Murang’a: Home-based childcare providers in Murang’a County have called on the county government to standardize licensing fees and formally recognize their role in providing early childhood care, saying inconsistent charges and limited government support continue to hinder their operations.
According to Kenya News Agency, the appeal was made during a roundtable meeting between members of the Murang’a County Assembly Gender and Social Services Committee and participants of the Nurture First Programme. Stakeholders discussed challenges facing home-based childcare providers and explored policy interventions to strengthen the sector. The forum was organized by the Nurture First Programme in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a (CDM).
The childcare providers emphasized their critical role in supporting working families by offering safe and affordable care for young children. However, they pointed out that many continue to operate without adequate recognition, training, or financial support from the government. Elizabeth Wairimu Muiruri, Project Officer at the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a under the Nurture First Programme, revealed that a 2024 mapping exercise identified 1,268 home-based childcare providers across the county who collectively care for more than 6,000 children aged between birth and three years.
Wairimu noted that the programme is also being implemented in Kisumu and Mombasa counties, where similar initiatives are underway to improve the quality of childcare services and strengthen support for caregivers. She stated that the programme is advocating for the inclusion of home-based childcare providers in county policies and budgets to ensure they receive the recognition, training, and resources needed to deliver quality childcare services.
Wairimu also highlighted the lack of formal training for many caregivers in critical areas such as first aid, child development, nutrition, hygiene, safety, and self-care. ‘We want these providers to be recognized for the important work they are doing and be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, quality, and nurturing care for children,’ she said.
Murang’a County Assembly Gender and Social Services Committee Chairperson Pauline Njeri Muchiri remarked that the engagement had highlighted the significant contribution made by home-based childcare providers. She noted that many leaders were unaware of the scale of the sector in the county, with more than 1,200 providers operating across Murang’a facing challenges from inconsistent and sometimes expensive licensing fees charged by different authorities.
Muchiri stated that the committee would engage relevant county departments to harmonize licensing charges while ensuring all childcare facilities meet the required standards for children’s safety, health, and well-being. She further pledged to advocate for the allocation of funds in the county budget to support home-based childcare providers through training, capacity building, and improved regulation. ‘The committee will work with the relevant departments to ensure licensing fees are fair, affordable, and standardized while maintaining the standards required to protect children. We will also push for budgetary support for home-based childcare providers,’ she added.
Eva Wangari, a member of the Nurture First Programme, highlighted that many caregivers provide an essential service to families that cannot afford domestic workers or formal daycare centres, making home-based childcare a lifeline for low-income households. She added that the programme continues to equip caregivers with skills in child wellbeing, nutrition, hygiene, safety, and responsive caregiving to improve the quality of services offered.
Participants expressed that strengthening the home-based childcare sector would enhance early childhood development while enabling parents, particularly mothers, to participate in income-generating activities with the assurance that their children are receiving safe and quality care.
