Baby Drowns in Zhubei Kindergarten, Wang Wan-Yu Urges Enhanced Safety
Following the drowning death of a baby girl in an ecological pond at a Zhubei City kindergarten last year, New Power Party Chairman Wang Wan-Yu urged local governments to reinforce water safety in childcare facilities. The county government has instructed childcare institutions to inspect environmental safety and strengthen prevention mechanisms.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 18:26
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 19:02 (35 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 19:05 (3 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (Reporter Kuo Hsuan-Wen, Hsinchu County, 28th) – New Power Party Chairman Wang Wan-Yu stated today that following the drowning death of a baby girl in an ecological pond at a kindergarten-affiliated childcare center in Zhubei City, Hsinchu County last year, she urged local authorities to strengthen water safety for young children in childcare facilities. The Hsinchu County Government stated that it has instructed childcare institutions within its jurisdiction to inspect environmental safety and strengthen prevention mechanisms.
Wang Wan-Yu held a press conference in front of the Hsinchu County Government building, stating that a one-and-a-half-year-old baby girl drowned after falling into an ecological pond. The pond was about 20 centimeters deep, and although the fence around the pond was 50 centimeters high, it had a gap. At the time, one teacher was solely supervising five young children, and the baby was only discovered about 20 minutes after falling into the water. This highlights that the current teacher-to-child ratio is calculated solely by numerical proportion, without specifying staffing standards for open areas, making it difficult to reflect outdoor care risks.
She said that a child had fallen into the same pond before the incident but it was not reported, and the current system does not mandate reporting. Additionally, although the kindergarten passed its evaluation, there were still deficiencies in regulations regarding pond depth, fence height, gaps, and gates.
The Hsinchu County Government explained in a written statement that it has notified all childcare institutions under its jurisdiction to review environmental safety and strengthen prevention mechanisms. The county government has comprehensively inventoried and identified potential risks for kindergartens and childcare centers near water bodies and has conducted joint inspections to supervise improvements.
The Hsinchu County Government stated that it has initiated supervision to ensure kindergartens strengthen safety in various areas and manage children according to relevant regulations, installing surveillance equipment in high-risk areas to ensure children's safety. Maintaining children's safety is the primary responsibility, and the Hsinchu County Government's Education Bureau and Social Affairs Department will, in accordance with relevant regulations, provide a safe and clear learning environment and ensure the quality of childcare. (Edited by Li Ming-Tsung) 1150428
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Wang Wan-Yu held a press conference in front of the Hsinchu County Government building, stating that a one-and-a-half-year-old baby girl drowned after falling into an ecological pond. The pond was about 20 centimeters deep, and although the fence around the pond was 50 centimeters high, it had a gap. At the time, one teacher was solely supervising five young children, and the baby was only discovered about 20 minutes after falling into the water. This highlights that the current teacher-to-child ratio is calculated solely by numerical proportion, without specifying staffing standards for open areas, making it difficult to reflect outdoor care risks.
She said that a child had fallen into the same pond before the incident but it was not reported, and the current system does not mandate reporting. Additionally, although the kindergarten passed its evaluation, there were still deficiencies in regulations regarding pond depth, fence height, gaps, and gates.
The Hsinchu County Government explained in a written statement that it has notified all childcare institutions under its jurisdiction to review environmental safety and strengthen prevention mechanisms. The county government has comprehensively inventoried and identified potential risks for kindergartens and childcare centers near water bodies and has conducted joint inspections to supervise improvements.
The Hsinchu County Government stated that it has initiated supervision to ensure kindergartens strengthen safety in various areas and manage children according to relevant regulations, installing surveillance equipment in high-risk areas to ensure children's safety. Maintaining children's safety is the primary responsibility, and the Hsinchu County Government's Education Bureau and Social Affairs Department will, in accordance with relevant regulations, provide a safe and clear learning environment and ensure the quality of childcare. (Edited by Li Ming-Tsung) 1150428
Stand with facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
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Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.