Community Childcare Project (CCP)
Building Better Childcare, One Community at a Time
The Community Childcare Project (CCP) is our flagship community-based programme for improving the quality, accessibility and affordability of childcare in underserved communities.
We work directly with childcare providers, parents, community leaders and other local stakeholders to strengthen childcare from the ground up. Our approach recognises that many families, especially low-income and working families, depend on neighbourhood childcare centres and home-based caregivers every day. Rather than overlooking these providers, we equip them with the knowledge, tools and support they need to provide safer, more responsive and developmentally appropriate care.
Our approach
CCP combines:
- Caregiver training in child development, nurturing care, health, nutrition, safety, safeguarding and early learning.
- Mentoring and monitoring to support providers beyond the classroom.
- Step-down training that enables trained caregivers to share knowledge with others in their communities.
- Community awareness campaigns that help parents understand what quality childcare should look like.
- Learning and care materials including communication books, first-aid and hygiene resources and practical learning materials.
- Centre mapping and networking to improve visibility and connections among childcare providers.
- Business and registration support to help childcare providers become more organised and sustainable.
- Facility improvement support for selected centres where small improvements can make a significant difference to children's safety and learning environments.
From training to transformation...
CCP is designed around a simple idea: training a caregiver is only the beginning.
Caregivers need continuing support to apply what they learn, parents need information to make informed childcare choices, and communities need systems that encourage quality and accountability.
Programme assessments show encouraging changes among participating centres. In one assessment, childcare providers reported improvements in child records, attendance systems, centre policies, budgeting and financial record-keeping. Caregiver training, community awareness and access to learning materials were identified among the interventions making the greatest difference to participating centres.
The project has grown from an initial community intervention into a wider movement for stronger community childcare systems. Its development has also contributed to the emergence of the Coalition of Childcare Providers of Nigeria (CCPN).
Where we work
Our work began in low-income communities of Alimosho LGA, Lagos State, including communities across its six LCDAs. The model is designed to be adaptable to other underserved communities in Lagos, Ogun and beyond.
Our vision for CCP
We want every child—regardless of where they live or their family's income—to have access to childcare that is safe, nurturing, responsive, inclusive and developmentally appropriate.
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