Finding an up to the mark and reliable childcare centre in the city may not be any easy task. But there are certainly a few options, such as Catco Kids. The centre is providing childcare services in Pakistan since 2003, working with multinational and local corporate companies and the Punjab government.

Zahra Shaheen, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Catco Kids and focal person for the training programme at the centre, says while talking to TNS that the corporation’s main focus areas are the establishment of national childcare standards and systems and development of a quality certification system for childcare centres.

"Catco Kids introduced "Social Enterprise Programme" to bring about social change in terms of women empowerment and quality childcare development by encouraging the establishment of corporate daycare centres, home-based childcare centres and large community-based centres," she informs. Catco centres can accommodate 30-300 children and are usually located within a company’s office buildings.

Shaheen says other areas of concern include development of Standardised Training and Certification Programmes for Childcare Workers, establishment of Model Childcare Centres, and establishment of a franchise network of quality childcare centres as economic empowerment opportunities for women.

A US-based corporation, Catco Kids was established in 1999 to overcome lack of quality childcare services. Catco Kids Quality Assurance Accreditation Programme is recommended for corporate daycare centres, independently run daycare centres, Montessori schools and other early childcare development programmes.

Accreditation is based on maintaining a rating of 85 percent or higher on quarterly 360 audits based on 10 international standards that include relationship of staff with children, curriculum, teaching styles, health, safety, physical environment, leadership and management, families, and assessment of a child’s progress.

Shaheen says corporate environment in Pakistan is inclined towards establishing daycare centres not only for the management staff but also for lower workforce. Various multinational and big national business houses have established daycare centres like Nestle, Unilever, Shell in areas such as Korangi Karachi, Hyderabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Kabirwala, Phool Nagar, Sheikhopura, and other remote locations.

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"Women based in remote areas don’t even know what a diaper is and how to use it. Gladly, more corporate companies are trying to introduce daycare centres for this class and Catco Kids is producing certified childcare providers for these daycare centres," she adds. Catco Kids also helps the Punjab government to produce certified childcare staff for the 52 daycare centres in different colleges and universities across the province.