By Virginia Siebella
Nairobi City County, in partnership with social enterprise Kidogo, has launched a landmark initiative to formalize over 1,000 informal childcare centers across the city.
The program aims to improve service quality, streamline licensing, and provide essential business support to women running small daycare centers in low-income neighborhoods.
The announcement was made during the 2025 Kidogo Mamapreneurs Gala, an event that celebrated women supporting thousands of working parents, particularly mothers, in Nairobi’s urban labor market.
County Executive for Talent, Skills Development, and Care, Brian Mulama, said the initiative is central to Nairobi’s economic growth.
"Formalizing this sector enables providers to meet quality and safety standards while transitioning into legitimate, growth-oriented micro-enterprises," Mulama said. “It creates safe environments for children and allows more women to participate confidently in the formal workforce.”
He described the program as a "down payment on our future," supporting small businesses that serve more than 55,000 children daily.
Kidogo CEO Sabrina Habib called the initiative a potential blueprint for urban care reform nationwide. "These childcare providers have been under-recognized for their vital contribution," she said. “This initiative ensures regulations, licensing, and quality standards that protect children and empower entrepreneurs.”
The formalization effort will focus on regulatory support, business training, and community impact. It seeks to streamline licensing, enforce child safety standards, equip Mamapreneurs with skills to manage, fund, and grow their centers, and remove childcare barriers for mothers while creating dignified employment for daycare operators.
Mulama noted that the program complements existing county services, including school meals and maternal care, which currently reach 316,000 children.
Kidogo Policy & Partnerships Consultant Martina Adega emphasized the importance of collaboration with the County Government. "We must work hand-in-hand to develop clear, practical standards for childcare operations," she said. “Licensing and monitoring should support continuous quality improvement, not punishment.”
