Childcare Policy and Legal Reforms
Poor childcare legal, policy, and regulatory environment is affecting the potential for the childcare ecosystem to grow across Eastern and Southern Africa. Investments in childcare are minimal and in competition with other government priorities characterized by;
- Insufficient government investment in childcare
- Insufficient government guidelines, regulations and standards
- Insufficient data to support policy and regulatory reforms
Poor coordination at the national and regional level
We support Governments and institutions to develop and implement relevant laws, policies and regulations that enable the childcare ecosystem to thrive. An ecosystem where childcare workers can thrive, and all children have access to quality, affordable childcare.
At the local level, we ensure that national policies are implemented, and responsibility holders are accountable.
At regional and international levels, our contribution will ensure catalytic policies are developed and advanced by regional bodies such as the AU, EAC, SADC, and World Bank.
Our work has been instrumental in driving childcare policy and regulatory reforms across various counties in Kenya. We provide practical solutions through policies tailored to meet specific childcare needs.
National Government Engagement in Kenya
Uthabiti Africa strives to ensure that national governments are in the lead in the quest for quality, affordable childcare for all. Our key partners include the Ministries of Education; Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action; Health; Labour and Social Protection; In Kenya, other actors we work with include the Council of Governors. the National Early Childhood Education Committee (NECEC) and the County Early Childhood Education Committee (CECEC) in various counties in Kenya.
In 2021, Uthabiti, collaborating with the Ministry of Education, Council of Governors and UNICEF, held a sensitization workshop for the County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) for Education from 47 counties. Uthabiti took the opportunity to share lessons from its work with counties in operationalising the National Pre-primary Education Policy, 2017.
In 2022, Uthabiti supported the induction of the new officers holding positions of Governors, CECMs and Chief officers, all within the education docket. Uthabiti Africa took centre stage in engaging the audience on childcare matters and its implementation within various counties.
We are currently involved in the plans and discussions to develop the Unpaid Care and Domestic Work policy spearheaded by the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action and the Gender Sector Working Group. We are also engaged in re-activating the Nurturing Care Technical Working Group (NC-TWG) that the Ministry of Health-Division of Neonatal and Child Health leads.
County Government Engagement in Kenya
Our engagements with the County governments have been successful in several counties, including Kisumu, Busia, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kajiado, with plans to scale up operations to more counties across the Country.
Kisumu County
- Conducted the induction and orientation of CECEC
- Partners working within the county took the lead in developing the Kisumu ECDE Bill. The Bill development journey exemplifies how coordination between partners in the ecosystem yields success.
- Conducted consultation meetings with women childcare providers, CECEC and the Education Committee on the ECDE Bill development
Mombasa County
- Conducted the induction and orientation of the Safer Cities Board
- Supported the drafting of the Mombasa County Childcare Facilities regulations, 2023
Nairobi County
- Drafting of the Regulations for the NCCG Childcare Facilities Act,2017.
- Consultation meetings of stakeholders on the draft regulations
- Final drafting meeting to input the recommendations before submitting them to the assembly
Busia County
- Conducted the induction and orientation of CECEC
- Editing the first draft of the regulations for the Busia ECDE Act, 2020. We hope to convene the first drafting team in mid-February
Kajiado County
- Conducted the induction and orientation of CECEC
- Currently supporting the county in drafting the Childcare Facilities and ECDE Bill/Policy
Nakuru County
- Input on the Nakuru County Childcare Facilities Bill, 2019, to support advancing quality and accessible childcare in Nakuru County.
Policy and Regulation Reforms Technical Working Group (PRR-TWG)
The Policy & Regulatory Reform Technical Working Group (PRR-TWG) enables the coordination of policy and regulatory reform-related activities for children under 8 years. Through the engagements of the PRR-TWG, we build the capacity of the members and create a platform to interact and advance childcare policy dialogue freely. We will continue to work with partners through the Policy & Regulatory Reform Technical Working Group (PRR-TWG) to influence national, regional and international policies that impact how institutions address the childcare crisis.
