Mumbai Mobile Crèches is an NGO that provides early childhood education and care for over 50,000 children who live and work on construction sites in Mumbai. They operate 31 centers that serve over 5,000 children per year, providing creches for young children, pre-primary education for ages 3-6, and non-formal primary education for older children. Their holistic program addresses educational, health, nutrition and self-development needs to help vulnerable children have a safe and productive childhood.

1. MUMBAI MOBILE CRECHES: FUTURES UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2. The story of Hassi and Khushi

3. Their children grow up unattended on the sites as both parents have to work. Behind the high walls of the
site, they are invisible to most of us. Since their parents can’t vote in the city, they are not included in its
policy.

4. The site is their only playground.
They come from across the country, and even if there are some who have gone to school in their villages,
they don’t understand Hindi. As a result, children rarely the see the inside of a school.

5. Since mothers work on the site, young girls usually manage the home...

6. Boys begin working at the site from a young age – either in construction or running tea
stalls.

7. There is no information on the numbers of these children, but it is believed to be over 50,000 just in
Mumbai.

8. This does not have to be the case. A solution does exist.
‘Mumbai Mobile Crèches’ is an NGO that enables these children to have a safe, happy,
healthy and educated childhood.

9. Last year, MMC ran 31 centres and reached over
5000 children
But this is only a drop in the ocean
MMC wants to see that ALL children on ALL
construction sites are safe, healthy and
educated. Because this is their right
We need help to expand our centres and build
awareness of the issues of the child on the site

11. Set up in 1969, we have reached over half a million children across Delhi, Mumbai and
Pune. In Mumbai alone, we reach over 5000 a year.
Our model is simple – go directly to a site and set up the centre.

12. Programme
Centre
>
6years
3-6
years
0-3
years
Creche
Pre-primary
Non-formal
education

13. At MMC, the early years are given special attention and care. Children as young as a few
months old come to our centres. This programme creates a foundation for their overall growth and
development and caters for children from birth upto three years old.
Birth upto 3.0 years

14. For children between 3-6 we have a pre-primary programme. All learning happens through play, and
a special curriculum ensures that these little ones also get the pre-reading, pre-writing and pre-
arithmetic skills they need for school readiness.
3 -6 years

15. And for the children above six, we run a non-formal education programme. For many
this is the first time they have been to school or heard the Hindi language.
> 6 years

16. We have adopted a holistic approach to education using art, puppetry, songs, theatre
and story telling to teach children different subjects.
Using Innovative Methodologies

17. The non-formal school also ensures that children enroll in municipal schools and
succeed there. All centres are open Mondays to Saturdays 8:45 – 4:30.
Municipal School Programme

18. We have developed innovative programmes to build leadership and confidence. Like
the Child to Child Programme where children from centres form friendships and share
their skills with children from more affluent neighboring schools.

19. Many of the children under five are under-
nourished when they come to the centres. A
special health programme addresses their
needs and doctors visit sites every week.
Health Programme

20. Apart from educational and self-development
activities, MMC provides a morning porridge,
nutritious lunch and snacks every day to all
children
Nutrition Programme

21. In fact, four of our children became celebrities in April 2008 when a puppet show they had created on
the importance of mangroves won them an international award in Hong Kong!
Our Children Are Stars

22. Apart from working directly with children, we also work with parents, builders, various government
departments to promote the cause of the child on the site. Apart from regular community meetings, MMC
trains and empowers women from construction sites to become teachers.

23. * Challenges
* Teacher – Children ratio
- Creche
- Pre-primary
- Primary
* Budget
Educational Programme
Support 900 Children by funding 16 teachers’ salaries @ Rs 5000 p.m. /
per teacher
Rs 9,60,000
* Centre Visit

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