Ouhai District Establishes 22 Infant & Toddler Development Centers

Since March of last year, underpinned by local government policies, Ouhai District has totally established 22 infant and toddle development centers (ITDC), which based on communities, have upgraded child care and education by measures such as introducing relateted proffesional agencies.

In recent years, with the implementation of the third-child policy, residents in Ouhai District have had increasingly urgent needs for the scientific care and education of 0-3 years old children. To meet this demand, the district government rolled out a document: Implementation Opinions for Strengthening the Construction of Infant and Toddler Development Centers. According to the document, the government grants a 100,000 yuan construction subsidy and an annual 40,000 yuan operational subsidy to a qualified ITDC, accelerating its establishment. As of now, Ouhai has boasted 22 such centers.

A few days ago, the Xijiangyue Infant and Toddler Development Center in Xinqiao sub-district of Ouhai District held a parents-child interaction activity, bringing joy to both, which is an example of proactive response to the government opinions.

It is learned that ITDCs are based on communities with third-party child care and education agencies introduced for standardized operation in the healthcare and childcare integration mode, creating a 15-minute childcare service circle. An ITDC opens regularly each week, and offers a clean and cozy interaction and companionship environment for children. Child early learning experts, pediatricians, and experienced childcare professionals are often invited to give lectures on children health, nutrition, care, safety, and early learning.

Furthermore, ITDCs provide services in temporary childcare, children raising skill guidance, parents-child games, and children's health management for families in its community to enhance parents-child exchanges, scientific parenting capabilities and cozy family vibe.

Ouhai District will continue to explore sustainable service models for ITDCs by engaging parents, social organizations, and businesses. The district aims to improve service quality, strengthen door-to-door childcare guidance, and related publicity. Meanwhile, it is striving to create a parenting-friendly community atmosphere to meet the residents’ diverse and multi-level needs in this respect. (ZhongXin)