Provide a Safe Haven for Indian Children

                                                    Quarterly for  July to September 2018 

The new academic year started in June 2018 with a mix of old and new students. The session included games and play activities to help the new children, (all in the age group of 2 ½ -3 years of age ) to settle in as this is the first time they were leaving their parents ad venturing into play group.

The highlights of this quarter are –

The crèche located at Siddapura which is sponsored by a corporate moved in to a new premises which was built by the corporate. Currently there are 26 children here.

Indian Independence day was celebrated on August 15^th by all the crèches. The children were all served a special lunch on the occasion.

The number of volunteers has increased this quarter- yoga is being taught to the tiny tots along with play activities and creative, fun, craft activities.

Bridgin is a group of professionals who have joined to volunteer at different charities. Their volunteers have been active and committed to the crèches for a long time.

Health check ups and parent teacher meetings have also been held and all the parents have given positive feedback on the staff and services provided at the crèche.

A total no of 224 children attend the crèches this year -

Shivajinagar – Total 48    (boys 23 & girls 25)

Banaswadi – Total 38 (boys & 20 girls 18)

Avalahalli- Total 38 (boys23 & girls 15)

Siddapura- Total 26 ( boys 11 & girls 15)

Indiranagar-Total 44 ( boys 27 & girls 17)

Nelamangala-Total 30 ( boys 19 & girls11)

                                                                     QUARTERLY REPORT FROM  APRIL-JUNE 2018

April and May 2018 

This quarter is about happy endings and new beginnings. A number of children are ready to join formal school in June and new admissions are being received for the new start in June. The teachers and staff are also happy to get a short summer break. 

To finalise the new admissions in the crèches all the new applications are scrutinized to verify and ensure all the children are in the right age bracket; family income levels are cross checked to make sure all belong to underprivileged families and are truly deserving of the service. The parents are also interviewed and the crèche rules are explained to them.

New admissions are received through referrals from the present children and their families and outreach work done by the staff.

June 2018 

The strength of each crèche on an average is 35-40 children.

.The staff and children returned for the start of the new academic year on June 1^st 2018. For the first 15 days the children attend for half a day and go home after lunch. This gives them a chance to settle in and adjust to being away from their parents for the first time. The staff spend time engaging them in songs, rhymes and play activities to distract and pacify them.

Though the first 2 weeks is chaotic and the children do cry; the children do settle into a routine.

By mid June the full day schedule starts where the children come by 9 am; they engage in indoor activities till 11 am when they are taken out to play for a short while. After a nutritious lunch they have a nap and then resume activities till it is time to go home by 3.30. The children have a nutritious malt drink before going home.

Parents Teacher Meeting

 The parents and teachers meet every quarter- topics on health, hygiene, nutrition, progress of their children, challenges are shared and solutions discussed. 

During the last parent teacher meeting for the year-April 2018, the parents were given information about RTE (Right To Education Act). They were informed about the process and details of getting the RTE for their children. In an interactive session the parents shared the information they had gathered as well. 

The parents thanked the staff and management for the nurturing care , nutrition and stimulating environment that was provided for their children during the time they spent at the crèches. They expressed their happiness at how much the children had gained . They also thanked the staff for the guidance on health, nutrition, disciplining and other parenting tips 

The children from Ashraya’s crèches gain admission easily in regular schools and the staff at the crèches are happy when their efforts are appreciated.

Health: 

The nutritious mid day meal of lentils, pulses and vegetables and egg twice a week along with the ragi malt drink has benefited the children immensely, the weight, height and immunization is monitored regularly by the doctor who visits.   

Volunteers: 

Ashraya encourages volunteers to work with the children in the different crèches.

Monica , a regular volunteer uses her creative skills and teaches the children a wide variety of craft and art at the Indiranagar crèche. 

Volunteers from an organization called Bridgin have also been very supportive and active in volunteering at the crèches.

College students also intern for short periods of time. 

Thanksgiving : 

Every year we see our little caterpillars grow into beautiful butterflies. When we see them spread their wings and fly high it makes all the hard work and effort worthwhile. 

Ashraya’s crèches help the children to blossom and also allows the mothers to seek employment and improve the lifestyle of the families. 

We appreciate and thank all our donors for making the crèche project a safe haven for over 200 children each year.