In Search of Sustainable Childcare Models in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons on Implementation and Support

Abstract

Access to quality, affordable childcare services is a problem that plagues all societies, but especially in communities with low resources and/or the absence of a childcare market. Ensuring sustainability of services, usage, and quality is difficult to balance while also meeting the needs of the poorest populations in Sub-Saharan Africa. In examining some innovative approaches to childcare, one can learn the strengths and weaknesses of the different models while also documenting lessons on how to best support childcare providers in resource-constrained environments. Building the evidence base on childcare in Sub-Saharan Africa and finding viable policy solutions will help address the heavy care work burdens on women that limit their economic participation and productivity, enhance providers’ abilities to offer quality, affordable care to families across Africa, and facilitate children’s growth and development in early childhood development (ECD) and nutrition, while also providing safe environments for children to learn. Through the exploration of four case studies, this brief shows that no childcare model is one size-fits-all, but that certain models may be more versatile, cost effective, or may work well in specific environments. Each model has a constant tension between quality and profitability, and to promote both aspects, the recommendations include advocacy for an inclusive and flexible regulatory framework, advocacy for ministry ownership, leveraging existing resources through partnerships with local and provincial governments, continued investment in training, and collaboration with livelihoods programs to explore how the programs can complement one another, among others.