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ShareMumbai: Talk about the activities that the kid does daily
My wife and I are out for work the whole day. Since there is no one at home, we are dependent on creches. We have chosen a creche and keep our child there. We have taken the trouble of finding out every detail about the place where our kid spends his maximum time. First of all, I have checked the security of the place and made sure that the antecedents of those running the facility are impeccable. We personally interact with the attendants who look after our children. We also look into the hygiene levels maintained. We have also examined if the recreational facilities are safe. We also find out what our kid has done the whole day.
--Mangesh Jadhav
Corporate groups must open daycare centres
Since I live with my extended family, I don't have to worry about leaving my child alone or with a nanny. My in-laws take care of the baby. If ever there is a situation wherein I have to depend on a nanny or a creche then I will do a systematic check before even considering the option. To secure their child's future, both parents have to work. Companies should have creches in office premises. This will reassure parents. It will increase productivity, since parents won't be burdened with the tension of their ward's safety. Sometimes I leave late from office and hence I don't find enough time with my child, this troubles me.
--Marisha Sutari
Ensure that antecedents are checked thoroughly
Today, we cannot trust anyone. Everyone has become venal and materialist, people don't feel ashamed when they use children for such heinous tasks. I will never trust my child with strangers. A child needs a healthy environment and that can be provided by parents. No doubt, today people have become career oriented, but children should not suffer in the bargain. Many employ nannies to take care of the child but don't do a thorough background check. Hence, parents are at fault, if something goes wrong with their child. Parents must ensure that their relatives or trusted people take care of the child.
--Hema Talati
Have CCTVs at creche to guarantee security
A few years ago, a similar incident occurred with a couple in Delhi. Therefore, I have never been comfortable with leaving my child with a nanny or strangers. I would rather leave my son with family or friends and I have done that for a day or two. I'm sure all parents do a background check, but no one can be trusted today. Working parents have to depend on maids. They hire them for large sums of money, just to ensure a child's safety, but where is the guarantee? The only solution, I can think of is to leave your child in creches which have close circuit televisions, so that parents can check on their child. --Monica Mehrotra
Expert view
Open communication may reveal child abuse
All couples in Mumbai have a hectic routine and most don't live with their family. Hence to take care of their kids they have to be dependent on creches, or playschools or nannies. If kids are put in day care centres, parents need to check elements like hygiene, antecedents of the caretaker, quality of food served, etc. Parents must visit the place randomly to check how their children are taken care of. Parents must also check on conduct of children everyday. If they find their ward behaves strangely, they must openly communicate with them. Talking to them may reveal any trace of child abuse. There is no harm in keeping children in creches or with nannies, but once at home parents should devote attention to their child.
--Neha Patel, child psychologist
Guardians can avail safer alternatives
The case of the ayah supplying the seven month baby to beggars is shocking. The police should take action against the nanny. Parents depending on nannies and creches are common today as both have a career. These parents don't know of the central government'sscheme Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Services are provided at a centre called the 'Anganwadi'. Here a government-appointed teacher and helper take care of the child. Another benefit of it is that they also provide nutritious mid-day meals as well as health checkups. We need to make people aware of such schemes which are provided free of cost by the government so that people don't fall prey to money-making schemes.
--Sharmila Subramaniam, DGM
