Kozhikode daycare centres flout norms

KOZHIKODE: Two pieces of shocking news sent shivers among parents this week. The drowning of a two-year old in a river as he sneaked out of a daycare centre and the alleged rape of a four-year-old girl by the security guard of another centre.  Though the incidents happened in Ernakulam district, a random check of daycare centres in the city reveals that these institutions are not governed by any rules. The prevailing situation is that anyone can start a daycare or playschool in their homes sans any licence.

There is no inspection of the hygiene, room, food, timing, teaching, fee regulation at these centres which deal with toddlers less than five years of age. Nobody knows how many daycare centres are functioning in the city. “There is no law which regulates daycare centres. It is pertinent to bring these playschools under the ambit of the law as our lives have changed drastically with both parents being employed,” noted Kozhikode City Corporation Secretary, Satheeshan. P.P. At least 50 daycare centres are functioning in the city. Most of them are associated with schools.

“No licence is required for centres having kids up to four years of age. We are keen to ensure that only nursery trained teachers are looking after the kids,” says Jyothi Jagannathan, who runs the Little Wings Pre-School Daycare at Malaparamba. Many parents demand urgent attention in the sector as toddlers are spending considerable time in these centres. “Usually teachers are not qualified. They vent their frustrations on these toddlers who are at an emotionally sensitive age,” fumes Poornima. A, the mother of a five-year old at Eranjipalam.

Shahida. B. Khan who runs ‘Simkids’, daycare centre for 12 years at Kuthiravattom, said that monitoring was a must. “I started the centre after completing the ‘Balasevika’ course of the Kerala state council for child development. “ But many non-qualified housewives started centres at their homes. Soon I wound up last year. Not a single inspection was made in my 12-long years of running the centre,” said Mrs Shahida. State commission for protection of child rights (KeSCPCR) member Naseer Chaliyam said that a comprehensive law on the pre-schooling system would plug the hole. The Commission has already recommended it.