Every morning, millions of Indian parents go through the same routine. They wake up early, get their toddlers ready, pack a small bag with clothes, bottles and snacks, drop them off at a daycare centre and rush to work. The goodbye is often the hardest part of the day, but it is built on trust.That trust has been badly shaken after the alleged abuse of toddlers at a daycare centre operating inside Capgemini’s Bengaluru campus. Videos appear to show children being physically mistreated by staff. Five childcare workers have been arrested, and the investigation is continuing.For many Indian families, daycare is no longer a convenience. It has become a necessity. When both parents work, who can they really trust with their children?Over the past two decades, family life in India has changed rapidly. Young professionals increasingly move to cities for work, often leaving their parents behind in their hometowns. Joint families have become less common, and many couples are raising children without the daily support of grandparents or other relatives.Some families still manage with help from grandparents, with one set staying for a few months before the other takes over. Others rely on relatives or trusted domestic help and a CCTV camera. But for many parents, these arrangements are simply not possible. Grandparents may live in another city, may have health issues or may still be working themselves.At the same time, the cost of raising a child has gone up significantly. Rent or home loans, healthcare, school admissions, transport and everyday expenses have made two incomes a financial necessity for many households. Giving up one salary is not an option that every family can afford.This has made daycare an essential part of life for thousands of working parents, particularly in cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune and Gurugram.
The Bengaluru shocker
The Bengaluru incident has disturbed parents not only because they involve very young children, but also because the daycare was operating inside the campus of a globally recognised company.One would expect that daycare centres inside corporate campuses are likely to have better oversight and stricter safety standards. But the videos allegedly show toddlers being subjected to physical abuse. As disturbing as the Bengaluru case is, it is not the first time concerns have been raised about childcare centres in India.In recent years, several cities have reported cases in which daycare workers were accused of physically assaulting children, locking toddlers inside rooms, neglecting them for long periods or using harsh methods to discipline them. There have also been incidents where poor supervision resulted in children getting injured.
Warning signs are easy to miss
Parents often expect children to take time to adjust to daycare. It is common for toddlers to cry during the first few days or become clingy at drop-off.But parents should also pay attention to sudden changes in behaviour. A child who suddenly becomes fearful, refuses to go to daycare, has nightmares, stops eating properly or becomes unusually withdrawn may be trying to communicate that something is wrong.These signs do not always indicate abuse, but they should never be dismissed without trying to understand what has changed.
Choosing a daycare
Choosing a daycare involves much more than looking at colourful classrooms or impressive facilities.Parents should spend time observing how caregivers interact with children and whether they appear patient and attentive. They should ask about background verification of staff, emergency procedures, caregiver-to-child ratios and how complaints are handled. Speaking to other parents whose children attend the centre can often provide a clearer picture than advertisements or social media pages.Parents must also prefer daycare centres that have CCTV cameras and transparent monitoring systems. Some centres even allow parents to check live or recorded footage through secure apps, which can offer greater peace of mind and improve transparency.
