Legislator: Aceh Daycare Case Serves as a Loud Alarm for Child Protection
Pamekasan (ANTARA) - Member of the DPR RI Commission VIII, Ansari, stated that the case of abuse against an 18-month-old toddler at the Daycare Baby Preneur childcare facility in Banda Aceh serves as a loud alarm for local governments, law enforcement agencies, and all childcare service providers.
“Violence against children, especially in a place that should be a safe space, cannot be tolerated in any form. A daycare should be a place where parents entrust their children with confidence, not anxiety. Very young children are unable to defend themselves. Therefore, the state, local governments, facility managers, and society must be present to ensure they are truly protected,” she told reporters after attending the Hajj Finance Forum in Pamekasan, East Java, on Wednesday.
This female legislator from Electoral District XI Madura assessed that the Aceh case should not stop merely at prosecuting the perpetrator.
“This case must become a momentum for a comprehensive evaluation of licensing, operational standards, caregiver competencies, monitoring mechanisms, and parents’ access to their children’s conditions while at the childcare facility,” she said.
Therefore, Ansari continued, the closure of the facility is seen as an important step to prevent any more childcare services from operating without supervision and clear standards.
This female representative also mentioned that the finding of an unlicensed daycare must be a serious concern for all regions. She encouraged local governments to conduct a re-registration of all childcare services, including checking legality, the number of caregivers, human resource backgrounds, room safety standards, and child handling procedures.
“Do not let daycares grow without supervision. We are not against childcare services, as many parents indeed need them. But every institution that cares for children must meet standards. Child caregivers need not only strength but also knowledge, patience, empathy, and moral responsibility,” said the politician from Pamekasan Regency.
Ansari also urged the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, together with local governments, to strengthen coordination in supervision.
According to her, child care services must be supervised across sectors, from child protection aspects, education, social, health, to licensing.
She hopes the legal process will proceed transparently and prioritise victim recovery. In addition to law enforcement, the victim’s family also needs psychological counselling so that the impact of the violence does not leave long-term trauma.
“Children are a trust. They must not become victims of system negligence, weak supervision, or poor facility governance. This case must become a national lesson that child protection must not only be beautiful on paper but must be real in daily practice,” she said.
The Banda Aceh City Government has also stated that Daycare Baby Preneur does not yet have an operational permit.