National Creche Scheme

Why in news?

• No funds were released by the Centre in FY 2021-22 for the functioning of creches under the National Creche Scheme.

About National Creche Scheme:

• Ministry of Women and Child Development implements the National Crèche Scheme for the children of working mothers as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• It aims to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers.
• The Scheme provides an integrated package of the following services:
  • Day care facilities including sleeping facilities.
  • Early stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school education for 3 to 6 years old children
  • Supplementary nutrition (to be locally sourced)
  • Growth monitoring
  • Health check-up and immunization                        
• As per the guidelines of this scheme, the concerned States/ UTs undertake survey based analysis of the requirement of crèche services at the district level along with mapping of existing crèches so as to assess the demand of crèches in State/ UTs.

Guidelines:

• Crèches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and half (7-1/2) hours per day.
• The number of children in the crèche should not be more than 25 per crèche.
• User charges will be levied to bring in an element of community ownership.

Funding:

• The fund sharing pattern under National Creche Scheme amongst Centre, States/UTs & Non-Governmental Organisations/Voluntary Organisations is in the ratio of 60:30:10 for States, 80:10:10 for North Eastern States and Himalayan States and 90:0:10 for UTs.

Other Schemes:

• Some of the steps taken by the Government in this direction as well as for increasing the participation of women in the economy include the following:
• Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme:
  • The scheme aims to facilitate inter-sectoral convergence of schemes and programs meant for empowerment of women both at the central and State/UT level.
• SwadharGreh Scheme:
  • The Scheme caters to women victims of unfortunate circumstances in need of institutional support for rehabilitation, so that they can lead their life with dignity.
• Ujjawala Scheme:
  • It is a comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation, as well as for facilitating rescue, rehabilitation and re-integration of victims in to their families and society as needed.
• Working Women's Hostel Scheme:
  • This scheme promotes availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women, with day care facility for their children, wherever possible, in urban, semi-urban, and even rural areas, where employment opportunities for women exist.
• Anganwadi Services:
  • The Scheme envisages setting up of Anganwadi centers across the country for children and caters to the pre-school education, nutrition of children and lactating mothers.
• POSHAN Abhiyan:
  • The scheme aims to reduce mal-nutrition/ under nutrition, among young children and women from the country in a phased manner.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Scheme:
  • The Scheme provides cash incentives amounting to Rs.5000 in 3 installments to pregnant and lactating mothers.
• BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP):
  • Objective of the scheme is to celebrate the girl child by preventing gender biased sex selective elimination, ensuring survival protection, education, and participation.
• Home for Widows :
  • A Home for Widows has been set up in Vrindavan, UP to provide widows a safe and secure place to stay and live their lives with dignity.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following services are provided under ‘National Creche Scheme’?

1. Day care facilities

2. Supplementary nutrition

3. Health check-up and immunization  

4. Pre-school education

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1,3 and 4 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1,2,3 and 4

Answer