Union Ministry Introduces Guidelines for Daycare Centres to Ensure Child Safety and Inclusivity
Pune, 6th April 2024: In an effort to foster a secure and inclusive environment for children nationwide, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Welfare has introduced comprehensive standards for daycare centres. These guidelines cover various aspects, including centre management, safety protocols, and convenience factors, all aimed at safeguarding the well-being of young learners.
Developed by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, these norms emphasize the necessity of implementing strict measures to ensure the holistic development and safety of children attending daycare centres. A total of 21 key factors have been delineated, highlighting the criteria for establishing and managing such centres, with a focus on empowering women and creating employment opportunities within the service sector.
Among the highlighted elements in the guidelines is the mandatory installation of CCTV cameras within daycare centre premises to enhance surveillance and security. Additionally, the guidelines permit the establishment of daycare centres in diverse settings, including office spaces, residential flats, societies, schools, hospitals, and cooperative offices, tailored to meet the specific needs of the community.
Furthermore, the guidelines emphasize the importance of maintaining cleanliness in daycare centres, with special attention given to ensuring hygienic conditions conducive to children’s health and well-being. In addition to providing age-appropriate toys and audio-visual materials to stimulate learning, daycare centres are required to maintain first aid materials and keep a register of individuals entering and exiting the premises.
To ensure effective management and oversight, the guidelines mandate the formation of a management committee comprising parents of enrolled children. Additionally, specific educational qualifications are stipulated for staff, with supervisors required to have a minimum of a 12th-grade education and helpers to possess at least a 10th-grade education.
