Strengthening childcare systems for children under the age of three in Kenya : policy options for quality, inclusion, and sustainable care delivery

Abstract

Despite progressive national policies such as the Children’s Act (2022), the Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (2017), and the National Care Reform Strategy (2022–2032), Kenya’s childcare system for children under age three remains fragmented. While approximately 4.7 million children under three require care, the current care arrangements are primarily informal, with high dependence on parental care and extended family members. Only 10% to 15% are enrolled in formal centres, and nearly 10% to 12% are unsupervised, highlighting a serious gap in access and safety.