The University Grants Commission (UGC) has instructed Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to follow the national minimum requirements and protocol for the administration and management of creches in order to support women in pursuing their professions and to provide new job possibilities.
“The Ministry of Labour & Employment has notified the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 mandating that “every establishment having fifty or more employees shall have the facility of creche within such distance as may be prescribed, either separately or along with common facilities”. In this regard, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has formulated the National Guidelines for Setting Up and Running Creches under Maternity Benefit Act 2017. The Higher Educational Institutions are requested to take appropriate action in this regard. It is also requested that the above information may be disseminated to the affiliated colleges as well and the compliance of the same may be ensured,” states the UGC notice from secretary, Manish Joshi.
A creche is care centre that provides a safe and nurturing environment for children while their parents or guardians are at work. These facilities prioritise the children’s health, provide supplementary nutritious meals, and maintain a secure and safe environment. It provides age-appropriate educational activities to boost holistic development of the child.
The standards and protocol aim to provide comprehensive childcare in a safe and secure environment, fostering the overall development of children. Additional facilities may be incorporated to further enhance the well-being of children.
“The active participation and leadership of women are vital for women-led development. Institutionalization of care services is crucial for enhancing female labour force participation. suggestive standards and protocol have been formulated for setting up creches by any individual/ service agencies/ corporations/ companies/universities/ hospitals/ care service providers/ government organization’s/ non-governmental organization’s etc., addressing the minimum essential requirements. These standards and protocol aim to provide comprehensive childcare in a safe and secure environment, fostering the overall development of children. Additional facilities may be incorporated to further enhance the well-being of children. State Governments and UT Administrations are also advised to adopt these standards and protocol for setting up and management of creches,” states the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
Objectives
- To provide care facilities for children of parents/guardians who are engaged in any work.
- To offer a secure and safe environment to the children.
- To ensure “women-led development”.
- To emerge as a new service sector which provide job opportunity to women.
- To encourage women to pursue their career and see further employment opportunities.
- To promote female labour force participation in the economy.
- To envisage new educational sectors in the form of training institutions with globally recognized certification courses.
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(Source: Education Times)
