Why Childcare Matters
The early years of a child’s life are foundational for physical growth, language, cognitive development, social-emotional well-being and future learning. Yet, for many families living in vulnerable and low-income urban communities, access to safe, reliable and development-oriented childcare remains limited.
The challenge of childcare is also closely linked with the realities of work. Families, particularly women and primary caregivers engaged in informal, daily-wage and other livelihood activities, often have to balance earning an income with responsibility for young children. The absence of dependable childcare can affect working hours, attendance at work and the choices available to caregivers.
NIDAN’s baseline assessment in the project communities highlighted a strong demand for organised childcare. Families identified child safety, early learning, nutrition, flexible care arrangements and support for working caregivers among their key expectations from crèche services. The assessment also found instances where caregiving responsibilities affected work schedules or resulted in caregivers taking children to their workplaces.
Recognising this connection between children’s development, care responsibilities and family livelihoods, NIDAN views accessible childcare as an essential community service as well as an important part of the wider care infrastructure.
