Collaborative Actionfor Childcare
The Collaborative Action for Childcare (CAC) is a Pan-African platform for cooperation, co-creation, co-innovation, and learning initiated by Uthabiti Africa to accelerate access to quality, affordable childcare for all.
A Shared Vision forQuality Childcare
We envision a well-coordinated childcare sector — one with little unhealthy competition, where children are safe, childcare workers can thrive, and governments are in the lead.
The platform organically emerged during the implementation of the Collaborative Action for Childcare in Kenya project, implemented by Uthabiti Africa between April 2021 and April 2023. During this period, it became clear that an incredibly small childcare ecosystem was hampered less by resources and more by insufficient coordination — limiting collective action and collective impact.
The Collaborative is powered by a shared vision: a sector where childcare work is dignified, micro-entrepreneurs can thrive, local actors are well-funded, information is openly shared, and children have a better start in life. This is a future where governments lead the quest for quality, affordable childcare for all.
Today, the Collaborative brings together an ever-expanding network of partners — including civil society organizations, government institutions, research agencies, childcare enterprises, and other actors working to strengthen a supportive childcare operating environment.
Objectives of the Collaborative
The main objective of the Collaborative Action for Childcare strategy is to cultivate a culture of joint, ecosystem-wide action towards delivering quality and affordable childcare services.
Pooled Learning & Resources
Enhance pooled learning and resource mobilization to strengthen the childcare ecosystem in Kenya.
Research & Evidence
Strengthen research and evidence generation for quality childcare delivery by leveraging technical expertise to address shared needs and challenges.
Partnerships & Coordination
Strengthen partnerships and coordination among stakeholders across the childcare ecosystem to improve collective impact.
Technical Working Groups
Establish thematic technical working groups under the CAC to expedite the design and implementation of priority interventions.
Advancing the Childcare Agenda
Champion the childcare agenda through advocacy, collaboration, and engagement with public and private sector actors.
Guiding Principles
The Collaborative conducts its work guided by a set of shared principles that ensure integrity, equity, accountability, and sustainable impact across the childcare ecosystem.
Best Interests of the Child
All members ensure the child remains at the core of every intervention. Decisions and programs are designed and implemented in the best interests of the child.
Leave No One Behind
Members commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion, striving to ensure access to quality childcare for all children while advancing gender-transformative approaches.
Partnerships for Sustainable Impact
Members collaborate to create sustainable, positive outcomes for children and women in childcare, grounded in mutual trust, respect, commitment, and shared values.
Transparency & Accountability
Members hold themselves and one another accountable for actions, decisions, and outcomes, while openly sharing information to enhance learning and measurable impact.
High-Quality Learning & Nurturing Care
Members identify, model, and scale best practices in nurturing care and quality learning, supporting their adoption across regions and countries.
Local Ownership
The Collaborative promotes joint fundraising and resource mobilization while strengthening local agencies, partners, and voices to drive sustainable childcare solutions.
Responsible & Synergistic Sharing
Members leverage each actor’s niche, respect organizational roles, and build on collective strengths to address gaps and expand shared capacity.
Recognition of Partner Contributions
Contributions of all partners are acknowledged and respected, with trust-based collaboration with national and county governments as key coordinating leaders.
Communication & Branding
Members commit to open, clear communication, aligning priorities, developing shared language, and maintaining strong working relationships through effective channels.
Conflict Resolution
Members strive to work in a conflict-sensitive manner, encouraging open dialogue and escalating unresolved issues to the steering committee when necessary.
Thematic Working Groups
The Collaborative advances its objectives through thematic technical working groups (TWGs) that bring together diverse expertise to design, coordinate, and implement targeted interventions across the childcare ecosystem.
Women in Childcare TWG
Advances the dignity, leadership, and economic empowerment of women working across the childcare sector.
Special Needs & Inclusion TWG
Promotes inclusive childcare systems that respond to the needs of children with disabilities and other special needs.
Childcare Legal, Policy & Regulatory Reforms TWG
Supports legal, policy, and regulatory reforms that enable the provision of quality, affordable childcare services.
Maternal & Child Health Promotion TWG
Promotes integrated approaches linking childcare with maternal and child health, nutrition, and early childhood development.
Join the Collaborative Actionfor Quality Childcare
The Collaborative Action for Childcare brings together governments, civil society, researchers, and childcare enterprises to advance coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable solutions for quality, affordable childcare.
Together, we can strengthen childcare systems and give every child a better start in life.