Children need protection.

A 14-month-old boy who was abused at a private daycare center in Quang Ngai has died from severe head injuries. As always, public opinion is outraged, with people sharing heartbreaking photos of the child and criticizing the woman who claimed to be his "nanny." But after this wave of emotion, will anything truly change?

Police officers take statements from suspect Nguyen Thi Quyen. Photo: Quang Ngai Police.

According to the initial investigation by the police, Nguyen Thi Quyen, the owner of the Nhu Y daycare center, admitted to twice throwing a 14-month-old boy onto the floor out of anger because he was crying. This act caused the child to suffer serious head injuries. When brought to the hospital, the child's body was turning blue, he was convulsing, and his brain was damaged by 47%.

Notably, after the incident, Quyen deliberately fabricated a story, claiming the child fell from the high chair. When the family requested to review the security camera footage, she refused. Without the family's insistence, the truth might have remained hidden.

The incident in Quang Ngai is not an isolated case. For many years, incidents of child abuse at private daycare centers have continuously appeared in the news: slapping, covering mouths, threats, even locking children in toilets...

Babysitting is not simply a side job, nor is it merely "looking after children." It requires knowledge, skills, and above all, love for young children. Someone who easily loses their temper at a child's crying should not, cannot, and cannot be a childcare provider.

In reality, in many urban areas and industrial zones, unlicensed childcare facilities are springing up in increasing numbers, infiltrating residential areas. This is a popular choice for many poor workers who cannot afford to send their children to regular public kindergens. Without early childhood education qualifications or childcare certificates, these facilities continue to operate secretly, and only when something happens, usually after a tragedy, do authorities intervene.

Although child abusers will face severe legal penalties after each incident, it is crucial to proactively prevent it, so that no child becomes a victim in what should be the safest place.

It's time for the whole society to take more concrete action. Local authorities and relevant agencies should tighten the conditions for opening and maintaining private childcare facilities; strengthen regular and surprise inspections. At the same time, they should strictly penalize violating facilities and publicly disclose the list so that parents are aware. Above all, it is necessary to strengthen communication and community education so that every adult understands that protecting children is not only the responsibility of the education sector, but the duty of the entire society.

Relevant ministries, departments, and local authorities need to take more coordinated and decisive action in managing, inspecting, and handling childcare facilities. Only when the entire political system and society as a whole work together can children truly live in a safe and loving environment.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202508/tre-em-can-duoc-cho-che-2172070/