KSCPCR Demands Strict Regulations for Daycare Centres After Abuse Case

The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), in the wake of a recent child abuse incident at a daycare centre on the Capgemini campus, has urged the state government to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for all daycare facilities.

KSCPCR Chairman Santosh Kumar told reporters on Saturday that the commission currently lacks consolidated data on the number of daycare centres operating in Bengaluru and across Karnataka, highlighting a glaring regulatory gap.

He recommended that registration be made mandatory for every daycare centre, and that all such centres be brought under the purview of a single government department for uniform registration and regulation.

In response to the recent case, the commission advised that CCTV cameras be installed in all child-care areas, with parents given access to live feeds to monitor their children. Daycare centres must also have adequate medical facilities, child safety protocols, and emergency response mechanisms, the commission said.

Only trained and qualified caregivers should be employed, and periodic training should be compulsory, the commission added. Companies that outsource childcare services are responsible for ensuring proper training, monitoring, and accountability of staff. Regular inspections and audits are necessary to ensure compliance with child protection standards, Mr. Kumar said.

The commission has announced that it will begin inspecting daycare centres across the state to assess their functioning and ensure adherence to child safety norms. Inspections have already started; the commission recently inspected a centre at Manyata Tech Park and sought details, Mr. Kumar confirmed.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh has announced a review of all daycare centres in the city.