The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) does not mandate mandatory recognition or registration for private playschools in the district.
NCPCR guidelines prohibit the running of existing private playschools and the establishment of new private playschools without the recognition of the competent authority and except as provided in such recognition.
Recognizing playschools is mandatory, and those planning to open a new playschool must also apply for recognition. In addition, all schools must include the word ‘playschool’ in their names.
Furthermore, playschools cannot admit children under the age of three. Moreover, the school’s fee must be regulated by the government and can be collected on a monthly or quarterly basis. School cannot collect capitation fees when admitting a child.
Additionally, it stipulates that each child will have one teacher and one caretaker. In addition, the school must provide adequate circulation and ventilation, a separate rest room for children, barrier-free access, CCTV surveillance, fire safety measures, a library, periodic pest control, child-friendly toilets, and basic first aid and medical equipment.
In addition, adequate staff is necessary to maintain hygiene, sanitation, and ensure the safety of the children.
There should be a parents-teachers association in each playschool, which should include 75 per cent parents (at least 50% mothers) and 25 per cent teachers. Nevertheless, most playschools are located in residential areas and haven’t paid their change of land use fees to the municipality.
