The Global Schools Forum has opened applications for the Impact at Scale Labs: Early Years in Kenya and Tanzania, an 18-month programme designed to support locally led organisations developing innovative childcare and early childhood education solutions for children aged 0–5 years. The initiative aims to identify, fund, and strengthen promising childcare organisations working to improve early childhood development outcomes while advancing women’s economic empowerment in low-income communities across Kenya and Tanzania. Applications for the programme are open until July 30, 2026, providing eligible organisations with an opportunity to access catalytic funding, technical support, and partnership opportunities to expand their impact. Addressing Critical Early Childhood Development Challenges The Impact at Scale Labs programme responds to significant gaps affecting early childhood education and childcare access across sub-Saharan Africa. According to programme organisers, early childhood development remains a major challenge, with limited access to quality learning and care services affecting millions of young children. The initiative highlights that: Only 27% of children in sub-Saharan Africa are enrolled in early childhood education, representing approximately half the global average. Only 54% of children in the region are considered developmentally on track. Women continue to carry a disproportionate share of unpaid childcare responsibilities, limiting opportunities for economic participation. Through the programme, Global Schools Forum seeks to strengthen childcare models that support children’s development while reducing barriers faced by caregivers, particularly women. Overview of the Impact at Scale Labs Programme The Impact at Scale Labs: Early Years in Kenya and Tanzania is a cohort-based programme that will select locally led childcare organisations through a competitive application process. The programme builds on lessons from the previous Impact at Scale Labs: Early Years in Kenya initiative, implemented between 2023 and 2025. The new phase expands the focus to include organisations operating across both Kenya and Tanzania. The initiative is jointly funded by the Hilton Foundation and Echidna Giving. The programme will run from October 2026 to March 2028. Funding and Support Available to Selected Organisations Successful applicants will receive milestone-linked catalytic funding ranging from US$50,000 to US$100,000 to strengthen and scale their childcare solutions. In addition to financial support, participating organisations will benefit from: Intensive coaching and technical assistance. Peer learning opportunities with other childcare innovators. Partnership-building support. Assistance in generating evidence on programme effectiveness. Guidance to strengthen organisational sustainability and investment readiness. The programme is designed to help organisations test, validate, and improve their childcare models while creating pathways for long-term growth and expansion. Focus Areas: Child Development and Women’s Economic Empowerment The Impact at Scale Labs programme has two interconnected priorities: improving child development outcomes and supporting women’s economic empowerment. Selected organisations will be expected to demonstrate approaches that integrate gender equality and social inclusion principles across: Childcare model design. Workforce development. Community engagement strategies. Service delivery approaches. The programme aims to promote childcare solutions that benefit children, caregivers, families, and communities while contributing to stronger local systems. Eligibility and Target Organisations Global Schools Forum is seeking applications from locally led organisations in Kenya and Tanzania that are developing innovative childcare and early childhood education and development models. The programme is looking for organisations that have: A strong vision for scaling their impact. Innovative childcare approaches for children aged 0–5 years. Commitment to improving child development outcomes. Interest in strengthening gender-responsive programming. Capacity to generate evidence and demonstrate impact. Ambition to build sustainable and investment-ready organisations. The initiative aims to select eight childcare organisations through the competitive application process. Expected Programme Outcomes Through the Impact at Scale Labs, participating organisations will work towards several long-term outcomes, including: Testing and validating effective childcare models. Generating evidence on child development and women’s economic empowerment outcomes. Strengthening collaboration between communities, governments, and private sector stakeholders. Developing knowledge products to support the wider childcare sector. Establishing communities of practice connecting childcare practitioners across Kenya and Tanzania. Mobilising additional investment to expand locally led childcare solutions. Application Timeline and Key Dates The programme follows a structured selection process beginning with the application launch in June 2026. Important dates include: Application launched: June 26, 2026. Applicant Q&A webinar: July 10, 2026. Application deadline: July 30, 2026. Application review and shortlisting: Early to mid-August 2026. First-round interviews: Late August 2026. Due diligence process: Early to mid-September 2026. Final investment committee interviews and approvals: Late September 2026. Contracts signed: Mid-October 2026. Grantee announcement: Late October 2026. Programme onboarding begins: Late October 2026. Supporting the Future of Early Childhood Development The Impact at Scale Labs: Early Years in Kenya and Tanzania represents a significant opportunity for organisations working to transform childcare access and quality across East Africa. By combining financial investment, technical expertise, research support, and partnership development, the programme aims to accelerate locally driven solutions that improve early childhood outcomes and strengthen opportunities for families and communities. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. 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