The Nairobi City County Government (NCCG), in collaboration with social enterprise Kidogo Early Years (KEYs), has unveiled a transformative plan to revolutionize childcare services in the capital.
This joint initiative focuses on the co-creation of a robust childcare policy and regulatory framework, setting a new standard for quality, affordable, and sustainable Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Nairobi.
“This initiative marks a crucial step toward institutionalising quality, sustainable ECD within Nairobi’s broader agenda,” said Judy Macharia, Head of Community Health Services, Nairobi City County.
Governor Sakaja’s Administration Invests in Early Childhood Care
Ms. Macharia reaffirmed Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration’s strong commitment to children’s welfare.
“Governor Sakaja continues to deeply invest in children. Beyond programmes like ‘Dishi na County’, we have secured funding to train healthcare workers and our 7,820 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) on nurturing care and the Care for Child Development approach,” she noted.
She emphasized that children are the future, and the County is focused on building policies that promote their wellbeing.
Childcare Mapping Pilot: Making the Invisible Visible
A major highlight of the forum was the Childcare Mapping Pilot, jointly led by Kidogo Early Years and the County Departments of Education and Health.
The pilot revealed that over 4,000 daycare centres operate across Nairobi—many of them informal yet vital to working families.
Elaine Wacuka, Head of Policy & Partnership at Kidogo Early Years, explained:
“For too long, informal childcare providers have been the silent backbone of working families, yet they’ve remained largely unseen in data and planning. The Childcare Mapping Tool helps us make the invisible visible.”
This tool allows the County to visualize childcare distribution, identify underserved neighbourhoods, and understand provider needs—a critical step toward improving service quality.
Data-Driven Childcare for a Better Future
The mapping initiative leveraged the extensive network of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), whose local insights refined the tool to serve both policymakers and childcare providers effectively.
During the pilot, CHPs successfully mapped 174 childcare centres across areas such as Utawala, Upper and Lower Savannah, Mihango, Embakasi, Utalii, Mathare North, Lucky Summer, Korogocho, and Baba Dogo.
This provides Nairobi’s first hyper-local snapshot of existing childcare services, creating a foundation for evidence-based planning and interventions.
A Shared Responsibility: Government, Private Sector, and Communities
The forum emphasized that childcare is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration across sectors.
The new policy framework envisions:
✅ Government: providing leadership, setting quality standards, and increasing financial support.
✅ Private Sector & Philanthropy: investing in innovation, quality improvement, and infrastructure.
✅ Communities & Parents: accessing information and participating in shaping childcare services.
New County Regulations on the Horizon
According to Ruth Owuor, Director of Education, the County’s Education Department is finalizing the Nairobi City County Child Care Facilities Regulations (2025).
These regulations will streamline childcare services and operationalize the Nairobi City County Child Care Facilities Act (2017)—ensuring consistency, safety, and quality across all childcare providers.
Building Capacity and Sustainability Over the Next 3 Years
Martina Adega, Policy and Partnership Consultant for Kidogo Early Years, confirmed that the programme will run over the next three years, focusing on capacity building for childcare providers.
Training will cover the five pillars of nurturing care:
- Health
- Good nutrition
- Safety and security
- Opportunities for early learning
- Responsive caregiving
This government-led approach marks a shift from fragmented efforts to a coordinated childcare system that promotes equity, quality, and sustainability—especially for children aged 0–4 in low-income areas.
Conclusion: A Brighter Future for Nairobi’s Youngest Citizens
The Nairobi-Kidogo partnership is a model of collaboration that places children and caregivers at the centre of urban development.
By combining data, community insight, and policy innovation, this initiative is set to reshape Nairobi’s childcare landscape, ensuring every child has a safe and nurturing start in life.
