"Tamasya" Becomes a Solution for Improving Daycare Governance in Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Taman Asuh Sayang Anak (Tamasya) programme, initiated by the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga)/BKKBN, has become one of the solutions for improving the governance of childcare centres or daycares in Indonesia.

Deputy for Prosperous Families and Family Empowerment (KSPK) of Kemendukbangga/BKKBN, Nopian Andusti, stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday that the Tamasya programme is now a priority at Kemendukbangga/BKKBN to enhance childcare services.

“The difference between Tamasya and ordinary childcare centres (TPA) lies in four main services; first, ensuring children are well cared for through improved caregiving competencies; second, monitoring child growth and development during custody,” he said.

Nopian continued, the third difference lies in enhancing parental capacity so that parents still understand caregiving patterns even when children are placed in care, and fourth, referral services if child conditions deemed abnormal are found, such as referrals to community health centres or specialist doctors.

“Tamasya is a refinement of existing TPAs to ensure childcare is more guaranteed. This programme aims to ensure that women can continue working after having children and feel at ease because their children are well cared for,” he stated.

Nopian added that the main slogan of the Tamasya programme is “Happy children, peaceful mothers”. Currently, there are approximately 3,536 TPAs that have transformed into Tamasya within about one year since its launch in May 2024.

The Tamasya programme is now implemented in government environments, companies, and communities with three implementation approaches, namely in government agencies, in companies for private sector employees, or in community environments managed by communities.

“This programme can reduce women’s concerns regarding marriage, having children, to decisions to stop working. Many women choose to resign, delay having children, or even reluctance to marry due to childcare issues, and Tamasya is expected to become one of the solutions,” he said.

Nopian emphasised that child growth and development monitoring is also conveyed to parents in the Tamasya programme, so parents are urged to always be actively involved in childcare by providing feedback or input from the family report cards that will be given periodically.