Singapore legislation
Section 17
Section 17
Directions concerning safety, wellbeing, etc., of children
(1)
The Chief Licensing Officer may (without compensation) give a direction to a licensee if the Chief Licensing Officer has reasonable grounds to believe that there are circumstances that may endanger, or are likely to endanger, the safety, wellbeing and welfare of children or other individuals at an early childhood development centre.
(2)
Any direction given under subsection (1) —
may require the licensee concerned (according to the circumstances of the case) to do, or to refrain from doing, such things as are specified in the direction or are of a description as specified in the direction;
takes effect at the time (being the earliest practicable time) determined by or under that direction; and
may be varied or revoked at any time by the Chief Licensing Officer.
(3)
To avoid doubt, the direction may require a licensee to stop the operation of an early childhood development centre, or any part of an early childhood development centre, until the Chief Licensing Officer is satisfied that the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1) no longer exist.
(4)
Before giving a direction under subsection (1) to a licensee, the Chief Licensing Officer must, unless the Chief Licensing Officer in respect of any particular direction considers that it is not practicable or desirable, give notice to the licensee —
stating that the Chief Licensing Officer proposes to give the direction and the effect of the proposed direction; and
specifying the time within which written representations to the proposed direction may be made,and the Chief Licensing Officer must consider the written representations which are duly made.
(5)
A direction given under subsection (1) need not be published in the Gazette.
(6)
Every licensee must comply with a direction given to the licensee under this section.
(7)
A licensee who fails to comply with a direction given under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.