Yogesh K Porwar
The Ministry of Women and Child Development,in consultation with the Ministry of Labour and Employment,has prescribed National Minimum Standards and Protocol for Crèches to ensure the safety, quality and efficient management of childcare facilities across the country.
The guidelines,issued in 2024,aim to institutionalise childcare services and promote greater participation of women in the workforce.
Under the safety norms, every crèche must have child-friendly infrastructure designed to meet the needs and safety of children.
Emergency contact numbers,including those for the police (112),Childline(1098),fire services,the Child Protection Officer and the nearest police station,must be prominently displayed on information boards.The guidelines also mandate regular inspections to ensure food safety and hygiene.
Installation of CCTV cameras is compulsory in all crèches to enhance security and supervision.
Wherever feasible, parents or guardians should be provided remote access to the CCTV feed to monitor their children from their workplace.
The guidelines further require that the local police station,the Women and Child Development or Social Welfare Department,and the Labour Department maintain details of all crèches operating in their jurisdiction for safety and monitoring purposes.
The staffing norms prescribe at least one crèche supervisor and one crèche helper for every 20 to 25 children.
The supervisor must have passed Class 12,while the helper should have passed Class 10.Staff members should preferably have at least two years of experience in childcare,either professionally or as volunteers,while candidates with diplomas in childcare or nursing will be given preference.Only women are to be recruited as caregivers.
To ensure child safety,every staff member must undergo police verification and furnish character and medical certificates before being appointed.
The guidelines also mandate the constitution of a Crèche Administrative Committee,comprising a Crèche Administrator nominated by the institution or organisation operating the facility,the Crèche Supervisor, and preferably three parents or guardians of beneficiary children.
The committee will oversee the functioning of the crèche and ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
The guidelines complement the provisions of the Code on Social Security and the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions,which require establishments employing 50 or more workers to provide crèche facilities for children below six years of age.
