Madrasa Early Childhood Programme
Established in the 1980s to improve access to and quality of ECD in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Early Childhood Development
Giving girls and boys the best possible start in life.
The Aga Khan Foundation empowers caregivers, families, communities, health, and education services and institutions to create a joyful, equitable and sustainable Early Childhood Development (ECD) environment for the holistic development and wellbeing of young children.
We focus on enhancing caregiver, family, and community support, increasing access to quality ECD services, and strengthening ECD workforce and institutions.
We sometimes give too little attention to the schools which prepare young children for life itself – in all of its holistic dimensions. An investment made in the earliest, pre-school years can bring enormous dividends as a child proceeds from one level of education to another.His Highness the Aga Khan
Engaging entire communities
Our ECD programmes annually benefit more than two million children (aged 0-6 years), over one million caregivers, and over 78,000 members of the ECD workforce.
Featured Initiatives
Our impact in 2023
Our impact in 2023
- 2.3 million Children reached through 39,362 ECD centres and community spaces
- 1 million Caregivers and parents reached, 64% of whom were women and 33% of whom were men
- 75,800 Members of the ECD workforce supported and 85% of whom received professional development training
Our Early Childhood Development programmes address the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Featured News: Early Childhood Development
AKF launches new resource for practitioners seeking to enhance the capacity of health workers in Early Childhood Development
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