Kidogo Early Years Celebrates 11 Years of Dignified Childcare

Kidogo Early Years, Kenya’s leading social enterprise in affordable early childhood care and education, hosted its 11th Annual Gala Celebration honouring women who are transforming the lives of children in low-income communities through high-quality, community-led childcare. The annual gala this year introduced a special recognition, the “Papapreneur Award”, to celebrate men who have stepped up as caregivers and are redefining social norms around childcare. Held at St. Andrews P.C.E.A., Nairobi, the celebration reflected on a decade of dignified childcare and brought together Kidogo caregivers, government leaders, development partners, and early childhood experts to recognize the caregivers at the heart of Kidogo’s mission. Speaking during the event, Kidogo CEO and Co-founder Sabrina Habib, said: “For 11 years, we have celebrated the incredible caregivers who make dignified childcare a reality in our communities. 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.” For over a decade, Kidogo has championed the belief that every child, no matter where they are born, deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Founded in 2014, the organization identifies, trains, and supports community caregivers, women and men, to run safe, affordable, and high-quality childcare centres in low-income settlements. They are now called Mamapreneurs and Papapreneurs.  Through its social franchising model, Kidogo has built a nationwide network that delivers measurable impact. As of 2024, Kidogo reached 54,684 children under the age of five, supported 1,986 Mamapreneurs across 12 counties, and ensured that 94% of childcare centres met its highest quality standards. Children in Kidogo centres are thriving, with 94% meeting age- appropriate developmental milestones and malnutrition rates dropping by 35% (stunting) and 46% (underweight) within a year. Kidogo’s work has also enabled thousands of women to build sustainable livelihoods. On average, the centers in Kidogo’s network earn KSh 43,000 per month, while providing safe, stimulating environments for children and allowing parents, especially mothers, to work or study with peace of mind. “When childcare works, families work, and when families work, communities grow,” added Sabrina. “Our goal is to reach even more families by 2026.” As Kidogo marks this milestone, the organization calls on the public, corporates, and policymakers to partner in building a future where all children can thrive, and caregiving is recognized as a vital pillar of Kenya’s social and economic progress. About Kidogo Kidogo Early Years is a Kenyan-born social enterprise working to ensure every child, regardless of where they are born, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Founded in 2014, Kidogo is solving one of Kenya’s most urgent yet overlooked challenges: the childcare gap in informal settlements. Through its innovative social-franchising model, Kidogo identifies, trains, and supports community-based caregivers, known as Mamapreneurs and Papapreneurs, to provide safe, stimulating, and sustainable childcare that allows parents to work confidently while their children learn and thrive. Today, Kidogo’s footprint stretches across 12 counties, reaching 54,684 children through 1,986 quality-assured childcare centres, all run by caregivers equipped through The Kidogo Way, a framework that integrates early learning, nutrition, health, and business training. A Movement Shaping Kenya’s Care Economy What began as a small idea in Nairobi’s informal settlements has evolved into a national movement influencing childcare policy and systems. In partnership with the Government of Kenya, Kidogo has worked closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Council of Governors, and the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) to professionalize childcare, strengthen quality standards, and co-design frameworks for a National Childcare Act and county-level licensing systems. By building bridges between policy and practice, Kidogo is helping define childcare as a pillar of economic infrastructure, essential for women’s economic empowerment, family wellbeing, and national productivity. Why This Story Matters  Caregiving as Economic Infrastructure: Affordable childcare is unlocking productivity, especially for women in the informal economy.  Evidence of Impact: In 2024 alone, Kidogo-supported centres recorded a 35% reduction in stunting, 30% reduction in wasting, and 46% reduction in underweight children.  Community Transformation: Thousands of Mamapreneurs have grown their businesses, doubled enrolment, and created new jobs within their neighbourhoods.  Inclusive Care: The 2025 event introduces the Papapreneur Awards, spotlighting men in caregiving and redefining what shared responsibility looks like in Kenyan families.