Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection: Daycare caregivers must build bonds with children

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) emphasises the importance of building emotional bonds between daycare caregivers and children (bonding) to optimise child rights-based childcare.

“Caregivers in daycares must have a perspective to provide child rights-based childcare. They must have attachment to the children. So it’s not just that they are merely caregivers, but also have attachment,” said Assistant Deputy for Coordinating the Implementation of Child Rights Fulfilment Policies in Region II of KemenPPPA, Eko Novi Arianti.

She said this during a press conference and the inauguration of Mika Preschool and Daycare BSD in South Tangerang, Banten, on Saturday.

Her side stated that a strong bond between caregivers and children will make the children feel comfortable in their care.

“There is one caregiver in a daycare who is quite good. She said, I am quite senior. When this child heard me say I wanted to go to the toilet, the child clung to my leg. So that’s how close they are with the children. So bonding is important in daycares,” said Eko Novi Arianti.

“For example, she provides education to the child by inviting the child to read, inviting the child to tell stories. She must have patience, affection, not commit violence against the child, no matter how small,” said Eko Novi Arianti.

KemenPPPA also welcomes the inauguration of Mika Daycare and Preschool in Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) as a strategic step by the private sector in expanding access to quality early childhood education services, while supporting the needs of modern families, especially working women.

“Daycare is currently a need for alternative childcare. Government support includes through Law No. 4 of 2024 on Maternal and Child Welfare in the First 1,000 Days of Life (UU KIA),” said Eko Novi Arianti.

Meanwhile, Co-Founder of Mika Daycare and Preschool, Marta Yuliana, said that they understand the various challenges faced by parents in carrying out their roles, especially working women.

“We see many parents, especially mothers, facing challenges in balancing professional and family roles. Mika is present as a support system that allows parents to work more calmly because their children are in a safe environment that supports their growth and development,” said Marta.

The Mika BSD branch is the third branch after Mika South Quarter and Mika WTC Sudirman.