Bengaluru: The recent allegations of toddlers being mistreated and secretly filmed at a Bengaluru creche have brought renewed attention to a longstanding issue in India’s childcare sector—the absence of a nationally recognised certification system for caregivers and nannies.
Parents and child development experts say the incident has exposed significant gaps in early childhood care, where hiring decisions often rely on personal recommendations rather than professional training or standardised qualifications.
Childcare still relies heavily on trust
For many working parents, finding reliable childcare remains a difficult task.
Renu Sharma, an employee at a Bengaluru-based fintech company, said she initially hired a personal nanny for her young child but soon realised the caregiver spent most of her time on her mobile phone, even while carrying the baby.
Concerned about her child’s safety and well-being, she later enrolled her now three-and-a-half-year-old in a daycare centre.
Experts note that while India has several institutions offering early childhood education and caregiver training, there is no universally accepted certification that childcare providers are required to possess.
Experts seek mandatory training and certification
A spokesperson for KLAY (Kids, Learning And You) said the childcare sector would benefit from nationally recognised competency standards, structured certification, mandatory induction training and regular refresher courses.
The organisation also called for stronger collaboration between the government, educational institutions and the childcare industry to professionalise early childhood care.
Paediatrician Dr Rajesh KS stressed that the first few years of a child’s life are critical for brain development, making it essential that caregivers are well-trained and emotionally equipped to handle young children.
Psychotherapist Aparna Viswanathan added that parents should carefully observe how caregivers interact with children, including their behaviour, empathy and the way they physically handle infants and toddlers.
Parents prioritise safety over cost
Parents say safety remains their biggest concern while choosing a daycare.
Anju Madhu, who recently enrolled her two-year-old in a daycare after consulting other parents, said affordability becomes secondary when it comes to ensuring a secure environment for a child.
Experts also highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy staff-to-child ratio, stating that caregivers looking after too many children may struggle to provide the attention and care toddlers require.
The recent Bengaluru incident has intensified calls for reforms, with many urging authorities to introduce mandatory certification and stricter regulations to improve accountability and restore parents’ confidence in childcare services. #Bengaluru #Childcare #Creche #Parenting #EarlyChildhood #Education #Safety #newskarnataka