There is a misconception in our society that a child’s development begins when they start school. But studies show that between birth and age five, in the first 1000 days, a baby’s brain develops faster than any other time. During that period, it forms around 90% of the neural connections they’ll ever have. In Bangladesh’s villages, around 30 children under five die every day from drowning. It’s the leading cause of child death nationwide. Yet, for many poor families in rural areas, ensuring safety and care during this period has been a long struggle.
That’s where Bangladesh Government’s project “Childcare Centre” is making a quiet yet powerful difference. Currently operating in 45 upazilas across 16 districts, these centres provide safe daytime care for children under five. They also offer early learning, nutrition and health guidance.
The ‘Swim-Safe’ project is designed for children aged six to 10, where they are taught how to swim. Previous research supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and implemented by CIPRB proved that child drowning rates can be reduced by 88% if children are kept under improved supervision in a community daycare at a time when elders are busy.
In Monohardi upazila of Narsingdi, there are 500 centres serving over 12,000 children. It’s the only upazila in the district with this initiative. The project has brought a visible change across the village. Masuda Begum leaves her four-year-old son Rafid at one of the centres every morning before going to work. “During my work hours, my son stays here. He learns, plays and stays safe. I don’t have to worry about him anymore,” she said with relief.
Three-year-old Noushin’s grandmother Sahera Begum expressed her thoughts with a big smile on her face. “She doesn’t want to go home after coming here. The teachers take care of them like their own children,” she said.
The program’s success owes much to the dedication of community caregivers. Kamrunnahar, a caregiver from Chandonbari village in Monohardi donated a portion of her own land to build a centre. “I feel happy spending time with the children,” she said. “If we see that one child’s development is slower than another’s, we talk to their parents. We suggest they visit a doctor and give advice to make sure the child’s growth is not delayed.”
These stories show what makes the project by Integrated Community-Based Childcare (ICBC) unique. According to programme director Abdul Kadir, the project is set for expansion into around 15 more districts. “We look at areas where children are deprived of basic civic facilities, regions with high poverty and drowning risks such as Sathkhira, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Bagerhat, Chandpur, Bhola,” he said.
Kadir added that the project will soon include child eye health screening and treatment. “Many children lose their eyesight because treatment starts too late,” he said. “Among every 100 children, about 33 to 37 have vision problems. If we can detect and treat before the age of five, recovery is possible.”
The first phase of this project is set to end this December. But the government has already decided to move forward with Phase Two.
Esha Husain, country director of Synergos Bangladesh, noted how deeply the initiative has helped the villagers. “What’s really inspiring is that communities are realising the value of this project and contributing voluntarily. Around 200,000 children are directly benefiting, and through their families, another 360,000 children are indirectly supported, which is nearly half a million in total.”
The success of this project shows how collaborative action can reshape rural childhood in Bangladesh. By focusing on early learning and care, the centres are laying the foundation for a healthier, more capable generation. As one caregiver said simply, “That’s all we ever wanted for them.”
