By GPC Reporter

A 12-month business development project targeting 120 childcare providers in Nairobi, Kisumu and Kakamega has been launched to strengthen childcare enterprises and improve the quality, safety and sustainability of services.

The Childcare-Responsive Business Development Services Project is being implemented by the Africa Economic Development Hub (AEDH) at Strathmore University Business School in partnership with WUSC Kenya under the Action for Paid Childcare Sector Transformation (ACT) Project, a four-year initiative running from 2024 to 2028.

The project seeks to improve the business viability of home-based and centre-based informal childcare enterprises, recognising paid childcare provision by women as both an essential social service and an economic activity.

The selected women childcare providers will receive practical training in business planning, financial management, human resource management, green practices and regulatory compliance.

Representing the Principal Secretary, State Department for Children Services, CPA Carren Achieng’ Ageng’o, Deputy Director for Early Childhood Development, Family Promotion and Early Childhood Development Mwambi Mongare said strengthening childcare enterprises must go hand in hand with safeguarding children.

“A childcare business can only be considered successful when it is financially sustainable, while also providing children with safe, nurturing, responsive and developmentally appropriate care,” Mongare said.

He added that strengthening childcare services could contribute to employment, women’s economic participation and social protection, noting that the Government was working to strengthen childcare standards and regulations.

Speaking during the launch, WUSC Kenya Country Director and Project Director Ruth Muendo said the initiative recognises childcare providers as entrepreneurs whose services are essential to families and communities.

“We see her as an entrepreneur. We see her as a businesswoman, and we see her as essential infrastructure,” Muendo said.

She said childcare providers continue to face challenges including limited access to finance, weak business planning and record-keeping, difficulties in pricing services, regulatory requirements and delayed payments from parents.

Jennifer Kiiru, Deputy Director at the Africa Economic Development Hub and Project Director, said the programme would initially focus on women providing paid childcare services in informal settlements.

“We look to start with women paid childcare service providers in informal settlements and enable them to run viable, sustainable, resilient childcare enterprises,” Kiiru said.

She said AEDH would work with the 120 childcare providers throughout the project in the three target counties.

The launch brought together representatives from the National Council for Children’s Services, Child Welfare Society of Kenya, National Industrial Training Authority, Strathmore University, Kisumu County Government and Kakamega County Government.

Participants emphasised the need to strengthen the capacity of childcare providers while ensuring that children’s safety, welfare and development remain central to the provision of childcare services.