National Creche Scheme

SALIENT FEATURES OF NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME: –

1. Creche should provide Daycare facility with sleeping facilities.
2. Supplementary nutrition (To be locally sourced)

• Early stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school Education for 3 to 6 years old children.

1. Health checkups and immunization
2. Growth monitoring
3. As per Government guidelines Creche are open for 26 days in a month and seven and half hours per day.

• For a crèche with 1 worker and 1 helper, the number of kids are limited maximum to 25.
• Charges for utilizing the facilities of Crèche are as follows:

1. Rs 20/- per children per month- For BPL families
2. Rs 100/- per children per month – for Families for having monthly income up to

Rs 12000/-.

1. Rs 200/- per children per month – for Families for having monthly income above

Rs 12000/- .

There are 6458 crèches are functional under National Crèche Scheme as in March 2023, according to Ministry of Women and Child Development. However, it is to be noted that because of various unavoidable reasons, this number is declining. The number of functional Crèches were 18040 in 2017-18 but in the last five years it has declined to 60%.

The major reasons behind this decline are:

• Decreased funding for the scheme
• Lack of awareness about scheme among working mothers
• Difficulties in setting up and running creches

GENESIS OF THE SCHEME:-

In 1971,The then Government of India originated the idea of Creche. As a special idea to help working mothers and take care of little children. Evidently it was an effort to ensure that kids have a safe place when their moms are working . Government decided to create this special places called Creches, where a trained people take care of children from six months to six years old.These Creches are not only meant for playing , but focus on overall growth of children is taken care by providing  conducive environment.The idea was to support both mother and her children .Altogether the Idea of National Creche sceme was like a friendly helping hand from the Government who needs it.

OBJECTIVE OF THE NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME:-

1.Early Childhood Development

The scheme primarily ensures the holistic development of children aged from six months to six years. Accordingly, a crèche provides proper training based on the age of children as well as makes them strong enough to face challenges once they grow up.

2.Support Working Mothers:

Primarily the goal of this scheme is to assist working mothers by providing a nurturing and safe environment for their children during their working hours. Consequently, this enables working mothers to actively work at their workplace.

3.Nutritional well-being

The scheme also ensures that children at Creche receive nutritional food for their growth and development. Recognizing the importance of nutrition, the scheme parallelly promotes healthy eating habits.

4. Women’s empowerment:

By offering childcare support the scheme empowers women by allowing them to pursue their dreams. A Woman may explore her employment opportunity without compromising their child’s well-being. This will promote gender equality and economic participation among women.

5.Community Impact: 

Beyond individual families, the scheme also contributes to community development. This is done by developing children at a correct age and laying the groundwork for a more educated and empowered society.

IMPACT OF THIS SCHEME ON SOCIETY:-

1. Gender Equality in work workforce: By supporting working mothers the scheme also promotes gender equality in the workforce. After  that women are more free to pursue their career options when they have reliable and high-quality childcare options.
2. Breaking the cycle of poverty: Once Creche takes care of children, mothers can go out to attend the work. This makes both the husband and wife go out to earn the money and thus their standard of living improves. Also, the children who benefit from the National Creche Scheme are better equipped to enter formal schooling, setting the stage for a better future.
3. Educational Foundation: At Creche children are exposed to learning which not only prepares them academically but also creates love for knowledge. The National Creche Scheme lays a strong foundation for future educational pursuits.
4. Community Building: Creches have become a community hub where parents, caretakers, and children interact together. This sense of community creates social cohesion and shared responsibility for the well-being of the youngest members of society.

CHALLENGES  &  ITS SOLUTIONS:-

1. Infrastructure Development: Overcoming limitations in creating child-friendly crèche spaces.

Solution: Collaborative efforts between Government agencies, local communities, and non-profit organizations can be directed toward overall infrastructural development.

2. Funding constraints: Obtaining adequate funds for sustainable crèche implementation.

Solution: Continous advocacy for increased budgetary allocation, exploring public-private partnerships, and seeking philanthropic contributions can certainly help address funding challenges.

3. Community engagement: Overcoming resistance and fostering active community involvement.

Solution: Conducting awareness campaigns, involving community leaders, and fostering a sense of ownership through participatory decision-making, processes can not only overcome resistance but also enhance community engagement.

4. Staff training and retention: Ensuring a trained as well as dedicated workforce for quality childcare.

Solution: Implementing comprehensive training programs for crèche staff offering remuneration and creating a positive work environment can enhance both staff retention and performance.

5. Cultural Sensitivity: Tailoring crèche programs to diverse cultural contexts.

Solution: Incorporating local traditions, involving community members, and tailoring program content in the design and implementation of childcare activities can address cultural sensitivity concerns.

6. Geographical disparities: Limited accessibility to crèche facilities in rural and remote areas.

Solution: The establishment of crèches in rural & remote areas and encouraging mobile crèches can help to reduce geographical disparity. Developing technology for remote learning may also help.

7. Public awareness: Increasing awareness about the benefits and importance of the National Creche Scheme

Solution Launching a nationwide awareness campaign through various media channels, promoting the scheme on social media, creating awareness through community leaders, and advertising the success stories may create more public awareness.

8. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing robust mechanisms for consistent childcare quality.

Solution: Leveraging real-time technology for real-time reporting, creating a system for regular inspection, and encouraging community feedback can contribute to effective monitoring and continuous improvement.

CONCLUSION:

Though there are challenges in the way of the national crèche scheme, it is essential to view them as opportunities for growth and improvement. The National Creche scheme has the potential to transform the lives of both children and families across the nation. By addressing these challenges systematically, we can ensure its continued success and positive impact on the future generations of our country. The National Creche Scheme eventually facilitates working women to focus on their career growth without worrying too much about their children.