NEW DELHI: The infants in the proposed Supreme Court crèche will be given the first preference, followed by the elder ones. Depending on the success of the project, the authorities may increase the number of seats.
The day care centre will be open for the children aged six months to two years. It will be on from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm from Monday to Friday. On working Saturdays, the timings will be 8:30 am to 2 pm. The monthly fee is Rs 200 per child, along with a registration fee of Rs 6,000. The security deposit will be Rs 5,000 (which is refundable) and there will also be a care fee of Rs 5,000 per month.
The court had also constituted an Advisory Committee for the smooth functioning of the crèche. “The crèche would register and admit a maximum of 10 children in the beginning. If there aren’t enough children in the prescribed age group, older children (up to three years) may be considered for the crèche facility,” the apex court said in a circular.
The day care centre, which was to open few months back, was postponed due to a pending petition filed by lawyer Anindita Pujari seeking direction to set up an effective crèche that would serve the purpose and would prevent exclusion of women from fully exercising their Fundamental Right to practice the profession of law.
Pujari, in her petition, stated that the notice did not prescribe any specialised knowledge or experience for managing the crèche and this ad-hoc approach shall not boost the purpose of setting up such a facility. However, earlier this month, the court allowed the opening of the facility after being satisfied with the facilities available there. The centre will have sleeping facility for children, essential play material, and teaching and learning material for pre-school children.
Accountability for parents is well defined. In case of an emergency, theyt will immediately be informed and are expected to respond fast. According to the circular: “Parents of the child shall inform, at the time of admission, as to who would drop and pick-up the child. The child shall be handed over by the crèche-in-charge only to the said person and his photograph too would be affixed on the admission form.”
However, the children will have to carry their own food items, diapers and an extra pair of clothes to the crèche. “The crèche will only provide heating facility for food and milk,” the circular states.
BABIES’ DAY OUT
■ Facility for children in the age group of six months to two years
■ Maximum strength of 10 children (five from SCBA members, five from staff)
■ The crèche will function from 8.30am to 6.30pm on all working days