Crèches near offices vital for working mothers

In a few months, employees of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) will be able to bring their children to work as the civic body is setting up a crèche close to the office.

In a few months, employees of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) will be able to bring their children to work as the civic body is setting up a crèche close to the office.

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"We have already received proposals from not-for-profit organisations wanting to take up the service," said RA Rajeev, municipal commissioner, TMC. "This was a discretionary measure to support our female employees. The crèche will hopefully be set up in a few months," he said.

Crèches at the work place have helped several women balance professional life and childcare. Several private sector companies already provide this service. In 2008, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), partnered with agencies to set-up crèches close to offices that have a large number of employees. "We review the crèche regularly. Surveys have shown that this service has enhanced productivity among employees," said Ritu Anand, vice president, global human resources, TCS.

Monica Singh, who works at Andheri, never has to worry about where to leave her daughter when she heads for work every morning, thanks to the crèche at her office. "The best part about having a crèche in the office is that I can attend to my child regularly throughout the day. It is a big relief to have her close by, and it never really interferes with my work," said Singh.

However, some parents prefer to leave their children at home with a nanny. "My wife and I thought that a nanny would be more alert and attentive towards our daughter than a crèche attendant, who has to attend to many children," said B Bhavik, a Mahim resident working in Lower Parel. "We also didn't want our child to travel during rush hour every day," he added.