NIMHANS opens reimagined crèche for children of staff in Bengaluru

NIMHANS, a healthcare institution in Bengaluru, unveiled a redesigned crèche called 'Aata Paata' for the children of its staff on August 31. The crèche aims to foster a child-friendly atmosphere that promotes play, exploration, and early development. The initiative follows the principle that the environments children grow up in significantly impact their mental well-being and growth.

The redesigned crèche includes features such as gentle lighting, child-friendly materials, colors to stimulate movement, and opportunities for nature interaction and sensory exploration. Early childhood care, according to NIMHANS, extends beyond basic care, with factors like play, movement, relationships, and the surrounding environment influencing children's development.

The crèche's design was conceptualized and executed by architect Bhavana Kumar of Kumar La Noce, with input from child mental health professionals at NIMHANS. The institute's engineering and structural teams provided technical support, while the project was overseen by the NIMHANS administration, led by Director, Senior Professor Prabha S. Chandra.

The crèche is a step towards providing reliable childcare within the workplace for working mothers and fathers, demonstrating how public institutions can create sustainable childcare environments. NIMHANS believes that promoting mental health should begin in early life, and the designed environment is a crucial part of children's development. The institute hopes that Aata Paata can serve as a model for other public institutions to emulate.