Key Definitions
- Children: Under five years old, children of employees.
- Day Care Service: Supplemental parental care with stimulating activities for children during working hours (8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday).
- Day Care Center: Services for 3 to 5-year-old children by accredited workers.
- Child Minding: Services for children aged 2 months to under 3 years with a 1:6 provider-child ratio; preferably with a nurse/midwife.
- Workplace-Based Day Care Center: Located within government buildings, possibly shared among agencies with clear responsibilities.
- Employee Selected Day Care Center: Centers chosen by employees, often barangay-based, with an agreement between employee and management.
- National Government Agencies: Government departments, councils, commissions including regional and local offices.
- Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations: Government business institutions with corporate charters.
Objectives of the Law
For the Child:
- Ensure proper care and nutrition for physical fitness.
- Provide intellectual, social, moral, spiritual, emotional, and physical development in safe venues.
- Develop socio-cultural and nationalistic values and positive attitudes.
- Provide substitute parenting and protection from neglect, abuse, and exploitation during parents’ work hours.
For the Parents:
- Enhance workplace productivity by giving emotional security regarding child care.
- Offer early childhood care and development enrichment through parent sessions and participation.
Establishment and Availment Procedures
- Conduct needs assessment via HRDS or equivalent agency unit, including family profiles and employee surveys.
- Submit a project proposal for approval specifying parent-employee contributions (food, utensils, comfort kits).
- If at least 5 children under three and their parents desire, both child minding and day care centers must be established with proper divisions.
Site Selection
- For workplace-based centers, choose ground floor or secure upper floors, away from hazards, with adequate space and facilities.
- Employee-selected centers can be barangay-operated accredited day care centers; may require Memorandum of Agreement with local governments.
Facilities and Structural Requirements
- Both centers must have child-appropriate toilets, potable water, electricity, ventilation, firefighting devices, outdoor activity areas, and safe medicine storage.
- Day Care Center requires a minimum of 4 sqm indoor space, individual child storage.
- Child Minding Center requires at least 1 sqm per child, feeding prep area, space encouraging breastfeeding or shared meals.
- Design of play areas promotes health, comfort, curiosity, and specific zones for spiritual, community, family activities.
Furniture and Program Materials
- Child-size chairs/tables, cribs, high chairs, walkers recommended.
- Program materials include religious tokens, playhouses with themed toys, community life depictions, craft shops, feeding utensils, musical instruments, arts and crafts materials, storytelling aids, and outdoor play equipment.
- Child minding toys must be safe, non-toxic, appropriately sized, focusing on motor, language, social and cognitive development.
- Feeding supplies must meet hygiene and safety standards.
Day Care Worker Selection and Training
- Criteria: age 18-45, college-educated, good moral character, child-care experience, resident near workplace, trained in ECCD or similar, physically and mentally fit.
- Must be full-time, sign at least 1-year contract, and be accredited.
- Training conducted by Municipal/City SWDO and other resource agencies.
- Accreditation done by DSWD Field Office through assessments forwarded to Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare.
Records Management
Technical Records:
- Intake sheets, child profiles, parent consents, program guides, session plans, health and development checklists, and growth charts.
Administrative Records:
- Agreements, attendance logs, financial statements, accreditation certificates, and inventory lists.
Day Care Center Operation
- Management responsibilities include funding allowances, hiring/training/accrediting workers, and providing safe facilities.
- Parents must ensure children are clean and bring necessary personal items and medication.
- A Parents Committee supports operations by consultation, material preparation, resource sponsorship, and parent orientation.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- DSWD Field Offices conduct monitoring and provide technical assistance.
- Biannual submission of accredited center lists to BCYW Central Office is required.
- BCYW performs audits at six months post-IRR issuance, one year post-IRR for accreditation, and annually thereafter.
- Accreditation must be renewed every three years or upon a change of day care worker.
- Audits assess compliance with EO 340 and service effectiveness.