The prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor, has suggested that private companies set up childcare centres at their premises.

She said this will help working mothers overcome the difficult problem of hiring housemaids to look after their young children.

"Mothers can send their children to childcare centres without fear as they will be in the same building and can check on the sick during lunch time.

"This good idea can be undertaken by the private sector so that children don't lose parental love and can also help solve social problems," said Rosmah after launching Ekspo Permata 2012 in Johor Baru today.

The Permata Negara patron said the government is willing to provide companies setting up childcare centres with learning and early childcare syllabus.

The syllabus emphasises fun learning and feedback found that children who attended Permata childcare centres are two years ahead than others.

Private hospitals, Permata partnership

Rosmah was also happy that some private hospitals had agreed to cooperate with Permata Negara under the Hospital Adoption Programme.

Under the programme, the hospitals will be involved in the healthcare of children.

Prince Court Hospital Kuala Lumpur has started the programme with Hulu Selangor Permata Centre as the adoption centre.

Other hospitals involved are Johor Medical Group, Kajang Plaza Medical Centre, Columbia Asia Medical Centre, Sunway Medical Centre and Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital.

- Bernama