A Vibrant Start: Young Children Thrive Through Play-Based Learning in Mathare

In the heart of Mathare, Nairobi County, the morning air is filled with laughter and anticipation as young children arrive at Destiny Kids Rescue Centre. Clutching colourful lunchboxes and chatting excitedly, children aged four to six eagerly step into their classrooms—spaces now transformed into hubs of creativity, exploration, and joy. 

Inside, the atmosphere is alive with energy. Children gather around learning corners, engaging with brightly colored building blocks, storybooks, and tactile learning materials. Gone are the days of passive instruction; here, learning is hands-on, playful, and child-led. At the center of the room, a box brimming with educational toys and art supplies invites curiosity and collaboration. 

These learning materials, provided by UNICEF with support from the bioMérieux Endowment Fund for Education, are part of a broader initiative to promote inclusive, quality early childhood education. The programme emphasizes play-based, child-centered learning—an approach proven to support holistic development in the early years. 

As Kenya marks the International Day of Play on June 11, the theme “Choose Play – Every Day” resonates deeply in classrooms like this. It’s a call to action for governments, educators, and families to prioritize play as a fundamental right and developmental necessity for every child. 

Teacher Rose leads a playful counting activity, guiding children through songs and games that reinforce numeracy skills. The children respond with enthusiasm, their voices rising in harmony as they count, clap, and move together, learning through rhythm, repetition, and joy. 

Destiny Kids Rescue Centre began as a safe haven for vulnerable children, offering protection and education to those facing financial and other challenges at home. Today, it serves over 330 learners from kindergarten to Grade Five. Despite space limitations in the informal settlement, the school has become a beacon of hope and transformation. 

“As a mother and educator, I’ve seen how trauma can hinder a child’s growth,” says school director Leunidah Openda. “Our mission is to nurture each child’s potential through love, safety, and play-based learning.” 

Openda credits teacher training supported by UNICEF and Nairobi County for reigniting a child-centered approach in the classroom. “We no longer rely on rigid instruction. Instead, we create environments where children lead their learning through play, imagination, and interaction.” 

However, challenges remain. Many learners come from low-income households and often arrive at school hungry. “Teaching a hungry child is difficult,” Openda explains. “We are actively seeking partnerships to support school feeding programmes so that no child has to learn on an empty stomach.” 

The school’s five-year strategic plan envisions relocating to a larger space to accommodate more learners and expand its impact. “Education is a powerful equalizer,” Openda says. “We’ve seen our students progress to top secondary schools and universities. With the right support, every child can succeed.” 

Positive parenting sessions have also played a vital role. “We invite parents to participate in workshops on child protection, emotional support, and the importance of play,” Openda adds. “This has strengthened family bonds and improved children’s well-being.”

A short drive away, Huruma Pre-School, a public Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre, serves 299 learners with the support of seven teachers. Established in 1982, the school has spacious classrooms and a large playground equipped with swings, slides, and other outdoor learning facilities. Here too, play is central to the learning experience. 

Mercy Wanjiku, a parent at Huruma Pre-School shares how the parenting sessions transformed her relationship with her daughter, Cheryl. “We now bond through play. I’ve learned to listen, to guide, and to celebrate her growth.” 

Both schools are part of a network supported by the bioMérieux Endowment Fund for Education, in partnership with UNICEF and the Nairobi County Education Department. The programme delivers teacher training, positive parenting sessions, and child protection awareness, all grounded in the principles of nurturing care. 

The Nairobi County Deputy Director of Education, Raphael Kinyungu, acknowledges the critical role of low-cost schools like Destiny Kids Rescue Centre in complementing public education. “We’re working closely with school leaders to ensure compliance with teaching standards and to promote child-centered learning environments,” he says. 

Kinyungu notes that while the recommended teacher-to-pupil ratio is 1:25, many classrooms exceed this, with up to 32 learners per teacher. “Thanks to our partnership with UNICEF and the bioMérieux Endowment Fund, we now have more resources and better-trained teachers to support interactive, play-based learning.” 

Patricia Ayandokun, Regional Coordinator for the bioMérieux Endowment Fund for Education, emphasizes the long-term impact of early childhood education. “When we nurture happy, well-educated children, we build stronger communities. The teacher training and parenting sessions have been transformative.” 

Agnes Ngonyo, Education Specialist at UNICEF Kenya, echoes this sentiment. “The early years are foundational for lifelong learning. Through the nurturing care, we ensure children grow in safe, stimulating and healthy environments The opportunity for children to touch, feel, manipulate, observe, and create with learning materials is not only joyful but also significantly enhances their social-emotional development, cognitive skills, and overall school readiness. 

Ngonyo concludes, “We are committed to working with partners to expand access to quality, inclusive education. Together, we are investing in a brighter, to support a more equitable future for every child in Kenya.”