7th National ECD Conference

7th National ECD Stakeholders Conference, 2027
Theme: Investing in ECD Ecosystems for Better Child Outcomes.
2nd - 4th March 2027 in Embu County
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Objectives

  • To share evidence and innovations for strengthening ECD ecosystems.

  • To promote investments in caregiving systems that improve child outcomes.

  • To promote evidence-informed policy and practice in ECD. ecosystems.

The National ECD Stakeholders’ Conference is Kenya’s premier platform bringing together policymakers, researchers, development partners, practitioners, academia, county governments, civil society and the private sector to advance Early Childhood Development.

2nd - 4th March 2027
Embu County
Concept Note

Sub-themes

1. Research, Evidence and Innovation for Better Child Outcomes

Topics:

  1. Translating ECD research into policy and practice
  2. Strengthening ECD data systems for decision-making and accountability
  3. Innovations in ECD service delivery and programme design
  4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in ECD (Ed-tech)
  5. Community-led and indigenous innovations in ECD
  6. Evidence-based approaches to nurturing care
  7. Monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive management in ECD programmes

2. Strengthening National & County ECD Systems for Sustainable Impact

Topics:

  1. Leadership and Governance for ECD
  2. Financing ECD: Budgeting, resource mobilization, and investment strategies
  3. Multi-sectoral coordination and integrated service delivery
  4. Workforce development and professionalization of ECD practitioners
  5. Public-private partnerships for ECD
  6. Accountability and performance measurement in ECD programmes
  7. Scaling innovations and best practices
  8. Leveraging devolution to improve child outcomes

3. Investing in Caregiving Systems and the Care Economy

Topics:

  1. Responsive caregiving and nurturing care
  2. Family-friendly policies and workplace support for caregivers
  3. Childcare systems and quality early learning environments
  4. The role of fathers and male caregivers in ECD
  5. Mental health and wellbeing of parents and caregivers
  6. Social protection and support for vulnerable families
  7. Recognizing, reducing, and redistributing unpaid care work
  8. Advancing the recognition, professionalization and decent working conditions for paid care work

4. Building Resilient, Inclusive and Future-Ready ECD Ecosystems

Topics:

  1. Climate-resilient approaches to ECD
  2. Inclusion of children with disabilities and special needs
  3. ECD in humanitarian, fragile, and conflict-affected settings
  4. Child protection, safeguarding, and violence prevention
  5. Urban ECD and supporting children in informal settlements
  6. Early childhood mental health and psychosocial wellbeing
  7. Nutrition, health, and early learning integration
  8. Future trends shaping ECD ecosystems and child outcomes
  9. Role of faith based organizations/actors  in ECD / Faith-based interventions in ECD