Minister of Trade Budi Santoso and Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi inaugurated a child-friendly daycare facility called "Little Star Club" at the Ministry of Trade office in Jakarta on Friday (12/19/2025).
This step is part of the Ministry of Trade's commitment to creating a sustainable, inclusive work ecosystem that focuses on fulfilling children's rights and enhancing the role of women in the workplace.
"TARA Little Star Club is designed to support parents, especially working mothers, so they can perform their roles optimally," he said.
Budi said that this effort is part of early education investment to ensure the future of children.
With a good environment and proper education, children can grow optimally without losing their right to childhood, considering that this phase is an important period that cannot be repeated.
Budi also emphasized the importance of increasing women's participation in structural positions and strengthening family-friendly policies. He also expressed his appreciation for the support of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection.
TARA will begin operations in early January 2026 with a comprehensive curriculum. TARA will operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with human resources consisting of one teacher, three childcare assistants, and one operational support staff. The target age range for children enrolled in TARA is 3 months to 4 years old.
Laying the Foundation for an Excellent Generation from an Early Age
On the same occasion, Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi expressed her hope that the inauguration of the TARA Little Star Club would lay the foundation for nurturing an outstanding generation from an early age through a safe and high-quality caregiving environment.
This initiative is in line with various national regulations and international commitments, starting with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was ratified by Presidential Decree No. 36 of 1990.
"The Ministry of Trade is the 12th ministry to provide daycare services in its workplace as a tangible manifestation of the state and government's obligation to fulfill children's rights," he said.
According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), currently 49 percent of Indonesia's population is female and 28 percent is children. This means that 77 percent of Indonesia's population is female and children, giving them a very strategic role.
The establishment of TARA fulfills the mandate of Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection. This is crucial considering that female employees make up 48 percent of the Ministry of Trade's workforce.
The Benefits of Daycare for Children and Parents
According to the National Geographic Kids website (19/12), the benefits of daycare include helping children's social development and independence through interaction with peers and structured activities, providing practical support for working parents with professional childcare and regular schedules, and stimulating cognitive development through a variety of educational programs, preparing children for school.
Children learn to share, follow routines, feed themselves, and develop motor skills and creativity in a safe environment.
Socialization: Learning to share, cooperate, and communicate with peers. Independence: Encouraging children to eat by themselves, tidy up their toys, and go to the toilet independently.
Skill Development: Hone motor, creativity (art, music), and cognitive skills through educational activities.
Career Support: Allows parents to work with peace of mind knowing their children are in a safe and reliable place. Reliability: Replacement caregivers are available, so you are not dependent on a single babysitter. Flexibility: Some daycares offer flexible operating hours.
The opening of TARA or daycare is part of the care economy. When both husband and wife work, children need a place to accompany and take care of them.
The Care Economy Roadmap for the period 2025–2045 was prepared by the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection together with Bappenas and the ILO and was officially launched on March 28, 2024.
The Care Economy Roadmap covers a number of strategic issues, namely:
- Childcare services
- Services for the elderly;
4. Maternity protection- Recognition and protection of care workers.
- Social and economic security of care.