ABSTRACT
This chapter focusses on the centrality of childcare to the holistic conception of ECD, including arrangements like crèches and day-care centres and the role of childcare providers in creating an ecosystem that is inclusive and relies on gender and socially transformative parenting. While the chapter recognises the criticality of home-based childcare for ensuring proper stimulation in the early years, it argues that the acute challenges necessitate for the state to support and enable families to provide childcare. It also emphasises childcare as an entitlement for women, especially those involved in the informal workforce, which serves to reduce the burden of care. It calls for recognising childcare as a profession, as well as strengthening the ICDS with a strong childcare component.
