Nurturing Children. Strengthening Families. Building Communities.
The Nurturing Early Childhood Community Support Initiative (NECCS Initiative) is a Nigerian nonprofit organisation working to promote early childhood development through training, advocacy, research and community-led childcare systems.
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive in a safe, nurturing and responsive environment—regardless of family income or where they live.
Our story
NECCS Initiative grew out of the Community Childcare Project, which began in low-income communities of Alimosho LGA.
The project emerged from a simple but urgent observation: families needed childcare, but many neighbourhood childcare providers lacked access to training, resources, support and systems that could help them provide quality care.
Rather than creating solutions from outside the community, we began working with the people already providing and using childcare—caregivers, parents, community leaders and local stakeholders.
The experience of the Community Childcare Project eventually led to the establishment of NECCS Initiative as a formal organisation. The organisation was registered as a nonprofit on 1 November 2024 and continues to build on its community roots.
What we do
Our work currently centres around five interconnected areas:
- Strengthening childcare providers We train, mentor and support community childcare providers to improve quality, safety and professionalism.
- Supporting healthy childhoods We promote nutrition and holistic development for young children through education and affordable nutrition initiatives.
- Building community networks We strengthen childcare provider networks so practitioners can learn, collaborate and advocate collectively.
- Generating evidence We conduct and support research that helps communities, practitioners and decision-makers better understand early childhood challenges.
- Mobilising investment in ECD We engage businesses, young people, development partners and other stakeholders to increase investment in early childhood development.
Our approach
We work at the intersection of:
Children + Families + Caregivers + Communities + Policy + Business
Because improving outcomes for young children requires more than one intervention. It requires an ecosystem in which families can access affordable care, caregivers are equipped to provide quality services, communities value early childhood development, and institutions invest in sustainable solutions.
Our vision
A Nigeria where every young child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment.
Our mission
To strengthen early childhood development by equipping caregivers, supporting families, mobilising communities, generating evidence and building partnerships that make quality childcare more accessible and sustainable.
Our values
Child-centredness: We put children's wellbeing and development at the heart of our work.
Community ownership: We work with communities, not simply for them.
Inclusion: Every child and family deserves dignity, respect and opportunity.
Evidence: We value learning, data and lived experience in shaping our decisions.
Collaboration: Sustainable change requires strong partnerships.
Integrity: We are committed to responsible, transparent and ethical practice.