Policies

Kidogo

Context

In Kenya's informal settlements, where a significant portion of the urban population resides, mothers face a challenging dilemma regarding childcare for their children (0-5 years) while working. The options often involve pulling older siblings out of school to care for younger ones or leaving them in informal daycare facilities with untrained caregivers. Unfortunately, these unlicensed centers pose risks to children's well-being, exposing them to poor nutrition, hygiene, neglect, and potential abuse during their crucial early developmental years.

Solution

Kidogo, a start-up social enterprise established in 2014, addresses this pressing issue by striving to enhance access to high-quality, affordable Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for low-income families across East Africa. Kidogo employs an innovative "Hub & Spoke" model, comprising Early Childhood Hubs managed directly by Kidogo and a social-franchising program supporting local childcare micro-businesses run by "Mamapreneurs." This model ensures the delivery of best-practice ECCE services while empowering local entrepreneurs to improve quality and expand childcare offerings within their communities.

Impact

Since its inception, Kidogo has experienced significant growth, employing 33 staff and serving over 1,000 families daily across four communities in Nairobi. Kidogo aims to mitigate the harmful effects of informal and inadequate daycare facilities on children's development by providing access to high-quality childcare, setting them on a path to reach their full potential. Kidogo's ambitious goal is to become the largest network of high-quality, affordable childcare centers in East Africa by 2025, ensuring that every child in the region can thrive and succeed.

Analysis

This solution requires a stringent quality assurance mechanism to be operational effectively. In addition to this a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation report could also illustrate the impact of the solution.