VIJAYAWADA: In a significant move aimed at strengthening urban livelihoods, Andhra Pradesh government has decided to start crèches to care for the children of working women from economically weaker sections (EWS) in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati.
Municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department has issued orders to operationalize the initiative through Greater Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati municipal corporations.
Women development and child welfare (WDCW) department will implement the programme in coordination with MEPMA (Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas) and Mobile Crèches, which will be the technical partner.
Principal secretary (MA&UD) S. Suresh Kumar has directed municipal commissioners to identify suitable municipal buildings, community halls, and other available public spaces for establishing the crèches. The centres will mainly cater to children aged between six months and six years belonging to working mothers from Self-Help Group (SHG) households and urban poor communities.
Under the pilot project, 15 standalone urban crèches will be started in the three cities for accommodating nearly 375 children. Each crèche will host around 25 children during the working hours, providing a safe and supervised environment for children, while their mothers are engaged in livelihood activities.
Apart from childcare, the centres will provide nutrition support, early childhood care, early learning assistance, and health-related services. The initiative is expected to also generate livelihood opportunities for SHG women, who will be trained and engaged in managing the crèches.
Suresh Kumar said the programme would serve as a practical and scalable urban childcare model for Andhra Pradesh by effectively integrating municipal infrastructure, SHG networks, and public welfare systems.
There will be a structured convergence between ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services), Anganwadis, Urban Health Centres, and National Health Mission systems to ensure holistic child welfare support. Anganwadi workers and supervisors will provide guidance on nutrition standards, growth monitoring, and early childhood care protocols.
Health officials, including ANMs, will assist with immunisation tracking, periodic health check-ups, and referral services for children requiring medical attention.
Officials said priority will be given to start the centres in slums, labour clusters, and areas with a high concentration of SHG households, so that the benefits reach women engaged in work, self-employment, vending, and other informal activities.
Municipal administration minister Ponguru Narayana said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to create people-centric urban infrastructure. He maintained that urban development cannot be confined to roads, drains, and buildings. It must include social infrastructure that improves the lives of women, children, and vulnerable families.
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