Yogyakarta to Temporarily Close 31 Unlicensed Daycares
The Yogyakarta city government has found at least 31 daycares that lack permits following inspections of childcare facilities earlier this week. The existence of daycares is under scrutiny after the emergence of a case of alleged systematic child abuse at Daycare Little Aresha, with more than 50 child victims.
Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo stated that the local government will close or temporarily halt operations of dozens of unlicensed childcare facilities. “Based on the latest data, there are 31 out of a total of 68 daycares that do not have childcare permits,” Hasto said after meeting with the Governor of DIY, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
Hasto explained that the majority of these daycares only hold operational permits as kindergartens (TK) or early childhood education (PAUD), yet they offer childcare services. “The kindergarten should have a permit, PAUD should have a permit, and the daycare should also have a permit,” he said.
In line with instructions from the Governor of DIY, Hasto stated that all unlicensed childcare facilities must be temporarily closed until the administrative processes are completed.
Hasto added that the government will assist in accelerating permits for institutions with quality facilities. This effort is being made because childcare services are important for working couples, but safety remains the top priority.
Hasto stated that they will prepare daycares for the children who are victims of the abuse at Daycare Little Aresha. “There are a total of 15 daycares around that daycare (Little Aresha), which can accommodate 78 children. We will facilitate their funding until the end of the semester,” he said.
The Head of the Yogyakarta City Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning Agency, Retnaningtyas, said that as of Tuesday, a total of 149 complaints from families of Daycare Little Aresha victims have been received through the opened hotline helpdesk.
“We are providing gradual support to hundreds of those children,” she said.
As of Monday, 27 April 2026, a total of 90 children from Daycare Little Aresha have already received support. This process will continue until Thursday, 31 April 2026.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of Commission D of the Yogyakarta City DPRD, Solihul Hadi, stated that they are also preparing steps to overhaul the regional regulation (Perda) following the daycare abuse case.
“We are drafting a renewal proposal for the Child-Friendly City Perda to anticipate such incidents happening in other places,” Solihul said.
Solihul explained that the Child-Friendly City Perda in Yogyakarta, which was issued in 2016, needs to be updated to match current conditions and developments.
“In that Perda, one aspect that needs strengthening is legal protection for children in childcare institutions,” he said.
In addition, institutions providing childcare services also need to be regulated, from requirements and permits to supervision.
In strengthening these regulations, Solihul said, law enforcement agencies will also be involved to impose severe punishments through layered articles, combining the Criminal Code, Child Protection Law, to electronic business permit violations in accordance with Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation Number 25 of 2018.
“So this regulatory renewal also focuses on a total evaluation of the supervision system, as well as the division of tasks for the government in controlling all childcare facilities without exception, involving sub-district apparatus,” said Solihul, who is also the Chairman of the PKB City DPC in Yogyakarta.
Solihul continued that tiered supervision of childcare institutions from the RT and RW levels is crucial. Considering the potential for illegal practices in densely populated areas is also quite vulnerable.
Besides formal supervision, parents are also urged to be more proactive by conducting surprise checks and regularly monitoring the details of caregivers’ activities.