Nursery at health dept keeps staff, kids happy

CHENNAI: For K Samundeswari, who works at the directorate of public health, there is no pressure of returning home early to care for her grandchildren, because they are never too far from her. Every morning, the kids walk in with her to her office campus and, while she goes on to push files, they play at the creche set up on the premises.

Spending the whole day in the room filled with toys and drawing materials, Samundeswari peeps in to check on them once in a while and takes a quick snack break with them. She then returns to her desk, where she works peacefully till about 6pm.

About a year ago, the health department set up an on-site childcare facility for its staff. The tidy, well-lit, airconditioned room filled with toys and books for children aged between three and nine, is popular among several mothers and a few grandparents. “As a mother I used to panic by around 3.30pm when there was more work to be done. Now, with this facility I take care of my grandkids without affecting my work,” said Samundeswari.

Health department officials say that going the extra mile for its nearly 70% women employees is paying off for them as many young parents juggling a career and family are relieved. But the department knows the facility also comes with its set of added responsibilities.

Safety of children is their priority, stresses Latha Joseph, maternal and child health officer who is in charge of the crèche. “The room has a security system and access to it is restricted to a caretaker and me. Parents too have to knock and wait for us to open the door. This gives every parent a sense of security,” she said.

The nursery gets at least half a dozen children, mostly under five years, every day. “When schools are closed, many more children come in. “They play in groups but also love it when we organize activities. They narrate stories, paint, dance, sing and play board games,” said caretaker R Kayathri.

On Thursday, the facility had a new admission, daughter of Beulah, a junior assistant at the directorate of medical services. “I have a four-year-old. I wanted to see if I can keep an eye on my child here when the school is closed and I think it’s the ideal spot,” she said.

Some older children also come in during weekends, says Kayathri. “They usually run around in the corridors. So, sometimes we drive them upstairs and ask them to organize games for the little ones. They happily volunteer,” said another employee Arun Kumar.