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Source : Press Release ​JAPEM

Photo : Muhd Azinuddin - MCYS

Jerudong, Saturday, 26 Syaaban 1447/ 14 February 2026​ - The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, through the Department of Community Development, organised the Childcare Centre Appreciation Ceremony and the Childcare Centre Excellence Award in conjunction with the Universal Children's Day Celebration for the Year 1447H/2025M, held at The Empire Brunei.

The ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi Mohamad, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The ceremony was held as a gesture of appreciation and recognition to all Childcare Centres for their important role and continued commitment in providing safe, clean and quality care services in accordance with the provisions of the Child Care Centres Act, Chapter 218, as well as the prescribed regulations. The ceremony also serves as a platform to strengthen collaboration between the Government and the private sector in jointly developing a sustainable Care Economy ecosystem.

The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by welcoming remarks from YM Dayang Fauziah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, Acting Director of the Department of Community Development, as Chairperson of the ceremony. This was followed by a keynote address delivered by the Guest of Honour, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. 

In his address, the Minister emphasised that the organisation of this inaugural ceremony reflects the continued commitment of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in strengthening the childcare ecosystem in the country. He stated that childcare centres play a vital role as foundational institutions in shaping the holistic development of children, in line with the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) approach and the aspirations of Wawasan Brunei 2035.

He further explained that the Childcare Centre Excellence Award was introduced as the highest form of recognition for centres that meet the prescribed standards and criteria, thereby serving as a benchmark of excellence for the sector. In addition, he called upon all childcare centres to continuously enhance professionalism, strengthen safety and inclusivity measures, and ensure that every child, including children with special needs, is given equal opportunities to thrive. 

The Minister further underscored that the Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, will remain steadfast in enhancing policies and monitoring mechanisms, with close collaboration between the Government and the private sector serving as a key pillar in safeguarding the well-being of children. 

The ceremony then proceeded with the announcement and presentation of the Childcare Centre Excellence Award 2025, conferred upon the centre that achieved the highest overall score based on the mandatory and additional criteria. The award was won by Hanis Montessori, Jerudong Branch, which received a cash prize of BND1,000.00 (Brunei Dollars: One Thousand) together with a commemorative plaque in recognition of its excellence.

The centre demonstrated outstanding performance in the areas of safety and emergency preparedness, hygiene and health, management and logistics, as well as service quality and professionalism, with no complaints recorded throughout the assessment period. The centre also implements the Singapore Montessori curriculum through various child development activities such as Phonics Reading, Geometric Exploration, Wildlife Explorer, Up and Beyond Thematic Exhibition, and Run and Play activities. In addition, it places strong emphasis on staff competency development through participation in Caregivers Provider Training Programme organised by Department of Community Development. 

The selection process for the Excellence Award was based on a checklist established by the Childcare Centre Evaluation Committee, comprising the Department of Community Development; Fire and Rescue Department; Town and Country Planning Department; the Registry of Companies and Business Names Division; Traffic Investigation and Control Department, Royal Brunei Police Force; Department of Environmental Health Services; and Department of Private Education. The assessment of the mandatory criteria included a clean complaint record, safety, cleanliness, management, and service quality, with added value given to the implementation of child development programmes, staff competency development, as well as inclusivity and accessibility for children with special needs. 

To enliven the event, the ceremony also featured performances by participants of OKU Got Talent 2025 and local artistes. 

Also in attendance were; Permanent Secretary for Community and Deputy Permanent Secretary for Culture from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education; senior government officers; members of the evaluation committee; heads of departments; and owners of childcare centres.