MEPMA Partners to Launch New Crèche Centres in Four Andhra Pradesh Cities
MEPMA has launched an initiative to establish 15 crèche centres across four Andhra Pradesh cities. This partnership aims to provide professional childcare for SHG women, supporting their employment while ensuring quality nutrition, health, and early education for children up to six years of age.
Highlights
- •MEPMA signed an MoU to launch 15 crèche centres in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Guntur.
- •The project aims to support 375 children aged six months to six years from urban SHG families.
- •Initiative focuses on providing quality nutrition, health services, and early childhood education.
- •45 SHG women will be trained as workers and 15 master trainers will be certified for sustainability.
The Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) has officially initiated a collaborative effort to launch crèche centres across Andhra Pradesh. By signing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the agency aims to establish specialized childcare facilities in four major urban centres, specifically Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Guntur.
Enhancing Support Through Crèche Centres
This strategic move, finalized by mission director Vakati Karuna, is designed to provide comprehensive support for the children of women participating in urban self-help groups (SHGs). The primary objective of these crèche centres is to offer a secure environment that provides high-quality nutrition, essential health services, and early childhood education. By alleviating childcare responsibilities, the program empowers mothers to actively pursue employment and entrepreneurial ventures, thereby fostering greater financial independence.
The initiative is closely aligned with the long-term regional development blueprint, known as Swarna Andhra@2047. Under the terms of the agreement, MEPMA will function as the primary implementing authority, while Mobile Crèches provides the necessary technical expertise. The initial phase includes the development of 15 facilities, aimed at benefiting approximately 375 children between the ages of six months and six years.
Capacity Building and Long-term Impact
Beyond immediate childcare, the project includes a robust training component for the 2026-27 financial year. Plans are in place to train 45 SHG women as dedicated crèche workers and certify 15 master trainers to ensure the program maintains high institutional standards. Furthermore, the authorities are developing Telugu-language resources and a specialized management information system to streamline monitoring and operational transparency.
By providing these essential services, the government aims to significantly improve overall child well-being and reduce the domestic workload often placed on adolescent girls, which frequently hinders their educational progress. The program is expected to create a sustainable model for urban childcare by promoting integration with existing systems such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), local Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram. This holistic approach ensures that these childcare hubs remain a repeatable and highly effective solution for families across the state.
