Safe Playschool in an Unsafe World

Parents who buy clothes for their kids’ wardrobes can be quite picky. They might be far less picky when looking for something like daycare, preschool, or playschool that may unknowingly endanger a child’s life.
A recent incident should be a cautionary lesson for all parents of young children. On March 27th, 2023, a parent raised a complaint with the management of a playschool located at Swami Vivekanand Road in Kandivali West, Mumbai. The parent noticed severe behavioural changes, including sudden aggression, in their 2-year-old boy who attended the playschool, which had 25 children. Two teachers were booked for allegedly mistreating, hitting, and slapping toddlers in the classroom. The CCTV camera recorded the entire incident, which went viral on social media, showing the teacher mercilessly throwing the kids at the preschool.
The Kandivali police in Mumbai charged the two teachers under Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
In July 2018, a two-year-old girl was assaulted at a playschool in Kolkata’s Diamond Harbour area. The parents of Baby Tanu (name changed), who was one of the 20 children at the playschool, requested that the authorities show them the CCTV footage. However, they were informed that the CCTV cameras were not functional. An FIR was registered against the playschool under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act 2012.
Not only are the parents shattered, but they also blame themselves. Although they understand that the only person to blame is the perpetrator, they still wonder how they could have let this happen.
Why do parents choose overcrowded preschool facilities with unskilled staff? Why do they advise other parents to follow their lead? Some parents simply cannot imagine someone ever hurting their child. Few are convinced that the caretaker, teacher, or staff member is their friend and that this will safeguard their child. Yet others believe that the government and local authorities would not allow an unsafe facility to operate.
Although playschool deaths are rare, many other forms of maltreatment exist. During these years, children are most vulnerable to manipulation, abuse, and exploitation. Therefore, it is crucial to provide a safe and secure environment for them, especially at the preschool level.
These days, we continue to hear news about heinous crimes against children, striking a familiar note.
Although the names of the victims change, the issue doesn’t!
The bottom line is that parents need to adopt an investigative mindset. They need to constantly keep their eyes open and communicate with other parents at the same school. They must inquire with their children daily about their experiences. If their children are too young to be interrogated, then they must unexpectedly go to the premises and verify. Above all, even if your child tells you something that seems impossible, “believe them” and “win their trust by talking to them”.
If parents have hesitations about the playschool, they should find another place, even if it seems impolite or uncomfortable. The stakes are higher when a child goes through a disastrous phase.

Dr. Patricia Dsouza Lobo is the author of ‘When Roses are Crushed’. She is Executive Director of Kripa Foundation.