Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to open a crèche at Lok Seva Bhawan for the convenience of employees on a payment basis.
According to a notification issued by the women and child development department, 10 to 15 children in the age group of six months to six years will be taken in on a first-come-first-serve basis. Priority will be given to children in the six months to three-year-old age category.
The crèche will remain open from 9.30 am to 7 pm on all working days and will be shut on government holidays. Parents have to pay a one-time registration fee of Rs 2,000 and will be charged Rs 1,500 on fifth day of every month.
Facilities
- Nurturing, responsive and inclusive environment
- Clean hygienic environment
- Dedicated, well-trained Crèche Sahayika for safety and care of the children
- Development and age-appropriate activities
- Child-friendly toys/books/play activities
- Child-friendly toilets, first aid and medical facilities
- Refrigerator, microwave, water filter
- Waiting area and breastfeeding corner for mothers
Also, the crèche will be under CCTV surveillance.
Parents will have to drop children at the creches as there are no pick-up and drop facilities, can visit their child any time and pick them up by 6.30 pm. No other visitor will be allowed inside the crèche except in exceptional cases but only with the written permission of either of the parent.
In March 2022, the Odisha Human Rights Commission asked the state government to open crèche in offices that have more than 50 women employees. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, was amended in 2017 to provide crèche facilities in establishments employing 50 or more employees.
