“Kidogo Early Years” fostering quality in daycare centres

Investing in early childhood care, especially daycare centers, is vital to the developmental milestones of young children. According to Suzan Anzanzi Mtana, Associate Director of Policies and Partnerships at Kidogo Early Years, the first four years of a child’s life are critical, with 85% of brain development occurring within the first 1,000 days.

Recognizing this importance, Kidogo Early Years is making strides to ensure that children receive quality care and a safe learning environment while also empowering women to build sustainable daycare businesses.

Kidogo Early Years has adopted a robust model called the Nurturing Care Framework, focusing on essential elements such as health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, business and administration, and a safe, stimulating environment. This comprehensive approach ensures that daycare facilities meet high-quality standards and are equipped to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children. In addition, Kidogo emphasizes parental and community engagement, creating awareness about child development and the importance of early nurturing.

“We focus on training caregivers in line with global best practices to ensure that children in our daycare centers thrive,” Mtana explained. “Our framework does not just concentrate on the safety and stimulation of the environment but also emphasizes caregiver education and the holistic development of children.”

Kidogo has built an impressive network, with over 2,000 daycares serving approximately 50,000 children daily across Kenya. The initiative provides a lifeline for parents who rely on daycare services, offering them peace of mind as they go about their daily activities. The program also empowers women, equipping them with skills to run successful daycare centers while providing quality care to children. By focusing on business training, Kidogo helps these “mamapreneurs” establish viable enterprises that uplift entire communities.

In Mombasa County, Kidogo has partnered with 348 daycare centers, catering to over 8,000 children under the age of four across all six sub-counties. These partnerships have had a significant impact on the quality of child care in the region.

Fatuma Dume, the County Child Health Coordinator for Mombasa County, highlighted the close collaboration between the county government and Kidogo Early Years.

“Our county has worked hand in hand with Kidogo to ensure that young children who are not yet eligible for school receive proper care,” Dume stated. She emphasized that the county has facilitated training for daycare operators, helping them identify nutritional deficiencies and provide first aid. This collaboration aims to boost the health and developmental outcomes of young children.

Dume also urged parents to invest in the best possible care for their children, stressing the significance of the first 1,000 days. “Proper care during these early years helps children reach their full potential,” she said.

Kidogo’s impact resonates deeply with the community, especially among daycare operators who have benefited from the training and support provided by the initiative. Janet Wasai, one of Kidogo’s beneficiaries and a daycare owner, shared her experience: “We have received extensive training, from administering first aid to understanding child nutrition. We have also learned how to market our daycare services efficiently.”

Wasai noted that the knowledge and skills she gained have significantly improved the quality of care at her daycare. Additionally, the initiative has offered valuable insights into running daycare centers effectively as businesses.

Alex Otieno, another beneficiary and owner of Spring Valley Daycare in Tudor, Mombasa, praised the practical skills he acquired through Kidogo. “The training has been transformative,” Otieno said. “Not only have I improved the services at my daycare, but I’ve also become part of a supportive business group. Women are empowered and trained in business management, helping us sustain and grow our daycare centers.”

Despite the strides made by Kidogo, Mtana reiterated the need for collaboration to achieve more. She has called for greater support from the government, emphasizing the need for public funding for daycare services, similar to the funding provided for primary education.

“Just as significant efforts are made to fund education from kindergarten to higher levels, we need similar investments in early childhood care,” Mtana stated.

She also urged Parliament to pass laws that make licensing daycare centers more inclusive, considering that many women run these centers from their homes. Making regulatory processes more accommodating would allow more caregivers to operate within legal frameworks while maintaining high standards of care.