Early Childhood Care for Children of Construction Workers

Today’s cities have become the hub of economic activities. With a huge number of the poor struck migrant population moving to cities for income-earning opportunities needs of their children are neglected. The vulnerability of migrant workers and the safety of their children is less talked about and addressed. Construction sites are fraught with issues of safety that can adversely impact the lives of children. The absence of a social network to look after their children while both parents are at work creates a huge divide in the growth, health and education of the children of construction workers. The absence of appropriate nutrition in the early years impacts the growth of the child. Early years are important as 90% of brain development happens within the age of zero to 3 years. Personality development happens between zero to 3 years and the child starts learning what is good and what is bad. Children need to be exposed to a good learning environment to ensure good physical and behavioural development occurs.

The construction sector in India is one of the largest employers of labour in the country, and about 10% of the workers are women. The sector is heavily dependent on migrant workers, many of whom come to the city with their children. While the sector provides employment opportunities to migrant households, it has serious implications for the health and educational outcomes of children. According to the National Family Health Survey (2015-’16), 35.5% of children under the age of five in the country are underweight, 38.4% are stunted, 21% are wasted. In the absence of education and health needs and with no external adult support in the labour colonies, the children’s needs are neglected severely.

Children’s needs like health and nutrition, age-appropriate immunization, education and cognitive learning needs, interactive and social enabling environment and, above all, safe parenting care for children while their parents work are an essential need. In 2015, early childhood development was included in the Sustainable Development Goals, reaffirming its growing status in the global development agenda. Every Child has a right to develop to the “maximum extent possible”.

Sampark runs creches – daycare centres for children of construction workers and has reached out to more than 8,000 children in the age group of 6 months - 14years. The objectives of crèches are to provide a safe environment and to provide protection, nutritional and immunization support, and a stimulating environment for the all-around development of these children. Creches will provide a stimulating environment where children attend classes regularly and learn through fun stories, rhymes, games and art and craft activities in three languages English, Kannada and Hindi.

Crèches run from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. Each crèche has 2 teachers and one helper. Children are divided into 3 sub-groups:

• The creche section consists of children from 6 months to 3 years
• Pre-primary/Balwadi consists of children from 3- 6 years
• Non-formal education (Bridge course) from 6- 12 years

Crèche section, which primarily focuses on stimulation. The Pre-primary (balwadi) section focuses on school preparedness and skill development. Non-formal education enables the children to engage in learning activities as they have dropped out of school mid-year and will re-join in the next academic year. Across all ages, creches nurture children’s healthy development through nutrition programmes and medical check-ups. Creche children are admitted into Government schools every year. More than 1000 children are enrolled on nearby government schools in Bangalore as they are considered on par with their peers in basic knowledge of languages, hygiene and school-going discipline.

• Nutrition and Growth Monitoring: On average, 30% of children coming to the creches are identified as malnourished. The growth of children is regularly monitored and recorded in separate growth charts for boys and girls as per the new WHO child growth standards. The height and Weight of children are monitored and recorded monthly. Protein mix, special diet and 3 meals provided for them ensures the healthy growth of children and enable them to fight malnutrition and related illnesses.
• Health and Immunization.: Over 1,000 children are taken care of at our 16 daycare centres every year. Health check-ups are conducted periodically to check for illnesses, nutritional status and gaps in the growth of children. Regular diseases like cough, cold, skin rash, fever are identified, and medicines are prescribed by doctors. Linkages with Public health centres(PHC) or hospitals are done for children who need regular treatment and medication. Children are linked to PHCs to receive their age-appropriate immunization. Follow-up is done with parents to ensure they are taken on a timely basis. Children receive multivitamins and supplements to tackle iron deficiency and to ensure better absorption of nutrients. Pregnant women in the labour colonies are identified and linked to Anganwadi centres to receive their mother cards. Mother cards provide regular nutrition and pre and post-natal medicines to pregnant women and lactating mothers
• Education: Sampark creche teachers in the constant search of new ways to take education to the children in their homes. have devised ways to bridge the digital divide in education. Every year more than 100 children of construction workers are mainstreamed into government schools.