Moreover, according to her, the current need for daycares, especially after the birth of the Maternal and Child Welfare Law, tends to increase. She requested that the state must not tolerate violence, whether physical or verbal, against children perpetrated by daycares.
“Local governments must tighten supervision, clarify permitting mechanisms, and ensure that all caregivers have adequate competence,” said this Golkar Party politician.
Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo stated that the daycare named Little Aresha was operating illegally. “Without a TPA (childcare centre) permit, early childhood education, or kindergarten,” he said.
Hasto emphasised that the absence of a permit left the government unaware in verifying operational standards for childcare, kitchen, and sanitation facilities.
As follow-up, the Yogyakarta City Government will immediately conduct a mass sweep of all childcare institutions to ensure the safety and legality of services provided to the public.
Yogyakarta Police have named 13 suspects consisting of one foundation head, one school principal, and eleven caregivers.
Yogyakarta Police Chief, Commissioner General of Police Eva Guna Pandia, explained that the suspects are charged under the child protection law for alleged neglect and discriminatory mistreatment.
“There are 53 toddlers under two years old verified to have experienced physical violence, including inhumane acts such as binding hands and feet, which were witnessed directly by officers during the raid,” she said.