J&K issue guidelines for national crèche scheme
The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a detailed guideline for the smooth implementation of the National Crèche Scheme of Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Union Territory.
A creche is a facility which enables parents to leave their children while they are at work and where children are provided a stimulating environment for their holistic development.
As per the guidelines the use of crèche facility is proposed to be extended to children of age group of 6 months to 6 years. An order in this regard has been issued by Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government Social Welfare Department.
“For the smooth implementation of the National Crèche Scheme of Ministry of Women and Child Development in Jammu and Kashmir, detailed guidelines are hereby prescribed to this order so that the interested NGOs/ Voluntary Organizations can avail the benefits of the said scheme and provide the services to the target group i.e Children from the age group of 06 months to 06 years”, the order reads.
As per the order, the timings of the crèche can be flexible based on the working hours and timings of the parents. Therefore the crèche preferably should open for 8 hours to 10 hours for at least 26 days in a month
The crèche should be located in a safe and secure place which is welcoming and child friendly. The crèche should be located near the homes of children or near the place of work of the mothers (at a walk able distance i.e. % – I km) for certain reasons, the order reads.
“The centre should have concrete (pukka) structure as per PWD norms. A crèche centre must have a minimum space of l0 to 12 sq. ft. per child to ensure that children can play, rest, and learn. There should be no unsafe places like open drains, deep and large pits, garbage bins etc. near the centre. The centre must have a safe and potable drinking water source with a water purifier installed. Ramps and hand rails for better accessibility. There should be demarcated separate areas for different age groups-under 3 years and 3-6 years old each for sleeping, cleaning, eating, conducting activities and breast feeding”, it reads.
“Biometric Attendance of all children should be taken in the morning on the child’s arrival as well as at the time when child is picked up. CCTV cameras should be installed for the purpose of monitoring by the supervisor. Any kind of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation to be strictly dealt under POCSO Act”, the order reads.
“No child should be left alone at any point in crèche, even during breaks. Age appropriate curriculum for 6 months to 3 years and 3 years to 6 years should be provided as per Early Childhood Care and Education Curriculum (ECCE) of ICDS”, it added.
Ideally the number of children in the crèche should not be more than 25. Of these, at least 40 percent of children should, preferably, be below 3 years of age, the order states.
“User Charges: User charges are necessary to bring in an element of community ownership and may be collected as following. Families with Income of both parents of up to Rs. 5,000/- per month will be charged Rs 20- per child per month. Families with Income of both parents of up to Rs. 12,000/- per month will be charged Rs 100/- per child per month. Families with Income (Both Parents) of above Rs. 12,000/- per month will be charged Rs 200/- per child per month”, the order reads.
As per the order, A crèche monitoring Committee on the pattern of School Monitoring Committee or Anganwadi Monitoring Committee, should be constituted for every crèche, it reads.
