[Core] Mobile Creches' Newsletter - October 2024

Wed Oct 30 17:38:10 IST 2024

Dear Friends,

We welcome you to read more about the action packed past few months at Mobile Creches. A standout event was the “Nahne Kadam Bal Utsav” knowledge fair, held to celebrate the International Day of Care.

On the ground, our local initiatives continue to integrate early childhood development as a core focus. In Chhattisgarh, we reached a milestone of 40 creches, providing vital support to rural communities. Dr. Vinod Paul, Member, NITI Aayog visited Haryana’s Model Creches, reinforcing the importance of quality standards in early childhood care. September saw our active participation in Poshan Maah across states, promoting nutrition awareness widely.

Our partnerships have strengthened our mission, with a national consultation on childcare with the Institute for Human Development and a workshop on childcare financing with IWWAGE, advancing dialogues on universal childcare.

Internally, our team focused on employee well-being and fostering collaboration, while our partnerships with JLL and recognition from DMA and GuideStar India reflect our enduring commitment to excellence and community impact

Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you a prosperous Diwali!

Warm regards,
Sumitra Mishra
Chief Executive Officer, Mobile Creches

** Mobile Creches Hosts "Nanhe Kadam Bal Utsav" to Celebrate Early Childhood Years
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Mobile Creches hosted the Nanhe Kadam Bal Utsav – a vibrant knowledge fair at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi to celebrate the International Day of Care and Support. The event featured interactive activities, including children’s literature stalls, story corners, drawing spaces, and a photo exhibition, while captivating performances such as Kathputli dance and Nukkad Natak highlighted the importance of holistic child development.

Distinguished guests included Dr. Shamika Ravi from the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Dr. Radhika Batra, Founder of Every Infant Matters, and Ms. Suhela Khan from UN Women. A significant moment was the launch of a Model Creche, setting new standards in childcare. Dr. Batra applauded this transformative initiative, noting its potential far-reaching impact across India.

An awards ceremony celebrated 12 childcare champions, including creche workers and sarpanchs from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Dr. Ravi commended their commitment, emphasizing the societal importance of shared caregiving. The celebration concluded with an uplifting performance by Manzil Mystics, reaffirming the joy and significance of early childhood.

The Nanhe Kadam Bal Utsav successfully united students, teachers, care-workers, and communities in advocating for enhanced childcare practices in India.

** NITI Aayog’s Dr. Vinod Paul Visits Haryana Model Creches, Emphasises "Yhi Samaye hai, Sahi Samaye hai"
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On August 23, 2024, Mobile Creches hosted Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, for a visit to the Government of Haryana’s Model Creche. Joined by the WCD Haryana State team and Mobile Creches’ Thematic Lead, Aditya Singh, Dr. Paul explored the Haryana Creche Model, commending its innovative approach to early childhood care and its funding under the Haryana State Creche Policy.

The visit included stops at two community creches in Sector-31 Nada Saheb and Pinjore, where Dr. Paul interacted with creche workers, supervisors, CDPOs, and senior officials like Smt. Amneet P Kumar, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Haryana, WCD, and Smt. Monica Malik, Director, WCD, Haryana. Dr. Paul’s discussions centered on child nutrition, health, and developmental milestones, offering valuable guidance to further enhance practices.

At Kishan Bhawan, Dr. Paul also attended a training session, underscoring the essential role of Early Childhood Development (ECD) through the creche model. The session featured presentations on the model’s key elements, cost structures, and impact, all of which received his endorsement.

This visit reinforced the importance of community-centered ECD initiatives, with Dr. Paul’s insights inspiring Mobile Creches’ ongoing commitment to advancing quality childcare.

** Poshan Maah 2024: Celebrating Nutrition Awareness Across Mobile Creches’ Centres Nationwide
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In September 2024, Mobile Creches celebrated Poshan Maah—India’s National Nutrition Month—across centers in Chhattisgarh, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, emphasising the importance of early childhood nutrition. This campaign aimed to combat under-nutrition by engaging parents and communities to foster healthier diets and lifestyles for young children.

