THE CRECHE PROGRAMME
Objectives of the programme:
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To reduce the burden of ailing and working mothers by providing safe day care for their children
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To facilitate overall physical and mental growth, health and well being of the children
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To ensure that the children are enrolled into a primary school
DCCW runs a total of
30 crèches in 14 slums and
resettlement colonies in Delhi looking after an average of 750 children
daily. Our crèche workers or ‘Balsevikas’ as they are known, are a
well-trained, experienced and dedicated team of grass roots workers and the
backbone of our community programmes.
Facilities available within the centre
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Day Care: The Crèche Programme is a daycare programme for children of working or sick mothers from poor families who can go to work knowing that their children are safe and well cared for. The crèches run from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
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Hot Meals: Children at the crèches receive mid-day and afternoon snacks that are nutritionally balanced. The menu changes each day of the week and varies according to the availability of seasonal fruits and vegetables.
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Pre-School Education: The Crèche Programme prepares the children for formal school education. The units are differentiated age-wise and the activities conducted following a carefully worked out lesson plan. Flash cards, charts and posters, toys, puzzles and sports/games materials developed by our crèche workers teach children about their environment, colours, nature and hygiene.
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School Enrollment: Crèche workers are responsible for ensuring that the children are enrolled into local government schools once they reach the eligible age.
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Medicare: Courses in first-aid treatment are given to the Balsevikas to ensure that in case of an emergency, children are attended to promptly and are taken to the nearest medical facility.
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Recreational and Cultural Activities: The centres have playgrounds, and are equipped with toys, teaching aids and play facilities like seesaws, swings and slides, tricycles etc. Children’s Week in early November is a time of fun and excitement for the children in our crèches with a series of events organized for them including picnics, art competitions, sports events and dance and theatre performances. All festivals are celebrated in the crèches and parents are invited to attend and participate.
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Parents’ Meetings: Parents’ meeting with the Balsevikas are regularly held to keep parents involved and informed about matters such as school admissions, vocational training, celebrations of festivals, prevention of diseases, health, hygiene and cleanliness Such awareness programmes held for parents of crèche children allows crèche workers to keep in touch with the community and its needs.