The legal framework
The Constitution of 2010 assigned pre-primary education to the county governments, so the two years of pre-primary attached to public primary schools are funded and managed at county level. The Competency-Based Curriculum integrates pre-primary into the school system. Day care for under-threes is private and unregulated in most counties, and domestic workers are widely employed for childcare in urban households.
The pattern in Kenya is the same as across the region: something exists from around four, almost nothing below three. Families plan around that gap with grandmothers, older relatives or paid help, and the cost of that arrangement is invisible because it falls on women inside the household.
Quality between private centres varies far more than price does. The questions that actually distinguish them are concrete: how many children per adult, how long the staff have been there, whether there is a shaded outdoor space, what the procedure is when a child is hurt, and whether the centre will let you visit unannounced.
Employing someone at home is an employment relationship governed by law, not a favour. Written terms, agreed hours, the applicable minimum wage and social security registration protect both sides — and an arrangement that is fair tends to be the one that lasts.
Key points
| Pre-primary | Public or publicly supported provision, coverage varying by area |
|---|---|
| Under 3 | Little or no institutional provision; family care and private day care |
| Private sector | Crèches and nurseries, concentrated in Nairobi, Mombasa and the county headquarters |
| Oversight | County departments of education; Ministry of Education for the curriculum |
| Support | No general childcare allowance; tax relief or subsidy only where noted |
| Domestic help | Widely used, and covered by national labour law |
In practice
- Ask at the local government school whether a pre-primary or early childhood class is attached to it.
- Visit any private centre unannounced, count the children per adult and look at the outdoor space.
- Ask to see the registration or licence, and what happens if a child is injured.
- If you employ someone at home, put the terms in writing and comply with the applicable labour law.
- Plan for the long holidays, when most private centres close.
Cost and coverage
Public pre-primary, where it exists, is free or nearly free; uniforms, materials and the parent association levy still have to be budgeted. Private provision costs around KES 3,000 to 30,000 a month for urban private day care and preschool. A domestic worker employed for childcare must be paid at least the applicable minimum wage, with the social security contributions required by national law.
Recent changes
Counties have taken on pre-primary staffing and infrastructure, with wide variation in how far each has gone.
Where to go
- County departments of education; Ministry of Education for the curriculum
- Local education office, for public pre-primary provision
- Registered private crèches and nurseries in Nairobi, Mombasa and the county headquarters
- Community and faith-based early childhood centres
- Labour department, for the rules on employing a domestic worker
Worth knowing
Because pre-primary is a county responsibility, provision and teacher pay differ greatly between counties: ask locally rather than assuming a national standard.
Frequently asked questions
Is there public childcare for babies?
No. Public provision begins at pre-primary age; below three, families rely on relatives or private day care.
What does private provision cost?
Around KES 3,000 to 30,000 a month for urban private day care and preschool, plus registration fees and materials.
What should I check before enrolling?
Registration or licence, the number of children per adult, staff turnover, safety arrangements and whether you may visit unannounced.
Can I employ someone at home?
Yes, under national labour law: written terms, the applicable minimum wage and the required social security registration.
Official sources and links
- eCitizen — official government services portal