During July 2026, Shri Bhuvneshwari Mahila Ashram (SBMA), with the support of the Azim Premji Foundation (APF), initiated preparatory activities for the Crèche Initiative Programme in Rawali Mahdood. The month focused on community mobilisation, stakeholder consultations, institutional coordination, staff capacity building and exposure learning, laying the foundation for establishing community-based crèche centres.
Anganwadi Centre No. 2, Rawali Mahdood
Major activities included field visits to government schools and Anganwadi Centres, participation in the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND), meetings with the Gram Pradhan and Ward Members, household interactions, identification of potential crèche locations, an exposure visit to operational crèche centres in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and induction training for the project team. Together these strengthened community awareness, improved collaboration with frontline workers and Panchayati Raj Institutions, and deepened the team's understanding of quality crèche implementation.
Programme Objective
The Crèche Initiative Programme aims to establish safe, inclusive and child-friendly community crèches for children aged 7 months to 3 years, ensuring access to quality early childhood care, nutrition, health services, growth monitoring, responsive caregiving and early learning, while supporting working mothers and vulnerable families.
Monthly Activity Summary
| Date | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 06 July 2026 | Government School & Community Outreach | Rawali Mahdood |
| 08 July 2026 | VHSND Participation & Community Mobilisation | Ayushman Arogya Mandir |
| 09 July 2026 | HR & Administration Orientation | SBMA Office, Haridwar |
| 11 July 2026 | Community Mobilisation & Stakeholder Meetings | Rawali Mahdood |
| 23–24 July 2026 | Exposure Visit to Community Crèches | Raipur, Chhattisgarh |
| 28 July 2026 | Meeting with Gram Pradhan | Rawali Mahdood |
| 29 July 2026 | Meetings with Ward Members | Rawali Mahdood |
| 30 July 2026 | Induction Session – Programme Orientation | APF Office, Haridwar |
| 31 July 2026 | Induction Session – Programme Readiness | APF Office, Haridwar |
1. Government School & Community Outreach
06 July 2026. To introduce the programme to government schools, Anganwadi workers and community members, and to identify suitable spaces for community crèches.
The team visited the Government Primary School, Rawali Mahdood, interacted with Anganwadi workers and introduced the programme, explaining its objectives and the services planned for children aged 6 months to 3 years — nutrition, growth monitoring, responsive caregiving, hygiene, safety and early learning. Household and community interactions followed, along with a visit to Kripal Kanya School to discuss collaboration with the Head Teacher.
Outcomes: improved coordination with schools and Anganwadi Centres, a positive community response, identification of potential crèche locations, and stronger convergence with the education and ICDS systems.
2. Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND)
08 July 2026. To strengthen coordination with frontline health workers while creating awareness about the programme.
The team participated in the VHSND, observing immunisation, nutrition and growth monitoring services and reviewing Mother & Child Protection Cards. Discussions were held with the ASHA worker and the Block Social Worker, awareness sessions were conducted with beneficiary families, and the Gram Pradhan was met regarding community mobilisation. Potential crèche locations were visited.
Outcomes: support from the ASHA worker and Block Social Worker, improved convergence with the Health Department, increased awareness of nutrition and child development, and willingness among community members to support the programme.
3. HR & Administration Orientation
09 July 2026. Newly recruited staff were oriented to SBMA's organisational systems, administrative procedures and staff roles and responsibilities.
Outcomes: clarity regarding organisational systems and administrative procedures, and stronger readiness for field implementation.
4. Community Mobilisation & Field Visits
11 July 2026. To strengthen community awareness and identify suitable locations for community crèches.
The field team conducted extensive household visits and community meetings explaining the programme's objectives and benefits. Families were informed about early childhood development, nutrition, child health, growth monitoring, responsive caregiving, safety and learning through play. The team visited the ITC Mission Sunehra Kal Supplementary Learning Centre to discuss collaboration on identifying future crèche locations, and the Project Manager and Cluster Coordinator visited Urban UPHC Ram Dham with the Block Coordinator to strengthen institutional convergence.
