Need, Demand and Effectiveness of Childcare Modules for Children Under the Age of 3 in Selected States of India

Introduction:

Adequate care during the first three years of a child’s life is globally recognized as critical for lifelong physical and cognitive development. In India, however, children under the age of three (U-3) are often considered the sole responsibility of families, and targeted public interventions are fragmented or inadequate. While the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) provides wide-reaching support for children under six, it often fails to meet the holistic health, nutrition, and care needs of the U-3 group. For women in low-income households, the lack of reliable, public-funded childcare infrastructure forces them into compromised work arrangements or prevents them from participating in the labor market altogether.

Aims and Objectives:

This study, conducted by the Institute for Human Development and Mobile Creches, examines the demand, status, and conditions of creche provision for U-3 children in Odisha and Kerala. The primary objectives include:

• Assessing the status of childcare policies and programs for U-3 children in the selected states.
• Understanding how women and households currently manage childcare and identifying the expressed demand for center-based care.
• Evaluating existing models (Government, Non-Government, and PPP) to see if they meet the needs of U-3s and their caregivers regarding availability, flexibility, and quality.
• Addressing both gender concerns related to maternal employment and Early Childhood Development (ECD) concerns.

 
Methodology:

The research utilized a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative parameters.

• Study Areas: Two districts each in Odisha (Rayagada and Sundargarh) and Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode) were selected, covering both rural and urban areas.
• Fieldwork: Conducted between June and September 2023, following a pilot study in April–May 2023.
• Data Collection: Information was gathered through a household survey, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies.
• Selection Criteria: Districts were chosen based on the presence of creches run under formal Central or State government schemes.

Findings:

• Expressed Demand: There is a clear and high demand for U-3 center-based childcare across both states, particularly among poor households.
• Labor Market Constraints: Unpaid care work is a major deterrent for women joining the workforce; even women with high educational attainment are constrained by the demands of childcare and domestic work.
• Impact of Creches: When available and functioning well, creches provide a safe and hygienic environment, improve child nutrition through protein-rich food, and increase children’s cognitive abilities. They also enable older siblings to attend school more regularly.
• Model Diversity: Odisha utilizes various models including the National Creche Scheme (NCS), Mo Kalika Kendras under the District Mineral Fund, and PPP initiatives. Kerala’s focus is primarily on NCS, with some repurposed workplace creches and mobile creches for migrant workers.
• Supply-Side Challenges: The National Creche Scheme is hindered by inordinately long delays in fund transfers, resulting in creche workers being unpaid for months or years.
• Gendered Care Work: The system relies heavily on the altruism and emotional labor of female creche staff, who often feed children using their own money or rations despite receiving very poor rates of remuneration.

Policy Recommendations:

• Financial Revision: Significantly increase the rates of remuneration for creche staff and revise financial allocations for all expenditure heads.
• Timely Funding: Ensure the timely disbursal of funds from the Central Government to the eventual creche destinations to prevent operational lapses.
• Sectoral Expansion: Replicate and expand sectoral initiatives targeted at vulnerable populations, such as the mining and tribal area models seen in Odisha.
• Integrated Infrastructure: Under the new Palna scheme, expand Anganwadi-cum-creches with adequate budgeting and rigorous monitoring.
• Quality Standards: Improve essential facilities, including functioning toilets, well-equipped kitchens, and educational materials, to ensure a reliable and holistic care environment.

This study highlights that while creches are vital for women’s employment and child development, the current system’s reliance on the unpaid or underpaid labor of women must be addressed to ensure dignified employment and sustainable care.