Lok Seva Bhawan to set up creche for kids of women staff; Check Fee, Timing & Other Details
BHUBANESWAR: Employees of the secretariat, women in particular, will no longer have to worry about making arrangements at home for their children while they are at work. The state government will soon open a creche facility on the premises of Lok Seva Bhawan for children aged six months to six years) of the staff.
As per a notification issued by the Women and Child Development department on Monday, children in the age group of six months to six years (higher in exceptional cases) will be taken care of at the creche. The kids will be looked after by well-trained ‘creche sahayikas’ who will also conduct age-appropriate activities for them.  The facility will remain open from 9.30 am to 7 pm on all working days except government holidays.
The crèche will remain open from 9:30 am to 7 pm on all working days and will be shut on government holidays. Parents have to pay a one-time registration fee of Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,500 as monthly charges on fifth day of every month.
Facilities
- Nurturing, responsive and inclusive environment.
- Clean hygienic environment.
- Dedicated, well-trained Crèche Sahayika for safety and care of the children.
- Development and age-appropriate activities.
- Child-friendly toys/books/play activities.
- Child-friendly toilets, first aid and medical facilities.
- Refrigerator, microwave, water filter.
- Waiting area and breastfeeding corner for mothers.
Also, the crèche will be under CCTV surveillance.
Guidelines For Parents
Parents will be required to drop the children at the crèche as there are no pick-up and drop facilities. They will be allowed to visit their child any time and pick them up latest at 6.30 pm. No other visitor will be allowed inside the crèche except in exceptional cases and only with the written permission of either of the parent
It is worth mentioning here that the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) had asked the state government in March 2022 to open a crèche in offices that have more than 50 women employees. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, was amended in 2017 to provide crèche facilities in establishments employing 50 or more employees.
