There is a large segment of working parents in India living in nuclear families who require not just daycare but also night care support for their children. Work spills into late evenings and there is travel and post office meetings. In addition there are employees who work in the BPO, ITes, hospitality and medical sectors wherein there are 24/7 working  hours. In cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and even BPO hubs like Noida, Gurgaon, Hyderabad – life doesn’t stop for many working parents

According to estimates, an increasing number of people in today’s workforce are bound to non-standard work hours. Finding quality childcare has long been a source of stress for all the  parents. However, for those who work irregular or long hours—beyond the typical 9-to-5 routine—locating a trusted day care centre that can accommodate their needs can seem nearly impossible.

With evolving workplaces and changing context at households, the daycare industry is gearing up to provide nightcare as well. There are daycares like Esparanza in Hyderabad which provide 24 hour daycare facility. There are local chains like Happy Minds, Jumping Genius in Mumbai which provide nightcare. Care Plus World (CPW), operates a 24-hour crèche in Mehrauli

We spoke to Ipsaa daycare, a leading daycare chain across India and they mentioned the following

Typically, children at 24-hour childcare centres in the late evening would be doing their homework or reading bedtime stories, followed by brushing their teeth and going to bed. For parents who work the night shift, they may pick up their children in the morning. For other parents who work odd or late hours, they may pick up their children mid-sleep to finish out the night in their own beds.

Children adapt easily and thrive on routine. We encourage Parents to follow a routine for children to sleep, so that they get their adequate share of rest and play through the 24- hour day cycle.

In case of children availing facility of the centre during night , the morning routine also needs to be detailed and agreed between the parent and the centre.

Safety and security of children and staff also would be an area of concern, so any corporate opting for the same would have to work in collaboration with Ipsaa to ensure that the place is safe for children to be in.

Policy of not taking in unwell children, send-off policy, visitation etc would all be would be followed very strictly and whether day or night discipline of operations, recording and reporting would all continue in maintaining the highest standards of quality childcare in a group situation.

Both parents and daycare centre need to communicate and cooperate with each other to ensure a healthy, balanced lifestyle for the child

To know more about Ipsaa daycare, register here