Sishu Gruha - The Rural Creche Initiative (RCI)
The Rural Creche Initiative (RCI) Project is implemented by Jagruti in Daringbadi Block, Kandhamal district, Odisha, to provide safe childcare, improve nutrition, promote early childhood development, and support working families through 40 community-based creches across 10 Gram Panchayats.
Sishu Gruha - The Rural Creche Initiative (RCI)
The Rural Creche Initiative (RCI) Project is implemented by Jagruti in Daringbadi Block, Kandhamal district, Odisha, to provide safe childcare, improve nutrition, promote early childhood development, and support working families through 40 community-based creches across 10 Gram Panchayats.
Sishu Gruha - The Rural Creche Initiative (RCI)
The Rural Creche Initiative (RCI) Project is implemented by Jagruti in Daringbadi Block, Kandhamal district, Odisha, to provide safe childcare, improve nutrition, promote early childhood development, and support working families through 40 community-based creches across 10 Gram Panchayats.
About the Project
The Rural Creche Initiative (RCI), implemented by Jagruti, is a community-based childcare programme operating in Daringbadi Block of Kandhamal district, Odisha. The project supports the operation of 40 rural creches across 10 Gram Panchayats, providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children aged 7 months to 36 months.
Project Snapshot
Status
Active
Collaborators
Azim Premji Foundation
Focus Areas
Primary Education
Scheme
Education
Project objective
The overall objectives of the rural creche programme for children aged 7 months to 36 months are centered on ensuring their health, safety, nutrition, and early development, especially in rural and vulnerable communities. Specifically, the objectives include:
- Providing a safe and secure environment for infants and toddlers during the day, especially when both parents are engaged in work
- Ensuring proper nutrition through regular, age-appropriate, and nutritious meals to support physical growth and reduce malnutrition.
- Promoting early childhood stimulation and development through sensory play, interaction, and responsive caregiving suited to their developmental stage.
- Monitoring health and hygiene with regular health check-ups, immunization follow- up, and cleanliness practices.
- Supporting working mothers by reducing their childcare burden, allowing them to engage in livelihood activities with peace of mind.
- Preventing neglect and unsafe practices such as leaving children unattended or in unsafe environments during work hours.
Rural Creche Initiative intends to support the operation of 40 creches in the tribal belt in 10 Gram panchayats of Daringbadi Block of Kandhamal district.
Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2025 Campaign
Campaign Period: September 1-30, 2025
Participant Categories
- Mothers of enrolled children
- Creche committee members
- Caregivers
- Frontline workers
Activities Implemented at Creche Level Nutrition Education:
- Demonstrations on diverse local food groups
- Growth chart orientation and interpretation
- Food diversity counselling
- Exclusive breastfeeding promotion
Health and Hygiene:
- IFA (Iron and Folic Acid) supplementation guidance
- Handwashing and hygiene sessions
- Health and nutrition counselling
Community Engagement:
- VHND (Village Health and Nutrition Day) participation promotion
- Counselling sessions for mothers and caregivers
Strengthened Safety, Renovation, and Infrastructure Support
These are the few activities we have done to strengthen the program from various grounds.
- Rural creches in Daringbadi significantly improved safety and infrastructure through systematic interventions over the project period.
- All 40 creches were equipped with essential safety items, including fire extinguishers, mosquito nets, and egg racks.
- Safety gates were installed in all 40 creches, ensuring secure and controlled access for children.
- Kitchen entrance safety gates are installed in 34 creches, with 6 pending due to structural and facility constraints.
- Major renovations across centres improved flooring, walls, doors, windows, steps, and leak points, creating safer, child-friendly environments.
- Drinking water testing was completed in 40 creches, with the remaining centres under process to ensure safe water across all facilities.
Food Safety Certification
- To strengthen compliance with food safety standards, 14 food safety certificates have been successfully obtained.
- These certificates have been circulated and prominently displayed at the respective Creche centres.
- The remaining certificates are under process and are expected to be completed in the next reporting period.
- Community Ownership Ensures Sustainability: Active involvement of villagers, committees, and local leaders have strengthened accountability, reduced dependency, and ensured sustainable, self-reliant creche operations.
- Direct Engagement Boosts Attendance: Door-to-door follow-ups, parental counselling, and flexible meetings (e.g., Sundays) have improved attendance and strengthened family trust.
- Effective Resource Mobilization through Local Participation: Community contributions like vegetables, firewood, materials, and labour have reduced dependency and improved cost-effectiveness, reflecting strong local ownership.
- Strong Leadership and Institutional Support: Regular coordination with PRI members, Sarpanch, and CBOs has enabled smoother implementation, faster approvals, and stronger local alignment.
- Empowered Local Governance: Active creche committees have enabled decentralized decisions, effective supervision, and quick resolution of infrastructure and attendance issues.
Project Gallery
