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 1st 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.
Quarter January to March 2018
Fun and laughter ushered in 2018
The children attending the 5 crèches run by Ashraya across the city of Bangalore ushered in the New Year with a party hosted by the NGO.
Around 212 children from the 5 crèches located in Banaswadi, Indiranagar, Siddapura, Avalahalli and Shivajinagar gathered at Ashraya’s head office dressed in the party clothes. They were accompanied by the respective teachers and helpers from each crèche. Ten volunteers who work with the children regularly also attended and helped the children in their performances and serving of lunch etc.
The crèche teachers had worked hard with the kids with numerous practices preparing a few items of song and dance.
The party was held on Saturday 6th January 2018 and the festivities started at 11:00AM
Program:
The highlights of the party was the magic show and Jumporee. Indiranagar crèche children welcomed all the children, staff and guests. The children from each crèche sang songs, did individual and group dance , a short skit, fashion show . A unique feature of this year’s program was that the children introduced themselves and the crèche they were from. Songs and dance were chosen from the cultural heritage of Karnataka.
A sumptuous lunch was served to all the children with the help of the staff and volunteers.
Sponsors:
The New Year party this year was sponsored by-
New Year Gifts:- This year Ms. Shobha Kumar – Ex- Board Member of Ashraya, Consultant for the crèches and active volunteer at the Indiranagar creche, handed over the New Year gifts to the respective teachers which was later distributed to all the children once they reached their crèches.
We encouraged and motivated the children to speak in front of the crowd. The teachers put a lot of effort in ensuring the children give their best performance. The children did a fantastic job and entertained everyone with their cute performances. Overall it was a great show.
The volunteers were appreciated and felicitated for their commitment and interest in working with the children and for helping the teachers and the children as and when required.
A special thanks to all our crèche children for beginning the year with great energy and excitement.
Tara Women’s Centre New Year Party Celebration
The New Year Party for the Tara Women’s Centre crèche was held on 11-1-2018
The children of the crèche welcomed everybody and also said a prayer song. This was followed by a fancy dress where the children showcased famous personalities both historical and spiritual . After the fancy dress the children performed a folk dance and group dance.
The children were treated to snacks and juice.
The parents of the children attending this crèche were also invited to cheer the children.
It was a joyful start to the New Year.
Quarter October to December 2017
The last three months has been a time for festivals and enjoyment. The Dussera and Diwali festivals in October and Christmas/ New year in December give ample opportunity for the children to wear new clothes, enjoy fireworks and light numerous lamps to decorate their homes.
The New Year party to be hosted for the children of all the crèches is creating excitement in all the crèches. The children, under the guidance of the staff are busy practicing for the variety entertainment program which will have songs and group dance.
Activity
During the first few months the crèches focus on more play activity, oral work, rhymes and indoor games.
Subsequently the learning is introduced – letters of the alphabet, numbers, colors, parts of the body, days of the week etc. First they are taught orally and recognition of pictures on charts and flash cards is encouraged.
The children get introduced to fine motor co ordination and grasping an fine object by using chalk and slate board to scribble, draw and write.
Subsequently the children are writing in note books; the children are proficient in play activity – drawing and coloring, building activity with legos and building blocks, counting activity etc. The children are also able to read, write and recognize the leers of the alphabet and nos. They are able to recognize colors, parts of the body, pet animals, farm animals, shapes etc. frits and vegetables
The older children are proficient in writing 2 – 3 letter words.
Two important events are celebrated in the month of October and November – 2nd October- Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday and November 14th -Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday which is also celebrated as Children ‘s Day in India . The teachers explain to the children, in very simple language, the significance of these two days. Children’s Day also reiterates Nehru’s love and vision for the children on India -all the children should get opportunities for education . The celebrations included fun games and distribution of sweets.
Fun Activities
During this quarter the teachers focused on numbers and shapes and using activity based ways to teach the children; for eg. Paper cups and pebbles were used, the children had to count and put in the no of pebbles that were written at the bottom of each cup. Similarly different shapes were taught by making the children colour paper cuttings of different shapes, which were then made into a craft item like clown etc. The childreand the teachers enjoyed the activities.
New rhymes with actions were also taught to the children.
Sports Day
A group of volunteers from Bridgin organized a sports event for the children of Indiranagar crèche- the games were running race, frog race, balancing ball on paper and running event, puzzle race.
The children enjoyed themselves and they all received small gifts sponsored by Bridgin.