Outcomes: increased awareness among community members, improved stakeholder participation, and support secured for future crèche locations.
5. Exposure Visit to Community Crèches
23–24 July 2026, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. To understand the practical implementation of community crèches by observing operational centres run by Chetna Child & Women Welfare Society with support from APF.
The team observed daily crèche operations, nutrition management, responsive caregiving, early childhood development activities, child safety arrangements, community mobilisation, monitoring systems, logistics management, documentation and staff coordination.
Outcome: the visit demonstrated that successful community crèches require the integration of nutrition, health, growth monitoring, early learning, responsive caregiving, community participation, effective logistics and strong monitoring systems.
6. Meetings with Gram Pradhan & Ward Members
28–29 July 2026. To strengthen Panchayat-level coordination and community participation for the establishment of crèche centres.
The programme was introduced to the Gram Pradhan, and Panchayat support and the community mobilisation strategy were discussed. The team met representatives of Ward No. 14 and Ward No. 3 to discuss child eligibility, ward-level meetings, community participation and future crèche establishment.
Outcomes: strong support from the Panchayat, assurance of full cooperation from Ward Members, and a foundation laid for Gram Sabha-level mobilisation.
7. Induction Session — Programme Orientation
30 July 2026. Sessions covered the programme overview, learning from the exposure visit, staff roles, caregiver selection, community participation, child nutrition, child safety and operational standards.
Outcomes: improved understanding of programme implementation, clarified staff responsibilities and enhanced readiness for field work.
8. Induction Session — Programme Readiness
31 July 2026. Sessions focused on growth monitoring, anthropometric measurement, the crèche readiness checklist and operational planning.
Outcomes: improved understanding of operational planning and enhanced programme readiness.
Overall Achievements During July 2026
- Successfully initiated community mobilisation across Rawali Mahdood.
- Established coordination with Gram Panchayat representatives.
- Strengthened convergence with Anganwadi Centres, ASHA workers and health institutions.
- Completed an exposure learning visit to operational community crèches.
- Conducted orientation and induction training for programme staff.
- Identified potential locations for future community crèches.
- Built strong relationships with schools, frontline workers and local stakeholders.
Planned Activities for August 2026
- Final selection of community crèche locations.
- Caregiver identification and orientation.
- Household listing and enrolment of eligible children.
- Baseline anthropometric assessment.
- Formation of community support groups.
- Strengthening coordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions.
- Operationalisation of the first community crèche centres.
Conclusion
July 2026 marked a significant preparatory phase for the Crèche Initiative Programme. Through systematic community mobilisation, institutional convergence, stakeholder engagement, exposure learning and staff capacity building, the programme established a strong foundation for the operationalisation of community crèches in Rawali Mahdood. The month's activities enhanced community ownership, strengthened partnerships with local institutions and improved the implementation readiness of the programme team.
Photo Documentation — July 2026
The following photographs document key programme activities conducted during July 2026, including induction sessions, community mobilisation, stakeholder meetings, the exposure visit to Chetna Child & Women Welfare Society in Raipur, Anganwadi visits and observation of operational crèche centres.
Programme planning meeting at the SBMA office, Haridwar
Induction and programme orientation session
HR and administration orientation for the programme team
Anganwadi Centre No. 2, Rawali Mahdood
Visit to the Anganwadi Centre, Rawali Mahdood
Children's activities at the Anganwadi Centre
Meeting with the ASHA worker
Health facility interaction with the Community Health Officer (CHO)
Programme team during a stakeholder meeting
Meeting with the Gram Pradhan, Rawali Mahdood
Interaction with a Ward Member, Rawali Mahdood
Community interaction during household visits
Exposure visit team at the Chetna project office, Raipur
Interaction with crèche staff and observation of centre activities
Interaction with crèche workers and programme staff during the exposure visit
Observation of nutrition and feeding practices at the crèche centre
Handwashing practice at the crèche before meals
Safety gate at the crèche kitchen entrance
Programme interaction and learning during the field visit