In Chhattisgarh, Mobile Creches partnered with the Azim Premji Foundation and local communities across 40 crèches in Nagri block, reaching over 1,000 children. A Nutrition Awareness Rath traveled through 40 villages, engaging 2,800 people with songs and visuals, while over 1,600 parents attended sessions on local nutritious foods.

In Delhi and NCR, Mobile Creches collaborated with the ICDS, HCL Foundation, and Delhi Forces to organize rallies, a Poshan Mela, and an Annaprasan ceremony. The Poshan Maah Samaroh, a culminating event at the Constitutional Club of India, featured key dignitaries like Mr. Navlendra Kumar Singh, DWCD Additional Director, and District Officers Mr. M.K. Chandra, Mr. Subhash Gautam, and Ms. Yogita Gupta.

In Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Noida, Chauras Centres supported by IIFL hosted Poshan Maah events in partnership with GSVS, SAATH, and NIPUN. Additionally, in Hyderabad and Kolkata, activities included awareness sessions, rallies, and ceremonies to honor motherhood and early childhood.

Poshan Maah 2024 was a resounding success, reflecting Mobile Creches’ commitment to child nutrition with essential community, government, and partner support.

** Milestone Achievement in Rural Childcare: 40 Creches Completed Across Chhattisgarh’s Gram Panchayats
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Mobile Creches, in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation and local communities, proudly announces a major milestone: the establishment of 40 operational creches across 29 Gram Panchayats in Chhattisgarh as of August 2024. This initiative now provides over 1,000 children aged 7 months to 3 years with essential care, nutrition, and early learning opportunities often lacking in underserved rural areas.

These creches are not only transforming children’s lives but also empowering more than 100 local women, trained as creche caregivers, with employment that strengthens their families and communities. Many of these caregivers, mothers from the same villages, lead the crèches with a deep understanding of the local culture, ensuring high-quality, sensitive care.

The creches also enable parents, particularly women, to pursue work in agriculture, wage labour, or forest industries, assured that their children are in a safe, nurturing environment. By addressing malnutrition, developmental delays, and access to early learning, this community-driven model fosters healthier, more resilient rural communities.

“We feel relieved knowing that our children are in a safe space, learning and growing while we work. This has changed our lives,” shares Aarti, a mother in one of the villages.
More to Read ()

** National consultation on childcare models for under-3 children
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Mobile Creches and the Institute for Human Development (IHD) convened a national consultation on childcare models for under-3 children. Prof. Alakh N. Sharma, Ms. Sumitra Mishra, and Dr. Sunil Kumar Yadav opened discussions, followed by Prof. Sumangala Damodaran’s study insights and a panel featuring Dr. Suman Chakrabarti, Suhela Khan, Dr. Jeebanjyoti Mohanty, Shagun Sabarwal, Dr. Shree Ranjan, and moderator Dr. A K Shivakumar. Panelists addressed under-nutrition challenges and roles of SHGs, cooperatives, and the state.

** Dissemination Workshop on 'Financing Childcare Facilities in India
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On August 22, 2024, Mobile Creches, in collaboration with IWWAGE, hosted a workshop at the Taj Ambassador in New Delhi to present findings from the study Financing Childcare Facilities in India. The study highlights the substantial operational costs of quality Early Childhood Development centers, emphasising the importance of recognising childcare as a public good.

** Strengthening Partnerships for Early Childhood Care: Mobile Creches’ Two-Day Partner Meet
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Mobile Creches hosted a two-day Partner’s Meet, uniting its valued collaborators to strengthen partnerships in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECD). This event emphasized the importance of joint efforts in achieving lasting impact for children in underserved communities and provided a platform for progress review, strategic planning, and collaborative discussions.

