AN IDEAL CRECHE WOULD PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING FACILITIES.

1. ADEQUATE ROOM
   Avoid overcrowding
   Approx 30 to 40 sq ft room for each child
   Free movement and play
   Chances of disease transmission decrease
   Less chance of collision accidents
   
   
2. ADEQUATE VENTILATION
   Enough windows for free flow of fresh air
   Grilled doors that let in air
   Good ventilation reduces air borne disease transmission
   Good ventilation reduces sweating
   
   
3. ADEQUATE LIGHTING
   Sunlit room ushers in a bright and happy mood
   Dingy room is depressing
   Sunlight kills bacteria and viruses
   Sunlight reduces flies and mosquitoes
   
   
4. ADEQUATE NUMBER OF CARE TAKERS:
   A ratio of one caretaker to three children
   Owner(s) + assistant(s) + maid(s)
   Inadequate number of caretakers will tire out soon (irritability)
   
   
5. A POLICY OF GOOD GENERAL HYGIENE:
   A change of clothes for all children during the day
   Change clothes immediately on soiling
   Change diapers when soiled
   Wash children after feeding
   Bathe if required
   Teach older children to wash themselves
   Keep the toilet clean for children at all times
   Keep the floor clean
   Wipe toys with wet cloth (mouthing)
   
   
6. APPROPRIATE NUTRITION:
   Under six months - expressed breastmilk - refrigeration facility
   Bottle-feeding to be avoided (Liquid animal milk)
   Appropriate complementary foods for infants above six months
   Prepared food to be heated slightly before feeding
   Fresh food to be hygienically prepared
   Caretakers should wash hands before preparing / feeding meals
   Raw fruits / vegetables to be washed well
   Respect culture and tradition
   Encourage feeding of older children at one time
   Encourage self feeding
   Avoid peanuts, grams etc that could choke a child accidentally
   Unwell caretakers should avoid feeding children

7. TIMELY MEDICAL CARE:
   Home remedies for fever, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach colic etc
   Contact nearby doctor for emergencies
   Advice parents to keep a sick child at home until well.
   First aid for small injuries, abrasions, cuts, and choking
   
   
8. ACCIDENT PREVENTION:
   Avoid slippery floors
   Avoid keeping sharp edged toys
   Avoid heavy / sharp edged furniture in the play area
   Prevent a child from going alone in the toilet
   Keep blade, knife, scissors, nails, nuts, beads, small rubbers, pills,
   peanuts, grams, beans, matches, glass items, liquid medicines,
   kerosene, toilet-cleaning liquids, paints, etc out of reach.
   
   
9. PSYCHOSOCIAL STIMUTATION:
   Small infants should be provided physical warmth and tenderness
   Older infants should be talked to and sung to
   Story telling sessions can be held
   Toddlers can be taught colors, names of objects, animal sounds, and rhymes etc
   Pictures and flash cards can be made for older children
   Dancing to music
   Decorate room with colorful calendars and charts
   Common games and coloring activities
   Feeding together
   Older children encouraged to help in taking care of infants
   Children never to be scolded, threatened or beaten
   Children must feel secure in the crèche.
   
   
10. COUNSELING TO PARENTS:
    Regarding breastfeeding and use of expressed breastmilk
    Regarding avoidance of bottle-feeding
    Regarding timely introduction of, and types of complementary
    foods
    Regarding psychosocial stimulation (interaction) at home
    Regarding spacing of children
    Regarding accident prevention at home
    
    
11. COST-EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT:
    Crèche facility should be affordable by parents
    Advise parents on the use of home available and home cooked
    foods
    Discourage use of expensive junk food snacks
    Use simple toys in the crèche (made by crèche owners, parents,
    children)
    It would be a good idea to dress all crèche children in simple cotton
    clothes for uniformity of status
    
    
12. IDEA OF A COMMUNITY CRECHE FOR WORKING WOMEN
    Working women need support for breastfeeding and infant care
    Crèche near the workplace would be a boon
    Space could be provided by the employers
    Multiple companies in one area can sponsor a common crèche
    Crèche can be run on principles outlined above
    Breastfeeding breaks can be provided to mothers by employers
    Mothers can check-in on the their infants
    Crèche can double up as a preschool nursery
    Crèche could be used as a nutrition center for malnourished infants
    The crèche could be maintained on salary cuts taken from parents
    Parents could contribute a relative for working part-time in crèche
    Parents could contribute toys and other stuff for psychosocial stimulation

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