A daycare programme established at a vocational training centre in Mathioya Constituency, Murang’a County, is enabling young mothers to return to school by providing safe childcare services while they pursue skills training.
The initiative, introduced by the 360 Climate Institute, is helping teenage mothers rebuild their lives after pregnancies interrupted their education, allowing them to balance motherhood and learning without compromising the wellbeing of their children.
At the centre of the programme is the “Cha Mama” Daycare Baby Crèche, where trained caregivers look after infants and toddlers from morning until evening as their mothers attend classes. The arrangement allows learners to concentrate on their studies while remaining close enough to breastfeed and check on their children during breaks.
The programme was established in response to the growing number of young women who wanted to resume education but lacked reliable childcare support.
For many beneficiaries, the initiative has become a pathway to restoring confidence, acquiring employable skills and securing a better future for themselves and their children.
Jane Njeri, a beneficiary from Nyandarua County, said the programme enabled her to continue pursuing a catering course after giving birth.
She explained that she enrolled at the institution while pregnant and took maternity leave before returning to complete her training with the support of the daycare facility.
“I first learnt about this school online, applied and joined to study catering. At the time I was pregnant,” she said.
Njeri noted that balancing exclusive breastfeeding with coursework has not been easy but said the daycare has made it possible for her to continue learning without neglecting her child.
She expressed gratitude to the institution for creating an environment that allows young mothers to pursue education while fulfilling their parental responsibilities.
Another beneficiary, Jane Wanjiru, has progressed from being one of the programme’s first students to becoming a trainer at the institution.
She described the initiative as a turning point that transformed what once seemed like the end of her education into an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
“I am a trainer and a beneficiary of the daycare centre. I would not be able to work without the daycare because it helps me juggle work and motherhood,” she said.
Wanjiru encouraged other young mothers who had abandoned education after becoming pregnant to take advantage of similar opportunities and work towards rebuilding their futures.
The success of the programme has also been attributed to caregivers such as Nancy Gakii, who ensures children are well-fed, safe and cared for throughout the day.
Her work enables mothers to attend lessons with confidence, knowing their children are receiving proper care in a secure environment.
The initiative has received positive support from members of the local community, who say it is helping reduce the stigma often associated with teenage motherhood.
Resident Susan Wangui said many parents are unable to care for their daughters’ children during the day because they also have to work to support their families.
“We have girls who dropped out of school after getting pregnant and sometimes, as parents, we cannot help with childcare because we also have to work the whole day,” she said.
Joseph Gikungu welcomed the programme, saying it restores hope to young mothers who would otherwise struggle to return to school.
“Allowing young mothers to come to school with their children makes me happy because it gives them hope,” he said.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the 360 Climate Institute, Daniel Irungu, the initiative was launched in 2024 after the organisation identified a growing need among young mothers seeking vocational training.
“We realised there was a gap in society when we saw many young mothers who wanted skills but had no one to take care of their young children,” he said.
Irungu said early parenthood should not mark the end of a young woman’s education or career aspirations, adding that access to skills training can help young mothers achieve financial independence.
The institute’s founder and Board Chairperson, Hannah Muriithi, said the idea was inspired by the determination shown by young mothers who wanted to learn but were held back by childcare responsibilities.
“We created a safe space where babies can play, learn and remain secure while their mothers attend training or teach different skills,” she said.
Muriithi appealed to development partners, well-wishers and other organisations to support the programme so that more young mothers can benefit from vocational education and childcare services.
She said expanding the initiative would enable more girls who dropped out of school due to pregnancy to acquire practical skills, improve their livelihoods and become economically self-reliant.
The programme has emerged as a model of how targeted support can help young mothers overcome barriers to education, demonstrating that with access to childcare, skills training and community support, they can successfully balance motherhood and learning while creating brighter futures for themselves and their children.
By Purity Mugo
