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What?

These center is managed by co-operatives of childcare providers, which have been formed with SEWA’s support. 45 children starting from the age of 0-6 years are served at each of this centers and focuses on the overall development of the children, including their physical and intellectual growth. Apart from this the other major activities undertaken by the childcare centers run by SEWA are as under.

1. Children are provided with nutritious food and are also educated about the same.
2. Teachers of the childcare center hold regular meetings with the mothers and discuss their children’s development and give their suggestions. During this meetings the mothers are also given training so as that they know what they should do for the development of their children when they are not at the child care centers.
3. Also the mothers are given trainings on the primary health related aspects so that they could take care of their children and family during such situations
4. Children are regularly weighed and records of their growth are properly maintained.
5. The children are provided with nutritious meals and infants are given milk.
6. The childcare centers are also centers for child immunizations, antenatal and postnatal care. SEWA works closely with the government health programmes for providing these services.
7. Also if a child is sick and the immediate diagnose is required in such situation the children is referred and taken to the hospital by the child care centres workers.
8. Children in the centers are involved in pre-primary creative activities like drawing, painting and craftwork.
9. The celebration of major festival are organised at the child care centers in order that the children get knowledge and awareness for the given festival.
10. Also the children are taken for the exposure visit which helps in the overall development of the poor children of the members.

This child care centers play very important role in the life of rural poor workers from the informal economy as this are the centers of their own kind i.e. (a) it serves the children for the whole day that to as per the working hours of the poor women members from the informal economy and (b) cater services to the children as small as 15 days. The centers support infants i.e. 0-3 years of age, with milk.

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Why?

When a community cannot provide childcare for its children, women cannot attain full employment and self-reliance. Therefore, the Chaklasi Village Childcare Center is critical to both a child’s physical and intellectual development as well as a mother’s opportunity to provide for her family.

Working mothers cannot take their children to their workplaces without jeopardizing their own work efficiency and their children’s safety. The Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) believes that women’s struggle to emerge out of poverty through the quest for work and income security, must be supported by quality childcare. SEWA’s childcare program emerged in mid 1970 from the needs expressed by its members.

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How?

The Chaklasi Childcare Center aims to provide the following to all of its students and their families:

1. Children are provided with 3 nutritious meals a day and will also be taught about proper nutrition and diet.
2. Teachers of the childcare center hold regular meetings with the mothers and discuss their child’s development. Mothers are also given training on establishing a healthy learning environment at home.
3. Mother and family members are trained on primary healthcare and nutrition for their children.
4. Children are regularly weighed and records of their growth are properly maintained.
5. Infants enrolled in the Center are given milk.
6. The childcare centers are also provide child immunizations, antenatal and postnatal care. SEWA works closely with the government health programs to provide these services.
7. In the event of a serious illness, children will be taken to a nearby clinic by the childcare center staff.
8. Children in the centers participate in pre-primary creative activities like drawing, painting and craftwork.
9. The celebration of major festivals are organized at the childcare centers to teach and immerse children in cultural activities at a young age.
10. Children will also attend annual field trips to neighboring towns and fairs for cultural and educational immersion.

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History of Chaklasi

The village is at the distance of 15 kms. from Nadiyad block and 10 kms. from Anand. The village has many out skirts and thus the distance from the outskirts increases. The majority of the village community are agriculture labourers and vegetable growers. The major crops include Wheat, Bajri and vegetables. Given the majority of the poor communities being agriculture workers and lack of child care facilities, they have to take their children along with them in the fields, which hampers their productivity as well as the health and overall development of the children.

Presently SEWA has membership of 1240 in this village. In this village SEWA started organising in the year 1998. Apart from organising the major activities facilitated by SEWA in this village includes agriculture campaign, health care, child care, micro finance and trainings & capacity building of members.

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Main Occupations

Agriculture workers and vegetable grower

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