MEPMA Signs MoU to Establish Crèche Centres in Four AP Cities

Vijayawada: The Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) under the AP municipal administration department on Tuesday signed a pact with Mobile Crèches to establish childcare centres in four major cities.

The agreement, in the form of an MoU, was signed here by mission director Vakati Karuna, and ex-officio secretary to the state government. Under the initiative, crèche centres would be set up in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Guntur to provide childcare support for children of urban women self-help group members.

Officials said the programme would enable women to pursue employment and entrepreneurial opportunities while ensuring that their children receive quality care, nutrition, health services and early childhood education. The initiative is aligned with the state's long-term development vision, Swarna Andhra@2047.

Under the partnership, MEPMA would serve as the implementing agency, while Mobile Crèches provide technical support. A total of 15 crèche centres are planned, benefiting 375 children in the six months to six years age-group.

During the 2026-27 financial year, 45 SHG women would be trained as crèche workers and 15 master trainers are to be certified to strengthen institutional capacity. Telugu-language caregiving resources and a dedicated management information system would also be developed for programme implementation and monitoring.

Officials said the initiative would improve children’s well-being, enhance their access to nutrition and early learning, and reduce the burden of sibling care that often affects the education of adolescent girls.

The programme would also promote convergence with the integrated child development services, PHCs and the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, while encouraging community participation to create a sustainable and replicable urban childcare model across Andhra Pradesh.