Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the National Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through States/UTs with effect from 01.01.2017 to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers.

Study of the National Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers has been conducted by NITI Ayog in 2020 as part of third party evaluation of this scheme, which recommended to increase the coverage of creches. plug infrastructural gaps and enhance community participation alongwith addressing local needs, The Ayog also recommended measures such as training of creche workers and helper; and revision of cost norms,

Besides, as per the guidelines of the National Creche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers. States and LiTs are required to analyse the requirement of creche services at the district level through survey and mapping of the existing creches. Further, baseline surveys are also conducted by State Governments to ascertain the requirement^, willingness of working mothers and children for this purpose. The norms for registration. establishment and maintenance of the creches. including in matters of hygiene. first-aid. breastfeeding and nutrition, have been stipulated under the scheme guidelines.

The number of functional creches in the country under the National Crehce Scheme for Children of Working Mothers' during the last three years, that is, 2017­18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 was 18040, 8018 and 6458 respectively.  Creches are not functional in the country since the outbreak of Coved-19 to prevent spread of tie pandemic.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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