The agenda centered around reviewing year-to-date (YTD) achievements, exchanging innovative ideas, and sharing best practices to enhance childcare quality and program reach. Key discussions covered strategic approaches to future challenges, with interactive sessions encouraging partners to contribute insights on improving ECD programs.

Partner meetings like these are essential for Mobile Creches’ mission. They foster collective responsibility, create avenues for continuous improvement, and deepen commitment to early childhood development goals. By reinforcing our network and aligning on shared objectives, Mobile Creches and its partners are better equipped to address the complex needs of children and communities, ensuring they receive the nurturing and care essential for healthy development.

Together, we are building a stronger foundation for transformative change in ECD, paving the way for a brighter future for every child we serve.

** Empowering Early Childhood Development: Successful Completion of ECD Training Workshops
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Mobile Creches recently completed a series of impactful Early Childhood Development (ECD) training workshops designed to enhance the skills of creche workers and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) across Haryana. Five workshops were conducted, successfully training 201 creche workers in quality operational practices, ensuring they are well-equipped to deliver comprehensive care and education to young children.

In addition to these workshops, a specialised Train-the-Trainer (ToT) session was held for 26 CDPOs and Supervisors, with the goal of establishing a State-level resource group for ECD. By building this expert cohort, Mobile Creches aims to reinforce the implementation of high-quality early childhood programs throughout Haryana.

The impact of these training sessions is already evident. With newly gained skills and insights, creche workers are now better prepared to create nurturing, developmentally appropriate environments that prioritize the well-being of each child. The formation of a skilled resource group at the state level adds a sustainable dimension, as these trained leaders will continue to mentor and guide ECD initiatives. Together, these efforts mark a significant step toward enriching early childhood education and care in Haryana, laying a strong foundation for the state’s youngest residents.

** JLL's Volunteer Engagement Plants Seeds of Sustainability and Nutrition at Mobile Creches Centres
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In September, JLL partnered with Mobile Creches for a Volunteer Engagement Activity focused on environmental sustainability and child nutrition. Volunteers gathered at the Sunrise Centre in Ahmedabad on September 5th and the Honor Homes Centre in Hyderabad on September 20th to create vibrant Nutri Gardens. These gardens not only enhance access to fresh produce for children's meals but also serve as interactive learning spaces, fostering a connection with nature and a sense of environmental responsibility. This initiative underscores JLL's commitment to community wellness.

** Fostering Well-Being: Highlights from Our Recent Team Engagements
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This quarter, we have introduced a new section to our newsletter focusing on the well-being of our dedicated team members. Here's a look at the initiatives led by the People & Culture team:
National & State Team Potluck

September started with a spirited potluck event where our National and State teams gathered to share food, stories, and laughter. This vibrant gathering provided a space to celebrate our team’s diversity, strengthen bonds, and inspire cross-team collaboration.
Health and Wellness Program

In collaboration with Secure Now, we organized a Health and Wellness Day that included health checkups, eye exams, and a dental camp. This initiative highlighted our commitment to employee well-being and was appreciated by all participants.
A Session on MC Values

At Mobile Creches, we are deeply committed to our core values, which guide us through every step of our journey. To reaffirm these values, our People & Culture team recently, hosted enriching sessions on MC values, led by our Former Chairperson, Ms. Amrita Jain. These sessions were designed to help both new and long-standing team members understand and embrace our rich legacy while infusing fresh perspectives.

** Awards and Recognitions
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DMA Governance Excellence Award 2024

Mobile Creches has been awarded the prestigious "Governance Excellence Award" by the Delhi Management Association and All India Management Association!

This recognition is a testament to our commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in governance as we work towards improving Early Childhood Care and Development (ECD).
GuideStar India Platinum Certification!

We are thrilled to announce that Mobile Creches has been awarded the prestigious GuideStar India Platinum Certification! This recognition highlights our commitment to transparency, accountability, and impactful work in early childhood care and development.

A big thank you to our partners, supporters, and team who have been instrumental in making this possible. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence and ensure a brighter future for every child!
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