Kidogo Early Years, one of Kenya’s most influential social enterprises in early childhood care and education, has celebrated caregivers from across the country during its 11th Annual Gala Celebration held at St Andrews P.C.E.A. Church in Nairobi. The event shone a spotlight on the women and men who are improving learning and care outcomes for thousands of children in underserved communities.
The gala, which has become a signature event in the early childhood development landscape, brought together Mamapreneurs, Papapreneurs, national and county officials, development partners, educators, and philanthropic leaders. It also marked the introduction of a new recognition category, the Papapreneur Award, which honours men who have become active caregivers and are helping shift long-held social norms around childcare.
Kidogo CEO and Co-founder Sabrina Habib said the ceremony marked more than a decade of commitment to dignified, community-led childcare. She noted that caregivers working in Kidogo-supported centres continue to fill a critical gap in Kenya’s education and labour ecosystem by ensuring that children in low-income areas receive safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate care.
“For 11 years, we have celebrated the incredible caregivers who make dignified childcare a reality in our communities,” she said. “The work our Mamapreneurs and Papapreneurs do reminds us that childcare is not just a family need but is infrastructure that strengthens our economy, empowers parents, and gives every child the opportunity to thrive.”
A Decade of Expanding Access to Quality Early Childhood Care
Founded in 2014, Kidogo works with community-based caregivers to establish and operate affordable, high-quality childcare centres in informal settlements and low-income neighbourhoods. Through a social franchising model, the organisation identifies promising caregivers, trains them, and provides resources to help them run sustainable childcare centres.
Kidogo refers to these trained, empowered entrepreneurs as Mamapreneurs and Papapreneurs. They form the backbone of the organisation’s growing network of centres, which offer early learning, nutrition support, health monitoring and safe spaces for young children.
By 2024, Kidogo had reached 54,684 children under the age of five and supported 1,986 caregivers across 12 counties. The organisation reports that 94 percent of centres in its network meet its highest quality benchmarks, a significant achievement in a sector where many childcare facilities operate without standardised regulation.
Children in Kidogo-supported centres have demonstrated strong developmental outcomes. According to the organisation, 94 percent of enrolled children meet age-appropriate developmental milestones. In addition, nutritional interventions delivered through the centres have reduced stunting by 35 percent and underweight cases by 46 percent within a year.
Supporting Caregivers and Strengthening Local Economies
Kidogo’s approach aims not only to enhance child development outcomes but also to build sustainable livelihoods for childcare providers. The average Kidogo-affiliated childcare centre now earns approximately KSh 43,000 per month, offering financial stability for caregivers who often operate in challenging socio-economic environments.
These earnings help Mamapreneurs and Papapreneurs reinvest in their centres, improve learning environments and support their own families. The programme has also created indirect economic benefits by enabling parents, particularly mothers, to participate in income-generating activities with the assurance that their children are receiving quality care.
Sabrina noted that as more households adopt reliable childcare options, communities experience broader social and economic uplift. “When childcare works, families work, and when families work, communities grow,” she said. “Our goal is to reach even more families by 2026.”
The First Papapreneur Award: Redefining Roles in Childcare
A notable highlight of this year’s gala was the introduction of the Papapreneur Award, which recognises men who have taken on active caregiving responsibilities and successfully run childcare centres within their communities.
This recognition aligns with broader national and global efforts to promote gender inclusivity in caregiving roles. While women continue to make up the majority of early childhood caregivers, Kidogo notes a rising number of men expressing interest in training and running childcare centres.
By spotlighting these men, the organisation hopes to challenge cultural perceptions that limit caregiving roles to women and to encourage more balanced participation in early childhood development.
A Call for Partnerships to Scale Impact
As Kidogo commemorates its 11-year journey, the organisation is calling for stronger partnerships with the public sector, private companies and policymakers to expand access to dignified childcare nationwide.
The organisation believes that robust early learning systems have long-term economic and social returns, including improved learning outcomes, reduced dropout rates, healthier families and increased workforce participation among parents.
Kidogo is advocating for increased investment in childcare infrastructure, more structured policy support for community-based providers and broader recognition of caregiving as a critical component of Kenya’s human capital development.
Sabrina underscored the need for national collaboration to achieve countrywide access. “We are proud of how far we have come, but we know the work is not done,” she said. “We invite partners to join us in building a future where all children can thrive and caregivers are recognised as essential contributors to Kenya’s progress.”
The gala concluded with performances, caregiver showcases and award recognitions, reaffirming Kidogo’s mission to support early childhood caregivers and strengthen the foundations of Kenya’s future workforce.
