TAS Arutala: Jakarta Government's Free Daycare for Underprivileged Families

Mahendra (4) immediately raised his hand when he heard a question from a teacher in a small room in the Kebon Bawang area, North Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/7).

“What are some of God’s creations?” the teacher asked.

“Cats, ma’am,” Mahendra answered loudly. The answer brought a smile to the teacher’s face, and Mahendra’s classmates giggled.

That morning, Mahendra was the first pupil to answer a question correctly. Clutching a carton of milk as a prize, he was the first to be allowed out of the classroom for a break.

The moment was part of daily life for the children at Taman Anak Sejahtera Arutala in Kebon Bawang.

Taman Anak Sejahtera, known as TAS, is a form of social service providing care, nurturing, and protection for children from low-income families whose parents work.

TAS is a facility under the Panti Sosial Asuhan Anak Balita Tunas Bangsa, a technical implementation unit (UPT) owned by the DKI Jakarta Social Affairs Agency.

TAS Arutala is intended for families with DKI Jakarta identity cards earning below the minimum wage who do not receive similar social assistance, such as the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP).

The facility was inaugurated by DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung on 5 May 2025 as part of the realisation of his quick-win programme.

The word “Arutala” comes from Sanskrit and means the moon. However, it can also mean a high, noble, and lofty aspiration.

From the outside, the TAS Arutala building is not particularly striking. It sits on the edge of Jalan Swasembada Barat II in Kebon Bawang subdistrict. Behind the fence, colourful swings and slides greet every arriving child.

Inside, there are numerous rooms, including classrooms, a library, a clinic, a dining room, and air-conditioned bedrooms for afternoon naps.

TAS Arutala currently accommodates 25 children — 13 boys and 12 girls. Children eligible for TAS Arutala are aged 2 to 6, or before entering primary school.

From Monday to Friday, their days are filled with a variety of activities. On Monday, the children do gymnastics and educational games.

Tuesday is devoted to learning to read, write, and count. Wednesday is set aside for Quranic study, Thursday for sports, and Friday for dancing.

Activities begin in the morning. After being dropped off by their parents, the children first have breakfast together.

They then take part in learning activities for around one to one and a half hours, interspersed with playtime and snacks.

Towards midday, the children eat again, change clothes, wash up, and then take their afternoon nap.

Before being picked up by their parents in the afternoon, the children are bathed so they go home clean.

While at TAS Arutala, the children receive three meals a day — breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon meal — as well as snacks between activities.

Rida Mufrida, head of the Panti Sosial Asuhan Anak Balita Tunas Bangsa, said TAS Arutala was established to help low-income families.

Parents who have children and must work from morning can leave them at the facility.

“With the establishment of this daycare, parents who are low-income, working, and registered in the National Socio-Economic Integrated Data, whose wages are below the provincial minimum wage, can leave their children here,” Rida said.

She said all services at TAS Arutala are provided free of charge. Parents are not asked to pay anything.

TAS Arutala prioritises children from families living near the service location. Parents wishing to enrol their children can come directly to the TAS for an interview and to submit supporting documents, such as a payslip.

If the capacity of 25 children has been filled, parents wishing to place their children there will be put on a waiting list.

“They go onto a waiting list. Life goes round and round, so perhaps midway through life a parent who was previously less well-off suddenly becomes able to hire their own helper or carer, and then the child leaves and the one on the waiting list can come in,” Rida said.

According to Rida, the presence of the TAS is highly beneficial for both parents and children.

She cited changes in the children’s behaviour after taking part in TAS activities. Children who were not previously accustomed to memorising daily prayers began to practise them, and they showed greater respect for elders by habitually kissing their hands in greeting, saying hello, and smiling.

In addition, children who previously had difficulty eating became eager eaters thanks to communal mealtimes.

“Working parents feel more comfortable leaving their children at this TAS because besides being cared for, the children are given schooling, Quranic education, sports, dancing, and everything else. Even when sleeping, they are taught to pray, and the same when eating,” she said.

Rida said that besides TAS Arutala in Kebon Bawang, the DKI Jakarta Social Affairs Agency also manages two other Taman Anak Sejahtera in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, and in Central Jakarta.

“So we hope that residents who fall into this category will not hesitate to enrol their children in Taman Anak Sejahtera, because it is extremely beneficial. Alumni have already experienced the difference in their children after being cared for at Taman Anak Sejahtera,” she said.