Public concern not Government meddling is why the Department of Health continues to enforce child care regulations brought into law ten years ago.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome was refuting comments made by the Shadow Minister for Family Development and Social Rehabilitation, Donte Hunt in Friday's Mid Ocean News.

Mr. Hunt had questioned the Government's recent enforcement of a ratio that restricts child care providers to only look after three children.

While recognising the need for regulations of the industry, Mr. Hunt said he worried the ratio would make the service too expensive for parents.

Mr. Bascome, however, said the Government was not enforcing any laws that had not been on the table for the past ten years after passing the Children's Act and were doing so at the public's request.

He said: "Contrary to Mr. Hunt's assertions that the Government is in the process of enforcing provisions in the Children's Act, the Government has always enforced the provisions of the Children's Act.

"The Shadow Minister should be aware that following the publicity surrounding a recent child abuse court case, people in the community began to voluntarily call the Ministry to report concerns about child-care providers in their neighbourhoods.

"We responded to those calls and in some cases took the appropriate action to protect the well-being of children of this community.

"The law is very clear and we take our responsibility very seriously. Where the health and well-being of children is threatened, we will move to address that threat."

In January Betty Jean Steede, a child care provider, was unanimously convicted by a Supreme Court Jury of causing grievous bodily harm to an infant in her care. She now faces jail time.

La'Naiye Simmons was only five months old when Steede broke his leg, now 18 months, the infant is still undergoing treatment.

Steede had only registered to be a child care provider weeks before La'Naiye suffered a broken leg and during her court hearing admitted to looking after up to seven children.

Since the Children Act 1998 was passed anyone looking after any number of children had to be registered with the Department of Health.

Anyone operating without registering would be breaking the law and anyone looking after more than three children would have to go through a compliance period set by the Ministry of Health.

Mr. Bascome yesterday said the Ministry had decided on the ratio after scientific data showed that infants require that bonding and nurturing to thrive.

He also refuted Mr. Hunt's allegations that the Government had only just started addressing the "rogue" child care providers.

He added: "Bermuda's ratios are underpinned by scientific data that says that infants require bonding and nurturing in order to thrive and to promote brain and social development.

"These are the foundational years for the future development of the individual. What happens in day care and nurseries today has implications for this country's future.

"The Government is sympathetic that for some parents, affordability is a key issue and we are working with providers to ensure that they meet the standard for providing care.

"Work is also underway to introduce the free childcare programme and to create greater access to childcare providers but I do take exception to the inference that we have only begun to address concerns with childcare providers.

"Without the assistance of the public, we would not know of the 'rogue' providers out there.

"Once identified however, we are moving in to determine the status of their operation, to register them and to ensure that they can become compliant with the law and continue to operate."