Nutrition and Health:
All the children continue to get a healthy mid day meal with egg twice a week. They all drink a nutritious ragi millet malt every day before going home. Their weights are monitored and the doctor visits regularly and monitors the health of the children along with the staff.
Report for the Quarter July 2017 to September 2017
By July the new admissions have all settled into a routine and are used to being away from home. The regular schedule of activities include rhymes, use of flash cards to teach them recognition and names of various living and non living things, play activity and craft . During this month more group activities are done to give everyone a chance to bond and settle in.
In August the group of children are divided into two groups; the trained teacher spends time with the older children (3 ½ and above) and the younger children are managed by assistant teacher.
The older children are taught alphabets, numerical, short words parts of the body, days of the week etc and are introduced to writing initially on the slate with a chalk piece. The children are given slate and chalk piece -initially the children only scribble and draw.
Holding a chalk and writing on the slate is the most crucial part of developing motor skills in children. With regular practice the children are able to write letters of the alphabet and numbers etc.
September the children are more able to grasp the chalk and write with a better hand, and begin to write more frequently.
They also engage in coloring activity with crayons and colour pencils; other fun activities like finger painting etc are also introduced.
The younger children work with play material- lego, building blocks, coloring and other activities.
Workshop Activity:
Every year a workshop is conducted to enable the crèche teachers to gain new skills and ideas. This also helps them get exposure to new creative ideas and motivates them to make teaching fun, interesting and educative for the children.
The teachers implement the ideas given in the workshop along with their day to day activities. Following are some of the new ideas explored at the workshop.
Parents Teacher Meeting:
This quarter during the Parents Teacher Meeting we explained to the parents the importance of hygiene and good habits and that it was important to continue these at home as well
Health:
The children across all crèches have reported sick this quarter due to a sudden change in weather and incessant rain. The doctor has examined them and prescribed medicine and we are happy to report that all the children have recovered.
Volunteers:
Ashraya’s crèches have had volunteers from different backgrounds- corporate employees, college students. Around 10 volunteers are active this quarter- they engage the children in music and dance, teach them simple games, read stories to the children and assist the teacher in any way that is needed.
Global Giving Report Quarter April-June 2017
April and May 2017
In April the children at the crèches are preparing to leave, either to join formal school or for the holidays.
The teachers spend the time interacting with the parents, guiding them with admission process to the formal schools, preparing the children for the interview/admission tests etc.
During this month applications for new admissions are received in all the crèches.
The admissions are scrutinized to check age of the children and identify income levels to ensure that the children belong to below poverty families. Parents are interviewed and informed about the rules etc; and the admissions are finalized. A photo of the child and all relevant information of the parents is noted.
The regular attendance dips as the older siblings get their summer holidays and many families go to visit grandparents etc.
In the month of May the crèches were closed for 2 weeks summer break.
June 2017
The crèches reopened for the new academic year on June 1st 2017.
All the crèches reported admissions of 35-40 children. As the children were just starting play school and leaving their parents for the first time the first week is chaotic with all of them crying and restless. Teachers distract them with toys, games, song and dance. Also the crèches work for half day for the first two weeks after re opening-the children are sent home after lunch.
By mid June full day schedule starts where the children have learning, rhymes, story telling , both indoor and outdoor games, lunch, nap and activity time . The day starts at 9 am and finishes by 4 pm.
Parents Teacher Meeting
At the last parent teacher meeting for the year the parents thanked the staff and management for providing good care, nutrition and a stimulating environment for their children. They expressed their happiness at how well their children had blossomed after coming to the crèche. They also thanked the staff for the counseling and guidance on health and nutrition, disciplining and other parenting tips.
The efforts of the teachers are rewarded when the children get admission in regular schools effortlessly.
The parents were also given information about RTE (Right To Education) . They are informed about the process and details of getting the RTE for their children. The parents also shared information they had got. It was an interactive session.
These parents in turn refer other families and children to the crèches.
Health:
The nourishing mid day meal and ragi malt has benefited the children immensely, weight ,height and immunization is monitored regularly by the doctor who visits.
In the month of April the doctor suggested that Vitamin A tablets be given to all the children in Banasawadi crèche. Ashraya purchased the tablets and the teachers have been instructed by the doctor to give the medicines regularly for a month.
Volunteers:
A regular volunteer, Monica used her creative skills and taught the children a wide variety of craft and art at the Indiranagar crèche.
The crèches are a “safe haven” for these children as their mothers are assured they are in a safe , stimulating place and they can pursue a job which will bring in additional income to the family.
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