Question & AnswerQ&A (DSWD MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 01, S. 1997)
The policy objective is to support parents' natural right and duty in child-rearing by directing National Government Agencies and Government Owned and Controlled Corporations to provide day care services for under-five children of their employees to ensure their total development and protection.
Children are those below five years old who are children of employees availing the day care services.
It is a day care service provided within the compound of the government office or building, which may be shared by two or more government offices with clear delineation of functions and responsibilities.
A Day Care Center provides care for 3-5 years old children by an accredited day care worker, while Child Minding is for children aged two months to below 3 years old and involves a smaller ratio of service provider to children, preferably involving a nurse or midwife along with the day care worker.
The service should be available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
The Day Care Worker should be 18-45 years old, with at least two years of college education, good moral character, experience with pre-school children, residence near the office, training in Early Childhood Care and Development, willing to render full time service for at least one year, and physically and mentally fit to work.
Top management must provide allowance/salary for day care workers, ensure the worker is trained and accredited, and provide a safe and comfortable place for the children.
Yes, employees may select an existing barangay day care center, provided there is a mutual agreement between employee and management, and a memorandum of agreement is entered into between the government agency and the local government.
Facilities include child-appropriate toilet and washing facilities, potable water, electricity, ventilation, firefighting equipment, outdoor activity area, first aid shelf, indoor space requirements, feeding area for child minding centers, and furnishing like chairs, tables, cribs, high chairs, and walkers.
Accreditation is renewed every three years or upon change of day care worker, whichever occurs first.