Brief

The Government’s sustained initiative on education and employment of women has resulted in increased opportunities for their employment, and more and more women are now in gainful employment, working within or outside their homes. The growing industrialization and urban development have led to increased migration into the cities. The past few decades have shown a rapid increase in nuclear families. Thus, the children of such working women, who were earlier getting support from families while they were at work, are now in need of day care services which provide quality care and protection for the children.

Considering the difficulties faced by the working mothers in giving due child care and protection to their children, it has been decided to provide the day-care créche facilities through the component of Palna. Creche services formalise the child care facilities hitherto considered as part of domestic work. Formalization of care work supports “decent work campaign” to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth.

The objective of the Palna component:

• Quality crèche care facility by providing a safe and secure environment for children
• To support nutritional, health and cognitive development of children
• Enable mothers to take up gainful employment
• Monitoring compliance of the stipulations laid down under Section 11A of Maternity Benefit Act

Key Services:

• Sleeping facility
• Early mental/ physical stimulation for children below 3 years of age
• Pre-school education for children between the ages of 3 to 6 year
• Supplementary nutrition (to be locally sourced)
• Growth Monitoring, health check-ups and immunization in convergence with POSHAN 2.0

Palna have two components

• Anganwadi cum Crèche
• Stand alone Crèche